Requested by Marianne on twitter. Hope you enjoy! xx
It was almost eight in the morning when Alex finally left his motel, ready for work. He stopped by the motel office for his routinely morning coffee.
"Morning, Alex." Norma says with a soft smile. He nods in her direction but doesn't say anything.
"Sleep well?" she continues.
"Fine, thanks." he mumbles, still feeling sour about seeing what he saw late last night. He felt jealousy from the moment his eyes looked through his window at the man who was holding Norma outside of the motel office. Alex had seen the man before and recognized him as George Heldens, one of the richest men in White Pine Bay. Before Alex could mope any longer, the phone rang and Norma quickly answered it.
"Bates Motel, this is Norma." she answers professionally. He glances back to see her smile fade as she rests her forehead on her hand. She forces a smile and replies.
"Hello Christine." she says sweetly. She pauses for a good two minutes while Christine surely talks her ear off. Alex tried his best to stay away from that woman because of how much she liked to talk.
"Tell me you're free tonight. Because George called in a favor and got you a table at the Greene Tavern. It's probably the best restaurant in Oregon- Multiple courses, wine pairings, the whole thing." Christine says with excitement.
"Why didn't George call to ask himself?" Norma questions.
"He is in a meeting but wanted to give you as much time to get ready." Christine answers. Norma sighs and forces another smile.
"I'm sorry, Christine. I-I would love to but I can't today. I'm just not feeling well." Norma tells her.
"Another time, okay?" Norma asks.
"Okay." Christine says reluctantly.
"Okay, bye." Norma says, hanging up the phone and rubbing her forehead.
"You're not feeling well?" Alex asks, trying to hide his concern. Norma looks up and forces her third smile within the last ten minutes.
"You don't have to do that." Alex tells her.
"What?" she asks.
"Pretend to be fine. It's alright to not be okay." he tells her. She sighs with relief and relaxes her face back into grief.
"Just a lot going on lately." she tells him. He nods knowingly.
"I hope things get better." he says before walking out. She watches him leave, her mind wandering back to the prior day when she was cleaning his cut. He had given her a look that she had never seen before. It was fast, but she had seen his dark eyes. The look was enough to send her heart racing and set her body on fire.
The sound of a thump pulled Norma from her reverie.
She walked out from behind the desk and cautiously walked to the motel door that was open. She stopped when she saw Dylan passed out on the bed and Norman pulling his shoes off while Emma was filling a glass of water in the bathroom.
"What happened?" Norma asks, stepping into the room. The two teens look up, both looking guilty.
"Emma found him passed out in his truck. I guess he had been drinking." Norman tells her.
"A lot." Emma adds, walking to the bed. Norma slowly walks over and looks at her son who is pale and sweaty. She looks back at Norman, knowing why he had done this.
It always circled back to what Caleb had done to her.
"You guys go back out and watch the office please." Norma tells them. Emma walks over and hands Norma the water and towel before both kids walk out of the room and close the door behind them.
Norma slowly leans down toward her boy, placing the towel on his chest to cover the puke stuck to his shirt. She stares at him for a few moments, wondering why he had been punished for the wrong doings of her brother. Dylan was such a sweet boy and she only wanted good things for him, whether he knew that or not.
She grabbed the blanket under him and wrapped it as best she could around him. Her hand found its way to his scruffy face and she began stroking his cheek lovingly. She couldn't help but see the little boy he used to be, so dependent on her. And now he was this grown man, independent and strong. It made her sad to think that she had tried to hide from such a gentle boy.
When she walked out of the motel, she was lost in thought, staring absently at the road in front of her. She felt restless, her mind going too fast in too many different directions. She needed something to keep her busy.
The kitchen was her go to when it comes to cleaning- So many crumbs from previous dinners, so many dishes. It was one of her favorite pastimes, cleaning. She was in the middle of scrubbing the cabinets when there was a knock at the door. Norma looked up and sighed, not wanting any company at the moment.
But reluctantly, she removed her cleaning gloves and made her way to the door, opening it to reveal Christine Heldens. This woman just can't take a hint.
"I know you said you couldn't come earlier. But I know something about you, Norma Bates." Christine says. Norma's smile fades as she thinks of what dark secret this nosy woman could possibly know.
"I know you're afraid to put yourself out there." she finishes, filling Norma with relief.
"I am?" Norma asks.
