The night before, Duke rented a hotel room and bought flowers, wine, chocolate, coffee, and cupcakes. He even considered buying a ring but decided that would be excessive. He and Audrey spent the night eating, making love, talking, and crying.

At one point, Duke said, "If I could find a crossroads demon, I'd trade my soul to save you."

Audrey laughed. "This isn't an episode of Supernatural. There are no demons. No heaven or hell either."

"Good thing Reverand Driscoll isn't around to hear that. But you know, I'm not so sure you're right. 'There are more things in heaven and earth than dreamt up in your philosophy,' " Duke quoted.

"I'm sure there are, my sweet prince," Audrey said, kissing him, "I'll find out tomorrow."

Audrey, Duke and Nathan stood in a cluster, with Agent Howard watching a respectful distance away.

"Parker," Nathan whispered urgently, "I can shoot Howard and set fire to the barn. You don't have to go in there. We'll find another way to end the Troubles."

Audrey put her hand on Nathan's arm. "Please don't do that. I'm okay with this. What I want you to do is find yourself a good woman and make some babies so that the next time I come back I won't have to hang around with you two elderly dudes."

Duke grinned. Nathan grimaced. Audrey pulled him into a hug. "I love you, Nathan. Please, after I go, be happy."

"I'll . . . try," Nathan said with difficulty. "I love you too, Parker."

Audrey kissed him on the cheek and went to Duke. Nathan stepped back to give them a little privacy.

"You are the bravest person I've ever known," Duke said. "I love you."

"I love you too, Duke," Audrey said, hugging him tightly. They clung to each other until Agent Howard theatrically cleared his throat.

"Don't look back," Duke said. "Please. I couldn't handle it if you did."

"I won't," Audrey said, tearing up. "You should also . . . be happy, Duke. Don't throw your life away because of me."

"I won't. I mean, I will. I mean . . . I'll try." Duke grabbed Audrey and kissed her fiercely but briefly. "Now go. Quickly."

Audrey took Duke's hand and held it for as long as she could as she walked away from him. When their hands finally parted, Duke swallowed a sob. Audrey opened the Barn door and walked in, pulling it closed behind her. There was a blinding light and total silence until Agent Howard said, "It's done. The Troubles are over for the next twenty-seven years."

Neither Duke nor Nathan felt happy to hear that. They both wanted to scream, to cry, to protest, to do something, but instead they were frozen with grief, staring at the Barn.

A few moments later, Audrey came walking out the door, no worse for the wear.

"Audrey!" "Parker!" Duke and Nathan exclaimed.

"Oh, you poor saps," she said.

"What?" Duke said.

"Mr. Crocker, Mr. Wuornos, this isn't Audrey, it's Mara. She's the one who created the Troubles."

Nathan pulled out his gun but couldn't quite aim it at the woman standing in front of him. "Who is she? Why is she here? Why isn't she dead? Or in jail?"

"She and I and the Barn are from another dimension. Using a material called aether, we're able to manipulate the fabric of the universe. Unfortunately, she used it to come here and cause these Troubles. As her punishment, we've created these overlay personalities who are here to help the Troubled. Mara is forced to experience it through the lens of their personality in the hopes that she will learn her lesson and end the Troubles. Unfortunately, one person can't undo what another person has created with aether, so she has to do it. And we'll keep creating personalities until she finally agrees."

Nathan and Duke were stunned into silence by these revelations.

"Guess what, Howard, today's your lucky day," Mara said. "I'll end the Troubles. I just need you to do a couple of things for me."

"I'm sorry, Mara, but there won't be any negotiating," Howard said.

"Let's at least hear her out," Nathan said.

"All right," Howard agreed.

"One," Mara said, ticking it off on her finger, "I want you to let William out of the void and back into the world. He was just my loyal sidekick. None of this is his fault. And two—" another tick "—I want Audrey Parker's life."

"What? No," Duke said.

"Yes," Mara said.

"You want to be Audrey Parker?" Howard asked.

"No, I want to be me, living in Audrey Parker's life. I want her boyfriend and her job."

"Fuck no!" Duke shouted.

"I'm not sure how I could ever trust you with a gun, but if Duke doesn't want to, I'll be your boyfriend," Nathan said.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you, my little puppy dog? Get to pretend like you finally got Audrey? Well, that's not happening. William was a little puppy dog too and look where we ended up. Turns out I need a man with a little sass."

"Oh god . . . fuck," Duke blurted out, sounding like he was about to hyperventilate.

Nathan re-holstered his gun and put his around Duke, ushering him away from Mara and Howard.

"Duke, you have to calm down. I know this is a big ask, but if Audrey could sacrifice for ending the Troubles temporarily, you can sacrifice to end them permanently."

"I've already sacrificed everything," Duke said hoarsely.

"I know, but—"

"I won't be Lady Hitler's boyfriend," Duke interrupted. "She's as selfish as the day she created the Troubles."

Nathan was silent in recognition of how monstrous Mara was, despite looking like an angel in Audrey's body. But then he said, "Duke, you are the only person who can get through to her. They thought experiencing a compassionate life would be enough, but clearly it wasn't. Not even for hundreds of years. And then she meets you and she's singing a different tune. You are the only person like you that has ever lived in Haven."

Duke chuckled. "You are really laying it on thick, Nathan."

"Is it working?"

"Yeah."

"Great. Let's tell Howard we're agreed, then."