Remembering Purgatory

by Purplesmoak

Summary:

Waverly has come back to Purgatory, after swearing she'd never return. Waverly doesn't realize what's in store for her when the past comes knocking. Chaos, magic and maybe, love? All dumped at her doorstep with the mystery that is Nicole Haught.

Notes:

So who's ready for something different? This one's hard to describe without giving things away so hopefully you'll give it a shot.

Chapter 1: Coming Back

Waverly couldn't believe it. How was she back in Purgatory after all her hard work  to place the small town firmly in her rear view mirror? Waverly was back in Purgatory, back behind the bar at Shorty's, and back in the old apartment above the bar. So much for all that potential Uncle Curtis had always talked about. She had been back briefly for his funeral between classes but the memories here were overwhelming. Waverly lamented quietly about all of her lost dreams. Would she ever see the ocean or do something that made her heart pound with excitement? Waverly sighed. There was very little chance of anything life altering happening in Purgatory besides grief and stagnation.

But Waverly was back in Purgatory. Waverly was back in Shorty's getting everything set up for a morning shift she never thought she would work again.  She wiped absent-mindedly at the same spot on the bar she'd been ‘cleaning’ for 20 minutes and it practically gleamed beneath her hand.  

 Gus. 

Waverly was here for Gus and Shorty. And even though she hated to admit it, she was back for herself. 

Waverly had needed a job to deal with that damn degree she had earned, to start paying down the sizable loan that accompanied it. All that work in every dusty library the Big City had to offer and all she was left with was a mountain of debt. But Gus and Shorty needed help running the bar after a particularly bad brawl had ensured Shorty would be out of the beer slinging game for quite a while. Waverly tried to focus on Gus, Shorty and the bar. They were the only things that mattered and if Waverly could help them while helping herself, maybe coming back wouldn't be so bad. The ache in her stomach didn't go anywhere, however. Waverly would just have to distract herself with work. Work hard enough that her bad memories would have nowhere to sprout. 

Waverly got to work cleaning other things besides her spot on the bar. She busied herself with clearing up boxes and moving a particularly heavy one to the back office. The box was labeled with the logo of the Purgatory sheriff's office. Waverly had been informed that it was a box of old odds and ends from the bowels of the precinct's ancient evidence locker. Lonnie had finally gotten around to cleaning up. Waverly shook her head at the thought; some things really never changed. An assortment of old, busted looking revolvers, a collection of retired Stetsons, what looked like chaps, a surprisingly shiny sheriff's badge and other old timey knickknacks' filled the cardboard container. She picked up the badge and rubbed her finger across the raised ‘sheriff’ lettering before she placed it back in the box. Waverly wondered if this was an entirely legal way to dispose of the items, but what better way to keep history in Purgatory? If the current sheriff didn't mind, then neither did Waverly. Besides, the items looked like they would go perfectly  on the walls of Shorty's. Waverly would have the discussion of placement with Gus later. 

It was early in the day but, really, she had nothing better to do. It wasn't as if she could just stroll the streets of Purgatory, not without stumbling into any of the countless people Waverly wanted to avoid for as long as possible. The list of people she wanted to avoid was long and she was tempted to never leave this bar. At least here she could distract them while they were drunk. Now, the only thing here for her was the nearly empty apartment above her with her depressingly few boxed up possessions. So instead, Waverly distracted herself with cleaning every inch of Shorty's. Just as she went to clean the handles of the old bar taps, Waverly noticed movement in the corner of her eye.  

In the split second her attention was diverted, Waverly found herself drenched in a particularly average and particularly stale, pale ale. This was definitely not her drink of choice.

Fudgenuggets.

Waverly frantically reached for the tap to shut the thing off. Relief washed over her as her hand found the appropriate amount of force to stop the violent spray of alcohol to her face, as she smacked the offending tap. 

“I didn't know Shorty's had wet t-shirt competitions.” Confidence dripped from the newcomer’s words as Waverly finally managed to take in her current situation. Her eyes locked with a beautiful red headed stranger, as they leaned casually against a pillar near the entrance. 

“You okay?” The woman asked.  

Waverly took her in; her eyes traced the form up and down. Brilliant auburn hair draped her shoulders, leather jacket covered a blue flannel shirt over long legs in ripped jeans and red converse shoes rounded out the look. The head to toe scan Waverly gave did not go unnoticed, and a smirk appeared on the redhead's face. 

Waverly tried desperately to recover, something very hard to do reeking of alcohol before noon. “Yeah, yeah.  Just a bit jumpy. I had a crazy night.” 

Crazy . If you could count hastily unpacking the contents of her Jeep into her old room upstairs and finding the biggest spider Waverly had ever seen. It was a wonder no one heard her shriek. The floorboards creaked more than she remembered and Waverly was sure she had heard something out on the fire escape. Maybe crazy was the wrong word…Spooky? But Waverly was too distracted with the brilliant brown eyes of the woman in front of her to reconsider her words.  

The woman approached the bar and took her headphones off her ears, placed them around her neck and rested her hands along the bar.  

“Sorry I wasn't here to see it.” The woman said, but something about the gleam in her eyes suggested  she somehow knew more. The stranger extended her hand for a shake. “I've been meaning to introduce myself. I'm Nicole. Nicole Haught.”

The words sounded a bit strange to Waverly. Just how long had she been standing there watching Waverly clean? But all was forgotten as Nicole flashed a wicked smile. 

“Hi.” Was all Waverly could manage as she shivered and internally panicked.  Her brain’s signals consisted entirely of a constant siren of warning. It blared, ‘Damn this woman is Haught ’. 

Waverly returned the handshake. 

“And you are Waverly Earp. Quite a popular girl around here.” Nicole blushed, but confidence across her features still reigned. It was a line that probably worked on many before Waverly.

Waverly shrugged, her cheeks heating as she pulled back.  

“Oh you know, it's all in the smile and wave.” Waverly’s hands awkwardly betrayed her, as she promptly performed said smile and wave. Waverly blushed as she realized just how wet her shirt was and how uncomfortable the wet fabric was as it clung to her torso. 

Nicole agreed. “I bet. Can I get a cappuccino to go?” 

Waverly barely noticed the slight hesitation in Nicole's face. Nicole recovered quickly and turned to point the machine out, a discreet misdirection, to hide any lingering embarrassment.

“Oh, I'm really sorry. Um, we're not actually open yet, so.” Waverly mumbled. Desperate to end the conversation to confront the growing panic in her chest. 

“Oh! Okay. My bad!” The redhead put her hands up like she'd been caught. Perhaps she had been. Both women could barely take their eyes off each other as electricity formed in the air, magic coursed between them. 

Nicole schooled her features, all confidence and charisma. “When I see something I like, I don't wanna wait, there really isn't time for that. And your door was open.” Nicole pointed to the old wooden doors she appeared to have just walked through. She smiled again, a brilliant white flash of teeth despite the dusty warm bar lighting. 

Waverly reached under the bar to collect a clean dish rag, her hand blindly groped for it as her eyes stayed locked with Nicole's. She quickly covered herself with the tiny towel, trying to dry her shirt and cover her frame at the same time. Nicole's gaze was electric and sent shivers up Waverly’s spine.

Waverly's mind blanked as her mouth ran away with itself. “God, I'm sopping wet, I keep telling Shorty he needs to fix the darn taps.” Waverly dropped her gaze to her soaked tank top. “Do you mind?” Waverly motioned for Nicole to turn around and cover her eyes with her own hands. 

“Oh!” Nicole copied Waverly’s panicked eye covering motion, smile still plastered on her face as she turned to face away from Waverly.

Waverly turned away, but was ultimately  unsuccessful in her resistance to turn around and peek at Nicole. Her brain didn't seem to want to function around the stunning redhead. Before her brain processed the possible consequences, Waverly found herself with her shirt pulled above her head but stuck painfully on her earring.  Waverly cursed herself. What was she even planning to do once the soaked shirt was off? She scrunched her face, took a deep breath and called out to Nicole for help. 

“Uh, hey Nicole, I'm stuck.” An embarrassed chuckle escaped with Waverly’s plea for help. 

“Oh, let me help you.” Nicole rushed around the bar, ready to rescue the pretty lady. “I got you.”

Nicole took the situation in and helped Waverly unstick herself from her shirt's attempted imprisonment.

As Nicole lifted the shirt from her head, Waverly’s mouth betrayed her again.  “Oh god, good thing you're not some guy. Or this would be really, really awkward.” The words came out in a rushed wheeze. 

Nicole let her gaze linger with a more subtle confidence, lost in the soft hazel rings. Nicole shrugged the comment off, as if she could ignore the comparison if it meant more time with the pretty girl. 

“Um, I, I owe you one.” Waverly managed as she hugged herself tighter. She almost wished she could disappear under Nicole's intensely interested gaze. 

“Alright well, how about you buy me a beer instead? How about tonight?” Nicole tilted her head, her eyes sparkled with obvious attraction.

“Oh, I can't.” Waverly lied as panic fully engulfed her brain. “No. I mean I'd love to but-like, like to, uh…but I have plans. Yeah. I'm a planner.” 

Waverly chuckled and Nicole bit her lip. 

Waverly continued her panicked ramble. “I like to know what I'm doing at least two or three days in advance.” Waverly shook her head and blurted out honestly, “I'm not looking for a relationship. I've dated too many boys…men…I mean. I'm working on me, and don't plan to stay in Purgatory.”

“Boy-men.” Nicole sighed and stepped outside of their bubble. “Yep. I've been there.” She laughed, mostly to herself. 

Waverly couldn't help herself as her gaze followed Nicole, her chest filled with an unexplainable longing.

“It's the worst. Okay, well some other time.  I'll be around. I mean it.” She said as she ran long fingers through her restless red curls.  

Waverly smiled as she desperately willed her mouth to stay shut. 

As she backed up, Nicole asked, “Hey, is there, like, a  back entrance to this place?” Nicole couldn't remember. She sheepishly pulled a pack of cigarettes from the backpack Waverly hadn't noticed slung across her shoulder. She waved the tiny box and looked around. 

Waverly only nodded and pointed to the hallway on the side of the building that would lead to the back exit. An area that contained Shorty's dumpster and just enough empty space for such activities.

Nicole rubbed her neck with her free hand and blushed. “Thanks, Earp.” 

And with that, Nicole walked smoothly out the back door with a swagger Waverly would have found distasteful from anyone else. 

---

Nicole didn't breathe until her back hit the solid wooden door of Shorty's back entrance.  

Holy shit!

Nicole took a cigarette from the box, put it between her lips and slid down the wood paneling, now an exhausted puddle on the ground. She sighed and slid the box back into her bag. She didn't have a lighter but that hardly mattered. Just another puzzle piece she couldn't place. The action was familiar, somehow. Nicole ran her hand through her hair again and laughed to herself. She didn't have very many consistent memories, but this…

How did she end up here? Purgatory was a strange place, but she'd only been  loitering around Shorty's for a couple of days. When did that goddess of a woman get here? And how was Nicole going to sweep her off her feet? Because, now that they'd officially met, it was the only thought in her head. She needed more time with Waverly. 

Waverly Earp.  

Chapter 2: Unexpected Memories

Summary:

Nicole makes it back to Shorty's for that drink she was promised.

Notes:

Life got it the way of updates but I'm working on getting back to a schedule. Anyway, Champ is his usual gross self and Nicole may have some hard emotion reactions towards the end of the chapter. So if you don't wanna read that think of giving Nicole a hug and wait for chapter 3.

 

---

 

Hours later, Nicole couldn't help herself. She leaned against the front corner of Shorty's. Her foot tapped an inconsistent pattern on the brick beneath her jitter filled thighs. The movement was the only sign of her inner turmoil, but no one seemed to notice her anyway. And there she sat, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself. 

 

The residents of Purgatory were not known for their collective observational skills. In fact, the general rule to living in Purgatory comfortably was to outright ignore the strange and unexplainable. Most accomplished this task with flying colors.

 

Nicole found herself very thirsty, with an opportunity to once again talk with the lovely Ms Waverly Earp. If she was stuck here, she was going to make the most of it. She just had to find a way to slip in unnoticed. Nicole folded her arms in front of herself, trying to contain her growing impatience. She needed to lead with confidence and a bit of mystery. At least, that's what she told herself. Truth be told, it had been a while since she'd flirted with anyone, or even had the opportunity. She wanted to get this right.

 

The sun was setting in the sky. The slow dip of the giant star looked like a painting, with a brilliant array of orange adjacent hues. Normal office hours were ending as small groups of townsfolk shuffled through the saloons doors. A particularly tall set of younger men approached Shorty's and Nicole swiftly took her opportunity to silently follow them in the building. 

 

Nicole followed the group of men into the bar and, sticking to the edges and shadows, she did a quick sweep around the bar. Slow and steady, taking every detail in, she finally let her eyes land on Waverly. 

 

Waverly smiled brightly behind the taps,  radiating confidence. The brunette had finally changed into what appeared to be an actual uniform, altered to show off her toned figure and produce better tips. The alteration appeared to be working. She had clearly bewitched her current customers. The slight flash of skin and dazzling smile had encouraged most of her patrons to fill her tip jar past the half way mark, despite the early hour. Nicole watched with wonder before she gathered the courage to sit at an empty  stool. Nicole continued to watch from the far end of the bar, but she didn't wait long for Waverly to spot her and walk over. 

 

“Nicole. Hi…it's good to see you again.” Waverly trailed off, voice wavering slightly as her hands played with a rag. 

 

“Hey, Earp. Does the offer still stand for that beer you owe me?” Only one side of Nicole's smile lifted as her eyes narrowed playfully at the nervous bartender.

 

Despite the growing crowd, Nicole was sure Waverly felt the room shrink to just the two of them. Before their eyes locked, Nicole noticed a blush crawl across the brunette's features, a blush that probably matched the tingle she felt on her own face. The spark from their first encounter ignited and left the air between them slightly charged. 

 

Waverly gulped on nothing. She nodded stiffly. “Yeah, totally. Coming right up…on the house.” 

 

Nicole watched, an amused grin filling her face, as Waverly backpedaled towards the taps. 

 

Nicole's focus was so thoroughly tied to watching Waverly grab a clean glass that she barely registered the burly hand that engulfed Waverly's as she worked to fill Nicole's glass. She watched from afar as Waverly smiled curtly at what Nicole assumed was a local boy-man. The redhead waited, tension building in her bones, as she watched Waverly put the handsy customer in his place.   

 

The boy-man looked like he had come into Shorty's already intoxicated. His flannel shirt was unbuttoned half way down his chest, sleeves rolled up exposing tasteless tattoos and a belt buckle that still shone in the dim bar light. 

 

What a douche-canoe. 

 

Nicole glanced at his friends. They played pool in the corner, but gave glances and gestures of support as subtlety as they could manage from afar. Nicole shifted her focus away from surveillance and back to Waverly. The redhead strained her ears over the loud country music to just make out the edges of conversation.  

 

“Champ, please let go. I'll get to you, I promise. But I have other customers.” Waverly tried to pull away but spilled some of the contents of Nicole's glass. 

 

“Chump” pulled back from his overextension, his arm returning to the proper side of the bar. “Waves, come on.  Live a little, you know you wanna.” He slurred the end of his sentence, clearly losing focus.

 

Waverly changed her stance from inviting but nervous around Nicole, to stiff and cold in front of Champ. She refilled the glass in her hand and shoved it towards her problem.  

 

Nicole thought it was an excellent deflection. She could get back to Nicole when the boy-man was back with his friends. 

 

Before Waverly could fully grab another glass, Champ reached out again and took her wrist. Nicole watched Waverly wince. 

 

“Champ, let go! The answer will always be no.” Waverly stood her ground but Champ’s eyes couldn't quite focus on the situation.

 

He didn't let go and tried to pull Waverly closer.

 

In a flash,  Nicole stood from her seat and placed herself between the stunned pair. With two hands, she shoved the boy-man in the chest…hard. 

 

“She said let go!” Nicole growled, fire in her eyes. She wasn't going to  just sit in silence anymore. 

 

“Who the fuck are you? You ginger witch.” The last word was slurred enough to alter the consonant, but Nicole understood the actual intention.

 

“Doesn't matter. You don't get to touch whoever you want without consent.”

 

Champ scrunched up his face as the words took time to process. “Waves and I go way back.”

 

They both glanced back at Waverly. To her credit,  Waverly wasn't cowering in fear; she just looked pissed. 

 

“You should really chill out, you might even look hot without that look.” Champ pointed to Nicole's scowl.

 

Nicole growled as she tried to hold back the expletives that demanded to escape her lips. Waverly doesn't need that, and what kind of impression would that even leave? She took a deep breath and pulled at the leather of her jacket in an attempt to calm herself. 

 

Champ continued to flap his drunk mouth. “It's not even like it's the first time. Waverly seemed to enjoy things last time.” 

 

He made a crude gesture around his stupid belt buckle. Waverly scoffed with a touch of disgust. Nicole saw red, her body had been coiling tight with tension since she'd had the displeasure of laying eyes on Champ. 

 

To top things off, he had the audacity to laugh in their faces. Nicole snapped. One quick motion and Nicole's fist made contact with the side of Champ’s stupid face, with a loud crack. Strangely Nicole's vision blurred. The action triggered something in Nicole and memories played behind her eyes. She blinked them away as best she could. 

 

Champ stumbled back. His beefy hands clasped around his nose as blood trickled through his fingers. 

 

The sight brought Nicole out of her fury. Confusion filled the void and she glanced around the room in a panic.  

 

Waverly stood stunned. 

 

Nicole had to leave. Her fight response transformed into flight. She needed to leave before she watched Waverly’s eyes fill with the disgust Nicole knew would follow her actions. The new memories scratched at the periphery of Nicole's focus. She couldn't deal with this now. 

 

Nicole ran out the back door, out the way she left Waverly earlier. She really should have just kept to herself like always.  

 

---

 

The slow, sickening creep of anxiety filled her stomach as flashes of memory continued to  flutter behind her eyes. Nicole tried to concentrate on the here, the now. The feel of her feet on the ground. Her breathing quickened and it became harder to pull each breath. The sound of old conversations echoed between her ears. A familiar throb of pain in her fist. The smell of gun smoke and the heavy feel of metal in her hands. Panic flooded her system and buzzed in the tips of her extremities.  

 

Come on, just stop thinking. I really hate this, why am I like this?  

 

She pleaded with her brain, but the images kept coming. Anxiety bubbled and the dull ache in her stomach radiated, just on the verge of nausea. She tried again to think of nothing but blackness, a void in her head. It wouldn't hold though, as memories pushed at the boundaries of her void and then forced its collapse. The same images flooded her head on a loop, no matter how hard she tried to get rid of them. Her breathing was hard and ragged. The memories sliced like thousands of paper cuts, tiny but razor sharp. Nothing was concrete, but everything hurt. Tears formed at the edges of her eyes, and they gradually painted her face. She collapsed in on herself, sliding down the wall, knees tucked in tight but offering little protection from things that burned from the inside out.

Nicole was stuck with the sudden need to escape. She needed to see more of the sky, needed the suffocating feeling to stop. She looked around wildly, looking for a place to hide. She glanced up and found exactly what she needed. Tears and nausea made the climb difficult but, eventually, she found her back pressed against the metal grate of the fire escape. The ladder latched tight in place behind her and her feet tucked into her butt to make herself small enough to fit. Her eyes still closed, she tried desperately to quiet all of herself; her breathing, her thoughts and her shaking hands. 

 

Below her, she heard a voice call out. 

 

“Nicole!...Nicole!” Waverly's voice rang out loudly, echoing off the brick in the alley. She lowered her voice and cursed to herself. “God Dammit. I can't believe him. What an ass…fudging Champ, ruining everything.”

 

Nicole watched from above, over her shoulder. She desperately tried to keep her focus on Waverly, but her memories still scratched at the edges of her perception.

 

Waverly looked around frantically but huffed in frustration as duty won out.  Nicole barely registered the woman as she walked back into Shorty's. She had lost the battle to stay present. 

 

With nothing to distract her anymore, dark shards of memory shattered the last of her resolve. Old, menacing voices, the acrid smell of an armed confrontation gone wrong, and phantom pain that radiated in her shoulder. Bits of alarming memory flashed on repeat. 

 

Then they hit a crescendo. So loud and all consuming that Nicole bit down, ground her teeth in effort, and used all she had to banish the thoughts. She breathed in and out to the count of four. Her fingers traced the frayed edges of the holes in her pants, the denim rippling beneath her fingers. She grabbed at her backpack, frantic in her search for any comfort. Her fingers found what they needed. 

 

I'm here. I'm okay. It's not real. I'm safe.  

 

She continued the chant on a loop until things slowly returned to normal.  Well, her brand of normal, at least. 

 

Nicole sat there on her back, eyes locked on the stars as she idly flipped a cigarette between her fingers. She had no way to track the passage of time, so Nicole startled from her position when the edges of the curtained window lit up. Panicked, Nicole sat up and the cigarette she had been fidgeting with dropped to the pavement below. On instinct, she tried desperately to catch it. The movement caused the old metal of the fire escape to creak in complaint. 

 

Nicole froze. 

 

The rustling in the apartment stopped. 

 

Nicole imagined its occupant creeping towards her and, in a flash, she grabbed her things, unlocked the ladder and slid down the sides of the metal frame. She ran around the corner and did her best to silence her ragged breathing.

 

The window above unlatched and slid open with a loud screech of unused metal. Nicole chanced a look around the corner and caught sight of a leery Waverly as she scanned the environment for threats. Nicole did not miss the glint of a shotgun barrel. She immediately resumed her hidden position, making as little sound as possible.

 

“Hey, shit-ticket! You better run! I'm armed and pissed so you better not come back!” Shouted Waverly. The venom in her voice was aided by the warning click of a now armed gun. The metal glinted in the moonlight as Nicole caught a glimpse of its sweep outside the window. Waverly retreated, retracting the weapon after failing to find a target. 

 

The window slammed shut, the lock of the window audibly slammed into place after it. 

 

Nicole had only one thought for this terrible ending to her terrible night that had seemed so promising. 

 

Shit.

 

Notes:

All the hugs for Nicole.

Chapter 3: It's all about timing

Summary:

Waverly wonders about Nicole. An unexpected face shows up in Shorty's. Nicole and Waverly dance.

Notes:

Sorry this took me so long, life just got in the way.

A yawn escaped from Waverly as she left the upstairs apartment. One hand lifted to cover the remnants of sleep while the other fumbled with the key in the door's lock. She had tried to sleep last night but a long shift and worry had permeated any of the rest she had managed. She put the keys in the pocket of her jeans and stumbled downstairs to find the coffee she needed to function.

 

After a full mug of desperately needed caffeine and a muffin, Waverly felt herself return to a functional level. She began a quick clean up of the bar and its surrounding area, picking up little things she had missed the night before. Little rust colored dots caught her eye by the bar. Waverly shook her head, sighing quietly. When Champ’s nose finally healed she was going to have to readjust it in the opposite direction. Waverly tried not to think of all the different possibilities the boy-man had ruined for her and Nicole. She scrunched up her nose in disgust and went to arrange the barstools and chairs across the counter tops. 

 

Might as well mop the whole floor while I'm cleaning up the blood spots I missed last night.  

 

On her way to the back room for the necessary cleaning supplies, Waverly noticed a trash can she had missed. The events of last night had clearly thrown her more than she'd assumed. With her checklist still memorized from her younger days, she wondered how she could have missed so many closing steps?  

 

Nicole.

 

The redhead's smile flashed in her mind. There was just something about her that Waverly couldn't wrap her brain around.  Things had gone so wrong. So fast. Waverly hoped Nicole was okay. She hated the look that was left on that beautiful, dimpled face as Nicole fled the bar. Fear, shame, horror…not a single indicator of her enjoying putting Champ in his place. Not that Waverly condoned violence, but Champ deserved something for all the bad karma he carried around. She had wanted to reassure the redhead that she was just as close to snapping on the wannabe cowboy. But Nicole was gone. Gone without any real way for Waverly to contact her. 

