Disclaimer: I do not own Haven or its characters.

Chapter 4: The Final Round

Making his way back into town had left Duke's body even more sore and he felt on the verge of collapse, which he promptly did once he'd gotten back on his boat. The night passed in relative silence and he awoke the next morning to absolutely nothing, which was a welcome relief.

A few days passed days since the initial attack and Duke had begun to believe that the worst was over. His face was now the yellow green of healing. His shoulder, with the makeshift stitches was holding and the wound was scabbing over. He had flat out refused to go to a doctor. He didn't want to have to explain that his high school tormentee and sometimes friend beat the ever loving shit out of him. Twice.

No, Duke was perfectly content to just let his body heal on its own. He was enjoying a good night's sleep after his fourth day of peace when someone laid a hand on his shoulder. He was awake instantly and tried to inconspicuously slip his hand under his pillow where his gun was hidden.

"Duke?" He recognized the voice, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. His fingers closed around the gun. He quickly rolled out of bed and swung his gun around towards her. "Whoa, take it easy, it's just me," Audrey said, putting her hands up.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded, refusing to put his gun down.

"The door was open," she said slowly. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Duke hesitated for a moment longer before slowly lowering his gun. "Can you please tell me what's going on?" she asked.

"No," he said shortly. "It's over now. It's nothing for you to worry about." Audrey sighed, but eventually stood up from where she had been sitting on the bed. She left without another word. Duke followed a few minutes later and checked the lock on the door. He could have sworn he'd locked it, but it didn't seem to be broken. He relocked the door, but as he was getting ready to go back to bed something slammed into his back and pinned him to the door.

"Miss me?"

"Nathan," he spat. He tried to push back, but Nathan held strong.

"I was thinking about that first time and it just wasn't satisfying enough," Nathan answered. Duke couldn't help but think that something was different. Previously Nathan had attacked with a single minded purpose, but this time he seemed almost excited.

"What's with the attitude adjustment?" he asked, trying to keep his own devil may care attitude.

"You're a challenge," Nathan answered. "Last time I didn't get what I wanted, but I will, even if I have to keep coming back." He grabbed the back of Duke's shirt and flung him back towards the bedroom.

"You forgot something," Duke said as he heard the bedroom door shut.

"What's that?" Nathan asked coolly.

"I'm not tied up." In a move that he hoped would be sudden; he whirled around and slammed his fist into Nathan's face. Although he knew Nathan wouldn't be able to feel it, he knew it would at least catch him off guard. It had the desired effect as Nathan fell to the ground and Duke continued his assault with a multitude of kicks to his face and torso. He wasn't expecting Nathan to grab his leg and he promptly fell backwards as Nathan gave a sharp yank. His head smacked into the bedside table hard enough for his vision to blur. Nathan grabbed his shirt and spun him around towards the bed and shoved him forward. He twisted Duke's left arm behind his back and got a pained yelp in return.

"As much as I would love to listen to you scream we can't have the neighbors come running," Nathan said. Duke was on his knees with his upper body bent over the bed. Nathan pressed down against him and used his body weight to keep the other man pinned to the bed while he produced a piece of cloth and a bandana from his jacket pocket. He forced the cloth into Duke's mouth and then tied the bandana around his head to keep him from spitting it back out. Once the gag was in place Nathan seemed to relax a little. He put his right hand over Duke's and interlaced their fingers. Duke's left arm was still twisted behind his back, pinned between their bodies. Nathan chuckled and ran his left hand through the dark wavy hair.

"I guess it's time to get started huh?" He grabbed Duke's free wrist with his left hand and then began slowly pulling his index finger back. Realizing what he was trying to do, Duke tried to pull out of his grasp, but Nathan held firm and continued to pull. There was an audible crack and Duke let out a choked scream around the gag. A single tear dripped down his cheek from the pain. "There it is," Nathan whispered. Releasing the broken finger, Nathan grabbed Duke's chained turned his face towards him. He then ran his tongue along the tear trail and he let out a contented sigh.

