T/W:

*****

Avery bounds down the stairs at her house, practically flying out the door and getting into her car, racing over to Everly's apartment, her blood boiling the entire time. When she reaches the apartment, she climbs out, rushing forward, her cell gripped tightly in her fist.

"What's up?" Everly asks.

"What is wrong with you?" Avery bursts out, her vision blurring slightly as she pounds up the stairs to Everly's apartment floor.

"Ummm. Is something wrong?" Avery can tell by Everly's tone that she knows she's in serious trouble. Avery reaches the apartment floor, charging down the hallway and pounding on door. Everly takes her time opening it.

Avery pushes inside, rounding on Everly and really letting her have it.

"Why did you think that was a good idea?"

"Can you be more specific?" Everly is nervously fiddling with the zipper on her hoodie, staring at the floor.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about!" Avery shouts.

"It was a harmless joke," Everly defends. Avery stares at her best friend, her arms hanging loosely at her sides, her hands clenched into fists.

"The Paranormal Monthly staff was just here," Avery snaps, struggling not to fly into a rage, and grab her friend, shaking her. "When they see this video, they're going to completely ruin the society."

Everly's eyes go wide and she falls on her couch, sagging down low, chest resting on her legs. Avery knows her friend is about to start crying.

"I'm.. I'm sorry," Everly says so softly that Avery can hardly hear her. "It was just supposed to be for...fun." A strange thought seizes Avery as she glares at her friend.

"Was Lennox aware of this?" Everly doesn't respond immediately and Avery's heart sinks. She can't believe Lennox would do something like this.

"Not...directly," Everly says softly.

"Elaborate."

"I asked him to email me the file for that particular video clip. He did, of course, but..." Everly falters.

"But you decided to go above me and post it on my blog without my knowledge and permission?" Everly nods, looking more and more miserable.

"I don't understand why you two thought it was a good idea to even be messing around like that," Avery snaps. "Especially with so much at stake."

"I..know. It was a really dumb thing to do." Everly looks at Avery. "I'll apologize to Nolan and explain to the paranormal people it was all me and the team had nothing to do with it."

A frustrated huff escapes from Avery's mouth. She knows Everly didn't mean any harm. Yet this small, semi harmless prank could possibly destroy the paranormal society.

Permanently.

Avery grabs Everly's hand, tugging her upright. She starts for the door. Neither says anything as they make their way downstairs and out of the building, heading for Avery's car. They climb inside and Avery heads for the society, desperately hoping for two things.

One, that Nolan and the others are willing to forgive Everly. And hoping that Paranormal Monthly won't hold this against the paranormal society.

***

At first, when Nolan sees Avery and Everly coming, his first reaction is to cuss them both of them out and tell them he never wants to see either one again.

Except the desperation in Avery's gaze stirs up intimate feelings and Nolan realizes that Avery wouldn't ever willingly attack him or the team. She'd truly become one of their own and not only that, Nolan knew without a doubt, he loved her.

The door opens and Avery slips inside, grasping Everly by the hand. Avery studies Nolan's face. She can tell he's struggling not to completely lose everything.

"Everly came to apologize," Avery says, noting how tense and strained her voice sounds. She nudges Everly closer to Nolan. He crosses his arms over his chest, an expectant look on his face.

"It was me," Everly says. "I'm the one who posted the video clip on Avery's blog. She had nothing to do with it. I sincerely apologize."

"You ruined this society's reputation," Nolan says, struggling to control his tone. "Dozens of people now think we're nothing but a sham."

Everly's eyes fill with tears. She stands there, head down, as the tears fall faster. "I..I know. I wasn't thinking. I just thought people would laugh it off."

"Oh, they're laughing all right," Nolan snaps quietly. "At me and my team. Not at your stupid, little prank."

Everly just sniffles and nods, keeping her head down. Avery places her hand on Everly's shoulder. Nobody says a word, the air thick with tension.

Footsteps sound from down the hallway and a moment later, Lennox appears. His usual jovial grin is gone and he looks angry. As he comes closer, he notices that Everly is crying and his expression changes, sympathy replacing the anger.

"It was just as much my fault," Lennox says and three heads swivel in his direction. "It was my idea to prank Nolan. I'm just as responsible for this incident as Everly."

Nolan scowls, shaking his head. He's terribly disappointed in Lennox. He should have at least guessed that Lennox was the main perpetrator.

"I have half a mind to cut you out of the society for pulling such a unprofessional stunt," Nolan says severely. Lennox nods.

"I'd deserve it."

"You would." Nolan pauses. "But it might not even be necessary if the society ends up shutting down, permanently."

"Have the Paranormal Monthly people spoken with you about this?" Avery asks, fearful of Nolan's response.

