A.N. Just a short update. I'm already working on the next chapter, which will be slightly longer I hope!

Bering&Wells will be in the next chapter!

Chapter 11

"Here it is… This is what I've been looking for." Claudia said as they came into a stop.

They were inside the warehouse, among thousands of artifacts.

"Are you sure nobody saw us?" Nick asked worriedly, "What if they found out?"

Nick didn't know exactly where Claudia had taken him but he knew that she could walk with her eyes closed in here and still find her way. Despite knowing this, he was worried as hell.

Claudia shook her head, "You forget I know this place by heart."

Sure, he thought.

It was her home. Nick felt something like jealousy beginning to stir in his chest. Claudia had found her home, she knew where she belonged.

It was something he had never experienced. Yet.

"Look…" Claudia said.

Nick looked down at the artifact on the shelf.

"What's that exactly?" he asked, curiously.

Claudia pointed at the label.

Mary Mallon's Butcher Knife: KNIFE CURES DISEASES OR INJURIES IN ONE PERSON BY TRANSFERRING THEM TO ANOTHER PERSON.

"Wow…" Nick whispered, "So you think this is going to work?"

Claudia shrugged, "I hope. All I know is that it transfers any disease or injury the holder has to another person holding the knife at the same time. It's extremely dangerous but I think it could work just fine."

"So… If someone touches it while Myka is holding it… Then they will get cancer, won't they?" Nick asked.

Claudia nodded, "I think so." She said, "That's why Paracelsus comes in handy."

Nick nodded, looking down.

"And the whole immortality problem, of course…" Claudia added.

"Who was Mary Mallon?" he asked.

"… She was the first person in the United States identified as a carrier typhoid fever. She was presumed to have infected some 51 people, three of whom died, over her career as a cook." Claudia explained, slipping the purple gloves on.

"Will you open the envelope, please?" Claudia asked.

"You're really sure this is gonna work?" Nick asked.

"I'm pretty sure…" the young woman answered.

Claudia pulled out a similar cleaver from her own bag and replaced Mallon's butcher knife with the fake one.

"Where did you get that?" Nick asked, surprised.

Claudia grinned. "From Abigail's kitchen… Don't tell her!" she winked at him.

Nick chuckled and closed the envelope containing the artifact.

"And now what?" Nick asked.

Claudia sighed.

"Well we have a plan… Problem is: we need to put it into action." Claudia said, "I'll take you back to your parents. You can't tell them anything. Understood?"

Nick nodded, "What about the Philosopher's stone?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Be ready." Claudia said as they walked back to the room where Nick was staying.

Claudia escorted him back.

"Goodnight, Nick." Claudia whispered.

"You too…" Nick replied, "And Claudia?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you." Nick said.

Claudia nodded and left.

The following morning Claudia entered the kitchen and went to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Good morning." Abigail said, walking into the kitchen from the door on the back.

"Morning." Claudia said, smiling at the other woman.

"Where were you last night?" Abigail asked.

"Mmm … At the warehouse… I had to file some reports…" Claudia explained vaguely.

Abigail frowned. "O-kay…" she commented.

They began cooking breakfast.

Abigail was making pancakes and Claudia was slicing some fresh fruit.

"Where's Steve?" Claudia asked, "Usually he is already up at this hour…"

"He's with Artie in New Mexico. There was a ping… Early call." Abigail said.

Claudia nodded furiously, "Ah! That's… Nice."

Abigail frowned again, "I don't think an artifact that kills people can be so easily classified as nice, Claudia."

"I-I… That's not what I meant, Abigail." Claudia said hurriedly, "What I wanted to say is that it's nice to not have Mr. Grumpy here around for a while…"

Abigail sighed, "He asked me to keep an eye on you, you know?"

"WHAT!?" Claudia exclaimed, "I'm old enough I don't need to be kept an eye on!"

Abigail sighed.

"Hey, Hey, Hey! What's this A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. smell?" Pete entered the kitchen and stole a piece of freshly cut peach from Claudia's plate.

"Pete!" Claudia said annoyed, "I am working here!"

"And I'm hungry!" Pete replied.

Abigail rolled her eyes, "Children go and set the table!"

Claudia and Pete nodded and went to the living room.

"So what's up, Claud?" Pete said, "You're plotting something… I can feel it."

Claudia sighed, "I don't know what are you talking about."

"I won't tell anyone! Scout's honor!" Pete promised.

Claudia looked around and lowered her voice, "I know I shouldn't have thought about it after what happened with the Astrolabe… The thing is: I've been thinking about a way to cure Myka and I might have a plan."

Pete looked surprised but also excited at the possibility.

"I thought about it too, Claud... I'm just afraid that if we use an artifact it may cause the end of the world… Anyways…" Pete said, "Shoot!"

"Sorry, dude." Claudia sighed, "I told you, it's still a plan. Nothing more."

"Aww come on Claudia…!" Pete whined.

"Nope." Claudia said, "I have to go back to the warehouse. Enjoy your breakfast!"

She took an apple and exited the living room leaving Pete alone.

"Everything all right?" Abigail asked him coming into the living room.

Pete looked at the B&B's owner.

"I just had a weird vibe." Pete said, "It was about Claudia."

TBC

Is Claudia in danger?

What would Myka think about Claudia's plan? In my mind she would get extremely pissed... I think Myka is an extremely unselfish person and I don't know if she could ever agree to pass her illness to Paracelsus.

What do you guys think?:) I would like to hear your opinion on this.