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 6

The following Sunday morning, Doctor Walters discharged Madison from hospital once he had removed the sutures from her bicep. After going home and packing, Ellen and Madison embarked on the two-hour road trip to Sequim.

Ellen spent the night then prepared to leave early the following morning after supplying Madison with enough wood for the fireplace for the next two weeks.

Shortly afterwards, Madison stood by the car window, leaned in and kissed her dear friend goodbye, "Drive safe and call me the minute you get home."

"I will and you make sure relax. Bobby and I will join you Friday night and bring more groceries with us."

"You better bring some whiskey and beer too."

"I'll add it to the list, now have a good time and for goodness sakes, call that woman and get you some happy."

Giggling at her friend's suggestion, Madison replied, "Yes mom, now get going."

"Love you porcupine head."

"Love you too Princess, bye."

Standing back, Madison watched the dark blue BMW make its way down the drive.

Returning inside the house, she made herself a cup of tea then settled on the couch with a new novel.

-o-

After eating the bowl of pasta Ellen had prepared earlier, Madison hobbled to the fireplace and added two logs for the evening. She had just settled in front of the wide screen television when her cell phone rang with Helen's ringtone.

Picking up the phone from the coffee table, Madison answered calmly, "Hello Doctor Magnus."

"Good evening Madison, sorry to disturb you at home, but I wanted to know if you were okay."

"It's all right and I'm fine," replied a subdued Madison. "I'm not in Briarcliff at the moment."

Helen failed to keep the surprise from her voice, "You're not?"

"No, I'm in Sequim at some generous friends' holiday home."

"It's good that you are resting. Listen Madison, I am aware of your recent hospital stay."

"How do you know that?"

"Bobby called with the news as did Doctor Walters. He phoned for your initial injury and surgery report."

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"I'd planned on calling or visiting you earlier, but it's been rather hectic around here this past week," explained Helen. "So, how is your recovery going?"

"No complaints, in fact I have just taken some pain killers and am lying on the couch, so please excuse my dopiness."

Helen giggled at the other woman's relaxed banter, "You're excused and I'm happy to see you are following doctor's orders for a change."

"Yeah look, on that subject, I really want to apologise for my deplorable behaviour the other week."

With Madison so amicable, Helen pressed on, "I think I understand your reaction, but I'd really like the opportunity to discuss matters face to face with you."

Madison lost herself in the sound of Helen's voice, "Uhm, I'd like that. I'm staying here for the next two weeks to recuperate."

Taking the window of opportunity, Helen replied, "I can be there Saturday morning. I have several things I need to attend to here before leaving Ashley and Will in charge."

"I'm sorry for running out on you, but I've paid the price I guess."

"We'll talk about it soon Madison. You know, I was extremely concerned for you when you left."

"Really?"

"Yes Madison and that is something else we can discuss."

"Oh Bobby and his wife Ellen will be here for the weekend."

"Excellent, I look forward to finally meeting them."

"I suppose my best friend gave you my number?"

"Correct, he actually sounded happy to know I was calling."

"I'm sure he was," joked Madison before yawning.

"I best be off and let you get some sleep."

"Yeah, I'm kind of fading fast here. Thank you for the chat and I'll call you later with the address and directions."

"That would be most appreciated. By the way, the others here send their warmest regards."

Madison smiled broadly at the news, "Even the Big Guy?"

Helen tittered before replying, "Especially him, you managed to win him over during your short stay with us. Goodnight Madison and sweet dreams."

"Night Helen and thanks again."

Madison put down her phone, closed her eyes, but kept the broad smile spread across her face until sleep captured her.

-o-

Madison rose off the couch cautiously while trying to avoid the twinge of pain she had been experiencing for the past two days in her lower lumbar region. She had run out of Demerol tablets the previous day and was struggling physically.

Sighing loudly when she heard a car pull into the drive, she hobbled to the front door. She was surprised to see a black Ford Expedition pull up in front of the stairs. Expecting the arrival of Bobby and Ellen who would possibly bring some form of over the counter pain pills with them, she was instead disappointed. Her disillusionment turned to elation when Helen opened the driver's door.

"You are a day early, but I'm so glad to see you. You don't by any chance happen to have any pain medication on you?" announced Madison while holding onto the doorjamb for support.

