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 12

After a three-mile trek over an unforgiving terrain, Helen and the four Sanctuary teams approached the outer fencing enclosing a large concrete structure at different entry points. To her amazement, the perimeter was in total darkness as were the four inter-connected interior buildings.

With the hair on the back of her neck standing on end, Helen whispered to Will and Ashley, "Something is definitely not right."

Scanning the area, Ashley took in the assortment of military trucks, Jeeps and storage containers, "It doesn't look like they've done a midnight run."

"I agree," said Will. "There is just too much equipment here."

Helen radioed her bravo team leader, "Eric, take your team and breach the western entrance."

"On it Magnus," came the quick reply.

Still on the radio, Helen continued to give instructions, "Owen, you have the southern approach."

"You got it."

"Lars, the west is all yours and we have the front entrance."

"Understood Magnus."

Helen and Will stood by as Ashley took out a pair of wire cutters from her backpack and proceeded to slice the wire fence open.

Moments later, the three black clothed people made their way to the front door of the first building. To their surprise, the sliding doors were open.

"The electricity has been cut," noted Ashley.

Cautiously, the trio entered the structure with torches and guns drawn. It was a time consuming exercise as they searched each room on the ground level and afterwards, the other three teams rendezvoused with them at a set of elevators.

Each room they had encountered had been deserted and Helen was overly vigilant when she spoke, "Obviously the lifts are inoperable, so we'll use the stairs. Let's go." She opened the stairwell door and gasped as her torch illuminated the floor. A feline/human hybrid was slumped on the concrete and surrounded by six soldiers. "Dear mother of god," she said while bending down to inspect the closest body.

There were blood splatters along the walls and the floor doused with pools of dried blood. "Their throats have been slashed by the creature," announced Helen calmly. She moved to the Abnormal for a closer examination, "He's bullet ridden and I'd say the fight occurred at least two weeks ago judging by the rate of decomposition."

"So it's safe to assume the creatures tried to escape," pointed out Will.

"That would seem to be the logical thought, but I am expecting to find further evidence to support that theory once we move to the lower echelons."

"Bloody hell," uttered Ashley while holding a hand to her nose. "What a mess."

Helen led the teams down the stairwell to the next level and they were greeted with six more mutilated soldiers. The stench of death was revolting and everyone withdrew a stick of vapour rub and smeared it under their nostrils. The teams split up and once again painstakingly searched each room.

Another ten deceased soldiers were located along with an Abnormal and ten civilian dressed men.

Once the teams regrouped, Helen took point and they continued down to the next level. The floor consisted of Laboratories, more offices, holding cells and observation rooms. Separating again, Helen, Ashley and Will entered the first Lab.

Their progress was halted by Eric's voice on the radio, "Magnus, we have located the power plant and another hybrid, looks like it was electrocuted."

"Can you restore the electricity Eric?" asked Helen hopefully.

"Yeah, give us about five minutes. It looks like the backup generator has been switched off."

"Understood Eric."

Within two minutes, the lights flickered on and the three people in the Lab were shocked by what they saw. The spacious area was a bloodbath and littered with various human body parts.

"Holy shit!" exclaimed Will ineloquently as he moved further into the room. "I'd say the fight started here."

"I would agree Will," said Helen as she slowly inspected the immediate area.

"Magnus," transmitted Lars over the radio. "We got two more hybrids in holding cells; both have gunshots to the forehead."

"Copy Lars."

Ashley lifted the bloodied sheet off a body on a nearby table. "Oh, this is just not right," she uttered as Will and Helen joined her.

Helen took one look at the dissected feline/human, "No it isn't. No wonder these poor creatures tried to escape."

"Okay," announced Will. "That leaves two unaccounted for."

Helen approached a desk in the far corner of the room. There was a stack of manila folders sitting on the edge and she picked up the top one and flipped it open. "These are the medical files of the men used for experiments." She opened the rest and counted them then before adding, "There are twenty files here and Bule's is one of them."

"Crap, that means there are twelve more to find," exclaimed Ashley.

"It would appear so," conceded Helen.

Eric reported in moments later, "Magnus, we found six more creatures and ten soldiers, they are all dead."

"Thank you Eric."

-o-

After examining the remainder of the lower level for the next hour, a total of fifty soldiers and ten scientists were discovered. Once an extensive search of the compound was concluded, eight separate sets of feline footprints were located in the dirt leading to a vehicle bay.

