As the group of five meandered out of the bar, Wynonna screamed "SHOT GUN!" at the top of her lungs, and darted for the front passenger seat. Doc, unfamiliar with such a method for calling the front seat, immediately reached for his pistol, believing that some revenant had a shotgun trained on them.

Of course, once Dolls assured Doc they were not under threat, the three girls couldn't stop laughing, and Doc remained confused for the whole ride.

In the front seat, Wynonna harassed Dolls about his over-cautious driving on the empty roads, but Nicole and Waverly were completely oblivious to all the commotion around them. Both tried to ignore the heat of the other's thigh pressed up against their own and their extreme proximity. Nicole stretched her arm over the back of Waverly's seat, seemingly to "make more room," though Waverly knew better.

Nicole was trying to steady her thoughts and clear her head, to no avail. It became clearer to her that she was much drunker than she originally thought, and she was beginning to really regret agreeing to go to the Earps'. Almost as if she could sense Nicole's uncertainty, Waverly leaned into Nicole's side, settling into the nook under her arm just a bit more. Looking down, Nicole could see the satisfied smile cross Waverly's face, and her green eyes glance up at Nicole. When Waverly caught Nicole's eye, realizing that she had already been looking at her, her smile grew impossibly wider.

"I'm really glad you're coming back with us," she whispered, twinkle in her eye sparkling.

Nicole paused for a beat, before smiling and honestly saying, "Me, too."

They were silent for the remainder of the ride, both simply breathing the other in, and feeling the heat off the other. When Dolls pulled up to a stop outside the homestead, Waverly reluctantly peeled herself from Nicole's side and shifted away as they unloaded from the SUV. Dolls stayed in the running car, resisting Wynonna's persistent pestering to come inside and hang out for a bit longer.

"I don't think so, Earp. Y'all have a good night, and get some sleep." He turned his attention to Waverly, "And you… please get her to work tomorrow. I won't even ask for it to be before noon."

Waverly laughed and nodded. "I'll do my best, Agent Dolls!" as she saluted him and turned towards the house. Wynonna had grabbed Doc and Nicole by the wrists and started dragging them up the steps while Waverly and Dolls were talking, so she skipped to catch up, instinctively finding herself at Nicole's side.

Wynonna jabbered on about something, but Waverly couldn't hear a word she was saying. Her mind was racing a million miles a minute. Nicole and Doc followed Wynonna into the kitchen, rapt in attention. Waverly stood in the doorway, arms crossed, shoulder pressed into the frame, openly staring at Nicole. She watched as Nicole laughed at something Doc said, and her smile grew, exposing her trademark dimples. The sound of her laugh filled the room, and filled Waverly. It vibrated down her spine and warmed her toes. She raked her eyes down Nicole's profile, taking in the tight curve to her ass, molded by the dark jeans over Nicole's curves as if they were specifically made for her.

"Good grief she looks good…" Waverly contemplated. "And she's staying here tonight…"

An uncontrollable smile crept onto Waverly's face as she mulled over that last thought.

"No, no, really, Wynonna. I'm really good. I don't need any more."

Waverly was brought back into the conversation by Nicole's words. She looked up, and Wynonna was reaching towards Nicole, tumbler of—presumably—whiskey in hand.

"Oh come on, OCCIFER." Wynonna intentionally slurred. "You're not driving anywhere tonight. Live a little! Have another with me!"

"No, thank you, really Wynonna. I'm pretty tired as is. I'll probably stretch out on the couch here in a few minutes and try to catch some shut-eye."

Wynonna scoffed, but Waverly's stomach lurched at the sound of Nicole mentioning the couch. This was not what she had planned. Not at all. She stepped forward into the kitchen, placing a hand on Wynonna's shoulder.

"Lay off, Wynonna!" she said with a light laugh. "If the lady doesn't want another drink, don't pressure her!" Waverly glanced over to Nicole and winked. She felt a surge of warmth when Nicole blushed. "And, actually, I'm a lot more tired now that we're home, too. I think that car ride did me in."

Wynonna started to protest, but Waverly comically put her hand over her sister's mouth, silencing her to big surprised eyes.

