Warehouse 13 Fic: This is goodbye: 9-10/?
Title: This is goodbye
Author: Carly Carter
Fandom: Warehouse 13
Characters: Myka centric fic...incl Pete, Claudia, Artie.
Rating: PG ish, some language, violence, adultish themes
Disclaimer: Don't own anything!
Summary: Sets off in mid episode 10 "Regrets" then diverges from canon.
And then, the horrifying sound of the shot being fired.
The surprised and wounded cry from Pete Lattimer's lips.
The heavy dull thud as he crashes to the ground.
And blood, Pete's blood, spilling out over the cold prison floor.
Chapters 1 & 2 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35399.html
Chapters 3 & 4 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35770.html
Chapters 5 & 6 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35984.html
Chapters 7 & 8 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/36117.html
Chapter 9
There is something about him that inclines Myka to listen. To sit back down opposite him and consider his proposal. She tells herself she is curious, nothing more. About him, about his plans. She tells herself he is crazy, he might be a threat to the warehouse, to Pete. She tells herself she needs to listen to him, to observe him, that it might come in handy later if he did launch an attack. She needs to find out all she can about this man, and tell Artie or Pete so they can protect the warehouse. She tells herself that is all there is to it. That is the reason, and the only one, that she turned around and sat down with him.
He tells of his plans, vaguely and succinctly, which involve obtaining some particular artifacts from the Warehouse- rather involve her obtaining some particular artifacts from the warehouse which he claims he knows how to activate. It is the first time Myka has met a person outside of the Warehouse who even knows what the Warehouse is. She wants to ask him how he knows so much, she wants to ask who he is, how he found her. But she listens silently, observing him. He tells her that in exchange for her help he will see to it that she has the opportunity to use the artifacts for herself, to turn back time and right her own wrongs. He is deliberately evasive about his own plans for this artifact that can supposedly turn back time.
Myka can not deny, he has planted a seed with his words. Temptation has taken hold of her. She knows things are never that simple. You can not un-do mistakes, you can not bring someone back. No matter how much you want to. But his words have flicked a switch inside her head. She can't help that glimmer of hope that has been ignited when she thinks of the possibility that she could go back and save Sam.
There was a time she would have dismissed this man as crazy. Turning back time?--utter madness. Now, she is not so sure. Now there is that little part of her, that warehouse indoctrinated part of her, that wonders- what if it is possible?
Even conceding that it may be possible, she knows it is not advisable. She knows there would be unforeseen ramifications, after effects, from tearing apart the fabric of time. She knows things are best left alone. Consequences are often unpredictable and deadly. She has seen it with her own eyes. Well meaning people using artifacts for their own personal gain, it blows up in their face, time and time again, without fail. It's a bad bad bad idea. She knows it. She reminds herself of it. But still, there is that little voice in her head asking her ..'Don't you owe it to Sam? You were late, he died because of you, don't you owe it to him to at least try?” She thinks of Claudia, of the lengths she went to save her brother. How crazy it all was. Utterly crazy. And that turned out perfectly fine. Maybe, just maybe, there is a way. Maybe some things are meant to be made right.
She closes the door on the idea of collaborating with this man, she closes it firmly and bolts it. Such an artifact in the wrong hands would have devastating consequences. And this man must know she is not desperate enough, not stupid enough, to simply hand it over to him for his own personal use. There is no way she could take responsibility for the havoc that would wreak on society, or the threat to the warehouse itself.
But she can't deny she is wondering about this artifact. She is wondering where it is in the warehouse, she is wondering what it looks like, wondering if she could find it, wondering how it works, and what would happen if she used it. Yes, he has undoubtedly planted the seed of temptation in her mind.
Claudia had perfected the GPS cell phone tracker for such an occasion as this. It was one of those secret projects, not something she shared with Artie, fearing his disapproval at her time wasting. She could hear his voice in her mind booming loudly- What the hell do you need that for? If you need to find Myka or Pete, just ask me.
She felt a little bad about it, truth be told, tracking people was kinda an invasion of privacy. But she told herself the day would come she would need to locate one or the other of them-without Artie- and she would be prepared. She knew it would come in handy one day, and lookie it did! All in all it would prove a fairly easy endeavor- provided Myka had her phone switched on and with her. She chose not to share that with Pete though- for one she didn't think he would take to kindly to the idea that she could track their whereabouts whenever she chose, and for two she didn't want him to think it was too easy. She wanted both he and Myka to recognize her as someone who had valuable contributions to make to the Warehouse, someone who could take on an impossible task and work hard to achieve it. So let him think she would have a hell of a time finding Myka, it would make her look all the more heroic in his eyes.
