I struggled with this and not because of any deep plot structure (God forbid) but over whether or not this was OOC for anyone.
Then I remembered - you will let me know immediately if it is. *braces self*

Thank you to AsgardianBlade for setting me straight.

15 Minute of Flames

"This is ridiculous," Myka chastised herself as she headed down the hallway to the HR Director's office. She had no reason to feel anxious she told herself as she walked up to Irene's door and knocked. The door swung open so quickly that Myka pulled back.

"Good," Irene said and pointed to the chair next to the CEO. Myka walked in and sat down. Irene seemed a great deal more intimidating in her own office.

Flashbacks to being called into the Principal's office tried to play in Myka's head. The problem was she never experienced that. Had she, she was pretty sure this is what it would have felt like.

"Oh good, my lawyer is here to post bail," Helena said, smiling. She sat in the chair next to Myka's.

"I am glad you could join us, Myka. Helena was just sharing her insightful wisdom with me. When I asked what I should say to the group of new employees about their boss standing there holding her underwear…,"

"It's was a brassière, Irene. And a rather expensive one, if you ask me," Helena interjected.

"I didn't," Irene said and continued telling Myka, " …she suggested that I remind them that she ….," and Irene looked down at a piece of paper in front of her where she had written it down – "…...Is the bloody CEO of this company and can do any bloody thing she wants," Irene said, peering over her tortoiseshell reading glasses at Myka.

Myka felt like she was being called on in class- worried she didn't have the answer. But that was another academic experience she never had. Myka was always prepared.

"Well, given the circumstances, I believe Helena was trying to save Artie from a rather embarrassing experience. He would have died if that…was ….you know," Myka said, rubbing her neck with her hand after pointing to the bra in Helena's lap. "Helena actually averted a more awkward event."

Irene caught the all-knowing look on Helena's face which smacked of - "I told you so."

Irene felt as if it were her job –especially to new recruits – to put the best image of Wells Corp forward. Nowhere in that image was there room for… lingerie. But – Helena was her boss and as much as Irene cautioned Helena in certain areas, it really was up to Helena to decide.

"I think we need to look at Helena's intentions, Irene, and I believe she was not displaying a derisive attitude, but rather was perhaps… happy…that she …..saved Artie some (cough) embarrassment," Myka spelled out.

Helena turned sideways in her chair, gazing at the pink glossed lips that spoke those words in her defense. Was there a more brilliant woman on the face of the planet, with fuller lips, or greener eyes? Helena didn't think so.

"Isn't she wonderful?" Helena let out because it was what she was thinking.

Irene realized she was up against the dynamic duo of love – and it was a deadly combination.

"You're right, Myka. I should consider the intentions, and since Helena's were, as you pointed out, honorable, well then, I guess I overreacted," Irene said.

"Brava Counselor. If you can get through to her, you can get through to anyone," Helena said. Helena still had not taken her eyes off Myka's lips. She loved to touch them – with her fingers or her own lips. The way Myka bit the lower one when she was nervous, or the way they jutted out when she was holding back on what she really wanted to say.

"No, it was understandable," Myka said, and Helena completely missed that she was agreeing with Irene because she was lost in those lips.

Finally, Helena was up out of her seat. "I really do need to put this on before I go to my meeting….," she pointed out, dangling the bra.

Myka looked at Irene who stared back at her. "Irene, Helena was ….," Myka said, feeling very defensive.

"She's the CEO, Myka. She can do whatever she wants, remember?" Irene asked.

"Stop saying that," Helena said annoyed Irene wasn't playing along. "Right now I have a meeting with Mr. Styles and I do not wish to be underdressed," Helena said.

Helena stood there waiting for Myka to unzip the dress. Myka lowered the zipper and Helena slipped her dress off to her waist, her back to Irene, and put her bra on. Then she waited for Myka to zip it back up.

"She's all yours," Irene said, looking directly at Myka.

"I am, aren't I?" Helena smiled at Myka.

With that, Helena opened the door, waited for Myka and the two left. Helena was all set to go to her meeting, but Myka felt something was wrong. She sensed Irene was really bothered by this. Helena was about to press the elevator button when –

"Helena, you have to go back in there," Myka said urgently, deciding if something was wrong, only Helena could fix it.

"Back in there?" Helena asked incredulously. "I barely made it out alive."

"She's upset, Helena," Myka said and got Helena's attention.

"Over that?" Helena asked pointing to where she stood moments before. "I practically saved Artie's life! I don't have his DNA on file you know," Helena said – referencing the injection she gave Irene.

