Finally Home: Wayhaught

Rosita leant against the bar, resting on her elbows, hair draped over her left shoulder, head tilted slightly towards Waverly on her right. To her left, Chrissy grinned and rested her chin on Rosita’s shoulder, her hands wrapped around a cider. Waverly sat there, turned to face them, right side leant against the bar, mouth opening and closing silently.

“Did I look at you like this when you came out to me?” Chrissy teased. “It’s quite entertaining.” 

Waverly blinked and closed her mouth in a stern line. “Yeah but you’re not just coming out to me, you’re coming out to me with Rosie.” Her voice became high pitched at the end and her eyebrows almost met her hairline.

Chrissy blushed and Rosita rubbed her hand over her thigh causing Waverly’s eyes to almost pop out of her head. Quickly though, she shook away her surprise.

“Okay, it’s not that you’re coming out to me. Although that did catch me a little off guard I-“

“Really?” Chrissy laughed, but raised her brows when Waverly remained serious. “I just thought you would have guessed, I mean I’m always hitting on girls.”

Waverly tilted her head slightly in thought. “Huh, well I guess I just thought you were flirty.” She shrugged.

Rosita snorted. “She is.” She grinned. “But it’s got nothing to do with her sexuality, that’s just Chris.” Chrissy slapped her on the upper arm and Waverly nodded softly. 

“Phew, okay, can you just explain it all again, one more time. I wanna understand! I’m just surprised.” Waverly giggled a little, shaking her head and Rosita looked to Chrissy, letting her take the lead.

“Right, uh so I didn’t really know what I was.” She paused, considering it for a second. “I mean I didn’t really think about it, I guess I just always went with the flow. I knew I found women attractive, but I didn’t really think anything of it.” She shrugged slightly. “Rosita and I were always close - you know that - but there wasn’t anything more there - I mean we were pretty young when she left.” Chrissy smiled and Waverly nodded. Chrissy had left for University when she was 19 and just before she had come back, Rosita had left. Neither of them seen her for a few years.

Chrissy swallowed thickly and continued. “So when I saw her for the first time after three years the other night, it just, I don’t know, it felt different.” At that, Waverly felt herself beaming, she absolutely knew the feeling. Maybe you couldn’t call it love at first sight, because love to her meant you had to know the person fire. She had known Nicole first though, and Chrissy and Rosita definitely knew each other, so that first attraction really was magical. People could change a lot in a few years, especially in your early twenties, so she shouldn’t have been so surprised. Especially Rosita, she looked almost like a different person when Waverly had seen her again in that Diner. 

Rosita leant back a little and sipped her whiskey. “I think I’ve always been crushing on Chris, just didn’t realise it until after I came out. Oh and I also thought you were superrr straight.” She teased. “But then I always thought Waverly was too, so I guess people surprise you.” She winked and Waverly rolled her eyes.

“So, are you two like official?” Waverly wiggled her brows, sipping her own whiskey now. 

Chrissy rolled her eyes. “Not yet, but we’ve been on a few dates since the bar, we’re just figuring it out.” She smiled and ran her hand over Rosita’s back.

Waverly beamed, really hoping this would work out, because if they ended up having an awful breakup she had no idea what she would do - they were both her longest friends. “I’m really happy for you, and that you figured it all out Chrissy.” She smiled. “I know how confusing it can be.” She laughed and shook her head remembering her own struggle which felt like a lifetime ago, despite it only being three years since she came out. 

“Yeah, I’m still not sure about labels.” Chrissy shrugged. “I think the way I feel would be considered pansexual?” She looked at Rosita who nodded, indicating they’d spoken about it a little. “But I just don’t want to mislabel anything.” 

In understanding, Waverly nodded softly. “That’s how I felt!” She said excitedly. “It’s like you’re brought up to think you’re either gay or straight so when I realised I liked girls it was like I didn’t think I could like men anymore, I was so confused about how I felt.” She pressed her head into her hands and Chrissy grinned.

“Yeah exactly!” Chrissy smiled and placed her cider down on the bar.

“Well if that label feels right then use it.” Rosita gave a reassuring smile. “But you don’t need labels anyway.” She shrugged and Waverly raised her glass in a cheers.

“Yeah, fuck labels.” The three of them laughed, before Waverly continued. “And it’s okay to change, if you realise it was wrong. It’s your sexuality no one else’s.” She added with a serious undertone to her light and airy voice.

