Thank you for waiting so patiently for this. Not a single death threat! And thank you to Emmy for beta-ing and telling me off for the cheese-fest this became.

There is less smut in this than I expected but I wanted a bit of emotion rather than just a lot of brain melting sex. Hugs to all those who reviewed the previous chapter, I hope this lives up to your hopes :)

xx


After he left, it took Helen a good minute and a half to fully piece together what had just happened. Nikola had fed from her, loved her, worshiped her and made her more than eager for another round. That was until she heard the unmistakable sounds of a fight. In an instant she was up on shaky legs, heading to the thankfully unlocked door. It took her a moment to get her bearings but soon enough she was stumbling down the corridor to where she could hear Kate and Will bickering.

Shoving the door open, she quickly tossed her hand pocket knife towards them, ignoring their stunned looks.

"You alright, Magnus?" Will asked as Kate cut him free. "We heard screams. We thought maybe they were... hurting you?"

Helen looked down at her young protégé, noting the fear in his eyes. She smiled softly, hoping she didn't smell too strongly of sex though her hopes were not high

"It wasn't me," she told him before returning to search for their weapons. "Perhaps it was the rather amorous vampires?"

Will spluttered at the words but, before either of them could speak again, the sound of fighting reached them once more and she was off, grabbing the gun she found tucked away before sprinting down the corridor towards the fight. Her heart started to see Nikola locked in a fight with one of the younger vampires but, on instinct, she raised her gun and shot, sighing as Nikola shoved the man to the side, flashing her a grin.

"Unnecessary but appreciated," he panted before grabbing the man again, pressing one end of the glass cylinder to his chest. Helen watched, fascinated as sparked to life in his hand.

"You're welcome," he growled to the young man as he tossed him back to the ground.

"What the hell did you do to me?" the boy screamed petulantly, staring at his hands in disbelief.

"You'll thank me in the morning," Nikola snarled. "Sit, stay."

Then he moved on, fighting another of the bratty men. Helen watched from the corner of her eye as she fought another of the young vampires, landing blows almost without thought. Though Nikola could not be harmed, part of her was bristling in fear; certain something was going to end badly. But then the young man got the better of her, pinning her as he bared his fangs. Just as she was about to bring a knee up and into his groin, the man was ripped away, Nikola pinning him to the nearest wall before pressing the cylinder against the man's chest.

"You should have stayed in med school," he growled as the young man gagged eyes wide with fear as Nikola tossed him aside.

"Nicely done," Helen breathed, fighting the urge to reach out and take his hand.

"It's all in the wrist action," he growled with a faint grin but a yelp from across the room stole her attention.

"Hey!" Kate cried in alarm as the blonde man held her struggling form to his chest.

"Toss it over or I'll kill her," he ordered with a snarl, eyes black.

"Oh, not that old chestnut," Nikola drawled, the picture of nonchalance but Helen could see through it. He was worried, just as she was. Not allowing herself a glance to the man she was more than willing to put her entire trust in at this point, Helen kept her gaze and gun locked on the pair across the room.

"Put it down."

"Trust me son, this will all end in tears," Nikola countered haughtily.

"Do it."

Helen almost rolled her eyes at that.

"Helen, I'm famished," Nikola said carefully over his shoulder, never taking his eyes from the pair. "Do you think you could light the barbecue?"

A dozen dirty thoughts of lighting fires rushed through her head, making Helen dizzy with arousal but she focused on Kate. She had to save the girl, not jump Nikola's bones. As satisfying as their last encounter was, she needed him inside her and the urge to get naked was making itself known.

"Doubtful, they're only tranqs," she replied steadily despite the urges.

"Pity, perhaps I could help?"

"How very gracious of you."

"Magnus, shoot him!" Kate cried in alarm. Taking a deep breath, she silently willed Kate to calm down and stop struggling.

"Shut up. Listen to me. I'll slice her man," the blonde said, panic creeping in to his tone and making Helen worry a little more.

"Hey, hey, hey, Chad, my man, my bro," Nikola said soothingly and she fought the urge to laugh. "We can work this out; it's not too late to hit rewind."

