Together

Women of the Otherworld Fanfiction

Singingfrogs

No copyright infringement intended

The late afternoon light was struggling to shine through the grotty windows of the Bear Valley diner due to the years of dirt and the thick layer of ice that caped the glass because of last night's snow storm. Nick and his father were cosily wrapped in thick jumpers as they resided in one of the more comfy booths of the restaurant with large mugs of coffee steaming in their hands and a pie situated in front of them. The werewolf had to keep himself from laughing as he watched the second person struggling to retain their balance as they stumbled across the icy pavements; a few even failed to keep themselves upright and landed in the pile of snow that had been pushed from the road.

Nicholas could see the walls of the diner were lined with framed pictures of the various stages of Bear Valley's construction. A picture depicting the town centre from two hundred years ago was proudly displaying the differences to the town as it sat with a cluster of other grainy photographs that were fifty years apart. The werewolf had to struggle not to squint in the bright lighting, his enhanced eyesight struggling against the intensity of the rays as the owner of the diner tried to counteract the looming darkness that was immersing New York.

But as he looked around the restaurant was full. The human clients were divided amongst local towns folk, vacationers, and then hunters and hikers. The hunters and hikers were dressed in their most expensive outwear. It ranged from the traditional high-end parkers and large winter coats to the over the top boots or hunting equipment; as usual, they were rubbing their fancy clothing and costly equipment in the local's faces as if to make a point. Nick knew that as he sat quietly eating a pie he was dressed in his luxurious jeans with a designer coat hanging over the back of his chair, but as he compared his father's and his own apparel to those of the visiting hunters you could tell who were the show offs.

The tourists on the other hand looked like tourists from anywhere, though a little more adventurous than most. They were always dressed in normal clothing, though not as worn as the Bear Valley inhabitants; the visiting families went out of their way to tip well or to chat with the waitresses and the manager of the diner to express their happiness with their meals. He had never put much thought into the people Bear Valley must have attracted but as he looked around the bustling diner he was finally getting a good idea.

The diner was but a few of the small businesses that had survived over the years and the establishment seemed to thrive within this small community; it seemed the manager who had been handed down the diner by his father had done well in keeping his customers loyal. The quaint building was surrounded by large houses and other run down companies; each of them were slowly reducing in size or production as they're supply and demand seemed to change every decade. Since Nick was born he had been visiting Bear Valley and each time things were different; either by the introduction of a Wal-Mart or a McDonalds but as the larger companies acquired a store, it meant that local business were suffering.

Nick was abruptly pulled from his fond thoughts when a precipitous change in attitude engulfed Antonio as he ruffled the newspaper and forced the papers to the table and displayed the primitive emotions of fear and anger. Nick shot his father a questioning glance and continued in his task once his father had motioned towards the relevant article. Nick left his semi-devoured pastry as he drew his full attention to the written story that described in graphic detail the murder of the young woman who had been found close to the borders of their territory. This was the reason that each member of his pack had been called back home.

However, as Nick was studying the newspaper Antonio jumped at the chance in conducting a little investigation of his own; he would use the towns folk to understand what they thought, what they were talking about and whether they believed Jeremy to be implicated. After years of practise he was able to keep his emotions in check as he surveyed the bustling diner, but as he listened to various conversations he wished he had Riley's ability in remaining as calm and composed as possible. The careless enthrallment from human customers and the capricious contemplations of the restaurant staff was becoming more infuriating; irritation washed onto his features as he eavesdropped on another gossiping couple who were admiring his son. It seemed any 'handsome' stranger from out of town was important news to the young girls fresh out of high school or college and as they sat their ogling at Nicholas he really wished Riley's bus would arrive so Nick's own affections would be focused solely on her and not on another woman he intended to bed. How he wished his son would settle down sometimes.

Antonio was just about to give up as he fluttered his eyes towards the clock that was hanging behind the counter. But he watched as the pregnant waitress waddled up towards one of the tables at the far end of the bar, a large cup of steaming bad coffee in her hands as she waited on her customers. The family's hushed whispers caught his attention and as he lifted his own coffee mug to his lips he intently listened to their conversation as Nick continued to read the paper in front of him.

"How's Jennifer's family?" The waitress voiced with concern etched into her voice as she perched to the vacant chair next to the elderly woman Antonio assumed was the grandmother. The waitress rested her coffee pot to the tabletop while her hands went to her swollen abdomen, her eyes once again never leaving the group in front of her.

