Title: The Past is the Beginning
Author: Shannon – shannyfish
Disclaimer: I do not own "Warehouse 13" or its characters, Syfy and other people do. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: My take of the aftermath of the Season 3 Finale – "Emily Lake" & "Stand"
Warning: Season 3 Finale Spoilers. Seasons 1-3 are fair game.
Author's Note: Okay! So thanks to one of my FANTASTICAL reviewers, they pointed out the fact that I may want to look at the timeline for the two episodes! And I did! So, thanks for that! Also! Reviews make me happy :D And I'll write faster too! So, keep that in mind!
. . .
Chapter 3 – "The Wells Paradox"
"Man is the unnatural animal, the rebel child of nature, and more and more does he turn himself against the harsh and fitful hand that reared him. " ~ HG Wells
"We're so the Scooby Gang!" Pete enthused as they headed off towards Elk Ridge.
The three of them had managed to work as a team in order to acquire the key to the regent vault. They were so going to be in trouble for this, but she doubted that Claudia or Pete cared. She didn't. It would be worth it. It would all be worth it. She drove, hoping that it would help with her nerves. She'd feel better once they had Steve. HG was going to be easy, they had a huge head start on Sykes.
"You totally used the force!" Claudia chimed in.
Myka couldn't help but laugh at them. "Did you both just use two different geek references?"
"We totally did," Claudia told Myka. She moved so that she was forward in her seat and able to see from the back seat, positioned between Myka and Pete. "Come to the dark side…" Claudia told Myka seriously. "We have cookies…" It didn't even take a moment before they were all laughing.
It felt good, but then it also felt wrong. Myka couldn't keep the smile off of her face, though, so tried to stick with the happy feeling. "Who's making these cookies? Artie?"
"You know they're his specialty," Claudia told her. "Too bad we're going to be grounded when we get back or else we could totally have him make us some."
"Isn't this regent vault thing in a grocery store?" Pete asked.
"Yes," Myka confirmed.
"We're so buying junk food," Pete told them. "You know…so we're not going to be starving when Artie grounds us. I mean, he could ground us to the warehouse or Leena's...or Leena's IN the warehouse."
"That's true…" Claudia said with a sigh.
"Yeah but what will Jane and the regents do? Mrs. Frederic?" Myka asked.
"We're going to save the warehouse and all the cool people… I don't see why we should be in trouble."
"Pretty sure you probably thought something like that when you hacked the warehouse… Pretty sure you were in trouble for a while there…" Pete pointed out.
"I'm reformed!" Claudia tried to defend herself.
Myka smiled and reached out and patted Claudia. "Don't worry, Claud. I'll take full responsibility. I mean, Pete and I are supposed to be your role models… And Pete, well…he's Pete. They won't blame him because he always does not so smart things…"
"Hey!" Pete interrupted.
"But me… They'll believe that I was behind it all," Myka told her. "And I won't care…as long as we finish our mission."
"We're in this together, Myka," Claudia said after a moment. "We're a family… That's what we're defending… We're keeping them safe. That matters more than anything they could possibly do to us."
Pete nodded. "Claudia's right."
"You know Artie would have come…instead of me, but he didn't think he could do it," Myka said. "Artie may be our boss…but he cares… I don't want us to forget that…"
. . .
"The regent vault? Really?" Pete asked.
He was skeptical, but she had when she'd first been there. They entered. Myka remembered what they needed. She planned on picking up the items, but Pete and Claudia were going to pick up provisions in case they were locked away in the Leena's in the warehouse or something once they got everyone. She figured that it wouldn't hurt. It'd make them feel better and it would keep Pete quieter in the car. There was no way that drinks and snacks were going to remain unopened during their long trip today.
It took her a few minutes, but she managed to find everything. Pete and Claudia were already checking out when she got there. She put up a divider and set the items on the conveyer belt. She looked at the mass amounts of snacks and beverages that were being bagged. "How long do you think we'll be in trouble?"
"Who knows, I'm trying to be prepared," Pete told her. "Oh! And don't worry! We picked up a card for Artie."
"A card?"
Claudia held it up. "It's an 'I'm sorry' card. At least it's something, right?"
Myka smirked and nodded. "He might not appreciate it today, but he will tomorrow."
Once the manager was summoned because the items pinged in the system, Pete and Claudia took the groceries to the car while she went back with the key. She removed the globe and hurried to the car. They could catch HG up once they were moving.
. . .
"I have a cat?" HG asked.
Myka nodded. "Dickens."
"Why?"
Myka shrugged. "You also have an American accent."
"Freaky…" Pete and Claudia responded in unison.
"Do I get to meet her?" HG asked.
"If you like," Myka said. "I'd rather you just be HG Wells and not two separate people, but if you want to meet her…"
"I think…it could be interesting."
"That's definitely a word for it," Myka agreed.
