DISCLAIMER: The characters herein are used without permission. No infringement intended.
SPOILERS: Seasons two and three. Set after Season three Finale.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
FEEDBACK: To ariadni.mou[at]gmail.com
Ghosts of a Future Never Meant to Be
By Athena
Part 1 – Secrets of Warehouse 12
Myka was empty inside. Helena was gone, and this time it was final. There was no Emily Lake stashed away somewhere. No Janus coin holding the key to HG Wells' soul. Helena was gone without a doubt. And the hardest part was that she had nothing left of her. Not even a lock of Helena's beautiful hair.
Myka leaned back in her chair in the office at the Warehouse. She was grounded since she had not passed her post mission psych evaluation. It had made her so angry at first, but then she calmed down and agreed. She glanced around the room, the only part of the Warehouse that had survived the blast. Sort of anyway. The furniture was gone of course, but the structure was still there. Myka wondered if they had thought of a possibility that the office would be destroyed when they designed the Warehouse. The office had actually protected the more important filing area next door. The only other part surviving the blast was the Bronze sector, and below it, the Dark Vault. Myka pressed her lips together as she thought about all the years HG Wells had been in there. She hated the Bronze Sector with every ounce of her being for what it had done to Helena. Why, of all the parts of the Warehouse, had that terrible area survived? She knew why. The Bronze Sector and the Dark Vault were the most heavily guarded parts of the Warehouse. The force fields surrounding them had been able to withstand the bomb.
Jumping to her feet Myka walked through the door to the filing room and stopped in the middle of the dust covered space.
"I will make them remember you," she mumbled as she stalked over to the section which held the case files from Warehouse 12. She pulled out the drawer and started to pull files. Anything that had HG Wells on it ended up in Myka's pile of research material. Yanking the files closer to her as she pulled the drawer completely towards her she felt something different. Leather. She felt around and realized that it was a document holder. Her fingers closed around the old leather and she pulled it out. With a frown on her face she stared down at the black leather folder which was tied close with a leather string. Absentmindedly grabbing the other folders she pushed the drawer closed with her shoulder and returned to her desk.
Myka deposited the pile of HG's files on her desk, now completely focused on the mysterious one she had in her hand. She carefully opened the tie and pulled back the flap. Inside were several folders. A single yellow page held the key to what she was looking at.
"Additions to the Bronze Sector during the reign of Warehouse 12."
Myka's hands started to shake. She carefully flipped through until the end. Wells, Helena G. Myka made a sobbing sound. Here was the key to why Helena had been bronzed. She ran trembling fingers over it, and then put it down.
"I don't need to read it. Helena already told me all I need to know," she said angrily.
Realizing that she was still holding a folder in her hand she looked at the name – and froze.
"It can't be," she whispered. Tears started to form again in her eyes. "This is impossible. No."
Myka ran her finger so very gently over the name on the folder. Christina Wells.
"ARTIE!"
Myka bolted from her seat and ran out on the ledge. She peered down at Artie who was walking around with the watch in his hand. He looked up at the sound of her voice.
"Yes?"
"We need to get to the Bronze Sector – NOW!" Myka said agitated. Tears were now streaming down her cheeks.
Artie watched his distraught agent come charging down the stairs. She held the folder in front of her. His eyebrows shot up at the stamp on the outside.
"Where did you get that?" he snapped.
"Did you know?"
He tried to take the folder from her but she snatched it away. Making a face at her he held out his hand for the folder. She gave it to him with an annoyed sigh. Artie read the name and then looked at her.
"My God," he whispered.
"So you didn't know?" she said, a bit calmer now.
"Of course I didn't know."
"We need to get her out of there."
"Hold on Myka." He held up a hand to stop her argument. "Let's read the file first. I mean, she was supposed to be dead. Perhaps she's injured."
Myka nodded and followed him upstairs. She leaned over his shoulder as he opened the folder. For once he did not shoo her away.
She smiled at the photograph of Christina. It was different from the one she carried around her neck.
"It says here that she was injured. That she died."
