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The kiss is softer and sweeter than Myka could have ever imagined. Helena's lips are warm and pliant as they move against hers and for one brief second, Myka loses herself in the moment, almost forgets herself, forgets everything but Helena kissing her. She very nearly moves on instinct to step closer to Helena, to wrap an arm around her and weave her fingers through that silky hair, but before she has the chance, Myka hears a click and sees a flash of light behind closed eyelids. She pulls away from the kiss startled, blinking her eyes open, watching as Helena's eyes flutter open and she slowly removes her hand from Myka's cheek to rest down to her side.

The expression on Helena's face is one that Myka can't quite decipher as the raven beauty opens her mouth as if to say something, but when no words come forth, quickly closes it again. Myka slowly exhales, trying to get her bearings, finding the task difficult to accomplish now that she has learned a very important fact about herself. She doesn't love Helena; she is in love with Helena.

It's not such a surprise, not really. She has long suspected that her feelings for Helena went beyond mere friendship, but now to know for certain she is in love with Helena…Myka is uncertain what to do with that knowledge.

She doesn't have the time to process her current state however, as another click and flash go off, effectively breaking her stare with Helena to look in the direction of the interruption. Judge Miller stands with a camera in his hands grinning.

"I thought you might like to have a picture," he says jovially. "It seemed a shame if you didn't have a picture to commemorate this joyous occasion and you both make a very fine picture. I'll be sure to send you copies in the mail."

"That's…very thoughtful of you," Helena manages to speak and perhaps Myka is just imagining it, but her voice sounds slightly huskier than usual.

"One more picture now with you two actually facing the camera rather than each other," he winks.

Myka and Helena do as told, standing to face the camera but careful not to touch.

"Come on now, get closer like before," he directs them. "You're married and in love after all."

Myka clears her throat as Helena offers her an apologetic smile as she slips her arm around Myka's waist to pull her close. Myka carefully reciprocates the gesture, slipping her arm around Helena's slim waist.

"That's it," Hugo says gleefully before he's snapping another photo. "What a lovely couple you make."

At last finished with the picture taking, the newlyweds break apart with shy smiles.

"Ah, you're both so beautiful. Congratulations," Ted enthuses, pulling each woman into a brief hug.

"Thank you," Myka says, still slightly breathless by the recent events.

"All you need to do now is sign the certificate and be on your way," Hugo remarks, stepping behind his desk and offering a pen.

Myka takes the pen first, her hand trembling ever so slightly as she carefully, deliberately spells out Myka Bering-Wells, glancing at the ring now residing on her finger as she steadies the paper. The name looks both foreign and familiar, but as she stares at the name she just signed, she smiles as she realizes it's still her name and now it's also Helena's name.

Helena's fingers brush Myka's as she takes the pen offered her before writing in a firm hand, Helena Bering-Wells. She takes a moment to look over the new name, appreciating its look on the certificate.

"Very good, I'll have this filed for you," Hugo says taking the certificate. "Best wishes to you both," he says with a final congratulatory handshake for each woman. "May you have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you."


As the women leave the courthouse, they pause on the steps, the cool evening air seeping around them as both grasp for something to say.

"I'm sorry about the kiss, Myka," Helena begins. "I didn't intend to make you uncomfortable, but when the judge pronounced us married and may now kiss…I didn't know what else to do," she confesses. "To try to talk a way out of it…somehow didn't seem appropriate for the occasion."

"It's fine, Helena," Myka says quickly, trying to bury the sudden hurt she feels, knowing the kiss was nothing more than a conventionality to Helena; then berates herself with a shake of her brunette curls. Of course the kiss was nothing more than convention, Helena isn't in love with her. This entire marriage is nothing more than a solution to keep Helena from being deported. She knew all this when she agreed to the marriage.

"It was just a kiss," Myka continues, her words belying her true feelings. In fact the kiss has served as the culmination to make her realize she's hopelessly in love with the woman standing before her now, looking at her with those indescribably dark eyes that once more reflect an emotion in their depths that Myka can't quite interpret.

"Yes, just a kiss," Helena says softly.

"So, I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow?" Myka asks, taking a step backward from Helena, already trying to distance herself and be just the same friend she's always been.

