Small Fandom BB: Warehouse 13/Eureka Fic - Ties That Bind 2/2
******
Part 2
Claudia shuffles. The seconds it takes for someone to open the front door seem to stretch out for hours. Fargo places a hand on her shoulder and offers her a reassuring smile. She wishes that she could share in his optimism but she doubts that they’re going to simply welcome her back into the fold as if no time at all had passed.
The door swings inward and Leena comes into view, looking exactly the same. A smile brightens her face. Her voice is warm and gentle. “Claudia. Welcome back.”
Claudia doesn’t move. That’s it? That’s all that Leena has to say to her after she disappeared for four years? How very anti-climatic.
“Please, come in.” Leena steps aside, gesturing for them to enter. Joe lifts Claudia’s bags and carries them into the Bed & Breakfast, and sets them by the staircase. The bodyguard stands, silent, at attention by the stairs.
Claudia takes a deep breath, steadies herself, steels herself, and slowly steps forward, over the threshold, and inside. It’s like she’s stepping into her past, present, and future all at the same time; everything in her life is starting to converge into a meaning and purpose that she’s never felt ready for. She looks around the foyer and inhales. It smells familiar; it smells clean and warm and like Leena’s cooking and like-she sniffs the air-like cookies. Artie.
She turns around and there they are, Artie, Myka, and Pete, gathered in the living room, staring at her, reality setting in. They knew she was coming back, Doug said that they knew, but they’re still standing there in a suspended state of shock. She doesn’t know that they’ve had less time to prepare for her arrival than she has.
“Hey. Long time no see.” The words sound lame and she feels awkward, like an outsider who used to belong.
Suddenly, Pete looks like a kid on Christmas morning, or, him as an adult on Christmas morning. His smile is almost blinding. One second he’s about thirty feet away from her and the next he’s rushed at her, knocking the air out of her, and enveloping her in a bear hug. “Claud….”
He squeezes her like he’s not going to let her go anytime soon and she’s close to tears because the years of blocking out memories and denying that she missed them are hitting her full force; plus, Pete’s hugging her really tight. “Bone crushing, Pete.”
“Oh, sorry,” he says sheepishly, reluctantly loosening his hold on Claudia. He keeps an arm around her shoulder as he turns to face Artie and Myka. Myka stays rooted, choosing instead to stare at a spot on the wall out of the corner of her eyes. She will not get caught up in all of the emotions, she will not welcome Claudia back only for her to leave again because that’s what Claudia does when things get difficult instead of accepting their support and letting them help her.
Artie looks older than dirt…well, even older than dirt. He slowly approaches Claudia as she nervously chews on her bottom lip. She has to keep things light and playful or she’s going to turn in a sobbing mess of tears. “Geez, you look positively geriatric, Artimus.”
“Yeah, well, the years haven’t been as kind to those of us who aren’t young whippersnappers such as yourself.”
She clenches her fists at her sides before she decides, screw it, and springs forward, hugging Artie. He closes his eyes, holding her, and whispers, “I missed you too, kiddo. Welcome home.”
They both take a couple of steps back and that’s when Artie notices Fargo standing just behind Claudia.
“Why is he here? Unless...no.” Artie shakes his head, his tone full of disappointment and disgust as he eyes Fargo. "Don't tell me you've been off playing house with him all this time."
"Uh, Artie-"
Fargo clears his throat. "I was tasked with ensuring that Claudia made it back to the Warehouse."
"Why were you tasked with any-" Artie stops when he notices Claudia pointing at the Eye of Horus pin on Fargo's jacket. Artie's face falls. "No. No, no, no, no, no. You have got to be kidding me. He's a Regent?"
"Yep." Fargo rocks on the balls of his feet, looking proud.
Artie shrugs and throws his hands up in the air, as if he realizes that he should have expected something like this, that there must be bad news accompanying the good. "God hates me. The universe hates me. I should've known that by now, I mean, look at the state of my life."
Claudia's trying very hard not to laugh at Artie's reaction. It feels good to know that no matter how much time has passed, that while some things change, others never will. It's almost as if she'd never left. Except she did and while Pete, Artie, and Leena are willing to forgive and forget, Myka is standoffish.
Fargo takes a step back. "I'll just go up to my room and rest for a bit." The only ones who pay any mind to his departure from the room are Claudia and Pete.
"So." Claudia shuffles, shifting her weight.
"Your room's the same," Leena pipes. "I put a fresh set of sheets on the bed. Unless you'd like another room and I can have one fixed up for you before the transfer's over."
