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 21

After spending a week exploring the wonders of Rome together as a married couple and staying at Helen's villa on Capri near Naples, Helen and Madison returned to Sanctuary on August 10th and within twenty-four hours of their arrival, the team was off in pursuit of an Abnormal spotted in Russia.

Moscow's Sanctuary head had asked Helen for assistance and she was happy to oblige. The hunt took two days and resulted in the relocation of the reptilian Abnormal to Spain where several of his species were already living in a small community.

When the team returned home, Helen went directly to her Lab and Madison assisted Ashley in dismantling the weapons they had used then carried out maintenance and cleaning.

Ashley caught Madison looking at her and queried, "Okay, what's on your mind? You look like you want to ask me something."

Since the wedding, Madison had not broached the subject of her mortally again with Helen, but was curious to learn more about her wife's past. "Is it true your mother kept you frozen for over a hundred years?"

"Yes, because of her crucial work she wasn't in a position to have a child, especially out of wedlock. My mother was very lonely for a long time and wanted somebody to love, so I was implanted and brought to term."

"Helen had mentioned it in passing a while back and I can understand her reasoning."

"My mother is very loyal to those she loves and I'm glad you came into her life. I've never witnessed this side of her; she is totally at peace and loves you so much."

"Thank you Ashley."

"You're welcome."

The duo finished their task in silence then Madison asked Ashley to workout with her.

-o-

Helen glanced up from the microscope when she heard the door open, "Hello darling."

"Hey there my gorgeous wife."

Swivelling on her chair, Helen opened her arms and Madison stepped inside the comfort.

"Mmm, you smell nice, did you just have a shower?" purred Helen.

"Yes, I just kicked Ashley's ass in the gym again."

Tittering, Helen nuzzled into Madison's neck, "You raise that poor girl's hackles with your skill."

"I know and she is so competitive and hates to lose."

"Ashley has enormous talent, but you are above her level."

"Thank you sweetheart, but don't sell yourself short. I love watching you in fight mode and you are downright sexy when you drop and do a leg sweep."

"Are you attempting to seduce me?"

Madison lifted Helen's head, "Is it working?"

"You just have to show up and it works."

"I'll respect your Lab time and leave you to it."

"Except for the fact I know Will is on his way, you and I would be exploring that notion a little closer."

"Good because that is one of my fantasies."

"Oh do tell darling."

Madison kissed Helen passionately then withdrew from her embrace, "Maybe I'll tell you about it tonight."

"You are a bloody tease Mrs Magnus-Cross."

Madison opened the door, "I seem to recall from this morning how much you enjoy me being a tease."

Rolling her eyes, Helen let out the cutest chuckle, "I believe you have me figured out darling."

"Yes I do, see you later sweetheart."

"Where are you off to?"

"On a secret mission and I will be back this evening."

"Am I not to receive a clue then?"

"No honey, bye."

Helen watched as her wife disappeared from view then called Ashley down to the Lab.

Ashley entered the room minutes later, "Hey mom, what's up?"

"Do you have any idea what Madison is up to?"

"All I know is she's gone to Abbotsford and whatever she is doing will take eight hours. I offered to tag along, but she declined the proposal."

"I'm sure we'll know in due course."

They didn't and Madison continued to travel to Abbotsford on a daily basis when not involved in a mission. She didn't reveal the nature of her trips to anyone, but when curiosity got the better of Ashley three weeks later, she followed Madison on her motorbike.

Madison knew she had a tail the second she sped onto the BC-91 ramp and there was no doubt as to who is was, she'd caught a glimpse of the black Honda CBR 600 RR being ridden by someone wearing black leathers and a white helmet – Ashley's model of motorbike and her preferred attire.

Madison thought for a moment it could have been Helen, but knew her wife was still in bed when she'd left the house. The blonde smiled behind her headgear at the memory. Helen had been particularly amorous upon waking and Madison had been merciless in her reciprocation. As a result, her wife had been left behind in a stupor.

