Chapter Twenty One:

Present:

With her usual casual stride, Ashley finally made it to her destination. She entered the office with a comment already coming out of her mouth. "You know, seeing as you designed this whole place, a better way to get around the complex could have been added." Her tone belayed an inner frustration that had nothing to do with the new Sanctuary's design.

Gwen sat up from the large, comfortable, couch that she had been laying on while reviewing the latest data from the newer arrivals, as well as requests for asylum; temporary and permanent. "Better technology than what we have to get around in has not been invented yet. Take that gripe to Nikola. Maybe he can develop some sort of teleporter." She teased, trying to lighten her friend's mood. She noticed that Ashley had a tablet firmly in hand. "Is that for me?" Gwen asked, with some trepidation.

"Yeah." Ashley made the several steps to the couch and held out the tablet. "Its mom's preliminary reports on the peace talks; and a copy of the treaty so far. She thought you would want to take a look." She explained. "Perhaps add another perspective." She continued, her voice trailing off.

With a drawn out sigh, Gwen took the offered minicomputer while putting her original one on the couch. "She means a perspective that doesn't give two damns about either party." She commented as she scanned the contents. "Well… seems her impressions are nearly on par with my own…" Gwen muttered as she perused.

Ashley blinked and shifted her stance. "What do you mean?"

Looking away from the screen, Gwen gestured over to one of the computer desks in her office. It had multiple screens and one high tech keyboard, as well as an assortment of computer gadgets and gizmos. "I've been keeping my own eyes on our visitors as well. Not just yours and Helens. Try as I might to keep away from having anything to do with them, it's no longer in my nature to just let things happen without knowing what's going on."

"And seeing as you no longer have that… mind… prescience or whatever power to keep you in the loop, I understand." Ashley observed.

Gwen almost made a snarky remark, but held back as the general climate Ashley was giving off warned against such at the moment. She put the tablet down on her lap. "What do you think of them?"

That question had Ashley flop herself on the adjacent couch with a sigh that vibrated her lips. "I don't think you should get me started on those people. We might be here a while."

"I don't doubt it." Gwen smiled. "Vent. Now."

It took only another moment before Ashley threw up her hands. She didn't have much good to say about either party, and it was clear that they thought she was beneath them and ignored her most of the time. They treated Helen almost the same way. "Where do they damn well get off thinking that they have every right to just come up to the surface and think they are entitled to their own land? And what makes the Council so much better than everyone else that they feel they can dictate everything? Even to 'up worlders'?" she asked, including the quotation marks. "They may be more advanced than us, but that doesn't give them the right to disrespect my mothers work and everything we have worked for." Ashley rubbed her hands over her face. "The only reason neither one of them has tried to take over this facility is because of you." She stated, both awed and annoyed at that prospect. She gave Gwen a look that told her just that. "And they keep hinting that we should choose a side rather than be neutral." Ashley shook her head and slumped into the back cushion.

"I've tried to explain to them… Our autonomy… Your autonomy has come at great prices. Your mother made sacrifices… so have you and every member of your mother's team. The Sanctuary deserves to have its own authority, and it should have its own authority. No government, up world or down, should be allowed to pull its strings. I won't have it." Gwen replied with calm words, mostly to herself. "Neither Helen and I are willing to give it away again." She tapped her fingers on the tablet while thinking of her next words. "And their respect for your mother will grow, Ashley. Don't doubt that. Your mother has a knack for that sort of thing. She doesn't like politics, but she's had enough experience with it to come out on top. It's why it's important that I remain out of these peace talks. This is Helen's battle, and she needs to win it on her own." She leaned forward, towards the other woman. "Just remember all of this while they prattle on about their own self importance and try to intimidate with their strutting. It's all show. Try to pay it no mind."

Ashley took a deep breath and let it out in a gust. "You sometimes sound like her, you know."

"Who?"

"My mother."

Gwen smiled. "Well, she is a great role model." She replied with a shrug. Gwen returned to sitting upright, meanwhile scrutinizing Ashley some more. "Have you seen Will?"

Nodding, Ashley became pensive. One hand fiddled with the fingers of the other hand.

"And" Gwen prompted. "Was he happy to see you?"

Ashley nodded again. "Oh yeah, real shocked that I was still alive. Made this big fuss too." She answered. "He told me that my mother didn't give up. She thought I was trapped in the EM field or something." Ashley muttered.