"Don't mess with me!"

"I'm sensing there's some anger here," Nikola said patiently, stepping forward to allow Helen to move behind him, tapping her heel against the gas switch.

"So, we were gonna rule the world together huh?"

"See, the thing is I'm more of a one-man show." Helen could have snorted at that. Understatement and a half.

"So this was all some sort of set up, huh?"

"Well, what can I say? Never trust anyone over 130," Nikola replied with a smug grin. "Helen..."

"Yeah." Tensing, Helen threw herself to the side just as Nikola lunged for the lights on the ceiling. The heat was intense, even after shielding herself it seared through her clothes but soon enough it was gone, replaced by the sound of more fighting. Scrambling to her feet, Helen darted around the couches just in time to see the blonde man grab Nikola by the shoulders, bring him down and into contact with the creation that had removed the vampiric traits of the others. She barely stopped herself from crying out, lunging forward to grab his shoulder but, before she could fight off her iron will, he pulled away. She didn't need to see his face to know his heartbreak.

"You little... I- I can't," he almost whimpered, body shaking.

"Nikola," she breathed, dropping to her knees beside him.

"I can't," he repeated, facing her. His eyes were as wide as any small child's and, without thinking; she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He responded for a moment, sinking into her embrace before pushing away.

"Well I hope you're all happy now. I'm ordinary," he spat in disgust, face so etched with pain that Helen was unable to move. This couldn't be happening, not now, not like this, not after they'd finally come so close once more. She couldn't lose him, not after all this time.

This time, when she reached for him, he didn't push away, simply clinging to her as if she could make all his pain go away. Her team looked on in confusion but she waved them away, seating herself more comfortably on the floor before kicking the blonde man away. Nikola slid down beside her, unwinding himself from around her so that they sat side by side, his eyes wide and unseeing.

Her team scattered quickly in every direction, leaving them alone. Silently, Helen took Nikola's hand, pretending for his sake not to see the single tear that rolled down his cheek.


Helen sat in her office waiting for Nikola to arrive. She'd sent Will off almost an hour ago and had already made the trip back to her room to change, opting for one of the smaller skirts in her wardrobe and accidentally forgetting her underwear. She'd freshened up her make-up, adding just a little of the perfume Nikola had always enjoyed before grabbing the bottle she'd been secreting away lest he get his hands on it. She knew she probably shouldn't have gone to all that trouble but as her stomach began to flutter in anticipation, all thoughts of appropriateness flew out the window.

Part of her wondered if this was all for nothing, if she was simply trying to console a man who'd lost everything he held dear while another argued that this was wrong, that she shouldn't be trying to seduce him at a time like this. Yes, she wanted nothing more than to screw him silly but his needs ought to come first. He'd likely view it as a pity fuck and push her aside saying that she didn't truly want him and then, no doubt, things between them would go from not-quite-as-bad-as-before to much-worse-than-she-ever-imagined and the possibly progress into the territory she would very easily call heartbreak.

But it wasn't about that, it wasn't. She... she lov... she cared for him very deeply and never again wanted him to leave. The 'L' word might be just out of her grasp but, somewhere deep down she knew it was how she felt. This wasn't about consoling him as much as it was about reminding him what he still had. He wasn't a vampire anymore but he would have her instead. Perhaps that would be enough?

Helen shook her head at the thought. This was Nikola, Nikola Tesla, the man who needed no one. He was going to be morose regardless of the state of her undergarments.

Still, she had to try. She had to try because this was Nikola Tesla, the man who needed no one and the only man she needed. In the physical sense yes but it was more than that. She need her friend, the man she'd always cared about, the man who had always cared about her. She couldn't lose him, not after all this. He was Nikola, kind; sweet, arrogant and insufferable Nikola and she knew she was well on her way to falling for him again. There wasn't anything she could do for it but she knew he'd not understand. To his eyes, he wouldn't be himself anymore and as such, he'd not understand how it didn't make one ounce of difference to her whether he could drink her blood or not. He was Nikola and that was more than enough for her.

