Chapter Text
Nathan arrives and it's weird how natural yet not it feels to become Lexie right then and there. The words and attitude, not too different from her own yet still distinct (especially the version she's been giving to Nathan), flow as easily as she was Audrey working a case. Maybe she was an actress once.
Nathan brings with him many choices of coffee, confessing he didn't know what she liked. If Audrey is honest with herself, that is unbearably sweet of him, and she likes seeing him make more of an effort with Lexie (yet she also doesn't. Her love life and existence really is complicated). She breaks the moment by telling him she likes her coffee spiked at 10am, and it's odd enough to make Nathan slightly unbalanced.
"Oh, yeah. I didn't actually come alone this morning. I mean, we have a potential case, but there was someone I wanted you to meet. You can come in, buddy."
And before Audrey can wonder and Lexie can ask, she hears the familiar paw steps on her floor. It's Cookie! She feels speechless and doesn't know what to say. She takes a quick look at Duke, but she can't read his face.
Cookie stays by Nathan's side for a moment, before Nathan scratches him behind his ear and says something to him quietly. It gives Audrey enough time to get back in character.
"And who is this?" she's not quite sure how to sound. Was Lexie a dog person? She was. "He's cute."
Nathan's smiles in a rather boyish way and it's good to see. "This is Cookie. I've been taking care of him for... I thought maybe you would like to see him. Maybe keep him? He was yours."
Audrey doesn't know how to respond. Of course she knew Nathan took good care of Cookie (probably better care than he took of himself) but with everything going on since she was back, she hadn't even considered what happened to Cookie.
"I can't," she says, not even sure why. She feels an ache for the dog and the times they had, but she's supposed to be Lexie.
Nathan seems taken aback, "Okay. I mean, I can still take care of him, until you're ready to have him back. It's not a bother."
At that moment, Cookie decides to come check Audrey out, and she can't resist petting him for a moment. Cookie seems to remember her too, or maybe he just accepts that she looks a bit different now. She's not sure, but she's grateful all the same.
She makes up her mind, "Maybe I could keep him. He does seem to like me."
"Great! I can get you the rest of his stuff from the car, he's quite used to being alone but I can call his walker, tell her to pick him up from here. I think Cookie'll be happy to be home. Aren't you buddy?"
Cookie barks once in reply. "I guess we both think so too," Audrey says. It's nice to have something be simple.
"Good. Then we can go work on the case."
For a moment, Audrey almost forgot what she has to do, "Oh, I can't come out with you on a case. My paper work disappeared with your Audrey, and I need to fill them up again."
"Did it?" Nathan doesn't sound very convinced but Duke decides to help out and he manages to convince Nathan enough, and eventually Cookie's things are back at home where they belong. Nathan and Duke leave to deal with the case, and Audrey takes a moment to enjoys Cookie's return. As they used to, they cuddle on the couch.
"Hi, buddy. It's really me. Don't tell Nathan. He has one of those terrible Nathan-plans, and I'm trying to keep him safe. I'm happy to be back, and to have you back."
Cookie licks her face, and Audrey takes a moment to just hug him. At least she'll have another person she can be Audrey with.