Author's Note: I had several versions running through my head of how Duke would react to the discovery that Nathan could feel Audrey. Some were funny, and some were a bit angsty/bittersweet. I decided to start sharing all of them. Each version will have its own chapter. Hope you enjoy them.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Crocker." Nathan lectured in a patronizing tone. "We simply don't have the time, or resources, to invest in a crime that hasn't been committed yet."

"Yet being the operative word!" Duke huffed, slumping in his chair. This wasn't going according to plan.

"And, before you ask: No. I'm not looking the other way while you rifle through the files." Nathan continued in the same tone, obviously enjoying himself. The aggravated man sitting on the other side of his desk was about to suggest he do something physically impossible with the files when Audrey rose from her own desk. Instinct told her it was time to put a barrier between her boys.

"Come on now, Duke." She said as she came over to lean against the side of Nathan's desk.. "You know we're not going to let some tattooed nut job kill you."

"You wouldn't," he retorted, "Nathan would probably hand the guy all my pertinent info and a grand!"

"No, he wouldn't! Would you Nathan?" Audrey protested, turning to give the man in question a look. After a moment, Nathan shrugged and offered them both a smirk.

"I wouldn't give someone a grand to kill Duke." He deadpanned.

"Thanks, Nate, I feel so much better." Duke snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, it's true. Why would I pay someone when there are plenty of people around here who would do it for-OW! Parker!" The yelp escaped from his mouth as Audrey's hand connected none too gently with the back of his head..

"Stop being mean." She hissed.

"Says the woman who just smacked me!" Nathan countered with a pout.

"Oh, it wasn't that hard!"

"Um, what just happened?" Duke cut into their bickering with a strained voice. The partners turned their attention back to the man who was gaping at them like he was the catch of the day.

"Seriously? I've done the same thing to you more than once." Audrey laughed.

"Not what I meant." He replied, pointing at Nathan. "You-you felt that!"

"Yeah, I did." Nathan agreed sullenly.

"Does that mean that Ian really did cure you?" Duke asked, mouth still agape.

"Not exactly." Audrey explained. "Nathan can't feel everything, just me."

"When did you figure this out?"

"When Jess left." Nathan admitted. "But, I didn't tell Audrey until everything that had happened with the Chief."

"And you were going to share this wonderful news with me when?" Duke pressed, stung. When the world was collapsing, he was the first call they made. Would it kill them to share some good news? Nathan looked as if he was going to offer a sarcastic retort about the necessity of keeping Duke in the loop. However, a sharp glance from Audrey reminded him that he was still in smacking range.

"We're still wrapping our heads around it, I guess." Audrey replied with an apologetic shrug. "It's not like we've told anyone else."

"Then, Nathan, let me be the first to congratulate you. Now, back to my little dilemma-"

"No, Duke. We're not launching an investigation into the potential criminal life of every tattooed person in Haven. No, We're not leaving you alone with one of our computers." Nathan interrupted firmly. After giving Audrey a quick smile, he added more gently, "And, no, we're not going to stand by and let someone kill you."

"We'd let you know the moment we heard anything." Audrey concurred. "You know that."

"Well, this has been so helpful." Duke grumbled as he rose from his chair. "Thanks, really."

An amused look was exchanged between the partners as he left the office. The conversation that followed was silent, but, fully understood. Nathan sighed, smiled again, and jerked his head in the direction of the office door.

"Go on," he chucked dryly, "ease your conscience."

"And put your mind at ease while I'm at it." Audrey suggested with a similar smile as she pushed away from the desk and headed out to the hallway. After a quick scurry, she caught up with Duke midway to the exit.

"Hold up a sec." She called. Duke paused in surprise.

"I thought that the conversation was over." He pointed out flatly. Audrey wondered if he realized how petulant he sounded.

"That conversation is." She agreed. "I wanted to talk to you about something else. You do realize we weren't actually trying to keep things from you, right?"

Duke sighed inwardly as noted the nervous pitch of her voice and the expectant look in her eyes. Any other time, with anyone else, he'd use that anxiety to his advantage to get what he'd come for in the first place. Unfortunately for his inner con artist, this wasn't any other time or person. This was Audrey, hip deep in troubles time. She already had enough on her back.

"Of course you weren't." He assured her. "One, you're still, as you said, 'wrapping your head around it'. Two, it's not like we haven't had more pressing issues to discuss when we see each other. Three, none of us are the "share our feelings" types. Right now I'm just feeling a little-"

"Petulant?" She teased.

"I guess you could say that." Duke conceded, recognizing that the had spent the better half of their recent conversation in a self-righteous sulk.

"I've got something that could help with that." Audrey offered, taking his arm and tugging him further down the hall. "Laverne left a box of chocolate chip cookies in the break room."

"That would work." He chuckled. A thought came to him as they entered the room that contained snacks and the cherished coffee pot. "Did you follow me to make sure my feelings weren't hurt, or, to make sure I didn't sneak into the records room?"

"A little of column A. A little of column B." She answered handing him one of the promised cookies.

"At least you're honest." He commented good-naturedly as he took a bite. "Besides, I'm glad to get a moment alone with you."

"Oh?" Audrey raised an eyebrow as she munched on her own cookie.

"I've come up with a way to reduce your rent if you're interested." He explained with his most charming smile.

"Does this way involve your parking tickets or anything that Nathan just told you was out of the question?" She asked, knowing all too well what that smile usually meant.

"I'm insulted you'd think that!" He protested with a pout that she'd seen too often to take seriously. "Here I am, trying to be nice, and-"

"Okay, okay." Audrey laughed. "What are you offering?"

"Audrey, I will lower your rent if you promise me you'll hit Nathan on a daily basis. Nothing too hard. I just want you to-OW!" Duke's explanation came to a halt as Audrey's fist punched into his shoulder. " What was that for?"

"Free sample."