Disclaimer: I don't own anything or ever want to own anything related to Warehouse 13 or make any profit as a result of its production. It has provided a platform for the creation and development of my personal world. For that I say thank you.
A/N: Thank you for all comments and reviews. They are always appreciated and considered. Keep crying, keep laughing. Without one, you can't have the other.
Myka was pacing back and forth across the room, occasionally stopping to look at Helena tipping back in her chair staring at the ceiling, shake her head and continue pacing.
Helena dropped her chair heavily back on the floor. "Myka, stop. Just…stop."
Myka stopped dead in the middle of the room. Helena sat emotionless in the chair, face drawn and haggard from the long days before and an apparently very drunken evening.
"Stop? You want me to stop? Someone wants me, just to get back at you, for something you did before…" she trailed off weakly.
"Before what?" she asked quietly. Not getting an answer, she got up to stand before the taller woman, placing her hands on both hips and looking into the frustration boring into her. "Myka, before what?"
"Before…before I had to go and fall in love with Dangerous Dolly!"
Helena burst out laughing. "Dangerous Dolly? I think I just might prefer Mount Helena a tad bit more. At least it gives credence to the dramatic eruptions you have provided, both in and out of bed." She continued laughing at Myka's continued frustration mixed with embarrassment. "Besides, you were already in love with me and you know it. That's one of the reasons Michael has been such a problem for you." She took Myka's hand and pulled her towards the bed, throwing the bag to the floor.
"Come on. Up you go." Meeting resistance she tugged the hand harder, dragging Myka onto the bed. "Sometimes you are worse than a five year-old, and I should know. I had one. A very defiant one she was at times, too. Not quite unlike her mother."
She lay on her side facing Myka's stiff figure flat on her back. She reached out for the set jaw and turned Myka's face towards her. "Are we going to talk about this or are you going to continue to act like a petulant child?" she asked softly. "And do remember, I have been keeping up with my kempo."
"Talk about what?" Myka asked rolling on her side, still not looking at her.
"The big elephant that just left us alone in a very nice room and not so subtly implied we should spend the next 18 hours saying good-bye in the most intimate and physical ways possible, which I must admit, I find highly alluring. However, I am not willing to let this go on any longer. Please look at me."
Reluctantly, Myka's eyes came up to look into the dark brooding ones. "You look like crap," Myka said.
Helena smiled. "So do you. May I?" She asked reaching her hand out, brushing a finger along Myka's jaw, receiving no objection.
"He said I was being a big jerk," Myka burst out.
"What?" Helena physically backed up in surprise. "Michael?"
"No. Pete." Myka flopped back on her back with a heavy sigh, flinging her arm over her eyes, rambling on. "He said I was being a big jerk and I broke girlfriend rule number 101 or something and I was making a big deal out of nothing and he said…" Myka found herself being softly kissed as the bed shifted beneath her. With little encouragement it became more intense. She opened her eyes to find a smiling Helena looking down at her.
"I've always found that the most gratifying and effective ways of getting you to stop talking. As much as it pains me to say this, I agree with Pete." Helena placed her index finger against Myka's lips when she tried to start talking again. "Shh. This is my turn. You'll get your chance. It's time for us both to be grown ups, but the elephant was right about one thing. I do need food, definitely more aspirin and a lot more water. So stay right there."
Helena pointed a finger at Myka stopping her from trying to sit up when she got off the bed. She rummaged through Myka's bag until she found the aspirin, tossed multiple bottles of water on the bed for Myka to catch and made up a plate of food, shoving half of it in her mouth before she got to the bed. She tossed the aspirin in the back of her throat and guzzled a bottle of water down before sitting on the bed in front of Myka.
"Are you going to keep that all down?" Myka questioned.
"God, I hope so." She passed the plate to Myka and looked at the clock. "Have some fruit while I talk. I'm tired and running out of steam and I really do not want to waste the next 17 hours."
"Helena, you have to stop running out like you did last night."
"I said this was my turn, please. You're right, and I'm sorry for ending up at Michael's, but it was the safest place I could think of and nothing happened. However, you have made it very clear you have not wanted to share our bed with me for quite some time. And, yes, I was drunk and obtuse and over-reacting as well. Neither of us has been fair or even barely civil with the other. I am sorry. I tried to be patient and understanding, but it's ever so difficult when one feels she is being condemned for something she didn't do."
"Helena…"
"Hush. This is what I need to say. I do believe you fell in love with me long before I left. You were hurt when I didn't come back. Michael was a part of that time period and I can understand that you may have felt betrayed and even cheated on. I shared a part of my life with someone other than you. Nearly my whole existence in this century you have been involved in, in some way or another, and obviously, not always under the best of circumstances. When Michael showed up…Well, let's just say I'm very thankful everyone else from my past is from another century and quite dead or we'd have more than a few disgruntled lovers pounding on our door. You truly are my list of firsts, Myka. Well, you weren't my first kiss, but you were the first kiss that ever made me feel alive and worthy, and truly loved."