"Actually, I wondered if I may take you to dinner to celebrate this momentous occasion?"

"Oh, Helena, you don't have to do that," Myka replies embarrassed.

"I want to, Myka, please let me," Helena speaks sincerely.

Myka falters under the plea. "Really, you don't have to," she tries again.

"The truth is, darling, I've already made reservations," and Helena's voice has a hopeful lilt to it as she makes the confession.

"You have?" Myka asks completely taken off guard.

"Yes. You married me to help me, dinner seems like the least I can do."

"You make it sound as if it was some sort of hardship…marrying you," Myka speaks awkwardly.

"It isn't?" Helena asks with a slight smirk.

"No. I mean...it doesn't change anything…between us. Right?" Myka asks with baited breath, not sure how she wants Helena to answer. If things remain the same, their friendships is firmly in tact, but if things could change…for the better…

"Right," Helena quickly agrees snapping Myka from her musings. "At any rate, I did make reservations and I'd rather they not go to waste."

"You could eat alone," Myka points out and she doesn't know why she's hesitant to have dinner with Helena. They've shared so many meals together over the years, why should this be any different? But it is different now, because this is the first time she will dine with Helena knowing she's in love with her…and married to her.

"Oh, yes, I suppose that's true. I just thought…it is our wedding night after all. I guess I didn't consider you might have other plans for this evening."

"I don't have any other plans," Myka admits and though part of her wants to escape to the comfort of her apartment to process her newly realized feelings for Helena, a larger part of her wants nothing more than to spend the evening with her.

"Shall we then?" Helena asks with a smile.

Myka simply nods her head in assent and falls into step beside her.


"So, what exactly is your ideal honeymoon?" Helena asks after they have ordered their meal.

Myka nearly chokes on her wine at the question and catches Helena's smirk at her reaction. "Really? This is what you want to talk about?" she asks incredulous.

"Well, you must admit, darling, the topic does suit the occasion and…I'm curious," she says with a smirk.

Myka sighs heavily. "I don't know. I guess I've never really given it much thought. There never seemed reason to."

"That can't possibly be true. I think you're just holding out on me."

"What's your ideal honeymoon then?" Myka diverts.

"Oh, I don't know, perhaps somewhere exotic. A place where the heat of the climate will bring out another kind of heat," she grins.

Myka flushes at the implication, biting her lip. "Exotic sounds compelling, but I think I'd almost like the opposite better. Find a remote cabin somewhere, get snowed in with nothing but books, a fireplace and each other," she smiles into her wine thoughtfully.

"That does sound lovely," Helena agrees, her voice raspier than normal as she imagines Myka's description. She clears her throat before speaking, "Well then, onto more general topics. Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"Yeah," Myka nods. "Tracy and my mom are planning to drive here on Saturday to drag me with them to shop for baby items."

"Drag you?" Helena quirks a brow in amusement.

Myka shrugs. "Shopping isn't really my thing, as you know. For some reason Tracy is under the impression there is a larger selection of baby items in Denver than Colorado Springs. Personally I think she's delusional," Myka says before taking another sip of wine.

Helena chuckles. "Perhaps she just wants to include you in this rather eventful time in her life."

Myka sighs. "Yeah, that's kind of what I figured too, which is why I will be giving up my leisure time to spend it shopping with her."

"I've seen you spend hours on end in a bookstore, darling," Helena gently chastises with a grin.

"Those are books! That is leisure time for me, to browse through a bookstore, to sit in plush chairs, sipping coffee and getting lost in a story," Myka argues. "It's not shopping, it's an experience."

Helena laughs. "I see. And if you should happen to purchase any…experience, is it not considered shopping then?"

Myka glares at Helena who only smirks in return. "You're just toying with me now. I know you'd rather spend time in a bookstore than in some crowded mall."

"Always, darling," she agrees with a smirk. "However, I suppose I will eventually have to drag myself to such a place to find a gift for Tracy and the baby."

"Oh, you don't have to do that," Myka quickly protests.

"Of course I do. I like Tracy and I'm happy for her. Besides, technically she's my sister now too," Helena says, her dark eyes shining.

