A/N I just realised approximately ten minutes ago that I had not actually published the epilogue to this fic as I thought. So here it is, slightly belated, for which I apologise. Let's just pretend it was on purpose and this is your Christmas present. Happy Holidays everyone!

Epilogue

Helena turned to smile brightly at Claudia as she wiped oil from her hands with a rag.

"Hey HG. Is it done?"

"It is indeed. I'm fairly sure that the last modification will make it work smoothly."

Claudia nodded, examining the Time Machine, the series of other artefacts and the interface that she had devised with Fargo – all of which were now working together with Antony and Cleopatra's goblet to make the TiMER backwards compatible, in the sense that it allowed the identification of soulmates who had already met before the TiMER was invented. Paracelsus had been a difficult adversary and had almost beaten them, but Claudia had, as future caretaker, managed to imprison him safely and without further incident. After a series of conversations with Helena, he had agreed to share his research on combining artefacts. Claudia didn't really want to think about how difficult it must have been for Helena to refuse the opportunity to use the ingenious mix of artefacts that Paracelsus had appropriated to make the Time Machine physically transport a person to another time. Claudia wasn't sure why Helena had decided not to go and rescue Christina, but the decision had come after several days of earnest conversations between HG, Myka, Leena and Abigail. Finally, HG had closed herself away with Mrs F for a few hours and they both came out smiling, but with tears clearly visible on their faces as HG announced that she would be leaving Christina to her rest. Claudia secretly thought it was for the best. HG was a natural mother, you could tell. In the last two years she'd been practically a surrogate mother to Claudia. But rescuing Christina would have risked other potential changes to the timeline, and after what Paracelsus had done Claudia was pretty sure that messing with the past was a really bad idea. Too many things could go wrong.

The glint from her own left wrist caught her attention and she sighed, sitting on a crate nearby for a moment.

"What is it, Claudia?" Helena asked, setting down the rag and coming to sit next to Claudia, putting an arm around her shoulder in concern.

"I…I was just thinking about my TiMER. I was wondering if I'll meet anyone. If I'll ever get to be as happy as you and Myka," she said morosely.

Helena smiled at her, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Claudia's ear tenderly.

"I have no doubt of it, Claudia Donovan. There are many reasons why yours might be blank. It might be that your soulmate is too poor to afford the TiMER. It is, after all, rather pricey. Something I have every intention of taking up with the Regents the next time I see them. We should have some sort of program for those who can't pay, don't you think? This sort of happiness shouldn't be contingent on one's financial status."

Claudia nodded, smiling. She had heard HG's thoughts on this subject before. Despite the fact that she pretty much reeked of class, HG Wells had come from humble beginnings herself.

"In any case, your soulmate could be too poor, or they could be a believer in being surprised. Or they might not have been born yet. Did you think of that?"

Claudia gaped at her.

"What are you trying to say, HG? That I'm some sort of…cradle-snatching weirdo?"

Helena grinned.

"Come now, Claudia. Myka is over a century younger than I am. Does that make me a cradle-snatching weirdo? I'm simply pointing out that, given that Caretakers appear to be long-lived, as a general rule, your lifespan might be as long as mine, or longer. Destiny has great things in store for you, Claudia, and I have no doubt at all that your destiny will include a greater share of happiness than most. Look at us – all of us. We risk our lives to deal with dangers that no other group of people on earth has to face. We sacrifice so much for the Warehouse. I believe that if we are lucky enough to live, we get – and we deserve – a happiness that others can only dream of. The love Myka and I share – I had never dared to dream of anything like it. And here I am, nearing my 150th birthday, and sitting in the Warehouse with my closest friend, on a wonderful day like this, in love with a woman who was born more than 110 years after I was. If that doesn't reassure you, my dear, then I don't know what will. We who are held in the Warehouse's regard soon learn the importance of destiny and fate. Yours is yet to be made clear, yes. But it will be a wonderful one, my dear."

She pulled Claudia to her and kissed her temple.

"Aw, HG. You say the sweetest things," Claudia said, a flush rising to cover her face in what was likely the brightest colour possible for a human to display. To cover, she stood up and bowed to HG with a flourish.

