A/N:

Hello all =D

A few of you said you would like a sequel to my story 'Lifeline' – and with the wait for the return of Sanctuary, I thought now would be as good a time as any to publish it… so here's chapter one.

New readers – I'd strongly recommend you read Lifeline before this story, as it is in the same time frame (before Revelations, S1) – and therefore develops the characters in a different direction to the actual show.

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Chapter 1

"Are you alright?"

Helen offered Nikola a smile.

"I'm fine."

He eyed her with disbelief. She hadn't slept properly for weeks, and he wondered for a moment if he was doing the right thing in not telling her about his conversation with Anya before she left.

"Sorry,"

Helen sighed, putting her work down and moving over to him.

"No, no I'm sorry. There is something I wanted to talk to you about but, just not now. There's so much to do."

"Okay." He nodded in acceptance. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"Ah, not really. I was thinking of taking Ashley out for lunch actually."

She found herself playing with his collar idly.

"You seem closer."

She smiled more genuinely.

"Yes, I definitely think we are. For so long there seemed to be this… barrier between us. But since everything that happened," she shrugged, smoothing both hands down his chest.

"Well, she's been with Druitt for the last few hours, so she'll probably appreciate the break. I know I would."

"Hmm," she kissed him lightly. "I'll see you when I get back."

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Ashley giggled in her victory, giving her dad a shy smile.

"Well, you have learnt from the best."

She offered him a hand up from the floor and he accepted it graciously.

"Were you even trying to block me?"

"Of course. Your combat skills will not improve if I pander to your ego, Ashley,"

She continued to look very pleased with herself, then her gaze moved over his shoulder.

"Oh, hey mom,"

"Ashley,"

She walked closer to them, despite still feeling anxious about John's presence there.

"Did you see me totally wipe the floor with dad?"

John beamed, but Helen's uneasy look at Ashley's slip of the tongue didn't go unnoticed, despite how well she tried to hide it for their daughter's benefit.

"The improvement is remarkable." She offered, avoiding John's gaze and changing the subject. "I thought you might like to go for lunch?"

"Yeah, yeah I'd really like that. I'll just go change."

"Okay,"

Ashley seemed to half bounce out of the room. They'd started doing more normal mother-daughter things together, at Ashley's request. Lunch was now a priority at least once a week. She felt like she was getting to know her mom again, and she hadn't realised just how much she'd missed her company.

Helen shifted awkwardly, then turned to leave.

"Can you ever forgive me?"

She turned back, taken off guard by his question; but when she looked at him she couldn't help but look with sympathy.

"It's not that simple, John,"

"I could make it up to you. I'm better now. You must be able to see the change in me, it's been over a month."

"A month isn't that long. You-"

"Things were so good between us once. You must remember?"

She sighed.

"Yes, but it would never be the same. It could never be the same. Too much has happened." She gently reached out to him, resting one hand on his arm. "I'm sorry."

John nodded with acceptance, but didn't back away from her.

"Can you grant me a single wish at least?"

"What?"

"We never parted… amicably. I deeply regret the reason. I regret the effect my behaviour had on you, and the others."

She removed her hand now, seeing he was intent on persisting.

"You were murdering women, John. How could I possibly marry you?"

"I know." He nodded. "Honestly, I understand your motive. But, now that things are… better… can you give me a proper goodbye? One I can look back at with fondness?"

His eyes drifted down to her mouth, and he saw her falter.

"John-"

"Just one last kiss, Helen. Please." When she struggled to form a response, he decided to provoke her. "Unless you're concerned you might feel more than you want to?"

His provocation worked, and against all her better judgment, she would give him his last kiss.

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Nikola rounded the corner, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw John leaning in to kiss Helen, and she wasn't stopping it.

He felt suffocated by sudden despair, that the woman he had loved for over a century, the woman that had finally given herself over to him and committed to him only, was suddenly back in his arms.

He had to physically cover his mouth to prevent himself releasing a sound of anguish at the discovery, and whether or not the moment was out of context, and whether or not he wanted to believe there was good reason for this, he couldn't bring himself to stay any longer, and fled.