As Madison powered up, she checked her mirrors to see if Ashley followed, she did. Knowing the youngest Magnus wouldn't give up that easily, Madison reasoned it was all right if she discovered her secret.

-o-

An hour later, Madison pulled into the car park of the Abbotsford Airport. Taking off her headwear, she slid off her Norton and pulled the phone from her jacket.

"Good morning Ashley," she said seconds later.

"Hi Madi, what are you doing?"

"Not much, just out for a ride and you?"

"Me too, it's such a beautiful day."

"I called to let you know I'll be here for the next seven hours if you want to go do something else."

Ashley relented, "Oh you saw me then?"

"I did, just before the BC-91 ramp."

"Shit, I didn't even last five minutes."

"Don't be too hard on yourself Ash."

"I gather you are flying out to somewhere."

"I am, so there's no sense in following me."

"Okay, I'll see you later, bye."

"Bye."

Ashley observed Madison amble over to the Coastal Pacific Aviation hanger and wondered why the older blonde hadn't simply asked if she could fly her to her destination. Ashley waited until a helicopter took off from the landing zone before heading home.

-o-

As Ashley removed her helmet her mother entered the garage.

"So where pray tell did Madison go?" she asked.

"Oh mom, uhm, she rode to Abbotsford Airport then took a chopper flight."

Helen's brows rose, "What the dickens is she up to?"

"No idea, but she did spot me."

With a grin, Helen asked, "Oh Ashley, are you slipping?"

Blonde locks swayed, "No, she's just that good."

"Well, you'll not get any argument from me."

"I didn't think so," agreed Ashley as she draped an arm around her mother's shoulders. "Whatever she is doing, I'm sure it involves surprising you."

"All I know is it is costing $81,000. Madison withdrew that amount from Barclays six weeks ago."

Ashley smirked, "I think I may have an idea what Madison is up to. Leave it with me and I'll have the answer by tonight and how cute is it that you two have a joint bank account."

"Right you are then, I'll leave it in your capable hands and Madison and I are just like any other married couple."

Ashley giggled through her reply, "Oh no mom, there are a few glaring differences."

Helen swatted her daughter on the arm and called for the lift, "Behave."

-o-

Pulling her motorbike into the garage, Madison wasn't surprised to find Ashley waiting by her Honda. Getting off the seat, she took off her headgear and said, "Hello Ash, what's up?"

"I have to go pick up some supplies from Vancouver Airport. Mom and Will got called out by Detective Kavanaugh to a suspicious murder in town and I thought you might want to come along for the ride and help me with the crate."

"Sure, just give me time to use the bathroom and I'll meet you at the helipad."

"You got it."

Madison ran to the nearest toilet then met up with Ashley a few minutes later. The younger blonde was going through the pre-flight check as Madison took her seat in the Bell 206L-4 and observed the pilot.

Two minutes into the flight Ashley asked, "Hey Madi, what's the current airspeed?"

Without hesitation Madison checked the indicator positioned in the middle of the top rows of dials on the instrument panel, "90 knots."

Ashley turned her head to look at the older blonde and smirked, "Thank you."

Realising she had been caught out, Madison back pedalled, "Oh shit, would you believe that was a lucky guess?"

"Ah ... no."

"Well done on figuring out what I've been doing."

"Thanks, so how far advanced are you?"

"I'm halfway through," answered Madison excitedly. "And I've already earned my private pilot's licence."

"Wow congrats. Are you going the whole hog?"

"Yep and I should have my commercial licence at the end of next week if I can continue to attend classes every day. I've got plenty of flight time accumulated, so maybe I'll have my professional licence in a month."

"That's great and mom will be thrilled when you tell her."

"Speaking of your mother, does she know anything?"

"She's aware of the fact you are taking flights out of Abbotsford and you withdrew money from your joint account."

Madison giggled, "Yeah, I thought she'd discover the financial aspect of my training. I gather you told her about Abbotsford?"

