Chapter Text
Helen had been in the infirmary for two weeks before she was released and was only allowed to work half time: something which John was diligently enforcing. She'd just about had enough of his coddling and doting. They were seated in her office and she was sipping at her third cup of tea that morning glaring at John the entire time. He'd forced it on her, using the excuse that too much tea never hurt anyone. She had just huffed and took a long sip to avoid any smart retort that would ensue. She was far fonder of Nikola, who had been much better.
He had left her quite alone. In fact, since her release three days prior she had only seen him once or twice. One of those times was a simple request for more wine. Come to think of it, it was rather odd to have him wandering about and not stopping in to annoy or frustrate her with his antics multiple times in one day. "John," she started; her voice low and serious and her eyes not straying from his face. "What's been going on with Nikola?"
The man facing her hummed and turned away, really not wanting to answer the question. "Nothing, he's been working in the lab."
"It isn't like him, he's usually roaming about a bit more unless there's a pressing urgency and, well, there's not." She took another sip of the tea to make sure that she was still placating him. Although, if this continued another day further she would have to have a serious talk with the man.
"He probably came up with another brilliant scheme. You know the man, he's done this before."
She rested an open palm on John's knee. "He has, hasn't he?" She recognized the signs. "I haven't apologized have I?" At the look on John's face she knew she had confused him. "For treating you the way I did. It's not like I gave you much of an option, I used you, I beat you, I acted very untoward and I'm sorry John."
"Don't be, you had other things on your mind."
"That does not excuse my actions." She set the tea down deciding that with the distraction of the conversation he wouldn't notice. She cupped his cheek and leaned forward kissing his skin gently and amicably. "I truly am sorry for the way I acted. Thank you for coming to find me."
"Always, Helen."
Her chin dipped down and she ignored his implications. "John, I hardly think it was appropriate or excusable. And I can say that it will not happen again."
"I understand."
"Do you John? Because I don't want to have this conversation again." He remained silent and she really did hope that he was finally understanding what she meant. She waited another few beats before smoothing down her skirt and standing. "I'm going to check on Will before I take a nap." The man nodded and she left the room without looking back.
Helen took her time making her way down to the labs. She hadn't been in this area in what seemed like ages and all she could remember was the stark image of Will lying on the floor seizing. It was the beginning of the whole mess that she was just now trying to get out of. She had to speak with Nikola on the matter. He had done so much for her in the past month and all she had done was use him and violate their trust and friendship, yet again. She walked into the lab to find him hard at work bent over another mechanism that she had no idea its origin or its purpose. She watched him work for a few minutes before stepping forward and running a hand on his arm. He turned to her slowly. "Glad sleeping beauty decided to emerge from the den of doom."
She smirked in response, her eyes fluttering down. "Yes well it's been a bit difficult to get away from the warden, honestly, he's worse than my old friend." She gave him a brilliant smile then that was only half returned.
"Well Johnny does have a point sometimes. He does have a use as well." He hummed to himself lost in his own thoughts before turning back on her and letting his eyes trail up and down her body. When their eyes locked she watched as he vamped and became what she so rarely understood. This was not the Nikola she knew and loved. He twiddled his finger on his lip, his eyes still moving over her body. She felt exposed and vulnerable, like he could see right through her, but she was not one to back down. Particularly to him. "Where did you find this skimpy thing?" His finger indicated her blouse and skirt. Helen raised an eyebrow in question. "It's not something you would have been caught dead wearing years ago."
"Years ago was a different life time, Nikola. You know that." Her voice threatened to tremble but she didn't let it. She was beginning to slowly recognize this side of him.
"You know I love you."
Her heart stopped a moment; her breath caught in her throat until he took a large step forward and forced her back against the wall. His finger slipped between the small opening in her shirt and slid down popping all the strings on the buttons until the material fell open and her flawless skin with a dash of freckles and scars was exposed. Nikola licked his lips.
