T/W: Mentions death and mental health issues, also disembodied voices and creepy jails. Mentions minor sex, nothing explicit. Also shadow figures and mentions a gas chamber and strangling.

***
It was official. Nolan and Avery were dating. After that night Nolan took Avery back to his place, they made love to each other and that seemed to seal the bargain. Neither had any interest in losing what bond they'd created.

Also, it wasn't exactly officially mentioned, but Avery was now considered one of the team members with the paranormal society.

However, Avery didn't exactly go every place with them, but quite a few. She was beginning to see just how narrow minded she'd been before. Even though Avery still wasn't fully convinced about what Nolan, Sid, Lola and Lennox did was the real deal, she knew enough to keep those opinions to herself.

***
"So we have someone who contacted us, asking if we'd be interested in coming to an old jail," Nolan announces one afternoon when Avery is there.

"An old jail?" Lennox's face breaks into a grin. "Hell yeah!"

"Sounds ominous and creepy," Sid says.

"That's just up both of your alleys," Lola remarks, smiling at both Sid and Lennox. Sid gives her a little wink and she chuckles.

"Avery?" Nolan asks. "What's your opinion?"

"I think it sounds intriguing," Avery replies. Nolan nods.

"What about you?" Avery asks Nolan. "What do you think?"

"Don't ask him that!" Lennox groans. "He'll never shut up about it!" Avery laughs. So does Nolan, who shrugs unapologetically.

"What can I say? I enjoy old jails."

"Enjoy them? Enjoy them?" Lennox teases. "You'd live in one, if you could, dude!"

"Maybe." Nolan has this adorable little smirk on his face and Avery feels tingly in certain areas of her body. She shifts in her seat, trying to focus on what Nolan's saying instead of thinking about something more...inappropriate.

"Where's this place located?" Sid asks and Avery silently thanks him for getting her mind out of the gutter and back on track.

"About three hours from here," Nolan responds. "In Hurstville." He looks at each one, separately and everyone nods, a silent pact that they're all agreeing to go and investigate this place.

"Awesome." Nolan smiles. "I'll contact them back and let them know we're coming."

***
"Jeez Louise!" Everly frowns, watching as Avery packs herself an overnight bag.

"What?" Avery ducks into her bathroom, collecting some toiletries and her hair brush before returning to her bedroom.

"Now that you're an official ghost hunter, I practically never see you anymore. It sucks."

"I'm sorry." Avery moves to give her friend a hug. "I'm not leaving you on purpose."

"It sure seems that way," Everly says glumly. Avery releases her.

"Well, I'm not."

"Why don't you ask Nolan if I can join you sometime?" Everly asks.

"I can ask," Avery murmurs. "But I wouldn't count on it." Everly pouts prettily.

"Why not?"

"He's kinda...protective of what they do," Avery replies.

"Oh, just say it like it is," Everly snaps. "He's stuck up about who he allows on his team."

"Everly, Nolan needs to watch who he lets in. He really didn't want me there, but beneath that seriousness, he's a good guy."

"He sure changed his tune in a hurry." Everly gives her friend a pointed look. "Especially after you two started screwing each other."

"Come on," Avery says softly. "Don't be like that. If it were up to me, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But it's not. It's Nolan's business and I have to abide by the rules, same as everyone else."

"Whatever." Everly's tone is flippant and it wounds Avery. "I need go. I'll see you later." She pauses. "Oh, maybe I won't."

"Everly," Avery calls after her friend, but Everly is already climbing into her car, starting it up and driving off. Avery feels a boulder settling in her stomach. She hates it when she and Everly fight.

Oh well. There's not much she can do about it now. Nolan will be here soon and then, they'll be off to Hurstville.

***
Nolan immediately picks up on Avery's mood change the moment she climbs into the cargo van. He wants to ask her about what's bothering her, but now isn't the best time for getting into super personal conversations.

"You look bummed," Lola murmurs to Avery.

"I kinda am. My friend, Everly, that you met, she's kinda pissed off at me."

"Do want to talk about it?" Lola asks quietly. Avery shakes her head. This isn't the right time for that. Besides, she's afraid if does start talking about it, she'll start crying and she'd never live it down if she did.

"Thanks. Maybe later." Lola gives Avery's arm a gentle squeeze.

"No problem. If you change your mind, I'm more than happy to listen." Avery smiles.

"Thanks."

***
The Hurstville prison is huge and Avery immediately gets a strong sensation from it the moment she steps out of the van. She wonders if perhaps she might actually possess some clairvoyance after all.

They all head for the main office, where a middle-aged man is waiting for them. Nolan greets the man and then, introduces the team to him.

As usual, Avery lets the others take the lead, preferring to stay silent and just observe everything in her own way.
When Nolan finishes speaking with the man, they all troop back out to the van and begin unloading their equipment.

Avery helps Lennox set up the cameras and gets the extension cords undone. Avery watches as Sid teases Lola, stealing a kiss here and there. She smiles, thinking how cute they are together.

"So..." Lennox begins. "Your friend, Everly, is she currently seeing anyone?"