"Why did they bronze her then?"
Artie read further and then gasped. He looked up at her before jumping to his feet. He grabbed his Farnsworth and dialed.
"Arthur, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Vanessa," he said and smiled. Noticing Myka's raised eyebrow he shook himself out of the warm feeling of seeing Vanessa's face. "Right. Well, we have a situation. Involving a child."
"A child?" Vanessa said and frowned. "What can I do to help?"
"I need her, Vanessa. I need Magnus."
Vanessa sighed. "You know you're not supposed to know about her."
"Well, I do, and I need her."
"I don't know Artie," Vanessa said gently. "I need to get the Regents' approval to involve her in Warehouse matters."
"Look, Helena's daughter is in the Bronze Sector. She was injured and they bronzed her. A child!" Artie said and shook his hand as his voice rose.
"What?" Vanessa whispered. "Helena's daughter? HG Wells' daughter is in the bronze sector?"
"Yes! And we need to get her out of there. That's not a place for a child."
"You said she was injured. Perhaps bringing her out would kill her."
"We still have to try," Myka said and looked at Artie with pleading, sad eyes.
"She will be confused," Vanessa said seriously. "I mean, she's from another century. She will want her mother."
"And Helena is gone," Myka whispered.
Artie looked at Myka. "She has you," he said softly.
Myka's head snapped up. "She doesn't know me."
"But she will. And you can tell her about her mother, and all the good things she did," Artie said in a gentle voice.
Myka nodded.
"Artie," Vanessa called his attention back to her. "I will do my best and then I will be on my way to see you."
"Thank you." Artie snapped the Farnsworth shut and swiveled around, facing Myka.
Myka glanced at the watch now sitting on Artie's desk. "What about that?"
He sighed and leaned back. "It will turn things back to how it was."
"Will it bring Helena back?" She dreaded the answer.
"I frankly don't know," he said honestly.
She nodded. "What will happen to Christina when you use the watch?"
"I assume that she will go back to being bronzed."
"This is for crap, Artie!"
Myka paced back and forth in the office, gesturing wildly as she vented her feelings on the topic.
"Fine! Enough," he finally interrupted her. "Let's go down to the Bronze sector." He jumped to his feet and headed for the door. "Grab the file."
Myka closed Christina's file and hurried after him with it tucked safely under her arm.
Artie punched in the item number from Christina's file and then held his hand over the scanner. It recognized his biomatter and pulled up the information. Making note of where the statue was located he headed into the Bronze Sector. Myka followed close behind, trying not to look at their faces. The Bronze Sector creeped her out.
It was not hard to find the tiny statue of Helena's daughter. She was standing there amongst other, taller bronze statues. A tiny girl, immobilized by time, with her little arms raised in surrender. Myka hiccupped and trembled at the sight of her.
"It's true," she whispered. "They really bronzed a child."
"Let's not jump to conclusions, Myka. Perhaps there's a rational reason behind all this."
"What kind of rational person would bronze a child?" Myka said angrily, tears streaming down her face again. "I am just so glad that Helena never found out. It would've broken her heart."
Artie nodded. "Perhaps, or perhaps it would've healed it."
"Who's Magnus?"
Artie shot her a dark look. "No one."
"Artie, tell me."
"Dr. Helen Magnus is a very special person and she has unique knowledge."
"Why? What's so special about her?" Myka asked suspiciously.
"First of all, she's over a hundred and fifty years old."
"What?" Myka exclaimed. "How?"
He shrugged. "She is a bit vague about that. I think it has something to do with trust issues between the Warehouse and her organization, the Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary," Myka mumbled. She snapped her fingers and looked intently at him. "I've heard about it. They deal with living artifacts."
"Something like that. She works with abnormals."
"And you think she can help?"
Artie grabbed the file from Myka and flipped through the papers. He pulled out one and handed it to her. Myka read the report and gasped.
"She was there when Christina was bronzed."
He nodded. "That's not all. Her name appears in HG Wells' file too."
