All the characters in this story belong to Emily Andras and SyFy. Except for the original charecters that I wrote specifically for this fanfic.*
CHAPTER 1
Season 3
A shot of the town. Everything seemingly normal. Townsfolk attending everyday chores.
It seems like an ordinary day in Purgatory, unbeknownst to all, something is coming for them. Or rather a certain someone.
In the middle of nowhere, a beacon of light appears, accompanied by a loud machinery sound.
/The Homestead/
"Baby girl, have you seen my jacket?" Wynonna shouts from the living room.
Waverly, who is rolling her eyes in this precise moment, answers back. "No, but it may be where you always leave it. The couch?"
She smiles. Knowing fully well a tired Wynonna can leave anything anywhere. Waverly hears the distinct sound of Wynonna saying "Oh, there you are, old friend."
Their lives are crazy lately, looking for Bobo and Clootie. It looks like they are nowhere to be found. The Earp gang knows they are just waiting for their time. Hiding in the shadows, recruiting enemies of the Earps and preparing to attack in the perfect moment. When Wynonna is vulnerable. In the meanwhile, the Earp sisters are trying to make the most of their peaceful life. At least for a while.
Wynonna joins Waverly in the kitchen, now wearing her jacket. With Peacemaker in her hand.
"Where are you off to, this early?" Waverly inquires.
"Umm… Something I've got to do with Dolls," replies Wynonna "but I'll meet you at Shorty's afterwards." Her eyes dart from Waverly to the floor. This whole exchange puzzles Waverly, but she knows better to not push her sister. She is holding her own quite nicely, considering what she gave up for the curse: motherhood. With one final look into Waverly's eyes, Wynonna goes outside. Waverly looks at the door and sighs.
Wynonna hops on the Harley and drives on the now very routine road. This is the secret life she leads now. Every Monday, she takes this little trip. Arriving at her destination, she takes off her helmet. Staring at the cabin and finally knocking on the door. An older woman with gorgeous hair and bright blue eyes, appears on the other side.
"Welcome, Wynonna." says the woman.
Entering inside, Wynonna whispers "Hello, Mama."
The door shuts behind them.
We see the sign SWAN RESERVOIR.
/The Homestead/
The phone rings as Waverly gets ready upstairs. She is singing "What A Difference A Day Makes" very soflly, like an angel coming down from the Heavens, blessing the mortals and immortals with her voice. Totally oblivious to the ringing of the phone.
/Shorty's/
"She is not picking up…" says Nicole, sighing. "maybe I should go over there and check on her."
"Nonsense, Officer, you and I both know our Waverly is equipped to deal with anything that crosses her way. Besides, waters are calm these days. You have nothing to worry about." Doc assures her.
She looks into his kind eyes. "You think?"
"I know," answers Doc, confidently. "she is probably on her way to the bar."
Nicole gives him a smile.
Waverly walks happily, she thinks about Nicole and their newly budding relationship. Boy, have they been through a lot! Boy-men, revenants, Willa, Gooverly, widows, a secret wife, alternate facts… Sorry, universes… The List goes on. All of this shows that they are meant to be. Right? Right! Their lives are going to be simple from now on. At least until Bobo and Clootie show up again. Most importantly, there will be no lies, no secrets. That's all Waverly ever wants. A fulfilling and honest life with the woman she loves. She sometimes imagines the life after the curse. Will she continue her studies? Where will she be, where will she live? Oh, she would love to be a teacher. What about her true heritage? She lets out a breath. These are all the things going around in her mind. She wants to know the answers to help her realise who she really is. Her identity.
"In time, I will know." she says quietly. And in time, she truly will.
Behind the tree, someone is watching her. A figure in the shadows.
/Swan Reservoir/
Inside the sunlit cabin, there are various books. Most of them have leather bindings. There is a certain air of mystery about the place. It is full of knowledge and intrigue. The room smells of sage.
Wynonna joins her mother, sitting in one of the leather chairs by the window. The sun illuminates Michelle's beautiful, but tired face. Wynonna studies Mama Earp's face.
"So do we have any idea what they are planning?" asks the rebellious daughter.
"I'm still doing the research as I have been for years, Wynonna, but it is hard to foresee their plans. The information I have on the sheriff and his cult are years old," replies Michelle "but it is safe to say they will all come out of the woodwork, now that he is back."
Wynonna looks irritated. It feels like these trips don't amount to anything. They certainly are not worth lying to her sister every week. Michelle senses her daughter's unrest.
"It's better and safer for her this way. She can't know, Wynonna."
"But why, Mama? I can't lie to her any longer. I live with her in the same freaking house! That's more than you could ever say!" she says a little louder than intended.
Michelle is taken aback. She knows that her past actions cannot be changed. She did what she had to do back then. She still does. Protect her children at all costs. Sometimes from the truth itself.
