AUTHOR'S NOTE: Story inspired by (Episode 2x06 – Audrey Parker's Day Off). When Nathan tells Audrey that she can never fail him.
Audrey stood on the back porch of the Grey Gull with Nathan, discussing what had happened that day. The 'Groundhog Day' cycle that she had experienced was finally over, but not without a price.
A man by the name of Anson Shumway, with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder had been the cause. What triggered his 'Trouble' was the death of his little girl. His OCD had prevented him from crossing the street. His little girl had seen him, ran across the street and was killed by a hit and run driver. He would reset each time he blamed himself for a death the car caused, and go back to the beginning of the day to fix it. It ended with him sacrificing himself, letting the car that had been responsible for the deaths in the repeats hit and kill him. Stopping the cycle, and saving everyone that had been killed during the repeats.
"I should have been able to save Anson." Audrey said, staring out at the water. "If I just had one more chance…"
"He made his choice." Nathan said. "You can't save everyone."
"But, that's why I'm here." She replied, trying to hold back her tears
"Audrey, look at me." He said, turning around to face her leaning against the railing. She reluctantly met his eyes, hating that he was seeing her like this.
"What Anson did saved his daughter, and this town. He did what he had to do. He got the world moving forward again."
"No." She said, shaking her head trying not to cry. "I failed."
"You can never fail me." Nathan reassured her, trying hard to resist the urge to hold her in his arms. The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. They both knew it was Chris, waiting to talk to Audrey. Nathan noticed that Audrey looked annoyed, as if she didn't want to talk to Chris.
Nathan reluctantly started to walk away. Bending his head slightly and holding his right hand against his forehead, so he could avoid looking at Chris and going all 'Man Crush'. Suddenly, he felt a small shiver run through his body. He stopped and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of his nerves coming alive. Something that always happened whenever he had skin-to-skin contact with Audrey. When he opened them, Audrey was standing in front of him.
"Can we get out of here, and talk?" She asked, or more like begged him. "Please." The tone of her voice and, defeated look on her face was enough to tear Nathan's heart apart. Not that he would ever deny her in the first place.
"Do you honestly think I would say 'No' to you?" Smiling at her, and gently squeezing her hand.
Chris watched as Audrey smiled back, and entwined her fingers with Nathan's. Completely ignoring him as she walked passed him, and led Nathan back through the back door. Part of Nathan wanted to take a quick glance at Chris, so he could see the look on his face. But, he never was one to engage in a pissing contest. Audrey wasn't some prize to be won.
However, Nathan couldn't resist gently squeezing her hand. Not only so she would look at him again, but also make it clear to Chris that Audrey did indeed have another choice now. Chris was about to follow them. Audrey was his, and he should be the one helping her through this. Then, he felt a strong hand clamp down on his right shoulder.
"Let them go. I know it sucks, watching your girlfriend rely on another guy." Duke said, watching Nathan and Audrey walk out the front door.
"Trust me when I say, Nathan is the only person that can help her right now." He finished. "You'll only piss Audrey off if you follow them." Chris roughly shrugged Duke's hand off his shoulder. However, by the time he got outside Nathan's blue bronco wasn't in the parking lot.
The ride to Nathan's house was silent, but not uncomfortable. Audrey held his hand the whole time, staring out the window. Squeezing Nathan's hand every now and then. She was too lost in her thoughts of that day, and how she failed. She didn't realize they had arrived at his house, until Nathan let go of her hand. He quickly got out of the truck, and opened up the passenger door for her. Audrey immediately grabbed his hand, and he realized that she needed skin-to-skin contact, just as much or maybe more than he did right now.
"Excuse the mess." He said, as they walked into the living room which had packed and unpacked boxes.
"It's good that you decided to keep your parents' house." She said. "Why didn't you let me help you move?"
"Duke helped me." He replied, noticing the surprised look on her face. "Weren't you the one that told me and Duke to try working on our friendship?"
"Well, I'm supposes to be your best friend." She replied, feeling like it was another thing she failed at. "Though, I haven't acted like it lately."
"Don't worry about it," Helping her take off her jacket and shoes. Then, he pushed her gently down on the couch. Until, she was lying down. "Right now, you need some sleep."
"I hate that you're seeing me like this. I must look like a complete mess." She said, sounding tired and defeated. "I feel like a complete mess."
"I would be worried if you were acting normal." Nathan said, grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch. "You had one hell of a day."
"Besides, I'm you partner and best friend." Bending down and kissing her on her cheek. "You can breakdown in front of me anytime you want."
"I'm sorry about yesterday." She said, reaching up with her right hand and cupping his cheek. Nathan's eyes closed for a moment, reveling in the feeling of her touch.
"What if I was wrong about Beverly Keegan's and Dom Novelli's love for each other, being the answer to solve the Root Trouble?" She finished. "What if the answer was Love itself?"
"Then, I still wouldn't have to worry about the roots attacking me."
Audrey stared at him through half-lidded eyes tired and now confused. Nathan just smiled at her, pulling the silver chain around his neck from underneath the collar of his shirt. Showing her the gold ring with three small diamonds embedded in it. Audrey reached out, gently grabbing it with her right hand.
"I think the Chief …my Dad," Audrey smiled at his correction, as she examined the ring. "Would give me a few more months of trying to do his job, before he let something serious happened to me."
"You're doing a great job, Chief." She replied, letting go of his ring and cupping his cheek again. "I'm proud of you, and I know your father is too."
"Thanks." He said, standing up. "No more talking, get some sleep."
"Nathan." She said, grabbing onto his right hand before he could walk away. "Don't go."
"I'm not leaving you." Part of him wanted to lay next to her, hold her in his arms for a few minutes to comfort and reassure her. However, after knowing who she had been with last night, and the hell she went through today. Nathan couldn't bring himself to do that. Someday he would and never let go, but for now he would settle for option two. He took off his jacket one sleeve at a time. He saw the fear in her eyes, the moment his hand left hers.
"I promise I will never leave you," Tucking his jacket and the blanket tightly around her. "Unless, you want me to."
"I promise I will never do that." Her eyes closed and snuggling more into his jacket than the blanket.
Nathan watched her for a moment. Happy that his jacket was doing what he wanted, but couldn't do yet. His body heat and scent still lingering in the jacket, providing the comfort and safety she needed and wanted. Silently letting her know that he was there, and not going anywhere. He bent down and kissed her cheek again, when she mumbled something in her sleep.
"Today would've been so much easier, if I woke up next to you."
Nathan was surprised, but couldn't stop the smile that graced his handsome face. He didn't care if she said it in her sleep. What she said was what she really felt, her subconscious letting it slip out. Something that he wouldn't mention, not wanting to embarrass her or force her into a conversation she wasn't ready for. Something he might tell her, if someday 'they' became 'them'. Until then, it was his wonderful secret.
"You can never fail me, Audrey." He whispered into her ear, and she smiled in her sleep.