A/N: Welp, we're officially off-canon. Funny how even minor guesses can be wrong though I can't just ignore the amazingness that has been this season so far. Still going to keep it close…for now.

The wedding itself was about as uneventful as possible. Alex wished Norma at least pretended a little. Hell, he would have settled for her not looking annoyed and inconvenienced by the whole thing. Did she not realize that he had to work with these people?

Connie had already called him the day before. "You're getting married?"

"Most people start their conversations with hello."

"I'm sorry, but I never expected to see your name on my marriage list. I didn't even realize you were dating anyone."

The sheriff looked out at the people busy outside of his office. He was glad his door was almost always shut as this wasn't a conversation he was ready to have with the rest of them. But of course, it would be happening soon. Most of his deputies had contacts at the courthouse, and their sheriff getting married would be irresistible gossip. "I don't like having my private business to be public discussion."

"Yes, I know that, Alex." Romero never liked it when colleagues used his first name, but he'd known Connie when he was just a kid following his dad to work and she was an ADA. He knew she could call him whatever she wished. "I'm just wondering where this all came from? I always figured you just weren't the marrying type."

He'd never figured himself for the marrying type either. "Sometimes, you just know."

She chuckled. "Who would have guessed you'd be a romantic?"

"People can surprise you, Connie."

"I guess. But, Alex, is it real?"

Alex forced his breathing to stay regular. "What do you mean?"

"I just hope she's not an illegal immigrant or something like that. You do have a kind heart."

"Norma has blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks far more legal than I do."

"She could be from Canada."

"She's not an illegal. We just don't see the point in waiting, and we're too old for the big wedding nonsense."

"I just want to be sure you know what you're doing."

"Do you call all your grooms with this concern?"

"No. But I haven't known most of them since they claimed girls had cooties."

If Alex had been the type, he might have blushed. "It's fine, Connie. Just a case of two people finding love they weren't looking for."

"So when did you figure out it was love?"

Alex had already played out this story in his head. He wondered when he should tell Norma to ensure they had the same version. "When my house was burnt down, I stayed in her hotel. We grew closer." He trailed off, letting her pick up the rest of the pieces.

Right now he wished Norma possessed the same skill. She wasn't reassuring Connie that this was a marriage of love and not convenience. Alex could read it on the judge's face. He wanted to glare at his bride when she suggested they skip the part about loving each other forever. "It has to look real," was the mantra repeating in his head. He'd thought this through. He knew he shouldn't be surprised Norma hadn't, but it was still annoying.

"Do you have the rings?"

Romero reached for the real reason he was late. The ring was his mother's, and he couldn't remember where he'd stashed the damn thing after her funeral. He picked up on Norma's look, it was familiar to him by now. It said "Help me, Alex."

"I've got hers; mine's getting adjusted." He wondered if Norma was going to make him pick out and buy his own ring.

Probably.

He slipped it on her finger, and noticed that she finally seemed to be taking this seriously. He knew what was coming next, and was equal parts dreading and anticipating it.

He'd wanted to kiss Norma for so long, but this wouldn't be a moment of passion like he'd imagined. It would be something that had to be done to make it look real. He was also worried about her reaction. Norma was unpredictable, and he wondered if she would try to fight him on a kiss, try to avoid it.

That wouldn't be good.

"You may kiss the bride."

Here goes nothing.

Norma had just had the worst day of her life. Seeing her beloved Norman taken away, having him threaten her…it was all too much. She barely had the energy to get out of bed this morning. In fact, she wouldn't have if it hadn't been for Mr. Let's Get This Done Now Sheriff. Of course he'd scheduled everything. Of course she would be expected to show up and play the blushing bride after she'd been through hell.

Of course he was late.

The whole thing annoyed her. She just wanted to sign the piece of paper and be done with it. She just wanted to wallow in misery for a while. But no, she had to go through the motions. She had to observe the ceremony. Had to recite vows and say "I do" and everything she'd dreamed of as a little girl that was just annoying the third time around.

She just wanted to sign the piece of paper and be done with it.

Then he kissed her.

She'd known it was coming, but part of her had hoped that one of them would figure a way out of it. She'd always avoided Romero in a physical sense. She guessed she just wasn't attracted to him, but deep down knew it was something else. Knew that she actually did like the way he smelled, knew it was important that she hold back with him. Knew she enjoyed his arms around her just a little too much.

The kiss was too much for her.

