What ever happened to Helena G. Wells? Chapter 6
Note: I am not a counseling psychologist, nor do I know anything about behavior therapy, so I had to do a lot of improvising with Helen's documentation of her sessions with Helena and Myka.
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Helen stared silently at the Helena on the monitor for a long moment before she turned on the recorder on her personal computer.
“Day 223. Patient Helena George Wells - Ms. Wells’ progress has been astounding. Since the introduction of her fellow colleague and friend, Myka Bering, a couple of weeks ago, Wells has started to respond to treatment in a much faster pace than before. She has also responded very well to the introduction of familiar items and rekindling of past memories and friendships. She is talking more freely and she’s writing. Recent evidence point to that she still refuses to forgive herself. We will focus on that aspect in future sessions. Dr. Helen Magnus, end report.”
She sighed and sipped her tea before turning the recorder on again.
“Day 185. Patient Myka Ophelia Bering - Ms Bering is still dealing with a lot of anger. She tries to analyze and make sense of her current predicament, which is a losing battle. There is no sense in her situation. She is harboring a lot of anger towards both herself and her surroundings, but primarily towards Ms. Wells. At the same time she is withdrawing into her safe place of pleasant memories of her time with Wells. Since we now know the root of what caused Wells’ actions, it is in my professional opinion that Bering needs to embrace the knowledge of Wells’ darkness, but not the darkness itself.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “Patient Bering has requested to see footage of Wells since she arrived at the Sanctuary. Though this is generally against professional conduct, I am leaning towards allowing it. I believe that it will help move them in the right direction. Dr. Helen Magnus, end report.”
Helen leaned back in her chair feeling drained. She had counseled many humans and abmormals over the years, all with their own flaws and issues, but nothing had ever come this close to home. She was struggling staying professional. She smiled; most doctors would have refused to take on a case involving someone you had been intimate with. Helen still knew that she was the only one who could deal with Helena and her unique situation. As far as she knew, Helena was the only one outside of The Five whose life had spanned a century and a half. How could any regular counselor be able to deal with that? Dr. Vanessa Calder perhaps? Maybe. Helen doubted that Helena would trust her, knowing Vanessa’s close connection with Artie Nielsen.
* * * * *
Myka had almost forgotten her request. Then one morning when Bigfoot brought her breakfast as usual; there was something new on the tray. A DVD was leaning against her coffee mug. She picked it up with a shaking hand. A note was stuck to it.
Have an open mind Myka.
She made a strangled sound, and clamped her hand over her mouth. Those had been Helena’s words to her, that day in the lab when they had worked together to try and save Claudia’s life. It seemed so long ago. She had pondered Helena’s words back then, alone in bed that night, as visions of dark hair caressing her face while strong arms pulled her to safety, plagued her mind. Yes, Helena’s words had indeed had a double meaning.
* * * * *
Helena was furious. She couldn’t focus, she couldn’t write. Where was Helen? She had to talk to her. She twirled around as the exit door hissed open. As if summoned Helen stood there smiling at her.
“Where have you been?” Helena demanded to know.
“Good morning Helena. How are you today?” she asked and brought the tray over to the table, ignoring Helena’s question. She sat down and looked up at her. “Come, have some tea.”
Helena sat down across from her; legs crossed her foot swinging impatiently as she watched Helen pour the tea. Finally she couldn’t take it any longer. “How is she?”
Helen smiled and handed her the tea. “Here you go darling.”
Helena took it and put it down next to her. “Well?’
“Patience Helena,” Helen teased. She saw the annoyance on Helena’s face and raised an eyebrow. Finally Helena sighed, defeated and picked up her tea. Helen watched silently as soft lips closed around the thin china, tasting the hot beverage.
“She’s angry,” she said softly. “But she’s beginning to understand.”
Helena nodded, silently sipping her tea. Helen picked up an item from the tray and handed it to her. “I thought you might enjoy this.”
Helena put her tea down and took the leather bound journal from Helen. Her fingers traced the gold monogram on the outside, GS, George Sand. She looked up at Helen. “Where did you get this?”