“I really can’t believe you’re Wynonna’s sister sometimes.” Rosita teased, knowing Wynonna would have made some inappropriate, unoriginal joke about kitchenware.

“Yeah, pansexual feels right, I think.” Chrissy blushed and Waverly nodded, lifting her glass to her friends. 

“Happy coming out Chris.” Rosita joined them and they all laughed and took a huge sip, knowing this afternoon would likely get a little more wild than expected.

“Anyway talking talking of gay, where’s your sexy girlfriend.” Chrissy changed the subject.

“Officer Haught.” Rosita joined in, wiggling her brows and Waverly was surprised she’d never seen their childish chemistry before today. 

“You know it’s different now you’re both out.” She scowled, but her mouth twisted into a smile. “And she said she wanted to spend the day with Wynonna - don’t ask!” She added hastily, knowing the day would either end in something being broken or someone being drunk, but at least they were trying.

The small girl didn’t even notice when the new couple raised a brow at each other, communicating in some unspoken language. Just as quickly, the moment was over and an uproar of cheering came from the pool table, making the small group of friends giggle. 

N: Wynonna I need you!

W: What? Why are you being needy?

W: are you drunk? 

N: What? No! It’s midday of course not!

W: Well sorry, but you’re coming to me instead of Waverly!

N: I can’t talk to her about this, can I come to the homestead? She’s out with Chrissy and Rosita.

W: Now I’m intrigued - door is unlocked weirdo.

N: On my way!

Nicole grabbed her keys off the kitchen table, poured some fresh food for Whiskey and CJ and slipped on her worn black converse before heading out the door. This was her first day off in weeks, she needed to get this done today. She drove quickly, but definitely within the speed limit, to the homestead, before hopping out and running over to the front door and heading inside.

“Jeez Haught, someone move one of your fridge magnets? I’ve never seen you move so fast.” Wynonna teased from where she was sitting on the couch playing COD.

Nicole rolled her eyes and sat down next to her, locking her eyes on the screen and snorting when someone got a surprise attack on her friend. Wynonna huffed in frustration beside her and turned off the game, not liking being judged. 

“What do you want anyway?” She growled, grabbing her coffee and downing it, a little sloshing over the side and making Nicole wince.

“Nice to see you too.” Nicole rolled her eyes, before shifting and crossing one leg on top of the other, her foot bouncing up and down visibly. Wynonna narrowed her eyes at her and she sighed. “I need your help with something.”

“Mmmhmm.” Wynonna hummed, watching her like a hawk, with curious intrigue.

Nicole sighed again, letting her shoulders drop and turning to face her properly. “I want to uh, I’m going to ask Waverly to marry me. I know it’s soon, we’ve only been together just less than two years, but I know she’s the one Wynonna and I-“ she stopped when she saw Wynonna smirking at her.

“What?”

“You moved across the country after a few months Haught, I’m surprised it’s taken you this long. I expected kids by now.” She teased, but Nicole’s eyes widened at the comment.

“You don’t… I mean… we haven’t…”

“Relax I’m teasing.” She rolled her eyes. “But you do want kids though right?” Her eyes widened and she dropped the controller onto the couch next to her.

“Yes, yeah of course I do. We already had this discussion.” 

“Oh good good.” Wynonna relaxed back into the couch. “Wait, what do you need my help with then?” 

“Oh right, well firstly I just wanted to tell you, but also I uh, I need a ring.” She smiled sheepishly.

"Well you’re not having one of mine!” Wynonna mocked, pushing to sit upright, but Nicole just smiled and rolled her eyes

“Actually I do need one of yours. Or at least a piece of jewellery - necklace, earring - anything. Oh and one of Waverly’s but I already got that.” She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small silver ring with deer horns on it which Waverly had gotten from a market stall they’d visited one day.

“Why do you need one of mine?” Wynonna faltered slightly, genuinely overcome with curiosity now. 

“So I have an idea, for the ring, but I want you to be a part of it. You can’t laugh at me though.”

“Ugh, that mean’s it’s gonna be all sappy and shit doesn’t it?” The brunette groaned, slumping back and Nicole blushed a little, but quickly shook it away.

“It’s a proposal Wynonna, it’s got to mean something.” Nicole dramatically underplayed how much thought she’d put into the ring.

