All right! This one is from a moment described all the way back in 'We'll Meet Again', if anyone can remember back that far, that is :P In some ways, it's been this pretty little moment sitting in the back of my head whenever I needed to remind myself of why I love Rose. Even when she wasn't called Rose :P
xx
Rolling over slowly, Helen stretched, arching her back before turning once more to snuggle into-
Into something that was too warm and too solid to be her pillows. She barely stifled a scream as she scrambled backwards, eyes wide as she took in the sleeping form in the bed beside her. Nikola bloody Tesla. Her mind reeled, trying to place her memories in the right order but she was struggling. It was too early and she'd gone to bed too late and despite her reduced need for sleep, she was not doing well.
Slowly she began to piece things together, the memory of a strange girl with a strange name trying to kill them, cups of sniffed at tea and then, when Helen had finally made it to bed, the newcomer's wide eyes peering up at her through the darkness as a confused and rumpled Nikola was pulled along behind her. Helen hadn't had it in her to fight last night when the girl had climbed into her bed, pulling Nikola with her. Her sleep addled mind had argued that it was fine. She'd shared a bed with Nikola once before and the girl was probably just scared. The idea that John, her fiancé, might disapprove of such an action never crossed her mind.
But now, as she took in Nikola's sleeping form, the thought most certainly did cross her mind.
"Nikola," she whispered, reaching out to prod his shoulder with a tentative hand. He snorted, brow creasing but slept on and she sighed, glancing around the room. The newcomer, Josephine, was nowhere to be seen.
"Nikola," she tried again, shifting towards him as she prodded his arm.
This time he grumbled, batting her hand away. Frowning, Helen reached out to smack him again, only to have him capture her hand, pulling her swiftly down until he could wrap his arms around her and snuggle in close.
"Nikola Tesla get off me this instant," she hissed, fighting his unnaturally strong arms. He mumbled something and tugged her closer. He buried his face in her neck, moustache tickling at her skin as he threw a leg over hers.
"In a minute," he muttered sleepily.
"If you do not release me this second I shall scream," she threatened, fighting his embrace.
"Whatever you say, darling," he continued absently, a lazy kiss making its way to her neck. She froze at that and her lack of action seemed to wake him up.
"If-if you don't let me go, I'll call for John," she said shakily, blood pounding as he placed a few more purposeful and, she knew, awake kisses to her neck. "I don't think he shall take well to finding you wrapped around his fiancé."
"He-len," Nikola whined but thankfully his grip loosened.
"Thank you," she said breathlessly, trying to sound cross. She shuffled from his grasp but he tried to follow, his arms feebly attempting to keep her close.
"Good morning to you too," he grumbled, cracking an eye as she frowned at him.
"Where is she?" Helen asked, skipping over his blatant attempt to feel her up.
"Who?"
"Josephine?"
"Yes."
"How should I know?" Nikola asked, incredulous as he pushed himself up.
Helen rolled her eyes before clambering from the bed, lunging for her robe before the sun could betray the thin nightgown she wore. Just as she wrapped it securely around herself, Helen caught a glimpse of something out in the yard.
A fresh layer of snow coated the rolling lawns and while it was beautiful, it was the brown dot that caught her eye. It took her a moment to place it as the back of a head but then something fluttered, moving against the snow. Narrowing her eyes and pushing the hair from her face, she stepped closer to the window, just barely discerning the difference of colours between whatever was moving and the snow.
"Nikola," she hissed, not turning. "Come here. Quickly."
Nikola grumbled but after a moment he trudged to Helen's side, an arm snaking around her waist. Shooting him a dirty look, she pushed him away before motioning to the scene outside.
"What is she doing?" Nikola breathed before she could speak, leaning forwards.
And then it all came together for Helen. Wings. That was what was moving. Wings. Giant, feathered wings. It was the girl, dressed in the nightgown Helen had given her last night.
"She must be freezing," Nikola breathed and Helen glanced to see his brow furrow in obvious concern for the girl. It was a curious expression on his face but perhaps his time in Budapest had brought to him an ability to care more deeply than before. They hadn't been separated very long, business calling Nikola back for a short stay that had gradually grown longer. Not that Helen was complaining, he was still one of her closest friends and having him around again was like a breath of fresh air.
"You go make some tea and grab a blanket," Helen said, touching his arm. "I'll bring her in."
Nikola nodded, concern still creasing his face as they both hurried from the room and down stairs.
The air was freezing against Helen's skin as she stepped outside and she pulled the robe tighter. She could see the young woman standing in the middle of the yard still, arms thrown wide as her wings twitched gently. For a moment she just watched her, marvelling at how peaceful she seemed.
"Aren't you cold?" Helen called, debating whether or not she'd need to step off the small, covered patio she was safely ensconded on and ruin her shoes.
"Are you?" the woman asked softly in response, barely turning as a small smile curled her lips.
"Of course."
The woman laughed softly but lowered her arms as she retracted the great wings. Helen watched in awe as the masses receded into her back. It was a far more fascinating process when her life hadn't just been threatened.
Her nightgown was pushed right back on her shoulders, dipping down to expose the skin almost as pale as the snow with large angry scars down her back. No blood seemed to be coming from the scars but to Helen's eyes they were inflamed. If she hadn't just seen precisely why, she'd have insisted on treating the wounds.
Slowly the woman readjusted the nightgown so it sat properly before turning to Helen, a sweet smile on her face.
"Why must I come inside?" she asked, head tilted slight as her brow furrowed slightly in confusion.
"Because it's too cold out here," Helen replied quickly, holding out a hand.
"But I don't feel cold."
"Are you even wearing shoes?" Helen asked, unable to keep the note of incredulity from her voice.
"No."
"Oh heaven's, come here before you freeze and catch your death!"
The stranger seemed to find something amusing about the remark, giggling softly as her eyes danced.
"Why are you so worried?" she said, her voice carrying as she took a single step back towards where Helen was starting to shiver.
"Because I refuse to let you come to harm," Helen replied, stepping up to the very edge of the snow free pavers. "Now come. Please."
"Did I frighten you?" she asked quietly, cocking her head to the side. She was slowly picking her way through the thick snow, the sodden hem of her nightgown dragging.
"We didn't know where you were," Nikola said from behind Helen, walking past her to hold out a blanket.
The young woman accepted it but simply draped it over her arm. She smiled again and reached out to cup Helen's cheek.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, eyes twinkling. "For your hospitality and concern. Although both are unnecessary considering my treatment of you last night."
"Oh don't be silly," Helen said, waving a hand dismissively, smiling as her guest chuckled.
"I'm not," she replied with a kind smile. "But I shall not forget this Helen, not ever."
