Helena's p.o.v.

"I flew here this morning.", my dad tells as we all pile up in Joyce's living room.

"Does mom know where you are?", I ask, looking at him.

He nods, "She does. By the way Joyce, where can I buy some flowers? I'll be needing them when I get home."

"I don't think flowers will resolve this.", I say, looking at him.

He smirks, "Well, I certainly know what will."

I make a grossed out face and wave my hands, "I don't even wanna know."

"Back there, you told us that our plan won't work. Why?", Ian asks.

James and my dad share a look before he speaks, "They have suspicions that Fringe is active again."

I frown, "What? How?"

"They... received a call.", James states.

"A call? From who?", Adrien asks.

"It was anonymous.", my dad tells us.

"Someone snitched you out?", Erika asks, looking at me.

Eddie, Dustin El and I share a subtile look. Shit.

"How much do they know?", I ask my dad.

"Just that you are active and most probably in Hawkins.", James tells us.

"So everything?", Ian asks, making a face.

"They called me and I told them that's not possible. I have a feeling that Evans didn't buy that since they are taking extra measures to protect their system.", James tells.

"Shit.", Ian tells.

"Is this a dead end?", Joyce asks and I shake my head, "No. I promised you we will solve this situation and I intend to keep my promise."

By the look on everyone's faces, I see they don't believe me.

"There has to be something we can do. Some way to get the info we need.", I say, standing up.

"Kline is having a party in two weeks.", James tells us.

"Larry Kline? Isn't he in prison?", Hopper asks, looking at him.

"He is now but will be coming home in two weeks. His wife is preparing a surprise party.", he explains.

The thing I hate about James the most is that we think alike.

"You think he knows something?", I ask, looking at him.

"I know he knows. And I know he saves data. Actually, his secretary is doing that for him. He still has strong ties to the government. That's why he's being released."

Hopper scoffs, "Politicians. Always hated them."

"Are you invited?", I ask James and he nods.

"Can you bring someone with you?", I ask and see Eddie look at me.

"Since I'm recently divorced, I do have a free spot.", he states.

My dad, knowing everything that happened, looks at me, waiting for my reaction.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.", I say, failing to hide the shock.

"You are aware that, if anyone sees you snooping around, they will kill you?", James asks.

I smile, "I can manage that."

"I would like to speak to my daughter in private, if that's not a problem.", my dad says.

"Follow me.", I say, leading him towards the van.

We enter the van and I close the door.

"I have a few questions for you.", he tells me, sitting down.

"Go ahead.", I say.

He smiles and takes my hand into his, "First of, it's nice to see you, Elly."

I smile back, "You too, dad."

"Are you okay?", he asks and I nod, "I am."

"No... are you okay?", he asks and I realize what he's aiming at.

"I am. I don't care about his divorce. Am I shocked? Yes. But that's it."

"You know, this is not what I wanted for you. Fringe.", he stats.

I sigh, "We had this conversation quite a few times, dad."

"No, no, I won't try to convince you out of it. You are too stubborn for me to handle. I just... a job isn't everything. This job, isn't everything. I would like you to be happy. I would like to see you alive. I would like to walk you down the aisle, not walk towards your coffin. I understand your devotion, I do, trust me... and I'm proud of that but life can give you more. So much more. In the end, the best that life gave me, is you."

I smile and kneel down beside him, "You don't have to worry about me. I will be fine."

"After James, you closed your heart and that's not fair. To you. You committed suicide even if you're still alive."

"I can't drag people into this situation.", I say.

"Maybe some people would like to be dragged into this situation. Let them decide.", he smiles.

I smile back, "Doubt it, but okay."

"I know I can't stop you going to that party...all I can say is, be careful.", he tells and I hug him, "I will."

"There's actually something I would like to ask you.", I say, moving away from him.

"I'm listening."

"Did you know Martin Brenner?"

He nods, "I did. We where investigating his lab before the government shot us down."

"Did you find something?", I ask.

"Nothing that you already don't know. I suppose Joyce told you about the experiments he did."

"She did."

"I suppose you suspect that the solution may be in his lab?", he asks and I nod, "Yes."

"Unfortunately, I can not help you with this one."

"It's okay."

We hear a knock on the door, "Doctor Deener, we need to go.", James tells with a serous voice.

"I will tell James to fly me back here in a month.", he informs me.

"Is it necessary?", I ask and he smiles, "Yes, it is."

"I love you.", I say hugging him.

"I love you too."

