Title: Topsy Turvy

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Ryan Hudson listened to the door chimes echo through the Marvins' large house. The rain had started up again and a fog was starting to gather turning mid-morning to early evening. Flipping the collar of his long coat up Ryan glared impatiently at the door. The fact that he was standing here at all was a sign of how much things had changed. Only Nancy could have a Hudson on an enemy's doorstep. The door opened and a middle aged maid smiled and said a greeting as she stepped aside for Ryan to enter.

"Ms. Drew is waiting for you in the study."The woman informed as she led the way.

Ryan tried not to think of how much Nancy was making herself comfortable in Owen's home. She was after all a Hudson. Mentally pushing the thoughts back Ryan opened the ornate wood paneled door of the study. Nancy was seated in a chair by the fireplace. A fire was crackling merrily. Nancy was huddled in the wingbacked dark leather chair a green afghan draped over her. She looked up and smiled at the door opened.

"Hi."Nancy greeted as she started to stand.

Ryan held up a hand stopping his daughter's movements.

"No, don't get up. You look comfy and it's cold and rainy outside."Ryan said as he sat down in a chair across from Nancy."How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a train."Nancy replied quietly her gaze on the fire. "It took a lot of strength to break free of the Aglaeca."

Ryan suppressed a shiver. He and Nancy were still defining their relationship. Getting to know each other in the new roles of father and daughter. There were days when Ryan had to pinch himself to make sure this was his life; his new reality. Supernatural creatures were not his fortae. He was more at home in corporate meeting rooms. Though Ryan was discovering that for his daughter he'd fight whatever threat was trying to harm her.

"What happened?"Ryan asked as he leaned forward.

"I was in the ocean."Nancy began as she met Ryan's gaze. "At first I thought it was real. That maybe I had fallen off the cliffs."

"I wouldn't have let that happen."Ryan stated grimly. "Fate may hate me but I don't think it'd let history repeat itself with you."

"I don't think fate hates you."Nancy responded with a weak smile.

"You'd be alone in that opinion."Ryan commented looking into the fire. "What made you realize the water wasn't real?"

"i could breathe."Nancy explained. "And I was really moving. Once I stopped struggling to get free I realized I was in the same spot."

Nancy shifted closer to the fire her body suddenly cold. Telling Ryan what had happened had caused Nancy to relive it. She could still feel the water, smell the salt...

"Hey."Ryan called gently. "You alright?"

Nancy saw the genunie concern and worry on her father's face. She was still getting used to thinking of Ryan as her father but it was getting easier. Nancy knew mysteries and supernatural beings weren't his world. Though her mother's ghost had gone a long way to help Ryan believe there were other realms. That the world they lived in wasn't all black and white. However the Aglaeca was a whole different ballpark. The power Nancy had felt from the creature scared her.

"When I escaped I felt her power, Ryan."Nancy continued quietly. "The Aglaeca is older than this town. Centuries old if the legends are true! She wanted me to know what I was facing. I've put everyone in so much danger. I don't know how to fix this."

Ryan got out of the chair and sat on the edge of the hearth. He took Nancy's hands in his and squeezed them. His family would be the first to say that Ryan didn't know how to deal with relationships. Ryan was going on instinct and praying he wasn't about to royally screw things up. Ryan and Nancy were just starting on this father/daughter thing. This family of two Ryan was learning that he wanted it. Sitting in that hospital room waiting for Nancy to wake up was like someone had dumped a bucket of cold ice water on his head. Prepared for fatherhood or not Nancy was his daughter. No matter when she had come into his life Nancy was now part of it; part of his family. Ryan just had to find a way to stumble ahead without crashing them both.

"One thing I learned from my father."Ryan replied grimly. "Is there's always a way to win. I promise you we will find that."

Nancy smiled and then surprising Ryan and herself Nancy withdrew from Ryan's grip and wrapped him in a hug. She felt him tighten his embrace briefly.

"Thank you."Nancy said in a voice barely above a whisper.

"For what?"Ryan asked as he pulled back.

"For trying. Our lives have both been flipped upside down lately."Nancy responded.

"I owe it to Lucy to make our family work."Ryan stated softly.

Suddenly a scream split the air. Nancy would know it anywhere. She shot to her feet tossing aside the blanket. Ryan rose also.

"That's Bess!"Nancy exclaimed as she ran for the study's door.

Owen found his cousin cowering in one of the guest bathrooms in the wing of the living quarters. Her dark hair was a mess, her face pale and she was sitting in the corner between the pedstal sink and the window. Owen wasn't sure how Bess had squished herself into such a small space. She was still screaming and her face was pale. Bess's dark eyes were wide and stark against the pale skin. Clearly she was seeing something Owen couldn't.

