I missed you guys!

The longest chapter yet - but I added some things before I posted because you guys are so good about riding along with me on this.
I hope it answers 'some' of your questions.

As always - if I'm off on any of this - I know you'll share it with me.
A/N: I may have taken some liberties with the medical stuff here - but only because I did not wish to drag this chapter out too long.

The One

Claudia brought in two bowls of pasta and chicken to the living room where Steve was already watching the game.

"So you were going to tell me about your job, but then the airplane was diverted and you thought I had something to do with it?" she asked.

"Yep," he said shoving a mouthful of food into his mouth and trying to see past her.

"And you're working in Security detail with Pete – you think - because she hasn't told you what your job is actually - and you don't think she hired you because you're like a fracking lie detector?" she asked passing him the soda.

"Right," he said wishing this could wait until after the game.

"And you told her you wouldn't be used as a human lie detector?" Claudia said brining out garlic bread.

"Yes," Steve answered biting down on a piece of the crunchy bread.

Claudia was laughing and he wished he could have ignored her, but it was one of those 'what a fool' laughs.

"What? She asked me about my uncanny ability, but I said I wouldn't use it just to tell when people were speaking mistruths. Can you move just a little?" he asked.

"Oh man, you are naïve," Claudia said.

"What? She said that's not what she wanted me there for," he protested. "I do have experience in electronic surveillance and security, you know."

"And you believed her? No, that's okay. I mean you can detect lies, but you can't tell when the wool is being pulled over your eyes," Claudia said acting like now she was interested in the game.

Steve hit the mute button. "OK, spill it Donovan. What are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying that my boss will find a way to use your special talent even though you said you don't want to use your special talent and she will do so in a way even you won't know. She's that good," Claudia said to him as the more experienced staff member.

"Well she agreed that she wouldn't ask me and I think I could have detected if that was a lie. Now, can I watch the game in peace please? The Yankees have to win this one," her friend said turning back to the game.

Eileen made her way home that night after contacting Claudia to say Helena had solved the CIA puzzle. Claudia seemed a little blasé about it much to Eileen's surprise. It had been a means to an end for the Teckie and it had kept Helena out of the mainframe, so that's what she cared about. Eileen then realized that they couldn't be sure Helena had solved it – it's not like the answer was on the back of the box - so she sent a copy to the only people who could confirm it was correct. Eileen let her eyes close as the train rumbled through the stations on its way to Brooklyn. After putting in such a long day, it felt good to be done with work.

It was rare that Eileen every had to address something after work, the way Claudia or Pete had to. Once in a while, Helena called to ask her where something was and it took her some time to explain to Helena that she didn't know where files were unless they were in the office. Helena didn't seem pleased that the assistant used the 'I've never been to your townhouse' explanation, and so one day she made it a point of asking the woman to report to work at the townhouse. Her instructions were simple; memorize where her files and papers were there so that if Helena had a question, she could assist her. Eileen pointed out that all the files were on the computer, but that was not what Helena was talking about. She took notes, copious notes about every deal and every product they were working on. And that is what she wanted Eileen to be able to locate. So Eileen went to the townhouse that day and was awed by the books, files, letters, and things in her boss' townhouse. She felt like she was stepping back in time somehow.

The flaw in Helena's plan -that Mrs. Frederic pointed out - was that she wanted the young assistant to memorize a moving target. Much like the way she handled her clothes, Helena picked up files in one room and placed them down anywhere. So Eileen went to Claudia and they developed a manila folder that was fitted with a tiny disc that once logged into the computer, could be located anywhere. Helena was quite impressed the next time she asked Eileen where her file was on the traveling art project, and Eileen pressed a few keys and reported that it was in the second floor library in the townhouse. And when she was able to locate notes that Helena left in the Bentley, Helena was pleased.

Of course, Artie had an issue with file folders that cost twenty-seven dollars each, but it was well worth the cost when they figured out how much time was wasted running around looking for a file that Helena had buried on her desk. If Helena ever stopped trying to get through the firewall, Claudia was going to resume her project of developing notepads that the Brit would write on anywhere and the contents would wirelessly be downloaded to her computer.

Everyone's evenings got a little easier now that their boss was otherwise engaged. Even so, Eileen was home late every night, having plenty to do at the office. Her boss was still non-stop during the day.

Eileen's mother always had dinner waiting on the table for her. The conversation invariably included reasons why Eileen should look for a job that didn't stress her out so much, and that a college graduate shouldn't be an administrative assistant, unless it was a stepping stone of course. Eileen couldn't assure them it was. She was simply the longest one holding on in the proverbial mechanical bull ride, but that didn't guarantee anything.

"That woman would be lost without you," her mother said to her – almost every night.

Eileen wasn't so sure. She had no way of knowing Mrs. Frederic had already warned Helena not to make the girl leave or fire her. Helena dismissed the verbal threat as usual, but she knew she had someone very skilled sitting outside her office. Eileen was developing into a self-confident aide and Helena saw the change.

"What is it that you like about your job?" her father asked. It was a constant question in Eileen's house.

"I like my boss," she said truthfully. This answer always made her parents look at each other as if to ask if that made sense.

