Somebody's Crying

Category: Angst/Romance/Drama

Pairing: primarily Helen/Will but also features some Helen/Nikola & Will/OC

Summary: Tensions rise as Will pursues a social life outside the Sanctuary and Magnus struggles to adjust, seeking comfort from an unlikely source.

Warnings: Rated for sexual content & language.

Disclaimer: Own nadda, zip & zilch.

Authors Notes: After weeks of drafting a longer story, here it is the first chapter finito!

Will sipped his coffee, basking in the autumn sun as he flipped through the sport section of the paper. It was the first Sunday he'd had off in weeks and rather than spend it indoors, he'd opted for breakfast at his favourite cafe in the city.

The place, located not far from the main street, was a quaint little pastry shop offering a selection of rich croissants, eclairs, cakes and indulgences. On a warm morning he liked to sit outside and watch the people bustle by, occasionally distracted by the odd outfit or handbag pet that had taken fashion this season... and that's exactly where he'd found himself today, relieved to be away from the hectic goings on back at the Sanctuary.

In fact, the break was well overdue.

Not that he didn't love his job, for the most part he enjoyed the excitement but tensions had started to mount over the last few days. Little things were beginning to grate against his nerves; Kate's uncleanliness around the place, Henry's endless spiels of useless technical information and then of course there was Magnus.

They had been nitpicking at each other all week, ever since he'd forgotten to organise a pick-up for an abnormal in Beijing.

The creature, otherwise known as a Gangerouse, needed a special contaminant chamber made out of titanium to house it and when the animal had arrived in Beijing sans the unique metal, Ark-Fong Li had been less than impressed, needing to keep the animal in transit for an extra three days. Not the end of the word but still enough to get Magnus on his bad side.

He sighed, pushing the incident out of his mind. It would all still be there to face when he got home and he was determined not to let the slip up ruin his morning.

Turning back to the paper he raised his coffee preparing to take a sip when his elbow was knocked roughly, sending the hot liquid slashing down over the cricket scores. He immediately went for the metal box of napkins that sat as a centrepiece on the table but was surprised when a hand shot out beating him to it.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!"

He glanced up at the apologetic brunette who was blushing furiously as she attempted to mop up the mess, "I'm such a clutz, honestly I'm sure I do this to someone on a weekly basis."

His lips curved into a polite smile,"it's only the cricket-" he motioned to the dry page opposite, "now if it had been the football, we might have had a problem."

She relaxed slightly, leaning over him to reach for more napkins and he used the opportunity to let his eyes skim down her body. Though she was slim the red sweater she wore accentuated her curves and the skirt -whilst still being modest- showed off a long expansion of leg.

All in all, he mused... very attractive.

"I'm Isabel."

She straightened interrupting his thoughts with an extend arm, to which he returned the gesture, "Will." They shook hands and he couldn't help but notice the watch peeking out from her sleeve. It was a simple design, very eloquent and reminded him of immediately of Magnus but there was another reason it grabbed his attention.

"You realise your watch has stopped?" He commented, noticing the time read eight o'clock which put it nearly two hours behind.

"Yes, I'm running late... why I was in so much of a rush-" the ball of wet tissues landed on the table as she once again flustered, diving into her clutch and fishing out her mobile. With a sheepish smile she glanced back down at him, "I've really got to go but I feel awful, perhaps I could buy you another coffee sometime?"

He went to decline the offer but hesitated.

Why shouldn't he accept?

It's not like he had a line of beautiful women queuing up at the door to date him and she seemed like a genuinely nice person. Throwing her another smile he decided to take the risk, "sure, why not?"

She handed him her phone and he entered his number, immediately dismissing the feeling that it was a bad idea. Having a life outside the Sanctuary was hard but not impossible and maybe getting out a bit more would do him good. In the very least it might lessen his frustrations so they didn't surmount to the week from hell.

