"Well well, what do we have here?" a snide little voice asked, chuckling slightly as the occupants of the table all turned to look at the new arrival. Helen paused, stopping her fork before she could take a bite of her lunch. The others all stiffened at the newcomer and immediately she felt the tension surrounding their little group jump up to dangerous heights.

"Worth," James all but spat, his voice cold as the small man smiled down at them.

"Ah now James, surely we're good enough friends that you can call me Adam?" he asked with a faintly disturbing smile for each of them, his eyes lingering on Helen questioningly. "Though I don't think I've met the lady. Worth, Adam Worth," he said, reaching a hand out to her which Helen shook quickly before settling back in her chair. Something about the man was more than a little disturbing.

"Helen Magnus," she replied, almost slinking back into Nikola for protection. It was silly, she knew to be so apprehensive of a man she'd only just met but watching at how the other's around he bristled at his appearance set her on edge and made her want to take her friends hand again.

"Is there something you want Adam?" Nigel asked after a moment of silence.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" Worth asked, eyes lighting up in a way that made Helen think he wished he had.

"Not at all," John replied smoothly, his voice menacing in its coolness.

"Perhaps I could join you then?" he asked eagerly, stepping closer and gesturing to their half eaten meals.

"This is a private meeting, Worth," Nikola barked from beside, startling Helen somewhat.

Worth's face darkened at the admission.

"Of course, the fantastic five cannot be troubled to include a fellow academic when it comes to a simple lunch," he hissed, glancing around as if asking them to defy his words.

"Regardless," Helen said, cutting him off before he could stalk away. "We were just about to leave." With that she stood the others following suit.

"It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Worth," she said, holding a hand out to him. He looked genuinely surprised at the gesture but took her hand regardless, brushing his lips across her finger tips. With an uneasy smile for the man she turned, leading them towards the exit. She nodded to a waiter, signalling that the bill should be added to her father's tab before taking her coat and hat, not waiting for anyone to hold the door open and stepping out into the cool afternoon sun.

Moments later the others joined her, James congratulating her for ridding them of Worth.

"He is a most peculiar man," she allowed, brows furrowing as Nikola offered her his arm. Together the five of them set of, walking back towards the campus.

"He is like his experiments," Nikola said darkly. "Malformed."

"Too right," Nigel agreed readily. "He has the most ridiculous of ideas and cannot stand it when someone brings him to question for them."

"I've heard the most horrendous rumours of some of his experiments, off the books, of course," John put in uneasily.

"He is completely without regard when it comes to the most basic of ethical principles," James said quietly, drawing Helen's attention. The man was loathe to criticise anyone, rarely saying something so unkind and it told her just how much he distrusted the man. Clearly she was right to walk away from the peculiar man.

"Though you have to admit he does have his uses," Nikola said suddenly, much to everyone's surprise. "He gave us a name," he said by way of explanation. "The Five."

Helen laughed softly squeezing the arm she held.

"Do not get ahead of yourself Nikola, you haven't yet been told what I am asking of you," she chastised with a smile.

"But it does have a nice ring to it," Nigel said with a grin.

"And I think it's sufficiently mysterious to fit with today's theme of hidden motives and unexplained requests," John allowed, giving her a smile.

"I think it would be prudent to hold off on toasting to it though, at least until you all have a better understanding of what we're to be doing," she continued, earning herself a sigh from Nikola though the other's all nodded in acceptance.

Smiling, she came to a stop, gesturing for the others to gather around somewhat.

"I do apologise for having to cut our lunch so short," she said, looking around at the men. "But I shall see you all at 6pm sharp, yes?"

Murmurs of agreement sounded and she smiled.

"In that case, I'd best let you all go; no doubt you have far more interesting things to do than hole yourselves up in the library with me."

James chuckled but nodded.

"Do you need someone to walk you back to campus?" he asked. "I'm happy to make the detour."

"No, no," she said, waving him off. "Nikola and I have some notes to compare on an experiment we've been conducting," she continued, giving him a tiny smile, hoping he understood just that she was getting at. Confusion flashed briefly over his face before he nodded.

"She is right," he said. "We've much to discuss."

"As fascinating as that sounds," Nigel said with a grin, "I'll leave you two to it. Druitt? Feel like coming to the pub? I think we'll be in need of a stiff drink before facing whatever it is that's lurking in the Magnus household."

"Certainly," John replied with a laugh, clapping the shorter man on the shoulder and James chuckled, giving Helen a knowing look.

"Until tonight then?" she declared with a smile and the others all nodded. One by one they said their goodbyes, wandering off until only Helen and Nikola stood on the street.

"Not that I object but what on earth were you on about before?" he asked, taking her arm as they walked towards the university campus.

"The experiment?" she clarified. "Or are you asking after this evening's activity?"

"Both," Nikola tried hopefully, giving her a grin.

"Well, in terms of your second query, I do believe I gave you a hint not so long ago," she said, keeping her eyes on the ground. "I kept meaning to ask if you figured it out?"

Nikola sighed.

"You can't possibly mean what I think you meant Helen," he said quietly, looking to the ground too.

"The beauty of it is that I most probably do," she replied with a small smile looking over to him.

Nikola paused for a moment, opening his mouth as if intending to continue with the line of questioning before shutting it and shaking his head.

"And the experiment?" he asked, giving her an uncertain look.

"You... you said you wished to spend the afternoon together," she said softly, looking down again only to be forced to raise her gaze when he started tugging her along faster and faster.

"Nikola!" she cried in alarm. "Where are we going?"

"To my room to grab some wine," he said eagerly. "And then to the abandoned laboratory overlooking the court yard. It locks from the inside and the view is sublime."

At that Helen laughed but sped up none the less, eager to make the most of what little time they would have to themselves.


So, those with keen memories will probably remember this chapter from another story. First person to tell me which can request and update of whatever they want :P

xx