Disclaimer: I don't own anything or ever want to own anything related to Warehouse 13 or make any profit as a result of its production. It's provided a platform for the creation and development of my personal world. For that I say thank you.

A/N: Thank you to all comments and reviews. They are always appreciated and considered. Keep crying, keep laughing. Without one, you cannot have the other.

"Why do you keep stealing my robe first thing in the morning before I get up? Or any other time for that matter. You could just put clothes on like you used to. Can't you get your own robe? You know, you did get it for me in the first place. We'll ignore the fact it was kind of an inappropriately intimate gift at the time. Not that I argued any...Ever think for once that may actually mean something to me?" She paused her rambling under watchful, amused eyes for a moment in thought, desperately trying to ignore the enticing view and poach an egg. "Silly me. I need to get another one, because in reality, I've lost mine to you. It's the sweatshirt scenario all over again. Better yet, YOU can get me another one to make up for taking what you gave me!" She tore her eyes away from the gradually loosening robe, watching the water not coming up to temperature soon enough. A watched pot, she thought. The pot is cruel. "You do know it's too big for you and it doesn't do a great job in covering up...things." An eyebrow lifted in response. Myka's eyes narrowed. "Of course you do. It's the button thing all over again. I can't believe you sat with my mother at the table like that while she ate her breakfast! You could have at least woken me up instead of sneaking away." An impish grin shined on her. "Helena, you're not wearing anything under it!"

"I like it because it smells like you. You needed the sleep and it was tightly closed at the time, dear." She jumped up onto the counter, the robe loosening more in the process. "Besides, if I'd woken you up I wouldn't have enjoyed such a spectacular good morning."

"Funny," Myka scoffed, staring at the water. "Why do you keep sitting on the counter? I'll never forgive Claudia. Everyone has corrupted you!" Myka turned from the stove, spoon in hand.

"Hmmm...for a great many reasons. Surprisingly enough, none of which you seem to have figured out yet." She glanced over her cup, a sly smile creeping over her face from behind it. "It's rather nice to watch you from here and it sets me at the perfect height. It offers a whole new perspective of appreciation. I urge you to try it sometime." She leaned back tapping Myka's leg with her bare toe. "Your mother said she was going for a walk. I've noticed she goes for very long walks and I don't think it's a mere coincidence. She is a very perceptive woman, your mother." She set her cup down. Extending her leg, she hooked her foot around Myka's waist, drawing her into the corner she sat in. "Very well. Reason number one." She wrapped her legs around Myka, pulling her in tightly. Taking the spoon from her hand, she set it to the side with her cup. "Turn off the stove."

Myka reached over, floundering with the dials, never taking her eyes off of the daring smile locked on her. Helena wrapped her arms loosely around Myka's neck. She leaned forward leaving a trail of kisses to Myka's ear, swirling her tongue around the edge. "Reason number two," Helena whispered in the wet ear before tugging its lobe gently with her teeth. Firmly cupping Myka's face she pulled it forward, diligently tasting her lips. "Reason number three." She kissed Myka soundly, demanding entry. Continuing to kiss her with one hand wrapped around Myka's neck, she dropped her other hand down between them pulling the tie of the loose robe, letting it fall open. She took one of Myka's hands hanging mutely at her side and brought it up to her breast underneath the robe. "Reason number four," she breathed, closing her eyes. "Need I keep counting?"

Myka's other hand came to join its mate. "No. I think I can take it from here." She feathered her hands down Helena's sides to her hips, pulling her forward slightly. "You could have just said something."

"Aaahh, but the journey is quite often as enjoyable as the discovery." Her head fell back against the cupboard door with a soft thud.

Lips brushed the length of Helena's neck to her collarbone, her tongue tracing its indentations. Myka stopped when she hit the scar and the small bump of the plate. No flinch. She traced it again, nipped it lightly, soothing it with her tongue. Nothing. Smiling profusely, Myka brought her head back, forcefully kissed Helena and returned to her collarbone. "Helena," she swallowed, "It's official. Just sit back and enjoy."

