Chapter 51 - Her Serbian Gentleman

~~~~Fall 1924~~~~

Why he was here, he didn't know.

Possibly because she asked him to be in the sweetest way possible; he still had her letter tucked in his breast pocket over his heart.

Maybe he missed her, it had been at least 20 years since he last saw her, maybe more; she would be a completely different woman now.

His hand trembled as he took another hesitant step to the door.

Why was he going to say? He hadn't aged a day in 50 years, he was going to look exactly as she remembered, how would she take that? He could claim he was his son and that his father was too ill to make the trip, or he could just tell her in full honesty what he was, what he's always been.

He knocked on the old oak door. It opened a moment later.

"Ah, you must be Tesla, the man mylady's been expecting," said the old butler.

"How is she?" Nikola asked with concern in his tone.

"She was feeling faint this morning, she's been resting all day, waiting for you, she said she wasn't sure you'd arrive, granted I thought you'd be older," the butler closed the door behind him.

"Is it alright for me to...to go in and see her?" Nikola asked nervously.

"If anything it's probably the best thing for her," sighed the butler. "This way."

"How long?" asked Nikola as they walked up the grand staircase.

"The Baron died about 5 years ago. A stroke, it was very sudden, she was left in a depression for weeks. All she ever talked about was you and wanting to see you but how you were too busy and wouldn't come. She held off writing that letter until now."

"Did she and the Baron ever have any children?" asked Nikola as they made it to the landing.

"No, they never did. It turned out the Baron couldn't father children, poor swimmers apparently, and they once considered adoption but by that time both were too weary from disappointment that thy decided to give up on that dream and enjoy each others company."

"When did she quit the stage?" Nikola asked, they rounded a corner in the massive house.

"When he died, she couldn't bear to go onstage without him in the audience, it broke her heart."

"Why me? Why does she want to see me? We haven't seen each other in years," Nikola stopped, the trembling in his hands was starting again.

"If you ask me she knows her time is limited and wants to spend some time with the important people in her life. She doesn't have the Baron, but from her stories you were 2nd best."

"I didn't bring her flowers," groaned Nikola. "She's going to notice that."

The butler chuckled.

"I think she has plenty," he kept walking until he reached a grande set of double doors. "Wait here."

He went inside the room for what felt like ages before he came back out.

"She's waiting for you sir," said the butler.

"Thank you," Nikola said sincerely.

"I have chores to attend to, so I'll leave you two alone," the butler smiled kindly and then hobbled off.

Nikola inhaled deeply, calming himself before reaching for the handle of the door.

The door opened with a small creak and Nikola peered in. He couldn't see much through the crack so he steeled himself once more and entered, quietly and tentatively.

There she was, sleeping on the bed. Her hair was grey and her face displayed her age, but he could see the young woman he ha met all those years ago behind the wrinkles.

Rose.

He moved to her bedside and shifted a stray lock of silver hair from her face, causing her to stir.

Her frail old hands grasped his and brought it down to her cheek.

"Mmmm," she mumbled as he caressed her cheek.

"Hello Rose," he whispered.

"You've lost your accent," she muttered, her voice aged and ragged.

"I haven't been Serbian in a long time," he chuckled.

"But you feel the same," she released his hand and he retracted it from her face. "You came, I wasn't sure you'd come."

"I came, just as you asked, how could I not," sighed Nikola.

Rose opened her eyes and looked at him for a tense second.

"My god," she gasped. "You haven't changed a bit."

She slowly sat up and gestured for him to kneel before her as she examined him.

"Exactly how I left you," she ran a hand through his hair, looking for anything, a streak of grey, a wrinkle, something that could denote his age. "But the papers?"

"A hired man, someone paid to pretend to be me but older, oddly enough he doesn't mind looking after my pigeons," Nikola chuckled and she did as well. The sound of her age pained him a little.

"How is this possible?" she asked him.

"You won't believe me if I explain it to you," he shook his head.

"Then show me," she coaxed.

"Rose, it's not that simple," he sighed.

"Ah, there it is!" she cried grasping his head. "Your eyes, your eyes give away your years."

She caressed his cheek and he leaned into the touch, nuzzling her hand lightly.

"Show me, Nikki," she said sternly to him. "I promise you I can't run away, not with these hips."

Nikola chuckled dryly.

"All right," he sighed and let himself morph into his vampiric form, careful not to let his talons hurt her. When he opened his eyes he was not met with fear as he half expected.

"My god Nikola, you're a," she ran her fingers gently over one talon.

"A vampire, have been for quite some time now," he said in his deep unnatural tone.

"I never imagined this," she sighed, her fingers moving from his claws to his mouth, gently over the teeth and then to his cheeks as she looked into his eyes. "You have been keeping secrets from me all this time."

She smiled and watched him morph back.

"I've forgotten how unphasable you are," he chuckled.

"I have an open mind," Rose snickered but then began to cough. Nikola sprung into action to help lay her against the pillows and cover her with the blanket. "Thank you, darling."

He took her hand and kissed it gently.

"You didn't bring me flowers," she noted and he laughed.

"I was so nervous I forgot," he sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I remember, every opening night, there'd be my Serbian gentleman with a bouquet of roses and that smile of his, waiting for me in the lobby," she sighed in the fond memories. "Of course after that anything you did was far from gentlemanly, you animal."

Nikola felt himself blush slightly, she was still the woman he had met all those years ago.

"I missed you, Nikki," she sighed.

"I missed you too," he sighed. "I'm glad that you have had such a good life."

"It has been a good time. I met Eddie, and he allowed me to have the life I wanted, and I gave him my companionship and love in return. We were quite the pair, he and I. Always at parties, dances, festivals. He was an excellent dancer and played the piano like a maestro. We were like a song and dance act everywhere we went," she smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Nikola grasped her hand gently.

"Me too, he was a good man and a fantastic husband, and not that bad of a shag either."

Nikola spluttered slightly.

"Rose!" he admonished.

"Well, he was! I mean he wasn't you, you were an excellent shag," she teased. "Always up for anything and never afraid to have a woman on top."

Nikola sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face.

"I see the Baron wasn't able to tame that tongue of yours," he teased.

"No, in fact he encouraged it," she grinned mischievously.

Nikola laughed again.

"You haven't changed, physically yes, but you are still the same woman underneath it all," he smiled.

"You haven't changed either," she squeezed his hand.

"Oh yes I have, maybe not in appearance but...I'm not as hopeful as I once was," he looked down at his shoes.

"How is Helen?" asked Rose inquisitively.

"She's fine, hasn't aged a day either," he shrugged.

"She's a vampire as well?" asked Rose.

"No, but she is different, her blood has certain properties in it that cause her to age very slowly," sighed Nikola.

"Fascinating," gasped Rose.

"She's back in London, doing whatever she does," sighed Nikola, still keeping his gaze down.

"You and she never..."

"Nope," he shook his head.

"Shame. I was hoping by this time you two would be married," she sighed.

"Almost but, I...I screwed it up," he felt his heart tighten slightly.

"Tell me, Nikola," her hand touched his arm gently.

"We were engaged and it didn't work out, not much more to know," he sighed.

"I'm dying, Nikola," Rose said suddenly, catching him by surprise. "And I want my last act on earth to ensure that you are happy. Will you ever be happy, Nikki?"

Nikola didn't know what came over him, he just started crying.

"I don't know Rosy, I don't know" he sobbed, collapsing into her embrace. She wrapped her arms around him and soothingly began to sing to him as he cried into her lap. One hand stroked his hair and the other made lazy circles over his back.

"Stay with me for awhile Nikki, just a few days, I have a feeling you haven't been taken care of in a long time," she said with a softness in her voice that he couldn't describe. "Don't have to worry, Nikki, just stay here and I'll look after you."

With his tears drying his weary eyes began closing gently. He fell asleep with his head in her lap. Rose wiped a small tear from her eyes.

Her Serbian was broken, and she had to fix him before she set him free.

