Title: Sanctuary – Beneath The Dark

Summary: Doctor Helen Magnus and her team discover more than an Abnormal and things that go bump in the night when on the hunt in Seattle. A/U.

Pairings: H. Magnus & OFC, A. Magnus & W. Zimmerman.

Rating: M for Mature readers.

Disclaimer: No profit or copyright infringement intended during the writing of this story. All characters other than original remain the property of creator Damian Kindler, Sanctuary 1 Productions and Stage 3 Media. Please note that this tale features a relationship between two women and if that is not your cup of tea, then go make a coffee elsewhere.

A/N: Cheers to my splendid proof reader Wendy Woo and please remember this all takes place in an alternative universe, so I do not follow the story line of the actual series to the letter. It's called creative licence and I use it to bring back to life characters who may have fallen to the wayside on television. Now if I could only use it to inject a bucket load of cash to SyFy so the fifth season of Sanctuary could actually see the light of day!

Chapter 25

Helen opened the door to the Observation Room and stared at Dana Whitcomb. The woman was curled up on the bed and gazing up at the ceiling.

"Come to gloat?" she inquired.

"No, I'm here to inform you that you will be taken to London at nine o'clock in the morning. Your fate will be determined in due course."

"I'm surprised that you have declined to make the decision, seems you are the Head of the Global Network."

"I excused myself due to my personal involvement and bias."

"I guess I deserve what I get."

"No, you deserve much worse," snapped Helen before departing. She went to her suite and found Madison struggling with a pair of navy blue boxers.

"Can I help?"

"Yes please, my balance is a little off." Madison stepped into the underwear as Helen held them up, "Thanks sweetie."

"Welcome, now it's time you slept."

"Are you going to join me?"

"Yes darling. I'll just have a shower first."

Madison pulled back the covers and slowly settled on her back.

Helen grabbed a negligee from the chest of drawers and headed to the bathroom. She returned minutes later and snuggled into Madison's chest.

"I'm sorry you had to go through the past two days."

"It can hardly be said it's your fault, I'm just pleased to have you home."

"Helen."

"Yes darling?"

"You weren't planning on going on without me, were you?"

"I didn't see how I could."

"I fully understand and I'd like to talk more about it later, but I'm struggling to stay awake."

"Go to sleep my darling with the knowledge I love you with all my heart."

"I love you too, so very much."

Helen observed her sleeping wife for over an hour before being pulled into slumber's gravity.

-o-

Madison groaned in pain and opened her eyes. Helen was still nestled on her chest and fluttered her eyelids open.

"What is it?"

Madison managed to whimper through gritted teeth, "Pain baby."

Getting out of bed, Helen went into the bathroom and returned with a glass of water and two tablets, "That should alleviate the pain."

"Thanks sweetheart," responded Madison as she sat up gingerly and digested the pills.

"Do you need anything else darling?"

"Just you."

"You will always have me," replied Helen before settling back into bed.

Madison slowly rolled onto her side and draped an arm around her wife, "Ah, that's much better."

"Are you more comfortable now?"

"Yes honey."

"Good, go back to sleep Madison."

"Mmm, you smell nice."

"So do you."

Madison's hand cupped Helen's breast securely, "Goodnight."

"Night my love."

-o-

It was after seven thirty when Madison woke. She was spooned into Helen's back and in need of pain relief again. Removing her hand from her wife's breast, she slowly inched out of bed and entered the bathroom.

After taking two tablets, she padded slowly into the living room then out onto the balcony. Taking a seat on a recliner, she waited for the ache to ease. As she passed the time, she drifted back to sleep.

Helen found her less than an hour later and left her to rest. After showering, she dressed in a black pants suit and pink Oxford shirt. Going to the kitchen, she organised pancakes, fruit and yoghurt then went down to the garage.

-o-

Placing the tray on the coffee table in her quarters a short time later, Helen stepped out onto the terrace and knelt down beside Madison.

The blonde woke with a start, "Oh hey there honey."

Running fingers through short strands, Helen's dimpled smiled greeted her wife, "Good morning darling, would you like to go back to bed for breakfast?"

"It doesn't look like you are dressed for bed."

"That can easily be remedied. I'm only dressed because I had to bid our guest a fond farewell."

Madison chuckled softly, "You didn't slap her again, did you?"

"No, but the thought was there and Ashley literally beat me to the punch. How are you feeling?"

"I got up and had more pills around half past seven. My leg was aching, but I'm fine now."

"Well, I promised you breakfast in bed, so let's get you comfortable." Reaching out, she helped Madison to her feet.

Once Madison was sitting up in bed, Helen disrobed and slid in between the sheets. Madison gawked at her and uttered, "You are the most erotic woman I have ever seen or been with."

"Thank you darling. All compliments are greatly accepted and I pray it's just not the medication talking."

Madison's next comment was accompanied with a sly grin, "Of course your nakedness is a total distraction and influenced my words."

