FIC: "Ascension at Dusk," Helen/Nikola/HG Wells (Sanctuary/WH13), NC17
Title: Ascension at Dusk
Author: geonncannon
Fandom: Sanctuary/Warehouse 13
Pairing: Helen Magnus/Nikola Tesla/Helena G Wells
Word Count: 2631
Category: PWP, pre-series, crossover
Spoilers: None for either show
Disclaimer: None of them belong to me! One belongs to one show, one belongs to another, and one belongs to both shows (and history).
Rating: NC17
Author's Notes: Written for fangirljen in the Alphameme.
Summary: Nikola introduces Helen to a new acquaintance at the 1893 World Fair.
Helen would only admit it to her closest confidantes, and even then only if it was absolutely necessary. Since taking the Source blood, since accepting her father's invitation to work at the Sanctuary full-time, she had seen countless nightmares come to life. She had been cornered by an Abnormal with a defense mechanism that caused violent hallucinations. And yet the thing that terrified her the most was the thing that children routinely overcame with little to no trouble. She held the two coins in her cupped palm, feeling the weight of them through her glove, and lifted her chin to look at the massive steel machine rising into the Illinois sky.
Nikola brushed past her, hooking his hand in the crook of her elbow as he guided her forward. "Come along, Helen. It wouldn't do to make everyone wait on us."
Helen reluctantly allowed herself to be led through the door, onto the car of the Ferris Wheel. Nikola had paid for them both, so Helen finally returned the coins to her purse and tucked it into a discreet pocket on her dress. She paused in the doorway and examined the interior of the car. It was incredibly spacious, with room for sixty passengers she had been told. Three dozen plush seats provided places to sit and watch the world shrink away.
There was a guard posted near the door, and Nikola pulled away from Helen to speak softly to the man. When he was done, the man tipped his finger off the brim of his cap and stepped out of the car. "Nikola," she said, putting as much warning into her voice as she could manage.
"Relax," Nikola said with that disarming smile. "It's all to enhance the enjoyment of the spectacle. Now, if we could just... ah." He motioned to someone through the doorway, and Helen stepped out of the way as a brunette woman entered the car.
The woman looked at Helen, and then at Nikola, and said, "My apologies. I wasn't aware you were holding a spot for me and I was waiting in the queue."
"An apology is unnecessary," Nikola said. "Helen Magnus, may I introduce you to H.G. Wells."
Helen couldn't hide her surprise. "H.G. Wells?"
"Helena, actually." She extended a gloved hand, smiling at Helen's surprise. "Sometimes it's necessary to have a male image on a product to make it viable in the marketplace."
"I've come across the same thing from time to time," Helen said. "However it can work to our benefit when men refuse to take us seriously."
H.G. raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Quite true. I tend to prefer Helena, but I suppose we should stick with H.G. lest poor Nikola become confused."
Nikola closed the door to the car and secured it with a bolt. "Please. This is me we're talking about. It would take more than a similarity in name for me to confuse you two lovely ladies." He smiled behind his mustache, slipping the key into his pocket as he took H.G.'s hand in his own. He kissed the knuckles and then hooked his free hand around Helen's arm to guide her toward the large windows on the eastern side of the car.
Helen reluctantly let herself be led, and rested her hands on the brass railing. She could see the wires in the glass to prevent their breakage, either accidental or on purpose. "Relax," Nikola said. He was one of the few people who knew of her distaste of heights. She took a steadying breath as Nikola slipped his hand away from her arm.
It was dusk, and shadows stretched long from the buildings on the Midway. This was why they had come, why Nikola had bribed the attendant to give them a few extra minutes at the apex of their ride. They stopped every minute or two, allowing passengers to board other cars. Helen turned to look at the large, empty car behind them and wondered how many people they were depriving of this view. Through the opposite windows, she saw the huge metal spires that made up the interior of the Ferris Wheel, the axel that spun them like rigid strands of a massive spider's web. The sight was nauseating, so she turned back to the landscape before her.