~~~~Summer 1892~~~~

The curtain fell on the last encore and the last flower fell on the stage at her feet, she had scooped as many as she could gratefully before chancing a look at his usual seat, third box to the left. Empty. Again.

She felt her smile falter slightly but she didn't let it get to her and brightened up again to give one last wave to her appreciative audience before turning and exiting the stage.

She handed the flowers to her understudy and friend and pressed her hands to her temples.

"Wonderful job, Rose, you were spectacular," said the young woman, Emily was her name.

"Thank you, Em," she sighed. "I felt a bit tired this evening."

"It didn't show in your voice, that's for sure," Emily smiled encouragingly.

"No, but I felt it," Rose sighed again.

"It's your gentleman friend, isn't it?" asked Emily following behind Rose. "You've been saving his box every evening this week and he hasn't arrived."

Rose laughed dryly. She forgot how perceptive the young girl was.

"He's a busy man these days, it won't be the first show he misses and it definitely won't be the last. He's a genius and that's his first priority," Rose made it to her dressing room and sat down heavily.

"Still, I see how you miss him being in the audience watching you," Emily took the flowers and set them in a vase on one of the tables in Rose's room.

"When he's attentive he can be the most exhilarating man alive, unfortunately he's had to place his focus elsewhere for the moment," Rose smiled sweetly and saw a card placed on her desk. She held it up for Emily to see. "See? He's still thinking of me."

Rose took out the card and smiled at the neatly written calligraphy, she would know his hand anywhere.

"Can't make it tonight, something's come up. You're going to be brilliant!"

~ Nikola

"Simple but elegant," sighed Rose.

A knock came from the door.

"Could you answer that Em, I'm just going to change out of this frock," Rose stood up from the vanity, sticking the card securely in the crack between the frame and the mirror next to a photo of her in a dramatic poise, and a picture of her and her Serbian gentleman dressed in costume. It was taken at a party they had attended several months ago and she absolutely adored it. She considered it good luck.

Rose went behind the sheer to start changing when Emily came back.

"Rose, there's a man outside who wants to see you," the girl chattered excitedly.

"Is it?" asked Rose but Emily shook her head.

"No, it's someone different," Emily nearly jumped with excitement.

"Give me two minutes and I'll see him for myself," Rose quickly switched out of her heavy dress and into a lighter, flowy gown, before heading to the door and opening it.

The young man was about her age, possibly a bit younger, about 5'8" with blonde hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. He was very cute in Rose's mind.

"Yes?" asked Rose.

He held out a flower for her.

"My name is Edmund, Edmund Lawrence Triton the third," he said shyly.

She took the flower and smiled at him.

"The Third, huh?" she smirked at him. "The third what?"

"Third Baron of some estate down in Winchester, apparently," he shrugged and smiled. Very cute, Rose decided.

"And what can I do for you, Baron Edmund Lawrence Triton the third?" asked Rose.

"I was wondering, perhaps, if you'd like to accompany me to dinner?" he asked very sweetly and Rose couldn't help but be intrigued.

"I haven't any plans," she smiled at him and grabbed her hat and coat off the rack, tugging them on gracefully. "I'd be delighted."

"Really, oh good," he rocked back and forth on his heels shyly and Rose just want to pinch him, he was so cute.

She took his arm and they walked out the door of the theatre.

"Now tell me, Baron Triton," she started.

"Oh, uh, Edmund," he interceded politely.