"Old room's fine." She doesn’t ask if they kept it preserved in the Warehouse.
Leena nods. She takes a few steps closer to Claudia, places a hand on her shoulder, lowers her voice, and says, "You are welcome to stay as long as you like. This is still your home."
Claudia smiles at the innkeeper. "Thanks."
Leena looks around the room, taking in the emotions running on high, before excusing herself.
"I'm going to go work on inventory," Myka says briskly, sidestepping the younger woman, and quickly exiting the room.
Artie lets out a sigh. “I’m going to go check on her.” It is as off putting as always when he envelopes Claudia in a hug and yet it’s weirdly comforting. It feels like home; it feels like family. “It’s good to have you back. I really have missed you.”
The air is far too heavy with sentiments. Claudia playfully punches Artie on the arm. “Right back atcha, Grumps.”
Artie grabs his coat and his hat as he leaves. On the other side of the door, he reaches into his coat pocket pulls out Claudia’s Farnsworth, the original. He looks over his shoulder at the door before slipping the device back into his pocket; he’ll return it to her later.
"It's going to take a little time for Myka to come around," Pete states after the door closes.
Claudia leans back against the wall. "I can see that."
He’s trying to be as cheerful and optimistic as he can be; it’s not too hard. He’s thrilled that Claudia’s finally back and he knows that, deep down, Myka is too. "She missed you. We all did, but you know how Myka is. If you'd e-mailed or something-"
"I know. I just…I couldn't."
"Why?" She must have a valid reason and if she’s willing to tell them what it is, then he can relay it to Myka and maybe then she’ll start to thaw.
"Because I knew that I'd come running back here and I didn't want to. I needed time to deal with everything, not just Steve's death. I was still a kid and there were so many things that I wanted to be able to do. I needed to get away because this whole Caretaker thing was looming over my head and there was nothing that I could do to get rid of it or stop it. I could only delay what has apparently always been the inevitable. The life of a Warehouse Agent is one thing, but Caretaker? I wasn’t prepared for that, I couldn’t handle it and I didn’t want to.”
For all these years, Claudia has had no one to talk to about the Warehouse or why she left. Now that she does, the words just keep pouring from her mouth, her thoughts racing faster than her brain can process them and she can verbalize them, but she tries anyway. “I love the Warehouse and it was always where I wanted to be for the foreseeable future, but there's always so much heartbreak and death and missed opportunities, and I wanted more than that. I wanted the chance to have more than that from my life and if I have to spend the rest of my days chained and bound to the Warehouse, how will I ever get to live my own life?” She pauses before continuing with a half-shrug, “Then I realized that this is my life.”
“Claud-”
“It’s okay, Pete. It is what it is and I accept that now.” She doesn’t say that she hasn’t accepted the probability that she will have to watch everyone she cares about die as she slowly ages and lives years past her expectancy, her vitality fused to the existence of Warehouse 13. She doesn’t know how old Mrs. Frederic is and she doesn’t want to know, not after seeing what remained of her when she and the Warehouse died. She doesn’t want to be all Picture of Dorian Gray; she wants to grow old and grey surrounded by the people that she loves who love her in return.
******
Artie finds Myka eyeing the metronome on its shelf.
“Claudia leaving was hard on all of us.”
Myka jolts and looks at him. Somber has become her default disposition. “I know.” She rereads the label beside the metronome. “What would have happened if she had used it? What would the Regents have done to her? What would they have done to Steve?”
“I don’t know,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders.
“But you must have some idea, Artie. There would have been some punishment. Burning Claudia wouldn’t have worked, she’s too smart and too resourceful for that. Would they have bronzed her?”
“I doubt it. From what I’ve been told, the Warehouse chose Claudia long before she chose it and since then she has always been the next in line for Warehouse Caretaker; bronzing would not have been the way to convince Claudia. As for Steve…I don’t think that the Regents would have allowed his resurrection. You know, as headstrong as Claudia is the Warehouse is just as stubborn and determined. They are a perfect match.”
“When did she find out?”
“When Warehouse 2 was awakened and Mrs. Frederic almost died. The transfer was about to begin when you and Pete deactivated the Warehouse, thus saving Mrs. Frederic and delaying Claudia’s ‘promotion.’ Steve’s death coupled with Mrs. Frederic dying...I completely understand why she ran and why she stayed away so long. She’s been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders since she was a little girl and that’s partially my fault for making her promises that I am in no position to keep.”