"Sorry, but I had to tell her something."

"Don't apologise Ash, I don't expect you to lie to your mother on my behalf, besides when she spots the 2,600,000 dollar withdrawal at the end of the week, she is sure to ask me questions."

"Holy fuck, what are you buying? Oh hang on; you've purchased another chopper with extra-long range fuel tanks."

"You really do have your mother's intellect."

"Bloody hell, mom will wet her pants when she finds out. She has wanted a second bird ever since she added the Talon to the fleet at Vancouver Airport."

"The Talon?"

"It is a small two seater helicopter."

"I see and the new one is my belated wedding gift."

Ashley gave Madison a sly grin, "I thought your wedding bands were?"

"They were, but I'm hopeless when it comes to your mother."

Ashley guffawed briefly, "She's no better with you. So, when do you take delivery?"

"It's arranged for Friday morning unless we have an op to attend to."

"Cool, do you need a co-pilot?"

"Do you know of a smoking hot, kick ass mean mother of a pilot?"

Ashley roared with laughter, "Indeed I do."

"Good, let her know we need to be at Abbotsford by nine."

"Roger that and we can get Hank to fly us there."

"He's a pilot too?"

"Yeah, so is mom. That's why she's been thinking about another chopper."

"That makes sense and is there anything your mother can't do?"

Ashley grinned smugly, "Yes, she can't figure out how not to leave visible bite marks on your collarbone."

"Oh good god, she can't, but I'm not complaining."

"You guys are pretty active hey?"

"Yes we are."

"Sweet," replied Ashley in a satisfied manner.

-o-

It was after nine when the two blondes returned home to find their partners in the kitchen with the Big Guy.

Madison stood behind Helen's chair and kissed the top of her head, "Hello sweetheart."

"Hello love, how did the pickup go?"

Ashley answered after pecking Will on the lips, "Good and I'll sort through the container in the morning. So what's on for dinner Biggie?"

"Roast chicken and vegetables."

"Yum, I'm starving."

Madison sat down beside Helen and came clean, "I have something I need to tell you."

"Will this in anyway explain your long absences?"

"Kind of, we take delivery of a new Bell 407 helicopter on Friday morning. Happy belated wedding gift honey!"

"Oh good god darling, you are too much and thank you. I must say, that's an extraordinary generous present."

"You and your work are worth it."

Helen placed her hand on Madison's right thigh and squeezed, "I'll thank you properly when we retire for the evening."

"Oh way to go mom," cheered Ashley as the Big Guy served dinner. "I really like this new found openness of yours."

"I do too Ashley. Now let Will tell you two all about our latest case."

Will did with enthusiasm then the two couples went to their respective suites for the night.

-o-

Madison jumped out of bed when she heard Helen's scream. She grabbed her Beretta 93FS from the side table drawer and focused her eyes to the darkness of the bedroom. She relaxed when she saw her wife lying in their bed and fast asleep. Putting away the gun, she climbed back into bed and hugged Helen to her chest.

Seconds later, she drifted back to sleep only to be woken by a blood curdling cry.

"NO ... NO ... DON'T GO BABY."

"Ssh honey, you are dreaming," soothed Madison.

"You ... can't ... die ... don't leave me alone," mumbled Helen. "Please Madison ... stay."

The blonde gently stroked her wife's stomach, "It's okay honey, I'm right here."

Helen's eyelids fluttered open and she began to weep, "Madison, oh baby."

"It's all right sweetheart, I've got you. You were having a nightmare."

"It was bloody horrible, you passed away."

"Ssh, I'm right here."

Helen cradled her wife's cheek, "Madison, there is something I want you to know."

"If you are about to tell me you won't be able to live without me, you can stop right there."

Wiping away her tears, Helen admitted, "It's true, I plan on following you."

"Don't say that."

"Madison, I've made up my mind and that is final. Without you by my side, my longevity would see me return to a life of loneliness and isolation. That is something I do not wish to experience again."

