T/W:

****

"You're what?" Sid stares at Nolan after he returns from Avery's, telling them all that he'd decided to let Avery continue forward with this particular topic and shadowing them on jobs.

"I'm letting Avery continue," Nolan repeats.

"Why?" Lennox asks. "That crazy bitch doesn't deserve a second chance."

"Everyone deserves a second chance," Nolan says.

"Everyone but her," Lennox argues.

"As pushy as Avery Greer can be," Nolan says. "She hasn't done anything yet, to tarnish our reputation."

"Doesn't mean she won't," Sid says.

"I'll speak with her," Nolan assures his team. "Make sure that I get a first look on what she plans on posting online."

"As if that'd do much good." Sid shakes his head. "Avery could show you one version and then, post something else."

"So we'll make up a contract," Nolan announces. "And have Avery sign it. If she breaks the contract, we're done."

Nolan looks at each of them, trying to mentally plead with them to let Avery continue working on this.

"All right." Lola is the first one to relent. "Let's get started on that now, before Avery arrives back here."

Nolan smiles and goes back to his office, retrieving a notebook and a pen. He takes a seat out front and they get down to business, working on the contract.

****
When Avery returns to the paranormal society, she's well equipped with her camera and the black backdrop that she prefers people sit in front of while she's interviewing them, along with her own notebook and pen.

Nolan notices this and asks his team to assist Avery in carrying everything inside.

"Thanks," Avery says.

"Don't mention it," Sid says dryly.

"I'll need to set up some equipment first," Avery tells everyone. Sid glances over at Nolan, wondering if he's going to chicken out on making sure that Avery signs their contract.

"Actually," Nolan begins, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "We've decided that it might be in everyone's best interest for you to sign a..contract."

Avery frowns, but doesn't protest. Nolan holds up the paper, handing it over to Avery, who silently accepts it. She quickly reads through it, nodding.

"All right," she agrees. "I'll sign this. On one condition."

"Which is?" Nolan asks.

"That I get a copy for myself," Avery replies. Nolan visibly relaxes.

"Absolutely." He gives Avery a pen and she signs her name, adding the date and time as well.

"Thank you," Nolan says, accepting the paper back. "While you get set up, I'll make a photocopy of this for you to take home."

"Sounds good."

***

After Avery has everything set up, she asks who'd like to go first.

"What sort of questions will you be asking us?" Lennox wants to know. Avery smiles, handing him a list of questions that she intends to ask.

"I'm sorry I asked," Lennox mutters. Sid peers over his shoulder, looking at the questions himself.

"I'll go first," Lola volunteers.

"Great." Avery has Lola take a seat on the metal, folding chair, which is placed in the center of where the backdrop is located.

"How should I begin?" Lola asks.

"State your name and the name of the society and how long you've been doing this work," Avery instructs. Lola nods, waiting until Avery gives her the all clear signal.

Avery turns, locking eyes with Nolan, who gives her a smile. She returns the smile before speaking.

"Also," Avery adds to the others. "If you intend on staying in here while we're filming the interviews, please remain silent or you'll be asked to leave."

"Aye, Aye, Captain!" Lennox gives a loose salute.

"All right, Lola," Avery says, standing behind the camera. "And...action!"

"Hello my name is Lola Wells and I'm a member of the Sahling Paranormal Society, here in Massachusetts and I've been investigating the paranormal for about five years now."

"What got you into this?" Avery asks.

"Well, I've always been interested in the paranormal. Especially after I begin having personal experiences of my own."

"What is it that you do with the paranormal society?"

"Usually, I just go in with my team and we search around, asking questions to the spirits and seeing if we can find out any answers," Lola replies.

"How do you accomplish that?" Avery asks.

"Usually we just speak with the spirits the same way we would to a living person. We also try and be respectful of them, as even though they're dead, we need to remember that they were once people, same as us."

"Why do you do this sort of work?"

"Because a lot of people are often afraid of the unknown and sometimes, they want answers, as to why certain things are happening. But they don't always know where to turn or who they can trust," Lola responds.

"Are people often skeptical of what you do?" Avery asks.

"All the time," Lola says.

"Why do you suppose that is?"

"The paranormal is difficult to explain and understand. Most people choose ignorance over understanding. They think if they can't explain it logically or scientifically, then it can't be real."

"What do you say to those who think what you do is a load of crap?" Avery asks.

"I'm not out here to try and change anyone's opinion," Lola says. "I can only help those who want my help. As for everyone else, I'd simply say: try to be more open minded and don't think that just because you can't explain it, doesn't mean it's not real."

"Cut." Avery stops the camera, smiling at Lola, who stands up.

"How was that?" She asks Avery.

"It was great!" Avery smiles again. "You're a natural. I really loved your answers. They were honest, but not too overbearing."

"You'll show that on your next blog?" Lola asks. Avery nods.

"Only with your permission, of course."

"By all means," Lola says. "Just let me know when it's up, so I can watch it."

"Absolutely."

***

Nolan chooses to go last for the interviews. Avery is so far pleased with everyone else's interviews and what they have to say. Although Lennox likes hamming it up some. She doesn't mind. A little humor is a good thing.