“Oh right yeah, people still do those.” Wynonna looked down quickly, but Nicole caught it anyway, one of the benefit’s of being a cop was the excellent perception to body language.

“Did he talk to you?” Nicole asked, shifting to turn her body since her neck was beginning to ache from their position.

“Sort of, he uh, he apologised for being a dickweed.” Wynonna snorted.

“That’s good right?” Nicole prompted, her head resting in her hand on the back of the couch.

“Yeah I guess, it was a little weird.” The brunette admitted, a smile twitching on her lips.

Nicole narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. “But something is wrong?”

“He still didn’t actually say anything about getting married, I don’t think he cares all that much.” Wynonna shrugged and Nicole honest to god was convinced her skin was turning red from how her blood was boiling in the moment. 

“He does Wynonna. He loves you and one day he’ll do it - properly.” She promised. 

“Maybe he can take your lead?” Wynonna prompted, shifting the conversation back to Waverly. 

“Right, so I’ve got my grandad’s old wedding ring and I was thinking I could take one of yours and get them melted down. I haven’t decided on the design yet, but I thought you could help?”

“You wanna ruin one of my rings?” Wynonna raised a brow and Nicole rolled her eyes about to protest, but Wynonna pressed a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s go find one you softie.”

Half an hour and a lot of bickering later, Nicole pulled the squad car into the parking lot of 'Dina’s Jewellers’. As the door clicked against the bell behind them, swinging closed, the old, grey haired woman looked up from her desk giving them a warm smile. 

“Officer Haught, good to see you again.” She flipped the ledger book closed and ran her hands over the top smoothing it down gently. 

Pausing at the desk, Nicole gave a gentle smile back. “It’s just Nicole today.” She beamed. “And this is Wynonna, Waverly’s older sister.” The old woman was familiar with her, since she’d come in a couple of times both with and without Waverly to get rings resized and her watch battery changed.

“Ah Wynonna Earp, I’ve heard good things.” The woman smiled fondly and Wynonna failed to hide her shock.

“Really?” She asked with an air of surprise in her tone, getting a bump to the hip from Nicole.

“What can I do for you today then Nicole?” 

With a smile, Nicole shoved her hand into her pocket and pulled out her grandad’s plain, white gold ring and the ring of Wynonna’s they’d chosen - it was the only somewhat small one they could find with no stones in it - a simple gold band with a textured gold arrow shape in the middle. Apparently Wynonna had worn it a lot in her teenage days, before her mother left, but never wore it anymore so it was perfect.

“I’m going to propose to Waverly.” Nicole said warmly, with a lot more confidence than she had earlier to Wynonna.

“Oh that’s wonderful news! How exciting!” The old woman practically bounced up and down and the sight warmed Nicole’s heart. Something about the demeanour of the elderly lady reminded her so much of Waverly and just reminded her that one day they would be old together and she would get to see her girl grow old and maintain the spark of youth.

“This is my grandad’s ring, he gave it to me. And this is Wynonna’s.” Nicole smiled thankfully at the older girl besides her. “Is there any chance you could melt them together to make a new ring?” She scratched her neck softly, hopefulness obvious in her tone.

“This would make two rings easily.” The older woman slipped her glasses down her nose, scanning the rings with a delicacy exclusive to experience

“Great, I can get rid of that ugly thing and get a new ring.” Wynonna teased, holding her hand up for a high five as Nicole batted it away.

“So you could make us both engagement rings?” Nicole asked with wide eyes.

Dina placed the rings back onto the table. “Absolutely. Did you have any design ideas in mind? If not, there’s a catalogue here. You can choose one already made, or alter them slightly.” She slid them a book and made her way under the curtain out the back, presumably to get paperwork.

Nicole flicked through the book, skipping over all of the heavy designs at the front and past the overly extravagant ones. Wynonna caught a page with a snort and pointed to one. “OH MY GOD! Please get her that!” She erupted into laughter.

“I actually think she’d like that. Not for her engagement ring though!” Nicole brushed her away, rolling her eyes at the small ring which had a little gold pikachu clinging onto the diamond in the middle and flipping a few more pages.

“Here.” She stopped at a page which looked more promising. 

Wynonna was surprisingly quiet beside her as they scanned the few pages, clearly finally understanding the weight of the decision. “Which one do you like?” Wynonna asked after a while.