“I’ve had it for a very long time,” she admitted softly. “I know how much she meant to you. I want you to have it.”
“Great auntie GG. She named me, you know. The G in my name stands for George, for George Sand. Did you know that?” Helena whispered and opened the book to read the cover page. She startled. “This is from when she lived with us,” she gasped.
Helen nodded. “She’s writing about you in there too.”
“But I was just a child. What could I possibly have had to offer that would be important enough to include in her diary?”
Helen smiled. “A very adventurous and spirited child if I remember correctly. She cared a great deal for you. I often heard her speak to your father about you, asking him to be patient, and to have an open mind.”
Helena laughed. “I did try to test the boundaries, didn’t I?”
“That you certainly did darling.”
“Do you remember the first time we met?” Helena asked with a gentle smile. “I was nine. As usual I was in trouble and I had run into the parlor to hide my pain from my father’s scolding. I threw myself on the divan, hugging a pillow as I cried.”
“I remember,” Helen said and moved over to kneel by Helena’s feet. “I picked you up and held you as you cried. I still don’t understand why you let me.”
Helena took her hands and smiled at her. “I felt a connection to you Helen. A fellow free spirit.”
“You were my little shadow during the weeks to follow. It was quite endearing.”
“Even at the tender age of nine I knew that I craved your attention, your caress, your kisses,” Helena said and smiled lovingly at Helen. “I think that you shaped me into who I am today, just as much as my parents. You showed me unconditional love, Helen. I had never had that before.”
“And George, she showed you that women can be strong in a man’s world. That you can break the chains imposed on you by society,” Helen said with a smile. “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved,” she quietly quoted George Sand.
Helena nodded. “I loved her so much, even though it was partly her fault that I was in trouble the day,” she said with a chuckle.
“Because of the trousers?”
“Yes!” Helena said and laughed. “Those bloody trousers.”
“Well, the next time I saw you, in London in 1886, you were very confident in your trousers, white shirt and vest,” Helen said with a chuckle. “You took my breath away, you were so beautiful.”
“And you were just as lovely as I remembered,” she said softly and touched Helen’s hair. “Your hair is different now,” she mumbled. “I miss your blond curls.”
Helen shrugged. “We all have our reasons for changing who we are.”
Helena nodded. “I was only twenty,” said, still in the grasp of memories past. “So passionate, but so very young.”
Helen chuckled and got up. Helena tugged at her hand and pulled her down on her lap. “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever met,” she said and gently caressed Helen’s hips. “I couldn’t believe that you wanted to be with me.”
Helen’s gaze softened. “I felt guilty. You were so young. I felt like I should stay away from you.”
“But I didn’t give you much choice, did I now?” Helena teased.
“No you certainly did not. As inexperienced as you were, you were very persistent in your pursuit.”
“You know why,” Helena breathed softly against her neck. Helen shivered.
“I was the first one to love you,” she whispered.
“Yes,” Helena whispered and pressed her lips against Helen’s soft skin.
Helen sighed. Helena’s touch still made her skin tingle. She slowly disentangled herself from Helena and stood. She looked down at her and noticed the smirk on Helena’s lips. “We were good for each other at one point Helena, but we both know that what’s in the past needs to stay in the past. Our lives, even though starting out parallel, have gone in different directions. I am not the one for you anymore.”
Helena looked sadly at her. “We could be good for each other again.”
Helen gently cupped her cheek. “I’m not the one your heart craves. I’m sorry Helena, but I cannot be someone else’s’ substitute. It would tear my soul apart.”
“I’m sorry Helen,” Helena whispered.
Myka silently watched Helena on her computer screen. She was dreaming, clutching a pillow close to her. Myka she mumbled in her sleep.
Myka felt her heart go out to her, but instantly shoved the feeling away. Helena’s betrayal was still too fresh to be able to allow herself the comfort of knowing that her lover still needed her. The scene changed. Helena was talking to Helen in the living room. The camera zoomed in on her face, and Myka could see the anger in her eyes. She gasped. Then the moment was gone and Helena hung her head defeated. She watched as Helen held her, gently caressing her hair. A sharp stab of jealousy surfaced and she bristled at the sight of Helen’s intimate caress. She sighed frustrated with herself. She was just about to turn off the DVD when the scene changed. Her eyes grew wide. It was Helena in the shower. Naked, with water cascading down her beautiful body. Myka squirmed in her seat as her body reacted to the scene.