"So, shall we go get you ready?"

Helena smiled again, this time softly as she contemplated the importance of the day to come. Claudia followed her to the Warehouse library, where a small section had been transformed into a dressing room for just this occasion. HG disappeared behind a screen, thankfully not displaying her assets shamelessly as she usually did (for the sole purpose of making Claudia blush, she was sure). A few minutes later, HG emerged from behind the screen, looking every inch the Victorian in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and the obligatory waistcoat and pocketwatch. Over the waistcoat she wore a morning coat in recognition of the occasion. She looked, as she would have put it, dashing. She had vetoed a cane and top hat, and while Claudia was secretly a little sad about that, (because HG Wells in a top hat would have been so Dr Who) she had to admit that like this, with her long hair unbound, the woman was just stunning. The dark brown leather boots she was wearing set the outfit off nicely. She was quite the Victorian hottie, in Claudia's opinion. (Claudia herself was sporting a similar outfit, but she had decided to go with the top hat and cane. She was pretty sure she was rocking the shit out of the steampunk vibe.)

"You look amazing, HG. Myka is gonna love it."

HG smiled, her eyes crinkling at the edges as she thought about her soulmate.

"Do you think so? You don't think the morning coat is too much?"

"Of course not. Myka loves it when you dress all Victorian. So, are you ready?"

"I believe I am. Shall we?"

HG offered her arm to Claudia in a cheery and chivalrous fashion. Claudia suppressed a giggle. HG slayed her when she was like this.

They got in the car and drove to the B&B where the guests were assembled. As the best man, Claudia accompanied Helena to the small raised dais that Pete and Artie had built for the occasion. Mrs F was officiating, to no-one's surprise, and Pete was standing up for Myka. Claudia was honoured that HG had asked her to stand for her. She had no-one here, other than the Warehouse team, but Claudia was still honoured to be chosen for an auspicious occasion like this. These guys were her family, and HG and Myka were at the centre of it, now.

Claudia was lost in thought about her little family and how much it had changed since HG arrived, when a loud beeping caught her attention. Artie was in the front row of the guests and Vanessa Calder had just arrived, looking elegant as usual. The beeping – it was their TiMERs.

Claudia and HG stared at each other for a moment, and Claudia jumped around for a moment in glee as she realised what had happened. Then they went to speak to a dumbstruck Artie and Vanessa to explain the backwards-compatibility of the TiMER now that it was linked to HG's Time Machine.

Vanessa looked from HG to Claudia, her usual poise missing in action.

"So – we've been soulmates this whole time, but because we didn't have TiMERs when we met, they stayed blank?"

Helena nodded.

"That's right. And now we've linked it to my Time Machine, among other devices and artefacts, the TiMER will identify soulmates who met before the TiMER was invented. Rather clever, even if I do say so myself." She smiled rather smugly, an Artie gave her a mock glare. They were good friends, now, despite their past. Artie relied on Helena rather heavily for technical help and input on artefacts she knew of from her time at Warehouse 12. The last vestige of his opposition to her presence had disappeared a few days after she was resurrected, when she and Myka walked together into the Warehouse. HG was supporting Myka, because she was so thin and her feet were still painful. As they opened the door and stepped out of the umbilicus, an apple had rolled across the floor and stopped at the toe of her impeccable boots. Claudia and Artie were in the office and the expression that crossed Artie's face – annoyance, resignation, and then happiness – had confused the hell out of Claudia, until HG had explained the significance of the apple. The Warehouse was thanking her for sacrificing herself, and telling her – and by extension, Artie – that she belonged at the Warehouse.

"Congratulations, Arturo!" Claudia said, hugging the grumpy man tightly. He blushed, and it only got brighter as Vanessa took his hand and looked at him wonderingly. They had been seeing each other for a while but Artie was uncharacteristically shy and reticent with her. From Vanessa's current expression of determination, it looked like there might be another wedding on the horizon soon.

Helena gave Vanessa and Artie a delighted smile and a hug, and they returned to the dais to await the arrival of her bride. She began to fidget nervously with her pocketwatch, and Claudia grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Relax, HG. It's traditional for the bride to be a little late. But given that it's Myka, she'll probably be here right on time, down to the second."

