Title: Sanctuary – Beneath The Dark
Summary: Doctor Helen Magnus and her team discover more than an Abnormal and things that go bump in the night when on the hunt in Seattle. A/U.
Pairings: H. Magnus & OFC, A. Magnus & W. Zimmerman.
Rating: M for Mature readers.
Disclaimer: No profit or copyright infringement intended during the writing of this story. All characters other than original remain the property of creator Damian Kindler, Sanctuary 1 Productions and Stage 3 Media. Please note that this tale features a relationship between two women and if that is not your cup of tea, then go make a coffee elsewhere.
A/N: Cheers to my splendid proof reader Wendy Woo and please remember this all takes place in an alternative universe, so I do not follow the story line of the actual series to the letter. It's called creative licence and I use it to bring back to life characters who may have fallen to the wayside on television. Now if I could only use it to inject a bucket load of cash to SyFy so the fifth season of Sanctuary could actually see the light of day!
Chapter 3
Helen was busy making notations in a diary when there was a light rap on the open door. Looking up from her work, she grinned at the sweat pants and SPD tee-shirt clad Madison. With damp hair visible, it was obvious Ashley and Will had returned with the blonde's personal items.
Madison cleared the lump in her throat and inquired, "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Putting down her pen and closing the journal, Helen beamed, "I don't think that would be possible."
"Pardon?" queried Madison, slightly surprised by the open comment.
Blushing slightly, Helen quickly explained, "I apologise, I don't know where that came from."
Madison giggled at the other woman's slip of the tongue then hobbled to the chair in front of the desk. Sitting down gingerly, she said, "Don't apologise, I'm chuffed that you think so highly of me. Do you mind if I ask you another question?"
"No, go ahead." Helen's fingers formed a steeple under her strong chin and she waited. She noted the slight under curl of Madison's lips and suddenly drifted off wondering how it would feel to be held in the woman's arms and kissed senseless.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Madison asking, "Are you okay Doctor Magnus?"
Helen waved her left hand in the air, "I'm fine, just a little predisposed."
Madison was blunt with her next inquiry, "You are an Abnormal, right?"
"Yes I am. Does that concern you?"
"Only to the degree of not knowing what your ability is," answered Madison truthfully.
Astonished by the blonde's aptitude for surveillance, Helen replied honerstly, "I am about to divulge information I don't make a habit of sharing. Only a handful of people are aware of my deepest secrets, but my gift is longevity. I have not aged since acquiring my ability and I am also resistant against disease."
"So ... just ... how ... old are you?" asked a hesitant and somewhat stunned Madison as she recalled the doctor had mentioned she treated the Big Guy in 1951.
Dismissing the look of horror on the blonde's face, Helen pressed on, "I was born on the 27th of August 1850, so that makes me 158."
Madison couldn't hide the shock from her Nordic features as she stood up on unsteady legs, "Ah ... okay ... I'll just be going back to my room now."
Helen watched silently as the younger woman limped out of the office and into the hallway. She immediately rose from her chair and followed Madison to her room, "I am sorry I have managed to confuse you, which clearly, was not my intention."
Madison entered the bedroom and commenced packing the duffle bag Ashley had given her thirty minutes earlier, "It's okay, but I would like to go home now. If I need any further medical treatment, I will go to the nearest hospital. Your secrets will be safe with me, but I really do need to go home."
Helen observed the frustration in the other woman's eyes, "If that is what you wish." Stepping in closer, she placed a hand on Madison's wrist.
The Officer pulled back her hand, went into the ensuite and collected toiletries.
Taken aback by the blonde's untempered response, Helen remained silent.
Madison reappeared moments later, and without looking at Helen, said, "Please send me the bill for your medical service."
"Madison, what is troubling you?" asked Helen with concern.
"I've imposed upon your hospitality long enough as it is Doctor and I feel more than well enough to leave."
"You don't like the fact I'm an Abnormal, do you?"
Madison ignored the pain stabbing at her chest as she grabbed her bag and sneered, "No I don't and I don't understand why."
