"Ready for our date?" Helena asks.

Myka looks up from her computer to see Helena in the doorway, a smile on her face and her coat folded over her arm as if ready to depart.

"Uh, yeah, just give me a minute to finish up here?"

"Of course," Helena assents, quietly stepping further into the office and studying Myka carefully. Watching the way her brow furrows slightly as she concentrates, the way her hair, that wondrously curly hair moves against her shoulders with every slight tilt of her head. The way she presses her lips together just so and…

"I can feel you staring at me, you know."

"I wasn't trying to hide it, darling," Helena answers unabashedly. "You are quite intriguing to watch," she says unashamed to show her admiration of the other woman, especially when it earns her a flushed glare from Myka that sets Helena to chuckling.

"I'm ready now," Myka says with a final click of the mouse before quickly rising from her chair and reaching for her coat, willing the familiar flutter in her stomach to abate as she pulls it on. "You ready then?" Myka asks as she turns to watch Helena put on her own coat.

"I'm always ready, darling," Helena returns lightly as she steps close to Myka. "Shall we then?" she asks, her dark eyes shining.

As Myka and Helena walk through the office together, Leena sees them on their way out, notices how close they walk together, almost close enough to touch. She smiles at the common sight, the way they gravitate towards each other without even realizing they do it.

"I hope you two enjoy your time together," Leena calls after them brightly, grinning, as they both seem to startle at her voice, completely unaware of anyone else but each other.

"Oh, Leena, yes, Myka and I are stepping out for lunch and we may be a little late coming back," Helena quickly explains. "If Mr. Kosan should call, please notify him I'll return his call when I return. He's anxious to know how the design of his book cover is coming along."

"I'll let him know," Leena assures. "Enjoy your date," she winks at them before turning away missing Helena's raised brow and Myka's gaping stare.


Myka hasn't stepped inside a jewelry store in years, not since she was a teenager and her younger sister Tracy dragged her into one. Tracy, who was always fascinated with jewelry, clothes, make-up; all things Myka hardly bothered with. By contrast, Myka has never been one to wear much jewelry, only a watch on her wrist for practicality and a necklace every so often when she actually goes out for an evening. She is overwhelmed now by the variety of jewelry on display and doesn't quite know where to begin.

Helena gently guides her to a counter and they stand close together looking over the glass at all the different rings laid out before them. Bands of gold, white gold, platinum, silver, rings with diamonds, pearls, amethyst, emeralds and any other stone imaginable.

"It's quite an impressive collection," Helena says from beside her. "Do you see anything you like, darling?"

"I think these are all too…elaborate for our needs, Helena," Myka returns quietly.

"Good afternoon, ladies," a friendly saleswoman greets them both with a firm handshake. "My name is Deb. Is there something I can help you find?"

"Yes," Helena assents. "We'd like to have a look at wedding rings."

"Which of you is the lucky bride to be?"

"Actually, Myka and I are marrying each other," Helena says gently grasping Myka's hand in hers and entwining their fingers.

"Wonderful," the saleswoman beams at them. "I thought you might be a couple judging by the way you just seem to move toward each other like people in love tend to do," she winks, "but I didn't want to assume anything," she smiles at them.

Myka meets Helena's eyes briefly before glancing away with embarrassment. She tries not to take Deb's comment seriously. She knows the saleswoman likely works on commission and complimenting couples is just part of the job. Most couples are really in love with each other and are intending to marry for real, forever. Deb has no way of knowing Myka's marriage to Helena is nothing more than a legality to keep her in the country.

"Any kind of ring in particular you have in mind?" Deb asks.

"Just something simple," Myka speaks and wonders that she manages to speak at all given how dry her throat has suddenly become from both the saleswoman's words and Helena's hand in hers.

"Simple…as in just a band and no stones?" she guesses.

"Yes," Helena agrees, "a plain wedding band is all we need."

Deb leads them to a case full of wedding bands of all different metals, color and width. "Are you looking to find a wedding band to match an engagement ring?" she asks.

"No, we haven't really been engaged that long, only since Monday morning, in fact," Helena says almost apologetically. "We've just decided to forgo the engagement and get married tomorrow."

"Oh. That's a little unusual, especially these days," Deb says surprised. "It seems like everyone wants a big wedding. Couples, they sometimes forget the real reason for the wedding in the first place, their love for each other. It's refreshing to have you ladies know what really matters," she smiles at them, smiling wider as she notices the way they look at each other, their stare soft and lingering before they glance away bashfully.

