A/N - I know this has been on hiatus for what seems like forever, however I wanted to try and get some chapters ahead before posting. Currently, I'm on chapter 8 and counting. Though I would have preferred more written, it has been so long since I began this, I thought it was time to post some more. I hope you can forgive me, and that real life sadly doesn't allow me to write as much as I'd like.


Problems mount.

Chapter 3.

"It would appear you are as troublesome as the reports suggest." Myka looked up as Helena sat ramrod straight in the seat across from her showing no emotion beyond clenched fists. "So far, you've done nothing to counter that view that I have of you from what I have read on paper or been told. I would like to help you Helena, but so far, you're not helping yourself."

"If you truly knew what was going on here, it wouldn't be me you are concerned about." Helena replied, her tone cold.

"What do you mean?" Myka looked worried for a minute, and as Helena merely glared back, refusing to answer. Myka tried again, "If you have information about something occurring here that shouldn't be, I need to know."

"You need to know nothing at all. I will not report back to you, especially since I don't know you." Helena continued to look impassive, even though she felt drawn towards Myka in a way she didn't like, nor wanted to try and analyze. "You're in charge, and that means it's up to you to know what is going on around you and who is doing what with whom."

Myka tried to take in what Helena wasn't saying, and was concerned by the possibilities, "Are you implying…."
"I am implying nothing. I don't know what I've done wrong, except I was dragged in here, having been thrown into my cell, after having batons used against me, when I was the one that was attacked. But of course, everyone believes good old Alice Liddell. Alice in Wonderland, the girl who everyone loves. Some of those who are supposed to watch us love watching her just a little too much."

"Helena, please…"

Helena stood up, "If that's all."

Myka looked deflated, knowing she wasn't going to get any further, and she pressed a button to buzz a guard in, "You'll have five days in solitary and this will go down in your file."

"Oh goodie, how generous of you." Helena sneered, as the door opened.

"Actually, it is generous of me, I could have given you a far harsher punishment, especially since I have no other proof you didn't do as the report says because you won't talk to me about it properly," Myka looked at the guard, "Please escort Miss Wells to solitary. Ensure she remains clothed and has the correct bedding in place."

The guard nodded, and slapping some adapted cuffs on Helena moved her out, and Myka sagged back into her chair, worry etched on her face. Gathering her things, she began to get ready to head back home, and the Vodka she knew had her name written all over it.


Myka stood in her kitchen, and tipped her head back slightly, willing the headache that had built up over the last couple of days to dissipate. She slowly looked back down, and tightening the belt on her robe, grabbed her coffee to walk into the sitting room.

Once there, she sat down, grateful for the day off, but worried about what might be happening whilst she wasn't there to keep an eye on things. She thought back to Pete's words from the other night, and sitting back up, pulled her farnsworth off the coffee table.

"Myke's!"

Myka couldn't help the grin at the smiling face greeting her, and she instantly felt better.

"Hey Claudia."

"So, day off huh?"

"Yeah," Myka sat back down into the sofa, keeping the farnsworth in one hand, her coffee mug in the other.

"So why the long face? Shouldn't having time to yourself make you even just slightly happy?" Claudia moved as she spoke, and Myka could tell she going somewhere more private

Myka sighed, "It would be, if I hadn't had the two days I've just faced."

"Ohhhh Valda." Claudia said knowingly with a slight smirk.

"Yeah, that and Stukowski." Myka admitted.

Claudia's face scrunched up, "Yeah, not met her, but Pete said she's a bit of a douche, well lot of a douche, and flavor of the month with Valda."

"Well, I'm certainly not on either of their Christmas lists, especially after I put them both on report."

Claudia looked shocked, "Whoa, what? Bet that's never happened to them before, so way to go Mykes! Why though?"

Myka shrugged, deciding how much she was prepared to give away knowing the history between the Warehouse and H.G. Wells and went for no name, "They put a prisoner in solitary in appalling conditions. One blanket, no mattress or pillow. It was worse than the way some people treat their dog. Even before I came they were allowed at least more than that. I'm sure they did it to not only rile me up, but to make it harder for the women to trust me. I know many of these women have done horrific crimes, many are due to artifacts, and a lot won't rehabilitate or only partially rehabilitate. . ."

"But?" Claudia prompted as Myka faltered.

"It shouldn't mean we should just give up on them. Some will undoubtedly benefit from help and deserve a chance." Myka shrugged slightly, "Maybe Pete was right, and I'd be better off asking to become a Warehouse agent proper."

