It was a fairly chilly day in Purgatory. Waverly Earp stood behind the bar, serving a few locals and some tourists. Once the day moved towards sunset, only the locals would stay and the activity at Shorty's would either slow down, or get to a huge drinking fest, depending on who was there and who gave out the drinks.

The next person in front of the counter wasn't a customer though. It was Champ, Waverly's long-time boyfriend. They had come together in high school and after Waverly had moved into the flat over Shorty's, Champ basically also lived there, only returning home once in a while. Those where the nights where she could catch a breath and calm down. It was also the time when she did most of her research about her own family, the Earps, and their cursed background. She loved Champ over everything, but just found it way easier to concentrate on the important things when he wasn't around. He just couldn't understand her excitement for the past and lived more in the now. Which of course wasn't bad or anything. They were different. But still together and in love.

Now he was asking for the key of the flat, kissing her as a goodbye. Waverly smiled, waved and then tended to the next guests, greeting them with a smile.

---

Somehow finding Police offices was also a part of the training when you would start working in one someday, because without even knowing where she was, that was the first building Nicole stumbled over. The Police station was small, compared to the other ones she knew, but it had a cozy feeling to it. Something familiar that she couldn't pinpoint. Her thoughts were interrupted by an officer in khakis. "Good evening Ma'am. What can I do for you?"

"Hi. My car broke down near town. I was wondering whether you had a telephone I could use?"On her way to the smaller town, her phone had shut down. 

"There should be a phone booth next to Shorty's, that's the local bar. I can give you a map of town."Nicole thanked him and took the map, listening as he gave her directions. It wasn't too far, she could make it before dusk.

Her thoughts were already about what she would say to her would-be superior and her body on the way out the door, when she stopped because the officer added something:"We could help you with your car too. If you show us where it is, we can move it here. That'd take until tomorrow though."

That was nice. She took out her map and showed him the location, thanking him for the help and letting him note down her name so that the officer tomorrow would know whom the rusty car belonged to. 

Then she made her way to Shorty's, walking past wooden houses and admiring the landscape. This was the first time she was actually happy that her car broke down. Purgatory, despite its name, was a rather pretty town. The way the sun shone on the roofs of old buildings, the general feeling of ancient legends and mystery that have happened here. She could see why the inhabitants desired to live here. It just seemed peaceful.

Nicole didn't know how far off her assumptions were at this time, but all in all, the heir hadn't turned 27 yet, so she was about right.

Shorty's had a both interior and exterior design every western bar envied. It basically screamed Wild West in every language ever existing. Over its doorframe hung the sign: "Drink where Wyatt Earp did". 'So that's where I ended up', Nicole thought, recognising the name from some TV show or documentary she had watched. He had been a legend. Though some say that he hadn't been the best person. But who was these days?

She scanned her surroundings for a phone booth, weirdly enough none was present. To the left there were two glass panels that looked like it may have someday kept a phone between its two parts, but it must have been gone for a while because now the glass was lonely.With no other option left, Nicole decided to enter Shorty's.

---

Within the last few hours, the bar had been clearing up. Now, ten minutes after closing time, even Shorty had gone to bed, leaving the kindly offering Waverly the keys and cleaning up to do. She was just sorting in the last few bottles, when the door opened and a tall ginger entered.

"Excuse me? Do you have a phone I could use? I think your phone box outside is broken, or gone."

"Uhm...", Waverly only said, unable to answer because a few factors, one of them being the surprise of someone coming in after closing time – definitely not a local then- and second being the way the ginger looked, but Waverly wasn't aware of that yet. 

She caught herself in time to make it seem like she was thinking and not staring. "I told Shorty we needed to reinstall that. I'll remind him tomorrow. But you don't care about that. Uhm. We have a phone here. You can use that.", Waverly rambled.

The tall one chuckled, aware of the effect she had on the brunette."That would be nice."

There was a pause, until Waverly realised why the stranger still stood there and showed her the way to the phone, which was around the corner. 

As Waverly returned to the bar and took as much time as possible with finishing what she had to do, Nicole dialled the number of the Banff Police department.

A male voice answered: "Banff Police department what can I do for you?"