The drive the Cheyenne, Wyoming had taken a couple of hours, but Pete had broken into the provisions he and Claudia had acquired back at the regent vault location. It had helped with things, though. It had made it more of a fun road trip rather than the absolutely serious mission they were on. She was sure that the information overload that she'd shared with both Claudia and Pete weighed on them, but she really needed to share that load. She needed the two of the people she trusted most in the world. She needed them on her side.
Myka pulled into the parking lot of the high school and found a spot to park. She instructed everyone to stay inside. It would be less confusing this way. Also, since she knew who she was looking for, she could get to Emily Lake in a more controlled manner. There was also the fact that she'd already had the shock of meeting Emily Lake, everyone else could deal with that shock on the way to her apartment.
"You sure you can handle it on your own?" Pete asked.
Myka smiled. "Oh…just wait until you meet her… I don't think she'd even smash a bug."
"Lovely," HG commented from the back.
. . .
This time, she knew who she was looking for. She was looking for the physical body of HG Wells. The more important part was that she knew her name. Emily Lake. Myka knew the easiest way was going to be going to the main office. She just told them that she was with the Secret Service and that she needed to take Emily Lake to the local federal office. No one argued. They looked slightly confused, but they pulled Emily Lake from her class and had a replacement in there in no time.
"I don't understand what the problem is," Emily Lake said as she was brought to Myka.
"I'll explain everything back at the office," Myka told her. She held up her badge, so that she was taken a bit more seriously. "We need to go now. Are you ready?"
Emily nodded. "I guess so…"
"Don't worry, you're not in trouble," Myka assured as they headed for the exit. "We just need to ask you some questions about an investigation we're pursuing."
"What kind of questions?"
"You'll understand soon enough," Myka said.
"Shall I follow you?"
"I think it'll be better if you just ride with me. I'll be sure to bring you back when we're done," Myka told her. "It'll probably make things go faster as well." She wanted Emily as calm as possible before she got her into their vehicle. It was going to be interesting once she laid eyes on HG's holographic form inside.
As they approached the vehicle, Myka nodded towards Pete. "That's my partner. Would you mind sitting in the back?" she asked, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Of course not," Emily said.
Myka led her around to the driver's side and opened the back passenger door for her. She got in but before she could close the door it was obvious she took in HG's form. Myka made sure to child safety lock the door (for Emily Lake's own safety, of course) and pushed it firmly shut. She didn't waste time getting into the driver's seat.
"What…what is going on? Who are you?" Emily Lake asked, half hysterical.
"The accent is horrid," HG commented.
"Are you ready to be returned to your body now?" Myka asked as she looked back. She sure couldn't wait to have HG Wells back in her own body.
"I am quite mortified, but perhaps we should wait. Wouldn't want you all in more trouble for returning you to my body," HG told them.
"What are you all talking about?" Emily asked.
Claudia looked over at the newcomer. "Believe me, you do not want to know." She held out an offering. "Twizzler?"
"Uh…"
"You want it," Claudia assured.
Emily took the offered candy hesitantly and then chewed on it after a moment.
Myka pulled the SUV out of the parking lot and headed towards Emily's apartment. "Okay, we're going to do this…summary version. Listen up, Emily. We're trying to save your life. There's some men after you who want to hurt you."
"Why would anyone want to do that?"
"That's a much longer story," Myka told her. "And I don't have time to go into it now. You're just going to have to trust us. We need to go to your apartment complex. I'm going to need you to stay in here with Claudia and HG while Pete and I go and retrieve one of our team."
"None of this makes any sense," Emily said and started to break down.
Myka could see the disturbed looks from HG and Claudia. She just had to look over to see the matching look on Pete's face. Myka turned back to the road and sighed. It was going to be interesting. They had a bit of time still. Hopefully they could sort things out. She was just hoping that Steve would still be there. That he'd be down where he'd held her and Claudia at Tesla-point.
"Are you sure about this, Myka?" Pete asked as they sat there.
They were just waiting. That was the hardest part. Myka knew that they had to wait for people to get to certain places, but how she wanted to speed through the day and just get back to the safety of the warehouse. Her thoughts were broken suddenly by the sound of the Farnsworth. She looked over at Pete with wide eyes.
"I'm sort of surprised it took them this long," Claudia quipped.
"I think Artie probably was napping," Pete commented.
Myka sighed. "If we answer it…we may not be able to get Steve and get back in time." She was really torn. It wasn't just Artie who could be on the other end of the Farnsworth. "These things really need Caller ID."
"I told Artie that," Claudia said.
"I'm sure he was afraid that none of us would pick up if it said 'Artie' on that ID."
"Can he really blame us though sometimes?"
Myka tried to relax. She was anxious though. She was terrified of losing Steve again. They'd have to be careful. She heard Emily Lake sobbing behind her and she peeked back. "It's going to be okay," she said, trying to sound confidant.