“I think she’ll like this one.” Nicole ran her hand over a simple ring, it had an incredibly thin band, about as thin as the lead of a pencil and a rectangular diamond in the middle. “But I would change the diamond to a sapphire.” She smiled to herself.

“Why?” Wynonna squinted.

“It’s her birth stone.” Nicole replied without hesitation and Wynonna rolled her eyes. “I also like this one though.” Nicole ran her hand over a dainty ring which looked almost like a vine, small leaves connecting it together.

“It’s very Waverly.” Wynonna winked, leaning down to look at it closer.

“I could combine the two.” The older woman had slipped back in without them noticing and turned the book towards her. “Why don’t you have a look for one for yourself and I’ll sketch up a few ideas for you?” She nodded.

“Are you sure?” Nicole asked gently.

“Of course.

“I have no idea what I want.” She looked at Wynonna. Truth was she’d never been big on jewellery, the only thing she ever wore was Waverly’s ring which she had attached to a necklace now and never took off.

“I have the perfect section, I think you’ll like.” The old woman beamed knowingly and flipped through towards the back. “These are new designs actually, they’re a little more neutral and not so ’over the top’. The traditional rings all tend to be very extravagant.” She rolled her eyes.

Nicole let her gaze fall to the page and instantly felt more comfortable with her options. It didn’t take very long for her to know exactly what one she wanted. “Oh!” She had an idea and quickly turned to Wynonna, untucking the necklace from beneath her baseball t-shirt.

“Maybe this one here, but I could use the stone from this necklace?” She raised her brow and Wynonna grinned. 

“It’s pretty cool.” She eyed the design. It was a thin, plain band, but instead of having the gem atop the band, multiple smaller stones were pressed close together into the band. It looked almost bohemian and a lot more subtle than other engagement rings and it was definitely perfect. “I can’t believe even your damn engagement ring is gonna be blue!” Wynonna rolled her eyes and punched Nicole in the shoulder.

“Here.” The old woman spun round the paper she’d been sketching on. “So I could either make the band the vine an have one ring.” She gestured to the page with her pencil. “Or, I could attach them by the gem here and have two parallel bands close together.” At the second design, Nicole’s face lit up and she turned to Wynonna who gave her a hasty nod and smile.

“The second one. It’s perfect.” Nicole beamed. The rings were chosen, now she just had to pay and figure out how to do it. She had just chosen out Waverly Earp’s engagement ring. Her skin tingled in excitement.

In the three hours they had been there, the old men had left an hour ago and the younger group cleared out ten minutes ago, leaving a few smaller groups around the outside. They'd ordered lunch and so had actually managed to stay surprisingly sober throughout all their day drinking.

"I swear to god Waves! She asked me if I could get the condom out! We'd only been sharing an apartment a month!" She proudly took a swig of her whiskey.

"I just don't understand why anyone would bother putting a condom on it if they were gonna use that." Chrissy replied casually, in response.

"Stop, I can't - I can't breathe." Waverly squealled, bent over on her bar stool trying to catch her breath when the bar door swung open noisily and a male voice called out her name loudly. 

Her head shot up and she turned towards the sound, the beaming smile dropping from her face instantly and her skin paling as all of the blood drained from her face.

Rosie must have noticed it as she furrowed her brow and pressed a hand to her shoulder, causing Waverly to jump violently. "Waves?" She muttered and Waverly backed up into her, stumbling off her stool.

The young man in the doorway scanned the room, clearly looking for her and she wordlessly and frantically backed away trying not to draw attention to herself.

His gaze finally set on her and his mouth twisted slightly into what she assumed was supposed to be a smile, but her entire body went cold and she began to shake uncontrollably. No words even left her mouth, not even a gasp or a 'no' or any attempt to answer her friends worried questions.

"Get out!" Shorty demanded from behind the bar, obviously recognising the man. "Get out or I call the cops!" He yelled, reaching for the phone, but the man pulled out a pistol and shot the floor. 

"You mean like the one I killed in Toronto?" He grinned coldly and Waverly felt the shaking intensify.

"You didn't, she, she's-" her words were cut off when he stepped forwards. Chrissy's eyes widened in realisation and she grabbed Rosita's hand firmly.

"You remember me?" He looked almost innocently in love, but the look just twisted Waverly's stomach in knots, bile rising up her throat.