“So there were extenuating circumstances. Why couldn’t she have told us this herself? I know that she needed time and space, I know that. It’s just...if she’s Caretaker, is she really going to be that much a part of our lives?”
“Well, she can’t exactly avoid us seeing as how she’s going to be our boss. Oh God, Claudia’s going to be my boss.”
A chuckle escapes from Myka.
“Yes, ha ha, lest you forget that means that she will be your boss as well.” Myka stops laughing. “Uh-huh, see, not so funny now, is it?”
Myka stares at the floor for a moment before sighing and bringing her eyes up to meet Artie’s. “I just want her to be back for good. I know that sacrifices had to be made to protect the Warehouse, I just...I feel like she sacrificed us all to protect herself.”
“I know, but you’ve got to remember, she’d spent most of her life not having anyone else looking out for her and she reverted back to that. You can’t blame her for that, Myka-well, you can, but you shouldn’t.”
“And I don’t, not really. I just...I don’t know, Artie. I understand that she had her reasons for leaving, I’m just not sure that I will ever understand why she felt the need to stay away so long and to stay silent. It’s like she stopped caring about us, Artie, and that is what hurts me the most.”
Artie nods his head. “I think maybe that’s why she never tried to contact us, Myka, because she didn’t stop caring. She wouldn’t have been able to stay away and I think she knew that.”
Myka presses her fist to her mouth, her eyes tearing up. Dammit. Artie may be right. She’s been letting resentment nest inside of her, convinced that Claudia no longer cared for any of them, never once considering that the truth was that Claudia cared too much.
******
Claudia’s looking at a framed photograph of her and Steve, a duplicate of the one he’d had in his room, from their assignment to retrieve Ulysses S. Grant’s flask from an overzealous Civil War re-enactor, when she hears a light rapping at her bedroom door. She sets the frame down and crosses to the door, opening it.
Fargo stands in the hallway. “I wanted to bid you farewell and the best of luck before I get on my way. It’s been great seeing you again, Claudia. Maybe with our new positions we’ll have a chance to see each other more often.” He holds his hand out for her to shake; she just stares at it, dumbfounded, not reaching for it. After several seconds, he withdraws his hand. “Anywho, I should go thank Leena once again for her hospitality.”
Claudia shakes herself out of her stupor and follows him down the stairs. “Wait, you’re leaving?”
“I may not be the boss anymore but I do still have other responsibilities and duties at GD.” Fargo says.
“But, I thought that you were supposed to make sure that the whole transfer happened.”
“No, my job was to make sure that you returned and remained in order for the transfer to take place. You’re not a flight risk so there’s no need for me to stay any longer.”
“Doug, I need you, as my friend. I would really appreciate it if you stayed at least until the morning. I think that it would help with the transition.” She doesn’t know why she’s angling for him to stay but she does because she suddenly and vividly remembers being twenty years old and trapped in a minefield with him. She could’ve stayed the night in Eureka, since there had been no pressing need for her to return immediately to Univille. As strained as things were becoming between them, part of her had wanted to stay with him after the FarGames debacle but she hadn’t. There is a chance that she’s going to live the rest of her life missing opportunities so she might as well use this chance to make one and take it.
“I don’t really see how my being present would help, but, if you insist, I’ll see what other arrangements can be made.”
She grins and bounds forward, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. He allows his arms to slide around her waist. Her arms loosen and she starts to pull back. It won’t be much longer until her days of impulsiveness that can be chalked up to reckless youthful abandon are gone for good. She grabs onto the impulse and kisses Fargo. It comes as a bit of a shock to him, even after their in-flight kiss that morning. He responds to the kiss and she smiles against his lips. She ends the kiss, albeit reluctantly, and looks at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
He starts to speak but stops, flustered, looking confused. He clears his throat. “Claudia, I-we-the rules about fraternization-”
“I’m still no longer an agent, Doug, and I won’t be Caretaker for another couple of hours so I’m pretty sure I just found us a loophole the size of a Mac truck if you’re interested in accompanying me back upstairs. To my room.”
No one will ever say that Douglas Fargo made the wisest decisions and despite whatever consequences he may have to face for what he’s sure will amount to an infraction, he doubts that he will ever regret his decision to follow Claudia back up the stairs, no matter how foolhardy it is.
******
Pete checks the time and looks out the window. It’ll be sunset before any of them know it.
“Hello, Pete.”
He spins around, surprised to hear his mother’s voice. “Mom. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, I just dropped by to see how preparations for the transfer are progressing and to see how everyone is getting along. How is Claudia?”
