Thanks to Aimofdestiny for the beta.
Thanks for your suggestions. I will talk soon to the person whose guess was closest to the actual resolution. You all had good ideas, but nobody thought about that there might be a reason why Sarah is time travelling so much. And what the watch has to do with it.
This is the final chapter. We have an epilogue left.
2014
Mrs. Frederic led Myka and HG to a small seating group in the hospital hall. She took her seat gracefully, as she always did, and then looked at both the agents in front of her. Who sat down, looking confused and exchanging concerned gazes. Myka was utterly baffled. Irene hadn't mentioned what in particular she wanted to talk about with the two of them, but something told the agent it was about Sarah. Sarah, the girl from the future, their daughter from the future, who had travelled through time twice now.
Carefully opening the big purse on her lap, Mrs Frederic begun:
"When I became caretaker of Warehouse 13 - that must have been 70 or 80 years ago - I received a very curious message from the Warehouse." She made a pause and surveyed Myka and HG carefully.
"A message from the Warehouse?" The younger one of the agents in front of her asked interestedly. "What do you mean by that?"
"I thought Claudia Donovan would have told you that the Warehouse is an entity with a fully-formed personality: emotions, thoughts and wishes. And that its caretaker sees it as their purpose to fullfill these wishes. Because the role of the caretaker is essential to the correct storage of artifacts. The Warehouse has... needs." The former caretaker of the Warehouse explained seriously.
"Well, that seems to be the reason why she so suddenly became caretaker." Helena assumed thoughtfully.
"That's right." Mrs Frederic bowed her head. "The Warehouse desired a new caretaker. It needed Claudia from then on. I had wondered why, but well, it seemed as though it needed to take care of something for itself. And that's why I accepted this substitution so easily. The Warehouse doesn't always communicate its wishes very clearly. After all, it's a building made of artifacts storing artifacts."
Myka wasn't sure if she understood everything that just had been said, but she was curious about where Irene was going.
"The scent of apples for example is one such way of communication." Mrs Frederic mentioned.
"It means that the Warehouse likes the person who is smelling it." Helena added quickly.
The older woman regarded the writer for a few seconds, then she folded her hands in her lap next to the purse she had opened. "Yes, indeed. That's one of the reasons to smell apples."
"There is another reason for it?" Myka asked, confused.
The former caretaker just looked down at her purse. "Another way of communication with the Warehouse is a guide, which manifests as a kind of apparition only the caretaker can see."
"Claudia mentioned Leena." HG nodded thoughtfully, like she had figured everything out.
"I didn't know Claudia's guide presented as Leena." Mrs Frederic raised her eyebrows in surprise. "But well, that makes sense."
"So, what are you going to say?" The curly haired agent tried to steer the meandering conversation back towards the original topic. She knew that Mrs. Frederic liked her way of being mysterious, but currently, Myka didn't appreciate it.
"When I became caretaker all those years ago, my guide sent me a curious message which made absolutely no sense for me. Until I went into the bronze sector and found Agent Wells there. And then - many years later - made Miss Bering one of my agents." The former caretaker explained and reached into her purse.
"What are you trying to say?" Myka asked, completely flabbergasted.
"The message included the names of cities which I had to give to someone called 'Claudia Donovan' at a certain point in time. These were connected to an artifact hunt, of course. Even though I was never told what this artifact was." Mrs Frederic went on speaking, ignoring the agent's question.
"Did it have something to do with Claudia's memory loss?" Helena asked interestedly, like she actually understood what Mrs. Frederic was talking about.
"I assume it did, now that you are updating me on this." The former caretaker simply nodded and then pulled a small yellow sticky note out of her purse. She looked at it before adressing the other women again. "The other part of the message was this. Due date of delivery: Today." Carefully, the caretaker reached out to hand the note to Helena, who took it, a little hesitantly. Myka watched the Victorian read the note and tear up immediately. The curly haired woman was confused, and waited for another reaction from the writer. But HG simply handed the note over and so Myka took it to read it herself..
I am alright. Make sure my mothers are. Sarah Bering-Wells.
Myka stared at the note, utterly thunderstruck. She didn't know what to say or think. This seemed to mean that... whatever Sarah had to face in the future, she would manage it. This ...would this mean she existed? What...?
"When did you say you got this message?" Helena asked slowly, causing Myka to look up at her. The Victorian was crying, tensing and untensing her jaw, and the American couldn't tell whether it was from relief or something different.
"Like I already said. When I became caretak-" Mrs. Frederic replied, but was interrupted by Myka.
"But how?" She asked, not understanding.