Myka grasps at her neck under Helena's gaze. "Yeah, I guess she is," and she briefly wonders what Tracy would think if she knew about her sudden marriage to Helena. She further wonders what her parents would think of it as her thumb gently traces the still unfamiliar ring on her finger. Ultimately, it doesn't matter for they will never know and the marriage will be annulled in a few short months as if it never took place.

"Are you all right, darling?" Helena asks concerned seeing Myka lost in contemplation.

Shifting in her chair at the sound of Helena's voice breaking her train of thought, Myka manages a brief smile. "I'm fine," she tries to assure but the way Helena is still looking at her says that Helena isn't convinced.

"Actually, I was just wondering what my family would think if they knew of our marriage," Myka says with a slight laugh.

"I'd imagine they'd be quite surprised," Helena comments, "but I hope not entirely displeased."

"They love you, you know they do. But they know you as my coworker and friend. More than that…yeah, I think surprise would be an understatement," Myka says with a soft smile.

"Well then, here's to being coworkers and friends then," Helena says raising her glass before taking a long sip.

The remainder of dinner passes pleasantly with the easy familiarity of friends who know each other better than anyone else. Myka is grateful for that familiarity but also can't help desiring more as she listens to Helena's voice, watches the way her dark eyes shine in the soft light, the way long fingers filter through her hair. Myka wonders at how she managed to convince herself for so long that her feelings for Helena were nothing more than friendship.

Helena is the most intelligent, witty, and breathtakingly beautiful woman Myka has ever known; and now she's married to her. That fact should fill her with pleasure at the happy coincidence to learn she's in love with the woman she just married, but Myka knows this marriage is only a façade. Their friendship is real though, and Myka will do whatever it takes to keep it rooted firmly in place, which means keeping things as they are, keeping silent about the love she feels.


Inside her apartment, Helena closes the door firmly behind her and leans against it for several long moments, just breathing in and breathing out.

She kissed Myka tonight. Actually kissed her, brief as it was. She knew a kiss between them was likely to happen, marriage ceremonies being what they are, but still, nothing could have prepared her for the feel of Myka's soft lips against her own, how right it felt to be kissing her.

Finally moving away from the door, she removes her coat, laying in along the arm of the sofa before slipping out of her heels to walk barefooted into her bedroom. Her movements are languid as she removes her dress and hangs it in the closet as she contemplates the events of the evening. The wedding had been simple and oddly satisfying. Judge Miller had been quite a character and Ted was sweet. But Myka had been absolutely breathtaking. She had looked stunning wearing the simple skirt and blouse, so much so Helena found herself hardly able to draw her eyes away from her all evening. And their shared kiss…she feels a pleasant pull in her stomach at the memory. After her initial surprise, Myka had returned the kiss with a gentle intensity Helena did not expect. The feeling of Myka's soft lips against hers caused a desire to stir so strongly, Helena wanted nothing more than to tangle her fingers in those glorious curls and forget the rest of the world.

Helena sighs at the thought. Myka is a coworker and a friend, nothing more; a fact Myka only reiterated over dinner tonight and three years of casual flirting has gotten Helena nowhere. Myka is obviously not interested and Helena knows she would do better to remember that fact. She pushes a hand through her hair in frustration, feeling the strands glide through her fingers.

Sleep will likely prove elusive tonight with so much to think of. Deciding a shower may help her relax and calm her racing thoughts; she quickly turns towards the bathroom. Stepping under the spray, she groans with appreciation at the feel of the warm water pelting her sensitive skin. It isn't long before thoughts of Myka return and Helena groans again, this time in frustration. Myka, who is intelligent, loyal and stunningly beautiful, who is so close to Helena and yet at the same time, so achingly far away.


Settling under the covers, Myka tries desperately for sleep, but her mind whirls with too many thoughts. Specifically thoughts of Helena, of the way they met three years ago, sharing a mutual love of their profession, the way their friendship has grown over the years and now of their marriage. She sighs at the thought. She is actually married to Helena Wells and this is their wedding night. Not what she would have envisioned for a wedding night, going to bed alone, but this isn't a true marriage after all. She sighs again and shifts onto her side, her hand resting against the pillow, the ring still on her finger easily standing out in the soft light. She brushes her thumb against the smooth surface, appreciating the way if feels against her skin. She'll have to remember to remove it tomorrow before going to work. She really should have taken it off before bed, but…well…it is her wedding night after all.

