Say hello to the beginning of the end for "Damned Fool". Still have some chapters to write but I should be winding down now. Or amping up, depends. hehe. Thank you to all who read and review! Really is wonderful to get such awesome feedback!

Enjoy

xx

Part 10 – A Resolution

Nikola sat pensively on the edge of his bed. He was fiddling with the device he had created to activate the map. He twisted it over in his hands absently, his thoughts moving at blinding speed. All he could think about was their lucky escape that day. They'd been seconds away from being blown to bits. He'd tried to laugh it off when it had happened, made some sharp quips about God only knows what, he couldn't remember. His body had still been coursing with adrenaline as they'd finally unlocked the secret to the map, he'd been on a high.

He had crashed back to reality hard. His brow was set in a permanent frown as he toyed with the device. They'd both nearly died. He'd nearly lost her. What if he had? There was so much he would regret. There was so much he wanted to say to her.

Nikola suddenly stopped tossing the device and stood up abruptly. He checked his watch, it was late. Too late. It was already Friday, Booty and the Beast would soon be arriving back from their mission. They'd invariably take up most of her time, and now that they had some idea of what the map meant, he wasn't really needed. He chucked the device down on his bed and made for his door. He had to talk to her now, he had to let her know what he was feeling. Really feeling. What if this was the last chance he would ever get to tell her. To make her believe him. What if something happened to her... or to him now that he was no longer a vampire. He shuddered at the image of him standing over her freshly dug grave, telling her things she'd never hear.

As he hurried along the residential corridor he felt his nerve waver. What if she hated him for telling her things she did not want to hear? What if he ruined everything? He shook all thoughts from his head and barrelled towards her bedroom door, a door he knew would be locked. As he stopped in front of it and gazed at it he toyed with the idea of just sneaking in and climbing into bed with her, pressing up against her and seeing what she did. Would she would scream and shout and kick him out or would she would lean her body into him, letting him touch her?.

No.

He would not take any chances. He needed to talk to her. To make her see what she meant to him. Clearing his throat gently he knocked sharply on her door.

"Nikola?" Came the tentative reply almost immediately. He was surprised. It was past twelve and he'd expected her to be asleep.

"Can I come in?" He asked carefully. He waited a few seconds before he heard her answer.

"It's open."

He breathed out heavily and indeed her door was not locked as he'd assumed. Was she expecting someone?

As he entered he smiled nervously at the form of Helen Magnus, reclining under the covers, her nose buried in a book. He shut the door and shuffled over to her, not quite knowing what to do with his hands.

"It's not like you to knock." She said, looking at him intently. He only smiled half-heartedly and dropped his head, looking to the floor. She frowned at his odd behaviour.

"Nikola? Is everything alright?"

He sighed but kept his gaze fixed to the floor.

"Helen. I... I need to talk to you."

She closed her book slowly and laid it beside her.

"About what?"

He met her eyes then, willing her to understand.

"Everything."

Helen felt her breath catch in her throat. Everything? He could not mean what she thought he did. He'd never brought up any facet of their relationship that was beyond the flirty and incorrigible nature he imbued it with. She dropped her eyes from his.

"Nikola, it's late. Can we not do this tomorrow?" she tried to deter him.

"No. This can't wait." The tone in his voice made her eyes dart to his again.

"Nikola..." She began but he interrupted her.

"Helen, I can't do this anymore," he rushed quickly, "We almost died today. No, don't try and deny it. We did. I'm mortal now Helen, I don't know how long I'm going to be around for and I can't bear to think that something will happen to you or me and that I'll never get to tell you..." He stopped abruptly. Helen's eyes had grown as wide as saucers, silently begging him to stop. She'd never be able to resist this Nikola. This was the real one, the kind and gentle one. The one who was her friend back in Oxford. The one who meant so much to her. The one she...

"Nikola please..." She begged him. She backed away slightly as he moved forwards, his knees touching the side of her bed.

"Helen," he whispered, "I need to tell you," he wavered, "To tell you..." he tried again.

"Niko... don't..." She was nearly in tears. He melted at her use of his old nickname. He took in the obvious fear in her eyes. He couldn't do this. Not to her. It was clear she didn't want it. She obviously didn't want him. His face dropped before he tried his best to smile.

"To tell you goodnight." His mouth trembled. She let out a long and shuddering breath before trying to return his smile.

"Goodnight Nikola."

He nodded slowly before turning. Something stopped him by catching his eye. More correctly it was a lack of something that he noticed. Her bedside table was empty save for the picture of Ashley, the one of the both of them missing. He felt his blood run cold and he spun around to face her once more, horror in his eyes. She couldn't have. She wouldn't have. Not that. Not that memory. His eyes solidified in determination. He would not yield to her again. They were going to talk. About Everything.

Nikki is on the warpath. Finally. You didn't think I'd put you through drawn out nothing-ness again did you?

Curse you chartreuseian. I have now taken to calling him Nikki too.