So the place I want to take them, or rather, the mode at which they get there is only operable from May-October and since this story takes place probably in March or April, we're just going to pretend it operates sooner than May, okay? ;)

Helena accepted the man's hand as she stepped from the solid dock to the swaying ferry boat. There weren't many people aboard with the chilly weather and all but that didn't bother her. She found a sunny location at the bow of the boat. In the pocket of her coat she fumbled with the note Myka had left. She hadn't seen the illusive lass at all since awakening to find a new set of clothes, a note and a ticket. So it seemed the game had begun again.

Standing in the sun, Helena shut her eyes and leaned her head back soaking up the warm rays. After a few moments she felt someone standing at her back shoulder. Her instincts told her to spin around and accost the person too far into her personal space but then the ocean breeze blew a faint scent past her nose.

"I thought you'd make this more of a challenge." Helena smiled through her words. She opened her eyes to see Myka step around her holding two recycled-paper cups in front of her.

Myka handed Helena one of the cups. Her hands welcomed the warmth. "It crossed my mind. But…" Myka looked far out into the waves. The ferry had sailed from the docks and was on its journey.

"But?" Helena raised an eyebrow.

"But I wanted to enjoy this ferry ride with you. And I want to explore our destination with you." Myka looked deep into her eyes then. "I'm tired of playing hide and seek."

Helena nodded before taking a generous sip of the hot tea. Perfect hot tea at that. Myka hadn't missed the details at all. It wasn't just the tea warming her insides at the realization. But she wasn't surprised Myka had remembered how she took her tea. She was a stickler for detail and her memory was incomparable. But it still made her happy to know Myka cared enough to have it the way she preferred.

They arrived at the dock in Salem about an hour later and quickly took off on their own journey around the old, witchy city. After visiting The House of the Seven Gables they walked to Washington Square and toured the Salem Witch Museum for a fun side adventure. With all they had encountered with evil artifacts, the Witch Museum still proved to be quite educational and eye-opening.

In their own times, both Myka and Helena had felt like outsiders quite like the women accused of being witches and quite like Hester Prynne. Being so close to the history, yet so far, they felt a connection to what went on in Salem hundreds of years before.

"That Scarlet Letter quote doesn't necessarily cry out witch trial town." Helena mentioned the quote on the note Myka had left that morning. She knew immediately what it was from.

"No, not directly, but this is where Nathaniel Hawthorne was from so…and it's a good quote."

"Indeed."

Walking up the cobbled Essex Street, they marveled at the new meeting the old. The unevenness of the old brick street caused Myka to stumble forward. She would have tumbled to the hard ground had Helena not grabbed her hand to catch her. Myka regained her balance but didn't release Helena's hand right away. The connection lasted a bit longer than needed but both were reluctant to let go.

"Thanks." Myka said sheepishly squeezing Helena's hand slightly to emphasize her gratitude before unlocking their grip. "You've surprised me, Helena G. Wells."

"Oh?"

"You've been on your best behavior these past few days. No wild antics. No devious agendas."

Helena watched as the smile on Myka's face grew even bigger and all of a sudden her chest tightened and a large lump formed at the base of her throat. It had been over a hundred years since she'd been overcome with feelings such as those and, in all honesty, she had never truly felt like that before. And that frightened her.

Normally very confident, and usually bold, Helena was finding herself timid and unsure of herself with Myka. She wasn't sure how to proceed or even if she should.

Helena shrugged her shoulders but didn't give a response. Myka left it at that.

"Come on. This is it." Myka's long legs carried her ahead of Helena a few feet when she realized the place she was looking for was just down the side street in front of them. Helena had to practically jog to catch up.

Myka stopped and waited for Helena to meet her in front of Red's Sandwich Shop. It looked very unassuming from the outside but it was a place Myka had been wanting to try for awhile and couldn't think of anyone else she wanted to enjoy it with other than Helena.

"That sweater looks great on you, by the way." After they'd been seated and removed their coats, Myka noticed the sweater she had picked out for Helena that morning was a perfect fit.

