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.
Myka woke up to the bright light streaming in through the windows. She quickly opened her eyes, grateful to see that Claudia was still sound asleep. This arrangement was definitely not going to work well. The unconscious mind was a tricky thing and had created a ticking time bomb. It had never been a problem before on previous missions. One small change in their lives and Helena was now using her as a pillow, sprawled over her, right arm wrapped steadfast under her shoulder. She found the present situation humorous, as long as Claudia remained dead to the world.
Unable to resist, she burrowed her hand into the dark hair spread around her. Helena moaned softly from the attention and lifted her head to look in Myka's eyes with a sleepy smile. She turned her head to see for herself that Claudia was still asleep. She quickly assessed the situation, blatantly ignored it, and leaned forward for a long, sweet good morning kiss before rolling over to Myka's side. "It's a good thing you woke first. That could have been problematic."
"You are trouble. I told you not to touch me." Myka rolled on her side, watching the haze of sleep gradually fade away from the face in front of her.
Helena sneaked a peek at their sleeping roommate again before grazing Myka's arm with her hand. More boldly, her fingers started to travel from her shoulder to her collarbone before Myka quickly grabbed it.
Myka scowled at her. "I told you not to touch me," she muttered.
"Your mouth is saying one thing, yet your eyes are distinctly saying something else entirely," Helena teased, then sighed deeply, closer to a groan, frustrated. "Oh, Myka, what are we going to do?" Closing her eyes, she shook her head. "Every day it gets more difficult not to touch you more. This little venture of ours was rather poorly timed. This is madness." She couldn't help chuckling. She wasn't arguing over where she woke up, though. "It's one thing to sleep beside you for comfort during illness. It's now become something entirely different when..."
"Holy jet lag, Batman," Claudia groaned sitting up in bed and then flopping back down heavily.
"Go take a very cold shower." Myka whispered in Helena's ear. As the smaller woman started to get out of the bed, she added, "And make it quick. I need one too."
"It may require more time than you can imagine, darling. Think about what you want to do today in the mean time. I vote for the pool. I'm exhausted." She laughed at the heap in the other bed. "Good morning, Claudia. Do you need the bathroom before I get into the shower?"
"Huh? No, I'm good." She waved a limp hand in the air.
"Hey, Claud. How ya doing over there?" Myka threw a pillow at the girl just to get Helena's scent away from her, hearing the shower turn on.
"Is this what a hangover feels like?" Claudia complained, closing her eyes against the bright light.
"Not even close. You didn't even finish one glass of wine. Helena finished it for you. It's called 24 hours of planes and airports. Get up and moving, we'll get some food and strong coffee into you and you'll be fine. Start looking into what you want to do this week."
"Damn. I should have used the bathroom before her. HG's not going to take one of her super duper power showers is she? 'Never underestimate the power of a shower'…'Modern plumbing is one of the greatest advancements'. I'm not sure my bladder can handle the sound of water that long." Pulling out her computer, she started researching their new paradise. "Oh, man, zip lining, hang gliding, look at those beaches…are there really nude beaches?"
Myka heard the shower turn off. "Yes, there are nude beaches… and you can have fun with all that other stuff with out me." She shuddered at some of the ideas. "I'm sure Steve would enjoy it. We need to go get a few essential clothes though. I didn't think I'd need swimwear for some reason. Silly me. Remind my to add that to list of essentials for artifact retrievals. There's your chance for the bathroom." She pointed out, as Helena came out dressed in one of the robes.
"Oh, goodie." Claudia bounced up and trotted to the bathroom.
"What was that all about?" Helena asked, coming over to sit in front of Myka.
"Mother nature was calling from the distance and getting closer. Claudia's planning her dangerous adventures. I hope Steve knows what he's getting himself into, because I have no intention on hang gliding. Oh God. Artie will kill us if anything happens to her." The front of the robe had gaped open just enough for her imagination to dangerously run amuck. "And this I see is one of your dangerous adventures."
Helena smirked as she leaned closer towards Myka, creating a larger gap. "Whatever do you mean?" She leaned forward repeating her earlier kiss with resolution.