Myka cocked her head. "You do realize you're diverting."
"Hush. You do that to me. The diverting part. Anyway, maybe I should have told you about him, but it was such a short period of time...I struggled and fought to forget you and move on in this century. I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again and was too scared to try. I realized that last night when I stumbled through his door. I was so uncertain of myself and had been too scared of losing something I never even gave a chance at having. How I ever found my way back to you I don't know. You were always there. Always. Even according to Claudia. Michael is the one that got caught in the cross fire. "
"But, Claudia..." Helena held up her finger at Myka again, finished off the plate of food and downed another bottle of water. "I really hope you can keep that down."
"Hmm…me too. Now, this brings me to the other issue. The asinine bond. No, I can't feel you, Myka. You can't feel me. I don't know why. We've never experienced each other without it. It's always been there. It hurts, it's scary and I feel empty. It's making us doubt each other. But do you want to know what else I've realized over these days of us not talking? Yes, it's been days. I've had a great deal of time to think…You know I don't sleep well alone…I don't need Pete's inane 'freak' to know that I love you. We are being separated, once again, and I'm not going to be able to feel you with me, but I know I still love you. I love you, Myka. I love you. Not Michael. I love you. I always have and I always will. After all that we have been through and have yet to endure, I love you. You are my priority, Myka. I love you. I trust you to love me. Do you trust me to love you?"
Helena wiped the tears from her face, unsure of when they even started, when she felt strong arms reach around her and pull her down. Solid, sure, even strokes rubbed her back.
"He still loves you."
Helena pulled her head back in order to focus on Myka's face. "What?"
Myka pulled Helena's head back on her shoulder, kissing its top, and laughed. "For all your brilliance you can be really dumb. Why do you think he came to Atlanta? He stumbled over himself and made a decent recovery, but he was not expecting me to answer the door, nor was he anticipating my place in your life. He really did come to our door expecting to meet you somewhere, not us. That's probably one of the reasons I over-reacted. And the look of shock and panic on your face? You can't hide that from me. You never have. Despite everything you've told me of your life, it was a life that existed before I was born. It's always been this abstract thing. To suddenly have an actual, live, former love interest show up was a little bit of a shock. I never thought about it, but you're right. I've been a part of almost your entire life in this century. I never thought of you outside of that existence. In my head you've always just been mine. It was a big kick in the stomach to realize I wasn't. Pete is so right. I am the biggest, fat, jerk girlfriend around."
"Not completely. I've not been the epitome of relationship material myself. Would it really have made that big of a difference if I'd told you about him? You've told me little of your previous relationships, and I've never asked."
"I don't know. We'll never know. There aren't more lurking around out there, are there?"
"Not that it should matter, but no. I have to admit, though, that it would probably upset me to have one of your old flames show up on our doorstep out of the blue. Pete's told me about most of them anyway."
"I'm going to kill him." Myka felt Helena chuckle against her. "Helena, why are you carrying a gun? I know you have a tesla hidden somewhere."
Myka felt the warm body tense against her. Helena lifted herself up on her arm, caressing Myka's face. "I won't take chances with your life. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I've lost too many in my life to lose you as well. I couldn't save Christina, but if need be I would kill for you." She traced Myka's lips with her fingers, chasing them away with a soft kiss before resuming her previous position. They lay in the cold silence that followed until Helena could stand it no longer. "Do tell me what else I am agreeing with Pete on." Helena groaned rolling onto her back.
Myka rolled with her. Leaning over her, partially raised on her elbow, she brushed away the misplaced hair out of Helena's face and continuing to stroke it.
"Uh, let's see." Myka looked away concentrating in thought before looking back down at the tired face beneath her. "He said I had no right to judge you and you had every right to be upset with me. Ummm…I didn't even know I was in love with you or at least I didn't do anything about it. Oh yeah. Here's the really good part; 'She should have been doing the horizontal hokey pokey with anyone she wanted to. After a century I would have. You know kind of lubricating the old kinks' and then I think I sort of hung up on him."
"Really? 'Lubricating the old kinks?' How crass. I do love Pete, though," Helena said yawning.
"I know you love Pete. Have any old kinks that need lubricating?"
"Stop rubbing my head, you're making me sleepy. I think you've done a fair job of lubricating any 'old' kinks I may have had already and then some. I'd be more concerned about the new ones." She yawned again attempting to pull off Myka's top. Failing, she watched as Myka got up to undress and crawled back to help her strip her clothes off before climbing under the covers. She curled into Myka's side, yawning again, as Myka started to rub her head. "I told you not to rub my head. You know it makes me fall asleep. What about my kinks?"
"I already know your kinks and I think you're proving you're not 36 and can't keep running like the energizer bunny after a night of drinking."
"Oh, do be quiet and let me sleep." She squirmed her head against Myka's neck.
"Helena?"
"Hmm?"
"I do trust you to love me."
"I know."