Will's brows arched, "One of these Abnormals must have driven them out of here."

"One could only assume so," agreed Helen. "Obviously, two sets of these prints can be attributed to Bule and the Abnormal Madison killed."

"Crap, they could be anywhere in the world by now," chimed in Ashley. "It's possible the two we located stowed away on an aircraft."

"The closest airport is one hundred and twenty miles away in Francistown," stated Helen matter-of-factly. "We have an enormous area to search. It could take us weeks to hunt the remaining six down."

"Then we better start looking for clues," recommended Ashley without further ado.

"I'll go gather as much information as I can from the Lab, then we'll need to destroy all the evidence," suggested Helen.

"Mom, is it possible "The Cabal" were here before us and took the six remaining Abnormals then they escaped once they were stateside?"

"That's more than a feasible theory Ashley," answered Helen, deep in thought.

-o-

Two hours later, Eric and his team had discovered tranquiliser guns in another vehicle bay storage area, along with three black fatigued clad men. The find made the theory of "The Cabal's" involvement that much more credible.

"The bastards!" snapped Helen when she attended the vehicle bay. "I'm getting awfully tired of cleaning up their bloody mess."

"Got to agree with you there mom," commented Ashley while shaking her head.

"Time to clean up the rest of this place then make some discreet inquires," put forward Helen. "Ashley, when it is daylight, contact your London source and ask if they have any new information."

"You got it."

It was seven fifteen in the morning when fifteen exhausted people landed at Francistown Airport armed with instructions to make contact with an employee due to start work at three o'clock that afternoon.

In the meantime, Helen organised rooms for everyone at the nearest Hotel with firm plans to regroup at two fifty in the car park.

-o-

Madison rolled onto her left side and reached for the cell phone on the bedside table. It was sounding with Helen's ringtone and it made the blonde smile with excitement. "Hello sweetheart," she answered in a sleepy voice.

"Mmm, hello darling," replied Helen huskily. She was lying on top of her Hotel bed wearing a pair of Madison's boxers and a tee shirt she had confiscated from her lover's bag.

Madison's body shivered at the sound of her much missed girlfriend's pitch, "How is it all going?"

Helen quickly briefed Madison on the situation.

"So I guess that means you will be gone more than a few days?" mulled Madison.

"Yes and I am frightfully sorry."

"There is no need to apologise Helen. I knew what I was getting into before I fell in love with you."

"I admire your understanding."

"Yeah, well I might change my mind if this drags out," teased Madison playfully.

Helen was tired and panicked, "Madison, do you mean that?"

The blonde understood the question, "No honey, I was only joking and you sound extremely tired."

"I am, but I can't sleep without you beside me."

"Oh Helen I'm sorry."

"I'll just have to make do with talking to you."

"I can do that sweetheart."

"What have you been doing to occupy your time?"

"I had dinner with Bobby and Ellen last night and had an appointment with the doctor this morning."

"How are Bobby and his charming wife?"

"They're good and eager to see you again. You made quite the impression with them."

"So did they and what did the doctor have to say?"

"He took a series of x-rays and said it's was the quickest bone knit he'd ever seen. I told him I have good bones because I drink lots of milk."

Helen giggled at her girlfriend's explanation, "You're very delightful darling, what else did he say?"

"He cleared me for desk duty in two weeks time."

"That's wonderful news."

"You're wonderful," purred Madison, quickly losing herself in the comforting lint of Helen's voice.

"Stop talking so sexily," complained Helen.

"I can't help it sweetheart, it's the sound of your voice and the fact I haven't kissed you in two days."

"Oh please, don't remind me. I've had to have several cold showers since meeting you."

Madison chuckled softly, "I'm flattered."

"As indeed you should be and let's not talk about masturbation."

Gulping loudly, Madison retorted, "I wasn't planning on it."

"Good, because I think we need to change the topic before I lose the plot."

"Yes please," replied Madison quickly.

Helen's curiosity at Madison's obvious discomfort on the subject had been piqued and she asked, "Are you uncomfortable discussing masturbation?"

"It's not one of my favourite conversation themes," answered Madison deadpan.

"And why is that?"

"I'd rather not talk about it Helen."

"Okay, but I want you to know there is nothing wrong with it, it's natural."

"I know that, but can we please just move on."