"So, would you like to wear matching rings then or each choose your own based on personal preference?" Deb asks already guessing their answer.

Myka and Helena look at one another questioningly. "I've always kind of liked the idea of a married couple wearing matching rings…but it's whatever you'd like, Helena," Myka says, a hand playing at her neck awkwardly.

Helena smiles warmly at the sight, squeezing Myka's hand gently to offer comfort. "I'd prefer we wear matching rings as well, darling," she says.

"Excellent," Deb enthuses, effectively breaking the stare between the two women. "Then all you need to do now is agree on which ring you both like."

Helena and Myka devote their attention to the rings in the case for several long moments and almost simultaneously choose the same one, a simple wedding band of white gold.

Deb looks at them startled, then smiles wide. "If you only knew how often it usually takes couple to agree on matching rings," she laughs shaking her head. "I can see you two are a definitely special."

"Yes, well, Myka and I are alike in many ways, it's not too surprising we would have the same taste in wedding rings," Helena smiles, clearly pleased.

After a quick fitting, Deb moves away to package the rings leaving the two women alone. Helena pulls out her credit card and is surprised to observe Myka doing the same.

"Darling, what are you doing?" she asks concerned.

"I'm paying for your ring."

Helena shakes her head. "Myka, no, I'll pay for both rings. It's because of me that we have to get rings at all," she argues.

"Helena," Myka sighs, "I know this isn't a real wedding in the traditional sense, but it is still a wedding, your wedding, and I'm not going to let you pay for your own ring. It just seems…wrong to me," she finishes distractedly brushing a curl from her face.

Helena is completely awed by the woman before her, at Myka looking at her with those green eyes, so intent in her purpose. An involuntary smile twitches at her lips at the sight of Myka looking so adamant.

"All right, darling, as you wish," she concedes and Myka nods her satisfaction.

Helena continues to observe Myka silently, feeling an emotion well within her chest that she can't quite put a name to. "Thank you for this, Myka," Helena says so softly it's barely audible, but Myka hears her.

"You're welcome, Helena," she answers just as softly.


That evening, Myka sits on her sofa, her laptop open on the coffee table, a marked up manuscript sitting beside it, but she's not working. Instead, she stares blankly at the walls of her apartment, her mind whirling with all the scenarios in which this impending marriage can possibly go wrong, before her gaze focuses on the little black box sitting on the edge of the table. Strumming her fingers along her leg for several minutes, she finally grasps the box to open it and peer inside at the ring, Helena's ring. Tomorrow evening at this time, the ring will be worn by Helena because they will be legally married. And somewhere in Helena's possession is a matching ring that she will wear because they will be married. Actually, legally, married.

So lost in her thoughts, Myka startles at the sound of a knock on her door. She quickly pockets the ring and rising, opens the door to find Pete on the other side.

"Pete, what are you doing here?" she asks truly surprised. "Tonight's not a scheduled movie night."

"I know it's not, but you've been acting strange the last few days so I thought I'd drop by to see if I can find out why."

"Pete, I'm fine," she scoffs folding her arms over her t-shirt clad chest.

"Fine then, just have dinner with me. Amanda's got some work function tonight and I don't want to eat alone, so I brought over food to share. A scrumptious double bacon cheeseburger with fries for me and that bunny food you eat," he says holding up a fast-food bag with grease patches.

"Your greasy burger better not have touched my bunny food, Lattimer," she says stepping aside to allow Pete inside her apartment.

"Ah, that's my girl," he brushes a quick kiss against her cheek as he moves quickly inside towards the sofa.

"Pete!"

He immediately changes course towards the small circular table in the kitchen. "Right, not allowed to eat on your sofa anymore after the pizza fiasco, got it," he nods throwing a leg over a chair to sit down and begins to unpack the food.

Myka just shakes her head in amusement as Pete takes a generous bite of his burger, sauce spilling onto his face. She tears off paper towels from the dispenser and hands him one.

"You want something to drink?" she asks opening the door to her fridge. "Cream soda?"

"Sure, thanks," he mumbles taking the can from her as she finally sits down with her own bottled water and begins to unwrap her turkey wrap.

They eat in companionable silence, Myka occasionally stealing a fry and Pete pretending to be annoyed by it.