Madison removed her arms and rolled out of bed.

Helen sat up, "Where are you going?"

"I can't talk about this right now," replied Madison in a broken voice. Throwing on a robe, she left the room.

Helen found her moments later sitting out on the balcony. Taking a seat beside her, Helen took hold of her left hand, "I didn't mean for you to be upset darling."

"I know, but I can't bear the thought of you killing yourself when I die. It just breaks my heart and the work you do is too important to end."

"Ashley and Will will carry on in my place."

Madison turned her head, "Helen, if I survive another forty years, Will and Ashley in be in their fucking sixties and seventies. You are assuming they will still be together at that stage or at least continuing the cause. Let's just say they marry and have children, by then it will be your grandchildren who work alongside you."

"Madison, that may well be true, but I won't want to live without you. You are more important to me than my work."

"Fuck, let's be honest Helen, I'll be old and wrinkled and you won't want me."

"Damn it, I don't love you because of how you look. I love the person you are on the inside. How can I make you understand?"

"I do comprehend, but do you have any idea how guilty I feel?"

"There is no need to be guilty darling."

"There is. I don't want your beauty, compassion and intelligence to end just because I am no longer alive. Your whole existence was borne from your father's desire to help the Abnormals of the world and I don't want that to cease. Will told me what you said to him when you first attempted to recruit him. You stated that good doctors come and go, but the great ones have always seen beyond the boundaries of science, beyond the known. The great ones dare to believe in the unbelievable. Helen, you are one of the great ones and it is unthinkable for you to turn your back on those who will rely on you in future just because I will be gone."

"It makes no difference; I will not carry on without you, whether it's next week, next year or in fifty bloody years."

Madison stood and dragged Helen to her feet, "I will leave you before I allow you to kill yourself."

Helen burst into tears, "Then that will only hasten my demise."

Madison's heart broke to observe such torment and she pulled Helen closer, "Oh god, I'm so sorry sweetheart. I could never leave you. Oh honey, I didn't mean a word of it, please don't cry."

"If you left, it would not save me."

"I realise that, it was stupid of me to say it. I'm really sorry baby."

"So you should be, it hurt me greatly to hear such words from you."

"Ssh honey, I'll never say it again," promised Madison before pressing trembling lips to Helen's neck, "Don't cry, I love you so much that the thought of you passing just drives me to say dumb things."

Helen stopped sobbing and switched the topic, "Ashley has agreed to have an injection of my blood when she turns thirty."

"See, she can carry on the legacy with you."

"I planned on telling you later, but now I don't want there to be any secrets between us."

Madison blurted out her confession, "I've been going to Abbotsford Airport to obtain my professional pilot's licence and the chopper cost 2.6 million."

Helen laughed, "Is there anything else you wish to admit to?"

"Yes. When you were in Oslo, if Ashley hadn't interrupted us I was going to put on a strip show for you. Then when you arrived in Alaska, I was ready to do it."

"I was aware of your intentions and I fell in love with you more when I realised just how far you had come in getting over your fear and hurt."

"That's because of you."

"When you were in the hospital the last time, Justine arrived demanding to be there for you. I was nice at first, but when she persisted in seeing you, I kind of assaulted her to make my point."

Madison tittered softly, "I know, Bobby told me about it. On our wedding day I was that nervous and turned on by you, Bobby had to hold me up when my knees buckled and I nearly toppled over."

Once she stopped giggling, Helen admitted, "I needed a tipple of brandy to settle my stomach and Ashley threw up twice."

"Oh god, that's so funny," noted Madison before brushing her lips across Helen's ear. "I'll never leave you."

"Thank you darling. So how about you take you wife back to bed?"

Madison gave her lover a cheeky grin, "How about we stay out here a little longer?"

"Oh darling, I'm awfully fond of your ideas," whispered Helen before Madison's lips captured hers.

-o-