"Not good." The elderly lady said in a quite voice as if not to be overheard in the noisy diner. "Apparently the police think it's a wolf, but Jen's father was a hunter he knows what to look for when it comes to a wolf kill. From what I heard he's demanding the police reconsider her cause of death, but the Sherriff and his men are way in over their heads again."

"What does he think could've done it?" The waitress asked as she nervously flickered her eyes towards the older lady who was departing her information. It seemed the town was on high alert and any news, whether that be from the police, the press or gossiping neighbours was a welcomed relief as they tried to protect their friends and family.

"He doesn't know, he's never seen anything like it before."

"Apparently she was found up by the Stonehaven property." The son voiced, his family and friends turning to look at him as he cautiously lent on his hands, his long hair falling into his eyes as his whispered towards the waitress who was cradling her stomach. "Rings too familiar to what happened five years ago don't you think. This time I doubt they'll get away with it."

"Thomas LeBlanc was caught for those murders Jimmy. The Danvers had nothing to do with that." His mother retorted, her eyes hard with a glare to try and reprimand her son, but he was not about to bow to her authority.

"Wouldn't put it passed the blonde though. Maybe someone touched his woman." He countered, his eyebrows rose into a knowing expression and smiled contentedly when he noticed most of them agreeing with his statement.

However, Antonio noticed his son studying him, his reading forgotten as he noticed his father's tight grip on the coffee mug, a question shining in his eyes that was answered by his father replacing the china to the plate before he got to his feet.

"Come on, we'll wait for Riley outside." He whispered as he pulled out his wallet, retrieved a twenty which he dropped to the tabletop and grasped hold of his jacket. Nick shrugged on his trench coat and readjusted the collar, striding behind his father and not failing to notice the giggling girls who were seating in the booth a few meters away. He flashed them a polite small smile before hurriedly jogging up to his father who was striding down the slippery pavement and towards the allocated bus area. As soon as Nick was at his father's side he began to feel the biting chill of the winter air and he curled his hands around the scarf in his coat pocket and wrapped it firmly around his neck.

"I take it from the sudden departure of the diner you got something from the towns gossip chain?" Nick voiced as he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them from freezing, the werewolf not failing to notice his visible breath as he spoke to his father who was calmly standing by one of the other buildings.

"Well apart from a couple of girls drooling over you, some of the towns folk suspect Clayton but there isn't a substantial amount of evidence to tie any of the Pack to the murder. I don't even think they believe the woman was killed by a wolf." Antonio countered as he flicked his eyes from the bus stop and towards Nick who gazed down towards his father in understanding.

"So what do you suggest?"

"Right now we wait for Riley." Antonio started "And then we tell Jeremy what we discovered." He said with a smile as he clapped the back of Nick's shoulder. However, Nicholas frowned towards his father's deflating posture before turning to see what he had seen. The Sherriff and his Deputy were heading in their direction. With that Antonio's grip on Nick's shoulders tightened while Nick looked to his feet and readjusted his position.

"This could be interesting." Nick grumbled as he angled his body so he was able to get a better view of the bus stop, knowing that Riley's bus would be arriving at any moment.

"Don't worry Nicky, we've done nothing wrong." Tonio countered before a large fake smile washed onto his features as the Police finally came to a stop in front of them.

"I've seen you around town over the years, but I don't think we've properly met." The Sherriff voiced with a welcoming smile, his gun visibly on display against his belt as he held out his hand towards Antonio, suspiciously watching the older man as Nick's father gracefully shook his hand.

"Antonio Sorrentino, and this is my son Nick." Tonio replied with a gracious smile, turning towards Nick who was a good four inches taller than his father. Nick gave a half smile as he too took the Sheriffs hand before taking a step back towards his father and replacing his cold hand into his pocket. "We're old family friends of the Danvers."

"You're visiting him when all of this business with a murdered girl is going on? He must be a little shaken by the discovery of the body near his property line." The deputy resonated; his cheeks flush with colour due to the biting chill of the wintery air. Tonio just frowned when he listened to his statement as he shared a cautious look with Nick. The four of them were apprehensive in their meeting, but none of them would admit it. Instead they stood there, glaring at each other as they listened to the spluttering of the black ice that caped the roads, the general mumblings of people passing by and the howling wind that rippled down the town centre of the valley. They did not speak of what weighed on all of their minds, although Nick could hear the underlying tension and distrust in the Deputy's voice as he conversed with him.

"He's more worried than anything, but we'll be there to support him while we continue to celebrate." Antonio expressed with the composure that would have rivalled Riley's callousness as he spoke with the sheriff in the same way he did his business partners. The Sherriff readily agreed with the elder werewolf, momentarily putting aside their evaluation of the other as they prepared to get an honest to god opinion of the situation. It seemed his work colleague did not get the memo.