"Physical pain tears taste the best," he said. "Sad tears are too bitter and personally, I find humiliation tears to be too sweet. Pain is just the right combination of salty and sweet." Duke knew for sure then that there was definitely something off. Maybe it was the troubles. That didn't make this forgivable, but he could at least understand. As he finished that thought, Nathan went in for the next finger and snapped it as well. This time between the second break and all the other aches and pains the tears flowed freely and wouldn't stop. "There we go," Nathan praised.

He wrapped an arm around Duke's waist and pulled them both away from the bed until his back was up against the wall and Duke was up against him. They sat on the floor for a good ten or fifteen minutes with Duke sobbing and Nathan occasionally licking the tears off his face or swiping them off with his finger and then sucking the tears off that way, all the while making oddly contented noises deep in his throat.

As Duke finally got a hold of himself he became aware of a couple different things. One, Nathan was rubbing his arm in a soothing manor and two he was slowly rocking them side to side. Now that he could see and think clearly again, Duke tried to squirm out of Nathan's grip. "We should get those set," Nathan commented. He pulled the gag off and Duke promptly leaned over and vomited right next to Nathan's leg. It felt weak and shameful, but between the shock and the pain he hadn't been able to help it.

"Let it all out," Nathan said soothingly, running his hand up and down Duke's back. Duke wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face, but he didn't want to risk injuring himself farther. Plus he'd already found out what happened if he tried to fight back. After another moment of this, Nathan finally helped him to his feet and led him to the door. Duke slowly began to think up ways to escape.

Once outside it should be a little easier and if he could make a little noise in the process and bring some people running that would be helpful as well. The cool night air helped soothe the headache that was building at Duke's temples. When they were far enough away form he boat that Nathan wouldn't be able to shove him back in, Duke yanked his arm out of his grip and started running.

Nathan charged after him without a second's hesitation. It was almost as if he'd been anticipating an escape. It only took him few moments to catch up and yank Duke's arm back so hard and so fast that it almost pulled the joint form the socket. Jerked by the sudden movement, Duke's own momentum sent him crashing back into Nathan's solid form. Nathan's arm wrapped around his lower back and in the dark they probably just looked like an average couple taking a midnight stroll.

"You can't get away from me," Nathan said with a smirk.

"Watch me," Duke hissed. "Help!" He struggle desperately to get out of Nathan's grasp while making as much noise as possible. He did notice that when he landed a particularly hard blow to Nathan's jaw there was a pained hiss. "You can feel." It came out as an accusation, but in reality it only meant one thing.

"Duke?" There was a split second of stillness as Audrey's voice sounded over their scuffle.

"Audrey!" Before he could shout a warning or otherwise, Duke found himself being propelled off the dock and into the harbor. Duke broke the surface of the water for a brief second before Nathan, or whoever it was, yanked him back down. He heard or maybe rather felt something else jump into the water and the person holding him under lost its grip. Duke again broke through the water, gasping for air. Something latched onto his ankle and tried to yank him down again. He was just barely able to keep his head above water when the pressure left. The next thing he knew Nathan had him under the arms and was steering him towards the ladder on the dock.

"Audrey," Nathan shouted.

"Nathan? What are you doing here?" Audrey asked, appearing over the edge of the dock.

"Same thing you are. Help me get him up," Nathan responded. Between the two of them they managed to drag a spluttering, coughing Duke up onto the dock.

"What happened?" Audrey asked Nathan as Duke was incapable of answering at the moment.

"I don't know," Nathan said, shrugging. "It looked like someone pulled him in, but no human I know can hold their breath that long. Are you okay?" Nathan laid a hand on Duke's shoulder, but pulled it away when Duke gave him a death glare. Now that he'd finally reestablished his breathing he was pissed.

"Trying to look like a hero?" Duke snapped.

"What are you talking about?" Nathan asked flatly.

"You planned all of this and you could have gotten us both killed," Duke retorted. He started to get up, but accidently leaned on his two broken fingers. He yelped out in pain and quickly cradled his hand to his chest, mindful of the broken appendages.