For that one moment she forgot Norman. She forgot her failing business. She forgot her fake marriage. Forgot her messy past. She forgot everything and just enjoyed a moment.

How long had it been that she could just enjoy something?

It was over too soon. She tried to snap out of it as quickly as he seemed to, but it wasn't until they were leaving that she could shift back into non-affected Norma.

"I'll be by later with my stuff."

What? No.

Norma stayed in denial until he showed up on her porch. He must be joking. He would not be moving in with her. They weren't like that. She didn't want him in her house. She already had two boys living with her; it would be too crowded.

Though Dylan was hardly ever there anymore. He usually opted to stay at his cabin.

And Norman…Norma didn't want to think about that.

When she heard the knocking, she assumed it would be Alex. It seemed early. He just said he worked late – in what world was 3 p.m. working late?

But it wasn't Alex.

It was her new pain in the side, Rebecca. Norma forced a smile, "Can I help you?"

"Hi. Sorry. I just wanted to speak with you for a minute."

"Is there something wrong with the room?"

"No the room is fine. I really just wanted to talk to you."

She tried to enter, but Norma blocked her. Before she could shut the door, Rebecca blurted, "Has Alex ever talked to you about Bob Paris?"

Norma hesitated. In the craziness of the past few days, she'd forgotten about him. "If you want to talk about Bob Paris with Alex, I suggest looking for him at the police station."

Norma attempted to close the door again, but Rebecca blocked her. "Look, we both know that Alex is too tight-lipped to say anything."

Norma remembered accusing Alex of the same thing. She also remembered his response to her accusation, "That's because Alex wants to make it to 50."

Alex wasn't already 50, right? No, he had to be in his 40s…somewhere. She would have to ask him when he got home. That was stuff that married people knew about each other.

She should probably find out his birthday too.

"Look, I just want to know what Alex knows about Bob Paris' disappearance. I know he won't tell me anything, but I was hoping you could help me."

"What makes you think I'll tell you anything? Even if I knew anything, which I don't. Like you said, Alex doesn't talk much. Why do you think he would tell me anything?"

Rebecca's eyes narrowed on Norma's left hand. "I like your ring, Mrs. Bates. Is it new?"

It was phrased like a threat. Norma took it as such. "Look, we're not friends, Ms. Hamilton. If you need anything with your room, I'm happy to help, but as for Alex and my personal lives," Norma liked that Rebecca didn't seem to like that they'd been paired together. "That's none of your business. If you want to talk to him, I suggest you talk to him. I'm not going to pass messages between you."

Rebecca simply glared for a long moment and then said, "Some fresh towels would be lovely."

"I'll be sure to get those to you." Norma's smile was overextended and she could feel her cheeks protesting.

She slammed the door on the other woman.

Sometimes Alex Romero hated living in a small town. By the time he made it into work, everyone knew what had made him late that morning. Several deputies congratulated him, shook his hand, and lamented the lack of a bachelor party. The only person who didn't act surprised was his assistant Linda. Her response had been, "I knew it. You two drove each other crazy. I knew you'd either kill her or marry her." Romero couldn't argue against her logic. By lunch, a group had gathered enough money for an afternoon cake.

He hated the attention, but couldn't very well tell them to knock it off. He was supposed to be a newlywed; he was supposed to be happy.

He wasn't sure if he was. He didn't mind helping Norma, actually was happy to do it. But he wasn't looking forward to rooming with her. He'd lived at her hotel for months and found out the woman didn't understand personal boundaries.

The whole situation was likely to get sticky quickly. He wasn't looking forward to it. He liked to live his life in neat lines, work here, personal life there, and Norma Bates didn't stay with in any lines.

He got almost no work done between the constant drop-ins and phone calls of congratulations. Alex didn't realize how popular he was until today. Granted, several phone calls were from people he knew were pissed at him, but felt it necessary to at least appear to be on his good side.

He kept thinking about how much more packing he had left to do. He would have to leave early. It wasn't like he lacked for hours. He hoped Norma would have a spare room prepared, but knew she wouldn't. He only hoped he wouldn't have to take Norman's room.

Part of him wondered if he shouldn't suggest staying in her room, to make it look real. But he dismissed it immediately. That would be too much. Besides, it was unlikely anyone would be checking on their sleeping arrangements. He already had a lie ready if they did.