This time Gwen nodded. "Yes… our narrow escape would have left some suspicious readings in the EM's shield power supply." She replied. Gwen tilted her head to the side. "Why aren't you happy? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." The younger woman seemed to shake herself and she lifted her gaze to met Gwen's. "I mean, I didn't expect any of them to pine and grieve for me more then they needed to. They have work and saving the world and everything. They moved on." Her words were spoken with a calm that was at odds with the storm of emotions showing in the depths of her gray-blue eyes.

Gwen closed her eyes and winced slightly. She knew what Ashley was going through. While confident about her decision to distance herself from those she cared about and resisting temptation to alter the timeline for them, it was a hard road to travel. She felt like she was watching everything from the sidelines. When she resurfaced, she would see her greatest friends live their lives; having moved on from the grief of her disappearance. Gwen was relieved that they soldiered on, but was disappointed as well. It was selfish to think they would be lost without her, lost forever; but she couldn't help that feeling, as unbecoming as it was. Now Ashley was wrestling with that selfish disappointment, all the while guilty for feeling that way.

Putting the tablet on top of the other one, Gwen got up and crossed the two steps to the seat beside Ashley. "I hope it gets easier. Now that we're a part of the team again. I know Nigel and James are feeling these feelings as well. I say this only to tell you that you're not alone." She ran a hand over Ashley's shoulder in an attempt to console her. "And while, yes, our absence seemed not to cause the world to end… trust that it did. At least for a little while for each and every loved one. Magnus, Henry, Will… they felt the void of your presence every day; know that. They just couldn't let it get in the way of their work. Whenever a situation came up that they had to use gut and gun, they thought of you. Thought about what you would do in their shoes… and that gave them strength."

With a smirk, Ashley gave a small smile. "You go through it too, don't you?"

Gwen paused. "Yes."

"How do you deal?" Ashley asked; a hand went up automatically to brush a few strands out of her face and behind an ear. "You must have had to go through it much longer than any of us. James told me so. What do you do to feel better? What should I do?"

Before answering, Gwen gently laid her head on Ashley's shoulder. "I just remember."

"Remember what?"

"I remember that I got them all back. Each and every one of them. And I did it without breaking time. And I gained you and Sadelle. With all my hard work and a bit of help and luck; I continued on; moved on, in my own way. And the end result: this Sanctuary. Getting the Six back together." Gwen answered, unable to keep a small smile off her face. "My life was long, Ashley. Only a certain number of people we know truly know what that's like. I have seen and done things that I never would have imagined when I was normal; and will go on to see and do more things." Gwen sat up straight again and swept Ashley's almost as white hair to her back. "What should you do? Let yourself feel what you feel. Don't be ashamed of it. Deal with it; confront it if you have to. Then let it go and move on. You have so much life ahead of you, Ashley. Plenty of time to make it all worth it."

After mulling over her words for a moment or two, Ashley turned to Gwen and smiled. "Thanks. Thank you for …I don't know… knowing what to say. Knowing how it feels. I see why everyone respects and loves you so much."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not the only reason we love her." Came James's voice from the doorway. When they turned their heads to look, James gave them his patent smirk and sauntered into the office proper. He was dressed in his usual tweed attire and still pulling it off. He'd also recently trimmed his goatee and had a haircut.

Gwen also noticed that there was more enthusiasm in his step. Well, he was obviously done mopping about their short lived relationship, as he said he would be. But Gwen was still suspicious of his demeanor.

James caught her look and chuckled. "Sorry to intrude, but I was hoping to bend your ear a little." He said in his usual English cadence.

"Depends, what about?" Gwen asked, watching his progress until he stood a few feet from the both of them.

"I would like to get up to speed on our "neutral" praxian ex councilor, Ranna." He answered, gripping his hands together in front of him as he looked down at the two women.

With a groan, Gwen slouched back on the cushions. "Why? Didn't I absolve myself from having anything to do with Ranna, the council and the bloody rebels? So why is everyone still coming to me about them? Gregory can give you just as much, if not more, insights into Ranna as I."

Giving Gwen time to whine herself out, James patiently waited for her to finish. He had an amused grin on his face; it still struck him from time to time that Gwen was just several years younger than the youngest of them. Even with a few centuries under her belt, Gwen was still capable of having moments that would hone in on that fact. "Because," James began, "you know full well that Gregory is still working for the Praxian government and as a contact for Ranna. He is not available. Yet here you are. You know enough about Praxis and its officials to give us an edge in the negotiations. Not only that, but Ranna is an uncontrolled element as she is neutral just like us."

