Chapter One
Unsolicited Dancing

There are occasions and then there are experiences this one crossed over into both. A curly haired Helen Magnus was wearing a gown with a scarlet base, with white pearls sewn around the trim. There was lace covering the bodice which was repeated twice circling around the layers of the skirt that would fit in and be considered part of the high society in the 19th century.

She was guided toward the dance floor by a cohort who swirled her around elegantly in time with the music. The dance floor was beginning to fill with people as more arrived, hiding the delicate engraved flower pattern from the view of the guests on the overhanging balcony.

The only thing that gave this part away for not being in the 19th century was a grey receding haired man on an old style mobile phone; Will Zimmerman. He looked as though he had, had enough of his conversation; his face was getting redder as he got angrier. His pale face was more readable these days, it gave away more of his emotions with his complexion.

He wanted this party to be perfect for Helen, it was a major mile stone, one he thought promptly needed celebrating. He started planning this party almost a decade ago trying to make up for the last disaster of a birthday. Will could only think of an extravagant Victorian themed party, the type that she would be embarrassed to accept but secretly grateful for; one to stand out among the years. Helen has this rule that she would only bother to celebrate every decade.

Helen was now dancing with another gentleman. The line to dance with her was getting longer and longer as the night went on. All of them dressed in Victorian costume, each using this chance to thank her for her work and to congratulate her on reaching her years.

Even as her friends danced round her she felt she had lived through her happy ending. The treatment she made to start herself ageing six years ago started to work for a while, then somehow her body realised ultimately, she failed to age any more. This is probably one of the things she envied the most of Will, he was normal, be it that he had just gone though another broken marriage, but he was happy for the most part.

Helen thought to herself, if she started a relationship with him, she would either end up dead or in a messy break-up. She mused to herself how the former would be more appropriate.

Tonight, she decided, when thanking him for this party she would possibly suggest starting a relationship. After all; Will was someone she trusted as well as being most fond of, despite his failings. Even if she didn't die at the end of the relationship she could make him happy for a few short years. What is it they say? You are only as young as the men you feel? Perhaps being in her 70s again would be much simpler time.

Helen looked as though she was about to fall over from the vortex of dancing. She stepped out avoiding gazes from the next in line to dance with her. She shuffled to the side trying to figure out a safe path toward the wine without being sucked into the crowd.

Before she had a chance to move a glass was handed to her, 'Nikola Tesla.' she said in a surprised tone.

He was dressed, or rather over dressed in attire only his flamboyance could get away with. The moment Helen's eye caught him; it sent her memories back in time when she was still at Oxford University. He had even grown his barbershop moustache to the same length and thickness. A while ago, on one of Tesla's sporadic visits he start growing flecks of stubble, when Helen commented on it, he distracted her completely by making a dodging remark. For all his charisma being normal was rather beyond his skill set, perhaps growing the moustache was his weird way of telling her he cared.

Helen was grateful for Declan MacRae's interruption; there was only so long one could stand and listen to scientific plans, with hints of world domination, from a borderline insane man at one's own birthday party.

'Care to dance?' Declan delivered in a suave manner holding out his hand. Helen looked at Tesla; his face might have been a look of disappointment.

'Nikola.' she said while nodding toward him, then took Declan's hand.

Declan smiled ever so slightly, like he had just won a point over Tesla. He glanced at him, uttered 'Nikola' while he nodded deliberately repeating Helen. Tesla's lip curled ever so slightly for a split second. It was a good thing for Declan one of Tesla's abnormal powers wasn't laser vision, however it wasn't for lack of trying as they walked away.

'You look splendid in a suit.' Helen commented.

'My favourite part are the tails.' He gave a little wiggle to give the full emphasis when he saw Helen smile he only increased the ridiculousness making her have a tiny giggle. They both took to the floor span for a little, enjoying each other's company. Every now and again Declan spotted Tesla glaring at him which only made him smile.

'Helen. I know it's your birthday but I thought you'd like to know.' He said still looking casual. 'The electrical disturbance is the same abnormal in three of the Sanctuary's except this one.'

'Are you sure?'

'It's what they told me. You know how it travelled around being stored in metal items? It's not the same one. Different somehow.'

'That means we have one on the loose.' Helen stated calmly trying to think of a plan.

'How do you know it's just one?' Declan questioned as they both went into another spin.

'There could be more, just waiting until they are triggered.' Helen guessed, the realisation coming to her; they were all in danger.

'Could we have seriously assumed they would have only attacked us with only one of those things?' Declan responded half reminiscing talking to his younger self.

Helen nodded as if it was all becoming clear to her, 'there was a lot of damage.'

Declan held onto her tighter as he felt her about to rush off to do a series of tests.

'It's your Birthday. I've got someone else running some tests. They don't need you at the moment. The abnormal hasn't made a move since; it might not even be here.' He could see his argument wasn't going to work so he tried another tactic. 'Will went to a lot of effort for this party, you should be enjoying it.' He stopped leading trying to get her full attention. 'I only told you, because you have a right to know.'

Helen fought the urge to scamper away by taking a deep breath, rationality of thought tapped her on the shoulder making her start to relax a bit. The abnormal hasn't done anything in forty years, it was hardly about to do anything on this night. Now was the time to enjoy this themed party with her friends.