Chapter One: Interruptions and Emotions

Waverly walked out of the barn, across the lawn and into the homestead, hurrying into her small bedroom, slamming the door and practically throwing herself onto her bed. She breathed in the smell of the house, the house that she and Wynonna had worked so hard to make a home again and wanted to cry. Okay, maybe Wynonna hadn't actually been that helpful but now Willa was back and suddenly the homestead didn't feel so homey anymore. For the first time in a long time, since Wynonna had come back and they had made some sort of calm amongst this giant storm of bullshit that was their lives, all she could feel here were the unhappy memories.

And they weren't of that night. Instead of the horrible heat of fire and a throat raw from screaming, thoughts of laughter at her expense, hidden tears, and a young childhood under the rulership of queen Willa, the chosen one, daddy's favorite and Wynonna's best friend rushed through her head. Waverly had no idea what to do anymore or, really, what to even feel. She just felt a dull loneliness, like she didn't have anyone to turn to. Wynonna seemed happy to have her sister back, Gus thought they could all heal now that they were whole and Shorty, Shorty was gone. Waverly knew that she should be feeling happy right now, that that's what people wanted her to feel and that's how you're supposed to feel when you find your sister, who everyone thought was dead, perfectly healthy a part from a hefty dose of brain wish. There was one person, the only person Waverly really wanted, that Waverly's sure would understand but the small brunette was worried she, and Willa, had just really hurt her after what happened in the barn.

With a sigh and a heavy sense of dread in her chest Waverly sat up in bed, picked up her phone, and started scrolling through her contacts. She was listed under Officer Hot, an inside joke that Wynonna had come too close to getting a time or two already but Waverly couldn't help herself. The picture of Nicole was what got her, Waverly almost started crying. Nicole was smiling back at Waverly in the photo. Waverly had snapped it on a rare day when it had just been the two of them on the property and there weren't any revheads hunting for the Earps. Nicole looked so happy and relaxed, her gaze filling Waverly with happiness and a sense of safety and security that was often missing from her life. Waverly's fingers hovered over the call button for a moment before she took the plunge, pressing it quickly before putting the phone to her ear. It rang only twice before Nicole picked up in silence.

"Hi" eeked out Waverly, her voice, high pitched and soft, betraying her nerves.

"Hi Waverly, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

Waverly's heart sunk. Had she really done it this time? With Champ she had hated pet names, they made her feel childish and controlled, but this sudden formality from Nicole felt wrong and cold.

"I...umm, said that I would call and I'm so sorry that Willa walked in on us and she just makes me feel so, so, crazy! And I don't know where Wynonna is but nothing is right with her either, now that she and Willa are having their sisterly love fest and Doc is gone..." Waverly felt like she couldn't stop, there was so much going on in her head that she wanted to tell Nicole.

"Woah, slow down baby," Nicole interjected, the honey in her voice making Waverly feel like she could breath again, she inhaled deeply. "I know all of this is a lot for you right now," Nicole continue, "I said I understood and I am really trying to. I know you're exhausted but do you want to come over? I hate to think of you all alone at that homestead."

"I'm not alone, Willa is here."

Nicole chuckled and Waverly heard her say, "yeah that's worse," under her breath. "Just come over Wave, I'm not mad, I swear" Nicole insisted with an air of finality.

"Okay, I'll come over." Waverly answered, her voice small. She was relieved that Nicole was understanding but still exhausted by the two ton elephant that had busted out of the commune and back into their lives.