Author's Note: Well, this is it! Happy New Year everyone! Make this year amazing. I hope to finally haha finally update Chasing Dreams. Maybe? Probably. IDK. And hopefully drop by with one or two more fics this year. Much love to you all!
The post-Christmas celebration lasts well into the night, and despite himself, Scott enjoys the cheer Nancy brings. He doesn't quite understand why she insists on spending the day with him, but when he offers his bed so she can spend the night, she eagerly agrees.
A night turns into a day, and soon Nancy is planning a trip into town to purchase supplies for New Year's Eve. He protests, but she waves off his concerns with "We might as well celebrate."
"Nancy, I appreciate everything you've done, but you didn't have to do all this," Scott says later that evening. "I'm sure you have family you could be with."
"Things haven't been quite the same so I'm happy to be here."
"Downhill ride as bad as I predicted?" Scott smirks.
Nancy is quiet for several seconds before looking away. "My husband died two years ago, and home hasn't been home since."
Scott's jaw drops. He sees Nancy's sad smile and knows she's about to forgive him. "No," he stops her. "I was being an ass, and I deserve this. But I am truly sorry, Nancy."
"Thank you," Nancy manages a genuine smile this time. "He was the love of my life, and I never thought I would be without him. Every Christmas is just a harsh reminder."
Scott frowns, and he hates himself for this. He figures there had to be more to why Nancy had come. Of course she was lonely and needs a place to stay.
"That's not why I'm here, Scott," Nancy interrupts his thoughts.
"I'm not mad. You're always welcome here," he replies softly.
"I came because I really wanted to see you, and I stay for the same reason," Nancy walks over. She places her hand on his cheek to pull him into a soft kiss on his forehead. "Let people in, Scott. You'll be glad you did."
Nancy exits back to the bedroom after this. Scott stares into the crackling fire and allows his mind to wonder. Winters on the prairie are cold and long, and he knows that when Nancy leaves, the nights are going to be just a little bit longer and colder.
But why?
Scott refuses to answer this.
"So, are we drinking to this new year or what?" Scott looks up and sees Nancy grinning at him. "We have wine and whisky. Whatcha like?"
Scott laughs lightly. "Don't judge me, but I'll take the whiskey."
"I always judge, Scott," Nancy calls heading towards the kitchen. "I just do it silently."
Nancy returns with two glasses. "Scott," she starts before sitting next to him and passing a glass. "Did you want to watch the Times Square ball drop?"
"Uh, not really," Scott grimaces. "This may surprise you, but I'm not exactly a joiner."
Nancy snorts. "I'm incredibly shocked." She takes a sip of her drink then looks back at him. "To be honest, I'm not really a fan of all the festivities either."
"That actually does surprise me," he remarks.
"Chaos defines my life," Nancy continues. "Lost treasure, murder, sabotage," she eyes him pointedly. "I guess when I have a free moment I just want something simple."
"I understand," Scott replies. "After chasing tornadoes most of my life, it's nice to come home to boring."
Nancy nods. He can see her thinking before speaking. "Do you miss storm chasing?"
"Yes," he confesses. "A lot actually. It's what I had done my whole life, and I'm not sure how much better I left the community."
Nancy reaches over to squeeze his hand. "I won't sugarcoat how your career ended, but from what I can tell, you did much more good then harm. Maybe one day you'll find your way back in the field."
He shakes his head. "I'm too old now, and the community still," Scott takes a sharp breath. "Hasn't gotten over what I did. Canute is small, and we don't forget."
"Why don't you move?" Nancy asks.
"I don't know where I would go," he admits. "I've lived here all my life, and Pa has helped me out considerably."
"Pa won't live forever you know," Nancy remarks.
Scott narrows his eyes slightly. "That's sacrilegious."
"I mean it, Scott," Nancy presses. "You should look elsewhere. The United States is a big country. I'm sure you could find work somewhere."
"No one's going to let me teach anymore. Not after I was fired for sabotaging my own storm team."
She shakes her head. "I don't mean teaching, but you have unparalleled knowledge on tornado genesis. I imagine there is a weather station somewhere who would value your input."
Scott sits staring into the fire for several seconds before sighing. "Maybe."
Nancy shifts next to him, and soon, she's snuggled into him. He stiffens slightly at her contact. "I'm cold," she tells him. Scott wraps an arm around her and sits there watching her breathe. "I've had a really nice time, Scott, being here with you."
"You can stay, you know, as long as you want."
"Part of me wants too."
His heart skips at that. "And the other?"
Nancy looks up at him. "My family and career is in River Heights. Mostly anyway."
"Well, I'm only a flight away," he offers. "My door is always open."
"I might have to take you up on that offer sometime," she responds softly.
"I hope you do," Scott admits, and Nancy just watches him with a look he couldn't described. He can only stare back pushing down the thoughts dancing in his mind he knows he should never allow to take root.
The clock chimes announcing it's midnight, and Nancy pulls up sharply. "Happy New Year," she says grabbing her empty glass to clink his tumbler.
"Happy New Year," he echoes.
Nancy sets her glass back down eyeing him. She scoots up to him touching his cheek lightly. His heart is pounding as she reaches up to press a kiss against his lips softly.
"Nancy?" Scott manages.
"Maybe not all traditions are silly," she remarks.
He turns away. "Right, tradition."
"New year, new beginning," Nancy says behind him touching his arm. "What do you want this year, Scott?"
"Haven't thought that far," he answers not looking at her.
"How about happiness?" she suggests sliding across his lap. "What do you think about that, Scott?"
Scott swallows thickly trying desperately not to look at her. "Nancy, please."
Her hands are on his cheek forcing him to see her. "Am I reading this wrong? This? The last week with you?"
"Nancy," he closes his eyes. "I, please, I'm not strong enough to tell you no."
"Then don't," she smiles kissing him again, and this time he can't stop his arms from snaking around her and holding her close. When they part, he's in desperate need for her again.
"Nancy," he forces out. "What, are you sure?"
She nods. "Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's the loneliness, or maybe once I got past the gruffy exterior, I found someone I'd like to get to know better."
"You might not like what you see," Scott warns.
"Maybe," Nancy admits leaning forward. "But I'm willing to find out. What about you?"
And for an answer, Scott tangles his hands in her hair kissing her once more.