Helen had pushed him out of her life. At least as much as was possible without actually kicking him out of the Sanctuary. She had taken all his things and thrown them in the hallway. He took solace in the fact that she kept their wedding photo, not to mention their more private toys and such, but any time he tried to speak to her she ignored him as though he wasn't there. She even ignored his attempts to apologize or make it up to her, telling whomever else was there to tell him to leave her alone. Henry had been made very uncomfortable at having to relay that message between them. The situation had led inevitably to worried questions. Nikola was forced to say it was a private matter and leave it at that, though he knew it made him look bad.

The situation had dragged on for nearly two weeks. It was so upsetting at this point that Nikola found himself completely unable to work, unable to eat, too upset to sleep. Will seemed visibly smug about the whole thing, but the distressed Serb had no time to hold resentment toward the malicious psychologist. He was too busy falling apart at the seams.

"Helen, please! What do you want me to do? I can fix this-" Helen continued walking as though his words were no more than the buzzing of an insect. "Please…please. Tell me what to do." Helen let out a sigh, the only acknowledgement of his anguish, then went into her office, shutting the door firmly in his face. He stood outside, listening to her lock the door, then hung his head morosely.

"You should leave. Now that she's finally realized what kind of man she's married to, she's not going to want to have anything to do with you anymore." Nikola didn't bother to reply to Will's statement of fact. He couldn't leave. "I guess you don't really have anywhere to go, do you?" Nikola shook his head. Will took that as an answer. "Well, maybe you should have thought of that earlier…Really Tesla, it's for the best. Just leave. You always land on your feet." Nikola stayed there unmoving until he heard the sound of the wheelchair making its way down the hall to the elevator.

…

Helen turned toward the door when she heard a soft sound. She looked down and saw an envelope had been slipped under it. After a moment she went and picked it up. Taking it back to her desk she reluctantly opened it.

Dear Helen,

You said that maybe I do things like this to get you to punish me, that maybe I enjoy it. Well, maybe I just deserve it. And maybe I do enjoy it. Does that make me sick? Or maybe I am pushing you away. Or maybe I was gambling, to see if I get caught. I don't know. All I know is I shouldn't have recorded us without asking your permission first. I am sure it was a criminal act and I am just that, a criminal. You deserve better than that. I guess I am not only a criminal but a stupid one. I wish I deserved you, but I know I don't.

I love you with all my heart.

Yours forever,

Nikola

Helen sighed and went back over to the door. Slowly, she brought her uninjured hand to the lock and unlocked it with a soft click. She let her hand rest on the doorknob, memories of Nikola playing before her mind's eye. Bringing her breakfast, holding her when she cried, looking at her with so much love in his eyes. She opened the door to find her husband sitting next to it, head in his hands. He looked up at her, hair messy, his eyes dark and unreadable in the dim hallway. "Come in." She whispered solemnly and stepped back into their suite. He trailed in after her, shutting the door behind himself.

She gestured toward the loveseat that they had made love on so often. He sat down abruptly, almost collapsing. She came over to him and brushed his hair out of his eyes. He looked listless and frail, his skin thin and dry, eyes seeming too large for his face. "You look like hell." He said nothing in reply, just pressed his sharp cheekbone against her hand. His skin felt cold. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Nikola sniffled and blinked quickly.

Helen gazed into his damp steel blue eyes. "It's okay. I'm not angry anymore. It was just foolish what you did, that's all. I love my dear sweet Nikola. I love you." He smiled nervously and muttered, "I don't deserve…" "No." He stopped short at her harsh tone. She continued, "Stop saying that. It's not a matter of deserving." She took him by the shoulders and shook him a little. "You take care of me, and I take care of you. No. Matter. What. Loving you isn't some kind of favor. Do you understand?" Nikola stared at her blankly for a moment then nodded slowly. "I do."

…

"What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be packed by now?" Will growled as Tesla opened the door to Henry's lab. The handicapped psychologist had just been talking with Henry about how they would soon have to compensate for Tesla's absence. Outrage flooded his veins at the sight of the tall Serb dressed for work, white coat and all. It exploded into rage at the gloating smirk that accompanied the explanation, "Face it Wilhelm, Helen can't resist me." Will finally couldn't take it anymore. "You're evil! I know it! Helen knows it! You've been caught red handed!"

