[AN] This one's a little short, but there are reasons. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Waverly burst through the door and nearly ran smack into Wynonna's back.

"Wynonna, what the fuck," she screeched. "What did you do? Where's Nicole?" She stopped when Wynonna turned to her and she saw the devastation on her sister's face. "Oh Nona, What happened?"

Wynonna angrily brushed the wetness from her cheeks. "I don't — Waverly —" she took a deep breath. "I could see she had a crush on you, and she has the bike, and I thought it would be a nice song for you to sing, you know?"

Waverly bit her lip but kept silent.

"I could see she was having a hard time, like she was scared," Wynonna continued even more softly. "And I tried to help her, but she suddenly pushed me away and ran out. I followed her, and she—" Wynonna swallowed. "She had my keys and told me she was sorry, she just needed some alone time."

Waverly gasped. "She stole your truck?"

Wynonna shrugged. "Well, sorta, I guess? I mean, I didn't try and stop her or anything. She said she need to talk to her friend."

Waverly's heart stuttered to a stop.

"What friend?" she asked quietly, desperately.

Wynonna screwed up her face in thought. "Um, I think she said Beth. She needed to see her friend Beth."

"Oh God oh God oh God," Waverly muttered desperately. She turned to run back into the building, almost sobbing in relief she she saw Doc exit, his guitar case in his hand and a quizzical expression on his face. "Doc, how did you get here?"

"Miss Waverly, I caught a ride with Big Carl and Little Mike, but I was hoping I might catch a ride home with you lovely la—"

"Shit!" Waverly screamed. She turned to her sister who was staring at her in confusion. "Beth's not her friend. Beth's her wife."

Wynonna's jaw dropped open. "Her wife?"

"Her dead wife."

Wynonna's jaw snapped shut.

Waverly knew she was babbling, but she didn't care. "That's why she's here. Her wife was pregnant and killed. She's taking a road trip to try and feel better—"

Wynonna turned white. "Waves," she whispered, her face showing her growing panic. "She asked us to look after Rowdy while she was away."

There was a two second pause as they digested the implications of this.

"No no no no NO!" Waverly screamed. "I will not let this happen!"

Doc had been following the interchange with growing concern. Finally he stepped briefly back into building and deposited his guitar case just inside the door then returned, rubbing his hands as he scanned the field for a likely target.

"If I may, ladies, I saw that Joseph Franks was clearly too taken with drink to be driving home, so were he still conscious I'm sure he would not object to us borrowing his vehicle."

Knowing Joseph Franks was a jerk and a mean drunk not to mention a repeat customer of the back of Wynonna's truck, Waverly doubted this to be true but at that moment she couldn't have cared less.

"Let's go. Wynonna, I know you know how to hotwire so let's not bother trying to steal his keys."

Wynonna looked impressed. "Dang, Waves, who knew it would take a pretty red-head to make you break the law?"

"Shut the fuck up and get in the car, Wynonna Earp."

—-

For the first time in her life, Waverly made no comment about Wynonna's driving, nor did she even remember that normally she lived in mortal fear of whenever her big sister was in a hurry behind the wheel. She merely hung on to the Gus called the 'oh shit' bar with one hand, her phone pressed hard to hear with the other.

"—I'm gonna guess his last name's Haught, yeah. First name Tommy. She didn't way which county— Oh you found him! Okay, text me. Yes, good idea, thanks Dolls."

She grunted as Wynonna took a hard turn, the wheels chirping as they fought for traction.

"Got the number for her uncle, and Dolls is driving around with Rowdy in case she went back to town."

"An excellent thought," commented Doc from the back. "May I ask where we're heading now?"

"The interstate," Wynonna gritted. "If Nicole is leaving Purgatory to head in the direction of home it's the most likely choice."

Waverly sighed in relief when Dolls' text came through and quickly dialed the number.

"Sheriff's Department," answered a bored male voice.

"Hello, I need to speak to the sheriff," began Waverly.

"He's off duty until Monday, if you'd like to leave—"

"No!" She shouted desperately. "I need him right away!"

She heard a sigh. "Look miss, if it's an emergency you need to call 911"

"It's about his niece Nicole."

There was a loud clatter followed by cursing. "Fucking phone, hello? Hello?"

"Still here."

"What about Nicole? I'm Deputy Eric Jones. We've been worried about her."

"Please," Waverly insisted. "I need to talk to her Uncle!"

"Yeah, yeah, okay one sec."

Waverly bit her lip as she heard papers rustling.

"This is his cell number. He always has it on him." He recited the number twice.

"Okay, got it," Waverly said thankfully.

"Anything for Nicole," Deputy Jones said with feeling. "She's like a sister. Please, if you can help her…"

"I will," Waverly whispered before disconnecting.

Another call, the ring shrill in her ear.

Finally a voice gruff answered. "Haught."

Waverly choked on a sob. "Sir, my name is Waverly. I'm a friend of Nicole's."

"Nicole?" His volume rose. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

"I don't know," Waverly cried. "She's been so sad, and tonight she ran off." Waverly's voice caught but she forced herself. "She said she had to go see Beth, and she left Rowdy with us."

"Sweet Mary mother of God," Tommy swore softly.

"Please," Waverly begged brokenly. "Where do you think she'd go?"

"Where are you?" Tommy demanded. "Where's she been hiding?"

"Purgatory. She's been with us for a little bit—"

Tommy interrupted. "You know who Beth is?"

"Yes," Waverly replied, ignoring the tears streaming down her face. "I know about Beth, and she told me a little about you."

"Thank God you called me," he muttered. "Beth's grave is back here, but I don't think that's where she's going."

Waverly's heart dropped.

"At least tell me she doesn't have her gun," he added suddenly.

"Her gun? No, she gave it to our Sheriff—"

"Good," he said in obvious relief. There was a pause while he thought. "She and Beth used to go this bluff for special occasions — it faced East and it was their favorite place to see the sun rise." He paused and sighed. "I know she went up there a couple of times after Beth died."

Waverly held her breath.

"Look for her someplace high where she can watch the sunrise," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "And please, get there before it does."

"Someplace high, with a view of the sunrise," Waverly repeated, at a loss.

Doc leaned forward. "The Arrow Canyon bridge has a lovely lookout platform that faces due east, Miss Waverly."

Wynonna nodded. "She would have passed it on her way here and would have to pass it on her way back out. She might stop there."

"What's that?" Tommy demanded.

"Arrow Canyon bridge on the interstate," Waverly replied. "We're headed there now."

She heard a car door slam through the phone. A moment later Tommy confirmed it. "I'm coming. I've got your number here, so please keep your phone on you."

"Yes, yes, of course," Waverly stammered.

"You said your name was Waverly?"

"Yes, sir."

His voice pleaded with her. "Find her, Waverly. Please, find my girl."