First Impressions Are Misleading

A 'Haven' story

By: Amanda Croft


Spoilers: Basically all episodes in varying degrees. For the first three chapters potential spoliers for all three episodes. Anything after that can have spoilers for anything up until the episode with the same title of the chapter. Also, since each chapter is written the weekend the episode's aired, anything that diesn't really fit with later episodes is something you'll just have to live with, although I may fix it if it's a major diferance.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my interpretation of the characters' interactions and thoughts. Do I even really need to say that? Really?


Summary: First impressions can be misguided. If Nathan and I had let our first meeting determine where our relationship would lead, I wouldn't be here


Welcome to Haven

First impressions can be misleading. If Nathan and I had let our first meeting determine where our relationship would lead, I wouldn't be here with my head resting on his shoulder watching a meteor show now.

***Haven***

When I first met Nathan Wournos, I'll admit that I was a bit of a bitch. But in my defense, I had practically met my death by driving off a cliff, and to top it off, he pulled a gun on me! So no, I wasn't thinking clearly and I was pumped up on adrenaline and sarcasm is my fallback position. I have honed my sharp retorts and quick wit to an art form. Thankfully, for some reason Nathan decided to look past my hard exterior and give me a chance at a second impression.

I had to give him a chance at a second impression too. At our first encounter, he was not what I expected from a small town cop. He was a little jumpy when he saw my gun, but otherwise seemed almost indifferent. His particular brand of bland sarcasm was something I didn't appreciate until later when I'd had time to clear my head. Then, when I slammed the truck door on his fingers and he just shrugged it off as nothing, I figured he was just a wannabe "tough guy" jerk. Of course, when he offered to stay on the case with me even after the Chief said it was a waste of time, I had to reevaluate my opinion.

That first case we worked on together was an interesting one for two reasons. The first was the circumstances surrounding the case itself. The second was that Nathan and I kept stepping on each other's toes and insulting one another, generally unintentionally. Part of that, I think, has to do with the mindset bred into all FBI agents. After all, he was just some small town cop and I was an FBI agent, what could he possibly know about solving a murder that I didn't. Another factor was probably growing up in the orphanages. Growing up that way, I learned fairly quickly the power and protection garnered by keeping up my walls reinforced by the barbed-wire of sarcastic wit. The final factor, I'm sure, was Nathan reacting to my attitude. I mean really? "You speak monosyllable" really came out of my mouth?

When I took the time to think about it later – standing where the picture of Lucy was taken deciding whether or not to stay around this crazy town awhile – I supposed it was a good thing he showed up when he did on that cliff, and his particular brand of bland sarcasm and quick wit was right up my alley and secretly impressed me.

First impressions can be just as misleading when you observe someone. It's funny how alike Nathan and I are, even if we seem totally different at first glance. Yeah there are the obvious differences like our gender and basic appearance as well as our backgrounds. Then there are the more subtle differences one would pick up on after briefly watching us. Nathan comes off as being really laid back, most of the time. On the other hand, among the nicer words to describe me I've heard 'tenacious' thrown around a bit. Then there is my obvious openness to anything … let's call it weird, versus Nathan's lack of belief in anything that doesn't have a logical explanation.

But like I said, the differences are almost entirely on the surface, which is obvious to the two of us, at least, after working together for nearly a year. We both have a strong pull towards the sarcastic, although I think I bring that part of him out in the open more. And try as he may to deny it, Nathan understands and believes in the weirdness more than most people I've met, even here in Haven. Sure, he tried to act like he didn't see how Maryanne affected the weather or how someone was using butterflies to do strange things around town. I think that was a kind of defense mechanism for him – denial about anything reminiscent of "The Troubles". That façade all but disappeared when he had to come cut me out of my blanket cocoon. True, he still tried to act like he didn't believe, but he was pretty quick to pull his gun on the Rev when that butterfly landed on his shoulder. As a matter of fact, I think he drew before I had even gotten the chance.

Add to that the fact that Nathan isn't nearly as laid back as he wants everyone to think –if you doubt me just watch him interact with Duke or the Rev. He's hiding a lot of pain and resentment as a result of his condition. He feels like an outsider, like no one could ever really understand him because he's too different. That's another area we are alike. I have felt like an outsider all of my life and I'm sure that I can be hard to relate too as a result of growing up how I did.

Still, as we worked together to get to the bottom of Lester's death and the mysterious weather, I found that I respected him and his work. And he in turn seemed to relax a little around me. It surprised me that he didn't just laugh outright or call me crazy when I told him what had happened when I went to talk to Conrad alone. His sole argument was how it would play out in court. That was my first indication that he was aware that something not normal was happening in the town, despite his affected nonchalance.

It was also surprising how quickly we seemed to form an actual partnership. By that second day we were already playing off of the other's thoughts and talking in sync, especially when shooting Duke down at the station. I have never had that kind of connection to anyone before, and I've tried out other partners for months at a time.

Maybe not as surprisingly, by the end of the case, we seemed to find a place where we were almost friends. I say almost because at that point we had known each other a total of four days and both of us are reserved people – it takes a lot for us to open up to anyone. Nonetheless, I found myself telling him my childhood dreams and showing him the picture the Teagues brothers brought me. Instead of the pity I expected to see, in his eyes was a look of sympathy, quite understanding, and encouragement that struck me. We had certainly come a long way from our first impressions and we were only just beginning. And although neither of us said anything about it then, we both felt that this was far from over. We were bound to get closer than we had already become in such a short time. That was the biggest part of why I decided to stick around a while. I was connected to this place and this man and only time would tell me how and why.

***Haven***

I never expected that within the year I would find a real home, friends, a job that I love, answers about my past, and most importantly love. But there is more to Haven than meets the eyes and first impressions are almost always misleading in this quaint little town I found myself in.