We're Not Broken, Just A Little Bent

Chapter One

A:N: I wrote this because there's a scarce amount of Atticus/OC fanfictions on this site and I had an idea in my head and... now it's on the internet.
-_- *shrugs* I honestly have no idea how long this fic will turn out to be? All I know is that I have a lot of plans for my OC as far as character development, more details about her past, and her growing relationship with the Finches & other characters. No beta so I apologize for any errors! I hope you enjoy! Please favorite/follow/and review if you would like to see more chapters! :D

As Evangeline Downey stepped off the train she shielded her eyes from the blistering Alabama sun. It was extremely warm outside, which was to be expected, but she had forgotten exactly how sweltering Maycomb could be during the summer. It was a completely different heat compared to New York. In the city everything was dry and scalding; Evangeline once thought she could fry an egg on her sidewalk for it was so hot. However, Alabama heat was all humidity. When Evangeline's glasses fogged up she heaved a sigh and pined for her life in New York.

When Evie left Maycomb, she told everyone she was never coming back. She screamed it at her cruel and uncaring parents the night before she ran off; this was the first time she ever dared to raise her voice to them. She casually mentioned it to her shabby teachers, and whispered it to her friends; as if it was some secret plan no one could know about. Everyone thought she was making hollow threats. Few, if any, took her seriously, and especially not her friends. When Evangeline told them in confidence she'd rather die than stay in this sleepy and bigoted town, they thought she was being melodramatic, something she was prone to doing. And when old biddies like Mrs. Dubose pointed out that she was too loud or raucous, she'd reply "Oh, please don't be hateful. You should be glad I'm this way. After all, someone has to make a little noise in this silent town, and at least I give you gossips something to yap about," and would give them a genuine smile and resume whatever she was doing beforehand.

Although Evangeline was rather opinionated and occasionally unruly, she was also one of the kindest faces in Maycomb, even though some wouldn't admit it. She was oblivious to prejudice and discrimination as a child, mainly because she didn't understand it, but when she did she remained untouched. Even as a child, she was lovely and polite to everyone she came across, even Negros (something her parents lamented). Unless you crossed her or someone she cared for, Evie was the most loving and sweet girl in Maycomb. If Little Evangeline Downey did not greet you with a "good morning" or "how do you do", you obviously had said something offensive or cruel, and she simply wouldn't stand for it. She would not strike you, or say anything malicious in return. Evangeline would simply frown and her eyes would lose their happy glimmer, as if she was disappointed in you. She would stop greeting you at church, and would refrain from giving you a hug or kiss on the cheek if you really, truly upset her. She would carry on in this manner until you apologized, and she made sure you meant it.

One particular example of this is when Evie was nearly eight years old. Henry Flanagan, a boy about three years her senior and friends with Evie's older brothers, told Evie that girls weren't supposed to have jobs when she told him she was going to be a doctor when she was older. In fact, he laughed in her face.

"You're real funny, Evie," he cackled. "Girls can't even vote yet cause' they too stupid. Way too stupid to be doctors. All you girls are good for is havin' babies and cookin', and all you care about is how your hair looks."

As much as Evie wanted to knock that sneer clean off Henry's face, she took a deep breath and counted to ten like May, her nursemaid, had told her to do when she got mad. Then, she calmly set down the ball she and her brother Matt had been throwing, marched into her house, flung herself on her bed, and had a good cry while the boys stared at the spot where she had previously stood, bemused.

Henry shook his head and leaned down to grab the football. "I'm sorry to tell you this, Matty, but your sister's crazy."

She wouldn't speak to Henry for months. Whenever he approached her and attempted to start a conversation, Evie would just nod and say something like "is that so?" She didn't forgive him until he admitted how mean and awful he was to her, and brought her a bouquet of wildflowers to show his apology was sincere.

Evangeline was always a spitfire. Her first word was "no", and her parents knew from the start they were in for a wild ride. Maybe that's why they gave up on her so quickly. They just figured she wasn't worth the effort, especially since she was a girl. You'd think two boys would've been enough for the Downey's, but heavens no. They had to have that third boy. But when a tiny baby lacking a certain appendage appeared, their perfect little dream of the three Downey boys was ruined.

The pavement was warm beneath Evangeline's feet, and even as she paced away from the train station she could feel the heat seeping from the ground and into her high heels. When she reached the main road she nearly hailed a cab on impulse, but remembered where she was and sighed. She hadn't been back in Maycomb for nearly five minutes yet, and she was already considering turning right back around and buying a one way ticket to New York. She entertained the thought for a moment and then abruptly tossed it out of her brain. She barely had enough money for the ticket to Maycomb, never mind one to New York. Besides, even if she did have the money, she couldn't go home. Not now; there was nothing left for her in New York expect sadness. Evangeline shook her head to expel the thoughts in her brain and looked around the small square for the first time in nearly ten years.

