Author's note: When writing this I like to glam over events and time that are not relevant. Sometimes hours, sometimes days or weeks; I feel like those times are normal things. Those are the days the TV shows don't show you and as a writer, they aren't important. The story I'm telling focuses on the important parts, so days and weeks will be skipped. Just think of them as business as usual.

All She Wanted

By Mia Bailey

Chapter 4: Nathan

Papers signed, Duke drove her back to get her car. They didn't talk much this time in the car, both lost in their own thoughts of the afternoon. She drove back to the apartment and took up her two bags to unpack. Her thoughts were racing with everything that was going on; making her apartment feel like home was last on her 'to do' list today.

The two men that were chasing her on the dock, one was now dead. Audrey had it right, their boss must have come, figured out they messed up, and killed one for incompetence. The other one was walking a tight line until she was found.

Hannah was not upset about the death. One less villain in the world, she was sure. She was upset that it brought the police into things, that they had to do an investigation. That might muddy the waters and cause her not able to stay for very long.

Which brought her to her next troubling thought: why? Why did she want to stay in Haven? She didn't know anybody, she had no attachments, no reasons to stay. Sure, Duke was an interesting person but if she never saw him again she could live with that. The Detective, Nathan, he was definitely someone she could get interested in but at the current moment he pretty much ranked her with Duke in the unlikable category. So why stay?

There was something, something about the town that was compelling her. She couldn't put her finger on it but she knew in her soul she was meant to be there, meant to stay, for at least a little while. So nice of Duke to help in that capacity, setting her up in this apartment.

It came furnished, though sparsely. She wouldn't complain; she never had her own place before. He job demanded travel and short visits. She'd been all over the world but never in one spot more than a few days. She lived in hotel rooms and cabins. Since she was ten, she'd never really had a place to call home.

A knock on the door startled her from her thoughts. She had no idea who it could be but she wasn't worried. Anyone it was could be taken down with a single palm heel to the bridge of the nose if she was threatened. No one could move faster than she could.

It wasn't a threat; it was Nathan Wuornos.

"Detective." Her voice showed her surprise.

"Can I come in?" He was very pleasant but she heard the wariness in his voice. He wasn't sure about her.

With a sunny smile and a large gesture she opened the door wider. "Be my guest."

He walked in, glancing around the place without seeing it. It wasn't much; the dining room and kitchen were one, separated from the living room area by a large opening. The bathroom was small and the bedroom barely big enough for a queen bed with no dresser.

"Cozy." He looked at her. "Not much in here."

"It came decorated. I don't know if I have the heart to change it."

"Or the time." He replied quietly so she could barely hear him. He continued to walk around her place, toward the living room. She followed him at a distance.

"Did I do something wrong?" She finally asked him.

His blue eyes pierced her from across the room. She could see how they might be intimidating to someone less strong willed than she. "I don't know."

"Fair enough." How could he know? He didn't know anything about her. His answer was smart and she could appreciate that. "Why are you here?"

He held out one hand with a lopsided, insincere smile. "To welcome you to the neighborhood."

She giggled. "Oh, I doubt that." She took a few steps toward him. "You don't come to a girl's home without a reason, detective. Are you on the clock?"

"This is not a social call." He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, looking away from her. "I have a few questions."

"You had to come to my place to ask them?" She stopped and leaned against the counter/bar that separated the kitchen from the dining room. She was only two feet away from him. She couldn't stop him from pulling a gun on her but she could disarm him before he could shoot her. This was the way her brain worked.

"I wanted to see it. I couldn't believe Duke signed the lease for you. I'm not quite sure that's legal."

"I don't think Duke would have it any other way." She grinned.

"True." He agreed. "But why did he?"

"Is that an official question?"

"Off the record." He leaned against the bar in a similar manner, facing her, sizing her up.

Hannah sighed and leaned backward, resting both elbows behind her on the counter. "Duke was helping me out. My credit is crummy and I didn't want to miss the chance of having a place to stay. He's a nice guy."