Myka eyed him suspiciously. "How?"
"Myka," he said gently. "Helena knew her. Back in England. A long time ago."
Myka frowned at his vague answer. When understanding finally hit her, she felt a knot in her stomach. She looked at him for confirmation. He nodded.
"They were lovers," she whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself and turned her back at him as she digested the information. Finally pulling herself out of her funk, she looked at the tiny bronze statue. "Do you think Christina knew Helen Magnus?"
"I know she did." He flipped through the file again and pulled out an old form.
Myka took it with trembling fingers.
"Christina Wells, born May 16, 1891. Weight: 2,755 grams. Height: 47 centimeters. Mother: Helena G. Wells. Father: Jean Baptist Moreau. Signed by," she gasped. "Dr. Helen Magnus."
"I'm only guessing of course, but since Dr. Magnus was there when Christina was born and later on when Christina was bronzed; given her involvement with Helena, she must have known Christina."
"Does Dr. Magnus know that Helena was bronzed?"
"That I don't know."
Myka sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "Helena's bronzing file is upstairs. I didn't read it."
Artie nodded in understanding. He gently touched Myka's arm.
"I'll read it. I think I owe her that," he said sadly.
"Don't destroy it, all right?" she said in a small voice. "I need to read it too. For Helena's sake. When I'm ready."
"I promise."
Myka sniffled and glanced at Christina again. "Do you think she can hear us? Feel our presence here?"
"I have no idea."
"Perhaps we shouldn't be talking about all this here? I mean just in case. This isn't exactly stuff a kid should hear."
"Agreed."
Myka glanced at Christina's statue over her shoulder one last time before hurrying to catch up with Artie.
"Where are you going?" Leena asked gently as she spotted Myka by the door.
"Oh, just back to the Warehouse."
Leena tilted her head and smiled. "Artie told me."
Myka nodded. She stuck her hands in her pockets. "I just can't leave her there all alone."
"I understand."
"For Helena, you know," Myka mumbled.
"Wait here," Leena said and flashed Myka a smile.
Myka frowned as Leena entered the living room. A moment later she came back with a book.
"Winnie the Pooh."
Myka grinned. "Thank you."
"Who knows what she might pick up while in there?"
Myka wrapped her arms around Leena and gave her a quick hug.
"Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome."
Myka settled in on the cushion on the floor by Christina's statue. She poured herself a cup of tea from the thermos she had brought with her.
"You know kiddo; your mom always knew how to make a great cup of tea. She was not at all amused by my habit of using tea bags," Myka said and smiled up at Christina's frozen face. "Helena would make a pot of strong English tea and then serve it in super thin tea cups. A little splash of milk, perfectly brewed tea and a lump of sugar."
Myka sighed and sipped her tea. It was almost as good as Helena's, but not quite.
"You probably know all this. I'm sure you would be a little tea snob too," she said and grinned at the statue. "Though for some reason I think you would be sweeter about it than your mother. She can be very arrogant at times when she doesn't approve of things. Well, you probably know that too, don't you?"
Myka crossed her legs and looked around the room. It did not feel as creepy anymore since she had brought in all sorts of lights fed by the gigantic generator buzzing in the now empty Warehouse.
"Your mother was very special, Christina. She's the most amazing person I've ever known."
Myka closed her eyes as tears threatened to spill again. She sipped her tea and the warmth calmed her down somewhat.
"I don't know why you're in there sweetie, but trust me, I'm going to do everything I can to get you out. I know you don't know me, but you should know that your mother trusted me with her life."
Myka refilled her tea and grabbed the book Leena had given her. She placed her hand on top of the cover for a moment.
"I assume that since your mom was a writer she must have read books to you. I hope you like books. I do. My dad used to read to me every night when I was little. Funny thing is, he used to read your mom's books to me. Strange, I know. Anyway, I thought you might like this one. I know you haven't read it. It has lots of pictures. I bet many of your books didn't have pictures, huh? Well, here we go."