How could she not remember him. His greasy, ugly face had haunted her nightmares for months after Nicole had gotten out of hospital, leering and taunting her. Killing Nicole and taking her over and over again, blaming her and hurting her. The only thing that made it okay was that he was in prison, but he wasn't. He was here. He was in her hometown, in her favourite bar.

"Tucker." She breathed out, then instantly regretted it as his face lit up.

"So she made it then." He shrugged as if he didn't mind either way, as if Nicole's life was meaningless and Waverly almost jumped at him, almost attacked a man with a loaded pistol. "She's not here though?" He mused, looking around and assuming they still weren't together clearly.

"She's-" Waverly snapped her mouth shut, not wanting to talk about Nicole with him, not wanting to hear him talk about her ever.

"Watch it old man!" Tucker swung the gun towards Shorty hovering over the phone.

Waverly lunged forward, tripping slightly on the stool. "Tucker!" She called out desperately and he turned to look at her, gun still trained on Shorty. "Don't." Her tone came out slightly more warning than she'd expected and she steeled herself, closer now to him, but still able to feel Rosita's heavy breathing on her back. 

"Everyone over there." He tilted the gun towards the back corner with the dart board, backing up to cover the windows and barricade the door, pistol still pointed to the corner. The small groups instantly made their way over, Shorty following and Waverly began to back up too, pushing her friends back with her. Silently she wondered what time she'd told Nicole to pick her up, 5pm she thought, as she flicked toward the clock, just in time for dinner. The thought of normalcy scared her more than she expected when she saw that was 2 hours away and wondered if she'd still be alive in 2 hours. Her heart raced and the blood sparked through her veins to rapidly it was painful. 

"Not you." He stopped her, pointing the gun to her. "You're coming with me, when I find the best way out." 

Rosita snorted now, stepping to her side. "You?!" Was all she managed before the gun found it's way to her and Waverly panicked, looking for a way to stall. She hadn't realised that Rosita didn't know about everything had happened last year, she had no idea of what this guy was capable of. 

"Wait, how did you get out?" She asked hastily, regretting it when his demeanor turned angry. "I mean how did you know I would be here?" Her face softened and she tried her best to out on a sweet smile despite the way her lips trembled with each heavy breath.

"I'm a popular man." He smirked and Waverly tried not to roll her eyes, I doubt that, she thought silently. "I have contacts, and money." He clarified, more likely, she thought, biting her lip to try and calm the shaking. "And nothing could keep me from you Waverly Earp. Not even distance." Not even bars, Waverly thought grimly. At his proud smile and Rosita snorted and he stepped forward.

"Something funny, whore." He asked and Rosita's head tilted and she stepped forward angrily. Chrissy gripped her and pulled her back, obviously more aware of the danger they were in. 

"No!" Waverly answered. "No she's just uh, impressed! Yeah with your dedication!" She tried, trying not to gag at her own words as the shaking intensified. 

"Good. Now come here and show me the back way out." He demanded, gun still trained on Rosita and Chrissy. Without hesitation, Waverly shuffled forwards, as slowly as her legs would physically go.

"Waverly what the hell are you doing!" Rosita called. Waverly wondered if it was simply that Rosita underestimated him which made her so confident, or if she'd had more experiences like this in her time bartending than she'd let on. The girl had always been confident and fiery, but even Wynonna wouldn't be this reckless she thought, as Rosita grabbed a hold of her arm, yanking her back. 

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Tucker growled, pouncing forward, almost spitting in rage and Waverly turned apologetically towards Rosita.

Chrissy stood silently, weighing her options. Her father had always told her to put as many things as possible between her and the danger, but it didn't feel right when it was her best friend and the woman who she was pretty sure she was already falling in love with. She wanted to be brave, like Rosita and defend Waverly, but she was teriffied one of them would end up getting hurt. Another part of her knew she was all her father had left after her mother died when she was young, it would break him if anything happened to her. Maybe if they let Waverly go, they could call her dad and he could catch them before they got away.

"Rosie, trust me." Waverly pleaded with her eyes and Chrissy squeezed Rosita. 

"Please Rosie." She pleaded, already trying to form a plan. 

Waverly smiled at her thankfully as she removed her hand from Rosita and moved towards Tucker. 

