Welcome to the second chapter. I may try to follow the scenes in the episodes or I may try to go off on my own. Depends on the creative juices. At least for awhile this will follow episode 4x6. Again, anything familiar is not mine. It belongs to Haven.
I had just finished my morning routine, when there was a knock at my door. Going through Audrey's closet had revealed boring, bland and blah clothing. She was quite the shopper with a pattern or rather no pattern. Brown, black and grays. This woman needed color in her life.
My thoughts wander to the man on the other side of the door. I wonder if Duke has any idea how attracted I am to him. If not, that needs to be made clear. Shaking my head to clear any inappropriate thoughts about someone I just met, I find Duke with two mugs of coffee, in an old man's, clearly used for warmth, sweater. How he manages to look sexy even in that will forever remain a mystery. Hopefully, the coffee is spiked.
"Morning." He flashes his signature beautiful smile. "I wanted to apologize. I feel like I was too hard on you yesterday. It's just, Audrey, and you-you look like-" He hands me a mug of coffee.
"Don't worry, Duke. I get it." I look down at the still steaming mug. "Is this milk? I hate milk in my coffee."
Gesturing to the mug, he leans in with a whisper, "Just try it."
I take a sip of the delicious, hot liquid. "Mmm, Bailey's." My eyes flicker up to his as I take another sip. "I think I might officially love you." The smile on my face feels genuine for the first time since I've been here.
He chuckles. "What are your plans for the day?"
"I guess I gotta fill out paperwork to be a cop again, you know, be reinstated. Hey, I was thinking, maybe I could work in your bar. Bartending experience right here." I point to myself.
"Don't you think that would be a conflict of interest? You know, the whole Haven PD thing." Damn, a very valid point. I am not used to being a cop.
"Right." I cock my hand like a gun and make a clicking noise."You are right, of course. Hey, did you and Audrey ever hook up?" I ask, trying to be nonchalant.
"That was smoothe, Lexie." He says, blandly.
I raise my eyebrows in a "Well?" gesture.
"The answer is no." But I his tell me something else.
"A kiss? Nothing?" The silence hangs in the air. "You kissed her, didn't you?" God, this is like pulling teeth.
"Um, actually, she kissed me," he says, obviously recalling the fond memory, judging by the smile that crosses his face.
My eyebrows shoot up, again. "Ooooh, so the 'perfect' Audrey isn't so perfect after all. She kissed you, huh? Thought she wss soooo in love with Nathan. Wonder how Wuornos took that. They-we-were together, right?" More silence. "He doesn't know, does he? Neither one of you had the balls to tell him."
"Look, we were in Colorado-" He begins, but I cut him off because I can't believe what he is telling me.
"You went to Colorado together, alone? Wow! What kind of kiss was this? A simple peck, 'oh my God, I can't believe I did that', or a sloppy-"
"Lexie, stop. That's not the point. The point is emotions were high for both of us. We thought time was short and you know how charming I am. But then you show up, six months later, here. But you're Lexie, not Audrey."
"Sorry." I'm not really, Audrey was boring, and interested in totally the wrong guy. Though she kissed the guy that is supposed to be just her friend. Now, that's intriguing. And, clearly, it was not a quick kiss either. Maybe she wasn't so boring after all. "Well, that paperwork won't fill itself out. Guess I better get a move on. Gotta remember being Audrey and all. See ya later, Duke." As I walk by, I affectionately squeeze his arm. At the door, I turn around. "Oh and for the record, I would have rocked your world with my bar tending skills." I wiggle my fingers at him in a wave.
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"Duke, I just ran into your brother," I whisper into my cell phone.
Walking around the police station, waiting for Nathan to come back is so boring. And the questions everyone asks are just tedious. I have absolutely no memory of Audrey and they all think I should remember them. So, to avoid those annoying questions, I was going to go hide in Nathan's office and that's when I found Wade.
"At the station?" Duke is clearly surprised.
"Yep."
"Did he say what he doing there?"
I roll my eyes because he can't see me. "No, it didn't exactly come up in conversation. I did find it odd that he was filling out paperwork for something in Nathan's office."
"Why wouldn't you ask? What was he doing in Nathan's office?" Clearly, Duke is pissed.
"I'm sorry. I figured you knew. It looked like he was filling out paperwork for something legit. I didn't think to ask."
"Dammit, Lexie." Great. Way to win him over. I can feel the tension through the phone. Perhaps sensing it too, he apologizes, "Sorry, while I got you on the phone, do me a favor? Can you remove all devices with a digital display from Nathan's office?"
"Okaay." Confused, most definitely confused.
Sensing the hesitation in my voice, he says, "I know it sounds crazy, but just do it, please? There's a trouble where people turn to stone when they look at digital displays." The way he says it like it's no big deal is absolutely unreal. This is like an episode of The Twilight Zone. Another one. Ever since I arrived in Haven my life has been one big Twilight Zone episode.
"Ok, I'll do it. But this shit is crazy."
