Back for chapter three everyone! I've been sick since yesterday so I have extra writing time. I hope you're all enjoying reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Please review and tell me what you think. Here it is.
When Audrey woke up that morning the smell of pancakes was in the air. She smiled and yawned, slowly sitting up. Once her vision was clear enough to see everything she got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, where Nathan was making pancakes, and forgot to put a shirt on. Audrey just stood there against the door frame, watching.
"You know I know you're there, right?" He asked in a casual tone while flipping the pancakes. She jumped, startled, then laughed.
"What clued you in?" She asked, knowing the answer. Audrey was a very loud yawner, and her footsteps were heavy in the morning. She was pretty sure half the town could tell when she was awake.
"Probably the ultra loud footsteps coming from the bedroom." He decided, putting pancakes on their plates and turning to face her. They both grinned, knowing that Audrey couldn't be a quiet walker when she first woke up if her life depended on it. In the morning she was usually in bed for five minutes minimum. More when Nathan was there.
"Should've known. You and your elephant ears." She scoffed jokingly, walking to him. She looped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He returned, immediately feeling it. Then in a few moments Audrey suddenly pulled back, making Nathan groan in frustration. She laughed, leaning against him.
"The sooner we get going the sooner you sort out that paperwork. And the sooner you sort out that paperwork, the sooner you come home, and the sooner I get back to work." She whispered. He found it funny that she could cause him to shiver, just from a sentence.
"Let's eat." He said quickly, making Audrey laugh. They grabbed the pancakes, silverware, butter and syrup, and sat down at the table. They ate a little faster than usual, eager to get going. Audrey's reason being that she wants to see everyone, and wants Nathan to do that paperwork. Nathan's reason being that he wants to get everything done so he could come back for the night.
They finished eating and then they got changed. Audrey almost found it funny that she could just open a drawer and have everything she'd need to get ready in it. But she did spend a lot of time with Nathan. They were practically living together.
Within the next ten minutes they were ready and out the door. Before he got any ideas Audrey made a decision.
"No back roads. If I'm going back to work within the next few days people need to at least see me a little, or they'll freak out even more."
Nathan sighed, but nodded. He knew arguing with her was pointless, and there were no back roads to get to Gloria's anyway. He started the car and off they went to The Gull.
Duke Crocker was in his bar on Saturday morning, with a beer bottle in hand, mentally recounting last night's events. It had been Friday, and patrons were known to get a little extra rowdy. He had stepped outside for ten minutes, and a bar fight broke out. When he cleaned up the blood, he felt strange. He caught a glimpse of himself in a glass and found his eyes were silver.
Any other time he'd think that was impossible. Write it off as some drunken hallucination. He'd remember that the troubles were gone. But after Nathan's had come back, it was far from impossible that his could too. Dwight had already put the bulletproof vest back on. And got something similar made for Lizzie. He wasn't about to lose his little girl again.
He heard the familiar sound of his friend's bronco, and went outside. Sure enough, there it was, driving into the parking lot. It was hard to tell with the tinted windows, but he could've sworn there was someone in the passenger's seat.
Nathan got out of the truck, and Duke decided to be a smart alec.
"Nathan, buddy! I know we're friends and all, but is there a reason that you're here so early. I know you're stressed about Paige, but cmon! I never expected this." Duke knew good and well that Nathan didn't day drink. It was always at least five before he'd even consider it. However, teasing his friend never hurt, right?
Nathan rolled his eyes.
"I'm not here because I want to be. I'm here because for some unknown reason she wants to see you." He joked, tapping the glass. Duke was confused. She? Did he find Paige or something?
When he saw the door open and she stepped out Duke couldn't believe it. Audrey was back! Somehow she was here. His jaw dropped.
"Audrey?" He asked. She smiled and nodded, tears of joy filling her eyes. He was really alive. Thank god he was alive.
"Duke!" She smiled, hugging him. This was like finding out that your big brother that 'died' in the military was just hiding to survive. You're so happy you think you could burst.
She released him, and then began dé ja vu with the questions.
"What, how, when, what?!" Audrey and Nathan laughed, Nathan remembered when he'd said those exact same words the day before.
"Okay, let's go inside and I'll answer all of your questions there. Since someone doesn't want too many people to see me." Audrey remarked, cutting Nathan a look. Duke just chuckled.
"Nathan, don't you know by now that there is no controlling this woman? She is stubborn, bull headed, and she doesn't listen to anybody." Duke teased. They all knew it was true. It was easier to get a response from a wall then it was to change Audrey's mind. Then again, they do live in Haven.
"Trust me, I know." Nathan chuckled. Audrey cut them both a look and they stopped what they were doing. Two things about Audrey that they've learned over the years; you can't control her, and you do not want to make her angry. The sooner you learn that, the easier your life will be.
"Well, let's head on in." Duke said, opening the door. They all walked in, and took a seat. Duke offered them each a beer, which they waved away. He shrugged and opened his.
"So, what happened?" He asked. Nathan and Audrey exchanged a look, then began the story telling.
After half an hour Duke knew everything. Or, everything Audrey and Nathan knew at least. Which wasn't that much, since Audrey knew what Nathan knew, and Nathan only knew what the barn let him know. So there was definitely something that they didn't know.
"Well, that's a lot of information." Duke breathed, taking a swig of beer. Audrey nodded, and Nathan just kept thinking. How do we explain that Audrey is back! The guard will freak out. Especially since the troubles are back. It's not her fault, they came back before she did. And even if it was her fault she'd fight to fix everything. That's just who she is. Nathan thought. He knew this would be a challenge, but Audrey loved challenge. She was never content with easy.
"Nathan, Nathan, Nathan!" Audrey shouted, startling him. He jumped.