 

She sighed and decided to get rid of the trash before she mopped up and waited for her Aunt. Black trash bag in hand, Waverly pushed the back door open. Her eyes locked onto dejected mocha, haloed by vibrant red curls. Waverly's new favorite dimples were nowhere to be found. 

 

“Hey.” Nicole managed, her features tight.

 

The normally taller woman was leaning, one leg bent up against the wall. She was huddled in on herself with a cigarette between her lips. Nicole quickly slipped it from its perch, threw it on the ground and crushed it with a determined drag of her red converse. The action felt rote as Nicole's brown eyes never left hazel. Waverly sucked in a breath as she tried to gather her thoughts. They seemed to slip between all of the different questions she had been juggling all night. One new thought surfaced for the briefest of seconds… Funny, I don't smell any smoke.

 

Waverly's eyes shifted, looking for any hints she could find. Nicole shoved her hands into tight leather pockets, opening her mouth to continue. Before anything could escape her captivating lips, Waverly’s mouth sped ahead of her brain, cutting the redhead off.

 

“Hi. I…I didn't know…I didn't think I'd see you again.” 

 

Waverly let the trash bag release from her now limp grip, her busy work in the bar rendered unnecessary. The object of her worry radiated nervousness in front of her, a sharp contrast to Nicole's usually confident presence. 

 

“I honestly didn't know if I could face you after last night.” A deep sigh followed her confession. Nicole closed her eyes, considering her next words. 

 

The brunette bit her tongue trying to keep her flood of reassurance back, as Nicole tried to get her thoughts out.

 

Nicole's voice shrank, shame dripped from her words. “I'm not usually like this. I…I don't know what happened. He just triggered something inside me. Things I try not to think about.”

 

Cautious, Waverly stepped forward with her hands out in supplication. She willed the woman in front of her not to bolt again. 

 

“Hey, I was two seconds away from doing the exact same thing last night. Champ is the worst. Not my proudest moment but I was a kid with limited options.” Waverly tried for a small smile, a small piece offering. 

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

“For what? I can tell that wasn't your usual style.” Waverly shrugged as she inched closer. “I also don't mind the whole knight in shining armor, guardian act once in a while.” 

 

Nicole finally opened her eyes, searching for truth in Waverly's words. Waverly hoped the redhead found what she was looking for as she finally stopped, bringing the pair nearly toe to toe.

 

“How about tonight, you finally get that beer. I'm still up for this if you are.”

 

Nicole shuffled as she pulled a hand from her pocket to card through her hair. “Yeah…totally. I'm in. If you're sure.” 

 

“I'm completely sure. Between you and me, Sheriff Nedley didn't even bat an eye at you. I offered another round of beer for the group and all was forgotten.” Waverly winked and smiled, her eyes turning to crescents.

 

Nicole gulped at the mention of the sheriff but she relaxed when Waverly grabbed her free hand. Their fingers slid together, warmth spread up her arm as Waverly watched Nicole get closer to her typical demeanor. The brunette was intent on making this right. Tonight would be different.

 

“How about you show up a little later this evening? Closer to closing. I think your heroics deserve a little more than beer.” Waverly squeezed, trying to convey understanding in the touch. 

 

The slightest of blushes flushed across the redhead in front of her. Waverly watched as Nicole nodded enthusiastically, like she couldn’t quite believe she’d gotten another chance. 

 

“Okay, I can do that. I will see you later.” A  bright smile appeared, accompanied by those fabulous dimples. 

 

Waverly released her grip on Nicole. A sigh slipped from her lips as the grounding touch ended, the tingling warmth faded with it. 

 

Nicole bent down and picked up her well-worn backpack. She slipped away from her spot, nestled between Waverly and the wall. The redhead walked backwards allowing their eyes to stay locked, both with smiles firmly in place. 

 

Just before she turned around the corner, skirting the building, Nicole called out. “I’ll see you tonight, Earp.”

 

Waverly smiled to herself, closing her eyes in relief before picking up the trash bag she’d left at the door. Lifting it into the dumpster, she held onto the look of sheer luck in Nicole’s eyes. Waverly was thrilled to have changed the redhead’s mood for the better, but she was pretty sure she was the one who had stumbled upon something extraordinary, almost magical. If you believed in that sort of thing.

 

---

Waverly hummed under her breath as she skipped back into Shorty’s. Mentally she cataloged all of the work she needed to get done before Aunt Gus checked in on her. Happily dancing back to the storeroom for the mop supplies, Waverly froze, a feeling of ice shot through her veins as an amused cough sounded from behind the bar. Fear constricted her muscles. Not again . She was certain she had remembered to lock the front door. Thoughts of last night sparked in her memory but she was far from her trusty shotgun now.

 

“I didn’t peg you for a country music gal after all that time in the big city.” A familiar voice said.

 

Waverly’s fear subsided as she placed the smug tone. It had certainly been a long time since she’d heard the owner, but Waverly could picture the smirk before her eyes even landed on the woman. She watched as tight leather pants flexed with her movements, matching fringed jacket riding up in effort as her sister procured a bottle of whiskey from the shelf behind the bar.

 

“And here I thought you’d stopped drinking in the morning.” Waverly retorted.

 

Wynonna turned with her prize, snagging two shot glasses on her way back to the bar. 

 

“Ah, but you see baby girl, this here… this is celebration whiskey.”

 

Waverly snorted and moved the last barstool so she could sit in front of her sister. 

 

“What exactly are we celebrating?”

 

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s 5 o'clock somewhere and it’s not every day my sister crashes back into town…and nobody’s even dead this time.” Wynonna was all laughs, glossing over tough conversations, as she poured two generous glasses of amber liquid.

 

Changing the subject, the older Earp slid a glass toward Waverly. “So, what were you humming so happily when you walked in?” Wynonna eyed her sister curiously. “I kind of expected you to be more doom and gloom having to come back to this hell hole.”

 

“You say that like you don’t live here, Wy. It was nothing, something that was playing during last night’s shift.”

 

Wynonna grinned, sly smirk forming. “And who exactly followed you up those stairs last night? That smile didn’t just appear from taking out the trash. It better not have been Chump-Change, again.”

 

Waverly arched an eyebrow in annoyance. “No, Wynonna. I’ve been done with Champ for years. I have no desire to go down that path again. Although, the trash kinda did get taken out last night. James finally got punched in the face for all his crap.” 

 

“Wow, and I missed it. I’ll have to buy that wonderful soul a drink. What a night to have to work late.” Shaking her head in amusement, Wynonna stared down at her whiskey. 

 

“Also, no one followed me up the stairs. Exactly.” Waverly trailed off as she remembered the sound from the fire escape.

 

“What do you mean ‘exactly’, Waves?” Ice blue eyes zeroed in and narrowed at Waverly. 

 

“Oh, just somebody. Probably kids…trying to get into the apartment.” The younger Earp tried to downplay the encounter in anticipation of her overly protective sister’s reaction. She took her shot, hoping to distract her sister further and also maybe to forget the memory.

 

“No fair. I didn’t even get to make a toast.” Wynonna poured another serving into Waverly’s empty glass. “To happy family reunions, this time.”

 

A pained smile crept across Waverly’s features as she copied her sister's raised glass. “To helping family.”  

 

They tossed back the off-brand whiskey and grimaced together as they swallowed the familiar burn. 

 

“You couldn’t have grabbed the good stuff?” Waverly gave an exaggerated gag. 

 

“What? I’m not a monster. I know why you’re really here, baby girl. Do you really think I don’t talk with Aunt Gus?”

 

Waverly rolled her eyes. She hadn’t stayed in contact much with her sister outside a periodic postcard but she wasn’t actually surprised Gus had filled Wynonna in on her life. 

 

“Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me. I’m the one who stayed here. Also, rewind. Some asshole tried to break into the apartment?” Wynonna poured them another round.

 

“It was nothing. Just a noise. I had the shotgun ready and scared the shit ticket off with a good threat.”

 

“Come stay with me.” Wynonna blurted the offer and it hung between them.

 

“No… Why? It was really nothing.” Waverly turned the idea over in her head. They hadn’t lived together since before she had started High School. 

 

The older brunette glared in frustration. “Look, I mean it. I know we aren’t as close as we were when we were kids, but I’m fixing up the Homestead. We can keep each other safe. Just like old times.” Wynonna's smile didn’t meet her eyes as she silently pleaded with Waverly. 

 

Knowing the battle was already lost, Waverly considered the offer. It would mean she could finally escape the confines of the bar, and it was secluded enough she wouldn’t run into anyone unexpectedly. “How long have you been working on the place?”

 

A genuinely happy smile plastered itself on her sister’s face, having taken the question as confirmation. “It’s gonna be great Waves! You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ve been working on it between cases.”

 

Another eyeroll took over the younger Earp. “I have work tonight.” And other things. “But how about I drive out there tomorrow morning. Reduce the amount of time you think I’m in ‘danger’.”  

 

Wynonna squinted at her sister but then relented, taking her shot in a practiced swallow. “Fine, baby girl. But only because I’m beat after another stakeout. I’ve got one more thing in town to take care of before I head home to sleep. Don’t make me send out a search party tomorrow.” 

 

“I promise, Wy. No funny business. I’ll be there bright and early.”

 

The older brunette walked around the bar and brought her sister into a tight hug. “You better.”  

 

Waverly felt her sister brush a soft kiss to her forehead, a gesture they had shared as kids, before she watched the leather clad form of Wynonna Earp exit the bar. Waverly reluctantly took her shot, not wanting to waste perfectly good - albeit cheap - whiskey, before returning to her mopping. She hoped to crash upstairs before her shift and before her sister’s influence kicked in.

---

Later that night, Waverly was cleaning glasses when the saloon doors finally swung open for the person she'd been waiting for. Her eyes traced the beautiful form of her date. At least, that’s what she was calling this whole thing in her head. Best not to say it out loud and spook the redhead, though. Nicole was once again sporting her black leather biker jacket over blue flannel. Haught as Hell, Waverly thought to herself. She looked down at her Shorty’s t-shirt and smoothed out a wrinkle. This would have to do because she’d be damned if she missed another opportunity with this woman over something stupid. Nicole was one brightside she'd found about being back in Purgatory.

 

Shorty’s was empty besides old Norm, passed out in his usual booth. Waverly watched Nicole look around, cataloging her surroundings before smiling brightly and walking towards the bar.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Hey yourself, Haught. Let me, finally, get you that beer.” Waverly grabbed a glass and filled it.

 

The redhead dropped her backpack, took a seat and continued to watch the brunette. “Tonight already looks like it's going to be better for us, at least less work for you.”

 

Waverly slid the glass towards Nicole. “It’s been a while but I do know how to handle a few drunk assholes. And you weren’t really the cause of all my work anyway, more of a bright spot in my day.”

 

A grin broke across Nicole’s face. “Oh, really? Well, I’ll keep that in mind when I’m thirsty. Here I was, thinking I’d have to figure out somewhere else to go.” Her smile turned sheepish.

 

“On the contrary, you will always be welcome here. You might have even earned yourself a free drink or two. You are not the only one who wants to punch him, just the most recent to actually make contact. And with perfect form, I might add.”

 

The redhead took a sip of her drink. Eyes closed, another grin overtook her features as she swallowed. Pleasure, clear on her face.

 

“You're kind of a cheap date if all it takes is a beer to make you smile.” 

 

It took a beat for Waverly to register her mistake. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire before Nicole answered. “That’s rather presumptuous but yeah, I’m a cheap date. It’s also been a while since I’ve had a nice, cold beer served by a pretty lady.” Her dimple popped as she watched Waverly’s face shift to a violent crimson.

 

Nicole valiantly changed the subject. “How about you take a break from tending this oh so busy bar, and dance with me, Waves?” 

 

The brunette nodded. She walked around the counter and headed toward the jukebox. “Okay, but you’re picking the music. You must have good taste since you’re always wearing that headset. Or is it all for show?”

 

“It is most certainly not for show.” Nicole took the challenge, setting down her beer.

 

Waverly and Nicole stood, shoulder to shoulder, while the redhead looked through the selection.

 

“Wow, you're picky.”

 

“I am just making sure I get this right. Besides, who picked all of this? Where are all the classics?”

 

“Hey, I picked these out from a very limited list of songs that came with this model and my own personal collection. Thank you very much! The old one broke and Gus didn’t even want to replace it.”

 

They continued to stare at the jukebox while Nicole made her selection. It was actually something to behold. While it was perfectly camouflaged with its typical neon lights and vintage motifs, it was basically just a giant mp3 player. 

 

Nicole reached out and hit a button. “Okay, how about this one? I’m usually more of a punk or rock gal but I think this one will work.”

 

The redhead offered a strong, leather clad arm out to Waverly who accepted it as she was pulled in close. ‘Magical’ was the only word the small brunette could conjure in her head as Elvis Presley’s, It’s a Matter of Time, played over the bar’s speakers. The pair swayed together, distance thin between them.  

 

“I think this is one from my Uncle’s playlist.” Waverly whispered.

 

Nicole only nodded, eyes closed, as she enjoyed the moment. Elvis crooned around them, to a steady guitar driven beat. 

 

I've lived a life I thought that it should be

It's a long, long way from now to maybe sometime

And the waiting 'round is really killing me

 

They danced quietly around what qualified for a dance floor at Shorty’s. Waverly squealed as Nicole spun and dipped her. The redhead pulled her up in a smooth motion and continued to dance around the room. The pair didn’t even notice the next song change. They danced together, content with the intimacy of their little bubble. Eventually a loud pop song blared across the speakers and they jumped apart. Waverly glanced up at the clock.

 

“Holy shit. Is that really the time?”

 

Nicole didn’t glance at the clock, seemingly unbothered by the passing time.

 

“I should really get to closing and kicking old Norm out.” The brunette grabbed her elbow sheepishly.

 

Nicole smiled and ran a hand through her hair. “Of course. I didn’t mean to take up all that time. It’s precious after all…” She trailed off.

 

“Don’t be silly. That was really the best part of my day. And that’s after things went well with my sister this morning.”

 

They walked back to the bar.

 

A thought struck Waverly, a plan forming in her head. “Hey, why don’t you give me your phone number so we can do this again?”

 

Nicole swallowed hard, but a smile covered it quickly. “Oh, I actually don’t have one.”

 

“What? Really? How can you not have one?” Waverly asked, confusion written on her face.

 

“I kind of prefer to keep things old school. You know?”

 

“I really don’t but I’ll take your word for it.”

 

Nicole grabbed her bag off the floor. “How about this? How about I stop by on Sunday. That’s your next shift, right?” She pointed to the schedule behind the bar.

 

Waverly furrowed her brow. The woman in front of her was remarkably observant. “Yeah, it is…I think that works out nicely. I have some stuff to finish up with my sister tomorrow. But that sounds great. Are you sure you don’t wanna meet somewhere else?”

 

“Here is perfect. I’ll see you then.” 

 

Nicole shifted and Waverly swore she was in for an even better night. The taller woman moved down towards her, bringing their faces close before pulling away. Nicole swallowed and then smiled one more dimpled smile before heading back out the saloon doors.

Notes:

How about that Vengeance release date drop? Who else is excited?

Chapter 4: Sister Time

Summary:

After their date/not-a-date, Waverly finally makes it out of the bar and onto the homestead with Wynonna.

Notes:

I'm still here, life just got to me. I've got too many idea's rustling around in my head but I'm doing my best to focus. ;) We've also been blessed with more Earp so I'm sure everyone has been busy anyway.

---

Tires crunched gravel as Waverly pulled up next to the Homestead. A turn of her keys and the car engine's deep hum cut off. Waverly grabbed a small brown paper bag before she hopped out of the jeep. She landed with the soft buzz of nostalgia beneath her skin as she swept her gaze across the homestead. Next to her sat Wynonna’s beat up, old, white and blue pick-up. Absently, Waverly reached out to touch a spot of rust within the paint. Memories of Gus gifting a shinier, slightly used version of the truck flitted through the brunette's mind. It had been a wonderful surprise, a spot of happiness in their often dreary history. Wynonna had even taken her on a long backroad drive, just the two of them. 

 

But that was before the distance. Before the silence. Communication worked both ways, but somehow neither of them could pick up a phone. They had let the pain of a very different car ride wedge itself between them. Waverly shook her head like she had shaken the glass from her jacket after the crash. She preferred not to acknowledge the accident, not to think about Ward or Willa. She had buried herself in school work. Focused on her grades, just like Uncle Curtis wanted. Waverly preferred to keep her focus squarely in the present. With all the people that had left her, it was just easier to compartmentalize her memories. That would be more difficult for her at the homestead, but she was willing to risk a few nightmares to be closer to her sister. Especially if that's what Wynonna wanted too.

 

Rather than knock, Waverly twisted the rusted over doorknob. It had been years but the call of the homestead and its memories gripped her heart despite the changes her sister had made. A bittersweet feeling itched under skin as the brunette stepped into the foyer. Somehow, love and anger mixed, viscus, in her chest. Waverly wiped a stray tear and pressed on, admiring all of Wynonna’s hard work. To Waverly's surprise, the structure looked mostly livable. The odd tarp, tools and paint cans were strewn about, but gone was the dirt and broken down furniture she expected. Waverly continued through the house. Her fingers traced what should have been growth markings without her name, but instead she only touched the smoothness of new paint. She drifted to the kitchen, towards the soft sound of dripping coffee. 

 

Decidedly not leather pants stuck out from under the sink. The feet of her sister were surrounded by tools and what looked suspiciously like a manual.

 

“Fuck.” Wynonna muttered after what Waverly assumed was the thump of skin connecting with metal. 

 

Waverly fumbled to pull her sister from the cabinet's confines without causing more damage. “Good morning to you too, Wy.”

 

“I was hoping to show you around before I got to more of the stuff still on the list. But then old Helga here decided to spring a leak after I filled the coffee pot.”

 

“The sink's a strange place to have a leek. Mine's usually in the fridge." Waverly returned her quip but tipped an eyebrow in question. 

 

“What? I like to name things now. It gets lonely out here fixing stuff. Gotta keep things fresh somehow, keep the dirty jokes flowing. But you're here now, right baby girl?” Hope danced in Wynonna’s eyes.  

 

Her sister had certainly changed in their time apart. Waverly felt suddenly vulnerable when a thought passed through her head. Somehow you haven't changed, even though you're the one who left.  

 

“From what I've seen, you've done amazing, Wy. I can't believe how good this place looks.” The younger Earp shifted, her grip tightening on the brown paper bag. 

 

Wynonna wiped her hands on a nearby kitchen towel before she looked up and noticed the package. “What is that? Did you bring me a present?”

 

Before Waverly could register her sister's words, Wynonna had snatched the bag from her hands. Waverly watched her sister's greedy fingers claw open the bag. With a reverent pause the older Earp took a long, deep inhale.

 

“Mmmmm, Donuts! You shouldn't have, baby girl.” Excitement lit every feature on Wynonna's face. 

 

“Maybe I didn't and they're all for me. I was just gonna make you watch as I ate them all in front of you.”

 

Wynonna eyed her sister suspiciously before an exaggerated laugh escaped her lips. “Ha, ha. Very funny. But seriously, thank you for breakfast. It's the perfect travel food for your official tour of the new and improved homestead. But first I need to get rid of that first pot of coffee.” 

 

Waverly nodded as she noticed the used but empty mug on the counter. 

 

“Feel free to grab some for yourself.” Wynonna shouted over her shoulder as she scurried out of the kitchen. 

 

The younger Earp didn't need to be told twice and drifted towards the coffee machine. A deep roasted, java scent tickled at Waverly’s nose as she searched the surrounding cabinets for another mug. The scent was a far cry from the burnt aroma of her memories. Their father couldn't be bothered with anything that took time. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to override her memories of this place after all.

 

A small cheer escaped Waverly as she found a clean mug. She shook her head as she inspected it. A giant X was plastered across the cup's face. Waverly decided to ask about it later. She poured a generous cup full and added two spoonfuls of sugar before sitting down at the small table in the middle of the room. Besides the tools scattered across the kitchen, the table was covered in what looked like Manila folders. Curiosity won out and Waverly started to read the different labels. In black typewriter print were the names of places all over Purgatory, but they were crossed out in red pen. Scrawled on top of the sensible case names were wild classifications in her sister's handwriting. Waverly blinked. It was just Wynonna being Wynonna…right? Who labeled their cases things like Werewolf? Vamps? Or Stone witchy bitch? Waverly reached out a curious finger. She was just about to flip the top file open for a little peek at what could possibly deserve such classic Wynonna tagging, when her eyes caught the red ‘Classified’ stamped in the corner. 

 

What was her sister working on?

 

“You'd better have saved me a donut, baby girl.”

 

The older Earp’s voice sent ice through Waverly’s veins. She pulled her hand back towards her coffee mug like she'd been burnt. The fear of getting caught snooping caused Waverly to bump into molten ceramic and the contents sloshed onto her knuckles.

 

She hissed. “Fudgenuggets.”

 

As Wynonna rounded the corner to rejoin her sister, her smile faltered. “Jeez Waves, it's not like Daddy is here anymore. Let those cuss words fly.”

 

The younger brunette grimaced through an eye roll while grabbing for the paper towels. “Speaking of Daddy, I still can't believe you're a cop.” 

 

Best not to let her see me snooping. 

 

Wynonna fell perfectly into the subject change. “Hey, I'm not a cop. More like I'm cop-adjacent. I do contract work…I help with really special cases.”

 

“Sure you do.” Waverly winked.

 

“Don't give me that look. How about after this tour, I'll show you my desk.” 

 

“Oh, you have a desk.”

 

Wynonna crossed her arms as if to defend against her sister's unsaid words. “I do. I'll even introduce you to my colleague. He's the actual cop in this arrangement.”

 

“I can't wait.” Thoughts of the police station still made her shiver, but she would press through anything to see her sister smile with genuine excitement.

 

A flicker of hesitation crossed Wynonna’s features. She took a large bite of her powdered donut before proceeding to talk with it still in her mouth. “Maybe we can even find you somebody hunky while we're there. I'm so glad we are through with Chump. But first the tour.”

 

Waverly watched as her sister grabbed her coffee cup with a smirk on her face.  She raised her other donut filled hand, her index finger extended. With a quick flick of her wrist Wynonna circled her hand in a ‘hurry up’ motion.  

 

“Come on, angel pants. Just wait till you see what I did to the stair railing. Oooh, and your bedroom!”

 

---

The familiar brickwork of the Purgatory Sheriff's Department brought with it a rising feeling of nausea that Waverly tried to tamp down with a hard swallow. Ward wouldn't be inside those doors. Her memories only had the power she gave them, she'd read that somewhere. The sick feeling still radiated in her throat as she cast a quick glance at Wynonna. Her sister put her truck in park, a goofy proud smile plastered on her face. Wynonna's pride at being able to show off for Waverly was the only reason she hadn't offered to just day drink with her sister instead. 

 

“So, before we go on there I have to warn you… most of the guys are total douche-waffles. Even X acts like he has a stick up his ass most of the time.” The older Earp laughed at her own mental image.

 

Waverly hid her inner turmoil with a laugh. “I just wanna see your desk. Don't think you aren't getting embarrassing desk decorations at every holiday from here on out.”

 

Wynonna rolled her eyes as she exited the truck and adjusted her standard issue ball cap. It was still her day off, but the hat seemed to have found its place alongside her usual leather jacket as Wynonna's new normal. “Whatever Waves, don't get used to it. I might have to go back to PI work if I can't get a handle on some of these weirder cases.”

 

Waverly made her way over to offer a side hug to her sister. Wynonna accepted with a contented sigh. The older Earp offered her hand. Waverly took it, grateful that time and distance hadn't seemed to dim their connection. The warmth of Wynonna’s grip also had the added benefit of calming her stomach. She could and would do this for Wynonna.

