April 24 1912 3:35 am
Helen grew aware of water. Soft splashing and light gurgling. Helen opened her eyes and started up in alarm. Strong arms wrapped around her shoulders and held her in place. "Shhh its alright Helen. I got you." Nikola whispered, letting go as he felt her relax into the hot bath. Helen looked around. She was in a porcelin tub full of steaming water and thick white foam. Niola carefully brushed the ice and rain from her hair whispering in a strange mix of Serbian and latin. Helen stopped listening as her eyes drooped and she fell back into the waiting darkness.
Helen became aware suddenly that she was awake and had been for hours. Her body shook violently as though every joint in her body were about to become unhinged. She realized quickly she wasnt shivering, but crying.
Helen was wrapped in 3 blankets and a strong pair of arms. She was no longer cold.
"You should have left me there,Nikola."She heaved angerly between sobs "I was ready to die."
"You dont mean that Helen. One day youll forgive me for this. You have your whole life ahead of you."
"Yes and thats just it isnt it? I could live forever. I could outlive You!"
"Oh hey lets not get carried away!" Nikola said hurridly. Helen laughed in spite of herself.
"Be serious Nikola." she said weakly. Johns gone. What do I have left? My lifes work has been taking care of others. I know its selfish but I want someone to look after me. To love me for who I am. To know everything about me. To hold me when Im sad or take care of me when Im sick." She sighed as it all poured out of her. She was too tired and miserable to hold it in.
"It isnt selfish what you deserve. But with Johnny, well you bet on the wrong horse there love."
Helen huffed stubbornly but she had stopped crying. "We were going to start a family. We were going to set up a sanctuary and have kids and maybe buy a summer home in France."
"You can still do all those things, Helen." Nikola soothed. "Youre going to live a long and happy life. Youre going to see the world and fall in love with someone who worships the ground you walk on. Your going to be happy again."
"Im all alone." Helen wailed. Nikola pulled her closer protectively, almost possesivly. "No, Helen. You have me and James and Nigel. You have everyone at the sanctuary. Human and abnormal alike. You are loved. Its John thats alone. He s the one that turned his back on us."
Helen shook her head. "I dont want to live."
Nikola gave her a light shake. "Helen. You cant survive what you just went through and then give up now. That would be selfish."
"How many died?"
"Helen you cant."
"How many Nikola. You know. I know you know." Helen asked sharply.
Nikola sighed. "About 1,500. The Mackey bennet went out to recover the bodies. They only found 300 or so. But the rest... they must have sunk. Or floated away. Tragic."
Helen nodded. there was no other word for it. Tragic. No other way to describe it.
"I met a friend of yours. John Astor. He didnt make it off." She said. "Im sorry Nikola. I thought you should know."
Nikola nodded sadly. "Thats a shame. He was anice fellow. I rather liked him."
Magnus shifted in her blankets to look at Nikola. "How did you get out of debtors prison?"
Nikola shrugged. "Im on probation. White starline used a lot of my patents. I was going to get a big check from them when the Titanic docked." He smirked. "I was going to use the check to pay off my debts. As long as I stayed house bound until it cleared, I was free."
Magnus sighed. "But the titanic sank. And you left to come find me? Someone from white star would have seen you." She said. "Theyll throw you back in for sure!"
Its worth it to see you, Dearest" Nikola smirked and kissed the top of her head. Helen sighed and snuggled into him.
"Thanks Nikola." She sighed as she dozed back off. He pulled her closer and she smiled as warmth spread all over her.
THE END