"Hey! It's Momma B.!" Claudia exclaimed, putting her cup in the dishwasher. "Where are Myka and HG? I thought they'd be with you. Myka texted me last night about giving you a tour today, per Mrs. Frederic."

"Oh, let's just say the apple doesn't seem to fall far from the tree. Myka out slept HG and Oscar reluctantly spent most of the night with me. A very disheveled and glowing Helena sleepily joined my quiet breakfast with Oscar and aimlessly chatted with me while wearing only Myka's too big robe sporting a remarkable hickey that I'm sure she has no knowledge of, and I've determined is rarely much of a concern of hers. Myka, finally wandered down with a very friendly and demonstrative good morning before she noticed I was there. At which point, she dropped her coffee cup on the kitchen floor stuttering nonsense, as red as can be, while Helena sat by calmly with a smug smile on her face. I decided that I'll be taking a very long walk this morning. So, if now is a good time, I understand you're the one nominated as tour director." She smiled brightly, winking.

Claudia was speechless at Myka's mother's frankness and stood frozen with her mouth wide open. "Uh, yeah. They can be…um…especially lately…and HG's not...uh, really…um…and you're Myka's mom and…um, falling apples...trees...So…right. About that tour. Right this way."

"I have a feeling you could tell a few stories or two." Myka's mother laughed at Claudia's discomfort. "We'll have to compare notes sometime when I need to bribe them."

"Momma B., I'm liking you more and more every day, once I get past the whole apple and the tree part. How long are you staying again? You might want to consider a room over here, unless you're having too much fun embarrassing your daughter." Claudia glanced at her when they got settled in the car. "Oh, man. You so totally are! Between you and Doc V. they don't stand a chance."

"Well, Claudia, as they say, payback is a bitch. It's a parent's revenge. We earn it. It wouldn't be so much fun if Myka didn't still changes colors like a kaleidoscope and Helena doesn't seem to be phased a bit, unless a cramp is involved. I'm slowly finding out more and more and everything is starting to make sense. I can only imagine the arguments those two have." She laughed as they pulled up outside the warehouse.

Snickering, Claudia opened the door. "Boy, do I have something to show you and an awesome story to go with it."

Claudia made sure to hit the main attractions and they found themselves wandering. Like Myka, her mother was fascinated with the library. The whole time she examined the place, Claudia stood stiffly to the side trying not to laugh. One day she might get the chance to tell the woman one of the main attractions of the room. She figured by this time in the tour, she'd probably laugh, unsurprised, but decided to hold onto it for another visit.

"You really tricked her into helping you make the, what did you call it?" Myka's mother was still laughing.

"Cold storage or the cage. Yep. 'Revenge is a dish best served cold' she said. Hey, she woke me at two a.m.! Seemed fair to me. It's not like I haven't spent time in there, usually with HG…or Artie. I'll tell you another secret. HG sent Artie and Vanessa there once. It's an unsaid rule none of us break. Someone says you go…you go. I thought for sure Artie was ready to send HG back to the bronzer. Actually, that's not really so funny." She sobered. "If it's okay, I really don't want to show you that."

"I'm alright with that, Claudia. I'm not quite sure of all the implications behind it yet, but in time I have a feeling I'll end up knowing more than I would have otherwise wanted to."

They wandered closer to the storm cloud, darkening over the past few days. Claudia would show certain items, explain the connections, myths and drawbacks. She amused her with the many incidents they'd all experienced leaving the woman in tears with laughter. Before she knew it they were standing in front of the open gate.

"This is the HG Wells section, full of some of the neatest inventions ever. She really is a genius, you know. It's somehow also a storage place for all their crap." Myka's mother gave her an odd look. "Yeah, Myka's stuff ended up here too. I keep bugging them to clean out the non-warehouse stuff, but," she looked up, "they've been a little preoccupied by other things."

