Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of Warehouse 13 and honestly, I really don't want to. It's much more fun to play with the toys and put them back to play with later.

A/N: I believe most dreams we have are a mix of thoughts and emotions that we have only the smallest amount of understanding of what our mind is sorting out. They tend to be a simple stream of unconscious thoughts at times. We all interpret them as uniquely our own.

The flu is never funny, but I've done my best at adding a few zingers. Hope you get zapped.


"Myka?" the scratchy voice called hesitantly into the darkness.

"Hmm?" came a drowsy response. "Yeah, Helena, I'm right here." Myka took her hand. "Do you need Dr. Calder?"

"No. I was just wondering if you were still here." She tried unsuccessfully to clear her throat. "I only remember being this ill once and that was an entirely different situation."

"It's just a really bad case of the flu. Hopefully, you'll be feeling better soon. Are you up for trying some broth?"

"No." She rolled on her side and looked at Myka's tired eyes. "Myka, I'm sorry for what I said earlier." She tried clearing her throat again.

"What?" Myka was too tired to think much past the evening.

"When you helped me change," she croaked. "I was…"

"It's okay," Myka said, not wanting to face this conversation. "Let's just forget about it. Save your voice. It sounds painful."

Helena started another fit of coughing, and Myka sat on the bed holding her wracking body. "Oh, this infernal cough. My chest and throat hurt."

Myka wrapped her arm around the smaller body and held it closer. "I know. You really need to try some of this broth, though."

Reluctantly, she took a few sips of the broth being kept warm in a thermos. "Have you been here all night?"

"Most of it. Dr. Calder has been in and out, but you've been sleeping for the most part."

"Do you think you could help me to the bathroom? I'm not entirely sure I can get there and back on my own." It was an admission of defeat for the woman who always seemed bigger than life. Myka smiled at the hesitancy in the request, realizing how difficult it must be for her to ask for help with what must seem to be such a simple, ordinary task.

"Of course. Come on." Myka helped her stand up and wrapped her arm around her waist, supporting her to the bathroom and back in silence.

"Why have you stayed if I'm sleeping?" Helena lay back on the bed and closed her eyes.

"Uh, I guess because I'm concerned about you and that's what, um, friends do, right? Just in case you needed something, like getting help to the bathroom."

"What time is it?"

Myka looked at her watch. "Close to four thirty."

"You should go to bed and get some rest. I'm not going anywhere," Helena mumbled.

"When you fall asleep."

Myka took Helena's hand and stroked her forehead pushing back the damp hair that had fallen forward. Gaining courage, she started to run her fingers through the woman's messy hair. Helena moaned at the contact and Myka froze.

"Please, don't stop. It feels good and helps the headache." Resuming her stroking, Helena quickly fell back into a sound sleep.

Comfortable that the older woman was settled for the moment, she left the sleeping form to get some rest of her own.


The sun streamed through the window landing on Myka's face, shadows from the blinds lacing the bed in stripes. The clock read 8:30; far later than she had anticipated. She immediately got up and entered the room next door. Helena was laying on her side facing Steve who was reading to her. Seeing Myka at the door he softly laughed at the sight before him.

"What?" she exclaimed defensively.

"Uh, nice hair…going to a Halloween party?"

"I don't know. Is there one I don't know about?" She smiled back at him, realizing she never looked in the mirror before leaving her room.

"If there is I'm sure you'll win first prize. Go get ready. She's asleep again; probably for the past two pages now. I've got this shift."

"How is she?" Myka asked first.

"Well, she has the flu, so I've seen her better. Not quiet our 'cheeky' HG." Getting the glare he expected he continued, "Dr. Calder was in earlier. Not much improvement. We got her settled and she'll give her more IV fluids. Still not drinking enough. Claudia is the next victim, by the way, but it doesn't look as bad as HG, here. So watch out. It looks like we may all become victims to this. I think Dr. Calder is right about HG's immune system not being ready for this."

"Poor Claudia. She's going to want Winnie the Pooh. What were you reading to Helena?"

"A Journey to the Center of the Earth." Steve grinned, his eyes bright with amusement.

"Oh, you are funny and oh, so very cruel." Myka giggled. "She's definitely sick."

"Yeah, I don't think she even noticed. Don't worry; I'll get rid of the evidence. She'll probably think she was hallucinating."

"Our secret. I'd like to see the look on her face though, if she figures it out, and then you better run."

"Oh, I plan on it. Trust me," Steve declared seriously. "Will you bring me the Pooh book for Claud?"

"Sure. Guess we are agent nurses. I'll go get my nurse's cap. Artie must be pulling out his hair. God help us if Pete catches this. He's such a baby when he's sick. We should call Jane if that happens. I'll get ready and get some breakfast. Need anything?"