"And why do you need this information; or are you getting it for Helen?" Gwen asked, she'd shifted to one side of the couch and had one elbow propped on the armrest and her chin in her palm.

James drew in a breath. "Helen has asked me to assist her in the mediation. She believes I can see more in their speeches and requests that she can; and of course she would be right." He stated with a cocksure attitude that used to be his signature aplomb. "And to satiate my own curiosity about Praxus and its significant government officials."

For a moment, Gwen simply stared at James; maintaining a neutral expression even as she let her eyes blink a little more than necessary. Then when she thought he'd waited long enough, Gwen turned to Ashley. "If you don't need to talk about anything else, Ash, James and I need to have a private chat." She said, though her tone indicated that she would rather keep chatting with Ashley instead.

Giving Gwen an expression that conveyed both pity and amusement, Ashley clapped her hands on her thighs and got to her feet. "Unfortunately, I have some errands to do." She said, making her way to the door with a farewell, "Have fun," comment before leaving.

With no other ears listening in, Gwen turned to James and began telling him what she knew.

~. ~. ~.

There was a slight amount of hesitation in his step as Nikola made his way to the central dining room. He felt frustrated that he was obligated to go to these 'mandatory' dinners once a week with the others just so everyone can catch up with the others they didn't see as often. With everything going on, the usual Sanctuary team was fairly scattered throughout the new Sanctuary compound. As big as it was, it meant that these dinners were the only way for the whole team to see and talk with each other. Helen, James and Ashley were busy with the mediations; William, Henry and Sadelle were taking care of the inmates that needed daily attention; leaving Nigel, Nikola and Gwen to the daily running of the place and scientific endeavors. Though, James seemed to also have some bureaucratic responsibilities, which enabled Gwen to have more free time to dabble with him and Nigel.

Still, it took away from the planet changing revolutions he could be making, and the strides that could be accomplished on his Calorim device.

He was a few levels away when the elevator he had turned into stopped before the appropriate floor. When the doors opened, it revealed James waiting on the other side. Who had been avoiding the vampire inventor for the past week. Ever since James and Gwen ceased their trysts in lieu of her preference to Nikola. Though, if he was honest, Nikola hadn't encouraged any contact, even though James had volunteered to give Nikola's projects a fresh eye.

They looked at each other in silence for many moments; it was only broken when the doors started to close and they both started. Nikola halted the doors to allow James into the elevator.

James settled beside him. "Thank you."

"No problem." Nikola replied offhandedly. His mind was already working on how he could channel the output on his device so that all of the Sanctuary could benefit from the energy without overloading systems and still allow for growth. Nikola was also mulling over his equations to make sure he didn't miss anything; meanwhile trying to figure out a design that was both economic and esthetically pleasing. Perhaps Gwen could help him with that; she was good at the designing part as an artist. He was also hoping this was going to be a quick elevator ride.

Even with so many thoughts massing around his eidetic brain, only a few awkward seconds had gone by in the small elevator.

Then James reached over and pushed the emergency stop button and faced Nikola. "We need to talk, Nikola." He said with his stern, you're not getting out of this look.

Closing his eyes, Nikola took a deep breath and flicked back his suit jacket so he could put his hands on his hips. "Must we?" he asked, opening his eyes as he turned his head to look at James. "It's not necessary, James. It's perfectly reasonable that you and Gwen got together. I don't blame you." He gave a one sided smile and clicked his tongue. "She's exquisite."

"Yes, she is." James replied slowly, watching Nikola with partially squinted eyes. Then he sighed and shifted his stance. "I should have told you myself, old boy. Please accept my apologies."

To that Nikola turned to face James and crossed his arms. "And to what are you apologizing for? For taking the opportunity to take what you wanted while you could or for trying to keep her when you know she's mine?"

James looked taken aback. "I think Gwen would take issue with you claiming her like that. And I knew you would take issue, Nikola." He countered, standing straighter with his own hands on his hips. "Your vampire nature drives out your animalistic, territorial instincts. As civilized as you portray yourself, Nikola, you have darker nature."

"Stop profiling me, Dr. Watson." Nikola replied. "And stop avoiding the question."

In those words, James could see that Nikola's ire was rising, something he had been hoping to avoid; but he was the one who put his foot in his mouth and insisted on clearing the air between them. Unfortunately the sure way to make this vampire angry was through Gwen, which was why he had avoided Tesla. "What makes you think that I wanted her before then? It took us both by surprise, I assure you. Just two lonely souls looking for company." James sighed and looked to the floor before back up to Nikola's piercing eyes. "But yes… I did try to keep her."