"Not yet," Nolan replies. "But if Elise is as big of a fan of your blog as she claims, she'll see it soon enough."

"I really am sorry," Everly says, wiping her eyes and nose. Nolan just nods. Avery wants to ask if there's still a them, but she knows now isn't the time or place for that discussion. She grabs Everly's hand, turning, positioning to make an exit.

"Avery." She looks at Nolan. "We need to talk more later. I'll swing by your place this afternoon, if that works for you."

Avery nods. "Of course." She and Everly leave the society and Avery takes her friend home before returning to her own house.

****

The first person who contacts Nolan isn't anybody from Paranormal Monthly, but Billie North.

"What's this?" She asks bluntly as soon as Nolan answers his phone.

"I'm guessing you're referring to the video clip posted on Avery's blog?"

"Yeah."

"Apparently, Lennox decided to pull a stupid prank on me during one of our investigations and unbeknownst to me, he emailed the clip to Avery's best friend, Everly, who thought it'd be a real riot to post it on the blog," Nolan explains.

"Lennox should know better," Billie says crisply.

"He should."

"Weren't the Paranormal Monthly people coming to do a piece on your team this week?" Billie asks.

"They arrived yesterday," Nolan says. "I don't know if they're aware of this debacle yet." He sighs. "It's not gonna look good for us when they do, though. They could blacklist our society."

"Do you really think they'd go to such extremes?" Billie asks.

"It's a strong possibility."

"Just be honest and upfront about what happened," Billie says. "How can they blame you for something that was supposed to be a joke?"

"Billie, these people take investigating the paranormal extremely serious. They don't go for jokes. And besides, you know better than anyone, how few people actually consider what we do to be something that should be taken seriously."

Billie sighs. She knows that Nolan's right. She definitely knew what the majority of the population thought about psychics and how little respect those with her gift were shown.

"Too bad you couldn't just gaze into your crystal ball and tell me that everything was going to be all right." Nolan was joking, but only partially.

"Unfortunately you know it doesn't work that way," Billie murmurs.

"Yeah," Nolan says quietly. "Unfortunately I do."

****

The shit finally hit the fan. Later that afternoon, Paranormal Monthly was back at the society. Except there were a few extras hanging around, ready to explain what had happened.

Both Everly and Lennox quickly explained to both Stuart and Elise that the video which had been posted on Avery's latest blog, was simply meant as a joke and that neither Nolan nor Avery had anything to do with it.

For several minutes, neither Stuart nor Elise spoke. Avery was a nervous wreck, but was trying to remain calm for Nolan's sake. As she studied him, she knew that although he appeared fairly calm outwardly, she knew him well enough to know he was feeling as tense as she was.

"All right," Stuart says. "We'll overlook this...ridiculous video and not blacklist your society."

"You're serious?" Nolan glances over at Avery, who looks as dazed as he feels.

"On two conditions," Stuart adds.

"Yes?" Nolan asks.

"We want that video removed, immediately."

"Of course," Avery says.

"And the second condition?" Nolan asks.

"You remove the offending video and make an apology one to replace it and make it highly known it was nothing more than a practical joke," Stuart replies.

"What about our magazine spread?" Lola asks. "Will you still publish that?"

"We did consider the idea of not publishing it," Elise admits. "However the only reason we're not withdrawing that is because you have such a stellar reputation with your clients."

"Do you agree to the terms?" Stuart asks Nolan, who immediately nods.

"Absolutely."

"One more thing," Elise adds.

"Yes?"

"We want to bear witness to your apology video. And to make sure that offensive one is completely deleted."

"The original one as well?" Lennox asks. Elise nods.

"That precisely what we mean." Nolan moves to stand.

"It'll be taken care, immediately." Both Stuart and Elise give him a cool look.

"See that it does. And don't let this happen again. Or next time, we won't be so forgiving."

***

Once business is wrapped up, Nolan comes over to Avery's and while he does want to talk with Avery, as soon as he sees her face, all those tense feelings melt away.

"I wouldn't blame you if you told me right now, we were through," Avery says softly as soon as Nolan steps inside.

"This wasn't your fault." Nolan scrubs an agitated hand over his face. "I should be apologizing to you for getting so pissed off when I called you."

"You were just trying to protect your team and clients," Avery says sensibly. "I would have reacted the same way."

"You're far more forgiving than I am," Nolan murmurs, stepping closer and reaching out to caress one of Avery's cheeks.

Avery smiles, leaning in and gently kissing Nolan, her heart rate immediately skyrocketing as soon as her lips connect to Nolan's. He tenderly draws her nearer, cradling her upper body against his, all those uncomfortable feelings dissolving.

"I'm guessing we're not through?" Avery jokes, the palm of her hand flat against Nolan's back, running up and down. Nolan chuckles, kissing her again.

"Not a chance."