Total fluff

Unthinkable

Jane wasn't at all surprised when every crap case that came along - that her boss assigned it to her. Not only did she break the rules, she made the department look bad in a high profile case. Jane never complained – she knew you took your consequences quietly or they simply kept adding up. So when the Police Department in Lyon, France asked for a consultant to come and speak on city tactics, one might think that Jane got the plum assignment. But this was Jane Tierney who detested New Jersey because she had to go over the George Washington Bridge out of Manhattan, so taking a plane across the Atlantic was torture. And that is why her boss gave it to her. She was only slightly appeased that Pete was coming.

"Do you know where we land? Not Charles De Gaulle airport. No, Saint Exupery airport! We're landing in a place named after "The Little Prince" author. Yeah, I feel really safe there. Probably have to get off at the tarmac. And you know French food is little, right? Like fancy and small portions," Jane complained to Pete.

"It could be romantic," Pete said. "Lyon is a beautiful city,"

"Yeah, I'm sure. So is Miami and I ain't going there either," the cop said sipping her orange juice at breakfast.

"Well look you have to go, so let's make the best of it," Pete said getting his bags.

They were all set to leave for the airport when he glanced at the television set and heard the announcer report that an unregistered blue sports car had illegally driven up the FDR highway and was still at large. Pete didn't think anything of it until he looked at his cell and saw a message from Steve that simply said "HELP!"

"Ms. Wells, I don't think everyone is going to appreciate that we did this," Steve said using the plural to be polite.

"Of course they won't, that's why we did it at the crack of dawn, Mr. Jinx," Helena said racing across town and up through the park until she reached her street and drove back into the driveway.

"Well, what about when they come? There are no plates on this car! Do you even have a license?" Steve asked waiting for the sirens to begin.

"I meant to get that," Helena said too relaxed for the man.

"You meant to? You drove without a license?" the rule follower asked. "Oh she is going to kill me for sure."

"Who darling?" Helena asked.

"Ms. Bering," he answered.

"Don't be silly, Mr. Jinx. I asked you to drive me there because you do have a license. I test drove it up the closed highway and back here. What's to be upset about?" Helena asked thinking Myka wouldn't mind.

"How come you did it today?" Steve asked because he was perceptive.

"Well, the …. car…was not ready and…," Helena lied and he knew it – and now she knew he knew it.

"Do not use that sixth sense on me, Mr. Jinx. This is my affair and I will handle it. Besides, no one needs to know that I took advantage of a closed highway. No one was put out," Helena protested. The dozens of residents along the highway who woke up to the sonic boom of her loud car racing past their windows would disagree.

That's when Steve texted Pete. He had covered a great many things for his absence, but forgot to mention if they both got arrested. Steve left Helena at the house, still surprised no cops were at her door. She was one lucky woman. Pete called and Steve explained everything. That's when Pete told him the whole thing was captured on camera by the traffic helicopters that were out getting ready to report on holiday traffic.

"What do I do?" Steve asked his boss.

"Pray for her when Myka finds out," Pete said.

Helena busied herself with things until she heard from Myka. The lawyer was up and getting ready for the return trip. Helena assured her they would meet her at the airport. Helena steered the conversation away from anything that would make her share how her morning was so far.

"You know Ms. Sullivan will be at your door later?" Myka reminded her.

"I could really use it, in your absence," Helena said.

"You know, I had the strangest experience last night, Helena," Myka said and told her how she felt this sudden pressure in her chest and then shortness of breath. Helena thought it sounded scary and didn't equate it with her experience. She thought it was the stress of being back home. "I will take care of you when you come home," Helena promised.

The women said goodbye until later and Helena went about her business of getting things ready for Myka. She sent emails to the people she had hired to make things happen the way she wanted them to go on Christmas Eve. Although it was too early for anyone to read emails, Helena wanted to make sure everything was set.

Unfortunately, Eileen had seen the news and was very upset. Her emotions would pale in comparison to Myka who was at the airport. Somewhere in mid flight Myka would glance at the small screen and caught the latest headlines from the city of her destination. Myka gripped the armrests so hard the flight attendant asked if she as okay.

"I'm going to kill her," Myka said and the airline employee signaled the air marshal on board. Myka was asked to step into the galley way to explain her remarks. They let her return to her seat when she explained her comments and whom they were about.

