[AN] And here we are, with the beginning of Act II. Enjoy!

Wynonna's grin was salacious, bordering on evil. Doc's everpresent Stetson perched at a rakish angle on her head as Doc himself sat nearby, his eyes twinkling merrily.

Waverly ignored the knowing looks as she pushed Nicole down into a chair at the table before flitting happily to the stove to retrieve coffee for Nicole and tea for herself.

Doc cleared his throat. "I wish to extend my congratulations—" He broke off at Nicole's raised eyebrow and Waverly's glare. "On Waverly's academic achievements," he finished with a flourish of his coffee cup. "She is the pride of our humble town."

Waverly rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Thank you, John Henry."

Wynonna leaned forward. "Sooooo, baby girl!" She glanced at Nicole before returning her gaze to her sister. "I think I have congrats of a different sort—"

"Not. One. Word." Waverly spun to glare at her. "Or I'll tell Doc what your middle name is."

Wynonna shuddered and sat back, clearly not expecting Waverly to escalate so quickly and so thoroughly.

Nicole slipped her coffee, willing the heat on her cheeks to fade but knowing they were blazing red in embarrassment — she was proud to have satisified Waverly (apparently more loudly than she realized), but under the lecherous gaze of her new lover's elder sister she felt more than a little mortified.

Rowdy stumbled into the kitchen, yawning as he made his way to Waverly who immediately bent over and cooed at him before walking him outside.

Nicole jumped at the solid thump to her shoulder and turned to see Wynonna looking at her with a serious expression.

"She's not a casual fuck."

Nicole blinked quickly. "What?"

"Waverly. She's not a casual fuck." Wynonna's voice was low and dangerous. "You understand what I'm saying?"

Nicole put her coffee mug down and forced herself to be calm. "Sounds like you're asking me my intentions."

Doc chuckled. "In her own terribly awkward way I do believe you're correct, Deputy." He ignored the glare Wynonna threw him. "Waverly is dear to many."

"She is precious to me," Nicole replied hoarsely, but she met Wynonna's gaze steadily and cleared her throat. "You both are."

Wynonna blinked and sat back, surprised. "Hey now, Haughty-McHaughty. You're not bad looking, but I don't swing that way, sorry."

Nicole shook her head. "Shut up, idiot." She reached across and took Wynonna's hand. "Both of you pulled me out of a seriously dark place. I will always be grateful for what you both have given me." Her gaze hardened. "And I hope you know I would never disrespect Waverly, nor stand for any one else's disrespect."

Wynonna nodded, albeit a little grudgingly. She gave Nicole's hand a squeeze before letting go. "Yeah, I know," she admitted. "But I had to do my big sister duty!" She swatted Doc on the arm as he choked back a laugh then glared at Nicole who was doing the same. She crossed her arms in a huff. "You people are the worst."

"Don't pick on Wynonna," Waverly announced as she came back into the kitchen. "That's my job." She paused. "And probably Xavier's," she added thoughtfully.

"Hey!"

Waverly smiled winsomely then plopped herself onto Nicole's lap. She gave a quizzical look to Nicole, but the redhead merely shrugged and pulled her closer.

Wynonna groaned as her pager buzzed. "You two make The Notebook look bleak, but thankfully I'm outta here." She tugged at Doc's shirt. "Come on, I'll drop you off on my way to work."

Waverly waved her mug lazily at her. "Another day, another loser to throw in the back of your truck?"

Her sister grinned. "You know it, Baby Girl!" She eyed Nicole. "All legal and shit, of course."

"Of course."

Doc stood and plucked his hat from Wynonna's head and tipped it politely at the two women still sitting at the table. "Always a pleasure," he drawled. "Miss Waverly. Deputy Haught."

"Bye, Doc!" called Waverly as Nicole tossed him a lazy salute.

The door slammed shut and a moment later the roar of Wynonna's truck announced their departure. Waverly turned to Nicole and nuzzled her nose against a warm cheek.

"So," she murmured, her voice low and sultry. "Did you have any other plans for today?"

Nicole felt a shiver float down her spine. "I'm pretty sure my schedule is flexible at the moment."

"Oh goodie," Waverly nibbled on an earlobe. "I'm so glad to hear that. You want to know why?"

Nicole squirmed under Waverly's assault. "Why?" she finally managed.

