Disclaimer: I do not own Haven or any of its characters.

Amnesiac

Chapter Two

Be there at seven p.m. Duke had told her.

Alexa stared at herself in the mirror. She wore a pair of skintight black pants and a dark green tank top. Her makeup made her eyes smoky dark and lips were dark red. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a French braid. She turned away from the mirror and walked to the door. She locked the door behind her and walked down the stairs.

She walked through the door of The Gull. Duke was stacking glasses behind the bar. She walked over to him and sat on a barstool. She propped her head on her hands and just watched him. There was a sports game on the TV and snacks scattered around on the tables. Duke looked positively gleeful as he set everything up. He did everything but rub his hands together like a cartoon villain. She supposed he was excited to see the reactions of his guests when they saw her.

"You ready?" He asked.

She shrugged. "As I'll ever be."

His guests trickled in and she had to admit that their reactions were encouraging. There were two older gentlemen that came in first. One was short and slender, he wore a hat. He had eyes that were sharp but kind. The other was tall and stocky with shoulder length curly hair. He had eyes that were fierce like that of an eagle or hawk. They looked so happy to see her. Like they actually knew her. The next one was a musclebound tall man wearing a bulletproof vest. He had a guarded look on his face. A petite, young woman with chin length black hair that seemed to just vibrate energy walked in and behind her, was the final addition to the party.

He was the same height as her new boss but he seemed to be all sharp lines and angles when standing next to Duke. His face was handsome with its planed cheekbones but his eyes were intense and searching as he saw her. The look of hope died in his eyes as she watched him realize that she didn't know him. She felt guilty for putting that look on his face then felt a little irritated with him for making her feel less than this person they all wanted her to be.

Dave, Vince, Dwight, Jennifer, Duke and Nathan. She let these names swirl around in her head but felt nothing. She smiled, handed out beers to those who wanted them and gave Jennifer the margarita that she requested. Out of all of them, Jennifer seemed the most genuine as she talked a mile a minute and bounced on her barstool. Alexa learned that Jennifer had never met Audrey or her before and was therefore not weighted down by the ghosts of previous interactions that they remembered with the stranger that wore her face.

By the end of the evening, she was frustrated by the others. Dave and Vince were experts in small talk but never descended into deeper discussions. She felt comfortable talking to them but felt like there was always something behind the conversation that she was unable to decode. She watched Duke drink his beer and needle Dwight and Nathan about their choices for sports teams. Dwight was a quiet guy who only talked when there was something important to say. Otherwise he was just observing the others. Jennifer happily talked his ear off while he just nodded. Nathan just kept glancing back at her with such a depressing look on his face that she avoided eye contact with him.

Eventually they left, one by one, until only Duke, Nathan and Alexa were the only ones left. She cleaned up behind the bar and took dirty dishes to the kitchen to be washed. Duke and Nathan seemed a little tense. They were holed up in a corner having an intense discussion, she noticed as she made multiple trips back and forth. It seemed as if they were going to start punching but brought themselves back from the brink each time. Finally he said a terse goodbye to her and Duke before exiting the bar. After stacking washed glasses, sweeping the floor and mopping, Alexa and Duke called it quits. They sat on bar stools and Duke offered shots.

"No, I'm good." Alexa waved him off. "I'm going upstairs. What time are you going to need me tomorrow?"

"5pm is fine." Duke finished off his beer. "I'll be here by 9am to open. If you're interested in breakfast, I make a mean waffle."

"I might take you up on that." Alexa yawned. "Good night."

She let herself out and walked upstairs. She found Nathan sitting on her deck and watching the water. She approached him cautiously and he turned around to look at her. They stared back at each other, she in curiosity and he in deep sadness. He put down his beer and stood up, just staring at her.

"How can you forget me?" He whispered. "I've missed you so much, Audrey."

She was frozen as he seemed to collect himself. He didn't try to touch her. He just walked past her and disappeared down the stairs. She looked down at the water as she heard his truck roar to life then pull away. She only went inside when she couldn't hear the engine anymore. She found herself crying but she couldn't say why. All she could feel was sadness as she wiped off her make up. She fell asleep still wondering why his words had cut her so deep.

Alexa was showered and dressed by 10am. She dithered around for a while then decided to go downstairs to see if Duke would deliver on his promise of waffles. She went through the front door and said hello to a few early birds enjoying breakfast. She slid onto a barstool and waited to catch Duke's eye. He came over with a menu and a smirk.