"I met H.G. earlier in the Exposition," Nikola explained. "We spoke of many things. Her books and our... endeavors." He was standing behind her now, hands on her hips as she rested her hands on the railing. Helen watched the way his fingers tensed, noting the intimate way he was holding H.G.. She was certain they'd done more than speak, and she turned away before he could notice the flush of jealousy in her cheeks.
"You told her of the Sanctuary?"
"It came up," Nikola said. "But she was far more interested in the... other establishment."
"Warehouse 12, I believe he called it," H.G. said.
Helen barely managed to contain her snort of derision. "The storage house?"
"That storage house predates your Sanctuary by a millennium," Nikola said without rancor. "Show some respect."
Helen rolled her eyes. The less she thought about the Warehouse the better. Dangerous artifacts kept on dusty shelves and watched over by the most peculiar guardians Helen had ever run across. "I'm sure they would be fortunate to have you," Helen said diplomatically.
"I haven't agreed yet," H.G. said. "Mr. Tesla seems determined to convince me, however. I may hold off answering him just to see how far his seduction goes."
"Oh, I believe I could answer that for you without trouble." She eyed Nikola, and he smiled at her. He was standing scandalously close to H.G. now, their hips nearly touching. Her dark hair brushed his cheek, and he closed his eyes as he inhaled. Helen looked away, again to hide a flush, but this was one of desire. "And why, pray tell, was my presence necessary?"
"It's simple. You've consumed yourself with work since the unfortunate events in Whitechapel. It's bordering on obsession. And, my dear Helen, when Nikola Tesla fears you're becoming too engrossed in your work, it is time for a rescue."
Helen had to admit he had a point. She had barely noted the passage of time since discovering what John... had done. What he was. Who he was.
They were at the halfway mark on the ride now, at the nine o'clock position on the wheel. To Helen's surprise, the car barely swayed beneath their feet. The height was dizzying, but she could cope with it. For the time being, anyway. She curled her fingers around the railing and looked down at the people on the Midway. The sun continued its descent behind them, and the Exposition grounds grew ever darker.
"And now the magic," Nikola whispered.
The lights came on.
Strings of bulbs flickered to life as if cued by Nikola's words. Small orbs of white light, swaying gently on the breeze. It was as if the stars had been lowered to light the pavilion. The glow was gentle, not intrusive at all, and Helen imagined she could hear the gasps and wonder of the people below as the bulbs started to glow. Spotlights shone on the more important buildings, and searchlights began to sweep across the sky. It was like the entire Exposition was nothing more than stage setting in the theatre, and they were standing upon the edge of the balcony looking down.
"Oh. Nikola," Helen managed. "It's..." She turned and felt a gasp die in her throat for the second time. H.G. had turned her head and was kissing Nikola's lips. Helen's cheeks burned at the sight of their kiss and she lowered her eyes out of decorum. She saw that Nikola's hand had migrated to H.G.'s stomach, his long and slender fingers stroking her through her corset. "Nikola, please!"
He broke the kiss and turned to look at her. "Make no apology, Helena. You're far from the first to be aroused by the sight. The sight is, if I do say so myself, quite magnificent. People throughout history have been driven to passion by far less." He dropped his head to H.G.'s neck and kissed softly.
Helen looked away. The world considered Nikola Tesla to be asexual and celibate; if only they knew that he was simply careful with his dalliances.
"If we've overstepped our bounds," H.G. said, eyes closing as Nikola's lips and teeth played against her throat, "I-I must apologize."
Helen looked back at the empty car and understood Nikola's plan. They were at the top of the ride now, and had just begun the downward trip that would take them back to the ground level. Then would begin a nine-minute uninterrupted revolution of the ride. She estimated that they had thirteen minutes before they were forced to disembark. She stepped closer to the two of them and said, "If you intend to see this through, I suggest you get started."