"Yes. But I am not taking no for an answer. Come on, let's go look in your closet and find something amazing to wear." Christine says, grabbing Norma's hand and pulling her inside of her own house. Once they reach Norma's room, Christine begins ruffling through Norma's clothes while Norma slouches in her vanity chair, her elbows resting on her knees while she rests her chin in her hands.
Christine pulls out a few dresses before stopping and gasping as she pulls out a simple black cocktail dress.
"You will look stunning in this." she says, holding the dress up to herself.
"I mean, you're gorgeous anyways, and I think I have shoes that will look fantastic with it." she says, running back to her closet.
"Ooh, never mind, these are perfect. Perfect." she says with excitement, grabbing a pair of heels.
"Christine, I really don't feel well. I-I-"
"Norma Bates, stop resisting." she says, squatting in front of Norma and taking her hands.
"You are a beautiful, young woman, living alone with your teenage son. But he isn't going to be here forever, you know. People aren't meant to live alone. So you need to get back out there." Christine says, pulling Norma to the mirror and holding the black dress up to her body.
"I don't know how to. So many bad things have happened-"
"There's only one way- One step at a time. You know what? I'll go with you." Christine offers.
"What?" Norma asks.
"We can double." she says.
"Who will you be with? Didn't you just get out of your marriage?" Norma asks.
"You pick someone for me. Oh, it'll be fun, Norma. A blind date!" Christine says with excitement.
"O-Okay." Norma says, not wanting to put a damper on Christine's mood.
"Yay! Okay, George and I will be here at seven." Christine says, already walking out.
"Okay." Norma says, beginning to panic. Who was she supposed to ask to go out with them? She didn't know anyone in this town who didn't want to kill her or her sons.
Just as Norma watches Christine disappear from her motel lot, Alex's car pulls in as if answering Norma's prayers.
Norma runs out of the house and down the steps, catching Alex as he is walking into his room.
"Alex!" she shouts, running to him. He stops and looks at her with confusion, never having seen her full out run anywhere before.
"Alex, I need a really big favor." Norma says, breathing heavily.
"Uh, okay." Alex says, giving her his full attention.
"I...Well I need you to go on a double date with me and George tonight. Will you? Please?" she asks.
"I don't know, Norma-"
"I'll stop doing your laundry. And...and I'll give you full privacy. And...and I'll do whatever else you want." she offers, begging him.
"Okay." Alex says after a moment.
"Okay?" she asks with a smile.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah I guess so." Alex says, not completely happy about any of this.
"Okay. Be ready by seven." she says before walking back up to the house to get ready. Alex walks inside and checks his watch, seeing that he has a little under an hour to shower and be ready.
That's when he realizes that he forgot to ask the most important question: Who was he going on a date with?
Seven rolled around earlier than either Norma or Alex would have liked. Norma was pacing the motel office when Alex walks in wearing a suit and tie. Norma stops and looks him up and down, never having seen him look so handsome before. Alex in a suit was a completely different look than Alex in a sheriff uniform. Though she didn't know which Alex attracted her more.
"It's seven." he says, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Right." she says, her eyes flicking back up to his face.
"You look...nice." he says, wanting to say more but not feeling it would be appropriate.
"Beautiful." he adds, not being able to help himself. She smiles and blushes.
"Thank you, Alex. You look very handsome yourself." she tells him.
The headlights of a car flash across the room, alerting the two inside of the motel that their dates have arrived.
"Right, Norma, I forgot to ask who I am going on a date with." Alex says, looking back to Norma.
"She is very sweet and funny and pretty." Norma begins, watching the pair walk up to the motel.
"No." Alex whispers, finally seeing his date.
"Christine." Norma says as they walk in, giving her a hug.
"Norma, handsome pick." Christine whispers loudly, eyeing Alex hungrily as she pulls away from Norma. Norma felt unsettled by the way she was looking at Alex. She knew that Alex was uncomfortable too.
"Wow. Hi. You look fantastic." George says, pulling her against his chest and kissing her head. She forces a smile and pulls away from George.
"Should we go?" Norma asks.
"Yes!" Christine says, grabbing Alex by his hand and pulling him out to the car. Norma and George sat in the front and Alex sat behind George.
"Uh, where are we going?" Alex asks, looking around as they drive out of town.