"You ready, Nolan?" Avery asks. Nolan nods.

"Can I look kinda off camera?" He asks. "It's very off-putting for me to look directly at it."

"Of course," Avery replies. "Whatever you're most comfortable with." Nolan nods, waiting for his cue.

"All right," Avery says. "And..action!"

"Hi, everybody. My name is Nolan Wright and I'm the founder of the Sahling Paranormal society. I've been doing this for close to fifteen years."

"What made you decide to start a paranormal society?"

"Mostly because I wanted to help people understand what they're experiencing and let them know that they aren't alone in dealing with the paranormal."

"What got you into the paranormal?"

"Mainly my own personal experiences," Nolan responds. "I've always been fascinated by it, so I thought it would be an interesting career."

"Have you ever come across something that really baffled you? Something that you couldn't explain?"

"Plenty of times. Just because I've been investigating the paranormal for so long, doesn't mean I have all the answers."

"Are you usually able to help most of those who come to you for help?" Avery asks.

"We certainly try our hardest to," Nolan replies. "I'd say, about ninety-eight percent of the time, we're able to give people the answers they're searching for."

"Do you think what you do is just as important as what a medical doctor does? Or say, a mental health therapist?"

"I do," Nolan says. "It's just what we do isn't an exact science. There's a lot of research involved. Unfortunately, we aren't always able to find out as much information as we'd like."

"So you honestly believe that there's things out there that nobody can explain?" Avery asks.

"Absolutely," Nolan says. "Humans have only been around so long. And we only have certain amount of history to tell us about previous years and events. So I think it's kind of native' to think that we know everything there is to know about how everything works."

"What would you say to someone who thinks that you're just making all of this paranormal stuff up?"

"As most of my fellow investigators have mentioned; try and keep an open mind about things. Just because you don't believe it, doesn't mean it's not true," Nolan says.

"Cut." Avery clicks off the camera as Nolan moves to stand.

"How was that?" He asks, stopping by Avery, his arm brushing lightly against hers. Avery looks into Nolan's eyes. Damn. A girl could get lost in those beautiful eyes.

"Wonderful," Avery murmurs. "You and your team did a fantastic job." Nolan smiles, ducking his head, a pink flush creeping up his neck, on to his cheeks. Avery thinks Nolan looks adorable when he's flustered.

"Uh, thanks."

"I really do appreciate all of this," Avery says softly. She finds that she aches to be near him, to have his arms around her, as she's nestled securely against his body.

"It's no problem," Nolan says.

"Also, please accept my apologies for my earlier behavior and unfounded accusations," Avery adds.

"Think nothing of it," Nolan says. "I'm pretty thick-skinned when it comes to skeptics."

"Maybe not as much when it comes to strong-willed women, however?" Nolan notes the teasing tone of Avery's voice and chuckles.

"I'm pretty sure I have more experience dealing with the paranormal than the latter," Nolan admits.

"Wow." Avery pauses, while working on getting her camera unhooked and wrapped up.

"You're a rare creature indeed, Mr. Wright. Not many men would be willing to admit that to a woman."

"I'm not afraid to admit when I don't know much about a particular topic," Nolan says.

Avery just smiles, as she continues to gather her things.

"Need some help?" Nolan asks, moving to unhook the backdrop.

"Sure. Thanks," Avery says. She watches as discreetly as she can, while Nolan carefully folds up the backdrop, his expression serious and focused.

As soon as he finishes, he turns, holding it out for Avery to take. She purposely allows her fingers to brush against Nolan's, getting a tingling feeling which shoots up her arms.

"Need any help carrying your stuff out?" Avery nods, thinking how funny it is that now that they aren't discussing the paranormal or butting heads, that neither of them seem to much to say.

Nolan follows Avery out to her car, waiting patiently as she unlocks her car doors. Nolan opens the back door, leaning in and putting the backdrop in.

Avery waits until Nolan has moved to put her camera equipment in, and shutting the back door.

"When will you be heading out to investigate again?" Avery asks Nolan.

"We have a private residence set up, tomorrow evening, if you'd like to come," Nolan replies.

"I'd love to. What time should I be here?"

"We can just stop by and pick you up," Nolan says. Avery smiles.

"Sounds good." Avery moves to climb into her car.

"By the way, I was curious if maybe you'd like to get together sometime," Nolan says.

"To discuss what I'm doing?" Avery asks.

"No. Just to hang out." Avery smiles widely and Nolan nearly falls over. Damn. That smile is lethal.

"Sure," Avery replies. "That sounds nice." Nolan smiles, stepping back.

"Great. Well. We'll see you tomorrow evening, around seven."

"I'll be ready." Avery closes the door, puts on her seat belt, starts up her car and drives off.

Nolan waves to her, smiling to himself. A moment later, Sid joins him.

"You're such a damn dirty liar," Sid remarks. Nolan turns, the smile slipping fron his face.

"Huh?"

"Mr.-I-Don't-Have-The-Hots for the beautiful but pain in the ass skeptic," Sid says, smirking. Nolan just tosses Sid a dirty look before heading back inside.
Sid just chuckles before following his boss inside.