Alarmed by the question, Helen ran up the stairs and looked into the blonde's dull blue eyes, "Where is the pain and how long have you had it?"

"Two days and it's my lower back. I think I may have pulled a muscle from sleeping on the couch," admitted Madison sheepishly.

Shrugging her shoulders, Helen snapped, "Honestly Madison, you are a bloody terrible patient. You should be sleeping in a bed, not the couch. Hold on, my medical bag is in the truck."

Madison groaned at the news, "Oh, music to my ears and hello."

Helen laughed at the response, "Yes hello to you too. Now go inside while I retrieve my bags. I hope you don't mind, but barring an emergency, I can stay until Tuesday."

"I'm impressed and relieved to have your company."

"I thought it was time I allow Ashley and Will to have some space."

Madison's eyebrows arched upwards, "Oh that sounds interesting. You can tell me more later." Turning slowly, she went inside and made her way to the kitchen. Flicking on the kettle, she organised a pot of tea and two cups.

Helen entered the house and took in the spacious living room and kitchen, "This is a wonderful home."

"It is. Bobby's in-laws own it along with houses in New York and Los Angeles."

"Oh very nice, where can I put my bags?"

"Up the stairs and second door on the left, would you like a cup of tea?"

"How did you know I like tea?" inquired Helen curiously.

"You're English aren't you?" retorted Madison with a smirk.

Giggling, Helen walked up the stairs, "Good deduction Sergeant Cross and I consider coffee to be rather barbaric."

"Hey, I have to be observant in my line of work and I agree about coffee."

Madison watched the black jeans and long black leather jacketed woman gracefully ascend the steps and felt a surge of heat speed to her centre. "Oh dear shit, I'm in real trouble here," she mumbled moments later.

"Did you say something?" asked Helen as she returned down the stairs carrying a black leather bag.

Madison erred on the side of caution, "Uhm yes, but nothing worth repeating."

"So why are you in trouble?" countered Helen.

Recovering swiftly from her slip up, Madison replied, "I can't carry this tray to the coffee table."

"Leave it for the time being, I want to examine your back first," ordered Helen while coming to a halt behind Madison. "Can you lift your shirt for me?"

"Woman, I would lift more than my shirt if you asked me," thought Madison as her skin broke out in Goosebumps from the touch of Helen's fingers on her lower back. Instead she answered a little too late, "Sure."

Slowly, the doctor prodded and probed the area, "I'll give you a muscle relaxant then a massage to work out the knot."

Madison gulped loudly, "All right."

"I'll need you to lay down flat on your stomach and I suggest we use a bed for that."

"Oh okay, how about my bed?"

"Perfect, I'll give you an injection for the pain up there too."

Madison climbed the stairs with difficulty and Helen followed, taking a keen interest in the curve of the blonde's buttocks and gentle sway of hips. She felt a pool of moisture gather between the folds of her labia and groaned softly.

Opening the first door on the left, Madison gently lay down on the king sized bed, while Helen prepared the syringe then neared, "I'll put it into your left hip."

"Okay, I'm ready when you are."

Pulling down Madison's track pants slightly, Helen swabbed the area then quickly made the injection. Disposing of the needle into a sharps container, Helen took off her gloves and deposited them into the outside sleeve of her bag.

Withdrawing a tube of moisturiser, Helen squeezed a small amount onto her left palm. She carefully straddled Madison's thighs and gradually worked the lump from the tight muscles.

"That feels really good," muttered Madison.

"Has the pain subsided?"

"Yes, it's all gone thanks to you."

"Okay, I'll let you get up. I don't want to hurt your chest," suggested Helen while lifting off the bed and moving towards the door with bag in hand. "Oh before I forget, I brought you some ointment for your scars. Ashley uses it all the time to fade hers."

"I'll put some on now," said Madison in a soft voice.

Rifling through the bag, Helen retrieved a tube and handed it to a now standing Madison.

"Thanks Helen."

"I'll go pour us a cuppa and wait for you downstairs, shall I?"

"All right and I really do appreciate you being here."

"You are welcome," responded Helen before exiting the room.