Her mother started walking through the gate. "Uh, no one else can get in there, at least not…" she watched Jeannie walk through easily, "without them," Claudia ended weakly.

Myka's mother walked among the belongings spread across the floor, rocked the cradle, picked up the book, stroking them gently. She looked up at Claudia on the other side of the gate who'd gotten one shock already for getting too close. "Christina's?" she called to the exit.

"Yeah. They kept, um, escaping the crate? HG finally gave up and left them there one day and stomped off. I'm not sure when she was last here. I think they both decided to leave it be and let what happens happen. They're just waiting."

Under Claudia's curious eye, Jeannie picked up the doll in the rocking cradle, smiling. She guessed that Helena had made it herself for her daughter. She felt a chill as she started to place the doll back in the now still cradle and paused. "You okay, Momma B.?"

Not answering, the woman turned to the crate and ran her hand down the side. It was nailed shut, the hammer carelessly left on the floor. She walked out of the area stiffly, all humor gone. "I think we should leave now, Claudia. I don't think they'll be waiting much longer."

"Huh?" Claudia quickened her pace to catch up with the older woman. "She hasn't said anything to me. The warehouse that is."

"I don't think she would. It has nothing to do with her and everything to do with them. Grace saw it coming all along. I wonder what else she knew? I won't be going home tomorrow." She slowed her pace.

"As in Myka's Aunt Grace?"

"Never mind that, Claudia. Now, is everyone home? Maybe we can have a nice big, family meal. I hear HG is horrible at Trivial Pursuit. I don't know why that would be." She chuckled to herself. "Maybe we can throw in a game or two."

"I love the way you think, Momma B. Can I adopt you?" Claudia begged. "Do you like burritos? 'Cause Steve makes the best. My amazing Jersey boy."

"Oh! Look, Myka. The orchard oriole is back." Helena's arm rested on Myka's shoulder, pointing to the tree behind their bedroom. Myka's eyes followed the direction of the arm, her hand blocking the sun from her eyes.

"I've missed waking up to him," Myka said lazily from the comfort of Helena's body behind her, closing her eyes again when Helena's hand returned to playing with her hair. "This really was a nice anniversary gift Steve made for us."

"Darling, we don't have an anniversary. Not really. I guess our move in here was the best they could come up with. I still don't understand why they insisted we have one. It was sweet of him though. A bit presumptuous with its size, don't you think?"

A quiet snort escaped Myka as she settled her head more comfortably on Helena's stomach. "Not really. I think we've given him more than enough reasons to be presumptuous. Insightful is more of what I was thinking. Why do you think he was so adamant about lining the patio with a fast growing hedge? You've corrupted me."

"Does it still bother you? This racing sex drive we seem to have."

"After last night and this morning I'd rather not think about it right now and just enjoy it. Definitely thankful mom takes long walks." She rolled onto her side, giggling. "Your stomach is loud today." Helena's hand slid under the loose shirt, her fingers playing across the warm skin. "Does it bother you?"

Myka sat listening to the returned oriole patiently waiting for an answer and fighting the sleep Helena's fingers were inducing in the warm sun. She could smell the first hint of flowers mingling with the scent that she only recognized as Helena. Soon they'd be anxious to get the herbs planted and the roses would be overpowering the patio with their warm odor.

"I'm not entirely sure." Myka rolled over on her stomach raising herself on her forearms watching the thoughts flash through her lovers eyes. Her cheek was caressed softly, smiling eyes now returning her gaze. "If I thought it was nothing more than just sex and a way to appease my needs, I'd say yes. That was another life. With you it's different. My needs are entirely different. I need you. And I don't mean just sexually. Making love to you…it's the closest I can get to absorbing you. I love you. I love touching you, and having you touch me. I feel everything with you, Myka and it has absolutely nothing to do with the end results." She tipped her head to the side, brushing back a loose strand of Myka's hair and resting a palm against her face. "I love you. It's the best I can come up with."

"So, you don't like the end results?" Myka smiled wryly. "Haven't heard any complaints. At least not an hour ago I didn't."