"Hello. It's Nicole Haught, I was supposed to be a new officer. I'm sure you can find my name in your files."

There was clicking on the other side of the line and then the voice continued:"Yes. Your name is in our register. Why are you calling?"

"My car broke down so I won't be able to come in tomorrow. I don't know how long it'll take until I'm able to arrive in Banff. Probably another week or so."

"Okay." There were mumbled sounds and then it was silent again: "I'll inform the captain. Should I contact you on the contacts you submitted or by this phone number?"

"The ones I told you before, thank you."

"Okay. Good Evening Miss."

"To you too."And with that the other hung up and left Nicole to phone the housekeeper of her new place in Banff to inform her of a new arrival time in a week. 

This call didn't go as well though, informing Nicole of the fact that they wouldn't be able to wait for her and that she would have to search for a new place, even though they were deeply sorry for that.

Meanwhile, Waverly might have eavesdropped a bit. 'So, the ginger was a cop', she thought, not really surprised. It was something about the way she held herself and just in general the energy she radiated.

As the before mentioned person entered the main area of the bar again, Waverly tried to act as if she didn't notice. 

"So, I know it's probably past closing time but can I get something to drink?"The ginger kinda-cop didn't really sound fine , so Waverly nodded, wanting to help her in any way possible."What would you like?"

"A whiskey , if that's possible."

"On its way."Waverly started getting the bottle and taking out a glass, for a second considering to drink something too, but then didn't. First of all, that was unprofessional, and second of all, she wanted to impress that woman. She came back with the bottle and a glass and started pouring the liquid in the glass. That was something she knew by heart by now."I'm gonna guess you're not from here?"

"No, I'm not." She sighed "My car broke down a bit before town. I'm actually headed towards Banff." 

Nicole didn't know why she told the Brunette this. She was normally rather a force of her own, staying by herself, not really confiding in anyone, but here she was, telling a stranger her problems.

"Where abouts?", the other asked, genuinely interested.The cop went though her bag, showing Waverly the map and the dot on it. The Earp raised her eyebrows."You walked all that way? That's far" 

Nicole seemed to remember something and then said:"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Nicole. Nicole Haught."She held out her hand, waiting for the one behind the bar to take it.Waverly only stared at it, then shook her head slightly and answered:"Waverly Earp."

The handshake was warm and firm. Not pressing, but welcoming. The exchange didn't last long, but the bartender's hands lingered a bit longer that normal until she snapped out of it and took her hand back as if burnt.

What was going on with her, she wondered. Something clearly was wrong.

By now, the glass whisky was empty and Waverly made her way to the tap to get herself some water and after a nod from Nicole also brought her one.

Nicole's eyes lingered a bit on Waverly, then she focused her attention back on her problem: finding a place to stay. She couldn't sleep in her car since the weather by now was freezing and the vehicle was too far away. Maybe she could ask Waverly if she could stay at Shorty's for the night. She would look for a place to stay tomorrow.

"Thanks", she mumbled in the water and gulped it down."Hey, you could..." "Uhm would it be..."Since both started speaking at the same time, there was a small pause until Nicole decided to go first:

"It's kinda late now so I was wondering whether I could stay in Shorty's for tonight. If that's not an option I'll find something else."

"Uh yeah sure. Butyoucouldalsostayinourguestroom."The last sentence was so under her breath and fast, that Nicole had to ask Waverly to repeat what she had said. "I live above Shorty's with my boyfriend, Champ, but you could stay in our guestroom. It's free."

Waverly wasn't sure whether she saw Nicole's face dim a little when she heard the word boyfriend, but she wasn't sure either whether she wanted the stranger she had just met to actually accept her invitation or decline it. She hadn't been this nervous about someone since a very long time.

While Waverly fidgeted nervously, Nicole wasn't sure what to say. This girl, who she had never met before had offered her a bed without knowing her at all. It was nice, but she didn't want to bother her. On the other hand, a bed, or couch, was better than the banks in the bar, so she accepted the offer.

-----

I finally got around to fix the chapters. I'm so sorry to all that were reading the screwed up version , I don't know how you did that. It's better now, I promise.

I'll go and fix the other two chapters and then I'll probably continue writing on this again, we'll see.

~ Aly