"I'm all set. She's out. Artie is playing with his meridians, per the Doc." Steve grinned. "Just, please go take care of the bed head before Pete sees you."


She heard the coughing coming up the stairs, and in the room across from her own, Claudia was vomiting fantastically. Artie had taken that watch, reluctantly leaving the warehouse in Pete's care.

Steve sat on the bed next to Helena for support, but obviously uncomfortable in making such intimate physical contact.

"It's okay, Steve. I've got this." Myka sat on the other side of the bed taking Helena into her arms as she finished the last of the coughing fit, exhausted.

"Thanks. I'll just go check in with Pete. I hear Artie has joined the nursing staff." Steve looked at Myka across the bed, grateful to be relieved for this part.

"Guess so. Claudia's producing a wonderful donation for him. Remember, Winnie the Pooh," Myka smiled, handing him the book.

"Thanks. She'll like that. I think I'll wait until she finishes with Artie first." He took the book and left the two alone.

Helena started coughing again, Myka supporting her weakened body. Helena fell into the warmth of the body holding her, selfishly absorbing the warmth and comfort it gave her.

"Hey, let's get you lying down again. Done coughing?" Myka asked, gently brushing the damp hair away from Helena's face and rubbing her back.

"It hurts so much. It's difficult to breathe. This blasted thing is an annoyance." Helena motioned to the IV line the doctor had hooked her up to again.

"I'm sure it is, but you really need the fluids. You're not taking in enough to keep you from getting dehydrated. Do you need to get to the bathroom?" Myka asked, not wanting to get her settled just to get up again. "I brought a book to read, too. I'll read it to you if you want or I can just read on my own."

"No. Steve already helped me. Can't I just stay like this?" she mumbled pitifully. "I'm tired of lying down. You are much more comfortable." Helena admitted.

"Uh, okay. I guess. Hold on a second." Myka kicked off her shoes and sat up against the headboard, pulling a very weak Helena against her. The smaller woman sunk against her, head on Myka's shoulder tucked into her neck. Myka had never seen this strong woman so physically defeated before. As she did the night before, she ran her fingers through the now unkempt hair, occasionally creeping down to run a finger or thumb against her cheek.

"You smell better, too. Boys smell funny." Helena managed a pained face. "I was ever so glad I had a daughter. Not that I would have loved a boy any less, but they do smell different," she continued, her voice waning.

Within minutes the sick woman was asleep in her arms. Myka picked up the book she had brought with her and began to read, aimlessly exploring the damp face lying against her.


"Myka...Myka, wake up." Dr. Calder gently shook her awake. The book had fallen from her lap to the floor and Helena was still asleep against her. The doctor smiled down at her sleepy face. "Hey, there. Looks like you had a nice nap." Myka's fuzzy head cleared a little. Realizing her arm rested protectively around Helena, she quickly pulled her arm away, much to the amusement of the doctor, and sat up acclimatizing herself to the unusual surroundings.

Now self-conscious, she shook her head to clear it. "Sorry. I guess I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. How's Claudia?"

"Oh, she'll be good as new soon enough. She's driving Artie up the wall, but he's secretly enjoying Winnie the Pooh. It's this one I'm worried about. Her fever is still pretty high."

"She complained her chest is hurting. She's coughing a lot more and it seems deeper. Raspy."

"When she wakes up I'd really like to get a good listen to her chest and get her to take some more broth. It doesn't look like I'm leaving anytime soon."

"I'm awake," the muffled response came from Myka's shoulder. Unconsciously, she stroked her head, brushing the hair away from her face. "I just don't feel like moving."

The doctor looked at Myka with a glint in her eye and mouthed to her, "Told you so."

Averting her eyes, Myka got out of the bed, gently resting Helena's head back on a pillow. "I'll go get that broth while you do your doctor thing."

"Actually, Myka, let's try a little of the chicken soup Artie made. It's simmering on the stove. Get yourself some too, while you're at it. How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine. Artie cooks?" Myka inquired doubtfully.

"Yes, he does. It's very good soup and not from a can. Never underestimate the power of chicken soup. It may just cure you all. Claudia is finally keeping it down and it looks like Steve is our next patient. I sent him to bed. Mrs. Frederic is ready to call some sort of 'state of emergency'. I might call in reinforcements."

"Great." Dismayed at the news, Myka left to go get the soup.

"Okay, Helena, I want to get a good listen of your chest. I know that I'm not the one you want to hear these words from, maybe another time, but off with the shirt, please."

"I beg your pardon?" The doctor winked at her. HG stared back at her, not acting upon the request, instead trying to figure out, in her presently muddled mind, exactly what the doctor was implying. She wasn't sure she was comfortable with the answer she came up with.