"What are you celebrating?" The deputy resounded as he hooked his thumbs through the loops of his trousers. His eyes narrowed as he looked to his left and towards Nick who was apprehensively fidgeting with the material of his inside pocket as he forced his eyes to face the Deputy.

"Just a family thing." Nick answered with a civil smile, inwardly relaxing when the deputy nodded as if happy with his answer. "The paper said something about a wolf kill? Do you think it's true?" Nick asked, face vacant of any signs of emotion as he prepared to chatter with the police officers that seemed to be involved in a case that was proving more difficult than first realised.

"We're unsure, but if there is a wolf settling at the Danvers property we'll have to conduct a proper search." The Sherriff interjected fervently, his eyes hard with sentiment as he curled his hand around his firearm; obviously gaining a sense of security as he discussed a topic he was uncomfortable deliberating.

"Of course." Antonio agreed with a smile as he looked between the two officers in front of him. "Jeremy will be more than happy to attend to your needs. His only concern at this time is to aid you in your investigation and locate the animal responsible."

"We understand, but it is very difficult to search such a vast area, especially when my officers know very little when it comes to the layout of the land."

"I'm sure the Danvers family and they're visitors can help with that. We've been staying up at Stonehaven for many years now and have come to know the forests extremely well."

"Shines too similar to that situation my predecessor had to deal with five years ago when it came to searching Stonehaven."

"That's right, both me and Nick were staying at Stonehaven at the time. Nick was the unfortunate one who found the boy." Antonio expressed with sad eyes as he lifted his arm and rested his palm to Nick's shoulder who had been keenly listening to the conversation as he fell back into his memories.

"It was a challenging situation for all of us." Nick managed to say as he momentarily lost concentration when he noticed a bus turning around the corner without stopping. He trained his eyes to the clock in the diner; Riley's bus was officially late.

"You waiting for someone?" The Deputy asked as he noticed Nick's sudden behaviour. As the werewolf turned his eyes towards the young officer he stepped back onto one of his legs as he took a cautious step away from him, uncertainty shining deep within his eyes as he took in the officers dark judgemental glare as if he did not believe a word his father had just uttered. Nick simply recovered his nonchalant expression, calming his hectic thoughts as he stood his ground and refused to be bullied by the police officer that was standing in front of him.

Antonio couldn't help the smirk from taking hold of his lips as he took in his son's behaviour and his ability to take control of the conversation when he required it. Was this the reason why he found it so easily to flirt with a woman? Maybe this was also the reason Nick felt so strongly towards Riley; he could cover up his emotions so easily when it came to someone he barely knew, but when faced with the challenges of conversing with a woman who could read him better than anyone he got so tongue tied. She meant a great deal to him and he cherished her friendship.

"Just waiting for another one of Jeremy's guests." Nick held with a light-hearted smile on his lips, inwardly screaming for a change of subject while outwardly he displayed the nonchalant emotions that would deter the officers from noticing anymore when it came to his personal relationships.

"Girlfriend?" He chided, his eyes boring into Nick's chestnut orbs who simply returned his own glare as he gave a small shrug and a shake of his head.

"Just an old friend." Nick responded strongly, his eyes staring deeply into the officer's eyes as he refused to divulge any other information as he turned his attention towards the Sherriff who was awkwardly watching the conversation. Nick knew why the Deputy was distrustful of anything he had to say; after all he was distracted due to the concept of seeing Riley again. He knew first hand what it was like to be parted from the one person who knew you better than your only parent, he knew how hard it was not to pick up the phone in the middle of the night just to hear her voice, and he knew how crazy it made you act when you thought back to that person. These thoughts and these emotions were a new prospect for the womanizing werewolf for many of his relationships only lasted a few dates or until he craved for something different. Riley was his something different. Now he was about to reunite with the one woman he hadn't seen for half a year and she was also the woman who made him feel so confused and uncertain of himself he was apprehensive of seeing her again. Deep down his mind was trying to tell his heart that these were only injudicious contemplations for Riley provided him with a great sense of companionship and loyalty; her ideas and the way she managed to calm him and make him see only helped him to be a better man.

"May I ask how long you've known her?" The officer replied sharply, his impatience shining within his voiced and expression as he waited peevishly for Nick to answer him. The werewolf just moved his eyes to look at him, a honourable quality and hidden strength resonating around him as he stood up for himself, a quality that surprised his father considering Nick was anything but a delta wolf within the pack hierarchy.

