Hellu! It would seem I have lost a few followers due to my slow updating! I am very sorry for this, but I can't really do anything about it myself tbh. Exams are coming closer and, as hard as it is to admit, they are more important than writing fanfiction. I will do my best to update asap, but I can't promise anything. Anyway, I wanted to thank you all for the wonderful feedback you've given me. I will certainly keep it all in mind, and try to put it to use. Now, I hope you'll enjoy this next chapter ^^

Chapter 10

Myka watched Helena go, still so many questions swimming around in her head. She decided to lock them away for now though. She took a deep breath, turning around to face a certain tree.

"Claudia, I know you're there."

The red-head peeked out from behind it. "Oh, you know. Just eating some apples." She laughed nervously, randomly picking an apple from the ground. Realising it was rotten, however, she quickly dropped it again.

"Yes, tasty apples."

"Okay, okay. You caught me. What do you want me to say?"

"Look Claudia, nobody can know of this."

"What is 'this'? Are you in love with her?"

"I am." Claudia didn't know a person could sound so broken and yet so caring at the same time.

"Okay."

Myka frowned, her heart beating at full speed. "Okay? That's it?"

"Yeah. Who am I to say anything? If you love her… Then I guess you should go for it. Well… It is quite a pity that you are married now though… to her brother?" Claudia frowned, "Yes, that's weird."

Although it was an inappropriate moment, Myka couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Claudia," she hugged the other woman, "I'm so glad you're here."

~~~~~ILWTWO~~~~~

Helena's fingers softly grazed the metal. It felt cold, sending a shiver down her spine. At least, she thought it was the metal that did that.

"It has got to work." The Victorian woman mumbled, frowning ever so slightly, "It has to."

She had gotten rid of her dress, exchanging it for a comfortable pants and shirt. She had never been allowed to wear such things, yet she had quite a lot of these outfits. She founds it was easiest to work in… to walk in… everything really. Who came up with those stupid dresses anyway?

She finally let her fingers fall off the object in front of her, eying it critically. It was their way out. But maybe this wasn't what Myka had wanted.

"Only one way to find out." Helena was very aware of the fact that she was talking to herself, but it had become sort of a habit. After Christina's death, she wasn't too fond of any company whatsoever. It resulted in the fact that she only had herself to talk with. Not that she minded. She wasn't too fond of people anymore.

Up until now of course. Myka had awakened feelings that she was so sure had died along with Christina in that terrible fire. The lost smile of Christina's beautiful face, found again in Myka's.

It was simply cruel how they could not be together in this world. As if anyone had the right to fight a love that was not their own. No. It was blasphemy. This was blasphemy. She did not belong here. After Christina's death she hadn't stopped searching for ways to go elsewhere, to go somewhere better.

It had seemed a waste of time back then, but it was so very close now. She could almost smell the world through the machine… the wondrous machine.

Helena shook her head. This was not the time. Myka needed saving, and Helena was determined on being her saviour.

~~~~~ILWTWO~~~~~

After Claudia informed Myka that she had to go back to work, Myka had found a bench under one of the apple trees. She had only discovered the garden today, and yet it felt like the only safe place somehow. It was a silent place, yet not lonely.

Although she had just lived the worst day ever, it was followed by one of the best days. The warm feeling that had surrounded her when Helena's lips had softly made contact with her own, hadn't left. It had only spread further. The very tips of her fingers even felt different. Nervous of some sort, but somehow it was satisfying. It didn't make any sense whatsoever, so she didn't question it.

She simply closed her eyes, letting herself drown in the pleasant smell of apples and the soft wind caressing her cheeks. It would have been cold, if the warmth hadn't settled itself in exactly that place too.

Sleep was threatening to take her, when she heard footsteps behind her. Recognising the steady yet elegant rhythm immediately, she let herself relax again, pretending not to have noticed anything.

"Mmm, I smell apples." The voice was right next to her ear, yet somehow it wasn't as startling as it was comforting.

"Back already?" Myka felt Helena's hand trail over her next before the smaller woman sat down beside her. It was only then that she noticed the woman's attire.

"Helena, what are you wearing?" It was shocking to see the woman so, but not unpleasant. In some way, trousers and a flannel shirt seemed to suit the woman. It made her look like the independent woman she was.

It was only when Helena quirked an eyebrow that she realised she was staring. "It looks good on you."

A genuine smile appeared on her face, but her eyes quickly became serious again.

"Myka." She took the younger woman's hands in her own, opening and closing her mouth, hesitating.

"I… might have found a way to be together."

A radiant smile immediately covered Myka's face, a smile that was very familiar to Helena. It made her heart flutter to see it again. She just hoped she would never have to leave it again.

"What is the plan? Oh Helena, this is so great!" Helena felt the younger woman squeeze her fingers so hard, that she was honestly surprised they weren't blue yet.

"Myka, calm down. I need you to be sure about this."

"We have already talked about this, Helena. I appreciate your concern, but I think that by now, you should know perfectly well what it is that I want." She almost sounded desperate now, "I want you."

Helena had to use every bit of willpower she possessed to remain serious and not scream or even cry out of happiness. It was truly a marvellous feeling to hear those words leave Myka's lips. Words that she'd longed for, for so long.

"There is no undoing this. We have to be… you have to be sure."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that we'll be together. But that will be it. Just us. We won't see any of the people that we know now anymore."

Myka frowned, in the first place wondering what that meant exactly. Once her mind continued assessing the idea, however, a certain red-head came to mind.

"What about Claudia?"

"I'm sorry, Myka. But it is simply not possible."

Myka took a deep breath, squeezing Helena's hands a little more. She closed her eyes, allowing her mind to concentrate on solely one thing. Helena. Yes. She didn't have any choice. She loved Claudia like a sister, but without Helena she couldn't eat. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't breathe.

Her eyes fluttered open again, meeting two chocolate eyes. Eyes like an open book. Fear, nervousness, fondness, almost a thousand feelings scribbled among the pages.

Instead of giving an answer, she simply cupped Helena's cheek, pulling her closer once again.

Myka didn't have to say anything. The parting and meshing of their lips made everything clear. They needed to each other. Helena had found her saviour.