A/N Sorry for the delay. Thank you for the reviews.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of SyFy, any of their shows or characters.
The sound of muted voices awoke me along with a dull ache in my head. "Helena? What's going on?" As I sat up, I could just make out Dr. Calder's words as she was leaving. "She is doing fine. Remember Ms. Wells, lots of liquids, plenty of meat and some fresh air..as in she can walk about, but NO work."
I heard both women laughing as the door shut. "What is so amusing Helena?" A small grin crossed my lips with those words as I tried to focus on the raven hair sweeping it's way toward me.
"Oh nothing Lo..Myka, the good doctor was just here to check up on her favorite patient."
I heard her slip, but chose to ignore it as I made my way to the stove. "So, what did Vanessa have to say? When can I get back out to the Orchard?" I asked, looking around the cupboard and stove.
"Is there something I can help you find, Myka?" she asked as she made her way to my side.
I noticed a pot on the stove, along with the heavenly aroma of fish cooking in the pan. "Yeah..I mean, yes, I am trying to find my coffee, I think I need something stronger than tea." As I started to lift the lid off the cast iron pot, Helena gently shoved me away with her hip.
"Now now, Ms Bering, what did I tell you about letting others help you? Please get away from the stove; I have everything under control. And Myka, darling?" She called as I was walking over to the table, trying my best not to complain about being shoved out of my own kitchen.
"Yes Helena?" I sighed as I was getting ready to sit down.
"It might do you some good to throw on your trousers, not that I do not enjoy seeing you parade around 'your' home in your shirt and knickers."
I could feel the blush rushing across my face almost as swiftly as the grin that was spreading across her lips. Rubbing the back of my neck as I looked around, I mumbled, "that is probably a good idea."
As I was getting dressed I asked, "Is it lunch time already? It feels like Pete just left."
As Helena set the table, trying her best to not look my way, she responded, "That must have been some visit from your family; you slept through lunch. This," she gestured over to the food on the table, "is now dinner time. Peter had said it was a bit of a mess when he came over with his catch of the day, which I might add, is now what is being served for dinner."
"Yeah, a vase was broken and Pete was cleaning it up. Last thing I remember was falling asleep in your.." I stopped myself before I revealed my last thoughts as I drifted off. I could see her give a small smile as she sat down at the table.
"Peter's fresh catch, some potatoes and Dill sauce. Vanessa said you are doing better but you need to eat. After dinner we shall take our tea outside." Without further conversation, we tucked into our meal.
After dinner, we sat on the porch swing, sipping our tea as we watched the last of the golden rays slip through the Orchard. I got up and headed into the cottage, feeling her eyes following me. I sighed as I tried my best not to crumple under her gaze.
I came back out, sitting next to her and tucking my feet under myself as I started to pour some of the liquid amber into my cup. "What?" I asked as I caught her eyes following the tilt of the bottle. As I finished pouring some whiskey into my cup, I smiled and said, "For medicinal purposes, of course."
Helena smirked as she held her cup toward me, "Of course. Please?" We both laughed as I poured the whiskey into her cup of 'proper' English tea.
As more cups were consumed, I found my thoughts drifting back, I could not let it lie. "Helena? Remember when I told you that I would make you tell me that story?" I shifted a little as I waited for her reply.
"And what story would that be, love?" We both blushed a little as our eyes met.
"The one where you would tell me about why you felt the need not to 'corrupt' me. I told you that I would want to hear why."
Helena leaned over, her lips so near to mine, I felt like I was lost in those Mahogany orbs as she took the bottle from my hand, her fingers brushing across mine. "If you insist, I have nothing to hide from you, Myka." As she told me of the story of her and Sophie, the days and nights spent together, discovering the wondrous touch of another woman, I tried to quell my underlying jealousy. At the end of her story, I found myself wishing it were my lips upon her skin.
I felt the warmth of her hand brush my cheek, bringing me out of my musings of those soft lips. "Please, Myka, tell me what you are thinking?" she whispered tentatively.
I stumbled for the words in my head. How could just the simplest brush of those fingers reduce me to a quivering buffoon? I lost my nerve as I felt our breaths mingling. I was trying desperately to change the topic, my mind racing for anything to say. "Um..didn't you say Christina was coming for a visit tomorrow?"
I could feel Helena draw away from me as she spoke. "Yes, well, Claudia is bringing her around tomorrow for a visit. She has expressed her desire to see you. It seems my daughter has taken a shine to you, though I cannot understand for the life of me. Why?'" A small grin crossed her face.
"Sweet talker," I smirked.
As we settled in for the night, I watched as Helena made up her bed on my couch through the open door of my bedroom. I sighed as I called to her. "Come on Wells, I am too tired to argue, that couch is a pain, and as you can see, my bed is big enough for the both of us," I whispered as I pulled us both into bed. "Just read to me Wells."
"Mummy!" the little girl all but squealed as she came running up to her mother. I leaned against the door to my cottage, drinking in every moment of the mother and daughter embracing.
"Ms. Bering, it does my heart good to see you up and about." I heard that unmistakable foul abuse of a British accent invading my ears, nothing like the soft reverberations that crossed those lips of my Helena.