Nathan couldn't stop the snort from escaping. "One, no, he's not. Two, you're lying." There was a smile in his eyes but it didn't reach his lips. That was opposite of most people and very intriguing to her. "Something is going on between you two and it involves that man who was murdered this morning."

Hannah blinked at him, floored by his words. She couldn't believe that he was revealing investigation details for one and for two she couldn't believe he was confronting her. Unless...

"You figure I'm a victim here." She bit her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"Maybe."

"Are we on the record now?"

He nodded in response. She sighed. "Why do you think I'm involved with what happened at the hotel?"

"I ask questions, you just need to answer."

"Why isn't your partner here?"

"Answers first."

Hannah sighed again, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. He was stubborn. If she thought about it, it made sense. He mentioned a crime, she showed up at the crime scene. Why would she be curious unless she was involved somehow? He just wasn't sure if she was a victim or a suspect.

"Okay, ask." She finally said.

"What brings you to Haven?"

"Business."

"What type of business?"

She turned to look at him, pressing her lips together and shrugging. "Top secret."

"I'm serious." His eyes told her he was. She returned the look full force.

"So am I."

He stared at her another moment before continuing. "Is your business over?"

"Yes." She answered truthfully.

"Then why are you still here?"

She blinked, realizing she had just been asking herself that same question before he came in. "To start over." The words were out before she thought about them.

He looked surprised at that. It was unexpected for them both. He shook it off and continued his questioning, looking less sure of himself now. "Did you know the man that was killed this morning?"

"Not personally."

"What does that mean?"

She sighed, walking away from him, toward her couch. What to tell him without giving away information she didn't want to give. "It means, I didn't know the guy. I'd never met him, didn't know his name, wouldn't recognize him if I saw him."

Nathan sank on the couch next to her. "But you knew of him?" He was trying to understand.

"I know that he was a bad person who did bad things." She turned her head to meet his eyes. "That's all I know about him."

Nathan's voice was very soft as he asked, "Why was he in Haven?"

Hannah bit her bottom lip again; it was her tell when she was nervous or anxious. He answered for her. "For you." She gave a half shrug but he looked away as though she outright confirmed it.

She gave him a minute to process it. There wasn't a whole lot to go on; she was being purposely vague yet still answering his questions. Plus, there was no way he'd ever figure out the truth on his own. Some days she didn't even believe it.

"Duke. What does he have to do with this?" Nathan's voice hardened as he spoke about the man.

Hannah ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing it back away from her face. "He was just in the right place at the right time to help me out. He's quick and funny and we were just friends right away. Like I said, he's a nice guy."

"I distinctly remember disagreeing with you."

"You have your reasons." Hannah conceded with a head tilt.

"You're not going to tell me more, are you?"

"Do you think I'm a killer?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Then you don't need to know any more. I'm a good person, detective. Just want to start over with a quiet, normal life."

"Then you shouldn't have picked Haven." Nathan stood with a strange smile on his face. "That man was murdered by his partner. The security cameras gave us a timeline that all but shows us the shooting."

"You came in here knowing that I was innocent?" She tried to work up indignation but she couldn't find a place in her heart to blame him. "Questioned me already knowing answers?"

"I still don't have answers." He countered, heading toward the door. She stood to follow him, seeing him out. "Can we expect more of this? Are more people after you?"

"You make me sound like a fugitive."

"That wasn't a cop that was murdered. You're right, that guy was bad news. The bad guys are after you. That makes you a really bad guy or a good guy. From what I know of you, I'd like to think the latter."

"There shouldn't be any more. They'll never think to come back here for me. Haven should be safe."

Nathan smiled at her, the first one that hit both his lips and his eyes. "They may not come looking for you, but I don't know that I'd ever call Haven a 'safe' place, Hannah." He shut the door behind himself with a good night, leaving her to stare after him in awe and wonder and little bit of fear.