"What?" He asked.
"Pay attention. Duke just said he has something to tell us." She demanded. He nodded.
"Sorry I was thinking." He apologized.
"Alright Duke, what is it?" Audrey asked. He took a deep breath.
"I think my trouble is back." He stated. Audrey and Nathan's eyes widened, and they shared a look. If both Duke and Nathan's troubles were back, then there was no denying it.
The troubles were here. And they were screwed.
After about an hour of Duke explaining what happened, and then Nathan testing him with his blood, they knew he was right. Trouble related cases were going to start piling back up soon, all the more reason for Audrey to go back to work.
They left the Gull and headed to the morgue, where Gloria was doing paperwork.
"Oh hey Nathan, I was just about to call yo-" She cut herself off and dropped the papers in her hands when she saw Audrey. She looked frazzled to say the least, that woman had been replaced by Paige, who had dissapeared.
"Detective Parker?" She questioned. Audrey nodded.
"Hey Gloria." She smiled. She'd missed the out of the ordinary medical examiner. Without another word Gloria hugged her.
"How are you sweetie? Is everything alright? Do you need anything?" Gloria rambled. Audrey hugged her back.
"Thanks, but I'm fine. I just got back yesterday." She explained. Gloria released her.
"And you waited until now to tell me?!"
"In my defense Nathan took me to his place and wouldn't let me leave until this morning when we saw Duke." Audrey said, holding up her hands. Gloria chuckled and looked at Nathan.
"And how'd that work out for you kiddo?" Gloria asked.
"Not very well." Nathan admitted. There had been a few times when Audrey had almost gotten forceful about going to see people. She'd even tried to find the pair of cuffs she'd left at his place.
"Yeah I bet." They all laughed at Gloria's comment.
"Hey Gloria we need to tal-" Vicky came from the back room, and her eyes widened. She had just figured out that her trouble was back, and now Audrey was here. Oh crap!
"Uh, G-gloria, you see her too, right?" Vicky stuttered. Gloria nodded.
"Is that why my trouble is back?" Vicky asked.
"No. Mine came back two days before she showed up Vicky. This isn't Parker's fault." Nathan clarified. Gloria gave him a look.
"Wait what! Your trouble is back. Yours too?!" Gloria asked.
"His and Duke's. Which makes three people who's troubles came back." Audrey observed, doing her whole detective thing.
"Yeah, that we know of." Gloria added. It was true. Other people's troubles could come back. For all they know they already have.
"Oh no." Vicky winced.
"Oh no is right." Gloria added.
After they talked about everything that happened, and explained it to Gloria and Vicky, Audrey and Nathan headed to Dwight's. Nathan knocked on the door and Lizzie opened it.
"Hi Lizzie. Can you go get your dad for me?" Nathan asked. Audrey was waiting in the car, they didn't want Lizzie to get confused about who she was. Lizzie nodded with a smile.
"Be right back." She said, shutting the door. Audrey took this time to get out of the car.
"You sure this is gonna work?" She asked.
"He's gonna be happy. And he can help keep the Guard off our backs." Nathan reminded. They were going to ask Dwight to keep a close eye on the Guard, since he's their leader.
"I hope so." Audrey sighed. Just then the door opened and Dwight nearly fell over.
"Audrey?" He asked.
"Good to see you Dwight." She smiled. He was shocked.
"W-what? Come inside." He said, holding the door open for them. They all walked inside, and Nathan and Audrey explained everything for the third time today.
They explained everything and Dwight was shocked.
"Wow. So you don't remember anything?" He asked. Audrey shook her head.
"No. Everything between the armory disapearing and waking up yesterday is a total blank." She sighed. Nathan lightly rubbed her back, reminding her that he was there. She looked at him and smiled a small smile, which he returned.
"That's... tough." He decided. Audrey and Nathan both nodded. Tough was an understatement. James was dead, yet somehow Paige had brought him to Haven. Wrapping her head around how was an impossible task for Audrey. She knew her son was dead, but the thought of that being undone, being able to actually be there for- no! She wouldn't, couldn't think about that. The past was the past, he was gone. Plain and simple.
"Well, do you think you can help?" Nathan asked, clearly talking about the Guard.
"I can try. But I'm warning you, the Guard does what they want. Always have, always will. Be careful." Dwight warned. Audrey and Nathan nodded. They both knew that he was alluding to when they killed Lizzie. The only truly helpful thing Croatoan ever did was bring her back. They all knew good and well that there was no controlling them.
"Thank you. Well we should get going. Nathan has to start that paperwork." Audrey reminded, standing up. Nathan groaned, getting up as well.
"And I thought I'd be able to avoid that until tomorrow." He remarked. Audrey and Dwight laughed.
"Come on Nathan. You know me better than that." She teased. He just chuckled and nodded. Audrey has a very good memory, when no one tries to forcefully erase it anyway. He wouldn't be able to avoid that paperwork if he was sick. He opened his mouth to say something when Audrey grabbed his ear.
"Oh no you don't. We are going home then you are doing that paperwork." She demanded, grabbing her bag and pulling him to the door. Nathan kept repeating 'ow' and Dwight was dying of laughter.
"Byyee Dwight!" Audrey shouted, dragging Nathan out. He waved as the word 'ow' was all he could say. And Dwight just kept laughing.
Audrey released Nathan once they were outside and they started home. He couldn't believe she did that. That was so, Sarah like. It was actually funny once she let go of him.
They got to his place and Nathan left, terrified of what Audrey would do to him if he didn't go tackle that paperwork.
So that was a really long chapter. I tried to add some comic relief with the ear grab. Did anyone else die when they read that? Anyway, please review, I really appreciate it when someone does. I hope you all enjoyed. See you all next time.
Bye everyone!