Moaning into the kiss, Myka wrapped her arms around the woman's neck. Hearing the toilet flush and the shower turn on, she mumbled against Helena's lips, "You do not play fair. I said don't touch me… "
"Who said I was playing?" Helena pushed her back down on the bed, continuing her exploration of Myka's mouth until they heard the shower shut off. Reluctantly, Helena pulled away, grinning at the impact her handiwork had on the woman beneath her.
"You. Are. Evil," Myka enunciated, grinning back. "Don't think I'm going to forget that either." She shook her hair out and rubbed her warm face. "You need to dress before Claudia comes out of that bathroom, and I REALLY need that shower. Please, close your robe before I faint on the floor!" Myka quickly got up on unsteady legs to wait outside the door to the bathroom, face flushed, heart pounding and heavily breathing. She could hear the wicked laugh behind her.
As soon as the door opened, Myka pushed herself through, slamming the door behind her.
"Hey, Myka, what's the hurry?" Claudia griped.
"I suspect she had some rather urgent needs to take care of. You managed to get to the bathroom before she did. I'm sure she'll be a different person once those needs are attended to."
"HG, only you could make 'she had to pee' so wordy."
Helena laughed heartily knowing there was much more happening in that bathroom than Claudia would ever assume.
Myka found her partners sitting around a table enjoying a lavish breakfast. "I need to do some shopping for unexpected essentials thanks to this little surprise. Anyone else?"
"Nope," Steve answered, too quickly. Three heads snapped in his direction. "What? I already went with HG before you two got down here. Hey, I get at least some time to myself, don't I? Come on…lots of black sand…a diverse population...revealing swimwear, or not…It's theTenerife people!"
"What are you rambling on about?" Claudia accused Steve, confused where this conversation was going.
Helena grinned at the now red-faced man turning to Claudia on his behalf. "You are spending the morning, at least, with us. Steve has his own plans and we will be gracious enough to let him have some girl-free time. Poor boy is constantly surrounded by us."
Steve let out a sigh of relief and gave his new ally a grateful look, mouthing, 'Thank you'."
Ignoring Steve and HG's conversation, Myka caught Claudia's attention. "Look, I need at least a swimsuit. Do you need anything?" Claudia nodded yes. "Fine, then let's go."
"Oh, wait." Helena stopped them, digging in her pocket, handing Myka a credit card. "Use this. Don't ask, just use. It's been approved."
Myka stared at the card, then up at Helena, shaking the card in her direction. "You know, sometimes I really don't want to know what you do on the side for them."
A stiff smile appeared on Helena's face. "It is probably best we leave it that way." Relaxing slightly she shooed them off with her hands. "Now go! I'll be at the pool recovering from that horrid trip. We can play tomorrow," she called after the two, stressing the word 'play'.
"Can I please hang out here so I can see her face when she sees you?" Steve pleaded.
"Only if you want them to know where you are going and why," Helena responded shamelessly. "Just please remember the sunscreen."
"Are you trying to make this more difficult? I nearly had a heart attack when you came out of the pool." Myka was frantically sputtering under her breath, staring out at the pool.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm enjoying the freedom of the 21st century, as well as maximizing vitamin D intake." Lounging in the chair next to her, clad in the briefest of cloth available for a bikini swimsuit, Helena calmly responded in an equally lowered but amused voice.
"Well, maybe you should have thought of a better time to exercise that freedom, and you know damn well what I'm talking about. Claudia ended up with a drink in her lap and it wasn't hers! Oh, and I know Steve was in on this, too. Which nude beach did he go to by the way?"
"That was adorable, darling." She laughed out loud recalling Myka's flushed, wide-eyed, open mouthed expression on her face, feet frozen in place next to Claudia as she dropped the cold juice unheeded in the woman's lap. "I don't think I've had someone drop a drink for me in over 100 years." Turning her head towards Myka, a sly smile spread across Helena's face. "I am, however, not touching you." Myka scowled at her this time. "And did you look in the mirror before you sauntered out here? You are no better than I."
"I hate you," Myka growled, abruptly got up from her seat and walked into the hotel. Twenty minutes later, she came back to take her seat throwing a thick envelope on Helena's lap. "Here. I can't take this anymore." Running her fingers through her hair in frustration, she dropped back in her seat.
Opening up the envelope, Helena's face widened with surprise. "What is this?" She looked at Myka warily.