As she stands on the stairs at the hospital entrance and looks out into the night, it strikes her as odd that she has to use her contraption. She can not believe Myka is not here, around here somewhere, at least making sure Pete is alright. She tells herself that if she sits on the steps right there, sure enough Myka must show up. She gives her a minute. She sits, waiting, giving Myka a chance to just stroll on past, to redeem herself in Claudia's eyes. But she can't wait all night. She knows Pete won't wait. That if she doesn't bring Myka back with her, then Pete will take it upon himself to go off looking for her. And so, disappointed, she reaches for her cell phone and activates the GPS tracking program.
~
Chapter 10
Myka is only staring at the man, she refuses to speak, refuses to give anything away. For she has gathered he is sounding her out. He is waiting for her reaction. And she isn't sure just yet how she is going to play this. He has leaned in close, whispering to her, and she refuses to pull away from him, refuses to let him know she is intimidated. And so she remains still, only inches from him, staring boldly into his eyes.
As it turns out, she doesn't have to worry, as their meeting is interrupted. Neither of them see the girl approaching their table, not until she is directly upon them, slamming her palms down with enough force to send the coffee cups flying.
“Myka, what the hell?!” Claudia is demanding to know, as Myka and her companion jump in shock.
The man takes this as his cue to leave. “I can see you're busy, we'll talk another time.” He tells her.
Myka watches him leave, she wants to tell him to wait. She needs to find out so much more, what are his plans, how she can stop him. But he has gone, and she can hardly continue the conversation in front of Claudia in any case. Reluctantly she turns her attention in Claudia's direction.
Claudia has invited herself to sit. “Well?!” She is demanding. “Are you going to answer my question?”
Myka does not take too kindly to being interrupted at her meeting, nor to the tone of Claudia's voice. “Your question?” Myka asks. “Claudia, 'What the hell?' is not a complete question. If you can't construct a proper sentence, then how do you expect me to answer you?” Her tone is irritated, and as with Artie, Myka finds it so much easier to fall into anger with Claudia than to have a genuine discussion.
“Oh, let me clarify it for you- What the hell is going on? What the hell are you doing here? Pete is in the hospital, you know? You shot him, remember? He is asking for you.” Claudia own irritation is rising by the second.
“You don't know what you're talking about.” Myka dismisses her. “Go away, Claudia.” With those words, Myka stands from the table, leaving the bewildered girl sitting alone.
It's only seconds before Claudia is on her feet, following Myka out into the night, calling out after her. “Perhaps you could explain it to me. Pete is lying there injured, you know from the bullet tearing through his flesh, and he is worried sick about you, and you're just....having coffee at some diner in the middle of nowhere with a really cute guy...Nice Myka. ”
Myka flinches at the image of Pete, injured at her hand. She can think of nothing to say to Claudia's words, and so she keeps walking silently.
“Are you mad at him or what?” Claudia asks, after she has caught up with Myka in the car park.
As they walk side by side, Myka answers honestly “No, I'm not mad at Pete.”
“Well you did smash a plate over his head this morning. I'm just trying to put it all together here.” Claudia continues.
“I was mad, now I'm over it.” Myka answers. Had it only been that morning she had been having breakfast with Claudia and Pete, that things had been normal, and the only thing on her mind was her self pitying sense of anger at Pete for not recognizing Alice as an imposter? It seems like a lifetime ago.
“Got that out of your system when you shot him, did you?” Claudia asks bitterly. She was angry with Myka before she even laid eyes on her, that was true. Not so much for shooting Pete, but for running out on him, on all of them. But the lack of satisfying explanation combined with the fact Claudia can see that Myka has no intention of coming with her to see Pete, only fuel the fire of her rage.
“It was an accident Claudia, I didn't mean for Pete to get hurt.” The anger is gone from Myka's voice as she utters those words. There is only sincerity and regret in her tone. That was the whole reason she was leaving the Warehouse, because Pete couldn't count on her. Because she let him down, she hurt him. She knew all too well her shortcomings, didn't need Claudia throwing them in her face.
