One -

Elizabeth unlocked the door to her little apartment in Paris and dropped her keys in the crystal bowl on the table by the door. She stepped out of her shoes and pushed them under the table, so they could be easily found when she went to get some dinner later at the tiny market on the corner, as she did most nights she was in class late. Her satchel joined them. She turned to face the main room and froze.

Sitting on her worn, second hand couch with a chipped, mismatched mug in her hand, was Helen Magnus. Elizabeth froze, staring like an idiot with her mouth open, but no sound coming out. Her muscles took a few more seconds than her brain to get going.

"Dr. Magnus. You startled me. I wasn't expecting you." Beth took a deep breath, knowing she sounded like a complete rambling idiot, but at a loss as to what to say.

"If I'd called ahead and warned you that I was coming to speak with you, would you have come home tonight?" Magnus took a sip of her drink, and set the mug on the beat up coffee table.

Elizabeth considered that, and answered honestly, "No." Beth considered turning around and trying to get out the door, trying to run. She was that afraid. Instead, Elizabeth went into her small kitchen and busied herself with putting away the dishes she'd washed that morning, but left in the rack to dry. She put the last dish into the overhead cabinet and turned to find Dr. Magnus standing behind her, close enough that she could feel the heat coming off the taller woman's body. Looking up at her made Elizabeth feel even smaller and more vulnerable. She trembled like a rabbit cornered by the a wolf.

"Dear God. What sorts of nonsense have those silly girls been filling your head with? You're terrified of me." Magnus' hand moved and Elizabeth flinched, expecting a resounding slap. It would serve her right, matching the one she'd given Magnus at the service for James, before she screamed at her, and quite wrongly accused her of standing by and doing nothing to save James as he died in the cave searching for the cure to the Lazarus virus.

Instead of the searing pain she was braced for, warm gentle fingers caressed her cheek and curled under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet Magnus'. "I'm sorry I frightened you, Elizabeth. I didn't come here to upset you, and I fear I have." The fingers withdrew from her face, and Magnus stepped back. "I'll go. Entering your apartment uninvited a mistake." She turned and in that instant, Elizabeth didn't want her to leave.

"Wha… what did you want?" Elizabeth asked, the words coming out more sharply than she had intended. Magnus turned back to her slowly, not making sudden moves, and just looked at her. Beth felt as if the blue eyes were stripping her bare. The intense scrutiny was uncomfortable, but she endured it.

Beth took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Magnus had not come to hurt her. Her hand, where it rested against the counter, stopped shaking.

"I wanted to check on you. See how you're doing. We didn't get off to a very good start after the memorial service."

Elizabeth winced, "I know. I'm sorry I hit you, Dr Magnus. I shouldn't have done that." For a humiliating moment, Elizabeth felt as if she might cry. "I don't know why I did that…"

Magnus took two slow steps forward and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth, pulling her close and holding tightly. "I didn't come here to hurt you, I swear it." Magnus whispered against her hair. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. I planned to talk to you, after things calmed down, but Declan said you'd taken the first available transportation back to Paris."

"I thought…"

"You thought I'd come after you, hit you back." Magnus gave her a hard squeeze and stepped away from her, giving her some room to breathe. "My bad-ass reputation seems to have preceded me."

"It sounds… a bit ridiculous… when you say it." Elizabeth gave her a watery smile.

Something in Magnus' expression changed, softened even more. She was treating Elizabeth like a wounded animal she was trying to capture. "Perhaps we can start over? I'd like to stay for a bit, maybe have another cup of tea, talk for a while and get to know you."

Elizabeth wiped her moist eyes with the back of her hand, and nodded, "Sure. Of course. I'll warm the kettle. There isn't much here to eat, I usually go down to the market and get things fresh on nights like this."

"Some more tea would be perfect." Magnus went back into the living area and retrieved her mug. She set it on the counter and Elizabeth rinsed it, also taking out a mug for herself. Magnus perched on a bar-stool at the tiny, immaculately clean counter while Elizabeth made the tea.