"Now Waverly." He demanded and she quickened her pace, realising suddenly there was no way she could drag this out for two hours. Her only option was to go so no one got hurt and hope that one of the cops could catch up with them in time. Secretly she hoped it wouldn't be Nicole though, she couldn't bare another person getting hurt because of her, but especially not Nicole.

His hand fastened around her wrist and she hoped he couldn't feel her shaking, silently thankful for her meditation practices helping her control her breath. At this moment though, she felt like she was gonna pass out as she turned back to her friends to say one more thing.

"She doesn't like cop TV, she said it should be an escape from reality." Nicole mumbled, dipping another french fry in ranch.

"That's so specific." Wynonna rolled her eyes.

"Besides, I'm her girlfriend always, I'm only your friend when I need something." Nicole shot back with a smirk, proudly sipping her coke. 

"Oh well if we're not friends then I guess I don't need to keep your secrets, so I'll tell Waverly what we had for lunch then-"

"Don't you dare, she hates McDonald's! She says-"

"It's an unethical organisation, not just for the planet but for the animals-"

"And the farmers who get underpaid and poorly treated." Nicole finished. "She's not wrong though, but it's just so goooood." She smiled, shoving a few more fries into her mouth. 

"Hell yeah it is." Wynonna raised her plastic cup to cheers which Nicole did, but not without rolling her eyes.

A smile flicked on Wynonna's face. "Any idea how you're going to do-" she was cut off by Nicole's phone. "Let me guess, Waverly misses you too much already." She rolled her eyes dramatically. 

Nicole shook her head with a furrowed brow, no it's Mikey, she scowled, picking up. She looked across at Wynonna's own frown as the older Earp mouthed 'tell him it's your day off!' 

"Mikey hey, what's up." She answered casually, assuming he was calling as her friend.

"I know you're not working today, but there's a hold-up at Shorty's, they think it's Tucker." 

The words almost didn't register as she shook her head wordlessly, her breath catching. It can't be, she thought, he's in jail. She swallowed hard. 

"Nicole?" Mikey's worried voice cut through her daze. 

"Waverly is at Shorty's!" She answered loudly. 

"Oh." The young officer replied, obviously trying not to worry her. "there's-"

"I'm on my way!" Nicole cut him off, hanging up before he could slow her down and jumping up. 

Wynonna shoved her chair back, a mouth full of nuggets and fries. "Wha-" she mumbled, her mouth still full.

"Tucker escaped. He's at Shorty's." She spun, starting to sprint through the shopping centre, assuming Wynonna was already on her heel.

After the fastest drive of her entire life, Nicole sprinted out of the squad car, holding her badge out even though she was pretty sure everyone knew exactly who she was. Together her and Wynonna pushed through the crowd of people and ducked under the police tape, sprinting towards Mikey.

A row of officer's were squatted outside with guns trained on the door and windows and Mikey was stood with his walkie-talky, ordering the entire situation. Usually Nicole would have been proud of him, but not today, not right now, not when all she could focus on was how Waverly was in there with that psycho.

Instantly, Mikey turned to her and filled her in. "He's been in there a out 25 minutes. A gunshot went off, but the window's were clear then so we could see it just hit the floor. He's barricaded the door and pulled the blinds." Mikey confirmed and Nicole's heart dropped, wishing she could just see inside, just check she was okay. "Here." He handed her a police jacket and she pulled it over her baseball t-shirt quickly, knowing it would encourage respect.

"I'm going in." Wynonna growled, pushing past them, but Mikey grabbed her.

"No! Remember what happened last time someone barged in." He looked at Nicole apologetically. 

"Well I'm not letting him take her!" Wynonna snarled.

"Back way, there's gotta be a back entrance!" Nicole replied frantically.

Shaking his head, Mikey replied. "We've got to wait and see what he's going to try."

"Like hell we do!” Both Wynonna and Nicole replied simultaneously.

"Haught." Mikey tried, trying to bring her into the realm of police protocol and not panicked girlfriend. "This is our best option. He's not going to hurt her, not if we don't scare him." His voice almost sounded like a promise and Nicole almost believed it.

"She's not the only one in there!" Nicole replied, but a firm eyebrow raise, showed her Mikey was right. She sighed and pressed her head in her hands, trying to calm down, trying to believe it was going to be okay. 

