Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I do not own Bates Motel or any of the characters, man.

I was awoken to the smell of cinnamon and spice, my immediate thoughts were of Dylan, because that's what he always smelled off – most likely due to his cologne. I opened my eyes and my thoughts were not wrong. There he was, looking as though he was resting peacefully. I glanced down and saw that his arms were wrapped around me, and I had been resting my head on his chest. I remember falling asleep, laughing and talking, and occasionally kissing. He seemed to only want to kiss me and tell me how wonderful I was, which I felt as though that was something I had needed for a while. Norman never had when we were together…I mean, I believed at some point I had feelings for Norman, but I do not believe they were reciprocated. Norman was another factor that played into my mind after my first kiss with Dylan. I know Norman wasn't torn up about the breakup between him and I, it didn't really even feel like we were ending anything. But the sheer awkwardness of saying 'Hey, I'm totally with your brother now', didn't feel like something that'd be taken lightly by anyone. But I had hoped he'd understand. But that was also a bridge that I did not need to cross at least not today.

Dylan slowly opened his eyes and his gaze met mine. I smiled, he smiled sleepily. I took this moment in. Although my lungs were new, I know I didn't have all that many years left….but I wanted to live in the moment, it was my thing, and I wanted to continue doing so or even increase that mentality. Especially now that I was with Dylan.

"Hey sleepy head," I said in a soft tone, almost a whisper. Dylan didn't move his arms or his body, he looked down and saw that he'd fallen asleep holding me.

"I could get use to this." He murmured with a soft smile, I looked at him, curiously.

"Get use to what exactly?" I asked him, partly curious, partly knowing but just wanting to hear him say it.

"Waking up to you," He said lightly, then blinked and his face dropped, "Not in like a sexual way or anything, I mean – "

I interrupted, "I know what you meant, no worries." I said softly with a laugh. I wouldn't mind waking up to him either, and maybe not in the way he meant. I liked seeing him get a little nervous. I expected him to be so cool and confident 24/7, but I also adored seeing his nervous, and a little awkward side. Because I felt that I was probably one of the few people who ever did.

"Are you ready to go? Because I'm more than ready to get out of this place," I murmured as he kissed my forehead.

Dylan nodded, "I bet you are, but we have to wait until your doctor comes by to tell you that you can leave." He said, matter-of-factly.

I scoffed, "Since when do you ever follow the rules, Dylan Massett?" I asked, jokingly, but a little serious. I know Dylan wasn't exactly the goody-to-shoes.

Dylan laughed and shook his head, "Not often." He admitted, "But this is important. This is about your health. So I'll follow the rules this time." He said, I couldn't help but smile. He was so charming and I don't even think he tried to be.

I sighed jokingly, "Alright, fine." I said softly, "Let's follow the rules."

"So, how does it feel to have a new pair of lungs?" Dylan asked, genuinely concerned and partly curious.

I shrugged, "I'm not really sure yet. I can breathe a little better." I admitted, "I'm sore right now, but once that dies down, I think I'll be able to tell."

Dylan smirked, "So no more of those late night chest poundings?" He joked lightly, referring to the night that Norma stormed off and I stayed with him and Norman, and he had to bang on my chest to help get some of the oh so attractive fluids and gook out of my chest.

"Yeah…I'm sorry I put you through that." I apologized, biting my lip, feeling genuinely bad. I never wanted Dylan of all people to see me like that.

Dylan shook his head, "No, it's totally fine." He said, "I liked being able to help you out. You've always been there for me."

I smiled and he leaned in and kissed me, it was just a peck, but it was so nice to wake up and experience.

The doctor walked in and went over a couple things, he told me to take a couple weeks to rest, not do any strenuous physical activities and to call them if I had any concerns.

Dylan and I walked to his truck, he carried my small suitcase and held my hand. I had on a pair of grey sweat pants and a light blue t-shirt.

"I would have packed something a little nicer to wear if I had known you were going to be here." I said as we approached his big truck.

Dylan chuckled, "Trying to impress me even after a major surgery? That's dedication, Decody." He teased, I rolled my eyes.

"As if I needed to do anything to impress you," I began, "You already think I'm great." I teased back, as he opened the backseat of his truck and put my suitcase onto it, then opened the passenger door for me.

"You're right, I do think you're great." He said, "More than great actually." He smiled, I blushed again, then looked up at how high the passenger seat was from the ground.

Dylan noticed my expression, "What's wrong?" He asked.

