"Come on Myka. How long has it been since you've had some-,"

"Pete if you finish that sentence I will Tesla little Pete. We are on the job trying to find H.G. Wells. Focus!" I can't believe Pete asked me that. While yes it's been a few years, that's none of his business.

"Okay. Okay. No need to get so violent. I mean come on; the perfect guy would be H.G. Wells or something. He's a writer and smart." Glaring at Pete caused him to hold his hands up in defeat. "Alright. Alright. We're here anyway." We entered the Father of Science Fiction's home and stood to the side. An actor was talking about how he wrote the books. Before I could stop Pete, he walked up and pulled the actor to his feet. "You don't look like much of a threat but if MacFearson wants you out then we want you in. Secret Service ma'am. Now come with me."

"Pete! He's an actor. He has a fake mustache."

"Myka I'm really vibing out." Looking towards the gentleman, Pete reached up and ripped off the mustache. "Oh. Sorry about that." Placing it back, he released the man's arm.

"I should have known you Americans would be trouble; coming in late." The tour leader scoffed.

"Ma'am I apologize for my partner. But we need to end this showing. I'm sorry." Once everyone was gone, Pete and I started searching the house.

"So, what did you tell that woman anyway?"

"I told her that you were a mental patient who believes that he's H.G. Wells' boyfriend," I answered flatly.

The look on Pete's face was priceless. "Y-you didn't really tell her that did you?" When I didn't answer, he shrugged. "Oh come on Myka…Really?"

We split up to cover more of the house. As I looked through H.G.'s desk, it became clear why he was probably bronzed. "Such a Neanderthal." As I turned the page, my Farnsworth sounded. It was Artie checking in on us. When I told him H.G. Wells was debronzed he freaked. He told me something I would never have believed before I took this job. "Pete, Artie says that H.G. Wells is actually-,"

"A woman. A really hot woman. Maybe good with a gun." A brunette woman held Pete's Tesla to his throat. She was at the reenactment.

"Yeah he left out the gun part." I couldn't help but stare. "Okay, so H.G. Wells is actually a woman. I need to process this."

"Yeah well hurry up with that. A-and be careful. It's called a Tesla and close up it can probably be-,"

"Lethal. I know all about it." H.G.'s voice was a purr. "I brought it to the warehouse."

"You what?"

"I was apprenticed at Warehouse 12. Nikola Tesla and I met in 1893."

"Oh you are really rockin' my world lady." H.G. narrowed her eyes. Pete always knew how to make a situation worse. And he normally would do so.

"Now tell me why the two of you are ransacking my home." H.G. kept her eyes on me but had a vice grip on Pete.

"Ransacking your home…well that has a distinctive ringtone." Carefully, I clicked a button on my phone.

"What does that mean?"

"Uh it's an American expression for I gotcha." My phone sounded and Pete circled around when H.G. was distracted. "Let go of it. I'd hate to hit a sweet old Victorian lady." H.G. obviously had no problem with hitting Pete. Quickly, she kicked him. As he fell, I drew my gun.

"I, on the other hand, have no problem shooting one." H.G. stood still. She looked me over slowly. There was something about the way she studied me that caused a chill to run down my spine. Was she aroused that I'm holding her at gunpoint? And what the hell did that look just do to me?

Pete kept his Tesla aimed at H.G. as I handcuffed her. "You know, that was just rude. I thought English people were supposed to be nice."

Joining Pete, I drew my gun. "Why are you trying to protect James MacFearson? He tried to kill us and believe me he will turn on you."

"Don't they all?" H.G. leaned back in the chair.

"Who?"

"Men; eventually. Neanderthals." H.G. looked towards me with a charming smile. My words suddenly came to mind.

"You know, for someone who's been unconscious for a hundred years you've really held onto some anger." Pete just couldn't get over being strong armed by a woman. A woman, he had just been making out with.

"Not unconscious. Just immobile."

"You mean, while you're bronzed you're still awake?" Pete and I were slightly taken aback.

"We didn't know that." That must be horrible; trapped in your own mind.

"Often does a lady have time to think."