Night has fallen and I'm going trough old news articles related to Brenner and his work but nothing too useful comes up.

"Helena, you in there?", I hear James's voice.

"Yes."

He opens the door and walks in. It's been a long day so I decide not to give him an attitude.

"Your father insisted on coming.", he informs me.

"I can imagine but you still didn't have to flew him here.", I say, looking at him.

"Phone calls are too risky and he demanded to talk to me, also wanted to see you.", he states.

I sigh, "He just won't understand some things."

James smiles, "I know a person just like him."

I look at him but don't say anything.

"Listen, I wanted to make something clear.", he tells, his face getting serious.

"Yes?"

"The fact that I gave you this job has nothing to do with my divorce. I had my chance, blew it and accepted that. You are here because you are good at what you do and I truly believe that you are the only one that can help them."

I nod, "Okay."

"Good.", he tells, looking at me.

"Can I... ask you something?"

I hate my curiosity.

"Who filed for divorce?"

"I did.", he tells immediately.

"Why?"

"Things where not going well.", he tells briefly.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Are you?", he asks and I look at him.

"I am, James. The fact that you're not my favorite person doesn't mean I wish you any ill."

"Think about Kline's party before making a definite decision. I meant what I said earlier."

"I'm aware of the risk, don't worry."

He takes a few steps downwards me, leaning onto my table and looks down at me, "The fact that I gave up on us doesn't mean that I still don't love you. And yes, I will worry but you're a grownup, capable of making her own decisions."

I don't really know what to say to that.

"I have to go, it's late.", he tells, turning around and walking outside.

Regarding James, I always had two fears. The fear of feeling something if I see him again. That turned out to be fine. And two, the fear of feeling something if he ever gets divorced. And I don't know how to feel about the second.

I stand up, realizing I need some fresh air.

Walking outside, I hear Eddie playing his guitar in the garage so I decide to pay him a visit.

"Hey stranger, can I join the concert?", I ask, my head peaking in.

He smiles a little, "Saved you a seat already, doc.", tabbing on the empty chair.

I walk in and take my seat next to him.

"I saw you had a conversation with Decker.", Eddie speaks, looking at me.

"Yea.", I say, looking down.

"He came to ask for a second chance?", he asks slowly.

I smile, "He's smarter that that."

"So, you really plan to attend the party?"

I nod, "I do, yes. Unfortunately, that's the only way to get some info."

He plays a few notes then stops, looking out of the window.

"What on your mind?", I ask after a few seconds of silence.

"Chrissy...the girl who died in front of me... I actually had a crush on her.", he speaks, not making eye contact.

I raise my eyebrow, "Really? The cheerleader?", I ask and he looks at me, "Really? James Decker?"

"Hey, he did turn out to be a human garbage can but back then I thought highly of him. He's smart, funny, successful, intelligent-"

"You can stop with the compliments. I understand, the guy is unattainable.", he tells with a serious voice.

I blink a few times, "I didn't say that."

"Well, it sure sounded like that.", he tells, standing up.

"Are you okay?", I ask as he stands up.

He leans towards me, his face inches away from mine and gives me a fake smile, "Perfect."

"Well, you don't seem like that.", I say, looking after him.

He drops his guitar on an old mattress and takes a deep breath, "You know what bothers me? I liked Chrissy even though there was no chance in hell that we would ever end up at the same party, never the less in a relationship. She was the Queen of Hawkins High and I was Eddie the freak. She was here and I was way down here.", he speaks, obviously pissed off, placing one had high and one really low.

"But, I still liked her. She seemed nice and when we actually had a chance to talk, that was when she needed drugs, I realized she actually is nice. And she dated this idiot by the name of Jason Carver. Jason... James... the irony, right?", he asks, looking at me.

I'm about to say something but he continues his rant, laughing a bit as he speaks, "And now...now that I have finally accepted my faith with Chrissy because she's dead, I have this."

"You don't like James because he reminds you of Jason?", I ask, frowning.

"Oh, Jason was an idiot but James is funny, smart, successful, and so much more that I...am not.", he states, his hands falling down beside his body, pressing his lips in a tight line.

I shake my head, "I don't understand."

He places his hands on his hips and leans towards me a little, "Wow doc, you really are slow."

I raise my eyebrows, "Well thank you for that compliment."

"You know what? Never mind. It doesn't matter.", he takes his guitar and walks downstairs, closing the door behind him, leaving me sitting there feeling confused as hell.