I shook my head, a little embarrassed, "It's nothing." I pushed my hair back behind my ear, "I just…don't think I can climb up there." I said, looking at him, blankly.

Dylan nodded, "Okay, well, let me help you then." He said then he reached his arm around me, I winced a little, just because everything was starting to hurt. He hoisted me up onto the seat, then gently set me down. "You okay?" He asked, seeing my face.

I nodded, "Yes…thank you, Dylan." I said, still embarrassed, he smiled and shut the passenger door then went around to the drivers side and climbed in. He turned the truck on and looked behind him as he backed up.

"I bet you're sure as hell glad to be out of there." Dylan said, making conversation.

I nodded, "Definitely. I hate hospitals." I said softly, looking out the window.

"Yeah, they're not my favorite in the world either." Dylan said, blankly. He was a pro at hiding his emotions if they were something other than happy. I was beginning to see this more and more.

"When were you ever in the hospital?" I asked, curiously, watching his face remain blank.

Dylan paused, "It's a long story…but I was run over by a car after a drive by." He said, then glanced over at me, "I can't believe I just told you that." He admitted, my face went from calm to worried, I knew he noticed.

"You were run over by a car?" I asked, in almost a shout. I was so scared that anything like that happened to him. I knew because of the drug wars he'd probably been through a lot, but to hear it made it seem so much more real and scary.

Dylan took a breath, "Yeah…" He mumbled, "I was involved with a lot of bad people. I mean, I still kind of am, but they were ruthless and unstable, and ended up pretty much killing one another." He said, emotionlessly. I could see a little bit of sorrow in his eyes, damage, as if he'd been through a lot, yes, but also lost a lot of people meaningful due to whatever event he was alluding to.

I reached over and grabbed his free hand that wasn't driving and held onto it, he looked at our hands then up at me and smiled.

"I didn't mean to make you thing about your past." I said softly, "I don't know all that you have been through, but I know it's a lot," I paused, "All of those things in your past: the good things, the terrible things, they all have made you who you are today." I explained, "And I really like the person you are."

Dylan smiled softly, I could've sworn he blushed a little.

"You are far too wise for your age." Dylan muttered, I grinned and laughed. Before I knew it I was drifting off, asleep again.

I opened my eyes and saw that we were only a little ways from town.

I rubbed my eyes and saw Dylan looked at me from the corner of his eye. I pulled my hair behind my shoulders and stretched.

"You slept most of the way." Dylan muttered, as he continued to drive.

"Yeah...getting your lungs ripped out then having someone else's put back in is a bit of an exhausting experience." I said lightly, Dylan laughed. I liked making him laugh. He never laughed much.

"I'd assume so." He said, placing his hand on my lower thigh.

I watched the road as we drove, feeling at peace. Except I didn't want to go home, not that I didn't want to see my dad, but I just wanted to stay out a little longer with Dylan, he made me smile and made the major life or death procedure seem so simple, he didn't treat me any differently like Norman or Norma did. Nothing against them, I just liked that Dylan didn't consider me to be fragile or weak.

I sighed, "I don't want to go home." I said, then looked at him, he raised his eyebrows, as he drove.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked me, curiously, waiting for my answer. I thought about it for a couple of moments.

"Take me to your place by the lake." I said, but it sounded more like a question, Dylan thought about it for a few moments.

"I'm not sure how safe it is there though, Emma." Dylan stated.

"I'll be safe, you'll be there." I assured him, meaning that. I know he could protect me from anything.

He didn't look convinced though, "I don't know…it may not be the best place right now." He mumbled, I pouted a little.

"Come on, we can sit by the lake and hold hands." I said, softly, taking his hand in mine and rubbing my thumb on the inside of his hand. "I just want to celebrate my new organs with the guy I like at my favorite spot." I said, smiling.

Dylan's smile grew, "That's your favorite spot?" He asked softly.

I nodded, "Absolutely." I said.

"Well then, off we go." He said and smirked at me, I smiled back and he turned down the road that led to his cabin.

Sorry it's short, going through some personal stuff. BUT I AM NOT GOING TO STOP WRITING THIS.

I also started writing another Dylemma story….it's a bit customized though, for example Emma and Dylan have never met and Dylan is a drug lord and Emma is an innocent girl. Kinda like the show, but the storyline is much different, would you guys like to read it? Review with a yes or no, if I get a yes, I'll totes do it.

Thanks for reading! I'll post the next chapter in a few days.

xxxx