"Don't start with me, Wy. Now… you and Doc look like you're still wide awake. We," she nodded to Nicole, "are both tired. Nicole—why don't you just come stay in my room so these two won't keep you awake?"

Silently, Nicole just nodded, slightly smiling.

"Okay, then." Waverly slowly uncovered Wynonna's mouth, who exaggeratedly exercised her jaw.

"Night, y'all," and Waverly turned on her heel and started walking down the hallway towards her room. Halfway there, she glanced over her shoulder to see Nicole still firmly rooted in place, so she stopped without turning around. "You coming?" Waverly asked, eyebrow cocked.

Nicole swallowed heavily, "Of course." She nodded at Wynonna and Doc, "Have a nice rest of your night, y'all. And Wynonna, thanks for letting me crash at your house tonight."

"Oh, don't thank me, Deputy. Waverly runs this place," she said with a soft smile. "Whatever she says, goes, and any friend of hers is a friend of mine." Wynonna lurched forward and hugged Nicole. "Night night!"

Nicole chuckled and turned to follow Waverly. "I'll have to keep that in mind, Wynonna." She laughed to herself as she headed down the hall, trying to clear the drunken fog that was again settling in her brain. What was she doing?

Waverly disappeared into a doorway at the end of the hall, and as Nicole approached it herself, she stopped for a moment, out of view, and took a long, deep breath. "Just don't be an asshole, Nicole."

Willing her feet to move, Nicole stepped forward and through the doorway, breath immediately catching. Waverly stood over by her dresser, looking in the mirror and carefully undoing her long, single braid that lay over her right shoulder. She looked equal parts focused and care-free, as if she'd done it a thousand times (which she probably had). Nicole stopped just a few feet inside the doorway, unsure of what to do or where to go.

When Waverly finished letting down her hair, she turned towards Nicole, who was still standing awkwardly about twenty feet away.

"Come here," Waverly said, softly, holding a hand out towards Nicole.

Nicole started to walk toward her, but Waverly abruptly stopped her.

"Wait!" Nicole froze, eyes darting up to meet Waverly's, uncertain.

"Shut the door," Waverly followed, gesturing behind her.

Nicole's stomach lurched again, completely out of her element and uncertain. She stumbled toward the door, pulling it closed with a deafening click.

When Nicole's eyes met Waverly's again, she saw so much there she had never really allowed herself to see before: anticipation, happiness, desire. Waverly extended her hand again, and somehow Nicole ended up in front of her, the two women barely a foot away from each other. Waverly's hand wrapped around Nicole's, pulling her forward and immediately closing the remaining space between them. They stood there a moment, eyes each exploring the other's. Neither of them dared to speak.

Waverly raised her free hand to Nicole's face, hovering for just long enough that it was noticeable before making contact on Nicole's cheek. Softly, Waverly's hand caressed Nicole's cheek, fingers curling behind Nicole's ear, finger tips pressing into her hair line. Her thumb ran along the length of Nicole's cheekbone and then down to the corner of her slightly parted mouth. Nicole hadn't blinked or taken a breath since her hand fell into Waverly's, and she was sure she had lost all ability to breathe the second the pad of Waverly's thumb touched her lip.

"Wa—Waver-ly," she said, hesitantly. She closed her eyes, knowing she wouldn't say what she needed to say while staring at the woman in front of her.

"We—we really, shouldn't do—we're both—I mean—I am pretty… and I don't want to…"

"Stop."

Nicole froze for a moment, distracted by the forcefulness of Waverly's command and her thumb, still stroking her cheek.

"But… I…"

"Stop."

Nicole stood silent.

Waverly dropped Nicole's hand and brought her other hand up, as well. She cupped Nicole's face, softly, tenderly.

"Nicole… I, I know what you're going to say. And you're not wrong. Nothing should happen between us tonight."

Nicole was absolutely frozen in place, again breathless.

"I need you to just, just let me let time stand still for a few moments. Because I asked you to wait for me. And you're noble and caring and kind and… and perfect," she exhaled a low breath, "… and so you waited. You waited patiently for me to figure out my shit. But…" she stopped mid-sentence, letting out a small gasp.

Nicole had finally regained control of her extremities and she tentatively placed her hands on Waverly's waist, unknowingly pulling her impossibly closer.