“Good, she’s good. She’s, uh, ready and rearing to go.”
Jane nods. “That’s good.”
“Did you always know where she was?”
“Yes, Pete, I did and I will not apologize for not telling you.”
He bobs his head. “Yeah, I know, you couldn’t because you knew that I would go after her and she needed time and space yada, yada, yada; I get it. It would have been nice to know that she was doing okay is all that I’m saying.”
“But simply knowing would not have been enough for you.” Sensing someone else in the room, Jane begins to turn. “Nor would it have been enough for you, Agent Bering; would it?”
“No, it wouldn’t have been,” Myka admits easily.
“We have our reasons and to us they are justified. It was best that you only know that we intended to bring Claudia back to the Warehouse. It has always been her destiny and it was only a matter of when she was ready to face it.”
“Is she ready?” Myka asks.
“I would not dare speak on her behalf. The question of her readiness and her acceptance is best answered by her.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Claudia stands in the foyer, Fargo a few feet behind her.
“Well, that certainly is a relief,” Jane says. She raises an eyebrow as she looks at Fargo. “Dr. Fargo, I thought you’d be on your way back to Eureka by now.”
He swallows nervously. “I’m not needed back until tomorrow afternoon so I decided to stay the night.”
There’s a knowing look tinged with amusement in Jane’s eyes. Clearly, the first step in dealing and working with Claudia Donovan will be acquiescence; the young woman is going to use up every inch of wiggle room the Regents give her and after she’s used that all up, she’s going to make some more.
Myka takes a step forward. “Claudia, are you sure about this?”
It’s the first time since Claudia’s returned that Myka has spoken directly to her. She shrugs. “More or less.” Myka begins to open her mouth but Claudia continues, “But I have to do this. I can’t keep running away from my life just because I don’t like the direction it’s going in. Besides, I’m sure Mrs. Frederic wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when she became Caretaker either.”
Pete snorts. “Well, probably not. I mean, can you imagine Mrs. F jumping?”
Myka rolls her eyes. “Not the point, Pete.”
“I know that,” he says defensively. “I was just trying to lighten things up.”
Home. Friends. Family.
Joe opens the front door. “Ms. Donovan? You’re expected at the Warehouse shortly.”
“Oh. So soon?” Claudia’s not that ready yet it is time for her to face the music.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Both Pete and Myka move into the foyer. Myka offers, “We can go with you.”
Claudia shakes her head, “No. If something goes wrong....”
“Nothing will go wrong, I can promise you that,” Jane says from the living room.
Claudia has never put too much stock in the promises of the Regents before but for some reason, she believes Jane-this time. Fargo reaches out and squeezes Claudia’s hand, giving her a reassuring smile when she looks over her shoulder at him. Claudia takes a deep breath then exhales, letting go of Fargo’s hand and walking towards Joe and the front door. She can do this.
“Hey.” Claudia stops and looks at Pete. He grins. “Buck up; we’ll be here when you get back.”
There’s hope and confidence in her radiating off of him as well as Myka and Claudia begins to feel that maybe she actually is ready to become Caretaker after all. She walks out the front door and to the Prius without hesitation and without glancing back.
After the front door closes behind Claudia, Pete sighs. “Our little girl is all grown up.”
Myka chuckles and smirks. “You do realize that when Claudia gets back, she’s going to be our boss, don’t you?”
Pete screws up his face. “No. I really hadn’t thought about that. What are the odds of her giving us a raise?”
******
“She’s going to be just fine, Artie,” Vanessa says, patting his hand. “It’s just as it was back then. She can handle it; it’s what she was always meant to do.”
“I know. I just wish that this could have happened on her own terms. I never wanted her to feel like she had to do, like it was being forced upon her; she should want to be Caretaker.”
“Why the hell do you think I’m here, Old Man?” Artie turns to see Claudia standing in the doorway to his office and he rises. “Nobody made me come back, although, interestingly enough, it seems that the Regents are willing to use abduction as a last ditch effort, just, FYI.”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
Artie shakes his head. “No, Claudia, I know that this isn’t what you wanted-”
“No, it is not but I’ve had plenty of time to learn that what you want doesn’t always matter. Actually, it very rarely matters.” Claudia thought about a few things in the ride over from the B&B and she concluded that perhaps certain events had occurred in her life for a reason; that she had made decisions that had steered her along on the course of reaching her destiny. “Artie, I chose the Warehouse over my brother. You know how long I spent trying to get Joshua back; after all that, didn’t you ever think it was a little strange that instead of sticking by his side that I decided to live thousands of miles away from him?”