There was only a second and she had no time to react before his lips covered hers. She moaned and moved into him slightly, her body reacting before her mind could take control again. This man had a way of making her burn with anger sometimes and she was very much reaching that point, if only his tongue would stop whatever it was doing inside her mouth. She felt his nails retract and his mouth soften against hers, but the persistence was still there.
Slowly she eased away and watched as he went from confident to embarrassed to arrogant in the span of milliseconds. "What a lovely going away present Helen. I should take one more often."
"You son of a bitch." She was about to continue when once again he pressed into her. Her warm body was against the cold wall and his hands were roaming aimlessly against her flesh under the open shirt. She had little to no defenses against him when it came to physical actions. All she had was her mind and it was something he loved, adored and respected. He moved to her jawline, kissing along the curve of the bone until he reached her ear. He flicked his tongue inside for a second before biting the lobe gently. He suckled hard on the skin just behind before traipsing down her neck to her collar bone.
Helen was breathing hard and trying to regain control of her motor functions, first up would be speech and she regained that readily. "Nikola," she swallowed and breathed deeply, "If you don't stop, I will shoot you." He chuckled and pecked her lips before pulling back and letting his eyes once again rove over her body. She was flushed and very aroused, but that didn't matter. "You know it won't work, Nikola. Admit it, it never would have."
"Doesn't mean I can't have a bit of fun."
"Just don't get hurt by playing too hard." He nodded and she knew her warning and apology had been headed. She kissed him lightly on the cheek, wrapped her arms and shirt tightly around her body and headed up to her room to change. She decided on a shirt without buttons this time as she tossed the one she had been wearing into the waste bin and slipped out the door and down to the infirmary.
Will had woken shortly before she had been released, the damage to his body far greater than her own, not to mention the toll that had been taken the weeks prior. She sat on the edge of his bed and checked his vitals while he slept soundly. He was always so peaceful when he slept. She didn't want to wake him and was determined to return later. She made her rounds, checking their guests and residents. She had missed this and she hadn't even realized it. She stayed a moment with Sally, talking telepathically with the mermaid and making sure everything in her new enclosure was working well. She slipped a finger over the silver at her wrist and checked the time. Sally read her thoughts and sent the woman on her way.
Stalking back to the infirmary, Helen made a mental note to have the enclosure cleaned more regularly, even if Sally hadn't mentioned it, she had been able to see the small line of scum at the top of the water. The door was already opened when she reached it. Slipping inside, Helen looked around the room at the empty beds, glad to see that no one else had joined Will in his stay.
Her eyes caught Nikola, his back curved over Will as the man slept soundly. She canted her head to the right to see around his body. He was fiddling with the IV line. Her mouth opened when she saw the needle and liquid being injected. Moving immediately she raced over to the pair and gripped Nikola's hand as he tried to shove it away. "What on earth?" Her eyes looked from the needle to the plastic tubing once again before locking on the vampire's face. "What have you done?"
"Only what needed to be done."
"What did you inject him with?" Her grasp was tight and hurting him, but he didn't dare back down.
"Nothing of your concern."
"Damn it, Nikola." She released him and pressed her fingers against Will's neck just as his body started to convulse and rear up in torrents pain. She could see it on his face; his eyes were clenched shut, his molars grinding, his jaw muscles were stiff and tight. He wasn't breathing. He was in too much pain. She ripped the IV from his arm and pressed him down on the bed, trying to hold his body in place. Her eyes moved to Nikola begging for help, but he had turned his back and slowly sauntered out of the room wiping his hands clean of the matter. Turning back to Will she watched his body fight against whatever had been injected into him and she had two options. Either hold him still to prevent further harm or leave him to race for a paralytic.
Her heart was pumping and her adrenaline kicked her. Her eyes roved over his body taking in the ticks and movements of the muscles as they began to lay lax against the bed and his body calmed. Her eyes finally reached his face again and she noticed his lips go blue. Turning to the monitor she heard the fatal continuous beep.