 

The pair walked through the familiar hallway, now lined with picture frames of unfamiliar faces in various uniforms. The nervous, nauseated hum settled back under Waverly’s skin. They turned the corner into the main office and were treated to a stern looking officer. He huffed in greeting as his form deflated at the sight of Wynonna. He went back to what looked like a crossword hidden under a half done report. Her sister turned to her and stage whispered about the customer service in this establishment.

 

The officer glanced back up with a squint of frustration, eyes locked on Wynonna. “Says the not-even-a rent-a-cop.” 

 

“You're just jealous they don't let you touch the fun stuff.”

 

Waverly glanced at the metal name tag that read ‘Clanton’. It shook under his dry laugh. “More like make believe, Earp.”

 

“Whatever. Come on baby girl, my desk is just past the conference room.” 

 

And with that, the sisters continued into the station. Waverly took one last look at Clanton over her shoulder. He must be a real shit ticket for her sister to not even introduce him properly. He slumped in his seat and fiddled with his pencil. Boredom radiated off him and his now slightly wrinkled uniform. 

 

They soon reached a door ‘labeled’ Earp; the duct tape with Sharpie lettering sat crooked over a plaque marked ‘storage’. Before Wynonna could even lean towards the doorknob, a small man in a white lab coat made a b-line toward them. 

 

“Wynonna! I'm so glad I found you. Officer Dolls is waiting for you in my lab. Isn't it your day off? Dolls has such a sixth sense about your location…weird. Anyway, hi! I'm Jeremy.” He took a deep breath after his high speed ramble and offered his hand to Waverly.

 

The tiny brunette shook it. “I'm Waverly, Wynonna’s sister.” 

 

Jeremy opened his mouth to say something else but Wynonna cut him off. “My sister came to see the old office. Why don't you head on in and wait for me, Waves. I'll only be a minute.”

 

Jeremy swallowed. He started to look a little panicked as he remembered his purpose. The older brunette just clapped him in the back. “Come on, nerd. Let's get this over with so I can continue with my off day. Also, dude. Calling it a lab does not make things sound any cooler.” Jeremy laughed nervously but let Wynonna lead him back down the hall. 

 

Waverly watched the odd duo walk away and turn the corner before she let herself into her sister's office. She flipped on the light and a small buzz reverberated in the room as the single bare socket in the ceiling sparked to life. The back wall of the room was lined with metal racks, stacked to the brim with cleaning supplies. Either side of the standard issue metal desk was surrounded by file cabinets. The younger Earp walked around, admiring her sister's office. She sat in the only chair in the room. The rusty metal groaned under her, a sign of its age.  

 

For anyone else, this office would be an insult. But Waverly knew her sister, and this was just a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Wynonna did things on ‘Wynonna time’. That often involved doing normal things out of order. So if Wynonna was happy, Waverly was happy for her. 

 

The small brunette's gaze drifted down to the files on the desk. More manila folders, each with their own Wynonna edits. Waverly ignored them this time. No need to snoop. Her sister would probably tell her anyway, after some more celebratory whiskey. 

 

Waverly just sat. She thought about her latest list of things to do. She thought about her lovely new room. Waverly even thought about her new favorite dimples. The smile they gave her lasted her a long while, but soon the persistent tick of the clock above the door made her skin itch. Waverly was bored. She looked up at the still unmoving door and then quickly down at the folders. The top file was marked ‘krait mine disappearances’ under the red penned correction, ‘sneaky snake’. Waverly flicked the document open. She found a large black and white photo of an old timey sheriff's badge.  

 

Why does that look so familiar?

 

The doorknob finally turned with a metallic click as the door burst open. Waverly popped to her feet as she tried desperately to school her sneaky squirrel features into something decidedly less sneaky.

 

“That was one minced meat body.” Wynonna said. She shook her head in disbelief, her wild brown curls bouncing around her face. Waverly had watched her sister slowly light up the farther they got into the building. It was clear now that she wasn't just excited to share this with Waverly. Wynonna had found her purpose and it was evident on her face as she entered her office. The joy of the new case didn't match the somber conversation topic, however. 

 

Behind Wynonna was a man just her sister's type. Tall, dark and broody. His uniform was pressed with enough starch that the creases of his pants hardly shifted as he stopped abruptly when he noticed Waverly near Wynonna’s seat.  

 

A sharp, heavy tone left the officer. “Earp.”

 

Both Earps looked at him. 

 

Wynonna blinked before responding. “You mean me, you definitely meant me. Deputy Dolls, please let me introduce you to my baby sister. Waverly, this is Xavier Dolls, my colleague.”

 

“I think the term you're looking for is liaison, Earp. It's nice to meet you Waverly. I'm done with your sister for now.” Waverly thought he would say more after he reached out and shook her hand with an iron grip, but he merely stared at the sisters. 

 

“Fine, this is the last time I shake up your day with sunshine, Dolls. I can't believe I wasted my precious off time with you.” Wynonna stuck her tongue out at the man. He didn't even bat an eye at the older Earp’s shenanigans. 

 

Waverly moved to walk out of the office and noticed the deputy's hard gaze follow her. As the pair turned to leave, Wynonna mumbled something about burgers.

 

Dolls called out. “Hey, Earp. Don't you know anything about basic opsec? At least lock your door.” He sighed and took the hall in the opposite direction. 

 

Wynonna grinned sheepishly as if she had only just forgotten and not like she'd never even considered locking up. With a jangle of keys, the door was locked and the girls were on their way. 

---

After a long day of following Wynonna around the Homestead, Waverly was exhausted. While most of Wynonna’s handiwork was passable, Waverly found herself researching safer techniques on more than one occasion. 

 

Thank goodness for YouTube instructional videos. 

 

The youngest Earp found herself in her newly renovated room. Bits of the flooring didn't match and the furniture was second hand, but Waverly couldn't help but admire all of the care Wynonna had put into the room. She'd have to get new curtains, but they were far enough in the middle of nowhere for that to be a tomorrow problem.  

 

Waverly pulled her suitcase up onto the bed and started to put her clothes away in their new home. She hung her last Shorty's uniform shirt in the closet and turned to find Wynonna face down, spread eagle on her bed. 

 

“I'm so tired, Waves. Who knew drywall was so heavy?”

 

“I think every contractor, ever. But once you got the hang of it, things went better.” Waverly sat next to her sister and started to rub her back in soothing circles. 

 

“Who knew some guy named Bob out in Wisconsin would be so helpful with his instructional videos.” The elder Earp sighed with relief as Waverly caught a knot.

 

“I need to go to work tomorrow for a bit, but I'll be back to help paint.”

 

“Thanks again for agreeing to put up with this and live out here with me.” Wynonna’s voice was soft as she lifted her head to look at Waverly.

 

“I'm just happy we're together again. I didn't know if you'd still be mad at me for leaving.” 

 

Wynonna paused, a look of pure confusion stretched across her features. “I could never be mad you left, baby girl. You are the best of us and deserved all that fancy school. I was only, maybe, a little jelly. We can't all be genius level smart.”

 

Wynonna sat up and hugged Waverly. She suddenly pulled back like she'd been shocked. 

 

“Speaking of the smartest Earp around, something’s been bugging me on my newest case. Maybe you could point me in the right direction.” 

 

Wynonna pulled out her phone and clicked on a picture. It was a sticky note with what looked like Latin and some kind of numerical code. To Waverly, the Latin words were just a poorly phrased message about the law and time.

 

“‘True power lies with the sands of time, break the shield to’…then it kind of smudges. The numbers are a bit trickier.” 

 

Waverly paused and went to a box to grab a notebook and paper. She proceeded to scribble and erase her work until she smiled. 

 

“It's coordinates! The erasing next to the numbers is a basic cipher. I could only make out a little but it was enough to extrapolate the answer.” 

 

Wynonna reflected pure amazement at the speed with which Waverly deciphered the evidence. 

 

“Why does it almost sound like a prophecy or some kind of spell? I would think contract work wouldn't rely on magic.” Waverly laughed at the impossibility.

 

Her sister's smile faded and she just stared back. She was serious for once.

 

“Wy, you can't really suggest I believe in fairytales. I'm not a child anymore and ‘gullible’ isn't stamped across my forehead.” Her eyes narrowed at Wynonna accusingly.

 

Her sister's voice was quiet when she finally answered. “I don't have to make you believe in anything. You are one of the few people in Purgatory that knows just how weird things can be here.”

 

Waverly couldn't believe what she was hearing. How had this day gone from normal, even happy, to Wynonna bringing up the accident. With just a few words from her sister, Waverly was brought back to that day. She tried hard to forget. She had buried the memories deep, but now they flashed across her mind. The unnatural red eyes, her terror filled scream, the swerve of the car and the bite of the seat belt. 

 

Waverly gasped as warm arms encircled her in a tight hug. “I'm sorry, baby girl. But I just couldn't let it go. I had to know more. And it turns out there is some really bonkers stuff in the world. I'm sorry I couldn't move on like you did. ”

 

Waverly took a deep breath to center herself. “I wouldn't call running away moving on with my life…wait if you're looking into stuff like that, who do you even work for?”

 

“It's one of those, I can tell you but I'd have to kill you things. No need for you to sign the blood oath like I did.” She laughed sheepishly. “But I could really use your brain anyway.”

 

Waverly crossed her arms and looked at her sister. She was actually being genuine, one of the few times her over the top expressions wasn't humor. Wynonna was using her sincere, only meant for Waverly, voice.

 

Waverly sighed. “So how supernatural are we talking? And how do I help without getting you in trouble?”

 

Notes:

As always I'm so grateful to EsotericRapport for all of her support, friendship and help editing my brain rambles. I got the overall idea for this fic from a book we both enjoyed. Maybe you can guess which one...

Chapter 5: It's the little things

Summary:

A game of darts leads to some big revelations.

Everyone always thinks we live in the big moments; the weddings, graduations, births, and deaths. The grandiose movie moments. But those are sometimes the frailest memories. The ones re-lived so often, discussed and dissected, synapses overwritten so that ‘facts’ and hope meld into nostalgia. But the realest, most vivid memories turn out to be the little things that sneak up on you. The smell of a loved one's perfume, an echo of their voice on the wind, or a long forgotten picture dropped behind a cabinet. Those are the things that spark the emotions that bring us to our knees. They are the memories that should be collected with purpose, but too often we are distracted by the checklists of life. 

 

Nicole found herself stuck in the in-between. She lived sandwiched between the two until she walked through those now familiar saloon doors and laid eyes on Waverly Earp. She sat at the end of the bar in Shorty's. Her seat groaned under the mindless rock of her foot, just under the drift of her daydreams. She watched from afar as the beautiful brunette bounced between customers. The redhead was familiar with the mask Waverly wore, but if she concentrated long enough she could see the cracks. The cracks that suggested working at Shorty's was another checklist item of life. It made Waverly’s smile strained at the edges, but only if you watched long enough. And Nicole had been watching. She'd stopped by the bar often enough that Waverly even had her favorite beer ready.

 

Their dance had turned into a comfortable routine. Waverly would work in the evenings and Nicole would take her seat. They hadn't gotten to actually dance much since that first time but it had opened the door for the little things. The smile and wave that was just for Nicole, not shy and friendly but flirty and earnest. There was really no place the redhead would rather be, even if she could pull herself out of Waverly’s orbit.

 

Music blared through the old speakers of the bar, it made the songs sound fuzzy but Nicole didn't mind as she sipped on the ice cold beer the brunette had left for her. She enjoyed the crispness of it as she watched the tiny bubbles rise to the surface. With no way to pay for things, it sure beat stealing the leftover beverages people forgot about. But when you were stuck like Nicole, you made due. 

 

Tonight was an average night at Shorty's, not too busy but more customers than old Norm. Usually, that meant Nicole simply watched as Waverly flitted between the bar, the tables, and customers. She would settle for a few flustered smiles from across the room and an exhausted goodbye when Waverly finally closed the bar. Nicole watched with curiosity as Waverly excitedly hugged an older looking woman. She was gruff looking, with salt and pepper in her short cropped hair, but she softened the longer she talked with Waverly. Nicole could understand that feeling. Waverly just had a way of taking the pressure out of life. The pair talked for a bit before the brunette handed the woman the bar towel she'd been using and with a final hug, Waverly turned and walked towards Nicole. It was a small thing, Waverly lighting up and walking towards her, but Nicole knew this would be one of the memories she added to her small collection. The collection she lived in before she closed her eyes at night. She could be anywhere with those memories, when the world went to sleep and rested for the night. With those memories to warm her, Nicole could be happy with even her current, admittedly odd, existence.

 

The redhead startled when Waverly coughed politely to get her attention, suddenly standing in front of her. She’d drifted into her thoughts again. 

 

“Hey, you. Fancy seeing you here. I convinced Aunt Gus to take over for the night and I thought I could spend that extra time with you.” Waverly twisted the edges of her uniform shirt as she looked down at the empty stool next to Nicole. Her fingers pulled delicately at the frayed thread. 

 

“I'd like that.” Nicole nodded toward the stool and hoped Waverly would take the small offer.

 

Waverly took the seat with only a small moment of hesitation. Nicole tried and failed not to watch her hands pick at the fabric of the altered uniform top and the hint of skin that showed behind them. 

 

Eyes up, Haught. 

 

“I'm sorry I've been so busy lately. I moved in with my sister and it's been more work helping her with things than I imagined.” 

 

Nicole smiled at the unnecessary apology. “How about we just enjoy the time we have right now? I think I'd really like to hear about how that's going, say over a game of darts?” Her own brown eyes danced towards the corner of the bar where several sets of dart boards lined the walls. 

 

Waverly's eyes lit up with a determined fire that made Nicole's stomach flutter. “Oh, you're on Haught. I get to show you one of my many, many special skills.” She winked and grabbed Nicole's hand.

 

Waverly's hand was soft and warm in her own and Nicole carefully cataloged the feeling amongst the few she could still recall. It was the heat between their palms and the zing of excitement that shot up her arm, that’s what she wanted to remember.

 

“So, you have a sister and you've recently moved in with her.” Nicole stated like she hadn't watched from the shadows. Like she hadn’t heard the commotion that apparently was the Earp sisters moving furniture.

 

“Yes. It's a bit of a drive but anything is a drive after living above the bar. I think you'd really like Wynonna. She's already said she owes you a beer.” Waverly pulled her hand away with a soft squeeze as she moved to open the wooden dartboard.

 

Nicole laughed, amusement sparking in her features. “What could I possibly have done to deserve a beer from your sister? You Earps are really generous with your gifts of alcohol.” 

 

Waverly rounded on her, knowing glint in her eyes as she handed the redhead a set of darts. “She wants to say thank you for finally giving Champ what he deserves.”

 

The redhead fiddled with the cool metal of the dart, her fingers absently spinning one between her fingers. “Ah, and the drinks you leave for me? What's the explanation there, trying to get in my good graces, have your way with me?”

 

It was Waverly’s turn to laugh. “I mean, if you really want to know, it's not for punching James.” She paused. 

 

“No?” Nicole's question was soft, as she waited for more of an explanation.

 

“No. I kind of like you. And I may have noticed your dimples pop when I leave one for you.” Waverly covered her face, like it could hide the growing flush of her cheeks. 

 

The brunette gave Nicole a playful shove before she brushed past her to line up her shot, taking the first turn without discussion. The redhead put her hands up and gave no resistance. She watched as Waverly’s tongue stuck out in concentration. It wiggled a little as she lined up her shot. With a sharp flick of her wrist, Waverly watched as the small, blue finned dart landed just shy of the center of the board.

 

The brunette smiled with her whole body and Nicole couldn't help the smile that crept onto her own face. Waverly shifted, rounding on the redhead and smirking when she gestured for Nicole to take her turn. 

 

With a deep breath, the redhead did her best to copy what she had seen Waverly do. She couldn't remember playing but it looked fun from her usual seat at the bar. She’d watched others play night after night, and it didn't look that hard.  

 

“You're going down, Waves.” Nicole scrunched her face and stuck out her tongue playfully as she taunted Waverly.

 

The moment before the dart left her hand Nicole wondered if she'd miscalculated. Usually, if she didn't remember something it didn't matter, the skill she needed was just on the other side of the invisible wall in her head. Darts were clearly not part of Nicole's old life, not part of the memories she couldn't access. 

 

The pair watched as the red tipped dart sailed from Nicole's hand and landed not on the felt of the board, but rattled with a metallic ping as it embedded itself into the wall beside the game board. 

 

“Huh, I'm not very good at this am I?” Nicole turned to shrug at the brunette.

 

Waverly's eyes disappeared, replaced by delighted crescents as she laughed.  “No, no you are not. Come here silly goose, and I'll show you how it's done.”

 

Nicole didn't argue. She crouched and stood where Waverly pointed. Nicole held her breath as her heart beat in double time. The next moment, the brunette whispered, air warm against her ear.

 

“Here, like this, Haught.”

 

Nicole felt the ground shift below her, gravity whipped around her like it was suddenly not holding her to the ground beneath her feet, while her vision blurred. One moment she felt the heat of Waverly pressed to her back as she tried to unsuccessfully slow her accelerating heart rate, her hand wrapped delicately under Waverly’s, with the dart held between tangled fingers, and the next moment she was standing without her.  

 

Nicole's hand was still posed on the precipice of action, dart in hand, but the deja vu of the moment made her stomach roil. The dart slipped just a fraction in her grip. There was enough momentum that it still flew toward the wall but landed just short of the felt liner. It dropped to the floor and bounced out of sight. 

 

Nicole closed her eyes, trying in vain to calm her racing brain. She was still in Shorty's but it was different. It felt older somehow, but with less dust. The music in the bar made her brain buzz with the echo of familiar lyrics. She felt like everything was fuzzy at the edges, like if she let her concentration drift, everything would disappear. When she opened her eyes, a man in a black Stetson stood across from her. 

 

The cowboy whistled low at her failure. “Damn, Haught. That was not what I meant when I said you needed to do more leading with your elbow. Here. Let me show you one more time. Like this…” . 

 

Nicole took two shaky steps backward and watched as the dark haired man in blue flannel took a perfectly fluid shot at the dart board. His gray vest bunched mid throw and his mustache twitched in concentration. Seconds later the dart twanged against the board as it sat perfectly on the center of the bullseye. He moved to stand behind her, much like Waverly had done. She flinched before the cowboy made contact, he paused to look her over. Nicole blinked rapidly as she desperately tried to take stock of her surroundings.

 

A firm hand landed on her shoulder. “You alright, darlin? You can't still be hung up on all that bullshit Sheriff Clootie was spouting. You know he doesn't have the balls to do anything about it.  You're the best deputy we have, even if you're a lady cop.” The cowboy squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

 

A few things clicked together for Nicole as she finally remembered some of this conversation. The files in her brain finally filling in some of the blank space. Another breath in and she was ready to relive the memory.

 

“I don't think anyone's going to mistake me for a lady, Doc. But now that you mention it, I'm still not looking forward to working that event” She let out an exhausted laugh.

 

More comfortable in her body with some of the unknowns slowly coming into focus, Nicole stepped back into position to take another shot. The familiar sticky floor beneath her boots, Elvis's crooning now recognizable in the background, and her friend and partner at her side. 

 

She arched back to try again, mid throw she remembered the tickle of Waverly’s presence and faltered. The rush of her world shifted and she once again felt her stomach hit the floor and her whole existence spin.

 

When her world righted itself, Nicole felt Waverly now stiff behind her. Nicole gulped and tried desperately to calm her erratic heartbeat and ragged breathing. She had slumped into Waverly, for how long she didn’t know. Her hands felt clammy and her mouth was bone dry. She stumbled and tried to pull away.

 

“What the fuck? Nicole? Are you alright?” As Waverly spun around her, she kept her hands in constant contact, shaking the redhead gently trying desperately to catch Nicole's still erratic attention.

 

Her brain buzzed as she tried to come back to herself. She shook her head like it would help align her thoughts.

 

Well that was certainly new. I've never remembered things like that before. Things about my past…

 

Nicole knew the basics of her situation: she was unstuck in time, unable to move forward or backward or even to pass on. 

 

It was Nicole's turn to stiffen and pull back, her words finally consolidating into a semi coherent string. “Well, that's a hard question to answer. See, I don't think you'll even believe me.” She wanted to run and it looked like Waverly had noticed her eyes flick towards the doors.

 

“Try me.” The brunette crossed her arms over her chest, giving Nicole just enough room to flee if the redhead wanted. Nicole watched as Waverly's concerned features turned slightly stony. Her intuition told her lies or sidesteps probably wouldn't get her anywhere with the fiery brunette.

 

Nicole gulped hard on nothing. “Well, I'm sort of, maybe not from this time…”

 

Waverly gawked, open mouthed in disbelief. “You're right, I don't believe you. You sound ridiculous and a little bit like a liar, Nicole.”

 

Nicole furrowed her brow, her eyes tingled with tears starting to form at the edges of her eyes as her desperation grew. She hadn't planned to tell anyone about her situation. It was just the way things were. She existed in the in-between. No matter what she tried, it wasn’t like anyone would believe her.  She wasn't a ghost. She could still enjoy an ice cold beer and even a good meal if she stumbled into one. Might as well enjoy the time she was given if she couldn't change things. But in that moment, under Waverly’s icy stare, Nicole knew she couldn't lie. She wanted to share this with someone. She wanted more moments with Waverly. But first, she needed to convince Waverly she wasn't crazy. 

 

“Come on Waves…you must have noticed strange things about me. My clothes…my music choices.” Nicole pointed to her Walkman.  

 

Waverly looked rattled, like she wanted to believe Nicole but couldn't. “I thought you were going for an eccentric hipster vibe.”

 

Nicole took a fortifying breath. No going back now.  “Or that you've never seen me outside this bar.”

 

Waverly stilled, her eyes went unfocused as she sifted through her own catalog of memories. 

 

This wasn't going to work if Waverly dismissed her as bonkers. She couldn't go back to drifting through life now that she'd met Waverly. She needed the brunette to believe her and the easiest way was cold hard evidence. An idea flashed through her mind. 

 

“Here, follow me.”

 

Nicole didn't wait for an answer. She grabbed Waverly by the hand and tugged the smaller woman out the door at the back of the building. It was as fitting a place as any to reveal the strangeness of her situation.

 

Looking around and finding the alley eerily empty, Nicole walked to the edge of the property. The alleyway was dimly lit by the presence of flickering streetlights. She pulled back her sleeve just a bit and stretched out a tentative hand.

 

They both watched as Nicole's pale hand misted around the edges. She pushed it further towards the ally and it disappeared.

 

Waverly went bug eyed and whispered, barely audible. “I have so many questions.”

Chapter 6: More Questions Than Answers

Summary:

Waverly finally gets some answers from Nicole but ends up with more questions about herself.

“So, let me get this straight. You aren’t from this time and you can’t remember anything? You used to be stuck in the Sheriff's building but now you're stuck here, at Shorty’s. And your weird freeze up was you getting stuck in a memory? Do I have all that right?” Waverly asked, the questions sounded strange on her tongue. She had started to pace between the confines of the alley’s brickwork, not even pausing for breath as she released her rapid fire questions.

 

What the hell had happened in my time away from Purgatory? Or had everything always been this bonkers?

 

Nicole had pulled her hand back from the invisible wall that kept her tied to Shorty’s, her hand reappeared instantly, but the redhead’s almost unbelievable explanation had taken much longer.

 

“I think that's everything.” Nicole sighed as she kicked the ground with her converse and shoved her hands into her pockets.

 

“Gods, this sounds like the weird shit Wynonna is involved with…wait, where do you stay at night if you can’t leave Shorty’s?” Waverly ran a shaky hand through her hair as she mumbled her questions towards the ground in near disbelief.

 

Nicole blushed and hung her head. When she looked back up at Waverly, she pointed to the fire escape she was now standing under. The brunette squinted and could see the recently vacated apartment window was open just a crack. The curtains she’d left in place fluttered softly against the opened sill. 