"Alright, Edmund," she smiled again at him. "Are you any good at cards?"

~~~~Later~~~~

It was late, around midnight, but his light was on, as she had suspected it would be.

She paid the driver a few coins then took the key out of her clutch, the key he had given to her.

The door unlocked with ease, and the smell of wine filled her nostrils upon instant. He would be drinking, though she never could quite figure out how she'd never seen him drunk, especially for such a slender man that he was.

She thought about knocking but decided it would be a waste of time and just went in. He never locked the upper door.

There he was, neck deep in work, as always.

His back was to her and she could just see the half full wine glass resting next to his left hand.

His hair was fully ruffled and sticking up at odd angles and his clothes looked particularly ragged.

Her Serbian gentleman.

"Fancy seeing you here," her lips curled into a smirk when he physically jerked at the sound of her voice.

"You got my note, I'm assuming," he didn't turn to her, but made a quick fix to his personal appearance. "I'm sorry I didn't make it to the show, I've just been so busy. George has me working my tail off trying to get everything sorted for this blasted fair. I have a year and a half of prep and that still doesn't seem like enough. These blasted light bulbs are killing me."

"You spurned me for a few light bulbs?" Rose accused teasingly.

"A few hundred thousand light bulbs, yes," grumbled Nikola. "Edison's bulbs are useless heaps of cheap glass and wire that result in power waisting, money gulping, mounds of dissatisfaction. At this rate we'll have to change every bulb at least three times before the fair is out. That means ordering three times as much as we should, and instead of dealing with 1 hundred thousand bulbs, we're dealing with 3 hundred thousand bulbs and a ton of money going down the drain. And it's not my power. No, my power is as efficient as it can be with these shoddy bulbs, it's Edison, screwing with me, completely and utterly screwing me over!"

Rose chuckled and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I don't find this very funny," he mumbled.

"Of course not," she smiled and kissed the back of his neck, loving the way he groaned slightly. "Sounds to me like you need a distraction."

"Not really, no, I really should be working on this," he sighed, not really relenting her hold on him.

"Yes, but I can tell you're in need of a break," her hands slid to his belt and began undoing it.

"No," his hands came to her gently. "Not tonight."

He stepped out of her embrace and grabbed his wine glass, swigging the rest of its contents down.

Rose felt a bit slighted by him but shook it off and moved to the fireplace to put a log on the slowly dying fire.

"I met someone today," she said casually.

"Really?" he came back into the room with a second glass for her and poured her some wine.

"Yes, a very sweet man," she nodded, poking at the fire absently.

"Agent or producer?" asked Nikola.

"Neither," she smirked slightly. "He's a baron."

"Oh, a baron you say," he said as he walked over to her to hand her the glass.

"Yes, I think he's got a bit of a crush," she grinned.

"How old is he?" asked Nikola. "Young or old?"

"Young, not much older than us, cutest little grin, absolutely baby-faced, you'd just want to squeeze him," she teased and he took a sip of his wine.

"I doubt it," he shook his head and she laughed.

"He says he wants to see me again," she looked back to the fire.

"You slept with him?" Nikola gave her a look.

"No! He's practically virginal, I couldn't possibly, not like you. He and I had dinner this evening since I figured you'd be working and we talked, it was nice," she smiled fondly.

"Do I hear a hint of whimsy in your voice my dear Rose?" Nikola asked and Rose laughed.

"He's like a breath of fresh air, Nikki, like a summer shower, so fresh faced and sweet," she smiled inwardly a little. "It's nice."

"What am I? Too stale and dusty for you?" he teased. "Am I becoming old hat?"

Rose turned to him and smiled.

"You could never become old hat, Nikki," she went up to him and kissed him. "He's just a pleasant substitute for your company."

She noticed his belt was still unbuckled, he hadn't bothered with it and she shook her head.

"I should go, you're busy," she sighed putting her glass down. "I just wanted to see you."

Nikola smiled and put his own glass down.

"I think you were right, my dear, I could use a break," he gave her a particularly devious grin before taking her hand and sitting her in the chair before the fire. He lowered to his knees in front of her and crawled to her lap then reached up and kissed her gently.

"Are you jealous, Nikola Tesla?" Rose smirked.

"Of a fresh-faced virginal Baron? Never," he smirked as he slid his hands underneath the mass of petticoats that was her dress.

"I would've never suspected to see green in your eyes," she ran her hand through his hair.

Nikola sighed.

"Maybe I feel a little jealous, but only because I dislike the thought of becoming boring to you," he kissed her clavicle gently.

"You? Never, you could never bore me, Nikki," she ran her nails across his scalp and he growled slightly. "You're way too much fun to fool around with for that."

"At least I'm good for something," he chuckled as her breath hitched slightly. "I will have to go back to work at some point though."

Rose nodded.

"Of course," she kept her tone even as her eyes darkened slightly.

"And I won't promise that I'll be here in the morning," he added.

"So I'll just let myself out then," she teased her fingers deftly undoing the buttons of his shirt.

"And I can't say for certain if I'll be available to attend next evening's performance either," he added lastly.

Her facade broke slightly and she let loose a small whimper for him.

"I'll keep your box open, just in case," she gasped slightly, her voice becoming a tad breathier.

"I'll bring you flowers," he commented with a smirk.

"You always do," she laughed before silencing him with her lips.

~~~~Fall 1924~~~~

Nikola awoke lazily, his eyes cracking open. He could hear her humming, one of the old operatic tunes she had once been famous for singing, he recognized it. She had the record of it and would play it all the time when he was over, he wondered if she still had that record.

He sat up slowly and met her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." he started but she shushed him.

"It's no problem," she said softly. " I was glad for the company."

"I don't know what came over me," he groaned. "I don't usually do this. I should...I should go," he sat up further but Rose's frail hands stopped him.

"I invited you to stay young man and you're very well going to do it, I don't care what you say," she said firmly.

"How long was I...?" asked Nikola.

"Most of the night, you must've been exhausted," she fixed his hair for him.

"I'm a vampire, I don't need to sleep," he sighed.

"You may be a vampire, but you're also human, and you may not have been physically tired but you were emotionally drained. You need rest, so stay here for a few days and rest, Nikola, I would enjoy the distraction," she smiled at him then smacked him with the back of her hand across his chest. "Now, help an old lady up so that I can get ready for breakfast."

Nikola chuckled and got up and around the other side of the bed to help her up.

"Ah still the gentleman as ever," Rose sighed.

"Unfortunately I don't look much like a gentleman," Nikola looked down at his crumpled shirt and vest, his hair was no doubt a disaster as well.

"I have some of Eddie's old shirts, he wasn't as tall as you but he had a long torso like yours, I'm sure they would fit you," she pointed to the chest of drawers. "I never did bother to throw them away."

Nikola looked over at the bureau uncomfortably.

"I shouldn't," he protested.

"Nikola, put on the damn clothes," she ordered like a nanny and Nikola sheepishly sighed and went over to the chest and picked out a clean light blue shirt that he fancied.

Without really thinking he stripped off his vest and shirt and started putting on the new shirt.

"Well, there's a sight I haven't seen in a long while," chuckled Rose.

Nikola looked up and felt slightly embarrassed, only Rose could ever make him feel like this, like he was young and inexperienced and shy, very few women could.

"The vampire blushes?" Rose teased.

"Only because of you, Rose," he laughed. She was all dressed and looking better than she was last night which made him feel somewhat lighter than he had felt since, well, since Egypt.

She came up to him and began buttoning up his shirt and fixing his collar.

"Really, you men are all the same, can't dress yourselves to save your life," she teased.

"Hey, I've been dressing myself for a good sixty years, I'm not that hopeless," he sighed.

"I remember, always with the cravat," she ran her old fingers along his neck. "You always had such a beautiful throat, shame you always covered it with that foppish piece of attire."

"You liked it, don't deny it, it gave you the means to lead me wherever you wanted me to go," he teased back.

"Well there was that," she moved from his neck to swipe at his shoulder, smoothing out the wrinkles. "My what fun we had, feels just like yesterday yet it was so long ago...how memories come back, right?"