Helen's stubborn streak kicked in, "I'm amazed that someone as sensual and sexual as you would have trouble discussing the subject."

Madison's temper got the better of her and she snapped, "I don't have trouble discussing batting off, I just don't see the significance of it at this time."

"I apologise Madison, I didn't mean to push you and I certainly didn't intend to upset you."

"I'm not fucking upset okay, but I have to go, there is someone at the door, Take care, bye Helen."

Helen stared at her beeping phone for several seconds before realising it was just past midnight in Seattle and highly unlikely someone was knocking on Madison's door. She was about to call her back when Madison phoned.

"I'm really sorry sweetheart that was uncalled for on my behalf," apologised Madison.

"I must say you baffled me somewhat."

"I'd like to explain."

"I am listening and I apologise for stepping out of line."

"You didn't honey. I shouldn't have gotten so pissed at you."

Helen tittered, "It was fairly tame compared to how angry I can get and at least you weren't tossing things this time."

Madison relaxed, "You can't see my bedroom."

"Oh."

"It's okay, it was only a couple of pillows."

"From your reaction, I gather you have had an unfortunate experience."

"You could say that Helen. When I was with Justine, I had some really strange incidents with her in the last two months of our relationship."

"I am sorry to hear that."

"I'd already suspected Justine was having an affair when her roster changed to the complete opposite to mine. One night I'd been called in for a special task for some surveillance and Justine got pissed at me for leaving her. When I called to apologise and let her know I was on my way home, she teased the crap out of me over the phone. When I got home, she was waiting for me in bed and masturbating. She wouldn't allow me to touch her and when she finished, she told me that's what I get for disappointing her. She made me sleep in the spare room that night and the next."

Helen gasped, "Oh dear lord, how despicably unsavoury of her."

"That wasn't the worst of it. I wanted to surprise her one afternoon after my shift and let myself into her apartment. I was sneaking down the hall trying to find her when I heard her in the throes of passion. I called out before entering her bedroom and found her naked and pleasuring herself. I swore I heard her talking to someone on the phone and her cell was next to the pillows. She basically attacked me and was overly rough. I ended up with scratch marks down my back that drew blood plus a bitten lip."

"Madison, I can certainly understand your reaction and I am so sorry you had to endure that with a lover. Sex should never be used as a form of punishment."

"Thank you and it was two weeks later when she sent me a text message ending our relationship. A mutual friend at the hospital where she works let it slip that Justine used to have phone sex with a Doctor Rothschild all the time."

"Oh darling, I am so frightfully sorry."

Madison's voice became softer, "That's not all."

"Go on my love."

"Days before the end, Justine had coerced me into phone sex and when I found out about her affair, I confronted her and demanded the truth. She gave me the lot, informing me that she and the good doctor were actually fucking while I was on speaker phone during the one and only time I was gullible enough to oblige her stupid fantasy."

"Madison, I am at a loss as to what to say."

"It's okay Helen and needless to say I haven't indulged in that particular activity since."

"Consider the subject closed darling."

"Thank you and I'm sure I'll get over the phobia one day."

Helen moved on, "What are your plans for today?"

"A workout, miss my girlfriend, lunch with friends, miss my girlfriend then no idea."

There was a giggle before Helen responded, "I miss you and love you so much."

"I love you too baby, you still tired?"

"A little."

"How about you try to get some sleep?"

"You're right and it's going to be busy in a few hours time."

"Sleep well my sweetheart and I appreciate the call."

"Thank you for the explanation and sweet dreams."

Madison placed her phone on the table then snuggled into the pillows. Her dreams were filled with images of Helen and she slept peacefully.

-o-

After obtaining vital information from the Airport baggage handler, the teams flew back to Johannesburg then onto Vancouver. They managed to track down three of the missing Abnormals before returning to Sanctuary where Helen treated them with the antidote.

Once the trio of men were fit for travel, they were returned to Botswana and reunited with family.

Hours later, Ashley received further data on another of the escaped Abnormal and the teams went on another pursuit without delay. Their journey led them to Alaska and a two-week odyssey. It was another week after that when the final two hybrids were tracked and captured in Cuba.

Madison had received sporadic phone calls during the four-week mission and had returned to work after the second week. A fortnight later, she began her first shift back on patrol with Bobby.

The partners were sitting in their favourite diner when Bobby said, "Ellen was hoping you and Helen could come over for dinner on Saturday night."