"We need to get you to a hospital," Nathan said, watching Duke carefully.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Duke spat. Nathan rolled his eyes and turned to Audrey.

"I'll go get the car started," he said, then got up and headed towards shore. More out of spite than anything else, Duke picked up a particularly large shell and chucked it at Nathan's back. It hit him square between the shoulder blades, but Nathan didn't even flinch.

"Was that really necessary?" Audrey asked as she helped Duke to his feet.

"Wait a second, now he can't feel again?" Duke glanced over into the water, but nothing was moving. He looked back at Audrey and noticed she was completely dry. "You're not wet."

"Why would I be?" she asked, looking thoroughly confused.

"I thought you jumped in after me," Duke paused as he realized she had helped him out which meant his instincts had been right. The Nathan that kept attacking him was not the same Nathan that had just helped him out. Maybe then the Nathan he'd tried to interrogate really hadn't come back that night with Guiles bound and gagged.

"Are you okay? Did you hit your head when you went in?"

"I'm fine," Duke said absently. He glanced out over the edge again, but the waters were still.

"Come on let's get out of here," Audrey suggested. Duke nodded and they made their way to Nathan's truck. The ride was quiet with Duke staring at Nathan through the rearview mirror and Nathan occasionally meeting his gaze. After several minutes of silence, Nathan finally spoke up.

"So what happened out there?" he asked. Duke's eyes narrowed automatically, though he somewhat suspected that this particular Nathan wasn't the one that had tried to drown him.

"Why were you two hanging around the dock in the middle of the night?" he countered.

"Why is it so hard to believe we were worried?" Nathan asked.

"Because you never cared before when you saw me with bruises," Duke answered.

"You're right. When you came into class in third grade with a bruise, I didn't care, but when you walk into your restaurant looking like you tried to fight a cinder block, yeah I'm going to worry." Nathan stared at him hard in the rearview mirror. Duke suddenly had a thought.

"Can you kiss a woman when you can't feel anything?" Duke asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Nathan demanded.

"My…attacker can't feel anything either," Duke explained.

"And he kissed you?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.

"He…" Duke hesitated, but was unable to come up with a better explanation as to why he would ask. "Yes."

"Why?" Audrey asked.

"Do I look like I know?" Duke scoffed. "So can you?"

"Yes," Nathan sighed.

"How? Do your eyes have to be open or is it a hit and miss kind of thing?"

"At first…I have to look. Then once I get a feel for her…"

"So you can't just do it," Duke interrupted. "Even if you've known this person your whole life and you know his face really well." Nathan took a second to glare at Duke heatedly before turning back to the road.

"No. Not even if I've known her forever," Nathan admitted grudgingly. Duke sat back and thought back to that first night. Nathan had charged full on into that first kiss. His eyes had been closed and he definitely hadn't missed.

He turned to look out the window to signify he was done talking. No one pressed him and he was glad for that. It gave him time to think. So unless Nathan was having this weird bipolar thing going on it couldn't be him. Then there was a second person who'd jumped into the harbor. It wasn't Audrey so that would leave the second Nathan or the first Nathan really. Duke figured it was safe to say the violent Nathan was second.

By the time they reached the hospital, Duke had composed himself enough to appear stony and distant again. Of course the doctor asked questions, which Duke brushed off with a snide comment or a pointed glare.

"I fell," Duke answered for the third time as Dr. Howard was finishing up the bandage on his fingers.

"Would it kill you to just tell me the truth for once?" Howard asked, taking a step back once he was done.

"Would you rather I tell you a sea monster yanked me into the harbor by these two fingers?" Duke asked, raising his hand for emphasis.

"I would rather hear you say you were screwing around with a couple of no good thugs and got in over your head," Howard said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh now Doc leave my love life out of this," Duke said sarcastically.

"Duke I've been treating you for a long time. Haven't I done enough to hear the truth for once?" Howard asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Duke responded.

"I just told you what I believe," Howard pointed out.

