Okay so in my head, Nigel Griffin is played by David Tennant. And we will be going back to the current story line a bit later on. But I want a bit of a backstory first.
Nigel is the Invisible Man who died in Sanctuary and his granddaughter is off with Will. But now Helen's gonna meet the crew!
"John, you cannot be serious."
John Druitt leaned back in his chair and looked at his friend. Nikola Tesla looked at him with skepticism combined with disgust and just a bit of fascination. For a man of short stature, Nikola had an ego that would floor even the most accomplished of men. It was astounding really, how assured he was of his own self worth, despite having accomplished nothing to warrant such self confidence.
"Is it because she is a woman?" he asked.
"No, it is because I know nothing about her and she is most likely an idiot," he paused thoughtfully, "like most women I have had the great misfortune of being expected to hold a decent conversation with."
"Contrary to your belief, Nikola, every woman is not modeled after your mother," he said.
"And we can thank God for that," Nikola said, "but I still don't think there's a reason to entertain this woman's ideas," he took a drink of the cup in his hand, "what I can't believe is that you left the room so she could remove her stockings. If I had a woman in a ruined dress playing 'doctor' with me, she would be out of it very quickly."
"Perhaps that is the reason that John had her in such a state and you did not," James Watson said walking into the room.
Nikola made a sound of disgust in his throat as John and James traded smiles behind his back. The three of them were at Nikola's home the next morning. Nikola had been out the night before and was, as usual, not feeling the effects. James on the other hand had clearly been dragged out and it showed on his entire face. He looked as though he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep, though that probably would not do much for the pounding in his head. Nikola turned around a placed a cup in front of him before placing another in front of John.
"Now, John, why do you think we would get along with this girl of yours?" James asked.
John looked at James, not entirely sure how to convey what he wished. James had not dismissed Helen but it was clear that Nikola had. Then again, there was very little pleasing Nikola, not without proof of worth first. John took a drink from his mug and winced slightly at the bitter liquid that stung his tongue. He looked over at Nikola who set down the crystal decanter, the amber liquid sloshing inside its prison. James was wise enough to smell the liquid first before shrugging and taking a drink from the spiked tea anyway.
"Isn't it obvious? He's smitten with her," Nikola said turning around, "If only Nigel had returned with us last night. He would have found this more amusing than anyone."
"Oh Nikola, I don't think there is a person on this earth who takes greater pleasure in others misfortune than you."
Nikola made a face as jJohn sat unmoving in the chair. He did not even have to question it. he knew that, despite his dislike of the fact, Nikola was correct. He was rather smitten with Helen Magnus. Not simply because of the way she looked. No, it was far more in the way she acted. He knew hundreds of women who would have been able to make that pink dress of hers a hundred times more heart stopping but he could not think of a single one who would take off after what they wanted in it. Nor did he know a single one who would challenge everything he said. He didn't know men who would do it--aside from the two in the room and Nigel. But Helen seemed to have no problem with it.
"She fights for what she believes in," he realized aloud, "no matter what the obstacle. Including the rules of society," he looked at Nikola, "you two would get along rather well on that front."
"Hmm, I do love a woman who breaks rules," he said taking a drink of his tea, something John had a feeling was far more brandy than tea.
"Excuse me, Master Tesla?" they turned at the butler in the doorway, "Master Griffin is here and he seems to have lost his pants."
"I sincerely hope he had the sense to come in the back entrance," Nikola said turning and striding out of the room.
"Well played, old boy," James said raising his glass, "very well played."
"I do my best," John said raising his own in return.
"I don't think I've seen Nikola change his mind about anything so quickly," James continued, "except--no, no that is the fastest I've ever seen him change his mind," he took a drink, "this Helen of yours must be something else."
John smiled.
"That will be all today," the professor said.
Helen quickly gathered up her books, sliding them into her carrying case. She did the snaps up, and turned, picking up the hem of her skirt and walking briskly up the stairs towards the exit in the back.
"Helen!"
Helen's feet paused as she turned around to see John Druitt walking towards her. Immediately she felt her cheeks burn at the sight of him making his way through the students. He moved with an effortless sort of grace as he walked towards her, as if the only time his body touched anyone elses was when he chose it to be so. It was as if he moved in a different world, one that was just for him. Helen waited as he came across to her. With no care to anyone else he stopped on the middle of the stairs as people exited around them.
"Do you remember my friends who I said I thought you'd get along famously with? Well they are simply dying to meet you," John told her.
"Today? Now?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, "if you would like--unless, of course, there is another specimen you feel the need to chase after. Which, of course, I must inform you would be ill advised in light of your still healing ankle."
"Well, I could hardly be considered to go against the orders of my doctor," she said, "lead the way.
"So I shall," he said with a smile, "my carriage is just outside."
"As is mine," she said.
"Then what are we to do?" he asked with a charming grin as they headed towards the school entrance.
"You lead, I shall follow," she said as they stepped into the sunlight.
"Its as though we are dancing," he said walking over to the carriage she was heading towards and opening the door, offering his hand and helping her inside.
