A/N: Skip if you're happy. Read if something in Chapter 37 and 38 didn't sit right with you.
I've always said I am a fortunate typist because when I write something that goes astray, someone who knows and cares about these characters will let me know it. I did – they did – and slight changes were made to Chapters 37 and 38.
If you don't care to go back, the first part of this chapter will explain all to you – painlessly.
As always, thank you for your feedback and for keeping me on task.
21 Fun Salute
Somewhere in Toronto on a sound stage, late in the evening, another episode of the show about HG Wells was being put in the can. The actresses were pleased, as was the rest of the crew, because the preliminary reviews were out and everyone was buzzing about how good the show was. The new director was on board, and things were moving along swimmingly. Tonight though, they had received word from New York that there was an issue with an episode that had already been filmed.
"Cut! Take five people," the director yelled out. There was a snapping of fingers and a scurrying of people who gathered around her with the script.
Joanne sat down in the chair next to her costar and friend who had a cold pack on her head in hopes of relieving the throbbing pain.
"What is the hold up now?" the Brit asked as she rubbed her aching temples.
"The scene from the other day. There's an issue," the Canadian actress said, closing her eyes and pushing back into the chair.
"The other day? And they're just looking at it now?" Jaime asked incredulously.
"Yeah," Joanne confirmed.
"Whatever was the bloody issue?" the British actress asked, exhausted from a long day of shooting. She found her new role as HG Wells physically more challenging than her previous role as an alien.
"Scene 37 and 38 - where an old friend of yours comes back and kisses you and you don't do anything about it?" her friend reminded her.
"What of it?" Jaime asked.
"Well, the script called for me to apologize to you. Remember when I said I was sorry for not stopping it? Well, that woman in New York – who's overseeing this whole thing? What's her name? Sullivan? She had the writers take a second look at it and decided that wasn't in character for me. She's young, but boy, is she feisty! So they want to rewrite it," the Canadian playing an American explained. "They're tweaking it so now HG Wells apologizes to my character. As it should be."
"Oh bollocks! Why didn't they get it right the first time?" the actress complained.
"They're writers, Jaime. They make mistakes," her costar said sympathetically.
"Well, it puts everything on delay and we have to start over and then we're off schedule," Jaime said.
"I love the way you say schedule," giggled Joanne. "Shed-ual," she said.
"You love everything I say. You're an accent junkie," the Brit quipped. "Do you think the fans will ship us as much as they did in the other show we did?" Jaime asked, opening her Twitter account to catch up with her tweets.
"Of course they will, they all do. Hell, Jaime, I ship us," her counterpart said. The Canadian actress started to doze off in her chair when she heard the distinct sound of her picture being taken. "Do not post that on Twitter, Jaime!"
"Too late, love," the Brit giggled as she posted a picture of her costar falling asleep in the chair. "Hashtag Kelly sleeping on the job," she laughed as she typed.
"Jaime!" her costar said trying to warn her not to post another picture, but too tired to care.
Back in New York …
The post softball celebration lasted into the wee hours of the morning at the local watering hole. Jane hugged Pete and credited him with saving the day with his exemplary coaching skills. Caught between the two women he admired most, Pete was just glad he could help….and that they won.
"Your boss has tremendous respect for you, you know that, don't you?" Jane said as she drank down her beer that tasted so good because Minnelli paid for it.
"Yeah?" Pete said, looking over at Helena, whom he had the greatest admiration for. As the guy who used to accompany Helena on many of her social outings, Pete had a unique perspective on the changes in her.
"Do you think that woman trusts just anyone?" Jane said, leaning into the man who was changing her life.
"I guess," Pete said, watching his friends across the table.
"Wow! When you hit that ball and it went sailing. I gotta say, Myka. I didn't think you had it in you – you know being a fencer and all. But wow, did you smack that ball!" Claudia said, totally psyched. "I think we need our own softball team!"
"Yes, that would be so cool," Eileen confirmed. "We need a name."
"Oh, now we need a name," Pete said, joining in. "For months, I wanted secret code names, but noooo."
"OK, yours will be Coach," Claudia said and Pete protested.
"No, it's a good nickname," Jane said, thinking of all the lessons he could help her with. "You could help me sliding into home," she said and blushed at saying it in front of their friends.
"OK, time to cut her off," Claudia yelled out. She hated when the adults acted younger than her.
"Myka, you were awesome out there," Bridget said. "And Helena, you were ….," and she stopped. "…very British," she said and everyone laughed – after seeing Helena smile.
"I take that as a compliment because there simply is no other way to interpret that remark," Helena said.
Then Bridget leaned over to her two friends as the others talked. "Hey I wanted to thank you, for wearing Sarah's uniforms. It meant a lot to her and I really appreciate it," Bridget said.
"Uniforms?" asked the woman who wouldn't shop in retail stores because someone else could purchase the same dress.