At last closing her eyes, willing sleep to come, she listens as a gentle rain begins to fall on her open windowsill. Isn't rain on one's wedding day considered good luck in some cultures? She wonders and then she berates herself. This isn't a true marriage; and she would do well to remember that fact rather than wonder what could be, as it will only lead to heartache. Better to forget it altogether and go about her life as if nothing has changed, even though Myka knows she's fooling herself in that regard. She knows now she's love with Helena; things have already changed.

Turning over onto her other side, Myka lets out a huff of air in frustration. Really, what does she have to be upset about? She agreed to the marriage, she has no reason to be upset. The entire ordeal is ridiculous. With a last fluff of her pillow she settles down once more, resolving to fall asleep at last. Her eyes are only closed two seconds before her phone startles to life.

Switching on a light, Myka grasps her phone on her nightstand. Helena's name is lit on the screen. She smiles in spite of herself.

"Helena?"

"Myka, oh thank god," Helena gasps.

Myka sits up straight in bed. "Helena, are you alright?" she asks concerned by the other woman's tone.

"No, I'm in a fair bit of pain actually," Helena tries to laugh but it comes out a gasp again instead.

"What's happened?" Myka asks as she throws the covers off her legs and begins to move toward her closet.

"Funny story, darling. I've managed to slip and fall in my shower of all things. I've injured my back and can barely move. It was all I could do to climb out of the shower to reach my phone," she breathes.

"All right, I'm on my way to you now," Myka assures. "Just keep your phone next to you and I should be there in fifteen minutes."

"Please hurry," Helena speaks before the line disconnects.

Myka makes it to Helena's apartment in record time, pulling out the key Helena made for her years ago for emergencies. She finds Helena in her bedroom, crouched on the floor, clad only in a towel.

"Helena!" Myka rushes to her side.

"Please! Be careful, darling," Helena speaks with a grimace as Myka approaches her. "I've already passed out once from the pain, I'd rather not make a habit of it."

"Brilliant idea" Myka speaks reaching gently for Helena. "Can you move at all?"

"Only minimally."

"Okay, well, we need to get you to a hospital. Let's get you changed into some clothing," Myka says as she gently helps lift Helena from the floor to sit on her bed.

"Myka!" Helena gasps in pain as she sits on the bed. Myka can see the sweat beading on her forehead from the pain. "I don't think I'll be able to move enough to change into clothing, darling," she tries to laugh, but grimaces with pain instead.

"All right," Myka speaks biting her lip. "I'll find something to wrap around you then." Inside Helena's closet, Myka quickly moves from hanger to hanger, looking for something Helena can wear. Her frantic movement comes to a halt as she comes across something familiar. An old faded sweatshirt hangs in the very back of the closet. It's Myka's. She doesn't have time to question why Helena would keep her college sweatshirt loaned to her that Thanksgiving dinner years ago when she hears Helena gasp again.

"Myka?" Helena calls weakly, the pain evident in her voice.

Finally Myka sees a satin bathrobe hanging on the back of the door and rushes from the closet returning to Helena with it.

"Do you think you can get this on?" she asks.

Helena looks at the article of clothing skeptically. "I can try," she says between gritted teeth. "With your help of course."

Myka nods, carefully moving Helena's arm into a sleeve, watching her face for any sign of more pain. "I'm sorry, Helena, just a little bit further…and there," she speaks triumphantly as at last the robe is on.

Very carefully Myka pulls the robe closed, but reaches under just enough to loosen the towel from Helena's body. Once the towel falls to the floor, she fastens the robe closed with the ties, her cheeks blushing at the intimacy of the gesture. Helena's eyes, watching her intently only serves to deepen her blush.

Helena manages a breathy laugh that doesn't cause her pain. "It seems all you do these days is rescue me, Myka."

Myka smiles. "That's what friends are for."

"And wives?" Helena asks.

"Wives too…I guess," Myka says blushing deeper. "Come on, let's get you to the hospital. Just hold onto me," she says slipping her arm around Helena's waist and holding her close for the second time this evening. Helena does as directed, grateful for this woman holding her close, grateful for Myka.