“She’s stunning,” Helen said softly behind her. Myka’s ears burned. She felt like she was caught red handed watching something she shouldn’t.
“She is,” she whispered and looked up at Helen.
“You’re still attracted to her. Good,” Helen said with a nod of her head.
“Do you really have to do that?” Myka asked softly and gestured to the frozen picture of Helena now wrapped in a towel.
“Do what?”
“Invade her privacy like that?”
“Darling, I’m the only one who has access to this camera,” she explained. She pulled a small device out of her pocket. “This will alert me every time she enters the bathroom. It’s for her own protection.”
Myka nodded in understanding. “It’s just painful to watch,” she said softly.
“Trust me, Helena is not bothered about it.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“So how do you feel this morning?” Helen said cheerfully, steering the conversation away from Helena for a moment.
“All right I guess,” Myka mumbled. “It was hard to watch that DVD,” she confessed.
“So what’s your conclusion?”
“You were right. I have to learn to deal with the darkness in her.”
“And?”
Myka jumped to her feet, agitated. “and nothing!” She turned to Helen. “What do you want me to say? That I forgive her? I don’t know if I’m ready to do that yet.”
“How about forgiving yourself?” Helen asked gently.
Myka turned and stared at her. “Not that either. How could I? I almost destroyed the world.”
Helen shook her head. “No you didn’t. Helena almost did, but you didn’t. You saved it. You saved her.”
Myka sank down in her chair again with a sigh of frustration.
“I don’t know anymore Helen.”
Helen could feel her confusion. “Come have dinner with us tonight?” she said softly.
“I can’t,” Myka whispered.
“Oh come on now, sure you can. It’s just dinner.”
Myka walked over to the window and looked out at the city below. “Does she want me there?”
“It’s not her decision really, but yes she does.”
Myka hung her head. “Okay.”
“Excellent. I’ll be by around seven.”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Helen stared silently at the Helena on the monitor for a long moment before she turned on the recorder on her personal computer.
“Day 223. Patient Helena George Wells - Ms. Wells’ progress has been astounding. Since the introduction of her fellow colleague and friend, Myka Bering, a couple of weeks ago, Wells has started to respond to treatment in a much faster pace than before. She has also responded very well to the introduction of familiar items and rekindling of past memories and friendships. She is talking more freely and she’s writing. Recent evidence point to that she still refuses to forgive herself. We will focus on that aspect in future sessions. Dr. Helen Magnus, end report.”
She sighed and sipped her tea before turning the recorder on again.
“Day 185. Patient Myka Ophelia Bering - Ms Bering is still dealing with a lot of anger. She tries to analyze and make sense of her current predicament, which is a losing battle. There is no sense in her situation. She is harboring a lot of anger towards both herself and her surroundings, but primarily towards Ms. Wells. At the same time she is withdrawing into her safe place of pleasant memories of her time with Wells. Since we now know the root of what caused Wells’ actions, it is in my professional opinion that Bering needs to embrace the knowledge of Wells’ darkness, but not the darkness itself.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “Patient Bering has requested to see footage of Wells since she arrived at the Sanctuary. Though this is generally against professional conduct, I am leaning towards allowing it. I believe that it will help move them in the right direction. Dr. Helen Magnus, end report.”
Helen leaned back in her chair feeling drained. She had counseled many humans and abmormals over the years, all with their own flaws and issues, but nothing had ever come this close to home. She was struggling staying professional. She smiled; most doctors would have refused to take on a case involving someone you had been intimate with. Helen still knew that she was the only one who could deal with Helena and her unique situation. As far as she knew, Helena was the only one outside of The Five whose life had spanned a century and a half. How could any regular counselor be able to deal with that? Dr. Vanessa Calder perhaps? Maybe. Helen doubted that Helena would trust her, knowing Vanessa’s close connection with Artie Nielsen.