"And the truth shall set you free." Nikola quoted in an even tone while shaking his head. But then he smiled. "Why did you let her go?"

James' mouth quirked as he thought about the answer. Then he sighed and had the grace to look a bit abashed. "Because she's yours." He admitted with a short shrug.

For a moment Nikola was about to make a smart ass remark but then held back. "That's right." He put one hand back on his hips while the other went to his chin. "So what now? Are you done avoiding me?"

"I guess so." James smiled, though he still looked slightly apprehensive.

Nikola reached over and restarted the elevators journey. "Then if you can tear yourself away from, what I am sure is a thrilling look into the relations of technically evolved human and abnormal morons; I would still like you to give my project some of your time. If I remember correctly, you were quite the inventor." He commented with a smirk as he turned back towards the elevator doors.

James smiled crookedly to himself as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. "How is your endeavor progressing?" he asked more companionably as they left the elevator and continued down towards the grand dining room.

As Nikola's favorite topic to talk about was his work and himself, he answered the question at great length and with his usual elaborate accents.

They were still talking when they entered the large dining room with a large circular table. Helen felt having a traditional rectangular table would be redundant when it was a time to catch up; a circle allowed those across from one another to still communicate without shouting.

There was a lull in the general conversation when they entered, but seeing the two of them calm and friendly, many relaxed and returned to their conversations. Gwen went up to them, a bit nervous but smiling. "It's been a while since I've seen the two of you in the same room together." She commented. "So how'd it go?"

At that, James looked her over. He studied her for a second before smiling and shaking his head. "You called us to dinner at times you knew would allow our paths to cross." He assumed.

Gwen beamed slightly. "Why would I do that?" she asked, absently giving Nikola a charming smile before turning back to James. At his high browed look, Gwen smirked. "Okay, I did. You two weren't going to do it unless pushed, and it had to be done." She said as matter of fact as she could. When she couldn't contain it any longer, Gwen stepped up to James and gave him a tight hug. "I'm glad we're all still friends." She murmured before turning to Nikola. "Don't pout; you can go back to your baby after dinner is done." Gwen instructed before going up on tip toes to kiss him on the cheek.

Of course he moved so their lips met instead. There was a tenuous moment when she considered simply teleporting them away, but Helen would not approve. After a longer than necessary smooch, Gwen walked away smiling to her seat.

Nikola turned to look at James with a canary grin.

James smiled back, but didn't otherwise comment. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing for Nikola to precede him.

~. ~. ~.

Finally the delegates from both the Praxian Council and the abnormal rebels left to their respective sides to consult and discuss the treaty draft thus far. For a little while at least, James, Helen and Ashley would have some time to devote to other things. Ashley was invited to an abnormal retrieval by Will, Sadelle, and Henry; and Helen was excited to do some research and study on some of the new intakes. This gave James the best opportunity to take Nikola on his offer.

After the long journey to Nikola's ample lab, he also found Nigel giving a hand with some of his engineering expertise. Of course Nigel was a very hand's on type who enjoyed making things; whether with wood, metal or other materials. It was one of the things that made him invaluable within the Six. He was currently working out the dimensions of Nikola's device with the man himself, discussing all things related to the actual manufacturing of it.

Meanwhile, Gwen was a few yards away on one of the couches set up to the side, feet up on the coffee table while working avidly on one of the larger tablets. James could still tell that she was paying attention to the discussion of the other two, for every now and then; she would roll her eyes and change something on the screen.

When James chuckled, he got the attention of all three simultaneously. He had unconsciously placed his hands on his hips while watching and now he held one hand up, palm out in a mixture of greeting and apology. "Forgive me, my friends. I should have knocked." He said, unable to keep the amusement from his voice; though why he was so amused, he couldn't say. Only that the scene had invoked a sort of reminiscence from the old days.

"James." Nikola greeted back. "Finally escaped the grasp of high handed politics?"

That got a smirk from James; high handed was being polite. "For now. Though when they return, no doubt they will continue to argue and try to get more than their fair share. You'd think a society as advanced as theirs would be better able to find common ground." He sighed and entered the lab proper. "I see you got the help of our dear Nigel as well." James gave the lad a full hearted grin; he'd missed the old fellow.

"Good to have you on board, mate." Nigel replied with a cheeky grin. In fact, Nigel had been spending much of his time getting better acquainted to the times by experiencing the world top-side. Gwen gave him enough information to keep him out of trouble before he struck out into the unknown. Upon returning, he told Helen that it was the most fascinating cultural study he had ever done.