Nikola raised an eyebrow and captured H.G.'s lips again. Helen watched with undisguised envy; it had been years since she had been touched like that. From the moment she suspected John's nocturnal activities, she'd refused to be with him. Her celibacy, unlike Nikola's, was authentic. Her interest with sex began and ended in John Druitt's arms. But when it came to being tempted, to fantasies and taking care of the few and far-between urges, Nikola Tesla consumed her totally.
She watched as he gathered H.G.'s dress in his hands, lifting them to expose her stockings. He stepped closer and let the gathered material be pinned between their waists. Helen placed her hand on the brass rail without thinking and inadvertently covered H.G.'s hand with her own. She started to pull away, but H.G. said, "Don't. It's all right." Helen replaced her hand and let her fingers slip between H.G.'s. She squeezed, and H.G. sighed as she pressed back against Nikola.
"Helen, perhaps you would be so kind as to lend a hand." Helen looked at Nikola, unsure of his intention until he took her hand and guided it under H.G.'s clothes. Her eyes widened.
"Nikola, no!"
"Sh," Nikola said. He guided her hand to the zipper of his trousers, and Helen blushed as she tugged it down. She could feel the bulge of him within, her fingertips brushing it as she opened his pants. She turned her hand and pressed her palm against the curve of H.G.'s rear end. She froze; she'd never touched a woman like this before, and she was reluctant to break the contact. H.G. said nothing, and Nikola moved his hand between their bodies to free his erection.
They were at the five o'clock position on the Wheel now. At six, the people on the platform, the guards and waiting passengers, would see what was happening within. Helen withdrew her hand, reluctantly, and moved to step behind Nikola. She rested her hands on his shoulders and tried to obscure their bodies with her own. She refused to look back, her ears burning from embarrassment as Nikola's hips began to move in an unmistakable rhythm.
The Ferris Wheel seemed to move so slowly, but they finally passed the boarding platform without furious attendants pounding on the glass. Helen moved to stand beside them again, and placed her hand on top of H.G.'s. Nikola put his arm around Helen's waist and pulled her even closer. Helen dipped her chin, sure that her face was beet red by this point, and she saw Nikola thrusting his hips against H.G.. H.G. was bent slightly forward, her back arched and her feet slightly apart. She was transfixed by the sight.
"I so love your curls," H.G. said suddenly, and Helen lifted her head. Her hair was curly, hanging in blonde ringlets on either side of her face. H.G. was looking at her, eyes half-closed in pleasure. Her teeth ran across her bottom lip as she twisted slightly. She reached for Helen, touching her cheek with a gloved hand before leaning toward her.
Helen, in her naivety, believed for some reason that H.G. had a secret to tell her. She turned her head slightly to present her ear, and was surprised to feel H.G.'s lips brush the corner of her mouth. She stifled a gasp and only Nikola's hand in the small of her back kept her from recoiling. Her lips parted in silent shock and she turned toward the glass to see if anyone had spied their scandalous buss. H.G. took the opportunity to kiss her fully, their lips meeting in Helen's first kiss in nearly five years. A kiss with a woman, a gentle kiss despite the other woman's obvious desire. And Helen couldn't resist how utterly good it felt, despite the situation and her partner's gender.
She kissed H.G. back, eyes open and her lips trembling as H.G.'s tongue flicked against them. Helen felt warm lips on her throat and was reminded of Nikola's presence. She broke the kiss but H.G. didn't pull away. She pressed their cheeks together and Helen closed her eyes and put her arms around H.G. to embrace her. Nikola was thrusting harder now, moving H.G. against the railing.
"Please," H.G. said. "Please, now, please, please..."