Helen's voice was low and pleading, "If you stay, I will explain everything."
Finally turning to face the brunette, Madison softly replied, "I can't stay here, I need to go before I make a complete idiot of myself. Please let me go."
Helen took in the glistening eyes and thin film of perspiration on the blonde's brow, "All right, I'll not keep you here against your will."
"Thank you," Madison responded between gritted teeth.
"I'll have Ashley fly you home directly." Helen withdrew a business card from her shirt pocket and handed it to Madison, "In case you wish to contact me at a later date."
Against her better judgement, Madison inspected the card:
SANCTUARY
FOR ALL
DR. HELEN MAGNUS, M.D., D.T.C.X.B.
(604) 717 2624
"Thank you Doctor Magnus, but I doubt I'll be troubling you again," countered Madison as she headed to the doorway and entered the vast hallway. "I'll wait for Ashley in the lobby."
The formal address had not been lost on Helen and her heart sank. Upsetting the police officer was the last thing on her mind, but readily conceded the damage had been done, and it was highly unlikely they would meet again.
-o-
Ashley skilfully took off from the helicopter pad located behind the main building and shook her head at her passenger.
Madison purposely ignored the gesture and concentrated on controlling her erratic breathing. Her darkened eyes focused on the view ahead and her heart rate eventually evened out.
The younger blonde finally broke the uncomfortable silence five minutes later, "We own hangars at all international airports including Boeing Field-King County International in Seattle. There are several vehicles at my disposal to take you home in, including motorbikes."
"Thank you for the inventory update, but I'm more than capable of finding my own way home from the airport."
"Oh my, mom was right," scoffed Ashley. "You really have gotten all bitchy."
"You don't mince words do you?"
"No, I don't like to waste time. You want to tell me why my mother being gifted has your knickers in such a knot?"
"No I don't. Look, I just want to return to my simple, uncomplicated life and forget all about Sanctuary."
"Wow, thanks for the resounding vote of acceptability," snapped Ashley with more than sting in her tail.
"I'm sorry Ashley, I didn't mean to come off like that, but it's just best I leave."
"Best for who?" countered Ashley.
"Me."
"Yeah right, you like simple and uncomplicated." Madison didn't respond, so Ashley continued. "I know you're attracted to mom and that's okay."
The Officer went on the defensive immediately, "What are you talking about?"
"You are fascinated with my mom. I picked it up this morning when you looked at her in the Lab. I could see it in your eyes."
"And this is worth discussing, why?"
"My guess is you're angry at my mother because of her age and I suspect you feel she wouldn't be interested in you romantically."
Although it hurt to do so, Madison crossed her arms over her chest, "I'd rather not discuss it any further thanks."
Ashley wasn't deterred in the slightest, "Mom has had several female lovers through the years, so you wouldn't be the first."
Angered by the affront of the younger woman, Madison didn't reply and the rest of the forty-six minute flight was silent.
-o-
Once Madison was given the all clear from Ashley to disembark, she grabbed her bag and said, "Thank you for all you have done for me and please tell you mother I sincerely apologise for my bad manners. Have a good life Ashley and stay safe, goodbye." Stepping out onto the skid pad then downwards onto the tarmac, she headed for the exit.
"That's peachy Sergeant Cross, you hurry along back to your uncomplicated life," mumbled Ashley before requesting clearance from the Control Tower to take off.
The pain in Madison's upper body and sides was excruciating and her eyes filled with tears as she quickly searched for a cab. When a taxi pulled up beside her, she directed the driver to take her to Virginia Mason Hospital on 9th Avenue. Flashing her badge, she added, "This is an emergency, so hit it."
The man nodded and took off quickly. The trip took just over nine minutes and Madison was grateful for the accommodating traffic as well as the skills of the driver.
After paying the fare with a generous gratuity, Madison set her jaw, gritted her teeth and made her way inside to the Emergency Department. As she neared the tirage nurse's station, she collapsed into unconsciousness with her head impacting heavily with the floor. Her last thought was she was getting tired of all the darkness.