Helena smiled nervously. Her expression changed a moment later into a mix of awe and the kind of love that Claudia dreamed about finding. Claudia turned and there she was, Myka Bering, Warehouse Agent and all-round badass, encased in a strapless satin gown with her hair in a waterfall braid – two braided sections meeting at her crown, with the rest loose and curly about her shoulders. There were white flowers braided into her hair – probably Leena's work – and she looked incredible. Claudia was stunned, but HG looked about ready to pass out.

"Breathe, HG. Can't have you dying on your wedding day now, can we? Myka would kill me," Claudia whispered out of the side of her mouth.

Helena smiled wryly – after taking a breath.

"I suppose not, Claudia. But I would die a happy woman," she breathed.

Helena's eyes returned to her blushing bride. Claudia's heart was full of warm and fuzzy feelings as she saw Pete in his military uniform escorting Myka up the aisle, followed by Abigail and Leena and Tracy, Myka's sister, who were acting as bridesmaids. Myka had decided to ask Pete to walk her down the aisle, rather than her father, because Warren Bering had been less than supportive of her match with Helena. After a few shouting matches between her soulmate and her father, Myka had talked to him and gave him an ultimatum – either he accepted her relationship with Helena, or they couldn't have a relationship at all. The stubborn old fool hadn't been in touch since. Myka's mother was here, thankfully. Jeannie had been sweet and had ignored Warren's attitude, saying simply that she didn't share his feelings and it was up to him to decide how he behaved. It was clear that she thought he was being a giant ass, but she was kind enough to not say that out loud about her husband. Claudia had said it often and loudly enough to make up for Jeannie's silence.

As Myka reached the dais and Pete handed her over to Helena, Claudia's heart just about stopped at the look on her face. She was luminous. She had been happier this last two years than Claudia had ever seen her, but this – this was a whole new level of bliss. Claudia let out an unintentionally loud sigh and Myka and Helena turned to stare at her. Claudia reddened, and it went from red to crimson in about five seconds flat when she heard Leena's raucous laughter from across the dais. Within seconds, everyone was in fits of giggles, except for Claudia who was trying very hard not to die of embarrassment. Even Mrs Frederic cracked a smile. Claudia covered her cheeks and willed them to turn back to their normal shade as Mrs Frederic began the words of the marriage ceremony.

Pete was walking Myka Bering down the aisle. It was like a dream come true. His partner, looking so damn beautiful, with her hair all braided with flowers and her face looking that way it did when she looked at HG – he was so happy for her he was about ready to burst. As they passed the last row of guests he smiled as he saw her – Amanda, his fiancée. His smile widened as he remembered the day that had happened. Apparently it was possible to become someone's soulmate. It turned out that sometimes, soulmates needed to go through different experiences – sometimes even marry someone else – before they were ready to be one another's. HG had tried to explain it to him, with all her artefact voodoo knowledge, but he wasn't sure he really got it. Amanda was already separated from Michael Martin when Pete and Steve met her on an artefact retrieval in Arizona. Pete had been waiting for his TiMER to go off like a kid waiting for Christmas, but when it was Amanda? He was so confused he didn't know what to do. The first week of their furlough was confusing and awkward and familiar and then…he still wasn't sure how it happened, but suddenly things were just so…right that he almost cried. They were getting married as soon as Myka and HG got back from their honeymoon. Couldn't get married without his best man, now, could he? He returned his mind to the present and handed a luminous Myka over to a stunned (and exceptionally hot-looking) HG. Claudia was looking dapper and a little bit pimp-y with her top hat and cane. It was awesome. Pete was wearing a pretty normal wedding outfit with the silk waistcoat, as HG insisted on calling it, and the cravat and all that. He stood beside Myka and smiled until his face ached.