The look in Myka's eyes, and the way her voice is shaking, is almost enough to make Claudia stop. But she can't. She can't bare to think of going back to that hospital without Myka, of failing Pete. She is finally getting somewhere, and so after a brief hesitation, she continues.
“You abandoned him. Left him for dead.” Claudia accuses her.
“The paramedics were there, he was in good hands.” Myka defends herself.
“You left him injured in the hospital, all alone.” Claudia continues.
“He's not alone, he has you, he has Artie.” Myka reminds her. I am the one who is alone, Claudia. That is what she wants to say.
“And yet, Pete is only asking for you. And if you don't come with me right now, he is gonna get up and come looking himself. Is that what you want?”
“Stop him.” Myka tells her. As if it were that simple. As if there were anything Claudia could actually do to prevent Pete from finding Myka.
“Just come with me, just to see him, what's the big deal, what's it going to cost you to just come and see him?” Claudia genuinely wants to know.
“Forget it Claudia.” Myka tells her, but her voice is wavering. Her resolve is crumbling right in front of Claudia's eyes.
“Forget it?” Claudia asks. “Pete is lying there injured. A couple of inches to the left and he would be lying dead in the morgue right now, but just forget it Claudia, nevermind.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm, with disdain. And she had deliberately made up that part about the bullet being only a few inches shy of fatal.
“Stop.” Myka tells her. Myka almost begs her. She quickens her pace, she already knows the things Claudia say are true. It was a lousy thing to do, running out on Pete while he was injured. She doesn't need Claudia to tell her.
But Claudia won't stop. She only twists the knife of guilt a little deeper into Myka's heart. “Oh that's great Myka, just run away, from me, from Pete, that's just perfect. You don't even care, do you? You don't even want to see that he is ok? I used to look up to you, did you know that? I used to wish I could be just like you. Not anymore. I just don't get you.” Claudia stops walking at that point. Almost defeated. There isn't much more she can say, she doesn't recognize this person as the Myka she knows, she is lost as to how to communicate with her. She stops following her, but she keeps talking, raising her voice so that Myka will hear her as she walks away into the night. “ You know, if things were the other way round, if you were lying there injured, there isn't anything in the world that would keep Pete from your side. And you know it.”
The angry desperate words carry across the still night air, reaching deep inside Myka and seizing her heart.
And finally, she stops running.
Author: Carly Carter
Fandom: Warehouse 13
Characters: Myka centric fic...incl Pete, Claudia, Artie.
Rating: PG ish, some language, violence, adultish themes
Disclaimer: Don't own anything!
Summary: Sets off in mid episode 10 "Regrets" then diverges from canon.
And then, the horrifying sound of the shot being fired.
The surprised and wounded cry from Pete Lattimer's lips.
The heavy dull thud as he crashes to the ground.
And blood, Pete's blood, spilling out over the cold prison floor.
Chapters 1 & 2 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35399.html
Chapters 3 & 4 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35770.html
Chapters 5 & 6 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/35984.html
Chapters 7 & 8 carlyisnot.livejournal.com/36117.html
Chapter 9
There is something about him that inclines Myka to listen. To sit back down opposite him and consider his proposal. She tells herself she is curious, nothing more. About him, about his plans. She tells herself he is crazy, he might be a threat to the warehouse, to Pete. She tells herself she needs to listen to him, to observe him, that it might come in handy later if he did launch an attack. She needs to find out all she can about this man, and tell Artie or Pete so they can protect the warehouse. She tells herself that is all there is to it. That is the reason, and the only one, that she turned around and sat down with him.
He tells of his plans, vaguely and succinctly, which involve obtaining some particular artifacts from the Warehouse- rather involve her obtaining some particular artifacts from the warehouse which he claims he knows how to activate. It is the first time Myka has met a person outside of the Warehouse who even knows what the Warehouse is. She wants to ask him how he knows so much, she wants to ask who he is, how he found her. But she listens silently, observing him. He tells her that in exchange for her help he will see to it that she has the opportunity to use the artifacts for herself, to turn back time and right her own wrongs. He is deliberately evasive about his own plans for this artifact that can supposedly turn back time.
Myka can not deny, he has planted a seed with his words. Temptation has taken hold of her. She knows things are never that simple. You can not un-do mistakes, you can not bring someone back. No matter how much you want to. But his words have flicked a switch inside her head. She can't help that glimmer of hope that has been ignited when she thinks of the possibility that she could go back and save Sam.
