themusemanor | PSL - James Watson | Helen Magnus ---> We're glad for what we've got

It takes him a moment, to think it through the emotions playing over his face. He wants it really, wants to go out with her, a public appearance would do them good. But what if they saw it? That lingering feeling he swore was on his face when she wasn't looking but he looked at her.

He tried to hide the uncertainty at that idea, but he didn't say it, instead turning to give her a smile, squeezing her hand.

He was free in fact so he squeezed her hand as he spoke, "I would be happy to Helen." It was light, and he was almost afraid the affection on his face would come across as something more. He cared for her yes, but she didn't need to know how far, spending time with her was enough. Even if it was somehow misinterpreted as something else. "Though do they know you are bringing a guest?" Always the polite one of course.

Helen's warm smile returned as James gave his acceptance, relief washing over her face. She hadn't really been worried he would turn her down. More, she'd been worried that he would have something else to do and wouldn't be available. But he was and he'd accepted. She could be happy with that.

She wasn't sure what, exactly, she was seeing on his face, so she took it as friendship, a happiness to be included in her social life, and left the complications at the door. Her free hand moved towards their joined ones, gladly wrapping around them, and she turned to see him more fully.

"I asked them a while ago if it would be acceptable to bring a guest. They do not mind. It's supposed to be a celebration, after all." And a celebration meant people, lots of guests. What better time to bring a guest like James to brighten up her dull existence? At least he, she knew, could keep up with her.

He just was glad she didn't see it, and would take her conclusion as to the happiness as true. It was true enough really, he was rather thrilled with her inviting him into her social life. So he just muddled through the rest of his emotions for her, she didn't need him screwing this up really.

But her shifting got a slight pout out of him, very slight and he tried to hide it. He had been enjoying her being against him like she had, her shifting took her more away from him, further from him getting that comfort, well that affection if he was being honest. So he just smiled at her hands on his, shifting his arm from around her so his hand was back to resting on her shoulder for the moment.

"You've been planning this?" He asked, slight disbelief in his voice. She was planning on taking him with her how far in advance? But then it dawned on him. A celebration meant guests. And it was bad enough to think it a private party, minimal people there to see through him but at a celebration? Could he, just politely get sick before it now? Because he was rather certain things were obvious.

She'd had half a mind to return her head to his shoulder and might yet do so again, but for now she wanted to see his face, watch his expressions.

"I had wanted to ask you earlier," she admitted, dropping her gaze momentarily in shame, "but I never got a chance to. We had too many other things going on."

Her expression fell just a little bit as she thought back to everything that had happened. It was only a minute and then she pushed it all back, letting her smile return.

"Please, James. Don't look at me like that. If you would rather not go... we don't have to. I ought to, but I won't force you to. I realize I should have given you more notice and I'm sorry for that."

She would just hold in her disappointment, bottle it all up so no one, not even James, would be able to see it.

Which was really unfair as he was the observer, the deductive mind of their group not her. But for the moment he would just wait for it.

But at her dropping her gaze, her expression falling he had to shake his head. No, that was not why she should be disappointed really, and when he saw that smile he shook his head, smiling back. His disbelief was in the fact that she was asking him and had been planning to. It was a shock, really to him, that was all.

So he shook his head more and slid his hand back up to cup her cheek, "Helen, I was merely, shocked, that you would be planning so far in advance in asking me is all. I have nothing planned for tomorrow," and it wouldn't matter either, a chance to be with Helen was more important than anything else, even if he secretly was hoping no one else would see his affection or more for her in his eyes, on his face. "I will happily ta - escort you, myself."

He frowned slightly at the stumble but wiped it off of his face. One sounded as if they were a couple the other was more appropriate for what they were, friends. He had to remember that. Though he had said it with complete honesty, hiding his fear.

His reassurance brought a smile to her face, small though it was, and she tried to keep the relief from seeping into her eyes, but it was hard to do when he placed his hand against her cheek once more. She had half a mind to kiss him, but that was far too improper, completely unnecessary, for a simple talk in his study. That was a thing to be done behind closed doors, between two people with far less between them than Helen and James.