 

“I guess it’s a good thing I moved. Wait! Was that you that first night? I almost shot you.” She brought both hands up to cover the horror she felt. 

 

“I’m pretty good at blending in, most of the time. I would have managed. Sometimes it feels like I’m not even here anyway. Like, if I don’t concentrate…I’m not even real anymore.” Nicole shrugged as if trying to convince herself that her reality didn’t bug her.

 

Waverly crossed her arms and rubbed her hands over chilled skin, the evening air was starting to sting against her forearms. “You say that like that’s not a whole ‘nother can of worms.” She took another heavy breath. “Well, we certainly aren't going to solve this standing here in the cold…”

 

“You don’t think I'm crazy?” The redhead asked quietly.

 

Waverly brought her hands to her hips, blowing a raspberry. “Of course everything sounds crazy, Nicole. But a piece of you just literally disappeared.” The brunette watched as blue flannel and leather tried to swallow Nicole as the redhead shrank into herself with the force of Waverly’s words. She paused and tried again. “But–I do believe you. I might just be the crazy one for not running back into the bar and pretending none of this is real.”

 

Waverly reached out to comfort Nicole but a yawn escaped her before she made contact with her hands. The redhead closed the distance and tentatively brushed a stray hair out of Waverly’s face before cradling Waverly's hands with her own after the brunette finished with her yawns. “It’s pretty late. I don’t think we’ll figure this out tonight by standing here. Why don’t you go home and you can rethink that running away idea?” Nicole suggested. 

 

Waverly, strangely, didn’t want to leave, but Nicole was right. It was late and they couldn’t fix things tonight. “We can come up with some excuse to tell Gus about you staying here, later. For now, just don’t get caught.”

 

The redhead cracked a tentative smile. “I think I can handle that. Go home and come back later. I'll be fine.” Nicole hesitated just a second before scooping Waverly up in a tight hug. 

 

Waverly hugged her back, confused by how right it felt after all she’d just witnessed. Everything may be shifting around her but she felt safe in Nicole’s arms. She nuzzled her face into the soft blue patterned fabric before conceding. “Fine. But I am coming back.”

 

Waverly felt Nicole let out a soft laugh. The movement jostled her before Nicole pulled away. The redhead looked a little sad, like maybe she didn’t believe Waverly. The brunette thought she would have another quick quip, but Nicole just pulled away and then settled the headset from around her neck over her ears before pressing play. The redhead turned and jumped, pulling down the rest of the metal ladder. Waverly watched as Nicole Haught disappeared into the apartment above Shorty’s. She stood for another minute, the cold scratching at the edges of her thoughts until she walked around the building and into her car. 

 

Sleep would help. It would make things clearer, just like the day after Wynonna had let her read through her weird work files. She wasn’t ready for Nicole to end up in one of those files, but maybe she could find something in the rest of Wynonna’s cases.  

---

 

The next day, Waverly was on a mission. She had left Wynonna working on another plumbing project but not before she pilfered her sister's office keys and badge. Wynonna had said she wanted her help. Why not kill two birds with one visit?

 

It was early when she pulled up behind the Sheriff's department. The parking lot was nearly barren, but fewer cars outside meant fewer opportunities for questions. Waverly tried the back door they had left out of the day Wynonna had shown off her office. She took her best guess and the door opened with the second key she tried. She slipped quietly down the hall and into Wynonna’s broom closet of an office. 

 

Waverly took her time reading over the first drawer of files. Her sister’s filing system was no system and she bounced from file to file with little connection.  Waverly sorted what she read through as she went. She finished the first drawer and rubbed her already tired eyes. She leaned back and stretched out her stiff neck. As Waverly brought her arms back down, she noticed the edges of a yellow post-it under Wynonna's ancient looking keyboard. On it was what looked to be her sister’s username and password, written hastily in red pen. 

 

Waverly bit at the corner of her fingernail. She wasn’t snooping. This all counted as helping Wynonna. Before she could rethink her actions, the brunette reached down and turned on the computer. The old CPU hummed to life much louder than any of the computers from this century. She held her breath, hoping no one would notice the loud thrum of her sister's computer. Waverly watched as the computer booted up, and then quickly typed out Wynonna’s password, d0LL$$uk5. Her fingers moved quickly as she typed the name she was most curious about. The blinking cursor sat flashing next to Nicole’s name, just as she finally got to the preloaded database link, there was a knock at the door. Before she could press enter or even panic, the door swung open.

 

Jeremy stood in the doorway, dark hair and copper skin accenting his white lab coat. “You are not the Earp I was looking for…or expecting.” He stopped to fiddle with a button before continuing. “So, what brings you down to these parts, little Earp?”

 

Waverly stopped, fingers hovering over the off white keyboard. “Oh, I was just getting some files for Wynonna. She said I could borrow the wifi while I was here. The homestead is still a work in progress, you know?” It was only a little lie.

 

He walked into the room and rounded on the desk as Waverly stiffened. “Maybe I can help. I'm pretty handy with computers. Lots of time down in the morgue to double as the IT guy here at the station.”

 

The brunette held her breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop on her schemes. She should have been quicker. Jeremy leaned in to see the screen before she reached for the mouse.  

 

“So, what’s Wynonna got you researching anyway?” 

 

Waverly held her breath hoping that maybe, just maybe, Haught wasn’t as much of an unusual name as she thought. 

 

Jeremy cocked a dark eyebrow and let out a surprised hum. “You know, I had a friend named Nic Haught, I called her Nicky, though…She hated it.” His amusement faded. “Maybe that’s why she stopped coming by for our night shift hangouts.”

 

The brunette just gaped at him. Surely this wasn’t a coincidence. Nicole hadn’t mentioned anything about having friends but maybe this was part of her inability to hold onto memories.  

 

“What? Not you too, Wynonna is bad enough. I have friends. I definitely have friends. So what if she hasn’t stopped by now that I’m working more day shifts.” Jeremy smoothed down his already pressed shirt. 

 

Waverly shook her head. “No, no, I didn’t think you didn’t have friends. I, I just think the chances are very low that two Nicole, or Nicky, Haughts exist in a town as small as Purgatory.”

 

“Huh, you’re probably right. But why are you searching for her in the…” He squinted and read the screen. “The BBD database. I’ve heard Dolls and Wynonna mention it and it all seems pretty hush hush. It always seemed like it was connected to all the weird stuff they deal with.” 

 

Waverly paused, considering if she could trust this scrawny but seemingly well meaning man. She decided to go with her gut.

 

“Have you ever noticed something off with Nicole-I mean, Nicky?”

 

Jeremy scratched his head. “I mean, it was kind of weird that she would hang out with me. Nobody likes to be down in the morgue at night…I kind of thought maybe I’d imagined her, made her up in my head.” His dark skin blushed a deeper copper.

 

“Did you ever see her outside the department building?”

 

He shook his head. “No, but I’m kind of used to people not wanting to hang out with me in public.”  

 

Waverly wanted to reach out and offer him comfort but she held back. He just looked so darn pitiful, like a kicked puppy. “Well, I think she’s caught up in something weird. And I wanted to help her out.”

 

His eyes shifted from alarm to resolute. “Whatever it is, I’m in to help. Nicky was always the best part of my shift, even if she ghosted me.”

 

Waverly let out a sigh. “That may not have been her fault, but you could stop by Shorty’s and ask her yourself if you want? But first, maybe we see if this old thing has any answers.” She patted the off-white monitor screen.  

 

With a quick breath, Waverly pressed the enter key. They waited as the old unit loaded the next page at a snail's pace. 

 

“That's not right? Is it?” Waverly let out with more shock than she thought possible.  

 

Jeremey pushed her aside softly, as he squeaked out a response. “Maybe you spelled her name wrong? Let’s try Nicky this time.”

 

The next page came up. Zero results.  Absolutely nothing, not a single record.  

 

“This can’t be right. Wynonna said this was basically some super secret, super comprehensive database. It should have everything imaginable. At least one search result, a relative?” Waverly tried not to let her rising panic engulf her.

 

Dark eyebrows squished in confusion. “Wynonna used the word comprehensive?”

 

“I was paraphrasing. Focus, Jeremy.” The brunette closed her eyes as she tried to take her own advice.

 

Waverly quickly typed as many variations as she could think of with limited results. “This can't be right. I don't understand.” 

 

“Well, I know it's not a super secret database, but I do have some super sick computer skills. I may have mentioned that before…” Jeremy smiled through his alliteration. “And I think I can try a few more things before we panic and assume things.” 

 

Waverly nodded. This totally didn't mean anything. She was great at research and she would just have to use other sources. Two heads were better than one and between the two of them they had to be able to find something. 

 

---

Back at the homestead, Waverly sat at the desk in her room. She sorted through her notes on some of the connections she’d managed to make after Jeremy left her alone. Waverly sighed as she placed a yellow sticky note on a file Wynonna had lovingly dubbed “Ice Garden”. Her mind just kept drifting back to the blank search result list. What did it mean? Nicole obviously wasn’t lying about being stuck at Shorty’s. Waverly had watched as her hand vanished in front of her. And the redhead was just so damn earnest. The eyes and those dimples…they couldn’t possibly be deceitful, right? Maybe someone didn’t want Nicole to be found. She was scrubbed from the record for a reason. 

 

A loud knock at her door finally burst through her thoughts. “Yoah, Earth to Waverly? You in there?” Wynonna moved to snap in front of her nose.

 

The younger Earp batted the older away. “Yes, clearly. I was just thinking, Wy.”

 

“I was knocking for a while with no answer. My cases can’t be that interesting.” Wynonna crossed the room and plopped onto the desk next to the open folder.

 

“Hey, you asked for my help.” Waverly muttered, trying to extricate the file now lodged under her sister's ass.

 

Wynonna scooted to thwart Waverly’s rescue attempts. “Ah, yes, and I’m about to ask for more help. But, this should benefit both of us this time. I need your excellent organizational skills to get the attic under control. Plus, maybe it’ll help whatever froze your brain when I walked in.”

 

Waverly narrowed her eyes at the accusation. “I was not frozen, I was thinking.”

 

“Do your eyes get all unfocused and glassy every time you think about research? Or maybe you were thinking about that redhead of yours?” Wynonna guessed.

 

Waverly went crimson, her sister had a way of seeing right through her. “How about that attic? Do you know what's left up there?”

 

Her sister pursed her lips. “Nice deflection, Wave. This time is free, but don’t think I’ll let you off the hook next time. It’s mostly old decorations, old stuff of Daddy’s and Willa’s, I think. We don’t have to open those. I just thought we could use the space and make sure everything is still structurally sound.”

 

Waverly’s flush turned to ice at the mention of Ward and Willa.  “Best to get it over with then. Lead the way.”

 

They crossed the hall and Wynonna reached for the pull for the stairs. The younger brunette watched as the small door opened, a small cloud of dust settling on her sister. Wynonna nearly fell off the ladder as she coughed.

 

“Have you even been up here, Wy?”

 

Once the cough settled, dust mostly cleared from her lungs, Wynonna responded. “No. I was not gonna come up here alone.” Her voice dropped, unusually vulnerable. “I couldn't face the memories without you, Waves.”

 

Waverly wanted to hug her sister but she settled for a pat on her calf. “Well, I’m here now, Nonna. Let’s get this over with.”

 

The small space was packed with far more than Waverly had suspected. Everything was hidden under formerly white sheets and a thick layer of dust. Boxes and old furniture lined the space and even Waverly had to crouch slightly.  

 

“Okay, you start in that corner and I’ll work over here. Anything we want to keep we can move to the middle. Sound good?”

 

Wynonna nodded. Her silence echoed against the old wood, loud with unspoken fears.  

 

They worked with their shirts pulled up over their mouths, blocking most of the dust and limiting non-existent conversation until Waverly uncovered a particularly dusty trunk.

 

“Hey, Wynonna? Have you seen this before? I thought this was just where Momma and Daddy kept the old decorations and hand-me-downs until we filled it with Willa and Daddy’s stuff.”

 

Her sister looked up from a box of old documents, her face searching desperately for something more interesting.  

 

“Nope. What's it got, more paperwork?” Wynonna pointed to the stack of letters in Waverly's hand. 

 

The younger brunette didn't answer as her fingers carefully untied the red ribbon that held the pile together.  “Is that…is that Momma's handwriting?”

 

“Hmmm, let me see.” Wynonna snatched the pile from Waverly and began reading.  

 

Waverly sneered at her sister, because she had only wanted a little confirmation.  With her now free hands, Waverly continued to sort through the trunk. She pulled a lacey, off-white handkerchief from the box and a small metallic object landed in her palm.  Waverly inspected the ring, it wasn't fancy or intricate, but was beautiful just the same. The weight in her hand suggested it was well made. 

 

“Looks like momma has her own box of “stuff”. Had to make it all fancy, mine's cardboard and I have the decency to keep it under my bed. That's where the past belongs.” The older brunette shrugged and handed the letters back to Waverly. 

 

“What are you talking about, Wy?”

 

Wynonna had moved back to the box she'd been busy with earlier. “Just that Momma should keep her old love letters somewhere else. Although, I don't think Daddy would have ever looked here.”

 

“Love letters? Like before she met Daddy? Huh, I guess she was human after all.” Waverly hummed quietly to herself as she started to read through the pile. 

 

“I wouldn't put too much thought into those. Momma still left us, not much use looking into it too hard.” Wynonna’s tone was casual but her glances at Waverly between dusty documents screamed of nervous energy. 

 

Waverly didn't acknowledge her sister, instead she had started to catalog the dates on each letter and the syrupy sweet tone of the letters between her mother and someone named Julien. An old, faded picture fluttered to the ground. It looked like one of those automated photo booth print outs. Her mother looked young and very much pregnant, encircled by the strong arms of someone very blond, very handsome and someone very much not her father.

 

With shaky hands she proffered the picture to her sister. “Wynonna, please tell me this doesn't mean what I think it means based on that date…I really don't think I can handle any more change.”

 

Her sister took the photo, glanced at it and handed it back. “We knew Momma wasn't a saint.” 

 

She tried to turn away, back to her box, but Waverly grabbed her wrist. “Wynonna! How can you be so calm about this? This means Daddy might not be my daddy…we might not be…” 

 

Wynonna added her other hand over Waverly’s, stopping her already unsteady words. “I'm calm because it changes nothing. So what if Daddy isn't your daddy? You're still my sister, Momma is still gone, and we still have a ton to clean up.” 

 

Waverly found herself wrapped tightly in a hug as her sister's words sunk in.  

 

“Do what you want with this dusty information but don't you dare try running from me, baby girl. We're a team. All that's left really, but I think we got the best of this. So do your research, I know you're dying to dig into this, but remember who stayed okay?”

 

All Waverly could manage was a nod as tears threatened, her eyes staring to glisten. “You know me pretty well, huh?”

 

Wynonna scoffed. “That's what big sisters are for. Now, I think more coffee is in order, but only cause we ran out of whiskey. I'll save you a cup.” She squeezed Waverly tight before pulling away and leaving the youngest Earp to her thoughts.

Chapter 7: Past, Present, Future

Summary:

A girls night at Shorty's, alcohol, and some much needed conversation.

Notes:

I worked on this mostly by myself this time, so all the grammar, continuity, and characterization errors are all me. Sorry in advance for everything I missed.

Shorty’s bustled with the familiar country twang and rowdy customers, though they were louder than Nicole remembered… well, what she thought she remembered. Memories felt different after she'd run into Waverly, even when the brunette wasn't around. The redhead sat in what she now considered ‘her’ seat without the free beer that usually accompanied it, a nagging sensation gnawing at her insides. The absence of her new favorite person felt wrong as she picked at her fingers, trying hard not to let her mind drift. Waverly wasn’t here. Maybe she had reconsidered the running away bit she'd joked about. The brunette hadn’t been to work for a while and if Nicole could feel time in a regular fashion she might have been more worried, but the absence still permeated her thoughts. The redhead was pulled from her rumination by an exaggerated cough. She looked up into dark eyes surrounded by short hair that was heavily graying at the temples. 

 

“I’m gonna need you to cheer up. Your sad sack routine is really bringin’ down the place, and that’s hard to do round these parts.”  

 

Nicole snapped up straight as vague flashes of Waverly hugging this woman popped into her head. She was important to Waverly. “Uh, yeah. I..I was waiting for…”

 

“Waverly. Yeah, I guessed that. She’s not working this week. Darn girl, said she was here to help and then turns around to take time off. Wynonna, her older sister, said she was gonna drag her out tonight. So, buck up or I’m throwing you out.” The words were harsh but the tiniest twinkle in her eye revealed it was more thoughtful than threat. “I’m Gus, by the way.”

 

“Nicole.” The redhead extended her hand to shake Gus’s. 

 

“I heard about you and that Hardy boy. He deserved that and more, but don't go makin’ it a habit. I’m not one to second guess my nieces' choices in company, but I will if you step outta line.” Her eyes narrowed. Nicole nodded stiffly in answer.

 

Gus let out a laugh and set a beer in front of Nicole. Before the redhead could respond, the older woman threw a rag over her shoulder and turned to answer a customer at the other end of the bar. Nicole let out a sharp breath. Relief coursed through her. She had passed whatever kind of test that was, having not been thrown out, and was relieved to know Waverly was still here in Purgatory, even after she witnessed Nicole’s biggest secret. More thoughts of her brief time with Waverly filtered through her head. They were disjointed and vague around the edges, but Nicole was happy to live in them for as long as she could. A dopey grin formed at the corners of her lips as she sipped her drink and day dreamed.

 

It didn’t take long before a boisterous voice boomed across Shorty’s. “Hey, yo! The party is here!” Barked a brunette after shoving aside the swinging saloon doors. 

 

She was met with an answering shout from Gus. “Why do you have to be so loud, Wynonna? Just get your butt over here.”

 

Waverly followed glumly at Wynonna’s heels. Nicole's stomach filled with butterflies at the sight of Waverly, even without her usual effervescence. Nicole desperately wanted to put a smile back onto her face when she noticed it was gone but before she could move another person strutted through the saloon doors. Behind Waverly marched a beautifully dressed redhead doing her best to look bored. Nicole watched stiletto heels click across the sticky wood floor, their heel height unimaginable to Nicole. She much preferred her Converse sneakers. Nicole allowed her eyes to scan an impeccably starched pink blazer with expensive gold accent jewelry. Curious, not someone she would pair with the leather clad Earp.  

 

As Nicole analyzed the situation, Wynonna was busy tossing a perfunctory greeting at Gus and scanning the room. The older Earp must have been happy with the turn out and excitedly gave another wave while dragging Waverly toward their Aunt. 

 

Nicole sighed. She wasn't much for large groups but Waverly was here in the present and Nicole wasn't going to let the opportunity slip away. She just had to wait for the perfect moment to catch Waverly without the group's protective bubble.

 

The redhead hadn't noticed she'd finished off her drink, nerves bubbled up and her body instinctively searched for something to do with her hands. Gus walked by and placed another glass in front of her and took the empty without a word as she walked towards her nieces. The older woman barely hid the smile that tickled at the edge of her lips and the loving glow in her eyes as she waited to hug her family.

 

“Wait, why does she get free beer?” Gus rolled her eyes at Wynonna’s feigned outrage.

 

“I think the words you're lookin’ for are, Hello Aunt Gus, how are you doin’? Since I didn't call or text…again.” The older woman narrowed her eyes, but sighed when she stopped to really take in the women in front of her.  

 

Wynonna had deflated, her eyes shifting sheepishly as a hand went up to rub the back of her head. She looked ready to dismiss her Aunt with a joke. Waverly shifted nervously behind Wynonna, like she could ever disappear behind all that leather. 

 

Gus shook her head, this wasn't the place to discuss most private matters, so she loudly changed the subject and pointed toward Nicole. “That one there finally gave that Hardy boy what he deserves.” The redhead's cheeks flushed and her head spun away, suddenly very interested in the Stetson and other paraphernalia hung on the wall in front of her.

 

Wynonna let out a surprised scoff “Wave, you didn't tell me your savior was a red-hot ginger fox! Well, now I have to buy her another drink for putting Chump in his place.”

 

Nicole was still busy trying to make out the lettering on an old police decal, doing her best to blend into her chair when she heard the shuffle of feet behind her. Waverly's eyes were on her own shoes before she looked up and gave Nicole a small, apologetic smile. She looked uncomfortable as Wynonna sidled up on Nicole's other side.  

 

“So, I hear you are my baby sister's knight in shining armor, that you got the honor of finally punching Champ in his stupid face.” The older brunette offered her hand for a shake. Nicole stared at it, hesitation rolled through her before she shook Wynonna’s hand. 

 

“I guess I am, but I couldn't help it. He was just so…” She scrunched her face trying to find the words for the frustration she'd felt in the man-boy's presence.

 

They waited for Waverly to make the formal introduction, but she remained silent, fiddling with her hands. 

 

The older Earp took an annoyed breath before filling the pause herself. “I’m Wynonna and you clearly already know Waves.” Waverly gave another small smile, this one was promptly swallowed by the sadness she had radiated since she walked in the building. Wynonna lifted an eyebrow in an unspoken question before turning back to the redhead.

 

“I'm Nicole, Nicole Haught.”

 

For a second the older Earp just stared blankly, like she was the one being pranked for a change. Wynonna broke out into a belly laugh. “You've got to be shitting me, Ginger Spice. That's your last name? Fucking hell. If that isn't the sign that tonight's gonna be fun, I don't know what is…. Come on, join us.” She wrapped an arm around Nicole, cutting off any hope of escape. She leaned in and whispered. “Maybe you can cheer up Waves.” She nodded toward the younger Earp. 

 

Waverly fell in step behind them but she still looked flat, like her usual brightness had been used up. Her shoulders dipped in on themselves and her eyes didn't have their usual sparkle. Before Nicole could protest, she was pulled towards a table in the back. 

 

Nicole was shoved into a chair next to the other redhead while Waverly dropped into a seat, disappointingly on the other side of the table.  

 

“I'm gonna get more drinks. Maybe I can beg Gus for a free round if I promise to fix the broken tap.”

 

“Wynonna, don't be a stingy bitch. That's not how you treat family. Besides tonight's on me. It's not every night in this tiny town you meet someone new and you've definitely brought me someone new to play with.” The other woman's eyebrows wiggled suggestively. 

 

Wynonna’s eyes go wide at the matte black credit card, thoughts of expensive alcohol dancing behind her eyes. With a spin towards the bar after snatching the card, Wynonna is gone before her friend has the chance to take back the offer.

 

“Now, where are my manners? I'm Mercedes Gardner. My family is kind of a big deal around here, but don't let that intimidate you.” 

 

Nicole felt a prickle of recognition beneath her usual foggy memories. She'd definitely come across that name before. “I'm Nicole.” She offered her hand for a shake and was met with a perfectly manicured grip in return.

 

“You have to tell me all about punching that man-child in the face. I really hate that I missed that bit of fun, but we are going to have an even better night tonight. Isn't that right, little Earp?” Mercedes nodded toward Waverly as the brunette played with a stray cocktail umbrella.

 

Waverly gave a nod of recognition and offered another wall smile to the pair. 

 

Before Nicole could open her mouth, Wynonna reappeared with a tray of drinks. “Okay, drinks, check. We are just waiting on a couple other friends and we can really kick this night off with a…”

 

“Hey, Earp. Did you finally remember my drink order?” The new voice's confidence demanded the table's full attention.

 

Wynonna huffed, not impressed and gave an eye roll before responding. “I did. Who drinks bloody Mary's at night by the way…Also, look! We found somebody new. So get your shiny, bedazzled ass over here and read Red's cards.”

 

The woman's eyes narrowed at the brunette's words but a dazzling smile appeared on her face when she finally registered Nicole. She didn't sport any sequins as far as the redhead could tell, but her gold dress did sparkle even under the dull bar lighting. 

 

“Oooh! I love fresh meat. It's always fun to meet someone new. I'm Kate, by the way. Wynonna’s always been shit at introductions.”