"Well, Agent Bering, it seems that time works differently for the Warehouse." Irene stated as though it was a perfectly logical explanation for why she had received a message from the future 70 or 80 years ago. "And somebody wanted to make sure you are both alright."
"Are you implying you knew about our relationship for about 70 years? Even before you knew us? Even before we... knew?" Myka asked, her voice rising with each successive question, realising what that meant.
Helena and she exchanged a look.
"Well, that explains a lot." The Victorian murmured. "For example that I wasn't bronzed after Russia. Or after Yellow Stone."
"Or the book store!" Myka pointed her finger at Mrs Frederic. "You brought Helena to the book store because you thought... that there was something between us?!"
"Agent Bering." Mrs. Frederic gave her the raised eyebrow. "I brought Agent Wells into your parents' book store because I had to make sure you'd come back to the Warehouse."
The curly haired woman's mouth opened and closed several times. She was completely out of words.
"And even if your statement had been correct, Agent Bering, you cannot deny that it would have been nothing but the truth." The former caretaker bowed her head. Then, she closed her purse and rose from the chair, ignoring the way the agents gaped at her. "The positive effect of this... arrangement... is that I have already taken care of the paperwork that comes with a romantic relationship between two Warehouse Agents quite some time ago. That was something I could do even though personal matters of my agents shouldn't be anything I should be involved in."
"What does this imply?" Helena asked, surprised.
"The Regents have been informed and they agree with me when I say: It's about time." Irene offered them a smile, which caused Myka to be even more surprised than she already had been, because Mrs. Frederic barely ever smiled.
"The Regents said what?" Helena hissed indignantly. "The Regents are at the cause of this problem." Myka gaped at her girlfriend, who clenched her hands into fists, knuckles running white. "Regents put people into Janus coins. Regents-"
"Helena." The curly-haired women gently replied, putting her hand on the older woman's shoulder. "It's alright, You're here, now. With me."
The Victorian took a few deep, steadying breaths, glaring at the caretaker, who had pursed her lips.
"Well, Agent Wells, I have to express that the Warehouse and I haven't always agreed on the Regent's decisions. They didn't care. They constantly struggle with arranging the Warehouse's needs with the safety of the world. And sometimes, they are cowards." Mrs Frederic blinked a few times. "And I'm incredibly sorry for what they have caused you." With that, the former caretaker turned around. "Good evening to you, Agents Bering and Wells." She said her goodbyes and then walked away soundlessly.
Myka leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath, unsure what to say. She had to process this first. And Helena would surely have to process this as well. They were silent for a while until HG looked at her from the side.
"Myka..." She began, weakly, but did not go on. The younger woman knew that they had to talk about this... this topic that hung in the air between them. Sarah was something they struggled communicating about and now...
She shook her head and turned to the other woman.
"Wait, Helena. Wait." She whispered, leaning forwards to kiss her quickly. Pulling back, she looked into her love's eyes. "This only means... this only means that if... if there is ever the possibility of us having a daughter, that she'll be alright. That you don't have to worry about that now."
"But..." The Victorian just looked down at the ground without finishing her sentence.
"It doesn't mean there has to be one." Myka took her hand. "Listen, I know you aren't ready to even consider thinking about children. And I have to say that I'm not ready for children myself." She gently cupped Helena's cheek and tilted her head upwards slightly so the writer could look into her eyes.
"I don't want you to look at me and ask yourself if I will ever be." Helena replied, her eyes darted away but Myka tilted her own head a little so she could look into them again.
"No. I won't. Because I know that wouldn't help you with your recovery, Helena. And I want to help you with that." She explained. "Honestly. But... children, that's currently not on my to-do-list. Do you want to know what's on my to-do-list?"
Helena offered her a weak smile. "Please don't say anything like 'you'. Pete made that joke once and I really don't know if I can handle you talking like him."
The younger woman laughed in relief. "No, I was going to say something different, but well... it's something like that. Because a future with you is on my to-do-list. Which means: a lot of you. A lot of this." She leaned forwards to kiss HG passionately. "A lot of talking to you." Another kiss. "A lot of waking up in each other's arms and have morning breath and messy hair."
The artificer looked at her for a few seconds, then she bowed her head. "That does sound compelling." She murmured.
"Do you know what sounds compelling as well?" Myka kissed the other woman again. "Greece." She breathed. "Or someplace like that. Someplace with a hotel room and only time for us. Something with a beach and a lot of sun. Just the two of us... I have a lot of extra hours to get rid off."
"Well, I'm still a restricted agent and not that long on the job." Helena replied in between kisses.
