Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of Warehouse 13 and honestly, I really don't want to. It's much more fun to play with the toys and put them back to play with later.
A/N: Thanks to all comments and reviews. Always appreciated and considered. Keep crying, keep laughing. Without one, you can't have the other.
They walked into the cottage to the smell of chili warming in a crock pot. Helena limped over to the refrigerator discovering a plate of cream puffs and a pitcher of margaritas. The table was set and a DVD with a note was in the middle of the table.
Helena poured drinks and stuffed a cream puff in her mouth as she brought a drink over to Myka. "Mmm...I wuv Cwadia," she mumbled swallowing the cream puff, closing her eyes. "When did you give her the key back?"
Myka stared at what she had just witnessed. "I'm not letting you hang around Pete anymore. What happened to all that Victorian dignity and grace and not talking with food in your mouth?" She took a sip of the margarita, quickly imitating Helena and closing her eyes. "Oh my God, I love Claudia. I didn't give her the key back. Someone in this house honed her already excellent lock picking abilities. She just breaks in if I lock the door. But I ignore it because you also taught her how to make a mean margarita. Pete must have made the chili."
"Mmmm. He must have. It smells spicy." Helena turned around with a devilish grin. "If Pete made it I may not even need hot sauce."
"Not if you want to kiss me later or anything else." Myka picked up the disc and read the note, starting to laugh.
"Okay, so, that's no to hot sauce and yes to tequila. Darling, what is that?" She came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist, pointing at the disk.
"It's from Claudia:
HG, (nice, she doesn't acknowledge me), I managed to push Grumpy out in time to get the footage from the library, a.k.a. camera 28. Another thing to look for before leaping. Thought you'd want it instead of Artie. You're safe. He'll never know, and neither will Pete. Just like all the other times I've wiped you two clean. I've entitled it, 'Lunch in the Library'. Hope the cream puffs are creamy enough, but I don't think that will be a problem for the two of you tonight. Library. Case in point. Pete made the chili. You can thank me in the morning or whenever you get your horny butts out of bed and over here. Artie expects you to be late and seems happy about it, but you didn't hear that from me. Oh, I made the margaritas just like you taught me. Myka's are too weak. As Mrs. F. would say, 'mind your consumption!'. We ALL know what tequila does to you, though I've never heard your girl complain…quite the opposite. So, I'm shutting my windows now.
-Claudia.
PS. Pete says if you want Myka to get her groove on (what the Hell?), don't add hot sauce, and tequila does the same thing to her, but you probably already know that. He's shutting his windows, too.
We missed you, but we're really glad you live over there.
Helena took the disc from Myka. "That's my girl. I remember a time when this all used to embarrass her. I think she's secretly made a game of it now. Want to watch it?" She winked at Myka.
Myka yanked it out of her hands with wide eyes before she could get it in the player.
"No!"
"Really, darling, don't tell me you've never watched porn." She cocked her head in disbelief, grabbing it back out of Myka's hand.
"Well, no…but I wasn't a main character. What would you know about it anyway?"
"What a mistaken view you have of my time. If you only knew. Perhaps I'll enlighten you later...Come on, we might learn something…"
"I said, no."
"Fine. We'll leave it for a rainy day," she conceded, throwing it in with the pile. "Have another drink and sit down." She handed her glass to Myka, with a pleading look. Sitting down on the sofa with a grunt, she put her foot up on the table. "May I have a refill too, please?"
On her return, Myka put a tray with the pitcher of margaritas and their glasses on the table, as well as a bowl of chili.
"Close your eyes," Myka said before turning around towards the sofa.
"Whatever for?"
"You've never once questioned that request before, so don't do it now," Myka said laughing.
Closing her eyes, Helena got a devilish grin on her face. "Perhaps not, but quite often I'm horizontal when you ask."
"Then lay down. I have ice for your ankle anyway and I like it better when I'm behind you. But open your mouth first."
"My, you are getting demanding. A girl can only hope." She opened her mouth, receiving another cream puff. "Mmmm. I'll never question that request ever again." She scooted forward so Myka could wiggle in behind her while she put her foot up on a pillow and adjusted the ice. She leaned back into the long body, resting her head on Myka's chest, wrapped in her arms. "This truly is Heaven. You have no idea how much I've missed this."
Handing Helena her drink, Myka placed her chin on the head resting against her. "Oh, but I do. Rubbing Claudia's feet is not nearly as pleasurable as rubbing yours."
Helena barked a quick laugh. She leaned over for the chili offering the first spoon to Myka. "Are you cheating on me already? You moved into the house after only four days."
