Author's Notes: I think this was one of those chapters that practically wrote itself and I didn't agonize over it like I typically do everything I write. On the one hand, that's probably a good thing. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that it is utterly wretched. Ha! We'll see which category it falls into.

Thanks so much to those of you who read and reviewed the previous chapter. I tried to respond to you individually, but for those of you who were not logged in when you reviewed, I could not message you. So please, let me just reiterate my thanks to you all. Your encouragement really does make a difference!

Chapter Twenty: "Existent, Awkward Conversations"

"What are you talking about?" Nathan glowered.

"We really gonna do it this way?" Garland questioned, returning his son's glare. "You reacted when Audrey touched you." His gaze fixed on Audrey. "Course you're not surprised by this."

The already frosty temperature between father and son dropped to below freezing in about three seconds flat, Audrey decided as she looked at Nathan then back at the Chief. "I'm not really sure what you want me to say." For that matter, she wasn't sure exactly to whom she directed her comment. Nathan, who seemed to be dead-set on stonewalling his father, or the Chief, who seemed disturbed by the prospect that Nathan could feel her.

Nathan's back went ramrod straight. His voice was low, cold. "Whether I can or can't feel Audrey—I'm not sure why it concerns you."

"I care because you're my son."

"Right."

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the three. Finally, Garland began, "You don't want to say anything because you feel her. But nothing else?"

A strange feeling washed over Audrey, somewhere between shame and confusion. When she found out Nathan could feel her touch, she had been pleased, grateful even, that he was no longer this island unto himself. That he could connect, even if she wished for his sake that he could experience a physical connection with the whole world at all times, not just those few moments of brief contact he had with her.

But for all their talks about what it meant to him, they had not truly questioned why Nathan could feel her, only her. They always seemed to table that discussion in favor of this or that crisis.

Maybe this wasn't about Nathan at all. Maybe it was about her. That she could induce him to feel—a man who hadn't felt anything in two years—revealed something about her. Or the fact that she could help to steady James Garrick long enough for him to reconnect with his family. Or that, in general, she seemed unaffected by the Troubles—she didn't die when the chameleon took her form, she could fight against Ezra Colbert's mind reading Trouble…

And for some reason, Audrey felt naked. Exposed. As though somehow Nathan being able to feel her was wrong in Garland Wuornos's eyes.

Why should it matter?

But it did.

"Did you have any more questions about the Brand case, Chief?" Audrey asked Garland trying to redirect the discussion back to a more neutral topic.

"What are you impressions of Ephraim Brand?"

Okay, not so neutral, as far as she and Nathan were concerned. The man had dominated their conversations as of late. Audrey knew Nathan didn't trust him in the least; Audrey did not particularly trust him, either. But with that said, there was something extremely charismatic about the man that was difficult to deny.

"He's certainly confident. He's been helpful but only to a point."

Nathan stared at Audrey, not particularly caring for her assessment of the man. "He's pretentious, untrustworthy, definitely hiding something…"

Garland cleared his throat, which sounded more like a harrumph, as the two partners offered differing perspectives. "I think it's best we let this go for the time being."

Was his dad seriously discounting everything he just told him? "But Chief, there are so many threads that lead to him."

"Anything criminal you can pin on him?"

"Not yet," Nathan conceded.

"Then stop wasting your time."

Nathan looked to Audrey to see if she would tell the chief about the connection they were beginning to form between Ephraim Brand and the death of Walt Yeater, but the thin line of her lips said it all.

"I'm going to head out," Audrey interjected.

Nathan's voice dropped as he spoke with Audrey, though his dad must have heard everything, as well. "Thought you would stay and have dinner." A subtle plea. It was a tone he reserved for only her.

But Audrey needed distance. "I'm not—I'm not in the mood for pancakes right now." She didn't acknowledge it, but Nathan could see the turmoil brewing beneath Audrey's cool exterior. "Keep the sling on. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."

Nathan watched as Audrey nodded slightly at his dad and then left the kitchen. A moment later, he heard the front door close.

"Didn't mean to chase her away, but maybe it's for the best. Gives us a chance to talk without an audience."

"Fine. Why'd you call us off the Brand case?"

"Told you. Don't want you wasting your time. Besides, Audrey doesn't seem to think there's anything to him."

"The man's goddamn maple trees were bleeding. His estate had more of those cracks. A mountain lion attacked me on his property when there hasn't been even a sighting in years. Said mountain lion was later found dead with an old Mi'kmaq arrow in it. People are running scared around this Brand guy and—" Nathan broke off his tirade. "You want to leave this alone?"

"What aren't you telling me?" Garland asked, hearing the catch in Nathan's voice.