Myka started to read about Pooh and Christopher Robin, Rabbit and Piglet. She became so involved in the story she lost track of time. Each time she came across a picture she held it up in front of Christina's face. She had felt a bit silly at first, but after a while it felt like the normal thing to do, just like if Christina had been right there.
She never saw Artie as he silently hovered in the doorway. He smiled sadly and sighed before leaving just as quietly as he had appeared.
Myka kept reading until the end of the story. She gently closed the book and smiled up at Christina.
"Perhaps someday you'll tell me what you think?"
Myka glanced at the time. "I've got to go now, but I promise to be back. Sweet dreams Christina."
She left a light on by Christina's feet. She knew it was silly, but it made her feel better, not leaving her in the dark.
Over the next couple of days Myka spent a significant amount of time in the bronze sector. She brought piles of books that she read to Christina. Sometimes she talked to her about Helena; other times just about little silly things like bunnies and bumble bees.
To Myka's surprise Trailer, the dog had made it a habit to come with her. He would lie down on the floor with his head down, paws stretched out, looking like a sad Sphinx, just staring at her with his dark eyes. His presence was comforting and she greatly appreciated it. On the second day when he trotted along next to her Myka suddenly turned around and headed back to the office where she grabbed his new bed before again heading over to Christina's statue. Her action was rewarded by a quiet woof and intense tail waggling.
"I wonder what's going on in that furry head of yours?" she said to the dog. "I'm glad that you're here. You're a good friend and excellent colleague, Canine Agent Trailer."
Trailer raised his head and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as he thumped his tail enthusiastically against the floor. The sight made Myka laugh.
"What do you think Christina? Does he like his title? I think he does."
She grabbed a new book from her pile. "Let's see, how about something about dogs? Lady & the Tramp perhaps? It has tons of pictures."
Myka smiled at the statue and started to read. Trailer put his head on Myka's thigh and whined softly. She petted his head as she kept reading.
Dr. Helen Magnus stopped as she heard Myka's voice. Moving closer she recognized the words and they made her both happy and sad. Myka was reading Sleeping Beauty. Helen almost regretted interrupting her.
"Agent Bering?"
Myka jumped to her feet and twirled around. She stared at Helen.
"Who are you?"
"Dr. Helen Magnus," she said and held out her hand in greeting.
"Dr. Magnus, of course," Myka whispered as she shook Helen's hand.
Myka chewed on her lip as she suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed in Helen's presence. She laughed nervously and gestured at Helen.
"So, you're a hundred and fifty years old."
"A bit older actually, but who's counting?" Helen said with a teasing grin.
Myka smiled. Helen Magnus' presence was intriguing.
"Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that I would get to meet two women who had lived a century and a half, but looked like they might have been in high school with me," she said with a nervous laugh.
"Helena might. I'm a bit older, but thanks for the compliment," Helen said, chipper. She tilted her head. "I can see why Helena was drawn to you."
Myka gaped. "How? What?"
"Helena apparently left a letter behind. She wrote it almost a year ago. In it she speaks of you and how much she cared for you."
Myka sniffled. "She wrote to you? But not me."
Helen gently touched Myka's shoulder. "Myka, the letter was never meant to be sent. She was writing to me assuming that I was dead. As far as I know she wrote this shortly after she was reinstated. She speaks of her joy of once again being an agent, of meeting you. Of finding love again."
Myka nodded. "She didn't know that you were alive. But now, when she's gone they decided to give it to you."
"I think you're right."
Myka took a step closer to Christina's statue and gently touched her cheek. "Did you know her?"
"Christina? Yes of course."
Myka smiled and nodded. "I thought so. Did she like books?"
"She loved books," Helen said and laughed. "Even though Christina's nanny, Sophie, would read to her every night before bed, Christina still asked Helena to read to her."
"I guess she had the same gift of a silver tongue as her mother," Myka said with a chuckle.
"To some extent. Christina was also a lot like her father. She was artistic. Even as a young child she could draw and paint very well. She played the violin."
"She did?" Myka said surprised. "Do you think… never mind."