"My stuff was in the other room, so not to upset Norman. He's very attached to his mother. We worried how he'd react to me staying here. He's gone now, but I still stay in the other room sometimes because of my odd hours."

His phone rang again. It was going to be a long day.

Norma did not want him in the house. She had too much hiding here. Too many potential secrets to reveal. She didn't want to give him a key. She didn't completely trust him.

She flinched every time she heard him move above her. She would say nothing to him, as she knew she was being ridiculous. Knew he would calm her down.

She didn't want to be calmed down. She wanted her son back and this man out of her house. That's what she wanted.

Still, she did like not having to worry about someone, liked having someone take care of her for a change. She knew she wasn't nearly as resentful as she should have been when he told her they were going out to eat.

It might be nice.

Alex starred at the ceiling of his new bedroom. There were several cracks. He studied them. They didn't look like they would cause any trouble soon, but someone should plug them up.

He already knew who that someone would be, mentally scheduling time to pick up some drywall to plug the cracks.

Was Norma asleep yet? Or was she sitting up, starring at her ceiling, wishing he'd made a move.

He knew he'd done the right thing. She was drunk and it was wrong to take advantage. When he'd been drunk, Norma had simply tucked him in. Now he returned the favor.

But if he had leaned in, kissed her again, he knew she wouldn't have stopped him. He guessed she may have pulled him down on her. She had claimed to only be tipsy, which he believed, but he didn't want anything clouding her judgement if they did take the next step in their relationship.

He now suspected that there was no way they wouldn't take that step. Their kisses were too inflaming. She responded too much when she let her guard down. They would be together too much. He could already feel the draw she always had on him strengthening. He wanted her. He wanted her so badly.

He glanced at the clock. He'd been laying here for 15 minutes. He sighed.

He just wanted to sleep.

Dylan pulled in as he saw the sheriff's SUV pull out. He didn't have a chance to talk to him, but managed to wave. The sheriff lifted two fingers from his steering wheel as a response. Dylan counted it as a wave back.

It was never good news when the sheriff was here and Dylan took the stairs to his mother's house faster than usual. He had just wanted to stop in to check on what was happening and maybe grab some breakfast.

Norma seemed happy to see him. He asked about the sheriff.

"Oh, yeah. You might be seeing more of him." She hesitated. Dylan wondered why. Then she finished.

His eyebrows lifted before he could stop them. Norma scowled. "Oh it's not that big of a deal."

Dylan responded, "I was only gone for a couple of days, right? I didn't fall into some time pocket or something and it's like three years later now, right?"

"Of course not. What are you talking about?"

Dylan nearly laughed at the fact that Norma was looking at him like he was the crazy one. Norma walked to the kitchen and Dylan followed. "Look it's just for the insurance, okay?"

"What insurance?"

Norma poured him a cup of coffee before picking up her own. "Norman is at Pineview."

Dylan was almost as shocked by that as he had been by Norma's unexpected marriage. He knew Norman needed the help, was even convinced that Norma understood how important it was that Norman get the help he needed. But he'd never been sure if Norma would be able to let him go.

Norma took a deep breath and told him the entire story. Dylan wondered how many people Norma would trust with this information, but he guessed only him and the sheriff would make it to that list. He knew he'd have to edit the story he told Emma later.

He wondered if Norma even realized that she did trust the sheriff. If she realized that men don't just marry women to help them out. That men married women for many reasons, but just to be a nice guy wasn't one of them.

He guessed no.

Even after he pointed it out to her, she didn't seem to get it.

Oh well, not his problem.

Norma went down to give the motel's one guest her new towels. A petty person would leave them outside the door and good luck with the natural elements. But Norma Bates was not a petty person. She knocked on the door.

No answer.

She knocked again.

And once again she received no answer.

Norma went to the office to fetch the spare key for Room 4. She'd just duck in and leave the towels. She returned and opened the door.

One look told her one thing that would have caused tension between the previous couple of Alex Romero and Rebecca Hamilton, she was very neat. Not a thing was out of place and her clothes and other personal effects had all been put away or still resided in her closed suitcase.

Norma went to the bathroom, replacing the towels as promised. The bathroom was also neat. Norma knew it would be unethical to snoop on a guest. She left the bathroom, and she saw the suitcase perched on the provided stand. But now that she looked more closely, it wasn't zipped up. It would be unfortunate if…

"Oops."

Norma spilled the soiled towels near the suitcase. She peeked in as she moved to pick up the towels. Abandoning her ruse, she peeked in the suitcase, which was full. She flipped it open.