Sighing, Helen debated leaving her office and hiding the wine. He wouldn't take this well, she just knew it but it seemed she was too late, his thumping footsteps echoing morosely down the corridor. Grabbing the nearest book, she flicked it open, taking a deep breath.

"So?" she asked, shutting the book and looking to him as he flopped down onto the couch beside her.

"Yes, it's done," he bit back and Helen almost wanted to laugh. He could be so petulant at times. "Laura is back to her snivelling, spoiled self."

"Ah," Helen managed to choke out, not sure of what the right words would be. Then she remembered the one thing that said more than words; wine.

"This may cheer you up."

"Oh the Premier Cru?" She could see the excitement peek in his eye for a fraction of a second before the sullen glare fell back into place. "You must be feeling guilty."

"You can't seriously blame me for this?" she retorted, trying to stay playful. Better for him to banter than sulk.

"Forgive me Helen. It's just my soul crushing depression talking. I'm not myself," he replied with an eye roll and Helen felt a tiny bit of spite rise up within her.

"On the contrary, you are your real self again. Human, mortal." She knew the words were dangerous but couldn't help herself.

"Watch your language," he chastised but she breathed a sigh of relief at the playful tone and she couldn't help but smile lightly.

"I'm sorry Nikola but it's true. I've tried everything I can think of. There's simply no way to re-vamp you."

"You see how this puts a crimp in my plans for world domination?" he asked with a pout she found far too endearing and suddenly she found herself wondering just what he would do if she were to lean across and kiss him. So she did. She leant over, took his face between her hands and kissed him soundly. For a moment he didn't respond and she revelled in the untainted flavour of him but, almost too soon he came to his senses, dragging her closer as he kissed her back ferociously. Helen was lost in him, the feel of his lips moving harshly against hers, the strength of his grip as he held her fast, the smell of his cologne, the same as it had been all those years ago. And then he was moaning into her mouth, the reverberations turning her on beyond belief so that she ran her fingers into his hair, holding him to her as she shuffled on the couch.

"Not to say I won't keep trying," he mumbled breathlessly as he ripped his lips from hers, lowering them to her clavicle. "The world domination thing that is."

"I would expect nothing less," she choked out, her head thrown back as he ravaged her throat. He chuckled softly before biting down on the soft tendons of her throat and she stiffened, unable to stop the jolt of pleasure that shot through her at the thought of him biting her again. Until, that was, she realised just how impossible that would be now, or, at least impossible in the way she was thinking. He stiffened to, his lips resting a hairsbreadth away from her skin as the same realisation washed over him.

Slowly, he pushed her backwards and Helen let him, not sure how to make up for such a faux par. When she was back in her original seat, Nikola stood, not meeting her gaze and headed for the door without a word.

"Nikola wait," she begged softly, reaching out to grab his wrist before he could walk away. "Come back, talk to me. I... I..."

"You what Helen?" he snapped, turning on his heel to glare at her as he shook off her hand.

"Don't-."

"Very well, if this is to be a wake, then let's do it properly," he growled, leaning down to swipe up his glass of wine.

"Nikola," she began, her voice shaking.

"Join me in a toast," he sneered, nothing but contempt in his gaze. "To happier times, to those halcyon days of bloodlust now gone-."

"Please, Niko," she said softly, making to stand up but he shoved her back to the couch without a second thought, his furious gaze unwavering.

"Here's to the vampire race," he continued, his voice sending chills up her spine. "Once mighty now extinct."

He paused, letting out a derisive snort before sneering at her once more.

"Amen to that," he concluded before downing his glass in one. He smacked his lips, carefully placing the fine crystal back on the table before eyeing her coolly.

"I will not be your charity case," he said, his voice dangerously smooth and Helen could feel the bitterness flowing from him in waves. "I don't want a pity fuck because you feel guilty about giving up on returning me to my true self and the fact that you think, after all this time that offering your body to me is the way to make me feel better is not only depressing but a true indication of how little you care for me."

His words were cold and harsh, cutting at Helen's heart until she could take no more. She watched his retreating back for a second before standing up.