"Do you like cream or sugar?" Elizabeth added her best tea to each mug, and poured the boiling water into them.

"Not usually, this tea is sweet enough without adding anything extra."

"I agree. This is one of my absolute favorites for cold nights like tonight."

Magnus smiled at her, "Mine, too."

Elizabeth had been warned about how beautiful Helen Magnus was, but she hadn't seen the woman since she was ten years old, and nothing could have prepared her for the way the older woman's smile would blind her. She realized she was staring and blushed, tried to cover it by offering Magnus a spoon for the tea.

Once the tea had steeped, Magnus stirred hers and took a careful sip. The look of rapture on her face made Elizabeth a bit light headed. Magnus must have noticed, because she chuckled. "That was a bit of a private moment, me and this tea. I haven't had this blend in years."

"I understand. Would you mind terribly if I change out of these?" Elizabeth gestured to the chef's whites, with the smells of grease and stale food clinging to them. "Just be a minute, really."

"Oh, by all means, and if you'd like, I'll take you out to dinner later."

Elizabeth considered the dinner invitation as she peeled the smelly clothes off and tossed them into the hamper on the way into the shower. No more than five minutes passed and she emerged from the shower clean and still feeling bewildered by the attention Magnus was showing her. Elizabeth searched her closet for something to wear and sighed. What does someone wear to 'get acquainted' with Helen Magnus?

In the end, Beth completely gave up on trying to impress her guest and put on a warm, bulky sweater and comfortable leggings with short boots. She also grabbed the leather jacket she 'liberated' from Declan's closet during her last trip to London. It smelled like his cologne, and it was just the right weight for the chilly nights in Paris. Having something that reminded her of Declan made her feel stronger, more sure of herself, and she might need that added confidence boost.

Elizabeth brushed her hair, leaving it in long ringlets shining nearly to her waist, touched up her eye makeup and added a little lip gloss. Not that she was trying to impress Magnus, it was her normal routine when going out for a bite of dinner.

Magnus was on the couch. With her booted ankles crossed, and mug in hand, she looked completely out of place in the little apartment. "How are you enjoying Paris in the winter?"

"It's a great city. The school is fantastic, and people have been really supportive. After college in New York City, I was worried this would be a terrible culture shock." Beth smiled. "It's not so bad."

"How are your classes?"

"Wonderful. I'm learning so much."

"No complaints?"

"None. I've only been in Paris a short time, and yet… I love it here. It's an adventure. New city. New Friends. New apartment. My French still needs work, though. The instructors are merciless in mocking my accent."

"Are you working, too?"

"Just part time internship stuff. Nothing pays, yet."

"I'm sure that will come with time."

Elizabeth smiled, "You haven't asked if I have a boyfriend, yet."

Magnus winced, "I'm giving you the third degree, aren't I?"

"It's alright, I'm used to it. James used to try to run background checks on all my dates. To answer the question I do have a boyfriend, but he lives in London." Elizabeth shrugged.

"Long distance relationships are tricky." Magnus said, sympathetically.

"We aren't monogamous, so I'm expecting him to find a nice girl and settle down someday."

"What about you?"

"Someday. Maybe." Elizabeth thought about the discussions she'd had with the other residents in London. "May I ask you a question?"

Magnus smiled, "Of course. What would you like to know?"

"Are you going to make Declan our Head of House? He's quite good with everyone... I'd give him my vote."

"Oh really?" The older woman raised her eyebrows. "Do all the residents share your high opinion of Declan Macrae?"

Elizabeth nodded emphatically. "Oh yes. We all do. There isn't anyone else we'd like to see get the job."

"I'll take the suggestion under advisement. He has my vote as well, but I'm not the only one making the decision." Magnus finished her tea and set the mug down. "Would you like to get dinner?"