Artie shrugs. “Well, I mean, you’re a little strange, so, no, I-well, maybe a little.”
“I never questioned it. Being here just felt right. For the first time in my life, as nonsensical as this place is, everything made sense and I felt like I belonged. I was supposed to be here and I guess I was always supposed to be the Warehouse’s next Caretaker. So, here I am, reporting for duty.”
Good God, the daughter he never wanted but that he’s always loved has grown up. She’s changed but she’s so much the same. “Are you sure about this? I meant what I said; you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
Behind him, Vanessa raises an eyebrow, pressing her lips into a thin line. She’s not going to protest, she’s not going to interrupt but Artie really should not be saying these things to Claudia. She knows why he is, why he feels like he should, but it does not make it right.
Claudia smiles at him. “Duh.”
Artie almost pulls her into a hug but he doesn’t, instead, he nods his head. “Okay. Good, good.”
Claudia can sense someone behind her and glances over her shoulder to see Mrs. Frederic. She exhales and looks back at Artie. “I’ll catch you on the flipside.”
“Yeah.” Artie starts to leave, stopping next to the current Caretaker. “Mrs. Frederic, it truly has been a pleasure-”
“Oh, Arthur, come now, let’s not be sentimental,” Mrs. Frederic begins, sounding slightly exasperated. “But, if you must, there have been times when it was a great joy working with you and your team of agents. Especially this most recent team.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Frederic, for putting it together and for allowing-”
“Seriously, Arthur, that is more than enough. You are welcome. I dare say that Ms. Donovan’s return has put everyone’s emotions in a tailspin.”
“Yeah, well, what doesn’t she put into a tailspin?” Artie says with a chuckle.
“Hey!” Claudia exclaims.
“I meant it as a compliment,” he says offhandedly. After several seconds of silence, Artie realizes that they are waiting for him to leave. “Okay. Well then. Mrs. Frederic, I guess I won’t be seeing you.”
“No, Arthur, I don’t expect that you will. Not in this life anyway. Give my regards to Agents Lattimer and Bering.”
Noticing that Artie’s having a little difficulty making himself leave, Vanessa offers to walk him out while Claudia and Mrs. Frederic have a few moments to themselves before the transfer. Claudia and Mrs. Frederic watch as Artie and Vanessa walk into the umbilicus and the door closes behind them.
Anxiety begins creeping in as Mrs. Frederic turns around and faces Claudia because she’s about to take on her destiny; there will be no looking back, no turning back. Part of her still worries that they’re mistaken about her. She wasn’t lying when she said that she accepted her fate but now knowing that the sun’s starting to set, Claudia is overwhelmed. She feels as petrified and wholly unprepared as she did when she first discovered that the role of Caretaker laid in her future. She’s not ready but she is willing. She clears her throat and asks, “Any words of wisdom? Or just advice?”
“I assure you that you will do just fine, Ms. Donovan.” Mrs. Frederic cocks her head to the side, eyes narrowed for a moment before she continues speaking. “It is a wonder that you never fully give yourself credit. You have always been a bright young woman full of the greatest potential, however you also have a tendency to act foolishly and you can be quite stubborn and disobedient. I am sure those traits will continue to serve as an annoyance for the Regents but I also believe that they will assist you in giving the utmost care to the Warehouse and its agents. Do not allow yourself to be ruled by your emotions yet do not close yourself off. Learn to find the balance.”
Claudia gives the older woman a weak smile. “There’s no chance that there’s a handbook or instruction manual, is there?”
“Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on what sort of rule-bending or breaking mood you’re in, there is no manual and no training. There is an overall knowledge and sense of your duties and responsibilities that will accompany the transfer; I guess you could say that they are pre-installed with the software. Some of the Regents may still have their doubts but I, and the Warehouse, have every faith in you. That the Warehouse still insists on having you as its Caretaker is all that matters. Are there any other questions I can answer for you before we get started?”
“Is being Caretaker all that you do?”
Mrs. Frederic guffaws and the sound is so foreign and unexpected that Claudia nearly jumps out of her skin. There is gentleness and a light in the Caretaker’s eyes that Claudia has never seen before. “I have lived and I have loved while carrying this title, Ms. Donovan. I have loved more than once. I have had a family; I have a son. Despite this responsibility, you still have a life to lead outside of the Warehouse if you so choose. The Warehouse may be selfish but she is not that selfish. You both need to thrive and form bonds to remain healthy. Do not be afraid to live your life as you see fit when you are not acting directly as Caretaker. Remember, you will have to answer to the Regents from time to time but they do not control you nor do you control them; the roles, the power dynamics should be symbiotic.”