Saving his name, he handed the cell back catching her gaze, "it was nice to meet you Isabel."

"Likewise Will." She grinned, readjusting the strap of her clutch and fitting the object neatly into her bag, "hopefully I'll see you again soon."

He nodded watching her scurry off into the frenzy of people before returning to his soiled paper. Definitely worth the sacrifice, he thought, noticing for the first time his team had actually won a match. After an unpropitious losing streak maybe their luck -and his- was finally turning around.

oo

oo

"The expense report you asked for-" Nikola tossed the file on Magnus' desk, not at all surprised by her less than enthused response. She'd been in a detestable mood all week and today was no exception with her eyes barely lifting over the open laptop to regard him with a look of contempt.

Enough was enough.

Planting his hands firmly on the oak wood he ran his tongue lightly over his teeth subconsciously missing the sharp points. "In case you missed it," he snipped sarcastically, "this is one of those times where a little gratitude would go a long way."

"Please..." Her fingers danced across the keyboard in frustration, "you are a guest in my home and the resources you've squandered come at an expense."

She didn't regret the terse response, hoping it would deter him for staying or in the very least keep him quiet. She'd fallen behind schedule hours ago and his childish antics were only hindering her efforts to make up the lost time.

"The expense being you turn into a-"

"Nikola," she gave an exasperated sigh and rather than follow through with the insult he opted for a different tactic.

"Where's young William today?" His hands left the desk and he straightened, suspecting the sole reason for her sour mood had everything to do with the palpable tension that had recently formed between the two of them. "I haven't seen him pathetically lapping the halls all morning."

The comment caught her attention and she shifted her full gaze away from the luminescent screen to scowl at the continued disruption, "what Will chooses to do in his free time is his own business, a sentiment I encourage you to share."

"Helen-" her name rolled out beneath a warning tone, "this childish behaviour is starting to become insufferable. Either the two of you start playing nice or I'll be forced to intervene."

She pulled her lips together tightly, hoping it wasn't too late to claim ignorance. Though she and Will weren't exactly on the best of terms -reasons for which still alluded her- she hadn't realised just how much the tension had extended beyond their interactions. If Nikola had noticed then it was safe to assume he wasn't the only one and she let her features soften, wanting to douse the flames before they spread further.

"Perhaps I have been a little short of late and for that I apologise..." her hand retracted to the side of her temple, rubbing the spot in earnest, "but I assure you it has less to with Will and more to do with an abundance of administrative duties."

It wasn't a complete lie. The brunt of her and Will's differences had come to a head because his mistake had come at a costly time, right on top of annual reviews. There were already far too many of the opinion that the Sanctuary needed further restrictions and convincing them otherwise was a never ending task.

"This," she continued, waving tiredly at the laptop, "is a revised restriction agreement pertaining to local law enforcement. If you really wish to help I would gladly have you take a look..."

Nikola flinched at the idea, moving back from to desk with an indignant snort, "I hardly think that falls under my area of expertise."

"No-" she agreed, "I suspected as much."

The dismissal indicated the conversation over and Nikola relented, exiting ahead of the awkward silence that was sure to follow. Magnus on the other hand felt a wave of relief as the door clicked shut and took a moments reprieve from typing to stretch her aching joints.

It hurt, more than it ought to and she stood wandering over to the stream of light that pushed through the heavily drawn curtains. The weather outside looked beautiful and she sincerely hoped Will was making the most of it, wincing at the guilt that flared up from the thought of him.

Her attitude really had been inflicted unfairly of late.

People made mistakes, it wasn't uncommon or to be unexpected and if she were honest there was another reason to explain her rash behaviour, one she'd been desperately trying to avoid.

She was becoming too emotionally attached to him.

The thought had been fuelling her frustration, goading her into pushing him away and it was only now she could see just how selfish those motives were. He deserved more, an apology at least and with a strained sigh she resolved to mend the tension between them upon on his arrival.