It was still silent as a tomb.

"Some things never change," she mused to herself and adjusted her glasses.

Her heels clacked as she made her way across the street to the old courthouse. She walked with her head held high, although her stomach was doing somersaults. This town did bad things to her. There were too many memories, and far too many ghosts for her taste. She realized how similar Maycomb and New York really were then. She could practically see her mother in the old ladies exiting the church, and every little girl looked exactly like Lila. Evangeline was pierced by a feeling of guilt but did her best to shrug it off and marched up the stone courthouse steps. As she entered the ancient building, she wondered if they had changed anything, but judging by the state of the outside it was not likely. The people of Maycomb hated change.

When she entered the courthouse, the smell of old books filled her nose and she found herself smiling bitter-sweetly. As she figured, nothing had changed. While she studied the large entryway a man approached her and tapped her shoulder.

"Miss, may I help you?" he inquired.

Evie turned around to face him and smiled. He was a tall and thin man dressed in a suit. Evie would've thought him a lawyer, but his thick accent made that impossible. He had an affable, laid back air about him, and she guessed he was an officer. In this town, you were either a farmer, police officer, lawyer, white trash, or a Negro.

"Yes, actually. I was wondering where I could find Mr. Alexander Downey?" she asked.

"Oh, Judge Downey's office is just upstairs and to your right," he said. "First door you see. May I ask your name, Miss? It's just that you look mighty familiar."

"Alex is a judge now?" Evangeline exclaimed. "He never told me that in his letters. And I'm Evangeline, Alex's sister."

The man's eyebrows rose in surprise and he held out his hand. "Well, I'll be! Of all the people I expected to walk into my courthouse, you my dear are the last. It's Heck Tate. I was a few years above you in school. I was the guy who thought it'd be funny to ring the bell an hour early so we'd all get to go home."

Evie happily took his hand and shook it with vigor. "I do remember you! You're the reason they locked up the bell when I was in third grade!"

Tate laughed heartily and took off his hat. "It sure is nice to see you again, Evangeline. Last I heard you were up in New York with a husband and a baby."

Evangeline fought to keep a smile on her face, but failed tremendously. "Well, I was. My husband died about three years ago in Germany. He was one of the soldiers killed in the Great War cleanup."

Heck's face fell. "Oh, Evie, I'm real sorry. That must've been absolutely awful for you."

Evangeline pushed her glasses up and smiled dismally. "It definitely wasn't the best thing to ever happen to me; that I know. I just have to tell myself that at least he died with honor."

Heck nodded somberly. "That's very true. I bet he was a real great man. Had to be to marry you," he smiled.

"Thank you, Heck. That means a lot," Evangeline said. "But enough about me," she declared. "What about you? Married?"

"Well, I'm the current Sheriff of Maycomb, and I'm happily married for almost fifteen years to Shirley Evans now with two beautiful children: both girls. Names are Annie and Elizabeth, aged twelve and eight. What about you? Any kids?"

Evangeline felt like she'd been stabbed in the gut. The last thing she wanted to talk about was Lila. She cleared her throat.

"Um, yes. One. A girl. Her name was Lila."

Heck's smile was instantly wiped from his face. He furrowed his brows and took my right hand. "Was?" he whispered. His voice echoed off the marble floor and made Evangeline sick to her stomach.

She slowly nodded. "There was a, um, Diphtheria outbreak last year. Just about all the kids in our neighborhood got it, but because…" Evie's voice broke mid sentence and she had to take several deep breaths to begin once more. "The doctor said that because Lila was so tiny, her little body couldn't handle the stress of illness."

"Oh, Evie," Heck murmured. "That's just awful. Losing a child is just… There's nothing worse."

"People have always told me you don't know grief until you lose a child. I always figured it was a dreadful thing, but I never knew it would be quite this bad."

"How are you doing?"

"Oh, I'll get by," Evangeline shrugged sadly.

Heck- now Sheriff Tate-, took out a card from his pocket and handed it to her.

Evie let out a deep breath and looked at him, puzzled. "What's this?"

"My business card," he explained. "It's got my telephone number and address on it. You should come by sometime. I'm sure the Missus would be real glad to see you."

Evangeline smiled wide, displaying a perfect set of teeth. "Thank you, Heck."

"Oh, there's that smile I haven't seen in, how long?"

She laughed. "Far too long."

"It's nearly closing time, Miss Evie, so if you want to see your brother you best be getting up there. He usually leaves right at five, so maybe you'll catch him on his way out."