"What does it look like? I'm serious. I really can't take much more of this, Helena. I need to spend time with you alone. We are going to La Palma for two nights. Alone."
Thinking through the implications behind this rash move, Helena cocked her head, serious now. "If I may ask, so that I am clear in this matter, what exactly are your expectations in regards to this trip alone?"
"Helena, I don't have any. I just want us to have some unchaperoned time together. Since we all got sick, we haven't really had any time, at all, together… alone. I want to kiss you, and touch you and wake up with you sprawled over me again and not have to worry about who is around or coming through the door. i want to be able to enjoy being with you without worrying about snide comments and pointed observations. Whatever else comes out of it…I'm just taking this day by day. I'm in no hurry, and I don't think you are either," Myka ended weakly, staring off to a distant point.
Helena sorted through the paperwork. Turning towards Myka, she pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and reached over to take Myka's off, looking directly into her eyes. "I very much want to kiss you right now, but Claudia is on her way back with a tray of drinks, minus the one you dropped on her. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"Hey, Steve, there they are up ahead. Come on, I'm hungry...Whoa." Claudia came to a screeching halt. "Steve?" She gulped, staring straight ahead of her. Myka had HG leaning against a tree, hands in both back pockets of her shorts. HG had wrapped her arms around Myka's neck, pulling her deeper into an already heated kiss.
"Yeah, Claudia, about that." He quickly turned her around. "There were a few developments over that flu epidemic that you kind of missed out on."
"So, that really is HG and Myka, uh, sucking face?" She had smacked her hand against her chest and was now backing up to the bench behind her, sitting down. Steve sat down next to her, stretching his legs out in front of him as a lizard shot off into the trees, releasing a big breath.
"Uh, yeah."
Claudia turned her head "Why am I always the last to know? I mean, we all knew they were...but...Do they ever come up for air? Geez, Pete's right, man. HG really has some moves. Did they really kiss like that a hundred years ago?"
Steve pulled her face back. "It's rude to stare. I'm sure they did a lot of things you wouldn't think they did a hundred years ago."
"Yeah, but wow." She looked again. "Who knew Myka had that in her. That's so...un-Myka. She's really going for the gold medal there."
Steve grabbed her arm. "Claudia, we are walking the other way, now, before they realize you are getting a show."
"Uh, Steve, hate to tell you, but those are not two people who care if anyone sees them, despite the greenery. Hey, just how long have you known?"
"Known what exactly?" He picked up his pace.
"That they're like trying to swallow each other's tongues, dude. I mean, I know they've been a little cozier since HG got sick, but I just figured they were, you know, just closer because of the flu thing…not THAT close. Really, I'm cool with it." She smiled. "Actually, it's pretty awesome. I totally get that they dig each other, but when…?"
Steve couldn't help but smile at her babbling. "Claudia, here we all thought Myka was the last to know. They've been fighting it for a while, Claud. Ever since I've known them at least, or rather it was pretty obvious Myka was pining for HG when she disappeared. Pete seems to think it's been since day one."
"Like Macpherson day one?"
"Yeah, on some level, I think. His vibe thing, though he said it was really confusing."
"Figures, you two and your stupid super hero powers. So, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't they say something?"
"It's not really my place and no one's had time. I wouldn't say you're the last to know. We're pretty sure Artie has no clue. HG said they tried to tell you last night, but apparently you fell asleep on them in mid-conversation."
"Oh, so that's what the bed thing was about. Wait a minute, if they're like an item, then why did HG want to take the roll out?" She stopped in mid-stride thinking that one through. "Oh, I get it. No, maybe I don't. They always shared the bed on missions before. I figured it was the kid thing." She stopped short. "Hey, are they, you know, doing the nasty?" she whispered among the plants.
"I don't know, Claudia! It's none of our business. I doubt it was ever an issue before. Maybe they felt a little awkward sharing the same bed with you there not knowing what was going on between them. Maybe they're in that in between stage."
"What in between stage?"
"The stage between 'Yeah I think I really like you' and 'I want to jump your bones' stages. Why are we talking about this? It's their business, not ours. Come on, let's just go eat dinner and find something to do. We'll leave a message to let them know what our plans are. Maybe they'll join, maybe they won't. Just don't stare, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whateves."