“Would it be completely inappropriate for me to hug you?”
“Normally, I would say yes but considering the circumstances, I do not think it inappropriate nor would I mind.”
Claudia takes a few steps towards Mrs. Frederic and timidly reaches out to hug the older woman. The Caretaker allows her successor to hug her for several seconds before she steps back, her eyes lingering on the young woman’s hair. “I do believe that the red suited you rather well, Ms. Donovan. But you could continue to do without the ever-changing stripes. Just my opinion.”
Vanessa returns, professional and somber. “The sun is setting. Shall we begin?”
Mrs. Frederic gives a quick nod of her head.
Vanessa leads the Mrs. Frederic and Claudia to the area that she has prepared for them, so that they can both be as comfortable as possible during the process. There are two reclining chairs, next to one another, facing opposite directions. Mrs. Frederic sits in one and extends her right arm. Claudia sits in the other chair, her arms folded on her lap. She watches as Vanessa produces the green ribbon that will seal her fate and begins to wind it around Mrs. Frederic’s wrist. Vanessa steps over to Claudia, waiting. Claudia takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, closing her eyes and holding out her arm. Oddly enough, as nervous as she is, she feels a strange sense of calm washing over her when the ribbon touches her skin, unlike the last time. She can feel the ribbon tightening around her wrist of its own accord, a tingling sensation spreading down to her fingertips and up her arms through the rest of her body.
It’s beginning. Claudia opens her eyes and she doesn’t see Artie’s office, she sees everything that this Warehouse 13 is, that it has been since it came back into existence in 1914 when it was rebuilt to as it stands today. The Warehouse’s past, present, and future surrounds Claudia and she absorbs all of it entirely.
Her vision clears and Artie’s office comes into sharp focus as Claudia stares out at the space in front of her, wide-eyed. “Whoa. Download complete.”
Every aisle, every shelf, every nook and cranny of the Warehouse is taking up space in Claudia’s brain; every artifact inside of the building, she knows what it is, what it does, the history behind it, and where it’s supposed to be and yet she doesn’t. She can feel the vitality of the Warehouse coursing through her body.
“Claudia?” Vanessa is standing in front of her, unraveling the green ribbon from around Claudia’s wrist, looking concerned. “Are you okay?”
She sits up, glancing around the room with new eyes. “Yeah, I’m great. Mrs. Fr-” There’s a sheet draped over the former Caretaker.
Vanessa gives her a sad smile. “As I’m sure you already know, the transfer was a complete success. Congratulations, Claudia, you are now officially the Caretaker of Warehouse 13. If you don’t mind, I’d like to check your vitals.”
Claudia doesn’t mind. She can feel the Warehouse buzzing with excitement and renewed vigor. Weird. And kind of awesome. She’s still in a bit of a daze when she leaves the Warehouse, exiting through the umbilicus into the cool night. Joe is waiting for her, holding open the back passenger door of the Prius.
She wrinkles her nose. “I call shotgun.”
He looks about ready to protest but seems to think better of it before sighing in resignation as he closes the door. “Yes, ma-Ms. Donovan.”
Claudia steps forward quickly, before he can open the front passenger door for her. “I got it, Joe. Thanks.”
He nods and walks around to the driver’s side. “To the Bed & Breakfast?”
She looks at her reflection in the side view mirror for a few moments, brushing her brown bangs to the side. She curls several strands of hair around her fingers as she remembers Mrs. Frederic’s last words to her and a small smile begins to creep onto her face. “Could we stop in town first? I need to pick up something at the drug store.”
******
Part 3
There’s an impromptu celebration of sorts at Leena’s when Joe and Claudia return; “welcome home” and “congrats on your promotion” combined. It remains unspoken that it could also serve as a wake for Mrs. Frederic. There is relief, excitement, and just a hint of sadness.
The Head Regent is there; he wanted to make sure that the transfer occurred with little to no difficulty and that the Warehouse was in good hands. He intends for his visit to be brief and he accosts Claudia so that he can make sure that they understand each other.
Mr. Kosan regards her with something akin to begrudging respect. “Ms. Donovan, I trust that you will act by placing the best interests of the Warehouse’s above everything else. You have witnessed the strength of the bond that you now share.”