She noticed his slip, but didn't comment on it. That would just lead to more trouble and she knew it. So she just leaned her head ever so slightly against his hand, holding his other between both of hers.

"Why are you so shocked? You're the only person I know who would be interested in something like that."

And the only one of those who would take or escort her. Aside from her own father. James' presence would do wonders for her, especially considering how much time they'd spent together. John had been able to tell immediately when he'd cornered her in the study a few days ago. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, wondering who else knew, who else could tell. She'd have to keep it hidden better and resolved to do so.

A kiss would crack whatever hope James had of not showing his feelings to her openly. He did see the relief, tiny though it was, he was good at reading people, and silently cursed himself for making her worry that he wouldn't go. To make her worry she couldn't rely on him, even in these things (that were questionable if they would be enjoyable but still).

He was also glad she ignored his slip, as that was something he didn't need being brought up. With the way they were seated, well it wasn't hard to understand why he had made the slip though, as close as the two of them were.

"Because, I thought, you would have someone else you may be, interested in taking is all. There certainly are others."

It was again light, and he didn't judge. But he doubted it was true, it was just a way of hiding his shock at her asking him, when he was rather certain John would gut them both for this alone. And while she resolved to keep it hidden better he was just, almost resigning himself to having it on display, they were rather horrible at it.

"There are no others, James, you know that."

It was true. There was no one else in Helen's eyes. Just James, her friend, colleague. Only James saw her as more than just a woman and only James would treat her as a lady. Certainly, other men had come at times to attempt to court her over the years, but she'd turned them all flatly down and none had wanted to risk her father's ire by pressing her further. James, at least, was liked by Gregory, and so she had no worries about him.

It was just the two of them, as far as Helen was concerned: herself and James.

But if he wanted to cover up his surprise, she supposed she'd let him. She gave one last glance towards the door, just to be sure they weren't being spied on, before she returned her head to its position on his shoulder if he'd let her. She liked and needed the comfort that simple, and yet very complicated, act had provided.

Yes just James, friend, colleague, fellow member of The Five, hobby Latin speaker. Scientist, detective, doctor, part-time inventor. And of course, a bachelor. And according to most a perfect gentleman (because he did try). So then, why was Helen not the least bit concerned about how she was behaving with him? The only benefit to all of this was at least Gregory was out of the country so James was willing to indulge, for the moment, even if he was ready to regret this in the morning.

"Perhaps not, I thought, perhaps someone had caught your eye was all."

Again true enough, who was he to know what went on in her mind? But the two of them? That suited him just fine really.

And it was exactly why he didn't fight her resting on his shoulder, slipping his arm back around her shoulders at that act. It was complicated that one thing, but he was willing to live with it, if she was willing to as well. Because did he ever want this, whatever it was. At least it gave him hope, however confused it may also have made him.

"What time are we to leave?"

Part of the reason Helen even dared such an act at all was because she considered James to be a perfect gentleman. He wouldn't force her hand, would rather give her the time she needed, and she couldn't express how much that meant to her. Even so, when he commented on someone catching her eye, she opened her mouth to answer, to tell him that someone had caught her eye, but stopped. Time. Time was what she needed. If she went too fast with this, she feared ruining everything she had with him. If that happened, she didn't know what she'd do. So, instead, she lied, keeping her gaze on their joined hands.

"No. No one has."

A big lie, but one she hoped he wouldn't see through. She didn't want to hurt him, for him to see through her and imagine the worst. So she squeezed his hand in reassurance and comfort, hoping to distract them both.

"Five o'clock, if it suits you. We don't have to stay very long. Once we've spoken to the host and his daughter, we can return home." She would let James decide how much he felt like dealing with, how long they stayed. Helen would be content just to be with him. Time, in this sense, didn't matter at all to her.

No he wouldn't force her hand, and he would give her all the time she needed. It was why he hadn't said a word really, why he kept his thoughts to himself. But being a perfect gentleman had it's drawbacks, especially for a man like James whose emotions were hidden under only the best control he could muster on that day. And how this day was trying him! Especially with that lie, it almost felt like a punch in the gut. Almost. Except he had to remind himself that she didn't know so how could she tell him that?

