Across the Vanishing Sky

The perspective shifts to Braedyn, who is baking apology cookies for Dex with Owen looking on. As she bakes, Braedyn reflects on her difficult past. Her parents disowned her for getting pregnant, and Owen’s father abandoned them. Her best friend, Nova, was her only support. Braedyn considers researching Dex’s past, which Holly hinted is troubled, but she decides against it. Later, Braedyn takes the cookies to Dex’s cabin. He is amused by her apology, but his demeanor shifts when she asks for his help with computers, revealing that her best friend is missing.

Visibly rattled by Braedyn’s use of the word “missing,” Dex recalls his own mother’s disappearance and reflects on how easily a false trail could be laid. Braedyn explains that Nova vanished a year ago on the Three Creeks Canyon trail and asks Dex to access footage from road-condition cameras. However, Dex reluctantly declines. He explains his former employers at the FBI have warned him not to resume the hacking activities that first got him arrested years ago. Privately, he also reflects that his brothers’ rule against taking local cases would also prevent him from helping Braedyn. Devastated, Braedyn turns back to her own cabin. Immediately, Dex messages his brothers in their group chat. Despite Kol and Orion’s vetoes of his request to take the case, Dex decides to help Braedyn on his own.

Back in her cabin, Braedyn is heartbroken by Dex’s refusal and tries unsuccessfully to hide her sadness from Owen, who attempts to comfort her without understanding the reason for her anguish; wanting to preserve his happiness, Braedyn has never told him that Nova is missing.

The next morning, Dex appears at her door and tells her that he has changed his mind and wants to help. Inside, he explains his past work with the FBI’s cyber division, and Owen is starstruck. Once the two adults have distracted Owen with another task, Dex confirms his commitment to Braedyn helping find Nova, admitting that he already started looking into the case the night before. Relieved, Braedyn leads him to the room that she has converted into an investigation headquarters for Nova’s case.

Dex visits the Juniper County Sheriff’s Department to file an open records request for the case file on Nova Monroe. While there, he speaks with the deputy, Travis Moore, before a hostile Sheriff Miller interrupts him. Acting on his long-standing dislike for the Archer brothers, Miller insults Dex, referencing the crimes of Dex’s father. Shaken by the confrontation, Dex goes to The Boot to see Wylder. Braedyn, who is working a shift there at the time, notices Dex’s distress. He confides in her about Miller, and she shares a similar negative experience. Choosing to trust her, Dex reveals the family history that Miller holds over him: the fact that his father was a serial killer.

The perspective shifts to Braedyn as she reacts to Dex’s confession with humor and acceptance, reassuring him that his father’s actions do not define him. Stunned by her gentle response, Dex briefly takes her hand, but the moment of connection is broken by Wylder’s arrival.

The perspective returns to Dex, who is annoyed by Wylder’s interruption. Maverick arrives soon after and teases Dex about Braedyn. Dex makes an impassioned case for helping her, convincing Wylder and Maverick to take on the local case despite the risks that their vigilante activities might be discovered.

Meanwhile, as Braedyn dries glasses behind the bar, her phone rings—the caller ID reads “Supernova,” her contact name for Nova.

The perspective shifts to Braedyn, who answers the phone call and hears nothing but the sounds of rushing water and ragged breathing. In shock, she drops her phone and shatters a glass, then drops to her knees to retrieve the phone, heedless of the sharp fragments digging into her hands and knees. Dex rushes to her, but the call ends before it can be traced. He lifts her from the glass and tends to her wounds, shielding her from aggressive questioning as the police arrive. When Sheriff Miller accuses Dex of faking the call, Braedyn furiously defends Dex and condemns Miller’s incompetence. Wylder orders the sheriff out of his bar. Afterward, Dex tells Braedyn that no one outside his family has ever stood up for him like she just did.

Deeply affected by Braedyn’s defense of him, Dex finds his thoughts interrupted when an alarm on Braedyn’s phone reminds her to pick up Owen from camp. He insists on driving her there, as she is still shaky. At the camp, they meet Kol and Skylar, who have been waiting with Owen. On the way home, Dex buys milkshakes for everyone.

The perspective shifts to Braedyn. After getting milkshakes, Dex drives her and Owen home. They arrive at the cabin to find Holly and Cora waiting on the porch with dinner. While Holly expresses prejudiced concerns about Braedyn’s involvement with Dex, Cora remains supportive. Before leaving, Dex tells Braedyn that she does not have to be alone now; he promises to return soon.