"I'm sure she would like to hear music again," Helen said gently. "Before we bring in a sound system here, let's go back to the office and discuss our options, shall we?"
Myka nodded. For a fleeting moment Helen sounded just like Helena. It tore at Myka's heart and she felt tears burning in her eyes. She jumped in surprise when Helen took her hand.
"Come. I have much to tell you."
Part 2 – Bringing Her Back
Hours later Myka and Helen sat close together on the sofa in the living room looking through the photo album Helen had brought with her. Showing Myka picture after picture of Helena back in 1890s London Magnus told her about Helena's life back then. Always tactful and sensitive to Myka's feelings, she avoided talking about Helena as a former lover. When they came to a picture of Helena holding Helen, Myka looked up at her.
"You've told me so much, but nothing about the two of you. She loved you."
"She did, and I loved her. No matter what came later, my time with Helena was magical," Helen said with a sigh. She looked at Myka. "You know how intense she is, how she lives life like all things around her were created just for her. She never took anything for granted, but cherished it all, always observant, amazed at the universe. Her mind… well, frankly I've never met anyone who has come even close to her brilliance."
Myka choked back a sob. Helen took the photo album from her and put it on the table before pulling Myka into her arms. She held her and gently stroked her hair as Myka cried.
Vanessa arrived the next day. Myka was amazed that what felt like weeks had in reality only been three days. Four days since she had lost Helena. Three days since she had found Christina. She sat in silence listening to the two doctors talk. Some of it she understood, other things she had not the faintest idea what they were talking about. It did not matter to her. All that mattered was that they were here. And that they were the only ones who could help.
"I was there the day Christina was attacked," Helen said gently. She glanced at Myka. "Helena was screaming, crying, clutching Christina's lifeless body to her."
"Oh God," Myka whimpered. She knew how much pain Helena must have been in. Five days ago Myka had not fully known what that level of pain felt like. Now she did. The empty hole inside. Myka knew that she would carry it with her for the rest of her life.
"I finally had to give Helena a sedative and we managed to get Christina away from there," Helen said with a deep sigh. "When I touched Christina, she was still warm. My fingers went to her pulse point as an automatic response to her condition. To my surprise I felt a faint beat. I was shocked. She had lost so much blood." Helen sipped her tea and took a deep breath. "I was just about to call out for Helena when one of the Regents showed up. He claimed the body and when I told him…"
"What?" Myka asked impatiently.
"They took us both," she whispered.
"Where?" Myka grabbed Helen's arm.
"To a private hospital in Paris. People were there, but I never saw their faces. We were in surgery and their faces were covered."
"I don't understand," Myka said confused. "If they operated on her, didn't she survive? Why else would she be here? But again, if she survived, why would they've bronzed her? If she was alive, Helena should've been told. I'm sorry, but I just don't get it."
"I know," Helen said angrily. She looked apologetically at Myka. "I'm sorry. It's just that this is very painful to relive."
"I understand," Myka said and took Helen's hand.
"We determined that we couldn't help her. No matter the blood transfusion and the surgery, Christina would eventually die, most likely without ever regaining consciousness."
"Then why not let her? Why bronze her?"
"I don't know, Myka. I've asked myself that so many times over the years."
"Perhaps they knew that they would be bronzing Helena too some day?" Vanessa said and looked straight at them. "Perhaps Christina was their plan B?"
"Who are they?" Myka wanted to know.
"The people who wanted Helena to destroy the world."
Myka gaped. "You can't be serious?" Noticing the look on Vanessa's face she shivered. "You are."
Vanessa nodded. "I'm risking a lot by telling you this. They've been preparing for a very long time."
"They knew they would survive," Myka gasped. She looked wild-eyed at Vanessa. "How do you know this?"
"I've been to their secret facility."
Helen held up a hand. "Let's not talk more about this now."
She gave Myka a stern look trying to communicate her concern of the danger, should anyone learn about this conversation. Myka nodded in understanding.
"What about Christina now?"