 

“Nicole.” 

 

Nicole lifted her hand to shake Kate's but the woman gently shook her head in protest before pulling out a small velvet bag from her purse. “Sorry Hun, I save the physical contact until after the first reading, for extra accuracy…since we're doing one.” She lifted an eyebrow in question.

 

Nicole did a quick scan of the table hoping someone would step in to save her–no rescue came. She gulped before nodding in acceptance. Kate clapped her hands around the bag like an excited child.  

 

“Oh, save it Katie-cat, Don't act like you're actually excited to meet the woman. You just enjoy being right about someone's reading and it's more impressive if you don't know them.”

 

Kate feigned shock as she brought a hand to her chest. “Oh shut it, Earp. And pass me my drink while you're at it. Just because you didn't like what the cards said about your love life or lack thereof…”

 

Wynonna clapped a hand over dark skin, embarrassment tinged her cheeks. “Nope, nope. You promised we weren't gonna speak another word about that. Let's learn about Nic here.”

 

A sigh of resignation sounded from Kate as she took a seat next to Nicole. “Alright, I'm gonna need you to have a question or situation in mind. You don't have to tell us, although I'm sure Ms. Nosey-pants here would love an explanation. Then you take the cards, shuffle them how you like, and pick any three that call to you.” 

 

“That's it?” Nicole questioned.

 

“That's it. I'll make sure they are in the appropriate orientation. You just focus on your intent.” Kate explained as everyone else watched on.  

 

Nicole felt every bit of attention on her as her skin heated and her pulse quickened. This was the kind of social initiation she usually avoided. For Waverly , she chanted inwardly. The redhead fanned the cards in front of her into a line and then hovered a hand above the pile, waiting for one to call to her. She blinked when she felt a buzz under her finger tips and slid a card towards herself. It was probably just her imagination, like when kids play with ouija boards. Another pass over every card and Nicole picked one to the far left of the fanned out pile. On her last pass, she looked up on instinct and was met with intent hazel staring back at her. Waverly’s eyes held something she couldn't decipher. The redhead's fingers hovered over the cards, eyes still locked with Waverly’s, before another twinge caused her to look down in search of the source. There was nothing of course, no real magic, no actual reason, but her mind playing tricks. She picked up the card directly beneath her hand. 

 

Kate's responding grin went wide and showed all of her teeth, clearly pleased with Nicole's choices. “Alright, lovely selections. I am partial to the standard past, present, future deal...”

 

“You don't even know what she picked yet. Everything is still face down.”

 

“Wynonna, I swear. You do this every time. Just shut your mouth.” Kate glared daggers at the older Earp and Nicole watched Wynonna ruffle a little. 

 

Kate piled the leftover cards back into their bag before she centered Nicole's choices in front of the redhead. The first card is flipped over to reveal an eight spoked wheel in gold leaf on a faintly patterned black background. Ornate and delicately detailed, the design held a small star at its center. The edges of the card were lined with all manner of fantastical beasts. Tiny lettering glittered,  inverted at the edge farthest from Nicole.

 

“Fascinating. I love a good mystery woman. This card is called The Wheel of Fortune, and you've drawn it in reverse. Something in your past has stolen your control. You aren't one to cling to the fantastical, so you must feel very unmoored. Of course, it could always be just a bit of bad luck.”

 

Nicole felt Kate's gaze slide over her, as the other woman searched for any accuracy in the reading. The redhead kept her features neutral while she tried to place the familiar fog that came with her memories. There was just something about the design work on the card, but the harder she tried to work through things, the faster answers slipped from her mind. 

 

“Alright, strong silent type. Like I said, I love a good mystery. Time for your present.” Kate delicately flipped the next card between impeccably polished nails. 

 

Nicole faced another gorgeously crafted card. This time the golden line work depicted a lone figure, blindfolded and shackled. The bent figure hunched on their knees, enclosed by a cage constructed entirely of swords. Nicole's heart clenched tight in her chest at the scene. The familiar trapped feeling tingled faintly under her skin. 

 

Kate paused before she continued, taking time to slide a curious finger across the illustrated blades. “The eight of swords. Interesting. It seems like you have quite the journey to go on if you want to escape that cage you're in. Lots of loneliness and fear stuck between those bars. Maybe not by choice?” A dark eyebrow lifted in question. Nicole didn't look up, lost in the details of the artwork.  

 

“Your seclusion may have been forced upon you, not a choice you've made but certainly one you've engraved into your essence. Your mental blockage is most definitely holding you back. You'll need to overcome that fear and look at the situation with a different perspective.”

 

If she hadn't already believed in magic, the redhead might have been more surprised than unnerved at the reading's accuracy. She just didn't know how to possibly look at her predicament in any new way. There was only so much you could accomplish with basically zero long term memory and nowhere to look for answers. She brought a hand up to cover her mouth like she was thinking over Kate's words. She used the gesture to subtly wipe a tear from her eye with her index finger. This wasn't the place for weakness. 

 

Nicole reached up to rub the back of her neck to cover a fresh tremor in her hand. “What can I say? I'm just a bit of a lone wolf but the right person can change everything, right?” The redhead looked up to find Waverly’s eyes again across the table. The brunette returned her gaze but it was still distant. Nicole's forced cockyness had its intended purpose though, and it cracked just a little of the heaviness that surrounded Waverly.

 

“Right.” Kate's pleasant smile turned into a smirk at the barely hidden exchange. She made a show of flipping the last card, slowly, like the answers to all Nicole's problems were on the other face. 

 

A skeletal silhouette cloaked beneath a dark hood glared ominously back at Nicole. A curved scythe in the figure's hand made the card's title obvious before its confirmation. 

 

Nicole sucked in a sharp breath as a muttered curse slipped from trembling lips. “Fuck.” She's had more time than most but the sight of it still sends jolts of unease up her spine. 

 

As panic started its race through Nicole's veins, she felt a warm hand grab her own, dark fingers caressed suddenly clammy skin. Nicole had a fleeting thought that she wished the comfort was coming from Waverly. She pushed the thought from her head to refocus in the present. 

 

Kate must have noticed Nicole's hesitance at the contact and removed her hand. “ Now, I know this looks scary. Death isn't really the card people think they want to see.  But death in this context doesn't literally mean death.”

 

“So, what? It's just a suggestion?” Nicole's defensiveness grew as she crossed her arms and waited for Kate to continue. It was bad enough this woman had gotten so close to Nicole's deepest secret with a flick of a wrist and some fancy improv, now she was going to explain how death isn't all bad. 

 

“Death is not a negative card. It's actually a very positive card. It signals an ending and a beginning. It represents transition but transition requires sacrifice. The old you needs to die for the cycle to be broken, so things can live anew. Moving forward is an important part of life.” Kate recited matter-of-factly,  like she could erase Nicole's tension with reason.

 

Nicole scoffed. “If it's such a positive card, the design could use a rebrand.”

 

Wynonna eyed Nicole as the redhead tried to dismiss the card's portend with an eyeroll. But the magnitude of the prediction had already started to gnaw at her insides. 

 

“Not a fan of change, Red? Well, I can't say I love it either but Kate here is only sometimes right with strangers, even if she likes to pretend otherwise. She's much better once you get to know her. I gotta warn you though, Kate’s an acquired taste. Feel free to ignore her, I usually do.” Wynonna took another sip of her whiskey.

 

“Wynonna stop trying to start trouble. The night is young and you know Kate's scary accurate. Wasn't this your idea anyway?” Mercedes stuck a tongue out at Wynonna. “Now that we are done with the cards, can we officially start this party? I'm soooo bored.” The other redhead whined. 

 

Before Wynonna could answer a surprised voice called from across the room. “Nicky! It's you, it's really you!” 

 

The entire table turned to face a scrawny male figure that hurtled towards them. Nicole stood, trying to angle herself defensively in front of the group. The man's eyes held nothing but unrestrained glee as he opened his arms wide. Nicole stiffened in surprise as foreign arms encircled her in a tight hug. 

 

“Jer-Bear, put the ginger down. Did all those creepy nights in the morgue scramble your brains?”

 

The hug loosened from around Nicole as the man pulled back. “Don't be silly Wynonna. Who do you think kept me sane on those long nights?” He pulled back and started to take in Nicole's demeanor. Her stiff shoulders and blank expression must have caused him to reconsider. His hands fell to his side and he stepped back as the unintentional rejection sunk in.

 

“You promised karaoke, Wynonna.” Waverly interjected, diverting attention from the pair. Her usual spark glittered for a second before dissipating with the effort.

 

“Little Earp for the win. Yes, that's just what we need to get this night started. No more emotional baggage. Take a shot Nerd, it's time to catch up.” Mercedes whooped loudly, handing Jeremy a shot glass as she stalked off towards the karaoke system dragging him with her.

 

Kate and Wynonna cheered along as the distraction took root. Nicole wanted to discuss the interaction, but Jeremy was immediately set in front of the microphone. Nicole started to give a nod of appreciation for the intervention but Waverly had already sunk back into herself, swallowed up by the old leather booth seat. Nicole was then informed she and Mercedes would be singing next. Fueled by alcohol induced avoidance the night slowly slipped away from them. Talking to Jeremy would have to wait. 

 

---

The festivities slowed and Nicole found herself surrounded by very drunk new friends and a despondent Waverly. She nodded along with another slurred joke from Wynonna when Waverly pushed away from the table and muttered something about the bathroom. Nicole watched as the brunette ignored the restroom doors. She patted the older Earp on the shoulder and gave the same excuse to unbothered, inebriated ears.

 

The evening air was crisp against her skin as the redhead pushed through the back doors. Her eyes landed on Waverly as she paced restlessly in the alley.

 

The brunette continued her pacing without looking up. “I know I'm a buzz kill tonight, I'm so, so sorry. I haven't been by to see you and you have a much bigger problem than me but…”

 

Nicole cut her words off by wrapping her up in a hug. The smaller woman sagged into her arms, all of her stress dissipating on contact. “My problem may be bigger than yours but it's been here longer. When you're ready, I'd love to help…if you'll let me.”

 

Nicole kissed Waverly's forehead and started humming under her breath, rocking soothingly back and forth. Nicole was ready to wait for answers. Tears came before the explanation but Nicole only leaned into the release. Sometimes feelings demanded to be felt. 

 

“We were cleaning out the attic and found some letters my Mama wrote.” Waverly whispered. “They were love letters, but they weren't addressed to Daddy.”

 

Waverly sniffled, she paused to wipe her face. Nicole stayed silent.

 

“Based on the dates it looks like the other man is my actual father.”

 

Nicole squeezed Waverly a little tighter, trying to send strength through the pressure. “That's a big revelation. What do you need? More hugs, time to vent? I can't really do big solutions in my current state, but I'm here for you, Waves. Just like everyone we left at the table. I'm guessing Wynonna’s version of support looks a little different when she's not three sheets to the wind.” 

 

Waverly let out a huff of frustration at her sister's name. “Wynonna doesn't even care. She said it didn't matter.”

 

Nicole reached up and tipped Waverly's chin, gently guiding her eyes to look at her directly. “Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean she's your sister no matter what?”

 

The fight left her eyes as Waverly considered Nicole's words. “I guess. I just thought it would be a bigger deal.”

 

“It is a big deal… for you. But what does it change for Wynonna?” Nicole asked softly.

 

“Not much, I guess. But I still need to know.”

 

“Of course. You don't think your momma left a paper trail, do you? We can't all be big, fat, magical mysteries.”

 

Waverly let out a giggle. “I suppose you're right. Usually, I'm better at jumping into solution mode. Like looking up information on you.”

 

Nicole ran her fingers through honey colored locks. “Ah, I bet that went well. Find anything new?”

 

“No.” The brunette admitted. “And I used to be so good at research.”

 

“Well, I'm a particularly hard problem to solve, at least I think I am.” Nicole winked, she struggled to only close one eye.

 

Waverly chuckled. “And terrible at winking. Thank you for pulling me out of my funk. I'll just have to be more creative. Important documents are a good place to start.” Waverly squeezed Nicole a little tighter. 

 

“I'm glad I could help. Sometimes I do have good ideas. That's what unlimited time will do for you.”

 

Waverly rolled her eyes at the redhead. “Alright cowboy, don't go getting a big head. Let's get back in there before Wynonna finds the limit on Mercedes credit card. We can start researching tomorrow.”

 

“Deal.”

Notes:

Life got it the way and also maybe some self doubt, so it was time for posting over perfection. It's all free, right?

Chapter 8: The Ties that Bind Us (or don't)

Summary:

Waverly gets her spark back and Nicole gets another memory back.

 

Waverly woke feeling lighter than she had in days. She hadn't wanted to be that girl, the one that dumped all her burdens out onto someone with bigger issues than her own. She had too much experience being on the other end of that arrangement but the look of relief on Nicole's face when she'd finally unloaded had eased those worries. Whatever this was between them might be new but it felt deep, like they'd known each other in some past life or alternate reality. Waverly didn't believe in that sort of thing or at least she hadn't given much thought to the impossible until she watched part of Nicole vanish in front of her eyes. 

 

Waverly yawned, rolling over to look at her phone. Her morning thoughts were just cloudy enough that she felt a pang of disappointment at the zero new notifications message that flashed across her screen before she realized there would be no message from Nicole waiting for her. This whole situation was anything but normal. The redhead didn't have a phone and was tied up in something decidedly supernatural. The brunette took a fortifying breath before popping out of bed with a renewed sense of purpose. Waverly was going to solve all of their problems just like she always did, with a little persistence and mountains of research. She marched towards her closet and picked out something comfy to do her digital sleuthing in before heading to the bathroom.

 

Waverly hummed all the way down the stairs and was met with a silence she wasn't used to as her feet hit the last stair. Since she'd been back in Purgatory, Waverly had grown accustomed to the  welcoming smell of fresh coffee and the sound of Wynonna grumbling, knee deep in some sort of renovation project for the homestead. Waverly frowned at the absence, but started a pot of coffee, determined to not let it throw her off. She had spent far to long wallowing in the implications of the letters she'd found, this was just a little hiccup in what had to be a much better day.

 

A few more hummed songs and some broken eggs later, Waverly watched a disheveled Wynonna emerge from her room. Her sister pulled at the edges of an oversized band t-shirt and mumbled a greeting as Waverly put away the rest of the orange juice. 

 

“Someone looks like they had fun last night.” Waverly noted.

 

Wynonna grumbled. She plopped unceremoniously into the nearest chair. “And someone is rather chipper this morning. I wanted you back to normal, not ‘supernova, don’t stare directly at her’ mode. What's with the 100 watt upgrade?” Wynonna snatched a piece of toast from the plate Waverly had made and squinted at her. “Are you trying to butter me up?”

 

Waverly sighed, grabbing another piece of bread from the counter and throwing it in the toaster. “No. I am not trying to butter you up, Wynonna. I just didn’t feel like drinking as much as you did last night.”

 

The older Earp munched at the edge of her stolen breakfast. “So then what's with all the humming? It’s making my brain vibrate. Also, pass the coffee…pretty please.” Wynonna batted her dark eyelashes in an exaggerated plea. 

 

Waverly muttered under her breath but turned to grab her sister a mug and an aspirin to go with it. She set them down in front of a very grateful Wynonna.

 

A soft moan of bliss reverberated off the rim of Wynonna’s mug as she inhaled the scent of fresh coffee. “So, if you’re not trying to get on my good side then this attitude adjustment must have something to do with you sneaking off with a certain redhead.” Wynonna guessed, a smug smile replacing the caffeine induced one.

 

Waverly tinged the same color pink as her blouse and coughed intermittently around a mouthful of eggs. “I..I don’t know what you're talking about.”

 

Her sister let out a raspberry in reply. “Bullshit, you don’t know what I’m talking about. I may have had fun last night but you’re still as subtle as you were when you were eight. You can’t fool me, Babygirl. So, spill it.”

 

The younger Earp hesitated, pausing to buy herself time with a sip of coffee. “I did talk with Nicole last night. She was very supportive and insightful about my situation.”

 

“And…” Wynonna gestured fervently for her to continue.

 

“And, maybe Momma’s letters aren’t the end of the world. I don’t even have solid proof yet.” Waverly gritted out the words around the mouthful of food she was trying to swallow, the confession turning her eggs a rather sandy texture.

 

Wynonna beamed. “So, what you're trying to tell me, in your roundabout Waverly way, is that I was in fact right? It’s not the end of the world?”

 

Her sister’s shit eating grin taking over her face had Waverly rolling her eyes. She forced a smile. “Yes, Wynonna. Is that what you want to hear? You were right.”

 

The older brunette clapped her hands together excitedly and pumped her fist in the air. “Of course that’s what I wanted to hear, Waves. Don’t deny me. I hear it so rarely.” She grinned, unable to feign anything resembling humble. 

 

Waverly picked up her water glass and took a sip before she continued. “You were right, Wynonna. I should have listened to my big sister.”

 

“Damn right, Babygirl.” Wynonna beamed back, equal parts pride and righteousness.

 

Waverly shook her head in mock annoyance. “But, now I have a lot of work to do so I’ll be out most of today.”

 

Wynonna popped the last bit of stolen toast into her mouth. “Sounds like a much better use of your time than all that moping you were doing. I’ll be here updating the tile in the spare bathroom, so I’ll either be here or the hardware store if you need me.” She stood from her chair and stooped to kiss Waverly’s forehead. “Say hi to Red for me.” The older Earp retreated back to her room, taking her coffee with her. 

 

---

 

After she finished breakfast, Waverly left the comfort of the Homestead for the allure of a faster Wi-Fi connection. She was knee deep in different databases at the only coffee shop in Purgatory when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The brunette pulled at the headphones she’d used to block out any possible distractions, they should have been more than enough to ward off even the nosiest townsfolk. She looked up with a huff of mild frustration to find Jeremy staring back at her. 

 

“Waverly! Hey, I didn’t mean to disturb you, just wanted to see how you were doing after last night.” He said cautiously, pulling his hand back. Without his usual white lab coat, his geeky ringer t-shirt and cargo pants were on full display. 

 

Waverly grinned in return, trying to ease the discomfort he radiated. “I’m doing great, Jeremy. Just working on some research. It’s for myself this time, so I’m having more luck.”

 

Jeremy nodded, fingers circling the top of his beverage absently. “That’s great, great to hear. I’m sorry I wasn’t much help with Nicky-I mean Nicole.”

 

Waverly pushed herself up straighter and offered a chair at the table she had sprawled out on. “I’m sorry you didn’t get much time to talk with her last night.”

 

Jeremy hung his head slightly. “I have trouble making friends sometimes, I just thought…I thought we were better friends is all.”

 

Waverly faltered, not knowing how much she should reveal about Nicole’s predicament. “I don’t think any of it is your fault Jeremy. She kind of has a hard time with her memory…I don’t think the alcohol or karaoke helped, either.” 

 

A small sigh slipped from Jeremy as he took a sip of his beverage. “Story of my life, my one real friend here in Purgatory can’t even remember me outside the walls of the morgue.” He shrugged, defeat in his voice as he continued. “It’s alright, I've used my ample down time to start snooping through the files at the department. It's a long shot but there has to be something and it beats staring at the clock.” 

 

“The files aren’t in the database?” Waverly furrowed her brow. 

 

A scoff left Jeremy as he set his cup down. “It is the golden age of the internet and information overload, but the Sheriff's department is kind of stuck in the stone age. I do my best but there’s only so much data entry one guy can get to, even in his downtime. Lonnie is worse with computers than he is at finding the correct reporting forms.” 

 

They laughed together at the deputy’s expense before Jeremy continued. “I went straight for the files marked H, but it’s still one gigantic cabinet to sort through. Did I mention that it's really dark in the records room?”

 

“You didn’t, but I think this makes you a really good friend…even if Nicole didn’t seem to remember you last night. Maybe you should try meeting up with her in a quieter setting? Or when my sister isn’t around.” Waverly offered.

 

Jeremy’s cheeks tinged darker. “You think I’m a good friend?”

 

“Yes, you goofball. I would probably stop calling her Nicky, though. She clenches her fist every time you do…”

 

They chatted casually about more mundane things until an alarm blinked across Waverly’s phone. 

 

She scrambled to slide the annoying chime off. “Oh, shoot. I have to go, Jeremy. It was really nice to talk with you and actually hear you again without screaming over the drunks at Shorty’s but I’ve gotta skedaddle. I need to pick up some paperwork from the recorder's office but we should meet up soon. It’s good to have new friends now that I’m back in Purgatory.” Waverly smiled and grabbed a pen, ripped a small corner of her notebook and jotted down her phone number.

 

Jeremy stared in disbelief at the tiny slip of paper before nodding dumbly and taking it from the brunette. “Yeah…totally. It’s good to have friends. Um, I’ll call you if I find anything, too. About Nicole, I mean.” 

 

Waverly watched him out of the corner of her eye as she packed up her things. He continued to stare reverently at the scrap of paper as she slid her laptop back into her bag. Waverly patted Jeremy on his shoulder before leaving and lowered her voice so as not to startle him too much. “I think she’ll remember you, maybe you just need to find something to spark her memory.” She gave a light squeeze and he finally moved to shove the number into his pocket. 

 

“Yeah, I’m sure you're right. Good luck with all your research. I’m sure we’ll find something soon.”

 

With a small wave the brunette left the shop and made her way to her Jeep, intent on getting the information she needed. 

 

---

A sharp slap of paper sounded in front of Nicole as she sat at the mostly empty bar. Shorty’s wasn’t officially open but Waverly had slid behind the bar and poured them drinks to celebrate anyway. 

 

“What are those?" Nicole asked warily, reaching for the papers. 

 

Waverly grinned and took a sip of her whiskey. “Those are the forms I need to get all of my paperwork in order. I’ve never really questioned it before but Gus and Curtis kind of took care of a lot of things I never considered.” 

 

The redhead reached for her glass, enjoying the harsh burn of the beverage's higher alcohol content as she considered Waverly’s words. 

 

“I kind of don’t want Gus to know I’m poking around just yet. I want the truth, not the answers she thinks I want to hear, or maybe she has no idea…Who knows when it comes to Earp family secrets.” Waverly said in a rush, her voice cracking at the mention of secrets.

 

“Well, I for one am happy someone is getting answers.” Nicole reached out to pat Waverly on her arm before pulling back.

 

Waverly doesn’t let the hesitation stand. Using the pause, she grabbed the redhead's hand and quickly threaded their fingers together. 

 

They stare at their interlaced fingers for a moment before Nicole breaks the growing tension. “So, what exactly did you pick up from the good ol 'government?” Nicole laughed, bringing the focus back to their conversation as she used her other hand to poke playfully at the giant stack of paperwork.

 

The brunette closed her eyes, exaggerating her concentration, as she started to list off the numerous documents. “Oh, you know the basics. Birth certificate, school records, basically anything that might mention Daddy or…” 

 

Waverly didn’t get to finish her sentence. She just managed to catch the redhead’s fingers pause on the edges of the stack. It was just a little too long and a little too forceful. A familiar tingle of panic shot up Waverly’s spine as Nicole stiffened, her fingers tightening painfully around her hand. The brunette’s chest tightened watching helplessly as Nicole’s eyes glazed over, glassy and unfocussed. 

 

“Nicole!” She cried, sharp and urgent. 

 

The deja vu of the experience was not the comfort it could have been. Waverley was brought back to the now familiar panicky feeling she had gotten when they had played darts but actually watching the vacant look take over Nicole’s eye was so much worse. She moved to support the other woman as her skin paled and her arms went slack. She guided Nicole back to the safety of her seat. Waverly focused on her breathing, trying to keep her own calm and deliberate as she watched the sharp, chaotic inhales the red head was making. She couldn’t remember exactly how long the previous episode had lasted. She hoped desperately that this wouldn't last much longer. 

 

Come on Nicole.

