whedonist

Fandom: Nikki & Nora
Pairing: Nikki/Nora
Rating: PG-13 to R (depends on the chapter)
Title: A Thousand Oceans – Ch.3 – These Scars We Wear

Disclaimer: These characters well, Nikki, Nora, Dan, Darius, Georgia, Charlie, Arthur, Bobby and Mrs. Delaney are so not mine (damnit!), but Ann and Jill and other characters not mentioned in the pilot are (Ha!). The ones in the “damnit!” category belong to Nancylee Myatt and other’s I don’t know. I’m here for a bit of fun, and for this story, angst. No profit is being made here, and if it is, I’m not seeing a dime.

Oh and before I forget, music is awesome, in fact it’s preferred over television, so…the story title is from Tori Amos (all bow to Tori “Goddess of the Ivory Keys” Amos) and Part I of this mess is from David Cook (yes, the American Idol winner – it’s actually not a bad album, a little over produced, but that’s common nowadays) off the self-titled album. The lyrics nor title belong to me…and I’m glad they don’t…I can’t sing to save my life.

A/N: In order to curry favor with the Football Gods (they served me well with my college teams yesterday and I don’t want to test my luck) and (it’s a wash on what’s more important) my household’s just so damn stoked that the season premier of Dexter is tonight and our beloved serial killer’s back. So in honor of Dexter and to curry favor, I’ve decided to post an extra chapter. I hope everyone enjoys the day (wherever they are).

These scars we wear remind us,
The more we change the more we're all the same,

The sun shines down on us as I watch Lucy and Travis load up the rest of the bags on the jet Lucy will be flying back to Washington. Jill’s arm is snug around my waist as she squeezes me into her side. For a few brief moments, I allow myself to relax and return the hug with one of my own.

In a way it feels like they just got here. Then again, it feels like everything’s changed. I sigh as we release each other and Ann scoops me up. I wrap my arms around her waist and she buries her face in my neck. Her voice is muffled but I hear, “I’m gonna miss you.”

“Me too.” I say and squeeze harder.

“You two hug any longer and I may just start feeling left out,” John jokes from my right. I let my friend go and look him over. Black t-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. He wears a single side arm and it’s strapped to the right waist of his back. His boyish grin and bright eyes would make most appear cocky.

For some reason, it just sort of endears me to him. I stick my hand out and he shakes it firmly. “That all I warrant Delaney?” I roll my eyes and offer him hug.

“Oh, no,” I hear Lucy behind us. “John, if your wife saw…”

He steps back and winks, “Becca’d either want to watch or ask me to leave.” His eyes dance with laughter and he wiggles his eyesbrows at me.

“Didn’t need to know that,” I say blandly. The rest of the group laugh.

I point a finger at me, but the words ‘taken and gay’ die on my lips. I’m not sure if I am taken. Not anymore.

The director must see something flash across my face as he drapes an arm over my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it Nora. These things have a way of sorting themselves out.”

I nod mutely as he steers me towards Ann and Jill. “I’ll see you around Detective Delaney. Take good care of your partner and hopefully the next time around it will be under far more pleasant circumstances.” I watch him and the other two agents on his team retreat up the steps of the jet and inside, leaving Ann, Jill and me on the tarmac.

Ann’s the first to offer another hug as she kisses me on the cheek. “Call her,” is all she offers vocally before trotting up the steps, following her team.

Jill stays and looks me over. Her mouth screws to the side, her arms across her chest as she studies me. Finally settling on some words she offers this, “It’s you to decide.”

Her lips brush against my forehead and she takes off after her wife. I stand there for a moment before walking towards June Lee parked off to the left of the private hangar. I’ve seen enough of airports for a while.

I get to my baby and turn her over, letting her idle as I mull over Jill’s words. She’s usually not that cryptic, but knowing her, she was trying to tell me something.

I just wish I knew what.

Sighing, I fish out the items from my pocket that’re digging into my thigh. Two badges, honorary, from Director Malone, the I.D.s claim Nikki and I both as federal agents. I snort at John’s gift. He said that if anyone gives us any “shit” just flash the badge and it will “shut ‘em up.”

I swear that man isn’t playing with a full deck.

I stuff the gag gifts in my glove compartment next to an extra set of cuffs, spare clips and registration. Silently, I watch the jet lift off and wish my friends safe travel.

Pulling my cell phone from my pocket, I check the display first and view the fact that I have no missed calls. I pinch it then, between my thumb and index finger raising it up a few inches above my thigh to let it slip through. It rotates, my fingers providing the axis for its turn before softly hitting my thigh again.

I haven’t seen her for three days and we really need to talk. I just don’t understand what happened. She seemed to get that I was so very sorry Sunday. What changed in the few seconds between me wrapping her knuckles and John walking into the room?

I’ve tried several times to call Nikki, each call was met with a voicemail after a few rings, now…it goes straight to voicemail. The phone twirls as my mind gathers the pieces of my life together.

She won’t talk to me over the phone. Darius won’t pick up the phone. I only have one more option in terms of trying to track down my partner.

Her father.

I chew on my lower lip and continue to fiddle with my phone. Is that really something that I want to do?

Fuck it.

I toss the phone on the passenger seat and put June Lee in gear…

What did mama used to say when dad was acting like an ass…If the mountain won’t go to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain.

I snort. Right like I need to be like my mother. I shake my head and slip into the flow of traffic on the highway. I just hope Nikki’s let her father know where she’s at.

A small traffic accident on the highway slows my progress and by the time I make it to Nikki’s dad’s it’s quarter to five. I hate knockin’ on people’s door around supper. Seems rude.

I kill June Lee’s engine and snag my phone. I straighten my back and square my shoulders walking up the brick sidewalk. Her dad’s place always made me nervous. Too much for just a couple of people. My three brothers, mom, dad, and I could all live in the den.

I hit the doorbell and hear it ring in the house. My hands get stuffed in my pocket and I rock back on my heels waiting for someone to come answer the door. For some reason I feel eight again waiting on my best friend, Sara, to answer the door. I always got so nervous standing outside waiting on her.

The door swings open to reveal one of their staff. He’s clean cut in a simple linen suit and I’m struck again by how different Nikki and I are. The way we grew up so vastly different from another. What if it’s just the realization that we’re too different to actually work?

Did she finally see what I’ve known all along? She’s the Frances to my Johnny.

I run a hand through my hair and ask, “Is Mr. Beaumont in. I’m looking for Nikki. I work with her and she isn’t picking up her phone. I was hoping he could help.”

His lip and eyebrow rise in tandem, it’s slight but there and I can’t tell if it’s shock or disgust. Maybe a bit of both…?

“Ms. Beaumont is here. Please wait here and I’ll see if she’s accepting company.” He shuts the door behind me and strides up the steps while I wait in the foyer.

Her being here is convenient. I think. I’m still a little shocked that tracking her down was this easy.

It seems like forever as I stand really looking around, examining the different pieces of art decorating the walls or the few family pictures. Nikki always told me that she didn’t have much family. An aunt and uncle that live up North with two cousins that don’t stay in touch much.

Her family is her dad and Darius. I had thought that her circle had widened enough to include me too.

I guess we’re about to find out. The butler comes down and clips, “She’s in her room, go up the steps, turn right, it’s the second door on the right.”

I swallow and nod.

Guess we’re gonna see how infested the waters I’m diving into are.

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