Steve waved his arm in the air to get their attention. As they started towards them, he shook a hand, pointed at it and shrugged his shoulders; what he thought was the universal sign for 'Stop holding hands.' They both gave him various facial expressions implying he was being weird. He was really getting tired of this. Claudia, thankfully, was still focused on the menu. He shook both hands at them. Understanding his monkey gestures. They looked down at their clasped hands, separating on their way to the table.
Claudia looked up as they sat down at the table and stared at them. She suddenly jumped in her seat as Steve promptly kicked her under the table.
"You okay, Claud?" Myka asked. "What's up with you two? You're acting really weird."
"Nothing's wrong." Claudia spoke up not looking at anyone. "We ordered a bottle of wine already. That stuff HG picked out last night."
"Yeah, we ordered wine. Maybe we should get another bottle. Have a good day? Took a walk in the garden, huh? Must have been nice. Lots of greenery," Steve rambled. "The beaches are really nice. You should check them out after breakfast tomorrow."
"No, seriously. You guys are being really weird. Like Pete lying weird," Myka emphasized her point. "What's going on?"
Helena was getting the picture of the cause of their friends' behavior and grinned. "Our walk was lovely. I found it very stimulating. How about yours? Did you two like the garden? Any interesting scenery in particular that caught eye?"
Steve fixed his eyes on her, trying to stare her down out of her game, knowing it would be impossible. She comfortably leaned back in her chair, stretching her arm boldly across the back of Myka's chair, calmly smiling at him. He rolled his eyes.
Claudia lifted her head from the menu, attempting to continue a normal conversation. "So, how about that paella? Anyone up for it again? I really like it. Maybe try some different things in it."
Helena continued the game as Myka leaned back unconsciously against the arm behind her in utter confusion. She lightly traced circles on Myka's shoulder. "Yes. One can never have too much paella. How about you, Myka? I found our walk created a deep hunger. All of that sensory overload; the smells, the touch, the sights…"
Claudia burst out, no longer able to withstand HG's innuendos, dropping her menu on the table. startling Myka. "Something you guys want to tell me? Come on, Myka, why am I the last to know?"
Myka looked at Claudia cautiously. "Uh, okay. I think I know what this is about…"
"Yeah, right, like the two of you hiding behind the bushes making out in front of the world. How long have you guys been together? And when were you going to tell me?"
Steve stood up. "I think I'll go get that second bottle of wine…"
Helena got half way out of her seat before she felt Myka's hand painfully grab her arm, pulling her back down with a thud.
"Claudia, it wasn't intentional," Myka started tentatively, wanting to explain without hurting the young woman's feelings. "We've always been attracted to each other and you know that. Some of us just didn't see it for what it really was, meaning me. Let's face it; this has to be the most bizarre courtship ever. Talk about age difference…" Helena leaned back in her chair mildly insulted by Myka's attempt to break the tension. She rambled forward, "It kind of came to a head when Helena got so sick. Then, everyone else got sick and I wasn't ready to admit my feelings. I'm not even sure we've really sorted things out yet. Then we got sent here. There just hasn't been a good time to tell you. We tried to tell you last night, but you fell asleep on us." She took a deep breath before starting again.
Helena decided it was time for her to add to Myka's speech. "Honesty, I thought you already knew. Myka realized on our way here that you hadn't realized the change along with Pete and Steve. They saw it before we did. Even Dr. Calder made her opinions well known…often. Myka was just a little slower than the rest of us. Artie, however, does not know. Perhaps it is best it stays that way a bit longer."
Myka tipped her head to look into Claudia's face. "You okay?"
Claudia looked at them seriously. "Yeah. I just wish you had said something sooner. Guess things don't always work that way. I love you both and I'm really happy for you. It kinda makes sense. So, can I give the Pete speech first? 'Cause you know he's working up to it.
The two women eyed her suspiciously.
"If either of you hurt the other, you're going to have to answer to me. Oh, and Myka, way to suck face! Wow. Who knew you had it in you. Gold medal to you." Myka turned red immediately as Claudia stood up and gave them a big hug. "So, where is that wine? I'm starting to like it."
Steve, having sat back waiting in the shadows talking to the manager, watched his friends until the hug scene. Turning to the manager, he picked up the bottle of wine and shook his head. "Well, it looks like my job is done. This place is where again?"