He walked back to his own as Helen informed her driver what they were going to do. The carriages moved through London towards the outskirts, where the houses were larger and very grand. Helen felt trepidation spike through her but forced it down. She was too used to nerves to let them show on her face. The carriages stopped in front of a house so grand Helen was sure it belonged in a fairy tale.
John came around and held out his hand. Helen placed hers in his and stepped from the carriage. The two walked up the way and up the steps that led to the sprawling house. John reached out and rapped on the knocker, stepping back to wait next to Helen. She shifted slightly on her feet, trying to fight the nerves in her stomach. Though aside from the nervous shifting there was no outward indication of what she was feeling inside. She was nervous though, terrified really considering how most men reacted to her presence. Their reactions usually shifted between outright amusement or disbelief or some kind of conflict between the two of them.
"It will be alright, Helen," he said, "you have nothing to worry about."
Helen nodded, tightening her hand on the case.
The door opened and a butler looked at them both before stepping aside. John motioned forward and Helen stepped into the foyer. John followed her as the butler closed the door behind him. He turned and led them through the foyer towards one of the other rooms. Helen focused on the butler's back and nowhere else. She didn't want to be anymore intimidated than she already was. The warm presence of John Druitt behind her was a comforting one, one that made Helen sure she could step forward without panicking.
"Master Druitt, Miss Magnus," the man announced as he pushed the doors apart.
Helen's eyes widened as she looked up at the spectacular library. Her father's was incredible but this one, this one even did his proud. Books rose as far as she could see, balconies, ladders, all incredible and breathtaking.
"I think she's spellbound, maybe she will play doctor after all."
Helen's eyes went right to the three people in the room. They were men, all dressed exceptionally well. They stood talking about something, all three standing with the kind of posture that it took a very long time to learn. It was effortless and she knew they were at the very least trained in deportment. But none of them had the effortless grace John did. Their eyes were on her but the look in them could not have been more different. Still Helen met their gazes in turn and walked forward.
"Hello, Gentlemen," she said as she reached where they were.
"So you are the great Helen Magnus," Nikola kissed her hand, "John was very right to hide you from us for so long."
"You will have to pardon Nikola's dramatics," John said, "I believe he enjoys them far more than any of us," he looked over, "this is James Watson."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," James said, "from the little I know your addition will be a welcome one."
A final man stepped forward. He was dressed in brown. From the tops of his shoes to the collar of his shirt, it was all brown. The shirt underneath was creme, in the same family of colors. It did not help matters that his hair and eyes were also brown. It was as if he stood in front of a brown wall with his back turned, he would be invisible. But the smile on his face was the biggest she thought she'd ever seen on a person. He strode forward with little but brash charm.
"Yes it certainly is," Nigel said, turning his wrist over and producing a chrysanthemum out of nowhere, "don't you look like you stepped right out of a dream," he offered the bloom to her.
"Thank you," Helen said, feeling her cheeks flush.
"Defeated by the slight of hand," Nikola sighed.
"Again," James said, smiling at the venomous look sent his way.
"Yeah, its been quite a few times now," Nigel said rocking back on his heels, hands tucked into his pockets, "so, Helen, welcome to our little club."
"Oh this is a club is it?" she smiled, relaxing fractionally, "I take it this is the clubhouse then? Oddly enough mine were always in trees or secret corridors."
"Oh its far too dusty in those things for cloths such as ours," Nikola said, "though I'm sure we could work something out."
Helen laughed. She knewshe should have been apprehensive or offended at the comment but she simply could not find the anger to direct towards Nikola. His own lips curved into a smile as he looked at her, his surprise at her lack of offense morphing into something he could almost have called liking. Oh he was interested in her, the moment she walked through the door without any sort of fear he had been interested in her. But laughing, well she wasn't acting like any woman he had encountered.
"So, Miss Magnus--" James began.
"Helen, Mr. Watson" she said with a smile that both charmed and left no room for argument.
"Then you must call me James," he said, "I have been told you are rallying against not being allowed to attend Oxford fully."
"That is correct," she said, "I see no reason why my work should not reap the same benefits as someone of the opposite gender."
James nodded, engaging her in discussion as Nikola moved over to where John was standing, watching the scene with amusement and admiration.
"And what benefits they are," Nikola told him, "I have seriously underestimated you, Johnny, old boy."
"A mistake I trust you will not make again," John said.
"How could I? I will tell you this. If you don't want to play that other kind of 'doctor' with her, I do."
"Nikola," John said warningly.
"Well you seem to be content to hear that mouth form those very wise words," he grinned, "I have another idea for what it can form."
John turned and walked away. Nikola watched him walk over to James and Helen, his eyes moving back to Helen once more. James laughed at something and turned to John who seamlessly joined the conversation. Nikola turned his head as Nigel put an arm on his shoulder.
"Well I'd say John's not the only one smitten with the great Helen Magnus," Nigel said with a grin.
"Oh shut up," Nikola said, walking over towards the three of them.
Nigel followed with a grin.
So they met up! They like each other!
Next time is totally gonna be a John/Helen fest. Seriously. But I freak love Nikola.
Please review!