There's that charming smile again. Why does she keep flashing that towards me? Does she honestly think I'll set her free? "What are you hiding here anyway?"

"You either tell us or watch us tear this place apart looking for it."

"Pull out the second drawer down on the right. Empty it out, flip it over, and pull out the panel on the back." H.G. Wells watched every move I made.

There was a hidden key. Taking it out, I held it up. "What's this?"

"Go over to the bottom set of shutters. Grab the top set of vents on either side and closes them; simultaneously." Pete counted down and we shut them. "And uvula." A panel opened revealing a lever with a key hole above it. "That will show you the hiding place Mr. MacFearson had so much trouble locating."

Cautiously, I turned the key. A moment later, a hidden door opened revealing a vest. Bringing it back, I realized the wiring on the vest matched the wiring on the switch. "So, do you want to tell us about this? Why does the wiring match and what could MacFearson want with it?"

"It's a family heirloom. I have no idea why MacFearson wanted it. The likeness has nothing to do with the vest."

"Right. Why should we believe you?" I watched as Pete went to flip the switch. Suddenly, we were slammed against the ceiling while H.G. was still sitting.

"Thank goodness these haven't changed much." H.G. smiled up at us as she uncuffed herself.

"How are you not affected?" My head started to throb.

"Oh, magnetic boots. I had them specially made." We watched as H.G. slipped into the vest.

"I guess we know now why they bronzed you."

"Don't speculate about things you know nothing about." H.G.'s voice was nearly a snarl.

"Oooh there's that anger again," Pete snickered.

My mind was racing. "Well, there has to be a reason on why they bronzed you."

H.G. seemed to calm down as she spoke to me. "It was a different time then. It was easier to believe in time travel than a woman writing about it."

"W-well if you didn't write those novels then who is H.G. Wells?" My whole childhood was quickly becoming a lie. I read those books constantly.

"My brother was the writer. I supplied the ideas and research. He supplied the mustache." There was a slight grin when H.G. realized she had just ripped apart my whole childhood.

"I'm digging the whole iron vest. It really brings out your eyes." Oh yeah, Pete's still here. I forgot about him.

H.G. looked towards Pete as she put on her jacket. "Who's angry now?" One final glance and smile towards me and she left.

"So, uh, do all of your dates end this way?" I tried moving my head but couldn't.

"Well it seemed more like a date between you and H.G. She was flirting with you." He paused, "About what I said earlier, I still think…"

"Pete!" The idea of a female H.G. Wells and I together was outrageous. I tried to think what could have caused our current situation and how we could get free. "Kavarite. An anti-gravity metal H.G. wrote about. I didn't think of it because Kavarite doesn't exist. There's no such thing."

"Myka, in our job there's no such thing as no such thing." Pete reached for his Tesla. "Hang on. Or don't." As he pulled the trigger we fell to the floor. "Ow…"

"Really high ceilings." Before I could catch my breath, my Farnsworth started to ring. It was Artie and we filled him in on what happened. He realized that MacFearson wanted to get into the Escher Vault and needed everyone away from the warehouse. He told us to get back as soon as possible.

Xxx

On Artie's desk was a detailed map of how to get to the vault. He told us that there were traps everywhere and to be very careful. Thinking outside the box, I talked Pete into using the zip line Artie had installed. Once we were near the vault, I used the thimble to transform myself to look like H.G. "Oh, did you get it?"

I tried to mimic H.G.'s flirty side. "Mission accomplished." I twirled the beads of my necklace around my finger. The way MacFearson looked at me made me sick.

"Where's the vest?"

"I left it behind. It was spent." Strutting towards him, I let my hands run over his chest. "Before we go, I think we should celebrate."

"Celebrate how?" MacFearson jumped slightly when I put his hands behind his back. "Oh." Before he could kiss me, Pete cuffed him.

"Took you long enough." I pulled off the thimble. "I thought I was going to have to kiss that."

"Long way to go for nothing." Artie and Claudia walked up.

"Arthur, I know her plan. H.G. Wells is still in the vault. I can tell you what she's planning." Before MacFearson could continue, H.G. appeared behind him and cut the necklace he wore. She used the vest to leave before we could catch her.

