Games People Play by steamshovelmama (NC-17)

[alyse]

Fandom: PRIMEVAL
Pairing: Helen/Nick
Length: one shot
Author on LJ: steamshovelmama
Author Website: author's page on The ARC
Why this must be read:

Helen Cutter is an incredibly interesting individual - driven and amoral, she provides a worthy and Machiavellian protagonist for our erstwhile heroes. Divide and conquer seems to be her motto, and it often seems as though she considers the people around her to be rather interesting labrats. And Helen does possess a more than healthy scientific curiosity.

This story is set pre-series, in the early stages of Nick and Helen's relationship, before they were married. It provides an interesting insight into the dynamics of their relationship, one that isn't just about Helen pulling the wool over Nick's eyes but one in which they're both involved in playing the game, albeit Helen still being the more manipulative of the two. I like it because it doesn't paint Nick as an innocent victim of Helen's wiles, but someone who respects her and is more or less respected in return, and someone Helen might actually consider a challenge.

Games People Play