A/N: Apologies for not updating for a while, I had my graduation to prepare for and life became a little hectic! I got a 2:1 =) And now I can devote more time to my writing again, so updates will become much more frequent. I'm hoping to have this story completed before Season 4. As always, thanks for reading and let me know what you think if you have the time!

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Chapter 8

"Hey, I was hoping to find you."

Druitt pulled his attention away from the window sill to regard Will.

"Oh?"

"I was concerned."

"Concerned? For me?" he seemed amused.

Will moved to join him by the window, noticing now a photo of Helen and Nikola had been framed and set on display. He picked it up to give it a proper look. It must have been taken recently.

"It can't be easy. There's so much history between you guys." He started, setting the photo back down on the middle of the sill and straightening it out. "Tesla said you'd called a truce with him?"

John ground his teeth for a moment.

"Helen's always been the one between our friendship. She's been the problem all along." Will paid close attention to his expression and body language. Tesla had been right, there did seem to be contempt for her under the surface of his demeanour. "I've been blinded by her allure for too many years." He continued. "The only good thing to come from all of this is Ashley."

A genuine smile crept onto his face then. Will mentally stored away his obvious bitterness towards Helen, treading more carefully with his next question.

"And how about losing your ability to teleport? You still feeling… okay?"

John let out a laugh and glanced up at him.

"Are you asking if I've had any murderous impulses?"

"Well," Will shifted awkwardly. "Yeah."

John just chuckled again, and his gaze returned to the photo.

"Dr Zimmerman, do you ever think about things you're not supposed to? About things that you know aren't right?"

Will's expression softened.

"You still love her, don't you?"

"You haven't answered my question."

Will realised John wasn't about to admit it, but the bitterness must have stemmed from her choosing Tesla this time round.

He had no idea what was really going on in John's mind. If he had, John was sure the protégé wouldn't be standing quite so close.

"Yes, I do. I think everyone does… but the thing that defines us is whether or not we act on those thoughts."

"Since I became… me… again, I can't help thinking about the things I've done… in the past. I'm ashamed of them, and… they plague me. Images. Thoughts. Feelings." He hesitated, focusing on Helen and feeling an indescribable urge rush within him. "My dreams disturb me." He confessed.

"You wanna… talk about any of those things?"

He contemplated the offer for a moment. Perhaps he should speak to Will about this… but then he would no doubt report everything that was said to Helen, and he had no desire to rouse her suspicion.

He felt driven by a desire not to disappoint his daughter.

"No. There's nothing to talk about."

"Well, maybe you could talk to Magnus?"

John felt his heart start to race at the suggestion. He'd already said way too much to the ever observant young man.

"No mean's no, William; and that means I don't expect you to voice my concerns to Helen either. It's none of her business."

He turned quickly, forcing Will to follow after him.

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"You're a beautiful creature," Nikola whispered, snaking his leg between hers and wrapping both arms around her as he pressed his face into the side of her neck.

"I'm a creature, am I?"

She tilted her head to one side to give him more access.

"Oh, yes." She felt his teeth nipping her neck ever so gently, such an intimate gesture. She knew why he was so obsessed with this area. That she should trust him so fully, a vampire, to run his teeth over the sensitive skin. That she should trust him never to give into the temptation to sink them in; although she had often fantasised about him doing so. Just for a moment or two. "A very rare creature, a danger to any man it comes across."

She chuckled.

"Why a danger?"

"Because they all fall helplessly in love with her. And once a man is in love, there's really no hope for him at all."

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"Druitt, wait,"

"I have better things to be doing with my time." he snapped without even looking back.

"Look, if you don't want Magnus to know then that's fine, but at least talk to me about this?"

John could feel his anxiety levels increasing.

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm not going to do anything about it."

"I never said you were, but maybe I can help you come to terms with things? Help you deal with your past and concentrate on where you are now, and how things are better?"

John railed in his temper, slowing down and sighing as he turned to face Will again.

"I appreciate your concern, honestly." He tried to placate him. "But we're not of the same time, you and I, William. I've never had a psychologist on speed-dial and I never intend to. I shall deal with my feelings on my own, as I always have."

"At least agree to speak to me if you find that you can't?"

He hesitated, then gave a small nod.

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More soon =)