Nikola took her hand and looped it with his arm.

"May I escort you, young lady?" he gave her a wide grin.

"Watch it, I might fall into senility and believe you, this body is way too old to start believing I could do those things I used to do when I was younger, especially with these hips," Rose joked.

"You are still young to me, Rosie," he led her to the door.

"Yes, but you're crazy," she scoffed and Nikola laughed as he led her out of the bedroom and into the kitchen for breakfast.

~~~~Later~~~~

Nikola and Rose walked around the gardens of the estate, her arm linked with his.

The butler and the rest of the staff peeked through the windows of the house, they haven't seen their lady like this in years. All because of this strange gentleman.

They had lunch on the veranda, and tea inside because they were soon met with an onslaught of summer rain, the last they'd get before Fall truly sunk in and spread its fingers.

It rained until evening where they shared dinner in the dining room and then tea and wine in the parlor.

Nikola had set the fire himself, Rose was grateful for the warmth.

"I haven't had a day like this in ages," she sighed. "It was just the thing these old bones needed. Some company and some tea."

"I didn't know you were English," Nikola teased.

"Only part," she smirked. "My great grandfather disliked socialism and so packed up everything he had and moved to America. There he married, had 6 children, made his fortune, gambled away his fortune, got another woman pregnant and got shot by his wife."

Nikola chuckled.

"What a charming story," he smirked.

"Yes, I like to think that I got it from him, of course I was much too faithful in marriage, but if you'd have seen the mug on my Eddie you wouldn't have the heart to cheat on him," Rose took out a locket and handed it to him. "Weren't we something?"

Nikola smiled and nodded.

"Yes," he looked at the picture in the locket. "He brought you all the happiness I couldn't have."

Rose took the locket back.

"I have something you might find very interesting," she went to the book case and pulled out a book that wasn't really a book, in fact it was a box.

She took an old worn photo from the box and handed it to him.

"I kept it all this time, just in case," Rose smiled.

Nikola took the photo and grinned, he remembered when they had it took, he had been the one to slip it in her mirror so she could look at it before she went on stage.

"How did you manage to get me to dress up for a party?" Nikola laughed at the costumes they were wearing. She was dressed in her interpretation of Juliet and convinced him to go as Romeo complete with a feather in his hat. She said it went with his mustache.

Nikola laughed again at the photo.

"They made us pose so dramatically," he chuckled and put the photo down.

"You were such a good sport, I always said you'd have made an excellent actor if you tried," Rose sat down and sipped her tea.

"And what would I do in a theatre? I would've tried to fix the lighting instead of focusing on the play," Nikola laughed. "I was made to be an inventor, it's ingrained in me."

He looked down sadly for a moment but it was long enough for Rose to catch it.

"What happened between you and Helen, Nikola?" asked Rose. "My whole life I've never met a man as strong and persistent as you, but last night, I saw you break a little. What happened?"

Nikola looked down at a spot on the carpet, it was hard to say this to her face.

"I fell in love with her again, not that I ever fell out of love with her but this time...this time I was sure this was it. We were together in Egypt for five years searching for the tomb of King Tut. We didn't find it, technically, but we did grow close to each other. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be so carelessly happy with a person. I was convinced this time it would last. I asked her to marry me, the day the tomb was found, I offered to give up everything for her, and I was prepared to, I truly was. New York, my business, my life's work, everything. She accepted under the condition that I choose her over my inventions, my work, etcetera, and..."

"And?" Rose coaxed him gently.

"And I screwed it up. I ran away, just like James said I would. I ran to the closest comfort I could find and that was my work, the parting itself was...calm, I knew from he moment I picked up a pencil to begin sketching that it was over. Helen and I parted gracefully, but it doesn't stop me from berating myself for letting go of the one thing I've wanted longer than anything," Nikola sighed sadly. "Maybe in another twenty I'll be ready for her, maybe by then she'll have forgotten my mistakes. I was so close!"

Rose put her cup down gently.

"This close! I don't know why I can't ever let myself be truly happy. James was right, I'm a coward," Nikola looked down. "I'm a coward because I know what I want but I am too scared to reach out and take it."

Rose sat back and looked at him, a small hint of a small playing at the corner of her lips.

"Nikola, could you do me a favor?" she asked and he finally looked up at her.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I want you to take my estate when I die," she got up from her chair. "I'm an old woman, and I know that one day I'm going to go and join my Eddie. And, well, we had no children, no real family or kin to pass it on to, but there's you."

Nikola looked at her incredulously.

"I wrote you in my will as my heir," Rose smiled and came up to him, cupping his chin. "I want to make sure you're taken care of when I'm gone."

Nikola sputtered.

"Rose, that's not necessary, you don't have to do this," he sat up, taking her hands in his.

"I want to Nikola, for you, for my second love," she stroked a hand through his hair. "My Serbian gentleman."

"No, Rose, I can't accept it, I have done nothing to deserve it, save it for yourself," he said firmly.

"And what am I going to do with it when I'm six feet under, Nikki, I want you to inherit this, my wealth, I want you to have it, so accept it because I made up my mind long ago. Nikki, I loved you," she caressed his cheek again. "Back when we said we didn't believe in loving each other...when I believed you would never truly love anyone but Helen...I broke he rules of our arrangement, Nikki, you were the most passionate and interesting man I've ever known. You released me though, you freed me to marry the love of my life and I owe you for all my happiness, now I want to help you find yours."

Rose kissed him gently.

"I can't Rose," Nikola felt his heart strain slightly at her honesty and could feel the tears threatening to fall once again. "I can't."

"Yes, you can!" she cried. Her voice was taken from her as she fell into a horrible coughing fit and her legs began to buckle. Nikola rushed to catch her.

"Rose!" he saw she was grasping at her chest and Nikola felt a bolt of real fear. "Help!"

The butler and some members of the staff came running in and pushed Nikola out of the way. He watched as thy attended to her now unconscious body and Nikola felt his hands shaking slightly. The sight terrified him. It hadn't quite hit him yet that she was dying, and he had been her last request.

~~~~Fall 1892~~~~

"I love you, Rose!" she heard from behind her. "I really, truly do."

Rose turned around and sighed with a slight smile.

"I told you, I don't do love," she put her hands on her hips.

"I know you said that, but I can't help it. I have to tell you, every time I see you it just comes out. I love you!"

Rose laughed softly.

