T/W: Frightening sequences, mentions apparitions and minor innuendo.

***

Avery is standing beside the cargo van, watching as the paranormal team unloads everything. She'd offered to assist them, but Nolan assured her they had everything under control.

She turns her attention to the vast building only a few feet away from her, her gaze taking in every little detail. Although Avery herself has doubts about the supernatural, just looking at this place, she wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't something unknown lurking in the dark shadows.

"We're ready for you to join us," Nolan announces to Avery, who just nods. She follows Nolan inside and immediately her senses are assaulted by the smells of mildew, rotting wood and mold.

"Is it safe to be breathing in this crap?" Avery can't stop herself from saying, covering her nose and mouth with her hand and tossing Nolan a Look.

Wordlessly, Nolan reaches into his pocket, pulling out a face mask and passing it to Avery, who gladly accepts it, hurrying to put it on.

"Not really," Nolan replies. "But we're all used to it by now. I knew you wouldn't be, however, so I made certain to have that mask on hand."

Avery isn't sure if she should be touched or offended by Nolan's actions. She simply thanks him and waits for further instructions.

"Since we have someone new with us," Nolan says to his team. "Well split up in a team of two and a team of three. I'd prefer Avery come with me, since she doesn't have any prior experience. Any other volunteers?"

"I'll come," Lennox volunteers, grinning at Avery, who gives him a tight lipped smile in return.

"Guess we're together," Sid says to Lola, who grins.

"My favorite partner," Lola says, bumping her shoulder against Sid's, who chuckles.

"Kiss ass," Sid says, but he's smiling.

"Okay," Nolan says, his keeping his tone brisk and business-like. "Let's get the equipment set up and then we'll split up."

***

Avery notices every little awkward movement from Nolan. She watches as he fidgets with anything he's holding. She wonders if she making him nervous and uncomfortable.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Avery asks quietly, for only Nolan's ears. He doesn't even look at her as he sets up a camera.

"Not at all," Nolan responds. Avery sees him tapping one of his feet, in a nervous gesture. Nolan finishes with the camera, abruptly turning an intense gaze on Avery, who takes a silent moment to admire his dark eyes and well trimmed facial hair.

"I forgot to ask you," Nolan says. "What exactly will you be doing during our investigation?"

"Just following you around, plus recording some stuff on my own. Which reminds me; would you be willing to share any footage that you or your team captures?"

"I'm guessing that'd be something you'd want add on your blog?" Nolan asks.

"I feel it'd be appropriate to share with the general public anything that your crew uncovers, don't you?"

"Avery, you don't capture footage just for shits and giggles," Nolan says. "We're simply trying to help someone who needs our help."

"I get that," Avery says crisply. "But if I'm posting actual evidence, it'll look even better for your paranormal society."

Nolan flaps a dismissive hand in Avery's direction. They haven't even begin the investigation yet and he's already fed up with Avery Greer.

"Well?" Avery presses. "Would you be willing to share your footage on my blog?"

"As long as you make it clear that it's true evidence and not turn it into a mockery."

"Of course."

"Good."

***

Lennox wanders close behind Nolan, who's been in a mood since they arrived at the sprawling manor house where they're investigating.

Lennox doesn't miss the obvious sexual tense between his boss and Avery Greer. As much as Nolan tries to downplay it, he's obviously attracted to Avery.

Lennox can't say he blames Nolan. Avery is a very attractive woman. If Avery had shown an ounce of interest in him, Lennox would be all over that.

Just not during their investigation. Nolan had strict rules about the team pulling any funny business while they were working.

A couple of years back, Lennox had shot off his mouth to a girl he'd been dating and she became so enthusiastic about joining the team that she begged and begged to join them. When Lennox asked, Nolan wasn't thrilled about it, but he reluctantly allowed it.

Unfortunately the girl turned out to be more interested in flirting with both Sid and Nolan than investigating the paranormal with Lennox. She also had some bizarre idea of doing the deed with Lennox inside the mortuary, which was a major turnoff for him.

That was the last time Nolan agreed to letting someone else tag along on their investigations. That is, until Avery Greer showed some interest in coming.

"Am I allowed to ask questions to the spirits or entities?" Avery asks Nolan.

"As long as you ask the correct ones," Nolan replies.

"What are the right ones?"

"If someone is here or occasionally, in our research, we've uncovered, like how they died, if they have anything they want to share," Nolan responds.