After they exchanged pleasantries, Nigel and Nikola went back to working out the schematics while James excused himself to catch up on what Gwen was doing.

Who was currently inspecting her handy work so far. Up until now, she'd kept her telepathy open to see what Nigel was envisioning as she couldn't do so with Nikola. Having James in her head as well was becoming a bit distracting. For an idle second, she suddenly considered trying to isolate the minds she heard completely; somewhat pleased to still have a power she could develop further. Gwen had kept her mind more or less closed for the majority of her life, so it wasn't as precise as it could be. She looked up when James approached and sat on the arm of the couch by her head. "Hey. It's not finished until they're satisfied, but would you like to take a look while their mulling?" she asked, holding the tablet up for James.

"Would love to." James answered before plucking the touch screen mini-computer. He'd caught a glance at the drawings that Nigel and Nikola had been designing on one of the tables; what Gwen had was a much more polished version, without the pencil marks and the wear from erasing and re-erasing. She had also color coded the systems; colors for the different wires as well as mechanical gadgets and what have you that would allow for adjustable energy flow and system access. It was intricate and, to James' eyes, beautiful. He gave the appropriate proud expression when he turned back to her. "Well done, I must say. Can't wait to see the finished product."

Gwen beamed. "Thank you James." She sat up and flipped the screen to a different page. "And this is the general idea of what it will look like from the outside." To which the overall design was much like the one that Nikola had created himself when he worked for SCIU but much less industrial looking; as well as smaller and more efficient for their needs.

"Of which I still want to look at." Nikola commented from the other side of the room, without looking up from his own work.

Chuckling, James took a moment to look over that design as well. "You definitely have an artist's eye, Gwen. It'll be the pearl of the Sanctuary." He complimented, handing the tablet back and giving Gwen an affectionate pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you." Gwen beamed, unfolding from the couch and stretching before they both walked back to the other two. She sided up beside Nikola and put the tablet beside his sketches. "Have a look." She told him; knowing Nigel was leaning over the table to see as well.

Meanwhile, James watched as Nikola shifted to view the computer screen. With James' keen eye, he caught the gentle stroke of affection Nikola gave her arm before putting his hand lightly on the small of her back. James also noted how their bodies reacted to each other's nearness. He suddenly felt like he was seeing something very private, even with such a small subtle demonstration; they didn't need to kiss, hold hands or any blatant public displays of affection for people to see what they meant to each other. And while that realization hit home, and the loneliness had its say, he was glad for them. To come all this way and still want each other. He gave a slight shake of his head at the grandiose probability. Nigel gave him a confused look, to which James just motioned to the tablet. "Well, what's the verdict?"

"Well I bloody love it. Who knew something as industrial as a power supply unit could look like it belonged in a museum?" Nigel gave Gwen her due. He gave her a smile and a wink to emphasize his point.

Gwen smiled back. "Why thank you Nigel, that's high praise coming from someone with your talents." She complimented back.

Nikola was nodding slightly, his eyes still on the three dimensional rendering. "Once the basic device is created, we still need a place to test the fail safes." His other hand went to his hip as he gave Gwen a small smile. "Wouldn't want any oogaly-googalies running amuck in your slice of paradise."

Nigel smirked. "You're not still gripping about not being able to use your bunker, are ya? Told you we can find something else to use it for." He shook his head, knowing Nikola like a brother.

At that, Gwen raised her eyebrow at Nikola. "It's alright, Nigel. Nikola just can't stand the fact that he must wait for my say." She gave him a cocky grin of her own as she turned fully towards the genius inventor. "So what do you think? Does it pass your incredibly high standard, Nikola?" Gwen asked, gesturing to the tablet. She was teasing and quite aware that he knew it.

"Of course." He replied simply, turning back to the tablet and deftly turned the screen back to the inner workings of the device. Nikola tried to hide a moment of surprise seeing how closely she'd been paying attention. "Now James, you said you wanted to help, so this is what we still need." And he began listing off a list of complicated sounding tasks using many technical terms to describe what he needed. All the while, James listened and nodded with each word. He lived for scientific endeavors and what Nikola required was right up his alley. They both went over prioritizing before they were both satisfied. "Alright. Back to work then." He declared happily.

While walking back to her much more comfortable work space, Gwen couldn't help but chuckle. She admired Nikola's focus and dedication to his work. Rather than be annoyed that she wasn't his focus, Gwen actually enjoyed just working together. They made a good team. And right then, it felt like old times back in Oxford.