CHAPTER TWELVE

Sorry it took so long, I had most of it done and then I lost the file :| Anyway this one is good, I promise :)

It takes Helena another two days to finally go see Myka. She calls every few hours and sends flowers and text obsessively but she can't bring herself to go meet her in person, not yet anyway. Helena takes up residence in a small corner in the archives section of the Warehouse. The books strewn about function as a makeshift bed and the scrunched up leather jacket that has surely seen better days serves as a pillow. Helena is glad that there isn't a mirror in sight. She can't imagine how she looks right about now. With her eyes dark, wild and red and her cheeks stained with dried tears. She cannot fathom losing the woman she is avoiding at all costs. This may be what Claudia had referred to as the mad haze, Helena certainly feels quite a bit mad. She tugs at the white blouse that surely reeks by now and lets it hang half tucked into her brown fitted pants half dangling out.

Claudia returns with a fresh stack of books that no one has touched in decades. Her condition is much the same. The dark holes that have dug themselves at the rim of her eyes stand testament to the endless hours she has spent alternating between visiting Myka, researching and taking care of the Warehouse. She often forgets to eat, only to be reminded by a grumpy Artie who makes his way across the maze that is the Warehouse to deliver some take-out rumbling about not being a delivery boy.

Claudia squeals with delight as she turns over a page only to be followed disappointed sigh when she realizes the artifact was destroyed. They keep searching, debating the merits of certain artifacts every now and then, neither one of them acknowledging the existence of the necklace that lies in the inside pocket of Helena's jacket.

"Helena"

Helena doesn't look up from the book for a few long seconds only to be forced by the intent gaze of the red headed agent.

"What is it, Claudia?" She doesn't mean to be curt but the words come out sharp anyway.

"You need to go see her, there is nothing else."

"There has to be, Claudia, there just as to be." Claudia can see the pleading behind the dark eyes.

The woman before her is a desperate mess, scrambling to save the agent the Warehouse will never be the same without.

Claudia slowly moves over to close the book in Helena's hand and tilts her head. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and off to your lady love."

Helena can't help but form a small smile. Claudia has been the only thing that has kept her from falling apart. She will never be able to express her gratitude to the young techie.

They leave behind the mess of books and parchments and grab Helena's jacket before making their way to the B&B. Claudia changes and forces Helena into the shower holding her nose joking about the stench of a dead animal and needing to burn those clothes asap.

"Don't you want to look pretty for your girl?"

Helena shakes her head and obeys the younger agent's instructions even putting on the clothes that Claudia fishes out from the closet. Helena smiles when she sees the grey shirt that belongs to Myka laid out on the bed. She still remembers the last time Myka wore it; it was their first kiss after all.

When she is all dressed she takes a few books from the shelf to read to Myka and puts them in a bag with a few of Myka's clothes. This may be the last time she takes clothes for her to the hospital, so she makes her selection carefully.

She holds the necklace in the center of her palm and flips open the oval locket. She traces her thumb over the number on the frozen timer: 7:8:17:34.

Downstairs Abigail has two steaming plates of easy bake lasagna ready at the table with Claudia already munching down on one.

"You don't want to faint of malnutrition, HG. Then well have two sick sexy ladies to deal with. Grab a plate."

Helena smiles and hears a chuckle from behind.

"Claudia is right," Abigail comes up from behind and places a gallon of orange juice on the table before settling down on a chair.

Helena nods and takes her place.

All three of them leave for the hospital leaving the Warehouse in the trusted hands of Steve Jinks. Helena gathers up the team in the hallway outside Myka's room. Pete smiles at her and punches her on the shoulder.

"Sure took your sweet time didn't you?" He scolds well-naturedly, "Left my partner hanging"

"I'm sorry about that"

"So what's the plan?"

"Everyone already knows what the necklace does, I am going to tell her about it and Myka being Myka is going to choose to use it. Claudia, you can take care of the clothing. Pete, get her parents here. Artie, Abigail, I hope I can trust you with the rest of the preparation?"

Everyone sounds their approval; Pete already turns away and gets on the phone. Artie and Abigail start discussing cuisine and décor. Claudia hangs back with a question.

"So that'll be a dress and a suit, am I right?"

Helena nods and hands over a check.

"I trust this will cover it?"

Claudia's eyes open wide, "Oh yeah!" She exclaims before getting on her objective.

Helena takes a deep breath before stepping into Myka's room.

She is met with a hostile glare and piercing eyes.

"You have been avoiding me."

"What? No! I am doing no such thing. I've just been busy."

"Too busy to visit your dying girlfriend?"

The look of sheer terror and panic that flashes across Helena's face almost makes Myka regret saying the words they have been dancing on egg shells over.

"No, love, I'm never too busy for you. I was just," she pauses unsure of how to choose her next word, "occupied."

When Myka sees that Helena is not going to relent, she chooses another course of action.

"Then tell me what is on your mind, honey."

"Like what?"

"Like are you making plans to go to dig up another lost Warehouse that houses an artifact that will help you destroy the world should I die?"

"That is nonsense Myka, there is no other lost Warehouse."

"You know what I mean"

"Is that how little faith you have in my redemption?"

Helena means to tease but Myka can see that she may have slightly marred the trust it took so long to build back up between them.

"Helena, oh my god no! No, I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, darling," she smiles.

"Helena, you know that I love you right? And nothing could ever change that. But please, just tell me what is on your mind."

Helena places the necklace on the table by Myka's bed. "I suppose it is your decision to make."

Any guesses for what the artifact does and what they are up to?