"You bastard," she growled, hands balling into fists as she strode after him, catching his shoulder before he could leave but he threw her off, turning around to glare at her furiously. "You absolute bastard," she continued, shoving him back. "You think that this is what it's all about, that I'm here because I pity you?"

"Oh yes, because you've shown so much interest in me before," he bit back. "Admit it, this is all about making up for the fact that you fucked up." He punctuated his words with a sharp jab to her shoulder.

"You really have no clue, don't you?" she asked, tears forming in her eyes as she tried to will away the shake in her voice. For a long moment, she said nothing, just watching his grey eyes for any sign of the man she cared for. Pushing away someone was one thing but this, this was just callous. He had to know how she felt; he had to know that this was about more than just him.

But he apparently didn't, the usually twinkling eyes dead and lifeless under her scrutiny. Letting out a frustrated howl, Helen shoved him backwards before turning on her heel and striding back to the couch feeling like an absolute fool.

"Get out," she mumbled, her voice hoarse. "Just leave Nikola, clearly there is nothing for you here."

"No," he barked, his voice louder than she expected. "Tell me Helen, tell me what it is that makes this so different because the way I see it, you're just trying to alleviate your guilt."

"Get out," she cried, turning to him once more. Tears were tumbling down her cheeks now, her heart throbbing painfully and she seriously wished for a gun. So what if he died, surely it would be less painful than this.

"Tell me!" he roared, his entire body trembling with anger.

"It's not about pity," she hissed angrily. "You aren't the only one who's lost something here Nikola. This isn't about pity, this is about you!"

"Well forgive me for not thinking of you when I've just lost everything I've ever held dear!"

She stumbled at that, her body barely managing to stay upright and fear washed through her body.

'What did you lose Helen, what on earth can you think of that's even comparable to all that I've had slip through my hands?" he growled, stepping towards her.

Helen turned on her heel, walking calmly towards her desk as she took deep, steadying breaths.

"I lost you," she whispered, her voice barely reaching her own ears. "I will lose you."

For a moment, only her stupid heels were the only noise as she picked her way methodically towards her desk. Helen said nothing, unable to make words form coherent sentences. It wasn't that she had nothing to say, quite the opposite in fact, hundreds of words were bubbling up and up and up and until she was having a hard time controlling them, only his panting breath helping her to keep her composure.

Damn him, she thought angrily. Why was he still here? Why couldn't he just pick up and run away like he always did? Why did he have to stand about yelling like this? Emotion wasn't their thing, they didn't scream and fight. They used passive aggressive silences and pointed looks to wound each other, not violent explosions of emotions that had always lain under the surface.

"I..." he began softly and Helen's hands started to shake again.

"Just leave Nikola," she breathed, absolutely exhausted.

"I'm sorry?"

She snorted at that.

"Really," he tried again. "I... I didn't..."

"Think?" she finished for him, leaning against the edge of the desk.

"Nothing new there," he added sullenly and she chuckled.

"I do enjoy it when you realise long standing facts," she drawled, daring a look up to him. A smile flickered across his face as he met her gaze before he looked away again.

Neither said anything for a moment and Helen's heart began to beat a frantic pace once more only this time it was something far more pleasant forcing the erratic rhythm.

"Want to get absolutely sloshed?" he asked sheepishly, gesturing to the glasses of wine still on the table.

Helen chuckled but nodded, slowly making her way back to the couch as he flopped down into it.

Slipping down into the furthest corner from him, she smiled softly, watching as he leant forward to refill their glasses, trying her hardest not to notice the hidden strength of his body beneath the traditional layers of his clothes.

But then the metal tray beside the glasses slid towards him slowly but surely and he looked up to her with wonder. At the action, her lust took a back seat and she leant forwards curiously to watch as he shifted his hand to rest directly above the tray. All at once, the tray flew up, connecting with his hand with a dull thud and their eyes met again in wonder.

So much for normal, she thought, a smile growing on her face.

"Well, I can work with that," he said, wonder in his tone as he regarded this ability.

She chuckled, watching as he moved his hand about to test the ability but when he began to try and shake it loose, pulling at it with his other hand which very quickly got stuck as a small crease appeared between his eyes, she laughed brightly.

