My first authors note:
1. I hate reading authors notes, sorry if that's just me but they pull me out from the story, that is why I don't have authors notes in my stories, a forewarning; these will be a rare occurrence. Plus I keep having to think about how I sound to my readers, hopefully not like a conceited prick.
2. This story just went off on its own and I promise I didn't plan for the ending of this chapter in advance, it was just asking to be written and I didn't have the heart to deny it. I'm sorry if it took place so soon, I assure you I expected it about as much as you did.
3. I love and appreciate all the reviews and feedback's, I know the lack of an authors note means I've really never told my readers this but I thought I'd grab this opportunity to do so. Please feel free to review as harshly as you'd like, no flames of course as I prefer my literature to be as free from vulgar as possible. Your appreciation is the reason I update as regularly as I do and I hope you continue.
Thank you for listening to my drivel, on with the story. We are far from done,
Navnit.
A Reunion and A Surprise
Nathan woke up slowly to discover the bed empty. He immediately sat up and took stock of his surroundings; no sign of a struggle he looked around the bed and realized that his shirt was missing, meaning that Audrey had probably worn it on her way out. He got out of bed and walked out of the room paying no mind to the cold floor, mainly because he couldn't feel it, as he came out into the hallway he heard her call him.
"Nathan?" She asked poking her head out from the bathroom door. "I'm in here," She said unnecessarily since Nathan was beside her in two long strides.
"Oh, Audrey," He said pulling her close to him and touching her forehead. She looked terrible, her hair was a mess and her skin pale, it looked like she had broken out in cold sweat. "What's wrong love?"
Audrey buried her face in his neck and breathed his scent in. "Nathan I don't feel so good."
He pulled back to look at her perplexed. "Well you must be, since you're admitting it. I do believe that is a first for Officer Agent Audrey Parker."
Audrey smiled weakly and hit his chest lightly. "I woke up half an hour ago with a stomach ache, I came in here to get something for it when I just had to throw up." She indicated the toilet as if to show where she threw up. "I think it was something I ate."
Nathan shook his head, "Then I would be sick too, maybe it's a stomach bug? I should get you to the doctors."
Audrey shook her head not wanting to go to the hospital but before she could say anything she felt something shift inside her and Nathan watched as before his eyes Audrey complexion completely did a one eighty, her cheeks became flushed, her eyes cleared and he could clearly see her strength return.
"Whoa," She said. "That was weird." She looked up at Nathan who looked concerned. "Nathan I suddenly feel totally fine, guess there's no need to go anywhere." She said and stepped away from him.
Nathan still looked worried. "You're sure?" he asked her.
Audrey shook her head. "To be honest I'm not, but I also know that I'm feeling completely okay even the nausea is gone so if I don't have any symptoms, what's the doctor going to treat?"
He had to concede that point to her. "I guess you're right," He said reluctantly, "but promise me, if this happens again you'll tell me."
Audrey smiled at his concern. "I promise Nathan," She said as she kissed his cheek. "I don't want to hide anything from you."
Nathan let out the breath he didn't know he was holding, he had been afraid she was going to resent his hovering, she was very independent after all, he didn't ever want her to feel smothered by her but when she started throwing up early in the morning he couldn't help but be a little overprotective.
Audrey turned on her heel and walked out of the bathroom calling over her shoulder. "Now come on Nathan we gotta get ready for work." She said. "You can shower first since you're already there."
Nathan shrugged and turned to get his shower ready, but as he stepped into the warm spray of water that he couldn't feel he somehow instinctively knew that this sudden sickness that Audrey had wasn't over. If he would have to hazard a guess he would say it was a trouble affecting her; owing to her lightning fast recovery but she was immune so he had to rule that out. Nathan sighed as he decided to wait and see what would happen next, it always seemed so easy to wait when it wasn't affecting someone he cared about, but in this case; the day had barely started and he already wished it was over so that he could hold her in his arms and watch over her.