Myka laughed. "Trying to get rid of me, Wells? Her feet actually did hurt. Yours I rub for pure sensual enjoyment. Besides, last time I was gone, you only lasted two days before you sneaked into our old bedroom." She kissed the top of the head. Helena dropped the spoon of food on her. "This isn't going to work and you know it. Give me the bowl. Take your drink." Myka took the bowl and spoon, sharing the food with the woman in her arms in silence.
Putting the empty bowl on the tray, Myka, after much contemplation, decided to bring up what Helena had avoided before their library luncheon. "Speaking of feet…"
"Please, don't. Not now." Helena turned her head on Myka's chest to stare at the empty bowl, face void of expression. Myka began stroking the head pressing it into her for comfort. "I'm meeting Dr. Calder and an orthopedist tomorrow. I would like you to be there. Artie approved the time. I know all the arguments we have over this situation, but can we please not discuss it tonight? I have had an especially difficult three weeks and have missed you terribly. I know it has not been easy for you either, but at least you have our family around you." A single tear escaped to fall on Myka's chest. "I hate not being able to contactwq you. I want this time to soak up every bit of you I can, in the present. Please?"
"I'm sorry." She kissed the top of her head again, resting her own cheek against the resting head. "That bad?"
"You have no idea." Another tear escaped.
"You're home now. You're safe with me. Can you sit up for a second?" Helena leaned forward. Myka pulled her blouse and bra off in one swift move, not bothering with the buttons, before pulling off Helena's. "Okay, lean back." She grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa to hold off the chill. "That's much better," Myka sighed.
"I'd have to agree." Helena stroked one of the arms holding her against the warm bare skin. "As lovely as our lunch was, I did miss the cuddling afterwards. You've corrupted me. I never needed nor wanted to cuddle before I met you." She turned her head around to meet the lips above her.
"I wasn't really thinking of this as the cuddling part," Myka whispered in her ear before nibbling on the tender spot below it. "I was thinking more along the lines of extensive foreplay." Her free hand traced a haphazard path up to the finely sculpted collarbone, as Helena relaxed into the touch. "I've missed touching you and leaving you behind this morning was torture."
Helena rose into the touch with a small sound of pleasure, the back of Myka's hand slowly gliding down across her chest to graze against her nipple. Myka's hand continued its journey down her middle to the edge of her jeans, making a slow, torturous return, retracing its mirrored path across the other breast. "Are your eyes closed?"
"Oh God, yes," exhaled Helena, pressing her head back into its resting place, her breaths coming more shallowly.
"Still feel like cuddling?" Myka whispered in the other ear, her hand repeating its previous journey, interrupting the path at various points, exploring the territory it crossed.
Helena turned around in Myka's arms, straddling one thigh, ice pack falling to the floor. Darkening, liquid brown eyes gazed into bright green. Resting her forehead against the one below, she failed at gaining control of her heightened breathing. Digging both hands in Myka's hair, she leaned forward to claim the slightly parted lips, sucking the lower lip into her mouth. Myka dug her nails into the back of Helena's neck before scraping her nails down her back to the base of her spine, causing the woman to collapse on her.
"What do you do to me?" Helena murmured into the neck she fell into. Myka's hands traveled slowly up and down her back again. "I cannot guarantee extensive, darling, but I prefer to continue this in my own bed."
"Trust me, it will be extensive, but in OUR bed."
The song of the resident orchard oriole brought Myka reluctantly out of her sleep on the warm air riding through the open window, slightly smiling at the long absent warmth underneath her. She shifted her weight off the smaller body, always surprised Helena never complained about feeling crushed. Closing her eyes again, she allowed her fingertips to delicately navigate the soft curvatures of the body beside her, reassuring herself it was real.
It was real. Thinner, but real. Her Helena. After three long weeks it was real; it was soft, it was warm, it breathed and sighed, it was…wet. With a smile Myka positioned herself above Helena, following her fingers with her own gentle, moist kisses down the length of the soul beneath her, responsive in its half-conscious state. Another sigh. Conscious of the painful ankle, she explored the wetness awaiting her. Two strong, delicate hands found her head, digging deep into her hair, holding her in place. Quietly, with barely an utterance of a sound, Helena's body tensed and released, continuing to ride out the waves of her orgasm. Myka pulled herself up, anchoring the writhing body to her, Helena's nails sinking into the flesh of her shoulders, face held firmly in her neck quietly sucking air into her lungs.