"How do you know it's a she?" Nick voiced evenly, his voice never having risen in pitch or volume, his words always spoken at the same level as he faced a man Antonio knew he was treating like a Mutt, while one of his eyebrows was raised.

"It's just a question." The officer started, flicking his head back before a smile engulfed his features, it seems he was the first to back down.

"And I don't think it's really any of your business." Nick stated with annoyance as he remained as vague and in control of his emotions as possible as he faced the Deputy.

"They're just a few routine questions." The Sherriff imputed, finally managing to pull the pair from their face off and visibly relaxing when he noticed Nick tearing his eyes away from the younger officer. "At this point of time we just want to eliminate people from our suspect list." However, a deep frown engulfed his features when he finally recognised Nick's far off expression. He shot Antonio a look while the older gentleman just gave a small gentle smile when he realized why his son was unable to retain his concentration to the conversation.

The Sherriff turned around to look behind him, and sure enough realization washed to his features. Nick had noticed a bus pulling up and stopping at the side of the road, its engines vibrating the doors and the windows as the passenger door swished open to reveal a young petite woman thanking the driver before heading towards the doorway. Nick could see her adjusting the strap of her bag that was draped over her shoulder while another carry on was firmly clutched in her other hand. Nick could not stop the large smile from engulfing his lips as his heartbeat rapidly increased with trepidation and elation at the welcoming sight of the woman they had been waiting for.

"Please, excuse me." Nick voiced politely, stating his goodbyes as he looked towards his father who simply answered his silent question with his eyes. Nick smiled before scooting around the Deputy and moved into a jog, the lapels of his jacket flapping behind him as he converged on the bus. As he gained on her position his smile only grew as he took in how the last six months had changed her. Her auburn hair was longer as it fell over her shoulder and down to the middle of her ribs, her long side fringe sweeping across her pale skin and joining with the rest of her hair. She was dressed in a thick black coat very similar to his, but as she moved down the steep steps of the vehicle Nicks sensitive eyes could see that it was undone, allowing him to see she had wrapped a thick mustard yellow scarf around her neck that fell over her chest to mid-thigh. Her eyes were attentive to where she placed her feet, but as she headed towards the pavement Nick was unable to keep unannounced for long.

"Riley!" Nick bellowed, a large handsome smile on his features as he observed Riley snapping her head in the direction she was called, the top of her hair having been pulled into a small pony-tail in a half up, half down style as if too keep her hair from her face. As soon as her eyes recognised Nick's jogging figure her expression brightened ten-fold, her grey eyes sparkling with life while she smiled a smile she saved only for him. Antonio didn't even know he was smiling until the officers in front of him turned back to face him, the smile slowly falling from his lips as he moved his eyes from the joyous couple.

"I would greatly appreciate you letting Mr Danvers and his family know that we will come by in the morning to ask a few questions." The Sherriff expressed as he finally started to say his goodbyes.

"Of course, each of us will help in whatever ways we can." Antonio mustered before nodding his head and skirting around them, noting how Nick was almost to Riley. He observed his sons glowing form and Riley's radiant appearance that had changed a great deal within the year she had been away. Antonio watched as his son slowed his running, his large smile engulfing his expression as he opened his arms and wrapped them tightly around Riley. The young werewolf dropped her suitcase while the other removed the strap from her shoulder as she enveloped her arms around Nick's neck, her chin resting to the back of his shoulder as she clung onto him; her own smile taking over her expression. Riley could not stop the first genuine laugh from escaping her lips as Nick spun her around, the pair of them delighted to be reunited as they continued to cling to the other in a strong death grip.

"My dear Riley, it's been far to long, it's so good to see you." Nick chimed with a smile as he spun them again before gently placing Riley back to her feet, never once relenting the grip he had on her waist as he leant down and rested an adoring kiss to her cheek.

"It's good to be seen." Riley said with a small smile as she looked up towards Nick, feeling his arms tighten around her as he tried to show her how much he had missed her. As Antonio observed the pair he could not help the smile from forming on his lips as he took in how different Nicky was acting in front of the small woman. She maybe only five ft five and when she stood in front of Nick she only managed to reach the bottom of his shoulders. If a complete stranger looked at her, he highly doubted they would take her for a remarkable warrior because she sure as hell didn't look like one. But combine that with a rough upbringing, extensive knowledge in several martial arts and the ability to allow ones emotions to take over Riley was a formidable match to be reckoned with. But as he watched the embracing pair, right now, Riley looked right at home.

