"And then Scotty Jameson said he didn't believe I could eat 30 cookies in less than a minute, and I said 'What are you, new?' He went table to table in the cafeteria and found as many cookies as he could and told me to prove it . . . "
Myka nodded absently as Pete continued on the fourth of a string of childhood anecdotes involving him proving to his peers that his stomach and common sense knew no bounds. She glanced down at her watch and noted that a half hour had passed since Pete had burst into the kitchen just as Myka was about to head up to her room. She had intended to slip into her pajamas and curl up with a book, as she had done most evenings since her return to the Warehouse. At night, locked away in a world of her own she allows her walls to drop, allows the loneliness to settle in, allows herself to miss Helena.
While Artie and the Regents take comfort in knowing that the occasionally villainous HG Wells can do no more damage to the world with her consciousness contained in a metallic orb and her body imprisoned who knows where, Myka is left suffering in her absence. Myka aches for the companionship of the one person in the world whom she cares for unconditionally, regardless of past sins. So while Pete and Claudia fight over the remote or play video games long into the night, Myka takes to her room, opens a book she has read so many times she could recite it verbatim, and indulges herself in what-ifs. What if Helena had not betrayed the Warehouse? What if Myka had realized the pain her friend was in before it was too late? What if Myka had summoned the courage to tell Helena that she loved her? Myka was well aware that wallowing in these thoughts would not change the past, nor would they make her feel any better about the present. Yet night after night she found herself drawn away from the company of her friends to the quite solace of her room. Which is exactly where she would be right now if only she could find a way to gracefully excuse herself from Pete's presence.
" . . . and after the cafeteria monitor gave Scotty the Heimlich he was totally fine, but he never tried to out-eat me again." Pete picked up the final cookie and bit into it triumphantly.
Myka's attention snapped back into focus as she sensed Pete's story coming to a close. "Wow, you don't say?" She looked at her watch again, this time making certain that Pete saw the gesture. "You know, it's starting to get a little late. I think I'm gonna . . ." but she was cut off by Claudia bounding into the room. She saw the two exchange a knowing look before Claudia spoke.
"Pete, come on! If you think you're getting out of this round of Martian Meltdown when I am this close to beating your high score, you are crazy." Claudia shot Pete another look which succeeded in wiping the confused look off his face.
"Uh yeah, sorry, I totally forgot. Lost all track of time. And if you think you're ever going to beat my high score by any means other than hacking into the game system, you are bonkers my friend." Pete stood up from the table, wiped the cookie crumbs from his lap and started out of the room. "Hey Mykes, you want in?"
Myka had without fail never wanted to join in their video game competitions, but Pete always extended the invitation out of habit and courtesy. Relieved for an opportunity to politely excuse herself, Myka rose from the table and started towards the stairs. "No thanks, you guys have fun. I'm going to head up." As she climbed the stairs she was certain she heard Pete and Claudia share a hushed exchange followed by the distinctive sound of a high five.
Myka entered her room and was surprised to find it neater than she had left it. The bed, which she distinctly remembered being left in a shambles this morning, was now neatly made. The pajamas she had left draped over the back of her desk chair were gone. The waste basket had been emptied and various odds and ends had been straightened up as well. But all of these anomalies were instantly forgotten when Myka saw the items placed prominently on her desk. Along with a card addressed to her, there was a small device attached to another item which she recognized instantly. There on her desk waiting to be opened was Helena's orb.
Myka,
So I know Christmas is still a few days away, but you'll be flying home soon and I wanted to give you your present before you leave. By now I'm sure you've noticed HG's orb and are wondering what the heck I'm thinking. I know that we've never talked about you and HG, or if there ever was a "you and HG", or if you would even want there to be a "you and HG", and I know it's all none of my business. Except here's the thing, you're like my big sister and I care about you, so I've taken it upon myself to make it my business. I know how much you've been hurting, even if though you try to keep it to yourself. I also know that the last time I saw you truly happy was with HG before things got all crazy. And I see the way you look at her now when she's being projected through the orb. So this is your Christmas present. And don't worry, I didn't mess with the orb – I know Artie and the Regents would kill me for that. I just made a little accessory. It's sort of my spin on the Farnsworth Transmutational Three Dimensional Projector. Don't worry, it's totally safe. Just open the orb like normal. Pete and I will make sure you're left alone tonight.
Merry Christmas Myka.
Love,
Claudia
Myka put down the card with shaking hands. She willed her hands to steady and reigned in her racing thoughts. She picked up the orb, and examined Claudia's "accessory", as she had called it. It looked as though it would be easily removed from the orb, leaving no evidence of Claudia's tampering. "Smart girl." With one last steadying breath Myka twisted the orb and prepared to be met with Helena's projection.
Lights danced from the orb with a brilliance Myka had never seen during Helena's previous appearances. Claudia's accessory whizzed and clicked and grew warm in Myka's hand. She turned and gently rested the newly accessorized orb on the desk. The orb quieted to a gentle hum and Myka knew what that sound meant.
"Hello Darling." Myka slowly turned to face Helena, making great effort to put on a cool and collected façade. Helena stood before her, looking much the same as the last time she had laid eyes on her when she had closed the orb after their last case together. She wore the same neutral colored clothes, loosely fitted either for comfort of because the Regents simply hadn't cared – Myka wasn't sure which. There was something different about Helena this time around, although Myka couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. There was something in her expression which Myka faintly recognized as hope.
"Helena." Myka took a step towards the projection, yearning to reach out to hold her friend, even though she knew it to be quite impossible. "Claudia, she took . . . and she did something with . . . are you ok?" Myka silently cursed he brain for not allowing her to better organize her thoughts before sending them along to her mouth.
"Yes Darling, I'm quite alright. I dare say Claudia is a very clever girl. She spoke to me briefly to explain the nature of her surprise for you. I'll admit I thought she was teasing me at first, but of course I realized the sweet girl wouldn't be that cruel. And here you are." The orb on Myka's desk caught Helena's eye. The inventor walked past Myka to examine Claudia's work more closely. "Absolutely brilliant."
Myka followed Helena to the desk and looked over her shoulder at the orb. "Helena, I don't understand. What exactly did Claudia do?"
Helena turned to face Myka, eyes beaming. "She didn't tell you? Why, it's absolutely genius. Though I imagine she could get in a quite a bit of trouble with Arthur and the Regents if they were to find out. The Farnsworth Projector. I read your notes on the case, Darling." Helena's expression softened. She raised a hesitant finger to Myka's brow. Myka watched in confusion as she prepared for Helena's finger to pass through her – to feel the cold tingling sensation of her projection failing to make contact. Helena let out a small laugh of disbelief as she felt her finger make contact with Myka's forehead, brush aside a stray hair, and travel down her neck, finally resting her hand on Myka's shoulder. "Fantastic."