Chapter 3

AN: Yay! Another sunshiny day! Here's the next chapter for your (hopefully) reading enjoyment and because it's so short, I'll try to post another one too. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no money from this.

"Duke?" a voice called from above.

Duke paused and looked over his shoulder at the woman leaning on the balcony calling out to him. Audrey Parker, the woman who had turned his world upside down for the last several months. The woman he had thought he was falling for but knew different now thanks to a feisty little researcher.

Duke was sure that had Hermione not just appeared in his life that he would have fallen for the former FBI agent but his heart now belonged to a beautiful British witch and would forever be hers. That wasn't to say that he wouldn't remain friends with Audrey and be there for her whenever she needed but, at least, his heart was protected from her and her inevitable choosing of Nathan over him.

Deciding to humor her now instead of later, Duke spun on his heel and made his way up to her.

"Audrey." he greeted.

"It's been awhile since we talked." Audrey stated. "What's been going on with you?" she asked as she handed him a glass.

Duke took the offered drink with a smile. Knowing exactly what she wanted to know, he bit the bullet and told her.

"Let's see, I've been busy with the Gull and helping with whatever Troubles show up. Oh, yeah, I made a new friend." Duke finished with a smirk, waiting for her list of questions about Hermione. He decided he would give her the most basic of answers. It wasn't that he didn't trust Audrey, oddly he has since she woke up from falling into the water but it wasn't his story or secrets to tell. Hermione had told him she was surprised that she hadn't been contacted by her Ministry or by MCUSA for telling him about her type of magic. She had conceded that the Troubles covered a type of magic kept secret so they were most likely not concerned.

"I noticed. Who is she? Where's she from? I don't recall seeing her around before this week." Audrey fired off, the cop in her coming to the forefront.

Duke shrugged, "Her name is Hermione and she is from England. And you wouldn't have seen her before because she just arrived this week."

"England? That's a distance to travel. Is she here to visit relatives?" Audrey inquired, her curiosity shining through. She had already learned that few strangers came to Haven unless they were visiting someone.

"Actually, she landed here by mistake. She was supposed to end up in Maryland but was given bad directions." Duke explained vaguely, curious to Audrey's reaction.

Audrey snorted and shook her head. "She should ask for a refund or fire whoever gave her directions, Maryland is quite a distance from here."

Duke chuckled, "Yes, she should."

"You seem to be spending a bit of time with her." Audrey observed.

"Does that bother you?" Duke asked with a deceptively quiet voice as he looked over towards his boat.

"No! Should it?" Audrey answered quickly. Something about his demeanor had her wondering what all was going on between Duke and the newcomer.

Duke eyed her for a few minutes before replying, "That depends..."

"On?" Audrey prompted.

"…whether you agree with Nathan's opinion or not." Duke answered.

"What? Oh, that she seems a bit young?" at Duke's nod, she continued, "No. She does appear young but I know you well enough, Duke, that I know she's legal." Audrey said while holding eye contact. She was still trying to figure out why there was so much animosity between Nathan and Duke. Also, she had seen glimpses of an old friendship between them but Nathan couldn't seem to make up his mind. It was confusing to her, you were either friends with someone or enemies, there was no in-between. She wondered how Duke put up with it.

Duke smiled and nodded. "Would it surprise you to learn she is soon to be twenty three?" When Audrey's eyes widened, Duke laughed a genuine laugh of happiness. He knew it would surprise most in the town Hermione's true age, she looked quite young until one looked into her eyes. Her eyes gave away her age and hinted towards what all she had been through in her short time.

"It does. By looks I would have put her around eighteen, maybe nineteen; however the air around her and the way she carries herself makes her seem older." Audrey responded, knowing the soul's age wasn't always shown physically.

"Well she has been through a lot in her young life." was all Duke would say.

"Well, she seems to make you happy, just, watch yourself, Duke." Audrey told him with concern. "I know you show a tough exterior to everyone but I also know how easy it is to have someone get under your skin when you're not looking."

"I'll keep that in mind." Duke told her with a smile, knowing the little witch had already done that. Then he changed the subject which Audrey allowed, knowing when to push and when to back off with Duke.

They spoke about many things for the next few hours before Audrey excused herself to go to bed.