Helena Wells was getting married. She was standing in front of her friends and waiting for the love of her life to walk down the aisle to meet her. It was a day she hadn't ever craved, unlike so many of the young women she grew up with. For her, marriage had always been the ultimate cage. Marriage meant a husband, which meant giving up her freedom, her independence, her intellect, to have children and to do what she was told. Helena G Wells did not crave that institution. This, however, was something quite different. This marriage was a meeting of minds, of equals. In the past two years, she and Myka had grown stronger together, both as individuals and as a couple. Her decision to leave Christina to her rest, rather than using the time machine that Paracelsus had put together had erased the final barrier between them. Her difficulty in accepting her daughter's death was the one thing that remained unresolved. After long conversations with Abigail, Leena, Myka, and Irene, she had decided that the timeline should remain unchanged. In doing so, she had let Christina go, had truly moved on and allowed herself to be happy. The decision had almost broken her, but Myka was there to hold her when she cried, to console her, to love her.

The first sight of Myka in her wedding dress quite stole the breath from Helena's lungs. It wasn't just what she was wearing; it was the look on her face. Helena was fairly sure that Myka's smile could have powered the Warehouse for a month. Her own happiness welled up in her and her vision blurred. Claudia reminded her to breathe, and she filled her lungs, her eyes filled with the vision that was Myka Bering, the woman to whom she was soon to be married.

The wedding day passed very much in a blur, but one moment stood out in sharp relief from the rest. Helena would always remember the look in Myka's eyes when Helena slipped the ring on her finger and she said "I do." It was a look of intense joy that Helena would bring to mind in years to come when they were apart or times were difficult. A reminder that no matter what happened, they made each other happy.

Myka Ophelia (not 'Over') Bering (soon to be –Wells) was strong, independent, intelligent – a truly modern woman. And a complete sap for one particular time-travelling Victorian. The first sight of Helena in her full on steampunk getup made her grin, and then this stupid giddy happiness welled up in her and she started filling up. She blinked the tears away – she hadn't spent an hour on her makeup for nothing – and smiled at Helena, slightly foolishly, as she walked up the aisle on Pete's arm. Helena's answering smile was stunningly beautiful, the most joyous expression Myka had ever seen on her face.

Myka had to laugh when she saw Claudia's top hat and cane. She looked like a tiny pimp from a rap music video. It was awesome. Pete was laughing too.

Myka could remember pretty much everything she'd ever read or seen. It was an ability that was equal parts blessing and curse. Today, however, the blessing part would win out. Because she didn't think she'd ever see anything as beautiful as Helena's smile when Mrs Frederic pronounced them married and they looked down at their joined hands with their wedding bands (fashioned, of course, by Helena) firmly in place on their ring fingers. Their TiMERs had long since been removed, but the metal part of the device had been melted down and reforged into the wedding bands that they now wore, with the date and the time – down to the second – that they had met engraved on the inside. Helena's smile, while pointed primarily at their joined hands, was shy and tentative and luminous and wonderful in every possible way. And their first kiss as a married couple – well, it was awkward, in front of their friends, as these things can be, but it was also just as electric as their very first proper kiss on a sidewalk in London. It was shockingly passionate and reminded them, as if they needed such a reminder, that they were bonded in a way that went beyond simple compatibility or chemistry. They were soulmates. And as Myka looked into the dark but shining eyes of Helena Wells, the only thing she needed to remember was that they were happier together than they ever would be apart, and that no matter what came at them in this insane life that they'd chosen, they would face it together.

"You're not going to give me a black eye this time, are you?" Myka asked archly under her breath, as they turned to face their guests.

"I shall try to resist the urge," Helena said dryly, as applause broke out. In the end, she did resist that particular urge – but not the more pressing one, which was to kiss her wife again until they were both flushed and breathless as their family and friends looked on in mixed amusement and joy.

As they walked down the aisle towards the B&B, Helena smiled, turning to Myka.

"Do you smell that?"

Myka nodded.

"Apples," she said, with a contented smile.

Behind them, Mrs Frederic smiled. It was, in its own way, terrifying, because it was not entirely human, that smile. But it was the smile of an entity that had arranged things to its own liking, and saw that it was good.

"Endless wonder," she murmured under her breath, hearing an answering whisper from the Warehouse. She smiled again and disappeared, to wherever Caretakers go.

THE END