 

The redhead twitched in her arms again as Waverly tried to stay calm. There was no one to call, no one to help her as she waited for Nicole to return to her. Waverly mentally counted the seconds and then minutes before a sharp gasp brought her focus back to the redhead. Panic engulfed her brown eyes. Waverly decided not to ask if she was alright and go straight for the comfort of a hug. She wasn’t disappointed when shaky fingers grasped desperately at her shoulders, hugging her back.  

 

“I’m okay…I think.” Nicole croaked. 

 

When the redhead loosened her grip and Waverly moved just enough to fill a cup of water and set in gently in front of Nicole. The redhead took small, deliberate sips, like she hoped to wash away the stress of the moment.  

 

Waverly broke first. “So, was this another memory or do we need to figure out a way to get a doctor for you?” 

 

Nicole swallowed another sip, her eyes locked on the condensation dripping down the glass. “I don’t think there’s a doctor that could help me, but yeah, it was another memory.” The strain in her voice suggested it wasn’t a fun memory. 

 

Waverly desperately wanted to just hold the woman in front of her, outside the uncomfortable bar stools. She looked around at the empty bar and decided that they needed more than privacy, they needed a guarantee they wouldn't be interrupted. The brunette stood and grabbed Nicole's hand, hoisting her from her seat. 

 

“Come on, I know just the place for us to talk.” She grabbed the rest of her things and hauled the redhead to the back of the bar and up the stairs. 

 

Waverly looked back multiple times when she felt Nicole stumble behind her. The brunette reached a familiar wooden door at the end of the small landing and pulled her keys from her pocket. Boy was she happy she’d forgotten to give the key back to her Aunt. 

 

With a sharp shove, Waverly opened the door, pushing it aside and encouraging Nicole into the room. “Now, I know you've probably spent some time up here without me but this time there's no stress of getting caught.” She turned to watch Nicole's reaction.

 

Relief tinged with a little guilt flooded Nicole's feature’s as she faltered slightly at the threshold. She scanned the bare studio apartment and a small smile emerged. “It is always better to be invited in properly. Thank you, Waverly. You’ve been so understanding about all this.” The redhead gestured to all of herself.

 

Waverly snatched her hand again and closed the door behind them. “Alright, it’s not anything to daydream about but it will do.” She patted the sparsely decorated bed that took up the majority of the space. 

 

Nicole followed willingly and sat down next to the brunette. “I-I don’t know what to say, really. We should be excited about your news, not distracted by my past.” Her deflection was obvious as she tried to rub her nerves out of her neck with her free hand. 

 

“Yeah, well, I’ll totally remember that the next time you have a memory pull a sneak attack. Now, tell me what happened…I mean if you want to.” She bit at her bottom lip, unsure if she’d been too forceful.

 

Nicole sighed. “It’s not really a happy memory, is all. It doesn’t even help us figure anything out. Just maybe help me understand why nobody came looking for me.” 

 

Waverly sucked in a breath, trying her best to stay with Nicole instead of following the rabbit hole of worst case scenarios that had started to form in the back of her mind. 

 

Waverley reached out and held Nicole’s hand in both of hers. She needed to feel Nicole, grounding herself more than comforting the other woman. 

 

Nicole continued after a pause. “I went back to when I was sixteen…I was handing my parents a similar stack of papers. But mine weren’t to figure out who I am, they were emancipation forms. I can’t remember much about my family but the look on their faces certainly said a lot.” 

 

Waverly waited, watching a lone tear slide down Nicole's cheek as she fell in on herself ever so slightly, her usual composed demeanor crumbling at the edges. 

 

“They weren’t surprised. They just grabbed the papers and signed them. My bag was already at the door. They were so indifferent…like the people who are supposed to love you the most just–- they just let me go. I can’t imagine they even noticed I was gone with the way they refused to look at me as I walked out of the kitchen.”  

 

Waverly closed the distance and scooped the redhead into a gentle embrace. Waverly cradled Nicole hoping it would keep the older women with her in the present, instead of this newly unlocked fragment of the past. 

 

Nicole shuddered in her arms and Waverly squeezed her tighter. “I'm so sorry, Nicole. I don't know what to say…” 

 

“Maybe, just hold h-hold me for a bit.” Nicole wiped at her eyes, her vulnerability engulfing her fully as more tears slipped down her cheeks.  

 

They sat huddled on the bed so long Waverly lost track of time. She couldn’t take away any of Nicole's pain just like Nicole couldn't have taken hers. So they sat, trading the comfort the other's presence provided.

 

The redhead finally shuffled so their foreheads met. “I think I'm okay now, Waves.” 

 

Waverly let a small smile of relief perk at the edge of her lips. “Well, I should get back downstairs then. The bar isn't’ gonna open itself. Maybe, I can get a head start on folding the silverware.”

 

“I can help.” Nicole offered. She made a move to follow the brunette downstairs but Waverly placed a hand on her shoulder, keeping her in place. 

 

“Why don't you stay here for a while, officially...and recover a little, at least until Gus finds someone who wants to rent the space.” She pulled the key from her pocket and placed it in Nicole's hand.  “I'm sure we can work something out if you want.”

 

Waverly winked at her and left before the redhead could refuse.

Notes:

Another solo edited chapter, so I hope things turned out okay and nothing was too distracting.

Chapter 9: The Memory of Her Lips

Summary:

Nicole makes a decision and another memory interrupts her time with Waverly.

The thing about memories is they can feel so real, like you’re living the day again. The smells, textures, and people can all be there but there’s still something just slightly blurry about the background. And for as real as they feel, they are only our perception of the event. The more we sit in a memory, the more we unintentionally alter it around the edges. The replays are precious, but each one overwrites a little more with each stroll down memory lane. Did it really happen that way or did the emotions of our younger self taint what’s left from the start? Memories only have one narrator and Nicole wasn’t any more reliable than anyone else before whatever happened, happened. She’s had to live so long without her memories, she’d mostly forgotten to care about the intricacies of how they felt and the imprints they left on her heart. 

 

The redhead couldn't quite focus without Waverly, ending up lost in her rumination, stuck between new memories and old problems. Nicole sat on the bed where Waverly left her for so long the music from the bar started to drift up, the bass notes of the music beating steadily louder than her racing heart. Her heart was only trying to keep up with her brain as Nicole tried to pinpoint the catalyst for her new memories. It wasn't that hard.. but admitting she'd grown attached felt significant. She had never felt like this before and it wasn’t just the constant butterflies and burgeoning attraction, but the intensity of her memories. The flashbacks weren’t her favorite way of experiencing things, the almost violent recollections still managed to be more than she’s collected and gotten to hold onto in–well, there wasn’t really any way of knowing. Everything felt right, like all the pieces are correct and familiar, but she’s just so used to only having the present moment. Until Waverly Earp crashed into her life and turned everything upside down. The only thing that's perfectly clear to Nicole is that she remembers more when she’s with Waverly. And that she liked it. 

 

Nicole brought a shaky hand through her short, wavy locks before she mustered the motivation to move. The aching stiffness from her prolonged brooding radiated down her spine, the resistance in her muscles causing twinges of protest with each movement. The shock at the thought she remembered more with Waverly caused her to still mid-stretch. This whole magical mystery thing was starting to really frustrate her. Normally memories sliding away didn’t bother her, but because of Waverly she wasn’t willing to let them slip away anymore. Nicole finished her stretch, lucky she didn’t pull anything from her prolonged inactivity and resolved to finally fix this problem once and for all. With Waverly’s help she might even get somewhere.

 

Nicole bounded down the service staircase and made her way back to the bar, taking two steps at a time. She wasn’t in the mood to wait and her resolve had morphed into excitement with each step closer she came to the brunette. As soon as she crossed the threshold and landed back into the main room she felt that familiar tingle she got whenever they were close, like she was being watched. Her scan of the room found  hazel, just as intent as her own, like they’d been waiting for her return. Purposeful strides and single-minded focus brought Nicole within arms length of Waverly who was obsessively polishing a glass at the end of the bar closest to the kitchen doors. The location gave the barest hint of privacy in the open space and Nicole was acutely aware that the only thing that separated the two of them was the small section of bartop. The warm grin that greeted her stopped the redhead in her tracks, it gave Waverly just enough time to move first. The brunette placed a small ceramic mug in front of Nicole–definitely not her regular beer. 

 

“What’s this?” Nicole asked, her mission derailed by kindness. Her brow scrunched in confusion before she worked through her own question. “A cappuccino?” One corner of her lips hitched in an amused smile at the gesture.

 

Waverly blushed hard and it looked so damn cute paired with her Shorty’s uniform. Nicole absently wondered when she’d changed, just how long had she wallowed in her thoughts?

 

“It most certainly is not…it's the best I could manage. I thought you could use some cheering up. You know, since you’ve helped me so much…” Waverly looked down at the offering, trying to hide the intensity of the crimson her cheeks flushed. 

 

Nicole bit her lip, deciding to be brazen, she would just ask for what she wanted. She leaned in just a little, not caring who might see. “This is incredibly sweet. It makes me want to lean in…” She moved a little closer without touching, careful to telegraph her movements. “And kiss you. Could I do that? Would that be alright?”  

 

Waverly paused, pulling back slightly so her eyes focused on Nicole’s, like she was gauging her sincerity, like it hadn’t been clear from their very first interaction. The brunette swallowed hard before whispering back. “Like here…right now?  Are you sure?” Waverly’s eyes roamed around the room in a long sweep, ending back on Nicole’s. 

 

“Yup.” The redhead answered. Her confidence hadn’t wavered despite the growing army of butterflies in her chest. 

 

Waverly hesitated for another moment. The pause felt like a sign to Nicole and she started  to pull back. Waverly took a breath before the brunette put even more space between them and Nicole deflated, unsure of what signs she had misread. The redhead watched in what felt like slow motion as Waverly walked around the little bit of counter that separated them to stand in front of her. She felt a tug on her shirt and warm lips crashed into her own. All thoughts, even her confusion disappeared. She doesn’t focus on the thought that Waverly Earp seemed to have changed her mind—Nicole can’t. All of her thoughts liquified and evaporated as the kiss moved from urgent, to shy and back. The busy bar atmosphere melted away into a distant buzz at the back of Nicole’s mind until a sharp cough pulled them apart. The warning definitely came from the direction Nicole had last spotted Gus, but the only sensation she can concentrate on is the fading heat on her lips.

 

The redhead fell back onto the nearest stool dazed, unable to form words as whatever semblance of a plan crumbled a little more with each ragged breath. They still hadn’t spoken when Nicole was yanked from her seat by insistent fingers that wrapped tightly around her hand and pulled her towards the back exit. 

 

“Where were we….” Nicole’s brain finally started to form the words by the time they were swallowed by the dimness of the hallway.

 

Waverly raised an incredulous eyebrow, still not stopping. “I think you know exactly what we are doing, Nic. And I’m not about to continue in front of my Aunt.” 

 

Time had never felt this funny. In what felt like the span of another breath Nicole finds herself outside. Nicole nearly crashed into Waverly as she turned abruptly to face the redhead. A thrum of adrenaline sparked under Nicole’s skin as she finally noticed the lack of hesitation in Waverly’s eyes. Eyes that were tinged with desire, darker and closer to the amber of the whiskey they’d had earlier in the evening. She got a similar burning sensation down her throat as she let the brunette take the lead.  Another hitch of breath and Waverly was there, lips searching and reciprocating. This time they are closer, bodies molding together, closer with each heartbeat. The door slammed shut behind them, but Nicole’s thoughts have been consumed by the brunette. All of her extra brain space is dedicated to memorizing each sigh, each slide of soft skin and the taste of her lips. God the taste of her lips. There’s a frantic push and pull and Nicole know’s the little apartment upstairs would have been too far away. With a small sigh Waverly pushed with a little more force and Nicole felt her back hit the brickwork. This was going better than Nicole’s plan for a simple thank you kiss. Nicole leaned into meet the brunette, matching her intensity and for a moment everything was right with her world. 

 

Until it wasn’t. 

 

Tension and a familiar tightness coiled in Nicole’s chest. Nicole doesn’t register the feeling, so lost in Waverly, until the taste of her changed. Nicole couldn’t catch the same sweetness on her tongue anymore, it was replaced with the sharp bite of peppermint and an echo of tobacco. Her world had thrummed and spun in what she assumed was a Waverly Earp induced delirium, but as she opened her eyes Nicole’s heart seized in her chest.

 

Dark mocha stared back at her. The redhead blinked as panic crept up her spine, even as similar brickwork grounded her.

 

“Don’t worry so much, Haught. The organ is still playing, no one is coming back here.” 

 

Nicole blinked again as the memory fell into place, more of it clarifying at the edges as she concentrated. Rosita Bustillos was grinning smugly at her in her Sunday best. Nicole felt the reverberation of the congregation as they sang through the thin siding of the church. A familiar image of a cheap white vinyl over the old brick building flashed in her head. She pressed herself further into it, trying to create some space between the other woman and her now shaking limbs. 

 

Rosie pulled her hand out of Nicole’s long hair and brushed soft fingers to her cheek. “Look Nicole, this is always fun. I love the idea of my parents finding out and destroying their perfect little version of me, but I’m less into this if you’re not having fun.”

 

Nicole shook her head, trying to release some brain cells that worked properly. “I’m sorry, I…I don’t.”

 

Rosita smiled and pulled back, her head cocked towards the church wall. “Well, based on the hymn count and the lack of music not currently playing, it looks like we have some time to kill.” 

 

The brunette side-stepped away from Nicole and began to fiddle with a brick at the base of the church wall. It came loose in her hand and slender fingers pulled a small package from its depths. She wiggled the bag in front of Nicole and smiled triumphantly. 

 

“So if making out is off the table, how about we make the best of things?” Rosie raised her eyebrows in challenge.

 

Nicole took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her dress felt too tight, the familiar pull of wool at her collar sent disgust running up her neck. This was one of the last times she had even bothered to go to church with her parents. The societal show of presenting the perfect family had grown too hard to keep up and eventually even her parents gave up. She felt the recollection snap back into place as she resigned herself to playing along. At least there would be no more kissing Rosita while she re-lived this particular memory. 

 

Nicole sank down and sat next to Rosie as she rolled them each a cigarette. Nicole sighed and tried to enjoy a memory that wasn’t filled with pain, there was panic and even the thrill of getting caught, but at least there wasn’t any pain. 

 

They sat in a comfortable silence as the sermon leaked softly through the wall behind them. Rosie passed a cigarette to Nicole and she murmured a small thank you in return. Rosita finished rolling her own before she picked up the lighter that was hidden in the package. With a flick and a spark both cigarettes were lit as the pleasant buzz took up residence under Nicole’s skin. It didn’t completely take away the shame and judgement she always felt being at church, but it sure as hell beat sitting next to her parents in the pews. 

 

Nicole tapped her foot anxiously, she didn’t have control of how long she stayed in a memory and with each new memory, she was more aware while experiencing them that they were, in fact, memories. Nicole just wanted this whole one to be over. The redhead sighed and glanced at Rosita, trying her best to appreciate the moment she was in. The burnette had a content look on her face, smoke rising lazily from her cigarette and away from their makeshift sanctuary. Rosie had never pushed her, never wanted to do anything that they both wouldn’t enjoy, and she was good with secrets. That’s what had drawn Nicole to her, she wasn’t one to kiss and tell.

 

Music drifted through the wall again and they stood, each stomping on what was left of their cigarettes, hiding the evidence and returning the rest of the stash behind the loose brick. 

 

Rosie eyed Nicole but still didn’t pry. “It’s time to get back in there. Until next week then, Haught.”  

 

Nicole nodded, hoping desperately that she wouldn’t have to face her parents. Rosie derailed her negative spiral and leaned in to place a chaste goodbye kiss to the redheads lips before she could protest.

 

Her eyes closed as the cigarette smoke on their breath mingled. Nicole opened her eyes when the air shifted to a more pleasant roasted coffee scent. They flickered open to a very amused looking Waverly. Fear and a little bit of horror chilled the skin under Nicole's arms, arms that were still around Waverly’s waist. 

 

“Where on earth did you go just now?” Waverly questioned. Her tone was soft, not the demanding Nicole had expected.

 

“I..uh..” Words failed her. Nicole hadn’t even wanted the memory she’d just unlocked.

 

Waverly squared her shoulders and squinted at Nicole, taking every inch of her in. “Wait, did you unlock another memory?”

 

Nicole gulped. “What makes you say that? Did I space out again?”

 

“You do more than just space out when you remember something, at least the times you’ve done it in front of me.” Waverly paused, wheels spinning behind questioning eyes. “That wasn’t a no. Did you have a memory while kissing me? You didn’t even go into shutdown mode.”

 

Nicole shrugged. She really didn’t want to admit to kissing anyone, even in the past, and definitely not to the woman she’d rather have been kissing the whole time. 

 

“No, no.  You can’t brush this off as nothing, especially if you expect us to kiss again. And I frankly wasn't ready to stop.” Waverly huffed. 

 

“You still want to kiss me?” Nicole whispered. Wonder filled her voice at her luck.

 

The brunette glowered at her. “Don’t change the subject. That must have been one hell of a memory. Now spill it, Haught.” The brunette ordered with an edge of teasing to the command. 

 

Instead of pulling apart, Waverly leaned in, resting her head on Nicole’s shoulder and waited for the redhead to continue. It wasn’t the desperate need to comfort her like last time but Nicole felt the warm intensity of someone genuinely wanting to listen.

 

She let out a strangled breath, nerves eating at her resolve. “I did remember something. Please don’t take this the wrong way, you are a fantastic kisser.”  Nicole watched another blush creep across Wavely’s cheeks even as the brunette waited for the ‘but’. 

 

“But…I sort of, maybe remembered what I used to do behind the church on Sundays.”

 

Waverly watched as Nicole squirmed, trying to find the right words. “And what exactly did you used to do behind the church on Sundays?” She parroted. 

 

Nicole closed her eyes and tried to rip the bandaid off all at once. “I used to kiss girls behind the church, well one girl really. But she definitely didn’t kiss like you.” Nicole said it so fast her words piled on top of each other. 

 

Waverly didn’t get upset though, she smirked. “And how do I kiss?” Challenge dripping from her words. 

 

 Nicole’s mouth ran dry as she panicked. Her mouth opened to answer but nothing came out.

 

“Well, we are just going to have to figure out what caused this memory so we don’t repeat it.  We need to start making connections to what’s triggering them and why you didn’t react the same this time. What do you say to a little experiment?” The brunette grinned.

 

Heat flushed Nicole’s cheeks at the implication. “Are you suggesting we continue where we left off?”

 

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.” Waverly pulled back to glance at her watch. “At the very least until my break is over.” 

Notes:

I think I'm almost more embarrassed/nervous to post this chapter than what I have planned for later....almost.

Chapter 10: What Would Wynonna do?

Summary:

Wynonna learns more about the "weird" that's happening in Purgatory.

Notes:

Time to try something a little different with Wynonna, let me know if works or not?

Wynonna let out a happy hum as she sipped on her first cup of coffee for the day from her favorite mug, the white X causing her smile to grow with each consecutive sip. She put the steaming cup of morning bliss down and grabbed another from the cabinet. The sound of her sister’s footsteps grew louder and she was ready with a piping hot offering that was definitely not a bribe. Wynonna added a final spoonful of sugar as she turned to face the younger Earp, whose yawn followed her into the kitchen.

 

“Good morning, Sunshine.” 

 

Waverly rubbed her eyes, still half closed. She mumbled a semblance of a greeting, that ended up as more of a grunt.  

 

“My, aren't we chipper this morning.” Wynonna practically sang. “You look like you had quite the night. What time did you finally make it back to the homestead?”

 

Waverly glared over the mug of coffee Wynonna had passed her. She gave another half hearted response that morphed into a content sigh as Waverly took her first sip.

 

Wynonna hadn't had much to needle her sister over since she'd dropped back into town so she planned on enjoying this. She loved Waverly, but that practiced, perfect facade must be heavy. 

 

“What was that? Sounded something like one a.m. to me.”

 

Waverly closed her eyes as her face scrunched, clearly not used to this kind of persistent questioning this early in the morning. “That's what I said Wynonna, yes, one a.m. Don't act like I couldn't see your light flick off when I hit the front porch.”

 

Wynonna loved being on this side of the morning after interrogation. If only Gus could see her now…she'd probably have better questions. Wynonna let out a squeal of delight. “Come on, Waverly. Let me have this, little miss perfect finally doing the walk of shame. I wanna know everything. Well, maybe not everything.” Wynonna’s face contorted as a few off-limits topics flitted through her mind. She definitely didn't want every detail from her baby sister. 

 

Waverly’s eyes went wide at the insinuation. “Nothing. Nothing happened. I mean…kissing happened, but that's it. I mean it, Wynonna.”

 

Wynonna pushed a glass of water and some aspirin across the table. “Oooooh, you know that's the first step right? Then comes love– oh, how does it go again?” She took another exaggerated lung-full of air before starting to sing.

 

Her sister stopped mid-reach for the proffered water glass, her hands reaching up to hide the rapidly growing blush. “Wynonna, please don't do this. I'm an adult.”

 

“Right, like I'm gonna believe you and Red haven't, you know.” She gesticulated wildly, nearly knocking over her own water glass. 

 

Waverly's blush depended. “Wynonna! No, we did not. Please don't make a big deal about this.”

 

“No way, you can't worm your way outta this one. When Gus hears about this…”

 

Waverly slammed her water glass down half its contents spilling over the side, inching slowly towards the toast Wynonna had made. They sat in silence as they both watched the water continue to creep across the table. Wynonna thought absently that a little moisture couldn't hurt the toast; honestly, she'd nearly burnt it. 

 

“You absolutely cannot tell Gus! I need her to give Nicole a place to stay.” Waverly finally broke, her desperation evident in the speed and pleading edge of the declaration.

 

Wynonna narrowed her eyes playfully, she was enjoying how off kilter her little sister was, Wynonna decided to push just a little bit more. “Red sounds like a freeloader.”

 

“Nicole is just in a bit of an in-between right now…” Waverly suddenly stiffened like she'd said too much. Wynonna filed the reaction away for later, it was much too similar to the reactions she got from her reluctant informants around town. It was probably a coincidence. She'd just hit a nerve, that's all. Wynonna had enough actual problems at work to keep pressing on that nerve. 

 

“Fine, Waverly. If you didn't want to share, all you had to do was say so. I just thought we could get back a little of the old days, that sisterly teasing.” Wynonna played up her feint. If Waverly thought she was getting out of this kitchen without spilling something she was cuckoo bananas. Not even her big, fancy college words would get her out of this.

 

Waverly deflated. “It's just new, Wynonna. I…I don't want to jinx it.”

 

“You make it sound like Red's a flight risk.”

 

A soft laugh bubbled out of Waverly at Wynonna’s quip. “That is one thing she most definitely isn't.” 

 

Wynonna shook her head like it would help the pieces her sister had let slip finally fall into place. “Okay…well you have to give me something, baby girl. I'm dying to know more about the person who managed to put a smile back on your face. It's not a secret Purgatory isn't your favorite place. You always get so sulky when you're here for too long…but not this time.” 

 

Waverly stood, turning to grab the towel that hung off the oven door. Wynonna watched her wipe up the liquid, clearly stalling for more time. 

 

“I don't know, Wynonna. There's just something special about her and I need to keep it between us just a little longer.” Waverly said softly. Her blush returned, spreading across her face as Waverly stared down at the now wet tea towel in her hands.

 

Wynonna decided to have mercy. “You always did love a fixer-upper. Hopefully, she's less work than a certain rodeo star.” Wynonna shivered with disgust at the word star. 

 

Wynonna finished her last glorious sip of coffee and sighed with delight. She got up and put the mug in the sink as Waverly finally started on the toast and aspirin. The elder Earp smiled down at her sister, lovingly placed her hands on Waverly's shoulder and leaned down to place a kiss on the top of Waverly’s head. 

 

“You know I love you right, Waves? I just want you to be happy. It's all I've ever wanted for us since…” She stopped herself from mentioning the accident. 

