Starting New

It was hard to leave, but Nicole needed to know what was beyond the Sanctuary Network. She needed to find where she belonged. Was the Sanctuary the place for her, or was it busing tables at a small diner? She knew she had to try. She regretted the way she left though. She owed her mom more than a written explanation, but how could she tell her mom without feeling pressured to stay? It wasn't an easy choice, yet it was the right one. What made it better was knowing that her dad had her back.

"So you're leaving?" Nikola said from behind Nicole.

Nicole closed her eyes tight as she tried to compose herself. Did he ever sleep? She managed a nod before turning to face him. "Dad…I need-"

Nikola raised his hand silencing her. "I know, but you don't have anywhere to go, and no money."

Nicole sighed, "I have money, at least enough for an apartment."

Nikola chuckled softly, "Here." He handed her a house key. "I bought a house, years ago; I planned on staying there if your mom even needed me to stay around."

Nicole smiled, she was lucky that her dad cared enough to help her out. He even promised not to tell her mom where she was. It was comforting having him nearby, being able to have him come and see her. She had a job waiting and cleaning tables, when she wanted over time she worked in the dish room after closing hours. It was at home when her real job started. She started out on small network, hacking them for information about abnormals; slowly she worked herself up to SCIU. She walked around the house, which was not empty when she moved in. She suspected her dad stayed here often. There were patents and formulas on bulletin boards. She even found a journal.

She was off and didn't feel like fooling with mainly my firewalls of SCIU. It was late and her mind was restless, and her dad's taste in books was questionable. She picked the journal up and went to her room. She turned the lamp on and laid the book on her pillow hurrying across the room to turn the main light off. She hurried back to the bed and pulled the journal to her. She opened to a random page. The page was filled in a foreign writing. There were also pictures. The one that caught her eye was one with her mother. She was a red head in the picture. Another picture fell from the pages. It was a snap shot, maybe a picture that wasn't supposed to happen. Nikola had his arms around a laughing brunette Helen.

Nicole closed the book as she put the picture by her lamp. She turned the light off and looked out her window. It wasn't always bad at the Sanctuary. When she was really small about four or five, her mom and her would go to the surface and stargaze. Laughter filled the air as she would dance and pretend she was a ballerina. Nicole couldn't understand how it could change so fast. Tears filled the blue eyes, "I'm so sorry mom." She whispered; her eyes fixed on the moon as a tear trickled down her cheek.

X~x~X

Helen couldn't sleep. Her heart was heavy with shame and guilt. She never compromised, never, not even when it came to her children. The one time she had it cost Ashley her life. She had been hard on Nicole, and she lied to her. It was easy to see how far she pushed her young daughter to the edge of bending and breaking. She could only hope that she didn't break her.

She pushed Nicole's door open and looked at the empty room. She kept the note in her pocket to remind herself that she could only push people so far. She looked at the cold and lonely space. Ian assured her while she studied his ability that Nicole needed to learn about herself and that she would come home. Helen hoped he was right.

Helen closed the door and walked to Nikola's room. She knocked as she fought back the tears. Nikola opened the door. He stared at her a moment before pulling her into his arms. Helen buried her face in his shirt as the tears escaped.

Nikola shut the door. "Come let's sit." He whispered in her ear.

He moved to his bed and instead of letting her sit by him he pulled her to his lap. Helen was glad he did. She needed to be held right now. She needed him to tell her it would be okay. She would do anything to hear that and know it was true.

"It's okay, things will work out." Nikola assured her. "She will be okay."

"How do you now that Nikola?" Helen whimpered looking up at him.

"She is a Magnus…with the benefits of a vampire." Nikola said smiling. "I have yet to meet an unlucky Magnus."

Helen couldn't help but smile a little. She needed to hear that. She looked up to Nikola and kissed him softly. She loved this man, no matter how arrogant he was he always loved her and put her feelings first. John would have blamed her or make her feel worse, but not Nikola.

"Thank you." She said as their lips parted.

"Anything for you." He whispered feeling his own guilt burning in his chest.