It was mostly clothes. Norma picked through, nearly abandoning her effort when she came across several pieces of lingerie.

It was Annika all over again.

But then, hidden away in a side pocket, Norma's fingers brushed across something. She opened the pocket and reached in.

It was a key to a bank security box.

Norma heard the gravel move outside, a sure sign that someone had pulled in. She stashed the key back quickly and picked up the rest of the towels, scuttling out of the room.

She was relieved to find it wasn't Rebecca's car, it was her husband's. She smiled at him widely. "What are you doing home?"

When had it become his home?

Alex didn't return her smile. "I just wanted to grab something to eat before going back to the office."

"Why don't I make you something?" She moved to walk up with him, but dropped a couple of the towels. Alex picked the up and without asking, moved to take all of them from her arms. "That would be fine, Norma."

Norma repressed the annoyance at him just taking something from her. She began her trek up the stairs without waiting for him. But she could feel him just behind her. After they were inside, Norma went to the kitchen, but Alex's voice stopped her. "Where do you want these?"

"In the laundry room." She wondered if he knew where that was, but he could find it on his own. This was his house too now and he should learn his way around.

Norma debated on what to make him. She knew Alex would be fine with just sandwiches, but she wanted to do more than that. She hadn't had a chance to make him breakfast this morning, so she decided that the pancakes she'd planned on making would taste just as good now. She grabbed what she needed, cracked a couple of eggs and began whisking in flour.

Left alone with her thoughts, Norma's mind wandered. What was with that key?

"Norma," Alex called out.

Norma called back, "In here."

Alex came in as Norma was ready to pour the first pancake. "What are you making?"

"Pancakes."

"For lunch?"

"Well, whoever decided that pancakes are just for breakfast?"

Norma starred at Alex, who seemed like he wanted to argue, but he instead said, "Where do you keep the plates? I can set the table."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself. I can get it."

"Norma…"

"Don't argue with me, Alex."

He said nothing back, just stood and watched her finish making pancakes. Norma set the table and served her husband, who looked uncomfortable. Once he had a stack on his plate, Norma stood behind him, watching him eat.

After a few bites Alex said, "Norma, eat with me for God's sake. I feel like I'm in a 50s sitcom."

Norma smiled. She got herself a plate to sit and eat with him. For a moment they shared a comfortable silence. Norma broke it. "Who's Rebecca?"

Alex choked on a pancake. "What?"

"Who's Rebecca? She's staying at the motel. Says she knows you."

"She's an old friend."

"Friend?" Norma smirked as she took another bite. "What kind a friend?"

"The kind I had before I knew you."

They both laughed. Norma said, "You know, it's kind of annoying when you're being all mysterious and cryptic."

Alex looked at her for a moment. "I don't think you mind it."

It was true. Norma didn't mind that Alex was guarded. It made her want to dig more into him. It made her stomach clench and spin simultaneously. It made her lov…

"Do you want a second helping?"

"No," Alex said.

Norma stood up to go by the sink and make herself busy. She wanted to get her thoughts off of Alex and in doing so, remembered the key. "Hey do you happen to have a security box down at the bank?"

His voice, right behind her, he must have stood up when she wasn't looking, startled her, "We've only been married a couple of days, Norma. You're not getting my money."

She turned around, leaning into him and batting her eyes up, "I'm your wife. We share everything now, you know."

Alex smiled back at her, not giving her an inch. Norma's eyes were drawn to his lips. They tasted like whiskey and leather, Norma loved whiskey and leather. Alex said, "Sheriffs don't make a lot of money, Norma."

"More than hotel owners sold a shoddy location." Norma refused to give him an inch. She wanted to play this game, she loved this game. She began to play with the name tag on his shirt. "Tell me. Do you have a security box?"

Alex searched her eyes for a moment, and whatever he saw must have displeased him because he took a step back. "I should get back to work. Thanks for the lunch, Norma."

Norma called after him, but Alex didn't slow for her. She pouted for a moment before turning to the sink to do the dishes he'd left behind. She hadn't got any answers out of him. She didn't know anything more about the key. She didn't know what his connection to Rebecca was. And she didn't know what had made him so upset.

He looked at her the same way he had when she'd proposed to him, like she'd disappointed him somehow.

Well, screw him. She was great and if he couldn't see that, that was his problem. She had Norman and that was enough for her.