"Here," she gestured to him to move forwards, her hands grabbing the platter on either side, tugging but it was no use, the tray stuck fast.

Frowning, she shifted so they sat side by side on the couch, the entire length of their bodies touching as she pushed forwards on the tray. But still, it didn't budge from his out splayed hands.

"Maybe if I..." he began, lifting his arms until she could slip under them, giving her better purchase to shove at the metal.

"Almost," she grunted, pressing the bulk of her weight into the tray and, finally, with a squeak of surprise, it came free, sending Helen hurtling forwards until Nikola's now free hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into his chest just in time.

There was a beat and then they were both laughing, his arms tightening around her as she shook with a joy she hadn't expected.

He was chuckling into her hair, his head bowed and pressed to hers but she could feel him smiling against the back of her neck.

"I think that maybe you weren't trying terribly hard to let go of that," she whispered when their laughter subsided and he chuckled again, the throaty sound turning her on more than was decent.

"Maybe," he allowed softly and she sighed, relaxing into his embrace. Somehow, it felt natural, comfortable, easy, to be this close to him felt right.

Slowly, she turned in his arms, twisting her body so that she could look him in the eye and, more importantly, get a glimpse of those talented lips.

"I am sorry for before," he whispered, breathe fanning across her face.

"It's alright," she replied just as softly. "This... this will take some... readjusting."

"I'll say," he breathed again, tightening his grip on her.

"I don't want to lose you," she murmured. "I... It's just us left now and I can't lose you. You aren't going to die, alright?"

"Careful, I might hold you to that," he replied, pulling her up against his chest so that with every breath their lips were so close to touching it was painful.

"Count on it," she all but growled before pressing her lips to his. He responded instantly this time, his mouth parting beneath hers until their tentative tongues could meet. Helen sighed into the kiss, pulling from his embrace so that she could shift to straddle his lap, her lips barely leaving his as she completed the manoeuvre. She sunk her hands into his hair as the kiss intensified, her body pressing itself tightly to his as he ran a hand up her back. Her already short skirt was riding up her thighs and, with his wandering fingers already making their way up her thigh, she grinned against his lips, spurring his fingers on. He quickly made his way beneath the fabric, fingers ghosting higher and higher up the inside of her thigh until his fingers brushed over her damp curls. She gasped at the sensation and he pulled back, giving her a quizzical look. Uncertainly, his fingers darted back up, this time just sinking in enough to make her body clench in need.

But then he grabbed her hips, flipping them so that she was pressed into the upholstered couch. Frowning at her, he slithered down her body until he came to rest between her spread thighs on his knees. Her skirt was rucked up high but not high enough for him apparently because he quickly lifted her skirt and peeked underneath.

"Nikola!" she cried, grabbing his head and forcing him to look up at her with the most bewildered expression she'd ever seen.

"You aren't wearing anything," he breathed, eyes wide and she sighed.

"Correct," she bit back, cheeks flushing. He was still holding her skirt up too high for her liking.

"You planned this?" he asked again, eyes flicking back down to where she was spread for him to see.

"I want you Nikola, I have for a while and I'd very much like to stop waiting if that's alright with you?"

He sunk his fingers into her wet folds as an answer, making her shudder in response.

"Yes," she hissed, rocking against his hand as he teased her gently, probing and discovering her once more.

Then he leant in, pressing his lips to her swollen nub before biting down on it. The fabric of her skirt fell back down over his head as she clung to him, biting her lip to keep from crying out.

"Niko," she panted, unable to still her hips. "Nikola, you have... have to stop. Please."

He pulled back slowly, making her whimper but she fought the urge to pull him back. She had a plan and she was going to stick to it. He looked up to her, a mix of confusion and hurt on his face before he ran a thumb over the small scar he'd already left earlier. She moaned allowed at the feelings, bolts of pleasure racing through her before she pushed him away.

"Sit," she ordered, gesturing to the spot next to her. He complied readily and she sunk to her knees before him. Before he knew what was happening, she had unfastened his pants, pulling them and his plain grey boxers down until she was cupping his erection softly. He shivered as she began to stroke him but a throaty moan escaped him as she pressed a kiss to the head.