"I think that with the right equipment we should be able to save her," Helen said and nodded. "It's still a very risky operation. A lot could go wrong."
"Let's try," Myka whispered. "I just can't stand the thought of her being stuck in there."
"She was not conscious when last I saw her," Helen said and gently stroked Myka's arm. "She can't be conscious."
"You don't know that!"
"True, but it's an educated guess."
Myka glanced at her watch. It had been almost five hours since the debronzing of Christina Wells. She had barely been able to catch a glimpse of the girl's pale face before she was whisked away into the sterile tent set up inside the empty warehouse. Myka absentmindedly petted Trailer's head as the dog whimpered.
"I know buddy. It's agony."
"Myka."
She looked up and smiled at Claudia standing there with her hands in her pockets, scuffing her shoe against the dirty floor.
"Any news?"
Myka shook her head. She held out her hand to Claudia. "Come sit with me, Claud."
Claudia curled up next to Myka on the sofa. Artie's new office sofa, which had been brought down to this makeshift waiting room, was just as ratty as the one from the old office. It felt comforting in a weird sort of way, Myka thought. Surprisingly normal in this new crazy warehouse world.
"She's really lucky."
"Who?" Myka asked confused.
"Christina. She has you," Claudia said and pulled away. She hugged her legs and rested her chin on her knees.
"Claudia," Myka said and smiled. She tucked Claudia's hair behind her ear. "I'm not leaving. You're still my warehouse sister. This family is not going away, you hear?"
Claudia made a face and nodded. "Sure, whatevs."
"We've lost too much Claud. We need each other. If we can't get them back, at least we'll have each other."
"Until next time," Claudia whispered.
Myka pulled Claudia to her. "You can't think like that. I know it seems like life is short right now, but for most people it isn't."
"We're not most people."
"True."
Myka was quiet for a long moment before she looked seriously at Claudia. "I want to live – for Helena."
Claudia looked up at her with tears in her eyes. She nodded in understanding. "I want to live, for Steve."
Myka nodded. "Yes."
"And for Christina," Helen Magnus' voice said gently behind them.
Myka and Claudia turned their heads and stared at Helen. She was smiling.
"She's going to make it?" Myka whispered as the smile spread on her face.
"She is," Helen confirmed.
Myka held out her hand to Helen who took it in a tight grip. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"You don't have to thank me, Myka. This is for Helena and for Christina." She looked at Claudia and then at Myka again. "And for us."
As soon as she was stable enough, Christina had been moved to Leena's. Myka watched the girl from her spot by the door to Helena's old room. She looked so tiny in the large bed. Medical equipment beeped now and then as they registered the girl's vital signs.
Myka jumped when a warm arm circled her waist. She smiled at Helen Magnus.
"Hi."
"She's doing fine, Myka," Helen said in a hushed voice. She pulled out what she had been hiding behind her back. Winnie the Pooh. "Read to her Myka. She can hear you."
Myka choked back the tears that threatened to spill and nodded. She took the book from Helen and entered Christina's room. Sitting down in the chair by the bed she opened the book while speaking to the girl. With a last glance at Christina's pale face Myka started to read.
"Artie, we have to try," Pete argued.
"Don't you think I want to?" Artie snapped. He raised his hands in apology. "I'm sorry. I know you mean well."
"It's Myka we're talking about. You saw the look on her face."
"I know Pete. I wish I could make it right again."
"Then do it. Use the watch."
"I don't know how to. If I make a mistake it could have astronomical consequences."
"How can we find out?"
Artie flung McPhearson's diary in front of Pete. "It's in here somewhere. I just can't figure it out."
"Okay, we'll try together."
"You can't tell Myka," Artie said sternly.
Myka turned the page and continued reading about Eloise at the Plaza.
"Are you an angel?"
Myka almost dropped the book. Her head snapped up and she stared at Christina. Dark eyes stared back at her. Myka covered her mouth. Christina had Helena's eyes.
"No sweetheart, I'm not an angel. I'm Myka."