 

Waverly placed her hand over Wynonna’s and squeezed gently. “I know, Nonna. You'll be the first person I tell, I promise.”

 

“I better be.” Wynonna scoffed. “I gotta run, Dolls texted something about urgency and timely responses, blah, blah, and other nonsense. But it does mean I gotta jet. I'll pick up Chinese for dinner, so text me your order.” 

 

“Okay. I left some more notes on the files you gave me. I put them on your desk.” Waverly perked up and took another bite of the toast in front of her. 

 

“Thanks, Waves.” Wynonna shifted to leave and gave Waverly’s shoulder another squeeze before she headed into work.

 

---

 

“You're late, Earp.” Dolls barked from his office, his door wide open and waiting for Wynonna to walk past. 

 

“Keep your pants on, it's not my fault the flat-foots set up a speed trap and everybody decided today was finally the day to go the speed limit.”

 

Wynonna moved to casually lean on the door frame like she usually did but finally noticed the look on her boss's face. 

 

It was never a good sign when Dolls looked like someone had pissed in his fancy, fiber filled, protein cereal. He pointed to the empty chairs in front of his desk, demanding without words for her to shut up and sit down. 

 

“Here, look at this…” Dolls dropped a standard manila folder on the table with a thud and pushed it towards Wynonna.

 

“What is it this time? More vampires? I can’t wait to stumble on a real life leprechaun.” Wynonna joked, the same sarcastic humor that laced most of their interactions. If she could push him just a little more, maybe he would unravel enough to actually see her instead of fighting against her. 

 

An unamused growl was all she received in answer as thick biceps crossed, waiting for something…he didn't break so Wynonna grabbed the file, it couldn't possibly be that bad.

 

Wynonna opened the folder and nearly dropped it a second later. “What the fuck, man.” The brunette bellowed. “You couldn’t warn me? You didn’t even include your usual boring cover page.”

 

A dark laugh escaped Dolls. “I figured you might actually listen if I tried something new. Besides, this happened over the weekend and we finally got the go ahead to take over.” He didn’t offer anything else.

 

Wynonna stared at the open folder. The photograph in front of her could have been a standard photograph of a crime scene. The bloody handprints and splatter weren’t what made this another BBD case. No, that was the message written in dark streaks across the wall, the drip marks obvious even in the stillness of the photograph. 

 

“Okay, Jigsaw, you have my attention. What exactly is a revenant? And who's going around writing about them uniting, in blood?” Wynonna asked, her bravado shifting into a resolute, business-like mask.

 

Dolls swiped his hand over the photograph to reveal the next page in the file. This picture revealed a similar claret centered message in the form of concentric circles on the dilapidated crime scene floorboards. Each circle was broken with different jagged looking symbols and line work that screamed occult. 

 

“Why does this one look like something out of one of Jeremy’s nerdy supernatural TV shows? I know we’re all about the weird and unexplainable, but usually it's just some crackpot and a misunderstanding.”

 

Dolls sighed. “Yes, we haven’t been exactly lucky in our mission, unfortunately, but it doesn’t mean it's not real and you know it, Earp.” His glare held the unspoken agreement not to talk about her own supernatural issues. 

 

Her eyes turned icy at the words he hadn’t said. “Cool, so we’ve clearly got something spooky to look into. What are we really talking about?”

 

Dolls shifted back into his chair, commanding the stupid stoic facade he thought actually worked on her. “Mostly it's this, there was an altercation, only one body has been found so far. Before this it's been rumors and a handful of missing person cases that are starting to have a familiar MO. That's all I'm at liberty to offer you right now, unless you find something we can work with.”

 

Wynonna squirmed in her seat. This wasn’t her first case like this, just the most disturbing since Waverly had crashed back into her life.  She would have to be more careful in getting her help with things. Her baby sister didn’t need to know about whatever this was or end up anywhere near whoever was responsible.

 

“I need you to actually follow protocol on this one, deputy. We don't need the normie cops asking questions this time.”

 

The brunette collected the folder, prepared to take it back to her office. “I'll get right on it, Deputy Marshall.” The title came out a sharper taunt than she intended. “The usual research and reconnaissance coming right up. I’ll hit Pussy Willows later tonight for the latest whispers.”

 

Dark skin furrowed at her retreating form. “Keep it subtle this time Earp, there’s no need to show off at mechanical bull riding in the name of information.”

 

Wynonna scoffed. “That was one time and we got what we needed, didn’t we?”

 

Dolls rolled his eyes after they caught Wynonna’s. “We did, but maybe you could start sticking to procedures, especially the ones you don't like. Like using the BBD database for official use only.” He held her gaze before continuing his half-hearted reprimand. “I didn’t think you could misspell the word hot. Save your personal searches for Google, I don’t want to have to sit through another data security lesson with you.”

 

The brunette covered her confusion with a laugh and a shrug. “What can I say? I’ll get right on that, those powerpoints are the fucking worst.”

 

Another sharp glare flared at the curse but Dolls just nodded his dismissal.

 

Wynonna walked stiffly down the hall, wondering all the way back to her office just what the hell Dolls was talking about. There was only one not ‘hot’ Wynonna knew about and she knew one person in particular who would be very interested in them. Just what  was her sister up to and why did it involve going behind her back even as Wynonna had trusted her to help with other cases.

---

Wynonna took a sharp turn into the backwoods road that led to the location Dolls had pinned for her. She'd been bored out of her mind interviewing the usual suspects. She would have just waited until Pussy Willows was open to get actually helpful information but it was fucking protocol. She'd left as fast as possible after getting the text from Dolls, summoning her. 

 

Wynonna parked next to the unmarked SUV Dolls used and gritted her teeth at the prospect of following him up the only possible pathway. Why did crazies always have to do supernatural stuff in the woods? Dry leaves crunched under her boots as she grudgingly trudged towards her boss.

 

The smell hit Wynonna first. Then the unnerving quiet that never belonged this deep in the woods. She finally crested into a clearing and found Dolls knelt down, inspecting a crime scene marker. 

 

“She was found fileted like a fish, missing her heart.” Dolls said not looking up. 

 

Wynonna took her time taking in the scene before her. “Woah, that's a lot of blood. It's a perfect circle. Like a real life, movie style summoning circle…’

 

“Not quite.” Dolls' voice was quiet but unmistakable in the silence that permeated the forest around them. “Definitely occult in nature but the symbols here, at the edge…”

 

Dolls pointed towards an interconnected loop of hastily scribbled symbols on the ground. They matched the photos from the file Dolls had shown her earlier that morning. Each one  drawn in blood, with that same familiar shape. 

 

Dolls continued. “They suggest maybe more of a location or divination nature to the sacrifice. Similar enough to logically be the same suspect from the other cases.”

 

“Yeesh. Talk dirty to me more often, Dolls.” Wynonna desperately wanted to get as far away from this as possible, but instead she walked up to stand next to her boss. 

 

Dolls responded to her humor like usual and just glared back at her. “Look, we need to stop this before it happens again.”

 

“So what are we gonna tell people this time? Nedley is really up my butt for answers lately. You'd think he'd give up this close to retirement. I mean the cake is already made.”

 

Dolls sucked in a breath. “We are going to go with the truth this time. Well, close enough. It's looking like some kind of cult is at play with the symbols.” He pointed towards the center of the symbols. “And the line work looks vaguely magical. I'm gonna need you to look into that Earp. I've got another visit with headquarters coming up and we need to have answers ready this time.”

 

“Sure thing, boss.” Wynonna grumbled. 

 

Maybe I can get Waverly to help without dragging her all the way in…

 

Dolls clapped his hands. “Well, chop chop. Nedley is gonna need to get Clanton out here to clean this up after you're done collecting evidence.” He tilted his head at the mess. 

 

Wynonna finally got the hint and pulled out her phone to document the crime scene before the normies took over. She walked around, careful to keep her boots off anything important when she shivered. There was something in the air, it tickled something in the back of Wynonna’s mind but as soon as she grabbed for the memory, it fled. 

 

“When you get back, you're still on interview duty.” 

 

Wynonna groaned. “I can't even enjoy that you said “duty”. You know nobody ever wants to talk to me.”

 

“And that's why you need to practice Earp. Use some of those skills I taught you. Besides, I have something else to look into.”

 

Wynonna whistled as she snapped another grisly looking photo. “There's something more important than this?” She gestured to the bloody scene around them and waited but didn't get an answer. “Annnnd, you're not gonna tell me. Are you?” 

 

Dolls looked up from his phone, probably already arranging secret meetings with shady people. “Nope, need to know. And….” He pinned her with a hard stare.  “You don't need to know yet.”

---

 

Wynonna cased the edge of the room, looking for just the right target in the dark, alcohol drenched space.  Pussy Willows pumped with a steady beat of trashy music, drunk deadbeats and half dressed women; but none of that was what Wynonna needed. She needed to find the person who didn't belong here. Why he still hung around here was beyond her, but Wynonna was counting on his puppy dog affinity to chase his boyfriend headfirst into trouble. 

 

Wynonna stalked up behind the one man with his eyes not glued on the current glitter coated dancer. She hovered over his shoulder as he flipped through the pictures on a small digital camera, the preview window filled with a familiar forest landscape.  

 

“You know, I don't think cameras are allowed in here, Fish.” Wynonna whispered in his ear. 

 

Fish stiffened and quickly hit the power button causing the screen to go black. She'd visited before, always discreet, but she knew he was getting tired of playing both sides. 

 

“Wynonna.” Her name came out in an exasperated groan, barely audible over the music. 

 

When Fish didn't move she shoved the barrel of her revolver into where she assumed his kidneys lived. It was all for show of course. Fish was ultimately harmless–the crowd Levi was indebted to was anything but, so Wynonna played into their usual song and dance. The insistent press of her gun was an unspoken sign of urgency and Fish paled as he caught on. 

 

Wynonna marched them out a service door, their eyes both scanning for signs anyone else had noticed them but the majority of the eyes in the room were locked on the now naked dancers.

 

They made it outside, cool evening air signaling a tentative privacy with its stillness. Wynonna shoved Fish into the brickwork, intent on driving home just how urgent and messed up this latest situation was getting.  

 

Wynonna watched the confusion turn to fear as the man in front of her finally saw the resolve in her face. She waited for him to break. 

 

“I should have come to you as soon as I heard the rumors, but Wynonna you have to know it sounded ridiculous.” Fish stared at his shoes,  unable to meet Wynonna’s eyes. 

 

She cut him off. “Two deaths and more than a couple suspicious disappearances isn't ridiculous and you know it. Especially with the fucking occult blood circles we found.” 

 

Her words hit with the appropriate edge and he crumbled. “Levi won't tell me much…just that I shouldn't worry my pretty little head about it.” Fish's face turned sour at the thought. “He thinks he's protecting me, but Wynonna the rumors are bad. It's not the usual shake downs and back alley deals.”

 

“No shit, Sherlock. Now, tell me what you know. And, I suggest you lay lower than low for a while, too.” Wynonna sighed and put her gun back in its holster. 

 

“You know the other members don't tell me much, but the whispers are crazy, Wynonna.” Fish paused, looking back and forth quickly to make sure they were still alone. 

 

“They are talking about turning the loyal…real scary cult shit. It's all Revenants this, sacrifice that. I didn't sign up for this…I even heard rumblings about demons with red eyes. I just thought Levi wanted to be a part of something bigger and fell into the wrong crowd. This is magic and voodoo fuckery. I didn't believe it until…”

 

Wynonna pinned him with a hard stare, waiting for him to continue. “You didn't believe it until what, Fish?”

 

He just pulled his camera back out and showed her a fuzzy, nearly out of focus picture. The tiny screen showed three figures standing in a circle with their hands interlocked. They could have been chanting for all Wynonna knew based on the entirely implausible silhouette of a body that fucking hovered above them. Behind the impossible scene was a shadow of a man in a cowboy hat. 

 

Nothing about this made sense but it was clearly dangerous. She took out her phone and snapped a picture of her own. 

 

“You were there?” Wynonna guessed, accusation laced in her words. 

 

Fish gulped. “I wasn't supposed to be, I just wanted to surprise Levi. He was the lookout that night.” 

 

“You need to pick better friends and you should probably skip town for a bit.”

 

“You know I can't Wynonna.” 

 

Wynonna nodded, understanding there were just some people you couldn't leave, places that meant too much. But where Fish was happy to follow along, she was going to protect what was hers.

 

They came to their usual impasse and Wynonna sighed. Some people just didn't want to be saved. 

 

“Thanks for the intel. Try and stay safe.” Her eyes pleaded for what was likely a hopeless case. 

 

Fish nodded, his face solemn but resolute. He turned and left Wynonna to stare at the empty alleyway.

 

Well, this was a fucking shit show.

 

Wynonna grumbled to herself and began to pace, she absently ran her hand through her hair. What the hell was she gonna do? Supernatural was one thing but this was starting to sound like another level. And she'd somehow roped Waverly into it. 

 

Fuck. 

Notes:

How are we doing at the halfway point?

The rest of the house got sick and then I stumbled into a bit of writers block...so, I'm sorry for the wait.

Chapter 11: Make It Official

Summary:

Waverly asks Gus if Nicole can stay upstairs. Nicole finds herself in her very own Shorty's outfit and then she gets to dance with Waverly again.

Time is a funny thing, even if you're not adrift in it. The more you enjoy yourself the faster time passes and Nicole was finally starting to enjoy her present instead of just existing in it. She didn't exactly dream anymore, she wasn't exactly sure what happened in the in-between, but what little she remembered of dreaming felt like every moment she was with Waverly. She thoroughly enjoyed the kissing and the dancing and even just watching Waverly work from afar. Waverly made Nicole feel real and alive in a way that she was pretty sure she hadn't even been in her past. Nicole often found herself lost in that wonderful feeling as she sat in her spot, at the end of the bar…much like she was that evening. Thoughts of the brunette taking up most of the space in her head. 

 

“Earth to Nicole!” Waverly smiled as she snapped her fingers in front of the redhead. 

 

Dazed, Nicole responded with a dopey smile. “Hey, you. Is it time for your break already?”

 

That familiar flutter of nerves started to bloom in Nicole's stomach with the increased proximity.

 

“No, silly. But, Gus finally came out of her office and I want to corner her to talk before the customers get too rowdy and make her grumpy.”

 

Nicole was still distracted by the way Waverly’s eyes shifted colors, even in the dim bar light. She nodded absently before shaking off the enchantment that Waverly regularly induced in her. “What? Didn't you see Gus, like yesterday?”

 

Waverly leaned in and went about straightening Nicole's leather jacket, patting away non-existent lint. Something was up. Waverly's hands were shaking, ever so slightly as they slid along Nicole's lapels.

 

The brunette let out a wobbly sigh before she let her words tumble out in an adorable flurry. “I'm going to ask her about letting you use the extra room upstairs. It shouldn't be a problem. I mean you've already been staying there and I know I said you could stay, but asking Gus will make it official-official. She'll definitely say yes. Why wouldn’t she? You're great, amazing really. The apartment is empty–and you'll make a wonderful tenant. I like you. Hell, even Wynonna likes you. This will be fine…”

 

Nicole brought her hands up to stop Waverly’s rambling and frantic smoothing of her collar. “It's not a big deal, Waves. Try and relax. I'm really okay, either way. I don't mind sticking to the background.”

 

“I know. I just want you to be safe and comfortable. Well, as much as you can be.”

 

Nicole squeezed Waverly’s hands and the brunette's fingers finally relaxed. A smile bloomed on the redhead's face as Waverly’s rushed compliments finally registered. Waverly's eyebrow rose in question at Nicole's dopey grin.

 

“You think I'm great and you like me.” The redhead's dimple popped as her smile continued to grow. 

 

Waverly squinted up at her with indignation. “Nicole Haught. You better wipe that smile off your face. The very idea that I go around kissing just anybody.”

 

Waverly leaned in and gave her a swift, chaste kiss. Just enough contact that Nicole felt her butterflies melt into a wonderfully warm feeling in her stomach. 

 

Waverly pulled back and steeled her features. “Alright, here goes nothing.” 

 

Nicole was still a little dazed as she followed Waverly. Hand in hand, she let herself be pulled behind the bar and into Gus’s vicinity. Nicole made extra effort to keep a respectful distance between herself and Waverly, as much as she could manage in the tight space. It had started to feel claustrophobic, or maybe the tightness that gripped her chest was Nicole's nerves. She couldn't tell.

 

“Waverly, you know this isn't the place for customers. You let one back here and soon every hooligan in here thinks it's their right.” Her words suggested a reprimand, but her tone lacked any real bite. 

 

Waverly sucked in a breath. “I...well, we-really. We wanted to ask you a huge favor.”

 

Gus stopped her idle polishing and looked up from the glass in her hand. She stared hard at the pair, assessing the situation. “Go on girl, spit it out. You look like you've already decided my answer will be a no. Let's hear this favor before I actually decide. Yeah?”

 

Nicole glanced at Waverly, she just wanted to follow the brunette's lead. The flutter staring at Waverly usually stirred in her turned jittery and then hardened as she turned, it settled like lead in her stomach when she finally met Gus’s appraising glare. 

 

Waverly sucked in another breath before she rattled out the request. “I was thinking since I moved out of the upstairs apartment, that since it's just sitting empty at the moment…you could let Nicole stay there.”

 

“And why would I do that? Where are you staying now?” Gus countered. 

 

Nicole opened her mouth to answer but Waverly beat her to it. “She's in a bit of an in-between right now and doesn't have a lot of options. A transitional time, really, haven't we all been there before?”

 

Waverly and Gus traded expressions Nicole didn't quite understand, she felt a bit like an intruder watching something private. They had an entire mini conversation of their own, all without words as Nicole watched. 

 

Waverly gave one final pleading pout and Gus relented. “Fine, I do understand life throwing you curve balls you didn't ask for, but I can't afford just doin’ it for free.” 

 

Nicole snuck another worried glance at Waverly before the brunette jumped in with her real offer. “Nicole could take some shifts here at Shorty's for you. Give you even more time to get to all the bookkeeping.” 

 

The older woman took a beat to consider the offer, a second later she gave them a half smile, her consideration all a ruse.  “Fine. But you're in charge of training her.”

 

Waverly lunched forward with mumbled thank yous dropping from her mouth as she enveloped her Aunt in a tiny, but no less mighty looking bear hug. 

 

“You know, you didn't have to corner me by the taps. You could have just texted like a normal person. Hell, Wynonna can do it, I reckon it'd be water off a beaver's back for you.”  

 

Waverly pulled back, surprised. “I wasn't completely sure you'd say yes.”

 

“So you wanted to corner me with those sad sack looks on your faces, trying to appeal to my bleeding heart? Really, Waverly. You're supposed to be the smart one. Of course I was gonna help your friend. ”

 

Nicole and Waverly both blushed at the knowing emphasis Gus gave the word.

 

“Waverly’s still got the key, so move in whenever you're ready. It's still got all the basics. You can start training her as soon as you want, sooner the better…just start before the end of the week. You could even start now that Waverly’s break is officially over.” Gus threw an exaggerated glance at the clock. 

 

Waverly nodded and Nicole finally stuttered out a response. “Thank you, Gus. This really means a lot.” 

 

“It don't mean much, neighbors helping neighbors and such. Just don't let my niece down now that she vouched for yah.” Gus nodded at Nicole. “I've got work to get back to. Now, go on. Scoot.” 

 

Gus gave them a final exasperated smile and turned to resume her polishing.

 

Waverly led Nicole back at her usual stool and went back to work serving the line that had accumulated in her absence. After serving the  regulars the redhead watched Waverly take one more scan of the room. Waverly made sure everyone was happy before Nicole found herself once again being led by the hand, completely and willingly at Waverly’s mercy. 

 

They ascended the back stairs and Waverly waited for Nicole to fish the key from her pocket to let them in. She pushed through the door and over the threshold to reveal a tiny but familiar space.  

 

“Home sweet home. I know it's not much and you already basically lived here but…”

 

Nicole moved into Waverly's space, backing her into the nearest wall, smiling as she brushed a hair from the brunette's face behind her ear. Waverly's mouth hung open mid sentence at the interruption. “Thank you for making it official-official. It’s perfect, Earp.” Nicole leaned in and gave her a lovingly lingering kiss. 

 

They parted slowly, staring at each other as they paused to catch their breath. “I'll take that as one of the best thank yous I've ever gotten.” Waverly panted. 

 

“You didn't have to do any of this so that's just the beginning of my thank yous, Waves.” 

 

“I wanted to. Besides now I can help you decorate a little.” Waverly let out a sigh, brown hair spilling over her shoulders as her head found the wall. “I have to get back, did you want to start training tonight?”

 

Nicole closed her eyes at the thought. “As much as I love any time I get to spend with you, I think I'd definitely drop something in front of Gus. The woman makes me nervous.”

 

Waverly’s eyes snapped onto Nicole's as a laugh escaped her. “The big old supernatural mystery woman is scared of an old lady?” You're probably older than her for all we know. She's been nothing but nice, too.”

 

“Hey, she might be younger than me… maybe. But that would only be a technicality if you're thinking about linear time. I feel more like I'm on pause, really. And I didn't say she scares me, she's your family Waverly. I just wanna make a good impression.”

 

Waverly rubbed her hands over both of Nicole's arms reassuringly. “I think punching James was already the best first impression you could have managed, but I get what you mean.” Waverly leaned in for a quick kiss before she extracted herself from the wall and Nicole. “My next solo shift is the day after tomorrow, how about that?”

 

Nicole found herself nodding in agreement. “Yes. Sounds much safer, I'm certain the glassware will thank us.”

 

Waverly gave a small smile and left the redhead in what was now properly her room. Nicole plopped down on the bed and reached for the headphones around her neck. She drifted off to the steady bass beat of one of her favorite songs.

 

---

 

A persistent knock finally jolted Nicole back into her body. It was faint and clashed with the ballad that now played from her headphones. The cassette player had a fun habit of joining her on her shifts through existence, pausing with her. She opened her eyes and shook the familiar stiffness that came from once again taking up physical space. At least this time she'd gotten to lay down before phasing out of reality. Before she stood, Nicole paused her portable player and dropped her headset around her neck. 

 

She opened the door to a surprised Waverly, her hand swinging, mid knock. The force of Waverly’s knocking caused her to lose her balance and pitch forward just past the point of correction.  Waverly landed in Nicole's arms.

 

“Morning.” Waverly squeaked.

 

Nicole laughed as she brought Waverly back to her feet, keeping the contact even after the brunette's feet were planted solidly underneath her. “This is starting off as a very wonderful morning indeed. Morning, Earp.” The redhead leaned down for what should have been a quick peck until Waverly drew her in. 

 

They kissed deep and slow, enjoying the feeling of each other for what felt like a miniature infinity to Nicole before Waverly pulled away. Waverly looked as dazed as Nicole felt with her unfocused gaze and kiss swollen lips.  

 

“I just came to get you for training…” Waverly whispered.

 

“That was some training. Best I've ever had and I don't even need to have my memories to know that.”

 

Waverly balled her fist and gave Nicole a half-hearted punch to her leather clad shoulder. “You started it.”

 

“Well, you tried to finish it, Earp.” 

 

“Inventory and bar tending basics are never going to measure up.” Waverly sighed. 

 

Nicole narrowed her eyes playfully. “Oh, I don't know about that. I really do enjoy watching you work in that.” The redhead's eyes traced Waverly’s form in her altered Shorty’s top.

 

“My eyes are up here, Loverboy….oh! Look, I found one for you.” Waverly's smile took over her face as she pulled another branded shirt from where it hung out of the back pocket of her jeans. 

 

“I don't have to wear it like you do, do I? Also, I'm not sure how well outside clothing is gonna work for me. Although, I don't think I've ever tried.” She paused before muttering. “No one to really try for before…”

 

Waverly's smile softened. “Of course not, Nic. But I'll probably be just as distracted as you.” 