"Shirt, please. Let me help." They managed the shirt together so Vanessa could reevaluate her patient. "I don't like what I hear. I want to get a chest x-ray to see if things are okay. I'm concerned about pneumonia. How you've managed this long without getting severely ill is beyond me. There's a portable in the van. Not the best, but it will serve our purpose. I think you've had enough fluids. It's been at a very conservative rate, but I don't want to mess around with that chest. Are you producing anything when you cough?"

"Not really."

"I want to get a sample of any mucus you can give me for a culture and get a blood sample out to the lab." She placed a sterile specimen cup on the nightstand. "I'm going to call Pete back to help me move the machine in. You are to eat some soup with Myka and then I can get that x-ray to see what's going on. When Myka gets back I'll get that blood sample. Helena?"

She had nodded off before she was able to put her shirt back on.

"Perfect timing Myka," the doctor addressed her as she entered with the soup. She was wrapping Helena in a blanket. "Have any more shirts? My patient fell asleep on me before I could get her dressed again. Might as well give her a clean one." Myka froze for a moment before putting the tray down. Seeing the anxious woman in the door she continued, grinning, "I didn't say you had to dress her, Myka, I just need the shirt. I will need your help later, though."

"Uh, yeah, I'll just go grab one of mine. She doesn't really have a lot, and I think we've pretty much gone though them. Uh, right, let me just go do that."

I really shouldn't have this much fun with these two, Vanessa reminded herself. But someone needs to push them in the right direction or they're going to get electrocuted.


"Helena, you have just upgraded yourself to pneumonia. There is definitely inflammation in your lungs. I've sent out the samples to see if we can get a positive culture on the culprit, but until then I'm going to start you on a broad spectrum antibiotic. I just hope this isn't a mutated strain." Helena didn't really seem to care what the doctor was saying. As long as Myka was holding her hand she was perfectly content.

Artie insisted on going back to the warehouse, preferring to leave Pete as nurse. Everyone was sleeping at this point. Pete poked his head into HG's room last, knowing Myka was reluctant to leave to room, before running a load of the quickly increasing pile laundry. "Hey, Mykes. Why don't you go take a break before you wear yourself out. I can stay if you want. Artie's soup is really good."

"Thanks, Pete, but I'm fine. I already had some soup."

He came in and placed a hand on her shoulder. "She's going to be fine. Dr. Vanessa will have her cranky, little butt in fighting shape faster than we want." He teased. Seeing Myka not taking the bait, he squatted down beside her. "Myka, I know. Everyone knows. Well, not Artie, I'm pretty sure of that, but it's obvious to the rest of us." Myka stared at him in surprise. "Oh, come on, Myka…I think you're the last to know." He took her hand gently. "It's okay. We're all for it. You guys are...well, you just are. Does that make sense? She's come a long way since Yellowstone, and I think you are a big reason for that. Anyway," he quickly rambled on, now embarrassed, "she's going to be fine. Hey, if she's made it this far, she can fight this off. She's one of the strongest people I know, physically and mentally. She'll kick this. Now we need you to take care of yourself, too. Everyone seems to be dropping like flies. So, go get some rest."

"What is so obvious to everyone?" she snapped defensively.

He smiled at her. "Nothing, Mykes. You'll figure it out. She has."

"She has what?" Myka demanded. "What is it everyone but me knows?"

Pete sighed deeply. For such a smart person he couldn't help but think how stupid she could be sometimes. "I think you need to ask her that one." Seeing she wasn't going to bite, he finally gave in. "She hides behind her flirtations. Have you ever noticed she doesn't really flirt with anyone but you? She not just flirting, Myka. There is a lot more behind it. There always has been, you've just ignored it." He sighed again. "Myka, Yellowstone …why didn't she shoot you? Joshua's trumpet… she never took her eyes from you, the Janus coin…Sykes…and she finally came home to stay. Took long enough, but she came back. Think about it, Myka. Remember. I've got to go." He reluctantly dropped her hand and left her staring at the empty doorway.

She couldn't sit there anymore. Her head was in turmoil with thoughts, memories and emotions. Everyone was asleep. She had to escape.


Under the maple tree in the garden she watched the leaves dance in the breeze. Shadows and light danced together in harmony to the music of the summer day. The air was heavy with the scent of roses and herbs. 'Boys smell funny.' Myka chuckled. It was a funny statement to hear her say, almost whining. She closed her eyes, trying not to think about what Pete had said. She never confirmed nor denied Vanessa's statement. Had Helena only been charming her like she had everyone else or was Pete right? She did flirt a lot. She always had, so she never thought about it. Myka admitted she had flirted right back just as much, and she enjoyed it. But she had just disappeared without a word. What was to keep her from doing that again? She couldn't go through that again. That was all she did know.