"You're Myka?" Christina said and tilted her head, again reminding Myka of Helena. "But Myka isn't real. She's in my dreams."
Myka laughed and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am kiddo."
"What does that mean?" Christina said confused. "You speak funny."
Myka bit her lip, thinking of what to say. "Christina, sweetie, I'm American. That's why I sound different when I speak."
"What are you doing in London?" Dark eyes peered at Myka, eying her suspiciously. "Do you work with my mummy?"
"I do. I do," Myka laughed and tried not to cry.
"Where is she? Why am I in bed? My tummy hurts."
Myka squeezed the girl's hand. "You've been sick, sweetheart. Let me get the doctor, okay?"
Christina nodded. She held on to Myka's hand. "Will you come back?"
Myka's heart melted as the sight of the scared little girl who looked at her with Helena's eyes.
"I promise. I'm just going next door and then I'll be right back." Remembering something she grabbed the toy from the chair. "Here, Mr. Bear will keep you company while I'm gone."
Christina grinned and touched the old teddy bear. "Thank you Myka. That's awfully kind of you."
Myka nodded and chewed on her lip. She almost ran out of the room, holding back the tears until she was out of sight. Every word out of Christina's mouth reminded her of Helena. Pushing her own grief aside she gently knocked on Helen's door. It opened almost instantly.
"She's awake."
Helen nodded. "Good. Did she ask for Helena?"
"She did. I didn't tell her anything."
"Let's avoid the truth for now. I want her to get stronger before sharing that with her."
"I know."
Myka followed Helen as they entered Christina's room. The girl was still awake. She turned her head and smiled when she recognized Helen.
"Helen! How wonderful."
"Hello, love," Helen said and sat down next to the girl on the bed. She kissed her on the cheeks. "I've missed you, darling."
"And I've missed you something awful," Christina said and made a face. "Are you back because mummy's here?"
"No my dear, I'm here because you have been very ill. Your mummy wanted me to take care of you while she's gone."
"Is she on another mission?"
Myka winced at the eagerness and excitement on the girl's face. She wished that Helena would walk through the door, arms filled with presents and ready to share tales of foreign lands and adventures. Sadly it would never happen. Instead she would have to tell this sweet little girl how she had been too much of a coward to be able to look her mother, Myka's lover and the center of Myka's world, in the eyes during her last living moment. Shaking the sadness, Myka stepped closer. Christina looked up at her and smiled.
"I thought Myka was an angel. She looks like an angel, except she is dressed like a boy," Christina giggled, but it turned into a cough. She whimpered a little. "I have an awful pain in my tummy, Helen. I feel quite unwell."
Helen checked the monitor and the chart to figure out what they had given Christina so far.
"I have never seen anything like it," Christina whispered as she watched Helen by the vital signs monitor. "Did mummy invent it?"
Helen chuckled and smiled at the girl. "No, love. Not this one."
"It is truly a wondrous machine."
"It is. Christina, I'm going to give you something that will make the pain go away. It will make you sleepy. Do not be afraid. You will sleep for a while and when you wake up I hope you will feel better."
"Thank you. You truly are the best doctor in the world."
"I guess your mother thinks so," Helen teased.
"She does, and she never lies to me, so it has to be true," Christina said and yawned. She peered at Myka with sleepy eyes. "Will you be here when I wake up? Or will you go back to my dreams?"
"I will be here. I promise."
"Good." Christina's dark eyelashes fluttered and her eyes closed.
Helen and Myka watched as the girl fell asleep with a smile on her lips.
Helen steered Myka out of the room. "She's accepted you Myka. That's a very good sign. I want you to be prepared when she wakes up. She's a bit suspicious of you since she can't figure you out. I realized that when she commented on your outfit," Helen said and grinned at Myka. "This child is extremely intelligent and she can ask questions like no other. Well, with the exception of her mother, that is. Helena was a never ending stream of questions when she was Christina's age."
"I didn't realize that you knew Helena when she was little," Myka said surprised.
Helena nodded and headed for the stairs. They continued downstairs to the kitchen. While making a pot of tea Helen told Myka how she had known the Wells family since Helena was about nine years old.
