He awoke in the lower level of the Sanctuary. Danny was asleep in a bed nearby, and he was looking more like himself. Not completely recovered but close.

He lifted up the sheet to find he was not muscle-bound as he had been the last time he looked. That was a relief. He still felt some of the emotion he'd felt in the ring, but it was much more muted than before.

He heard footsteps and Helen appeared wearing a white lab coat. "Ah, Will, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"You mean am I Dr. Zimmerman or Mr. Hyde, right? Happy to report I'm back to being a 98 pound weakling"

Helen smiled but it was a sad one. "I am so sorry you had to go through that, Will."

"I looked like the Incredible Hulk without the green. Did you get that thing out of me?"

"Yes, but you may feel some of the effects for a few days, I'm afraid."

He was already feeling them, but he didn't tell her. He turned his head. "How's Danny?"

"He's in about the same condition you are. He needs to stay here a couple more days and then I'll release him to his family."

"Speaking of family, how's your father doing?"

Helen suddenly became very interested in something on the floor. "He's gone. It's a long story. I'll fill you in on the details at a later time."

Will reached out and took Helen's hand. "I'm sorry you lost him again."

She gave him a watery smile, and patted his hand before withdrawing hers. As she rose to leave he put a hand on her arm. "Hey, I, uh, I'm sorry for scaring you back there. I wasn't exactly in control of myself." The thought that he could have frightened her the same way Druitt had made him feel sick.

Helen gave him a gentle, understanding look. "I know you'd never hurt me, Will. Get some sleep, all right?"

*****

In the days that followed he experienced the symptoms of his change to varying degrees. He couldn't get the door open in one of the rooms, and to his chagrin, ended up ripping the door knob, and a good chunk of the surrounding wood competely off. One morning he couldn't find his glasses on the bedside table and ended up smashing his fists down on it.

Helen was not amused. "Will," she said sternly, standing over the kindling that was once his nightstand, "I understand you are still coming down from your change, but you have got to stop destroying the furniture or I'll have to restrict you to the lower level."

Will hung his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, I know. I'm trying to keep it under control but it sneaks up on me before I know it."

****

Then two days later came the coup de grace. He and Helen were in her office looking over some documents that Wexford had supplied them--something to do with the kabal--when he noticed a purpling bruise on the inside of her wrist. He took her arm in his hand and said, "What's this?" Knowing all too well what it was.

She pulled her arm away and tried to pull the sleeve of her sweater over it. She glanced up at him briefly, revealing another bruise on her neck. "It's nothing, let's continue."

Frowning he put his fingers to that mark. "And this?" She flinched away from him and pulled her hair over it. "Will, leave it, all right?"

Will felt his blood pressure rise. "He did this, didn't he? Druitt? I was right, he's changing back, isn't he?"

Helen's mouth tightened. "Will, keep your voice down. Yes, John's fighting it, but the effects of Tesla's device seem to be fading. I'm trying to help him."

"Helen, this is crazy. He could kill you."

She shook her head in denial. "He won't kill me."

"How do you know that? He's hurt you already." He grabbed her wrist. "Look at this."

"And now you're hurting me, Will." She tried to pull away.

Horrified, he let her go. "Helen, God, I'm so sorry." She nodded her acknowledgement of his words as he put his hands on top of his head and turned a circle trying to get himself under control. He took a deep breath, but he could feel his heart beating in his chest.

"I won't let him hurt you, Helen." He could hear the change in his voice, echoes of the beast inside him, and Helen could, too, judging by the look she gave him. She took his hands and led him to a chair.

"Will, I want you to sit down and try to calm down." He sat, but he didn't feel very calm.

Helen sat in the chair next to him. "You and I have needed to talk for a while now. There are some things I need to say to you, Will, and I want you to listen to them, all right?"

He nodded silently, feeling the urge to smash something. Helen reached over and took his hand.

"Will," she began gently. "I'm 157 years old. For over a hundred years of that time I've been in love with John Druitt." Will tried to pull his hand away, but she wouldn't let go. "I can't imagine that will change no matter what he is or what he does. It's my fault he is the way he is, you see." She went on to explain to Will about the Five and the experiment they had all undergone. "I know the man I knew is inside him somewhere and I must help him return to me."

Will tried to get up, wanting to leave, but she wouldn't release him. "Will, that doesn't mean I don't care for you more than I've cared for any protégé I've ever had. You and I have a connection that can't be denied, but I am not the woman I appear to be. I don't have anything to offer a young man like you…"

"Don't say that." Will growled.

She shook his hand in emphasis. "It's true, Will, no matter how much you deny it." She huffed out a small laugh that did not hold much humor. "In fact, Ashley would be a better match for you. You two are closer in age and experience."

Will shook his head vehemently. "No, Helen." She squeezed his hand a little tighter.

"Will, I appreciate that you want to protect me, but you need to stay out of it. Please."

He looked over at her and nodded, just wanting to get out of there. He wanted to pick up the chair he was sitting in and smash it to pieces, wanted to smash every object in that room, but not her. Never her.

He got up and faced her. "I understand what you're saying, Helen, but I mean what I say. I won't let him hurt you." Before she could answer he stalked from the room.

*****