There was a time she would have dismissed this man as crazy. Turning back time?--utter madness. Now, she is not so sure. Now there is that little part of her, that warehouse indoctrinated part of her, that wonders- what if it is possible?
Even conceding that it may be possible, she knows it is not advisable. She knows there would be unforeseen ramifications, after effects, from tearing apart the fabric of time. She knows things are best left alone. Consequences are often unpredictable and deadly. She has seen it with her own eyes. Well meaning people using artifacts for their own personal gain, it blows up in their face, time and time again, without fail. It's a bad bad bad idea. She knows it. She reminds herself of it. But still, there is that little voice in her head asking her ..'Don't you owe it to Sam? You were late, he died because of you, don't you owe it to him to at least try?” She thinks of Claudia, of the lengths she went to save her brother. How crazy it all was. Utterly crazy. And that turned out perfectly fine. Maybe, just maybe, there is a way. Maybe some things are meant to be made right.
She closes the door on the idea of collaborating with this man, she closes it firmly and bolts it. Such an artifact in the wrong hands would have devastating consequences. And this man must know she is not desperate enough, not stupid enough, to simply hand it over to him for his own personal use. There is no way she could take responsibility for the havoc that would wreak on society, or the threat to the warehouse itself.
But she can't deny she is wondering about this artifact. She is wondering where it is in the warehouse, she is wondering what it looks like, wondering if she could find it, wondering how it works, and what would happen if she used it. Yes, he has undoubtedly planted the seed of temptation in her mind.
Claudia had perfected the GPS cell phone tracker for such an occasion as this. It was one of those secret projects, not something she shared with Artie, fearing his disapproval at her time wasting. She could hear his voice in her mind booming loudly- What the hell do you need that for? If you need to find Myka or Pete, just ask me.
She felt a little bad about it, truth be told, tracking people was kinda an invasion of privacy. But she told herself the day would come she would need to locate one or the other of them-without Artie- and she would be prepared. She knew it would come in handy one day, and lookie it did! All in all it would prove a fairly easy endeavor- provided Myka had her phone switched on and with her. She chose not to share that with Pete though- for one she didn't think he would take to kindly to the idea that she could track their whereabouts whenever she chose, and for two she didn't want him to think it was too easy. She wanted both he and Myka to recognize her as someone who had valuable contributions to make to the Warehouse, someone who could take on an impossible task and work hard to achieve it. So let him think she would have a hell of a time finding Myka, it would make her look all the more heroic in his eyes.
As she stands on the stairs at the hospital entrance and looks out into the night, it strikes her as odd that she has to use her contraption. She can not believe Myka is not here, around here somewhere, at least making sure Pete is alright. She tells herself that if she sits on the steps right there, sure enough Myka must show up. She gives her a minute. She sits, waiting, giving Myka a chance to just stroll on past, to redeem herself in Claudia's eyes. But she can't wait all night. She knows Pete won't wait. That if she doesn't bring Myka back with her, then Pete will take it upon himself to go off looking for her. And so, disappointed, she reaches for her cell phone and activates the GPS tracking program.
~
Chapter 10
Myka is only staring at the man, she refuses to speak, refuses to give anything away. For she has gathered he is sounding her out. He is waiting for her reaction. And she isn't sure just yet how she is going to play this. He has leaned in close, whispering to her, and she refuses to pull away from him, refuses to let him know she is intimidated. And so she remains still, only inches from him, staring boldly into his eyes.
As it turns out, she doesn't have to worry, as their meeting is interrupted. Neither of them see the girl approaching their table, not until she is directly upon them, slamming her palms down with enough force to send the coffee cups flying.
“Myka, what the hell?!” Claudia is demanding to know, as Myka and her companion jump in shock.
The man takes this as his cue to leave. “I can see you're busy, we'll talk another time.” He tells her.
Myka watches him leave, she wants to tell him to wait. She needs to find out so much more, what are his plans, how she can stop him. But he has gone, and she can hardly continue the conversation in front of Claudia in any case. Reluctantly she turns her attention in Claudia's direction.
Claudia has invited herself to sit. “Well?!” She is demanding. “Are you going to answer my question?”
Myka does not take too kindly to being interrupted at her meeting, nor to the tone of Claudia's voice. “Your question?” Myka asks. “Claudia, 'What the hell?' is not a complete question. If you can't construct a proper sentence, then how do you expect me to answer you?” Her tone is irritated, and as with Artie, Myka finds it so much easier to fall into anger with Claudia than to have a genuine discussion.