Xxx

When we returned to the B&B no one spoke. Artie's friend was killed and none of us could have saved him. "I'm going out. I need a drink." Grabbing my keys, I started for the door.

Pete stopped me. "Myka, be careful."

"I will be Pete." As I drove, the day's events played through my mind. My childhood was turned upside down. H.G. Wells flirted with me. And another man died in front of me. There was a little bar just outside of town that was small and normally deserted. Just the place I needed to think and be left alone. Since it was warm out, I decided to take my drink outside. Before I could sit, someone's hand covered my mouth and pulled me away.

"Sshhh. I won't hurt you." That voice. It was her. "Stop fighting Myka." A shiver ran down my spine as H.G.'s hot breath caressed my ear. I did as she asked. When H.G. realized I wouldn't run, she let me go.

"What the hell are you doing? You killed a man! I should turn you in!"

"But you won't." H.G. shot me that charming smile again.

She really needs to stop doing that. "What makes you think I won't?"

"Because you want answers. I saw the way you looked at me once you found out H.G. Wells was a woman. It's safe to assume you grew up reading my novels. It's also safe to assume you're going to re-read them all again from a woman's point of view."

She was right. I was going to re-read them. And yes, I wanted answers. "What do you want H.G.?"

"I just want to talk. Give you my side of the story. And I want to rejoin the warehouse. Everything I ever cared about is gone now. The warehouse is all I have left." She paused, "And you can call me Helena."

"Well you have a hell of a way of showing it. I highly doubt Artie will let you or even Mrs. Fredrick." The name suited her; proper but not overly Victorian.

Helena chuckled softly. "I simply know how to make an entrance."

Shaking my head, I tried to mentally talk myself out of what I was about to do. "Okay, let's sit and you explain a few things. And maybe I won't turn you in."

"Myka you know me better than anyone. You've read all of my novels multiple times." Helena's voice was soft. "Shall we?"

I joined her at one of the empty tables. "So, you were at warehouse 12…and apprenticed?"

"Yes. I was quite good as an agent. The caretaker of warehouse 12 told me that because I smelt apples, that the warehouse liked me. I was to be a future caretaker."

The idea of H.G. Wells being the Mrs. Frederick of warehouse 13 was amusing. I'd be working under my childhood hero. "That's interesting."

Helena's head tilted slightly. "What's that look? Imagining me being your boss and ordering you around?" Her voice had dropped to that sexy purr again. Curse her British accent. "Myka?"

Clearing my throat, trying to get the thoughts out of my head, I finally spoke up. "It's just…the warehouse would be much different if you were the caretaker."

"Indeed. May I buy you another drink?" Helena's offer seemed innocent.

"Are you going to drug it and kidnap me?" My eyes narrowed playfully.

"Oh my dear Myka, it's only kidnapping when the person doesn't come willingly. You would come willingly."

Damn that sexy, seductive purr. Why is she flirting with me? And why is my body reacting like it is. I'm enjoying it. "You may buy me a drink."

Helena smiled and waved the bartender over. "Two more martinis, please." The man gave a small nod before walking away. "Thank you."

"Who knew you would like martinis." I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm full of surprises. You just have to stay around long enough to see them." Her voice was lighter now. It was sincere. "But you've seemed to work things out well. It's hard working with your significant other."

"Excuse me?" What? Does she honestly think Pete and I are together?

"Aren't you and Pete lovers?"

My eyes widened. "Nooooo. He's like my brother." How does this brilliant woman not see that?!

"My mistake." The bartender brought us our drinks. Helena and I continued talking. She told me she broke into the vault to retrieve her necklace, compact, and ring. The necklace had a picture of her daughter, Christina, inside."Well, it's getting late. I'm shocked no one has called looking for you."

Looking down at my phone I saw it was nearly ten. "Yeah, it is late." I paused to choose my words correctly. "I've enjoyed talking with you Helena."

"Maybe we can do it again?" There was hope in her voice.

"That'd be nice." Helena walked me to my car. "Goodnight Helena."

"Goodnight Myka."