The visions. Audrey's visions showed Haven's streets flowing with blood, the town crumbling. His instinct told him Brand had something to do with it. Maybe it was just that he didn't like the smell of the place, the saccharine sweetness. Maybe it was that he didn't like the way the man looked at Audrey, a veneer of affability to cover what Nathan was certain was a predatory nature.

Nathan deflected. "You don't think there's something here?"

Garland said nothing as he felt in his pocket for a cigarette.

"You're not smoking that in here."

His dad returned the package to his pocket. Nathan shoved his own hands into his pockets, an old habit. "You put her on the spot, you know."

"And you're pining after her like a dog after a squirrel. Doesn't that put her on the spot? What's going on with you two?"

No apologies. Best way to find out information was to put people on the spot, in Garland's estimation.

"I'm not having this conversation with you, Dad."

"You started it. But fine. Consider this a talk with your boss. If you are having a sexual relationship with your partner, stop. Leads to all types of complications."

"Audrey and I aren't sleeping together."

Nathan would tell him at least this much. He couldn't let Audrey's professional reputation suffer because of him.

"Keep it that way." Garland turned away from his son. He should've known that Nathan would be able to feel Audrey, that he'd grown to care for her. If circumstances were different, he would advise Nathan to grab happiness anywhere he could find it, even if it was with his partner. But things being as they were, Nathan was due for more heartache if this continued. Hadn't his son suffered enough? Hadn't they all? "It's not good for your partnership. It's not good for this town."

Nathan's frown deepened. "What does the town have to do with it?"

"I think we both know that Audrey is…different."

"Now who's being disingenuous?"

"She helps the Troubled. You're Troubled. Don't put her in that position. No use muddying the waters. "

"She's my friend."

"She's more than that. I recognize the look. But she's passing through, Nathan. Don't hang your hopes of normalcy on her."

"What do you know that you aren't saying?"

When Garland didn't reply, Nathan added as he shook his head in disgust. "Right. Everything."

"Glad you called," Julia Carr said as she slid onto the barstool next to Audrey. "Looks like you got the party started without me." She tilted her head indicating the shrimp cocktail and the empty martini glass in front of her friend.

"We should grab a table," Audrey replied blandly.

"That serious?" Julia asked. She looked at the bartender. "Painkiller, please. On second thought," she added, looking at Audrey, "make that two. They're wicked good."

"I'll send 'em right out," the bartender replied.

Sam? Was that his name? Audrey couldn't entirely recall.

The two friends walked to an empty table. "Duke around tonight? Julia asked.

"Not that I've seen," Audrey replied.

"Too bad. I could use a distraction," Julia said with a sly smile.

"You and Duke? I thought you were still pissed at him after what happened on the Rouge with Ezra and Tobias."

Julia shook her head. "No. Well, maybe a little. It's hard to stay angry with him."

"Nathan has no problem staying angry," Audrey murmured.

"So what's going on with you?"

"What isn't?" Audrey pushed over her shrimp cocktail toward Julia, who took a shrimp and dipped it in sauce. "I have just been through one of the most uncomfortable conversations. Probably ever."

"With Nathan?"

"Nathan and the Chief."

"Garland Wuornos has always intimidated the hell out of me," Julia admitted. "He's very…gruff."

"Gruff, I can handle." It was the secrecy that was setting her on edge.

"Did I ever tell you that he dated my mom for, like, two minutes?"

If Audrey had a drink, she probably would have spewed it all over Julia, who sat across from her. Eleanor Carr and Garland Wuornos? What an odd couple.

"No. You never did mention that."

"It never got serious," Julia added. "But if it had, I can imagine the holiday conversations. The chief with his one syllable responses, barely getting a word in, and my mom talking a mile a minute." She fell quiet, smiling at the thought.

"You miss her."

"Yeah, well, I'd never admit that to her, but I suppose I can admit it to you." Julia shook off the memories. "So, going back to existent awkward conversations instead of imaginary ones, what happened?"

Audrey's volume dropped. "I was tending to Nathan's wounds, and Nathan…reacted."

"Does the Chief know that Nathan can feel you?" Julia asked lowering her voice, as well.

"I'm pretty sure he does now."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"No. I don't know. The chief seemed to think it was."

"You'd think he'd be glad that Nathan can feel something."

"I don't think it's about Nathan. I think it's me."

"Audrey, those two have been at odds for as long as I can remember. I'm sure it's not about you."

"Look, I don't think I'm being narcissistic here. There's something about me—about my past—that has Chief Wuornos on edge."

Julia grinned. "Don't tell me that I'm going to be flipping through the channels late at night and see you in a porno."