"So, what's going on with you, Mykes?" Pete asks as he wipes his face clean and balls up the paper towel and food wrapper, putting them in the empty food bag.

"Nothing is going on with me, Pete," she tries to convince him, rising from her chair and clearing the table, turning away at the sink to throw away the trash.

He shakes his head. "Not buying it. Something is bothering you. Come on, Mykes, you know you can tell me anything right?"

Myka wishes that were true, but she most certainly cannot tell him about her impending marriage to Helena. Still, she does have to tell him something or else he won't let it go.

"I've just got a lot on my mind right now. You know how work can be sometimes."

"Yeah," Pete nods. "But I also know you, Myka, and you thrive on work. No, it's something else that's bothering you. Everything okay with your family?"

"Yeah, they're fine. Tracy is already in her third trimester. I still can't believe she's going to be a mom and I'm going to be an aunt," she says shaking her head in awe.

"Is that it? That your younger sister is going to have kids before you?" Pete guesses.

Myka scoffs. "You know, sometimes it's like you don't know me at all. I'm not you, Pete, I'm not looking to have children right now."

"Hey, now," he whines.

"True though isn't it? You're the one who wants to be a dad," Myka says hoping the new topic is enough to distract Pete from questioning her further about what's worrying her.

"Yeah," Pete agrees, "I do. And I think Amanda may be the one to make that happen with," he says dreamily.

"Really? That's great, Pete. So, you're actually going to finally tie the knot then?"

Pete shrugs. "Yeah, I mean, I'd like to. I think it must be pretty great to share a life with someone you love and who loves you."

"Yeah, I'm sure it must be," Myka says contemplatively, her fingers lightly brushing against the ring in her pocket. Clearing her throat she asks, "Well, does Amanda want to get married?"

"I think she does. But in some ways, she's like you, really focused on her career. We've talked about having kids though, and she does want them eventually and…and I see what you're doing here," Pete suddenly shakes a finger at her. "I didn't come here to discuss my love life, I came here to find out what's bothering you and try to help. So spill it."

Myka sighs, rubbing at her neck. "Okay, I admit…there may be something I have on my mind right now, but I'm working it out on my own, Pete. You don't need to worry about me."

Pete looks at her critically. "You sure?"

"Yeah," she smiles, "I'm sure, but thanks, Pete."

He nods. "All right then. But if you decide you want someone to listen…or you do need help with something…"

"You'll be the first I call, I promise," Myka agrees.

When Pete finally leaves, Myka sits back on her sofa, relishing the now quiet of her apartment. She loves Pete like a brother, but sometimes he's just too much, filling up every space and crevice with his exuberance when she would prefer to just be still.

Taking the little box from her pocket, Myka opens it to peer at the ring once more, touching it reverently, feeling the cool of the metal against her fingertip. This time tomorrow evening, she'll be a married woman. She's still uncertain how she feels about that and wonders how Helena feels about it.

Startling at the vibration of her phone ringing, Myka glances at the screen and smiles when she sees who is calling.

"Helena?"

"Hello, Myka."

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes, of course. I was…" she falters.

"Helena?" Myka prods and she hears a sigh of resignation over the phone.

"I happened to be looking at your ring," Helena admits, "and wondered what your feelings are about tomorrow."

Myka laughs. "Actually, I've been doing the same thing, looking at your ring and wondering what you're feeling."

"Really?" Helena sounds astonished. "I shouldn't be surprised, we really are quite alike you and I, aren't we?"

"We are," Myka agrees.

"And how do you feel about all this, Myka? Still want to go through with it?"

"Yeah, as long as you do, Helena."

"I would rather continue with my life here in Denver," Helena says, "but how do you really feel about this marriage, Myka?"

Myka sighs. "Truthfully, it's all feels surreal to me right now, and I can't quite grasp that this is actually going to happen."

Helena laughs softly. "Yes, I know the feeling," she agrees. "Well, I…I have the appointment set up with the judge…I'm not sure if I mentioned that before."

"You did; and I've already informed Artie we'll be leaving early tomorrow."

"Good. Then, if you're still certain about this…I guess we'll be married tomorrow."

"Yeah, I guess we will," and Myka agrees.

"Thank you again for this, Myka," Helena speaks low and soft. "Goodnight, darling, sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Helena," Myka replies softly before setting her phone down.

With one last glance at the ring, Myka closes the box, knowing sleep will be long in coming this night.