Author's Note: I'm hoping to have the next chapter back from my beta by next week. So cross your fingers and we'll see what happens.


Pancakes and Conversation

Audrey stared at the retreating form of the woman, who claimed to be Audrey Parker, the real one, feeling the bottom drop out of her world once more. Grabbing her phone, she tried to call Agent Howard, but his phone had been disconnected. Next she dialed the bureau in Bangor and Boston but they claimed to have no record of an Agent Howard living or dead anywhere in the US, just like the Other Audrey had said.

She could feel her control slipping away; she only knew Audrey's life. It never occurred to her that life was stolen. Where did she go from there? Even if she was Lucy, she didn't remember how to be Lucy.

She remembered being locked in the closet when she was eight years old because she'd spilled Sister Mary's coffee... getting drunk for the first time in college and nursing the hangover alone... all her bad choices with men. If these weren't her memories, where had they come from? Most of all what had she been doing the last twenty some years, if she hadn't been living Audrey's life?

"Just breathe. You're not going through this alone, no matter who you are."

She jumped when Nathan's arms wrapped around her shoulders anchoring her to the earth and him.

"I don't care what your name is, I know you. I can call you Audrey, Lucy or even Prudence if you like. Just remember this, you're still my partner and my friend. Nothing is going to change that. Not even my own stubbornness and stupidity."

Audrey relaxed slightly against him and he tightened his hold, sighing, as more of her came into contact with him.

Knowing he probably needed her as much as she did him at this moment, Audrey turned her face into his chest fighting tears. She hated to cry, but after seeing the chief explode and now this, she just couldn't hold them back anymore. So she gave into her emotions, letting the tears flow.

Nathan said nothing as he held her tight and Audrey realized as much as she wanted to dwell on her problems, Nathan's day had trumped hers in spades.

Slowly, she raised her hand to his cheek and he closed his eyes at her touch. "Where do we go from here?"

Covering her hand with his own and linking their fingers, Nathan smiled. "How does pancakes sound or would you prefer cupcakes?"

Wrinkling her nose, Audrey sighed. "Had enough of those for a long time. Pancakes it is."


Nathan sat in his truck staring straight ahead trying to ignore all the stares that passed his way. When he and Audrey had walked into the diner, all talk stopped and everyone's eyes turned toward them. Each set of eyes full of pity, hands slapped his unfeeling shoulder and condolences murmured. Soon it became too much, and he fled.

He wasn't proud of his actions but sometimes retreat was the best option and on a day like today it sure seemed like the best one at the time. Resting his head on the wheel, he took his own advice and breathed. Both he and Audrey had been kicked in the teeth today and it wasn't even sunset yet.

Lifting his head, he stared out at the water thinking of his two fathers. Why had Max Hansen really come back to Haven? Was it really for Nathan and why was Max so pleased when he found out that Nathan suffered from the same Trouble? How did this all tie in together?

Then there was the chief. It was a little too late but Nathan knew the chief loved him and wanted what was best for him. Garland Worounos had known the end for him was coming and tried to prepare Nathan to step into his shoes. The future of this town now rested on Nathan's shoulders and he wasn't sure how he liked the feeling.

How did the Rev tie into all of this and who were the people who don't want Audrey here? Was the Rev part of that group?

The passenger door opened and Audrey hopped inside with a takeout bag in her hand. "My place or yours?"

Lifting his head, Nathan smiled. "Mine since I think that FBI agent would be grumpy if I let you out of my sight. Your in my custody remember?"

Audrey slammed the truck door. "Right, your place it is."


Nathan pushed the take out box away from him, one pancake remained but he couldn't eat another bite. "Thank you for today, I wasn't at my best today."

Audrey threw the napkin at him. "Neither of us were. We've had a few shocks today, not to mention watching the chief-"

Suddenly overcome with emotion, Nathan covered his face with his hands, hiding the tears he saw land on the table top. Closing his eyes, he tried to reign in the emotions, not wanting to seem weak. A warm hand covered his, tugging it away from his face.

"Don't hide from me. I thought we weren't going to do this anymore, no more secrets."

Pulling him to his feet, she backed toward the couch pulling him along with her. "I..." Nathan stopped, unsure what to say.

Sitting down, Audrey patted the place beside her. "I know it's hard. Opening up is never easy but we have to start somewhere."

Nathan sat down beside her, although he wanted to just retreat to his room and forget this crappy day happened.

Audrey immediately took his hand, drawing his mind from that thought. "When did you realize you could feel my touch?"

"The day Jesse left, you kissed my cheek. For the first time in years, I felt something, your lips on my cheek, your hand on my shoulder. It was like an electric shock running through my body and it slowly faded as you moved away. Then I was numb once more. I tried to tell you a dozen times but the words just wouldn't come. I though by telling you that it might end and then-" He stopped and looked down at their linked hands. "I'd be alone again. I don't think you know what it means to be able to feel you." With his other hand he traced the back of her hand. "To feel alive again."

"I can't imagine what it's been like for you. You said once you hoped I could fix you, I still don't know how but this is a start. I'm Lucy so I should know how to help all these people but the more I try to remember the more it slips away."

Lifting her chin, Nathan stared into Audrey's eyes. "We'll figure this out. It might take some time but we'll get this. We always do."

They were so close and Audrey leaned in closer. Her lips brushed against his and Nathan didn't back away as she expected him to. They both needed this, and each other. As Nathan's hand cupped the back of her head, Audrey knew that no matter what else might happen she was home.


There you have it. Hope you like it enough to leave me a comment or two. Thanks for reading.