"My boss is a standup guy, but I doubt I'd list him as my main reason for driving a truck every day," her father said smiling.

"Oh Dad," Eileen said and that would end the conversation.

Eileen went up to her room to relax. She never expected her parents to understand how much she enjoyed her job or even why. They saw her boss splashed in the newspapers for her 'after work' activities. They didn't see how charismatic she was or how bright she was. Eileen fantasized about asking Helena to dinner at her parents. 'Now that would be funny,' she thought.

There hadn't been a night in a long time that Irene Frederic returned to her home in Queens and slept well. She was alone in the house now that her husband had passed and her sons were grown and out on their own. They were diligent about calling her often from their homes in California. They wanted her to sell the house and move out there. They thought they were close to talking her into it a few years ago. She had just retired from her job on Wall Street, and was seriously talking about relocating. Then out of nowhere, she took a job with a new company. Her kids were surprised to say the least, but thought maybe she just wanted to work a few more years. They started to worry though with the new position's long hours. It wasn't that the woman was unfamiliar with hard work, but there was something else. Their mother seemed very excited about the job as HR Director, but within short time, she started to sound worried. They even asked if her boss was involved in something illegal or shady, because she sounded so troubled. She chastised them without raising her voice when they suggested that. She would never work for someone like that she reminded them.

They had no idea what kept Irene up at night, and she wanted to keep it that way.

Irene thought her job was a once in a lifetime opportunity. She had been contacted by Helena before her company was even up and running. She was told the nature of the business – a startup biomedical engineering company in the middle of Manhattan. Irene knew nothing about that type of company, but she knew laboratories were nonexistent in midtown Manhattan. No, her boss insisted, it had to be there. She was given the task of hiring all the necessary staff and she was most attracted to how much leverage her boss gave her. Then the company expanded to include all copyrights to the works of HG Wells. This was an area the CEO seemed especially involved in.

From the minute the new CEO entered the building, things took off. They were up and running in a very short time and lucrative contracts were being signed every week. The company exploded both in product and staff and soon, the CEO became the interest of the media. Irene took it upon herself to safeguard Helena as best she could. No one would ever think Helena G. Wells needed protection, but then, they didn't know her story.

It happened one late night months after the opening of Wells Corp. Irene finished up reviewing the new hires and was about to leave. The snow was starting to accumulate outside and the security guard asked if she knew when Ms. Wells was coming down because he was afraid she wouldn't be able to get home if she waited much longer. Irene went back upstairs and found Helena still in her office.

"You do know it's after eleven," Irene said to her boss who seemed to be urgently writing notes. In fact, when Irene looked at the desk, there were pages and pages of notes. "I have to finish this, Irene," Helena explained and it was easy to see the concern written on the CEO's face.

Irene studied Helena's appearance. For the first time, the glow was gone from the pale skin and she looked ashen. Her ebony eyes seemed weary and red. She really was overworking and as many times as Irene pointed that out, she had dismissed her.

"What is all of this?" Irene asked and it gave Helena pause. She looked up at the woman. "It's what everyone should work on in case….," and her voice cracked. Helena looked concerned – gravely concerned.

Irene sat down across the desk. "Helena, are you okay?" she asked the Brit.

"I am not sure," Helena answered truthfully.

"Well, what is going on? You know I won't leave until you tell me." the HR Director asked.

Helena didn't speak – her eyes just locked on the woman as if she was trying to decide something. In fact, she was.

"I am …sick," Helena finally said and Irene pressed her for the details. "I did some blood work before and I am anemic," Helena explained.

Helena knew what to look for, but the fatigue was worsening every day. Her joints were aching and the more she pushed, the worse it got. Helena feared that even if the doctors could diagnose it, they would discover her secrets.

Her boss was a young woman in her prime and appeared to be in very good shape. She knew Helena worked out, ate well and generally had a healthy lifestyle. The only unhealthy aspect of the woman's life that Irene could point to was her string of possible lovers.

"Helena, if you're sick, you have to see a doctor," Irene urged her. "Did you …. contract something?" Irene asked delicately.

"No," Helena assured her. "I can't go to the doctor's. There's nothing they can do," Helena said and Irene worried it was terminal. Irene got up from her chair, called the security desk downstairs, and told him they were both staying. She hung up the phone and sat back down.

"Now you can tell me what's going on, or we can sit here all night long and stare at one another," the older woman said and Helena was certain she meant it.

Helena stared for a long time out the window as the snow blanketed the streets below that winter. She remembered that when the government released her, they told her there were two stipulations. She could only take her books, some letters, journals, and small trinkets. She could not take her inventions, especially the Time Machine that had helped them in their mission. Helena never agreed, but certainly made it appear as if she was going along. She spent the time she was there recreating another Time Machine and put it in the storage area where hers was stored. She had spent her time mapping out the entrances and exits and anything else she could about the warehouse, and when she was ready to leave, she moved the Time Machine to a rarely used Exit and took what belonged to her. She didn't notice at the time that they had removed a crystal needed to make the machine operational. She had broken one of the rules before she left the state.

