T/W: Mentions malevolent presences, disembodied voices and minor innuendo.

***

"So..." Nolan says, fidgeting with his pen as he faces the team. "I got an interesting call this morning from a new client."

"Uh oh," Sid pipes up. "I know that look. This isn't a normal one, is it?" Nolan shakes his head.

"A young couple, who just moved into a remodeled farmhouse, which used to be the meeting place where people worshipped malevolent entities," Nolan responds. "They've called in multiple clergymen and so far, this crap is growing more intense by the day."

Avery feels her entire body tense up. Dealing with spirits that were once people was one thing; dealing with this  malevolent crap, was another. She might end up sitting this one out.

"Would Billie be accompanying us?" Lennox asks. Nolan nods.

"I think she's vital in this particular case," he says. Then Nolan looks over at Avery. "Avery, you don't have to come if you're uncomfortable with this particular place."

"How long do I have to think about it?" Avery asks.

"A couple of days, tops," Nolan responds. Avery gives him a tiny smile.

"All right. I'll think it over and let you know."

"Sounds good."

***

"I think you should sit this one out," Nolan tells Avery when they'll alone. Avery studies Nolan's face. Especially his eyes. His brow is creased and he looks damn intense. Far more so than normal.

"You're worried I won't be able to handle it," Avery murmurs, reaching out to gently grasp one of Nolan's hands.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Nolan comments. "Most people aren't too keen on facing malevolent shit."

"How about you let me decide for myself?" Avery murmurs, leaning against Nolan's chest. He chuckles, his face losing that intense look. He gently kisses her.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes. "I think I'm becoming far too protective of you, Miss Greer." Avery smiles, returning the kiss.

"It's sweet," she murmurs. "But I'm a big girl and know how to look out for myself."

***

After thinking everything over, Avery agrees to accompany the team on this strange and difficult case. Billie joins them and for reasons Avery can't explain, she's reassured by the psychics presence.

The place they'll be investigating is about two hours away, in a small town, close to the boarder of New Hampshire. And while Avery is positive that she's making the right decision to join the team, she's still somewhat apprehensive about everything.

But Avery has full confidence in Nolan's team and Billie. If anyone can help these people, it'll be them.

***
Avery can sense the darkness that shrouds this farmhouse the second she steps out of the van. She can't explain it. It just seems like there's this evil feeling surrounding the entire property.

The young couple, Holly and Evan Mitchell, pull up in the yard, exiting their SUV and join the team. Avery stands there, listening to all the tales. She shivers. These people haven't had an easy time of it, that's for sure.

However when Nolan introduces Billie, both Holly and Evan seem a little..wary.  Avery doesn't totally blame them.

"Is a psychic really necessary?" Evan asks, gripping his wife's hand. Nolan looks somewhat taken aback by Evan's blunt question.

"Not entirely," he responds. "If you're uncomfortable with using a psychic, we don't have to."

Avery glances over at Billie, trying to gage her mood. Billie doesn't look terribly pleased, but since she's a professional, she's holding back any inappropriate comments.

"Billie is the real deal," Avery hears herself speaking up. "I've seen her in action. Maybe you could see how Billie works before making a snap decision?"

Holly gently squeezes Evan's arm and he nods after a few, tense seconds.

"Yeah," he agrees. "Sure." Nolan gives Avery a grateful smile and then, the group heads into the house.

***
Billie, immediately was able to pick up on the malevolent vibes from the moment she steps into the old farmhouse. The evil is evident, clouding the air.

"I can definitely sense something evil, lurking just beyond," Billie informs them. Nolan nods as he makes his way into the living room. He's also getting some sense of oppression in here. He figures if he can sense it, it has to be strong.

"Did you two ever get any history about the property when you bought the place?" Lola asks the couple.

"Some," Holly speaks up.

"Can you elaborate on that?" Lola asks quietly.

"Just that this place used to hold meeting and whatnot, for a cult group, years ago," Evan says.

"I think it might be a good idea for us to look into what history we might find ourselves," Billie tells Nolan. He nods in agreement.

"Absolutely."

