I cannot even begin to thank everyone who has reviewed and supported me through this silly little fic. The list is far too long.

You've all been no end of help and your reviews have been memorable to say the least (a certain lovely someone started each of her reviews praise beginning with the letter of the fic and others have issued death threats while the idea of cloning Nikola has been brought up 25/26 times as has the notion of Helen being one bloody lucky woman) and the fact that this is currently my most popular fic to date is mindblowing. I think you're all just plain nuts...

Anyway, thank you all, once again. This has been insane but I hope it helped to tide everyone over until we get some news about Sanctuary next month.

xx

Nikola strolled through the halls of the Sanctuary, his heart beating wildly. It had been like that since he first sat down to write all 26 notes but now it seemed somehow more terrifying. Although he knew his mind should have been on all the delightfully wicked promises she'd written in the highly detailed letter she'd put in his pack. Just thinking about the battle plan she meticulously set out for her 'welcome home' made him shiver and it had been one of the driving forces that had kept him on track for the past 27 days.

Now, not so much.

He had every right to be nervous, he reasoned as he rounded the corner that led to the corridor of their bedroom. Technically it was her bedroom but... well, he was an optimist. Sort of. Plus he had his own bedside table stocked with wine and the trinkets he'd written to her about. And for all her insistence that they date and retain separate quarters he hadn't slept in his own bed in more than a month.

Taking a deep breath, he slowed ever so slightly.

The door loomed up ahead, dark, solid and foreboding. It was silly, she wasn't going to push him away, she wasn't going to kick his ass to kingdom come. She loved him, he reminded himself. They were in love, even if she thought it was a little fast, he wasn't going to be greeted with a gun. If worst came to worst, they could simply grab her letter and follow the instructions word by word until all thoughts of bad puns about Zebra's left their minds and they fell into the boneless stupor he had so missed these past few weeks.

It was going to be fine.

With his new found mantra in his mind, Nikola grasped the door knob firmly, turning it as slowly as he dared.

The room on the other side was dark, the blinds drawn but still he could make out that the room was, surprisingly enough, empty. For a second he just stood there, blinking dumbly before sighing heavily. He went to leave the room, heart heavy only to catch a glimpse of something against the dark coverlet. It was a square, small and white.

Interest peaking, Nikola absently swung the door shut before striding forwards, scooping up the paper. He chuckled, running a single finger across the front where his name was written in elaborate cursive that could have belonged only to her. Closing his eyes, he brought the note to his nose, inhaling deeply.

He knew he must look like a fool, smiling so broadly his cheeks were hurting but he was home and nothing could dampen his happiness at the fact. Except maybe one thing but he was still pretending to be an optimist so was refusing to think about that little, niggling (see: all consuming) fear that was chipping away at the already failing cheer.

Clearing his throat, Nikola turned the paper over, fingers trembling as he slowly unfolded it with far more care than it probably needed.

Mr. Tesla,

I feel it only appropriate to answer your question in the same manner in which it was delivered.

Yes.

I love you.

Helen.

PS: You still look hot.

He couldn't help it, it was just the sheer joy of the moment buzzing through him that made him do it, the relief allowing him to jump three foot and punch the air without a thought to dignity. A breathy laugh escaped his lips as he landed, eyes devouring the short message again and again before he turned, collapsing to the bed with another, more substantial bark of laughter and a spinning head.

He held the note to his chest, grinning like a maniac for a brief second until he became aware of another chuckle coming from within the room.

On alert in an instant, he bolted upright, eyes scanning the still dark room until his gaze fell to a luscious figure pressed into the wall beside the door.

How the hell had he missed that?

She was grinning madly at him, love shining in her eyes as she slowly stepped away from the wall and towards him.

He stood quickly, eyes trained on her face as he too crossed the room, wrapping his arms around her tightly the moment she was within reach. For a second he paused, half expecting her to talk but she grabbed his face, pulling it down until their lips met and he remembered just how little words mattered to them most days. Communication was all about quality for them, not quantity. Though it was also a little about sex, it was sort of how they did things considering her British tenancies and the fact that the 'children' referred to him as an emotional cripple.

Nikola worked his hardest to let every emotion he was feeling show in his kiss, his passion and utter bliss going unchecked as she rose on her toes, responding with all she had. His hands ran down her silk clad body, revelling in the fact that she was his and wearing his favourite little green number. The fact that she had chosen to give herself to him still made no sense to his mind. Or maybe it was more that she had chosen him.

She walked him backwards, lips never leaving his even as he fell onto the bed. She simply moved with him, crawling atop his body as her hands sunk into his hair.

Nikola rolled them, pressing her into the mattress before finally breaking the kiss, looking down at her, heart about ready to burst.

"I love you Helen Magnus," he murmured softly, watching as her blue eyes darkened and she chuckled.

"I love you Nikola Tesla," she replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Or perhaps Nikola Magnus-Tesla."

"Minx," he growled, swallowing her chuckle as she wrapped herself around him.

"Your minx," she corrected breathlessly. "Always yours."

"Always," he agreed, kissing once more to seal the deal.

Always.