I don't own Haven or the characters.
It was an hour later and there was still no word from Audrey. Nathan had done well, slowly sipping his last drink. He hoped by the time she got there and he talked to her, he'd be sober enough to drive. The verdict was still out on that.
Duke on the other hand, was relishing in the fact that he didn't have to drive home, considering his boat was out on the docks. Everything within walking distance. Everything easy for Duke.
That was something that had really bothered Nathan growing up, and even now.
Things naturally seemed to come easily to him. Even though he was expecting to be killed by some stranger with a tattoo, he'd come this far in having a lavish life. One that he worked out for himself. It wasn't like there were classes on how to be con-artists.
Duke caught Nathan's narrowed glare.
He sighed dramatically, slamming down his fourth beer. "What now, Nathan? You think of another reason to hate me?"
"As if I could run out of things to hate you for?"
"Point taken, but I haven't done anything to you in years." Watching Nathan's expression, he decided to add in one more thing. "Intentionally..."
The sound of doors opening made them both stop and turn. Audrey walked in with a small smile on her face. Nathan could tell someone was with her. It was probably Brody.
"Duke, don't look."
"Oh, right." Both of them dropped their heads then glanced up at eachother. Their heads hung low to avoid meeting Chris Brody's gaze.
"Well, this is fun," Duke said in his infamous sarcastic tone that no one but himself loved.
"Hey guys..." Audrey said as she approached the table.
Duke rose a hand, waving it in the air where the sound of her voice had come.
"Where've you been? I called and left a message." Nathan knew how it sounded, confirmation came from the look on Duke's face.
"Oh, I dropped my phone in the water. I had to go get another one, which was why I'm here late. Why? What's up?"
"I need to talk to you. Privately."
"Alright, you wanna tell me why you both look like little boys who've been put in time-out by mommy?"
"No," Duke quickly said.
Audrey knew exactly why they weren't looking up and asking them only irritated Nathan further.
"Can we get a drink first?" Audrey asked then.
Who was we? He wanted to ask, but he knew damn right who the hell else she was meaning. Nathan kicked out a chair, keeping his head down.
"Can we just have a couple beers? Thanks." She must have asked the waitress, because Duke wasn't even glancing up.
To Nathan's left, he could see movement. He closed his eyes, hearing the sound of a chair pull out.
"Is this how it's gonna be everytime I come around?" The sound of Chris Brody's voice made Nathan grind his teeth.
"Dude, no offense, but I don't want to like someone I usually wouldn't even give a second thought to."
Nathan appriciated Duke's comment. They seemed to be on the same page for once.
"Fine by me, I'll just sit here and enjoy this beer and the company of you."
Nathan figured Chris had said the comment to Audrey, which only left him wanting to heave himself into a wall. Too bad he wouldn't even feel it.
"This has been fun and all, but I've got other things to do than to stare at one of my tables." As Duke said it, he began getting up.
"Nathan, why don't you just go on up and I'll meet you there in ten minutes," Audrey suddenly said. She was giving him the boot? Ten minutes? Was she serious? No way in hell.
"Parker, you better make it five." And along with Duke, he was up and walking off towards the kitchen. Duke held the door open, letting Nathan walk in before him. There was only one cook, it being late. Still, Nathan didn't want to talk too freely. He made an effort to have Duke realize this with hand signals.
Duke nodded, surprising Nathan on how quick he seemed to catch onto what he was meaning. He figured it was never Duke's intelligence that needed questioning, as much as his basic character.
"Something's not right about the guy," Duke said quietly. Nathan nodded, understanding what he was saying, but at the same time, he wondered if this was him being drunk and emotional or if there was actual truth to these thoughts.
"He could rob a bank and convince someone to turn themselves in. And he'd walk away without any sort of trouble behind him." Duke sounded angry.
"Of course, security tapes could be taken away as well. All he'd have to do is ask for them." Nathan added.
They both paused, thinking to themselves. Never in his life would Nathan have thought him and Duke would end up discussing things like this, or anything at all, for that matter.
"I'm gonna go up. Hopefully she's sending him away now." As Nathan turned, Duke came up with an end to a rather strange night.