Nikola cried out, his teeth bared in a strained groan. He tightened his hand in the small of Helen's back, his other fingers digging into H.G.'s waist as he pulled her against him. H.G. leaned back, her head on Nikola's shoulder, and gasped quietly through her orgasm. Nikola finally leaned forward and rested his head on H.G.'s shoulder. H.G. reached up and stroked Helen's cheek. Her glove felt cool against Helen's blush, and she turned her head into the caress.
Nikola looked into the depths of the Ferris Wheel and then calculated the distance to the ground as he withdrew from between H.G.'s legs. "I'm sorry, Helen... it was never my intention to leave you out of the festivities."
"The night is young, Mr. Tesla," H.G. said, fanning herself with her free hand. Helen noticed her skin was flush from her climax.
"Indeed it is, but the demands on my time are quite restricting, I'm afraid." He produced a handkerchief from his coat pocket and dropped to one knee. He put his hands under H.G.'s dress and she gasped as he cleaned her. She rested against the railing and Helen stared at H.G.'s face, watching her expressions. She bit her bottom lip.
"Perhaps another time," Nikola said. He folded the now-soiled handkerchief and placed it in his coat pocket as he stood.
"I get the impression it has been quite a long time for our dear Helen," H.G. said. "It would be cruel to make her wait."
"I agree," Nikola said. He put his arms around H.G.'s waist and looked at Helen. "Unfortunately, I must meet with organizers about my phosphorescent lamps. I simply cannot delay them any further, no matter how alluring the alternative might be."
H.G. reached up and stroked Nikola's cheek. "My dear, Mr. Tesla," she said. She kissed his lips chastely and pulled away from him. "Who invited you?"
They reached the platform as H.G. slipped her arm around Helen's. She undid the bolt and opened the door, allowing the attendant outside to help her back onto solid ground. She waved over her shoulder to Nikola, who remained in the car with a look of dumbfounded intrigue on his face. "Goodnight, Mr. Tesla," she called. "Thank you ever so much for the introduction."
Helen tightened her arm around H.G.'s, her smile growing almost of its own volition as they left the platform and started walking down the Midway. She had a feeling that she'd only scratched the surface of the wonders the Exposition held; she couldn't wait to see what else awaited her.
Author: geonncannon
Fandom: Sanctuary/Warehouse 13
Pairing: Helen Magnus/Nikola Tesla/Helena G Wells
Word Count: 2631
Category: PWP, pre-series, crossover
Spoilers: None for either show
Disclaimer: None of them belong to me! One belongs to one show, one belongs to another, and one belongs to both shows (and history).
Rating: NC17
Author's Notes: Written for fangirljen in the Alphameme.
Summary: Nikola introduces Helen to a new acquaintance at the 1893 World Fair.
Helen would only admit it to her closest confidantes, and even then only if it was absolutely necessary. Since taking the Source blood, since accepting her father's invitation to work at the Sanctuary full-time, she had seen countless nightmares come to life. She had been cornered by an Abnormal with a defense mechanism that caused violent hallucinations. And yet the thing that terrified her the most was the thing that children routinely overcame with little to no trouble. She held the two coins in her cupped palm, feeling the weight of them through her glove, and lifted her chin to look at the massive steel machine rising into the Illinois sky.
Nikola brushed past her, hooking his hand in the crook of her elbow as he guided her forward. "Come along, Helen. It wouldn't do to make everyone wait on us."
Helen reluctantly allowed herself to be led through the door, onto the car of the Ferris Wheel. Nikola had paid for them both, so Helen finally returned the coins to her purse and tucked it into a discreet pocket on her dress. She paused in the doorway and examined the interior of the car. It was incredibly spacious, with room for sixty passengers she had been told. Three dozen plush seats provided places to sit and watch the world shrink away.
There was a guard posted near the door, and Nikola pulled away from Helen to speak softly to the man. When he was done, the man tipped his finger off the brim of his cap and stepped out of the car. "Nikola," she said, putting as much warning into her voice as she could manage.