"Why me? I'm hardly Baroness material," she sighed at the young man in the alleyway behind the theatre by the stage door entrance. She'd known the young Baron for a little over a month and was fully aware of his affections and intentions. He had asked her two weeks ago while spending a night at her place, to marry him. Since then she had done her best to cut off all ties, but he wasn't going away easily.

"I'm not looking for a baroness, I've dated baronesses, they are boring, all they do is gossip and eat cakes. I want a wife, a companion, someone to share my life with and it's you!"

Rose blushed slightly.

"Marry me Rose!" he took her hands.

"I can't Eddie," she sighed. "As sweet and honest as you are, I just can't. My life is the stage, I can't leave it to become a housewife and babymaker, I decided that long ago."

"Then stay on the stage. Nothing would make me happier than to see you on the stage my entire life," he lowered to one of his knees gingerly. "I won't do it with anyone but you."

"Then you're selling yourself short," she sighed and took her hands out of his. "I won't marry you."

She turned to leave.

"Is it him?" he asked and Rose paused and turned back to him.

"Who?" she asked.

"Box 3, every night, you reserve it every night in hopes that he'll come and every night you come out for your bow and your eyes search that box for him but he's never there. Is it because of him?"

Rose looked down.

"Why would you think that?" she asked.

"Because every night he's not there you look sad," Edmund stood up and cupped her cheek. "I'll understand if...if it's him," Edmund said sadly.

Rose smiled sweetly and kissed him.

"You really love me, don't you?" she asked.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," he smiled back.

"It's not what you think, me and the gentleman in Box 3," she sighed. "It's not...anything. He'll never...he and I have a unique relationship."

"Rose, just tell me what it is, I'll understand, I'll love you enough to understand," he looked at her and she melted slightly. She had never met someone so caring and honest as Edmund.

"I love him," she said honestly. "But his heart beats only for one woman. He cares for me, don't get me wrong, but I am barely half the woman that she is."

"Not to me," said Edmund.

"Yes, I know," she laughed lightly. "But you barely know me."

"I know enough to know that every moment I don't spend with you are the moments I don't want to be alive," he said sincerely and she melted again.

"But why me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Because you're you," he kissed her tenderly and a part of her awakened. "Marry me, Rose? Please?"

Rose nodded.

"I will," she whispered to him and kissed him. "I will."

~~~~Later~~~~

She entered into his lab. Hearing him working away at something. How he could work to all hours she never understood.

She had tucked the small ring into her clutch and closed it securely before entering. She didn't want him seeing it until she was ready.

She watched him silently for a moment.

His back was to her, and she could just see the lines of muscle through the thin cotton shirt.

She loved him, she really did, and she knew it, but he would never be hers. His heart was spread so thin between his work and his love that it hadn't the space for another.

"You really are a workaholic," she teased, enjoying how her voice physically jarred him.

"Rose," he turned to her. "Oh dear, what time is it?"

Rose laughed.

"The curtain went up and came down along time ago, Nikola," she smirked and stepped closer to him. "I have some news I'd like to share with you."

"What is it? Another play? Is it Shakespeare?" he asked, heading to his liquor cabinet and pouring a glass of wine for himself.

"Remember that Baron?" she started.

"The short cute one with a virginal spirit?" he joked and Rose snickered slightly. "Didn't you stop seeing him or something?"

"Yes, sort of," she sighed. "He's mighty persistent, you know."

"You can take him, one good left hook tithe jaw he'll leave you alone," Nikola drank a good sip of his wine before returning to his workbench.

"He's asked me to marry him," Rose continued.

Nikola chuckled.

"And what'd you say?"

Rose bit her lip slightly.

"I've accepted," she said plainly.

"What?" Nikola straightened up and turned to her. "You..."

"I've accepted. Eddie wants to marry me and says I can remain on the stage and I've decided that...I think I love him enough to do it."

"Rose..."

"You are a dear friend of mine, Nikola, one of my closest, I felt of all people you ought to know first," she sighed.

"You're going to marry a baron?" he asked again.

Rose smirked slightly.

"Unless someone comes along that loves me more than him, yes," she somewhat prayed he caught her meaning but she was meant with blank and confused eyes.

"When did this happen?" asked Nikola.

"A few nights ago, we're keeping it secret until after the run of the show," she reached for her clutch and pulled out the ring. "This is his ring."

Nikola swallowed and took the ring looking at it.

"It's beautiful," he sighed, then smiled weakly. "I guess this means our...arrangement is over."

Rose nodded.

"Unfortunately yes," Rose felt a little disheartened by his response. A part of her hoped that he would get on his knees and beg her to stay or to marry him, but that was hoping for naught.

"Well, we always knew it would have to end someday, right?" asked Nikola.

Rose nodded.

"Do you love him?" he asked.

"He loves me," Rose shrugged.

"Yes, but do you love him?" Nikola reiterated.

"I think I do," Rose sighed, a small tear brimming her eye. She quickly blinked it back.

"Then," he grasped her hand and gently slipped the ring on her finger. "I can do nothing but be happy for you."

Rose blinked back her tears again from watching him do such a simple but loving gesture. Once the ring was snug in place he raised the hand and kissed it. Rose moved quickly to grasp his head and pulled him into a kiss, it was one last attempt for her to make him see her love for him. The kiss was stunning in her mind, more passionate and desperate and yearning than any kiss she has ever given, but when she pulled back she did not see those emotions or feelings reflected back in her eyes, and something in her snapped, something that made her realize that he would always love her in their way, but it would never be enough for either of them. Suddenly she saw the look that she had seen in Edmund's eyes, and her heart melted at the thought of it.

"I'm getting married," she sputtered, a tear of joy falling from her cheek and Nikola rubbed it away with his thumb.

"We must celebrate then!" Nikola threw his hands up in the air and Rose laughed. "We shall celebrate the end of us ad the beginning of something new," Nikola poured her a glass and refilled his. "To you and the Baron's eternal happiness."

Rose accepted the glass and cheered Nikola's toast.

"You will come to the wedding, won't you?" she asked and he nodded.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Nikola pecked her cheek. "It shall be the performance of a lifetime!"

They cheered again, clinking each others glasses together again. Now, they were just friends, and they were both okay with it.

~~~~Fall 1924~~~~

Nikola paced outside of Rose's door. Back and forth, back and forth. Worry creased his features and bit at his lip. He dreaded what he was going to hear once the doctor came out of that room.

The Butler sat in the chair beside the door, polishing the brass collection with a rag. He was much calmer than Nikola was.

