Part 2:

"Ashley," Helen said, although it came out a more of a primal cry. She was still crouching on the floor of the main lab, and staring at two figures who materialized out of nowhere in the semi-darkness.

Helen remembered every detail of the last moment she saw her daughter. She remembered the blind hatred in Ashley's eyes that turned into recognition. She remembered the severe ponytail in Ashley's blond hair. She remembered that despite the battle being waged her daughter was unharmed. She remembered the crushing weight in her crest as her daughter disappeared.

Fifty years ago and now Ashley was standing in front of her, looking exactly the same. The scene seemed to freeze in front of her eyes. She wasn't exactly the same. Ashley was rail thin. There were gaunt hollows in her cheeks. She was standing hunched over as if she was using every ounce of energy to remain standing. Her chest was heaving. She still grasped the other source blood abnormal by the wrist.

As Helen stared, the other abnormal collapsed, and still no one moved. Helen didn't notice that Noah was staring at her. He had heard what his mother had said.

There were pounding footsteps from the direction of the medical lab and the abnormal enclosures. Reuben, and Eden came from one passage and Lex came from the other. They stopped as all three of them discovered the two figures that had appeared out of nowhere.

The noise seemed to wake Ashley. She was a wild animal caught in a trap. She began prowling back and forth still without releasing the other abnormal. Reuben drew is stunner.

"Don't! Don't hurt her!" said Helen, lunging forward.

Reuben looked up, confused. Standard procedure was to stun first and ask later when an unknown entity entered the Sanctuary. He didn't know the story; he didn't know who this blond woman was.

Noah took over. "Do it!" he ordered.

Reuben pulled the trigger. Ashley was weak. It only took a single blast. She sank to the floor. Helen dove forward. She pulled her daughter to her. There were tears in her eyes. She felt the weight of the unconscious body in her arms. Was this real?

She didn't notice the power turning back on. She didn't notice Noah kneeling beside her and checking for a pulse of the other abnormal. She was only vaguely aware when Noah muttered, "Dead."

She only realized what was going on when Lex took hold of her shoulders. "C'mon Mom, let Noah take care of her. You need to patch me up," he said gently.

Helen blinked as if she were waking up. She looked up at her youngest child. He had apparently rushed out of the med. lab so quickly he had pulled out his IV. He was bleeding.

Helen gazed around the room. Noah was still beside her. Reuben had moved closer, but still held his stunner at the ready. Somewhere in the wave of emotion running through Helen's mind, she managed to find surprise at Eden's reaction.

Eden Jones was field operative who had been bouncing between different Sanctuaries almost her entire life. Her mother was an empath from the small community living in South Africa. Eden was tall, slender with dark skin. She had inherited a little of her mother's gift. She used it to be one of the network's best trackers. She was tough, stubbornly willful and nearly incapable of backing down from a fight. She had an almost limitless number of contacts within the Sanctuary network and the black market.

Eden had back away from Ashley and other abnormal with fear in her eyes. She had a hand over her mouth. Helen guessed she was sensing some of what Ashley had been through or even Helen's pain from losing a child. Helen could do little more then register the look on Eden's face before turning her attention back to her daughter and sons.

Lex tugged on her shoulder. He might have simply lifted her, but with his broken ribs he was having trouble just bending over.

"Mom, let's go. Noah has her," he said.

Helen allowed Noah to lift Ashley in his arms. He held her like an infant with her head resting against his chest. Helen stood up and followed Noah with Lex still holding onto her shoulders. Helen pause and turned back to Reuben.

"Please make sure Henry activates the EM shield, and if he doesn't mind rigging up a remote disable. I might need it," said Helen in a controlled, level tone.

"What? Why?" he said. It was also stand procedure that the shield remain active understand any circumstance.

"I would rather her escape then to be de-molecularized by the shield. She may not understand what will happen."

"Is it really her?" asked Lex as soon as they were clear of the main lab. Lex had always been more curious about who his sister then Noah. Perhaps it was because Helen once told him how much Lex and Ashley were alike. Noah had always been more content to leave things in the past.

"I know my own daughter, like I know my sons. That is Ashley Patricia Magnus," she said forcefully.

Lex looked skeptical.

"I was never able to fully establish what exactly they did to her. I don't know who she'll be when she wakes up. The night she disappeared, it wasn't Ashley. There was only the smallest moment were she knew who she was. She used that moment to save my life," she said.

Lex took her hand and squeezed it. She was grateful. They entered the med. lab again. Noah laid Ashley on an empty bed. He immediately got out the hard restraints and bound her wrist to the side of the bed. Helen watched numbly. She did not interfere. She trusted Noah.

Lex got back up on his own bed and held his arm out for her to examine. She cleaned and bandaged the small cut where Lex's IV had been. She checked his other injuries, which could be easily reopened under the newly repaired skin. She ran another scan more or less to waste time. Lex was fine.

Helen moved to Noah's side. He had put in an IV and given her a breathing mask. Ashley's breath was still slightly labored and her heart rate was elevated, but nothing dangerous.

"She is suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and simple exhaustion. She will be physically fine in a few weeks. Mom, I want to keep her sedated. Give her fluids and get her strength back," he said gently.