"Well that's not what happened."

"Fine. I'll go get your pain medications."

"Thank you." Howard turned and left the room and as Audrey opened her mouth Duke held up his hand. "No."

"I'm going to get some coffee," Nathan said, then turned and left. A few seconds later he came back in and shut the door.

"I thought you were getting coffee," Duke said watching him carefully.

"Machine's broken," Nathan responded.

"The machine's downstairs. There's no way you had time to go down there already," Duke pointed out.

"Alright so I changed my mind. Is that a problem?" This time even Audrey noticed a difference and she gave him a side long glance.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Fine, why?" Nathan asked.

"You're not Nathan," Duke said slowly.

"And who else would I be?" he asked shortly.

"Let's settle this now. Audrey, please call Nathan," Duke said, looking at her. She hesitated for a second and then pulled out her phone and dialed. Nathan pulled out his phone, which was obviously water damaged.

"It went into the harbor with me. I don't think it's going to work," he said snidely. Duke remembered clearly seeing Nathan's phone sitting on the dash when they'd gotten into the car. It had been completely dry and had obviously never been in the water.

"Put it on speaker phone," Duke told Audrey, ignoring Nathan completely. She did as he said and the sound of the phone ringing on the other end filled the small room. For a moment, Duke worried that his theory might have been off, but then the ringing stopped.

"Hello?" Nathan's voice came over the speakers. Duke turned smugly to Nathan number two.

"Nathan would you come up to the room quickly?" Duke said, keeping his voice as carefree as possible. Number two took the phone from Audrey and promptly crushed it in one hand. As Audrey reached for her gun Two hit her hard enough to send her flying across the room.

"If you try to escape or call for help he dies," Two threatened. As Duke had started to get up to help Audrey, Two had pointed her gun at him. Now he pulled back the hammer just to prove how serious he was.

"You won't kill me," Duke said confidently.

"Oh and why's that?" Two asked, turning his attention to Duke.

"Don't you remember that first night? Or tonight even? Did you get what you want? Did you really?" Duke asked slowly getting up from the hospital table. Two grinned.

"I did, but who's to say that I can't have more?" he said.

"Fine then let her go and I'll give you what you need," Duke said straight faced.

"I don't think you know what I want," Two said, taking a step forward.

"Really?" Duke ran a finger down his cheek. "I've never heard someone put a flavor to tears before." Two smirked again.

"Are you too much of a man to cry in front of people?" Two taunted. "Well I hate to break it to you, but I love a captive audience." Before Duke could react, Two moved swiftly forward and grabbed Duke's uninjured hand before crushing his wrist.

"Shit!" Duke stumbled backwards, his face quickly becoming damp with silent tears. Two grabbed Duke's shirt and yanked him closer. He practically rubbed his nose against Duke's cheek and moaned softly.

"If only I hadn't had so much earlier. These smell even better than the last," he said loud enough so Audrey could hear. There was a hard knock on the door and the real Nathan's voice came through.

"Audrey? Duke? What's going on?" As Two turned to look at the door, Duke threw himself forward and managed to knock the gun out of his hand and towards Audrey. Two shoved him hard enough to knock him over the bed and onto the floor on the other side. It then whirled towards Audrey and in the blink of an eye turned into her. The change was complete, even down to the clothes.

"You couldn't shoot me could you?" Fake Audrey asked, slowly walking forward.

"Don't move," Audrey ordered. Her hands didn't waver as she leveled the gun at Two's chest.

"What about me then?" The creature turned into Duke. "You wouldn't hurt me would you? I'm hurting already. Broken fingers," he held up his bandaged fingers. "Bruised, beaten. Do you want to see?" He lifted up his shirt, with his right hand as his left hand was being held awkwardly from the shattered wrist, and exposed the bruises that littered the real Duke's torso. "And now I'm being choked to death."

He pulled the collar of his shirt away from his neck and dark purple finger like bruises began appearing on the skin. A second later Audrey's attention was snapped over to the corner where Duke was suddenly gasping for breath and struggling with an invisible force around his neck. The knocking on the door got louder and Dr. Howard's voice was added to the outside noise.