"So will you be the one to tell her about her identity? How will she take it?" wonders Michelle. Sternly looking at Wynonna. Eyes touched by ice.
Wynonna closed her eyes, mentally cursing the things she has to deal with everyday. She knows the truth about Waverly now. But she can't tell her. Telling her would put her in greater danger. More than the curse. More than anything they faced. She has to stay safe in Purgatory.
"I will keep my mouth shut. But we'll tell her together, once we get rid of this demonic Manson family. Promise, Mama?"
Michelle looks down, contemplating. "You have my word, child." she says, meeting Wynonna's unwavering gaze.
Waverly sees the town that she loves so much. She can't imagine living anywhere else. "Oh, is this a good thing? That I can't imagine?" she asks herself. Shaking her head, her mind drifts off to the creatures that make this place hell: Revenants and God knows what else. Once the curse is lifted and the protection is gone, what will happen? What will come inside their beloved home? Thinking so deeply, she doesn't realise the car that stops by her. Loud voices and evil laughters.
Terrible, terrible smell.
Turning swiftly, Waverly comes face to face with a group of Revenants. She tries to grab something to protect herself, but before she can do anything, they take her bag. Not knowing what to do, Waverly decides to reason with the psychopaths.
"Look, you all know who I am. Before you do anything that you will regret, I suggest you think. I know that will be very hard for you, gentlemen."
The revenants laugh among themselves.
"Bobo isn't here anymore to protect you, pretty thing." says one of them.
"Neither is your bitchy sister."
"She wanders off to God knows where, every Monday. We did our research."
Waverly seems surprised.
"She is with Deputy Chief Dolls. A man who can really hurt you as well." says a smirking Waves.
"Oh no, she ain't. She is not even inside Ghost River triangle." shouted the one with an axe in his hand.
"What?" questions a very dumbfounded Waverly.
The Revenants nod their heads in unison. One of them, moves alarmingly closer to Waverly.
"But enough talk about the Heir. We will give her a present when she gets back from her trip." He takes the axe from the other Revenant. Giving Waverly a sadistic smile, he inches closer.
Waverly stays put. She can't move her legs. Some sort of stage fright strikes her. She thinks about her life. The ones she loves. The life she could have. Who she is. Who she will be. Possibilities outside this town. The thought of babysitting Alice Michelle one day. None of that matters now. It is over. She is over. She is about to embrace her fate and then, she hears an unfamiliar voice.
"I am sure as hell, the Heir doesn't like surprises. But I do."
Waverly opens her eyes to see a gorgeous woman, on top of the Revenants' car. Short hair covered by a brown fedora, a very British camel coat and a smirking face. In her hand, an actual sword. An old sword with writings and engravings on it. It looks ancient and important. The woman turns to meet Waverly's gaze. She looks at her in an unusual way. A look full of joy, surprise, sadness, longing… Love? "What?!" Waverly asks herself. Why would a woman she doesn't even know give her a look full of so many emotions? But she can swear she sees them all in this stranger's green eyes. Green as a forest. "Whoa, Waverly, get it together!" she mentally kicks herself. The Revenants look at the newcomer.
"Who the hell are you? Sherlock Holmes' wife?" one of them asks. The others laugh their hats off.
The woman sighs, shaking her head. Her attention now on the Revenants. "Why do you men always assume that a woman can't make it on her own in the world? I don't have a husband, if you must know," she glances at Waverly while saying this. She turns back to the Revenant. "I am however, the woman that will give you a lot of pain. The ones who survive should let the others know that there is a new player in town. My name is Alexis Stafford," she says, bobbing a curtsy. "And this is Domesday. Not doom, dome." She gestures charmingly at the sword. Her high-born British accent is highly obvious now. Waverly can't help, but smile a bit at the raven haired woman's strange antics.
The revenants are stunned to say the least. They scratch their heads in confusion. Picking upon their bafflement, Alexis turns serious.
"Gentlemen, are you ready?" she hops off the car. Most of the revenants back off. But the one with the axe, stands up to her.
"What are you gonna do, woman?" snickering at the word. As if this will belittle her threat.
"Oh, you really shouldn't underestimate us. Also, anger is a misused emotion. You can lose your head over it," she says smiling. She looks at the sword and in a swift motion, cuts the Revenant's head. "literally."
Waverly gasps very loudly. Alexis turns to her to check if she's okay. She sees the look of shock on her face. Alexis feels… ashamed. "You frightened her." echoes in her mind. The other Revenants scatter away, scared for their lives. Waverly and Alexis are the only ones left.
Alexis sheepishly goes to Waverly's side. Waverly looks at her. Not sure if she should be thankful or afraid. Then she sees Alexis' eyes. The kindness, the familiarity, the sorrow… All found in that green forest of eyes. So deep, so eternal, so full of home… "Wait, what?!" says Waverly, shaking the thought out of her head. She decides to give this stranger the benefit of the doubt.
