Here it is. The first chapter of Stolen Moments: Season 2. If you're just coming in now, you may want to go back and read the first two stories in this series - SM: Preseries and SM: Season 1. Although most of these will center around what Natalija and Vladimyr are up to during their mother's second 'lifetime', most will contain main characters as well. This chapter contains not only spoilers for S2E1 The End of Nights Pt1, but also some dialog taken right from the episode. No copyright infringement intended. I just needed it to set the scene. Enjoy.
Bold = thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own Sanctuary or any of its characters.
Chapter 1:
(The corridor outside the main lab in the Old City Sanctuary - 2009)
Natalija and Vladimyr Bancroft move quickly and silently through the corridors of the Old City Sanctuary, heading back to their original entry point. They had used the same entrance many years ago the few times they had visited Ashley, without their mother's approval. Nothing really changed, so they can still easily navigate without really focusing on where they are. As they approach the main lab, both of them hear voices emanating from the room. Stopping just short of the entrance, they flatten against the wall.
"No! John, please take me back!" Helen pleads.
"Helen," John answers mournfully.
Helen continues, "Take me back!"
"She will kill you! She'll kill us all!" John yells.
"Henry, get the EM shield back up, now!" Will orders.
"We had her! We found her!" Helen cries out.
Henry asks, "What the hell happened? You guys were gone for like ten minutes?"
"It didn't go well," Nikola offers.
"What in God's name have they done to her?" Helen questions.
"Will?" Henry asks softly.
Will answers, "She was waiting for us, but it wasn't any Ashley you'd know."
"They've used the Source Blood to change her," Nikola supplies, "She's the only progeny of two Source Blood altered abnormals. Smart move."
Helen points out, "It's not going to stop there. They'll use the Montana test subjects to make copies. There'll be more just like her very soon."
Natalija closes her eyes and shakes her head. No! Not today! How could we have not realized what today was! As a single tear rolls down her cheek, she feels Vladimyr take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. She opens her eyes in time to see Helen storming out of the lab, with Will following closely behind. Silently, the siblings turn back the way they came from, planning to take a more circuitous route to the exit.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Nikola growls lowly at them.
Slowly, as one, they turn to face a vamped out Nikola. "Hello, Dr. Tesla," Natalija says calmly with her British accent, "How good it is to see you again."
"Mr. and Miss Banks. No Serbian this time?" Nikola cocks his head a bit. He recognizes the young couple immediately, even though their appearances have changed somewhat. Mir's hair is shorter and darker, while Talia's is now straight and dark auburn.
"We can speak in Serbian, if you wish," she answers in Serbian.
"The Queen's English will do," Nikola replies evenly, shifting back to his human form.
"You know we can no more tell you what we are doing here, than we could tell you why we needed the containment field," Vladimyr answers.
"Of course not," Nikola states coldly. "But you do know what is going to happen, don't you?" he asks, looking pointedly at Natalija.
She drops her eyes to the ground then back up to his face and simply replies, "Yes."
"Then why don't you stop it. End this madness now!" Nikola demands.
Vladimyr steps forward, as if to protect his sister, "Because we can't!"
Nikola also takes a step forward, "Can't or won't?" he challenges.
"Please understand, Dr. Tesla. This…" Natalija sweeps her hands out, "all of it has already happened. Any attempt to change it now could irreparably alter the future. We are doing all that we can do!" Her eyes pleading with him to accept what she is saying to him as truth.
With a sigh, Nikola says, "I suppose that I can't tell anyone you were here."
"That would be for the best," Vladimyr replies.
Natalija surprises both men by walking up to Nikola and taking one of his hands in both of hers. She stares straight into his eyes and calmly states, "I know you love her enough to do what must be done, Dr. Tesla. Even though she does not show it now, so does she." Releasing his hand, she turns and walks away without looking back. With a quick glance at Nikola, Vladimyr silently turns and follows her.
Nikola stands there for a moment watching them disappear down the corridor. Turning on his heel, he heads to Helen's office, steeling himself for whatever fresh hell the Cabal is planning to throw at them.
The twin's plan is about to come to fruition. They can't afford any interference, not even from their father. So tell me what you think. Thanks for reading. Until next time.