Chapter 7

It was a bright and early morning in Vienna.

Dr. Neil Parsons had already been awake several hours, enjoying his breakfast in the hotel lounge, checking every once in a while on his goons who patrolled their stations.

He was expecting Warnsworth soon with news about Helena; the simple yet captivating Helena Heathering. Parsons was not the type to become fixated on a woman so easily but there was something about her. She was bright, beautiful, brave and remarkably intelligent. A rare flower. He was more surprised that she didn't have a string of men following behind her with love in their heads and bottom lips dragging along the ground.

He wasn't in love, that would be ridiculous, but he was definitely intrigued.

Warnsworth came in and interrupted his thoughs.

"Sir," the man said nervously.

"Did you leave the message for her as I instructed?" Parsons asked.

"Yes, but it wasn't easy, her husband came home last night, and he…"

"Yes?" coaxed Parsons.

"Well, look sir," Warnsworth handed Parsons the developed photos.

The images he saw made his blood burn.

"What did he do to her?" Parsons growled.

"Roughed her up pretty good, I'll say. He closed the draped but from the way he was acting it wasn't good. I saw her this morning when I left her the message; he had left a bruise on her right cheek. I managed to give her the note quickly while he was in the washroom, she said she'd be there."

Parsons tossed the photo away from him.

"Why wouldn't she tell me?" he growled.

"Maybe she was embarrassed to admit her husband was treating her like this?" suggested Warnsworth.

"No wonder she wants to be rid of him," Parsons grumbled. "Get back to your post, make sure she gets here safely."

Warnsworth nodded and left.

Parsons growled, picking up the photos again. He shouldn't care this much, but she was an asset, she was his asset, and there was something odd about her husband. Though the photographs didn't picture him well, Parsons felt a sense of familiarity with his presence; there was something off about him.

