You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Albert Einstein

Thanks for the feedback! Keep it coming - especially you HG/Myka fans who know them so well.

Chapter Two Be Careful With Whom You Play

Mrs. Frederic wanted Claudia to take her through the latest Warehouse security updates. Pete was on exterior perimeter duty to check for any breaches and Myka and HG went into Univille for the list of things Artie needed. Myka was aware of how unfazed her companion seemed by Artie's rant.

"Tell me again why you took Artie's car?" Myka asked as they drove into town.

"What? Oh, yes. Well, Pete made up this silly game of who could find the keys to the car…," she started.

"And you went along with one of his games?" Myka asked in disbelief. Helena was always chiding Pete for his antics.

"Well, not at first of course. But then he said who ever got to the Warehouse first, could go with you into town," explained HG.

"Did you know that Artie didn't want anyone to use his car?" Myka asked as she drove and then stole a quick glance at HG who had guilt written all over her face before she uttered, "Well, yes."

"Helena, why didn't you just come with Pete and then ask Artie if you could come with me?" Myka asked looking for the logical alternative. HG had to think about that.

"Yes, I rather do see your point," she conceded.

"Now you got Artie all upset…," but HG cut her off.

"Oh, bloody hell! Artie is always upset," HG said dramatically.

"And why do you think that is, Agent Wells?" Myka asked as the agent in charge.

"What? Oh, how the bloody hell do I know?" HG answered not enjoying this line of questioning.

"If you had to guess, what would you say?" Myka pushed.

"He has no patience?" HG answered.

"And….," Myka prodded.

"And he doesn't like me?" HG asked because she was unsure of what Myka was asking for.

"I don't think that's true," Myka lied.

"The man pulled a Tesla on me, Myka. I don't think he's done that with anyone else!" HG said defensively and now Myka felt sorry she pushed this.

"If that is true, would it bother you?" Myka asked more softly now, keeping her eyes on the road but listening to HG's tone.

"What the bloody hell do I care?" HG asked, her tone belying her words.

"You do realize that's the third time you've said 'bloody hell' Agent Wells?" Myka teased.

"Well, I'm glad you're paying such close attention to my words, Agent Bering," HG teased back.

"Do you like Artie?" HG asked Myka and immediately Myka felt the pang of being caught. She wanted to answer honestly but feared HG's reaction.

"Yes, I do. I mean, I know he's a little stubborn about things but I know he has our backs and he's committed to the Warehouse without question," she finally said.

Myka couldn't tell from HG's response what she thought of her answer because she didn't really say anything. She nodded her head – that much Myka could see but she just stared out the window after that. They finally reached their destination and Myka parked in front. Inside, they purchased the paper and ink supplies for Artie's reports. Then Myka noticed Artie's favorite candies.

"Look, Helena. Artie loves these," she said thinking she was dropping a hint.

"Really? Coffee candies from Indonesia?" HG asked.

"Yes, and they're hard to get. Maybe we could get them and you could give them to him as a

peace offering?" Myka more than suggested.

"Peace offering?" HG asked sincerely confused.

"For taking his car?" Myka started to spell out but could tell Helena was truly puzzled.

"For taking his car and the $1300 oil problem?" Myka clarified.

"Darling, wouldn't he just rather I pay the $1300? The candy is $5.95," HG said flatly.

And therein lay the difference between Artie and Myka. Artie lost patience with her at the drop of a hat. But Myka truly found her adorable even when she was clueless about social norms.

"No, Helena, the candy is a gesture. It says – yes, I will pay the $1300 and I'm sorry I took your car," Myka said holding the bag of candy as if it were written on the label.

"But I am not sorry, Myka," the British accent thick with candor.

Myka smiled, appreciating Helena's honesty but struggling with how to get her point across. Just then a mother excused herself as she stepped in front of them to reach for a package of stickers.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry," she said as she took down two packages. "Do you want the animals or the smiley faces?" she asked her five year old daughter. "The smiley faces!" the young child declared. The mother returned the package to the shelf and apologized again for stepping in between the agents. "Sorry, but if I don't get these there will be no peace in the house," she said smiling but noted the confused look on their faces. "We use them as rewards for good behavior. You know a smiley face for picking up her toys, one for eating all her vegetables. When she gets a certain number, she gets a treat," the mother explained.

"Does it work?" Myka asked.

"Yes, it really does. I heard it on one of those nanny shows and I can't believe how well it's working!" she whispered to Myka. "Between that and the time out corner, we're really making progress. Far less temper tantrums. You should try it," the mother suggested thinking Myka must be asking for her own kids.

The woman took the child by the hand and off they went. Helena only half understood the modern concept of behavior modification.

"She's giving the child stickers for good behavior?" she asked incredulously, dismissing its merit. But Myka was all smiles.

"Come on, Helena. Do you want animals or smiley faces?" she teased.

"Don't even think about it, Myka," HG warned.

"You heard the woman. Far less temper tantrums, eats all her vegetables…," Myka kidded her.

"I don't think there's any issue with my vegetable intake," HG huffed.

"Far less temper tantrums….," Myka repeated.

"Then get them for Artie. I dare say it might work on him," HG said feigning disdain.

"OK but in the meantime, what about getting him candy? You know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach kind of thing?" Myka asked..

"What? Through his stomach? Why don't I just reach out ….," HG mocked as she twisted her hand in front of her.

"You're not really getting the idea here. OK, all I am suggesting is that while you're handing Artie the check for $1300, you might also want to give him something sweet – like this candy – to smooth things over," Myka tried again.

"Well, if you think so, Myka," HG accepted.

"I still think we should get you the stickers," Myka laughed and forgot whom she was playing with.

"Really? OK, darling what kind of reward did you have in mind for my good behavior?" Helena asked invading Myka's personal space right there in the aisle, her voice sultry and full of suggestion. Both threw Myka off - given where they were.

"I was kidding, no, I was just kidding….," Myka stammered afraid someone would see just how close HG was standing to her.

"Too bad, Myka. I can be very good when I am rewarded with the right things," Helena smiled seductively with pure victory in her voice.

"God, I have to remember whom I am playing with," Myka thought to herself as she cleared her throat, accepting defeat at her own joke backfiring on her.