T/W:

****

Nolan and Avery were seated, side by side, at the table in the society, while the others waited for Nolan to announce his big news.

"We've been selected for a spread in the latest addition of paranormal monthly," Nolan says. Nobody says anything for several minutes.

"You're serious?" Sid asks. Nolan nods.

"When are they coming?" Lola asks.

"The end of the week," Nolan responds. "So I'm gonna need to make sure we're all on the same page."

"Which means...what?" Lennox asks.

"We need to make sure we're working together on this. If they see any kind of disharmony or anything that they consider fake evidence, they'll drop us," Nolan replies.

"We want this as much as you do, Nolan," Lola says softly. Nolan nods.

"There's...something else," he continues.

"What?" Sid asks.

"You know how badly this last investigation effected me," Nolan says. Everyone nods, remembering the last conversation they had.

"I know we agreed to take a small hiatus, but..." Nolan bows his head, struggling with the right words. Avery gently squeezes one of his hands. Nolan lifts his head, looking at his team. This isn't going to be easy for any of them. Him, most of all.

"I'm planning on stepping down for a few months." Everyone is stunned into silence at Nolan's announcement.

"You sure that's what you want to do?" Lola asks. Nolan nods.

"I think it'd be a good idea. My mental health needs to recover before I can start getting myself back out there."

"Of course," Lennox says. "You do whatever you think is best." Nolan smiles, but looks teary-eyed.

"Thanks," he murmurs. "You guys are the best team I could ask for."

"What about the magazine spread?" Sid pipes up.

"I'll be around for the majority of that," Nolan responds. "And I might need to accompany the team on one investigation. But after that's wrapped up, I'll be stepping down."

"Avery, will you still be assisting us?" Lola asks. Avery smiles.

"If you still want me to."

"Absolutely," Sid replies, smiling. "You're one of us now and with Nolan taking a break, we could certainly use the help."

"In that case, I'd be delighted to help."

"Lola," Nolan says.

"Yes?"

"Since you've been there since the beginning, I'd like for you to fill in as team leader." Lola's eyes widen.

"You really want me to fill in during your absence?" Nolan nods.

"I can't think of anyone more qualified for that position than you."

"Thanks, Nolan. I'm honored to fill the position."

"Do you know exactly what Paranormal Monthly will want from us?" Lennox asks. Nolan shakes his head.

"Apart from the usual stuff, I'm not entirely sure what exactly they'll be looking for."

"This is kinda surreal," Lola comments. "We've been dreaming about this opportunity for months and we're finally getting a shot."

"Let's just hope nothing derails this once in a lifetime opportunity," Sid says.

"I'm sure everything will go smoothly," Avery says, trying to sound optimistic.

"Hopefully," Sid replies. "But if there's one thing I've learned from dealing with the paranormal, you never know what's going to happen."

****

Nolan and Avery are lying in his bed, tangled up together, arms wrapped around each other.

"I'm really proud of you," Avery murmurs, stroking his hair.

"Thanks. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I feel like it's the right one."

"If you're going to help others, you need to make sure you're in a good place, mentally. Otherwise, you're not doing them any favors."

"Agreed." Nolan sighs. "I've put a lot of my time and energy into assisting as many people as possible. And I don't want to stop."

"You don't have to," Avery murmurs, brushing her lips along Nolan's jawline. He shivers and grins, tangling his fingers in her loose hair.

"Are you trying to distract me?" He teases. Avery chuckles.

"Possibly. Is it working?" Nolan tugs her closer, kissing her.

"I think it might be."

"I'm glad. You deserve a distraction after everything you've been through." Nolan chuckles, rubbing Avery's back.

"I couldn't agree more."

****
The end of the week arrives and the team is waiting for Paranormal Monthly staff to show. Nolan is beside himself and feeling antsy.

At exactly ten o'clock, a black SUV pulls up in front of the society. Everyone is clustered together, waiting for the staff of Paranormal Monthly to enter their establishment.

A man, with thick, black hair and a woman with bright red hair exits the SUV and comes inside. Nolan steps forward, hand extended, introducing himself and the rest of the team. The man smiles, introducing himself as Stuart Masterson and the woman, Elise Montgomery.