"Morning." He gave her the menu.

She skimmed the menu. "I believe I was promised waffles if I joined you for breakfast this morning."

"Good choice. My waffles are legendary." Duke winked. "Orange juice?"

Alexa considered. "Coffee with a shot of Irish."

"Coming up." Duke doctored her coffee then took off to the kitchen.

Alexa played with her phone for bit, amusing herself by playing a game. After a while, she got bored and started looking up local attractions. She had just enough money left to buy a few groceries but then she would be broke. She hoped there would be some good tips tonight or she'd be living off of ramen noodles for the foreseeable future.

A plate was put down in front of her. There were two big, beautiful golden brown waffles on the plate. Cut up strawberries decorated the top. A container of warm, maple syrup followed a set of silverware. Alexa poured syrup over the waffles then cut off a piece. The flavors blended together in her mouth and she closed her eyes in bliss.

"Wow." Duke remarked. "I've seen that look many times before. Usually it was directed at me, not food, but I'll take it."

Alexa laughed. "I'll keep that in mind for future reference in case any inquiring ladies want to know."

She and Duke joked around, finding an easy rhythm for conversation. She took her time eating but polished off the entire plate of waffles. She pushed her plate away with a sigh of gratification, sipped at the last of her coffee and then slid off her barstool. She handed him enough cash to pay for breakfast and he put the money in the till.

"What's on the schedule today?" Duke asked.

Alexa shrugged. "Grocery shopping and maybe a little sightseeing."

"Do you want some company?" Duke asked. "I'm free after Mark comes in. I do have to make a stop at my boat."

"Sure." Alexa agreed. "You can show me all the good spots."

Mark showed up right on time and the two took off. They took Duke's Land Rover and Alexa had to admit that it was pretty cool that the driver's side was on the left. She found Duke's stories amusing as he pointed out important businesses and the best places to eat. She had a great time watching the scenery as they drove to the marina. She followed him and realized when he said boat, he didn't mean a houseboat. What he really meant was his ship. Her name was the Cape Rouge.

"Wow." Alexa said as she followed him down the gangplank.

Duke laughed. "She's all mine. You like sailing?"

"I've never sailed before." Alexa admitted.

"We'll have to fix that." Duke said. "Do you mind hanging out here in the galley while I go grab the box?"

"No problem." Alexa took a seat and watched him disappear into another room.

"I like what you've done with the place." Alexa called out.

"Thanks." Duke reappeared holding a small crate. "Ready?"

"Yep."

Duke loaded the crate in the back of his truck then slid into the driver's seat. They drove for a few more minutes until they hit the grocery store. A quick trip later, they were loading the groceries into the back. Alexa looked towards the store again and saw a few curious faces peering at her. She elbowed Duke in the side.

"What?" Duke grunted.

Alexa grinned. "I think that you are going to be the focus of a few new rumors after today."

"Both of us will." Duke remarked. "They probably think you are Audrey."

"And…?" Alexa prompted.

Duke raked his hand through his hair. "She and Nathan had a thing going on. Since she moved to town and became Nathan's partner at the Haven PD, there has been an ongoing bet as to when they were going to get together. When she disappeared, it upset a lot of people. Audrey helped a lot of people in this town and I'm sure they would feel a lot better if she came back."

"Oh, so you showing up with an Audrey look-alike is going to start a new chain of rumors. "Alexa mused. "How exciting. Should we give them a show?"

"You are a mischievous one." Duke murmured.

He crowded her against the side of the Land Rover and planted his hands on either side of her head. He leaned down a little until his lips were next to her ear. His warm breath ruffled her hair and she shivered a little in anticipation. Her skin felt extra sensitive and goosebumps dotted her skin.

"Like this?" He breathed in her ear.

He turned his head a little so that he could meet her eyes. Her heart was beating faster as her hormones were going into overdrive. Her mouth was dry and Alexa's tongue darted out to moisten her lips. Duke's eyes darkened and apparently he liked the look in her eyes. His eyes focused on her mouth and he waited. Alexa slid her hands into his hair and tugged him closer. Her eyes closed as their lips met.

Her nerve endings jolted like a electrical circuit had completed and she sighed a little. Duke kissed just like she thought he would. He started out slow and lazy then became focused and hungry. She lost herself in the sensation that he was giving and moaned into his mouth as his hands slid down her back before they urged her against him.

