Chapter 1

Norma was leaning against the front desk in the office reflecting on how scared she was. Thinking Norman had left for good. Thankfully just as fast as he had left he came back. She didn't know what made him change his mind but she was just so happy to have him back. She didn't mention Pine-view again and wasn't planning on it for a little bit. He had been acting like nothing had happened so she was happy to do so as well. There's so many things going on and she was having a hard time dealing with it all. She is spending all her time in the office trying to keep her mind off of everything. It hasn't been working very well as there isn't much to do around the motel. They didn't have many people staying there so there was just a few things here and there that kept her busy. Her mind kept drifting to the fact that at any moment in time there could be police on her property to arrest her and Norman for the murder of her husband Sam. She tried for so long to keep it a secret but in a moment of weakness shared that information with James Finnigan, a man that Norma wishes she never ever met.

It was to late to take it back, Bob Paris knew and was going to use it against her. Norma realized that she had been leaning against the desk for a while shifted her weight and turned her head to the clock. It was nearing 8:30pm, she had been so absorbed in her thoughts didn't even realize that she could have closed up the office a hour ago. She walked over to the door flipping the sign over on to the closed side when she peered out the window at the dark motel porch. It was just two nights ago that she stood on that a dark porch only lit up by the orange street lights, having the first honest conversation with Alex Romero. A man that Norma never thought would ever be the one that would break down her thick walls of self-preservation. The moment she met Sheriff Romero, all she did was try to hide the truth from him.

In the beginning she thought it would be easy but over time it just seems to become harder and harder. Now he knows the truth about Norman and her and yet for some reason she wasn't as scared of that as she thought she should be. Maybe the fact that he came to say that he wishes that he could protect her or maybe it was something else. All she knew is that she was doomed. She thought briefly about leaving town but figure that would be any good. It wasn't bob that she would just be hiding from it would be the police and that wasn't something that she wanted to do. Spend the rest of her and Normans hiding. Knowing her luck they won't get very far anyways. With a big sigh Norma turned the lights and shut the door behind her and locked up, She then headed for the house for the night.

Alex sat in his leather chair in the dark with his drink of scotch in his hand. Wondering to himself how he got to this point. He just killed a childhood friend and ruin a DEA assignment in order to protect a kooky woman whom he some how fell in love with. He become the man that he spent his whole life hating, his father. He knew it and even Bob pointed it out to him before he shot him to death. What was he going to do? it was too late to go back now. He knew what he wanted to do but just couldn't bring himself to do it. He wanted to drive straight over to the Bates Motel to tell Norma that she didn't have to worry about Bob Paris anymore. That she was safe, that he was able to protect her. But he couldn't do that! He couldn't tell Norma that he killed in order to protect her. No way! He didn't want there relationship to change because she felt that she owed him or had to make sure he wouldn't tell her secrets. He wanted his love to be mutual. Her knowing what he did for her would always have him questioning her motives.

At this point he was pretty confident that she doesn't feel the same way. As he has tried to kiss her nearly 3 times and every time she has avoided it. Even in the hotel room after she picked him up at the bar. It seemed like they were getting closer and then she basically ran away. No matter how many times or grand gestures he makes Norma doesn't seem to feel the same way. For the sake of his career and for trying not to let his guard down anymore than Norma had already torn down. Alex decided it would be best that he return to his old ways and try to forget Norma Bates. It was time to put his guard back up!

It was a gorgeous morning as Norma headed down to open the office for the day. When she reached the office the paper boy was there switching out yesterdays paper for todays. "Oh can I grab one of those before you close that" she asked the young man. "Yup, here you go mrs. bates!" the young paper boy said as he handed her the White Pine Bay chronicle newspaper. He then turned to leave. Norma folded the paper and opened the office door. She did her usual office routine, opening the blinds, turning on the computer and then sitting on the stool at the front desk. Since she had so much time on her hands in the mornings waiting for the few guests that she had to leave she would read up on the events of the day. She grab the paper that she placed on the edge of the desk to bring closer to her. When she unfolded it she was struck with the sight of a big picture of Bob Paris.

The headline "On the Run: Wanted by DEA" Norma eyes widened as she went on to read the whole story. Paris is missing and wanted by the DEA for multiple charges including 1st degree murder, fraud and extortion among a long list of other charges. Paris is the only one of the several others involved in the criminal offence to have escaped the DEA raid. Norma didn't know what to think of the news that she was reading. She couldn't believe her luck! The only one that could use the knowledge of her past against her to lessen his sentence is the very one they weren't able to arrest. It still scares her to death that he's out there but she couldn't help but feel relieved, for the time being Bob Paris wasn't thinking about going after her. At least she would be the last of his worries right now. She could feel a little bit of weight lifted off her shoulders knowing that her and Norman were safe for now.

The front door to the office opened, Norma lifted her head to see one of her guest there ready to check out. "Morning!" norma said to the older gentlemen as he approached the desk. "Morning! What a beautiful day it is, isn't it?" he asked. Norma for the first time in days felt ok, "it really is!" she responded with a smile. The man checked out and left the office a few moments later. Norma continued to smile and looked out the window admiring the gorgeous day. It was then her thoughts turn to Alex, just as he popped in her mind her smile faded. "why didn't he tell her?" she wondered to her self.