"Nope. No way," Claudia argued back, "You leave, and not only do Valda and Stukowski win, you leave those women; that if it's even as half as bad as you say, in a place no-one deserves to be left. Should they pay for their crimes? Yeah, absolutely; but if some were artifact related or women can be genuinely helped, they should have the chance. C'mon, why else did Mrs. F make you warden? Because she recognizes these changes are needed, and you can deliver them."

Myka put her now empty coffee mug down, and rubbed her eyes, before looking back at Claudia. "But what if I can't do enough? I have no-one on my side within the actual walls of the place. It's all very well knowing I have the support of Mrs Frederic and a few others, but they don't see what I do each day. They can't support me when I need it the most."

Claudia looked thoughtful, "Just do me a favor, don't make any rash decisions."

"I won't," Myka promised and watched curiously, as Claudia moved back to her computer. "Claudia? Claudia, what are you doing?"

"Just making sure they aren't doing something they're not supposed to." Claudia replied, as she shifted the farnsworth, and Myka could see all the footage streaming live from within the prison from what looked like all the main security cameras.

"Claudia!" Myka sounded and looked horrified, "You've hacked into the security system. You can't do that."

"Whoops. I guess I just did." Claudia replied with a cheeky grin, "And if you turn your laptop on, I'll stream it across. Oh…looky here, what's that name on the door sign? So H.G is already in solitary. Is that who you were talking about earlier? If so she deserves it for what she did to us and our support of her."

"Claudia." Myka's voice carried a stern warning, and Claudia put a hand up.

"Hey, just saying, she's been there what, not even a couple of days, and already she's in isolation. They say a leopard doesn't change its spots."

"Claudia," The name was practically growled out this time, "That is as maybe, but as I said to Pete, H.G. Wells wasn't given any help after she was debronzed. Frankly, I'm not surprised she's found it hard to cope and accept everything around her. I think most people would have gone…"

"Cuckoo, bat shit crazy, mad as a frigging hatter? Oh maybe not the best analogy with Alice 'I truly am as mad as a hatter' Liddell also being there. Scrub the last one, but the rest stand." Claudia supplied as Myka's voice trailed off.

"I wouldn't use those terms no, but I would say she needs help, not full condemnation."

"Okay then, just don't say we didn't warn ya."


"Miss Wells, please sit down."

Helena looked across at Myka, but did as she was asked, although she kept her posture rigid, and her face as impassive as she possibly could. It was at times like this, she thanked her strict Victorian upbringing of 'Children should be seen and not heard.'

Flicking the file open, Myka pulled off the glasses she'd been wearing, and Helena had to stop herself from staring into Myka's eyes. Suddenly, Helena felt nervous, as she fought down the feelings that weren't wanted, certainly were unexpected, but definitely not going to be reciprocated in anyway.

Seeing little from Helena, Myka sighed as she put the glasses down, "I know you feel this isn't for you, but I can assure you, that your best interests, and women like you, are what keep me working here."

Helena snorted, "In that case, if you are so concerned for my wellbeing, I would like out of here please. Now if possible."

"I'm afraid you won't go back to your cell until we've covered…"

Helena actually laughed out loud, and looked derisively at Myka, "I don't mean going back to that abominable room. I meant letting me go, releasing me."

Myka sighed again, as she reined in her mounting aggravation, "I'm asking you don't fight me on this Miss Wells, or may I call you Helena?"

"Miss Wells is perfectly acceptable, thank you very much."

Myka could hear the derision, even if it was said with so much politeness it might not have been caught at all if she hadn't been listening and watching carefully. "Fine, Miss Wells, this is the formal induction meeting, as we've not had a chance to meet since you arrived." Myka put her glasses back on, and opened the file, "I would like to know if you are aware of what you can and cannot do whilst here."

"Oh I've been given the handbook and instructed to read it, so yes, it's all crystal clear. Even if the book was then taken from me, should I dare gain any enjoyment from being able to read it more than once. Worst still, the belief that I would be able to magically use the pages, glue or binding as some kind of weapon. I am afraid that my abilities are not as far reaching as some seem to believe."

Myka looked up, and could see the hostility, as she pushed her hands up and onto the desk, linking her fingers together, and decided to try and ignore much of Helena's rant, "I also want to see if you'll agree to therapy. Even before you were bronzed, you were facing a situation that would test the best of us." Myka watched as Helena's face hardened, but since she said nothing, Myka continued, "So I have arranged for you to meet one on one with the therapist on staff, Abigail Cho. While I have asked if you'll agree, that is only on provision that you see her for one session. Her recommendations will then be discussed with you, and I would hope you'll see it as a chance to help you. Further meetings are voluntary unless it is felt that someone is in direct danger to themselves or others, but I ask you consider them."

