The title of this chapter comes from Meegan's review in which she used the same turn of phrase :) I've had this one done for a while (originally it was part of the previous chapter) but I was trying to work out the balance between forgetful Nikola and flagrantly OoC Nikola... It's a fine line to tread...

Anywho, thanks for all the lovely feedback guys! It makes me want to write more for this one :)

xx

He could hear voices, screaming at something. At him maybe. No, that wasn't his name... Or was it, he didn't quite know anymore. Cocking his head to the side he gazed lazily at the blurry shapes before him. He had some vague recollection of needing to run but nothing concrete. Plus he was restrained. Maybe. He wasn't sure of that either. His hands were certainly having trouble moving but- oh. What was that? What just happened to his hands?

Helen turned back to face Nikola, unsure as to where to start. He looked equally as apprehensive and, as she moved to sit on the foot of the bed, he shuffled back slightly.

"Why are you so afraid of me?" she asked quietly after a moment. He just raised an eyebrow as if the answer was obvious.

"Why did you stammer when I asked if we'd ever been and us?" he countered, not taking his eyes from hers.

"Because it's complicated," she answered honestly. She knew she'd frightened him when she'd first come in and now it was time to repair a little of that damage. "You and I have know each other for a very long time and it hasn't ever been simple." She paused to take a breath, staring down at the cotton blanket as she tried to gather some courage. Perhaps if she was honest with him about their past, he might remember something.

"You... once told me that you... ahem... loved me," she said uncomfortably, risking a look up at him. His eyes were wide but she sensed it was with shock rather than fear. "It was a while ago and I don't think you were being serious," she said hurriedly, "after all, you did try and kill me at the same time."

"I tried to kill you?" he asked incredulously, his voice barely higher than a whisper.

She chuckled humourlessly before looking him in the eye once more.

"It's not the first time and I doubt it'll be the last," she joked and his eyes widened in alarm. "But, what I wanted to say, is that you... you need to trust me."

"That's a little hard," he said, voice strained. "Are really sure?"

"Of course I'm sure Nikola. You really must trust me."

"Oh, that's not what I meant. I mean, I've got nothing to lose by trusting you. I was asking about Rome or whatever it was," he clarified, trying and failing to seem nonchalant.

"Do you mean about the trying to kill me part or the..."

"The killing," he said quickly. "The other part... I can understand... I mean... You are... You know, I mean... You are a very beautiful woman and..." he trailed off, blushing more furiously than she'd ever seen him do before.

She stared into his eyes for a long moment, wondering if maybe this was just another of his elaborate hoaxes and he was just trying to back her into a corner with words. He couldn't really be that callous, could he? Then he smiled uncertainly at her and all her apprehension at his intentions melted away. He wasn't kidding around with this, he needed her help and she was most certainly going to give it to him. This was Nikola, her oldest, closest... friend wasn't quite the right word and she knew it. There had always been something more to their relationship but still the definition of what exactly it was eluded her.

"Yes, I'm certain you tried to kill me. Though you probably wouldn't have gone through with it in the end," she said firmly, smiling at him cheekily. "I suspect you like me too much to actually want me dead. Even if I do have a nasty habit of foiling your plans."

"I should hope so," he exclaimed with a grin of his own. "I really ought to thank my past self for having the foresight to not kill you. I mean, I'd be all alone here if it wasn't for you."

She laughed openly at that, enjoying the way he seemed to be relaxing around her.

"You know, I can see us being friends," he said softly after the laughter died down.

"Any reason you say that?" she asked, hoping like hell he remembered even the smallest detail but not wanting to get her hopes up at the same time.

"Not really," he said with a shrug. "It's just, you know, easy. I mean, with the girl and Will... You're just... different."

"Good," she said happily, trying and failing to rein in her goofy smile. "I mean, I'm glad you feel that way. I'd really like it if, tomorrow, when we came back, you'd agree to come back to the Sanctuary with us."

"The Sanctuary?" he asked uncertainly.

"It's where I live," she explained softly, once again having trouble looking into his eye. What if he said no? What if he insisted on making his own way in the world? She had to admit it would be a very Nikola thing to do. He was just about pigheaded enough for it. She knew that, if he wanted to go, there would be nothing she could do short of restraining him that would keep him down. And what would she do then? What would she do if he got hurt all because she hadn't managed to keep an eye on him? What would she do if he got himself further into whatever trouble had screwed him over in the first place?

"You live?" he echoed uncertainly.

"And work," she added.

"Is it like a medical facility?" he asked, a shiver that Helen thought as completely unconscious wracking his body.

"Sort of. It's more a safe haven of sorts," she said carefully and he nodded thoughtfully.

"And it wouldn't be permanent?" he checked uncertainly.

"You would be welcome to stay as long as you like Nikola. You are always welcome in my home." He seemed to consider her offer for a time, lips pursed as he fiddled with the sheets.

"If you'd like, when I come back in the morning, I can explain it all to you then," she offered with a small smile.

"You can't stay now?" he asked softly, sounding vaguely disappointed and Helen had to fight the childish glee that grew within her.

"No, as much as I'd like to, Will and I have a few things to do as well as prepare some quarters for you to use. I'm sure Abby could keep you company if you'd like."

"No, no, it's fine," he answered quickly, looking away.

"But there will be a guard at the door," she added, not sure how he'd react to such news.

"Why?" he asked, eyes wide with fear. "I promise I won't try to go anywhere."

"It's not to keep you in," she said, reaching out to place a placating hand on his. "It's to make sure you're safe. I don't intend to take any chances with you Nikola."

He laughed at that.

"Oh come on, who's going to want to hurt me?" he asked with a smile and Helen just shook her head sadly.

"Lots and lots of people," she said with a sigh, noting how his eyes widened once more in alarm. "But that's why I'm here. To bail you out."

He seemed unsure of how to take her statement, smiling uncomfortably at her.

"Relax Nikola," she instructed with a sad smile. "It's all going to be fine."

"See, you say that but still insist on a guard," he joked weakly and she smiled.

"Tomorrow I'll answer all your questions," she promised. "But for now, I want you to rest." It hadn't escaped her notice that he was exhausted. He sat, for the most part listlessly and she saw just how hard he was working to keep his eyes open which was alarming in itself. This was Nikola Tesla, vampire and vampires shouldn't ever get this bone tired, they simply couldn't.

"That sounds like a good idea," he agreed with a small smile, settling back into the pillows.

"Now," she said, standing up and running her hands over her jean clad legs, "before I go, is there anything you want? Food? Water?" Nikola made a face as he pulled the covers up a little higher.

"Are you really sure you can't stay?" he asked quietly. "That's what I'd really like."

And her heart promptly melted. Never had Nikola been so sweet and candid with her. He always cloaked his intentions in innuendo but this was different. This had nothing to do with carnal matters, it was just as simple plea from a lonely man to a woman who claimed to know him but, as much as she might want to toss everything else aside and spend the evening here with him, she really did have a lot of work to finish.

"I'm sorry Nikola," she said, reaching out to brush his hair back off his face. "As much as I want to, I can't."

He sighed and smiled at her but she could see the disappointment in his eyes.

"I know, but I had to try," he said with an impish grin and she chuckled.

"Alright , before I actually go do you have any questions? Ones that can't wait until we come back to get you tomorrow?"

"Just one," he admitted quietly.

She raised an eyebrow expectantly, smiling at him softly.

"Ask away."

He gulped and looked at her guiltily.

"What's your name?"