But the time they had gotten ready and had breakfast everything was relatively back to normal, Audrey was back to her normal chipper self and Nathan was Nathan. They both quietly enjoyed their pancakes and when they grabbed their coats from the hall she gave him a sound kiss to lift up his spirits.
"Don't be so glum, I'm fine Nathan, and I promise the minute I start feeling queasy again I'll come to you."
Nathan sighed as he touched his forehead to hers. "I know you will, I just can't help but worry."
She smiled up at him. "I know you do, and I love you for it." She kissed him one last time before they both walked out, Nathan locked his door and they both walked up to the Bronco, Nathan got in first and unlocked her door from the inside. They were just about to leave when a car came up in front of them and blocked their paths.
It was standing far enough away that they couldn't see the driver, they heard the car honk and looked at each other in confusion until Audrey noticed the plates, it was a rental.
"Nathan," She said as the car honked again.
Nathan looked back at her realization dawning on his face.
Audrey got out at the same time as the driver did and his long hair, goatee and that darn smile was all too familiar to Nathan. He got out of the truck as well and watched as Audrey yelled.
"Duke!" She said as she ran up to him. "Oh my god you're back." The rest of her words were muffled as she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug.
"Audrey, you remember me?" he asked perplexed, "But you look different, like those first months you were in Haven. How?"
Audrey shook her head vigorously some tears leaking out. "For once Duke I don't care about the how, I'm just so glad you're back." She said pulling back to say it and them hugging him again.
By now Nathan had reached the two reunited friends and was waiting patiently for them to separate. He was distracted though by the passenger door of the rental opening. A brunette woman dressed in a denim jacket and jeans, with a round hat on her head walked up to him, he saw that her eyes were a deep hazel and she was very pretty.
The woman walked up to him and shook his hand. "Hi I'm Jennifer Mason? I was the one who rescued Duke from the hospital." She said smiling at him. "You must be Nathan."
Duke and Audrey finally separated and looked past her. "Nathan." He said and turned to look at Audrey. "Does he...?" he tried to ask whether Nathan remembered to.
Audrey nodded while wiping her eyes. "Yeah, he remembers everything." She said and her eyes widened when Duke took two steps up to him and grabbed Nathan in a hug. Nathan floundered for a moment but then returned the hug. When they pulled apart Duke laughed out loud.
"I never thought I'd be saying this but it's damn good to see you Nate." He said looking from Nathan to Audrey.
Nathan nodded at him. "Its good to see you too, Duke." He said stepping back a little in case Duke decided to hug him again.
Just then Duke realized that Jennifer was standing awkwardly to the side watching the friends reunite. He walked up to her and grabbed her hand in his. "Come on, I'll introduce you." He said and dragged her up to Audrey.
"Guys, this is Jennifer Mason and she is the reason I'm here in Haven today instead of rotting in jail."
Jennifer blushed at Dukes praise but stepped forward to offer her hand. "Its nice to finally meet you Audrey, it's a nice change from just hearing you in my head."
Audrey smiled and shook her hand." Audrey Parker, I'm sorry but what was that about hearing me in your head." She asked a little confused.
"Oh Jens troubled, that's how she knew to find me." Duke interrupted. "She can hear people in the barn, she heard you and Nathan and Howard and she heard me when I went in to save you. That's how she knew who I was when she saw me being arrested on TV. She came to see me in my hospital room and busted me out."
Audrey caught the hint of avid admiration in Dukes voice and exchanged an amused look with Nathan.
Jennifer shook her head. "Duke keeps trying to paint me as some kind of saviour but all I did was recognize him on the TV. Truth is he is the one who finally convinced me that I wasn't going crazy." She smiled shyly at Duke who grinned back at her and Audrey couldn't help but smile at the two.
Nathan shook his head and pulled out his phone. "Obviously we have a lot to talk about so I'm going to call the station and take the day off for both of us but Jennifer?" he said looking at the newcomer. "Don't sell yourself short, you brought Duke back to us and that means a lot."
He nodded to Audrey and walked off to make his calls, Jennifer looked after him for a moment then looked down at her hands smiling at his praise. She wandered off to look at Nathans truck which reminded her of the Ford that her foster father had once, she was also giving Audrey and Duke a chance to talk with each other alone, she knew they needed to.
