Helen screamed, bolting up as far as the tight leather restraints would let her. Her voice was hoarse, her wrists bloody but she wouldn't be captive again, not after everything. A set of cool hands grabbed her shoulders, pushing her down into the bed. She bared her teeth, thrashing against the new hold.

"Magnus," her captor cried, holding her tighter. "Magnus breathe, you're fine, you're here, you're safe."

She growled at whoever was lying to her, kicking out as much as she could. She felt one of the restraints on her ankles loosen so worked harder and harder until the leather gave way with a sharp snap. Helen brought her leg up, intent on walloping her captor between the shoulder blades.

"Someone get a sedative," the man above her yelled, his voice strained with panic. Briefly she wondered at why he was so worried for her but she dismissed it, intent on getting free. Her knee connected with his back with a satisfying thud that made him jerk forwards with a grunt. He released her shoulders, staggering backwards and giving her the chance to pull once more at her bindings.

Her freedom was short lived though, another pair of much stronger hands curling around her shoulders just seconds after the last pair disappeared.

"Helen," the newcomer said, hands digging in almost painfully. "Helen, look at me this instant."

She spat at the face hovering just above hers, baring her teeth once more.

He wiped his face off on his shoulder before pushing her down onto the bed until she couldn't move a muscle. Another hand wrapped around her stray leg, fastening a fresh cuff around it before she was left with just the one person holding her down.

"Listen to me, Helen," the captor said again, voice low and urgent. "I know you can do this, just focus. Just focus on me."

She blinked sleepily up at the blurry face, frowning. Something about his words were familiar, his voice comfortingly familiar. She strained to pick out his features, only a pair of icy blue eyes standing out.

"Nikola," she breathed, tears forming in her eyes. The hands on her shoulders relaxed a little as she spoke, a soft hum of laughter wafting down from her captor. No, she corrected, her Nikola.

"Helen," he said again, relief colouring his tone. "Helen, you're all right."

"I... Nikola," she whispered. "Nikola, what happened? I can't... they..." Images flooded her mind of sterile labs and dark gardens, faces fading in and out of focus as she tried to zone in on any single piece of information.

"You're safe here," he whispered. "I promise, they won't ever get you again."

She whimpered.

"We're going to give you a sedative, to help you sleep," he continued. "It won't hurt you. But when you wake, you might not know where you are again. You have to try and focus, OK?"

"No," she said suddenly. Sedatives meant needles. "No!" Panic rose in her throat and she tried to reach for Nikola to try and make him understand. "No!"

"Breathe," he said, bringing a hand up to her cheek. "You'll be fine, Helen. I promise."

"No needles," she said desperately. "Please, no needles. No more. I can't take any more needles."

Tears were running down her cheeks but Helen was barely aware of the fact. She had to make him understand.

"Please, no," she tried once more. She was sobbing openly but she tried to push her words out through her terror.

"No needles," Nikola said softly, stroking her cheek. "It's all right. No needles then, no needles. OK?"

"No needles," she repeated, nodding. "No needles."

"No needles," he confirmed.

"No needles," she whispered, eyes falling shut as relief swept through her body.


Naw, you guys are so cute! I didn't expect people to actually be attached to Rose. But yes, she is dead. Gone. Kaput! To the first 'Guest' who wants more John/Abby shippiness, I have a story that I'm debating the merits of that would explore their 'relationship', for want of a better term so either pester me until I write it or pretend to be patient :P

Now, with the whole Ashley thing, I think I should explain because I wasn't exactly clear. Basically, Rose 'ingested' DNA from both Helen and John (but it didn't kill her because she already shared some DNA with Helen as discussed in previous stories) and, with that and the power of John's elemental (and a rather large dash of magic and creative license) as well as her minor healing ability, she bought Ashley back. She couldn't have done it previously because it would have killed her but, in that she would have to ingest Helen's DNA to save her after John's accidentally stabbing (which was going to kill her, one way or the other), it was sort of the right time, no?

And yes, it wasn't supposed to be entirely clear in that Rose was never totally explained but I figured I ought to clarify my 'logic'.

I hope that clears THAT up :P

To 'Guest 2', this was always the way Rose's story was going to end, I decided that before I finished writing We'll Meet Again however, I do like your idea of flashbacks. If I can come up with any :P

However, I won't comment on the possibility of Teslen :P You'll just have to keep reading!

If anyone has further questions, don't be afraid to PM me on here or come find me on Twitter (same user name). I'm really quite friendly, I promise :)

xx