"Yeah, it's Haven." I can hear the indifferent shrug through the phone. "We are bringing in a guy to try and save his life."
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Five minutes later, Duke comes into Nathan's office, with Nathan and presumably the man they are trying to save in tow. I had removed all digital devices like he asked, but held a digital thermometer I found at the last minute. I could see it counting down as well. But as long as the other guy couldn't see it, he should live. And thirty seconds later, he is dead. Confused, I look at the thermometer again. It had started the countdown over.
"Guys, we have a problem." I tell them.
"Besides the petrified guy on the couch?" That is Duke's witty comment. How can they be so nonchalant about death?
"I mean, we have a bigger problem." Holding up the thermometer, "Can anyone see this? The thermometer is starting over."
Nathan says, "Me. I can."
"Means you're next." Duke clarifies, again seemingly not affected at all the his friend is next on the list to die. It does seem to be a tentative friendship, but a friendship nonetheless.
We bounce around different ideas . What do all the people have in common? How are the victims chosen? Why Nathan? Nathan says something that triggers my memory about a conversation I overheard.
"The coach picked up a video camera," was the phrase that caught my attention.
"Paul Krebbs' electronic store was robbed this morning and he was just here filling out a report." Duke leaves the room to see if he is still here. "The guy that robbed him told him to sit motionless and count to 1,000. That's about fifteen minutes, right? That's when the countdown clock restarts. That's like something that would start a trouble, right?" Nathan looks at me with wide eyes, like I have two heads.
"Audrey?" I can't help but notice the hope in his voice.
"Oh yeah, that's me, Audrey." I had no idea my sarcasm would get me in trouble one day, and today is that day as I will soon find out. "Don't get all gooey over there Wuornos. Guess I'm good at this trouble stuff, huh? It's like it's second nature or something." It has to be, because two days ago I had never heard of the troubles.
And queue the disappointed voice, "Yeah, guess you are. You must remember being Audrey."
Oh, how I love to mess with him. Slinking up to rub against him, I coo softly in his ear, "Oh, Nathan, I love you so much. You're my soul mate."
He pushes me away, not so gently either. "Stop it, Lexie." Good. Mission accomplished. I have gotten under his skin.
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The three of us enter Krebbs' electronic store to talk to Paul to see if maybe he can put some missing puzzle pieces together. We are unable to find him, but we run into that crazy chick, Jordan, again. With a gun, pointed at my face. What is her deal?
"I made sure you won't find him. I know you're Audrey. I heard everything. We bugged his office." Her head nods towards Nathan.
"You are crazy, need to go back and listen, again. I was joking around. Ever heard of sarcasm?" Through clenched teeth, I say, "We are running out of time."
"The way you were rubbing all over Wuornos was just so-ugh!-And the way you figured out the guy who was troubled, Lexie wouldn't know how to do that. That is something only Audrey could do. Now we can go back to the original plan. Kill him." She nods to Nathan, gun still pointed at my face.
"Well, what can I say? I'm a genius. But I am not Audrey. So, therefore, I am not in love with Nathan and it won't end the troubles or whatever. You must have cut out before he pushed me away."
"Stop lying to me!" The guys draw their guns and point them at her, her agitation clear to them. "What do you care if he lives or dies? If you don't love him, you shouldn't care."
"Nobody is dying today by my hand. I care because he is a human being. Jordan, you need to tell us where Paul is." I say adamantly.
"Shoot me and you'll never find him. Don't you get it? What's Nathan have left, four minutes? At least make it count for something. End the troubles. Kill him."
"Dammit! Lady, I am not Audrey. I am not shooting him."
"Then I'll shoot him."
She's bluffing, surely, shes bluffing. "Put the damn gun down, now! You are not shooting anyone, because that solves nothing. It just creates bodies." She knows I am right and lowers her gun. About this time, Wade Crocker walks in. We don't have time for this. The conversation surrounds me as I leave the room to search for Paul.
"Where's the troubled guy?" I hear Wade ask. Why does he care and how is he involved in this?
"Get outta here, Wade." Jordan answers.
"You're helping her?" Duke is pissed and confused.
"More like she's helping me. Showing me the Crocker family secret." Wade says.
"Wade, you don't want that." Duke replies.
"Yes, I do."
"I found him." I yell from the back of the small storeroom.
We move from the storeroom out into the open reception area. "You have a problem." I gently tell him.
"You think? First, I get ripped off, then the cops ignore me, then this crazy bitch-" at this, he motions to Jordan, who shakes her head in defeat. "-takes me hostage and she really hurts." Hurts? Did she torture him? I wonder what he means by hurts.
"Listen, you're troubled." I try again. "You keep putting a countdown clock on people. When it counts down to zero, they harden and then - then they die. Ok? He-" I nod toward Nathan-"has two minutes. Listen, after you were robbed, those guys from the school wanted their electronics back, right? Coach wanted his camera."
"I ignored you when you tried to report it." Nathan interrupts. Oh, so that's how Nathan was chosen.