Helena was bruising her arm she held it so tightly. Water surrounded her. Screaming, just screaming. The words didn't matter. Pain, fear, heart-break, loss. That's all she felt as she held her hand, holding the gun to her own head. So much pain. Loss she never wanted to feel again. It surrounded her. It wasn't her own, yet it filled her soul. The loss was her own, now. Seeing, but not touching, every time she tried. Did it ever end? The pain of loss. Why was it her's now? But it wasn't hers alone. Somehow she knew. A cocky grin directed at her, never losing sight of her. On and off…then gone. Acceptance, repentance, nobility…where was she? It was so cloudy now. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, fear and loss. Apples. What Apples? Forgiveness. Loss. Resurrection. What the Hell is going on? 'Boy's smell funny.' Back to the beginning...Handcuffs, a tingling contact she'd never experienced before…

Myka sat straight up. The sun was setting on the horizon. Pete told her to remember, but did it have to be in a convoluted dream? They never made sense. It was getting cool with the setting sun and the dew had started to settle. She headed back to the inn. More confused and more tired than she was before she fell asleep.


"Hey, Myka," Pete started happily with a mouth full of the sandwich he just made. Swallowing quickly he started again, "God, you look like Hell. You okay? Are you getting sick now?"

"Gee thanks, Pete! I feel fine. I fell asleep in the garden and had a bad dream, that's all. Guess I haven't recovered from it yet. Are there any more sandwiches?"

"Yeah, I made up a bunch. Sorry, not very fancy. Artie's down now. Dr. Calder has reinforcements coming in. I need to get to the warehouse. Good news is it looks like Claudia and Steve will be back on their feet pretty quick. Stay away from Artie though." Pete shuddered.

"I'll go to the warehouse." Myka offered hoping for a change and more time for her own thoughts.

"Uh, actually, Dr. Calder asked if you could stay here. Pre-med days and all...Hey, don't look at me like that. I know what you're thinking…it has all to do with skill not gender." They sat down in silence eating their sandwiches. "I've got a plate for the Doc in the fridge. The soup is warming up. Steve and Claudia are probably up for some. Not sure about HG. Dr. Calder has her in the bathtub now, hoping the steam will help her chest. Probably being clean will make her feel better, too."

Myka gave Pete a funny look. "Are you babbling, Pete?"

"Probably. Just trying to update you. I've got to go." He grabbed another sandwich and an apple. "Call if you need anything." He turned around before walking out the door. "Are you going to be okay? That dream seems to have really knocked you off kilter." He scrunched up his face in concern. He wasn't used to his partner being so unfocused.

"Yeah, Pete. I'll just get the stuff upstairs." She gave him a fake smile, knowing she wasn't fooling him.

"Okay. Well, call or something if you want."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks."


"Hey, you. Heard you got a bath. That must feel good," Myka addressed the woman sitting up in bed from the door.

Helena managed a weak smile. As wonderful as the bath had felt, it had also drained her of what little energy she had. "It feels wonderful to have clean hair again. Where have you been?"

"Out in the garden. I fell asleep." Myka avoided what eye contact she could with her ill friend, taking a seat in the chair. She hoped the closed eyes would fool her, but Helena always saw right through her. What had she said that day? 'The person who knows you better than anyone else…'

"Ah, I hear something else in that voice of yours. You had a bad dream didn't you?" Helena asked softly, trying not to cough.

"How did you know?" Myka tilted her head, looking at the closed eyes in wonder.

"I don't know really, I just know," Helena responded with an increasingly weaker voice. The cough had left her hoarse.

"You sound tired. Why don't you lie down? Dr. Calder said you managed some more soup."

"Mmm, I did. I must say Artie makes very good chicken soup, but don't let him know I said so. I prefer the games we play. It makes things much more interesting." She smiled as she put her head on the pillow.

Myka chuckled at this revelation. "How do you feel? Any better?"

"Miserable of course," was the mumbled reply. "I can feel you staring."

"I know you can."

"Well, are you getting in or not? I know you're tired and I refuse to let you spend another night in that horrid chair." Helena felt the bed dip as Myka crawled under the covers next to her. Helena rolled over, clearing her scratchy throat as best she could, and curled into Myka's side, resting her head on her shoulder. "Thank you."

Myka kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back until they both quickly fell asleep. Dr. Calder found them later in the night during her last rounds in the same positions. Pulling the covers up over the two, she turned off the light, grinning. She left the door open enough to hear if she was called, and proceeded to find her own rest.