“Oh, let me clarify it for you- What the hell is going on? What the hell are you doing here? Pete is in the hospital, you know? You shot him, remember? He is asking for you.” Claudia own irritation is rising by the second.
“You don't know what you're talking about.” Myka dismisses her. “Go away, Claudia.” With those words, Myka stands from the table, leaving the bewildered girl sitting alone.
It's only seconds before Claudia is on her feet, following Myka out into the night, calling out after her. “Perhaps you could explain it to me. Pete is lying there injured, you know from the bullet tearing through his flesh, and he is worried sick about you, and you're just....having coffee at some diner in the middle of nowhere with a really cute guy...Nice Myka. ”
Myka flinches at the image of Pete, injured at her hand. She can think of nothing to say to Claudia's words, and so she keeps walking silently.
“Are you mad at him or what?” Claudia asks, after she has caught up with Myka in the car park.
As they walk side by side, Myka answers honestly “No, I'm not mad at Pete.”
“Well you did smash a plate over his head this morning. I'm just trying to put it all together here.” Claudia continues.
“I was mad, now I'm over it.” Myka answers. Had it only been that morning she had been having breakfast with Claudia and Pete, that things had been normal, and the only thing on her mind was her self pitying sense of anger at Pete for not recognizing Alice as an imposter? It seems like a lifetime ago.
“Got that out of your system when you shot him, did you?” Claudia asks bitterly. She was angry with Myka before she even laid eyes on her, that was true. Not so much for shooting Pete, but for running out on him, on all of them. But the lack of satisfying explanation combined with the fact Claudia can see that Myka has no intention of coming with her to see Pete, only fuel the fire of her rage.
“It was an accident Claudia, I didn't mean for Pete to get hurt.” The anger is gone from Myka's voice as she utters those words. There is only sincerity and regret in her tone. That was the whole reason she was leaving the Warehouse, because Pete couldn't count on her. Because she let him down, she hurt him. She knew all too well her shortcomings, didn't need Claudia throwing them in her face.
The look in Myka's eyes, and the way her voice is shaking, is almost enough to make Claudia stop. But she can't. She can't bare to think of going back to that hospital without Myka, of failing Pete. She is finally getting somewhere, and so after a brief hesitation, she continues.
“You abandoned him. Left him for dead.” Claudia accuses her.
“The paramedics were there, he was in good hands.” Myka defends herself.
“You left him injured in the hospital, all alone.” Claudia continues.
“He's not alone, he has you, he has Artie.” Myka reminds her. I am the one who is alone, Claudia. That is what she wants to say.
“And yet, Pete is only asking for you. And if you don't come with me right now, he is gonna get up and come looking himself. Is that what you want?”
“Stop him.” Myka tells her. As if it were that simple. As if there were anything Claudia could actually do to prevent Pete from finding Myka.
“Just come with me, just to see him, what's the big deal, what's it going to cost you to just come and see him?” Claudia genuinely wants to know.
“Forget it Claudia.” Myka tells her, but her voice is wavering. Her resolve is crumbling right in front of Claudia's eyes.
“Forget it?” Claudia asks. “Pete is lying there injured. A couple of inches to the left and he would be lying dead in the morgue right now, but just forget it Claudia, nevermind.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm, with disdain. And she had deliberately made up that part about the bullet being only a few inches shy of fatal.
“Stop.” Myka tells her. Myka almost begs her. She quickens her pace, she already knows the things Claudia say are true. It was a lousy thing to do, running out on Pete while he was injured. She doesn't need Claudia to tell her.
But Claudia won't stop. She only twists the knife of guilt a little deeper into Myka's heart. “Oh that's great Myka, just run away, from me, from Pete, that's just perfect. You don't even care, do you? You don't even want to see that he is ok? I used to look up to you, did you know that? I used to wish I could be just like you. Not anymore. I just don't get you.” Claudia stops walking at that point. Almost defeated. There isn't much more she can say, she doesn't recognize this person as the Myka she knows, she is lost as to how to communicate with her. She stops following her, but she keeps talking, raising her voice so that Myka will hear her as she walks away into the night. “ You know, if things were the other way round, if you were lying there injured, there isn't anything in the world that would keep Pete from your side. And you know it.”
The angry desperate words carry across the still night air, reaching deep inside Myka and seizing her heart.
And finally, she stops running.