The oriole still singing, calm settled over the loft. Myka gently lay Helena back down as her tight grip relaxed from her shoulders. She swept a light kiss across her lips before dropping one on each still closed eye and her forehead. Myka slid to her side, arms protectively holding the speechless woman, still struggling to control her breaths, tears escaping the corners of her tightly, closed eyes. With her thumb Myka wiped away the tears away and caressed Helena's cheek, stroking back and forth. "Honey, are you okay?" she asked softly.
Temporarily dismantled, Helena nodded, swallowing.
"Hey, come here." Myka rolled onto her back, pulling Helena tightly against her. Burying her face into Myka's neck she gave into the silent torrent of tears while Myka ran her fingers through her hair, letting the emotions ride. The bird left them behind in silence leaving the warm breeze to embrace them, Helena's breathing settling in the calm.
"I've never made anyone cry before." Incredulous, Myka rubbed her cheek against the head still buried in her neck. "You've never been so, uh…quiet."
Tears abating, Helena pulled her face out of Myka's neck to rest on her shoulder. "I've never experienced either before. I've never experienced anything so…overwhelming. What are you doing to me, Myka Bering? What power do you hold over me?"
"I love you, Helena. I love you."
"Thank you for not taking down the nurse." Myka leaned against the exam table with an arm around Helena's waist.
"What part, exactly, did she not understand of 'She stays here'? Myka, I can be quite subtle you know. Charming even. It's gotten me many favors in the past."
"So I understand. Like kissing Pete? Oh, and that Minoan glare of yours? So subtle," she added sarcastically, smiling at the floor.
"Well, perhaps not so much in this instance…and stop calling it the Minoan glare. I don't really find the humor that the rest of you all seem to find with that moniker. It is not exactly a high point in my present life, you know."
"Um, I can understand that. It isn't really high on my list either, what with making you point a gun at my head and all, but if we'd had a camera, I think you'd understand."
"Why am I dressed in this stupid garment?" She picked up the corner of the gown, disgusted. Annoyed with her present situation, Helena crossed her arms and lifted her leg, pointing at the injured ankle. "I'm here for my ankle and it's freezing in here."
"You're in that gown because you're overdue for your annual physical and Dr. Calder wants to give you a full exam after your most recent adventure. Oh, and I like to help you get naked." Myka snuck her hand through the opening of the gown, teasing the bare skin.
"Didn't get enough of that in the last 24 hours? I would have thought that shower would have held you over just a bit longer." Helena laughed at her. Her hair was still damp. They were lucky to have made the appointment on time.
"I wasn't the one rendered speechless, oh, no, I'm sorry, I meant silent, from her wake up call."
Myka was still gloating over her achievement, a huge smirk on her face as she raised her eyebrows, looking at the gowned women next to her. Vexed at the smirk on her face, Helena responded in the only way she could think of at the time. Spinning her taller partner into her arms and encasing her with the strong legs that were hanging off the end of the table, she brought the unsuspecting woman in for a hard, deep kiss.
"Good morning, ladies." Dr. Calder laughed at the surprised women, closing the door behind her. "Don't let me interrupt you. I did knock. I understand it's been a few weeks." Myka instantly turned red, eyes wide open, quickly disentangling herself from Helena's embrace. "Don't bolt just yet, Myka. Now, Helena, I understand you want to have her present for the exam, and you're okay with that, Myka?" Still mortified, Myka nodded. "Okay, now I need to clarify, Helena, do you want her here for the full physical and the orthopedic consult or just the consult."
Confused by the question, she wrapped the gown tighter around herself. "Why would I not want her here for both?"
"I'm just making sure we are all clear on the game plan for this morning and what will be involved, as this is a full physical exam including a complete pelvic exam."
All color drained from the face of the gowned figure on the exam table. "Oh, no. That is not happening! I am here for my ankle. I absolutely refuse."
"Unfortunately, the Regents and I disagree with you on that point. It's not optional, even for you. I will ask you, Myka, to leave before the exam for the history as I find my patients tend to be a little more honest. Dr. Brandon will be here, hopefully soon, for the consult." Dr. Calder looked at Myka for her input on this. She knew the procedure was much more difficult for the Victorian than the average person.
Myka took the nearest hand and rubbed Helena's back. "Helena, look at me. It's not that bad. I know you've been through it before and you survived. No one is comfortable with it, but it is necessary. I know modern medicine can still be awkward for you to accept. Hey, when you think about it, you're getting off easy. I've been through it more times than you have, and I'm going to be right here if you want me, holding your hand."
The white-faced woman nodded her head. "You'll be right here, through the whole thing?"