Madison took off her shirt and smeared the salve over the three red raw welts running across her right breast and abdomen. After applying some cream to her bicep, she put the top back on and went downstairs to sit beside Helen on the couch.

"How do you take your tea?" asked Helen.

"Black thanks."

The brunette poured some tea into the empty cup, "How are your wounds?"

"They are healing really well."

"Excellent and when are you expecting Bobby and Ellen?"

"Within the next two hours, so I guess I should explain myself."

"I'll go first if you like," offered Helen in between sips of hot beverage.

Madison gave Helen a sideways glance, "All yours and I'm keeping an open mind."

"As you already know, the work I do was my father's life mission and it quickly became mine. The other four scientists my father introduced me to were referred to as "The Five" and we continually pushed the boundaries while trying to understand the physical world. In 1888, I was able to obtain a pure specimen of vampire blood and it was utilised in creating a serum. Each of us took a turn to inject ourselves with varying results."

"Holy shit!" exclaimed a clearly upset Madison. "You are a vampire?"

"No, I am not," Helen quickly reassured the blonde.

"Thank goodness for that because that would have really closed my mind."

Helen smiled at the other woman's attempt to lighten the mood, "The five of us developed various abilities. Nigel Griffin received invisibility, James Watson gained incredible intelligence and Nikola Tesla became a vampire with the power to manipulate electricity, while John Druitt could teleport through time and space as well as gain the gift of longevity. Of course you already know what my gifts are."

"Where does Ashley fit into all of this?" asked Madison, willing to learn more.

"During the time of "The Five", I was romantically involved with John Druitt. In fact we were in love and engaged to be married. Unbeknown to me at the time, I became pregnant before taking the serum. Ashley was in frozen stasis as an embryo and due to my extreme loneliness a century later; she was brought to full term. It was not until last year that Ashley found out the true identity of her father. You see, after his injection, John became quite mad and in fact became a serial killer. He murdered eight prostitutes and unfortunately, was never apprehended. John was eventually driven away by the others and went into seclusion. In turn, I informed Ashley her father was deceased."

Madison was busy processing the information. "Fuck, he was Jack the Ripper," she blurted out while getting to her feet. "Poor Ashley, she must have been devastated by the news." Limping to the veranda doors, she peeked out into the dark night sky and tried to find some solace from the story that was unfolding before her.

Helen rose and moved in behind her, "Yes, John has a lot to answer for. He found himself driven to lunacy due to his constant teleporting. He paid us an unexpected visit not too long ago and inadvertently ended up with what he thought was a specimen of my blood after blackmailing me. I'd managed to hand over a poisoned sample and once he injected himself, he became unstable and teleported out. Unbeknow to me, he was revived by Nikola Tesla and it seems to have abated his irrational and violent tendencies. When John refused to join Tesla in his last adventure, he was tortured before managing to escape. Armed with the knowledge Nikola was hell bent on organising an army of vampire drones and wanted me to be part of it, John turned up here two months ago to stop to him. Unfortunately, he was too late and I was already in company with Nikola. When I refused to participate in madness, Nikola turned on me and tried to kill me. In the meantime, Ashley's father convinced her I was in danger and they travelled to Rome and eventually saved me. Of course, this all happened after Ashley finally stopped trying to kill John."

Madison turned from the door and looked at Helen, "I'm glad you were rescued."

"I am too and John appears to have become a better man since that time," shared Helen with a small smile. "Ashley took a while to forgive me for not telling her about her father."

"I noticed you share an incredibly strong bond with her."

"I am very fortunate in that respect, for the past twenty three years, she has been my rock."

"When she flew me home she had some noble comments concerning you and she wants you to be happy."

Tears formed in Helen's blue eyes, "I am happy Madison. I am able to carry out the work I love alongside my wonderful daughter as well as a tremendous extended family and protégé."

Madison lowered her eyes, "You are lucky to have those things, but Ashley was actually referring to your romantic life."

Eyebrows rose as Helen responded, "Oh yes, she did mention that to me also."

Madison lifted her gaze, "Helen, the reason I left was astonishment. I was floored by the fact you possess the gifts you do and combined with the knowledge you are super intelligent, I just had to leave."

Helen's features softened, "Why?"