"I'll be there fore sure, but I don't know about Helen."

"She still not back from her expedition?"

"No, not yet."

"Jesus Sarge, you must have it bad if you are willing to wait a whole month or more before you see her."

"I love her Bobby and she is more than worth the wait."

Black brows rose in surprised, "So you are still serious about her then?"

"I am and that will never change."

"Well, you certainly have changed your tune. You used to whine all the time about not spending time with Justine."

Madison rolled her eyes, "I've learnt a lot since that mistake and Helen does important work."

"I'm going out on a limb here and assuming you come second to her work."

"Smart man and I'm cool with that."

"Wow, it must be some really shit hot research if you are willing to be so understanding and patient."

"It is and I'm extremely proud of her."

Bobby grinned crookedly, "For someone who hasn't seen her girlfriend for four weeks, you seem pretty calm."

"I am. I can't control how long Helen is away for, but I can control how it affects me."

Chuckling, Bobby countered, "You've been hitting the gym extra hard, haven't you?"

"I certainly have and even managed to slice a few minutes off my best ten mile run time."

"Shit, you go Madi. So sounds like you're ready to play some hockey tonight?"

"I am, so the East Precinct better bring it because I'm prepared."

"I'll let Ellen know. She can be our cheer squad and it will be good to have you back on the team."

"It will be great to get out on the ice and the doctor cleared me yesterday."

"That's awesome news."

Madison's cell phone sounded with Helen's tone. She withdrew it for her jacket pocket and answered, "Hello sweetheart."

"Hello darling, I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time?"

"No baby, I'm just taking a meal break with my main man Bobby."

Helen laughed softly, "Say hello for me."

"Helen says hello Bobby."

"Hey Doc. Oh ask her about Saturday night."

"When do you think you may be home?"

"Hopefully tonight, Walter is lodging our flight plan as we speak."

"Oh sweetheart, that's wonderful news. I suppose you'll be tired up with work for the next couple of days?"

"Indeed I will."

"Okay, do you think you might be available for dinner at Bobby and Ellen's Saturday night?"

"I can't make any commitment at this stage, but by all accounts, I should be finished before then."

"That's the best I can hope for and I've missed you Helen."

"I've missed you too and long to hold you, kiss you and make slow adoring love to you."

Madison felt the flush on her face, "Ah ... okay and me too."

"I've got to go darling. It looks like we are cleared for take-off. What are your plans for tonight?"

"I'll be playing my first game of hockey since I was injured."

"Splendid, well enjoy and I love you."

"I adore you, safe trip sweetheart." Madison closed her phone and glared at her best friend, "What?"

"You better be asking me to be your best man."

"Ah ... it's a little too soon to be talking about that."

"Oh no way, you will marry her and one hundred dollars says you will propose within the next six months."

"I'll take that bet and your money my dear friend."

"I think I'll buy me a new fishing rod with my winnings," joked Bobby.

"Dream on Officer Spillane, now finish up your breakfast before you make a complete idiot of yourself."

"Yes Sarge."

-o-

Helen sipped from her teacup as she watched the monitors showing the sedated forms of the final two feline/human hybrids. Both men were lying on their left sides and progressing through the cycle of conversion. Since restoring the last four Abnormals, Helen had learnt to start the treatments upon capture thus accelerating the process. On current calculations, the two remaining soldiers were due back to their original DNA structure within the next thirty minutes.

Ashley stepped into the Lab and hugged her mother from behind, "Hey mom, how's it going?"

"Transformation is just about complete. Hopefully we can have these two men home to their families by tomorrow night."

"That's why I've dropped by. Will and I would like to volunteer to take them home. How about you spend some time with your girlfriend, you've been away for a month."

"That's a tremendous offer Ashley and I kindly take it up."

"Except for these guys, it's quiet around here, so why not enjoy a break while you can. Mark and Rhonda have the Lab covered and Henry can pick up any leftover slack."

Helen's attention was drawn to the movements on the monitors, "It appears our guests have woken."

"I'll call Will and the Big Guy," offered Ashley.

"Thank you Ashley and I really do appreciate the extra work you have been putting in lately."

Ashley smiled lovingly at her mother, "Don't thank me mom just buy me a nice gift. Besides, I just want you to be happy."

Helen quickly hugged her child, "I am very happy darling."

-o-