"Of course." Myka nodded her head at Vanessa. "I'll just step out until you're ready for me, and no kempo!" She kissed the worried forehead and squeezed her hand before stepping out the door, Vanessa mouthing a silent 'thank you'.
"My ankle hurts too much for kempo," she pouted.
Myka leaned against the wall waiting outside the door. She shook her head and chuckled at Helena's occasional raised voice, catching snippets here and there. "Of course not…yes, Myka…that was a different life time…Since I was debronzed…No, I don't…WHAT?...How could you possibly think that…sorry to disappoint you…I think Myka would disagree…Well, that is a rather personal question…fine!"
The door opened and Vanessa popped her head out. She smiled at Myka, sighing heavily and whispered under her breath, "I don't know how you do it."
Myka chuckled. "Sometimes I don't either, but I'm pretty sure she can say the same about me. You want me to come back in now?"
"Please. Thank God I gave you two a hard push when I did."
"You call that a push?" Myka smiled back. "I would have described it as a hearty shove, but thank you anyway."
"My pleasure. Although, Artie likes to disagree with me." Letting her through the door Dr. Calder turned to her patient. "We actually got most of the exam done during our conversation. Now, if you will just lie down and place your arm above your head…"
"Why?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
She smiled down at her difficult patient. "We've been through this before, Helena. My hands are warm now, but I can very easily change that with some cold water."
Myka took her hand and gently brought it back into position, giving the hand a slight squeeze. Helena sighed in defeat and complied, but decided not to let the doctor get away with her victory so easily.
"Myka performs this job much better than you do," she muttered.
"Oh, my God, Helena!" She released the hand instantly. "Was that comment really necessary? I can leave the room you know." Myka pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Taking the two women in stride, Vanessa continued without a flinch. "I'm sure Myka has a completely different objective in mind than I do, now doesn't she? And you've made it quite clear that so do you. Now for the fun part…Scoot down and we'll be done before you know it."
Myka took her hand as she settled into position. Noting that even Helena was now red-faced, she started to stroke the flushed forehead.
Dr. Calder started the exam complete with distracting conversation. "Three weeks this time? Well, you two have been busy. Simmering a little? Didn't interrupt anything, did I?" She looked up at Myka, smiling at the red face. "I'm sorry, Myka. It's very unprofessional, but you are too much fun to tease. So, have you two given any thought to having children?" Both women snapped their heads around at the doctor, wide-eyed, Helena nearly jumping off the table. "Hold on. Okay, maybe not the best opener. Sorry. So, that would be a 'no' then?"
Trying to calm Helena's increasing anxiety, Myka spoke up, still stroking the forehead resting on the pillow of the exam table, resting a firm hand on her shoulder. "Um, we've sort of put it on the table for discussion, but nothing serious. There's a lot to consider."
"Yes, there is. Okay, Helena, just a little pressure…"
"Bloody Hell!"
Myka looked down at her in disbelief, fighting dropping the hand again. "Helena, stop! I know this is uncomfortable and not exactly something we all look forward to, but it's not like you haven't been through it before. You survived then, and you'll survive now. God, unless you've exaggerated, from what I've heard, and read at your insistence, of your past..."
"Completely different objectives, Myka! How could you possibly make a comparison? I would think my exp…"
"Stop right there, Helena," Myka said coldly.
Vanessa bit her tongue at the exchange, smiling at the ground continuing, "I'm sure then, that you haven't given any thought about who would bear the child, if that's what you'd want to do. Okay, one more thing Helena…I just thought you should know if indeed at some point it becomes something you seriously consider…and we're done. You can sit up now." Myka helped Helena sit up at the end of the table again, rubbing her back.
"I don't see any apparent reason that you, Helena, shouldn't have another child if you choose, pending further discussion of course. If that is a consideration, I would, however, recommend sooner than later. Unless you have serious thoughts, then that's all I have to say until when and if you decide and we'll examine the issue closer." Helena looked at her with surprise before glancing at Myka. This news was something they'd never considered.
"Myka, don't look so worried. There's no pressure from me. I'm just informing you of a possibility." Dr. Calder took the woman's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You can get changed, Helena. I'm going to go see if Dr. Brandon is here yet. We need to get that ankle evaluated. I'm not happy with the Regents now, but you didn't hear me say that."
Myka glanced at Helena gathering her clothes to change, before looking at the Dr. "Neither am I," she said quietly.
"I know. It's written all over your face. I've been through too much with you two. Sometimes you feel like my kids. I'll try not to tease you so much."
A/N: Yeah, so margaritas, chili and cream puffs are a strange combo, but I never said I was normal.