Only half of last chapter in word count but oh - the content -I hope it affects you the way it did me.
Damn - the emotion of it all. Maybe I'm just a little too close to it?

Tell me what you think - I love your posts and feedback. You keep me on track. And I thank you
for taking the time.

One and Only

There in the total quiet of the townhouse, the pair sat in the library on the first floor, lit by the crackling fireplace. Myka pulled her legs up under her in the over-sized leather chair. Helena sat in a matching chair across from her, but nowhere nearly as relaxed as her guest. Helena's sudden movement to get up startled Myka. As fast as she stood up, the Brit fell on her knees in front of her. She put her arms around Myka's folded legs and pulled her in as she placed her head in her lap.

"Helena," Myka said confused by the abrupt action. She put her hands on Helena's head and stroked her hair. Myka bent down and put her face near Helena's ear. "You can tell me anything, Helena," Myka said spontaneously. It was just a sense she had, that Helena was holding onto something and very troubled.

When Helena raised her head, Myka was surprised her eyes were moist again. "What is going on sweetie?" Myka asked, taking Helena's face in her hands. Helena stared into those emerald pools of concern.

"Oh Myka," Helena said kissing Myka's palm and holding it to her cheek. "I want nothing more than to tell you everything. To open my heart and lay bare all that lies within it. I want everything to pour out until I am an open book, spread out for you to see," Helena said.

"And I want to know everything, Helena. I want to know the minute you were born, where you grew up, what you wanted to be when you were a kid, who was lucky enough to be your first kiss, did you love sports or reading? Who broke your heart and how did you get over it? What was your best birthday?" Myka said all in one breath.

Helena didn't answer; she simply put her head back in Myka's lap. There was great cause for her hesitation. It wasn't just the fact that she would be going against her agreement with the Regents, she didn't care. They would be very sorry if they came for her, of that she was sure. No, Helena's concern lie with what these truths would do to Myka. There is a price for knowing someone's secrets. Yet, how could Helena ask Myka to love her if she didn't know who she was?

Myka was the purest truth on earth for Helena….. and she would not taint that.

"Myka," Helena said looking up in to her eyes. "I have to tell you a great many things, and I want you to wait until I am done before you make your decision."

Myka's forehead wrinkled with confusion. "Helena, what decision?"

Helena ran her thumb across the lower lip that she would have much rather been kissing. Helena wanted to say – 'to leave', but she smiled and stood up.

Everything raced through Myka's mind as she waited for Helena to speak. None of it good.

She was breaking up with Myka, even though technically they weren't a couple yet. The pen reminded her of something and now she resented Myka. She was not pleased with her work performance and this time she really truly was going to fire her.Myka looked up at Helena and in an instant, knew none of that was true. It was the first time Myka looked at someone she cared a great deal about, and didn't doubt herself.

"Myka, I too came to New York in search of answers. Answers about myself and life. I came after being released from my former employer. I worked for a specialized agency – first in London and then here in the US. They focus on some amazing things, Myka, but they have to remain under the radar because of the nature of their work," Helena started and sipped the elixir because her throat was already dry.

"Like the CIA?" Myka asked and Helena smiled because of course Myka's brain would be searching for answer.

"Yes somewhat, but even more specialized. When they released me, they told me that I could only divulge my experiences with one person – one special person in my life. If I didn't agree to these terms, they would not have released me," Helena said and Myka could tell how serious this was.

"So you agreed?" Myka asked.

"Well, I didn't disagree," Helena smiled. "I understood why they had this rule and quite honestly, I didn't think I was ever going to be in the position where I needed or wanted to share it. Until I got sick," Helena said walking over to the fireplace.

"Helena, when were you sick?" Myka said now worried about where this confession was going.

"It was a couple of years ago. I was suffering from this bloody anemia and had the flu. I did my own blood work, but was unclear about what the antidote was," Helena said.

Myka smiled to think 'of course you did you own blood work.'

"I thought I was dying, Myka," Helena said and Myka shot up from her seat to go to her.

"Oh Helena," she said kissing her on her head. "You must have been so afraid."

"Yes, but not perhaps for the reasons you might think," Helena said taking Myka's hand and brining her back to her chair. She wanted distance between them – in order to say what she had to say. Myka resumed her place and listened intently.