Claudia suppresses an eye roll. “Yeah, I get it; the Warehouse’s best interest is my best interest. Protect it, protect myself. Look, I know that you guys don’t like me all that much and I’m certainly not your biggest fan either but I am going to try to always do what is right for the Warehouse and my agents. And if that means that I have to break a few rules every now and then to make sure that my team stays alive and remains relatively unharmed, I’m going to break ‘em.”
“I appreciate your candor as well as your determination and how much you value this team, Ms. Donovan. As long as we are on the same page that the Warehouse always comes first, your interpretation of the rules will be dealt with if and when, however necessary.”
“So, bringing on new agents-”
“Perhaps you should take a few months to adjust to your new position as Caretaker, Ms. Donovan, before taking on more of your responsibilities as Director. We will be checking in with you periodically and we will discuss the process of hiring Warehouse personnel at a later date.”
“Oh, goody,” she says, trying not to sound sarcastic. She’s trying to let go of all the bitterness and resentment she’s built up towards the Regents over the years, for herself and for the sake of the Warehouse; it’s going to take time. She really wants underlings. Minions. No, underlings.
Kosan turns away from her and exits the room.
Claudia wrinkles her nose as she watches him leave. “Regents are lame.”
“I’ll second that,” Pete says, sidling up to her. “I mean, I guess my mom isn’t that bad.” He tilts his head to the side. “Fargo seems pretty decent too, don’tcha think, boss lady?”
“He is one of the good guys.”
Pete nudges her with his elbow, smiling, prodding. “Uh-huh. So?”
“Not going there, Pete.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of your business?” That should be obvious.
He shrugs. “And?”
She stands straight, squares her shoulders, and gives him a hard look. With a warning tone, she tries on her new authority. “Agent Lattimer, my personal life is none of your concern.” She manages to hold it together for about four seconds before cracking a smile and starting to laugh.
Pete laughs with her. “You almost had me there.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m going to have to work on the whole not cracking thing.”
“Hey. I’m not interrupting, am I?” Myka asks with a half-smile as she approaches them.
“Not at all.”
Myka looks down at her hands, pressing her lips together before she begins. “Claudia, I’m sorry for being so cold towards you earlier-”
“Oh, no, Myka, I totally understand, I would’ve been the same way-”
“-because I thought that all this time you had stopped caring about us and about the Warehouse-”
“-and when I think about it, I could have at least sent an e-mail or had Joshua let you all know that I was okay and thinking of you guys-”
“-but then Artie said that you probably hadn’t and I realized that I had been wrong and I needed to stop holding a grudge against you.”
“-but I didn’t and I know that it was selfish but I’m back now and I know it doesn’t mean much but I’m so sorry for what I put you all through.”
Myka takes a breath. “Can you forgive me?”
Claudia shakes her head. “There’s nothing to forgive; you had every right to hate me.”
“Aw, Claudia, I didn’t hate you. I could never hate you.”
Pete pumps his fist in the air as Claudia and Myka hug. “Yes! I knew it. Hugging it out!”
Both women roll their eyes and Claudia playfully punches Pete on the arm. It’s just like old times; they have all missed this and they’re so grateful for the return. There’s a comfort and ease to their conversations, tension has given way to laughter.
Artie watches his team interact for several minutes before he interrupts. “Excuse me, but I need to borrow Claudia for a few moments.”
A little perplexed, Claudia follows him to the relative quiet of the living room. “What’s up?”
“I have something of yours.” Artie fishes the original Farnsworth out of his pocket and holds it out to Claudia. “I’ve been meaning to give it back to you all day.”
She shakes her head. “I stopped deserving that a long time ago, Artie.”
“No, you didn’t. We’ve all made mistakes, and we’ve all taken the coward’s way out at one time or another; but as scared as you were, you came back and that’s all that matters, that is what’s important. Take it.”
Claudia reaches out for the device, handling it carefully, inspecting it, and turning it over in her hands. She looks up at Artie, sincere, and then she smirks. “I still can’t believe that this thing is almost as old as you. Thank you.” She closes the Farnsworth and slides it into her back pocket before hugging Artie.
He pats her back then pulls away. “Yeah, okay, enough hugs for one day.”
“Yeah, ‘cause too many hugs can be bad for your health,” she says sarcastically.
“You know, I have not missed your attitude or snark, young lady.”
Both of her eyebrows rise. “You might want to watch what you say, old man; I’m your boss, remember?”
“I am sure that you will never let me forget that.”
