Guardian: Chapter 2
Summery: When a threat on her life appears, Claudia is forced to leave the Warehouse and go the small town of Haven, where she will be safe - if the isn’t killed by the odd, supernatural occurrences around the town, of course. However, once at Haven she realizes that the town and its inhabitants - especially Audrey Parker - might have more of a hand in her destiny - and true purpose to the Warehouse - than she thought.
Rating: PG-13 for violence and swearing.
Pairings: Audrey/Nathan (romantic), Artie/Claudia (father & daughter)
Spoilers: For Season 1 of Haven and all 2 seasons of Warehouse 13.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Haven, Warehouse 13 or “The Wizard of Oz” (reference made to it in this chapter).
Recaps: Don’t know what’s happening in one of the shows? Just read my recaps on the show (very small recaps, don’t worry) and you’ll be all set. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments!
Previous Chapters: Chapter Index
Chapter 2: Rude Awakenings
Myka leaving the Warehouse wasn’t an easy thing to try and forget. As much as he thought that Myka was probably happier, living a life without hunting artifacts, a life where she didn’t have to blame herself if the entire world was almost destroyed, Artie couldn’t help but miss her immensely.
Remnants of her were everywhere - in the extra dinner plate that Leena would accidentally put out; in the silence that Pete’s banter with her had once filled; in her empty room, cleared out of everything, sheets still piled neatly atop the bed - neat and orderly even clearing out the room that had been her home.
Whenever a problem was too much for Artie, he had always found comfort in his work at the Warehouse. There he could focus completely on his job - making sure the artifacts didn’t wreak his office or try to leave the shelves, drowning himself in paperwork and hunts for new artifacts.
Unlike the other times, though, he had someone else with him.
Claudia had taken Myka leaving extremely hard. Artie knew that she had looked to Myka as one would look to a sister or mother, that Myka had been the agent and woman that Claudia hoped someday to become. And that Myka leaving Claudia - after all the times that Claudia had been abandoned by the people she loved - had cut her deeply. Claudia tried to shrug off her pain, but Artie could see through her defenses - simply because they were so much like his own.
But together they were working through their pain - silently, as was their way. But they supported each other, and for Artie, that was an enormous relief. He enjoyed having someone around to take his mind off of Myka - and he liked being able to provide some comfort to Claudia as well.
Thinking of the red head made him unconsciously twist his head around to where she was working at her desk - typing away on the computer, trying to establish a new filing system. No matter how many changes she made to the Warehouse computers, she always had new, fresh, better ideas by the next day.
A loud bang made both Artie and Claudia jump, and then look over to the Warehouse door. Artie felt disappointment when he saw the grim face of Mrs. Frederic standing there. No matter how much he told himself it wouldn't happen, a small part of him always hoped that it would be Myka standing at the door, holding her suitcases and telling him that she had made a terrible, horrible mistake leaving the Warehouse, she missed them all, Pete and Claudia and Leena and even him, and she wanted to come back.
“Arthur.” Even caught up in his hopeful thoughts of Myka returning, Artie noticed that Mrs. Frederic was looking especially tense today. When she turned to an oblivious Claudia, who was looking at Mrs. Frederic with her usual interested expression, Artie felt his blood run cold.
‘Not today. Please not today.’ He said this little prayer to himself everyday when he first caught sight of Claudia in the morning, and only stopped saying it once he saw her go up to her room for the night. That prayer hoped that she could just be a normal girl (as normal as one could be working in Warehouse 13). That she wouldn't have to concern herself with matters beyond her ability to comprehend or take in. But from the look on Mrs. Frederic’s face, that all was about to change. The waking nightmare that lurked in the back of his mind every single minute of the day was about to become unleashed.
“Claudia,” Mrs. Frederic began. “there’s been a matter of urgent importance concerning you.”
“What?” Claudia asked, startled. “Is this about the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz aisle?” She turned to Artie, and he felt his heart clench at the innocence and youth on her face - she was only 19 years old. Why now? “Because I didn’t mean to make them come to life, I just knocked into the artifact, I told Artie...”