Henry interjected bewildered, "What are you guys-" The blond turned to his colleague and friend, "He's a rapist. He was sexually abusing Helen, secretly taping it, probably for blackmail, or maybe just for sick thrills-" Tesla advanced threateningly on the man in the wheelchair. "Those were private and totally consensual, and none of your goddamn business!" Henry jumped to his feet and moved between the two men. "What the hell!? Come on guys, stop! What, what on earth is going on?"

Nikola glanced nervously between the two younger men then turned to Henry and seized the moment, "Will invaded our privacy and now he's misinterpreting what he saw. He wants me gone so bad he started this argument between Helen and me to try and destroy our marriage. I bet he was in here telling you to expect me to leave-" Will grew alarmed at how convincing the inventor was able to be. "No! That's not it! He-" Tesla talked rapidly over him, "-but Helen needs me. You know she needs me, needs both of us-" Will yelled, frustrated, "He doesn't care! He's using her; I heard him say it!"

The Serb rounded on the Sanctuary head, "It was understandable that you're concerned for Helen's welfare. We all are. But you have to understand that you cannot try and come between a wife and husband-" "I saw the injuries! The wrist brace, the fucking rope burn! I've seen the way you talk to her, the way you make her into a-a-" he sputtered, searching for a word that expressed his revulsion without being insulting. Nikola cut him off, "Shut up. I don't want to hear whatever disgusting thing is going to come out of your mouth. I love Helen. I've loved her from before your grandfather was born-"

"And we always hurt the ones we love, is that it?" Will spat venomously finally silencing his opponent. Henry cleared his throat, interrupting their murderous staring contest. "Uh, guys, Magnus is at the door…"

…

The moment the door to Will's office closed Helen snapped, "I demand you step down as head of the Sanctuary!" Will sneered, "What, so he can take my place? He's unqualified in every way, that mentally unstable addict." Helen shook her head slowly, "No. It isn't about him and it never has been," she said in a low, deadly calm voice, "and if you weren't so obsessed you could see that. My past self picked you for a reason. That's the only reason why I haven't thrown you out on your ear. But it is clear that circumstances have changed. I have changed. Nikola has changed. You have changed and the position you have in the Sanctuary will have to reflect that."

She finally seemed to be getting through to him. He muttered, "What does that mean? Do you think you are going to…?" His brow furrowed, actually looking concerned. Helen sighed, "Finally. Yes, I think that it is best if we go back to the old order of things." The young blond man's face went blank with shock. After a few moments of speechlessness he gasped out, "How can you possibly think that…? I mean you just said that circumstances have changed. The accident-you, you're not the same. The reality is that Tesla would whisper in your ear and you would give him anything he wanted."

Helen smiled bitterly, "Ah, the truth will out. You are determined to hold onto your position, even against the founder of the Sanctuary. Is there nothing I could do or say to convince you otherwise? Oh, I know. I could divorce Nikola, banish him from here…What would you say to that? Would you step down then?" She said it with such a sincere interest that Will couldn't help but be honest.

"Well, yes. I would of course have to help you, but I trust your judgment when-" "When you are the one whispering in my ear." Helen hissed, eyes narrowed with fury. Will shook his head disgustedly. "Uh huh, whatever. This conversation is a waste of time. The only way that you could get control of this Sanctuary again is if we called the other Sanctuary heads and they determined that you were mentally fit-" "Not under mind control and not legally insane! Having Nikola Tesla as my husband hardly meets the definition of mind control." "It might for insane. The assembled council would go over your medical records, brain scans, neurology charts, psychology notes, everything. It's quite possible they would request the security footage. You would have to sign away all confidentiality." "To have a functioning Sanctuary and save lives, I'll sign in a heartbeat." Will scoffed, "Fine, have it your way. I'll make the calls but mark my words, it will be a trail by fire."

…

An extremely awkward silence filled the lab after Will and Helen left. The disclosure of his mentor and adopted mother's sex life was not something Henry ever wanted to hear about again. The accusations of abuse rang in his ears until with trepidation he forced himself to ask the dreaded question, "Uh, what," he coughed, "how did Magnus hurt her arm?" Tesla grimaced, "I left her tied up a little too long. It was-I was stupid and we won't do it again…" Henry squirmed making a face, then nodded reluctantly. The older man spread his hands slowly and looked the HAP in the eye, "Anything else? I'll answer any question you have." Henry thought for a moment, sniffed the air and listened carefully. Tesla seemed genuine, so he shook his head.