"I know that, but she's really bothered," Myka said.

Millie nodded her head because she, too, had never seen Irene so upset. She heard Irene taking countless calls all day long, many of them in an attempt to put Helena back in the right spotlight. "She's under a lot of pressure," Millie offered and then, upon seeing Helena's glare, shot back down in her seat.

"Fine!" the Brit said, throwing her hands up in defeat. "I will give her two minutes to stop this nonsense and get back to herself."

"Oh that will do it," Millie let out.

Helena knocked on the door once and entered quickly. "What are you…..?" Helena started to ask and stopped short. "I'm sorry, are you busy?"

"Not if you need me," Irene said. Helena walked in and closed the door, wondering if Myka shouldn't have come since this was her idea.

"I need …to know what is going on," Helena said.

"Nothing is going on," Irene said, getting herself and the situation under control. Her tone belied her calmness.

"Well, Myka says something is amiss and she's very good at that sort of thing," Helena said, walking over to the chair and standing behind it. If Myka was right and there was something wrong, Helena wanted it resolved quickly.

"Everything is fine," Irene said, shuffling papers on her desk, unable to look at Helena.

"So everything is okay?" Helena asked to make sure.

Why would Irene say it was if it wasn't? And yet, Myka was usually right about these things. Helena felt caught and wondered why the two women who were making her feel this way weren't working it out?

"Everything is just dandy, Helena," Irene said, looking at her computer now.

"Dandy? Dandy? That's not even a work in your lexicon," the Brit complained. "Why are you making this so hard? Did one of those new employees upset you? I will fire them!"

This time Irene did look up – out of disbelief at Helena. "You are always the last suspect, aren't you?" Irene asked and confused the Brit further.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Do you understand that? You are being indecipherable to me, and I'm the smartest person you know," Helena pointed out, thinking she was being helpful.

"Helena, day after day, I am a spokesperson for this company. I talk to people about all the good things we do here, about our values and standards. I am proud to do it because of all the principles this company is based on," Irene said slowly. "And I know our very foundation is you."

Helena smiled. So far what Irene said, made sense.

"But when I have to talk to a group of employees about the code of conduct we expect here and tell them that these high standards must be upheld, they believe me because I believe that. I don't say something, Helena, unless I mean it," Irene said.

"Yes, I know….…," Helena said, wondering why Myka wasn't in here for this boring job review, but Irene cut her off.

"And then I walk out of the room with these newly informed employees and run into the CEO who is dangling her bra from her fingertip in the hallway. I know you were not flaunting it, Helena, but I find it uncomfortable, just the same," Irene said. "Maybe I'm getting too old for this job."

Helena never heard her say that before.

"I was …I didn't know you had employees…you are not too old …I am the CEO, you know," Helena said, vacillating between confused, responsible, and defensive. Her knee jerk reaction was defensive.

"Yes, I know. You've made that perfectly clear to me," Irene said, referring to the number of times Helena said it today.

The woman's behavior was completely baffling to Helena. And then Helena uttered a phrase she rarely, if ever, had to use. - "I do not understand."

Irene looked up at Helena and saw how truly sincere her boss was being. She really had confused Helena. Irene wanted to dismiss it and tell Helena to forget it, but she knew the woman would hound her mercilessly if she didn't tell her.

"Your actions – inadvertently, made a mockery of what I just told those new employees," Irene spelled it out for the genius. "And it got to me."

"I did …no such thing. I would not," Helena huffed and looked at the door as if willing Myka to appear.

Myka, in fact was at Millie's desk, sensing the frustration, but knew that what Irene needed right now was for Helena to understand what she was feeling.

"I know you didn't do it on purpose, Helena," Irene said quietly.

"Fine, tell me what to do," Helena said, putting her hands on her hips.

Didn't Irene always tell her what to do when she caused a situation that she had to get herself out of?

"No," Irene said because she didn't know what to tell Helena.

"What?" Helena asked her hands on the back of the chair as she leaned over it now.

"No, I will not tell you what to do. You're the CEO, you can do….," Irene started because what Helena said was true.

"Don't!" Helena said, not wishing to hear her own words back. She had been kidding – sort of- maybe – in a serious tone when she said that to Irene. "Fine! Well, I am sorry that my actions caused you such grief. I didn't plan to do that. I came upon the article…oh bloody hell, you know all this," Helena said, confused as to what to do next. Since Irene wouldn't tell her, Helena had to rely on her other resource.

'What would Myka do?' she wondered. 'Myka would fix it.'

Helena turned and walked out of the office and headed straight for the conference room.