"Come on Audrey. No one wants to die here," Two said soothingly. "Let me go and I promise, I'll leave Duke alone. I won't look like anyone else, hell I'll even leave Haven. This doesn't need to end bloody." Audrey flinched as he gently touched her hair. "What do you say?"

"I'll let you go if…if you'll turn into someone for me. Someone I want to see again," Audrey said quietly. It hadn't escaped her notice that Duke was struggling less and less the longer this was drawn out.

"Tell me who," Two asked.

"My mother," Audrey answered. Two chuckled and shook his head.

"I can only transform into people you've seen and you've never seen her." He explained as if talking to a small child.

"Dr. Carr then. I want to see her face again," Audrey said. She chanced a look at Duke and saw he wasn't moving at all.

"Now that I can do." Two took a step back and transformed into Dr. Carr. Duke started coughing as the air was finally let into his lungs again. Two's grin instantly faded. "Wait…" As he started to change again, Audrey fired twice. Two fell hard to the floor, jerked once and then was still. The door flew open, now clear of Two's influence, and Nathan and Dr. Howard both burst into the room. Audrey quickly went to Duke's side and knelt down beside him.

"Are you okay?" she asked. He nodded as words were still a little beyond him at the moment.

"What happened in here?" Nathan asked, looking between Audrey and Duke to Dr. Carr's body on the floor.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Audrey said. Duke let out a pained chuckle beside her.

…

"So you had to wait until he changed forms before you could kill it?" Nathan asked. They were all sitting at a table at the Grey Gull two days later. He reached over to help Duke who was struggling to pick up his beer bottle between his bandaged left wrist and the splinted fingers on his right hand.

"I've got it," he snapped. Nathan raised his hands in surrender. Duke finally managed to get the bottle to his lips despite almost dropping it twice. He set it down, once he was done, with a satisfied smirk.

"Yeah. When I saw that it could still strangle Duke while being in his form, I didn't want to risk killing them both," Audrey explained.

"Thanks for that," Duke nodded towards her. She smiled back and took a sip of her martini.

"And your reaction to me the other day makes more sense now," Nathan continued, looking at Duke. "It looked like me when it attacked you."

"It was very convincing," Duke agreed. "But it couldn't' copy your numbness. You're a freak among freaks." Nathan rolled his eyes and then made a show of how easy it was for him to pick up his glass and drink from it.

"I'm just glad everything is back to normal," Audrey said.

"I'll make a fool of myself for that," Duke struggled with his bottle again and then awkwardly held it out for the others to tap their drinks to his. The glass clinked together and they each took a drink.

"So what do you think that thing was?" Nathan asked after a pause.

"I don't know. I guess it was like another Chameleon, but way more powerful," Audrey said, looking down at her glass.

"And it fed off tears," Duke snorted.

"Or maybe pain," Nathan suggested. Duke shrugged.

"Well, whatever it survived on, it's gone now," Audrey said, closing the matter. "I wonder who it really was?"

…..

Back at the hospital, down in the morgue Guiles Dover was standing over the Dr. Carr replica. He shook his head and snorted.

"Stupid skinwalker," he muttered to himself. "Laying claim to something that wasn't yours. I'd planned to take my revenge slowly by addressing your claim, but I see that's unnecessary now. I will, however, watch him closely for a while. Perhaps I may see what your interest was in him after all." He gave the corpse another once over and then walked away from the table. By the time he left the room he was no longer the short balding man Duke had seen. Instead he was someone no one in Haven would recognize. As he walked up the stairs to leave the morgue he rubbed his hand absently over the tattoo of a maze with four people at the compass points on the inside of his arm.

Okay so last chapter done. I Thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews! Also I've the last chapter posted is just an alternate slash ending. If you don't like slash then don't read it. It's nothing explicit, just kissing and hinting really, but anyway it's there for those who wanted slash. :)

Rafocy