Title: Breathe again

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Bess knew if it hadn't been for Nick's strength and at least outward calm she wouldn't have made it five feet from the Claw. She'd stopped sobbing but was still crying. Tears streaking down her face and sniffling. Her breathing coming in harsh gasps as they reached the front door of the historical society. Bess couldn't seem to pull two thoughts together.

"She's not going to give it to us."Bess stammered as Nick knocked.

"We'll take it if we have too."Nick vowed. "The Agleca's not getting Nancy."

"The Agleca has Nancy?"Hannah inquired having overheard as she opened the door.

"No, but she attacked Nancy and she's near death. We need the shroud."Nick explained as they stepped into the foyer.

"I'm sorry but you can't have it. The family entrusted me with it as keeper."Hannah replied quietly moving to the study.

"We can't let the Agleca win!"Nick protested.

"I'm sorry."Hannah said with a shake of her head.

"So am I."Bess stated.

As they entered the room Bess had spotted the fireplace poker. She grabbed it and now aimed it at the historical society keeper. Bess advanced on the dark haired woman until the keeper backed up against the wall eyes wide.

"Bess."Nick warned.

"Get the shroud; go. It's in the boxes; book should be on the desk still."Bess instructed.

Nick ran to the desk found the log and the needed information.

"Here, box fourteen."Nick exclaimed excitedly and ran to the adjoining room.

Bess kept a careful eye on her captive.

"Please!"Hannah pleaded. "You don't know what will happen if you use the shroud. The previous keepers didn't know what the affects..."

"Got it!"Nick shouted interrupting.

The box wouldn't lock as Nick slammed it shut. He slammed it again in haste. Bess saw sparks from a circuit breaker on the wall and from the other boxes.

"The rest will open!"Hannah said fearfully.

"I'll come back and fix it."Nick promised as he ran for the door.

"Sorry."Bess apologized weakly as she dropped the fire poker and ran after Nick.

Tears clogged Ace's throat as he stared at Nancy's pale face. There was a streak of blood on her right cheek from where he'd touched it. He couldn't believe the Agleca had won and taken Nancy from them.

In recent months despite the friction in the group Nancy had become a good friend to Ace. He'd started to think there might be some chemistry between them that could lead to another level of their relationship. Ace had admitted at least to himself in those last dark moments before midnight that Nancy had become more than a friend to him. He'd cared for her and never had a chance to tell her. The sea spirt had taken that from Ace.

Vaguely Ace was aware of the paramedics attending to Carson who'd collasped. He knew Ryan was sitting dazed a few feet away. George was standing near the bar. Still that all faded to the background. Nancy was now cold in his arms. He could feel her body heat fading and unconsciously tightened his grip as if that would keep her with him. Ace knew deep down that it was only her body here. Nancy's spirit was already gone. Ace's vision blurred and he let out a hiccupped harsh breath.

"Nancy."Ace whispered.

"She's not gone."Ryan's defiant voice cut into Ace's stupor. "Nancy can't be gone."

"I'm sorry but she is."A young black haired medic said compassionately. "We're going to take Mr. Drew into the hospital and we'll return."

Ace nodded numbly. The paramedics took Carson away on a stretcher. Ace remembered Nancy being the last one telling the Agleca her own memories from the letters they'd found. He pushed a hair away from Nancy's now cold face.

"You protected us, thank you."Ace said softly.

'I'm sorry but she is.'

The medic's words thundered through Ryan's turbulent thoughts. The grief was seeping in warring with the shock. He reached over and touched Nancy's right hand and nearly yanked it away at how cold it was. No, no, no...he had just gotten used to having her in his life.

"Nancy."Ryan whispered in a choked voice.

The door burst open and Nick ran in followed close by Bess. A white piece of cloth was held tightly in his grasp. The young man dropped hard to his knees at Nancy's feet and threw the cloth over Nancy. Ace shifted away gently placing Nancy on the floor.

"What the hell?"Ryan demanded as he stood.

"It's a shroud."Bess explained. "It brings people back."

"Please work."Nick pleaded as he tucked the shroud around Nancy. "Please."

Long moments passed and Nick collasped on top of Nancy his head resting on her chest. It was an intimate scene that Ryan felt a bit awkward watching. His brain was spinning. He'd seen some strange things since Lucy had haunted Nancy. Could this thing really work? Nick's voice was broken now.

"Please."Nick whispered.

Then Nancy gasped and began coughing. Beside him Bess sobbed loudly and Ryan saw George wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. Ryan raced forward and knelt by Nancy's right shoulder. Nick was kneeling by Ace and Nancy was now sitting up blue eyes wide.

"Are you okay?"Ryan asked worriedly.

He knew how stupid the question was but Ryan couldn't think of anything else to say. He watched in amazement as his daughter pulled up her bloody shirt to reveal smooth unharmed skin. The blood was still there but the wound was not.

"Thank God."Nick whispered pulling Nancy into a hug.

Ryan rocked back on his heels rubbing a hand over his face completely stunned. Stunned and grateful. Ryan had another chance to keep his promise to Lucy. He made a promise to himself not to waste it. He'd make it work with Nancy. Some how they'd be a family.