"It's a pleasure to be here," Elise says, smiling. "We've had plenty of positive feedback about this society."

"Thank you," Lola says. "Would you mind if asked exactly how you learned about about our society?"

"From this young lady right here," Stuart replies, smiling at Avery.

"Me?" Avery squeaks. Stuart chuckles and nods.

"Elise is a big fan of your blog, Miss Greer. So when she heard about you getting involved with the Sahling Paranormal society, we started looking into everything you've accomplished."

"Well, thank you," Avery says, blushing a little. "It's always a pleasure meeting diehard fans."

"You bet," Elise says.

"You said you'd heard a lot of positive feedback about is," Sid says. "Have you been checking up on us?"

"Yes," Stuart replies. "We've contacted several of your previous clients and every single one of them had nothing but good things to say about all of you."

"We also spoke with Billie North," Elise adds. "We're familiar with her work as well and we know she's the real deal in terms of what she does."

"Billie's amazing," Avery says. "I'll admit I was skeptical about her abilities until I met and worked with her."

Elise nods. "She's definitely gifted and she's not afraid to do the hard thing, should it come to that."

"Our last investigation, was...difficult, to put it mildly," Nolan says. "Billie really stepped up to the plate."

"She explained what happened with that case," Stuart says. "It sounds like you all had a rough go with it."

"We did," Lennox says.

"All right!" Stuart claps his hands together, smiling brightly. "Let's get this started! We have some more staff, waiting out in the SUV. We're going to take some professional photos of you and then, do interviews."

"Sounds great," Nolan says.

"Then let's begin."

****
Several hours later, the photos and interviews are concluded and the Paranormal Monthly staff takes off, after announcing they'd be returning in the morning to figure out a time to accompany the team on one investigation. Nolan is feeling much more relaxed about this, as are the rest of the team.

"That's kinda funny, how they discovered about our society," Lola says, smiling at Avery. Avery blushes.

"I never would have guessed I'd get you guys the attention you'd been wanting."

"No need to be modest," Lennox says, grinning. "You really came through on this one."

"Well, you know I didn't exactly expect to find out anything conclusive when I first started on this particular topic," Avery admits. "But it ended up changing my life for the better."

"You mean because you found love?" Lennox teases. Avery chuckles.

"That's part of it. But it's also helped me to be more open minded about stuff I don't always understand. Plus it is kinda nice, being able to help people who are searching for answers." 

Nolan kisses Avery's cheek and her face burns with the heat of embarrassment. She playfully pushes him away, but she's smiling.

"This definitely turned into something amazing," Lola says.

"I certainly never thought that my latest blog topic would blow up this way and have such a positive impact on bot only myself, but the society and you all," Avery says.

"Absolutely!" Nolan agrees.

****

That evening, Avery is recording her latest blog and just finishes when her phone buzzes. She smiles, seeing that it's Nolan and answers.

"Hey!"

"What the hell?!" Nolan's aggressive tone catches Avery off guard. She frowns, wondering what could possibly be upsetting him this much.

"Nolan, what's wrong?"

"You!" Nolan explodes. "How could you? I trusted you! We all trusted you!"

"Slow down!" Avery says. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'll bet!" Nolan's tone is scathing and Avery is taken aback by his venomous words.

"Explain, now," Avery snaps.

"You're latest blog! You just posted it, your friend, Everly, just completely destroyed the entire society!"

"Nolan, I just finished recording my latest blog and I haven't posted anything since last week."

Silence.

"Hello?"

"Everly posted a video of when she accompanied us to the lighthouse," Nolan's voice is quiet. "It shows me, looking like a damn fool!"

Avery's body goes slack as she falls back against her chair. Shit. She'd remembered the stupid prank that Everly and Lennox played on Nolan. A pulse of pain stabs her in the heart.

"I'm so sorry, Nolan," Avery murmurs, massaging her temples. "I had no idea that Everly had recorded that. She had no right, posting that without my permission."

"An apology isn't going to fix this, Avery," Nolan snaps. "We're screwed. Completely and utterly, screwed."