Day 30

The box had been filled with what belongings they had collected in the past four weeks and he picked it up. Magnus was laying on the cot, her skin pale and her stomach rolling in circles. She was trying desperately to ignore the feeling or to make it go away, which was why she was so still. Glancing at her prone form a worry line graced his face, "I'll be right back." She nodded. "I won't be long."

"I'll be fine, Will." Helen heaved a breath and was surprised when he was suddenly at her back rubbing a circle against her skin and brushing her hair from her face.

"I really wish you would let Ravi take a look at you."

Licking her lips she turned slightly, blue eyes locking on his. "He has looked at me Will, while you were out last week." Her lungs filled with air. "There's nothing he can do. Drink fluids and eat healthy. It's not exactly like we have a medical facility around here."

He nodded his head and wrinkled his nose. "I know… it's just… I worry."

"I know you do." Lifting a hand she pressed it against his cheek. "There's nothing to worry for, I promise it will pass. Then you won't know what to do with me." Will was stunned and still looking down at her, his neck bent. She took a deep breath and his eyes followed the rise of her chest back up to her face. "I'm feeling much better already actually." Her voice was lower, huskier than he had heard it before. Thinking quickly, he actually recalled a moment when he'd heard her speak like that, all those years ago after he had just started working with her.

"Really?" She nodded and gave him a quick smile to prove it. "Good." Not really knowing what he was doing, Will slid further down and pressed his lips softly to hers. It was as if he could barely feel the heat from her mouth against his, but her lips parted and he felt the slow swish of air against his skin. Closing his eye lids, he kept his mouth there and her hand moved to the back of his head tugging him a little closer.

Parting her lips she closed them quickly and kissed him fully. Will's hand skimmed up her side stopping high on her waist, his other bracing his body just above her head. He didn't want to crush her with his body weight and he had no idea how long this was going to last. Helen's other hand pressed against his chest and the embrace broke apart. She swiped her tongue across his lips for the first time tasting him. Smiling, she grinned up, her eyes twinkling. "That was nice."

"Yeah, I'm gonna… go bring the rest of our stuff over to the new place. I'll be back."

She hadn't released him yet and he was trying to move away from her but she held firm. "Kiss me again, William." She let out a deep breath she hadn't known she'd be holding and waited to feel his lips on hers again.

"Helen." He whined out her name and shook his head.

"I see." Her chest heaved a breath and her hands slipped away. "You didn't—"

"Stop." Cutting her off quickly, he still hadn't moved. His eyes flicked from her lips to her eyes and back again. "You're sick."

"Are you using that as an excuse, Will, or as a valid reason?" Her brows perked up and she wasn't expecting the change in his demeanor. His lips were on hers and his tongue sliding between her teeth before she had a chance to catch her breath. Her fingers were tightly wound in the curls of his hair and she shifted her body to be leaning against his. His hand moved down to her hip and he squeezed lightly hearing the moan from the back of her throat as her tongue rubbed against the roof of his mouth.

He pulled back grinning before pressing his mouth to hers once more. He lingered this time, making sure that he didn't leave any recess of her mouth unexplored and taking his time. He let his fingers trail back up to her face and he brushed her cheek lightly before pecking her lips and slowing the embrace. "As a valid reason." Carefully he rubbed his mouth to hers before pulling back and sitting up. "I'll be back, don't move." He locked his eyes on hers and waited until she nodded before standing.

One more look around and he left the room to bring the last box to their new residence. Ravi had found them a small one bedroom apartment that had opened when a young couple married and moved in together. He and Magnus would have to share but at least the new place boasted a real bed, which was something that Will was eternally grateful for. He would no longer be scrunched in his sleep. He wasn't gone long, but he'd been sure to set everything up in the apartment before returning. She was in no state to be doing any of the housework.

Helen remained on the cot, but she shimmied her body around so she could watch the door. She heaved a breath and let her fingers glide along her lips. The kiss, the first one, had been quite unexpected. Before they had left home, he'd pulled away from her and seemed distant. That was why she had brought him along and left Kate and Declan behind. She was hoping that working closely with him, and only him, in a place where he couldn't escape would return their relationship to whatever it had been before.

Becoming stuck in a time-dilation field had not been part of her plans. The stress of being stranded there was working its way on both of them, but mostly him. He was not only stressed about Carentan, but also her health. Drawing air into her lungs she took a deep breath and lifted her body carefully until she was standing. She really should check out their new residence. Stepping to the door she opened it expecting him to be outside, it certainly had been long enough for him to make his way there and back. Much to her surprise, Ravi was staring at the door, as if he had been waiting for it to open.