“This has nothing to do with your many accidents concerning artifacts.” Mrs. Frederic said. “It has to do with your role as future Caretaker.”
“What? I haven’t made my decision about that yet.” Claudia said, confused, turning away from Mrs. Frederic and looking to Artie once more. He closed his eyes. ‘Here it comes...’
“Decision?” Mrs. Fredric looked to Artie too. She wore a look of bafflement that quickly morphed into understanding, and when she looked back to Claudia, pity.
“Claudia, you seem to be under the misunderstanding that you can choose whether or not to be the Caretaker to this Warehouse.” Mrs. Frederic said.
“Misunderstanding? No, no, no. Wait a minute. Artie told me-” Claudia started.
“Whatever Arthur told you was not true. I assume it was an attempt to comfort and reassure you.” Artie wasn’t sure which was worse - the look of disappointment on Mrs. Frederic’s face or the dawning horror on Claudia’s.
“Claudia, when the Warehouse chooses you, you must become its Caretaker. The Warehouse only chooses the right Caretaker when it comes along. It has been decades since its found someone it deems its Caretaker, and that someone is you. My time here is coming to a close - I’m going to move on. The Warehouse wants you, Claudia.” Mrs. Frederic said, her voice soft. “If you refuse this, then the Warehouse will die when I do. And even if it does, you cannot fully erase its effects on you. Being the next Caretaker holds a certain...bond.”
Claudia didn’t seem able to talk. Artie decided to ask the important question. “What’s the matter of urgent importance?”
“Certain people - a group of Regents, I believe - are trying to stage an attack on Claudia’s life.”
‘No.’ The thought sprang into Artie’s mind, followed by a roar of rage and protectiveness, all surrounding Claudia. If anyone, anyone so much as touched her... They’d have to get through him. They’d kill Claudia over his dead body - and he was hard to kill.
“Arthur.” He didn’t even realize that he was out of his chair and halfway to Claudia when Mrs. Frederic called his name. He turned around, suddenly wanting more than just to kill the Regents that wanted to end Claudia’s life - he wanted answers.
“Why?” He growled.
“These Regents - rouge Regents, now - suffered an intense scare when I almost had to give control of Warehouse 13 to Claudia a few weeks ago.” Artie nodded, remembering that he had been already on a plane to Egypt to rescue Myka and Pete from Warehouse 2. Claudia had had to discover that she was the next Caretaker without him - and nearly had to take the title and power that came with being the Caretaker in the minutes following. Maybe that was why she had been completely against the role after that occurrence.
‘I was going to explain to you.’ Artie thought. ‘At the right time. I was going to sit you down and talk to you, to answer every question you had. It wasn’t supposed to happen like that. It shouldn’t have happened like that.’ And then, after she had found out, just had the information blurted out to her, she had gone up to him. She was so scared and confused, she didn’t understand at all... And Artie knew that explanations wouldn't help her, the moment had passed for that. Only soft words and empty promises that he would have given anything - even his life at the Warehouse - to fulfill would comfort her. And so he gave them to her, knowing they were lies, but also knowing they were taking away her pain and fear, and that was all he wanted - for her to have to experience those emotions as little as possible when he was around.
“The Regents -” Mrs. Frederic’s voice said, calling him back to present, where Claudia was sitting as still as a statue and Mrs. Frederic was looking at him intently. “The Regents are scared of having a teenage girl as their Caretaker. They think she’s too young and emotional for the job, but they know they can’t stop the Warehouse from wanting her as its Caretaker. That’s why they’re going to kill her.”
“The only choice we have is to move her to a secure location.” Mrs. Frederic turned to Claudia, who was still staring at her in shock - not moving an inch. Artie wasn’t sure if she was able to move. “I assure you, Claudia, you will be well protected and cared for there. When it is safe, you will be able to come back to the Warehouse.”
Take her away? No, Mrs. Frederic couldn’t do this. He needed to protect Claudia. How could he protect Claudia if she taken away from him? In desperation he shook his head as he looked from a grave Mrs. Frederic to a dumbfounded Claudia.
*
Claudia felt like she was going to throw up. This couldn't be happening. Artie...he - he couldn’t have lied to her. Mrs. Frederic was wrong.