* * * * *
Myka had almost forgotten her request. Then one morning when Bigfoot brought her breakfast as usual; there was something new on the tray. A DVD was leaning against her coffee mug. She picked it up with a shaking hand. A note was stuck to it.
Have an open mind Myka.
She made a strangled sound, and clamped her hand over her mouth. Those had been Helena’s words to her, that day in the lab when they had worked together to try and save Claudia’s life. It seemed so long ago. She had pondered Helena’s words back then, alone in bed that night, as visions of dark hair caressing her face while strong arms pulled her to safety, plagued her mind. Yes, Helena’s words had indeed had a double meaning.
* * * * *
Helena was furious. She couldn’t focus, she couldn’t write. Where was Helen? She had to talk to her. She twirled around as the exit door hissed open. As if summoned Helen stood there smiling at her.
“Where have you been?” Helena demanded to know.
“Good morning Helena. How are you today?” she asked and brought the tray over to the table, ignoring Helena’s question. She sat down and looked up at her. “Come, have some tea.”
Helena sat down across from her; legs crossed her foot swinging impatiently as she watched Helen pour the tea. Finally she couldn’t take it any longer. “How is she?”
Helen smiled and handed her the tea. “Here you go darling.”
Helena took it and put it down next to her. “Well?’
“Patience Helena,” Helen teased. She saw the annoyance on Helena’s face and raised an eyebrow. Finally Helena sighed, defeated and picked up her tea. Helen watched silently as soft lips closed around the thin china, tasting the hot beverage.
“She’s angry,” she said softly. “But she’s beginning to understand.”
Helena nodded, silently sipping her tea. Helen picked up an item from the tray and handed it to her. “I thought you might enjoy this.”
Helena put her tea down and took the leather bound journal from Helen. Her fingers traced the gold monogram on the outside, GS, George Sand. She looked up at Helen. “Where did you get this?”
“I’ve had it for a very long time,” she admitted softly. “I know how much she meant to you. I want you to have it.”
“Great auntie GG. She named me, you know. The G in my name stands for George, for George Sand. Did you know that?” Helena whispered and opened the book to read the cover page. She startled. “This is from when she lived with us,” she gasped.
Helen nodded. “She’s writing about you in there too.”
“But I was just a child. What could I possibly have had to offer that would be important enough to include in her diary?”
Helen smiled. “A very adventurous and spirited child if I remember correctly. She cared a great deal for you. I often heard her speak to your father about you, asking him to be patient, and to have an open mind.”
Helena laughed. “I did try to test the boundaries, didn’t I?”
“That you certainly did darling.”
“Do you remember the first time we met?” Helena asked with a gentle smile. “I was nine. As usual I was in trouble and I had run into the parlor to hide my pain from my father’s scolding. I threw myself on the divan, hugging a pillow as I cried.”
“I remember,” Helen said and moved over to kneel by Helena’s feet. “I picked you up and held you as you cried. I still don’t understand why you let me.”
Helena took her hands and smiled at her. “I felt a connection to you Helen. A fellow free spirit.”
“You were my little shadow during the weeks to follow. It was quite endearing.”
“Even at the tender age of nine I knew that I craved your attention, your caress, your kisses,” Helena said and smiled lovingly at Helen. “I think that you shaped me into who I am today, just as much as my parents. You showed me unconditional love, Helen. I had never had that before.”
“And George, she showed you that women can be strong in a man’s world. That you can break the chains imposed on you by society,” Helen said with a smile. “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved,” she quietly quoted George Sand.
Helena nodded. “I loved her so much, even though it was partly her fault that I was in trouble the day,” she said with a chuckle.
“Because of the trousers?”
“Yes!” Helena said and laughed. “Those bloody trousers.”
“Well, the next time I saw you, in London in 1886, you were very confident in your trousers, white shirt and vest,” Helen said with a chuckle. “You took my breath away, you were so beautiful.”
“And you were just as lovely as I remembered,” she said softly and touched Helen’s hair. “Your hair is different now,” she mumbled. “I miss your blond curls.”