Helena's laughter mingled with the clear voice of the oriole leading the other birds in chorus. "I have no complaints at all with such results. Magnificent, sweetheart. But, Myka, I want you to understand. I've never once allowed nor wanted to fall asleep in another's arms, nor did I wish to wake with another in my arms. With you…thats the key. Yes, I thoroughly enjoy sex, but it is knowing I will fall asleep with you that makes the difference no matter how lustful the intentions are. The key is being with you afterwards, like this. In my mind that is making love to you. That's what separates you from all others and why I never sought out any lovers. Michael included. I had a long time to think between these lives of mine about what I truly wanted. It was only confirmed the first time I fell asleep on your bed. How often afterwards I prayed it would happen again."

"Oh, so now your secret comes out." Myka teased her. "Notice I never woke you up when you did." She smiled into surprised brown eyes. "It wasn't just you. I just didn't understand it like you did. I just knew it was nice when you were there." Myka looked away for a minute in the silence. "I saw Abigail before I left last. She was just checking in. Personally, I think it's this damned bond. The stronger it gets…It's not much different for me either, Helena." She ducked her head, thinking, Helena's hand never leaving her head. "I've thought about it a lot. Abigail made some good points. It's natural to need to express ourselves in the most intimate ways when we're coming and going so much, and we have an added history; your unpredictable absences, almost losing you, almost losing us. There's a good chance our needs are a little hard-wired and the extra strong freaky part makes it even more so. She also said that when couples talk about children there is a little phenomenon that goes with it, not much unlike certain biological influences."

"We have not discussed our mythical children recently."

"No, but we think about it a lot. I do. I think you do too. Last night's imagination says something."

"I thought I showed a great deal of imagination." She grinned into the serious eyes.

"Don't change the topic. You don't really think of Christina as your bastard child, do you?" Myka cocked her head, the odd questioning contorting her face.

"Of course not! She was MY child. That's all that mattered. Sweetheart, why do you ask such a thing?" She continued stroking Myka's face, soothing the confusion and hurt.

Myka looked away, embarrassed by her question. "Yesterday. It's the first time I've ever heard you refer to her as a bastard child."

"Ah. Yes. I was attempting to add humor to that rather embarrassing event at your parents' with your apparently highly amused mother. It was not meant in specific reference to her. She was never a bastard child to me. And yes, I do think about it more. Our own children."

Myka looked back again, a penetrating gaze searching Helena's eyes. "I know. I can see it on your face, and thank you freakiness, I feel it. Have you noticed you always say children, not child?" She set her head down against her again, leaving Helena to her own thoughts, smiling at the rumbles under her ear.

"Myka," she said, so softly Myka could barely hear her, "I need to learn to block you out. It's too overwhelming for me at times. I don't want to have to fight it, but it is becoming too much sometimes."

"Me too." Myka kissed the tender part of the inner wrist of the hand that touched her. "I've been wondering. It's hard to have two people's emotions and thoughts blending together. I hope Abigail is right and we will be able to control it."

Myka resumed her former position and they lay in silence. Oscar came out of nowhere jumping between their legs. He settled in with his head across Helena's leg, tail twitching occasionally, watching the birds.

"Well, there you are, little man. Got kicked out of the house or grandmom is on her way back?" Helena wiggled her foot to get his attention. "Myka, something confuses me. Those journals Elizabeth found. How could she admire the person in those journals? Those are the only records I know of documenting exactly what happened to Christina's killers, what led up to it and the events after."

"I think she could read between the lines. She understood Grace for the most part as much as I think anyone could and I know she knows exactly what that letter says." She reached back for Helena's hand. "What are you going to do with them?"

"Destroy them," she said frankly. "There is far too much information about the warehouse in them and many artifacts as well."

"It's not because of who you were?"

Oscar tired of his job and crawled up over them, head butting Helena. She scratched his head, taking the question in serious consideration until he settled in with his rear over Myka's shoulder, his other half on Helena kneading on her chest.

