Title: Daggers and Chance Encounters

Spoilers: None for ER, but this takes place after Warehouse 13 Epi 04x08 'Second Chances' and so spoilers for up to and through that episode. So, beware.

Disclaimer: Don't own any of these characters.

A/N: Yep, I just had to do it. Laura Innes on Warehouse 13, this just popped into my head.

Also, seriously, this is not one of my happy go lucky stories. I thought it would be, and then I realized something while writing the first chapter and suddenly the entire story changed from what I was going to do to something totally different. It's not graphic (I wouldn't do that), just intense and serious.

"Whoa, Kerry, ah... Doctor Weaver. You are the last person I thought I'd run into."

Kerry gave the brunette a half hearted smile. "Hi Randi."

"Oh, are you interviewing for something here?"

Kerry raised an eyebrow at Randi, "I know know Miranda, am I?"

Randi chuckled, then spoke over her shoulder, "Takin' my break Jerry. Don't let the place burn down while I'm gone." She threaded her arm through Kerry's and practically pulled the red head out of the ER and to a bench against the ER's outside wall.

"Okay, spill. What's wrong?"

Kerry shook her head, "I'm just passing through on my way out west... wanted to see the old stomping gro-"

"Bullshit. Try again."

"Randi."

Randi pointed at Kerry, "See, that, there. You called me Randi."

"I call you Randi all the ti-"

"Nope." Randi's face went totally serious, "Look, you don't have to tell me, I'm just-"

Kerry looked down at her hands as she cut Randi off. "Henry, my son, he died."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Randi didn't speak, but put her arms around Kerry and hugged her as hard as she could. Kerry was stiff for a moment, then with a silent shudder she let everything she'd been holding in out. Her tears soaking Randi's shoulder.

Helena G. Wells glanced around the train station, "Chicago. Why would the bloody thing be here." She shook her head, "I think I need a raise... oh yes, I'm not getting quite paid at the moment."

A man cleared his throat to one side of Helena, "Are you okay ma'am?"

Helena gave him a smile, "Just dandy young man. Could you direct me to County General Hospital?"

The man frowned, "County, you don't look sick."

Helena speared the man with a look, "Directions."

"Ah, right, you ever ridden the El?"

Kerry cleared her throat and sat up, wiping at her eyes, "Sorry, I..."

"You're heartbroken and in pain and grieving, but 'cause you're Kerry 'freakin' Weaver you think you have to be perfect and robotic and emotionless and strong." Randi glanced back at the ER doors, "My shift is nearly over, will you be okay here for a bit?"

Kerry nodded, "I'll... yes."

"Good."

Randi went back into the hospital and Kerry watched as people and ambulances came and went.

Helena found herself in the Ambulance Bay of County General. She had to jump out of the way as an ambulance came screaming into the bay. She lost her balance and felt herself start to tumble backwards. But, her fall was stopped by two strong arms around her middle. They helped her stand and she turned. "Thank you." In front of her stood a woman of medium stature with red hair and piercing green eyes.

The redhead regarded Helena, "You should be more careful."

Helena smiled, "If I were more careful I wouldn't have met you now would I?"

Kerry blinked, "Ah- okay. I should-"

"Do you have a name?"

Kerry tilted her head to one side, "I have three, plus a title, you?"

Helena's eyes twinkled, "Three as well, but no title. Oh, and a nickname... shall we trade names?"

Kerry pursed her lips, "I quite like my name. Don't think I'd want someone else's. You?"

Helena nodded, "A valid point, a valid point. I've gotten by with my name so far, don't want to lose it without a fight now do I. So, how about another name. Miranda Fronczak." Kerry thought that she kept her face perfectly still, revealed nothing, but Helena nodded, "Ah, you know her. Where can I find her?"

Kerry frowned, "Why?"

Helena gestured to the bench, "May I sit?"

Kerry stood aside, "Free country. Are you planning on answering my question?"

As Kerry sat at the other end of the bench Helena shook her head, "I'm not. I'm-" she paused, "-Helena Wells."

Kerry held out her hand and they shook, "Kerry Weaver."

"What's your title?"

It was Kerry's turn to pause, "Doctor, M.D., although, I'm not sure if I can still do it."

Both Kerry and Helena watched as another Ambulance came into the bay. "I understand. You lost someone."

Kerry's head turned to study Helena, "How'd- yes. My, son."

Helena took out a locket, opened it and looked down. "I lost my daughter as well. Christina."

"Henry."

Helena blew out a breath, "Well- we sucked the air from this bay haven't we. I apologize. Shall we resume a lighter banter?"

Kerry chuckled and sighed, "I- I haven't really laughed in awhile. Thank you Ms. Wells."

"Please, Helena." She faced Kerry, bringing one leg up under her, "May I call you Kerry?"

"Go crazy."

Helena shook her head, "Generally when you go crazy the second time, they lock you in the psych ward for much longer than I'd like to be locked there."

"You think you're charming."

"Is it working?" Kerry rolled her eyes as Helena shivered, "This place is actually windy. I wasn't anticipating that it would still be this windy."

Kerry stood, taking off her leather jacket and draping it over Helena's back, "Here-"

"No, Kerry, you'll be-"

Kerry sat back down, cutting Helena off, "I've spent most of my life in this part of the country. I'll live. So... I'm a Doctor, you?"

"Very busy-" Kerry kept her gaze on Helena, "I guess I'm an antiques and... curiosities dealer."

"Mmmhmmm..."

"May I ask how your son died?"

Kerry stood and turned away from Helena. She faced toward the bay doors of the ER, her arms crossed over her chest, "You're changing the subject."

"I am." Helena was silent for a moment, "That doesn't mean that I don't truly want to know." She pulled the jacket tighter, "My... my daughter was killed. I'm still not exactly sure who did it. She was only a girl, eight years old."

Helena watched as Kerry took a deep breath in, held it for a beat, let it out and turned. "Why would you tell me that?"

Helena frowned, "Ah, I'm not exactly sure why I told you actually."

"He, he was... Henry was eight too. He was hit by a driver. A drunk driver, drunk at two in the afternoon. H- he was on his bike and I was..." Kerry cleared her throat and put a hand to her face, "I was two hundred yards away, I could see as... as..." Kerry took a few more deep breaths, never looking at Helena, whose own face was pinched in pain, "He was-"

Helena cut Kerry off, finishing her thought, "-my light. My happiness."

Kerry sat back down, "Yes, back to depressing subjects huh?"

"Yes..." Helena gave Kerry a half a grin, "But, I am much warmer this time. And, I do apologize for bringing up such a still painful topic. I... I have had more time to grieve for Christina and still it hurts every day." Helena changed the subject again, "So, if you know Ms. Fronczak, does that mean that you worked here?"

Kerry gave a shake of her head, "Nope, but I did run the place. Well, both places actually. The ER and then the entire hospital."

Helena looked Kerry up and down, "I'd bet it was a good place to- in a phrase you Americans would use- pick up chicks."

Kerry was about to deny that, vehemently, then she thought back to her years in the halls of County, not to mention the years that her co-workers had spent there, and all the relationships that had transpired. "Hmmm... you may be right. So, what do you want with Miranda?"

"She may have something that is dangerous. I wish to buy it from her."

Kerry sat down and leaned back into the bench, "In that case, we'll wait here together for her."

"Together?"

"Yes. She's my friend," Kerry winced, "And these days I don't have a lot of those."