“Artie.” She said, hating the fear in her voice. She was about to say more, but stopped when he turned to look at her. All her questions were answered with the tired, shamed look on his face.
“No.” She said, shaking her head.
“Claudia -” Artie said, starting towards her.
“NO!” She shrieked. “How could you do this to me, Artie?”
“I just wanted you to be feel safe.”
“That’s working out great now, isn’t it?” She shouted.
“Please, Claudia, just listen!” Artie begged.
“I’ve had enough of listening to you.” Claudia snarled, her emotions untangling now. How could he? After knowing what she had went through - after listening to her brother, the many foster parents, the people at the orphanages, toss lies around, one by one - “I’ll always be there for you” “I think you’ll feel like this is home soon” “Don’t worry, we’ll find the right place for you”. How could Artie lie to her?
She had always thought Artie was the exception - that once he realized the Warehouse was the best place for her, he would realize it was her home and he was her mentor - he would never abandon her, never hurt her, never lie to her -
If anything, Artie was truthful. Truthful about his intentions, his actions, his beliefs, even when it made him unpopular or annoying, he was truthful.
So why had he lied to her and only her?
And those lies - that had made her stupid and dumb. Those lies that made her unable to prepare for what was happening - that she now had to leave the only home she had known in years to protect a job she didn’t even want, but was forced on her.
Those thoughts bubbled up in her head like acid as Artie gently touched her arm. “Claudia - ” He began.
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say!” She screamed, jerking her arm out of his. “Get away from me!” She swiftly moved away from him.
Artie stumbled forward, face pleading. “Please Claudia - I only wanted to protect you!” He said.
“I don’t want you to protect me, Artie! You’re not my father!” The words came out of their own accord, but Claudia didn't take them back.
“Claudia -” Artie said, trying one more time. He reached out for her hand.
“Don’t touch me!” Claudia screamed, all control gone. “I hate you!”
She turned and stormed out of the Warehouse, with Mrs. Frederic giving Artie a sympathetic glance, and then following her.
Claudia was too busy racing out of the Warehouse, angrily wiping off the tears that were running down her cheeks to notice the heartbroken look on Artie’s face as he sank down into his chair and buried his head in his hands.
Rating: PG-13 for violence and swearing.
Pairings: Audrey/Nathan (romantic), Artie/Claudia (father & daughter)
Spoilers: For Season 1 of Haven and all 2 seasons of Warehouse 13.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Haven, Warehouse 13 or “The Wizard of Oz” (reference made to it in this chapter).
Recaps: Don’t know what’s happening in one of the shows? Just read my recaps on the show (very small recaps, don’t worry) and you’ll be all set. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments!
Previous Chapters: Chapter Index
Chapter 2: Rude Awakenings
Myka leaving the Warehouse wasn’t an easy thing to try and forget. As much as he thought that Myka was probably happier, living a life without hunting artifacts, a life where she didn’t have to blame herself if the entire world was almost destroyed, Artie couldn’t help but miss her immensely.
Remnants of her were everywhere - in the extra dinner plate that Leena would accidentally put out; in the silence that Pete’s banter with her had once filled; in her empty room, cleared out of everything, sheets still piled neatly atop the bed - neat and orderly even clearing out the room that had been her home.
Whenever a problem was too much for Artie, he had always found comfort in his work at the Warehouse. There he could focus completely on his job - making sure the artifacts didn’t wreak his office or try to leave the shelves, drowning himself in paperwork and hunts for new artifacts.
Unlike the other times, though, he had someone else with him.
Claudia had taken Myka leaving extremely hard. Artie knew that she had looked to Myka as one would look to a sister or mother, that Myka had been the agent and woman that Claudia hoped someday to become. And that Myka leaving Claudia - after all the times that Claudia had been abandoned by the people she loved - had cut her deeply. Claudia tried to shrug off her pain, but Artie could see through her defenses - simply because they were so much like his own.
But together they were working through their pain - silently, as was their way. But they supported each other, and for Artie, that was an enormous relief. He enjoyed having someone around to take his mind off of Myka - and he liked being able to provide some comfort to Claudia as well.