 

Nicole took the shirt and backed up a step before she shrugged off her jacket. Waverly went still as she watched. 

 

Gosh she's cute when she panics. 

 

“Waves…” Nicole made a familiar gesture for Waverly to turn around. The blush that had overtaken the brunette's face was delightful.

 

“God. Yes…oh, dear. I'll just…” Waverly finally turned around. 

 

Nicole paused, trying to commit the utter cuteness to memory. She really hoped it would stick. 

 

The redhead dropped the jacket and flannel on the bed and threw the uniform shirt over her undershirt. She thought it best to have something exra from her past under the new outfit,  just in case. 

 

“How do I look?” Nicole asked.

 

Waverly spun around excitedly and paused, taking Nicole in just as she'd done Waverly. “Yup, totally distracting.”

 

Nicole just smirked, loving every embarrassed second.

 

“It hasn't disappeared yet, do you think it will?...We should really test your limits, shouldn't we?” Waverly mused. 

 

The gears in her head had started to spin as Nicole brought her back. “Nope. No disappearing. We should get to that training first. We can always test my limits later.”

 

Waverly blinked out of her own thoughts to gape at the suggestive tone Nicole had added to the word limits. She gulped. “We should definitely start that training now.”

 

Nicole watched Waverly spin around and fly down the stairs, not waiting for her to follow. Nicole followed anyway, unable to suppress the smile that overtook her features. 

 

Hours later Nicole's face was only just starting to hurt from the stretch of the now persistent smile. Waverly had shown her everything imaginable and Nicole hoped she could keep it all in her head. Fake it till you make it, Haught. It'll be fine. She'd repeated the line often throughout the day.

 

She'd gotten the full tour, a crash course in inventory and even Waverly’s patented polishing method. Nicole loved every boring minute. They shared a hodgepodge of bar food for lunch, a selection that would hopefully be sparsely utilized, but was delicious with the right company. It had been the perfect day, the most consecutive time they'd spent together and Nicole was in heaven by Waverly’s side. 

 

They worked in tandem as Nicole shadowed Waverly well into the evening before Waverly finally let go of the training mode. They were drying a set of pint glasses when Waverly reached out to still the redhead's hand.

 

“Hey, why don't we take a break? The bar’s pretty empty and I've been dying for another dance.” Waverly's voice was just on the other side of a whisper, just loud enough for Nicole to hear over the current musical selection. 

 

Nicole wavered as the song changed. 

 

Waverly tugged at her hand. “Oh my god, I love this one. Come on, pretty please!”

 

Nicole rolled her eyes in defeat as Waverly dragged her onto what qualified as a dance floor at Shorty's. “Fine.” She muttered as her smile returned.

 

The music had a familiar beat as an unfamiliar voice started to sing. “I know you don't know who Britney Spears is, but she got me through many hard nights of studying.”

 

Nicole didn't know the artist, but she sure did enjoy watching Waverly dance. Nicole swayed on beat but the redhead's focus was on Waverly as her shoulders rocked and her hips rolled. The lyrics of the song itched at something in her memories. Nicole ignored the thought in favor of watching Waverly gyrate infront of her. 

 

“Is that the best you got, cowboy? Let's see if we can do better.”

 

Waverly pressed in tight, her back to Nicole's front as Waverly guided Nicole's hips to match her own seductive rhythm. 

 

Once Nicole got the hang of it, Waverly spun again. This time into Nicole's arms, the brunette eagerly closed the last bit of space between them. “That's it, baby. Hard not to love ‘I love Rock ‘n’ Roll’, isn't it?”

 

The comment didn't fully register wrapped in Waverly's arms as the music's steady beat continued. She rocked with Waverly and began to hum along absently as she closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of the brunette in her arms. 

 

Nicole stumbled onto the next song beat. Something shifted inside her. Suddenly the music felt wrong and the satisfaction of the moment fell away. The feminine voice of the first verse was replaced in her head with a voice she was much more familiar with. The Arrows pick up the verse in her head and Nicole's stomach sinks. She doesn't want to open her eyes. They'd had a moment and now her memories were trying to take it from them. She'd stopped dancing but the song hadn't changed. 

 

“Nicole?” The voice is tinged with concern.

 

Nicole still hadn't opened her eyes, dreading what she knew she'd find. She was finally greeted by deep brown instead of the hazel she wanted. 

 

“Shae.” Nicole let the name fall in a whisper. The Arrows lyrics nearly drowned out her reply.

 

Shae stared back at her with an easy smile, it crinkled at the edges where Nicole now remembered the woman hid most of her concern. The smile felt foreign to Nicole, not just because it was a memory, but because it had happened far less at the end of their relationship. Nicole gasped as she felt the knowledge snap into place. 

 

The house. They'd bought a house together. 

 

This was them celebrating. Nicole caught sight of the open wine bottle on the kitchen table. Shae took a cautious step forward as Nicole continued to process. The redhead shut her eyes, trying desperately to get back to Waverly. She didn't want this memory back if it meant missing one with Waverly. 

 

Nicole flinched as she felt her former girlfriend's hand brush the hair that had curtained her face. Shae pushed another stand of Nicole's hair back behind her ear trying to comfort her but it felt so hollow.  Maybe it was comforting in the original moment but not now. She missed Waverly.

 

Nicole pulled back frantically. The lightness she'd found in piecing together her past now pulled her apart at the seams. She stumbled into the table and felt cool leather beneath her fingertips. It was her jacket. It felt so much stiffer under her fingertips, the material not yet broken in. Nicole played with the tag absently. She knew without looking her name was freshly inked on its face. 

 

This moment had been so happy. Nicole closed her eyes, knowing what came next. 

 

“Baby, what's wrong?”

 

She had panicked–irrationally catastrophizing in that moment that her parents would find them now that there was such an obvious public record. But they had abandoned her. They wouldn't look for her or yell at her anymore.

 

‘“We'll get through it together, I promise. I'm right here.”

 

Nicole felt more pieces drop into place as her then-girlfriend moved in for an embrace. The music still played behind them, dissonant and jarring compared to her inner turmoil.

 

Nicole leaned into the hug, but it didn't ground her like Waverly’s. It didn't ground her because she knew when things got tough, Shae wouldn't stay. Her career was more important. And it always would be when the gossip amongst the nurses started. 

 

A tear slipped down her face and Nicole closed her eyes in a fruitless attempt to stop more from falling. 

 

Why were all these memories so fucking sad?

 

She felt warm skin thumb the moisture away as a sob escaped her lips and she broke down. 

 

Chapter 12: Scars and Past Deeds

Summary:

Waverly comforts Nicole and then finds out some interesting information.

 

Waverly wiped at the tears that leaked from the corners of Nicole's eyes. A sharp sob made the redhead's frame shake and Waverly wrapped an arm around her waist while the other pulled Nicole's head to her shoulder. The hands that had been limp at Waverly’s waist pawed their way up her back until Nicole gripped her shoulders like Waverly was the only thing keeping her upright. 

 

When the silence between sobs grew, Waverly pulled her head away tentatively to assess the situation as her hands slid to the redhead's waist. Nicole had come back to Waverly. She stared into mocha eyes that were less glassy and more aware. Waverly let Nicole's breathing even out as she rubbed soothing circles with her thumbs just above Nicole’s hips. She was certain things would be fine but this wasn't the place for a heart to heart. 

 

“Hey, Lou! Pack it up, we're closed for the night. That one's on us if you leave now.” Waverly shouted as she watched the old man down the rest of his pint, unwilling to argue against free alcohol.

 

Waverly softened her tone and whispered her next words. “I'm just gonna lock up and turn off the lights. Do you want to head upstairs to wait for me?”

 

Waverly didn't expect much of an answer, but was surprised by the shake of red curls as Nicole gripped her hand and lightly squeezed without letting go. 

 

So Waverly closed down Shorty's, holding Nicole's hand as she did the bare minimum to close the bar. When she was finished, she pulled the redhead up the stairs. Nicole’s fingers were laced tightly around her own as if Nicole lost her grip Waverly would disappear. Waverly squeezed gently as she turned, finally untangling their hands to check in. Nicole let her go but made no move to open the apartment door. She looked so empty, like every new memory added more pain than clarity. The redhead had been so cocky and sure of who she was when they’d first met, a far cry from the state she was in now. 

 

Waverly knew loss–but this, this was something on a scale she couldn’t quite wrap her mind around. Waverly had cried for a month when Momma left. She’d felt like a piece of her died when she’d finally realized Willa and Daddy weren’t coming home either. And when she’d tried to escape Purgatory the first time, Uncle Curtis had torn another piece of her heart out when Waverly had come home to the news of his heart attack on her answering machine. She couldn’t imagine losing the only thing that had helped ease her grief. It had taken time and more distance, but eventually the ‘good’ memories had filled in the gaps and allowed Waverly to move on. She couldn’t imagine gradually becoming aware of past wounds but not being able to fill them with anything. Nicole had lost the memories that had shaped who she was, memories that could patch those holes. It must be exhausting. 

 

Waverly slid in close and pulled the key from Nicole's pocket. Earlier, when they’d left to start training Nicole had made a show of spinning the key theatrically before proudly shoving it into her jeans and thanking Waverly one more time. The difference between then and now was stark and Waverly immediately started to run through different plans to comfort Nicole. When they finally entered the apartment, Waverly busied herself with trying to scrape together something hot to drink. The squeak of springs in the corner allowed Waverly to sigh with relief. Nicole had finally relaxed enough to make it to the bed. While the kettle bubbled, she’d placed a questionably old tea bag into the only non-chipped mug she could find. Waverly turned to find Nicole sitting slumped at the edge of the bed. Red hair spilled over Nicole’s hands as she cupped her face, her brown eyes were out of focus staring blankly at the floor, lost in her own thoughts.

 

Waverly waited, not wanting to break the string of thoughts that played loudly across Nicole’s face. She didn’t wait long before Nicole finally looked up at her.

 

“I'm exhausted, Waves. Getting my old memories back is great and all, but it’s not worth it if it means losing the ones I want to be making with you.” Nicole whimpered in frustration. “I don’t want to be reminded of only bits and pieces with no way to connect anything.”

 

The weight of the redhead's words sank under Waverly’s skin. “I know, baby.”

 

Words felt inadequate, anything she could say would just spin them in circles. She didn't have any answers. She couldn't take Nicole's pain, but she could make the most of their time together. Waverly crossed the small studio space and sat down next to Nicole. She reached out and brushed away the strands of auburn closest to her. The redhead turned into the touch as heavy lids fluttered shut. Waverly leaned in to kiss Nicole’s temple and was met with a shiver as Waverly’s lips lingered. Waverly felt her restraint slipping. She’d tried to slow things down, but everything about Nicole made her want to move forward. Nicole was the mystery she just couldn’t let go of, even if she’d tried. They had been in this apartment alone before but now all she wanted to do was make the redhead forget.

 

Waverly couldn’t help herself. She let her mouth drift below Nicole’s ear as she placed another kiss, waiting for the other woman to stop her. Instead, Waverly felt the bed dip as Nicole shifted to meet her, brown eyes pleading with Waverly to continue. The brunette felt soft hands, so soft and tentative, reach up as they cradled her face. Nicole closed her eyes, no longer pleading and leaned in to kiss Waverly. She was immediately lost in the feeling of Nicole’s lips, any thoughts of missing memories evaporated as their hands roamed and their mouths parted. 

 

Waverly wanted this. 

 

She wanted it more than she was willing to admit to anyone. Purgatory may not have felt like home, but Nicole did, and if she was stuck in Purgatory, well, Waverly would just have to accept that. The thought fluttered through her head and she pushed it away not wanting to concentrate on anything but the delicious slide of Nicole’s tongue against her own. Waverly thought things couldn’t get better until she felt a tug at the tie of her cropped Shorty’s shirt. She missed the warmth of Nicole’s hands that had drifted across to her exposed back when the fabric tumbled out of its knot. Waverly almost protested, but Nicole pulled back to tug the shirt up and over her head. 

 

Waverly watched as Nicole paused to rake her gaze across the lace of her bra and across the newly exposed skin. It just wouldn’t do to let her have all the fun, so Waverly leaned in and pulled Nicole into another heated kiss. She let her hand graze the hem of Nicole’s shirt. With a swift tug of her own, Waverly removed the offending material. Nicole didn’t let her pull far enough away from her to let Waverly have the same look at Nicole, so Waverly let her hands wander. Her curious fingertips were met with the cotton of Nicole’s bra. She faltered when she felt Nicole reply with small caresses up her back. Nicole’s fingers stopped to play near the clasp but didn’t push to release it. 

 

Waverly sighed into another kiss, desperate for the teasing to stop, but two could play that game and Waverly retaliated by dragging one hand to cup Nicole’s neck and let the other dance across Nicole’s chest with just enough pressure to trace the outline of the redhead’s bra. Nicole’s skin was silky under her fingertips and Waverly desperately wanted to touch and see everything. Her fingers slid over the spot just above Nicole’s heart and she paused when she found skin that wasn’t as delicate and smooth as Waverly had expected.

 

Nicole kissed down the brunette’s neck, almost distracting her from this new mystery but something in Waverly had shifted. She traced along the edge of the raised skin with gentle fingers. It was a scar. Something about the shape caused Waverly’s mind to drift. Her fingers continued to absently caress the outline of Nicole’s scar until they both felt a jolt, not quite electric but enough to still Waverly’s hand at the center of the scar.

 

Nicole pulled back at the sudden sensation. Her hair was mussed and her skin was tinged pink with anticipation but confusion raced behind her eyes in time with her ragged breaths. 

 

Waverly knew without looking what she would see when she opened her eyes. The outline she’d traced could be only one thing and she had no idea what it meant besides one more mystery. Waverly took a breath and looked down to see the faint reddish-purple outline of several pointed scars on Nicole’s pale chest, the sharp edges of a star etched distinctly against her soft skin. 

 

Waverly saw Nicole’s gaze chase her own out of the corner of her eye. The redhead startled at the sight, her head quickly shaking her denial. 

 

“What the fuck is that?” Nicole whispered.

 

Waverly tilted her head. “You didn’t know you had a scar?”

 

Nicole raised a trembling hand to touch the outline, tentatively as if touching it might incur the same shock as before. “I never noticed it. I don’t actually take my clothes off much. It’s not really necessary when you kind of just disappear…”

 

Waverly reached out to trace behind Nicole’s fingers as the kettle finally whistled from across the room. The sudden noise jolted Waverly out of her reverence and she found herself rising to deal with it. They’d been so close to something more without a thorough thought to the consequences. Waverly sighed as she finished making the mug of tea. Another mystery had popped up and she added it to the list of things she needed to research but that would come later, now she just needed to comfort Nicole not get distracted by her libido.  Waverly ruffled through the cabinet to find a sugar packet and added it to the tea. She tugged at the string of the tea bag a few times while it steeped for good measure and then pulled it from the cup. 

 

The mug steamed in her hands as she offered it to Nicole. The redhead barely looked away from the mark on her chest and hissed as she absently took a sip. A tear formed at the edge of red lashes, Waverly assumed it was from the scalding her tongue had just received until Nicole spoke softly. “What are we doing here Waves? I’m just one riddle after another. I can’t even kiss you without discovering something new, and not even the good kind of discoveries.” Nicole let out a sigh as she lowered the tea to her lap, hands cupping it possessively. 

 

Waverly wrapped an arm around Nicole’s middle and dropped her head to Nicole’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay. We can figure this out. I’m sure of it.”

 

Another reluctant sigh escaped Nicole. “But how long are you going to stay before I’m too much?” The question came out in a whisper.

 

“As long as it takes, I’m not going anywhere.” Waverly answered. The words tumbled out before she could consider them, but as soon as they were out Waverly couldn’t be bothered to amend them. They were the truth–even if Waverly hadn’t expected to mean them. She wanted to be with Nicole and if that meant staying in Purgatory, so be it.

---

The next morning Waverly found herself tiptoeing down the hallway of the sheriffs department to Wynonna’s office. Her sister had left a few taunting texts about staying out all night but also one about being sent on a stake out by Dolls. With Wynonna otherwise occupied, Waverly decided her sister’s computer was the nearest reliable internet connection. Scouring databases at Shorty’s, on nothing but her phone wasn’t going to get her far. And since Nicole couldn’t come with her, that left Waverly to sneak quietly into Wynonna’s empty office. Making Nicole wait to gather her laptop felt like torture and Waverly wanted to see if Nicole’s latest memory could help her find something in the now “forbidden” database. Wynonna had casually asked her not to use it anymore, but it wasn’t as if Wynonna wasn’t using it to find out shit about her favorite musicians and celebrities when she got bored. 

 

One last check couldn’t hurt anything anyway, she’d be so quick. 

 

The buzz of the industrial light bulb greeted her from above and Waverly shut the door. The computer thrummed to life at the pace of the slowest snail Waverly could imagine as her eyes flicked between the computer screen and the closed door. If this didn’t get her anywhere she’d just track down Jeremy. Her knee bounced as she fiddled with the mouse, waiting for the screen load. As she waited she thought about her first attempt with Wynonna’s fancy database, maybe she’d just used the wrong name. They probably weren’t married, it hadn’t even been legal then, but maybe that was why she couldn’t find Nicole. The search bar finally loaded and Waverly’s fingers trembled slightly as she typed, ‘Nicole Pressman’ into the blank field. 

 

Her finger hit enter and she watched as familiar words appeared.

 

 ‘No Search Results Found’ 

 

Waverly’s stomach sank. She wasn’t sure where the feeling had come from. The idea of Nicole with another woman hadn’t bothered her before but this felt different. They’d bought a house together, surely the level of commitment wasn’t what had snuck up on Waverly. She closed her eyes and tried to will away the feeling. 

 

A knock at the door caused her to flinch just as she finished typing Shae’s name into the search bar. Waverly’s wide eyes landed on Jeremy as he barreled into the office.

 

He struggled with his words, his features flashing between determination and relief, before he grasped who was sitting at Wynonna’s desk. “Little Earp! Boy am I happy to see you instead of Wynonna. I really wasn’t looking forward to discussing the latest bonkers autopsy report…but you don’t need to know that…” He shook his head, like he could erase the slip before he changed the subject. “I was going to head down to the records room after I finished with that but now that you’re here, do you wanna come with me? Two heads is always better than one.” His smile crept upward at the idea of company.

 

The nervous energy that had jolted through Waverly at the prospect of being caught drained from her body, replaced with relief at the sight of her new friend. “I’m glad to see you, too, I was actually going to stop by today.”

 

“Really? Awesome. I shall escort you to my domain.” He laughed sheepishly as he offered an elbow. “But I do have to warn you, I still haven’t found much about Nic.”

 

Waverly rolled her eyes at the gesture and hastily raced to shut down the computer. “I think I might have some new leads to try. Nicole was able to remember something new. She apparently owned a house at some point.”

 

“Well, if it’s here in Purgatory I think we can probably find it. There isn’t much that doesn’t make it down to the ol’ record room in this small town, at least paperwork wise.”  

 

They shuffled down the stairs, making their way through numerous and increasingly dark hallways until Jeremy stopped at an unmarked door. The light above them flickered and Waverly wondered just how much time Jeremy spent down here alone.

 

“So, about that new information. If it’s not down here, we could always continue with the files I was looking through..” Jeremy offered.

 

He flipped the switch on the wall and bathed the dreary file room with a half-hearted attempt at light. Waverly scanned the wire shelves and their labels, it was a surprisingly well organized space. Each rack was stuffed to the brim with boxes that were neatly labeled.

 

Waverly reached out and traced the shelf marked ‘licenses’ with her finger. “I think we should try to look for the deed to that house if they go back that far first.”

 

“Cool, cool. That would be over here behind the leasing agreements.” Jeremey said as he pointed to another aisle.  

 

“I wonder if the records go back far enough…” Waverly mused.

 

Jeremey paused, stopping in front of the shelf labeled ‘Deeds’. “It should. There are a surprising amount of records stored here. I suppose it’s because Purgatory is so small. Do you want to take the H’s and I’ll take the P’s?”

 

Waverly nodded and they got to work sifting through boxes of musty smelling paperwork.  

 

Waverly opened the first container and let her fingers slip down the length of documents before examining the first file. “So, Jeremy, you and Nicole were friends right?”

 

Jeremy stopped his perusal of his own box and looked up at her. “I mean,  yeah. I don't just bring in late night donuts for just anybody. She's the only one who ever let me go on and on about Marvel movies like she'd never even seen one. For someone so familiar with comic book lore you'd think she would have stopped me. She also saved all the good donuts for me, never once touched anything but the plain old vanilla dipped.”

 

Waverly watched him get lost in his memories. 

 

He sighed as he continued. “I thought she'd ghosted me like everybody else, finally tired of my nerd babble…if I'd have known something was wrong I wouldn't have given up on her.”

 

“Somehow I don't think she's the type to hold grudges.” Waverly replied.

 

Jeremy nodded and returned his focus to the box in front of him. “Right. I can help now and that's all that matters.”

 

They'd opened a shelf of boxes each and combed through every possible deed. It felt like hours with multiple papercuts later but eventually Jeremey let out a whoop of excitement.

 

 “I think I found it. You did say Shae Pressman right?” He got quieter as he studied the document. 

 

Waverly maneuvered behind Jeremy so she could read just over his shoulder. “Are you sure this is right?”

 

“I mean, yeah? There weren't any other deeds with the Pressman name in the file so far and I've already made it back to the 70's.” Jeremy scrunched up his face as if it would help him decipher the text on the page. 

 

“I guess it does say N. Haught…if this is true I think I have to get back to Nicole. Maybe it'll spark another memory.” Waverly muttered absently.

 

She grabbed the paper out of Jeremy’s hands and quickly gathered her purse. She had already made it to the door before Jeremy finally gathered his thoughts to protest. “I'm not technically allowed to take anything from this room…”

 

The warning was muffled by the slam of the door as Waverly left. 

 

---

 

Waverly knock was loud and demanding. She pushed past an alarmed looking Nicole to collapse into one of the chairs that surrounded the studio's small dining table. The wood creaked as Waverly landed. 

 

“Woah, Waves, where's the fire?” Nicole tentatively sat across from her.

 

Waverly slid the deed across the table for Nicole to read without answering Nicole. The brunette bit at the edge of her thumb to keep from excitedly spilling this new revelation.

 

Nicole scanned the page twice as her eyebrows rose higher with each pass. “But my name is Nicole. I'm sure of it, not much else…but you'd think I'd remember my own name.”

 

Waverly reached across the table to cradle one of Nicole's hands. She gently stroked her thumb a few times across the back of Nicole’s before she answered. “This is a lot, but it does explain why I couldn't find your name in any of my previous searches.”

 

Nicole stood abruptly, squeezing the paper tightly as she began to pace. “But my name is Nicole, not Rayleigh. I know my own name.”

 

“I'm not saying you wouldn't but do you really think it's a coincidence that Shae Pressman and Rayleigh N. Haught have a deed in the Purgatory records office for a house purchased in the 70's. It certainly explains your taste in music players.” Waverly pointed accusingly at the tape player attached to the redhead's hip. 

 

“My name can't be Rayleigh.” Nicole shook her head and then suddenly stopped pacing. “It’s in my jacket.  My name is in my jacket.”

 

Waverly watched stunned at the denial her discovery had generated. Nicole shucked the leather off and she shoved the tag at Waverly for inspection. The tag was inked with Nicole's name but as Waverly squinted she noticed smudges above the N. The faded outline of an R formed the longer Waverly stared at the label.

 

She must have broadcast her intrigue as she felt Nicole move to hover behind her chair. Nicole's fingertip traced the faded outline of the R. 

Notes:

If there's a plot hole, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I'm just trying to finish this story for myself and I'm not great at editing. I don't really know who's still interested in this fic...or if it's even coherent at this point. Maybe more words will come to me when I'm done with all the transcript work.

Notes:

Can't forget to thank EsotericRapport for all the support and comma corrections. Thanks again for sorting through my crazy ideas.