"So, as with all things Warehouse run, it seems as if it's your choice, but in reality we are all still puppets in your stupid tedious games. Very well, I will meet with this Miss Cho, but please do not think for one second that I am doing it by choice."

"So noted." Myka looked slightly frustrated, but she knew she had to force at least one session with Abigail. Now she just had to get through the rest of the paperwork and hope that Helena realized she was genuinely trying to help. She was beginning to wonder if her days could get any longer.


"Take a seat please." Abigail Cho motioned to the couch that was in front of her own armchair. Helena merely glared back at her as she sat down, refusing to sit right back, and remained perched on the edge, her usual straight back and impassive expression. Abigail knew immediately that she had a tough job on her hands.

"I understand you requested that the warden call you Miss Wells. However, I am trying to bring as much informality to these sessions….

"Session." Helena interrupted gruffly.

"I beg your pardon?" Abigail replied.

"You said sessions, but I plan on only attending one, ergo session. This one to be more precise, and since I've been told by Miss Bering that others are not mandatory, rest assured this will be my only time here." Helena clarified, her tone cold.

"Perhaps, but I would suggest you wait until we've finished today before you write this off like that. Now, as I was saying, I will be calling you Helena, and I would like for you to call me Abigail."

"No. I'm afraid I won't be calling you Abigail. Miss Cho is perfectly fine by me. Plus since I cannot make you call me Miss Wells, as with everything of late, I will do so under protest.

"If you so wish." Abigail said, watching Helena carefully.

"Oh my wish is I wasn't here at all, but since I have no choice in anything then I will only do the bare necessities needed. Why should I pander to the Warehouse or those who work for it?"

"Because this isn't for the Warehouse, or me, but for you. Anything you say here is confidential, unless it endangers anyone, and there are no recording devices here other than my written notes, and even then I keep those to the bare minimum."

At this, Helena leaned forward ever so slightly, her posture hardening. "Then you are a total fool if you think for one second the Regents are not monitoring this room and these sessions. Nothing is confidential in the world of the Warehouse. Nothing is sacred."

Abigail leaned forward herself, pulling up a picture that she had already placed on a small table alongside her own chair, as she lifted it enough for Helena to see. Helena looked at it carefully, as Abigail watched recognition flicker across her face before the mask slammed back down. Keeping it aloft, Abigail spoke up, "I see you recognize the item shown in the photograph."

"What if I do?"

"Then you know the picture is of Confucius' Flip-Flops, and they are ensuring that we maintain full privacy here by offering us the protection they give."

Helena huffed, still trying to maintain a stance of indifference, but was finding it hard, "I thought they weren't known to the Warehouse? Nor was their full ability known?"

"They might not be at the Warehouse, but some items are under the control of the Regents as I'm sure you know. I was aware of their existence, and so asked to use them. As for their ability, yes, they do offer protection. Protection that stops others being able to listen to or watch what is going on within a certain radius. This room happens to be within that radius." Abigail explained.

"So they do know you're using them?" Helena sounded aghast.

Abigail nodded, "I insisted that this was the only way I was going to do any sessions here. I do understand why you are sceptical of the Regents. In many ways, I am wary of them, and in regards of not trusting them to monitor my patients whilst here is the main reason I did this. It took some arguing, and I wasn't sure for a long time they would agree, but eventually they did. Believe it or not Miss Wells, I work for you, for all the women here, the Warehouse are merely my employers."

"What, pray tell, are the downsides of this artifact?"

Understanding the need to make sure nothing untoward was going to happen, Abigail nodded as she replied, "It's unfortunately one I have to deal with."

"Which is?" Helena looked worried, "I cannot in all conscience allow another to be used or hurt by me again."

"It's not too bad, I just get a headache at the end of each day, as they use some of my energy to maintain power needed, but because I don't use them for more than eight hours in any one day, and for no more than a few days a week, they are not troublesome. They only become a danger if someone uses them continually, which I can assure you I do not. I am also constantly monitored by Doctor Calder. Miss Wells, I know you might not agree with this, but I do it willingly, knowing at the end of the day I'll need to take some headache pills. Nothing more."

"Helena, you may call me Helena."

With a slight smile, Abigail tipped her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Very well, then I will start by giving you a run down about who I am and what we might be able to achieve."