Dear Readers,

Here's the second oneshot! This one takes place a few weeks after the first one. Hope you like :) The title is also a nod to "Sleepers," for anyone who notices those kinds of things ;)

Best Regards from a Bookworm (and hoplessly obsessed Tesla fan),

Miss Pookamonga ;-P

II. Focus

"Magnus?"

Helen jumps, startled by Will's voice breaking through her thoughts. "Oh! Will…yes…I'm sorry. What did you need?"

She watches the young protégé's eyebrows furrow in curiosity, and she instantly knows that in that head of his, he is carefully examining her current actions. "I just wanted to know—"

Will is suddenly cut off by the unexpected entrance of none other than Nikola Tesla, who sweeps elegantly through the doorway of Helen's office, his motions fluid but yet surrounded with an air of command and poise. He has always moved like that, but for some reason Helen always seems to find herself utterly captivated by the powerful impression he makes upon his surroundings whenever he enters a room.

Striding so swiftly Helen swears that he is somehow floating on air, he determinedly makes his way to her desk—but then suddenly draws to a halt upon catching sight of Will already standing in front of it.

"Oh," he says, sounding almost as if he is caught off-guard. "I see you are…currently engaged—I shall come back la—"

"What's the matter, Nikola?" Helen quickly interrupts, trying to ignore the knowing smirk that is slowly spreading across Will's face. If only the young man could be less observant at times like these, then she wouldn't have to worry as much about her composure…

"Nothing, really," Nikola answers, his voice unusually hesitant. "I just…" She watches with interest as his eyes dart in Will's direction and then return to settle on her. "I was wondering if you might join me for lunch…" He glances back at Will. "Whenever you're free, of course."

She can barely help the beaming smile that creeps onto her face at Nikola's proposal. Not to mention the heat flaming on her cheeks. She silently curses herself for being so ridiculously obvious and prays that her face isn't turning pink. "I would love to," she answers, in a voice that is just quavering with the slightest bit of embarrassment. "I'll be down in a few minutes."

That characteristic grin of Nikola's finally returns, and his eyes twinkle in satisfaction. For a moment, Helen can't even breathe, and she silently curses herself again for not being able to adequately control herself, especially when Will Zimmerman happens to be watching her from the sidelines.

"Good," Nikola replies, and without another word, he spins deftly on his heel and glides out of the room.

There is a moment of painfully awkward silence before Helen finally exhales the air caught her chest and turns to face Will once more. "I'm so sorry, Will, what was it that you wanted to ask me?"

Much to Helen's dismay, Will is grinning broadly as if he's just discovered one of his mentor's deep, dark secrets. "Not much," he answers, his smile growing even wider. "Just wanted to know if you've been feeling okay. You've been a bit…distracted...lately."

Helen's stomach flips in what could be horror, or anxiety…or perhaps it's just hunger. "I—I'm fine, Will," she manages to say, adding a small smile of her own for effect. "Honestly."

Will nods, but Helen can see that all-too familiar glint in his eyes that tells her she's lost the battle. "Okay. Just making sure," he says, that grin still plastered on his face. "Enjoy your lunch with Tesla." And with that, he quickly disappears out the door.

Helen heaves out a sigh of irritation. As soon as Will finds out anything, the rest are sure to follow, and she doesn't work well under constant scrutiny. Especially of this sort. Groaning in frustration, she stands from her seat and makes her way to the kitchen, hoping that after lunch she can regain her focus and get something productive done, instead of consistently wondering what Nikola Tesla tastes like.