"Ouch! Damn it, Oscar, that hurts." She set him on the ground. Glaring at her, he wandered into the sun, rolling around in the dirt. "No." She finally said, smiling over the cat's antics. "The warehouse must be protected. I won't risk them getting lost again."

Sitting straight up, Helena was wide awake. Myka grumbled at being shoved aside, pushing herself up on both elbows, squinting at the stiff body. "What's wrong?" she asked, surprised she hadn't sensed any unease in her sleep and already woken up. She looked at the clock. They hadn't been asleep that long.

Helena didn't respond. She threw her legs over the side of the bed getting her bearings for a moment before dashing over to the dresser, pulling on clothes as quickly as possible. Myka pushed down the panic in her stomach, sitting up on her knees watching the unresponsive whirlwind. "Helena," she said sternly, "What's wrong? Talk to me."

"Warehouse. Now."

Myka jumped out of bed, running a hand through her hair in an attempt to get it out of her face, rummaging for her own clothes. Helena was already heading down the stairs.

"Helena, wait!" Myka yelled at the top of the stairs, bouncing on one foot desperately trying to get the last sock on, nearly tripping over the cat. "Damn it, Oscar, learn to get out of the way. Wait for me, damn it! Mom!"

"No time," Helena said from the front door, grabbing the car keys from the table. The door slammed shut, mocking Myka at the top of the stairs where her mother met her.

"Arrgh. I hate when she does things like this. Why does she never listen to me?" She turned to her mother before jumping down the stairs. "Mom, I need you."

Myka grabbed her jacket and jumped into an anonymous pair of shoes, not bothering to tie them and was soon slipping over the kitchen floor on the trail of wet she brought with her from the rain. Tripping over a shoe lace, she tumbled forward on her knees swearing. "We are so getting another car." She tied the laces and headed up the stairs two at a time waking the house with heavy steps. Claudia jumped in her chair as her door slammed open.

"What happened to knocking on doors?" she complained loudly.

"I need your car keys," Myka said breathless.

Claudia opened a drawer of her desk grabbing the keys without question. "What's wrong? I'm driving. You're not."

Still breathless, she managed two words. "Helena. Warehouse."

Pete, Steve and Abigail were in the hallway making their way towards the commotion, Pete speaking first as he slid to a stop at Claudia's door, nearly colliding with the two women. "What's going on?"

Myka was already heading down the stairs.

"Not sure yet. I kind of get the idea Helena just took off to the warehouse by herself so Myka needs a taxi. Steve, you're coming with us and no I don't know why...it's like a freak thing or something. All act no talk. Everyone else go back to bed."

"Claudia!"

"And this taxi isn't moving fast enough." She headed down the staircase yelling back, "I'll call if I need you!"

"Bullshit," Pete mumbled. "Ten minutes, Abigail. I drive."

Pete and Abigail were the last to stumble in, surrounding the computer screen.

"Holy crap," Myka whispered. She pushed through the mob and was halfway down the stairs before the door shut behind her. The cries and moans behind her when the screen went blank never registered.

She came to a screeching halt outside the gate trying to comprehend what she saw. Helena stood frozen in place, tears falling onto the floor, the wet spots spreading over the concrete floor. She wasn't sure yet what to make of the other figure in front of her. Cautiously, she walked through the gate towards the figure, stopping when it turned to her.

"Hello, Myka. I've been waiting for you. I need your help."

Slowly taking one step at a time she continued towards the figure. "Okay…this is really happening…I'm not dreaming…"

"No, you are not dreaming this time."

The cloud above rumbled, static charges flashing across the warehouse.

She quickly glanced away. "Helena, are you okay?"

"I can't get to her, Myka," she cried, reaching out.

"Christina?" Myka asked timidly. Reaching out her hand the figure took it. Myka was surprised to find it so warm. "You're the reason for all of this?"

"Not entirely. You've broken a great many barriers to get this far. No one could help you with that. The warehouse guided you, as did your family, but the work was yours alone."

