This is my first Warehouse 13 fanfic... I love the show and hope it is continued for more than the proposed six ep final season.
(Takes place after Leena is killed and Artie has been freed from the hold of Magellan's Astrolabe).
The sitting room of the B&B resembled a graveyard when Myka and Pete finally made their way down for breakfast. There were no fresh flowers sitting on the coffee table, no wafting scents of fresh food and no gentle humming coming from the kitchen beyond. Instead there was silent chill to the air that filled them with sadness. They found Artie sitting gingerly on one of the sofas, his eyes red and swollen from lack of sleep, his hand resting gently across his bandaged chest. He barely registered their presence as he stared into the distance.
Myka left Pete at the doorway and sat quietly on the sofa, cautiously taking Artie's hand and squeezing.
"Morning Artie".
His acknowledgement was so slow she knew Pete noticed as well.
"Hey Myka", came the soft, strangled reply as he pulled his hand away. "Hey Pete".
"Artie".
Silence stretched between them, none knowing what to say as they were joined by and even sombre Claudia and Steve, their faces echoing their own pain. Claudia made a beeline for Artie, squeezing herself between him and Myka, one hand reaching for his while the other unconsciously rested on Mykas knee for support.
"Hey Artie, did you sleep ok"?
His haunted gaze fixed on her, making her shiver. "No more than you did".
He instantly went quiet, turning away from her. Pete's heart broke for the girl that was like a sister to him as she moved even closer to the man that was like a father to them all.
"I wish I could do something that would take away your pain", she whispered, squeezing his hand tighter. "But all I can say is it wasn't your fault! Stop blaming yourself".
"Easier said than done".
Pete crossed to the sofa but before he could say anything, his chest tightened and the room spun. He felt Myka at his side almost instantly.
"You ok Pete"?
After a moment, he caught his breath, shaking his head.
"Um, yeah, I think….that was weird".
All eyes were focused on him now, waiting for him to continue.
"Was it a vibe", Myka asked, her hand on his shoulder. "Was it good or bad"?
Pete shook his head. "Not sure. It was kind of, good and bad. I've never felt one like it before". He shook his head, giving his partner a watery grin. "Don't worry, I'm….".
All of them stopped as they heard car tyres skid to a stop outside and a door slam.
"Maybe its HG….", Claudia began but she stopped as the door opened and an unfamiliar voice sounded.
"Artie. Artie"!
Artie jumped to his feet as the visitor came through the door and into the room. To Pete, he seemed more saddened than surprised to see the pale faced young woman standing in front of them in her crumpled cargo pants, shirt and jacket. She didn't see anyone but Artie as her eyes began to fill.
"Please….tell me she's not….Arties, she's not….".
All Artie could do was stare sadly at her and all of them could see the realisation dawn on the newcomers face as she came closer to the old agent. Pete saw him almost recoil as the woman took his hands.
"It's not your fault", she whispered, staring at him.
They all watched as Artie tried to nod but before anyone could say anything, they watched the woman's face change from sadness to anger as she released Arties hands.
"You"!
She turned and it was then that everyone noticed the silent, bee hived figure that had joined them unnoticed.
"You", the young woman said again, glaring at Mrs Frederick, hatred burning in her eyes. "You said nothing would happen to her….you said she would be safe…."!
Mrs Frederick stared at the woman, her face blank but her eyes sad.
"I know. It was an unforseen….".
Pete felt a surge of vibe energy and he stepped forward to grip at the newcomer as she almost lunged at the warehouses keeper.
"You swore she would be safe her", the woman cried, her voice choked and tears streaming down her face. "You promised me no harm would come to her! Why didn't you save her…"?
Everyone in the room watched in surprise as the usually composed face of Irene Frederick dropped and tears filled her eyes.
"There's nothing I can say or do that will explain this tragedy….".
"Explain", the woman sputtered her glare piercing. She shook of Pete's grip, her hands clenching at her side.
"I don't need an explanation! You killed her"!
The young woman stormed past the stunned group and the obviously distraught Mrs Frederick without another word. Pete could feel the remnants of her pain, even after silence resettled on the room. None of them knew what to say as they all looked around at each other.
"Does someone want to explain what just happened", Steve finally asked, his face just as confused as everyone else. All eyes flickered between the now composed Mrs Frederick and Artie, who had sunk back onto the sofa.
"That", he began shakily, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. "Was Leenas sister".