Alex had been up all night shaking, murmuring thing I couldn't hear. Around midnight she had started vomiting and once there was nothing left she started dry heaving. I held her hair back and rubbed her back while she cried. Around three she finally fell asleep, she slept wildly, thrashing as if she was fighting the sheets. Later when her movements calmed and she fell asleep while I cradled her in my arms. It broke my heart to see her this way. Alex was usually so proud and she was reduced to tears. She was right, it wasn't pretty, it was almost earth-shattering.

Polly dropped by the apartment to bring groceries, as it was unlikely me or Alex would be leaving anytime soon. Polly and I shared a quick hug and pleasantries before I caught her staring at my bruises and retreated to the kitchen. Alex had only just fallen asleep, it had been a long night for me, but I could only imagine how bad it had been for Alex. It seemed she had finally found peace in her sleep. I was just happy she wasn't suffering. I put the groceries away quickly, new silverware of course. I smiled a I put them away, glad to be rid of the ugly reminder. When I returned to the bedroom Alex was sitting up awake, she immediately move her hands away from her. Her eyes were red and unfocused. "Pipes?" she studied my face.

"Yeah Alex, are you okay?" I asked clearly suspicious. "You seem kin-" I sat down next to her.

"Do you hear that Pipes?" she started rubbing her arms up and down, something was clearly bothering her, at least I caught her before she started scratching.

"What? What do you hear?" I sat next to her, placing her hand on her thigh. This was unlike her.

"I mean- I thought it was the neighbors, but it's clearly not since couldn't be this loud, and-" she was talking a million miles a minute, was she hearing voices? I read that is was possible, but I was hoping she wouldn't have to go through that.

"Alex!" The sound of my own voice surprised me, I hadn't meant to be that loud. I placed my hands on her thigh in attempt to comfort her. "What do you hear?"

"Pipes, just people, saying things and I feel like-" there was a long pause, no one said anything, I barely breathed. "You should've gone with Polly." Her voice triggered an instinct in me, to comfort her.

I would never leave her alone, not again, I couldn't "And then what would you be doing right now? Scratching your arms until they bleed, in fetal position?!" My voice started to rise, in tandem with my anger. "Alex I'm not leaving you alone and that's final!" I took a breath. When I spoke my voice was softer and I was concerned than angry. "I really care about you Alex, I made a decision and I'm sticking to it." I took her hands in mine and kissed her cheek. "What are they saying that makes you so upset?" I pleaded. "Please."

She hesitated and I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. "It's just that I could've helped you earlier or that I should've visited my mom..." I ran my thumb across her cheek. In her face I saw who I'd left behind years ago. Though she was pale and dark circles framed her eyes, there were now matching tears.

"Alex, you couldn't have known about either of those things." Would things have been different if I stayed by her side? I felt a pang of guilt. Then quickly banished the thought, I was here now.

"That doesn't change the fact, that I wasn't there and I should've been." She looked away, I was desperate to help her to prove I could handle this.

"I'm going to make to make us something to eat, but I'm not gonna leave you alone. Okay?" She nodded and started to get up, but was immediately unbalanced, I reached out to catch her.

"Fuck," she murmured, and blushed. It was almost endearing, plus it made me feel proud and useful to help her.

"Here let me help," She wrapped my her arm around my shoulders and I her waist and we made our way to the kitchen slowly, together.

"Thanks Pipes," She smiled at me weakly.

I run through my mental checklist, Water, food, bath, talk, in that order. I help her sit down at the table and and grab a glass water putting in a straw. I place the the glass in front of her, "Drink."

"Thanks," She sucks down the drink greedily and I go back to the pantry I pick out some crackers and hand them to Alex.

"Let's try these first." She scoffs.

"Now I'm the child?" I roll my eyes, it was a good sign she's got her sense of humor back.

"That's not how it is, you know that."

"It sure does seem like that's how it is," she said smirking. She picked at the wrappers in her hand. I decided not to push it.

"Well eat then, just a few. You're through with hardest part." She surrendered opening the package and eating a couple. I smiled and she rolled her eyes. "Thank you!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't throw a party yet, still gotta keep them down." I smiled. I had missed her.

"Gotta take the small victories Al!" It was almost like no time has passed, except now we had to heal each other. I'd been so distracted taking care of her that I'd of forgotten about Aaron entirely. Maybe that was a good thing, all my attention should be on her.

A few more moments pass, but I don't mind the silence though. I don't have to worry about what I did wrong, not with her.

"Pipes?" I snapped out of my thoughts, "I thought we lost you there for a second." she smirked and I grinned along with her.

"Just lost in thought Al," She ate some more crackers her gaze concentrated on me.

"What about?" I looked down and smiled.

"Just you." She grinned.

"Oh yeah? what about me?" an arrogant smirk appeared in her face. I paused.

"I want to stay with you Alex," the smirk faded into something softer. "I want to start a new life with you," I took a deep breath. "Taking care of you, it made me realize..."

Her eyes widened a bit "Pipes, I..." Fuck.

"No it's okay you don't have to say anything I can leave when you're better-" I knew this was a bad idea.

"Pipes."

"I didn't mean to put you on the spot-" She tried to get rid of me.

"Pipes!" I jumped.

"Yeah?" I said sheepishly, not meeting her eyes. She really did want me to go with Polly.

"Of course you can stay with me." My eyes widen.

"Alex, are you sure?" I'm sure she could hear the childish joy creep into my voice.

"Of course Pipes" The earnest in her voice sealed the deal.

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. She chuckled and returned the favor. "Can I take a bath to celebrate?" I chuckled.

"Absolutely," I helped her the bathroom and sat her on the lid of our toilet while I ran the bath. "So you're feeling better?"

"I'm much better thank you. I think the worst is over now." I smiled and poured some soap into bath stirring it with the tip of my finger.

"Does that mean we'll go shopping soon?" I turned off the water and shot her a playful smile. She chuckled.

"Sure Pipes." She pulled off her top.

"Well, I'll leave you to it." I started towards the door.

"Well you can stay if you want." I raised my eyebrows since you insist. She finished undressing, her ribs poked through a little but she was still breathtaking I tried not to stare, instead I helped her into the bath. She closed her eyes and moaned, "This is nice."

"I love you Alex."

"I love you too, Pipes."

And I'll never leave you again.