AN: This is going to be a series of unchronological unrelated one shots all based loosely around Tesla's comment. Set between The Five and Revelations, slight spoilers for the former. Unbeta'd, but I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Sadly they're not mine.

"I've often wondered what this moment would be like. Me … you tied up. It's a shame you brought the children."

The Reason

They were trapped. That much they were sure of: the who, the how and the what-the-fuck-for, not so much. So they stayed where they were; not that they had much choice in the matter.

The concrete door opened slowly, throwing the harsh yellow light from the compound on the cell's two occupants. A figure in clichéd black clothing paused in the doorway, a tray in one hand. With its free one, it typed something on what was probably a keypad. There must have been a time-delay on the lock, for the figure had time to raise sinister looking gun straight at Dr. Helen Magnus' head before the shield lowered. The figure turned to face Nikola Tesla – the room's only other occupant.

"You move," it stated calmly. "She dies." Its tone left no room for argument.

Nikola sighed. These people knew him too well for his liking. He would never let Helen any harm come to Helen if he could prevent it.

The figure slowly lowered the tray to the floor, gun never wavering, before backing out of the door again. Using his free hand to raise the shield that prevented their escape once again, he kept his firearm trained on Helen until the shield had rippled back into place around the room.

"Damn." Said the ever-effluent Mr. Tesla, as the door shut once more, leaving only the one light bulb for them to see by.

Helen turned to him, eyebrows raised in question. "You could have escaped." She stated calmly.

Nikola froze.

Helen persisted. "You could have let them shoot me and escape."

Nikola sighed. Obviously whoever had captured them knew him better than Helen did, a thought which disturbed him a lot.

"But I didn't." he replied, carefully avoiding the real question.

"But you didn't." agreed Helen, the smile evident even in her voice, although it was hard to see in the sparse light. She was more than aware of the reason why, but wanted to see the vampire sweat a bit: if vampires did sweat that is.

In any case, Nikola was getting flustered. He got up, and quickly marched towards the opposite wall. He pushed his hand against the shield that surrounded them once more, watching it flare with colour at his touch. He prodded along its length, testing it again and again for any give. It remained stubbornly uncooperative; if anything it repelled his movements.

"Why?" Helen kept pushing Nikola for an answer, mimicking his movements on the wall with her questions.

Nikola was annoyed. Helen was playing with him now and he knew it. So, like the shield, he didn't give in.

Helen could tell she wasn't going to get a reaction like this. Suddenly she got up from her place against the back wall, and stepped slowly closer to her friend.

Nikola tensed, hearing her light footsteps coming nearer. "I've already told you why Helen."

Helen stopped briefly before continuing to pad closer.

"And then you tried to kill me."

Nikola froze again, biting his lip in contemplation.

"But I didn't."

"You tried to-" They both heard the catch in Helen's voice as she spoke. "You tried to." She reaffirmed; her voice steady this time.

Nikola span around to face her. "No Helen." he declared, deciding enough was enough. "I threatened to. I would never have actually…" he sighed as he trailed off. "I'm sorry for what I did."

Helen was taken aback by the sincerity in his eyes, and nodded briefly, too shocked to speak.

They were only about a foot away now, Helen's steps and Nikola's sudden change in direction having brought them closer that either had realised. Both could feel the awkward silence that was fast approaching.

Helen quickly turned away and leant her back against the wall. She closed her eyes and breathed out sharply. "Our rescue party should be here within the hour."

"Damn." A voice much too close to her face swore. Helen's eyes snapped opened to find Nikola's face about ten inches from her own. During the mere seconds she'd had her eyes shut he had positioned himself in front of her, palms on either side of her shoulders.

Helen started back, hitting her head on the wall behind. She flinched.

Nikola continued talking, the smile that had been absent from his lips since their capture once more in pride of place. "After all, you, me, alone together in a locked room…" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "An hour's an awfully short amount of time…"

***

Fifty minutes later, Ashley, Will and Henry lowered the shield to the cell, and opened the door. They paused on the threshold, eyebrows raised in surprise.

Nikola Tesla was sat in the furthest, darkest corner of the cell, eyes downcast and looking very sorry for himself. Dr. Helen Magnus meanwhile, was leant nonchalantly against the adjacent wall, eyes perusing the small book in her hands.

Upon hearing the door open, she looked up, while Nikola stayed still.

"Ah," said Helen. "It's about time." She swiftly tucked the little book away in a handy pocket, before making her way over to the door. "I assume you apprehended everyone?"

"Yeah, course Magnus." Will replied. "We trashed their tech as well."

"Excellent. In that case, let's get going then." Helen turned to face the creature still huddled in the corner. "Come along now Nikola. Stop moping, it doesn't suit you." The man in question remained motionless. Helen gave an exasperated yet fond sigh, before striding swiftly from the room, Henry and Will hot on her heels.

Ashley remained in the doorway, watching as the vampire got up and tried to recover his composure. He brushed down his suit jacket and made his way purposely towards Ashley and the door.

As he approached, the light from the doorway finally illuminated his face. Ashley gasped as she made out the still angry red mark on his cheek.

Nikola growled as he caught her staring. "What?"

"Man..." breathed Ashley. "What happened?"

Nikola glared at her as he continued his way through the door, brushing past her in the process. Just when Ashley had given up all hope of an answer, he spoke to her over his shoulder.

"Your mum slaps hard."

Ashley had to refrain from laughing on the way back to the van, and from the looks on the others faces when she got there, she wasn't the only one.

~Fin