Evangeline glanced at her watch. "You're right! He's probably already left, seeing as it's already seven past five. I've got to get going, Heck," she said, hastily picking up her suitcase. "It was so nice seeing you again!" she called as she raced up the stairs.

Heck chuckled and left the courthouse, leaving Evangeline to climb mountains of stairs. In her rush to see Alex, Evie tripped over the last step, sending her suitcase flying. Instead of smashing onto the cold marble floor, she crashed into something firm and warm. As they collided, Evangeline let out a startled shriek, while the one she ran into lightly grunted. She landed hard on the floor, hitting her funny bone on a briefcase.

"Goddammit!" she cursed, rubbing her arm. She looked up to see a disgruntled man across from her on the ground, who at the sound of her voice, chuckled.

"I doubt God had anything to do with this particular event," he remarked dryly, and began to lift himself off the ground.

Evie smiled self-consciously and let out a hollow laugh. "No, it was just me not paying attention. Are you okay, sir?"

"Oh, it was equally my fault. I was in a bit of a rush to get home. And I'll live. What about you?" He smiled, and pulled Evangeline up by the hands.

"I think I'll survive, but I'm afraid your papers won't," Evie lamented, and reached down to pick up the man's several scattered documents. "I really sorry about all this," she apologized as she handed the papers to him. "I'm just a bit frazzled today."

"Its fine, I promise. And are you sure you're okay?" The man scanned her body for any injuries and his dark eyebrows furrowed. "I think your elbow is bleeding," he remarked.

Evangeline glanced at her aching arm and sure enough, red liquid was dripping from her right elbow and onto the floor.

"That it is," she acknowledged, and started to make her way to her suitcase, but before she could, a silky black handkerchief was in her hand. Evangeline studied the smooth fabric and saw an engraving in the corner. She silently read the writing. "To my beloved Atticus, from Melanie."

"I can't use this," Evangeline protested, and attempted to thrust the hankie into the man's hand. "It was obviously a gift."

"No, you take it. I've two more at home, and it's not like they can't be washed."

"Are you sure?" she asked, and the man abruptly pressed the handkerchief onto Evangeline's red elbow to stop blood from dripping on the floor.

"Hold it there until the blood flow stops," the man, or Atticus, as he was called on the hankie, directed.

Evangeline tried her best to bite back a laugh. "I know," she replied. "I'm a nurse, or I at least used to be."

Atticus's eyebrows rose. "A nurse? You know, if you're looking for a job, I know our hospital is hiring. They always need the extra help."

"Really? Thank you!" Evangeline smiled, and continued putting pressure on her small wound. "I haven't practiced in quite some time though, so I'm not sure they'd take me."

"Trust me, they'd take you. They're really in need of some extra hands, experienced or not."

"I'm Evangeline, by the way. Evangeline Downey."

"Hello, Miss Downey. I'm Atticus Finch. It was very nice to meet you, despite the circumstances. Are you in any way related to Judge Downey?"

Evangeline smlied and removed the handkerchief once she'd stopped the blood flow. "Yes. He's my oldest brother. I do hope he's matured since the last time I saw him."

Atticus chuckled. "Your brother is a very nice man, a very good lawyer, and I'm sure he's a very talented judge."

"I hope so. Thank you for letting me borrow this," Evie said, gesturing to the handkerchief. "I promise to return it as soon as I can."

"I promise you, it's not a problem. Keep it as long as you need. It was very nice to meet you, Miss Downey."

"Same to you, Mr. Finch," she said, and watched as Atticus Finch tipped his hat to her and strolled down the stairs. Seconds later, she remembered why she had come to the courthouse in the first place, and nearly sprinted down the stairs to catch up to Mr. Finch. When she did, she was nearly breathless.

"Miss Downey! It's as if I just saw you," he remarked dryly, but not unkindly.

Evangeline laughed and fiddled with her hair, which was escaping from the pins holding it back.

"I'm very sorry to bother you again, but do you know if my brother is still here? I came to the courthouse looking for him and I got a bit sidetracked. I was supposed to tell him when my train got in so he could take me to my new home. I haven't visited Maycomb for a long time, and I've forgotten how to get around town."

"I'm afraid Alexander left early today. He had to run to Scottsboro for an emergency meeting; something to do with the Appellate Courts. If you have the address of your house I could probably find it for you."

"I don't recall the exact address, but I know it's on Central Avenue?" Evangeline offered.

Atticus's eyebrows rose and he smirked. "I think I'll be able to find it. I could accompany you, if you don't mind walking. I didn't think I'd need my car today."

"Really? Are you sure? I've already been so much trouble as it is. I don't want you to go out of your way," Evangeline said.

"Nonsense. It's not out of my way. In fact, I think we're neighbors now."

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