"Helen, I..." he began but she cut him off by taking him into her mouth. He moaned, hands flying to tangle in her hair as she slowly lavished him with attention. Helen watched him as she worked, enjoying the way his mouth hung open ever so slightly at her ministrations. Humming in pleasure, she took more of him into her mouth, her cheeks hollowing as she moved a hand to massage his balls gently.

"You... you need to... stop Helen," he ground out, eyes opening to look down at her but she simply smile around his cock and picked up the pace. Back in that closet he'd brought her more pleasure than she'd ever expected and since she'd been unable to get the idea of reciprocating from her head but, as she looked up to his now reddened face, she pulled back, releasing him quickly. He was too close already and, despite the pout he gave her, she wasn't willing to let him come so quickly.

"Here," he said softly, voice thick as he held a hand out to her. Carefully, he helped her up before pulling her forwards, grabbing her hips as he tried to lower her to his lap. Helen squirmed, pushing at him but he was insisted, dragging her down to kneel precariously over his legs on the edge of the sofa.

"Please?" he asked quietly, leaning forward to kiss her. "I... I want you Helen."

At his words, she melted, shuffling forward until she could rise up above his erection. Taking his lips in a bruising kiss, she sunk one hand into his hair as the other moved down to position him at her entrance. He shivered as he brushed against her moist folds but, before he could do anything more than gasp at the contact, she sank down onto him slowly but surely. Her mouth hung open as she felt him stretch her, her body almost protesting but it was glorious, the sensation of being so full bringing her even closer to orgasm.

"Helen," he gasped, leaning forward to drop his head to her shoulder and she began to move, her body trembling as she tried to keep her rhythm steady but then he began to whisper the sweetest of sweet nothing against her sweaty skin and she couldn't keep the pace any longer. Soon enough she was riding him hard and fast, their bodies slamming together frantically as she sucked on the flesh of his neck. Nikola moaned, grabbing her waist as he thrust up into her.

"Love," he growled and that was it for Helen, her pleasure spiking as her heart began to beat double time and her body clamped down on his. Somehow, he managed to keep her moving his hands on her waist pulling her up and slamming her back down as her hands fisted in his hair. And then, just when she thought every last drop of pleasure had been wrung from her body, Nikola slammed her down against him one last time, roaring his release, head thrown back as she continued to squirm, her body reacting to his pleasure, distracting her from the fact that talons were now grasping her hips. Of course, the fact that Nikola's eyes were shut tight with pleasure kept her from seeing the pitch black irises but, as he surged forwards, burying his face in her neck, her attention finally shifted from the incredible pleasure surging through her.

"Niko-," she tried but then sharp fangs pierced her skin and the pleasure was back, even more potent than before and she no longer cared about the how or why, content to just take advantage of the sweet pull of his lips on her neck.

When finally he pulled back, gasping as blood trailed down his chin she stared at him with wide eyes.

"How?" she breathed, wiping a bead of her own blood from the corner of his lips.

"I don't-," he started before his breathing hitched, black eyes widening. "Your blood," he whispered. "Your blood carries the gift of longevity as well as... and the- the devamper it doesn't... It was designed for my blood."

He was grinning at her now, eyes fading back to twinkling blue and she could have cried at the sheer joy on his face.

"Thank you," he said reverently, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. "I don't understand it but... God you're amazing." With a grin, he leant in, pressing kisses to the length of her neck before finally finding her lips. She laughed at his behaviour, squirming away from him as he continued to pepper her with kisses. Then she felt him begin to harden within her and she gasped, her muscles contracting around him and his grin widened.

"Ready for that later I was talking about?" he asked, his voice low and seductive but Helen just rolled her eyes before shutting him up with a leisurely kiss.

"You're an idiot," she muttered against his lips, her hips began to move against his once more. "A stupid, incorrigible, corny, idiot."

"But I'm your idiot," he whispered back, snaking a hand down to rub at her clit gently. "And you love me for it."

"Damn straight," she breathed, eyes drifting closed as a small smile appeared on her face.

He was hers and she wouldn't have it any other way.