Nikola sighed, slumped a bit and raked a tired hand through his messy hair. "Ok then. What are we making today?" Henry looked askance at his sometimes mentor then replied, "The Beijing Sanctuary managed to capture some of those snow snakes but the breeding enclosure isn't working out for them. They sent specs and schematics for you to go over. Since they're dealing with governmental problems, they asked if we could save them some work and manufacture the parts ourselves. Sent funding and everything…" The younger man took in the gaunt appearance of the man nodding back at him. Tesla seemed to lack a bit of his customary frenetic energy, though he didn't seem unhappy.

"Where's the schematics?"

Henry handed him the rolled up papers. There was none of the usual grousing about lack of digital copies, just straight to work. The HAP watched him from the corners of his eyes as they went over the plans together. "What was the ideal temp fluctuation for gestation again? Ah yes, well…This is probably the problem…" Tesla muttered, his deep-set eyes looking almost vampiric black in hallowed out sockets.

"Uh-huh…" Henry agreed then pointed out the accompanying notes that explained the Chinese team had already tried that. It wasn't like Tesla to let something like that slip by. He tried to make casual conversation, figuring he could segue into his concerns. "So, Magnus told me she's learning to cook Serbian food. I guess you're the expert. Is she getting it down?" Nikola nodded absently and muttered, "She's worked hard at it. Tastes nearly authentic..." He huffed disapprovingly. "Their power source is straight out of the 19th century, coal and all. Not that I didn't make tremendous strides in that field-did I ever tell you about my bladeless turbine?"

"Only every time the topic of steam power comes up." Henry muttered under his breath. "Hm?" Tesla replied absently, absorbed in thought. "Yes and Magnus even used it for that blood pump remember?" Tesla looked up from his work briefly at the mention of his wife. "Huh, that's right, she was pleased with it…almost forgot about that…" He looked off, brow furrowed, as the memories passed through his mind wistfully. Henry thought now was his opening. "How are things between you guys?" he asked, trying to seem casual and failing. The sharp gray gaze narrowed and pierced him with a glare, then softened at the awkward spectacle of Henry shifting back and forth from one foot to the other and studiously staring at the engineering specs sheet.

Tesla sniffed, "Well, our fight is over now, if that's what you're asking…" Henry hummed and ground out, "What about you?" The skinny Serb weighed his answer. "I'm fine…Helen is fine…" When the younger man seemed dissatisfied and opened his mouth to say more he preempted the question with, "It was a bad fight. I did something that I should have asked permission-Um, that sounded wrong…" The older man laughed and looked over at Henry nervously. Seeing the earnest curiosity on his face, he relaxed. It was obvious that Henry didn't think he'd done anything serious.

"Anyway, I was in the wrong and I apologized, so everything is back to normal." Henry smiled and nodded. "Good! I was starting to really get worried. You didn't look so great there for a while. Gotta' take better care of yourself, okay?" The sincere caring in the young man's voice was touching. Nikola smiled back at Henry. "Thanks." They turned back to their work. "Here's the problem! Why on earth would they think that would be adequate?" Tesla was lost in thought and Henry sighed, glad things seemed to be turning around.

…

After her confrontation with Will in his office the whir of the machinery as the target approached the booth was soothing. Helen took down the paper and viewed it with satisfaction. Perfect bullseyes every time. It had taken months to get back this level of marksmanship, but she felt it was worth it. Every time she practiced shooting she felt closer to the daughter she had lost, despite having lost so many memories of their life together.

The first time she had come down to the range she had cried. Vivid memories of Ashley had surfaced like a U-boat breaking unexpectedly through the placid waters of her mind. Helen remembered her daughter's strong hands, her wide palms and sturdy, square short-nailed fingers that wrapped so securely around the grip of a gun. Despite being the smaller hands of a woman, they were just like John's hands, nothing like her own long boned fingers, the oval nails often polished and currently filed to elegant almond shaped points.

Remembering such details was such a precious experience that Helen began practicing shooting regularly. Nikola had expressed concern at first when she mentioned her activities to him and asked to observe her at the range. She smiled as she remembered how his fastidious appearance was ruined by the hearing and eye protection. She teased him for looking like a B-movie cop. Instead of the expected quip about porn actors, he merely smiled tightly and encouraged her to show him how her shooting was going. Once he observed her sure and steady movements he left her to it with the comment that "muscle memory certainly is a wonder."