Duke leaned against the rental and looked at Audrey who was staring after Nathan. "So how have you been settling back in Haven?" he asked her making her look at him.
Audrey smiled to herself. "Quite well actually," She replied, looking up at Nathan's house.
Duke followed her gaze and nodded. "Here?" he asked rhetorically. "I had been hoping you would. I was thinking that I was the only one who remembered because only I was in the Barn and you of course forget your previous life after leaving it, but I hoped that if you did remember then you and Nathan wouldn't pussyfoot around each other anymore. Seems I didn't need to fret after all."
Audrey couldn't help but laugh at Dukes eloquent words. "Yeah it was a bit of a surprise to us actually, here I am about to drop off a cliff and there's Nathan saving me but I think our memories came back the moment we touched," She looked at Duke closely. "It was different with you wasn't it?" She asked studying him shrewdly. "Our memories came back but you actually time travelled didn't you?"
Duke shrugged. "I guess, I mean you look like how you looked the first time I met you, well of course you were wet and unconscious at the time but still, and I look like I just came back from sending you off into the Barn, guess I have Nathan to thank for that huh."
She looked at the man in question. "Yeah apparently he had problems letting me go."
"I'll say," replied Duke. "So exactly how and why were you memories restored, did you find out?"
"I think that should be best explained when we have that talk, it's a bit of a long story." she said as her eyes fell on Jennifer who was looking around at the scenery, it was the advantage of living in a town like Haven, if you took the time to look there was something beautiful to see everywhere. "But enough about that, what's going on with you and Jen over there?"
Duke put his hands in his pockets and looked down shaking his head. "She's, uh, just the girl who rescued me and brought me to Haven."
"Uh huh, is that why you're blushing?" She asked grinning at him.
"I'm not blushing," He replied looking away from Jennifer.
Audrey nodded. "No you're not." She agreed. "But you could be, it's written all over your face, admit it Duke you like this girl."
"Well of course I like her, don't you?" He asked playing dumb.
Audrey gave him a withering look. "You know that's not what I meant." Was all she said watching him, it wasn't like Duke to be shy about something, especially girls.
"Yeah we'll maybe, but it doesn't matter." He replied a little sullenly.
"Why not, she's clearly into you." Audrey said pointing out the obvious.
Dukes eyes shot up hopefully to hers for a moment but then he glanced back at Jennifer and shook his head. "No she's not, listen Audrey please don't talk to her about this okay." He said a little desperately.
Audrey grew a little concerned the teasing completely forgotten. "Of course Duke you know I'll never tell your secrets even to Nathan." She said trying to get a handle on her friends thought process. "Duke what-?" But her interrogation was interrupted as Nathan came back.
"Alright, it's done, the chiefs not too happy but he'll deal." Nathan looked from Audrey to Duke, he realized he had interrupted something. "Do you guys need more time to talk?" he asked uncertainly.
Audrey looked at Nathan, into his eyes trying to figure out what he thought the conversation between her and Duke had been about, when she did her eyes narrowed. "No, we don't." The tone of her voice caused Duke to look up. She looked annoyed but not with him. "Duke it's great that you're back and have your previous memories, we all need to talk about what's going to happen. How about we meet at the Gull-" She groaned and shook her head at the thought while Duke smirked at her. "Sorry how about we meet at the Rouge in about two hours, you can show Jennifer around town for a while." She said as the girl in question came up to them.
Audrey walked up to Nathan and grabbed his hand. "Nathan and I need to talk." Nathan looked bewildered as she all but dragged him back to the house. "It was nice to meet you Jennifer." She called back. "I hope you enjoy your time in Haven."
Jennifer looked confusingly from the retreating couple to Duke who now couldn't seem to meet her eyes. "Well that was interesting, what happened."
He shrugged. "Nothing, they'll meet up with us in two hours back at my boat. Until then how about I show you the sights?" he asked as he got back in the rental with her.