He would ask Helena when she arrived.

~~~~Elsewhere~~~~

Nikola had made breakfast again. This time he and Helen had decided to eat together that morning, for whatever reason. It was unusually quiet, but oddly peaceful.

Helen knew that the small bruise on her cheek was what was making him so uncomfortable, despite her reassurances that there no other way.

They ate the delicious breakfast in silence, until Helen felt the need to say something over the awkward quiet.

"This is delicious, Nikola," she said more as an icebreaker. "I mean, really delicious."

Nikola looked up.

"Oh, yes, you're welcome," he averted her gaze.

"Nikola, will you stop treating me like a victim and look at me," she put a hand on his shoulder. "It's just a bruise, it's already fading."

He sighed and looked up at her.

"I know," he looked at the slight discoloration. "I just wish it didn't have to be from me."

Helen smiled softly.

"Nikola, if anything, this bruise will convince Parsons enough to let me into his inner circle," she took his hand in her. "I would not make you hit me for no reason."

He grinned slightly.

"No reason, huh?" he flirted and Helen rolled her eyes, she knew he was in there somewhere.

Nikola squeezed her hand gently, this was their way of apology.

"So, the message from Mr. Subtle was?" asked Nikola.

"I'm to meet him at noon, probably will get me wearing some kind of recording device, so we'll have to be in character at the festival."

"Right, needy stalker traitor, I can do that."

"It shouldn't be hard for you to pretend you are desperately in love with me, you've done it before," she shrugged.

Nikola didn't answer her, but occupied himself with chewing his food.

"Nikola?" Helen looked at him funny, he went silent, she wondered what he was thinking about.

"Yes?" he looked over at her, playing dumb.

"Nothing, nevermind," she shook her head.

He didn't push her for an answer and went back to eating.

"So, what happens when I get captured?" he asked after a moment.

"Hopefully they take you back to their secret headquarters and interrogate you," she answered.

"Am I to stay in character for that as well?"

"Unless we get separated, or he doesn't take me to the same facility with you then yes, we want them to believe you are delusional for as long as possible."

"What if we don't get separated?" he asked cautiously.

"Then I intend to get all that I can on them before busting you out," she sighed.

"Alright," he nodded.

"You trust me right?" she looked over at him.

"Would I call you here if I didn't?" he teased.

"With you, who knows? Your motivations are sometimes muddled and deeply contrived," she teased back.

"I'm going to love meeting you at the festival," he grinned. "The music, the dancing, all the dark and lustrous activities two star-crossed lovers can get up to in the shadows," he leaned over and pecked her wounded cheek gently.

"Unfortunately we'll be out in the open where they can see us," she glared at him.

"We'll just have to be more sneaky," he caressed a hand over her thigh and she rolled her eyes.

"I was wrong, you're completely delusional, I should have them take you away for the heck of it," she joked.

"Aww Helen, you wound me," he clasped a hand over his heart.

"Nothing wounds you Nikola," she teased.

"Helen, I am but a man with a soft heart," he recited poetically.

"And a soft head," she flicked his forehead.

"Ow," he jerked his head back and rubbed the spot she had hit.

Helen laughed at him and grasped both sides of his head and gave him and small peck on his forehead.

When she released his head she almost giggled at the look of childish shock on his face.

She cupped his chin.

"So precious," she said condescendingly.

He frowned, his eyes darting to the hand holding his chin, as if considering doing something to it.

Nikola grasped her forearm gently, staring into her eyes defiantly.

How easy it could be for him just to reach down and kiss that hand, that, wrist, that forearm, that neck.

Helen watched his eyes swirl with thought, wondering what he was thinking until he pulled her hand down gently, releasing his chin.

"When were you supposed to meet the good doctor?" he asked out of nowhere. It caught her momentarily off-guard.

"What?"

"When were you…"

"Oh, around 11:30, the festival begins around 2:00, and he said he'd like to have me prepared beforehand," she caught up to his train of thought, and shifted away from him in her seat.

"Well then, you should get a move on, it's almost eleven," he gestured to the nearest clock. Helen shot out of her chair.

"Oh heavens! I'll be late!" she bolted out of the dining room and throughout the house to gather all she needed. Nikola just watched her out of amusement.

"Would you like me to call you a taxi?" he asked casually as she flustered chaotically about.

"That would be helpful!" she growled.

"Alright, I will," he stood up from the table and headed to the phone in the kitchen.

Helen managed to gather all her things by the time he was exiting out of the kitchen.

"It will be here soon," he answered for her before she had time to ask.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Too put together, I think Basil gave you a hard time as you were leaving, that's why you're late," he suggested.

"Good idea, maybe you should…"

"I'm not hitting you again," he raised his hands up defensively.

"No, not that, just…rip my sleeve," she held out her arm.

"Ah, good thinking," he took her arm and, with one swift tug, ripped the sleeve down a couple of centimeters from her wrist.

"I'm thinking Basil has a bit of a drinking problem which has only recently caused these violent outbursts, how does that sound?"

"Plausible," he nodded. "Is this the first time I've hit you?"

"Yes, but you've been verbally abusing me for years," she pulled out the handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped a bit of the makeup off her cheek around her bruise to make it look like she had tried to cover it but didn't succeed.

"How do I look now?" she asked, displaying herself for him to look over.

"Used and abused," he confirmed.

"Excellent." A honk sounded from outside. "That's my ride," she looked over at Nikola. "I'll see you later."

"Farewell, meine Leibe," Nikola grinned and waved.

"I'll meet you at the festival at the music pavilion," she headed to the door as she spoke.

"Ooh, dancing under the moonlight," Nikola mewed amusedly.

"No fake beard or mustaches, just come as you are…but in character," she looked at him sternly. "And no bomb scares either, I mean it!"

He scoffed.

"Will you go, already?" he scooted her out the door. "I'll be fine just go."

She nodded and ran out to the cab. She chanced one last look back at him, waving slightly before getting into the cab and driving away.

~~~~Later~~~~

Helen arrived at the hotel a few minute past 11:30, stepping out of the car and heading up the steps to the front entrance. He was to meet her in the lobby.

She noted the familiar black suits as she walked through the hotel doors.

Neil Parsons stood waiting for her, his face fixed with something akin to worry.

She forced a weak smile and approached him.

"I'm sorry, I'm late, I was…detained," she said, watching as his face melted at the sight of her then reddened with anger at the the bruise on her cheek that she had made to look poorly covered up.

"Helena, what has happened? Who did this to you?" he cupped her face to examine her bruise more carefully.

"Basil came home early...he didn't like that I what out so late, he jumped to conclusions…he may have been drinking," she bit her lip to hold back her fake tears.

"What did he do to you?" Neil asked with genuine concern, she found it rather touching.

"What any jealous man in a rage does to his wife…this is the first time he's actually hit me, he usually uses harsh words as a prelude to trying to conceive children," he gently caressed his thumb against her cheek as she spoke.

"I ought to kill him," he growled.

"It's nothing, it's just a bruise, I'm fine. I'll be rid of him soon enough," she grasped his hand and lowered it.

"I'll see to it, personally," she added softly.