"I… I should thank you…" trying to remember her name.
"Alexis." she answers, happy that Waverly is not afraid anymore.
"Alexis." Waverly repeats, looking at this mysterious woman. "Thank you, I owe you my life."
The woman stares into her eyes, before smiling knowingly. "And I owe you mine." are the words she wants to utter, but she knows she can't. That will ruin everything. Instead, she goes. "Voluntas mea fiet." Which means "my pleasure" in Latin.
Waverly blushes involuntarily. "WHO IS THIS WOMAN?" is the current theme in her mind. She smiles politely. Alexis winks at her and proceeds to leave. A surprised Waverly watching her back. Alexis shouts "Have a nice day, Waverly Earp!" without even turning around, knowing fully well Waverly is still staring at her.
"How does she know who I am?" Waverly wondered.
/Shorty's/
The door creaks open. Both Doc and Nicole turn in that direction.
"Oh, baby, here you are. I was so worried about you." says a very relieved Officer Haught. Her eyes beaming with joy, with the sight of her beloved. She jumps to her feet. Waverly hugs her almost on an instinct. Doc watches them lovingly. Wondering if he'll ever have what they have with someone. Rosita is no longer in the picture. How does Wynonna feel about him? Is he in love with her? Before he can answer any of these questions, there is one question he should find an answer to. But it is the only question that scares him to death. What does it mean to be mortal? He shooes the thought away. Waverly and Nicole walk to the bar stool hand in hand. They sit down. Waverly looks deep in thought. Nicole and Doc look at each other.
"What happened, sweetie?" asks Nicole, her voice full of worry.
Waverly looks up at her and smiles.
"Nothing, cutie," she takes a deep breath. "So what are we drinking?"
Doc pours her beer, Whiskey for himself and water for Nicole, because she is on the job. Waverly mentally argues with herself over her decision to not tell them what happened. It is only because she doesn't want them to worry while things are so peaceful. Right? Yeah, that's why.
/Police Station/
Wynonna barges through the door to find a startled Dolls with Jeremy, going over some case files. They hurriedly hide them away. She doesn't seem to notice.
"What's up, peeps?" asks Wynonna.
"Nothing… Just some paperwork. What are you doing here?" says Dolls.
"I just wanted to see if you guys have anything about Clootie and the Banshees. This is a name I just came up with." she smiles proudly. Jeremy laughs. Dolls is not amused.
"Finding anything about him is hard. It will probably take Gilly and Sam Tarly to uncover it all." chuckles to himself, looking at his idols to get some feedback. The joke is lost on the pair.
"I told you before, Jeremy, enough with the Star Wars references." says Wynonna. Jeremy sighs.
Dolls signals Jeremy to go outside. He leaves. Dolls comes closer to Wynonna.
"I know you want to put this all behind you…" starts Dolls.
"That's what he said." jokes Wynonna. Dolls is not impressed.
"But you shouldn't worry about this now. You have to deal with what you've been through, Wynonna. Because we need you in top shape." finishes Dolls.
Wynonna rolls her eyes. "Okay, daaad. You are soft on me these days. What's up with that? It makes me feel weird."
"Maybe I realised what matters the most." says Dolls with eyes gleaming.
"Which iiiiis?" asks Wynonna. Before he can answer, Nedley comes into the office.
"There is something you people should see." states a very stoic Sheriff Nedley.
/Alexis' House/
In a candle-lit house, Alexis sits on a red velvet chair. In her hands, she holds what appears to be an old photograph. Her eyes, sad and weary. She takes a pen out of her pocket. A rather strange looking pen. She looks at it in a determined manner.
Nedley takes Dolls, Wynonna and Jeremy to a field by the road.
"I am not the one to defend these people, but this seemed rather odd, even for this town."
They are looking at a headless body now.
"Is this… a revenant?" asks Wynonna.
"It looks like it." answers Dolls.
Jeremy is on the brink of vomiting.
Dolls is thinking about a million different things now. How can this happen? Is this the work of Clootie and the cult? It has been hard to keep these things secret. Only Jeremy and Nicole know about the cult. There are reasons for that. Keeping it from Wynonna, however, is a challenge. Considering his feelings for the hot-headed brunette, "Feelings that have to wait." he reminds himself.
Dolls looks at Jeremy, scolding. Jeremy goes to examine the body and take some samples. Nedley looks at Dolls, he suspects that they have been keeping something to themselves. Dolls and Nicole. But being in this town long enough, you learn to mind your business and do your own investigation. He is watching, that's for sure. As he has been for the past two years since Dolls left Nicole's Academy file on his desk and Nedley hired her.
Wynonna is deep in thought. She faces Dolls in a serious manner.
"Could you explain to me how someone other than me can kill a Revenant?"
Her eyes determined as ever.
"Clootie?" asks Dolls, breathing through the nose.
Wynonna nods and looks away.