"The way he's acting, I'd say a porno would be a relief to him."

"You know I haven't said anything to anyone. What I don't get is why is it such a big secret?"

Audrey shrugged. "There are reasons it's probably better for people not to know."

"It certainly ups your weirdness factor," Julia teased, but Audrey couldn't manage even a meager smile in return.

"Two painkillers, ladies." Liz, one of Duke's waitresses set the drinks on their table.

When Liz had gone, Julia took a sip of her drink and sighed contently. Audrey, she noticed, didn't touch hers yet. "So what is it about your past? Is this about your mom? Listen, as someone who is frequently compared to her mother, I can tell you there is nothing more frustrating."

"Yeah, I think it's about Lucy." Audrey did not correct Julia.

"Did you find anything in my mom's journals?"

Audrey weighed how much to tell Julia. "More questions. There were some pages missing."

"Wh-what?" Julia stammered. "That doesn't make any sense! Why would my mom tear pages out of her journal? I mean, there's the obvious—she didn't want someone to see them—but that doesn't seem like her."

"About that. I don't think she's the one who did."

"Audrey, I wouldn't."

"I know. Sorry. I wasn't trying to imply you had. It was someone else who had access to them."

"The boxes were sealed. I'd say I was the first person to even go near them in years."

Audrey leaned back in her seat and exhaled loudly. "I feel like I'm in a maze. I know the finish line is out there somewhere, but I just can't get to it."

"Welcome to Haven." Julia raised her glass to Audrey, who reciprocated.

Finally, Audrey took a drink. She tasted the coconut undercurrent of the liquid. What she wouldn't give for an escape to a warm tropical island. "That's really good."

"Yeah, but you'd better take it easy. It's potent."

Audrey smiled slightly, remembering the last time she'd had alcohol. Wine at Nathan's house when he'd made them dinner. He could've drunk her under the table, though she sure wouldn't admit that to him at the time. They sat in his office, making a list of questions she was beginning to wonder if they'd ever be able to answer. Nevertheless, she had felt both tipsy and remarkably content being there with him.

That was the first night she was caught up in the longer glimpse of her vision, the first night being with Nathan seemed real, as opposed to a passing errant curiosity.

The buzzing of her cell phone in her pocket snapped her out it. Audrey pulled it out, looked at the screen, and hit ignore. She took a prolonged suck from her straw.

"Who was it?"

"Nathan."

"So I get that you don't particularly want to talk to Chief Wuornos, but what did Nathan do that has you ignoring his phone calls?" Julia asked.

"I kissed him," Audrey blurted.

"That bastard," Julia deadpanned before breaking out her triumphant, 'I-told-you-so' look. "It's about time! Did I call you two or what?"

"He's my partner…and…it was probably not the best idea."

"So you regret it?"

Audrey shook her head. "No." The alcohol was starting to make her feel more relaxed, and she found herself wanting to share this. "No." Unconsciously, her fingers went to her lips.

"So…how was it?"

"A few days ago, I was manning the kissing booth at the Fun Fest. Really just watching the till until Jennifer Simms got back. I had an argument with Duke about kisses—that one is pretty much like the other."

"You are killing me! Spill it!"

"Okay. Short version. One kiss is not like another."

"Too short," Julia replied, dissatisfied.

Audrey considered her words. "We were in the kitchen. He had flour in his hair, and I reached up to brush it out, and it just happened. Nathan was a little out of practice. So was I, for that matter, but…we just clicked."

"So on a scale of quick peck to foreplay…?"

"It became very heated very quickly. I was left wanting more." A lot more, she mentally added. "I think he was, too."

Audrey's phone buzzed. She hit ignore once again and set it on the table.

"Why are you here with me, and why are you ignoring his calls?"

"It's complicated. And I just got a strange…I don't know what to call it…vibe maybe…in that conversation between Nathan and his dad."

"I think you're being ridiculous. You should go to him. Climb him like a tree. That is the cure for all that ails you, my friend. All this talk about why he can feel you…maybe that's why. Maybe you are meant to help him out by riding him until you can't stand up straight anymore."

Audrey was beginning to wonder if it was Julia talking—or the alcohol.

"And is that your professional advice, Dr. Carr?"

Julia hiccupped. "Well…I almost forgot about the whole mountain lion thing. But seriously, if he's on the bottom and doesn't strain himself too much, I think it would be workable. Of course, theoretically Nathan hasn't been intimate with anyone in a long time, so asking him not to strain himself might be—"

"Okay," Audrey interrupted. "Can we maybe just back up out of my nonexistent sex life, please?"