Helena woke up with a start, panting in terror, hair plastered to her forehead. She turned on the bedside lamp, illuminating the new surroundings. Myka was nowhere to be seen. The drapes were drawn, but the bathroom light was on, the door half closed allowing that constant sliver of light into the darkness that always seemed to invade her consciousness. She jumped out of bed to open the door to an empty bathroom, a damp towel hanging from a hook. She grabbed one of the new phones Michael had left behind on the table.
"Where is she?" Helena demanded.
"Hello to you, too. Everything is fine and under control. She's doing a little shopping."
"Shopping? Are you serious?" Helena ran her hand through her damp hair.
"Yes, my dear. I don't think you'll complain. I'd say she was shopping for you."
"What?"
"Everything is fine. Go take a shower. You'll feel better. I expect she will be back shortly. I've got her, Helena. Now take the shower and order room service. I recommend champagne. Would you like me to order for you?"
"You really are an ass." Helena hung up on him and threw the phone into the chair on her way to the shower.
Myka opened the door to the room to find Helena perched up in the window dressed in a white robe, water droplets beading at the ends of her hair getting sucked into the back of the robe. She was gazing into the plaza below, now turning a golden hue with the falling sun. Tourists darted around a group of children kicking a soccer ball around with no apparent rules.
"Have a good nap?" Myka set the few items in her hands down before walking into the bathroom, grabbed a towel, leaving the light on. "Helena?" She walked up behind Helena at the window, placed the towel over the wet head gently rubbing the excess moisture out. She dropped the towel and leaned her chin on the slender shoulder to watch the activity below. "You really need to dry your head. Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"Hmm? Yes." Helena answered distracted, leaning back into Myka's warmth. "I wish you'd left me a note. I was worried when I woke up and discovered you'd left."
"I'd hoped to get back before you woke up. I'm sorry. I should have left you a note. I called Michael first and he agreed to the trip. He's very good." She pushed Helena forward slightly, gaining free access to the side of her neck placing a row of kisses up to her ear.
"Mmmm. Yes, he is." Helena breathed sharply, tilting her head further for Myka. "I watched you cross the plaza. Only I would have known he was around because I know how he operates. Our adversary is sloppy. Why have they not finished this?"
"Right now, I don't really care," Myka whispered. Helena tried to lean back against Myka forgetting her precarious seat. She lost her seat falling back into Myka knocking her down on the floor, landing heavily on top of her former backrest. Myka grunted pushing her off to the side as she tried to sit up. "So much for that moment. I'd think with all that kempo of yours you'd be a little more graceful."
Helena laughed laying flat on her back with Myka holding herself above her. "Indeed. Yet someone has a very good way of distracting me and I can become a bit unbalanced at times. You wouldn't happen to know who that may be, would you?" she asked, wrapping her arms around Myka's neck and pulling her down, kissing her deeply. "Mmmm. I think I found her," she whispered, going back for seconds.
They both startled at the knock on the door. "Expecting someone?" Myka asked in all seriousness.
"The bad guys don't usually knock." Helena crawled out from underneath Myka to answer the door. "I ordered up food and drink when I saw you crossing the plaza per an elephant's suggestion. I have no intention of leaving the four walls of this room, especially now, and I am trying my best to ignore the ticking clock."
"You know, sometimes you talk too much." Myka picked herself up off the floor, grabbing Helena from behind before she got to the door turning her around for a last kiss. "You're right. That is an effective way to shut someone up." She left Helena standing recovering while she signed for the food.
Myka finished with the food and turned her head back to find Helena leaning against the wall, her robe partially undone, and smirked. "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"
Helena pushed herself off the wall and stalked towards Myka. Dropping her robe half way across the room, never missing a step, she guided Myka backwards to the bed where she fell into the mass of coverings bunched up from their earlier nap. "That depends. Are you the cat and do you remember how to scream?" Helena asked tugging on the bottom of Myka's shirt.
"I think I'm about to find out."
"Do you plan on sitting there all day or are you going to go back in?"
"Hey, Mrs. F." Claudia gave a half-hearted wave to the voice behind her. "I can't get in anymore. Well, I get zapped and that's not all it's cracked up to be. I'm just thinking. I know there is more in there than what's inventoried."
"Much of HG's personal effects were placed in there for storage, as were Myka's when they moved. She didn't want it, so the Regents decided to keep it for her. I doubt she even knows it's there. Nor Myka."
"I just don't get it? It's so erratic. I know something is going on with them, but they aren't talking."
"It seems to me you've left them out of it, haven't you?"
"It's not their problem anymore. They left." Claudia placed her chin on her knees tracing a crack on the floor with her middle finger.
"You told them they needed to leave. They didn't leave you, Claudia. They needed to leave the safety of these walls to discover their own path. You are right about one thing. Some things need to fix themselves. 'Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.' Khalil Gibran. You need to read more, Claudia. One never truly leaves the warehouse. You'll have help soon."
"Huh?" Claudia spun around on her butt. "Why do I bother? I know she's not going to be there."
