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That night, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. I was terrified of the nightmares that might return if I fell asleep, and I didn't want to wake up screaming.

"Could you stay still?" Alex finally griped, pulling a pillow over her head. "I'm trying to sleep."

I hadn't realized she was still awake. "Sorry, baby," I apologized, and immediately stilled my body.

She sighed and wriggled closer to me, fitting her body neatly against mine. She clearly felt bad for snapping at me. I wrapped my arms around Alex and held her securely in my arms, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of her head.

"I love you, Alex," I whispered, running my fingers through her long blonde tresses.

"I love you, too," she murmured before drifting off to sleep.

I could hear her even breathing in my arms and tried to force my pounding heart to slow its rhythm. Being so close to her was always exhilarating, and I had to wonder again and again how I'd gotten so lucky.

But I still couldn't sleep. I lay awake all night, watching over my Alex. Just in case.

She got home the next day with exhaustion written all over her face. She was ten minutes late and even though I knew I was being paranoid, I'd been worried. I breathed a sigh of relief when she came into the living room where I was watching television. "Hey," she said softly.

I raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. Instead, I pulled her onto my lap. "Hey, princess. Are you okay?"

She nodded, leaning back against me and closing her eyes. "Fine."

I knew she wasn't, but I didn't push. I gently massaged her shoulders, alleviating their strain, and I didn't say a word.

I could feel the tension melting off her shoulders and still I continued to rub them in a gentle rhythm. I planted a kiss on the crown of her head and murmured, "I love you, baby."

She didn't say anything, just sighed, resting her head against my shoulder.

We stayed like that for awhile, until Alex said in that same quiet voice, "I'm going to make myself a cup of tea. Do you want some coffee?"

I shook my head. "No, thanks, honey." I obediently released my hold on her and let her get up. I looked down at my lap where she'd been sitting and bit back a gasp when I saw that my pants were stained with blood. "Alex, you're bleeding!"

Her eyes widened, then she looked down at my lap. "My period," she whispered, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry."

I just stared at her. "Didn't you have a pad?" I asked without thinking.

She blushed and shook her head.

I flushed, realizing I'd embarrassed her. "Sorry. It's okay. I'll . . . get changed."

She nodded mutely, then retreated to the bathroom, presumably to find a sanitary napkin.

I watched her go, wondering what was wrong. I knew there was something bothering her, but I couldn't help her if she didn't want to tell me what it was.

But maybe I wouldn't be able to help her anyway and that was why she didn't tell me. She didn't want me to try.

So I didn't ask Alex anything, just went into the bedroom and put on a pair of sweatpants. They were more comfortable than my work clothes anyway.

We were lying on opposite sides of the bed that night and the distance between us was tearing my heart out. I reached out to Alex, wanting to hold her close to me, but she pulled away, and my heart shattered into tiny pieces. I didn't know what I'd done wrong. Had I embarrassed her by asking about her period?

Then something occurred to me that made my breath hitch for a moment and I had to fight for air. Alex had her period barely three weeks ago. She couldn't be on her period now.

Maybe it just came early, I tried to rationalize. That happens sometimes. Why would Alex lie to me? She wouldn't. That was all there was to it.

But I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. And again that night, I dreamed of the faceless, nameless man, and Alex on her knees, sobbing and begging for me to save her from certain destruction.

Hmm . . . so what's Alex hiding? Do you want to find out? Review if you do!