"Oh, from what I know you've been on the job since the 19th century. And restricted means you're an agent under me and maybe I can possibly order you to come with me on... an artifact snag in Greece?" Myka laughed, just to link their lips again. This time, neither of them pulled back to add anything to their conversation. Only their lips touched, until their bodies and hands joined them. Myka grinned. If Pete could see them: Agents Bering and Wells simply making out in the hospital's hall.
Myka knew that the rules of the time machine were different from those of the watch. That what Irene had told them meant that Sarah was certainly in their future. She knew that, but in this moment, she didn't want to think about it. Not any more. After her own episode of time travel, Myka had started thinking about children far too much without being ready for any thoughts like these. And she knew that Helena didn't want to think about it either. So Myka felt better considering Sarah only as a possibility.
Helena sighed into the kiss, shivering, and letting her hands roam over Myka's shoulders. The door of Claudia's and Steve's hospital room behind them opened and Abigail looked outside. "Is everything alright between you two? You've been having your 'talk' for a very long time now and everybody in here is slightly concerned."
The agents pulled apart, quickly, but not too far to rest their foreheads against each other. "No, Abigail. Everything's alright here." Helena told her.
"Okay." Myka whispered, feeling HG's hand brush over her knee. "I don't think this is appropriate behaviour for a hospital."
"Well, then we'll simply have to find another place." Helena purred back, then she raised her voice. "Abigail, for how much longer could we trouble you to take care of Adelaide? Myka and I have... a thing to do."
Abigail was quiet for a moment. "She still owes me a Scrabble rematch."
"Do you have your Scrabble game here?" Myka asked loudly.
"No, it's in the B&B... we would have to go there." The former therapist replied.
"Then maybe the car instead?" The Victorian whispered while carressing the younger woman's upper thigh. Myka swallowed in reaction to the heat that grew in her lower body.
"Okay, Abigail. I think that's a great idea." She rose from her chair and pulled Helena in the direction of the elevator. "We see you two later."
"Do I want to know?" Abigail yelled after them. "Oh wait, I probably don't."
"My bed is broken anyway." Myka whispered into Helena's ear while they waited for the elevator. She felt the writer intertwine their fingers. When the elevator doors opened, the Victorian quickly pulled Myka inside and pressed her against a wall. "Also a thing I've been longing for: the elevator." She breathed before kissing her possessively.
"I know." The younger woman replied when Helena gently peppered her neck with kisses. "I know and remember that situation."
"Of course." Helena smirked, looking at her. "Of course you do. But there is something you seem to have forgotten."
Myka's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh?" She asked.
"Well, your bed might be broken, but I have one in the B&B, too." The Victorian stated smugly. "And I heard that over the next few days, it's going to be replaced with a king-sized bed."
"Oh, the king-sized beds. I still don't know what to do with them and my room and the furniture. And now that I'm not on an artifact hunt anymore... I'll have to make that decision soon." Myka looked up to the ceiling and rubbed her forehead.
"Darling?" Helena quietly asked.
"Yes, Helena?" The younger woman looked at her to find her smiling mischievously.
"Sometimes, I'm really surprised how incredibly blind you are for a woman who has an infamous eye for detail." HG admitted.
"Will you make sense anytime soon or is it okay if I go on looking confused at you?" Myka shook her head.
"Well, king sized bed means enough space for two persons. And if you decided to sleep in my room for a while, we could think about what you'll be doing with your room." Helena suggested.
"Are you implying...?" The American's eyes widened.
"That you need time to figure out if you really want to arrange a bed of your own with all those shelves? But meanwhile you could wake up in my arms on a more regular basis? See where this is going?" The Victorian bowed her head. "I am."
Myka surveyed her carefully for a few seconds, then she leaned forwards to kiss her again, her hands roaming over the older woman's back. After some time, HG pulled back. She looked up at the ceiling. "How long exactly does an elevator need to get down to the parking lot?" She asked indignantly.
The American cleared her throat and reached out her hand awkwardly to press the elevator's button for the parking lot area. She looked at Helena, smirking.
"Oh." Helena replied, looking pretty dorky in Myka's opinion. Who just leaned forward and kissed her again.
Abigail closed the door of the hospital room and looked at Steve and Claudia.
"We've created monsters." She stated with a bright grin and then eyed Adelaide carefully.
"I really don't know if that was us." The caretaker replied, glaring at Steve.
"Well, somebody sent them to New York, where they had to snag an artifact that unleashes strong emotions." The Keeper of the Inn sat down in a chair. "You cannot tell me that wasn't on purpose."
"I don't think that sounds like something I would do." Steve mentioned and looked at Claudia with raised brows.
"Well, in our defense, we literally don't know - anymore - what we were doing." Claudia replied, touching the bandage on her forehead. "I mean... I have no memory of this place."