"Why don't we go downstairs and get a few things and we can eat in? They make some wonderful things in that little store." Elizabeth smiled at her hopefully.

Magnus nodded, "Lead the way."

Magnus watched Elizabeth disappear into another aisle of the quaint little market and turned to its owner. "So, how is she doing, Pierre?"

"Ah, ma petite is tres sad, yes. She has lost her papa and the wound is still bleeding. And yet she continues on. Does not call off of work, or weep for days…" There was sympathy in his eyes, "and yet, I think that some tears might be cleansing for her, healing."

"Did James tell her that this building is owned by the Sanctuary?"

"Non. I do not believe she would wish to stay with me, if she knew that, and Macrae he agrees on this."

Magnus scanned the store, looking to see where Elizabeth was. "Are all your apartment furnished in Ikea dorm room sheik?"

It was Pierre's turn to frown. "Non, but I did not furnish that apartment. I have not had cause to visit, yet. She is a treasure, and gives me no troubles. She even allows Julio take her to and from her school and work. She has but to smile at him and he would drive her to the moon, I think. He is heartbroken that she prefers lovely ladies in her bed."

Helen blinked, taking a moment to file that bit of information away. "She mentioned a boyfriend?"

"I think he is more a friendly bed-mate than a boyfriend, although that is Macrae's coat she is wearing tonight."

"Declan? You think she's sleeping with Declan. How could you possibly know that? I can't imagine James allowing that."

A wicked smile crossed Pierre's handsome, and deceptively youthful, face. "The scent on the jacket is Macrae's aftershave, of that I have no doubt. He stayed the night just last weekend. Perhaps, I will invite the pair of them to my bed for a menage…" His dark eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Is there anything else I should know about?" Magnus asked.

"She is not yours, perhaps it is Macrae I should be telling all ma petite's deepest secrets to."

Magnus scowled at him. "You will not tell Declan I was here, and you will certainly not tell him about her other sexual partners unless it becomes a security issue, is that clear?"

Pierre laughed, "Now, I begin to understand."

Elizabeth joined them, and the conversation came to an abrupt halt. "Do you know Pierre, Dr. Magnus?"

Magnus gave the man a considering look, and decided to tell Elizabeth the truth. "Yes, Pierre works for the Sanctuary network. He and his sons run this store and the apartment building as a safe house for the Abnormals of Paris. Mostly the young people like yourself who are attending the schools here or working, since there is no proper Sanctuary in France."

James' daughter looked from her to Pierre and back, her jaw slack and eyes wide. It was better a little shock now, with the truth out in the open, rather than a much more traumatic shock the first time there was an emergency. Elizabeth should never have been kept in the dark, she was an intelligent young woman and Magnus was sure she could handle the truth.

After the news had time to sink in, Elizabeth let out a sigh, "Well, that explains a lot of things."

"Do you have everything you wanted?" Magnus gestured to the grocery basket in her arms. "We can still go out, if you'd prefer?"

Elizabeth looked at Pierre and frowned, "I have what I need, now. Thank you, Dr. Magnus."

"Ma petite…" Pierre began.

"Could we go back to my apartment now?" Elizabeth said, quietly.

Magnus gave her a worried frown, searching her face. "Of course." Helen took the basket from her and led her out of the little store and back into the building's lobby. They were in the elevator when Elizabeth started to sob. Magnus put the basket down. She gathered Elizabeth into her arm and held her, letting the distraught young sob on her shoulder, while she made comforting noises and stroked her back.

When the elevator stopped at her floor, Magnus retrieved the basket of food with one hand and wrapped the free arm as support for Elizabeth as they walked. Her sobs had subsided and she wiped her eyes impatiently. "Why did they do that? Why didn't James just tell me it was a safe house? Why didn't Declan tell me?"

"Don't blame Declan, he was caught in the middle and I'm sure he didn't want to upset you if he didn't have to."