"Relax," Nikola said with that disarming smile. "It's all to enhance the enjoyment of the spectacle. Now, if we could just... ah." He motioned to someone through the doorway, and Helen stepped out of the way as a brunette woman entered the car.
The woman looked at Helen, and then at Nikola, and said, "My apologies. I wasn't aware you were holding a spot for me and I was waiting in the queue."
"An apology is unnecessary," Nikola said. "Helen Magnus, may I introduce you to H.G. Wells."
Helen couldn't hide her surprise. "H.G. Wells?"
"Helena, actually." She extended a gloved hand, smiling at Helen's surprise. "Sometimes it's necessary to have a male image on a product to make it viable in the marketplace."
"I've come across the same thing from time to time," Helen said. "However it can work to our benefit when men refuse to take us seriously."
H.G. raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Quite true. I tend to prefer Helena, but I suppose we should stick with H.G. lest poor Nikola become confused."
Nikola closed the door to the car and secured it with a bolt. "Please. This is me we're talking about. It would take more than a similarity in name for me to confuse you two lovely ladies." He smiled behind his mustache, slipping the key into his pocket as he took H.G.'s hand in his own. He kissed the knuckles and then hooked his free hand around Helen's arm to guide her toward the large windows on the eastern side of the car.
Helen reluctantly let herself be led, and rested her hands on the brass railing. She could see the wires in the glass to prevent their breakage, either accidental or on purpose. "Relax," Nikola said. He was one of the few people who knew of her distaste of heights. She took a steadying breath as Nikola slipped his hand away from her arm.
It was dusk, and shadows stretched long from the buildings on the Midway. This was why they had come, why Nikola had bribed the attendant to give them a few extra minutes at the apex of their ride. They stopped every minute or two, allowing passengers to board other cars. Helen turned to look at the large, empty car behind them and wondered how many people they were depriving of this view. Through the opposite windows, she saw the huge metal spires that made up the interior of the Ferris Wheel, the axel that spun them like rigid strands of a massive spider's web. The sight was nauseating, so she turned back to the landscape before her.
"I met H.G. earlier in the Exposition," Nikola explained. "We spoke of many things. Her books and our... endeavors." He was standing behind her now, hands on her hips as she rested her hands on the railing. Helen watched the way his fingers tensed, noting the intimate way he was holding H.G.. She was certain they'd done more than speak, and she turned away before he could notice the flush of jealousy in her cheeks.
"You told her of the Sanctuary?"
"It came up," Nikola said. "But she was far more interested in the... other establishment."
"Warehouse 12, I believe he called it," H.G. said.
Helen barely managed to contain her snort of derision. "The storage house?"
"That storage house predates your Sanctuary by a millennium," Nikola said without rancor. "Show some respect."
Helen rolled her eyes. The less she thought about the Warehouse the better. Dangerous artifacts kept on dusty shelves and watched over by the most peculiar guardians Helen had ever run across. "I'm sure they would be fortunate to have you," Helen said diplomatically.
"I haven't agreed yet," H.G. said. "Mr. Tesla seems determined to convince me, however. I may hold off answering him just to see how far his seduction goes."
"Oh, I believe I could answer that for you without trouble." She eyed Nikola, and he smiled at her. He was standing scandalously close to H.G. now, their hips nearly touching. Her dark hair brushed his cheek, and he closed his eyes as he inhaled. Helen looked away, again to hide a flush, but this was one of desire. "And why, pray tell, was my presence necessary?"
"It's simple. You've consumed yourself with work since the unfortunate events in Whitechapel. It's bordering on obsession. And, my dear Helen, when Nikola Tesla fears you're becoming too engrossed in your work, it is time for a rescue."
Helen had to admit he had a point. She had barely noted the passage of time since discovering what John... had done. What he was. Who he was.
They were at the halfway mark on the ride now, at the nine o'clock position on the wheel. To Helen's surprise, the car barely swayed beneath their feet. The height was dizzying, but she could cope with it. For the time being, anyway. She curled her fingers around the railing and looked down at the people on the Midway. The sun continued its descent behind them, and the Exposition grounds grew ever darker.