A cough startled both of them and Alexa jerked back. Duke's eyes were heavy lidded and still full of lust. She was breathing heavy as she looked towards the person that interrupted them. Dwight stared back at them with an impassive face and eyes full of laughter.

"A concerned citizen called HPD wanting us to arrest you two before the 'indecency continued'." Dwight explained. His lips twitched. "Move along."

"Thanks, Sasquatch." Duke huffed.

Alexa cleared her throat. "We're going, Chief."

"Was that enough show for you?" Duke asked her as they got into the car.

Alexa was laughing as they pulled away, leaving Dwight to stare at their tail lights.

Alexa put away groceries as Duke grabbed two beers and popped them open. He handed one over to her after she finished putting everything away that she wasn't going to use for dinner. She opened up the container of chicken broth she was going to use and poured it into the pan. She froze when she took a good look at the contents.

"What the hell." She exclaimed.

Duke came up behind her. "That's a new one."

The container was pouring out what looked like red wine. Alexa sniffed it then wrinkled her nose. Definitely wine, not chicken stock. Alexa dumped it out in the sink. She watched as Duke got into her cupboard and took out a can of vegetables. He opened it up and it was green beans in red wine. Repeating this confirmed that everything else purchased that contained a liquid was now marinating in red wine.

"Huh." Duke remarked. "Better call Nate."

"Why? Is this town so tiny that the police do the job of the FDA?" Alexa asked. She looked at her beer then drank the rest.

"No." Duke pulled out his phone and dialed. "Haven's a little weird. You'll understand. Hey Nate. Got any reports of liquids being turned into wine? Alexa and I just got back from Harvey's supermarket and anything that is liquid is now an alcoholic's paradise. Could be a Haven thing."

Duke pulled the phone away from his ear as yelling could be heard from the other end then brought the phone back to his ear. He rolled his eyes then hung up his cell. "Come on. His Majesty is awaiting our presence at HPD. Apparently you aren't the only person this has happened to today. He feels that you might be able to help him determine who's doing this."

"Okay." Alexa thought this was weird and said so.

"I'm sure Nathan's probably heard about this afternoon. He'll want to threaten me and warn you." Duke ushered her out the door then waited for her to lock it. "It's kind of his MO."

Alexa eyed the almost full beer in his hand then snatched it away. "You can be the designated driver. And I'll be the plastered one."

"Really?" Duke said dryly.

Alexa drank the rest of the beer. "Mm hmm."

"You should try to play nice with Officer Wuornos." Duke gave up and followed Alexa down the stairs. "You and he are both after the same answers. He's still looking for Audrey and hoping you'll be able to help him find her. Poor sap never told her he loved her and then she was gone. Of course, everyone including Audrey knew it but they tap danced around each other too long and time ran out. There's a good lesson there."

"And I'm hoping that someone will jog my memories." Alexa got into the car. "And then I'll know."

They drove down to the station and parked. Alexa hesitated, she had never been in a police station before and she felt the same general nervousness that she felt when she was pulled over by a cop. She shook it off then walked into the cop shop with Duke. He inquired where Nathan was and the nice cop (whose name she thought was Steve) told him that he was in his office. Alexa introduced herself then trailed Duke to the office.

"Close the door." Nathan ordered.

Alexa bristled but did it without arguing. Nathan looked ready for an argument and she wasn't in the mood to take any crap. She plopped down on the couch, pulled out her phone then started texting Jennifer.

"So what happened?" Nathan asked.

Alexa didn't answer but Duke gave an explanation of what happened. He gave the names of who he remembered and Nathan wrote everything down. He tapped his pen against the paper and compared it to the lists of people he already had.

"Did you tell him about the big guy in the camo?" Alexa looked up from her phone. "The bearded one who looked like he spent a week in the woods on a drunken bender."

"Ralph Mellin." Duke snapped his fingers.

"That's a terrible name. Poor dude." Alexa was sympathetic. "So do you think that he just replaced the liquid inside? It's kind of an epic prank."

"That would make sense." Nathan ignored her but continued on. "He just quit drinking. Wife threatened to take the kids and leave if he didn't."

"So you want to go talk to him?" Duke shrugged.

"Yeah but first can you give us a moment." Nathan didn't take his eyes away from Duke.

Alexa realized that now he was talking to her. "Sure. I'm hungry anyway. Do you think the candy machine is safe?"

"Yeah." Nate replied to her, completely oblivious to her glare.

