Chapter Eleven – Asleep

"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be," Nikola muttered when they came up behind Ashley, who turned and snarled at them, before returning to the woman she'd backed into a corner.

"Ashley!" Helen shouted. She ignored her and moved closer to the young woman. Helen raised her tranquilizer gun, as did Will and Henry, but before they could fire off a round, Ashley collapsed.

"That was unexpected," Henry said a moment later. Helen ran forward to check on her daughter, while Will comforted the woman who'd almost been attacked.

"You should probably tie her up," Nikola said, holding a set of titanium webbed restraints out to Helen. "Before she wakes up again."

(The Way of the Universe)

"You're telling me she just fell asleep?" Will asked.

"It doesn't make sense to me either, Will," Helen said as they walked out of the infirmary. "None of this makes any sense."

"I've gotten used to things not making sense," he said. "But this is weird, even for us."

"I agree. Speaking of weird, I need you and Kate in Mexico," she said, earning an eyebrow raise. "We've got a few reports of Chupacabra sightings."

Will stopped in his tracks and just stared at her. "Seriously?"

"No," she said with a laugh. "But there is some kind of humanoid abnormal out there killing people."

Will shook his head, and laughed. "It's good to see your sense of humor back, but really?"

Magnus shrugged and smiled. "Your flight leaves in an hour."

(The Way of the Universe)

"She's in a better mood lately," Will told Henry.

"I've noticed. It's a little odd, don't you think?"

Will shrugged. "It's good she not locked up in her lab like a crazy person. But Chupacabra jokes really aren't that funny. Not in our line of work."

"She told you it was a Chupacabra?" Henry laughed.

Will rolled his eyes. "I'm leaving now," he said.

"Aww," Henry pouted. "Don't leave 'cause I'm making fun of you," he said, wrapping his arms around Will's waist.

"I'm not. Our plane is leaving in," he looked down at his watch. "Well, now."

"Aww, come on. It's a Sanctuary jet, it won't leave without you," Henry said seductively.

"Tempting," Will replied with a smile. "But I really have to go." He gave him a quick kiss, then untangled himself from his arms. Seeing the pout on his face, Will gave him another kiss, then left.

(The Way of the Universe)

"You're late," Kate informed Will when he boarded the jet.

"I know, sorry."

Kate snorted. "You're not sorry. I know what you were doing," she said, smiling. Will rolled his eyes and settled into his seat.

(The Way of the Universe)

"Good evening, Helen," Nikola greeted, entering her study.

"Hello, Nikola," she replied with a smile.

"How is Ashley?" he questioned.

"Still sleeping, unfortunately."

"Oh, Darling," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "You needn't blame yourself for this. There is nothing you can do. We have tried everything."

"I know," she replied, resting her head against his chest, allowing herself to relax somewhat. "I just wish…"

"I know," he replied, running his hands through her hair. He loved this woman, and it pained him greatly to see her in such pain.

"I miss her so much. I miss talking to her. I miss watching bad horror films with her at two o'clock in the morning. I would give anything… even to be fighting with her. But I can't. All I can do is just sit and watch and wait. I hate it. I hate it."

"I know," he whispered soothingly. "I know."