"But you definitely were yourself, Claud." Her former partner nodded profusely and then held his shoulder in pain.
"Are you suggesting I set them up with each other?" The redhead said indignantly. Jinks just gave her a look. Claudia rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay. Maybe that does really sound like something I would do."
"Well, Claudia, you called me with your eyebrows wiggling and told me I have to take care of Adelaide so Myka and HG could 'figure some things out'. Right, Adelaide?" Abigail looked at the girl, who had been sitting in her chair, been looking at everyone quietly.
"I'm glad they finally talked." The girl admitted. "It was annoying."
"Don't tell me you're a Bering and Wells shipper, little girl." The caretaker regarded her thoroughly.
"Have you looked at them?" Adelaide grinned and then let her gaze wander to everyone in the room. "Considering your body language, you have, and I'm not the only one who shipped them."
Claudia narrowed her eyes at the girl. "How old are you? Twelve?"
"Eleven." Adelaide nodded.
"You're creepy." The redhead declared. "Definitely a creepy little child."
"Says the woman who can freakin' teleport." The girl gave back.
Claudia and Adelaide glared at each other for a long moment.
"Shipper?" Steve asked quietly and the youngest member of the room turned her head at him. "Somebody who wants two people to become a couple. Someone like us. Someone like you."
"I'm not a... shipper." Jinks replied.
"Considering your body language, that might not be true." Adelaide said.
"Oh my god, Steve. Are you lying?" Claudia grinned at Adelaide. "I already like you!"
"I'm not... that's not our... business." Steve mumbled.
"Oh, Jinksy. First rule of holes: if you're in one, stop digging." The caretaker's grin just brightened.
Abigail giggled quietly.
"Yes, Jinksy. I think it's quite clear that you're also glad they finally..." The girl's eyebrows darted up. Claudia chuckled. That girl was such a smart ass. And she was calling Steve 'Jinksy'.
"Well, Adelaide?" The former keeper of the inn looked at all of them. "Scrabble? Ice cream? I think we have some time to kill."
"Not ice cream again, please." Adelaide replied. "To be honest, I'm not very fond of ice cream after that day..." She shook her head.
Claudia's Farnsworth on the night stand rang and she carefully opened it to find Artie looking at her. "Arthurio!" She exclaimed. "It's wonderful to finally get a life sign from you. I assume you're having a good time with Vanessa?"
The agent looked a little confused. "I called you yesterday, Claudia. Remember?"
The caretaker pursed her lips. "Well, actually... Steve and I have some memory problems to figure out."
Artie's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Is the Warehou-"
"The Warehouse is still standing and alright, but Steve and I are a little bit bruised and due to time travel shitfuckery, we've both been afflicted with some sort of amnesia." Claudia explained. "And it's not our fault. Somebody in the future decided we needed to miss more than a day."
The old man narrowed his eyes at her. "The time machine?" He assumed, looking like he wanted to start investigating immediately.
"Apparently. But, Artie, everything is under control. We are alright and we will probably figure everything out in time." Claudia stated in a serious tone of voice.
Artie seemed to ponder this for a short time, then he nodded. "Are you alright?" He asked concernedly.
"Well, my head hurts like hell, but otherwise yes." The caretaker gave back.
"I'm glad to hear it." He replied, his eyes darting away.
"That my head hurts like hell or that I'm fine?" The redhead blinked, confused.
"Uhm..." Artie's eyes darted nervously around.
"Are you?" Claudia asked emphatically.
"Yes. Yes." Arthur looked at something behind the Farnsworth. "We are alright."
"That's good to hear. Then you should probably go on with whatever Vanessa and you were doing." The caretaker looked at the other people in the room. "Am I right, Artie and Vanessa shippers?"
She was rewarded with nodds from everybody.
"Last question, before I hang up and ignore whatever you just said: have Myka and HG snagged the artifact that you mentioned? The one that affected Pete?" Artie demanded to know.
"Yes." Claudia bowed her head. "We are going to bring it to the Warehouse as soon as possible. Don't worry."
"Good then." Immediately, Artie's screen went black.
"Oh god, he is so much in love." The caretaker grinned happily. Then, her eyebrows furrowed. She looked up at Abigail and Adelaide who had already grabbed their jackets, and then at Steve, who seemed to be unsure what to do with his shoulder.
"Dudes and Dudettes?" Claudia asked carefully. "Now that Artie's mentioned him..."
Everybody in the room looked at her in reaction to her concerned tone of voice.
The redhead pursed her lips. "Does anybody know where we left Pete?"
*whispers* I said everybody in this story is shipping Bering and Wells. Even Mrs. F. ;)