Helen shrugged. “We all have our reasons for changing who we are.”
Helena nodded. “I was only twenty,” said, still in the grasp of memories past. “So passionate, but so very young.”
Helen chuckled and got up. Helena tugged at her hand and pulled her down on her lap. “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever met,” she said and gently caressed Helen’s hips. “I couldn’t believe that you wanted to be with me.”
Helen’s gaze softened. “I felt guilty. You were so young. I felt like I should stay away from you.”
“But I didn’t give you much choice, did I now?” Helena teased.
“No you certainly did not. As inexperienced as you were, you were very persistent in your pursuit.”
“You know why,” Helena breathed softly against her neck. Helen shivered.
“I was the first one to love you,” she whispered.
“Yes,” Helena whispered and pressed her lips against Helen’s soft skin.
Helen sighed. Helena’s touch still made her skin tingle. She slowly disentangled herself from Helena and stood. She looked down at her and noticed the smirk on Helena’s lips. “We were good for each other at one point Helena, but we both know that what’s in the past needs to stay in the past. Our lives, even though starting out parallel, have gone in different directions. I am not the one for you anymore.”
Helena looked sadly at her. “We could be good for each other again.”
Helen gently cupped her cheek. “I’m not the one your heart craves. I’m sorry Helena, but I cannot be someone else’s’ substitute. It would tear my soul apart.”
“I’m sorry Helen,” Helena whispered.
Myka silently watched Helena on her computer screen. She was dreaming, clutching a pillow close to her. Myka she mumbled in her sleep.
Myka felt her heart go out to her, but instantly shoved the feeling away. Helena’s betrayal was still too fresh to be able to allow herself the comfort of knowing that her lover still needed her. The scene changed. Helena was talking to Helen in the living room. The camera zoomed in on her face, and Myka could see the anger in her eyes. She gasped. Then the moment was gone and Helena hung her head defeated. She watched as Helen held her, gently caressing her hair. A sharp stab of jealousy surfaced and she bristled at the sight of Helen’s intimate caress. She sighed frustrated with herself. She was just about to turn off the DVD when the scene changed. Her eyes grew wide. It was Helena in the shower. Naked, with water cascading down her beautiful body. Myka squirmed in her seat as her body reacted to the scene.
“She’s stunning,” Helen said softly behind her. Myka’s ears burned. She felt like she was caught red handed watching something she shouldn’t.
“She is,” she whispered and looked up at Helen.
“You’re still attracted to her. Good,” Helen said with a nod of her head.
“Do you really have to do that?” Myka asked softly and gestured to the frozen picture of Helena now wrapped in a towel.
“Do what?”
“Invade her privacy like that?”
“Darling, I’m the only one who has access to this camera,” she explained. She pulled a small device out of her pocket. “This will alert me every time she enters the bathroom. It’s for her own protection.”
Myka nodded in understanding. “It’s just painful to watch,” she said softly.
“Trust me, Helena is not bothered about it.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“So how do you feel this morning?” Helen said cheerfully, steering the conversation away from Helena for a moment.
“All right I guess,” Myka mumbled. “It was hard to watch that DVD,” she confessed.
“So what’s your conclusion?”
“You were right. I have to learn to deal with the darkness in her.”
“And?”
Myka jumped to her feet, agitated. “and nothing!” She turned to Helen. “What do you want me to say? That I forgive her? I don’t know if I’m ready to do that yet.”
“How about forgiving yourself?” Helen asked gently.
Myka turned and stared at her. “Not that either. How could I? I almost destroyed the world.”
Helen shook her head. “No you didn’t. Helena almost did, but you didn’t. You saved it. You saved her.”
Myka sank down in her chair again with a sigh of frustration.
“I don’t know anymore Helen.”
Helen could feel her confusion. “Come have dinner with us tonight?” she said softly.
“I can’t,” Myka whispered.
“Oh come on now, sure you can. It’s just dinner.”
Myka walked over to the window and looked out at the city below. “Does she want me there?”
“It’s not her decision really, but yes she does.”
Myka hung her head. “Okay.”
“Excellent. I’ll be by around seven.”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5