Bridget looked at Myka's wide-eyed expression.
"I mean...her outfits...that she designed," Bridget tried.
"Our pleasure," Myka said.
Bridget gazed over at Sarah who seemed comfortable in her surroundings. "I know I can't fix it all for her," Bridget shared, thinking the question of Sarah's insecurity was on their minds. She understood that insecurity is often viewed as weakness by those who possess so little of the poison.
"No, but you can be the mirror that reflects her best self," Myka said, and hugged the woman who did that for her. Myka's confidence had grown by leaps and bounds under Helena's warmth and caring. "One day, she'll finally understand that the image she sees…..," Myka said, looking into Helena's eyes, " – is really her."
Bridget loved how Myka and Helena understood her – and Sarah.
"Hey boss, how do you like Wells Corp's new executive signing a new producer for the show?" Claudia asked.
"Well done, Miss Sullivan," Helena said.
"Have they done other shows?" Bridget asked.
"Oh yes," Eileen said enthusiastically. "This new one produced The L Word."
"Like in Sesame Street?" Pete asked, as Jane choked on her beer. "Oh Lattimer," she said.
"Have you …watched that show?" Bridget asked, trying to imagine the Sullivan family gathered around the television.
"I don't really watch a lot of television," Eileen confessed. "But I've heard it's very well done."
Bridget stopped mid-drink and looked at Myka. "So much to teach, so little time," she said, but it went over Eileen's head.
"There wasn't a cop on your team who wasn't looking at Bridget today," Sarah said to Jane.
"Well that must make you feel very lucky," Jane said.
Sarah stopped and thought about that as she looked over at the tall blue-eyed woman whose face lit up when she laughed. "Yes, it does Detective, it really does," Sarah said.
Bridget had no idea what her girlfriend was talking about, but was pleased to see Sarah enjoying herself. She smiled at Sarah and made the woman feel all warm inside.
"How about we get out of here?" Sarah whispered in Bridget's ear as she slid up next to her.
"I hate to break up the party, but we have to go," Bridget announced and took Sarah by the hand. They said their goodbyes and left.
"I can't get over Mrs. F – going all casual today," Claudia laughed.
"I think she looked adorable," Eileen said.
"You think everyone looks adorable," Claudia teased the woman.
"Well, I thought she looked relaxed," Eileen said of the HR Director.
"I don't know," Claudia said of her discomfort. "It didn't feel right."
"Not to worry, Ms. Donovan. She shan't be doing that again," Helena assured her and did so because she felt certain Irene knew how bothersome it was to her.
The party ended and everyone said goodnight. Pete had the night off and so Andrew picked Helena and Myka up.
"That was nice," Myka said of spending time out with her friends. She thought it was pleasant to be in a venue that didn't include photographers or reporters trying to capture their every moment.
"Indeed," Helena said, but she was busy looking down at her phone.
"I swear Helena Wells, I'm going to take that phone away from you," Myka teased.
"One day back to sports and you're swearing already," Helena commented.
Myka closed her eyes as she held onto Helena's arm in the back of the car. She was so relaxed that she didn't question that Andrew seem to be taking the long way home. Until she finally thought he could have circled the entire island. She opened her eyes and looked out at the unfamiliar settings through her window.
"We're not in Manhattan," Myka said, noticing the sign that said Williamsburg Bridge. It was the bridge that connected the lower east side of Manhattan to Brooklyn.
"Brilliant power of observation, Ms. Bering," Helena teased.
"Are we going out to breakfast?" Myka asked because it was still the middle of the night.
"No," Helena said.
"Are we …?" Myka stopped, not sure what to ask.
"This is your line of questioning? Tsk, tsk. You'd make a terrible lawyer," Helena badgered her.
"I could get it out of you," Myka bragged.
"Really? I doubt that," Helena said back.
"OK Wells, you're on," Myka said, sitting up in the seat.
"Oh do bring it, as they say," Helena said in her proper English accent that made Myka laugh.
"We're in Brooklyn," Myka started slowly. "….and headed to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway."
"You're very good at reading signs. I should have blindfolded you," Helena said, unimpressed.
"Later," Myka said in a breathy tone in Helena's ear that suddenly made the Brit want to turn around and go home. Helena swallowed so hard, that Myka gently nudged her and commented – "It's so easy to distract you."
"Really?" Helena asked, collecting herself, but promising to keep that thought in mind.
A few minutes later, a very observant Myka said, - "I can see by the height of the planes we passed that they are close to the airport. Therefore, I think we're headed towards John F. Kennedy International Airport."
"No one calls it that," Helena said, chastising her.
"Oh you didn't just go there," Myka said of the Brit correcting her.
"I did," Helena said, because she learned what that expression meant and no longer asked 'where'?