"I see."

He did however duck his head down, shoulders slumped even as he looked at their hands. The distraction wasn't working for him, but he hoped it was for her, one of them deserved to be happy at this time.

"And no, if you wish to stay longer than we can, there is hardly any rush," he cleared his throat as he talked, finding it easier to talk about than their previous topic. As much as he battled his emotions, he wanted her happy there, time had little meaning to him so long as he was with her. That was the truth.

Something still wasn't right. Helen could feel the tension through his shoulders and lifted her head from its resting place a second time. Had he seen through her lie? Had he figured out she was lying to him? Maybe. Whatever was going through his mind, she had to fix it. She could tell him and still ask for time. Maybe that would be best.

She sighed, trying to decide if she wanted to force him to look at her or place her head back on his shoulder. Either way, her gaze was on his cheek for a moment before it dropped back to their joined hands. Part of her wanted to stand up, to take the space of the room to give herself comfort and strength to say what she needed to say, but another part of her didn't want him to think she was pulling away from him, that she didn't want to be there with him. His comfort had been doing a great deal for her and she didn't want to lose that. So, she stayed there, taking a deep breath so she could continue.

"Perhaps I wasn't being entirely truthful."

No he hadn't seen through her lie, in fact he was assuming it was right. It being right meant, well, it meant things. It meant he had been wrong, all of his emotions were all over the place, and the worst part about being wrong, was the fact that he stood no chance. If she had no feelings for him, no one of interest, it meant he was horribly far off base with her, in terms of what this all meant. That it meant they were just friends and he had to adjust accordingly, that any hope he may have had for something else was gone.

So he just kept her close, ignoring her head off his shoulder. If he could just, pretend this was innocent, just them comforting one another nothing more, than it would be for the best. His mind hadn't remained pure in that regard, but perhaps this was for the best. At least things, for her at least, were out in the open and he could live with it, but it would just take time. "You owe me no explanation Helen."

It was true she did not and he squeezed her shoulders some as he went on, "You do not have an interest in anyone, there is no need to fabricate one now on my account." And yes the pain had crept into his voice, the sadness, but he didn't continue on.

And suddenly, there it was. In the blink of an eye, she understood. The way he'd been acting, the tone of his voice, his word choice. Everything made sense now. Her eyes widened in surprise... and annoyance at herself. How could she have missed all of the signs? How could she have done this to him? Even if she wasn't sure she could handle another relationship soon soon, especially after John had threatened her so recently, but for James she would try.

"Dear God, James," she whispered, her hands tightening over his as she shook her head. "No. You're wrong. I don't have to fabricate an interest in anyone because..." She paused for breath, steadying herself as she looked into his eyes, bearing her true feelings for him to see. "Because it's already there."

If he couldn't see her feelings in her eyes, then he must have lost his detective skills. She was allowing herself to open up, to be painfully obvious, more so as she lifted her hands to cup his cheeks.

"I was afraid to tell you," she continued honestly, laying the full scope of things out for him. "I didn't know if I could handle another one so soon."

But if this distance thing was eating them both up inside, and after how much time they'd spent together... really, it made no sense, logically. She was taking a big risk and now it was up to James to tell her how he really felt, to be truthful with her. Honesty was all they had.

He had been keeping it under lock and key, or been trying too. It was little surprise to him that she hadn't noticed it, after all part of being a detective meant learning how to act, and keeping his emotions off of his face was a thing he was rather good at, all things considered. But the little signs they had been harder, and he was honestly surprised it had taken her this long to figure it all out.

So he had just resigned himself to being jealous of who ever she was interested in (it couldn't be him right?). But then she said that, and he was rather surprised by that. Because he could swear she had just, said it was, him.

And that couldn't be right, it just couldn't, those feelings couldn't be about him. Because he wasn't John, and really it was obvious and she needed to heal and...

