The first thing to pierce Will's consciousness was the smell of violets. He let out a sleepy, pleased sigh. He'd always been fond of violets. Next thing he noticed was that the shape he was holding into was all but familiar. Clearly, it wasn't Abby's. This figure… while curvy, had more muscle to it. That instance, Will opened his eyes and stared at the back of Magnus's head. Yeah, definitely not blonde. Now, what the heck was he doing in… wait, her bed? He moved nervously, and just then he remembered. He relaxed a little, inhaling more violets.

The lights were still on, and Will now had the perfect chance to study the room without being a peeping Tom. He got up in to a sitting position, careful not to wake up Magnus. The room was neat and tidy, but what had he expected really? The colors of décor were all rather earthy, subtle. No bright colors. Reserved. Just as Magnus. The only pop of color in the room were the glimpses of rainbow the crystal lamp cast to the eyes of the looking.

Will couldn't help a little smile escaping his lip. The most dominating furniture of the room was, of course, the bed. It was antique, heavy, and had regal touch to it. So Magnus. He smiled again. Just how much a room could tell about the person occupying it if you knew how to read it. A room in general was not much more complicated than a book; both gave clues that lead to conclusions. Will supposed, the only real difference was the fact most people didn't bother to look at ordinary objects with much thought. But then again, Will was a profiler and looking was to be expected of him. He paid attention to details. It sure as hell wasn't his muscles Magnus had hired, since he only had just about enough to lift his own weight. Yeah, he thought to himself, I'm no macho man.

04:55am. He was a little surprised actually, to find a digital alarm clock on the night stand, rather than one that suited rest of the room. Will looked at Magnus again to make sure she was still asleep, that he hadn't waken her up. And holy sweet Jesus she was beautiful like that; all relaxed and calm. Her lashes were casting shadows against her alabaster skin, and her lips… Like ripe roses. Wait. Wait a second. What the heck am I thinking? Simple as, Will let those thoughts go. He respected Magnus enough to do so. Instead, he stood up as silently as he could and made his way towards the door. As he was about to leave, he let that thought go too, as Magnus started moving restlessly. She winced and even in her sleep, her posture grew protective. Will turned off the lights instead and retreated back to bed. He lay down and wrapped his arms around Magnus once more.

"Shhhh.. It's alright."

And as Magnus's breathe found a steady pace again, Will fell back to sleep.

Her eyes flew open, and her instincts told her to run. The arm at her stomach, however, told otherwise. Slowly, haunted images from her nightmares died for the morning and she forced herself to relax. The tightening grip on her stomach told her that her protégé was about to wake up. Helen never considered herself to be a woman to retreat from a battle, but the awkward morning after –conversation didn't quite tempt her either. If there was one thing Helen absolutely despised, it was not being strong. Showing signs of weakness. Showing that behind everything that being immortal came with, that behind it all, she was just as vulnerable as any. Helen wasn't a cold woman, not by any means, but staying above everyone kept her mind clear. For someone who had lived as long as she had, losses were inevitable, and the more she allowed herself to feel and the more knowledge she allowed for others to see, the more each of those losses hurt. One who fantasized about being immortal was a bloody fool. A long sigh escaped her lips. Oh yes, indeed she would dread the inevitable conversation ahead. Though, not by the slightest bit, was she not grateful for Will. Grateful she was, and she could not even deny that it had felt quite liberating to let it all out.

Gently, Helen wriggled out of Will's arms, ignoring the little voice in the back of her head that insisted she should linger a little longer. She sighed again. How long had it been since she'd last been held close by anyone? Furrowing her brows, she hushed the thought away and tiptoed towards the bathroom door.

"Good morning, Magnus."

"Good morning."

Her response was rather sharp, and she was getting her defenses back up.

"Oh, no no no, Magnus, you're not going to do that."

"Do what exactly, Will?"

"You're not going to pretend last night didn't happen and we are going to talk about it."

Oh god, sometimes she hated how persistent her young protégé could be.

"I think, young William, that you may be putting too much thought into what does not require such." She closed the bathroom door behind her and leaned her hands against the sink. The portrait of her was upsetting and the mirror told her no comforting lies. Her eyes were still bewildered. Her guards were not back up. She slid to the floor, folding her arms around her legs. Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale…

When the door knob twisted, Helen resisted a childish urge to push herself against the door. She looked up into her young protégé's worried eyes.

"Worry not, it takes a quite bit more to have me snap. Now, if you could just let me get fixed and I shall return back to work."

"No."

She still thought it was worth trying.

"And I also think that you should not be so keen to forget who your boss is. You've stepped quite a few boundaries with your actions."

"No. Helen, I am your friend and I was being a friend when you needed one."

Oh, yes. Always the profiler.

"Friendship to you means it is alright to share a bed, then?"

She knew she was using cheap tactics. When Will flushed, Helen could not help but so smile a little.

"I.. Gosh, Magnus.. You know, sometimes you can be quite a bulldog."

"How flattering. Now, could you please excuse yourself and leave me be. I am perfectl.."

Her response was cut short when Will's hands shook her shoulders. "No, you are not fine! Stop acting Magnus!"

For a woman of her years, she had learned quite a few defense tactics, and instinctively she closed her lips on his. He had expected it to confuse his protégé to back down. What she had not expected was for him to kiss him back quite roughly, and then push her back. She looked at him in wild amazement. Worthy opponent, to say at least.

"Really, really cheap blow Magnus."

"Fine, let's play it by your rules, then. You honestly think a trick like that would work on me? Last night you kissed me too and it was fine, you were looking for friend. Now you go on and think I'm the every guy whose legs turn into jello when you offer a moment of lust? Really, Magnus, that is tactless."