She cleared her throat and held out her hand. Nathan tore his eyes away from Duke and looked at her with confusion. She wiggled her fingers. "Need some change."

"Oh." Nathan dug into his pockets and gave her a handful of quarters. "The Baby Ruths stick. P3."

Alexa gave into her urges and rolled her eyes. "Thanks."

She wandered away and found the candy machine. Nothing looked good but she picked a Snickers bar anyway. She came back just in time to hear Nathan yelling at Duke. She decided to do a little eavesdropping.

"She's not Audrey!" Nathan snapped at Duke.

Duke was getting irritated. "I know that better than you. Alexa is different."

"I need her, Duke." Nathan sounded desperate. "I did everything I could to keep her here with me but it wasn't enough."

Duke sounded sympathetic. "I know, buddy. You did everything you could to protect her but it was Audrey's decision to protect Haven and everyone in it. But Alexa is here now looking for the answers that Audrey originally sought. Do you want to scare her away?"

"No, but I-" Nathan started.

Duke interrupted him. "But nothing, Nathan! You have two choices here, Nathan. Continue to act like a piece of ice is lodged up your ass and all you can do is spit out icicles or act like a normal human being and treat her with some respect."

"How can you do this?" Nathan was angry. "You told me you loved Audrey."

Alexa stopped breathing for a moment. Duke had loved this other woman and Alexa felt herself become angry but she also felt a sense of loss for something that had just started to bloom, a hope for a connection just beginning to form. Alexa just shook her head.

"I did-I do love Audrey." Duke started. "But she never loved me, Nathan. That was reserved for you. It was never going to be me. I have to move on and as you pointed out, Alexa is not Audrey."

Alexa took a deep breath as tears pricked her eyes. She held them back with strength of will. She was happy to hear Duke's confession and that little bit of hope started to grow again. She stepped forward and opened the door. She looked inquiringly at the two men inside. Nathan still looked angry and Duke looked sad, almost resigned.

"Are you ready to go?" Alexa tried to sound bored. "I'm going to need more than a candy bar."

"Sure." Nathan moved past her then stopped. "Hello, Jordan."

"Nathan, Duke." A female voice sounded behind her. Alexa turned around. "Well, Well. If it isn't Audrey back from the dead."

The woman behind her was a little taller than herself. She wore all black. Black pant black tank top, and strangest of all, black leather gloves. It worked with her pale complexion, black hair, brown bedroom eyes and rosebud mouth. She looked like a cross between Snow White and Catwoman.

"My name's Alexa DeWitt. Nice to meet you…?" Alexa stuck her hand out, wanting to shake her hand.

"Jordan McKee." Jordan peeled off a glove then shook her hand.

A look of wonder passed over her face and replaced the anger that had been present before. Her grip tightened a little then relaxed. "You really don't know me?" Alexa let go and almost reluctantly, Jordan let her hand fall back to her side.

"No." Alexa admitted. "I've been getting a lot of that lately. I think Audrey might be my sister."

"Have you explained anything to her?" Jordan demanded of Nathan and Duke. "You had a deal with the Guard."

"Not yet." Duke answered. "Nathan has given her the warm welcome he's been giving everyone else lately."

Alexa scoffed and muttered. "As cold as a polar bear's balls."

Jordan laughed. "Oh, I like you. Let's be friends."

Something in her eyes looked suspiciously like grief moved under the sarcasm and Alexa moved impulsively. She hugged Jordan and Jordan tentatively hugged her back. When she moved back, Jordan's eyes were wet and she had put her glove back on.

"Why?" She asked, voice trembling.

Alexa shrugged. "You looked like you needed a hug. You know where I am if you need another." She tried for a lighter note. "Let's exchange numbers."

"We'll wait for you out by Nathan's Bronco." Duke called out as he and Nathan retreated. Nathan looked stunned as if he couldn't believe what was going on in front of his eyes.

Alexa heard Duke tell Nathan. "Dude. Are you as freaked out about this as I am? It's like Wonder Woman and Catwoman teaming up to fight crime. We no longer have to just worry about Haven. The whole damn world is going to end."

"What the hell is their problem?" Alexa asked Jordan once the two were out of earshot.

Jordan lifted one shoulder then dropped it. "I'm Nathan's ex. He used me to get the info he needed in order to flush out a criminal. The killer took over the identity of one of my associate's and we finally cornered her."

