Untitled

Rating: M (eventually)

Summary: Myka is in the hospital, Claudia is facing off with Paracelsus, Mrs. Frederick is no longer the caretaker and things are generally pretty screwed. Post-season 4 continuation.

Notes: This is my very first fanfic, and I'm a bit nervous about it, so please bear with me through any bumps in the road. I don't own these characters, obviously. This story picks up right where "The Truth Hurts" ended. Also, I cannot for the life of me figure out a good title, so I'm open to suggestions. Any and all feedback is very appreciated. Thanks!

Chapter one

Steve, Mrs. Frederick, Artie and Pete stood gaping at the warehouse for a few seconds longer, all of their brains struggling to catch up with the events of the past few minutes.

"Come on," Steve was the first to move, turning toward the SUV, "we need to figure out a plan now. We have to help Claud." He and Artie moved slowly to support the weakened Mrs. Frederick.

"Wait. I-" Pete started and stopped.

"Pete. We don't have time for this," Artie called over his shoulder.

"No," Pete responded firmly, striding up next to them, "I- It's Myka. I have to check on her." Steve and Artie glanced at him with confusion, reaching the car. Mrs. Frederick took a deep breath, leaning on the side of the SUV, and steadily replied, "I've taken care of it."

"What do you mean? She's ok? What do you know?" Pete rattled off eager questions in rapid succession.

"Peter, we will continue this conversation in the car."

"No!" Pete snapped, his brown eyes a study in pain.

"Pete, what's going on?" Steve asked, placing a hand on his shoulder, "We don't really have time for this."

"No-" Pete started, backing away.

"Get in the car now, Agent Lattimer," Mrs. Frederick said evenly, "and allow me to explain. I believe Ms. Donovan would appreciate our haste." The mention of Claudia brought Pete's guilt to the forefront of his mind. Clenching his jaw, he nodded curtly and walked to the other side of the car.

"Would anyone care to explain to me exactly what is going on?" Artie asked gruffly, looking between Pete and Mrs. Frederick in the back seat as Steve turned the engine over and threw the SUV into reverse. The former caretaker caught Pete's eye before responding.

"Agent Bering is at the hospital, Arthur, and Agent Lattimer is worried."

"The hospital?" Artie spat, "That was her, her, thing? Pete, you knew about this?"

"Arthur," Mrs. Frederick said sternly as the SUV flew down the dirt road, "Peter is not the issue here."

"Well, what is the issue?" Artie's voice was raised with worry.

"Cancer," Pete whispered, his head down, "Mykes has cancer." Mrs. Frederick softened, while Artie looked as though he'd been struck.

"Cancer," Artie repeated breathlessly. Steve shook his head from the driver's seat and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"Myka has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer," Irene explained somberly, "She is presently in surgery at the hospital."

"Myka," Artie breathed, looking lost, "why didn't she tell me?"

"She only just told me," Pete told him dejectedly, "I think- Artie, she's really scared." Artie took a breath to steady himself and turned to Irene.

"And you knew?"

"Yes," Mrs. Frederick paused and pursed her lips. "And while I'm sure Agent Bering appreciates all of your concern, I think it is safe to say that she would put Claudia's well being above her own at this juncture. I assure you all that Myka is being taken care of." Pete shook his head.

"I should be there," he half-choked.

"Pete," Steve's voice was steady from the front seat, even as the SUV hit a particularly deep pothole. Their eyes met in the rear view mirror, "I know you're worried, but Claudia needs you right now. She needs all of us." Pete took a shaky breath and nodded.

"Peter, Agent Bering will not be alone when she awakens," Mrs. Frederick added quietly. Pete's head whipped over to look at her.

"Who?" he asked, "My mom?"

"I have no doubt that your mother is also on her way," Irene told him and then paused, looking down at her lap. "but I took the liberty of calling Ms. Wells."

"You called H.G.?!" Pete snapped.

"Agent Lattimer, watch your tone," Mrs. Frederick told him evenly.

"You had no right," Pete added, lowering his voice somewhat.

"Pete," Artie interjected warily.

"No, Artie," Pete pointed at the woman to his right, "she shouldn't have done that. Myka wouldn't have wanted that!" His face was turning red.

"Hey!" Steve yelled as he took a turn a little too quickly, "Listen- I'm worried about Myka too, Pete, but Claudia is trapped in the warehouse with a mad man. We can't help Myka right now, but we can help Claud. Which is exactly what we're going to do." The car pulled to a stop outside the B&B. "Is everyone clear on that?" Steve turned to look at the rest of his team.

"Of course, Steve," Artie told him solemnly as both Mrs. Frederick and Pete nodded, "we all want to help her."

"Good," he replied, pulling the keys from the ignition, "Let's get to work."

/

Paracelsus smirked as he took in the sight of the young woman standing opposite him. Such a serious face, he mused, thinking she quite looked like a little girl playing dress up. This would be great fun.

"Well, well, well, what have we here," he purred.

"Hiya, Parry," Claudia grinned, "I figured you could use some company."

"Did you now? How thoughtful."

"That's me," she replied, holding her arms out, "always thinking of others."

"You do realize I could kill you where you stand," Paracelsus tilted his head in amusement.

"I really do," Claudia nodded, "but I'm thinking there's a reason you haven't yet."

"Is there?" Paracelsus feigned ignorance.

"Yup, I'm thinkin' you can sense some serious power from me," Claudia told him, "And that gets your oh so curious and scientific mind all hot and bothered. Am I close?" Paracelsus opened his mouth to respond, but Claudia didn't give him the opportunity.

"I'm also thinkin' you have no idea about the conversation I just had," her previously carefree manner turned menacing, "so you don't know how much anger and hate I have swirling around in my head right now. Which means you definitely don't know that I could be the best ally you have ever had. But, Parry, I'm all about educating the uninformed."

/

"Myka Bering's room, please," H.G. Wells' normally melodic accented voice was tight as she rested her forearms on the nurses station. The nurse, who looked too young for Helena's liking, gave a little nod and turned to her computer screen. After a moment, her eyes flicked back up to H.G.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," she began, "that's not supposed to be public information." Helena sighed raggedly and dug her wallet out of her bag.

"Emily Lake," she responded curtly, slapping her ID down on the counter, "I don't believe I fall under the category of public." Helena's face was gently twisted with disdain. After consulting her computer once more, the nurse's eyebrows shot up.

"My apologies, Ms. Lake-" she began.

"It's quite alright," Helena interrupted as she put her wallet away.

"Ms. Bering is in room 408. Do you want me to find you an escort?" the nurse stood and looked around the hall.

"That won't be necessary," H.G. gave a tight smile, "I should think I'm capable of finding it." The young nurse nodded earnestly. She was a bit in awe of this elegant woman with the mysterious security clearing.

Helena turned to her left and began wheeling her suitcase down the hall behind her.

"Ms. Lake!" the nurse called out to her.

"Hmm?" she paused and looked over her shoulder.

"Um, sorry ma'am, but it's actually that way," the young woman pointed in the opposite direction. Helena sighed.

"Right," she gave a tired smile and turned around, "of course."

"The elevator is just around the corner to the left," the nurse directed her timidly. H.G. paused.

"Thank you," she said without looking up. "Sincerely, I do mean that. I must apologize for my rude behavior, nurse...?"

"Susie," the woman supplied, "everyone just calls me Nurse Susie."

"Have a good evening, Susie," Helena briefly met her eyes and then continued on down the hall.