"Greene Tavern." George tells him. Alex shifts in his seat, knowing how expensive a place like that can be. Norma glances back and gives him a reassuring smile.
He smiles back until he feels Christine's hand on his leg. Norma's eyes flicked down to her hand and she quickly turns around to face the road again. Alex looks over to Christine who is staring out the window, as if her hand wasn't rubbing his leg. Alex tries to pull his leg away from her hand but her hand just followed him. He didn't want to ruin the night for Norma by pushing away Norma's friend so he sat completely still and completely uncomfortable. To make things worse, George and Norma were having their own conversation in the front in hushed tones, making it difficult for Alex to hear. Norma laughs and nods while George reaches over and grabs her hand, placing a kiss on the back.
They pull up to the front of the restaurant and get out while George gives the car keys to the valet.
"Table for four. Heldens." George says to the receptionist.
"Right this way, sir." the young woman says, grabbing their menus and leading them to their table.
"Thank you, dear." Norma says to the young woman as they sit down.
"We'll start with wine and the usual appetizers." George tells the waitress before turning back to the table.
Alex had a hard time keeping up with the conversation, partly because it was mostly gossip and partly because the most beautiful woman was sitting right beside him. And then there was Christine who sat on the other side of him who kept trying to touch him under the table.
"So she says, 'I absolutely did not buy a single thing.' Meanwhile the customs guy is staring at the tag hanging off the back of her jacket." George says, making Christine laugh. Alex glances at Norma who is forcing a smile but Alex could tell she was just as bored as he was.
"Speaking of shopping, I can't wait for that new costco to open." Christine says with excitement.
"George loves Costco. It appeals to his hunter/gathering instincts." Christine continues.
"They're putting in a Costco?" Norma asks.
"Yeah, out by the bypass road." George says eagerly, thinking Norma might be as excited as him.
"Well I wish that wasn't happening. It's gonna wreck my little business." Norma says sadly before taking a sip of wine.
"I'm sure tourists will want to come into town the old way." Alex says, trying to cheer her up. She sends him a grateful smile before George ruins it.
"Oh come on, now. Don't lie to her. You remember route 66, don't you?" he asks with a laugh.
"Hiding your head in the sand won't make the bypass go away." he continues.
"It's not like she doesn't know it's going to happen." Alex says defensively.
"Nothing wrong with having some fight left in you, is there?" Alex questions.
"As long as you don't let that fight keep you from seeing reality. The big box stores are coming." George says casually.
"Shut up, George. You're an idiot." Christine says, putting her hand on Alex's leg again.
"Nothing wrong with a man who likes buying in bulk." Norma says with an uncomfortable laugh.
"Exactly. I knew I liked you for some reason." George says, grabbing Norma's hand. She forces a smile and looks down at her plate.
"Would you excuse me for just a moment?" Norma says, standing up. Alex stands from his chair out of politeness as she leaves before sitting back down. He glances around the table, wanting to go check on Norma.
Finally, he can't resist the urge and he stands up from the table.
"Uh...excuse me." he says, not bothering to make up an excuse as to why he is leaving the table. He walks toward the back of the restaurant and hesitates outside of the women's restroom. He knew he wasn't allowed in but quite frankly, he didn't care.
When he walked in, he saw Norma wiping the tears away from under her eyes with a napkin while looking at her reflection in the mirror. She looked at him through the mirror and then turns to him with surprise.
"This is the women's room." she says, obviously thinking he came in by accident.
"I know. I just...are you okay?" Alex asks, trying not to sound concerned.
"Yes. Yeah, i'm fine. I should be used to it by now." she says with a soft laugh.
"He was being an ass. That's not something you should be used to." Alex tells her. She glances up at him with warm eyes.
"Listen, I know you weren't feeling well this morning. If you want, I could make up an excuse to shorten the date." Alex offers.
"You would?" Norma asks.
"Yeah. If that's what you want." he tells her.
"Thank you, Alex. I just...I just want to go home." she tells him, trying not to start crying again.
"Okay. I can do that. Just...go back out there and act normal." he tells her, leading her out of the restroom. She walks back to the table and Alex watches her go, deciding to stay back for a bit so they don't arrive back together.
"Everything alright?" Christine asks Norma once she sits back down.
"Yes. I just had to call and check on my son. He is new at managing the motel, so." Norma lies, relaxing back into her chair. Soon enough, Alex walks back to the table looking upset.