'Stop it Bering...she is not yours,' I said to myself as I pushed myself off the door frame. I let out a small breath as Christina ran into my arms. "My little Miss" I said to her as I wrapped her up in my arms, shooting Charles a glare, "Wells," I all but snarked out to him. "Come for some apples?"
I felt my legs shake, but hid it from Charles, never wanting to show a hint of weakness to him. I watched as Helena gave me a small smile, then led her brother back to the buggy. "Charles, be a dear and take yourself back to the estate. If I need anything, I will send Claudia to fetch it." I could see the young girl's head whip around toward Helena at that last remark.
"Charles, I am sure if Helena and Christina require anything, I will make sure they are well equipped for the task," I heard myself say as I kissed Christina on the cheek. The little girl and Helena smiled at me as I made our way inside the cottage. "Go on Wells, these girls are under my care," I said over my shoulder at the arse.
I could feel the daggers in my back as I walked us into my cottage.
"Ms Myka, I made you a get well picture; Mummy said you would love it," Christina announced excitedly.
As I set her down and steadied my legs, I grabbed her hand. "How would you like to see where apples come from, little Miss?" I said as I looked over the gift the little Miss made for me. As I heard the buggy roll off, I spied Helena coming in with the young red-head, "Claudia, if you do not mind, I think these two need some lunch. Please get Tilly ready; you and I will go back to fetch some of…
"Belay that,Claudia"
Helena said, then paused as she looked at me, her eyes never leaving mine as she spoke, "Claudia, be a dear and take Christina out to pick some apples; I think our meal could use some sweetness."
Helena came over to me as I was looking over the picture Christina had given me. "Helena, it is so sweet of the little miss to do this," I said, knowing what she had to say weighed heavy.
"Myka, I am truly sorry, I assumed you would want us here, it was presumptuous of me to assume that. The last thing you need is a young girl run…" I halted her ramblings with a swift hug, feeling the warmth of the woman in my arms.
"Helena, please, if it was not for you nursing me back to health," I saw the almost glare in her eyes, "well, nearly to health, the least I could do is have the little Miss stay as long as you are here."
As I watched her face churn, knowing the argument that was coming, I put my finger up to her lips, quelling her protests. "I do not want to hear any arguments Helena, as long as you are here, so is your little girl."
I could feel the conflict racing through her as I held her in my arms.
We all sat for lunch. Claudia held the little girl in her arms as I brought the last of the plates to the sink. Helena was giving me a slight frown as I took the washed dish from her hands. "I will dry, as you wash," I said as I gave her a knowing nod toward the two young girls behind us.
"You are as stubborn as the day is long, Myka Ophelia Bering."
I bumped her shoulder as I took the last dish from her hand. "Thank you, Helena Wells George; glad to know you see it my way."
I watched as Helena lifted the young girl from Claudia's arms, kissing the girl's forehead, "It is time for your schooling, young lady," the mother addressed her daughter.
I had to speak up, "Helena, you know I did teach school when I lived in America?" I waved my arms toward the book case adorning the room as if to support my point. "I promise the Little Miss will receive the best tutoring known to man," I said as I walked up to them. "Why don't you and Claudia go retrieve her things and I will make sure the young Miss receives her proper tutelage for the day." I said as we both smiled at each other.
"Please, Mummy. Miss Myka and I will be good," the child begged.
I smirked, "well, maybe one of us!" I said as I tickled the little girl.
I watched as Helena ran her fingers through her now undone bun. "Well...as long as you promise to have her ready for bed by the time we get back."
I looked over at Helena as I squeezed the little girl closer. "I promise Helena." As I looked into her eyes, they turned a dark shade I had never seen before as Helena cleared her throat.
"I was not addressing you, Ms Bering" A gleam in her eye caused me to shiver.
After they had left, I heated the pots on the stove and looked over at the young girl. "Your Mummy is very fond of these leaves; she has made me bathe in them since she has been here." Little Christina crinkled her nose as she placed her head over the water. As I poured all of them into the tub, I looked over at the girl as she grabbed her nose, "stinky!" I laughed as I grabbed the little girl and pulled us into the tub.
As I shampooed her hair and mine, I smiled back at her, holding my own nose. "I know, Little Miss..stinky!" I agreed
We were both still giggling as I sat us down by the hearth, brushing out our hair to get it to dry.
I did not hear Helena come in as Christina and I laughed and hugged at the hearth.
"Well, look at my two favorite girls, all ready for bedtime." I smiled, looking over at Helena as she brought in a few things of the little girl's. Her glow was luminous to the point that I was almost blinded.
Helena led us to my bed. I collapsed into the bed with Christina in my arms. Helena started to make her way to my couch as I spoke up, "Helena,where are you going?"
"Love, Myka...I should…"
I cut her off before she could finish, "Helena, this bed of mine is more than big enough for all three of us...besides, when was the last time you slept with your little girl since you came here?"
I watched as her mouth opened and then closed without an utterance passing over her lips.
"As I thought," I said as I grabbed her hand and pulled Helena into the bed, the three of us enveloped in the sheets.
Christina snuggled between us as my eyelids grew heavy. My arm wrapped around my 'little Miss' as my other caressed Helena's hair. As my eyes fell, I whispered softly, "You cannot corrupt the willing."