Elizabeth huffed. "That is so like James. He was always so fucking overprotective. He wanted me to live in a safe house in New York for college, but I told him I wanted to be out from under the umbrella, feel the rain on my face once in a while. I was tired of being coddled. I guess he didn't want to have the argument, again, here."

"Just like that, a few angry tears and one bout of cursing, and you're ready to let it go?" Magnus laughed in surprise. "I'd be kicking and screaming weeks later and go into hiding just to spite him." Elizabeth smiled self consciously and Helen groaned inside. Her smile was breathtaking, even sad and a bit soggy, there was no denying the young woman was lovely.

Elizabeth unlocked the apartment door and they went in. They set the basket of food on the counter and Magnus started opening the cheeses and the antipasto salad, while Elizabeth sliced the bread and brought out small plates and glasses for the wine. They set their little feast up like a picnic on the coffee table, sitting on pilfered couch cushions facing each other. The wine and conversation flowed until the bottle ran out. Helen was surprised by how well they got on. The rough start was all but forgotten, and if it did come up, it was remembered with humor and teasing.

One question nagged at her, "How is it that you and I haven't been in London at the same time in nearly a decade."

"I asked James once to introduce us. My sisters chatter incessantly about you after you visit, and I was curious to meet you again."

"And yet, it never happened. Did James say anything about it?"

"Oh, he had something to say on the subject alright, he said, and I quote, "Over my dead damn body." Beth giggled at the startled look that crossed Dr. Magnus' face.

"What could the harm be in us meeting?" Magnus raised her eyebrows. "I don't understand."

"No, I don't suppose you would. I think poor old fashioned James was trying to keep at least one of his female children for becoming hopelessly crushed on you."

"Really, they can't all be crushed on me."

Elizabeth sighed, "I'd avoid long visits to the UK Sanctuary, if I were you. They really are in lust with you."

"I appreciate the warning."

"He was right, you know. No matter how we railed against him, or yelled and carried on, he was always right. We did meet over his dead body. Damn him… I miss him so much." Her voice broke, and Helen went around the table to her and pulled her close. They sat on the couch, arms around each other, and this time Elizabeth wasn't the only one who cried. Helen stroked the silky curls, "I know, sweetheart, I miss him, too."

Elizabeth woke in her bed, still in the clothes from the night before. Helen Magnus was spooned behind her, also in her clothes and breathing softly against her neck. It tickled and Elizabeth had to move her head. Magnus' eyes opened and they stared at each other until Elizabeth's neck started to get sore. She rolled over, checking the clock as she did it.

"What time is it?" Magnus asked.

"6:30 in the morning."

"I should go…" Magnus sat up.

"Yeah, I have to be in class in an hour," Elizabeth said. "Will you visit me again?"

Magnus smiled at her. "Yes, I think I will. Is that alright?"

Elizabeth sat up and planted a fleeting kiss on the lips that had haunted her wine soaked dreams. "I'll come home this time, if you call ahead."

Magnus caught her and kissed her, again. "I'll leave you with my home and cell numbers. If you want to talk about James, or anything is bothering you, call me. Anytime."

"You don't have to do that, Dr. Magnus. Really. I know how busy you must be…"

A smile lit up her face. "I want you to call me Helen, and I do have to do it."

"Why?"

Magnus smirked at her, "I think I may be hopelessly crushing on you…" After collecting her shoes and purse and running a quick brush through her hair, she saw herself out, leaving Elizabeth standing in the doorway of her bedroom dazed and smiling like an idiot.

When Elizabeth returned home from school that afternoon, she thought for a moment she entered the wrong apartment. The second hand furniture was gone, in its place was a wonderful leather couches and thickly padded leather rocking chair. Her lumpy old mattress was gone, replaced by a brand new one still in its wrappers, and even her dishes had been replaced with a matched set of bone china and professional grade pots and pans.

There was a vase of two dozen white roses with pink tips on the new coffee table. The card read, "Welcome home, ma petite."