"You'll wear a hole in the floor at the pace you're going," he muttered.

"I'm sorry," Nikola stopped. "I must be going out of my mind."

"This is not the first time it's happened," sighed the butler. "And hopefully it won't be the last. Why don't you come with me, and I'll get a nice cold glass of something to take your mind off it, they'll be another few minutes or so anyway."

"Do you have any wine?" Nikola asked.

"I think we might manage a bottle or two somewhere," the butler stood up and tucked his rag in the belt loop on his pants. "Come on, she'll be fine. If I know anything about mylady, she's a tough one, she won't go until she is darn well ready for it and that's that."

Nikola chuckled slightly and followed the butler down to the kitchen, sitting himself on one of the stools as the Butler fetched the wine from the cellar.

"So how long have you worked for the Baron and Baroness?" asked Nikola.

"Oh let's see," I was seventeen when they hired me as a stable boy, at least the Baron's family, then when he married my lady he requested me to be on his staff. The Baron and I were quite close in age, we developed a sort of friendship over the years. I gladly accepted my new position. And from there I slowly worked my way to head butler, have been so for 15 years. Baron Edmund was the nicest employer and friend you could ever have, and his lady...well, you'd do anything for her, you understand."

Nikola smirked.

"I'm assuming that's why you haven't left yet?" Nikola said as the butler handed him a glass.

"Someone needs to take care of her since the Baron's passing, I'm happy enough to do it," the butler averted Nikola's gaze as he spoke, using the wine as an excuse. "The few of us who have stayed on, we do it out of loyalty and in honor of the Baron who had done so much for us over the years."

Nikola smirked again, just slightly.

"How long?" he asked.

"I told you, since I was seventeen," the butler scoffed.

"How long have you been in love with the Baroness?" he asked.

The butler chuckled and his eyes met up with Nikola's.

"I'm that transparent, am I?" he sighed. "I can't pinpoint exactly when it happened, or even how deep it goes. I never married, I gave my whole life to serving the Baron and his Baroness, and have done so happily. All I know is that I will stay with her till the end, as faithful and as honorable as her husband."

Nikola smirked.

"You are a good man, uh, I'm sorry I don't think I've caught your name," Nikola said sheepishly.

"Walter Dunby, you can call me Dunby, everyone does, except the Baron, informally he always called me Walt."

Nikola nodded.

"Despite what you may think you're visit has possibly been the best thing for her in the last five years, she hasn't looked so alive since her husband passed," said Dunby.

"She wants to leave me everything," Nikola sighed. "Thinks i'll needs it more than she does."

Dunby laughed.

"Probably, are you going to argue with her?"

"I tried to but that's what sen her into her fit...how can I refuse it when it makes her this upset," Nikola drank his wine. "I have no use for this house, for these things, not even for your services Dunby, no offense," he sighed.

"None taken," Dunby chuckled. "But certainly you could take the inheritance, sell the estate, pay off some debts and what have you."

Nikola shook his head.

"I'd rather she gave it to someone who had the use for it," sighed Nikola.

"She seems to believe that your work is plenty of good use," the butler drank his own glass.

"Hah, my work," Nikola scoffed.

A knock at the door stirred them from their conversation.

"Excuse me, Mr. Tesla," it was Rose's doctor. "The Baroness would like to see you. Dunby, can you cook up a batch of her medicine."

Dunby nodded.

"Certainly," Dunby nodded.

Nikola chugged down the rest of his wine and then followed the doctor out of the kitchen.

"How is she?" asked Nikola.

"Not good," the man shook his head. "I've given her strict instructions to stay in bed."

Nikola bit his lip.

"How much time does she have?"

"It's hard to say, if she holds she may have a few more weeks in her, if not then...only time will tell," shrugged the doctor. "Either way I wouldn't dawdle in going up to see her."

Nikola nodded.

"Thank you Doctor," he sighed.

"Try not to get her too riled up, I'd like her to rest as much as possible," the doctor left.

His words stung a little, even though the doctor only meant them in kindness. The doctor didn't know that he and Rose were arguing before she went into her fit.

Nikola bit his lip and ascended the stairs slowly, counting each step he took. 81 steps. He knew it would take 81 steps to reach her door.

He swallowed dryly.

What was he going to say to her? He didn't want to upset her again, but then again he didn't want her to leave her fortune to someone so undeserving as him.

Why did he come here? He could've been spared all of this if he'd just stayed home and kept working.

Nikola reached her door and stated at the handle. He could leave now before it was too late.

He looked back at the way he'd just came.

He shook his head. He'd never forgive himself if he did that. He had to go in there and say something, apologize to his age friend. He had never meant to make her upset, but her offer was too generous, he couldn't accept it, and he wouldn't.

He opened the door and carefully stepped in. Rose looked up with old weary eyes.

"I was afraid you were going to run off again," her voice sounded old and tired as she spoke.

Nikola visibly flinched at the sound of her labored breathing.

"I couldn't leave you now, Rose," his voice was weak and tight.

"Come here, lie down beside me please," she coughed.

Nikola didn't argue. He moved around the bed and sat down, looking at her over his shoulder before swinging his legs gently on to the mattress.

He settled and then have her a weak smile.

"Closer," she waved him over.

He scooted slightly.

"Closer, Nikola, or i'll do it myself," she threatened and he chuckled. He shuffled himself right up to her and rested his head on his arm.

Rose took his other hand and placed it around her waist.

"There, that's better," she sighed.

Nikola chuckled again.

"I'm not sleeping with you, you can't make me," he teased.

Rose let out a dry chuckle.

"This will do fine," she sighed. "Now, while I've got you, I'm going to tell you your next course of action, and you will not interrupt me, do you hear me young man?"

Nikola sighed but nodded.

"Good. Now, you're going I spend the night here, as you are, and keep me company, tomorrow I will have Dunby fix up the papers for you to sign that will put you in charge of my estate, and you won't argue with me about it, you're just going to do it, or so help me i'll have an attack right now and then you will have no choice. Can you do this one thing for me, Nikola?"

"What am I going to do with your estate? They will take everything to pay off my debts," he said.

"Then so be it," she sighed. "It's yours to do with as you like."

"Rose, please, I don't want your fortune, I came here as a friend, not an heir," he cupped her cheek gently. "I came because someone I cared for asked to see me one last time."

"Just take it and don't argue, be a gentleman and grant a dying lady her last wish, or I'll haunt you forever!" she growled at him and then kissed his cheek.

