Chasin' You, A Wayhaught Story

Chapter 1

Nicole groaned as the alarm went off beside her. She reached her bare arm over the girl next to her and silenced it, not wanting to get up but know she had to. She absently ran a hand through her red hair and stretched her aching muscles. "Get up," she told herself, "Before she does." She quietly slipped out from under the covers and padded barefoot across the wood floor to her dresser and grabbed some clothes before heading to the bathroom where she quickly got dressed and brushed her teeth. Sneaking out to the kitchen, she poured herself a cup of coffee and walked out the door noiselessly. Once she was safely in her Chevelle and on the way to Nedley's place, she got out her phone and texted a quick note to the probably still sleeping woman in her bed.

"Morning Rosita, hope you slept well. I had to work today, sorry I won't be there when you wake up, but make yourself at home. I won't be back until late, so don't wait up. Have a good day."

Nicole cringed, knowing it sounded harsh, and hating the fact that she lied about working today, but she hit the send button anyway, then tossed the phone into the passenger seat. The seat that she used to sit in... Nicole thought.

Rounding the corner of the shop, she slowed to a stop in her usual parking spot and stepped out of the car, grabbing her phone and back pack. The air outside was finally starting to really warm up, and she could tell that it was going to be a hot summer. The summers in Purgatory had been pretty mild for the last four years, which was nice, especially since Nedley still hadn't put in an AC unit in the shop. Speaking of her old boss, she heard a loud bang and cussing coming from the open garage doors and she chuckled.

"What did you do this time Nedley?" she asked, reaching the old mustang he was under. She set her backpack down and got down on her hands and knees, looking to see what he was doing.

"I banged my head on this damn transmission," he grumbled. Nicole held back a snicker.

"How long have you been out here?" she asked, slightly worried.

"Since about four this morning," he answered, picking up his tools that were scattered around him. He then slid out from beneath the vehicle and sat up on the crawler, rubbing his head.

"Couldn't sleep eh?" Nicole asked, knowing he had sleeping issues ever since he retired from being a sheriff. Nicole dropped by on her days off to help him in his shop, working on his projects.

"You know me too well," he replied sarcastically. Nicole smirked and stood back up.

"Coffee?" she suggested, picking her backpack back up and heading to the makeshift break room in the back of the shop.

"Please," Nedley replied, slowly getting up. He followed her into the break room and took a seat at the table, thanking her when she handed him his coffee. As he slowly sipped, she grabbed a protein bar for breakfast and sat down across from him.

"How's work treating you?" he asked, sipping his coffee.

"It's good. Not too busy. Launy is still trying to learn the ropes, but I'm sure he'll get there. Dolls is a big help. And Wynonna is Wynonna, still dunking her doughnuts in whisky and cussing like a sailor." Nicole replied. Nedley nodded.

"And you still stop by Shorty's after work?" he asked. Nicole winced, knowing he wasn't going to like her answer.

"I haven't in a while," she shrugged. Nedley sighed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. When he spoke, he was gentle.

"I respect you as an officer of the law Nicole, which is why I chose you to be sheriff, and I am in no position to tell you how to handle your job. Lord knows I've made many mistakes. And I understand your reasoning for not going into Shorty's," he hesitated, looking directly at Nicole. "But she's been gone for almost five years," he added. Nicole flinched at those words.

"And I know I don't need to stress how important it is for the sheriff of this town to be involved on a personal level with the townsfolk. That's all I'm going to say," he finished. A silence fell over them, both deep in thought. Nedley knew how hard it had been for Nicole, knowing that every part of this town reminded her of Waverly. But Nicole knew she had a duty to the town she served, and that she could be doing a better job. After a couple of minutes, Nedley got up from his chair and placed his coffee mug in the sink.

"There's a leak in the transmission if you still want to help," he said, heading back in the direction of the mustang. Nicole nodded and followed.

************************************

It was a long day, and Nicole was tired by the time she finished helping Nedley at eleven o'clock that night, but it was a good way to keep her mind occupied and she was thankful for that. On her way home she drove by Shorty's, and sighed, letting the memories come flooding through her mind, like they always do...

"I'm Nicole," she said, holding out her hand for Waverly to shake. "Nicole Haught." Waverly took her hand, and despite being a bit sticky and wet from the beer that the tiny girl spilled on herself, Nicole couldn't think of anyone else who was prettier then her.

"And you're Waverly Earp. Quite the popular girl around here," Nicole added with a smile, her dimples showing. It was her lame attempt at flirting, but she kept herself from flinching outwardly. Waverly blushed and smiled toward the ground.

"It's all in the smile and wave," Waverly said sheepishly. She hesitated, looking at Nicole, and for a moment, Nicole got lost in her beautiful green eyes. She shook her head, smiling, knowing she probably looked like a deer in the headlights.

"Umm, could you possibly, I have to..." Waverly started awkwardly, motioning to her shirt, which was soaked.

"Oh, yes, sorry, I'll turn around," Nicole replied with a chuckle, turning to face the bar doors. She heard struggling behind her.

"Shit," she heard Waverly whisper.

"Everything ok back there?" Nicole asked, fighting the urge to peek back. Waverly sighed in defeat.

"I'm stuck," she said, embarrassed. "My hair is caught. Could you help?" she asked. Nicole turned around and saw that she was indeed stuck, the clasps that were in the back of her crop top caught in her hair.

"Ok, hang on," she said slightly laughing as she made her way around the bar. When she made it to Waverly's side she gently unhooked the clasps from her auburn hair and lifted the shirt up and over her head. She would be lying if she said she wasn't really turned on, but she steeled herself not to look at Waverly below the brunettes chin. As she was smiling at the half naked girl in front of her, there was a moment where Waverly looked back up at her, and it was a look of surprise, but it quickly faded with a look of embarrassment.

"Good thing you're not a guy," she laughed nervously. Nicole nodded, clearing her throat, and turned to walk back to where she stood before, across the bar from Waverly.

"So an underage girl working in a bar? How does that work?" Nicole asked as Waverly brought out a spare Shorty's crop top. The shorter girl froze, new shirt half on and a look of panic on her face. She took a closer look at Nicole.

"You're not a cop, are you?" she asked.

"No, God no," Nicole said laughing, holding up her hands. "I didn't mean to make you nervous, I just thought you looked pretty young."

"I'm 17. I'll be 18 in September. And I don't serve alcohol, just food. These beer taps keep breaking so I was trying to fix it for my aunt Gus. She's the owner," Waverly explained, pulling the shirt down her torso.

"Gotcha," Nicole nodded, resting her hands on the bar. "Well, I have been told that I'm pretty handy, maybe I could help you fix the tap? In exchange for a tour of the town?" she smiled, her dimples showing.

"That could be arranged," Waverly smiled back, slightly biting her lip, her eyes flirting.