It felt like her worst nightmare had come true. Everything she had done had been to try and make sure Waverly never had to go through this, especially not with him. She thought back to how teriffied she had been in the moment and she'd been armed. Waverly was in there, terrified, aware of the danger, probably willing to do anything to stop her friends getting hurt, but shivering in fear. The thought was too much for her as she bent over with her hands on her knees feeling like she was about to throw up, incredibly aware of half of the towns eyes on her and Wynonna watching their devastating panic. Beside her, Wynonna began to pace, one fist clenched at her side, the other on her gun holster which she never took off. 

All they could do was wait. Wait and hope.

“Can you tell Nicole, she’ll know what to-"

“You’re still with her.” Tucker spat, yanking her arm so hard it spun her round to face him. She could smell his disgusting breath as she instinctively leaned back trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

“I-“ Waverly faltered, not wanting to give him an answer either way, scared about what he would say if she was, but terrified of the look of pride if she wasn’t.

If Waverly couldn’t hear the heavy breathing of the group of people at the back of the room, she would have thought she was alone in the room with just the terrifyingly unstable man and  the gun pressed into her hip, reminding her of everything which he caused last year.

She was saved from her answer though when a booming voice echoed through the window. “We have the building surrounded, come out with your hands up and no one gets hurt.”

Tucker pushed Waverly back a little so he could look down at her, but tightened his grip on her wrist. “Look what you’ve done! Now they’re here! This is your fault!”

“No! We can still get out! I uh, I know the back way!” Waverly panicked as he brought the gun up to her head. 

“Move then.” He shoved her, gun at the back of her head and she started forward, but to her frustration and panic Rosita stepped in front of her. She widened her eyes and shook her head, trying to warn her friend with her eyes to step aside. 

“What are you doing Waverly?” She said frantically trying to stall the man now the cops were outside.

“I’m going, Rosie please, just trust me.” Waverly frantically looked to Chrissy and the taller girl stepped forward.

“Rosie, let her, please.” 

Tucker moved his gun. “We’re running out of time, get out of the way.” He growled.

“Why do you want her so badly?” Rosie tried.

“YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO COME OUTSIDE WITH YOUR HANDS RAISED OR WE’RE COMING IN!” Came another booming voice. Mikey. Waverly knew instantly who it was and the pace of their interference must mean that Nicole was either outside or on her way. The thought just made her panic more at the redhead being so close to danger. 

“Rosie, I’m going with him.” Waverly quickly stepped around the girl and turned back a second too late.

Nicole and Wynonna sprung forward when they heard the gunshot ring out, instantly smashing through the glass with their guns and pouncing through the window.

It took less than a second for Nicole’s gaze to land on Waverly, lying back on the floor, covered in blood, with Rosita in her lap and Chrissy leaning over them. 

Tucker spun on his heel raising his pistol, but this time she got there first, a bullet finding it’s way straight through his forehead as he fell to his knees and then forward almost in slow motion.

“WAVERLY!” She sprinted forwards, not conscious of anything other than the fact her girlfriend was on the floor, silently sobbing and covered in blood.

“Baby, where are you hurt, what happened? Talk to me Waves, please!” Nicole panicked, looking all over the small girl, not even taking in anything else. Her breath caught in her throat and she hated herself for the small wash of relief she felt when Waverly shook her head and managed to somewhat explain.

“H- he shot her!” The crying intensified and Nicole let her gaze drop slightly further to Rosita’s chest her eyes widened in panic when she saw blood pooling over her cropped white top.

“No no no no!” Nicole scrambled to stem the bleeding somehow, also now covered in what she realised was Rosita’s blood not Waverly’s. 

“She was trying to protect me!” Waverly spluttered and Wynonna stepped in to comfort her, prying her hands away from her friend who lay back on the floor with a slight cry of pain.

Everything happened in an instant as Rosita’s eyes fluttered shut, Chrissy cried out, Waverly sobbed, Nicole helped the ambulance crew get the unconscious girl onto a stretcher and Wynonna yelled at everyone to back away. 

The three of them watched as Rosita was loaded in the ambulance and Chrissy stumbled in behind her and it sped away. Everyone outside stared at them shaking and covered in blood, news spreading quickly that ’the shooter’ was dead inside the building.

All Waverly could think was ’it's happening again and it's all my fault.’

All Wynonna could think was ’that was almost Waverly.’

All Nicole could think was ‘I killed someone.’