"I don't belong here," Emily said between sobs. "I didn't do anything wrong. I don't understand any of this."
It was then that Myka snapped. It was bound to come. Pete and Claudia were trying to keep things light, but she found her walls breaking down inside. "Shut up!" Myka said and tears came from her eyes. "You're HG Wells for God's sake! You don't whine like this! I'm trying to save your life…and other lives…so for the love of everything, stop!" she yelled. Myka saw the looks on everyone's faces and she sunk back into her seat and covered her face and allowed herself to cry a bit.
"Give me the coin, Claudia," HG spoke up.
Myka just closed her eyes and tried to think of happier times. She tried to think of all the antics that she and Pete had been through. This was her family. Yes, she had a biological family but these were the people that really understood her and accepted her for her gifts and quirks. Wasn't that what real family did? She had a place in this family and she wanted to ensure that she keep every member of that family alive.
"Myka," HG spoke up. "I'm sorry…"
"It's not your fault," Myka said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked over to see Pete sitting there staring at her. She tried to force a smile and reached out and laid her hand on his arm. She just needed to break down. "I'm sorry you guys… It's just a lot… I was barely keeping it together before…"
"We know, Mikes," Pete spoke up. "We're here for you. We're going to change things." He pulled her, using her hand, and hugged her.
It was a bit awkward, with the center console and such in the way, but it was still comforting. She wrapped her arms around him and soon found that Claudia was hugging them both as well. Group hug from those two was always comforting and helped in so many ways. "Thanks," she squeaked out.
"We'll make it work," HG spoke up.
The hug was broken and Myka smiled over at HG. "Thanks, Helena."
They all hung out in the SUV for a bit. Pete had resorted to playing games, which Myka swore he was making up as he went along. She actually wouldn't be surprised by that. It was entertaining though. Myka was pretty sure that that was what he was going for. The Farnsworths all went off about ten times while they waited.
"Myka, I think that's him," Claudia spoke up. "Are you sure we have to Tesla him?"
"It's going to be easier for everyone that way," Myka spoke up. "He'll want to stay undercover if we don't force things."
"We'll hold down the fort," Claudia said motioning between her and HG.
Pete and Myka exited the SUV; both had their Teslas out and at the ready. She really hoped that this would save him. She refused to se his corpse again. "Steve!" she called. Once he turned, she pulled the trigger on her Tesla. Energy in the shape of lightning flew through the air in seconds and stunned him. Steve was on the ground in no time. "Sorry," she whispered a moment later.
"I'll get him," Pete spoke up.
"You sure?" Myka asked.
"Yep, just get the door open."
Myka moved back to the SUV and opened one of the back doors. It was going to get a little crowded, but it would be worth it. "Maybe I should put him in the back…he may sleep the whole way," she pondered as she surveyed the space.
"May be a good idea," Pete spoke up.
So, Myka closed the door and moved to the back of the SUV. She opened it and moved the food and drinks so that they wouldn't fall and so there would be enough space for Pete to deposit Steve's body. Hopefully he wouldn't mind. She watched as Pete set his body safely inside. They closed the back door together and then hurried back to their respective doors. It was time to go home now. They needed to run and run fast.
They were already back on the highway by the time Myka brought up the next phase of their plan. "We need to figure out how to get and keep Artie, Jane, Leena, and Mrs. Frederic at the warehouse."
"Well, we could call in to Artie," Claudia suggested.
"But will he do it?"
"Maybe I can convince my mom to call in Leena and Mrs. Frederic to the warehouse," Pete spoke up. He frowned down at his Farnsworth. "We're so going to get it for doing this, but at least everyone will be safe."
"He wants your mom and I'm sure she'll try to be brave about things, but people are not going to die this time. The warehouse is not going to be lost," Myka said. She was determined. She was also exhausted. It hit her like a train. She'd been going for a while. She'd slept on the plane to Hong Kong, but not soundly and not well. She felt like she'd been up for three days straight. "Claud, if I pull over, can you drive for a while?"
"Yep," Claudia spoke up.
"You're going to let Claudia drive?" Pete whined a bit.
"You have to call your mom," Myka pointed out. "I don't want you distracted. Plus, there's nothing wrong with Claudia's driving…not like we're having Artie drive."
So, Myka pulled over and traded places with Claudia. She buckled her seat belt and then Myka tried to get comfortable. They had a bit of a drive ahead of them and she wanted to at least have a nap before they reached the warehouse. There would be a lot of explaining going on and she didn't want to break down in tears again. If she did, it would be half from exhaustion and half from actual emotional overload.
"Come here, Myka," HG said and pulled Myka towards her.
Myka was a bit resistant but laying across the back seat and resting her head on HG's lap was a lot more pleasant than having her neck lock up. She closed her eyes and thought of all of them happy and laughing. It was enough to allow her to drift. Blackness overtook her, but this time it was sleep and not the artifact.
. . .
TBC…