The other stipulation was that she could only tell one person the truth about herself. They really didn't expect anyone to believe her, but they extended her the same courtesy they gave their present day agents – they could tell one person about their work.

"Be very careful who you choose for your 'One', Ms. Wells," Mr. Kosan said to her. "There are consequences if you don't adhere. We make no exception to this rule." The agent in charge was less eloquent in giving her the warning.

Helena figured it would be years before she had to decide who her confidante would be. She expected it would be a trustworthy lover, a loved one or close friend. Unfortunately, Helena didn't trust anyone enough to fit those categories. Except that night, in the dead of winter when she thought she was sick, she was afraid she would die without someone knowing who she really was. The older woman had been with her since the start. Helena respected her.

She turned around and faced Irene who was patiently waiting for her.

"Irene, I am becoming increasing weak and I am afraid it has to do with being imprisoned for a very long time," is how Helena started her story.

Irene didn't jump to any conclusions. She listened to Helena's story and asked thoughtful questions that would help her understand. She trusted Helena, and in spite of the outlandish claims, she believed her. Helena explained she had been bronzed although she didn't tell her exactly why. She explained she had worked for the government as an agent in a special unit in London and had because of her actions, was placed in a type of suspended animation…..for a very long time. By the time Helena was done telling her story, the snow had accumulated to over ten inches outside, and Irene – in a rare moment – accepted the drink Helena offered her.

Irene sipped the drink slowly and put it down. "Helena, I'm taking you to the hospital now. I don't care how, but you're going there now," Irene said and put her finger up to stop the protest. "You're going. Period." The HR Director figured there was plenty of time to sort out Helena's story, but for now she needed medical attention.

Helena thought for sure Irene was bringing her to her end. Once they examined her, they would find something that would indicate her true age and that would be the end of it. Helena tried to argue against going, but she was getting weaker by the moment.

"I don't care if you are older than I am," Irene said gathering the woman up in her arms to help her to the elevator, "I'm still not taking any of your nonsense."

Cars could not make it through the snow, but Irene knew what would. That night Helena G. Wells traveled to New York University hospital on the East Side by horse and carriage.

Irene insisted on that hospital because she knew a doctor there she could trust. She told Doctor Calder the symptoms as they took Helena into the private room. Irene watched carefully to see if Vanessa gave any indication of finding anything suspicious, but she didn't. She was looking for the suspected cause and found it. Helena was not only anemic, but she had the flu. They gave her fluids and told Irene she had to be on bed rest. "She should also get Vitamin B shots for that anemia," Vanessa ordered.

"And Irene?" the doctor asked when everyone stepped out of the room.

"Yes?" her friend said.

"Her blood work shows no inoculations – none. We have to get on that right away," Vanessa said.

Irene stared down at the patient. If what Helena told her that night was true, her vaccines may have long been out of her body. She would be a walking magnet. Irene hired a private physician the next day whose job it was to be on call for the CEO. Irene was not taking any chances after hearing Helena's story.

Helena never met the doctor who took care of her that night. She was fatigued from the toll the infection was taking on her. Hooked up to an IV and machines, Helena reached out for Irene's hand.

"I have placed you in a precarious position tonight, Irene," Helena said in a raspy voice.

Irene looked down and pushed the ebony hair off Helena's forehead.

"I have made you my One, and in doing so, you alone carry the burden of knowing the truth about me. There can never be anyone else, Irene. Or they will come and take me back," Helena said.

Irene patted Helena's arm and assured her everything would be okay, but Helena grabbed her hand. "I cannot tell another living soul about who I am, Irene. I am so sorry," her boss said before surrendering to sleep.

From that night on, Irene had trouble sleeping.

Helena recovered quickly from the viral infection and was back at work before she should have been. She never mentioned it to Irene, but rather it was her expression that told the woman she remembered what had transpired. Helena was sorry she had been forced to make that decision that way. It was not necessarily an honor to be chosen as someone's One, but rather a liability. Helena couldn't explain how, but she was certain the Regents knew she had made her choice.

Irene sat in her office the night Helena and Myka shared dinner at the Champagne Bar and rode through Central Park. She knew what Helena was contemplating. Ever since Helena chose her, she seemed to know what was going on with Helena, even when she wasn't with her.

She reached down and sent a text to the only people who could help Helena now.

Helena helped Myka out of the carriage when it arrived at the townhouse, still clutching the treasured gift. They went inside into the library downstairs, where Helena poured them two glasses of Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Limited Edition cognac. Myka inhaled the aroma as she swirled the drink in the snifter glass and sat back on the soft leather chair.

"Myka, I cannot tell you how touched I am by this gift," Helena said taking the pen out again.

"Oh I am so glad. For a minute there, I was afraid you didn't like it," Myka said.

"No, I guess I was just surprised to see it again," Helena said running her fingers over it once more.

"You keep saying that word – again. When was the last time you saw it?" Myka asked smiling and sipping her drink.

Helena stared at her - taking in the pleasant expression on Myka's face. She was afraid she wouldn't see it again after tonight.

Waiting to hear your thoughts as always and appreciate you sending them along.