"I know you will…but we have different matters to discuss," she changed the subject, releasing his hand.

"Right," he nodded, dropping his hand as well.

"Shall we be dining in the lounge?" she asked.

"No, for this we need a more private setting," he offered her his arm.

Helen felt a small wave of doubt enter her, but she had to risk it. She took his arm gratefully and let him lead her to the elevator and take her up two floors to the room he and his goons had been occupying.

It was fairly cramped with technology well above the requirements of a simple military bounty hunter. Helen decided not to say anything.

He showed her to a seat.

"Would you like a drink?" he offered her gently.

"No, no thank you," she shook her head.

"I hate to have to ask you to do this in your stare," he started.

"No, if it will buy my freedom from that…man…I'll do it," Helen acted easily. It helped that she had met a few actors in her time.

"Are you sure?" he looked at her as if she might break.

"Yes, I'm sure he won't hurt me, not with this, if anything it will be just the distractions you need to get him and me out of this place," she looked at him sincerely.

Parsons leaned over and cupped her face again.

"Leave us!" he ordered to his goons. They looked at each other blankly, then left. "Helena…"

"Yes, Neil," Helen looked into his eyes.

"If you would let me, I would be honored to take you back to the states…with me…I mean, not just escort you…I mean," he fumbled slightly.

"I know what you mean," she smiled softly and leaned over, kissing him gently. "I'd be delighted."

He smiled shyly. Helen enjoyed having the power to melt the hearts of even the most sinister men.

"But, if I'm going to go with you, you must promise to be honest with me, I'm done with lies and deception. I don't care if you've lied to me before now, but if I'm to go with you I need to know that you trust me enough with even your deepest, darkest, dirtiest secrets…I'll share mine if you'll share yours," she flirted, caressing his cheek tenderly.

He mulled over it for a second.

"Alright, I will, but not here, not now. When we have him captured and you safely away from here I'll burst open like a broken dam, I promise," he kissed her sweetly.

"Deal," she grinned.

"Now, to business," he leaned away from her, doing all he could to contain his excitement.

Helen feigned it proudly, knowing she had found his Achille's Heel, and had bore her way into his circle.