"You have been putting a countdown clock on anyone who's slowing you down. But why? Slowing you down for what? You said you were robbed, but I don't see anything missing. All right? What did they take?"
"A bracelet. I was gonna give it as a birthday present today. For a friend." Paul sounds deflated.
Duke chimes in, "But you want her to be more?" If anyone would know about unrequited love, it would be him. "That's it, isn't it?"
"You need to call her." I suggest.
"No, no, no. I can't call her on her birthday and have nothing but me." Paul says.
"Be honest. Tell her how you feel." I further suggest.
"Thirty seconds. We're out of time." Leave it to Nathan to be emotionless even about his own death.
Duke reaches across the counter and grabs him by the shirt. "Call her now."
After Duke's threat, he calls her, though it's with much apprehension. With no seconds to spare, he asks her to coffee and she accepts, leaving the entire room to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
As Paul walks to the door to leave for his coffee and before any of us can leave, Wade stabs Paul in the stomach. Then we all watch in horror as he wipes the blood on his hands to activate his curse.
I grab a cloth from behind the counter and run over to him to assess Paul's wound, with plans to control the bleeding. I hear Nathan tell Wade to drop the knife.
Seething, Duke shoves Wade. "You shouldn't have done that."
"You're not the only special Crocker anymore." Wade tells his brother.
"That was stupid." Duke tells Wade.
"Why? Because now I can end the troubles, too?" Wade turns to leave. Nathan tries to stop him. And Duke tries to stop Nathan from going after him.
"Let me go after him." Duke tries to calm Nathan.
Nathan is forever the cop first. "He stabbed that guy."
"This is my fault. He doesn't know what he is doing. I'm asking, please. Let me deal with Wade," Duke explains and Nathan relents.
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After the stressful day, I need a beer. I wonder what local fare Duke has. For being a bartender, you would think I would have been in Duke's restaurant the day I got here. The atmosphere is lively, fishy and overall very Maine. I love it!
As I approach, Duke is wiping down the bar, "Don't you have help to do that?"
He gives me an incredulous look. "My bartender called in sick. So, it's just me." There were other wait staff furiously running around, but Duke was the only person manning the bar.
"Ya know, bartender, right here." I tease. Seating myself on a barstool in front of him, I say, "You got a pretty good crowd in here. Did you talk to Wade yet?"
"No, he hasn't come here. I have been trying to call, but no answer." I can tell he is frustrated.
"Hmm." I reply thoughtfully.
"You want something? On the house."
"A beer is fine." He hands me a bottle. "Turns out Paul is going to be fine," I tell him, informing him of the status of the electronics store owner.
"That's good." Our conversation seems slow tonight. Maybe we are both just tired.
"Be right back. Customer."
I make myself at home and turn to watch Duke with his customers. He seems well-liked and at ease with the town's people. The patrons never notice his tiredness, because he never lets it show. It's clear that others happiness comes before his own.
Duke returns and sits next to me on a stool. "I have to say, the way you handled Jordan today, that was kinda sexy."
"Oh yeah? I'll keep that in mind." Thinking on my observation a few moments ago about others happiness, I say, "So, can I ask you question?"
He slowly nods and blinks, "Anything."
"Why did you and Audrey go to Colorado? Obviously not a romantic getaway."
"It really is a long and complicated story. Just know that I would do anything for her. That's all that matters." My observation seems correct.
"And why didn't Nathan go with her?" Seems like an obvious question.
"Somebody had to stay here and help the troubled."
"Uh-huh." Sorry, Duke, not believing that one, even if that was Nathan's excuse. And I bet it was. "Did you stay in separate rooms?" I can always tell when he would rather avoid a question, he's silent. "I will take that as a "no".
"They were booked, I swear." He holds up his left hand as if in an honest gesture.
"Uh-huh." Thoughtfully, I take a sip. "Would she have gone through all this trouble for you?" I take another swig.
"I'd like to think so."
"But you're not sure?"
He shrugs.
"Well, I'm sure."
He looks at me, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean she should do anything for you. You went all the way to Colorado for her. It's clear to me that you loved her- loved me."
He is speechless. I, Lexie Dewitt, have left Duke Crocker, speechless.
I chuckle because I don't know what else to do. "Hey, do you think Audrey is buried somewhere in here?" I make a gesture to myself.
"I don't know. A part of me hopes so, but if she never shows up, there is still Lexie. I'm not sure if I like Lexie as much, though. " At this, he smiles, teasing me.
"Oh, that is it, Duke! You are gonna get the party girl to emerge yet. I have yet to show you how much fun I can be. But it is past my bedtime, and I must get some beauty sleep."
"That doesn't sound very party-like." Damn him and his good points.
"It's only since I have been here that I have had the fun sucked out of my life. I can be very fun."
"That's right. Fun is your middle name. Well, I look forward to your brand of fun soon." As I get up to leave, I realize it is closing time for the restaurant. I hear Duke say, "Freddie, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. I'm sorry, man."
Not sure if I am completely happy with my last scene I created. Please review and let me know what you think.