Antonio however, was a little subdued as he headed towards the embracing pair, his hearing once again listening into the curious police officers, the deputy obviously having taken and immediate disliking to Nicky whom, if pushed would put up a hell of a fight to protect his family.

"With a reunion like that, how can they be anything but in an exclusive relationship?" The deputy voiced as he turned his attention towards his Sheriff, Antonio snooping into their conversation.

"He's not a killer Randal, just a man who wishes to be left alone."

"Every man can become a killer if the situation demands it sir. All I want to know is if this guy will kill to save her." Antonio just shook himself from his eavesdropping, finally arriving at Nick's side and beamed down towards Riley who seemed to relax at his presence.

"Riley, it's been too long." Antonio boomed happily, his broader figure not towering her as much as Nick's, his strong arms curling around her shoulders while hers were wrapped around his middle; it always astounded him how someone so reserved and private could be so open when in the company of those she trusted, and as he held the small woman he could not help his heart swelling with love as he held her close to him, trying to make her feel as accepted and as loved as possible considering what she had just been through and what she had been suffering with for the last year. Sometimes he just wished she could open up, for her emotions to boil to the top and explode just so she could get her deepest, darkest secrets out to allow her family to see just what she was like in the inside, for she only allowed them a small glimmer of just how strongly she was feeling. He was just thankful she had found a sense of comfort and disclosure in the form of his son, and he was just glad that Nick himself got a feeling of comfort and support from her. But as he looked down at the small woman and Riley's wavy hair, curving figure and changing appearance he could not help but think she had grown into a very beautiful young lady.

"Tonio, you have to forgive me for being away for so long." She voiced as she pulled away, a little astounded by her elders actions as he located her hand, wrapped his long fingers around her palm and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"Life gets in the way it seems. You don't have to apologize for something out of your control." He replied, excitement sparkling within his brown eyes as he came to realize how unperturbed she seemed to be within their presence. No wonder considering Clay made her life a living hell while she was at Stonehaven; it seemed the pair had never, and probably would never see eye to eye, and Riley was too passive to ever defend herself against the fiery temper of Clayton, the Pack bodyguard. "Have you eaten? You must be starving?"

"I doubt you had much to eat while you were on the plane." Nick said with a gentle smile as he ducked to his knees so he was able to get a good grip on her belongings while his other arm automatically wrapped around her shoulders and brought her small frame closer to his side.

"You could say that." Riley voiced with a nervous smile, uncomfortably fiddling with her scarf so she was able to grasp hold of her coat buttons; it seemed the sudden cold temperatures were far colder than she was used to causing her to quickly do up her coat.

"How was your flight? I hope everything was as stress free as you wanted." Antonio stated kindly, inwardly smiling at her anxious expression as she shot him a knowing glance, depicting to him that the flight had been far from stress-free and the way she played with the hem of her coat, she was nervous just thinking about it.

"It went as smooth as I could make it, but I have my feet firmly pressed to the ground and I hope to keep it that way for a while." She replied with a sheepish smile before giving Nick a discomfited smile; Nicky just rubbed her shoulder as they continued walking towards their parked car.

"Well you made it in good time, dinners at six and then I'm sure you will want to be debriefed on the situation. I'm guessing it's a little unnerving to be phoned in the dead of night demanding you come home." Antonio expressed with a slight chuckle as his hand disappeared into his coat pocket as if to locate the keys for the Explorer he had borrowed from Jeremy. Riley could only assume that the Mercedes must have been struggling to grip the roads due to the cold and icy roads. "However, we've grabbed you a few pastries. Nick remembered how much you love the bakery down the street."

"Thank you." Riley voiced with a smile as Nick handed her over the bag after he had opened the boot and placed her belongings in the trunk. However, before Nick allowed Riley time to open her door he had rushed to her side and hovered in front of her. The young Doctor simply allowed her eyes to travel towards Nick's brown orbs; his eyes twinkling with affection and concern, as he took gazed into her eyes to identify the torment and the distress that was evidently shining within them.

"It will get easier." He whispered to her gently as he lifted his large hand to rest on her cheek, his eyes boring into hers as if he knew why she had been away for so long and why her hands were starting to tremble. "You just need to give it time." he finished, uttering words he knew she needed to hear. Both of them were spiralling back into their memories of a conversation they had shared beside the river, a discussion that had forever changed their relationship and was still effecting them to this day.

"I have a feeling that time might have run out." Riley stammered her eyes sparkling with unshed water as the pair of them uttered words that were slowly breaking them. Riley just shot him a weak smile before heaving at the door handle so she was able to slip into the back seat. Nick could only stand there, contemplating her words before he too got into the front passenger seat.