"OK, I think we're headed to the airport, where you, Ms. Wells have booked us a flight to …," and Myka hesitated and thought. "….to Florida, where we will spend a couple of days."
"Brava, Myka!" Helena said and then quickly added, "But you're wrong. Well, mostly wrong."
What started out as teasing was now becoming a challenge to Myka. She quickly scanned the car to see if anything was out of place. There was a white envelope on the side ledge of the car that was not there before. "Aha!" Myka said, grabbing it and shaking it in her hand. "Are you telling me these are not tickets?" Myka said of the light package.
"Yes," Helena said and goaded Myka by adding, - "You really are terrible at this. How are we going to solve puzzles and save the day if you…..,"
"Let me see this," Myka said, frustrated because she believed she was right.
Helena sat there as the lawyer opened the envelope and took out the single piece of paper and read –
Bill of Sales 2014 Purchase of Melody Island- Florida Keys - now property of Myka Ophelia Bering
"You …?" Myka asked stunned.
"Yes," Helena smiled.
"That island?" Myka asked.
"Yes," Helena said.
"For me?" Myka said, rereading her full name on the document.
"Yes," Helena answered, pleased that Myka was surprised. Helena tried to explain that it was a …'small token….", but Myka was covering the Brit's mouth in kisses.
Sweet, long, appreciative kisses.
"But why?" Myka asked, when she finally let go of Helena's lips.
"Well," Helena said, trying to clear her throat and collect her thoughts. "…I wanted you to have a piece of land on which you can gaze and watch your piece of the heavens," Helena said truthfully.
"Oh Helena," Myka said, teary eyed with emotion. "Your actions - your kind and generous actions always touch my heart."
"I am happy you're pleased," Helena said as they pulled up to the airport.
"And we're going there?" Myka asked, as Andrew got out of the car and opened the trunk that contained the bags that Helena had packed.
"Yes," Helena said, opening her door and waiting for Myka to extend her hand.
"I should get partial credit for guessing you booked us flights," Myka said, as someone took their bags and Andrew said goodbye.
"Thank you, "Helena said to the security guard who escorted them through a special door.
The airport was practically empty with very few flights arriving or departing. Myka glanced up at the board and didn't see any going to Florida on the departing list until six AM. Perhaps, she thought, Helena wanted to throw the press off and arrive three hours early. Myka walked through to the security station. Since she didn't know they were going on a vacation, she didn't have much with her. She caught the look on the security guard's face as she passed through the detector – and knew Helena was on the other side glaring at him. Myka smiled and shook her head.
Minutes later, they were walking to a gate where Helena's private jet awaited. The captain greeted them warmly and informed them that their bags were on board.
"Will you be joining us in the cockpit, Ms. Wells?" the pilot asked.
"Not this time, James, but perhaps on the way back," Helena said.
"You? When? How?" Myka asked as they walked down the galley.
"You purchased flying lessons for me. I took them – here and there. And the how was quite easily. You shouldn't be surprised to know I was first in my class," Helena said proudly. "But rest assured, Myka, I won't fly when I'm this tired."
"You can fly?" Myka asked astounded.
"Darling, it's a machine! The lessons were merely a formality," Helena said – as if that was all the explanation that was necessary – and it was.
Myka and Helena strapped into their seats as the pilot prepared the plane for takeoff. Three hours later, while the sun rose over the horizon, he touched down in Florida. An hour after that, they were docking at the island and someone was helping them take their luggage to the house.
"Two bags?" Myka asked as an eyebrow rose at Helena's unusual packing skills. The last time was a bathing suit, Twizzlers and spaghetti.
"I needed a few things," Helena said.
"You mean both of those are yours?" Myka asked.
"Yes," Helena said nonchalantly.
"You didn't pack for me?" Myka asked, knowing Helena planned for everything.
"Indeed, I did. Everything you need is right here," Helena said, taking a small bag that was from one of the airport shops out of her purse and handing it to Myka.
The fact that none of the shops were opened didn't make Myka question how Helena got this. She looked in it and pulled the item out. "Very funny Wells," she said of the satin sleeping mask.
"You said I could blindfold you later," Helena said. "And Myka?" the tall raven haired woman said, stopping and turning to look at Myka.
"Yes?" Myka asked.
"It's …..later," Helena said, her voice's timbre rich with promise.
"Oh how sweet. You're worried I won't be able to sleep with the sun?" Myka teased, acting like she didn't know what Helena's intentions were.
"I doubt you will want to sleep. You see, this is what I will be wearing," Helena said and handed Myka a second bag from the store.
Myka smiled and opened up the bag. "But...there's nothing in here," Myka said because indeed the bag was empty.
"Exactly my point," Helena smiled.
"Ohhh," the lawyer said and blushed that she didn't get it right away. "Let's go," she said, grabbing Helena's hand and rushing towards the house.
Next up - how did July 4th go at the White House?
And epilogue.