A/N: Okay, this one's an episode addition for 'Trail of Blood' - basically what happens after they find their way out of the caves.

Final Words

...

5. Gone in 60 Seconds

They made it up and out of the cave system without further incidence. What was a little explosion, extinction of a murderous mutant species, and near-death experience amongst friends?

All things considered, it could have gone a lot worse.

Taking in the fresh air and sunlight above ground for the first time in over nine days, Nikola smiled to himself as he made to follow Helen and the others as they started down a narrow track to the north.

He took about three steps, then stopped. "No," he declared, "I can't. We're going the wrong way."

The group paused, and turned back. "What's the matter? This is the way we came in," Helen said.

"Yes, but I set up camp over that way, and at the very least, I need a change of clothes. I'm still covered in what I will generously describe as multipede webs."

Helen exchanged a look with her two boys. "Why don't you two rest here for a minute. Won't be long."

"Coming with me? I'm not sure I need help undressing - but if you're offering..."

"You're weak, and injured. Let's just hurry along, the sooner we can get back to civilisation, the better, don't you think?"

What he thought was that he wanted privacy to safely store the multipede larva for the trip back to said civilisation. Who cared about a few bruises, near starvation, and a persistent ringing in his ears, when there was the reclaiming of his heritage at stake? But Helen was looking at him expectantly and he shrugged and led the way as if he didn't care.

It wasn't much of a campsite - mostly just where he'd left a few tools, equipment, and some supplies he hadn't intended on lugging down into the cave if he didn't need them. He hadn't been sure what he would encounter, or if he would even be able to locate the abandoned Cabal facility - and then, of course, his initial foray had turned into a rather prolonged visit against his will.

His found his things where he'd left them, albeit a little windswept and damp, no doubt having been rained upon several times over the last week and a half. His pack was waterproof, though, and that was his chief interest. He knelt down beside it, gladly stripping off his disgusting jacket, shirt and vest.

Helen, either out of politeness or because the sight of his naked torso would inspire uncontrollable lust, looked away. Either way, it proved useful.

He thought the sleight of hand rather well done, as he quickly retrieved the larval cocoon from his pocket and stowed it in his pack. That taken care of, he pulled out a fresh shirt, and immediately felt better as he pulled it on. He knew he had some antibacterial cleanser here somewhere, too, of which he intended to make liberal use once he was dressed.

Helen spoke suddenly as he was working on his shirt buttons. "You really are utterly shameless, aren't you?"

He looked up in surprise. "What? I haven't even done trousers yet."

She gave him a hard look, and his heart sank in trepidation, already knowing what was coming. "Did you really think I wouldn't know you'd taken one of the larva?"

"One of the what? Really, I was slightly busy very nearly dying to save you and your little friends back there, if you recall."

"Nikola. Give it to me." He didn't move, and she pulled her stunner on him. "Or I'll knock you out, take it anyway, and you can get back to town on your own."

Well then.

He retrieved the thing and looked at it, the hard, slightly sticky pupae in his hand. And he decided the worst part was that she didn't see how much he needed it.

His smile was bitter as he extended his arm and handed it over. "Always on your terms, Helen. The lady giveth, the lady taketh away."

She chastised him further as she reached down for it. "Don't be dramatic. This was never yours to take."

He moved quickly and caught her hand before she could straighten, still grasping the larva. It was a cruel echo of their moment back in the cave system, when he had thanked her for coming for him. Now he said, "I knew it would hurt you - why do you think I waited so long before I fired up the autotype? Three whole days, in fact. It was simply because you were never to know about this."

She pulled her hand from his. "You really think that makes a difference, don't you? More likely you knew I'd never allow it, and were trying to figure a way out of trouble on your own." She held up a hand when he would have argued. "Forget it. I'm destroying this thing, it's done. You'll have to find another way."

"I'm sure that's likely, yes."

She sighed and turned away, telling him flatly, "Come on, it's still a ways back to where we left our vehicle, we should try to get there before nightfall." She headed back to where Henry and Will were waiting at the cave entrance.

"I don't sleep, you know," he said, conversationally, at her retreating back. She paused, listening, though she didn't turn around. "I lie down, I close my eyes - that's when it hits me, all over again, every night, every time I close my eyes. So I don't sleep. You know, I never used to think about dying; I guess I should have. Vampires can die of course. Hard to hunt an entire race to extinction if they can't be killed. I guess I should have thought more about it, though, maybe it wouldn't seem so bad now."

She looked back at him. There was a slight hint of guilt in her eyes that didn't make him feel better at all. "I know you're dealing with... something difficult for you..."

"Yes, the sympathy is touching. Not my point. My point is, three days Helen. That's how long I waited before calling you for help. Three days, alone in the dark, with only my thoughts, and the minutes ticking down to my death, to keep me company. Also, those murderous little monsters. But I waited. I promise you, I waited as long as I could."

She was silent for a moment, eyes steady on his. Finally, she nodded. "All right. Come on, then."

He blinked up at her. "What, that's it? What about the..."

"This? No." She shoved the larva into a pocket, then leaned down, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to his feet. "But I have something else that might interest you. Come on, we're wasting daylight. We'll get back to town, and then, if you like, you can come back to Old City with us."

He gave her a wary look as they walked together. "Why, because our little visit has been going so well you want to prolong all this fun?"

"Because I have something I want you to look at. And that you'll want to see."

"Couldn't you just show me right here? Or I have a hotel room in town - or I did. They probably think I ran out on the bill, come to think of it."

"What on earth do you think I want to show you?"

"I assumed it involved nudity. What, this isn't a booty call?"

"Oh, far better than a booty call."

He sincerely doubted that. "Your priorities are probably way off, but nevertheless, I'll admit I'm intrigued."

She gave him a small smile, and he found himself returning it.

The sad part wasn't that he forgave her so easily for denying him what was probably his one chance left on Earth to regain his vampire status. Because, actually, he didn't forgive her at all.

The sad part was that, even bitter and resentful, still he followed her. He followed her all the way back to her Sanctuary, simply because she asked him to.

And when they arrived, he followed her to the library. And it all persisted in feeling like a poor consolation prize - right up until the moment she activated the map.

His breath caught. He might have actually forgotten to breathe for a good few seconds, until it came out in a laugh of amazement. He turned in a slow circle, trying to take it all in, then looked up and caught Helen's eye. She was smiling as she watched him.

"I may never sleep again," he said.