The news in this town is always a few days behind. He could of came by and told her himself. Come to think about it, she hadn't seen him since that other night. Was he mad at her for everything that has happened? She should be the one that's mad about it! She wasn't though, not anymore anyways. She was just worried about Norman. Norma called up to the house for Norman. "hi honey! I was wondering if you were up to working in the office today? I have a errands to run in town and Emma isn't able to work for awhile." Norman had been better lately but he has been spending more time in the basement. She was happy for him to be keeping out of trouble so she didn't bother him much but she needed him to take over the Motel duties. "I'll be down shortly." he said.

Norma thought her best chance of getting Alex to talk to her was by going to the Station. She was always good at getting his attention there. Last time calling him a third grade girl seemed to work. She was hoping that she won't have to resort to such actions this time. Though she isn't sure where they stand. He knows the truth now but seemed like he was genuinely upset that he couldn't protect her. But he is also still the sheriff!

When she arrived at the station she saw his SUV there, for some reason she always remembered which one was his. As she walked into the station front door she was passed by five men in DEA issued bullet proof vest. She turned her head to watch them walk out it was then, when she heard Alex's voice. She turned around the corner to find Alex in his usual Sheriff's uniform plus a black bullet proof vest. He stood in the long narrow hallway talking with a middle age woman who was wearing a DEA vest and badge. She must be the DEA agent in charge. It sounded like they were talking about a raid that they were about to do. Norma stopped in her tracks looking at Alex. He looked tough but very handsome at the same time. He always did but this was the first time she had seen him in his vest and looking like he was about to be a bad ass cop.

Out of the corner of his eye Alex caught Norma standing at the beginning of the hallway. He stopped dead in the middle of his sentence with Agent Babbit. She turned to see what made the sheriff seem so uneasy. She spotted the beautiful blonde making eye contact with him. "I'll ahh...I'll wait for you outside sheriff." agent Babbit said as she turned and walked past Norma. He just looked at her briefly as a way of acknowledging what she said then he turn his gaze back to Norma.

He could feel his jaw tighten as he was flooded with all the emotions of everything that has happened over the past few days. He didn't want to walk to her, he didn't want to see her there. He was still mad that she didn't tell him the truth after everything she lied to him, until of course he forced her to tell him what happen. She had this affect on him, he hated it! Maybe if she showed him signs that she felt a quarter of what he felt then it wouldn't be so bad. The only thing that she shown him was a little vulnerability the other night on the Motel porch but right after she walked away.

After standing there just staring at each other Alex clenched his fist and walked closer to her. Norma stood still watching him come within arms reach of him. "You shouldn't be here!' he said almost at a whisper level. She looked directly in his eyes surprised that she could feel the distance between them even though they were only a few inches from each other. "Why didn't you tell me Bob left town?" "Because Norma, It's not my job to keep you informed!" he snapped. He wasn't surprised that was what brought her to see him. Though it did feel like another dagger to the heart. "Oh really?! Cause you seem to make everything else your job!" she snapped back as she watched Alex's eyes squint a little bit. She knew how ever mad he was at her she was just making it worse. "Look I get it! You're mad but I need to know if Norman is safe! If...if I'm safe." For a brief moment he just wanted her to know what he did for her! How he protected her and that because of him she was safe. But he promised himself that he wasn't going to tell her, at least not this way.

Just as he was about to respond to her a man approached them from behind Norma. "Sheriff! Agent Babbit says we're ready to roll!" Alex broke eye contact with norma to look at the man. "okay!" He turned to back to Norma "You're safe!" he whispered angrily then stepped a little closer to Norma as he was about to leave. "Don't ever come in here again!" he said as he left her standing in the long hallway by herself.

Norma sat in her car in the motel drive way at the end of the day. She wanted to feel relieved that Bob Paris wasn't going to cause any more problems for her for the moment. She just couldn't fully be happy about it because of how Alex was acting towards her. He knows the truth and she wondered if she should be worried about that. They've become close over the past few months and even closer over the time that she had turned to him for help. Was that friendship ruined now that he knew the truth. She definitely felt a distance there, almost similar to when they first met.

It had been weeks since news broke that Bob was out of their lives. Things seemed like they were going good. Norman was having less black-outs and was back to enjoying working at the motel again. He spent sometime in Portland with Dylan visiting Emma in the Hospital. She is expected to be released from hospital soon so that was great news. Norma was even starting to feel optimistic about things again. The only thing that really seemed different in her life is the absence of Alex. She had seen or heard from him since he left her standing alone in the police station hallway. She's been hearing around town that the DEA had left town so work would have settled down for him. Normally she would have seen him a couple times by now by it seemed like he was avoiding her.