Thinking of the red head made him unconsciously twist his head around to where she was working at her desk - typing away on the computer, trying to establish a new filing system. No matter how many changes she made to the Warehouse computers, she always had new, fresh, better ideas by the next day.
A loud bang made both Artie and Claudia jump, and then look over to the Warehouse door. Artie felt disappointment when he saw the grim face of Mrs. Frederic standing there. No matter how much he told himself it wouldn't happen, a small part of him always hoped that it would be Myka standing at the door, holding her suitcases and telling him that she had made a terrible, horrible mistake leaving the Warehouse, she missed them all, Pete and Claudia and Leena and even him, and she wanted to come back.
“Arthur.” Even caught up in his hopeful thoughts of Myka returning, Artie noticed that Mrs. Frederic was looking especially tense today. When she turned to an oblivious Claudia, who was looking at Mrs. Frederic with her usual interested expression, Artie felt his blood run cold.
‘Not today. Please not today.’ He said this little prayer to himself everyday when he first caught sight of Claudia in the morning, and only stopped saying it once he saw her go up to her room for the night. That prayer hoped that she could just be a normal girl (as normal as one could be working in Warehouse 13). That she wouldn't have to concern herself with matters beyond her ability to comprehend or take in. But from the look on Mrs. Frederic’s face, that all was about to change. The waking nightmare that lurked in the back of his mind every single minute of the day was about to become unleashed.
“Claudia,” Mrs. Frederic began. “there’s been a matter of urgent importance concerning you.”
“What?” Claudia asked, startled. “Is this about the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz aisle?” She turned to Artie, and he felt his heart clench at the innocence and youth on her face - she was only 19 years old. Why now? “Because I didn’t mean to make them come to life, I just knocked into the artifact, I told Artie...”
“This has nothing to do with your many accidents concerning artifacts.” Mrs. Frederic said. “It has to do with your role as future Caretaker.”
“What? I haven’t made my decision about that yet.” Claudia said, confused, turning away from Mrs. Frederic and looking to Artie once more. He closed his eyes. ‘Here it comes...’
“Decision?” Mrs. Fredric looked to Artie too. She wore a look of bafflement that quickly morphed into understanding, and when she looked back to Claudia, pity.
“Claudia, you seem to be under the misunderstanding that you can choose whether or not to be the Caretaker to this Warehouse.” Mrs. Frederic said.
“Misunderstanding? No, no, no. Wait a minute. Artie told me-” Claudia started.
“Whatever Arthur told you was not true. I assume it was an attempt to comfort and reassure you.” Artie wasn’t sure which was worse - the look of disappointment on Mrs. Frederic’s face or the dawning horror on Claudia’s.
“Claudia, when the Warehouse chooses you, you must become its Caretaker. The Warehouse only chooses the right Caretaker when it comes along. It has been decades since its found someone it deems its Caretaker, and that someone is you. My time here is coming to a close - I’m going to move on. The Warehouse wants you, Claudia.” Mrs. Frederic said, her voice soft. “If you refuse this, then the Warehouse will die when I do. And even if it does, you cannot fully erase its effects on you. Being the next Caretaker holds a certain...bond.”
Claudia didn’t seem able to talk. Artie decided to ask the important question. “What’s the matter of urgent importance?”
“Certain people - a group of Regents, I believe - are trying to stage an attack on Claudia’s life.”
‘No.’ The thought sprang into Artie’s mind, followed by a roar of rage and protectiveness, all surrounding Claudia. If anyone, anyone so much as touched her... They’d have to get through him. They’d kill Claudia over his dead body - and he was hard to kill.
“Arthur.” He didn’t even realize that he was out of his chair and halfway to Claudia when Mrs. Frederic called his name. He turned around, suddenly wanting more than just to kill the Regents that wanted to end Claudia’s life - he wanted answers.
“Why?” He growled.