"I'm living too vicariously," Julia half-apologized. "You never did tell me why Nathan had flour in his hair."

"He was making pancakes." Audrey shuffled her feet on the floor. "For us."

"And you're sitting here with me? What is wrong with you?"

"I needed to regroup."

"Well, regroup yourself back over to Nathan's house. Apologize for what I can only guess was running out on him."

"I'm really bad at this," Audrey groaned.

"Yes, you are."

"I just don't know why the chief seemed to act like it was a bad thing for Nathan to be able to feel me."

"Do you think it's a bad thing?" Julia countered.

"No."

"Does Nathan?"

"No."

"Then who cares what Garland Wuornos thinks? You have a chance with someone who makes you happy. You've got to grab happiness where you can get it."

"Is this your new motto?"

But Julia was suddenly very distracted. "Mmm. Hello."

Audrey was taken aback by Julia's reaction until she turned to look at what drew the reaction from her friend.

Ephraim Brand.

He looked somewhat out of place in the informal, jovial atmosphere of the Grey Gull, though he was dressed more casually than she had seen him before, in a white button up shirt, jeans, and boots. The contrast of the white shirt against his tanned skin was attractive, Audrey had to admit, and its tailored fit certainly showcased his physique.

He seemed oblivious to her as he stood at the bar, chatting with the barkeep.

Audrey turned back to Julia. "That's Ephraim Brand."

"I've heard that name. I thought he'd be older," Julia commented, not taking her eyes off him.

"He's his father's namesake." Audrey gripped her drink. "And he's created quite a stir around here."

"I can't imagine why," Julia replied wryly. "Is it just me, or does he just ooze that special something?"

"He oozes something, all right," Audrey replied. "Sounds like a medical condition."

"Well, he's coming over here."

Audrey grimaced, hoping he hadn't heard her commentary.

"What a lovely surprise, Audrey. Seeing you twice in one day." Brand rested his hand on the back of her chair and smiled. "Nicer circumstances this time."

"Mr. Brand," she greeted looking back at him. He gave her a mildly scolding expression. "Ephraim," she corrected. "This is my friend, Dr. Julia Carr."

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Dr. Julia Carr."

"My friends call me Julia," the brunette replied holding out her hand.

Ephraim took her hand, turned it, and kissed it. Julia shot Audrey a look that silently shouted 'wow!'.

He released her hand. "My friends call me Ephraim. Except for Audrey, here, who keeps slipping into formalities. I'm working on breaking her. Of that habit, that is."

"Perhaps you'd care to join us for a drink," Julia suggested.

"As much as I would love to take you up on your delightful offer, I must decline. I'm expecting someone." His eyes fell on Audrey. Green on blue. "But I do hope to see you again very soon." His hand went to Audrey's chair, and she could feel his fingers graze her back before he walked away.

The room started to spin around her, though she was perfectly still. The cacophony of noises—the music, the laughter, the conversations—all faded.

And then she was on her back, looking up, his hands beneath her head, his body pressed atop hers, blue sky peeking through an umbrella of trees.

"We'll always be connected." His green eyes penetrated her. Sometimes she swore he could look into her very soul.

She touched his face, caressing it. "Always."

Audrey jumped slightly, disoriented as she found herself back in the Gull, sitting across from Julia. Her heart felt like it was going to pound right out of her chest. It happened again, but this wasn't anything she had seen through Lady Cassandra. How long had she been out of it?

"What the hell?"

"That's what I'm saying. Why is it so hard to meet a nice guy? Some women have all the luck."

What was Julia talking about? She followed her friend's line of sight. And then she saw. Across the Gull sat Ephraim Brand with…

No way.

"That's Sally Harrington," Audrey uttered incredulously.

Not that she considered herself a prude in any way, shape, or form, but it struck her as astoundingly implausible that Ephraim Brand had one hand resting on his middle-aged domestic servant's arm, as he leaned forward, and stroked her hair behind her ear with the other hand.

Something knotted within her.

"What are you talking about? That is not Sally Harrington."

"Yes, it is. I met her today at Brand House. Same build. Same gray-streaked hair." The housekeeper's earlier reaction when she and Nathan arrived made her pretty unforgettable.

"Audrey, I know Sally Harrington. She's in her late forties, early fifties by now. The woman with Ephraim Brand is a good twenty, twenty-five years younger than Sally. Not a gray hair in sight." Julia chuckled to herself. "I think we'd better call Nathan to drive you home. Told you painkillers were potent."

The woman with Ephraim Brand looked across the restaurant at Audrey, their eyes meeting.

"Yeah," Audrey agreed, "we should definitely call Nathan."

To be continued...