"She's… upset," was all Helena said as she passed Myka.

Irene immediately realized where Helena was headed and tried to follow her, but there was no keeping up with the Brit when she was pressed for time – and determined. Irene tried to tell her to stop. Helena had a way of making things worse when she was trying to make them better.

Here's what Myka understood about Helena that few did. Helena always had to do things her way – not because she was egotistical or smarter than everyone else, which she was. She had to do it because that's how she was wired. She saw a problem, she found a solution. Of course, Helena could solve complex problems in chemistry, molecular biology, and physics a lot easier than when it involved human emotions.

But…she was trying very hard and that is what Myka saw as the Brit marched down the hall.

Myka stopped Irene by gently putting her hand on the woman's arm. "Let her try," Myka said and Irene understood. They watched as Helena bolted through the conference room door, where Claudia was instructing them on their new computers.

"Oh, excuse me, Ms. Donovan," Helena said, walking in and taking center stage.

"Of course," Claudia said, pleased, but surprised that her boss was there.

"Hello, my name is Helena Wells," Helena said and Claudia bit the inside of her check at how cute it was that Helena thought she had to introduce herself to anyone – ever.

The new employees shot up in their seats at attention. They never expected to meet their CEO the first day. Especially after seeing her standing there with her bra in her hand.

"I wanted to let you all know something that no one else in your orientation group will tell you," Helena said, unprepared, but speaking from her heart. "You are among the most fortunate people to be working here. And not just because of the cutting-edge technology, creative ideas, or groundbreaking advances in biomedical engineering. You are fortunate to work here because of the people. Wells Corp has the best and the brightest and you are meeting some of them today. It is not only because they are good at what they do, but because they believe in what they do. No one is a more exemplary figure of that than our Human Resources Director, Irene Frederic. She is the epitome of everything Wells Corp strives for every day in everything we do," Helena said, looking at each and every one of them.

Myka and Irene were only a short distance down the hallway and were both listening.

"Another reason you are fortunate to join our team is because when we make a mistake at Wells Corp, we own up to it. And I made one today. My behavior before offended Mrs. Frederic and I have apologized to her. I came in here to do the same to you," Helena said.

Claudia watched the new employees' eyes widen as they took in that the head of the company was in here apologizing to them.

"We know that you may make mistakes, but we will expect you to do everything in your power to learn from them and make it right," Helena said.

Then the CEO welcomed them on board….. and left as quickly as she had appeared. She was surprised to find Myka and Irene standing there.

"I took care of it. Your reputation is as impeccable as it always was," Helena said.

"Thank you, Helena. I appreciate this," Irene said sincerely.

"You are never to tell me you are too old ever again, do you hear me?" Helena said to Irene, her tone stern. Seeing Myka smile softened her a bit.

"Of course," Irene agreed.

"And don't ever tell me no when I ask you what I should do," Helena said, getting to the heart of the issue.

"Never," Irene promised.

"Now, can I get back to work or do you have any other issues you wish me to take time out of my day to address?" Helena asked, trying to sound annoyed, but all Myka heard was relief in her voice.

"Thank you, Helena," Irene said as Helena got in the elevator.

"Everything is okay now?" Helena asked, her finger-pointing between her and Irene.

"Yes, thank you," Irene said.

"Oh thank God," Helena said, as the door started to close.

Irene turned to Myka who was standing behind her. "She would do anything for you, you know that right?" Myka smiled and asked Irene.

"Yes," Irene said, touched by Helena's actions. Irene went back to her office with renewed faith that only Helena could give her.

Myka walked towards her office, remembering to thank Millie for all her help. "I hope it wasn't …too much trouble," Myka said of the chaos left behind this morning. Her cheeks flushed with red as she thought back to it.

"Not at all," Millie said as she wrote out the ingredients for her new dish. She had given Helena the first copy to try out tonight.

"New recipe?" Myka asked.

"Yes, it just came to me before. A new brownie recipe you could have before lunch... or anytime. Sweet, but with a kick of spice," Millie said, looking up at her boss.

Suddenly, Myka wasn't sure they were talking about food anymore. "Great," Myka said, slowing walking backwards to her office. She wished Millie would stop smiling at her that way.

Myka went into her office, closed the door, and let out a deep breath. The one she had held in since Millie described her new dessert.

"Just get back to work, Myka," the lawyer told herself over and over. She no sooner sat behind her desk when there was a knock at the door. Millie was getting too slow for these women who insisted on barging in on Myka.

"Free for lunch?" Bridget asked, poking her head in.