"Because," Waverly ran her tongue languidly around the edge of Nicole's ear. "The house is empty."

Nicole gasped as hot breath whirled in her ear. "You don't say."

"Mmm," Waverly dragged her teeth down Nicole's neck. "And I have plans around taking advantage of that."

Nicole groaned as Waverly sank her teeth into Nicole's pulse point. "You said… you're… a planner…"

Waverly purred as ran her hands underneath Nicole's shirt. "Oh, yeah, Baby. I have. So. Many. Plans."

—

Streams of sunlight lit up glowing circles of light on Waverly's comforter and caused the dust motes floating through the air to sparkle.

Nicole ran her fingers along Waverly's spine, her fingertips picking out every ridge and crevice of the bones just underneath smooth skin.

"I haven't, um," Nicole stammered. She took a deep breath and relaxed slightly as Waverly snuggled more firmly into her embrace. "I haven't been with anyone since Beth died."

Waverly merely pressed a kiss against Nicole's chest and stayed silent, listening.

"The last time I saw her she blew me a kiss from the door." Nicole swallowed. "She had been called into work — they were short handed or something — just needed her for a couple of hours."

Waverly laced their fingers together and gave Nicole's hand a quick squeeze.

"On her way home," Nicole's voice grew strained. "A drunk driver in a one of those big dually trucks ran a red light. Beth drove this little red Honda, and he hit broadside." Nicole took a shuddering breath. "Tommy doesn't know this but I saw the accident photos. I knew I shouldn't, but I just had to know…" she trailed off. "There wasn't much of anything left of her car. At least I knew that Tommy wasn't lying — it had been quick. They hadn't suffered."

"Had you named your son yet?" Waverly asked softly, her thumb rubbing the back of Nicole's hand softly.

Nicole laughed quietly. "Beth was all for naming him Tommy Junior but I kept telling her it would give Uncle Tommy a big head. I thought maybe we could name him after her father, but she said he'd never forgive us. I guess he never liked his name."

"What was it?"

Nicole giggled. "Harold."

"Well, Harry is sort of in these days. Royal family and all that."

"Everybody called him Buzz."

"Never mind, then." Waverly rolled slightly until she was lying half on Nicole, one hand cradling Nicole's face. "Thank you," she said seriously. "Thank you for letting this," she waved her other hand alongside them both, "be possible. I hope—" she broke off, clearly torn on how to proceed.

Nicole leaned up and kissed her gently. "Tell me."

Waverly gazed at her, her eyes full of warmth. "I hope you know that I don't want to replace her. She was so special to you, and to Rowdy, and—" she took a deep breath. "Even though I never knew her, she feels special to me too. I wish I had known her."

Tears welled in Nicole's eyes, but she nodded happily. "She would have loved you, so smart and full of sass…"

Waverly quirked an eyebrow at her. "Sassy, huh?"

"Don't try to deny it."

Waverly swung a leg over Nicole and rocked her hips into Nicole's. "I deny nothing."

Nicole's breath caught in her throat and she wrapped her hands around Wavelry's waist.

The buzz of a cell phone completely broke the mood. Waverly swore irritably and fumbled for the phone, somehow slapping the speaker on.

"What do you want, Nona?"

"Waverly," Wynonna's voice was tense. "You still with Nicole?"

The lack of any form of nickname had them both sitting up, sheets pooling around their waists. Waverly reached out and found Nicole's hand, gripping it tightly.

"Yes? What's going on?"

"I just got a call from a buddy at the county lockup." There was a pause as Wynonna took a deep breath. "This morning a truck went through the chainlink around the yard to bust out some prisoners."

Nicole's heart started to pound and she stared wide-eyed at Waverly. This wouldn't matter unless— "Who?" She demanded, her voice harsh.

"Bobo Del Rey," Wyannona growled. "And Champ Hardy. Both of whom I suspect you remember. Apparently they were cell mates and now Champ's running with Bobo's crew. Hang on." There was a rustling sound before she came back on. "Nedley's calling me, gotta go. Both of you come to the Sheriff's office okay?"

"Okay, Wynonna," Nicole said quickly, looking at Wavelry's stricken face. "We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Good. Take care of my sister, Haught,"

Nicole pulled Wavelry firmly against her chest. "With my life, Earp."

Notes:

Y'all didn't think I'd let the whole Bobo/Champ thing go away, did you?

:)