Alexa narrowed her eyes. "Like used, used?" Jordan nodded. "Wow. Detective Douchebag really doesn't pull any punches. Audrey and I are going to have a long discussion about men once I catch up to her."

Jordan started laughing. "You really are nothing like her."

"The more I hear that, the better I feel." Alexa said earnestly as they walked outside.

She noticed that Jordan walked exactly like Catwoman did in the old Batman cartoons she used to watch as a kid. "Wow. You really do walk like Catwoman. That's so sexy. I have to admit that I'm a little jealous."

Jordan stopped dead then started walking again, cheeks pink. "Be careful of those two. Everyone, including the group I belong to, wants Audrey back but for different reasons. The group I belong to wants her to get rid of the problems plaguing this town but Nathan only wants to get Audrey back. He doesn't care who he hurts or how many lives he ruins. And Duke, well, no one knows his agenda. Audrey is his friend but he always looks out for himself first."

"Thank you for the advice." Alexa said after thinking about it.

"Call me if you want answers." Jordan said. "I'll answer what I can."

Jordan hadn't look like she was lying but she was definitely going to be asking her two companions some questions. She watched Jordan walk away then turned and started walking to the Bronco. She got into the backseat and buckled in. Nathan started the truck and drove away from the police station. Duke turned around to look at her.

"Everything ok?" He asked with a worried look in his eyes.

"That was illuminating." She remarked. "Jordan offered to fill in any blanks you two leave out. She also warned me that you two have hidden agendas. Much like her own I suspect."

Duke and Nathan glanced at each other but Nathan spoke first. "Jordan belongs to an organization dedicated to supporting special people in our town. They police themselves and believe that outside forces have no jurisdiction over them."

"Like a gang?" Alexa wanted to know. "Or more like Libertarians or the Amish?"

"More like Libertarians." Duke nodded.

Alexa let her head hit the back of the seat. "Got it. I hope she doesn't expect me to join her little rebellion."

"I don't think she will." Duke smirked.

"Is this Ralph's address?" Alexa wanted to know as they pulled up to a nice little house.

"Ayuh." Nathan replied. "Like Duke, he doesn't like paying his parking tickets. This is the address we have for him."

Alexa stifled a laugh as Duke glared at Nathan. Nathan got out of the car and Duke followed him. Alexa shrugged and followed them but stood out of the way just in case. Nathan knocked on the door and a woman answered.

"Hello?" The blonde woman looked frazzled and a toddler was hiding behind her leg.

"Detective Wuornos, ma'am." Nathan nodded to her. "Is Ralph in?"

"He's in the living room. I'm Beth." The woman introduced herself. She gestured for them to come in. "I need to put Tommy down for a nap. Come on in."

The three stepped inside and made their way to the living room. Ralph was in a recliner and he looked up blearily them before going back to the tv.

"Hi there, Ralph." Nathan began. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions about your trip to Harvey's Market earlier?"

"Sure." He answered.

Nathan looked at Alexa then pressed on. "Is your family Troubled?"

"Oh, God." Ralph groaned. "Is this what this visit is about?"

"Yeah." Duke spoke up. "Apparently turning liquid into alcohol is ruffling some people's feathers."

"I can't help it." Ralph pulled his hair. "When Beth tells me to stop drinking, I really try. But then if I'm touching anything when I start thinking about alcohol it turns into wine, vodka or other things."

Alexa listened in disbelief as the men started talking about AA meetings. Nathan convinced Ralph that it was possible to be sober. Ralph knew this was his last chance to keep his family and he was quick to agree to Nathan's plan. Duke offered to take any alcohol for a fee until Ralph's ability could be brought under control.

"Are you serious?" She burst out. "Are you pranking me?"

She looked at the men and they gave her serious eyes. They took her into the kitchen and let her pick a glass. She filled it with tap water and drank a bit of it to confirm that yes, it was water. Ralph touched the glass and suddenly it was amber colored. She tasted it. Beer. He touched it again. Scotch this time.

"What. The. Hell." She breathed. She staggered down into a chair and stared at the glass in her hand in shock. It was there so she drank it.

"We call them The Troubles." Nathan said seriously. "Some of them are harmless like changing water into alcohol but some of them are deadly. My job is to help the Troubled in any way I can. Our goal, Audrey's and mine, were to get rid of The Troubles forever."

Alexa looked at Duke. "What?" He said. "I help when Audrey asked. She was the only cop I ever liked."

Alexa felt dizzy. "I think I need another refill." She said to Ralph.