Norman.

Norma hadn't thought about her son all day, and the guilt threatened to overwhelm her now. How could she? How could she live her life like everything was normal while her son was in an insane asylum?

She decided to call Pineview again. She had to see him. Right now.

Alex fixed the crack in the ceiling above his bed. He figured he'd be staying here for a while and didn't want to stare at it the entire time. He wondered if he would be overstepping his bounds to check the other rooms, but then decided, I live here now. I need to start acting like it.

Room next to his was Norman's. Alex checked the ceiling. No cracks. But he couldn't help but noticed that Norman's room looked so different than any teenaged boy's. All Norman had for decoration was a couple of books on a shelf, a stuffed bird and dog, and a picture of his mother.

Oddly, it was the picture of Norma that unsettled Alex the most. Not that Norman had one, but that it was the only picture in the room. Alex remembered his childhood room and when he'd been a teenager, the photo of his mother went in his wallet, hidden away, and in his room were pictures of models and actresses. Mostly because he had been a teenager, and well, it took a while to convince a real girl to have sex with you, usually you were left to your own devices.

Alex wished his training didn't point out to him that Norma's picture was in perfect alignment with Norman's eyes when he laid on the bed.

Alex decided that his mind was just being dirty. It was all perfectly innocent. Norman was just a weird kid with a typical weird kid's room.

Still…

Alex went through the rest of the rooms, making a few minor repairs here and there. He saved Norma's room for last. Mostly because it seemed invasive to go in without her permission. Yes, this was now where he lived, but that was her room. He might not have a right to go in there.

But she still wasn't back from wherever she'd gone for the day. And Alex had only seen her room through thin curtains. He decided it would be fine. He wasn't going to peek through her underwear drawer or anything.

That reminded him again of when he'd caught a glimpse of her through the window. It had been the first time he'd really noticed she was a beautiful woman and not just a nuisance.

Her room looked as he imagined, old-fashioned but cozy. He checked the ceiling. It was crack-free. He should leave.

But his feet wouldn't let him go, not yet.

Just like her son, the only picture in Norma's room was one of Norman. Alex thought less of that. It seemed normal enough. His own mother kept a picture of him on her dresser. He looked at the bedside table, which was empty. That had been where his mother had kept her wedding photo.

He wondered if he and Norma should have gotten a wedding picture. It didn't seem important at the time. But now it seemed a shame that they didn't have one. Not that it was a good memory exactly, but it might make sense to have a picture of her and her to have one of him.

They were pretending to be in love, after all.

Alex stepped out of the room. He had no business to linger. He carried the remaining materials down to the basement. He stored them under the stairs. As he climbed up the stairs he heard the front door close.

"Norma?" he called out.

She looked upset. He wanted to run over and comfort her, but he kept his distance. "What happened?"

"I went to see Norman."

Shit. He sighed. No good could have come from that. The boy hadn't reacted when he'd dropped him off, but he remembered the only thing Norman had said to him during the drive. "Mother doesn't like to be alone."

"What was that, son?"

Norman had instantly angered. "I'm not your son. Don't you take her away from me!" Norman's face relaxed but his voice stayed venomous, "I hate her. I hate her for betraying me like this. I will never forgive her for this."

Alex hadn't understood it. Norman hadn't said anything else, just meekly followed where Alex had lead him. Just stood there while Alex signed papers and handed him off to a couple of big guys in white uniforms.

He hadn't understood what Norman meant, but he knew if Norman had repeated his hatred to Norma. She would be…as upset as she looked right now.

She confirmed his suspicions.

Why in the hell couldn't Norma ever wait? Why did everything have to be done her way? On her timeline?

He tried to play it off as just teenagers being teenagers, but Norma didn't buy it. He hadn't really expected her to, and it wasn't long before she was in his arms.

It felt good. Too good. Alex wanted to let go, but he knew she needed him right now. And God help him, he couldn't stop. If she needed him to, he'd probably walk to hell and back for her.

Everything he did now, it was all for her.

He hoped she never knew.

She pulled away slightly. He was ready to let her go. What he was not ready for was her leaning in, kissing him.

"I don't think we should do this." This was the second time he didn't take advantage of her. Let no one say he wasn't a decent man.

"I want to."

She was going to kill him.

"Don't play with me."

I've wanted this for so long, Norma.

"I'm not. I'm not."

He held back. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm sure I want to do this, right now."

He stopped holding back.