"Thank you. Crimson has always been a good color for me." Helena winked. Ah, there was the Helena she was accustomed to. "What do I owe you for this new wardrobe, my dear?"

Myka leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. She'd fallen in love with the words of H.G. Wells long before she had any knowledge of the warehouse or Helena. But it was more than words printed on paper that got her attention now. "Your company is payment enough."

After they finished their homemade chicken pot pies, they walked slowly back towards the docks. It was quite a ways away.

"We should get back." Myka almost hated to leave. She loved the small town of Salem. She could see herself living there if not for…her real life. But there were so many places she could see herself living but her heart was always at the warehouse and it probably always would be.

"To the warehouse?" Helena asked a bit too quickly.

Myka snapped her head around to look at Helena. "No, to the city. Helena, you don't have to babysit me. I'm okay. You can go back to the Regents if you want. I'm just…not ready to go back yet. I don't even know if they want me back." The sadness in her voice was loud and clear

They continued walking without another word until they reached the boat back to Boston. Helena knew Myka was upset and she hated that their fantastic day was ending on a bad note. Maybe she could change things around. She had an idea—something Myka had mentioned before.

By the time they returned from Salem, it was well after dark and both were worn-out. Helena took to the bathroom first. The hot shower felt good after the long day they'd had but she hurried so to be able to get into the comfortable bed soon.

"Helena," Myka's voice startled her almost making her slip in the wet, sudsy shower. She let out a small yelp as she clutched her arms to her chest even though she knew Myka could not see her through the shower curtain.

"Are you okay?" Myka asked after hearing Helena's squeak.

"Yes! Yes, I'm fine."

"Okay. I'm leaving your clothes on the counter."

Helena didn't move or breathe until she heard the bathroom door click closed. Hurrying out of the shower she dried and saw the neatly folded clothes and laughed heartily.

Myka was standing by the window looking out into the dark sky littered with building lights and the occasional airplane passing by. She'd shut off all the lights in the room but the one near the entrance. Thinking about going back to the warehouse didn't make her nervous. It was the thought of if they would welcome her again and how she would be treated. She had run away before so how would they know to trust her again. It had taken awhile to get the trust back before…this time she just didn't know.

In the reflection of the window she saw Helena standing with hands on her hips just at the bedroom entrance. Turning she saw the incredulous look on Helena's face.

"Pink, Myka?" She looked down at the light pink cotton pajama bottoms and matching tank top. "I look like a girl."

Myka pinched her mouth closed trying not to laugh but she couldn't hold it for long and practically doubled over with laughter. But Helena was wrong. She didn't look like a little girl. She looked…adorable.

"You look fine, Helena. And, besides, that's all they had in your size." Myka said after she'd composed herself. Walking towards her, Myka noticed, with bare feet Helena appeared quite small standing there.

Myka slowly walked past Helena on her way to the bathroom. She intentionally, ever so slightly, brushed her arm against Helena's as she passed by. Helena turned her head then and watched her go. Now it seemed a new game had started.

"Oh Myka? Take your time. I have a few calls to make."

By the time she was done with her bath, Helena was already propped up in bed and messing with her cell phone. It didn't shock her that the age old Brit had picked up the modern technology of the smart phone so easily. But it was still funny to watch her fumble with the touchscreens and such.

A few minutes later they were both in bed and fiddling with their phones. Myka checked the weather and news and Helena zoomed in and out of maps of some place.

Helena heard Myka take a deep breath and waited for what was to come. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Myka still staring at her phone in hand. But she knew there was something on her mind. So she just waited until she couldn't stand it any longer.

"Inquiring minds…" Helena prodded gently.

There was the sigh again.

"Why did you…you sacrificed your life…everything."

Helena wondered when Myka would broach the subject of her saving them but destroying herself. It wasn't something she could easily explain without saying too much.

"I'd prefer not to speak of it…right now."

Myka didn't push further. She really didn't want to ask or know the answer. But it was on her mind constantly. Her phone beeped in her hand indicating a new message had come in. It was from Helena.

Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.