Waverly was thrown, just for a moment, losing her train of thought. Nicole smirked, feeling for the first time since she got into Dolls' car like she had a little bit of control over the situation. Waverly noticed the smirk and giggled, dipping her head before connecting with Nicole's eyes again.

"You were saying?" Nicole asked, still smiling.

Waverly's left hand slipped back through Nicole's hair and landed on the back of her neck while her right hand slid down the side of Nicole's cheek, slowly down her neck and resting on the crook between her neck and shoulder. Waverly's gaze had followed her hand down. Nicole's hands gripped boldly at Waverly's hips, waiting for her to continue.

"Nicole," she said with new confidence, "… you waited for me. But I don't think you realize how excruciating the waiting was—for me—too." She looked back up to catch the surprised look on Nicole's face.

"For you?"

Waverly smiled and nodded. "Yeah," she whispered.

"How so?" Nicole mirrored Waverly's whisper, giving Waverly a confused look.

Waverly's hands stirred again, slipping around from the back of Nicole's neck, both resting just below Nicole's collarbone, creeping underneath the lapels of Nicole's leather jacket and running up over her shoulders. Nicole took the hint, allowing the jacket to fall off her arms before reaching for Waverly again.

"God, Nicole… you don't get it, do you?"

Nicole was silent.

"Every time I've seen you, every time I think about you, I've wanted absolutely nothing more than to touch you. And…" Waverly hesitated, "I don't even mean like that—though…" she let the thought fall aside, taking a shaky breath.

"You are perfect and beautiful, and I've just needed to get my hands on you… just like this. To just feel your skin. And now… I finally have you here, in front of me, and I need to touch you. So… I know I've asked you for a lot and made this all about me, and I'm still doing that and I… I'm being selfish, butfor just a few moments… before this bubble bursts, just please, let me. And then we really can go to bed and sleep and tomorrow we can start those big conversations that we need to have. But just right now… let me let time stand still and touch you."

Nicole took in a shaky breath and a tear threatened to roll down her cheek, but Waverly didn't let it, reaching up on her tip toes and softly kissing it away. Waverly gave Nicole a questioning look, and Nicole let out a small nod.

Waverly took a deep breath and ran her hands down the sides of Nicole's torso, bunching up the bottom of her shirt. Their foreheads fell together and Nicole's hands covered Waverly's at the hem of her shirt. They swayed, ever so slightly, while both contemplated the weight of the moment.

Moving almost simultaneously, they peeled Nicole' shirt over her head, and Waverly's hands immediately reached for Nicole's abs. Her finger tips brushed up and down over her stomach, eventually dragging back up her sides and over the edges of Nicole's bra. Waverly placed two palms on Nicole's chest, above her bra, and let her fingers stretch out splay over her chest.

Waverly took her time, running trembling fingertips over every inch of Nicole's exposed skin. After several minutes of heavy silence, interrupted only by the slightest of breaths, she intertwined both hands into Nicole's hair at the back of her head, pulling their bodies flush. Her right hand slipped around, outlining the shell of Nicole's ear, down the curve of her jaw, painstakingly down her neck and then tracing the edges of Nicole's collarbone out to her shoulder. She wrapped her arm around under Nicole's, pulling her in close from her back. Waverly buried her face into the crook of Nicole's neck, collapsing into her body fully. She could feel Nicole's heart thudding, and it made her smile to feel the same frantic, hammering beat that she felt in her own chest.

Nicole held her tight, strong arms wrapped around her waist, breathing in the sweet smell of her shampoo.

"Let's go to bed," Nicole finally said, softly kissing the top of Waverly's head and daring to break the quiet tension.

She felt Waverly nod into her chest, and they moved toward Waverly's bed. Nicole sat down and unzipped her boots, setting them carefully by the bed, and climbed in. She opened her arms toward Waverly on the other side of the bed, making her giggle. Just as Waverly started to climb in next to her, she stopped, a wicked smile crossing her face.

"What?" Nicole asked, suspiciously.

Waverly reached down and pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it aside, never breaking Nicole's eye contact. Nicole's eyes went wide as Waverly climbed in smiling, curling into Nicole and sighing with complete contentment.