For What Dreams May Come

A/N thank you for all the support

Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, not a dang thing.

I walked into the cottage after the young girl made her way back to my family's estate. I cast a quick glance over at Myka. She was lying down, but her eyes were still open, training them on every move I made.

I knew there was no evading what was shared from my heart. I started to prepare dinner; some eggs and bacon should do nicely for a first meal. Still not wanting to talk, I kept my back to her while I moved about the kitchen.

I placed the dinner on a tray, not wanting Myka to have to move any more than necessary. As I was peeling and slicing the fruit in my hand, I heard her shift on the bed. Myka cleared her throat.

"What is that you have there? It looks...strange." I laughed at her choice of words, keeping my eyes trained on the task at hand.

"It's called a Mango, funny story behind it's name. When the missionaries came to India, they were greeted by the village elders. One elder in particular held out his hand, with the said fruit in it. His first word to the missionary was 'Mango' which the man mistook for the fruit's name. The elder was really asking if the missionary wanted it."

I gave a small grin when I heard a slight chuckle escape those lips. I wiped my hands and threw the dish cloth over my shoulder, carrying the tray over and settling it down next to Myka. As I turned to head back to the kitchen Myka spoke up.

"Helena, this smells and looks wonderful...but I am not hungry. I'm sorry you went to all this trouble for me." I spun back around to face her.

"It was not any trouble at all because you are going to eat this meal I have made. Vanessa was very clear with the fact that you need to gain your strength back. And eating solid food is a start." I stated as I sat on the bed next to the younger woman.

"Look Helena, really, I just don't have an appetite." As her protests fell from those lips, I busied myself with cutting up the meat, trying to concentrate on the meal at hand. I held the fork full of egg and bacon up to her mouth. She shook her head, crossed her arms and bit her bottom lip. It was all I could do to hold back my laughter; such a strong, fierce woman had reduced herself to acting like a petulant child.

"We can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way. It's completely up to you Myka." I held the fork with one hand, my other hand waiting for the protest I knew was coming.

"Helena, I am grown woman…" and with that I pinched her nose and placed the fork full of eggs in her open mouth. She looked at me with those green eyes blazing, then she put her hand over her mouth.

"Now, be a good girl and chew," I said as I turned back to the plate, readying another fork full.

"Helena! I can't believe you just did that. I am not a child. Here, let me have that; I can feed myself " Standing up from the bed, I turned to face her. "Well, If you continue to act like a child, I will treat you as such. Now, please finish what is on your plate." I poured myself another cup of tea and leaned against the stove. I watched as Myka tucked into her meal, she eyed the mango slices and looked at me with a questioning look on her face.

"I know it is not what you are used to, but, try it, for me darling." I took another draw of my tea as I watched her turn the slice of fruit over a few times.

"I'll make a deal with you Helena." I quirked my eyebrow at the young woman, "I am listening Myka, go on." She scooted the tray over a bit, "If you join me in this meal, I will try this 'mango'? And finish my plate. Besides, when was the last time you ate anything?"

She patted the space next to the tray. This kind, caring, selfless woman never ceased to amaze me. As sick as she was, she was still worried about my health. I sighed to myself as I made a plate up, bringing the tea kettle and meal with me to her bed side.

"So, is this how it shall be everytime I make a meal for you?" I asked as I poured more tea for both of us.

" Nooo, I can cook dinner for us too. You are not the only one who knows how to prepare a meal, you know."

I laughed as I stood up, taking the tray and plates away after we had finished. " Well Myka, if you cook half as well as you attend to your books, then it shall be a meal fit for the Queen herself."

Myka laughed. Oh to hear that sound was like the angels themselves singing from the heavens above. " Helena? That thing that you did with my nose..pinching it, is that what you would do to Christina?" It amazed me how this woman could bring out the smile in me

"Yes it is. When we lived in India, there were things she would absolutely refuse to eat, Sabzi on the whole, actually." I could tell by the look on her face that I would need to elaborate. "Sabji is a general term for vegetables. She always threw tantrums when it came to that, so, one day her Daaii or nanny suggested I try pinching her nose and when she opened her mouth, I would just pop them in." We both laughed as I fixed her tea.

"Tell me Helena, how is the little Miss doing? "

"Christina is anxious to see you. She even made a drawing for you. I told her when you are feeling better she could come for a visit. That is, if you would not mind a rambunctious child here."

Myka shifted to lean back against her pillow, "Of course not, I do miss her."

I came back to Myka with the special tea I had made for her. She was looking at the book by her bedside; a quizzical look was on her face as she ran her fingers over the cover. " Here Myka, it's Jasmine tea; it should help you rest." Without looking up at me, she asked, "So, that wasn't a dream?"

Sitting down next her, I looked over at the book. "What do you mean?"

She took the cup from me. "When I was...I...with the fever, I dreamt that you were reading this book to me," she paused for a moment then looked away. "I thought it was a dream, you reading David Copperfield to me, you, me..us soaking in the tub...together."

I took her now empty cup and placed it on the nightstand, next to the book. Picking it up, I looked over at this woman who held my heart. "Would you like for me to read to you?" I asked, trying desperately to avoid the topic. The young woman lay back in bed, turning away from me.

" Helena...when we were in the tub...I dreamt that I was singing to you and I...all I could think about was how much I wanted…" I placed my hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.

Myka turned around to face me; her forest green eyes held my gaze. "It wasn't a dream, was it?"

It was not fear, it was not longing... I was not sure what she was feeling as her eyes searched mine. I placed the book back on the nightstand and knelt down on the floor, I needed to be eye level with her. I stroked her cheek, brushing aside a loose curl. "My God," I whispered as my eyes drank in her beauty.

"No my...Myka , it was not, you were delirious from your fever, I could not...would not allow you to do something that you would regret. I will not allow myself to corrupt you, my dear sweet Myka. Not the way I was."

I gave her a soft kiss on her forehead and sat back up in my chair. Steeling my resolve, I cleared my throat, "Now, where were we..ah, yes, chapter 9…" I felt her hand press on my arm, the warmth from her stilling me. I dared not to chance a glance at her for surely I would have lost what sliver of strength I had remaining.

"Helena, I may have been delusional then, but now, I have never had more clarity than I do right now. I may not understand what you mean by 'corrupt', that is a story for another day, that you will tell me, but right now I know in my heart that I trust you and am forever in your debt for all you have done for me."

This beautiful angel next to me took my hand, turning it over and pressed her lips to my wrist. Lying back in the bed, her amber curls forming a halo around her pillow, she whispered to me, "Go on Wells, keep reading."