Title: Breathe again

author: Cindy Ryan

Spoilers; The Drowned woman; all

Category: Alternate story line

Summary: What if Nancy had been brought back from the dead by the shroud instead of George? What does this change with her relationship with Ryan?

With his never ending search for new clients Carson Drew had dug out his police scanner and put it in the car. He knew there was probably an ap for his smart phone that would do the same but Carson didn't have the energy to find it or learn it. So old school would have to do. He was driving home late from doing research on a potential client when the call for an ambulance to the Claw came in. The call said it was a female victim. Carson instantly thought of Nancy and his heart froze and he stomped down on the gas pedal. As he did Carson it the speed dial on his hands free for Ryan Hudson. Carson didn't miss the irony of the fact that he now had a Hudson on his speed dial. Ryan answered on the second ring.

"Hudson."Ryan greeted.

"Are you close to the Claw?"Carson asked without a greeting. "I heard on the scanner that they had an ambulance call for a female victim and I'm ten minutes out."

"I'm about five."Ryan responded grimly. "What makes you think it was Nancy? There's at least two other women..."

"I know."Carson interrupted more sharply than he wanted. "Just with how weird she's been acting lately. Ryan, I have a bad feeling."

"Yeah, me too."Ryan agreed softly. "I'm pulling in to the lot now."

The call ended abruptly but not before Carson heard the sirens. He swallowed hard and sent off a silent prayer.

Ryan tried not to think that he lost his wife at the Claw as he pushed his way through the front door and into chaos. The place was in shambles. Debris and glass were everywhere. Tables and chairs were over turned. Bess was sobbing loudly. Nancy's other friends were sitting on the floor surrounding something; someone.

His hands cold and clammy Ryan moved forward. The others hadn't seen him yet. Ace was holding a still figure covered in blood. The red hair was instantly recognizable even against Ace's jacket and the debris filled room. Ryan felt the color drain from his face and he thought for a moment he was going to pass out. Then he forced himself to get a grip; Nancy needed him. Ryan was not losing his daughter not when they were still finding each other.

"Oh God."Ryan said unable to keep the emotion from his voice. "What the hell happened?"

"The Aglaeca."Nick started to explain.

"I'll watch for the ambulance."George said as she launched to her feet and ran to the door.

Despite the pep talk he'd given himself Ryan found his hands were shaking as he crouched next to Nancy. Her eyes were open but they were glazed. Her hands clenched around a wicked looking iron stake in her stomach. Was that a harpoon?

"We need to stop the bleeding."Ryan suggested as he shrugged out of his expensive jacket.

Nancy gasped and her body shuddered. Ryan didn't think Ace could get any paler but the kid did.

"Nancy; stay with us. Please."Ace murmured.

Ryan watched as Ace touched Nancy's face with his right hand.

"The...shroud."Nancy choked out.

Then her eyes rolled back in her head and her body went limp.

"No!"Ryan called as he gripped his daughter's right hand. "What's she talking about?"

"The historical society."Bess said through hiccupped tearful gasps. "It's one of the supernatural objects. I think it can bring someone back.""

"Let's go!"Nick said as he rose to his feet grabbing Bess's right hand in his.

Ryan watched baffled as the two young people left just as Carson Drew and the medics arrived.

"She's gone."Ace declared in a sad voice.

Ryan stared at his daughter's still, bloody and pale form that was tucked in Ace's arms. He rocked back on his heels shaking his head. Ryan couldn't wrap his head around it. Couldn't believe he'd just watched his only child die. This couldn't be happening. Ryan couldn't fail Lucy not this soon.

Carson felt like he'd fallen down the rabbit hole. As soon as he'd stepped into the destroyed Claw with the paramedics his world turned upside down and stopped. His gaze zeroed in on his daughter's, yes she would always be that in his mind, still and bloody form in Ace's arms. The harsh piece of iron protruding from Nancy's stomach...Carson stumbled back and tripped over a over turned table. Oh God...then Ace's words brought harsh cold reality hurtling in. Words Carson would never forget.

"She's gone."The youth stated grimly still cradling Nancy.

Then everything went dark as Carson lost consciousness and fainted.