"Hi kiddo."
Christina stared at Claudia. She eyed her warily up and down. "Are you… what are you? What have you done to your hair?"
Claudia grinned and jumped up on the bed. She sat cross-legged facing Christina.
"I'm Claudia. I'm a friend of Myka's. Kind of her sister, you know. Just that we didn't grow up together. Anyway, are you bored?"
Christina frowned. "You are really odd, but you seem nice. Perhaps you are an elf? Do you have funny ears?"
Claudia laughed. "Funny you should say that. I actually recently played an… never mind."
"How can Myka be your sister and not your sister? Either she is or she is not. Which one is it?"
"You're HG's kid for sure," Claudia muttered. "Look, I kind of lost my family and then Artie, you've met him right? With the whiskers? " Christina nodded and giggled. "So anyway, Artie kind of adopted me sort of. I guess Myka did too in a way."
"Like Helen almost adopted me when she was living with us?"
"Eh, yeah, not exactly, but close. So, do you want to do something fun?"
"Explain please."
"Okay, this is so gonna blow your mind. I know you're HG's daughter and stuff, but this is still so cool."
"You speak even more funny than Myka," Christina pointed out with a serious nod. "Why do you want to blow up my mind? And why would it be cool? It would appear that any use of explosives would generate heat, not cold."
Claudia laughed. "No, no, no. It's an expression. It means that you will like it, that it's amazing."
Christina tilted her head. "Please go on."
"Okay HG mini-me."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that you look just like your mom when you do that head tilt thing."
Christina giggled. "She's on a mission. Very secretive and quite dangerous."
"I know," Claudia said seriously. Before she got lost in her sad thoughts she grinned at Christina. "Ready?"
Christina shrugged. "I really have no idea. As long as it does not hurt. My tummy still hurts and I really do not fancy more pain."
"Kiddo, we so need to get you to catch up on the lingo," Claudia said and winced. "You sound just like your mom."
"Of course I sound like mummy!" Christina huffed. "She speaks proper English."
Claudia made a face at the girl. Christina laughed. She watched Claudia wheel a large machine into the room. Claudia glanced at the girl and chuckled as she could almost hear the wheels turning as Christina memorized her every move.
"What is that?" the girl finally asked when curiosity got the better of her as Claudia took out a round shiny disk.
"It's a DVD."
"I've never heard of such a thing. What does it do?"
"It tells stories. In pictures."
"You are surely joking," Christina objected.
"Swear to God," Claudia said and slipped the disk into the DVD player.
The TV turned on and Christina gasped as she stared at it. Her eyes grew even larger when the preview appeared.
"This is magic!" she whispered.
Claudia grabbed the remote and flopped down on the bed. She fast forwarded through the previews, startling Christina who looked alarmed at Claudia. She smiled at the girl. Finally the menu showed up and Claudia hit the play button. A moment later a familiar face filled the screen. Christina frowned at first but then she recognized him.
"It's Winnie the Pooh," she said and laughed. "He's alive. How is this possible, Claudia? How can the picture move?"
"Kind of complicated to explain, but it's a lot of pictures that move really fast on top of each other."
"I see."
Claudia glanced at her and realized that the girl actually did.
"So this is where my TV is being held hostage," Pete said and made a grand entrance.
Christina giggled and covered her mouth. She liked Pete. He was nice to her and gave her cookies. Wonderful cookies with chocolate in them.
"Hello. We are watching a DVD. It has moving pictures of Winnie the Pooh. Would you care to join us?"
"Are you kidding? I love Winnie the Pooh!" Pete exclaimed and started to sing the Tigger song. "The wonderful thing about tiggers, is tiggers are wonderful things. Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs. They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy fun, fun, fun, fun, fun. But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm the only one! IIIII'm the only one!"
"You are silly Pete," Christina said and laughed.
Pete sat down and leaned against the headboard. He pulled Christina closer and ruffled her hair. She snuggled closer, happy to be held.