"Bridget!" Myka said, happy to see her friend. If anything could take her mind off of her desk, it was the effervescent investment banker.

Myka smiled to see the stocky administrative assistant standing behind the very tall slender woman who had just whipped past her desk.

"Ms. Bering?" Millie asked, waiting for instructions on whether this was okay or not. Millie didn't appreciate people feeling free to waltz past her without being announced.

"It's okay, thanks Millie," Myka said and Bridget smiled at the woman apologetically.

"I think she would have tried to drag me out if you had said to," Bridget whispered as she walked to Myka's desk. "Well, by the ankles," the banker joked because of the size difference.

"You're terrible," Myka said as she laughed.

"Let's skip work and go to lunch. I know this Cuban restaurant located on Avenue A called Cienfuegos where the plantain chips are to die for," Bridget said, taking out her phone and making the reservation.

"Well…," Myka said, looking at her afternoon schedule.

"Come on, I came up in the elevator with Morgan who said he had a meeting with Helena," Bridget urged her friend.

"I have a three o'clock," Myka said which meant there was plenty of time.

"Well I do declare, Ms. Bering," Bridget said, allowing her Georgian accent to slip through. "You are truly walking on the wild side."

"Very funny," Myka said, because she was used to this kind of teasing from Bridget. "Let me just send off this email….."

Bridget clapped her hands and said, "Perfect!" Then she looked around Myka's desk, touching the objects on it out of boredom, but it seemed to unnerve Myka. Bridget was an excellent reader of changes in people's demeanor.

"I just have to send this email," Myka repeated.

Myka rarely repeated herself unless she was nervous. What could Myka suddenly be nervous about? Myka's nervousness made Bridget look at the desk more closely, but nothing seemed out of place. There didn't seem to be anything on it that might be the source. Bridget sat back in the chair. She looked at the desk, then at Myka who was typing so quickly, it was obvious she was anxious. Bridget surveyed the size of Myka's desk.

"Oh-my-God!" Bridget said because this is how her mind worked.

"What!" Myka said as she jumped. That was all the confirmation Bridget needed.

"Bering, you are so easy. You're a lawyer for God's sake. You have to have a poker face and yet, you can't control yourself now," Bridget said slowly putting it together.

"Stop!" Myka said, but could feel the heat rushing up her neck to her cheeks.

"You and Helena did it on your desk! You minx, you," Bridget said, aghast – but impressed.

"Let's go," Myka said, standing up with a smile across her face. She knew if she wanted to keep this a secret, there would have been no way Bridget would have suspected. Maybe she wanted her to know. It was pretty risqué.

"Oh my little girl is growing up," Bridget said, faking a tear falling down her cheek.

"Okay, don't overdo it now," Myka said, grabbing her raincoat that made its way back down to her office.

"Tell me how it happened," Bridget pleaded because she loved this kind of thing.

"No!" Myka said.

"God, I'll never look at that desk the same way again," Bridget said, gently touching the edge.

"I knew this was a mistake," Myka said, walking towards the door. "Let's eat."

Bridget stared at Myka as she passed. "No, too easy, I won't go there."

"Bridget!" Myka said in a low, but urgent whisper as they stepped into the waiting area.

"Maybe we should go to "21" instead, Myka. Cuban food can be very…hot," Bridget said, unable to stop teasing Myka.

"I'll be back," Myka smiled at Millie, gently pushing her out-of-control friend to the elevator.

"That looks just like Ms. Wells' coat," Millie remarked of the famed rain coat. Eileen had slipped it back into Myka's office while Helena met with the Mayor, Myka was in with the law students, and Millie was getting her cleaning supplies.

Bridget's mind soaked up the new information and turned out the plot. "Oh my God, she wore that to your office, didn't she?" Bridget burst out laughing as Myka pushed her onto the elevator.

The plot was so easy for Bridget to figure out because – she had done the very same thing – a couple of times.

"You're terrible," Myka laughed.

"Please, it's great! I have got to think of something for Sarah. I can't exactly do that in a showroom," Bridget complained of her girlfriend's office which was one huge open space.

"OK, could we just stop….," Myka said, as someone yelled to hold the elevator door open.

Myka swiftly put her hand down, extended her finger, and pressed the correct button to stop the closing door. The fellow staff member got on and thanked Myka for holding the door.

"Excellent button reflexes there, Bering. Very smooth," Bridget said as Myka bit down her lip - hard.

This was an exercise in seeing other sides of the relationships, but never at the expense of what/who the characters are in their core.

You'll let me know.

Cheers,