Well now he couldn't focus. Instead he closed his eyes for a moment to recover as she cupped his cheeks, breathing slowly before opening his eyes again. He was letting it show now, the depth of his honesty as he started to talk, and he slipped his arm off of her to rest on her hand on his cheek.

"I know," he said softly, smiling slightly, "which is why I didn't say anything." And he took a breath before going on, "Take your time, Helen, I'll be here."

He had to say it, no matter how much the distance was bothering them both. She needed the time and he needed to say it, needed her to know he was willing to wait. It was all he could do, and he hoped she understood that.

She understood and the grateful look on her face said as much. Now that she knew how he felt about her - she could read every scrap of it in his eyes - she wanted to show him that she was willing, wanted to declare... something, her feelings for him perhaps. The times dictated a certain level of propriety, though, and if she were to break it even further than she already had... well, she didn't like to think of what the neighbors might say if they found out.

"Thank you, Darling," she whispered without even thinking about it, offering him a smile tinged with grateful tears. The water didn't fall from her eyes, simply hanging by the edges. She squeezed her eyes shut, holding herself together for just a moment before she returned her head to its favored position on his shoulder. It was as close as they could be right now and that was all right with Helen.

"I never meant to hurt you..." And yet she had. She had hurt him so much in her ignorance. "John was here a few days ago."

She wasn't entirely sure why she let that slip. Maybe it was because she was desperate to keep talking, to be honest with him and show him why she'd been so hesitant lately to show her affection for him. A part of her wanted to make it up to him and saw no other way to do so.

For that he was grateful as speaking his emotions had always been a difficult thing for him. But he wasn't going to pressure her, it did him little good to do that, to confess something right then, not when she obviously had issues. And also the neighbors yes, they would have a field day with anything more than what they were doing.

"It is no trouble at all," and it was true he would forever do what he could for her, even keeping this quiet to protect her in regards to his feelings. So he just looked away at her composing herself, giving her time before he settled his head gently on top of hers. It was fine by him, just having this, whatever it was with her. He could live with that, even if they weren't together, because at least she knew his feelings.

"I know," and while it had hurt, her ignorance at least he could live with it. "What did he want?" It was a little sharper, a little more protective now, which was only natural really all things considered.

He already knew of course, the Helen from the future had told him that, had allowed him to figure things out but to hear her say it. Well now he would worry, and fret really. But it did explain why she was hesitant about things.

"Nothing good," Helen admitted in response to the question about John. She had no idea that James already knew. She thought she'd been the only one to know that he'd been there, even though his voice had been able to carry down the hallway with ease. There was more to it, really, John's jealousy, but she wasn't sure she wanted to explain that. Especially not now when she and James were just starting to get their footing, figuring out where exactly they stood. She didn't want John to ruin that any more than he already had.

She pressed a little closer and reached her hand to take his, resting between them.

"I've tried to forget about it." That occurrence was also why she'd come to James for comfort. Only he understood why John's presence would upset her so much. She was just lucky John hadn't actually sliced his blade into her throat, even just enough to leave a scar. That would elicit ugly questions that she didn't want to deal with. "He's obsessed, James. Obsessed!" And she didn't quite know what to do about it.

No she didn't know, he had kept quiet about that. About future Helen and what had gone on with Worth, that was his secret to carry. Hopefully soon the one Helen would be gone, busy with her life, so he wouldn't have to worry too much (he would always worry but that was who he was). So now his concern was on his Helen, and he didn't need to tell her that he could guess why she hadn't mentioned John.

But he did happily take her hand, sitting there and just enjoying it all.

"I know," that was an obvious thing. Why she had come to see him, now was obvious as well and he just pulled her close. He was worried even more now, and he resisted the urge to kiss her head as it was on his shoulder, instead tilting his head so his lips were pressed against her head in his small sign of caring, without actually kissing her in some fashion. "I know he is, but it is who he is."

John was a hard subject for her on a good day, but then days, weeks, like this had happened and John's presence, his obsession with her made everything that much worse. She really was so very fortunate that she had James here, not just to protect her as a lady, but also to comfort her when things got to be too much. Like now. Now was definitely one of those times.