"So, we good now?" When Nathan turned sideways at the door, staring at him, Duke smirked.
"No," Nathan flatly stated, opening the door to leave.
Duke didn't have to wait that long. Audrey came up, discarding her coat on the back of a chair in the room. She gave a quiet, long breath as if relaxing herself.
Nathan curled his hands into fists.
"Have a good time?"
"Yeah. He just showed me a few things on the beach. It's actually fascinating if you'd listen."
If he'd listen? Or if someone listened in general?
"What did you need to talk to me about?"
It didn't even take him one second to reply.
"You realize Chris Brody could very well rob a place and get away with it?"
She blinked a few times, staring down at Nathan who sat on the edge of her bed. He pushed himself up then, realizing he'd sat there without any thought as to where a more decent seating place could have been.
"He isn't robbing places, Nathan."
"You don't know that."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Have there been any calls on a robbery?"
"I didn't say here in Haven."
Audrey rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed with him.
"What's this about? You've been weird ever since that damn baseball game."
"I can't help being weird around the guy! He's got some superpower to make people bend to his will!" He was louder than necessary, but he was worked up and a little on the drunken side.
Audrey stared at him as if he'd suddenly stated he wanted to join the circus.
"Superpower? Nathan, he's troubled. Just like the rest-" Nathan didn't let her finish. He took a sudden step forward.
"Don't say he's like the rest of us because he's got something most would kill for."
Audrey stepped up to him, a silent gesture which let Nathan know she wasn't backing down.
"Nathan, some would kill for yours, too. Someone would kill to have their emotions effect the weather! Or, have a drawing that acts as a voodoo doll..."
His brain was telling him she was right. The rest of him however...
"He doesn't have the worst trouble in the world, Audrey."
By him saying her actual name, she seemed to lighten a little. A reaction Nathan hadn't expected.
"I think he makes you nervous. I can understand that. I'd hate to be out of control over my own feelings if a single look at him would alter my normal reactions to things. It wouldn't be something I'd feel ok with."
"I can't feel, Audrey! I can't-" He cut himself short. Lifting his hands to run through his hair as he sighed heavily, turning to walk towards the balcony doors. The wind chimes were giving off a soothing melodious sound.
"Oh, Nathan... I didn't realize."
Realize what? He wanted to ask, but he knew even as he thought it. Nathan couldn't direct what he could feel on the outside and with Chris around, he didn't have a hold of what was going on inside of him either.
Basically, around Chris Brody, he felt as though he lost all and any, of his self-control.
He stared out of the glass, seeing nothing but darkness that look like it was swallowing the world whole.
The room smelled like Audrey, causing his emotions and thoughts to feel as if they were running together. Emotions, thoughts...
Love. The very word made him tense up. It made his heart beat wildly. Had his jaw clenching.
It absolutely scared him. At the same time, it awakened him. Disturbed him, but gave him a glimpse of a serenity that was waiting around the corner. All he had to do was turn the corner. But what then?
He could feel her right behind him, though not physically. It was a sort of inner tingle that came, warning his every other sense that she was around.
It was as though his skin always anticipated her touch before it came.
Her simply standing by him made him feel whole. Like he was more of a man. Words that had been uttered to him, but none that quite made the effect, until Audrey had touched him that first time. And second time. And the brief moments that came after.
"Nathan?"
Her voice brought him back to the complication he'd made between them. Now he was left to either explain, or drop it altogether. Telling her anything would be a waste of time, wouldn't it? His earlier ranging thoughts on how she'd react came into the forefront of his mind.
He turned around, knowing he wouldn't tell her.
She was devistatingly pretty to him. Carried a glow that he only shadowed with the dark clouds that hung over him. Something in him wanted to argue that. Say that together they were a balance.
He forced the thoughts aside, making a point to think to himself that she balanced him, more than they ever would eachother. She brought a light into his life that had always been missing. The rather grey, gloomy sort of side to him would only darken her light.
"What's wrong?"
Everything was wrong. He was a coward. He was angry with himself. He was in love with her and he couldn't risk her friendship, and their relationship through work, just so he could be selfish and tell her. At least not right now.