Now that everything had settled down she could feel herself missing him. That was something she never really paid attention to as she had so many other problems to deal with. She's caught herself a few times thinking about the day in the motel room, and how she enjoyed having him over for dinner. Every time she got in the car she thought about that nice gesture he made, getting it back for her. The moments that make her heart flutter every time she thinks about them, the fight in his house. She plays that in her head over and over. She never had someone get to her in such a way. He broke down her walls and caused her to be vulnerable and honest. She's never been that way with anyone other than Norman. Norma didn't know what was going on with Alex or her what these feelings for him are but she did know that she missed him.

"Mother!" Norman said to Norma as she was changing the bed sheets in one of the rooms after a guest had check out. Norma was in a daze with her deep thoughts about Alex when she heard Norman's Voice. "Mother!" he said again. "wwwwhhaaaatttt!" she said back to him. "We're out of receipt paper and since you refuse to let me drive anywhere you're going to have to get some." "okay! I'll go after I finish this room." she said ignoring his comment about the driving.

It was another cold but sunny day in White Pine Bay, Alex felt the need to get out of the office. Sitting at his desk didn't help keep his mind off Norma. He decided spending the afternoon giving out tickets would help keep his thoughts from going over that last month. He really didn't have much else to do now that the DEA had left and the town had become quieter. He stood at the window of a 2004 ford escape. An older gentleman was caught doing 58 in 35 so that was worthy over pulling him over. Alex had just finished handing the man is information back and giving him a ticket when he noticed Norma's car approaching. She must have spotted the flashing lights on his SUV as he watched her slow down. He turned toward the pulled over car to pretend he didn't see her.

Norma slowed down to see if she could spot if it was Alex, she didn't know what she'd do if it was him. She past the pulled over Escape and spotted Alex. Norma watched him in her rear view mirror, as he was getting smaller from the distance between them. She had only driven a few seconds past him when every fibre of her being made her turn around. Alex thought he was in the clear he couldn't see Norma's car anymore so he let the guy drive off.
He went back to his vehicle, opened the door and hopped into the drivers seat. He turned off the sirens and was putting the paper work away, getting ready to watch for more speeders. When he heard the sounds of wheels on gravel he looked up in his rearview mirror where he spotted Norma parking her car behind his. "oh great!" he thought to himself.

As Norma placed the car in park and got out walking straight to Alex sitting in his SUV, she started to feel a tight knot in her stomach. Alex remained in the car, he thought it would be easier to drive away if he needed to, plus he felt like he couldn't move. She had such a powerful effect on him, he wasn't sure what was about to happen he just kept thinking what ever she is about to say to him isn't going to be good. He was preparing himself for the worse as she approached him. Norma stopped about an arms length away from the window of the police cruiser. Luckily for Norma the window was already rolled down from earlier. She looked at him sitting there staring at her. He looked mad but its always hard to tell with him, he has never been one to show a lot of emotion. "So...this is how it's going to be?" she said abruptly after just standing along side the car making strong eye contact with him. "How what's going to be Norma?" he asked. "You've been avoiding me! Ever since you discovered the truth." She said as he could tell she was mad. "I'm not avoiding you! Did you ever think that just maybe...i have other stuff to deal with than just your problems?" They looked at each other for a few seconds not saying anything. Norma was getting a vibe from him but wasn't quite sure what it was.

"Look! A lot has happened over the past month and I just want to know if we're ok! I didn't expect to but i've come to really value your friendship Alex." Alex was caught off guard at her words. They seemed genuine and heartfelt. He wanted to push away, say something that would protect him from falling deeper in love with her. But it seemed like all he could think to say was "yeah, we're fine Norma." Not sure if she believed him. Norma gave a little smile as she spoke "still friends?" When ever Alex sees Norma smiled it weaken his knees. It had been a while since she smiled at him. He gave a half smile while answering "still friends!" Her smile got even bigger as the two of them looked at each other. Neither of them knowing what to say but they could feel the air between them get lighter as they we're mending fences. Norma suede a little side to side as she has done numerous times when she gets nervous. "So...the stuff I said about Norman, that stays between us right?" she asked.

Alex stared at her for a moment. He could feel his blood bubbling. Did she really just ask that? He wondered to himself. He couldn't believe that after everything he's done she still doesn't trust him. Her coming up to him today was just another way she was using him to ensure her and Norman's safety. God could this woman really only ever want to use him for her benefit? After a few seconds of just staring at Norma, Alex spoke. "Really, Norma! You're really asking me that?" Norma watched Alex's demeanour change the second she asked it. "well I don't know what you're thinking. And you know things about us..." She stopped talking as she was worried to say anymore as she noticed the look in Alex's eyes. Though he was very hard to read she could tell that she was making him mad.

Alex broke eye contact with norma turning his head to the Police scanner when the dispatcher voice came on the radio. "Code 14 on baker street. All available units are requested." Alex looked back at Norma as he reached for the radio to respond. "Copy that, on my way!" he said into radio. Alex didn't know what to say to Norma other then, "I've got to go Norma!" he placed the cruiser in drive while turning on the sirens. Before Norma knew it she was standing on the side of the road watching him drive off. She had this sinking feeling in her stomach. She didn't know before what Alex was going to do with the information that he had on them but she felt like she made things much worse between them. She didn't get Alex! What made him so mad and why couldn't he just tell her that everything was ok. She felt more vulnerable then ever.