"No." Avery smiles. "I take it you were smitten with her?" Lennox laughs, looking a little embarrassed.

"Kinda."

"She liked you as well," Avery says  adjusting one of the cameras.

"She said that?" Lennox asks.

"No," Avery replies. "But when she does like someone, she acts all flirty, like she was when I introduced you two."

Lennox grins, looking pleased. "Cool. Maybe I'll ask her out."

"You should," Avery encourages. "I think you two would really hit it off."

"Thanks." Lennox pauses, fidgeting with the extension cord in his hands. "I'm really sorry I was so rude to you before."

"Don't sweat it," Avery says, smiling. "I completely understand. You didn't know if I was trustworthy or not."

"Damn." Lennox stares at Avery. "Now I see why Nolan likes you so much."

"Why's that?" Avery asks.

"Because you're so cool. And understanding about shit." Avery chuckles.

"Thanks." Nolan joins them.

"How are we doing?"

"We're about finished," Avery informs him. Nolan smiles.

"Awesome. You ready to investigate?" Avery nods.

"I sure am."

***

Avery and Sid go together, while Nolan, Lennox and Lola team up. As Avery follows Sid deeper into the jail, her skin prickles with goosebumps, the hair on the back of her neck standing up.

"Sid and Avery in the main jail cells," Sid says into the voice recorder. They finally stop. Avery turns around, holding the thermal camera in her hands.

"Is there a Carl Ackerman here?" Sid asks, referring to one of the inmates who apparently killed one of the prison guards by strangling him. A loud clanging noise sounds, startling Avery and causing her to jump, making her heart race.

"Carl?" Avery says loudly. "Was that you? If so, can you do it again?"

Once more, there's that clanging noise. Sid looks at Avery, nodding.

"Where does that sound like it's coming from to you?" Sid asks Avery.

"In the far back," Avery replies, motioning towards the hallway. Sid nods.

"That's what I was thinking myself. Let's head down there." Sid takes off in that direction and Avery follows, although at some more slower pace. This place is seriously creeping her out.

"Carl, why did you kill the guard?" Sid asks. "Did he mistreat you in some way? Or were you just pissed off because you were in here?"

Almost right next to Avery's ear, a whisper sounds. She nearly shrieks, but manages to keep her cool.

"Sid!" Avery whispers urgently. He turns.

"Yeah?"

"Someone just whispered in my ear."

"Could you understand it?" Sid asks. Avery shakes her head.

"Maybe you could try repeating the question and I'll see if it happens again," she suggests. Sid nods, repeating the question.

Again Avery hears the whisper in her ear. It sounds like it's saying: Mistreat.

"I heard it," Avery tells Sid. "They're saying: mistreat."

"Wow." Sid whistles. "That's interesting how I asked, yet they told you."

Avery agrees its strange, but of course, there's no way to know what the spirit is thinking.

***

"Nolan, Lola and Lennox in the gas chambers," Lola says into her voice recorder.

"Damn." Lennox carefully pans the area with his camera, trying catch anything. They were reports of a seeing shadow figures in here, which considering what this place was used for, it's not surprising.

"This place just gives off depressing vibes," Lennox says.

"It really does," Nolan agrees.

"Is there anyone here who has something to say, if you died here?" Lola asks. Nothing.

"We're sorry if you were killed in here," Nolan adds. "It's a horrific way to die."

"Nolan." Lennox jerks his head in the direction of the camera. Nolan steps closer, seeing what looks like a whispy black mass.

"Who's here?" Nolan asks. Nothing. But the black mass hovers for a few minutes before dissipating.

"Crap." Nolan looks frustrated. "Guess they weren't interested in talking."

"It sure seemed that way," Lennox agrees.

"All right." Nolan unclips his walkie-talkie. "Let's regroup and then see what we want to do afterwards."

***
The sun is about to rise Avery is looking forward to going back to the motel and sleeping for a few hours before they return to jail for the second half of the investigation.

She watches Nolan, suddenly aching to be lying in his arms, as they drift off to sleep together.

"Hey." Avery walks closer to Nolan, who  rewards her with a smile.

"Hey."

"I was wondering if you'd like share a bed, back at the motel?" Avery asks, reaching up to touch Nolan's beard. He grins.

"Absolutely."

"Cool."

***
Avery jumps in the shower quick before changing into some clean clothes and climbing into the bed, waiting for Nolan to finish changing his clothes. He joins her a few minutes later, slipping in between the sheets and reaching out for Avery, who eagerly takes Nolan in her arms.

They lie there, cuddling and groping each other for a few minutes. Nolan gently tickles Avery's side and she giggles, squirming around.

"Stop!" Avery moans, trying to tickle Nolan. He laughs, but stops, rolling Avery on her side, so he can kiss her. She smiles at him, running her hand over his chest.

"I'm really happy you're here," Nolan murmurs.

"And I'm happy to be here," Avery whispers, cuddling close to Nolan's body. Within minutes, both are asleep, completely relaxed in each other's arms.