"And now the magic," Nikola whispered.
The lights came on.
Strings of bulbs flickered to life as if cued by Nikola's words. Small orbs of white light, swaying gently on the breeze. It was as if the stars had been lowered to light the pavilion. The glow was gentle, not intrusive at all, and Helen imagined she could hear the gasps and wonder of the people below as the bulbs started to glow. Spotlights shone on the more important buildings, and searchlights began to sweep across the sky. It was like the entire Exposition was nothing more than stage setting in the theatre, and they were standing upon the edge of the balcony looking down.
"Oh. Nikola," Helen managed. "It's..." She turned and felt a gasp die in her throat for the second time. H.G. had turned her head and was kissing Nikola's lips. Helen's cheeks burned at the sight of their kiss and she lowered her eyes out of decorum. She saw that Nikola's hand had migrated to H.G.'s stomach, his long and slender fingers stroking her through her corset. "Nikola, please!"
He broke the kiss and turned to look at her. "Make no apology, Helena. You're far from the first to be aroused by the sight. The sight is, if I do say so myself, quite magnificent. People throughout history have been driven to passion by far less." He dropped his head to H.G.'s neck and kissed softly.
Helen looked away. The world considered Nikola Tesla to be asexual and celibate; if only they knew that he was simply careful with his dalliances.
"If we've overstepped our bounds," H.G. said, eyes closing as Nikola's lips and teeth played against her throat, "I-I must apologize."
Helen looked back at the empty car and understood Nikola's plan. They were at the top of the ride now, and had just begun the downward trip that would take them back to the ground level. Then would begin a nine-minute uninterrupted revolution of the ride. She estimated that they had thirteen minutes before they were forced to disembark. She stepped closer to the two of them and said, "If you intend to see this through, I suggest you get started."
Nikola raised an eyebrow and captured H.G.'s lips again. Helen watched with undisguised envy; it had been years since she had been touched like that. From the moment she suspected John's nocturnal activities, she'd refused to be with him. Her celibacy, unlike Nikola's, was authentic. Her interest with sex began and ended in John Druitt's arms. But when it came to being tempted, to fantasies and taking care of the few and far-between urges, Nikola Tesla consumed her totally.
She watched as he gathered H.G.'s dress in his hands, lifting them to expose her stockings. He stepped closer and let the gathered material be pinned between their waists. Helen placed her hand on the brass rail without thinking and inadvertently covered H.G.'s hand with her own. She started to pull away, but H.G. said, "Don't. It's all right." Helen replaced her hand and let her fingers slip between H.G.'s. She squeezed, and H.G. sighed as she pressed back against Nikola.
"Helen, perhaps you would be so kind as to lend a hand." Helen looked at Nikola, unsure of his intention until he took her hand and guided it under H.G.'s clothes. Her eyes widened.
"Nikola, no!"
"Sh," Nikola said. He guided her hand to the zipper of his trousers, and Helen blushed as she tugged it down. She could feel the bulge of him within, her fingertips brushing it as she opened his pants. She turned her hand and pressed her palm against the curve of H.G.'s rear end. She froze; she'd never touched a woman like this before, and she was reluctant to break the contact. H.G. said nothing, and Nikola moved his hand between their bodies to free his erection.
They were at the five o'clock position on the Wheel now. At six, the people on the platform, the guards and waiting passengers, would see what was happening within. Helen withdrew her hand, reluctantly, and moved to step behind Nikola. She rested her hands on his shoulders and tried to obscure their bodies with her own. She refused to look back, her ears burning from embarrassment as Nikola's hips began to move in an unmistakable rhythm.
