Author's Note: I tried to get this done before season two began but it just didn't happen. I started writing this after I watched the season one finale in May. (I didn't find this show until it showed up on Global, a Canadian TV station, in January) So far this is seven chapters but we'll have to see what happens in the final edit.

There are spoilers for 1x13 and probably the rest of the season as well just to be on the safe side.

On The Beach

Audrey stormed off the beach with Nathan's hateful words ringing in her ears. Could she really have helped the chief as she had helped the other troubled people of Haven? With a shake of her head she knew there was nothing she could have done. The chief knew more about the Troubles than anyone else in Haven. If he thought she could have helped, he would have approached her sooner, before things got so bad.

It was time to leave, she'd had enough insanity to last her a life time, after all she'd just seen a man explode, scattering rocks across the beach. In spite of this, something made her stop and look back at Nathan. He was curled up into a ball with his shoulders shaking. He made no noise but she knew he was mourning Garland Wuornos, the man he'd never got along with but loved anyway.

Rubbing the spot between her eyes where a headache was beginning, Audrey decided she had two choices: she could walk away from all of this, including Nathan, or she could stay and wait for him to come around. She knew exactly what was going on and what Nathan was doing. It was the same thing she'd been doing with her own secret. If you don't share with others they can't use the knowledge to hurt you.

Audrey knew that she and Nathan both lead very lonely lives but for different reasons. His condition made him shy away from people and contact, while her crappy childhood was the cause of hers. For Audrey, trust didn't come easy. It made for a lonely life and Audrey was so tired of being alone.

Ignoring the voice telling her to keep running, Audrey crossed back over the sand. Kneeling down in front of Nathan, she took his hand. "It's not going to be that easy to get rid of me. Nathan, you're the only person in this mess I can trust. So if you really want me to go I'll leave but just remember this: if I could have helped your father why didn't he ask for help him sooner? He knew that-" she stopped taking a deep breath. "I haven't been able to help everyone and you know that. The chameleon almost killed me and James Garrick is a ghost in his own house." Tears where falling now. "So don't tell me I failed because I know I have. Do you think I enjoyed watching what happen to your father? He was a good man who deserved so much better than what happened to him."

She rocked back on her heels waiting to see what Nathan would say, if anything. Minutes ticked by and the only sounds that could be heard were the surf and the brothers moving along the beach.

Defeated, Audrey pushed herself to her feet. "I'll pack my things and leave then. You'll never see me again. It was nice not to be alone for a while, goodbye Nathan. I'm sorry for your loss."

She brushed the sand from her hands and slowly moved away from him, the only person to ever make her happy.

Nathan heard every word Audrey said and knew every one of them was true, but he still didn't move. When you're in pain you're not always rational. His fingers ached to reach out and stop her from leaving but his anger at himself kept him frozen in place. He was worried if Audrey stayed he'd only hurt her more and she had way too much pain in her life already.

Audrey moved and he was temporary blinded by the sun. "It was nice not to be alone for a while. Goodbye Nathan, I'm sorry for your loss."

As she moved away he felt his world dim even though he was sitting in the sun. Trust, comfort, and friendship that is what his world was becoming and if he let Audrey walk away, he knew he'd never find tranquility again. Without looking up he grabbed Audrey's hand. "Stay."

Immediately she fell to her knees and gathered him into her arms. "I'm not going anywhere as long as you want me here."

Nathan relished the sensations flowing through his body. The numbness that had stole over him since his father's death drained away, and he was at peace for the first time since the Troubles began again.

"We've done all we can here and we're going to head back to town. We'll let people know what happened and start making some of the arrangements. Nathan, you come and see us when you're ready." Vince Teagues said as the two brothers stopped right beside Audrey and Nathan.

Each of the Teagues squeezed Nathan's shoulder before moving toward their bicycle and leaving Nathan and Audrey alone on the beach. When they were gone Nathan pulled back slightly to look Audrey in the eye. "Thank you for-"

"No problem, that's what friends are for. Shall we head back to town?"

Nathan got to his feet gathering his shirt. "We can't stay here forever; time to face the music."

They moved across the sand close together but not touching. Halfway to the truck Audrey bent over and pulled something gold from the sand and brushed it off before holding it out for Nathan.

"He would have wanted you to have this. Your father knew the end was coming and he was trying to prepare you for it. He told me as much more than once."

Reaching out, he wrapped his hands around the chief's badge and Audrey's hand. Still surprised that he could feel her touch, he jumped slightly at contact.

"You felt that?"

Nathan nodded and a small smile spread across his lips. "I can feel you, only you."

Audrey looked into his eyes. "You've known this for a while, I take it." Her voice was non judgmental.

"For a long time I wasn't sure what it meant. I mean, why you of all people?" He couldn't help thinking about fate.

Audrey drew a breath. "I think I know the answer to that. It has to do with that thing I've been trying to tell you. I don't want to believe it myself but I can't see any other explanation."

Nathan squeezed her hands. "You can tell me; it's about Lucy isn't it? She's not your mother. You've always known that was a possibility."

"No, it's weirder than even that. I am Lucy and she's me."

Looking down at their linked hands, Nathan gestured with his free hand. "All right, I'm listening."

"When I tried to help James Garrick last week; he told me Lucy helped him years ago. He broke a glass and she cut her foot badly. I have that same scar but I have no memory of how I got it."

"Show me." Nathan looked down at her feet.

"Are you sure about this?" Audrey sat down on the sand and tugged off her shoe and sock. Nathan knelt down and examined her proffered foot.

She shivered as his fingers traced the raised skin of the scar. "You really have no memory about this? It looks like it would have needed stitches. How can you not remember this? And if you are Lucy how come you don't have her memories?"

"I don't know, but just like I knew I couldn't help your father, I know I'm Lucy."

Nathan nodded. "So you're Lucy but not Lucy. Where do we go from here?"

Pulling her foot from his grasp, Audrey pulled her sock back on. "We follow the lead your father gave us. We find out who doesn't want me here in Haven and why."

Offering his hand Nathan helped Audrey to her feet. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Still holding hands, they headed back to Nathan's truck.

If you feel inclined let me know what you think, they really do make me smile. :0) Also if you want to read the next chapter it is up on my website. This one is short so I plan to only be one chapter ahead. Look me up at kellethmetheus. com and you'll find me. Not sure if the site name shows up if it doesn't just google my penname and you'll find me.