"I'm really sorry, guys. I just got called back to the station so...uh, I'll pay for the tab and maybe we can do this again?" Alex asks, placing a hand on Christine's shoulder.
"Oh, of course. Yes. Let's go." Christine says, standing up and basically melting into Alex's side.
"I've got the tab, don't worry about it." George says, placing a hundred dollar bill on the table. Normally, Alex would stubbornly fight back about the payments but he decided that George had been a dick tonight and he should have to pay for the meal that wouldn't be eaten. It's not like it would hurt his pockets anyway.
"Really sorry guys. Thank you for the wine though. It was delicious." Alex says as they all four step out of the car onto the gravel of Norma's motel.
"Of course." Christine says.
"Should I...wait for you in your motel?" Christine asks quietly. Alex winces at the thought but forces a smile.
"I'm afraid not tonight. I'm not sure how long this case will take. Rain check?" he asks, not meaning it.
"Of course." she says, getting back into the car.
"It was fun, Norma." George says, holding Norma's face.
"Uh huh." Norma says. George goes in for a kiss and Norma turns her face at the last minute, his lips catching her cheek.
"Goodnight then." she says, walking away.
"Gnight." George says, getting into his expensive car and driving away.
Norma turns to Alex who is already walking to his motel room. He opens the door and then glances back at her before smiling.
"Well are you coming in for a drink?" he asks. She smiles widely and walks into his room and sitting on his bed. He pours them both a glass of whiskey before sitting next to her.
"That was some date." Alex says with a smirk.
"In my defense, I didn't want to go in the first place." Norma says.
"Wasn't that the guy you were hugging last night?" Alex asks, trying to sound casually but failing.
"You saw that, huh?" Norma asks.
"Did it make you jealous?" she asks, looking over at him.
"No. No that's ridiculous." Alex says before downing the rest of his drink and pouring more.
"He's an ass." Alex says again, sitting on the other side of the bed facing the window, catty corner to Norma.
"Yeah you've said that." Norma says.
"And what's with Christine?" Alex asks.
"What? You didn't like all the touching?" Norma asks sarcastically.
"Did it make you jealous?" Alex asks, mimicking Norma.
"Yes." Norma says, surprising Alex.
"That was...top ten of worst dates i've been on." Alex tries to continue.
"Let me make it up to you." Norma says, crawling behind him and unbuttoning the top button on his shirt. He looks down at her hands as they continue to unbutton.
"A-Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alex asks, feeling nervous as he looks at her through the reflection of the window.
"Yes." she whispers, her hot breath hitting his neck. She finishes the last button and rubs her hands on his bare chest, making him physically shiver. She pulls his shirt off completely, her nails running along his arms in the process. He turns his head to his left, not expecting her to be so close to him already. Their noses brush against each other before Alex slowly leans in and kisses her.
His lips move slowly, wanting her to set the pace so that he knows he isn't taking advantage of her. Her fingers tangle into his hair and she pulls him back to lay down next to her, their lips never parting.
She crawls on top of him, straddling him, and pulls away from Alex only to pull her dress over her head.
"Wow." Alex whispers, taking a good look at her. The dark blue sating fabric of her bra and panties made her skin look like porcelain. He reached out and slowly traced the curve of her shoulder as if she might break beneath his touch.
He sits up and kisses her as his hands find their way to her bra clasp, easily unhooking it.
"That was a bit easier for you than I expected." Norma whispers jokingly.
"I've had practice." he whispers back.
"Surprising." Norma says with a smirk before kissing him again. He slides her bra down her arms and tosses it aside while she presses her bare chest against him.
"Are you sure you want this?" Alex asks, rolling them over so that he is holding himself above her. His thumb traces her bottom lip while he waits for her answer.
"Yes. Yes I want this. I want you, Alex." she whispers, looking right into his dark eyes with her electric ones. That was all the invitation he needed before removing what was left on her body and exploring her with everything he had. They had set each other on fire with every touch- Every kiss left them wanting more.
"Not such a bad date after all." Alex says as he traces shapes lazily on her sweaty back. She chuckles, her head on his chest.
"I would say, top ten." Norma says.
"Really? I'd say top two." Alex says, challenging her. Norma picks up her head and smiles.
"Top one." she says. He chuckles and nods.
"We should double date more often." he tells her.
"Sounds grand."