-o-
Will entered the Medical Lab and located Helen stooped over a microscope, "Henry told me our guest left in a hurry."
"She did and I don't believe she was in any fit state to do so," replied Helen without looking up.
"So what happened?"
"She went into shock when I informed her of my age and wanted to leave immediately."
"That's a shame Magnus. I thought the two of you have made a connection."
"I thought so too Will, but apparently I was sadly mistaken in my assumption."
Noting the concern in the woman's timbre, Will asked, "You are worried about her hey?"
"Most definitely, her sutures may rupture if she over exerts herself and I have apprehension regarding her liver and lung. She had already overdone it physically this morning and I fear that could have disastrous consequences."
Laying a hand on the brunette's shoulder, Will offered, "Do you want to talk about it some more?"
"Not now, maybe after dinner."
"Okay, I'll see you then Magnus."
Helen returned her full attention to her research and cleared her head of thoughts of Madison Cross. It didn't last long, two minutes later she sat down and contemplated the change in the younger woman's behaviour. Everything had been fine until the matter of her age was revealed. Helen was also alarmed for feeling so enamoured with the striking blonde. She had known the woman for seven days and had only spoken to her for a few hours, but there was no refuting she was more than a little attracted to her former patient.
Helen slumped forward and rested her head on top of the microscope. Letting out a loud sigh, she jumped when Ashley said, "You got it bad, haven't you?"
Without lifting her head, the older woman answered, "Unquestionably and I don't know the dickens why."
"Mom, she has got the body of a Greek goddess, is intelligent, has amazing strength and survived the onslaught of a four hundred pound beast, what's not to like?"
Helen finally raised her head, "Ashley, it's more than that. I am drawn to her and can't stop thinking about her. I have always been level headed when it comes to matters of the heart, but I am all over the place where Madison is concerned."
"Then give her a few days to calm down and collect her thoughts then either call her or just go see her," suggested Ashley.
With hands tossed into the air, Helen reasoned, "Oh this is total madness, I'm not even sure if my feelings are reciprocated."
A sly smile spread across the blonde's features as she approached her mother, "I don't think that's a concern, Madison's attraction for you is obvious. You just spooked her with your revelations is all and she'll come to her senses in time."
Helen gave her daughter a look of defeat, "Ashley, quite frankly I don't have the time to pursue a relationship with her."
"Then I suggest you find the time. It's been five years since you had any kind of long term relationship and you so deserve some happiness."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple."
With puppy dog eyes, Ashley tried to convince her mother, "Mom, it can be. Promise me you'll at least call her sooner rather than later."
With compliance, Helen shrugged her shoulders, "All right, you win."
"Excellent, because I have the feeling she would be just the right woman for you," replied a buoyant blonde.
Chuckling softly, Helen stood and wrapped an arm around her daughter, "Since when have you added matchmaking to your repertoire of skills?"
"Since we rescued Madison and I saw the way she made you react."
"You, my child have become quite the smartarse," taunted Helen good-humouredly.
"Yeah, I get that from my father's side of the family."
"Indeed you must," agreed Helen. "Come on, let's go get ready for dinner."
"Cool, the Big Guy has made your favourite."
"Oh good, Sheppard's Pie will lift my spirits to no end. That man certainly knows how to spoil me."
Ashley laughed heartily, "He's just grateful for the life you gave him."
Joining in the laughter, Helen retorted, "He was a little perturbed when he failed to scare Madison this morning."
Ashley followed her mother into the hall, "Yes, he told me all about it."
"I really wish he would choose a name for himself."
"Nah, that would just be too weird after all this time," decided Ashley with a shake of her head.
"I guess you have a point and I suspect he likes his names as they are."
"So when are you going to call Madison?" inquired Ashley as they turned the hall.
"You're a persistent little bugger Ashley."
"That's why you love me," replied the blonde with cheek.
Helen tittered, "Yes, it's one of your many endearing qualities."
-o-