She smiled at him. "That's great I really want to see more of this place. Jennifer looked up at Nathans house thoughtfully. "She's nice, and very pretty. I can see why you love her."
Duke looked where she was looking. "Loved, I still love her as a friend and I was ecstatic to see her again because she is my best and possibly only friend I've ever had, but I realized today that I no longer want her like i used to. Seeing her with Nathan, how happy she is, made me see that this is where she belongs, not with me and I'm okay with that."
Jennifer took his hand I hers and rubbed it comfortingly. "I'm glad that you got some closure on that front." She said smiling. "Now I saw a sinfully delicious looking pastry shop on our way up here, can we go there. My treat." She said excitably.
Duke couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "That would be Rosemary's." He started the engine. "Let's go then." He said and drove off down the road to give Jennifer her first look at Haven.
Nathan turned around to close the front door but when he turned back Audrey was nowhere to be seen, his heart dropped to his stomach; what had he done to cause this? Audrey was never one to avoid a confrontation, apart from those two months before the Hunter. He needed to make this right.
"Audrey?" he called out apprehensively. He found her in the living room; looking out the window, the view from there was beautiful, facing the mountains and bluffs that surrounded Haven where water didn't it was a sight he and Audrey had enjoyed when they were sitting around whenever they were idle.
"Audrey?" he asked again as he approached her. She turned to look at him and he was horrified at what he saw; her eyes were streaming with silent tears and she was clutching herself protectively, her fingers flexing reflexively around her biceps.
"Audrey,"He said again. "What did I do?"
She shook her head spilling more tears down her cheeks. "Oh Nathan," She said wiping her tears. "You didn't do this." She said pointing to her face. "I was a little mad before but I don't know why I'm crying right now I just - don't know why-" She said before a sob escaped and she started crying in earnest.
It broke Nathans heart to see her like this, she was the strongest person he knew and he felt completely helpless seeing her break down. "Can I?" he asked moving to hug her.
Audrey nodded and reached out to him. He pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder her sobs wracking through her chest and her body shuddering almost violently. He needed to stop this, Nathan rubbed her back soothingly and shushed her softly trying to calm her down.
"Okay," He whispered to her. "You're obviously a little upset and maybe Duke returning triggered something..."
Audrey shook her head burying her face in his chest. "It wasn't Duke." She said through her tears and shuddered again. "I don't know what did it, this is not me. I don't cry Nathan."
That was one thing they both could agree on; Audrey Parker didn't cry. He pulled away a little and soothed her hair coaxing her to look at him. "Okay, so it wasn't Duke," He said wiping her fresh tears off her cheeks, her nose was red as was her eyes. "You, uh, you said you were mad at me right, maybe that's what did it. What were you mad at me about?"
Audrey closed her eyes trying to keep her tears at bay. "I wasn't really mad, just annoyed." She replied eventually. "I came here to talk to you about it."
Nathan nodded understandingly. "Annoyed about what Audrey?"
"Your stupid nobility streak." She replied glaring at him.
Nathan looked at her strangely. "My what?"
Audrey put a hand over her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay I think it's stopped now."
Nathan looked at her closely. "Your crying?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah." She said. "But I'm still annoyed." She pulled away from him and sat down at the couch and watched as he visibly deflated.
"Okay," He responded sitting in the armchair across from her. "You still haven't told me why. What do you mean my nobility streak."
"Your stupid nobility streak Nathan, I need you to stop it."
Nathan leaned forward and put his arms on his knees joining his hands and spoke looking straight into her eyes. "Audrey I would love to stop doing anything that hurts you if you would just tell me what it is."
Audrey nodded mimicking his posture and readying her self. "Alright, I know I am to blame for our two months separation." She glared as he tried to interrupt. "I know that I'm to blame Nathan and I cost us precious time but the real truth of it is that Nathan, you didn't fight back." Nathans shocked look pierced through to her soul but she carried on knowing this was going to be difficult.