"Why can't she come to you? Why can I?"

"You promised me that night; always. You'll keep her safe. You love her and she is yours to love. She's allowed you to when she never would anyone before. She was lost and you found her. You'd have kept me safe too, just as she did."

"I couldn't keep you safe! I lost you," Helena cried from a distance.

Not knowing why, Myka came up behind the girl and hugged her tightly. Filled with warmth and love, she looked up at Helena. "Helena, you can do this. You have to do this. I don't know why or how, but you have to do this."

"I'm trying! I can't hear. All the noise behind me hurts."

"Helena, don't you see? It's the dreams. We knew they weren't random and we knew there was a reason they differed. You have to do it." Myka started crying. "Think, Helena."

"Mummy, your fate is only sealed by you. Change the rules. Break your seal. Your future depends on it. I love you."

"How can you possibly love me? How can you possibly love someone that became what I became? The horrible things I've done. I couldn't save you. I've hurt so many in horrible, horrible ways."

"It wasn't your fault, mummy. You loved me. I forgive you."

"I can hear them all…screaming." She turned away from the sight of Myka hugging her daughter, tears blurring her sight, turning towards the screams. That's where she belonged.

A quiet voice stood beside her, a soft hand on her shoulder. Myka's mother stood there. Helena fell into her arms.

"No, Helena. It's time to turn away from the past. The screaming is in your head only. They're long gone, Pumpkin. Look forward. It's time for you to forgive yourself. Listen to what Elizabeth told you. Forgiveness is the bridge. It's your bridge to freedom. Forgive yourself and cross over to them. Christina needed you in the past, but my daughter needs you now and in her future."

"But…"

Jeannie held her up by her arms shaking her slightly. "No buts," she said sternly. Then more softly, "You've made it this far. It's time to finish it. Now go."

She faced her daughter trying to take a step. Myka reached out to her with Christina.

"Helena, I forgave you a long time ago. Everyone has. It's time. You can't change the past, but you can change your future. Please? I need you. I need you whole."

"Mummy, I forgive you."

She turned her head towards the screaming. Looked into Jeannie's soft eyes.

"Pumpkin, I have nothing to forgive you for. I have everything to thank you for. Whatever it is, whatever it was, the two most important people in your life forgive you. Go to them."

"Mummy, please. We forgive you."

Helena stepped forward slowly, the screaming behind her quieting. She kept going forward. Unlike the dream she didn't fall into darkness and found herself wrapped by two sets of loving arms. Helena turned her head to where she'd stood. Jeannie was gone. She looked at the gate and caught the last sight of her back turning a corner. She fell to her knees, holding the child to her, crying. "Christina. My sweet girl. Have you been making this mess?" Helena scolded her lightly as she always had in the past.

"You weren't paying attention," the girl said shyly.

"Why? How are you here?"

"My life was not complete until your future met its past. Myka loves you." Myka leaned down now to kneel beside her partner wrapping an arm around her waist. "In her own way she loves me too. You share me with her now. She laughs with you and asks about me. She wants to know me as you did and for you to remember me for me."

"And our storm?" Myka asked glancing above at the rumbling dark.

"That's the warehouse. It feels your unrest. Claudia knows you are forever connected to her." She turned to her mother. "You saved her when you saved the one you loved. It was your destiny, but you sealed your fate at the same time. You were given a second chance to forgive yourself. You broke the seal."

"What was her fate?" Myka asked out of curiosity. "Has it changed?"

The girl smiled. "Oh yes, it has! You deserve happiness. Your fate…was death for one or the other. I don't know how or when, but soon. One cannot survive without the other. The warehouse needs you both as one."

Myka swallowed loudly. "Okay, I think I'm liking this new version better."

"It's time. I can leave now."

"Now what?" Myka asked suddenly.

The girl smiled directly at Myka with the same smile she saw everyday on Helena's nightstand. "'If you don't know where you are going any road can take you there'."