“These Regents - rouge Regents, now - suffered an intense scare when I almost had to give control of Warehouse 13 to Claudia a few weeks ago.” Artie nodded, remembering that he had been already on a plane to Egypt to rescue Myka and Pete from Warehouse 2. Claudia had had to discover that she was the next Caretaker without him - and nearly had to take the title and power that came with being the Caretaker in the minutes following. Maybe that was why she had been completely against the role after that occurrence.
‘I was going to explain to you.’ Artie thought. ‘At the right time. I was going to sit you down and talk to you, to answer every question you had. It wasn’t supposed to happen like that. It shouldn’t have happened like that.’ And then, after she had found out, just had the information blurted out to her, she had gone up to him. She was so scared and confused, she didn’t understand at all... And Artie knew that explanations wouldn't help her, the moment had passed for that. Only soft words and empty promises that he would have given anything - even his life at the Warehouse - to fulfill would comfort her. And so he gave them to her, knowing they were lies, but also knowing they were taking away her pain and fear, and that was all he wanted - for her to have to experience those emotions as little as possible when he was around.
“The Regents -” Mrs. Frederic’s voice said, calling him back to present, where Claudia was sitting as still as a statue and Mrs. Frederic was looking at him intently. “The Regents are scared of having a teenage girl as their Caretaker. They think she’s too young and emotional for the job, but they know they can’t stop the Warehouse from wanting her as its Caretaker. That’s why they’re going to kill her.”
“The only choice we have is to move her to a secure location.” Mrs. Frederic turned to Claudia, who was still staring at her in shock - not moving an inch. Artie wasn’t sure if she was able to move. “I assure you, Claudia, you will be well protected and cared for there. When it is safe, you will be able to come back to the Warehouse.”
Take her away? No, Mrs. Frederic couldn’t do this. He needed to protect Claudia. How could he protect Claudia if she taken away from him? In desperation he shook his head as he looked from a grave Mrs. Frederic to a dumbfounded Claudia.
*
Claudia felt like she was going to throw up. This couldn't be happening. Artie...he - he couldn’t have lied to her. Mrs. Frederic was wrong.
“Artie.” She said, hating the fear in her voice. She was about to say more, but stopped when he turned to look at her. All her questions were answered with the tired, shamed look on his face.
“No.” She said, shaking her head.
“Claudia -” Artie said, starting towards her.
“NO!” She shrieked. “How could you do this to me, Artie?”
“I just wanted you to be feel safe.”
“That’s working out great now, isn’t it?” She shouted.
“Please, Claudia, just listen!” Artie begged.
“I’ve had enough of listening to you.” Claudia snarled, her emotions untangling now. How could he? After knowing what she had went through - after listening to her brother, the many foster parents, the people at the orphanages, toss lies around, one by one - “I’ll always be there for you” “I think you’ll feel like this is home soon” “Don’t worry, we’ll find the right place for you”. How could Artie lie to her?
She had always thought Artie was the exception - that once he realized the Warehouse was the best place for her, he would realize it was her home and he was her mentor - he would never abandon her, never hurt her, never lie to her -
If anything, Artie was truthful. Truthful about his intentions, his actions, his beliefs, even when it made him unpopular or annoying, he was truthful.
So why had he lied to her and only her?
And those lies - that had made her stupid and dumb. Those lies that made her unable to prepare for what was happening - that she now had to leave the only home she had known in years to protect a job she didn’t even want, but was forced on her.
Those thoughts bubbled up in her head like acid as Artie gently touched her arm. “Claudia - ” He began.
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say!” She screamed, jerking her arm out of his. “Get away from me!” She swiftly moved away from him.
Artie stumbled forward, face pleading. “Please Claudia - I only wanted to protect you!” He said.
“I don’t want you to protect me, Artie! You’re not my father!” The words came out of their own accord, but Claudia didn't take them back.
“Claudia -” Artie said, trying one more time. He reached out for her hand.
“Don’t touch me!” Claudia screamed, all control gone. “I hate you!”
She turned and stormed out of the Warehouse, with Mrs. Frederic giving Artie a sympathetic glance, and then following her.
Claudia was too busy racing out of the Warehouse, angrily wiping off the tears that were running down her cheeks to notice the heartbroken look on Artie’s face as he sank down into his chair and buried his head in his hands.