Sorry for the delay but I'm totally inspired by season two. Look for much more fic from me soon. :)
Title: Topsy Turvy
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
"You guys don't have to do this."Owen protested an hour later as he stood in the damaged bathroom.
Ace and Nick smiled briefly as the hefted lumber up to the hole.
"Easy way to help."Ace responded quietly. "Can't help fight an ancient sea creature right now but this we can do."
"Yeah."Nick agreed as he hammered. "This won't take long especially with how fast you got the supplies here."
Bess had called Ace and Nick once things had calmed down. They'd been there in less than ten minutes. George had stayed behind to keep the restaurant open. Owen was glad his cousin and girlfriend had such good friends to back them up.
"Thank you."Owen said as he left the small room. "If you need anything just let me know."
"Will do."Ace affirmed.
Owen left and pulled out his cell phone. As he scrolled through the contacts he selected a new addition to that list. One he hoped would be able to help. Best yet this expert was local.
"You don't have to stay."Nancy stated quietly as she sat in the wingbacked chair she'd sat in earlier.
Ryan had taken off his suit jacket and set it on te back of the other chair. He had made a couple short phone calls once things had settled to normal. Nancy knew he must have a full busy day ahead.
"I've cleared my schedule."Ryan replied as he stood next to the chair. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank you."Nancy said a lump forming in her throat.
"We need a plan."Ryan suggested as he started to pace.
"You think?"Bess muttered sarcastically as she sat in another chair near the fire a cup of hot tea in her hands.
Suddenly the rain that had started to let up increased in intensity. Rain pelted the window and wind buffeted the house and screamed through the trees. The room was engulfed in darkness except for the fire which remained stubbornly bright.
"What the hell?"Ryan asked.
They could all feel it Nancy knew. The energy that wasn't mother nature. Ice cold fear swept through Nancy and she knew the Aglaeca was coming. She must have gasped or made some sound because Ryan was suddenly in front of her eyes filled with concern.
"Nancy, what is it?"Ryan asked as he gripped her hands. "You're ice cold."
"Oh no."Bess murmured as she set her cup down. "I'll get Owen."
That was the last Nancy heard before darkness enclosed her completely.
Owen had just reached the hall where the study was when he saw Bess running towards him her face pale.
"What's wrong?"Owen demanded voice tight with fear.
"Nancy."Bess replied breathlessly. "The Aglaeca..."
"No."Owen whispered as he ran.
Once in the study Owen saw Ryan sitting on the floor near the wing backed leather chair. Nancy was so still almost life less in Ryan's arms.
"What happened?"Owen demanded worriedly as he dropped to his knees next to Nancy and Ryan.
"She got ice cold and passed out."Ryan replied in a choked voice. "I can barely get a pulse. I called an ambulance."
"It's the Aglaeca."Bess stated her voice barely above a whisper as she knelt next to Owen. "You could feel her in the room."
Owen stood went to the hall and yelled for a maid to get blankets. He grabbed the few that were already in the room and draped them over Nancy. Just as she did her body was taken by a seizure. Ryan cursed and gripped her shoulders keeping Nancy still. Lightening flashed and thunder roared outside. Owen felt helpless and he hated it. Owen gripped Nancy's right hand shocked at how cold it was.
"Nancy, come back to us."Owen pleaded.
"I'm going to get Ace and Nick."Bess said softly as she stood and ran out of the study.
"Nancy, you're a Hudson you fight her."Ryan urged as the seizure stopped. "You give her hell."
Nancy shouldn't be amazed any longer she really shouldn't; yet she was. The woods she found herself in were so real. It was night, Nancy could feel the cold wind, hear it move the branches. The full moon above lit up the trees creating shadows. The leaves crunched under Nancy's shoes as she walked. She wrapped her arms tighter around her torso futilely fighting off the cold. It seemed to seep into her very bones. Nancy stopped as a figure moved through the trees a few feet away. The shape familiar to her now; the Aglaeca.
Nancy stayed where she was; not moving. The ancient being moved closer Nancy forced herself not to step back.
"You will be mine soon."The Aglaeca threatened drawing a long gray finger along Nancy's throat.
"No."Nancy responded surprised her voice didn't shake. "I'm going to find a way to beat you."
"Time."The Aglaeca cackled. "Less than you think."
Nancy winced as the Aglaeca cut into the tender skin of her throat with her fingernail. She could feel warm blood dripping.
"How long?"Nancy asked.
"Seven days almost done."The Aglaeca nearly sang. "Soon you will pay the bargain's toll; all of you."
"You won't win."Nancy protested sharply.
The Aglaeca drew her nail down to Nancy's collarbone drawing blood all the way. Then the ancient being laughed and danced back.
"Seven days almost done."The Aglaeca repeated.
Nancy pressed her hand to her throat trying to see how bad it was. She watched through blurry vision as the sea spirit vanished. Nancy crumpled to the forest floor. She tried to concentrate on Owen, Ryan, Carson and her friends. However, the cold was winning. From far away Nancy heard Owen's voice. She couldn't make out the words but she clung to the voice like the lifeline it was.
"Oh no."Ace cried out.
The room was a flurry of activity by the time Ace, Bess and Nick walked in. Nancy was now flat on the floor covered in blankets. There was also blood dripping from her throat soaking the blankets.
"Seizure's stopped."Owen was saying to the team of wet paramedics he was escorting into the room.
"Okay."The bald male fortyish medic acknowledged. "She have a history?"
"No."Ryan replied tightly. "Just one a few days ago due to stress."
"Count of three let's lift her."The young female Asian medic suggested.
"They don't see the blood."Ace stage whispered to Nick and Bess.
"Thank God another hallucination."Bess whispered back.
"Never thought we'd be grateful for that."Nick agreed quietly.
Just as the paramedics began to carry Nancy from the study she woke. The medics instantly put her on the floor.
"Miss do you know where you are and what your name is?"The male medic asked sharply.
"Owen Marvin's home."Nancy replied groggily. "My name is Nancy Drew."
"What year?"The medic asked.
Nancy told them and Ace let out a long sigh of relief.
"Please I just left the hospital I don't want to go back."Nancy pleaded in a weak voice.
"You should get checked out, Miss."The male medic urged.
"She's my guest here."Owen interjected with authority. "I can have whatever private medical care Nancy may need. You have my word."
"Alright."The male medic said reluctantly.
They unstrapped Nancy from the board. Owen reached down and scooped Nancy into his arms. He nodded at the medics.
"I'll take her to her room and let her rest."Owen stated.
The medics gathered their equipment and left. As soon as they were gone Nancy reached for her throat searching for a wound. Ace reached in and gently took the searching hand in his stopping the movement.
"There's no blood, Nancy."Ace promised. "Just the Aglaeca messing with our heads."
Nancy visibly relaxed in Owen's arms.
"Are you alright?"Ryan demanded anxiously as he walked over to his daughter.
Nancy nodded and she looked up at Owen.
"Put me down."Nancy ordered weakly.
"You need rest."Owen countered with a shake of his head.
"I have to tell everyone what the Aglaeca said."Nancy stated grimly. "I don't have time for rest."
Ace watched with apprehension as Owen gently and reluctantly put Nancy on her feet. She wobbled slightly but Owen's strong grip steadied her.
"Let's sit by the fire."Ryan suggested walking back towards the fireplace.
The others followed and Ace knew he wasn't going to like this conversation; not one bit.