She sat back in her chair and smirked to herself as Dr. Parsons began to divulge his plan to capture Nikola.

~~~~Later~~~~

Helen arrived at the music festival at 3:30, immediately given a mask at the entrance. She put it on and walked through the grounds of the festival. There were many stalls, many tents, many artists selling their work, all surrounding the main stage pavilion where the music was playing before a wide open dance floor where masked figures upon masked figures danced together in blissful delight.

Helen scanned the crowd of hidden faces. Looking for a hint, a tell, anything that would make him stand out amongst the din of bodies.

She was subtle but not overly so, knowing she was being watched from both sides, one being one of her oldest and dearest friends, one being the mysterious group after her old and dear friend, and one being the man the mysterious group thinks they're after being played by her old and dear friend, and she was the balance between all three.

Nikola would be subtle, and his signal would be clear only to her. Neil's men would hide amongst the crowd and appear when needed.

Helen felt more than a little nervous about being caught in the crossfire.

Why'd it have to be a masquerade?

Helen suddenly was pulled on to the dance floor and into a snug embrace. She was shocked for a brief second before realization took over her.

"You?" she said, recognizing the smirk behind the mask. She signaled to him that she was wired with a microphone.

He didn't respond but handed her a scrap of paper, pecked her lips, and then spun away into the flurry of dancers.

Helen read the words written on the paper.

"Meet me at the gazebo across the park."

Helen smirked slightly, folding the note and tucking it in her clutch.

She moseyed past all the other festival participants, past all the tents, pretending to browse before reaching the other, less crowded, end of the festival grounds. She saw the gazebo, it looked quite untouched but she approached it nevertheless.

She felt a little unsure as she got closer and still saw no sign of him.

If he was here it was the perfect place to get nabbed without drawing too much attention. He was clever she had to admit.

She walked up the steps to the gazebo, her heeled shoes clunking against the wood.

"Hello," she called out tentatively.

No answer.

She moved to call again, and was jerked into the shadows, suddenly pulled into his embrace.

"Hi," he said simply.

"I got your note," she reminded him about them being listened to.

"I was hoping we could speak alone," he took her hands, signaling that they were probably being watched.

"We are alone," she said, trying to sound a little intimidated by him.

"Are you sure? You've been spending a lot of time with that man lately, I was worried you…"

Helen grasped his hands.

"Only to get him off your back, he wanted to use me to get to you but I refused and told him a tall to have him sniffing in another direction. You're the only one…"

"Really?"

Helen tried not to roll her eyes. He was really playing the part of pathetic lover.

"Of course," she sighed, still trying to sound nervous.

Before she knew it he was kissing her, for show of course, but she didn't want him to get any ideas.

She pulled away from him and smiled nervously.

"I'm sorry," he gasped. "I couldn't stop myself. You're just so beautiful."

He stroked a lock of hair from her face.

"Thank you," she blushed slightly, he always seemed so sincere.

"Let me see your face, please," he reached for her mask and her hands darted up to stop him.

"No wait!" she cried.

He pulled off the mask anyway.

Nikola let out an appalled gasp at the sight of her bruise.

"Who did this to you?" he growled angrily. "Did that man do this to you?"

He caressed her bruised cheek.

"No! It's nothing, really," she pleaded.

"I'll kill him," he snarled.

"No it wasn't Ne-I mean, Dr. Parsons, it was my…husband," she looked down forcing tears into her eyes. "It was my husband."

"How could any man treat you in such a manner?" his thumb brushed away her tears gently.

"He doesn't love me, I wonder if he ever did…you do, right?"

"How could I not?" he stepped closer to her. "From the first moment we met I knew I loved you."

Helen watched his eyes. Why did these words seem more than just a ruse when coming out of his mouth?

"Will you take me away from this place…away from my husband?"

"In a heartbeat," he stepped even closer to her, his hands falling on both her arms.

She reached up and pulled his mask of, her hands caressing his face.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"My real name is Javor Dragoslav," Helen rolled her eyes. Of course, when did he never use that nickname. It was almost as much apart of his life as his name itself.

"It sounds foreign."

"My parents immigrated from Russia to America when I was just a child, I haven't gone by it in years. Not with such distrust between the two countries," he shrugged.

"I see," she nodded her head. "Will you take me back to America with you, Javor?"

"I couldn't stand another day without being with you," he kissed her again, his hand creeping into her neatly done up hair and undid the clasp, allowing her reddish hair to fall down her shoulder so he could tangle his fingers in it.

Helen noticed the approaching goons out of the corner of her eye. It wouldn't be long now. She signaled to Nikola that they were coming, he nodded and kissed her deeper.

She could see Neil leading the pack.

She broke the kiss and pulled away.

"I'm sorry," she gasped.

"What?" Nikola winked at her subtly before Neil grabbed both his arms and pried him away from her. "Hey! What is going on! Get off me!"

"I'm sorry, Javor," she said as earnestly as she could watching his face melt with betrayal. Even though it was just an act she had seen that face too many times in her lifetime that the weight hurt.

"Helena?" he looked at her and his eyes pierced her soul.

"I didn't mean to, Javor, they gave me no choice," she forced tears again.

Two goons took Nikola off Neil's hands and began dragging him away.

"Helena! I thought you loved me! I love you!" he cried.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed.

"You bastard! You did this! You turned her against me!" cried Nikola, pretending to fight against the men holding him.

"Take him away," ordered Neil. He turned to Helen. "Are you alright?"

She nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I will be," she choked.

"You heard him, he's a traitor, don't get hung up on his affections for you as honest as they may be, he was going to hurt a lot of people, you just saved a ton of lives," Neil said comfortingly.

"I know it's just…hard," she sobbed.

"Here, I'll take you home," he offered.

"No, please, I don't want to go back there, not if he's there. I never want to go back to him again, I want to go with you, please," she begged.

"Alright," he sighed.

"Thank you," she hugged him gently. "Where are you taking him?"

"There's an old war bunker in the forest, we plan to take him there and interrogate him," he sighed.

"You mean torture, don't you?" she asked.

"I'm hoping it won't coming to that," he took her hand. "I won't make you watch, I promise. The bunker has many rooms, with cots and bedrolls. I'm sure you could rest,"

"Alright," she sighed.

Helen took his arm and he led her to his black car parked just outside the festival grounds.

~~~~Author's Notes~~~~

K, sorry for keeping you waiting. :) Hows it going friends? School tough? Tell me about it! I want to die right now, i'm so exhausted. Just finished production week, have a million and one things to do in the next few weeks...already want to crawl into a hole and hide. Still find the time to write though...kind of crazy.

Hope this entertains you for awhile. I put some extra yummy moments in it just for you :) I have no idea when i'll find time to write the next chappie, all i ask for is your patience.

Happy Easter!