"Bess, it's alright."Owen soothed taking a step towards the frightened woman.

Footsteps sounded in the hall. Running footsteps. Owen knew the screams had drawn the attention of the staff. There weren't any other Marvins in residence. Owen glanced up in time to see Nancy and Hudson pause in the doorway of the bathroom both with worried expressions.

"What happened?"Nancy asked with concern.

Suddenly the weather outside shifted dangerously. The rain turned into a fierce gale. The wind screamed against the house. The bathroom window shattered sending glass everywhere. Rain pounded in and the wind whipped around the small area. Bess brushed at herself frantically with her hands.

"Off!"Bess shouted. "Get them off!"

Nancy scurried into the room moving towards Bess. There was a bright flash of lightening and the roof shuddered. Bess screamed once more and then the storm took off part of the roof leaving a gaping hole between the top of the window and the ceiling. Owen looked at Ryan who was staring dumbfounded at the ceiling.

"Hudson!"Owen snapped. "Get Nancy out of here, now!"

"No!"Nancy protested."I can help..."

"Ryan!"Owen commanded sharply.

Ryan pulled Nancy out of the bathroom. Owen looked back at his cousin. Bess was no longer brushing away whatever creatures she was seeing. She was almost zombie like staring straight ahead. Owen gathered Bess into his arms and ran out of the storm filled bathroom. He didn't stop until he reached the first floor. Owen was relieved to see Nancy and Ryan also waiting near the study door.

"Owen, is she alright?"Nancy asked worriedly as she hurried forward.

"I don't know."Owen replied anxiously. "Bess, can you hear me?"

"Let's get her by the fire; she's soaked."Nancy suggested.

They moved into the study and Owen gently set his cousin into the chair Nancy had been in earlier. Nancy covered the young woman with a blanket. Owen pulled out his phone and began to scroll through his contacts. Ryan glared at him.

"Who are you calling? 911 can't dispatch the Ghostbusters!"Ryan shouted the storm outside worsening.

"I have been doing research and gathering experts!"Owen retorted. "I'm not losing anyone I care about to the Aglaeca."

Bess suddenly shuddered and her eyes rolled back. Nancy gripped Bess's arms to keep her from falling. Then Bess spoke and the voice would haunt Owen's nightmares for the rest of his life.

"You will complete the bargain."The Aglaeca said through Bess. "The debt will be paid."

A strong gust of wind rolled through the room. Nancy cried out in pain and grasped her left forearm as if something had struck her. Owen watched in horror as blood seeped through the sleeve of Nancy's gray sweater.

"Nancy!"Owen cried reaching for his girlfriend.

The storm stopped and sunshine illuminated the room. Bess was crying now as she looked from one person to the other.

"W-what happened?"Bess asked tearfully "There was so many little crabs on me. They were like spiders. I couldn't get away..."

Owen tugged the blanket tighter around his cousin.

"It's over, Bess. You're safe now. The Aglaeca's gone."

"Owen."Nancy called fearfully. "I can't feel my arm; it's numb."

Ryan cursed and ran to Nancy. Owen reached her first and was alarmed to see how rapidly the blood was spreading. Owen looked at the doorway and was relieved to see his staff huddled there wide eyed.

"Towels and medical supplies!"Owen ordered. "Now!"

The men and woman quickly dispersed. Nancy wobbled on her feet and Owen caught her.

"You're going to be okay."Owen promised as he eased Nancy to the floor in front of the fire.

"Owen."Nancy whispered her eyes drifting closed.

"No, Nancy stay awake!"Ryan urged. "Fight!"

One of the maids scrambled forward with a stack of towels. Owen snatched two and applied it to Nancy's wound. The maid left as quickly as she'd arrived. Owen barely registered her departure his focus was on the woman he loved. This couldn't be happening. Nancy's body shuddered.

"Is she having another seizure?"Bess wondered alarmed as she stood and then knelt by Nancy.

"Nancy."Owen called. "Stay with me. Please."

Just as it looked like the seizure was going to take hold Nancy's eyes opened and her body stilled.

"Owen?"Nancy asked in confusion.

Ryan lifted the towels and rocked back on his heels shaking his head in amazement.

"Blood's gone. It's like you were never cut."Ryan stated in wonder.

"Hallucinations."Bess commented dazedly. "She's making us see things."

Owen pulled Nancy into a tight embrace. He felt her tremble and ran a soothing hand along Nancy's back.

"We're going to get through this."Owen vowed. "No matter what it takes."

Owen wasn't sure how. All that mattered right now was that everyone was safe and unhurt. Every problem had a fix they just had to find it.