"I was taken to the hospital where I was diagnosed and treated and released. In a couple of weeks' time, I was good as new and receive those Vitamin B12 shots monthly for the condition," Helena said.

"So you're okay? It was just the anemia and the flu?" Myka asked her words filled with concern.

"Yes, as far as I know I am fine," Helena said truthfully. "But the circumstances forced me to select someone as the one person I could tell ….everything to. My 'One'."

Myka could tell this made Helena very sad, but she could not yet figure out why her history would be of such a concern. "Helena, I'm not sure I understand."

Helena smiled at her friend. How could she possible understand any of what she was trying to tell her? Helena paused and thought about which card to put on the table next? That she had a daughter? That she killed a man? That she killed more than one? That she was HG Wells?

"Myka, I never expected to find someone who would make me think about any of this. I agreed to any condition because I had had my share of lovers and family and they were all gone. I was alone in the world, and that is how I had wished it to be. But then – you came into my life. And parts of me that I had shut down and forgotten came back to life. I had walled off any part of me that could be touched, and yet you managed to seep into every pore of my soul and touch me. That is why I treated you so badly – I was so afraid that my own heart could act on its own – without my consent. And then my head finally caught up with it – and I knew you were the one person in this entire world that I could ever really love. You have made me believe I can love again," Helena said, sitting in front of Myka now, holding her hands.

Myka could hardly take it all in, but she knew an eloquent declaration of love when she heard it.

"God Helena, you say the most beautiful things," Myka said – her face bathed in adoration. "Look at me," Myka said taking her under her chin and making her look her in her eyes. "I love you, Helena," Myka whispered. "From the moment I met you, I wanted you – I didn't even understand how, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. You set off feelings in me that I never knew I had and it scared the hell out of me. It made me feel out of control," Myka said remembering what a roller coaster ride of emotions she had. "You are the first person who makes me feel good about myself and it's all because someone like you, Helena ….wants …..to be with me. I love you, Helena," she whispered.

Myka hadn't planned on saying any of that, but it was exactly what was in her heart. She leaned in and took Helena's lips with her own. The sensation that filled Myka told her this was where she belonged. She broke the kiss and smiled, but she could still see the cloud of angst in those ebony eyes.

Helena buried her face deeper into Myka's thigh. Her heart swelled with joy at the words – and the fear gripped at her chest. Raising her head to look Myka in the eye, Helena said; "You must know who I am before you can be sure you love me."

Myka had given some thought to what Helena had said about a secret part of the government. Sam was in the Secret Service; she knew there were parts of his job he never wanted to talk about. Did Helena partake in something that she wasn't particularly proud of?

"The past is the past, Helena. You and I are now - and we can build a future," Myka said sincerely.

Helena wanted to believe her, wanted to trust that this is what Myka would still say after she knew everything.

"I don't care if you can't tell me things, Helena. Everything I need to know about you," Myka said leaning in, "…is right here," and she put her hand on Helena's heart.

She could feel the pounding through the silk blouse. Myka stood up and pulled Helena with her. She took her in her warm embrace, wishing she could ease whatever was tormenting Helena.

Helena had planned on making her speech – and waiting for whatever the consequences might be. She was not ready for Myka tossing her warnings aside and declaring her own affections.

"Stay with me tonight," Helena asked Myka. "Hold me, Myka – if only for tonight, hold me and don't let go."

Myka was not used to Helena being uncertain. Why would she think they couldn't work out whatever she thought the problem was? For now, Myka would give Helena what she seemed to need – time. She walked to the couch with Helena in tow. She pulled Helena down to lie alongside her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Helena grasped Myka's arm and seemed to hold on for dear life, burying her head in Myka's embrace.

Helena's plan to tell Myka would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, she just needed the sensation of Myka's tender caring.

"Helena, I'd rather be your only, than you One," Myka said and Helena dissolved in her arms.

Helena had tonight, she thought. She would face it all again in the morning.

She had no way of knowing that as she lay in Myka's arms feeling the safest she had ever felt in her life, danger was outside on her doorstep.

And he had figured out how to get inside without being detected.

Thank you for continuing to read along.