He forced himself to grin, knowing she'd be able to see right through him and pick out the regret in his eyes.
"I had to drink with Duke today. That's what's wrong."
She grinned, but he could tell she wasn't convinced, nor was she done with asking the truth.
In a way, it made him hopeful. That eventually, she'd ask the question again and he'd be able to answer truthfully.
"I'll see you later," he said then, touching his hand to her clothed shoulder.
Stepping around her, he made an attempt to leave. It would be better than sticking around, being questioned until finally, he caved in on himself. He was never one to be talked into telling. If anything, people pushing him only made him clam up more. He'd explode before he ever got anything out.
Shock waved through him, almost making him stagger, which would have been mightly embarrassing. She had grabbed his hand to stop him and though his skin was always anticipating that touch from her when she was around, it didn't mean he was always ready for it. Her touch would shock him everytime. He wouldn't ever get used to it. This was something he knew hands down.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"I'm gonna sleep it off in my Bronco."
"Why don't you just sleep here?" Nathan looked at her, wondering if he'd heard wrong. Audrey let her hand drop from his. "I mean, I know my bed's not a king, but I'm sure we could figure something out."
"I could sleep in the chair," Nathan instantly offered.
Audrey glanced at it, obviously not impressed with the idea. She shook her head lightly, still not meeting his eyes.
"I think we're adult enough..." Finally looking at him, Nathan noticed how pink her cheeks were. Much pinker than he'd seen when mentioning her liking of Brody. For some reason it made him feel justified.
"Right?" It was cute to him, the way she suddenly seemed like a nervous teenager, asking him to sleep over. He was having a hard time getting rid of his grin that only made her look more uncomfortable.
"Sure, Susie. I'll spend the night," he said in a mocking voice.
Audrey punched his arm playfully, chuckling at him.
"You must be drunk," she said then, moving towards her bed. He watched her go, mentally sighing.
He wasn't drunk enough not give a damn about being in Audrey Parker's bed, that was for sure.
They both laid there in silence, only the small and distant sound of the waves kept Nathan from going insane. He didn't think Audrey would be able to hear it as her hearing wasn't as good as his own.
There he was, listening as Audrey's breathing became slower, deeper until finally he could tell she was asleep. And in her sleep, she moved. Specifically, her arms and legs. She slept on her side, but it seemed she was never quite comfortable for too long.
Both of them were on top of the sheets and even the blanket. Fully clothed and on their own sides, with Nathan's feet basically off the end of the bed, being he was a bit long.
Audrey had turned at some point, facing him as he laid on his back, one arm under his head while the other rested over his abdomen. He let his head loll to the side, watching her face as she slept. Creepy, sure. Did he care? Not really.
She moved her arm up, her hand bumping into his shoulder. It was completely adorable and only asserted his feelings towards her even more. She was completely vunerable like this. Her lips slightly parted, her eyes flickering beneath their sockets. Was she dreaming? He wished he could see into her mind.
At some point, her leg pushed out, reaching his until she brought her knee up, letting it rest against his hip. He wished he could feel it.
Absentmindedly, he let his hand slide off his stomach, his fingers only a centimeter away from her leg he'd be able to feel, had she not been in jeans. He took time memorizing everything. From the way her golden hair fell over her pillow and neck, to how her shoulder moved with every intake and exhale of breath. The way her waist curved in, widening slightly at her hips.
As he faced forward again, staring at the ceiling, he felt something. Against his skin. A tickle of some sort. He glanced down, seeing her hand had moved down and stopped where his wrist was. Her fingers moved only slightly, stopping when they rested against him enough for him to want to yell. Or cry. Which ever came first since he didn't know what to do with himself.
What had she done with Chris? It couldn't have been serious. Considering Audrey was the severely loyal type. The kind to never let another man sleep in her bed, had she held a relationship with someone else.
He knew his thoughts were erratic, but who would have known that for the first time in weeks, after Jess leaving and after his father's death, he would have been able to fall asleep so easily now? Easily and deeply.
All because Audrey's fingers were timidly touching the inside of his wrist.