"Helen." He smiled and held a hand out for her.

Wrapping the shawl she had on tighter around her middle she stepped out into the never ending sun and grasped his arm. "Hello, Ravi." They started to walk slowly until they reached the bench that the man had sat at with her young protégé weeks before. He ushered her to sit and Helen rested her head lightly on his shoulder. "The answer to your question is no."

"My question?" His voice was slow, he had never been one to speak quickly, but it seemed his age slowed him down further.

Helen tightened her grip on his hand for a moment. "Yes, the question you are dying to ask. I haven't told him."

"You're going to have to soon."

She hummed a non-committal response and watched as his young protégé walked with hers down the street. The dark haired girl was giggling and laughing, no doubt at some quip Will had given her. He stopped at a stall and started to bargain for some food. "He kissed me." She was quiet, but Ravi had heard and she wasn't planning on repeating herself.

"Did he?"

"He'd be far better off with her. He deserves so much more than I can give him. He wants balance, that's something I can never provide and something I have no desire of giving." Her eyes were still glued to Will's form and Ravi glanced down at her.

"Josie or Abby?"

That had her attention. Helen's head moved so that she could stare at Ravi, gaging what he'd just said and the information he had, either inadvertently or purposefully, given her. "Either. I'm an old woman Ravi; I have no desire for the same things in life he wishes to have."

The Indian man just gave her a knowing smile and she pressed her head back against his shoulder. They listened to the people around them and the noises of their little town. One month she'd been there and she still wasn't used to having the lack of birds chirping. "We'll see." He said it as she was distracted by Will who had finished his bargaining and was standing in front of her.

"I thought I told you to stay in bed."

"I thought the fresh air would be nice." She smiled back and then looked at Ravi. "Don't worry, Will, I was in good hands."

Will's blue eyes slid to Ravi and then back to her before he nodded. Josie was looking awkwardly between all three of them, observing and watching. Often times it unsettled Helen, but she let it slide taking hold of Will's hand and allowing him to help her stand. He had an arm wrapped around her back and her tucked into his shoulder. "Shall we?"

"Yes, show me our new house."

He was surprised by the amount of enthusiasm in her voice. "Ok." He nodded to each of the others and started to walk back the way he had come from. "I got some eggs."

"Yeah?" She rested her head on his shoulder just as she had with Ravi. He'd never seen her do it before, but he went with the move.

"Thought I'd try to make some egg drop soup."

Helen hummed. "Sounds lovely. Have you made it before?"

He nodded. "Meg showed me how she was into all sorts of ethnic food." They passed by a few people who smiled and winked at them but each incident was ignored. "I brought some papers over for you by the way, so you can do some work there if you want."

"Wonderful, but I'm thinking about settling in for a nap in all honesty." He stopped and turned her cheek to face him. "I'm fine, Will, just a little tired." He nodded, but didn't believe her. Stepping ahead he turned at one of the smaller houses that was smooshed between the others. It was how all the buildings were there, except for the ones beyond the city. He opened the door and they had to walk up three flights of stairs. Their flat was located at the top of the building. Helen had to stop halfway through the second flight and rest as a quick wave of nausea took over her body. He stood by her and waited, rubbing gentle circles into her back. He'd discovered over the past weeks, that it was the best way to calm her stomach.

"You good?"

She nodded, moving her face from his neck before shaking her head and putting it back. "I'm so sorry, Will."

"Don't be." He was playing lightly with her hair and continued the designs against her sweater. It was only a few more minutes before they moved up the last of the stairs and entered their new humble abode. "There's only one bed, but that shouldn't be a problem."

"Oh?" She raised a brow and smirked when he realized what she meant.

"I meant, I'll sleep elsewhere." His cheeks were slightly flushed and he changed the topic as quickly as possible. "It's small, but it'll work." There was a living area, a kitchen, and one bedroom with a bathroom that was non-functioning. There was a sink, shower and wash in the room and no bath and no running water. It meant that they would be having sponge baths until they came up with a better solution. The bed was made of ropes, the idea of mattresses having long since been thrown out because of the amount of use they got. It had been over a hundred years since they had been made, he was sure they were disgusting anyway. On top of the ropes were thick blankets, like on the cot. Will would be used to it, but he would be sleeping on the floor. "See all good."

Helen walked over to the bed and slipped onto it, resting her back against the wall she looked at him. "Join me?" He couldn't resist and slid up against her. The woman slithered down until her head was resting on his thigh and her body was curled against him. His fingers threaded through her hair and hers played designs on his jeans until she sighed and let the quiet of sleep take over her body.