Helen attached a new target to the carrier and sent it out to the maximum range. With a relaxed sigh, she steadied her stance and slowly squeezed the trigger. Just before the gun would have fired her cellphone vibrated in her pocket. Carefully activating the safety and holstering her pistol she answered the phone.

"Magnus! You need to get down to the infirmary. Tesla, he passed out-" "What!? Is he alright?" "I took him to Dr. Hughes. He was just working, I heard him hit the floor, but I didn't see-What if he hit his head? I didn't see!" Henry's voice was frantic and Helen realized that she had to be the calm one. "It's not your fault. I'll go down there immediately. Just, have you told Will yet?" The young man muttered that he hadn't. She instructed to notify the Sanctuary head immediately reassuring him, "Don't worry, I will take care of Nikola."

…

"You are underweight, Mr. Tesla." Dr. Hughes gazed steadily into the sickly-looking man's eyes. Helen sat nearby, watching them intently. She frowned as her husband mumbled, "Yeah, I know. I just forgot to eat is all. My wife is overreacting-" "You fainted! How can you say that?" Helen broke in, visibly distressed by his words. Dr. Hughes broke in, "I think you may have anemia. Let's take a blood sample, just to be safe." Mr. Tesla shook his head, "I really don't think-" "Please Nikola, I need you to get better!" Turning to his upset wife the slender Serb frowned sadly. He made a placating gesture. "Alright, fine. You can test for that." The doctor quickly prepared the needle and test tube and took the blood efficiently. After setting up the test on the Sanctuary's state of the art equipment he took the opportunity to interview the patient.

"How many calories do you eat in a day?" Nikola froze, "Uh, I'm not sure. Lately, I…" He shook his head then shrugged. Helen interjected, "We were, um, arguing recently. Usually I cook for him, but I haven't the last, um, about two weeks." Dr. Hughes turned back to the patient. "What have you eaten in the last two weeks?" The scientist thought for a while, "I mostly ate crackers. Um, I also had some bread. And I drank a lot of milk." He smiled nervously. "Ah, I guess I didn't eat much." The doctor hummed, "Did you drink any alcohol?" Tesla grew serious and shook his head quickly, "No, no."

A soft 'ding' indicated the test results were ready. Dr. Hughes looked at the results on his Pad. "Hm…well, you have anemia. I can give you some vitamin pills, but maybe you'd like something faster as well." He went to the medicine locker and pulled out a vial. "Vitamin B-12 shots. You'll have to come every other day for the next week, then once a week for two weeks." Nikola nodded, happy to see there was such an easy solution. He watched carefully as the doctor administered the shot, then said, "Well, if that's all…" and started to get off the table. Dr. Hughes nodded, then said casually. "Go ahead and leave. I have to go over your diet with your wife and give her the vitamins." Nikola paused for a moment as he rolled down his sleeve, but was quickly distracted by Helen helping him into his jacket. "Go on darling. I'll be out in a minute." He glanced cautiously from his wife to the doctor. They both seemed at ease and unconcerned. "Okay."

After he left Dr. Hughes handed the vitamins to Helen. "Based on my observations, he has anorexia. I don't think he has any plans on admitting it. Has he ever said anything, had any treatment that you know of?" Helen shook her head, a worried frown on her face. Dr. Hughes sighed, "If you don't do something about it, there are a lot of bad outcomes that could happen. As far gone as he is, it's possible he has already done some slight damage, to the bones, internal organs…Really, I'd have to run some more tests, but I doubt he'd consent to that." Helen clenched her fists, unable to bear the thought. "What-what can I do?" she asked urgently.

Dr. Hughes steepled his fingers, "Well, try to get him to see Dr. Newman. Then get him eating healthily again. Does he eat three meals a day?" Helen nodded, "Most of the time. Sometimes when he's working he skips dinner." "Don't let him do that anymore. Between meals bring him snacks, treats, that sort of thing. Tell him you're working on some new recipes and you need him to taste test them. Use full fat everything-" "Alright, he likes that-" "Good, that's good. He needs to put on weight, but be careful not to let him notice larger portions. Just feed him more frequently and heavier foods. And if he won't talk to a psychologist, try to get him to talk to you about food. Oftentimes, people with this condition have strange obsessions about food and eating. Be alert for any of his opinions about his body, insecurities and so on. Try to discourage exercise if you can. Also, do try to avoid arguing and stress, at least until he puts on some weight." Helen nodded shamefacedly. "I will follow your advice."

…