"Do..do you need us to stick around much longer?" Holly asks, as she begins fidgeting with her wedding ring.

"I don't think so," Nolan replies. "As long as we have your permission and a phone number where we can reach you, you're free to go."

The couple looks tremendously relieved. After bidding everyone goodbye, they hurry out, as though they're asses are on fire.

"Damn," Sid remarks. "They really are scared of this place."

"They are," Nolan agrees. He surveys the living room. "All right. Let's get set up, get some investigating done and then, see what information we can uncover about this place."

****
Avery is beginning to feel a little off kilter. She's not sure if it's due to the oppressive atmosphere or if she's just feeling edgy for another reason. She rounds the corner in the long, upstairs hallway, and nearly collides with Nolan.

"Easy!" Nolan reaches out, grasping Avery's upper arm and steadying her before she topples backwards.

"Sorry," Avery says breathlessly. She places a hand on Nolan's chest. He smiles softly as he reaches up, covering her hand with his.

"Hey, I was curious if you were feeling kinda..off," Avery asks Nolan. He frowns.

"Kinda. Are you?" Avery nods, her fingers tightening around Nolan's t-shirt, clinging to the fabric.

"Let's go outside," Nolan suggests, taking Avery's hand in his, gently guiding her down the steps and out the kitchen door. Immediately, Avery feels like a weight has been lifted away from her shoulders.

She releases her grip on Nolan's hand, leaning against the house and taking a deep breath, letting the cool, night air settle over her.

"Better?" Nolan asks, gently caressing Avery's cheek. She nods, closing her eyes and just trying to relax.

"You sure you'll be okay?" Avery opens up her eyes, lolling her head towards Nolan's direction and noticing how worried he looks. She chuckles softly.

"I'm absolutely fine," Avery assures Nolan. He nods, but doesn't look convinced. There is a large thud, coming just from inside the house and instantly, both Nolan and Avery are scurrying back in.

"Is anyone hurt?" Nolan calls out. There's no answer. Avery frowns thoughtfully. The thud sounds again, this time, coming from right behind Avery, who nearly jumps in surprise.

She whirls around, eyes searching for the source of the sound, while Nolan pans the thermal camera in that direction. Avery thinks she hears...a female voice.

"Nolan?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm pretty certain I heard a woman's voice, not ten seconds ago," Avery murmurs. Nolan just nods a little absently, scanning the area with the thermal camera. He sees a faint red spot, directly in the middle of the camera.

"I think someone is here," Nolan tells Avery, who nods.

"Who's here?" She asks. Again, the faint whisper of a woman. Avery frowns. "If someone is trying to communicate with us, could you repeat that?"

Then...there's a loud, shrill noise, which Avery thinks sounds like a lot like shrieking.

Leave!

***

"This place is riddled with multiple malevolent presences," Billie informs the team when they decide to break for a while.

"There's no doubt about it," Lennox says. "Lola and I heard what sounded like a man telling us to leave."

"Nolan and I heard a woman, telling us the same thing," Avery reports. Billie nods, looking grave.

"I did manage to make contact with at least two spirits. One appeared to more of a victim, telling me they're trapped here by a powerful force. The other one, was clearly one of the malevolent ones, threatening me if I didn't agree to leave and never return."

Avery shudders. This is getting complicated. She's not sure she wants to stick around.

"They're dead," Sid says, crossing his arms over his chest. "They can't evoke revenge on the living. Not the way they'd like to anyways."

"Exactly," Billie says. "However they can continue to make Holly and Evan's lives a living nightmare by disrupting their everyday life."

"Any suggestions?" Nolan asks Billie. She's absently chewing her lower lip, lost in thought.

"Unless those malevolent spirits are willing to move on, there's not a hell of a lot we can do."

Nolan's shoulders slump in defeat. This isn't what he wants for the client. There has to be something they can do for Holly and Evan.

Avery reaches out, gently placing her hand on Nolan's arm. He shrugs her off, turning away and walking down the long driveway. Avery starts to go after him, but Sid stops her.

"Let him go," Sid murmurs to Avery. "He needs some alone time."