The Ferris Wheel seemed to move so slowly, but they finally passed the boarding platform without furious attendants pounding on the glass. Helen moved to stand beside them again, and placed her hand on top of H.G.'s. Nikola put his arm around Helen's waist and pulled her even closer. Helen dipped her chin, sure that her face was beet red by this point, and she saw Nikola thrusting his hips against H.G.. H.G. was bent slightly forward, her back arched and her feet slightly apart. She was transfixed by the sight.
"I so love your curls," H.G. said suddenly, and Helen lifted her head. Her hair was curly, hanging in blonde ringlets on either side of her face. H.G. was looking at her, eyes half-closed in pleasure. Her teeth ran across her bottom lip as she twisted slightly. She reached for Helen, touching her cheek with a gloved hand before leaning toward her.
Helen, in her naivety, believed for some reason that H.G. had a secret to tell her. She turned her head slightly to present her ear, and was surprised to feel H.G.'s lips brush the corner of her mouth. She stifled a gasp and only Nikola's hand in the small of her back kept her from recoiling. Her lips parted in silent shock and she turned toward the glass to see if anyone had spied their scandalous buss. H.G. took the opportunity to kiss her fully, their lips meeting in Helen's first kiss in nearly five years. A kiss with a woman, a gentle kiss despite the other woman's obvious desire. And Helen couldn't resist how utterly good it felt, despite the situation and her partner's gender.
She kissed H.G. back, eyes open and her lips trembling as H.G.'s tongue flicked against them. Helen felt warm lips on her throat and was reminded of Nikola's presence. She broke the kiss but H.G. didn't pull away. She pressed their cheeks together and Helen closed her eyes and put her arms around H.G. to embrace her. Nikola was thrusting harder now, moving H.G. against the railing.
"Please," H.G. said. "Please, now, please, please..."
Nikola cried out, his teeth bared in a strained groan. He tightened his hand in the small of Helen's back, his other fingers digging into H.G.'s waist as he pulled her against him. H.G. leaned back, her head on Nikola's shoulder, and gasped quietly through her orgasm. Nikola finally leaned forward and rested his head on H.G.'s shoulder. H.G. reached up and stroked Helen's cheek. Her glove felt cool against Helen's blush, and she turned her head into the caress.
Nikola looked into the depths of the Ferris Wheel and then calculated the distance to the ground as he withdrew from between H.G.'s legs. "I'm sorry, Helen... it was never my intention to leave you out of the festivities."
"The night is young, Mr. Tesla," H.G. said, fanning herself with her free hand. Helen noticed her skin was flush from her climax.
"Indeed it is, but the demands on my time are quite restricting, I'm afraid." He produced a handkerchief from his coat pocket and dropped to one knee. He put his hands under H.G.'s dress and she gasped as he cleaned her. She rested against the railing and Helen stared at H.G.'s face, watching her expressions. She bit her bottom lip.
"Perhaps another time," Nikola said. He folded the now-soiled handkerchief and placed it in his coat pocket as he stood.
"I get the impression it has been quite a long time for our dear Helen," H.G. said. "It would be cruel to make her wait."
"I agree," Nikola said. He put his arms around H.G.'s waist and looked at Helen. "Unfortunately, I must meet with organizers about my phosphorescent lamps. I simply cannot delay them any further, no matter how alluring the alternative might be."
H.G. reached up and stroked Nikola's cheek. "My dear, Mr. Tesla," she said. She kissed his lips chastely and pulled away from him. "Who invited you?"
They reached the platform as H.G. slipped her arm around Helen's. She undid the bolt and opened the door, allowing the attendant outside to help her back onto solid ground. She waved over her shoulder to Nikola, who remained in the car with a look of dumbfounded intrigue on his face. "Goodnight, Mr. Tesla," she called. "Thank you ever so much for the introduction."
Helen tightened her arm around H.G.'s, her smile growing almost of its own volition as they left the platform and started walking down the Midway. She had a feeling that she'd only scratched the surface of the wonders the Exposition held; she couldn't wait to see what else awaited her.