"I was very attracted to you both physically and emotionally. I unexpectedly found myself embarrassed to be in the same room as you, let alone entertain the idea I could be a part of your extraordinary life and you return my feelings."

"Madison, I've had female lovers before, in fact my last four relationships have been with women. Regrettably, I have stood by and watched each of them either became jealous of the time I devote to my work or simply pass away. My last lover left five years ago and I have not been affected or been interested in anyone until you crossed my path."

Tears formed in the corners of Madison's eyes, "Oh Helen, I applaud your conviction to your cause and I fully understand your devotion to Sanctuary, but I can also relate to how difficult it would have been for anyone to be romantically involved with you. You are someone special; there is no doubt about that. You are amazingly beautiful, compassionate and extremely breathtaking in black leather. You are also unapologetic about your commitments and way of life and that is admirable."

Helen grinned at Madison, "Thank you for the compliments, but I have the feeling there is more you wish to say."

"You are right. I am an old-fashioned romantic Helen and set in my ways. My last girlfriend, Justine Lewis is a nurse and the fact we couldn't organise time together around our rosters ended our relationship a year ago. I am thirty-five and want to settle down with the love of my life, someone who will be there for me and vice versa. When I come home from the Precinct I leave my job behind. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I enjoy my downtime too. I look at you and I see so much in your eyes. My heart melts for what could be, but my head tells me we are worlds apart and it would never work. The fact that you have lived three life times, absolutely scares the bejesus out of me."

Helen raised her hand and cradled Madison's chin, "I am grateful for your honesty and you are correct, a relationship with me takes second place to my work."

"I know, but let's just enjoy the next four days and who knows, we may just become good friends." Madison couldn't believe her own ears, her heart was breaking with the futility of her deep feelings for the woman standing in front of her and here she was making offers of friendship.

"I'd like that Madison and can I just say I am glad I am here." Helen removed her hand as she heard car tyres on the gravel drive.

"We can talk in private later," suggested Madison. She made her way to the front door and Helen followed.

-o-

After greetings and introductions, Bobby took bags up to the third bedroom while Ellen had a cup of tea with Helen in the living room. Madison insisted on cooking dinner and Bobby joined her in the kitchen a short time later.

"Well, you failed to mention just how gorgeous the good doctor is," taunted Bobby while grabbing a bottle of beer from the refrigerator.

"There is no denying her beauty."

"So what's the go with you two?"

"There is no go as you so elegantly put it, we are just friends."

"Yeah, but you have definitely got the hots for her."

"I do, but nothing is going to happen."

Seeing the pain etched on his friend's face, Bobby relented, "Okay Madi, I won't rib you any further."

"Gee thanks, now hand me the steaks from the meat keeper."

Twenty minutes passed before Madison called the others to the dining table. During the meal, Bobby and Ellen traded questions with Helen about her unclassified research while Madison was content to sit back and listen.

-o-

Helen and Ellen cleared away the dishes and Bobby set the television up for the Canucks and Avalanche game while Madison climbed the stairs and took a long hot shower. Changing into a pair of dark blue boxers and navy blue tank top, she returned downstairs after applying more balm.

Taking a seat on the couch next to Helen, Madison grew tired swiftly and soon fell asleep.

She awoke two hours later and was stunned to find herself snuggled into Helen's lap. Looking up, she blinked several times before focusing on Helen's gleaming eyes and brilliant smile.

"I didn't want to wake you," explained the doctor. "You looked so peaceful."

Still sleepy, Madison spoke before thinking, "My god Helen, you are incredibly beautiful."

Reaching down, Helen rested her left hand on the blonde's cheek, "You are the beautiful one. In fact, you are breathtaking."

With clarity returning to her senses, Madison quickly suggested, "I guess I should go up to bed before my back gives out again."

"Unless you intend on kissing me, you should," responded Helen boldly.

While turning off the television with the remote, Madison rolled off the couch and said, "Goodnight Helen, see you in the morning."

"Pleasant dreams Madison," replied Helen as she watched the stunning blonde climb the stairs.

Standing, she went to her bedroom then took a cold shower. Her attempt to quell her raging desire for Madison failed miserably and she ended up working on her laptop for several hours before succumbing to tiredness.

-o-