"What color were her eyes?" Helen asked. She moved closer and tentatively brushed her fingers across Ashley's cheek.

"They were blue. Mom, did you hear what I said? I want to keep her sedated for the time being."

"No, I want to talk to her," said Helen.

"Mom, you can't be serious. We don't know what she'll is capable of," said Lex.

"I'm just going to easy back on the medication, just enough to talk to her. I need to know," she said. She didn't have to explain exactly she needed to know.

Helen reached up to adjust the IV flow, where the sedative was being slowly delivered.

"Wait," said Noah. He looked to Lex. Lex left the room and returned with a stunner. Helen didn't object, but it broke her heart.

Helen waited with her sons beside her. They waited in silence. Lex took her hand again. She found it hard to breath. How could this be? Fifty years. She had never imagined, she had hoped, but known it would never happen. She had lost her daughter. It took her years to get over it. She never really got over it; she just learned to live with it. It was Noah who had taught her how. Now, Ashley lay in front of her. It was her deepest wished. But, she was faced with the idea that it wasn't Ashley anymore. She could see her daughter's face, touch her cheek and it might be just an empty shell, just her body.

Helen sat in her office. She hadn't moved in nearly four hours. She had watched without seeing as the sun had set behind the buildings of New City. The room was almost totally dark except for the small lamp on her desk that had been accidentally left on. One could say she was in shock.

The door to her office swung open. Will entered and flicked on the overhead lights. Helen closed her eyes against the unexpected bright light, but still didn't stir. Will carried a stack of books and folders stuffed with paperwork. He did not look around, but kept his focus on sorting thought the top most file. He was nearly fifty. His hair had grayed and he had gone back to wearing glasses. The creases of his forehead were pronounced as concentrated on finding the papers he was looking for.

He had almost reached the desk when Helen spoke. "Will," she said, her voice strangely hoarse.

He jumped and spun on the spot. A few papers fell from the load in his arms. "Jesus, Magnus! You're going to give me a heart attack. Why are you sitting in the dark? I didn't even know you were back," he said.

"I've been back for a few hours, actually," said Helen, which was not an answer to his question.

He deposited the load of books onto her desk and bend to gather the escaped paperwork. Helen made a decision for the first time all afternoon. She got up from the sofa by the empty fireplace and closed the door that Will had left open. He had clearly come in the office to leave something for her, but she didn't care what it was right now. Will looked around when he heard the door click.

"Magnus, what's going on?" he asked, suddenly aware that something was wrong. He had known something was different a couple of months, but had been unable to point to anything specific or raise the subject with her.

"I guess there is really no easy way to say this," she paused to settle herself once again on the sofa. Will sat in the armchair across from her, leaning forward. Helen had planned to tell him in a direct, matter of fact way. This was the situation; this is how she wanted to handle it, but she was worried she couldn't do it. How could she do it all over again? She couldn't form the words. She looked at her friend who was so worried about her, and felt the tears falling that she had tried to fight.

She buried she face in her hands. She couldn't do this again. He waited with his usual patience. Strong Will. Steady Will. He had been there to help her through it all. He would be there through this if she could only find the words to tell him.

She got up and went over to the fireplace. She pulled her handkerchief out of her pocket. She took a few deep breaths.

"Will, I'm pregnant."

He didn't move. His mouth just opened slightly. "You're what?"

"I'm going to have a baby. I'm a hundred and seventy-four and I'm going to have a baby," she said.

"Who? Whose the father?" he asked.

"Montague John Druitt," she said.

There was another long silence. Helen returned to the sofa.

"I suppose it has been well established that I have a weakness for that man," she said with a half smile. It was all she could manage.

"Helen, you have been through more than anyone has a right to and Druitt has been there with you," said Will.

"I see Ashley in his eyes sometimes. He was her father. Sometimes I just wanted to be close to that."

"It's been fifteen years. You are allowed to be happy."

"It's not about happiness. I didn't plan this," Helen said.

"Druitt has changed a lot since I first met him. He gave you comfort and that has everything to do with happiness."

"Happiness? I let him in and it just causes pain. He's not going to be father to this baby. God, Will, a baby. I don't think I can do it again. Honestly, when I was younger I pictured myself with a large family, but it just never seemed to happen. Ashley was enough. It wasn't just me anymore. It was the way her face lit up. It was all I needed. It still hurts, Will. I still expect her to be here."

"Grief is a strong emotion, but a new baby will not replace Ashley or make you love her any less," he said.

"I know. It's silly to feel that way."

"Helen, you are a wonderful mother. I have never met anyone more loving, more caring. Don't shut yourself off. You have a big heart; big enough for two children."

"I'm not worried about when the baby is here; I'm worried about what happens if he's not. The doctor did an ultrasound. I heard the heart beat. There is nothing important then this little life. I'm terrified of losing him."

"That's a risk every parent faces."

She watched him for a minute. She always felt somewhat responsible that Will was alone. There had been a few women over the years, but he never really settled. He always put the Sanctuary first, even Kate Freelander had eventually got tired of it. Helen had put a lot of responsibility on Will, more then any other protégé. She had told him over and over again that she needed him.