She almost wished he had gone ahead and kissed her head. It would have helped things somehow, to know and feel that someone cared about her enough to comfort her like that. She already did know for the most part and feeling his arm around her, holding her up against him, helped as well. She appreciated everything he'd done for her already and wished she could do something for him in return, to show him how much she cared.

She also wished John would leave her alone, but that was just asking to have her hopes dashed. He never would and the sooner she accepted that and moved on, the better. James was her way to move on, her path forward.

"It's getting late."

Her subject change would be obvious and, honestly, she wasn't sure what her point for bringing up John and then dropping him again was, but she'd done it. Even though she was right and it was getting late, she made no move to get up, not wanting to let go of her security just yet.

Yes it did, and James knew it. In fact he knew it very well, what she was going through, had been there before when it happened with her. So he was more than willing to let her be comforted by him, defend her as a lady. The fact that she needed it now was all the more reason for their closeness, after everything he could imagine she would need it.

Well if he had thought that, somehow, she would be receptive to it he would. Knowing it was important to her, it would make all the difference in the world, even if his holding her, talking to her as he did wasn't enough. He was trying to not be too unsure, hesitant as he was to have his heart broken, which was part of his reluctance. A nagging fear that John would come back and somehow take her away was there too, and he was guarding against it.

"I know it is."

Casual observation really of the time, and he could guess what the reason was for her dropping it. But he didn't move, well not away from her. Instead he just pulled her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her head, a little hesitant in the act. "Though I do believe, darling, I am not willing to move."

It was true he didn't, but he also didn't want to let go of her. Which was the major part of it really.

John might come back - there was always a chance of that - but Helen would never go with him again. She'd had enough of that heartache the first time. This time only solidified that fact. So if she'd known of James's thoughts, she would have been quick to reassure him. He was the one important to her now; John's chance had been and gone. Helen didn't like to think of that, after all, so she turned her attention back to James.

"Neither am I," she admitted softly, a smile spreading across her face as he kissed her head. She didn't move, not wanting to make him think that she didn't want it. For she did. It was a nice touch to the evening, comforting in its sincerity, and much better than the knife she'd had pressed to her throat not that long ago.

"I think I could fall asleep like this." And she'd be perfectly happy, to be honest. "But then it might be a little uncomfortable for you, I'm afraid." It would be uncomfortable for her to sleep like this, but she didn't much care. Right now, it was about the two of them, enjoying their time together, being comforted by each other. That was what mattered.

If he knew that than perhaps he would have changed his mind on things. But as it was, he just let her do as she liked. He would let her choose how to handle those situations and just be waiting for her answer, he was terribly patient at least, a good trait for such a situation.

And he just was glad she was happy with this, with all of this, he wasn't moving any time soon. "I could as well, and it wouldn't be so terrible." Because at least they would be together and that was all he wanted really. Her with him. It was the closest they would get, this for a long time to anything more intimate.

"Besides it is hardly like it is inappropriate." Well it was but not terribly so, and he would take any berating for this. He wanted this, almost needed this, really to show he cared.

"Half of England would talk about us, you know," Helen reminded him with a soft laugh. "The great Gregory Magnus' daughter asleep with brilliant mind James Watson. The scandal my father would return home to would be unimaginable!"

And yet she was talking about it like it was a science experiment. Of course, if their relationship were an actual science experiment, she would have just gone for it. It would be so much easier that way. More facts, less emotion, and far fewer people talking about them.

Her hand squeezed gently over his, as much to reassure them both as to tell him she was teasing.

"It's not like they don't already," He said with a grin in return, finding the topic perfectly alright. This was something he had thought about it anyway. "Though I dare say your father would be the worst of the lot."

And like her he was also handling this as a science experiment. If it were a actual experiment, this would be so easier. Less emotions, less hang ups there, just having her.

But he knew she was teasing, and he squeezed her hand in turn, smiling. "Though I dare think it would be worth it to have you at my side, Helen." That was heartfelt, and he squeezed her hand again. It was his way of saying how much he did care for her.

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