Helena caught Myka off guard with a jubilant laugh, smiling back at the impish girl. "That's my Christina. Such a smart girl. Why Alice and not the other?"

The girl laughed back. "Myka doesn't like Alice. It got her attention. You told me sometimes nonsense is the only thing that makes sense. The other one is yours. Only the important people need to know. Those are the ones you love. No one else matters. I must go now."

The vision finally came back to Helena. "Christina, who are Grace and Thomas?" Myka gave her an odd look. "That dream I could never remember. Christina, you asked for Grace and Thomas. Who are they?"

The girl shook her head. "I don't know. That's for you to find out. Mummy, change the rules. They don't apply here. With the seal undone, you can be more than one. It's alright."

The girl backed out of their arms. She turned to Myka. "You promise to always take care of her?"

"Yes. Always. I always have and I protect what is mine. I promise."

"I know. I've watched. You love her. She will always be yours, no one else's. Don't worry so much." She turned to her mother. "I forgive you. I know you tried. The screaming will stop now and you will sleep. The dark I cannot stop. You've been forgiven. I love you, but she loves you differently. It's time for you to let go of me. Look forward. You have more to give if that is what you wish. It's alright."

She turned from them and started to walk deep down the aisle. She turned one last time. "I love you, mummy. Be happy." She continued down the aisle fading away.

Myka watched uncertainly as the figure disappeared. A loud thunder roared through the storm above their heads and the clouds slowly started to disappear. She turned to Helena expecting the worst. Instead, she saw a calm she'd never seen before and a smile slowly appeared. "You really were feeling her all this time. It wasn't just what you wanted. It was real."

Tears joined the smile as Helena turned into Myka's warm hug. "She always was a smart child," Helena laughed against her chest.

"Are you telling me you really understand everything that just happened?" Myka asked incredulous into the dark hair against her.

"Not at all, darling, not at all. We will when the time is right." She kissed Myka lightly. "Let's go home. Your mother is waiting." She looked to the gate where Myka's mother stood quietly waiting.

Taking Helena's hand, Myka walked up to her mother. "You knew, didn't you?"

"No, but I knew something when Claudia brought me here. I was allowed to come in and Claudia wasn't. I felt something and Mrs. Frederic said you'd need me." She paused in wonderment at the ease that Helena seemed to feel. "Did you make the doll, Pumpkin?"

Helena looked back to the cradle where she knew the doll rested. "Yes, when she was three. I'm not sure how it survived her childhood, but she always took great care with it."

"I thought so. I sent everyone away when the camera went down on them. It's up to you what you want to tell them. Let's go drink some of that cognac. I kind of like it."

They sat up until three, mostly in silence until Helena fell asleep in Myka's arms. Under her mother's protests and concerns of hurting herself, Myka picked her up and carried her to bed. Helena never woke up and moved over to Myka like a magnet without waking.

The shifting on the bed woke her as Helena got out of bed and grabbed Myka's robe.

Myka started to follow. "Helena?"

She turned seeing the concern in Myka's tired eyes in the small light on the dresser. She switched it off leaving only a light glow from the two night lights in the walls. "That should suffice. I'm fine. I'm just..." she looked around confused. "I'm just going to go downstairs for a bit. Go back to sleep, love. Maybe some time alone."

Myka watched her leave the room and listened to the soft pad of feet going down the stairs. She stood at the top of the stairs, listening to the refrigerator open, the placing of a pan put on the stove and the soft click of the burner lighting the flame. She leaned her head against the wall with a resigned sigh, listening.

"Myka, go to her," her mother said softly, startling her.

Myka shook her head. "No. It doesn't feel right inside. She wants to be alone."

Her mother looked up into her eyes in silence for the longest time. "Maybe, Myka, it's a test. I don't understand anything about this bond you two told me about, but don't depend so much on that connection. You functioned well enough without it. I know your emotional side. Oddly, Grace was the same way. Your job forces you to push it away. In this home, she's not your coworker. Think from here." She placed a gentle, wise hand against her daughter's heart. "Maybe the point is to know when to ignore that bond. Most of the time when someone says they want to be alone it's actually the opposite."