"Oh yeah, that's all over the news," the woman said to Myka.

Right on cue, the doorbell rang and Helena opened the door to greet her tea barrista, but the young woman flew in at her. The only thing Helena saw was fury in light blue. "Ms. Wells? Ms. Wells?" she stammered as she moved around.

"Yes, still her - now if you could …," Helena said holding her arm out pointed in the direction of the kitchen. She really needed her tea.

"You…," Eileen said moving slowly.

"Yes, I do need it," Helena said thinking the poor girl was losing it and wanted her tea before it happened.

"Is Ms. Bering back?" Eileen asked, her tone edgy.

"No, she'll be back later. In the meantime, we could have tea," Helena said opening the door to the kitchen.

"OK, but …," the youth hesitated. She needed Myka's input on this. Claudia told her it was none of her business what Helena did and the fact that she was upset was something she should work out.

The shouting in the car when Jane got the text was so loud, Pete almost hit another car. "No! No! NO! Oh for Christ sake," the cop cursed as she dialed her boss. "It was one horse, not a battalion sir. Don't you think going to France is punishment enough?"

Her answer came swiftly and Jane threw her head back and pointed vehemently at Pete to turn left instead of going straight.

"I am in no mood for your boss today and in fact, she is the only reason I think leaving this city is bearable, but no! She manages to do something as I'm making my way to the airport. Unfreaking believable," Jane ranted as Pete put two and two together and came up with Helena.

"You have to go there?" Pete asked because they had only a few minutes to spare.

"Would I go there unless I absolutely had to?" Jane snapped. "Sorry," she added quickly.

Inside, Eileen paced the kitchen instead of making tea. Helena was making sure that the 9 foot tree in the living room was watered. It sat there unadorned, waiting for the ornaments Helena and Myka were going to dress it with. Myka had caught an earlier flight to surprise Helena. She texted Steve not to bother coming and that she would take a taxi – all before she saw the news.

Now she was in that cab and blocks from the townhouse.

Jane hopped out of the car and rushed up the steps and banged on Helena's door.

"Who the bloody hell …?" Helen wondered. She flung opened the door wondering where the hell was her tea? "Detective Tierney. How nice of you to stop in before you leave for ….where is it? Lyon? Beautiful city," Helena said smiling.

"Can it Wells, you know why I am here," Jane said stepping in uninvited. "Bering here?"

"Miss Bering is on her way back from visiting her parents, but I will give her your warmest regards," Helena said.

"I don't have time to arrest you and since your last stunt got me the crapiest assignments ever, I am here to tell you that the City is going to press charges for a host of things including using city property for personal pleasure, using a highway as your personal speedway and oh yeah, my favorite, disturbing the peace. Your lawyer, God bless her, will get all the papers tomorrow," Jane said and tipped her hat. "Merry Christmas."

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Helena said because not having her tea made her very cranky. "I paid to have that highway ….," and then she shut up.

"Oh good. I thought maybe you just happened to be out driving and got lost. But bribing an official – Ms. Wells, do you ever know when to shut up because I did not just hear you say that," Jane said wishing this woman would stop digging a hole and dragging her down into it.

Eileen appeared in the doorway and Helena was relieved until she saw the woman carried no tea.

"Oh great, the security dog," Jane said of the usually feisty defender.

"Ms. Sullivan, could I please …," Helena was asking because why else would the woman be there?

"I'm not so sure you deserve my tea," Eileen said perhaps bolstered by the fact there was someone present who could subdue her boss.

Jane looked over at the youth. "So she does have a spine," she said because deep down she liked the kid and didn't want Helena to take advantage of her.

"Excuse me?" Helena said unsure of whom to direct it at first. She chose Eileen.

"That's right," the young woman said nervously. "I've been in that kitchen forever ….,"

"Yes, I know," Helena interjected.

"…..and I have decided that if you're foolish enough to do something stupid like race a car at 90 miles per hour…," Eileen said because Helena had been clocked by the helicopters.

"Oh let me add that," Jane said taking out her pad.

"…then you don't deserve my tea," Eileen said hugging herself and bracing.

Helena had wanted the girl to not be so intimidated by her so that she could speak her mind, but over tea? That was not the plan.

"Ms. Sullivan, while I appreciate your concern and …," Helena was about to say when the loudest SLAM was heard in the street.

All three women turned to see what the noise was. No one was more surprised than Helena to see Myka there. No one was happier than Jane because she knew this is how she would make her plane on time. And no one was more relieved than Eileen.

Myka marched up the stone steps and nodded to Jane. "They'll be sending papers over tomorrow I imagine?" she asked.

Jane smiled and nodded her head. "Oh yeah, enough to paper your office with Ms. Bering," Jane said.

"Ms. Sullivan," Myka said and could see how upset the girl was.

"Myka darling, you're back early!" Helena said waiting for the warm embrace, but could see it wasn't coming.

"Have a safe flight, detective," Myka said and waved to Pete.

Jane left and Myka walked inside. Helena was unsure of what to do because she was getting the impression Myka was upset over something.

"Bumpy flight?" Helen asked.

"Yes, Helena it was," Myka said staring at her. "Especially when the news came on."

"Oh," Helena said. "I can explain," she said weakly.

"Oh I'm sure you can," Myka said moving towards her. Suddenly Helena didn't like the space between them and moved back.

"I purchased the car and wanted to test drive it and Mr. Jinx was kind enough to take me over and there was the FDR highway, completely closed and I thought well as long as we're over there …," Helena tried but could see Myka wasn't buying it.

"Ms. Sullivan came all the way from Brooklyn..," Helena said hoping to distract her.

"To make you tea?" Myka asked.

"Well one would think, but I've yet to actually see the beverage," Helena complained.

And then Myka realized something that would get through that thick English head.

"No tea, Helena," Myka said and drew the most confused look.

"No, none and I've been very patient," Helena stated now in the living room with nowhere else to go.

"Ms. Sullivan is not going to make you tea," Myka said thinking it was an absurd punishment, but the worst one she could come up with.

"It would seem not, but I don't understand why she came then," Helena all but whispered.

"Do you have any idea how stupid and careless your test drive was?" Myka said and Helena was starting to see that tea was not the real topic here. "You scared us, Helena."

"Oh, yes well for that I do apologize, I mean…," Helena said.

"Too easy, Helena. Now unless Ms. Sullivan tells me otherwise, I am going to ask her not to make you tea," Myka said and now Eileen was in the doorway.

"I'm too upset to make it," Eileen said.

Helena looked back and forth at them. "Well, I guess I can understand that. One day without…," Helena was trying to meet them half way.

"All week," Myka said and Helena gasped.

"Are you bloody mad? Who will make me tea? " Helena said of the outlandish punishment.

"No one," Myka said and leaned in.

She left Helena muttering over the injustice of the action while she walked Eileen to the door. "The cab will take you back to Brooklyn if you want," Myka said.

"I think I'll go to Claudia's," Eileen said upset.

"She'll be okay you know," Myka assured the assistant.

"I don't know, Ms. Bering – a week? That's kind of harsh," Eileen said knowing how much Helena enjoyed her tea.

"Well, maybe until Christmas Eve, but let's not tell her that," Myka smiled and Eileen was relieved.

"I was really worried when I saw the news, but you know, she's a grown woman so I guess she knew what she was doing," Eileen tried to decide.

"Oh she knew exactly what she was doing," Myka said and closed the door behind the girl.

It was just enough time for Helena to decide that this was cruel and unusual punishment.

"Myka, this is uncalled for. It is not like I am an American and can drink any tea," she started.

Myka pulled her in close and kissed her, having missed those lips for the past twenty four hours. She held onto Helena's head to make sure she was ok. "You scared me," Myka said and Helena realized how frightened Myka sounded.

"I am …. sorry love, really I am. It was impulsive of me. I bought the car for Artie and I wanted to try it out before I gave it to him and someone told me about the highway being closed and I ….didn't think," Helena confessed.

"Irene will think we can't leave you alone for a day, you know," Myka teased as she played with the Brit's hair.

"Well, I will blame you then," Helena teased.

"I'm sure you will. Now, let's eat – and we have to decorate that poor tree," Myka said pulling Helena to the kitchen.

"I want my tea," Helena said and would several times that day.

And each time Myka would respond with a soft yet unequivocal no.

Silly I know ... but I have to get Jane to Lyon (they're dying to see her I think)

And Christmas is coming.