Each of his words dug a hurtful hole in her.

"You are so god damn scared of letting anyone see behind the professional distance of yours that you'd to anything. Stop running away Magnus, life's a bitch, I know that, but not every bastard is going to hurt you!"

"You are wrong."

"No, I am not. I get it Magnus, really do. You and your immortality, but for God's sake, you're just going to stop living and hide forever, then?"

"When is the last time you took time for yourself? And I mean really took time for yourself? When is the last time you let some of that steam of yours out?"

"Stop it, Will.. Stop it!"

"No, Magnus. I am not going to sit back and watch you retreat back into nothingness when I know there is so much more in you."

Oh, he really had such talent of bringing her into tears, she thought bitterly and gave him a cold, cold gaze. She lifted her chin up stubbornly as a tear escaped and followed the shape of her cheek down to her chin.

"Oh Magnus.." And he wrapped one arm around her, while the other one carefully wiped the lonely tear away. To his surprise, Magnus didn't try and struggle out of the half hug. So, he secured another arm around her and rocked her.

"You know, Will, it does hurt quite a bit."

The words were so quiet Will barely heard them, but he nodded. He's gotten that much already. He wasn't delusional, he had known this very conversation would be hard. The unexpected part was how… how fierce his boss proved to be. No, fierce wasn't right. How much more alive. Much better, even if he hated seeing her hurt. Once the thought properly sunk in, he decided that he quite liked this new part of Magnus.

"I know, Magnus. But really, there's so much more into life than the bad."

"Oh, cliché."

Will smiled at that. So maybe it was one of those often said things, but it was true. Now that he had seen how much more there was beneath that professional Magnus, Will wasn't going to let her revert back. Even if it meant that he would actually have to be not only her friend but her shrink as well. And be patient. Be very patient. Too much pushing would probably end up getting fired. Maybe. He smiled again.

He was yet again surprised as he picked up her brush and started brushing her chestnut hair. No resistance. She was still quiet, but Will didn't mind. He knew she wasn't going to try anything silly, like other cheap dodging methods, or run away, even. For now at least, the battle was on his side. Will was sure though, that just as many knots the brush met, were ahead for them both. Once he was done brushing, he filled the mug he'd found on the sink counter with water and gave it to Magnus. He got a little smile for that, and that just made him feel warm inside.

"Thank you, Will."

His smile was wide.

"And I am terribly sorry for acting like I did."

His smile died a little.

"Magnus… You really are slow sometimes. You've missed my point completely."

"But.."

"No 'buts'. You don't ever need to apologize for who you are Magnus. I'm your friend, hear me? Besides, I cornered you, you reacted. It's only natural."

"Aren't you the shrink." She teased.

He had earned a smile from her again. Alas, it was a weary, tired smile, but it was another victory for Will. He returned the smile with ease. From dodging bullets (non literal) to cheesy smiles. Interesting start for the day, definitely. He chuckled at that, earning a curious glaze from his boss.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Now, do you feel like you're up to work?" Secretly, he hoped she would say no and rest, because lord knew she needed it.

"Yes, Will, quite fine enough."

And she got to her feet, gesturing him towards the door.

"Just don't think I'm over discussing with you", he warned as he left her to prepare herself.

A couple of days had flown past since the disastrous mental meltdown she'd had, and Will had given her space to breathe. Not that she'd done anything but tried to drown herself into her work, so that she wouldn't have the time to think and digest what had happened. It wasn't working quite as well she had hoped. She felt like her past was haunting her at every turn she took. Helen was not proud of how she had behaved, not at all. Crumbling.. She could even take that when kissing Will was on the other end of the scale. Now, the first time she had done that, it was not so much about sexual, or anything related, more like a cry for help in her moment of weakness. But the second time.. Dear god, where had her morals gone? What had she been thinking? Had she been thinking at all? Not much, she was afraid.

She placed her earrings in the jewelry box, and without turning to look, she knew she wasn't alone. She also had a bad hunch it was Will. And, indeed, he was.

"Magnus."

She turned around slowly. If he was here for another row of discussion and crumble, she wasn't ready yet. Not now. Not never. Guilt was eating her insides.

"Will.. I. I.. I.. " For the good of God, I am over hundred and fifty years old, I can do this! "I'm terribly sorry I kissed you. It was disgraceful."

"Tell me Magnus, do you let everything from the past haunt you? Do you even know what 'getting over it' means?"

"As a matter of fact, I do know what it means. I just wanted to ensure you know I truly do regret it." But she knew she was only telling a half truth. She, indeed, had a habit of carrying things from the past around for quite a while. It was just how she was; she liked to close things properly before setting them aside.

"If it relieves your ancient morals, consider me as guilty then, I kissed you back."

Oh, he had, but it didn't remove the fact Helen knew her behavior had been unacceptable. Wait! He. Had. Kissed. Her. Back. Her eyes grew wider as she looked at Will.

"You.. you.. Swine!

"I.. What?"

"How could you do that to Abby?"

Will looked awkward. He was turning his weight from leg to leg, and his eyes were looking at anything but Helen.

"Okay.. Yes, Magnus, I am a swine." He then blurted, slightly blushing. Helen sighed at the sight.

"Well, we can consider the case closed, then. Now, I have work to do." She pointed at the pile of files on her nightstand. Truth be told, they were only there so she would have the perfect excuse to evade Will.

"Fine… " He was walking away. "I am sorry."

"Me too, me too", she said to herself after he'd left.