Searching her mother's kind face she hugged the woman. "Thanks, mom. I didn't know how much I missed you – or dad. I love you."

"I know. Now go to her."

Myka nodded at her before heading down the stairs. Helena fell into the comfort of her arms on the sofa and finally cried, not just for what she'd lost but for what she'd gained and what she had yet to look forward to.

The storm door slammed behind her almost catching Oscar on her heels. Helena leaned down scooping him up in mid-stride. "I'm sorry, Oscar. You'll need to learn to speed things up with that door if you insist on following me everywhere. It's a tad bit annoying you know, having to worry about a furry shadow," she chastised the cat as she dashed up the stairs. Oscar sprang out of her arms to the bed and jumped into Myka's open bag.

"I thought you were leaving tomorrow," she said from the door, catching her breath. "Oscar seems to have his own opinion on the matter."

"Well, he gets you alone for a few days. I thought he'd be doing his little happy dance." Myka laughed, picking him up for a quick cuddle. She held him, staring into his green eyes. "I'm reminding you, mister, she's still mine. Just because I'm willing to share doesn't mean you can get any big ideas while I'm gone. So, you better take care of her for me. Got it?" He blinked at her, squirmed and jumped back into her bag. She turned to the woman in the door laughing over the interaction. "Things escalated over night and Artie agreed with me that Pete and I should head out now and we'll wing it like usual. We hoped to get more to go on...What are you laughing at?"

"You and Oscar. He misses you as well. He never really settles until you get home." The cat peeked over the bag at the mention of his name and hopped out. Springing high into the air, he landed gracefully on Helena's shoulders, purring loudly.

"Uh-huh. That's why he's whispering sweet nothings in your ear. That's my job, furball!" Myka shook her head. "I would have never believed you'd love a cat."

"I don't like cats. I love Oscar. Two entirely different things, darling." She set him down walking over into Myka's outstretched arms. "Mmmm. I miss you already. It's going to be a long one, isn't it?"

"Not if I can help it, but it seems a little tricky this time. Work with Artie and Claudia up top. I'll tell him to send out Sarah and Steve or the new guy that's supposed to get here if he needs to. It's always nicer knowing you're there and I think you have more expertise when it comes to Victorian artifacts. Worst case scenario, you get to come play too. Although, from my point of view that would be a bonus." She let her go and finished packing the bag.

"What's this?" Helena asked picking up the Farnsworth, opening it up to see Claudia's alterations. "Artie really did it. He finally gave you your own special Farnsworth, just like his. Now you're really tied. You had to become someone important, didn't you?" She laughed, followed by a surprised squeal when Myka pushed her back on the bed.

"Now there's my Emily. Yes, he did. The little rat. I tried to avoid it." She kissed Helena into a sedated silence. "I wish I had more time. You taste way too good."

"That's what you said last night." Helena sighed with a smile spreading across her face, threading her fingers through Myka's hair. "Actually, you may have said it this morning, as well. I love you."

Kissing her quickly one more time, Myka pushed herself off the bed with a loud groan. She gazed on the woman before her laid out on their still rumpled bed.

"Helena, I want it back," Myka said quietly.

Sitting up slowly, Helena searched her face and said softly, "It doesn't feel right."

"Maybe my mother is right. It's more important to know when to ignore the freak and not depend on it to survive. We both know where that ring belongs. Just think about it, please?" She kissed her quickly. "I've got to go. I love you. 'The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched.'"

Helena smiled back. "'They are felt with the heart.' Stay safe."

"Please," she whispered in the silence of the room when the door shut. Oscar nudged her hand with a hard, wet nose, purring loudly. She let out a heavy sigh, scratching his head. "It's just you and me kid, and before you get any ideas, her pillows are mine."

"If you don't know where you are going any road can take you there." - Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince