Once again, I apologize for the long length of time between updates. I've been working on this chapter for what seems like forever and have finally, finally reached a point where I'm satisfied enough with it to let it go. I have every intention of finishing this story, it just may take longer than we'd all prefer. Good news though, I've set a word count goal for myself to meet every day and have managed to do so for the last month and a half, so that's progress. Thank you to all those still interested in the story and still reading, it means more than I can say.


"Myka, are you certain you don't need me to stay with you?" Helena asks from the kitchen, voice full of concern.

"There's really no need for you to stay," Myka answers, nestled in a corner of the sofa, a blanket draped over her as she reclines against a pillow. "You've already done more than enough and I'm probably just going to fall asleep again anyway." It had been a long night - for both of them really. Despite having fallen asleep after the initial illness, there had been another bout during the night and Helena had been right there beside her to help gather her hair from her face and provide a soothing touch. She hates that Helena saw her in such a state, but she's also grateful for her obvious support. "Of course if you're tired too, you should stay home."

Helena laughs as she walks into the living room carrying a small plate and a mug. "I admit I am a little tired but it's nothing a strong cup of tea won't cure," she says taking a sip from the mug. "Then again the thought of taking a mid-morning nap beside you is quite appealing."

Myka finds that thought appealing as well, too much so. She thinks of the way they would curl into each other under warm blankets, the autumn sunshine casting a soft light about the room as they dream.

"I thought perhaps a light breakfast might be good for you this morning," Helena says offering the plate to Myka, interrupting her train of thought.

On the plate are two slices of lightly buttered toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Myka smiles wide, glancing at Helena in surprise. "I loved this as a kid. My mom used to make it for me and Tracy whenever we didn't feel well. How did you know?"

"You mentioned it once," Helena shrugs, sipping at her tea.

"And you remembered?"

"You're not the only one with a good memory. And where you're concerned I doubt there is anything I don't remember, Myka," she says softly. "Besides, I added it to my mental list of sugary treats you enjoy despite your claim that you don't eat sugar," she smirks.

Myka ignores the tease as she takes a small bite, smiling at the flavor of the sweetened toast. "Okay, I may like the idea of not eating sugar more than the actual practice of it. I do eat sugar, but only in moderation - at least I did until you moved in," she teases back.

"Ah, well, as long as you admit it," Helena laughs. "How does this sugary treat taste to you?"

"Amazing," Myka sighs, taking another bite, this one more generous than the last now convinced her stomach can handle it.

"Good," Helena smiles satisfied. "I meant what I said earlier, I'd be happy to stay home with you if you need me to. I'm already an hour late for work," she says glancing at her watch. "What's another seven or eight after all?"

Myka laughs. "I'm not sure Artie would see it that way."

"Oh, Artie," Helena dismisses. "That man needs to understand there's more to life than work. And it's not as if either of us miss much work anyway. Aside from my little mishap two weeks ago and now your illness, we've probably both only missed a handful of days throughout the entire year."

"Yes, but now here we are, both missing a day in the two weeks since we've been married. Artie probably thinks the coincidence is astounding."

"Well, he can hardly fault us for an accident and illness. It's not as if we've even taken time off for a proper honeymoon as we should. He should be grateful."

"A honeymoon?" Myka chokes. "You're not serious?"

"Why not? Mrs. Frederic did tell us to make time for one," Helena reminds.

"I know but…I mean…" Myka trails off.

"You're right, I suppose it would be better to go on our first date as we agreed before deciding on honeymoon destinations," Helena smirks.

"Something like that, yeah," Myka breathes relieved Helena was only teasing. "But about tonight, I'm not sure I'll be up for going out on the town like we originally planned to do."

"Of course, I realize that. I thought instead I'd bring dinner home; we can stay in and curl up on the sofa as we watch a movie. How does that appeal to you?"

Myka smiles. "I'd like that. And you choose the movie."

"Mmm, I'll have to give that some thought. Preferably something you haven't already seen…"

"And something you love," Myka insists.

"Alright. And speaking of movies one loves, I've put Alice in Wonderland in the DVD player for you to watch at your leisure."

Myka's eyes widen and she shakes her head with a laugh. Her favorite childhood movie. "You remembered that too?"

"As I said, anything that pertains to you, I remember."

Myka is at a loss what to say, instead finishing her toast in silence.

"Well, I must be off then if I intend to get any work done today," Helena says rising from the sofa and taking Myka's empty plate to the kitchen. "I meant what I said, if you should need me for anything, don't hesitate to call me," she says, slipping into her coat.

"I will," Myka nods appreciatively.

"Alright then. I'll call later to check on you," Helena says, bending over Myka to place a soft kiss against her cheek. Pulling back, dark eyes gaze at her thoughtfully and Helena whispers, "Feel better, darling."

Once again left speechless, Myka helplessly watches Helena fit her bag over her shoulder and with a parting smile walks out of the apartment.

Sinking lower into the sofa, her head resting against a pillow Myka brushes her fingers against her cheek where Helena kissed her, wondering the reason behind the all too brief kiss. There was no reason for it. No one watching to try to convince that their relationship is real. No judge and witness as there was at their marriage ceremony two weeks ago. No family members as with their visit home last weekend and no friends and coworkers present during an impromptu marriage ceremony the way there was yesterday. And oh god, that kiss yesterday in Helena's office - she hadn't had much time to process it before becoming ill, but remembering it now - it had been soft and tender and would have been perfect if not for the fact it was done for an audience. And if Pete hadn't startled them both, it may have lingered longer than it did. Myka sighs regretfully at that thought. But Helena did just kiss her now - with no one watching. That had to mean something right?

She smiles at the thought and sinks further down into the pillow only to feel the unyielding firmness of the armrest under her head. Unable to rest comfortably and deciding a second pillow will help; she stands from the sofa to retrieve an extra one from the hall closet. She finds the pillow but also finds a reminder of why it doesn't do her any good to hope the kisses she shares with Helena are anything meaningful when on that shelf in the hall closet sits a small box of Giselle's belongings. A woman Helena did and very likely still feels something more than friendship for, the proof of that in the contents of that box.

Quickly closing the closet door on that reminder, Myka returns to the sofa with her extra pillow, clutching it to her chest as she sits. It's only wishful thinking to believe that brief kiss Helena gave her this morning was anything more than a simple gesture. Helena has become more affectionate towards her simply because she has to be. Her future remaining in Denver depends on it.

Needing a distraction from Helena and their shared kisses, strategic or otherwise, Myka turns on the TV to play Alice in Wonderland. She adjusts the second pillow and feeling more tired than before lies against it, pulling the blanket back over her body.

She tries not to think of Giselle, the woman whom she met only once and turns her attention to the film. She can feel her eyes droop in fatigue and no sooner is the white rabbit crying out, "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late," than Myka is off to dreamland much the same way as dear Alice.

When Myka does awaken, Alice is similarly awakening from what turns out to be a rather extraordinary dream. It takes Myka a moment to realize there's a reason why she stirred awake. Her cell phone is vibrating against the coffee table insistently.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she swipes her thumb across the screen to answer. "Hello?"

"Myka," she can hear the relieved sigh from Helena on the other end. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. I just woke up actually. You sound worried - did you call me earlier?"

"Yes I did but there was no answer. I'm sorry if I woke you. I was…concerned."

"I'm fine, Helena. I was just sleeping," she assures.

"Well, I wanted to make sure that you hadn't gotten stuck in the bathtub, something of that nature."

Myka laughs. "No, I've just been asleep all morning. But I could probably do with a shower now that you mention it. I'm pretty sure my hair smells like vomit, despite your best attempts to keep it out of the way. I'm really sorry about last night, Helena," she sighs despondently.

"Why are you apologizing? You were ill, it's not as if you can control that."

"I'm apologizing that you had to see me that way. You didn't have to stay," Myka explains.

"Myka, yes I did," Helena says softly. "You took care of me when I suffered my back injury."

"That's different," Myka tries to protest.

"It's really not," Helena argues, "but fine, if I had been ill, would you have left my side?"

"No," Myka answers without giving it a second thought.

"Well then," Helena says pointedly. "I care about you, Myka, so of course I'm going to do my best to take care of you when you're unwell."

Myka fights back the tears that are forming at Helena's sincere words. As a grown woman, she's never had someone to take care of her the way Helena did last night, someone who cared enough to do so.

"If anyone should be apologizing for your illness, let's both agree it was all Pete's fault," Helena goes on to say.

Myka laughs, quickly wiping away an escaped tear. "That sounds fair, I can do that."

"Good. And having appealed to Pete's concern for you and guilt for having taken you to that food truck in the first place, I have arranged for him to be at my apartment bright and early tomorrow morning to help move the remainder of my belongings, including my bookshelves."

"Really? He agreed to that just because he felt guilty?"

"Well, there may have been some strong glaring on my part and also the promise of donuts before and pizza after the job is finished."

"That sounds more like something Pete would agree to," Myka nods.

"And, because everyone overhears everything in this office, as we learned the hard way yesterday, and not wanting to miss out on free donuts and pizza, not to mention possibly taking my bed, Claudia has offered her services and volunteered Steve in the process. And Leena too said she would be happy to help carry boxes so I think we'll finally be able to get everything sorted at last."

"That's good news. It will be a relief to finally get you completely moved in to show Abigail that we are truly committed to this marriage, appearance-wise anyway."

"It's one way of showing our commitment, yes. We've yet to work on…other ways to show her our commitment to one another."

Myka bites her lip at what Helena is insinuating. PDA. They've done little more than hold hands in front of Abigail. "We can discuss that topic tonight," Myka sighs. "Maybe come up with some sort of game plan."

"Am I do understand you want to discuss of a game plan for intimacy during what is supposed to be our casual dinner date tonight? You really do know how to romance a woman, don't you, darling?" Helena quips.

She can hear the smirk in Helena's voice, knows the question posed is meant to be taken lightly but it has the opposite affect on Myka for she doesn't have the slightest idea how to romance a woman. She doesn't exactly have much experience in the romance department in general, next to none with a woman and that's part of the problem with this entire arrangement. She's in love with Helena and has no idea how to convey that love or if she should even make the attempt. Helena is the most remarkable person she knows and it's not as if the woman suffers from a lack of potential suitors, men and women alike. She remembers Vincent and Nate and lastly she thinks of Giselle who she recalls being as striking as Helena in her own way. Myka remembers Giselle as being tall (taller than her, at least in the heels she wore that night they happened to meet) with gorgeous blue eyes and long auburn hair that fell in soft curls down her shoulders. Giselle had been poised and confident, attributes Myka feels she is sorely lacking most days. If Helena is attracted to a woman like that, what chance does Myka possibly have with her?

"Myka?" Helena speaks softly into the prolonged silence. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine. Still tired I guess, sorry."

"No, I'm sorry for interrupting your rest. And you're absolutely right, we do need a game plan and it is entirely appropriate dinner conversation for tonight. I just can't help thinking a little spontaneity in our interactions in front of Abigail would appear more sincere, that's all."

"You're probably right about that. Anyway, we can talk more about it tonight, okay? I should let you get back to work and I need to take that shower so that I feel a little more like myself again."

"Alright, darling. Take care and I'll see you tonight."


When Helena comes home, Myka is feeling better, showered and dressed comfortably in a loose fitting sweater and leggings with thick gray socks on her feet. Helena doesn't know how the woman manages to dress so casual and yet still be so attractive.

"You look like you're feeling better," Helena greets her, setting a plastic bag on the kitchen counter.

"I am. I had another nap this afternoon. Apparently sleep does wonders - and that smells amazing," Myka gestures to the bag.

Helena laughs. "Chinese food - all your favorites and nothing spicy to upset your stomach further."

"That's thoughtful of you," Myka says pulling plates out from the cupboard. "I had some soup and a few crackers for lunch but otherwise I've only had water all day and I'm finally beginning to feel hungry again. I think I'll stick with ginger ale with dinner. Do you want wine?"

"No, I think I'll have hot tea tonight. There's a nip in the air and tea appeals to me."

"When doesn't tea appeal to you?" Myka grins.

Helena smirks in return, filling the kettle with water. "Truthfully, I don't think I'll ever turn down a cup, so you have me there."

"Here, let me do that for you," Myka says taking the kettle from her to set on the stove. "I'll plate the food, you get out of those work clothes and into something more comfortable."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. And when you come back, it's you, me, a blanket and whatever movie you've decided on."

"It's a date," Helena winks. "I'll leave everything in your capable hands then, thank you, darling, " Helena says placing a swift kiss to Myka's cheek on her way out of the kitchen, unaware that Myka stares after her, fingers raised to her cheek to graze the remnants of that kiss. She clears her throat, trying not to go down the same path she did that morning regarding Helena's seemingly reflexive but still unexpected kisses and concentrates instead on plating their dinner.

When Helena returns to the living room moments later, two plates of steaming Chinese food sit on the coffee table and Myka is just coming from the kitchen, her hands full with Helena's mug of tea and her own glass of ginger ale.

"You've got the movie?" Myka asks setting down their drinks and pulling a blanket from the back of the sofa before sitting down.

"Yes," Helena answers, flashing a DVD. "Myka, I should probably warn you, this film it isn't my usual movie genre. And it's considered a bit of a cult classic."

"That sounds ominous. It's not horror is it? Because you know I don't do well with that," Myka scrunches her nose in distaste.

"No, it most definitely is not," Helena assures with a smile. "You know I would never subject you to that kind of film after Pete chose that horrible movie to watch on one of our first movie nights." Helena had been the only one of the group not affected by the horror movie. Even Pete, despite wanting to see the film, had been shaken by it, but Helena, more interested in the reactions of her friends than the story on screen had found it amusing. Myka, to say the least, had not found the film at all amusing and seeing the fear in her friend's eyes, Helena had promptly invited Myka to stay the night at her apartment. She had quickly agreed, sleeping on Helena's sofa for the first of several occasions.

"So it's not a period drama or some adventure movie?"

"Technically no, although now that you mention it, I suppose it could be considered as either of those," Helena contemplates.

"What kind of movie is it then?"

"Somewhere in Time is primarily a romance," Helena says removing the disc from the case to place into the player.

"A romance? What makes it a cult classic then?"

"The premise is of a man who falls in love with a woman's photograph taken in 1912. So consumed by that photograph of her, he wills himself to travel back in time to meet her."

"So it's fantasy?" Myka asks, brow furrowing.

Helena takes her seat beside Myka on the sofa, spreading the blanket over her lap too. "I suppose it could be considered fantasy, yes. Though I think science fiction may more accurately describe the synopsis. It's also a rare instance that I prefer the movie over the book, likely because I saw the movie first and it already endeared me to the story."

"It's based on a book?"

"Yes, but please don't tell Pete I prefer the movie or I'll never hear the end of it."

Myka laughs, taking the DVD case from Helena to look over the cover, reading the synopsis on the back. "Time travel is a weakness of yours, isn't it?" Myka smiles.

"It is," Helena agrees, taking a bite of cashew chicken.

"Well, the cover looks promising," Myka goes on to say. "Superman and Dr. Quinn is quite a combination."

Helena laughs. "It is, isn't it?"

"But if you like this movie, chances are good I will too since we have similar taste in films. Actually we have similar taste in pretty much everything," she says upon reflection.

"We are alike in many ways," Helena agrees with a smile. She pushes play for the movie and sits further back against the sofa, close enough to Myka that they easily share the blanket between them. "Please keep in mind this film was released in 1980 if it seems a little dated. But I think you'll find the music score throughout the film is truly lovely."

Quietly eating dinner while the movie plays, it doesn't take long for either woman to become absorbed in the film. They watch as Christopher Reeve's character, Richard Collier, celebrates the success of his first play as a playwright and is approached by a mysterious old woman who gives him a pocket watch, asking that he come back to her before she walks away, leaving him startled by the encounter.

Helena appreciates that Myka doesn't ask questions that she no doubt has about this development. If Pete or Claudia were watching with them, they'd be peppering Helena with questions such as, 'what was that about?' or 'who's the old woman?' Conversely, Myka knows that you have to let the story unfold in its own time and waits patiently for it to do so.

The story quickly progresses ahead several years to show the now successful playwright suffering from a severe case of writer's block. Deciding to get away from the city, he stumbles upon the Grand Hotel and decides to stay a while.

"That's a beautiful hotel," Myka comments, taking in the architecture that truly is grand.

It's when Richard is waiting for a table for dinner and wanders into the hotel's historical hall that the story truly begins. He's drawn like a moth to a flame to a photograph on the wall of a young woman, brunette hair coiffed in the style of the early twentieth century. But it's her eyes and smile, soft and intimate that are so entrancing.

"She's stunning," Myka says softly. "It's no wonder he falls for her."

"Yes, she most certainly is," Helena exhales.

Myka glances at Helena at the breathlessness in her voice and notices the blush in Helena's cheeks as she catches her gaze. "You okay?" she asks, uncertain what exactly is the cause for Helena's reaction.

"Yes, fine," Helena is quick to answer. Myka continues to stare at her unconvinced and Helena sighs and pauses the movie. "Alright, I have a confession to make. I was fourteen the first time I saw this movie with several friends, years after its release. And while they were all commenting how handsome Christopher Reeve was, and though I agreed - he was incredibly good-looking, the fact is, any thought of him faded the moment I saw that photograph," Helena gestures to the screen at Jane Seymour's image. "This movie will always be dear to my heart, not only for the story, which I love, but for her. For just as Richard Collier falls in love with Elise McKenna, so too did I. It was my first crush on a woman, albeit a fictional one. And of course, the crush did extend to Jane Seymour for a time as well. You never forget your first," Helena sighs longingly.

"I guess not," Myka smiles, endeared by the admission Helena has just made to her.

Helena snaps out of her reverie embarrassed. "Alright then, I've confessed my first crush. Who was yours?"

"My first?" Myka takes a minute to think. "Probably Kurt Smoller when I was sixteen. He was on the wrestling team, had cute dimples when he smiled," she shrugs.

"Though I wouldn't mind learning more of this crush for young Kurt, I meant your first crush on a woman," Helena grins.

"Oh." Now it's Myka who blushes for the first thought that comes to mind is Helena. It was meeting Helena for the first time, observing the confidence she exuded, her keen intelligence and her undeniable beauty that left Myka reeling. Not even the girl who kissed her during one of the few parties Myka attended during college could make her aware of her attraction to women. It was only after meeting Helena that she took a cursory glance back to realize that the admiration she felt for a couple of her teachers may have been unrealized attraction. That's the answer she goes with now to sate Helena's curiosity. "There was an English teacher in high school and later a professor in college. I guess either of them could be considered my first crush on a woman."

"Attracted to wise, older women, I see," Helena smirks.

"More like unattainable." A fact that hasn't changed Myka thinks as she looks at Helena.

Helena looks as though she want to press Myka for more details along that topic but Myka doesn't let her. "Okay, back to the movie, Wells," she says lightly, setting down her empty plate on the coffee table and settling back under the blanket.

"Bering-Wells if you please," Helena says starting the movie again and Myka's stomach flutters at the gentle reminder.

By the time Richard finally travels back in time to meet Elise, Myka has shifted closer to Helena, her head resting along Helena's shoulder.

"Tired?"

"A little," Myka admits. "I don't know why, I slept through most of the day."

"You've been unwell, it's understandable. We can stop the movie, pick it up another night if you'd rather go to bed early," Helena suggests.

"I'm not that tired and I want to see this," Myka insists.

Helena smiles, turning her attention back to the movie. Watching as Richard follows Elise into the ballroom and steals a brief dance with her. "Why is it couples don't go dancing anymore? When did that change?" Helena asks interrupting the silence. "Even those old thirties and forties movies we watch, the couples often go dancing in clubs. Why don't we have that anymore?"

"I'm pretty sure there are still clubs that have dancing, Helena," Myka answers. "Don't you remember those clubs we attended to hear Claudia play? As I recall they had dancing or some variation of it anyway."

"Yes, but that's a different kind of dancing altogether, not the kind I'm interested in. I'm talking about holding each other while swaying to the beat of the music. I want intimacy without obscenity. The way some people dance in those clubs leaves very little to the imagination of what they must get up to later on."

Myka chuckles at that. "Well, wasn't it said that dancing is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire?"

"Of course you would quote Frost to me," Helena says, "though he may have been right about his observation."

"I didn't realize you enjoyed dancing at all."

"Well, not anything one sees in the clubs these days, no. I'm too old-fashioned I suppose, but the dancing I've described, as they're doing," she says motioning to the screen, "yes, I would enjoy that very much."

Readjusting her head against Helena's shoulder, the action silences any further discussion on the subject of dancing but Myka carefully stows away that bit of information about Helena for future reference.

The movie continues on, Elise commandeering a horse and buggy so that she and Richard may escape to spend a day together.

"I think I would have enjoyed the horse and buggy days," Helena reflects thoughtfully, her hand resting along Myka's arm, her thumb sneaking under Myka's shirt sleeve, subconsciously stroking the soft skin of Myka's wrist.

Myka looks at her skeptically. "Really? You'd give up your Audi for a horse and buggy?"

"Well, I don't know that I'd go that far," Helena concedes. "Still, there's something simplistic about a horse and buggy allowing one to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace rather than speed with which we're accustomed to today."

"I suppose there is. And no doubt listening to the clip-clop of the horses' hooves on a dirt road was more soothing than the loud motors we hear on busy freeways these days."

"Exactly. In fact as I understand, Mackinac Island where this movie was filmed doesn't allow vehicles, their means of transportation on the island falling to the aforementioned horse and buggy or bicycles. So in a sense it would be like stepping through time there, leaving behind the hustle of everyday living for something more leisurely."

"Leisure sounds good to me," Myka says stifling a yawn.

Helena laughs. Pulling a pillow from the corner of the sofa, she sets in her lap. "Here, lie down."

Myka lifts her head from Helena's shoulder to sit up. "I'm okay."

Helena huffs at that. "Myka, I know you're still tired. I just want you to be comfortable," she explains.

After a brief hesitation, Myka does as instructed, pulling her legs up on the sofa to stretch out and resting her head on the provided pillow. Helena adjusts the blanket to better cover her new position. "Thank you, Helena," Myka says. "You're making it a challenge for me to stay awake when I'm this warm and comfortable."

"Go to sleep then. As I said before, we can always watch this another time."

"Mmm," is the only response Myka gives as Helena's fingers slip into her hair, blunt nails massaging her scalp. Myka tries determinedly to focus her attention on the movie rather than Helena's touch, but it proves to be a challenge.

Lying so still and quiet, Helena is almost certain Myka has fallen asleep until the scene unfolds for the infamous photograph, the catalyst for Richard's journey through time. Helena's fingers are immersed in curly tresses, gently massaging while watching the screen as Elise glances up to see Richard coming towards her, smiling at the sight of him. The photographer snaps the picture at that exact moment, the photograph becoming the very one that hangs in the Grand Hotel that enthralls Richard many years later.

A soft exhalation of, "Oh," falls from Myka's lips and momentarily startled, Helena halts her ministrations.

She laughs softly, "Indeed," is all the reply she makes as her fingers once again begin to comb through Myka's curls.

The remainder of the movie passes in silence, both women enraptured with the story unfolding before them and when it finally ends, they still remain silent, Helena feeling the familiar prick of tears in her eyes at the bittersweet ending.

"Well, what did you think?" Helena asks trying to sound composed but her voice betrays her, slightly hoarse with emotion.

Myka hears the catch in Helena's voice and with a quick swipe at her own eyes turns to look up at Helena to see unshed tears in dark brown eyes. "It was a beautiful story, Helena, thank you for sharing it with me."

Helena's eyes are soft as she gazes at Myka, and her fingertips are as softer still as she brushes away a stray tear from Myka's cheek. "It would seem you feel much the same way about this story as I do," she smiles.

Myka nods. "I know we planned to go out tonight to see a movie, but I'm glad we didn't after all," she admits.

"Me too."

"You're sure?" Myka asks uncertain.

"Of course. After all, if we'd gone out to see a movie, I never would have been able to hold you like this," Helena says softly, one hand still in Myka's hair and the other resting gently atop her abdomen, Myka's hand covering hers.

Self-consciously Myka fidgets under Helena's stare, knowing she should rise from resting her head in Helena's lap but unwilling to do so if she doesn't have to and the way Helena continues to brush fingers through her hair leads her to believe she doesn't. "Still, it leaves me wondering, as all time travel stories do. I mean, Elise gave Richard that pocket watch in the beginning of the story, and yet if he hadn't left it with her, she never would have given it to him."

"It is a paradox," Helena agrees. "Which is why time travel stories will never be truly satisfying as one is always left with more questions than answers. It goes back to the old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg, doesn't it?"

"Something like that," Myka agrees.

"Well, how about something that is a little less of a paradox?" Helena asks, untangling her fingers from Myka's hair to reach for the fortune cookies lying on the coffee table and holding them out for Myka to choose one.

Myka takes one from Helena's hand and begins to open the packaging, carefully breaking the cookie in half to reveal a thin paper inside silently reading it.

"What does it say?" Helena prods.

"Follow your heart and you'll never get lost," Myka reads aloud.

"Very sound advice," Helena smiles.

If only it were simple to follow such advice. Myka has always been conflicted in following her heart when her head logically tells her something different. The one time she did follow her heart over her head, she married Helena to keep her from leaving and now they are in quite the predicament. Under investigation and forced to lie to everyone they know. Myka tosses the little slip of paper onto the table. "What does yours say?"

Helena breaks her cookie open to pull out the slip of paper, frowning as she reads the words aloud. "A clean conscience is a soft pillow. I suppose that's sound advice as well, especially given the circumstances," she sighs, trailing a hand through her hair.

Myka recognizes the nervous trait for what it is. "For both of us," she agrees softly.

"And I suppose this little fortune is as good a segue as anything to discuss how we're going to convince Abigail that our marriage is true. I think you mentioned over the phone this afternoon something about discussing our game plan as it were regarding one Ms. Cho."

Myka shifts from Helena's lap to sit up. "Yeah. I just think we should come up with some sort of plan for our interactions in front of her."

"And by interactions, you mean the dreaded PDA?"

"Not dreaded," Myka protests. "Just a bit…uncomfortable."

Helena sighs. "The last thing I desire is to make you uncomfortable, Myka, I hope you know that."

"I do. And I feel the same way - I don't want to make you uncomfortable either, Helena."

"So our kiss yesterday in my office…"

"The kiss was fine," Myka says hurriedly, looking away to try to conceal the rising blush in her cheeks. "It was the presence of everyone else watching that made it uncomfortable, not to mention this…affection we're showing each other, the physicality of it is new for us. I mean, we touch, we always have, little gestures here and there, but this is going to a level beyond anything we've shared before. It's much more intimate and I…I…it's just this whole situation is uncomfortable and having to showcase intimacy for our supposed relationship in front of everyone only adds to the unease," Myka stammers out, a hand at her neck rubbing furiously, eyes downcast unable to meet Helena's.

"We could forgo such displays of intimacy."

"What?" Myka startles at the suggestion, glancing up.

"Myka, your comfort is more important than any show we'd be putting on for Ms. Cho."

"No, Helena, that's not what I meant," Myka says reaching for Helena's hand to give it a soft squeeze in gratitude for her concern. Her eyes are soft as she looks into Helena's worried ones. "You're so confident displaying physical affection. It's just not something that I'm used to. It's been a while since I've been in a relationship and even then…well, you know how things ended with Jeff."

"Yes, I remember," Helena answers quietly.

"Anyway, I just thought maybe it would be easier if we discussed what kinds affection to display in front of Abigail."

"It may be a good idea to set some boundaries then."

"Oh. Okay, boundaries, right," Myka says self-consciously. "I should be aware of any kind of touching that makes you uncomfortable. I hope I haven't done anything to make you uncomfortable so far," she says worried.

Helena stares at her blankly for a moment, then, "No, Myka, you haven't done anything to make me uncomfortable, and you misunderstand. The boundaries I mention are for me in how I should or rather shouldn't touch you. I can assure you, there isn't any way that you could touch me that would make me uncomfortable." Aroused on the other hand…

"Oh," Myka says lamely, a little overwhelmed with the thought that Helena has basically given her consent to touch her in any way Myka wants, not that she will have the nerve to exercise that consent any time soon. "What kind of touching exactly do you have in mind?"

Now that is a loaded question if ever there was one. Helena takes a deep breath to clear her mind of the sudden images that spring there. "Well, PDA is generally subtle anyway. Hand holding?"

"We already do that," Myka says and for some reason blushes at the admission.

"So we do," Helena agrees smiling. "And that's been okay with you?"

Myka nods. "Yeah, of course."

"Well then, there's also hugging to consider, would that be acceptable to you?"

Myka nods, bracing herself for the inevitable.

"And I know we've already shared a couple kisses at our wedding ceremony and then yesterday in my office, but how do you feel about kissing again when the occasion warrants?" Helena asks with bated breath.

Myka takes a moment to form a response, too overwhelmed at the thought of Helena kissing her again, possibly on multiple occasions. How will she ever survive? But then again, there probably won't be many occasions to warrant such a display of affection anyway. "If you feel, or I feel that the situation calls for such a display, I think we should go with it."

"Aces. And you know, if it would make you more comfortable, we could always practice displaying intimacy," Helena smiles coyly.

Myka quirks a brow at her. "Are you suggesting we have evening make-out sessions?" and her heart rate speeds up at the thought.

"That is an idea that I would be amendable to, in the interest of making you more comfortable for actual displays of affection in front of Ms. Cho of course. Care to practice a little now?" she grins.

Myka is not sure if Helena is serious or joking but her grin makes Myka think the latter and she laughs loudly, hoping to cover her rising nerves. "Nice try, Wells."

Helena sighs. "You can't blame a girl for trying, darling."


Myka switches on the radio, deciding if they're going to be stuck working all afternoon, she might as well make the time pass as pleasantly as possible. She searches the stations for a moment until she finds the right one, stopping when she comes upon an easy melody. Sam Cooke singing "You Send Me". She's rewarded by her choice soon after when she hears Helena beside her begin to hum along to the melody. It's something Myka has discovered Helena tends to do without seeming to realize it. She hums fifties and sixties love ballads, usually while she's cooking, but Myka has caught her at it on other occasions too and finds the habit endearing, especially when it leads to her singing a chorus here and there, such as now.

You thrill me

I know you, you, you thrill me

Darling, you, you, you, you thrill me

Honest you do

At first I thought it was infatuation

But wooh, it's lasted so long

Now I find myself wanting

To marry you, and take you home

It doesn't matter in the slightest to Myka that her singing is slightly off-key, it makes her smile more because of it, that Helena exudes such joy hearing the songs, it can't be contained. But the smile fades when she sees Helena lifting a large box from the floor.

"Helena, what are you doing?" Myka asks as she rushes to grab a box from her hands.

"I thought I was unpacking boxes," Helena huffs.

"I told you not to lift anything. You're still recovering."

"Myka, it's been over two weeks and besides that box wasn't even heavy," she protests.

"No lifting," Myka repeats glancing at the box to see it marked 'kitchen' and setting it down on the countertop. "There. Now you can unpack the items without causing further harm to your back."

"Yes, darling," Helena sighs in defeat.

"Man, you two are so married," Pete intones, dropping another box to the floor with a loud thud.

"Pete! That box is marked fragile for a reason," Myka scolds ignoring his comment.

Helena grins at both Pete's comment and Myka's resulting blush. She and Myka are married and it's comforting to have someone who considers her well being for a change.

"Oh relax, Mykes, you packed everything with so much padding I could probably drop that box from the top of the building and nothing would break," he argues moving towards the sofa to take a seat.

"Pete, don't you dare sit down yet, Steve is still waiting down with the truck to unload the bookshelves," Amanda says coming into the apartment with a box in her hands that she manages to set down carefully much to Myka's appreciation.

Pete groans. "Isn't it enough I moved them out of HG's apartment? Why do I have to move them again?"

"Because you poisoned my wife and this is the deal we made to make up for that mishap," Helena chimes in cheerfully.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault she got food poisoning. Blame that on the taco truck."

"The taco truck you insisted we eat from despite my protest," Myka glares.

"Still say it wasn't my fault and I've gotten the short end of the deal here."

"But it is a deal you agreed to," Helena reminds.

"Pete, Steve is waiting," Amanda says pointedly.

"Fine, fine, I'm going," he says, giving her a loud smooch on the cheek to make her laugh before exiting the apartment.

Amanda turns back to look at the married couple who are looking at her with equal expressions of distaste at Pete's antics. "Really? You're newlyweds now, but I'm sure once you've been with each other as long as Pete and I, you'll find that kind of playful kiss charming. And I'm still mad at you both by the way, that I was the last one to find out you'd gotten married," she complains.

"Yes, I'm well aware," Helena says. "When I called Pete the other night to see if he was also ill, you took over the conversation and in the same breath managed to both congratulate me on the marriage and berate me for not telling you of it sooner. It was only an afterthought that you finally inquired about Myka's health at all."

"I was the last one to know you'd gotten married! Secretly! And why was I the last one to know? Because you decided to tell everyone at work instead of a normal couple who might share such news over dinner with all their closest friends present. Or better yet, actually invite them to the wedding."

"It wasn't intentional that you were left out, Amanda," Myka tries to explain. "It just sort of spilled out," she says thinking of the visit she and Pete made to the jewelry store and everything that unraveled because of it. The way she and Helena hadn't intended to tell anyone and now everyone knows, including their families, and how it is becoming more difficult everyday, every moment to separate the ruse of the marriage from her love for Helena. This marriage was only meant to be a simple transaction to keep Helena in the country, nothing more. So much for best-laid plans. Now they are living together with the blessing of their family and friends, with their help even and the marriage is beginning to feel real to her in a way she knows it's not supposed to, not when Helena doesn't share the same feelings anyway and she doesn't know what to do about it.

"I didn't even get to see one of your two ceremonies the way everyone else did," Amanda goes on, interrupting Myka's internal rambling and picking up a now framed photograph from the wedding ceremony to study.

"If you could call it that," Claudia huffs, taking a break from cleaning and unpacking to join in the conversation.

Amanda shakes her head. "I thought for sure Pete and I would tie the knot before you two ever realized how perfect you were for each other and look at you now - married after only a few weeks of dating," Amanda sighs exasperated.

"Yes, but we've been best friends for years," Helena quietly points out with a soft look for Myka.

"Hold up, you knew Myka and HG had the hots for each other?" Claudia asks dubiously. "I had to point it out Pete."

"Pete is oblivious to most things that aren't food, surely you realize this by now, Claudia," Amanda says. "Plus he treats Myka like a surrogate sister, he doesn't want to think of her in a sexual relationship any more than he does his own sister."

"And I really would appreciate if you didn't talk about my…sexual relationship, perceived or otherwise either," Myka interrupts embarrassed. "Will you please just go back to unpacking?"

Amanda only smiles at Myka before turning her attention back to Claudia. "So yes, Claudia, having eyes I could see the way they looked at each other and I knew as you put it that Myka and Helena had - have the hots for each other."

"Ah, I wish I'd known that before. We totally could have placed bets on how long it would take them to get together," Claudia shakes her head at a missed opportunity.

"It doesn't matter, I would have lost. I figured it'd be years yet."

"So did I," Claudia smirks. "Who knew the threat of deportation would be all it would take to get them to admit their feelings for each other."

"They would have gotten together eventually," Leena speaks up, taking a break from unpacking. "They're meant to be," she smiles at the newlyweds.

"Yeah, but it still took nothing less than the threat of deportation for them to admit it," Claudia reiterates.

"Seriously guys, if you're just going to stand around discussing trivial matters such as the relationship status of Helena and I, you can just go home, you're not helping here," Myka says irritated.

"It's not trivial, Myka," Claudia protests. "Besides, you two are the ones who took so long to admit your feelings for each other."

"Okay yes, we've been friends and coworkers for three years, I didn't realize there was a statute of limitations for when two people can decide there's something more between them. We were friends and now we're…more than friends…we're married. That's it, end of discussion."

"Myka I was just…" Claudia starts to say something more.

"Claudia," Helena warns seeing the distress on Myka's face.

"What? I'm just saying…"

"I think you'd do better to say nothing further at the moment," Helena interrupts.

"Come on, Claudia, let's get something to drink," Leena says, dragging the young woman to the kitchen, shooting Myka an apologetic look on their way.

Helena sidles up to Myka, whispering so that only she can hear, "Alright, darling?"

Myka nods, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You're sure?" Helena prods, not entirely believing her.

"Yeah. I just…wasn't ready for that kind of conversation but I suppose I should get used to it," she says with a hand rubbing at her forehead as if to ease away a headache.

"Myka…"

"Really, Helena, it's fine," Myka interrupts with a gentle squeeze to her arm. "Let's just keep working, okay?"

"Certainly," Helena answers, swallowing down any other questions.

The rest of the unpacking progresses well. Leena and Claudia work steadily in the kitchen, finding room for Helena's various cooking utensils among Myka's.

"You know you have two of pretty much everything now," Claudia points out the obvious.

"Yes, we're aware of that fact," Helena remarks. "If you see anything you could use, by all means, have at it."

"Sweet! This hasn't been such a bad gig so far moving your things. "I've already got your bed, now I can add a pasta strainer to the mix."

"Well, I'm pleased you're pleased," Helena remarks drily.

"Tell me again why I'm the one always walking backwards with these bookshelves?" Steve asks as he and Pete stumble across the threshold with the last bookshelf.

"Because I have a bad back. My wrestling days…" Pete begins to explain.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, you injured your back in college and now I'm the one suffering for it."

"Hey, man, this moving heavy furniture business is no picnic for me either."

"Well once you move it against the wall with the others, you can relax, Pete," Myka tells him. "Helena and I will finish the rest."

The guys carefully maneuver the shelf against the wall lined with the others and step back to admire their effort. There are two walls in the living room now lined with bookshelves. "It's like a library in here," Pete says, his tone bordering on distaste.

"And what's wrong with that?" Myka asks, arms crossed at her chest and a frown on her face.

Pete notices her defensive stance and tries to backtrack. "Nothing wrong, just you know, it's a living room, not a library. You're supposed to live in this space, watch TV, that sort of thing," he says collapsing onto the sofa in a heap.

"Don't listen to him, Myka. To Pete, only the TV and whatever accessories to enhance its viewing pleasure belong in the living room," Amanda explains. "Though I have to say, it is looking a little crowded in here at the moment."

"That could easily be attributed to the number of people here just now rather than the furniture," Helena interjects.

"Ha-ha, I love you too, dear. But seriously, have you two ever considered getting a house? With your combined income I'm sure it would be no problem for you and then you could have an entire room devoted to your ridiculously large collection of books alone and it really would be like a library."

Myka meets Helena's gaze, sees the softness in her eyes. "It may have come up," she concedes, "but we're not rushing into anything. Buying a house together is a huge step to take."

"So is marriage, but you managed to take that step just fine - and after so little time actually dating," she reminds.

"Do I detect derision in your tone, Amanda?" Helena asks.

"No," she sighs. "A little annoyance maybe - because you didn't bother to tell anyone you were finally dating and I was the last one to know you'd gotten married."

"You're never going let that go are you?" Helena asks.

"Probably not. And even you must admit to go from a month of quietly dating to marriage is kind of quick, especially for you two considering you gazed at each other longingly for the last three years without making a move."

Helena glances at Myka who returns her gaze with a startled expression before turning away to unpack another box. "I admit our marriage was sudden but you know the extenuating circumstance for why it was. As for a house, that will have to wait. Myka and I already have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment, namely making sure I'm not deported after all we've done to avoid that outcome."

"And if we did get a house, that would mean more moving," Myka speaks up. "Does that mean you're volunteering to help us again, Amanda?"

Before Amanda can answer, Pete exclaims, "Nooo way! Nuh-uh! I didn't volunteer this time. Moving you today was only because HG guilted me into it to make up for the food poisoning fiasco that really wasn't my fault. Next time hire professional movers," he says still sprawled out on the sofa.

"Guilted you? I take offense at that remark," Helena says. "I thought you were the sort of man who helps his friends in need."

"Sure, a few boxes here and there, not furniture! But you said it was my fault Myka got food poisoning and that I owed it to her to help you move the rest of your furniture into her apartment. I'm still not sure how it's my fault she got sick, I'm not the one who undercooked the chicken. But whatever, mission accomplished, debt paid in full. And now you owe me pizza."

"Yes, yes, you'll have your pizza, I assure you. And since you were a good sport about my guilting you into helping today, I'll even throw in one of those dessert pizzas just for you."

"Now you're talking," he grins.

"But calling it a day in time for dinner is still a least another hour away," Helena says glancing at her watch, "and there's plenty of work left to be done."

"I just sat down," he protests, "after lugging your heavy bookshelves up four floors."

"You didn't do that alone," Steve reminds from where he sits in a chair nearby, eyes closed and head tilted back in rest.

"That's right, I think Jinksy and I have done more than our share of the work and we deserve to spend the rest of the time before dinner right where we are."

"Doing nothing?" Amanda quirks a brow.

"Not nothing, we'll be working up an appetite," he grins.

Amanda shakes her head at him. "Since when has that been work for you? You always have an appetite."

"Fine then. We'll sit here and supervise. Right, Steve?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me," he agrees.

"Really, you all deserve a break," Myka tells the little group that has now gathered all together in the living room. "You've all worked so hard today and thanks to you we've finally gotten all of Helena's belongings packed and brought here so that she can feel completely moved in at last. And it's one less thing for us to worry about, so thank you, truly."

"It's our pleasure, Myka," Leena assures her with a smile. "We're just so happy to see the two of you finally together."

"Yep, it was about fraking time," Claudia agrees heartily.

Myka grasps at her neck, uncertain how to respond to their exuberance for she and Helena to be in a relationship. So instead of formulating a response, she ignores it altogether. "I think we should call it a day. Helena and I can finish the rest of the unpacking later, so let's order some pizzas."

After a whoop of excitement from both Pete and Claudia and a chorus of topping preferences called out, extra cheese and pepperoni for Pete, anything but anchovies from Claudia (Myka shudders at the thought), veggie for Steve and Leena, Myka manages to at last place the large order.

"It'll be close to an hour before delivery," she tells them causing an audible groan from both Pete and Claudia. "I ordered your favorite too, Helena."

"Thank you, darling," Helena says, placing a swift kiss along Myka's cheek at her thoughtfulness, smiling at the resulting blush that blooms there when Pete and Claudia joined by Amanda say a collective, "Awww," that causes laughter from everyone.

"Okay," Helena breaks up the laughter on Myka's behalf, "you know what would make the time pass by more quickly before dinner arrives - more unpacking," she smirks.

Her statement is met with more groaning but in need of something to do, they begin work again. Even Pete removes himself from his self-appointed supervision duties to sweep the kitchen floor. It's only moments later that all thought of doing more work evaporates when a particular song floats through the speakers.

You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips

Amanda stops working to meet Pete's gaze across the room and shakes her head in defeat when he begins to sing along with the Righteous Brothers, dramatically gripping the broom in his hand to use as a microphone and striding across the room to her side.

And there's no tenderness like before in your fingertips

"What is happening?" Claudia asks Steve.

"I couldn't begin to tell you," he answers dumbfounded, watching Pete move across the room, singing into a broom.

You're trying hard not to show it, but baby, baby, I know it

You've lost that loving feeling

Pete drops the broom at Amanda's feet in favor of offering his hand for her to take. "Dance with me?"

With an affectionate headshake of disbelief, she takes his hand and leans forward in a brief kiss. "I suppose, since it is our song."

"Pete's obsession with Top Gun aside, I still don't understand how this can be your song," Myka says flabbergasted, arms crossed against her chest. "It's essentially about a couple's relationship coming to an end."

"Wait, hold up," Claudia interrupts. "Pete's obsession with Top Gun is the reason this is your song? Seriously? That's classic," she laughs.

"Hey, that movie is a classic," Pete defends as he holds onto Amanda.

"You have to admit, it is a little odd considering the lyrics," Leena adds her opinion.

"I know," Amanda agrees. "But it sort of stuck - how could it not when this goofball managed to take over the sound system in a coffee shop just so he could sing it to me? I knew then any man willing to make such a fool of himself as Pete did just to make me laugh was a man worth getting to know. And now here we are, four years later, still going strong," she says leaning in for another kiss.

"It's gotta be love," Pete grins, sliding an arm around her waist to bring her even closer.

Amanda glances over Pete's shoulder at their friends watching them slow dance. "Alright, newlyweds, why don't you get over here and join the party?"

"We wouldn't want to intrude on your moment, Amanda," Myka is quick to give an excuse.

"Ah, come on, it'll be like dancing at the wedding reception you didn't have," she smiles.

"Really, that's okay," Myka tries again, aware that Helena is staring at her.

"Come on, you two are the newlyweds here, start acting like it," Amanda says. "Aside from the little peck of a kiss Helena gave you a few minutes ago and your usual pull to be always near each other, I haven't observed so much as a lip-lock and heated embrace that I fully expected to stumble upon at some point today," she winks.

Myka and Helena share an uncomfortable look between them. "There is such a thing as propriety, Amanda," Helena finally says. "We may not have embraced publicly as it were, but I can assure you, between Myka and I, there is always affection. However, to satisfy your desire to see something more tangible between us," she says turning to face Myka, "may I have this dance?"

Myka knows her mouth is gaping open and there's no reason for it to. Dancing with Helena as her wife is perfectly acceptable, expected even given the encouraging looks the rest of the group is giving them. "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" ends but the next song maintains a slow melody.

"Come on, Myka," Amanda entreats still clinging to Pete, "no excuse now that our song has ended."

Never taking her eyes off Helena, Myka slips her hand into Helena's warm one and feels that familiar flutter in her stomach when Helena slowly encircles her waist, pulling her in close. She can feel the press of Helena's breasts against hers and the sensation does nothing to abate the fluttering, only intensifies it. Myka intakes a sharp breath and is careful to slowly exhale, trying desperately to regulate her breathing and hoping Helena doesn't notice the affect she's having. As exquisite as the feeling is to be held by Helena so intimately, Myka is still keenly aware of their audience and can't help wishing she and Helena were left alone with the melody.

Are the stars out tonight

I don't know if it's cloudy or bright

I only have eyes for you dear

A part of Myka is elated to be in Helena's arms this way, dancing with her, especially after their brief conversation on the subject the night before while watching the movie, but she also regrets that this moment has to be shared among their friends. She knows too well it was only because of Amanda's idea that they weren't acting 'newlywed' enough and her insistence that they join in the dancing that prompted Helena to ask her at all. Once again, Myka is caught between a genuine desire to be with Helena and the pretense of their marriage, to keep up the charade they're falling deeper into every day, every moment such as this. It doesn't help that Helena's dark eyes are looking at her with an intensity that sends Myka's heart racing. An intensity that has Myka wondering if their dancing together isn't part of some larger act but rather something Helena desires as well. She swallows down that hope knowing such thoughts will likely only lead her to disappointment.

Not to be left out of the party, Steve offers his hands to both Leena and Claudia and the three of them spin about the room, Claudia making a flourish of it, attempting to dip Steve before he pushes her away laughing to dance only with Leena. The action doesn't deter Claudia who sways to the beat anyway.

The apartment door having been left open for the numerous comings and goings throughout the day remains open during this exchange, which is why now an unobserved figure stands in that doorway, taking in the scene before her of these seven people dancing about the room to the pleading strains of the song. She notices a young woman dancing to the beat of her own drum as it were, her movements a little too robust to match either the melody or the lyrics of the song playing. She also notices two couples comprised of a man and woman dancing. One couple talk while they dance, laughter filtering easy between them as though they are good friends. The second couple dance closely together, the woman's head resting on her partner's shoulder and his hand trailing the length of her back, finally coming to rest on her very lower backside. The touch is intimate in a very obvious way. But it's the third couple that draws the figure's interest. Two women are dancing together, standing closer than the first couple but not closer than the second. There's a familiarity between them, an intimacy of another kind, but also a hesitance in their movements, an uncertainty that can be seen in the way they hold each other that though still intimate, also borders on formal and unfamiliar as though it's the first time they've touched this way. Their hands are placed just so, the taller woman's hand rests lightly on the other's shoulder and the shorter woman's fingers splay at her partner's waist as they gently sway to the music. It's a very interesting sight to behold and the woman in the doorway makes note of her observation.

The song slows, coming to its inevitable end but before Myka can disentangle herself from Helena's hold, Helena is pulling her closer, whispering against her ear, "Do you trust me?"

Confused by the question, Myka pulls back enough to meet Helena's questioning stare. "Of course, you know I do, but why…"

"Simply upping our game, darling."

"What do…" Myka gets no further in voicing her question however when Helena moves closer still and firmly presses her lips to Myka's in a fervent kiss.

Myka would like to say later that it was pure reflex that she deepened the kiss, but it was also desire, most definitely.

With Helena's lips pressed to hers, Myka molds her body against Helena's, one hand slips its way into silky tresses, the other gently wraps around her waist to pull Helena closer against her body, embracing her completely. The sensation of Helena pressed against her intimately, the softness of Helena's hair that slips through her fingers with ease, the warmth of Helena's lips as they move against hers heatedly with intent is all so intoxicating that Myka wants more, needs more. She licks at Helena's lips, parting them with ease to slip her tongue inside Helena's warm mouth and hearing Helena sigh at the first touch of their tongues, Myka honestly feels her knees go weak. The sensation only makes her cling tighter to Helena in need.

"And you thought they weren't acting 'newlywed' enough," Pete tells Amanda. "All right ladies, break it up before I have to pour ice water on you to turn down the heat."

Hearing Pete talk has the same affect pouring cold ice water over them would as far as Myka is concerned. For an all too brief moment, the rest of the world had fallen completely away and all that remained was Helena in Myka's arms, kissing her. Myka pulls away from the kiss with a gasp. Breathless, she is happy to note Helena appears to be in the same state if the rapid rise and fall of her chest is any indication. She unfolds her hand from Helena's hair, gently lifting a strand to tuck behind her ear. Helena's mouth remains slightly parted whether from surprise, exertion or a desire to resume kissing, Myka doesn't know but desperately hopes for the latter. Seeing Helena's eyes fall to her lips, she begins to step forward with the intention of resuming their kiss but is interrupted again by Pete.

"Unh-uh, save the smooching for later, preferably after we've all gone home. Besides, you've got company," he says motioning to the door.

Myka follows his direction to see Abigail standing in the doorway looking at her intently. The heart-pounding elation Myka felt seconds ago evaporates at the realization the kiss was nothing more than another ploy. Helena's words just before their kiss reverberate in her head. Upping their game indeed. She knows she shouldn't be upset, this is after all exactly what they discussed the night before, what she agreed to do when the occasion warranted. Finishing the dance, Helena must have spotted Abigail watching them. The occasion definitely warranted such a display. Still, Myka takes a step away from Helena, her hand falling to her stomach to settle the churning she feels there now in place of the fluttering moments before. She knows Helena is watching her but so overcome with her own conflicting emotions, she averts her gaze, missing the regret that passes through Helena's dark eyes.

"Ms. Cho, how lovely to see you again," Helena manages to recover, her voice a lower timbre than usual that seems to be a lasting effect of her shared kiss with Myka. She clears it before speaking again. "You must be quite the dedicated employee to work on the weekend."

"All part of the job," Abigail answers still standing in the doorway.

"Please, come inside," Helena invites.

"Thank you. I stopped by to see if progress has been made in regards to your living arrangements and I see that it has - I've caught you at a busy time." she says stepping inside the apartment and taking in the various boxes, cleaning supplies, and extra furniture inside the room.

"Yes, as you can see we're getting the last of my belongings moved in at last, thanks to our friends," Helena says glancing among the group to see undisguised interest on their faces regarding the visitor. "And I suppose I should make introductions. Everyone, this is Abigail Cho. She works with Immigration Services and as we've explained before, she has been tasked with investigating our marriage to make sure it's not a case of fraud, that Myka and I didn't marry only to keep me from deportation."

"You're kidding right?" Pete scoffs.

"No, she's not and I told you we were being investigated, Pete," Myka says exasperated.

"Yeah, I know but I don't know, this just seems like a plot from a bad movie. What exactly needs to be investigated? You married a British citizen, you didn't break the law."

"That hasn't been determined yet and marriage fraud is a serious offense and a rising problem," Abigail speaks up. "Roughly fifteen percent of marriage visas are given to fraudulent marriages. And for the record, I haven't said these ladies have broken the law or are part of that fifteen percent. The point of me being here is to observe their relationship to gather evidence that will help determine if they married only so Helena could obtain citizenship or if they married for love."

"Did you not just see that smokin' hot kiss?" Pete asks. "I was ready to throw water over them to cool them off."

Abigail glances at Myka and Helena, notices the way Myka looks down at the floor and Helena looks at Myka with an expression Abigail can't decipher.

"So what, you decide if they're really in love or just acting a part?" Claudia asks.

"As I said, I simply gather the facts based on what I observe and what Myka and Helena share with me about the nature of their relationship. Once I compile all the facts, the evidence will speak for itself."

"You seriously doubt their sincerity?" Amanda asks.

Abigail steals a glance at Myka and Helena, sees the way they stand so near each other, also sees the trepidation on their faces. "I don't doubt that they care for each other, that's obvious to anyone who looks at them. But the fact is, Helena's visa expired, she was meant to return to England. But before that happened, she notified our office that she had gotten married. You can see how one might jump to the conclusion that the marriage may be a fallacy, that it was only a means of keeping her in the country. By their own admission they had only recently become romantically involved. How many others do you know whom marry after only dating for a month?"

"Yeah, but Myka and HG have known each other for years," Claudia pipes up. "It wasn't surprising they fell for each other, more like..."

"Inevitable," Leena finishes with a warm smile for the ladies under scrutiny. Addressing Abigail, she asks, "Is there anything we can do to help with the investigation, answer any questions?"

"Thank you, interviewing friends who know them well may help add insight to the investigation. The last two occasions I've met with Helena and Myka, they hadn't told any of their friends about their marriage so it bodes well that you all know now. How did Helena and Myka tell you about their marriage?" Abigail asks the group.

Claudia laughs and Myka bites at her lip, knowing what Claudia's going to say and having no way to stop her without drawing further scrutiny. Not even Helena squeezing her hand in reassurance offers any comfort.

"We heard it from Pete," Claudia says a second before realizing what that admission could mean for the newlyweds under investigation with the woman heading their investigation in the room. She's wide-eyed when she looks at Helena and Myka who smile weakly back.

"Helena and Myka didn't share news of their marriage, Pete did?" Abigail questions for further clarification.

"Yeah," Claudia says subdued.

"And how exactly did Pete tell you?"

Claudia begins to sweat under Abigail's penetrating gaze. "Umm. Actually we kind of overheard him shout 'you're married!' from behind HG's office door," the truth tumbles from her lips.

"So, Helena and Myka didn't tell you about their marriage and technically neither did Pete, is that what you're telling me?"

"Yes?" Claudia squeaks.

"Thank you," Abigail says writing in her notebook. "But you, Pete," she says turning to look at him, "they did tell you of their marriage?"

"Yep, I was told," he answers briefly, barely meeting Abigail's eyes, not wanting to give anything more away than he has to, for Myka's sake and also his. With Amanda in the room, there's no way he wants to reveal that he heard about their marriage from the sales clerk at the jewelry store while looking for an engagement ring for her.

"When did Myka tell you about her marriage to Helena?" Abigail persists.

"I heard about it Thursday, on our lunch hour. We hit up a taco truck and Mykes got sick with food poisoning," he rambles.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Abigail says confused why that information is shared but offering her sympathy to Myka anyway.

"Were you surprised to learn of the marriage?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I wasn't surprised in a it was never gonna happen kind of way, just more of I didn't even know they were dating way."

"I knew something was going on between them," Claudia says, trying to help.

"Did you?" Helena asks amused.

"Uh, yeah. You two are so obvious with your staring and always needing to be near each other."

Myka startles at that, looking at Helena who smiles in return.

"What made you decide to tell Pete of your marriage when you did?" Abigail asks Myka.

"The topic of marriage came up while we were eating," she says with a furtive look towards Amanda, "and it eventually just sort of spilled out."

"So you didn't intend to tell him then?"

"Not then, no. It's not that I didn't want to or wasn't going to eventually…"

"That's right, in fact Myka and I did discuss telling Pete last weekend while we were packing up my apartment. We just hadn't made a decision as to when to tell him or anyone else."

"I see," Abigail says again, quietly jotting down notes.

"But it all worked out," Leena hurries to say, the sight of Abigail taking notes making her nervous for her friends. "We all got to see them exchange rings in a little ceremony in Helena's office after we found out."

"Almost all," Amanda reminds. "I wasn't there and wasn't told until much later that evening. I might still be a little bitter about that fact," a smile belies her statement, "but I love them to death and couldn't be happier that they finally realized their feelings for each other and took the plunge." She takes the framed photograph from the end table to hand to Abigail. "How can anyone deny the love between them?" she asks.

Abigail studies the photograph, much the same way she did the week before when she last visited. There's no denying there is something between the women, but just what exactly Abigail can't be sure of yet. But she's determined to find out.


"Not gonna lie, that was a little intense," Pete breaks the collective silence after Abigail departs when the pizzas arrive, excusing herself so the group of friends may enjoy their dinner.

"Oh my god you guys, I almost completely blew it for you," Claudia groans.

"No, you didn't, Claud," Myka tries to assure. "We did that pretty well ourselves. We probably should have just been upfront about our marriage with you all."

"Well, no argument there," Amanda says. "The more we discuss the topic, I admit, the more I wonder why you didn't just tell us you were in a relationship and then that you were getting married, even if it was sudden because of the deportation issue."

"It's complicated to explain," Myka says hesitantly.

"And really the reasons are between Myka and I alone," Helena adds silencing any further discussion on the matter. "Let's have some dinner, you've all earned it."

Blessedly, the subject of their marriage and the reasons for keeping it secret as they did, drops in favor settling in for the night of food and a movie near the end of what has turned out to be a very long day. They've all grabbed slices of their preferred pizza and balancing plates on their laps, Pete with extra napkins insisted upon Myka, they choose their seats waiting for the movie to begin. For most of the group, the movie choice isn't of great significance, but for Pete and Helena, whatever one of them chooses, the other is sure to put up a lengthy dispute. This may have stemmed from when Pete made them watch War of the Worlds claiming it to be better than the book of which he never read. A book that is one of Helena's favorites and for which the movie is appalling, in her words. She hasn't trusted Pete's movie choices since and Myka is inclined to take Helena's side considering the awful horror movie he chose on another occasion.

Which is why at this moment they will be watching Despicable Me. A favorite among everyone, more importantly, both Pete and Helena love it, Pete for the dumb but lovable minions and Helena for the misunderstood but sensitive "villain" and the three adorable little girls he adopts.

Finishing cleaning up the kitchen, Myka grabs her plate and takes her place beside Helena on the sofa where she saved Myka a place. Before taking a bite, Myka holds out her plate to Helena. "Okay, please take the mushrooms before they contaminate the rest of my pizza."

"Contaminate, really, Myka?" she smiles wide as she carefully picks off several of the offensive fungi, laughing at the look of repulsion on Myka's face when she slips one into her mouth with a sigh of bliss. "Why do you continue to order mushrooms on pizza if you don't like them?"

"Because you do. And it's easier for me to have you take them off my pizza rather than not ordering them at all and depriving you of something you love."

"Oh," Is all Helena can think to reply at the moment, overcome with a rush of warmth for Myka, for her unceasing thoughtfulness and care. Not for the first time, Helena wonders at her fortune having Myka for a friend, to love her and now to be married to her…it defies description. She slips another mushroom into her mouth, savoring the flavor on her tongue. She knows they still have a ways to go in convincing Abigail the marriage is based in love, she has a ways to go in showing Myka she loves her, but right now she is eating pizza with mushrooms, watching a movie while sitting beside the woman she loves and she is content.


Myka is in bed, reading as usual when Helena steps out of the bathroom freshly bathed later that night. She turns to face the mirror, seeing in its reflection Myka watching her with interest. Helena tied her hair into a soft bun for her bath, but she releases it from its confines now, noticing the way Myka's lips part slightly when her hair tumbles down her shoulders, almost as if in an inaudible gasp. Interesting. Perhaps Myka does feel an attraction towards her that's more than friendship. Helena can only hope so as she takes care to brush out the long strands.

"Everything okay?" Myka asks and Helena can't help noticing her voice has a breathless quality to it.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?"

"You were in there longer than usual - and you took a bath rather than a shower."

"Ah yes, and I confided in you my habit of taking baths to give me an opportunity to think through things."

"Yeah," Myka says. "So are you - okay?"

Helena smiles. "I am. I was just thinking over the events of the day. Our friends, the way they came to help us, then Abigail making an appearance as she did - her presence leading to our kiss."

Myka averts her eyes and clears her throat self-consciously. "Yeah, sorry about that, I took it too far, I know," she tries to apologize.

"Not at all. Myka I…I was actually thinking it was very nearly perfect," she rushes to say. If only if hadn't been for show and they hadn't been interrupted by the company of their friends.

"You did?" Myka startles, looking up to meet Helena's dark eyes.

Now Helena clears her throat, self-conscious from her admission. "Yes. You are…an extremely good kisser."

"You sound surprised."

"Not surprised - pleased."

Myka raises a brow at that.

"I mean…had no idea at exactly how good a kisser you are," Helena tries to clarify inwardly cursing her choice of words while crossing the room to pull back the covers to her side of the bed and sitting down. She begins her nightly routine of applying lotion to her skin and hopes the action will keep her from saying anything more embarrassing.

"How could you know I would be a good kisser? I mean it's not like we ever kissed…" Myka clears her throat nervously, "I mean like that…like we did today."

"No, I suppose not. It does make me wonder however, whom you practiced such a skill with. Young Kurt perhaps?" Helena grins.

Myka shakes her head. "No, he was only interested in me as a tutor to help him pass his English lit class so he could keep playing sports."

"His loss surely."

She shrugs. "I doubt he saw it that way. I wasn't popular in high school - mostly kept to myself with my head in a book."

Helena pictures a younger version of Myka, glasses crooked on her nose, curls falling haphazardly into her face as she reads a book. The thought of Myka that way makes her smile, especially since glancing at Myka now sitting in bed, her glasses are crooked on her nose, curls falling into her face, a book in her lap. "Definitely his loss," she repeats.

Myka glances away. "Well, that doesn't matter now, does it? Besides, I saw him a few years ago at my reunion."

"Yes? And was he pudgy and beginning to bald as one would hope?" Helena asks now rubbing lotion onto her calves.

"No," Myka laughs. "He was even more good looking than I remembered actually."

"Well, that is as disappointing as it is unforgivable. But your attraction to him…" Helena prods.

"Fled after he talked about nothing but sports the entire evening."

"You spent the entire evening with him?" Helena questions, feeling an irrational stab of jealousy for someone she's never met, someone whom Myka has just declared she has no feelings for. Still, he once was someone she had feelings for, even if only a childish crush.

"Most of the evening, yeah. He's a nice guy, just a little on the dull side considering sports seemed to be his only interest in life."

"Mmm," is Helena's only response as she finishes applying lotion to her skin and shuffles under the covers.

And the sweet scent of lotion on Helena's skin works as an intoxicant to Myka who confesses things she intended to keep to herself but now speaks aloud, "You are too, Helena…a good kisser I mean," she says softly.

Helena grins. "Was there any doubt?"

Myka has to laugh at the uninhibited response, the self-assurance Helena exudes. "Never," she answers, reaching forward to tuck a strand of dark hair behind Helena's ear, her hand lingering to cup Helena's cheek affectionately.

Helena intakes a breath at the gentle touch and the warmth she sees reflected in Myka's green eyes. But her breath must have been an audible one because the spell between them is broken almost as soon as it was cast and Myka is pulling away, her hand now tucking a curl behind her own ear as if that was her intention all along, her eyes cast down to the book still in her lap.

"We were fortunate today," Helena goes on. "For a moment after Claudia told Abigail she overheard the news of our marriage because of Pete, I thought our entire story was going to unravel."

"Oh my god, so did I," Myka breathes. "We were lucky Amanda was there, otherwise it's likely Pete would have told Abigail it was actually the sales woman at the jewelry store who told him we were married and we'd probably be sitting at an interview table tonight."

"Yes, I'm beginning to understand all too well Scott's quote, 'O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.'"

"I know," Myka agrees. "Everything is getting more difficult."

"I'm sorry, Myka. I didn't want it to be like this. And I was foolish to think that a marriage between us would be only a minor detail like renewing a driver's license. If I'd known we'd be under investigation like this I wouldn't have…"

"What?" Myka interrupts. "Married me?"

Helena closes her mouth at the look of intensity in green eyes.

"Please don't regret this, Helena. Even knowing everything we've gone through and what we still have to go through, I'd make the same choice."

"You would?" Helena asks quietly.

"Yes," Myka answers just as quietly.

Helena wants to ask why, but the way Myka is avoiding her gaze, obviously uncomfortable where their discussion has led, she doesn't want to pressure her any further.

She watches silently as Myka carefully marks the page in her book with a bookmark before closing it and shifting to set in on her nightstand. Helena worries she's somehow crossed a line and Myka will just turn off the light without saying another word.

Instead she pulls something else from her nightstand, setting it in her lap. "I finished your novel," Myka says for a change in topic, a finger idly playing at a dog-eared corner of the manuscript.

Now Helena is uncomfortable, wondering how Myka really feels about her work. She'd noticed Myka reading it every night over the last week but refrained from asking anything, knowing Myka would tell her when she was ready. "Well then, let's have it. You hate it, don't you?" Helena asks more calmly than she feels.

"No, I don't hate it," Myka quickly refutes. "Why would you even think that?"

"But you didn't love it?" Helena presses taking in the way Myka bites at her lip nervously. "I know you finished reading it a few nights ago but you haven't brought it up until now."

Myka sighs then. "I wanted to read it again before talking to you about it. I've almost finished my second read through of it. The first time I was just so enraptured to realize that you'd written a novel that I didn't want my awe of that to outweigh the true merit of it."

"The consummate editor," Helena can't help but speak fondly.

"Your story, the plot is intriguing, full of potential."

"But?" Helena raises a brow, encouraging Myka to elaborate.

Myka smiles. "But…well…" she hesitates, biting at her lip again. "When did you write this?"

Helena feels her stomach churn at the question. "Why do you ask?"

"It just seems…a little unbalanced. Initially the protagonist is full of - I don't know…"

"Joie de vivre," Helena smiles wanly.

"Yes!" Myka agrees. "But then things turn stark unexpectedly, alarmingly so. It's like life, that happiness and excitement she had is sucked out of her without any explanation."

Helena leans her head back against the headboard, twisting the duvet in her hands until pulling it further up her chest feeling a chill in the air. She absently plays with her wedding ring, twisting it around her finger, aware that Myka is waiting for an explanation.

"Helena? What is it?" Myka asks gently, noticing the way Helena twists her ring. "What happened when you were writing this? Was it your mom? Is this when she…"

Helena nods. "You're very perceptive, Myka," she says then clears her throat of the rising emotion. "I started writing that story when my mother was alive and well and there was no thought that things would change anytime soon. She knew I was writing it - wanted to read what I'd written but I didn't want her to read it until it was finished. She waited so patiently, Myka."

Hearing the tears in Helena's voice, Myka reaches out to take Helena's hand in hers, offering what little comfort she can. Helena grips it tightly.

"I was so young, so full of life I couldn't even see what was right in front of me. My father told me after she passed suddenly that it was cancer. She didn't want Charles or I to know. She didn't want us to worry, to put our lives on hold for her. She didn't want to be a burden to us. As if she could possibly have been that," Helena shakes her head vehemently. "I had been home just the weekend before for a visit. She had talked and laughed as if nothing was wrong. Two days later she was gone.

"I was devastated and angry. I was angry with her for not telling me she was ill. I had no time to prepare myself for losing her - not that anyone can truly prepare for losing a loved one. Mostly though I was angry with myself that I didn't let her read what I'd written. If I'd only known, Myka…I would have let her read what I'd written, I'd have read it to her myself. It was no matter to her that the story wasn't finished, she only wanted to know what was important to me - what was a part of me."

"I'm so sorry, Helena," Myka says softly. The words feel inadequate against such sorrow and she carefully sets the manuscript back on her nightstand so she can pull Helena to her, moving together to lie down, Myka making sure the duvet covers Helena fully. Helena's head rests against her shoulder, tears soaking into her shirt as Helena silently cries.

Eventually Helena speaks again. "I didn't write anything for months afterward and when my father died a year later, I came across the partially written story and found myself continuing it so that I had something to devote my attention to rather than go mad with grief. That manuscript there," she eyes the pages on the nightstand, "is the result of my efforts, misguided as they were.

"And then I got it into my head that I must have it published. It had to be published for the dedication page."

Myka holds Helena a little tighter at the admission, recalling the words on that page, 'For my mother, Sarah Christina Wells, for your unwavering love,' and she wills her own tears to remain unshed.

"Since my mother was unable to read my work while living, I wanted to immortalize her with a book dedicated in her name. A book that would stand the test of time and live on for generations. It took me some time to realize that I was her remembrance…well Charles and I. And what she would have wanted more than anything was for us live our lives as we wished and to be happy."

"And are you?" Myka asks softly.

Curled up under warm blankets with Myka's arms around her and Myka's heart beating steadily against her ear the answer fall easily from her lips. "With you, Myka, yes," Helena whispers sinking further into Myka's embrace, feeling Myka's arms tighten around her at the admission.

"I'm happy with you too, Helena," Myka promises.