“I wouldn’t be me if I did.”
“No, you would not. You should always be you, Claudia.”
She notices a look of discomfort on Artie’s face. “Are all these warm fuzzies giving you indigestion?”
“Terrible indigestion.”
She and Artie rejoin the others as Pete and Myka are regaling them with the details of one of their recent and more humorous artifact retrievals. The stories continue until everyone is laughing so hard that they can’t prevent a few tears from rolling down their cheeks.
The party slowly dies down. Fargo calls it a night first because his flight leaves early. Leena is tired from the day’s extra preparations. Vanessa accompanies Artie back to the Warehouse. Jane begins to feel like she’s intruding. Claudia’s exhausted but restless and neither Pete nor Myka seem ready to retire either so the three stay up, reconnecting, until the early morning hours when they can no longer deny that they need to get some sleep.
Still Claudia remains awake, returning to the informal dining room with her laptop. The Warehouse is always awake and right now, it cannot rest because, like its Caretaker, it is still familiarizing itself with this new bond.
She starts thinking about the arrangements that will have to be made. She has a life in Nashville but it was never home; Univille, the Warehouse, Leena’s, these places are home and they’re where she intends to stay for the time being, at least until she starts figuring out what being Caretaker means for her life.
Claudia hears soft footsteps on the stairs and looks up to see Jane’s descent.
“I see that I’m not the only one who’s having trouble sleeping. Do you know if Leena keeps any chamomile tea around?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well, it won’t hurt to check,” Jane says as she crosses to the kitchen door. She pauses, her back to Claudia. “You know, I never wanted Pete to find out about the Warehouse; and I most certainly never wanted him to become an agent. We all become aware of just how dangerous working with the Warehouse is early on. Despite my wishes and my best efforts, Pete still ended up here; he chose to be here. Whatever destiny has in store for us, Claudia, we still have choices to make along the way. Agent Jinks knew the risks and he still chose to go undercover; he was offered the assignment and he took it. I understand why you blame us for his death, Claudia, but we were never responsible for it.”
“Then why do you still have a guilty conscience?”
Jane swallows and turns to face Claudia. “Because we couldn’t save him and we couldn’t save the Warehouse, not when it truly counted. We made mistakes. We’re only human and so are you. We can’t save everybody and neither can you, no matter how hard you try. I have to live with every decision that I have made regarding the welfare of Warehouse 13. Guilt and regret are powerful emotions that are hard to overcome and you will have to face them because you will be forced to make decisions that are going to leave you in a world full of guilt and regret. You can’t always make amends, no matter how hard you try.”
Claudia cocks her head to the side. “Is that what you’re trying to do?”
Jane sighs. “Yes. Believe me, none of us wanted for Steven Jinks to die; to say that his death, his murder, was unavoidable would be a lie. I am sorry for everything that you have lost.”
“So am I. And I’m sorry that it took me so long to grow up.”
“Don’t be.” She hesitates before broaching the next subject. “Your bond with the Warehouse is an intricate one. If the Caretaker is happy, normally the Warehouse is content as well. I think we can all agree that you do deserve a little happiness, Claudia. When you find it, hold onto it and don’t let go.” Jane smirks. “Even if it is against the rules.”
Claudia is trying to process what she’s hearing. It sounds like a Regent is giving her the go ahead to break one of their rules. “What does that mean?”
Jane shrugs, giving her a mischievous smile. “It means whatever you make of it.”
An alarm sounds on Claudia’s laptop. She has a ping.
******
Seven months later...
The FBI agent tosses his keys onto the table beside the door, flipping the light switch on. This has to be the weirdest case his team has ever worked on. A series of seemingly unrelated killings only tied together by the unsub’s use of an eight-inch serrated hunting knife. And then the damned Secret Service showed up as if they had any sort of jurisdiction. As he’s pouring himself a glass of whiskey, something catches his eye. He spins around, drawing his weapon.
He has never before seen the redheaded woman perched on the edge of his desk, wearing forming-fitting jeans, a blue blazer over a black tank top, tiny buttons all over the lapels of the blazer, and boots.
He keeps his gun trained on her. “You made a big mistake breaking into the home of a federal agent.”
She gives him a Cheshire cat grin as she pushes herself forward. “My name’s Claudia Donovan and I work for the government.”
* * * FINIS * * *
Once again, thanks to my betas, the great Gabiroba, and the wonderful life saving (fic saving) lionessvalenti as well as my fantastic artist sunsetsinthewes!