Title: In Comforting Arms
By: InuGhost2.0
Date: 8/27/10
Summary: After her near death experience in 'For the Team' Claudia takes some time off to get over the incident. Originally planning to go to her brother for comfort she instead finds herself going to Douglas Fargo instead. Can the geeky head of GD help Claudia get over this traumatic experience, or is she doomed to remain trapped by it? Rating may increase later.
Disclaimer: Ok as many of you already know I don't own anything that appears in this. For those of you who are new, or believe others then read my lips (metaphorically speaking in this case) I. Do. Not. Own. Warehouse 13. Or Eureka. Good now that that is settled…on with the story.
"Myka, can I ask a big favor of you?" Claudia hesitantly asked as the Secret Service agent was loading the last of her bags into the SUV they'd rented for their mission.
"Claudia what's wrong?" Myka was concerned about the teenager especially after her near brush with death when she'd fallen into that vat of Boiling Point. Hours later the teen was still an unhealthy shade of white and Myka had observed her shivering violently and breaking down into tears when she thought the older woman wasn't looking.
"It has just been a long day…and I'm tired and not really looking forward to a three hour plane ride back to South Dakota just so my sleep cycle can be completely screwed up. Could I…can I just take a couple days off. You know spread my legs and enjoy my time outside of the warehouse before I have to head back and endure Artie's constant questioning, Pete's jokes and Leena hovering around all concerned about me?" Claudia finished lamely her eyes burning a hole in the ground at Myka's feet as she dared not even look the agent in the face and reveal her emotional turmoil.
Sighing she gnawed lightly at her lower lip as she mentally processed Claudia's request. While her excuse had not been one of the best she had ever heard Myka could not help but think that it might be for the best if Claudia did take some time off. After all the nineteen year old had witnessed a boy, around the same age as her, spontaneously combust this morning and had herself nearly died that same afternoon when she'd fallen into the vat of Boiling Point contaminated by the artifact. Making a decision she pulled out her Farnsworth and contacted Artie. After a few tense minutes an agreement had been reached. Closing the device and putting it away she turned back to the teen noticing that Claudia was staring off into the distance and idly rubbing at her arms as though she was cold, even though it was at least mid eighties outside.
"Artie is willing to give you a week off considering this is the first time you've ever been through anything like this. There will be a plane waiting for you at the airport that will take you to Switzerland so you can spend some time with your brother." Myka finished gently. The agent was unprepared for the teen to suddenly spring forward and wrap her up in a bone crushing hug.
"Thank you." Claudia whispered quietly silently cursing herself as she felt tears spill from her eyes. She had spent years trying to be stronger than this, and yet one near death experience and she was falling apart worse than when everyone had thought Joshua had died. Releasing her friend Claudia furiously scrubbed at her eyes in an effort to erase all traces of her earlier crying.
An hour later
As Claudia watched the city of Tamalpais recede into the night she could not suppress a shiver that ran through her. Watching its light dwindle away only served to remind her of how the flames slowly flickered and died after fully burning through that wrestler. As she mentally replayed the event over and over again in her head she felt something rising in her throat. Recognizing the feeling Claudia hastily unbuckled her seat belt and clamped a hand over her mouth as she rushed into the bathroom. After emptying the entire contents of her stomach Claudia only felt mildly better. She then collapsed to the ground and wept uncontrollably.
She had no idea how long she sat there crying though after what felt like hours she finally stopped weeping. Getting off of the ground Claudia was shocked at her haggard appearance in the mirror. Wiping her mouth she washed her hands before cupping them under the faucet and collecting some water so she could rinse the vile taste out of her mouth. Once most of the taste was out of her mouth she splashed water on her face making herself feel somewhat better.
Exiting the bathroom Claudia staggered back to her seat and collapsed into it. Laying back in her seat Claudia tried to think of anything other than what she had gone through this day. Trying to think of happier times she began to recall the time she had spent in Eureka with Douglas Fargo. Remembering their incident in the mine field Claudia could not help but smile as she recalled how embarrassed he had been when he had become aroused while she was atop him, in spite of laying on top of a landmine.
Giving it some thought Claudia knew she needed to make a decision. Did she want to go and see her brother in Switzerland and hope that he would help her overcome this fear she felt eating her up from within, or divert the plane for Eureka. Thinking it over for a few minutes Claudia attempted to weigh the pros and cons of both choices before finally reaching the inevitable conclusion.
A/N: That's it for the moment. Sorry if this wasn't the best start to this story, but I promise you it will get better as it goes along. Please let me know what you thought, and remember reviews make authors happy, and happy authors are productive authors.