T/W: Minor sexual content.

***

When the team returns to Sahling, everyone scatters, heading for home, eager to just unwind and catch up on some much needed sleep.

Avery was anxious to speak with Nolan about what had taken place during this last investigation, but decided that it could wait. The main thing she was wanting was to have Nolan screw her brains out and then, fall asleep, they're bodies entwined as they slept.

Unfortunately, Nolan seemed to have other plans. Such as going home, alone, and reevaluating his paranormal investigator skills.

Avery tries not to show how disappointed she is when he shares what he wants.

"I get it," Avery murmurs, leaning in to give Nolan a quick kiss on the lips. "You just need some downtime on your own."

Nolan blows his breath out, trying to ignore the wounded look lingering in Avery's eyes. He feels like a jerk for blowing her off. Especially when it might be nice to blow off some stream, using sex.

Nolan chooses not to cave. As shitty as he feels about walking away from Avery right now, he knows this is for the best. Besides, if Nolan pushes himself at this raw and crucial time, he'd probably end up blowing up at Avery and he really doesn't want his stupid insecurities to mess up what they have together.

"I am sorry," Nolan murmurs, holding Avery for a moment.

"Don't apologize," Avery says quickly. "If you need time alone, so be it." Nolan flashes her a brief smile before releasing her and moving to climb back into his SUV.

Avery waves goodbye as Nolan slowly backs out of her driveway and heads off down the street. Avery wraps her arms around herself, a chill settling over her, leaving her almost breathless. She has this bad feeling that Nolan isn't just struggling with self doubt, but something far more deeper. And it worries her.

***

When Nolan reaches his place, he gets out of the SUV and hurries inside, heading upstairs, stripping on the way and walks straight into his shower, screwing on the faucet and standing beneath it, head down, as the cold water penetrates his body.

He doesn't move for several minutes, closing his eyes as the stream of cold water cascades down him. Soon the tears begin and Nolan allows them, as a sharp ache explodes from within his chest, taking his breath away.

After a while, Nolan adjusts the water temperature, and slowly begins to wash himself off. If only it were possible to wash off those negative feelings as easily. Finally, Nolan finishes, stepping out of the shower and snatching up the nearest clean towel and starts drying himself off.

When he finishes with that task, he heads for his bedroom, flipping on the overhead light and moving to begin dressing himself. As soon as Nolan's dressed, he flops backwards on his bed, scooting up further and turning, crashing his face into the pillow that Avery had slept on.

Nolan catches a whiff of her perfume lingering on the fabric. He's immediately assaulted by the longing of Avery. He quickly sits up, going to retrieve his phone and calls Avery. He hopes she's not asleep yet.

Avery answers on the first ring. Nolan immediately breaks down again, begging for Avery to come over.

"I'll be there in five minutes," Avery tells him. Nolan gingerly sits back down on the edge of his bed and just cries, hoping that these feelings will soon pass.

***

Avery hurries up the front steps and knocks on Nolan's front door. She waits about two seconds and then, just goes inside, heading straight upstairs and rounding the corner, spotting Nolan lying on his bed.

"Nolan!" Avery rushes into his room and Nolan slowly rouses himself as Avery launches herself into his arms. They cling to each other. Avery kisses Nolan's forehead, noting how red and puffy his eyes are.

"Thanks for coming so quickly," Nolan murmurs, his voice husky from crying. Avery hugs him tightly and begins to massage his shoulders.

"Of course." Nolan doesn't add more and Avery refuses to push and pry. He'll talk when he's ready.

"I want to...quit," Nolan murmurs, holding Avery closer.

"Quit...investigating the paranormal?" Avery's head swivels around, her gaze boring into Nolan's. He nods.

"Because you thought you couldn't help the Mitchell's." It's a statement, not a question. Nolan looks away, staring at the bedroom wall.

"That was one place," Avery says softly. "And I know how personally you feel those people's pain. However, you can only do so much."

"I..know. I just...felt like a damn failure."

"Nolan, the Mitchell's wouldn't have blamed you personally if you hadn't been able to help them."

Nolan just nods, hugging Avery tighter. She smiles, gently kissing him. Damn. That never got old. Avery realizes with a start that she'd happily kiss Nolan Wright everyday for the rest of her life.

"Besides," Avery adds. "The paranormal isn't an exact science."