"As you wish," he sighed.

"Good, now we won't talk about this anymore, now take off your shirt," she ordered.

Nikola sputtered.

"Rose!" he admonished.

"You'll wrinkle it, if your going to stay here the evening at least have the decency not to ruin my late husband's shirt in the process."

He sighed and sat up, carefully undoing the top buttons then pulling it over his head. He folded it neatly and tossed it on a nearby church.

"How's that?" he asked.

"Better," Rose smirked. She traced her hand over his chest.

"This was just an excuse for me to be shirtless wasn't it, you don't care a bull's ass over your late husband's shirts," Nikola accused and Rose laughed.

"So I wanted to get some pleasure in my old age, so sue me," Rose shrugged.

"You dirty old woman," Nikola laughed.

"Were you really expecting anything less, I am still me, you know," she sighed.

"And I wouldn't have it any other way," Nikola snuggled down beside her and cuddled her into his embrace. She instantly relaxed into his arms.

"I love you, Nikki," she said sleepily before drifting off into a pleasant slumber.

Nikola pecked the side of her head.

"As do I," he chuckled. He allowed himself to relax with her in his arms.

The dreams he had, for once were not of the fair-haired Englishwoman that normally haunted his every thought, but we're filled with the young redhead he'd met all those years ago who had stripped off his naive gentility and most of his clothes and convinced him to play poker. They had some great times together.

~~~~Fall 1892~~~~

Nikola ran.

He was going to be late, how could he let time get away from him so easily, especially on this day.

He held a bouquet of roses as he tore across the crowd of people.

She was going to kill him.

His invitation was tucked into his breast pocket; he was dressed in his best suit, which had definitely seen better days, and he had quickly slicked back his hair and shaved to make himself more presentable.

"Are you Tesla?" someone asked and he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Yes," he turned to see a beautifully dressed woman. "How did you know?"

"She said I would recognize you when I saw you, she's waiting for you," the woman waved him over and tugged him past the crowd of people into a corridor, which led to a series of rooms.

She opened the second door and waved Nikola in.

"Be quick, you're holding everyone up," she sighed haughtily.

Nikola hurried inside and the door was shut behind him.

The room was seemingly empty.

"Rose?" Nikola called out tentatively.

He heard a slight rustle and suddenly she came out from behind the blinder, wearing a perfect satin handmade wedding gown.

"What do you think?" she asked, uncharacteristically nervous.

"You look..." he started, quite stunned.

"The dress has been passed down from Eddie's great grandmother, it's quite beautiful is it not?" she asked looking down at the white garment. "I feel rather silly in it."

"No, no, no," Nikola snapped out of his haze. "You look perfect. Eddie will die and go to heaven once he sees you coming up the aisle in that."

Rose blushed slightly.

"You think so?" she asked.

"I barely know why I'm still alive right now," he chuckle dryly. "Sorry for being late, I got, uh, held up...buying these!"

He held up the flowers for her.

"It was the best wedding present I could think of, I thought it rather fitting," he shrugged.

"They're beautiful," Rose took them.

"I thought you might like them," he chuckled. "You didn't have to wait for me."

"Yes, I did," she sighed. "I thought of all the people you were the one who'd tell me."

"Tell you what?" he asked.

"That I'm...making a mistake, or something, I don't know, I just know I had to see you before I walked down that aisle."

Nikola shuffled awkwardly on his feet.

"What if I didn't come?" he asked. "What if I forgot?"

"I don't know, probably would've gone to find you and drag you down here. I'm glad I didn't have to do that," she chuckled weakly.

"What do you want me to do, Rose?" he took her hand gently.

"Tell me honestly...how do I look?" she asked sternly and he smiled.

"You are going to make Eddie very happy, and I think he will do the same for you," Nikola kissed her hand gently. "And if you ever need me all you have to do is ask, and I'll come."

He kissed her hand again.

"Now let's get you to that wedding before your husband to be starts to suspect that I've stolen you away," Nikola handed her the bouquet.

"I don't want those, I'll take these," she picked up the bouquet he had brought her.

"If it gets you down the aisle, so be it," Nikola shrugged.

"It will," she nodded.

He grinned and escorted her out of the room, through the corridor back to the main hall to the woman that had stopped him before.

"She's here," Nikola said.

"Oh heavens! Finally! I'll tell the priest," the woman marched out.

"I have a feeling she doesn't like me," said Nikola.

"Eddie's sister, Veronica, she's a bit of a control freak, but she's well meaning," said Rose.

"I should go find a seat in the hall," said Nikola.

"Right," Rose nodded.

"You look stunning," he kissed her cheek.

"Thank you," she smiled.

Nikola turned and headed inside the hall, his hand twitching nervously as he took a seat by the aisle.

"Are you with the groom or the bride?" asked an old lady beside him.

Nikola felt flustered for a second.

"I'm not with anybody," he said sullenly.

"Well you have to be, somebody must've invited you," the old woman chuckled.

"Oh yes, the bride," he chuckled.

"Ah, are you family? I haven't met one member of her family yet."

"Yes I'm her...step-brother," Nikola felt his stomach turn a little. Him and Rose were anything but siblings.

"No father, no mother," continued the lady.

"Dead," Nikola lied easily.

"Ah, so you're all she has," the woman patted his arm.

"Hardly, she has a whole new family now, she has Edmund," he pointed up to the handsome groom standing at the front.

"So, she's all you have," the woman concluded.

Nikola felt something in him twist again.

Before he had time to answer everyone was standing to welcome the bride.

Rose walked in looking like a nervous nellie on her first stage performance. But she was smiling. Her eyes met his for a brief second before turning to the man in front of her and stepping more confidently towards him.

~~~~Later~~~~

Nikola never understood these wedding parlor games. They were old and traditional and stupid.

He watched as Rose threw the bouquet of flowers over her shoulder into the crowd of wedding guests who clambered to get it.

It was caught, people cheered and applauded, then moved on making the whole ritual rather pointless, of course he thought the entire ritual of a wedding was pointless. In the end two people who love each other were joined in a holy bond, and all the bells and whistles really meant squat in the long run.

He saw a single rose left from the bouquet lying perfect on the ground, he went and picked it up. It was only slightly trampled, but still perfect in his eyes.

Suddenly a hand rested on his shoulder and he spun to its owner.

A rose by any other name...

She smiled at him.

"You seem quite downcast," she said.

"Me? No. You however make a wonderful Baroness," he teased.

