Helen wasn't sure if there was truth in the old adage that being at sea gave one an appetite or if it was worked up from all the excitement from last night.. At all events she found herself interested in a real breakfast, rather than tea and half a crumpet. all the same she lingered over her meal, eating slowly.

Nestled in with a purple dress , Helen had found a notebook belonging to Nikola. He had used it as a journal until he left for Budapest. She had just come across his first impressions of the other members of the Five and found it greatly insightful.

Oct. 8 1885
I spent the entire night with Helen again, nothing new though for me. She is absolutely perfect, not a single flaw except that she is into John and not me. Anyway we spent the entire night just looking at the stars together as we used to before ... Trying not to write about him. What can I say about Helen? I've already said she's perfect in everyway although when it comes to her, no harm in saying it over and over again. I wish she knew how much I really love her, but I can't bring myself to tell her ... Some coward huh? Oh well I can wait a million years as long as I get to talk to her.

May 1 1886
I played the best prank on Nigel, teach him to mess with me again. It was hilarious. I wish I could have seen the look on his face when he seen all the pigeons in his room. He seems to be ok, we are always playing tricks on each other though, our way of having fun. Mr. Magnus isn't so happy about it, but hey it's fun any how. I can't wait to see what Nigel gets me back with though, assuming he can even top it. All of the fun of the pranks we come up with, he's come up with a few good ones to, but mine are always the best.

Sept. 22 1888
How could James ever believe that I would. How could he accuse ME of all people of being Jack the Ripper?! Betrayed by someone I thought was my friend. Some self conscious bastard he turned out to be. My heart belongs to one person only, there's no way in hell I'd ever harm someone like that no matter how beautiful they were. He's lucky I love Helen and that I promised her I wouldn't feed on humans ... Wait I can't think of him that way, he's her friend to but I still wish I could at least show him what I am really capable of.

December 4th 1899
It's so hard fighting for Helen's affection when the bastard John has her father wrapped around his finger. What does the long haired pitiful excuse for a gentleman, not to mention a man for that matter got that I don't besides Gregory's approval? Oh they get on my nerves! Wait and see I'll win Helen over some day and she'll be all mine, see what Johnny says then.

She looked up as a loud laugh reached her ears and smiled at the woman striding in her direction. "Good morning Mrs Brown." Helen waved. Maggie smiled and bustled over.

"None of that Mrs Brown stuff, if you please. I much prefer Maggie." She smiled her energetic smile and too the seat Helen offered her. "third time we've seen each other, Ain't it? I'd say were fast becoming friends, Doc."

"Call me Helen." She smiled Other than The Five, Helen kept mostly to herself. Especially among socialites. too many secrets could get out if she were careless. Her age and how she became Immortal, Nikola's vampire heritage, the secret to James success. Jack the ripper still alive and on the loose.

Helen certainly never had any female friends. Most women of the time were uncomfortable around a woman who was a doctor. Especially women her own age, though she suspected Maggie to be a decade or two younger. Helen felt more at ease with her.

"Say, what are your plans for dinner? I got a few friends would love to meet you."

"Tonight? I'm completely free." Helen smiled, feeling more at ease with the world than she had in many years. Maggie smiled back.

"Excellent. Ill meet you in the dining hall at five o'clock?"

Helen nodded and finished the last of her tea. "Ill see you then." She stood as Maggie excused herself and was called away. Helen stretched and headed to her cabin to change. When was the last time she had been swimming? Twenty years? Thirty? Nikola once convinced her to swim with him. She blushed at the memory. Men and women didn't swim together. It was simply not done. But Nikola, with his uncanny with and charm talked her into swimming with him.

In the Thames no less. It would never do for John to find out. She had floated lazily in the shallows, counting as Nikola swam lap after lap. James of course got it out of her within 5 minutes of their return to the Sanctuary.

Helen changed into her swim clothes. A little more revealing than she preferred, with the bottom coming down only as far as mid thigh. The sleeves stopped before the elbow and there was barely any skirt to speak of. She blushed at her reflection and pulled on a light dress to keep herself decent and headed to deck F and the swimming pool. She remembered an article in the paper about this pool.

...where the ceaseless ripple of the tepid sea water was almost the only indication that somewhere in the distance 72,000 horses in the guise of steam engines fretted and strained under the skilful guidance of the engineers

Most of the other women were catching up on gossip or sleep so the pool was empty. Helen cast her off white sundress to a deck chair and stepped lightly into the warm salt water. She pushed off, letting her momentum carry her to the middle of the pool where she floated lazily. After checking again that she was alone, she pulled off her swim cap and let her long curling hair fan out through the water. She took a long breath and closed her eyes.

"Come on Helen. We swam together before." Helen's eyes snapped open as Nikola s voice echoed in her head. She looked around again to find no one there and sighed, closing her eyes as the memory bubbled up.

"It wouldn't be that much different. Not really. And you would be underwater."

"The answer is no Nikola!" Helen had said with a laugh. He pouted and Helen took advantage of his silence "It wouldn't be proper! And the water would be

freezing! "

Nikola smirked playfully. "That's what I'm counting on"

"Nikola!" Helen gasped in horror. Of course the entire proposal was scandalous. He smiled and lay his head on her shoulder with woeful puppy dog eyes.

"Ve do eet all zee time in old country" he said in as thick an accent as he could dredge up. Helen laughed.

"I don't believe you! " She exclaimed "Nowhere do men and women swim together without clothes on. Especially here in England!"

"And women don't go to Oxford." Nikola shot back. Helen knew she had back herself in a corner immediately.

"Come on Helen. I thought you were a pioneer."

Helen smiled at the memory and flipped herself over, swimming to the far side of the pool with strong even strokes. She wondered vaguely what would have happened had John not walked in when he did. She never told Nikola she was seriously considering his proposal to go skinny dipping.

Helen pulled her swim cap back on as foot steps approached.

John had been adventurous, in his way. But he also adhered to tradition. It was what had drawn her to him. John was suave,handsome smart and a true gentleman.

Perhaps not as adventurous as Helen herself, but he appreciated her spirit. Admired her for it even. And her cause. Something it was very difficult to get people to understand.

John brought her roses everyday the first month of their courtship. He wrote her love letters and poetry. he had been her advocate in class when the other men looked down on the "Oxford woman"

Helen sighed and climbed out of the water Why did he have to be so easy to fall for? how had she been so easily charmed? How did she miss the blinding rage? Helen had always been so sure of her instincts before. She suddenly found herself second guessing her every decision since that fateful day she learned the truth behind the brutal killings in White chapel.

After slipping her dress back on, Helen headed back to her cabin to dry her hair and change. She had plans to meet with the Doctor after lunch. Best way to put John and her past out of her mind was to push herself back into her work.

Massive Spazz and belated thanks with my sincerest apologies and thanks to Lokison (AKA Glitch) who helped write this entire fic also helped me out by writing the journal entries in this chapter even though it wasn't his turn he was a great sport. Sorry this is so late Glitch.

Slainte,

hobbit