"Yeah," Nolan murmurs, his hand beginning to wander along Avery's body. Crap. Maybe he should have just allowed Avery to accompany him home. Avery squirms and giggles, as Nolan's fingers make contact with multiple parts of her body.

Nolan twists around, crashing his lips down on to Avery's, allowing all that negative tension to bubble to the surface and explode.

"You're doing what you can, Nolan Wright," Avery whispers in his ear. Nolan gazes into Avery's eyes and smiles.

"You're gonna give me a damn complex," he murmurs, caressing Avery's cheek. She chuckles, cupping one of Nolan's cheeks in her palm.

"I aim to serve."

****

Both Nolan and Avery fall asleep, together, in Nolan's bed. Now that he's released his overly negative emotions, Nolan feels as though a burden was removed deep within him.

When they wake up, Avery offers to whip up something for lunch.

"Sure." Avery studies Nolan's face. He appears to have aged several years in the last few days. The strain of these last couple of days is evident by way Nolan carries himself.

Avery leans over, pressing her lips to Nolan's forehead, as his arm comes up, encircling her waist, tugging her body closer.

"Maybe you should take some time off," Avery murmurs, rubbing Nolan's tightened shoulder blades. He yawns, nodding.

"I should."

"How long have you been working?" Avery asks. Nolan shrugs.

"I can't remember," he mumbles, turning his face and burying it into Avery's thigh. She smiles, giving Nolan another tender kiss.

"Then I'm ordering you to take a few days off," Avery says in a stern tone. That catches Nolan off guard. He looks up at her.

"I can't. People need me." Avery shifts her body, taking Nolan's face in her hands and giving him her full attention.

"Listen carefully to me, Nolan. You can't help people when you aren't helping yourself. Got it?" Nolan sighs, nodding. As much as it wounds his pride, he knows that Avery's right.

"Okay," Nolan murmurs, reaching up to touch Avery's cheek. "We'll close down the society for a few days."

Avery smiles, giving Nolan a passionate kiss and hugging him. He holds her tightly.

"Sid had one thing right about you." Avery raises a sharp eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"You are a pain in the ass." Avery chuckles, shaking her head.

"I definitely am."

***

The following morning, Nolan calls everyone into the society and announces that they're taking a small hiatus.

Everyone looks somewhat taken aback by Nolan's announcement, but no one disagrees, either.

"Is this because of what transpired recently?" Sid asks and Nolan nods.

"I gotta be honest with you guys," Nolan says quietly. "It damn near broke me."

"It happens," Lola says softly. "I'm pretty everyone here has had that same experience."

"It's just.." Avery watches Nolan. He's struggling not to break again. She just wants to hold him close and take his pain away.

"I thought if I couldn't help the Mitchell's, I wasn't sure I'd want to continue investigating the paranormal."

"You're not a miracle worker, Nolan," Lennox says seriously. "None of us is."

Nolan nods, planting his hands on his hips, head down, as he mentally wrestles with his inner turmoil.

"You're a damn good paranormal expert," Sid adds. "You need to remember all of those people we have helped."

Nolan lifts his head, eyes red rimmed. He smiles. Avery is itching to jump up, rush to him and gather him in her arms.

"Thanks," Nolan whispers hoarsely. "You guys are the most amazing team a guy could have."

"Remember that the next time one of us screws up!" Lennox jokes and Nolan laughs.

"Will do."

***

"You made the right call," Avery tells Nolan later on that evening, as the two are tangled up together on Avery's couch, enjoying some red wine and Chinese food.

"You think so?" Nolan's brow is creased. Avery grabs him by the chin, leaning in for a quick kiss. He chuckles.

"I know so."

"You're right. We need to regroup and get some rest. It'll be better in the long run." Avery nods, lacing her fingers with Nolan's.

His cell suddenly chimes with a notification and Nolan checks it. His eyebrows shoot way up, his face going a little pale. Instantly, Avery's alarmed.

"What?" She asks. Nolan looks over at her, a dazed look on his face.

"Nolan!" Avery snaps. "What is it? You're scaring me!"

"It's..good news," Nolan responds, holding out his phone so Avery can read the email.

"We're pleased to inform you, that Paranormal Monthly has chosen your team for the next magazine spread."

☆Twenty ☆

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