"Can I ask that now?" Avery asks. Lennox notes how earnest Avery appears. He supposes she could be play acting, but he's not getting those vibes from her.

"Sure," Nolan says. They're all in what Lennox thinks is what they used to call a drawing room. Avery walks closer to a large, old fashioned family portrait hanging on the wall, gazing up at it, a solemn look on her face.

"Are there any people from this portrait in here with us today?" Avery asks. They all wait a few more minutes.

"Did any of you die here, as a cause of an unnatural death?" Avery continues. Almost immediately, there's a whispy, black mass which seems to float around the corner. Lennox quickly pans his camera in that direction, capturing the mass.

Avery stands stock still, her mouth agape, as a shudder goes through her body. The mass slowly dissolves, leaving Avery filled with shock and Lennox and Nolan filled with excitement.

***

"Sid and Lola on the third floor of the Manchester Mansion," Sid speaks into the voice recorder as he and Lola duck into the master bedroom.

"Are there any of the Manchester family here with us now?" Lola asks.

"Is there a Mary Manchester here?" Sid asks, panning the camera around the room. "We heard that you died in childbirth. Is there anything you'd like to add about that?"

Lola wanders closer to an old oak wardrobe and peers inside. There's still old fashioned clothing hanging up, coated with a thick layer of dust and cobwebs.

"Was this your bedroom?" Lola asks. There's a faint knock coming from the other side of the room. Sid moves towards the sound.

"Ask again," he tells Lola.

"Mary, if that was you," Lola says. "Can you knock for us again, please?"

Again, there's a faint knock. Sid nods approvingly.

"Thank you," Lola says.

"Why are you still hanging around here?" Sid asks. "Are you worried about your baby?"

"It's okay if you are," Lola says. "Mothers always worry about their children."

"If it's any consolation," Sid adds. "He grew up to be a fine, young man. He had children of his own."

"Yes," Lola says. "In fact, your son is one of the reasons we're here. His grandson wants to know why you're still hanging around."

There's another faint knock. Sid and Lola share a knowing look.

"This is awesome," Sid says. Lola grins.

"Definitely. I can't wait to share this with the client and Nolan," she says.

"Speaking of Nolan, wouldn't you say that he's kinda into Avery Greer?"

"I've noticed," Lola says. "There's definitely some kind of tension between them."

Sid smirks. He knows exactly what kind of tension there is between Nolan and Avery, but he'll keep that to himself.

"We should probably check in with the others," Sid says to Lola. She nods, grabbing her walkie-talkie and speaking into it.

"Checking in with Nolan, Lennox and Avery," she says. The walkie-talkie crackles.

"Go for Lennox," Lennox's voice comes through, loud and clear.

"We just got some intelligent responses from possibly Mary Manchester, by knocking," Lola says.

"Nice! Guess what we caught?" Lennox says.

"What?"

"An apparition."

"Damn," Sid comments. "I'm jealous." Lennox laughs.

"Knew it!"

"Anything else?" Lola asks.

"Nope," Lennox says. "Other than Nolan hasn't strangled Avery yet."

"Lennox!" Lola and Sid hear Nolan's voice in the background and both chuckle.

"Okay," Lola says. "We'll check in with you in fifteen minutes."

"Peace out," Lennox says and the walkie-talkie goes silent.

"At least Nolan hasn't committed any crimes," Sid jokes and Lola laughs.

"That's a miracle."

***

"Sounds like we caught some amazing shit," Nolan says once they've regroup after a few hours, sitting around in the cargo van or leaning against the back end.

"Definitely," Lennox agrees, smiling. He looks over at Avery, who looks a little dazed. Lennox realized that Avery hadn't said much since they'd encountered that apparition.

"What'd you think?" Lola asks Avery.

"It was..different," Avery replies. Nolan studies her. Although he doesn't want to, he's a little concerned about her well-being.

"I hope you weren't traumatized too badly," Nolan says. Avery offers him a tight lipped smile.

"Of course not." Avery stares back at Nolan. They lock eyes, oblivious to everyone else. "Are you still on board with me tagging along?"

"I can't answer your question until I see your first video blog post," Nolan responds.

"Don't worry," Avery says, smiling. "I promise to show only the truth."

"I hope you will," Nolan says. "Otherwise you're gone."

☆Four☆

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