"According to Eddie's sister I lack refinement and intelligence to be a proper baroness, to which Eddie told her to blow it out her cornhole, engagement parties are a riot," Rose giggled and Nikola couldn't help but laugh as well.

"I should be on my way soon, work never finishes, as you know," Nikola sighed and looked down, shuffling his foot into the ground.

Rose's smile faltered slightly.

"Won't you stay for cake?" she asked.

"As tempting as that is, I think...I think I'll go now, before I've overstayed my welcome," Nikola handed her the trampled rose he had found.

"I'll miss you, Nikki, maybe one day, after the honeymoon that is, we can go get lunch," she suggested.

"That would be nice. And you know, I will always try to come see your plays," he continued.

"I will keep your box open then," she replied.

"And I'll write you...about the world's fair, it's sure to be fantastic," he continued.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Rose smiled.

"Alright then, goodbye Rose," he smiled weakly.

"Goodbye Mr. Tesla," she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "May our lives cross paths again."

He nodded and turned without another look back and left.

Rose watched him until he was nothing but a very solemn dot fading into the horizon.

"Rose, darling!" called Edmund from the party. "There you are, Veronica is having a fit. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"Nothing, just watching the sunset," she turned to him and smiled. The sun was on his face, highlighting his sparkling gold hair and bright blue eyes and her heart suddenly lifted. This was the man she was going to spend the rest of her days with.

Wouldn't that be just marvelous.

~~~~Fall 1924~~~~

It was cloudy on the day they buried her. The sun fought through the thick mass of puffy white expanse the entire day, never really finding a way through.

How fitting he thought.

What light through yonder window breaks, it is the east and Juliet is the sun.

He snickered. She would've loved that to be carved on her tombstone.

Sadly all they could come up with was Loving Wife and Mistress. Her talent shall shine forever in our hearts.

Not quite Shakespeare, but pleasant enough he guessed.

Aside from the staff and Dunby, he was the only guest to the funeral who had cared enough to come. Many notices were sent out but all that came back in return were excuses. No one wanted to think of death at this point in time. Life was booming around them, death couldn't touch them, so they all curtly refused their invite. Except Nikola.

Death would never touch him no matter how close to it he got.

The funeral was quick, only a few tears shed from the female staff.

Dunby stood next to Nikola throughout the entire thing.

When the priest finally closed the book, said a prayer and walked away he finally turned to look at the old butler.

"What will you do now?" asked Nikola.

Walter Dunby shrugged.

"Return to our families I suppose, at least they will. I will take what moderate amount of savings I've managed to conjure up and try to find my place in the world. Maybe work in the factories."

"Can't you stay here?" asked Nikola.

"All of my lady's estate has gone to you now, and you have expressed no desire to stay here, you probably plan on selling it to the highest bidder, and unfortunately, most of those bidders aren't looking for a waitstaff. They want to tear everything down to build something new on the land. One of those Coney Island type amusement parks, I hear. No, in a couple of months all I know and love will be gone."

Nikola looked down for a second.

"And what if they didn't?" asked Nikola.

"What do you mean?" asked Walter.

"What if I didn't sell it to the highest bidder, kept it in the family name," said Nikola.

"Are you serious? You'd take over the manor, like my lady wished?" Walter's eyes lit up.

"I still have to stay in New York, my work there is very important, but until such a time as when I can take over the manor I shall leave it, and it's fortune in the care of its landlord and staff. It's yours Walter."

Walter stood profoundly speechless, tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

"I don't know what to say, sir," he gasped.

"You don't have to say anything, just be ready when I call for you," Nikola said.

"When will that be, sir?" asked Walter.

"You'll know when," Nikola patted his shoulder. "Now, let's go sign the official documents and get all of this legalized. If you're to be my governor, let it be known on paper."

The two walked back into the manor, shoulder to shoulder as friends. Though Walter didn't understand how he fit into this strange Serbian's plans, he was going to follow him hand in foot into whatever future lay ahead of them.

Nikola left that very afternoon knowing Rose's home and estate were in the capable hands of her loyal butler.

Tucked into his breast pocket was the one item he decided to keep for himself. It was the picture Rose had kept all these years. On the back, he noticed, she had written the date of when the picture was taken, but instead his name written to indicate who the picture was of she had written: My Serbian Gentleman.

And he was and forever would be.

~~~~Author's Notes~~~~

Hi! Miss me?

I really chose the worst summer to decide to finish up writing this story in any feesible amount of time. It's been hectic, I've barely had time to sit in front of a computer and when i have had time there hasn't been a computer around to do it. I've been writing most of my stuff on my phone but sadly it's incredibly hard to upload it from my phone to fanfiction, it probably is possible but i'm too lazy. But here you are. There isn't a lot of Helen, actually Helen probably won't be much in the next one either. Nikola is going to have some things happen to him, some tears, some goodbyes, some growing, and he's planning something. What you may ask, you'll see once we get into the latter chapters. Though i would love to hear your theories. What is he planning? Any guesses. I'm also still writing HWMA, so those who follow that story don't have to worry.

Funny story, you'll all appreciate this. I was volunteering at this place called Caravan Farm Theatre, just outside of my hometown, they have been doing shows there for many years and they are very awesome. I volunteer there every summer as an usher. Well, i was volunteering for their opening night when who should mosey in to come see the show but are very own and very favorite J-Yo, and he walked past me and said hello, and i said hi back, and he asked my how i was doing and i proceeded to nerd all over him, very professionally, but i still nerded out like the geek that I am. Turns out, comic con is for wimps, this shit just happens to me! Not boasting, it was the single most exciting and mortifying thing that ever happened to me this summer. I don't think I weirded him out too much, so yay! Point 1 for nerdy restraint!

The next day me and my mom watch the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies and another fave actor of mine made an appearance. Kenneth Branagh! Quoting Shakespeare and being the single most awesome thing about London 2012...in my opinion.

So, yes, I had an awesome nerd summer. But i haven't forgotten you guys, don't worry. And for my lovely reader Chartreuseian, I will try to sneak in a warm gooey romanticy gropey moment between Helen and Nikola before this fic is through. Wonderful! I hope you're all enjoying your summers as much as I'm enjoying mine. Hearts and Niko cookies to you all! And for the season, take some wine, but it into a popsicle mold and cover it in chocolate and make yourself a Niko Pop! A cool treat never went down so smooth :)

Now that you have the idea of Nikola with a popsicle in your heads, I'm going to leave and go write some more while I still got you. Muahahaha!