"But I know what it feels like. The death of a child. I don't know if I could do it again. I'm tired of out living the people I love, and I love this baby."

"I'm sorry, Magnus, but that is your reality. Most of us will live a hundred years at most. You never know, the baby might inherit your longevity. You'll be stuck with the kid forever. I mean literally, forever."

Helen smiled properly for the first time since the doctor had returned with her test results. She had been feeling strange for a few months. There hadn't been any of the same symptoms are her first pregnancy. She had awful morning sickness the first time. This time she had just been noticing strong smells and a sore back. It had only been getting sick to her stomach for the past week or so, which is what prompted the doctor's appointment. She nearly four months pregnant and she had had no idea.

"So," Will said, "You said 'he.'"

Helen smiled again, broadly this time. "It's a boy. A nurse let is slip by accident. She thought I already knew."

"We are excited about this?" he said.

"Yes, I guess we are," she said.

"Congratulation, Helen!" he leaned over and gave her a hug, "Hey, and I'm here for you every step of the way." He knew perfectly well, as did she, that Druitt really had changed in many ways, but he would still disappear for months on end.

"Thank you, Will. That means lots. It really does."

"You're gonna be okay. You know that, right?"

"I always am."

Ashley began to stir, but eyes remained closed. She moved her arms against the restraints. She mumbled something Helen couldn't understand through the breathing mask. Helen let go of Lex's hand. She pushed the breathing mask off Ashley's face and tucked it under chin. She brushed the hair off her forehead, like she had done so many times when Ashley was small. "Ashley," she said, "Ashley, open your eyes. Darling, please."

"Mom?" Ashley said in a hoarse whisper.

"Darling, I'm here. Come back to me," Helen said trying to keep the urgency out of her voice.

Ashley opened her eyes. There were clear blue, but unfocused. Helen's face was only a foot away from her daughter's, but Ashley did seem to be able to see it.

"Mom? I can't—" she said.

"Ashley, I'm right here." Helen touched her cheek again.

Ashley jerked away from the contact. She closed her eyes again. She twisted in her bed as if she was fighting against the sedative. Then, she was fighting something more real. The monitor showed an increase in her pulse rate. She began panting as if she was running.

She suddenly stopped struggling. Her eyes flew open and they were blood red. Helen only had second to register this before they changed again. They became two dark pits against her pale skin. Noah grabbed his mother's arm and yanked her away from the bed. Helen saw the fangs and claws extending. Lex fired a stunner blast and Ashley was unconscious again.

"Well, that's one lesson learned," said Noah as he cautiously replaced the breathing mask, "Don't touch her."

"This isn't a joke," Helen said roughly.

She marched out of the med. lab and slammed the door behind her. She didn't go far; she couldn't. She moved just far enough down the passage that her sons couldn't see her tears. She desperately wished Will or Big Guy were still with her; they both had passed away within months of each other about ten years. She needed someone who had known Ashley before the Cabal had turned her into…into a monster. Henry had been there; Henry knew. She knew exactly where he would be too, but she didn't want to disturb him. She had just enough sense to leave at least one person in charge of the Sanctuary and its security because at this moment, she hardly cared if the entire place burned to the ground.

She heard the door open down the hall. She knew it was at least one of her sons coming to find her, but she didn't move. Noah spotted her leaning against the wall. He walked over and pulled her into a tight hug. He lifted her feet a couple inches off the ground. Something he had done since he was a teenager and realized he was taller than her.

"I'm sorry, Mom," he said as he released her, "I just don't know how to deal with this."

"Darling, I'm as lost as you are."

"It's just I've known about her my entire life. You've told me a few stories. I've seen pictures. I've always imagined her tough and strong. Not like this."

"Not like this," Helen repeated.

"She has been this presence all my life. The big sister I always wanted to live up to. She was such a part of your work and I wanted that too. I think Lex feels the same way. We've both put her up on this pedestal; we just wanted to make you proud like she did."

Noah was thirty-six years old and this probably the most candid conversation Helen had ever had with him about his sister. She suddenly felt guilty. She took Noah's hand, a healing hand. She kissed the back of it and then pressed it against her cheek.

"Have I been a terrible mother? Have I always been thinking about someone else?" she said, tears in her eyes again.

Noah pulled her into another hug. "Never, ever, ever, ever," he said. Helen felt his voice rumbling in his chest pressed against her. "Well, maybe just a little after Lex was born."

They broke apart, each laughing a little in an awkward choked up way that only happens when someone is trying to lighten the mode.

"You are the best mother in the entire world. Both Lex and I understood that you are always very busy. That's just the way it is, but you always made time for us. You drop everything for us, even though we are all grown up."

"You're not that grown up," she said.

"Cheeky monkey," Noah said, imitating her accent.

"I am the proudest mother in the world. I have been blessed with the most understanding, amazing children. I had been proud of you since you took her first step. I love you both so much. You are my support. I don't know what I would do without you."

There was another long hug. They stood in a hallway in a comfortable silence for a little longer.

"Ready to go back?" said Noah at last.

Helen nodded and followed him back to Ashley's beside.