Fighting Desires (Wayhaught)

Season 1: Chapter 3

'Hey Waverley!'

I winced slightly, stopping in my tracks before turning around with a smile towards Nicole 'yeah?'

'Can I give you a lift or something? I just don't really want to leave you alone after that' I watched with a soft smile as she twisted her hands in front of her.

'I actually don't have to go anywhere' I confessed, watching her face change into one of confusion 'I was just embarrassed about crying in front of you. I've never really cried in front of... anyone'

'Because your the happy Waverley Earp' she mumbled, realisation dawning on her

'Exactly' I whispered.

'I'm sorry, Waverley. But I don't want you to be the happy and bubbly Waverley that everyone else sees. It's just a front. It's your defence against everything, isn't it?' The way she spoke to me, so softly and with so much endearment that it was no surprise when my eyes were filling with unshed tears before I nodded weakly.

Before the first sob racked from my throat, Nicole had her strong arms wrapped around my shoulders 'Waverley' I tried to resist, I tried to pull away but eventually I gave into the inevitable and wrapped my own arms around her, letting the sobs escape from my lips 'shh, it's ok. I've got you now. You're ok' I closed my eyes when she ran her fingers calmly through my hair, slowly suppressing my sobs. I moved my head slowly, turning my face into the crook of her neck, quietly inhaling her sweet smell of vanilla and perfume.

A few minutes later the older woman took a small step back and leaned down to look at me 'ok now?'

I nodded my head dumbly before opening my mouth to speak 'I'm sor-'

'Don't apologize. Don't apologize for that when you're around me, ok?'

'Ok' I cringed slightly at the crack in my voice, swallowing the lump in my throat.

'So' she smiled reassuringly as she reached up and wiped my tears away with the end of the sleeve on her shirt 'since you're not doing anything, you wanna help me with some paper work?'

'I think your just using me at my vulnerable state to your advantage, Officer Haught' I gave a horse laugh as a smile broke out on my face.

'Who me? Nooo I would never' she smirked before showing me to her desk. She asked me to sit while she left to photocopy some reports. While I waited for her return I was drawn to the photos on her desk. There were three in total. The first one was a picture of Nicole, her mom, dad and her brother and sister standing in front of what looked like the Grand Canyon. I couldn't help but smile at how happy they all looked. The second picture was her holding a small little black and white puppy with one blue and one brown eye. He was looking up and licking Nicole's chin when the picture was taken. I couldn't help but admire how good Nicole looked in casual clothes. The last picture was a close up of her dad I presume. He was smiling widely while winking at the camera, a stereotypical cowboy hat on his head.

'Sorry it took so long'

I turned around in my chair and saw Nicole placing a bundle of papers on her desk loudly.

'It's no trouble. I was just looking at your photos, is this your family?' I asked, pointing to the pictures.

'Yeah it is' I watched her smile fall to one that was more soft and loving.

'You look exactly like your dad' I added, looking back at the picture 'what age is he? He doesn't look old at all'

It took her a moment to reply and when she did, her voice was quiet and strained 'He actually died in a car crash, two years ago'

My head snapped back towards her, my mouth dropped open 'Nicole I'm so sorry... I- I wish I had the right words for you' I know she saw the regretful look in my eye when she smiled in understanding.

'It's ok' she turned back to me 'I know he wouldn't want me to be sad, so I'm trying not to be'

'It's ok to be sad Nicole. Especially about something like this'

I watched her nod slowly before pulling up a chair and sitting next to me. The officer grabbed a few sheets and started filling out some forms quietly, her lower lip trapped in her teeth while she wrote. A few minutes passed before I had to do something.

'So can I do something?' I blurted out

'You are doing something' she didn't look up from her writing but I saw her smile.

I looked around confused 'And what am I doing?'

'Sitting there looking pretty'

I blushed red instantly, biting my tongue to hide my quickly forming grin. She's been doing that a lot lately. Making me blush at the simplest of things, causing butterflies to swarm in my stomach. Always catching my eye from across the room.

I chose to ignore it all.

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