Helen giggled, "That was the plan."

Madison passed Helen a forkful of pancakes, "Any problems with Whitcomb?"

"No, she was very subdued once Ashley struck her."

"She's under the impression her colleagues will mount a retrieval in the not too distant future. I told her yesterday she was a liability."

"You're absolutely correct. The woman has drawn far too much attention of late and that won't be tolerated by her unscrupulous cohorts."

"So what will happen to her?" inquired the blonde in between bites.

"She'll be exiled to some remote area to live amongst Abnormals. Her fate will be discussed when I meet with the other Sanctuary Heads and Executive Committee."

"Hopefully she'll learn to understand them and have a change of heart."

"Time will tell," surmised Helen before being offered more food.

"How was Ashley at breakfast this morning?"

"Your quiet word with her seems to have done the trick. She was more relaxed, especially after seeing Whitcomb off."

"Yeah, it certainly was a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone and I have to admit it felt good to hit that bitch."

"Yes I agree and with a bit of luck that gamut of emotions won't be repeated."

Madison picked up a strawberry and popped it into her wife's mouth. Tracing a thumb along the full bottom lip, she smirked, "God Helen, I love you so much and I thought I was never going to see you again."

Licking the fruit juice off Madison's thumb, Helen groaned and closed her eyes as a lone tear escaped the corner of her right eye.

Madison brushed it away, "I'm right here honey."

Nodding, Helen rested her head on Madison's shoulder.

The blonde removed the tray from her lap and placed it on the bedside table. Gathering Helen in her arms, Madison held her as she cried. She offered words of love, longing and comfort as her wife poured out her heart. Madison wept along with her until their privacy was disturbed by a call from Ashley confirming Whitcomb had been handed over to members of the UK Sanctuary. John had met them at the airport and was personally escorting the redhead to London.

After ending the conversation with Ashley, Helen snuggled onto Madison's chest and asked, "Last night you said you understood how I felt."

"That's true. If anything happens to you I won't go on without you. You are my breath and I wouldn't hesitate to follow you. I fully comprehend how you feel and respect your decision to do so, just promise you'll wait until it's definite if I am presumed dead again. It really would have sucked if you'd gone before knowing I was still alive."

Helen allowed herself a short giggle, "I have to agree my darling."

"Okay, now that's settled I can tell you that is basically what is on the disc and the envelope contains all my legal paperwork leaving everything to you and Ashley."

"I couldn't look at it."

"I know baby."

"Ashley is going to see Sylvio. I've ordered new vests without gaps in the sides."

"Good move and I was thinking of inviting Bobby and Ellen to dinner Saturday night."

"That would be nice and it would do you good to spend some time with your friends." Helen felt Madison twitch and inquired, "Is your leg hurting?"

"Yes, it just started."

Helen untangled herself from her wife's arms and retrieved some pain relief and water.

Afterwards, Madison lay down and got comfortable, as did Helen and the couple were face to face and embracing.

"You feel so good in my arms," declared Madison after a moment passed.

"Mmm, so do you darling."

Madison kissed Helen tenderly then said, "You taste like strawberry."

"As do you."

"I want to make love, but I don't think I'm up to it."

"That's very wise thinking on your behalf and I don't want you overdoing it."

"Will you stay with me?"

"I'm not going anywhere unless there's an emergency."

"Thank you Helen."

The pair conversed in between lingering kisses until they both grew tired and slept for several hours.

-o-

Thankfully there were no urgent telecommunications that day or for the entire week. Madison's recovery was slow, but it was due to her emotional state rather than her physical. Her guilt at having put everyone through the wringer played heavily on her mind and she availed herself of Will's professional services. After two lengthy sessions in succession, the guilt evaporated as she came to terms with her own feelings.

Will had been kept busy that week having meetings with Henry, Helen and Ashley.

As Sunday drew to a close Madison drove to her final flight lesson before her scheduled test on Monday. She was pain free in the morning and her stitches were beginning to itch.

It was well after ten that night when she returned home to find Helen, Ashley, Henry and Will had gone on a mission two hours earlier. Although disappointed at not being included, she knew it was the right decision and Helen called her from the plane at midnight.

"Hello sweetheart."

"Hello my darling, sorry we got a communique asking for assistance."

"I understand, so where are you headed?"

"The Himalayas, there has been a sighting of a bear like creature in a remote village. Some reports are saying he is human and raised by Asian Black Bears after he became lost in the foothills as a small boy some twenty years ago."

"Sounds fascinating and you've got a long flight then."

"Yes, but I wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow."

"Thanks and you and the team be safe."

"We will and I'll let you get some sleep. Oh, how was your leg?"

"It was fine, but it misses you."

Giggling briefly, Helen replied, "I miss it too. I love you and will speak to you tomorrow."

"Okay, love you, bye."

Madison turned off the light and quickly found sleep.

-o-