"I pushed you away and you let me, I know you were doing what I wanted and I know that I hurt you but Nathan I promise you that if you had come to me, talked to me, forced me to see how stupid I was being; I know my fully fledged plan would have crumbled in seconds. I loved you then and even way before then and I would have gone back to you."
"Nathan I'm not going to give you an ultimatum because there is no way I'm leaving you but if you want me to be happy, you have got to stop being the martyr in every situation." She watched as Nathans eyes filled with tears and finally overflowed as two wet streaks fell down his cheeks and it killed her to be the cause of that but she needed to say this and he needed to hear it.
"Nathan I'm going to tell you something and I'm only telling you this because we already know that the troubles are being taken care of but know this, if it wasn't taken care of I would have taken this secret to my grave." She said emotion shining in her eyes. "When I was in the Barn I was told that there was another way to stop the troubles permanently; if I killed the person that I loved the most, " She looked at him meaningfully. "It would end the troubles forever."
Nathan looked at her not knowing what to say.
"I didn't tell you this and I wasn't going to, if my choices were to walk into the Barn or to kill you then I would always choose to go into into the Barn. To me there was no choice, but I also knew what you would do; you would try to convince me to kill you and I couldn't hear you say that. There is no Audrey Parker without Nathan Wuornos and I couldn't hear you throw away our relationship for the rest of Haven. Its the one thing that I'm not ashamed to be selfish about. I'm not trying to end the troubles for Haven Nathan, I'm ending them for you."
Audrey shrugged and looked away from Nathans face. "Today when you offered to go away to let me and Duke talk some more it just all came to the forefront, I know I probably misread that situation but didn't misread anything else. And I just had to talk to you." She looked back at him love shining in her eyes. "You waited way too long to tell me how you felt, and how you could feel me. After Chris and I were done? Dave and Vince told me about why you were there the day we got attacked by those killer trees, you still keep quiet Nathan. If you had told me, I could have skipped Chris and gone straight to you."
"Nathan, after you there is no one else for me, and I cannot bear to watch you be with anyone else as well. No matter what happens at work or with the troubles or with me, I want one thing to remain the same; I want to come home with you and no matter if we fight, or we cry or we make love till dawn, I want you to be there."
Nathans eyes were again filling but this time it was with happiness but still Audrey continued. "Nathan I don't want you sacrificing yourself for my happiness or well being anymore. My happiness is with you, there is no Audrey without Nathan remember and I need you to promise me that as long as it's in your power you will not martyr yourself." She finished with her eyes downcast tears falling from her eyes again.
Audrey heard Nathan get up and walk up to her, he stood in front of her and she looked up at him hoping she hadn't hurt him with her honesty, she hadn't he was smiling though remnants of his tears still remained. And then he got down to his knees in front of her and took her hands in his.
"Audrey, " He said his voice hoarse with emotion. "You did misread the situation today, but I'm glad you told me what you felt and I want you to know that I can and will promise to stop being a martyr, but I cannot promise that I won't step in front of a bullet to save your life, just like I know you can't promise that either." Audrey nodded accepting the truth for what it was.
"But I know a way that I can assure you that I'm in this completely, that I won't ever go off to sacrifice myself for the greater good, that I won't push you away, a way that I can actually show everyone else that you are mine and I'm yours." He steeled himself as he looked into her caring and ever curious eyes. "I was going to do this on your birthday, after I had gotten a ring." He watched her eyes widen at the word ring and tightened his grip on her hand reflexively in case she pulled away, she didn't but more tears did spill from her eyes as she whispered, 'Oh my god.' bolstered he continued. "But I think we're ready."
"Audrey Prudence Parker-,"
"Yes." She said interrupting him.
Nathan smiled at her impatient acceptance but kept kneeling. "You didn't let me finish." He reprimanded.
"Then get on with it," She exclaimed ecstatic.
"Parker, I love you more than anything and I can't imagine my life without you, I know this might look early," He couldn't help but smile as she shook her head. "But I want the world to know. You're right there is no Audrey without Nathan, there's is no me without you and I don't want to be without you ever again. Marry me, Audrey." He said and waited for her to answer again.
