A few days had passed and Norma had gotten into the routine of staying with Alex.

She felt so much safer and she smiled slightly to herself thinking of the warming relationship that she and Alex were developing.

While he was working, she would prepare dinner and do the chores, much to his dislike, however she was glad she could help.

The bruising on her ribs and cheek were subsiding and her panic was slowly starting to lesson.

Meanwhile, Alex was working tirelessly to catch Abernathy whilst regularly calling Norma throughout the day, to ensure she was okay.

She was so grateful for him.

Norma sipped her cup of tea, leaning on the counter in Alex's kitchen, daydreaming of their conversation this morning.

"I'll be finishing work early, Norma and I'll have my phone on me all day. You're safe inside so don't worry. Just please promise me you will actually listen to me this time and not leave the house." His eyes looked concerned and she decided it was wisest not to argue with him.

Her eyes softened and she stepped forward.

"Alex, thank you for protecting me. For everything."

Romero's eyes had softened and a smile spread his face before he had hugged his protective arms around her before leaving for work.

Norma snapped out of her trance, cursing herself for acting like a teenager. She couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach.

As a distraction, she decided to bake a cake. She remembered seeing Alex eating a chocolate chip cake at the motel once and so began to rummage the fridge for ingredients.

Laying everything on the counter Norma stood back and stared.

"Damn it. No eggs."

Surely she could just pop to the store and back, she thought to herself. It wouldn't hurt anyone and Alex didn't have to know. She would be 10 minutes max and would have an hour to bake the cake before Alex was due home.

Grabbing her keys, Norma hurried to her car, quickly driving to the store.

The weather was miserable and raining when she reached the store, and the car park was nearly completely empty but she decided to park around the back of the shopping complex, so that she wouldn't have far to walk and her hair wouldn't get wet.

Crossing her arms to keep warm, Norma scurried to the shops security door and pulled on the handle, only to find it locked.

"Fantastic", she muttered to herself. The wind howled and the rain grew heavier. All this for some damn eggs.

Norma pulled on the door handle with more force, desperately wanting to get home before Alex finished work.

She tugged the door handle firmly until a stern voice interrupted causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Norma, what the hell are you doing here?!"

Norma slowly rotated around to face him, afraid to look into his eyes.

Alex stood in his sheriff uniform, arms crossed and expression furious. He quickly crossed the distance between them.

"For god sake Norma, can you not listen to anything I tell you?"

Norma sighed, stepping forward, her blue eyes piercing through his hard expression.

"Alex, How did you even find me?"

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm the Sheriff remember? And I got worried when you didn't answer my calls at lunch and so drove around to find you. Norma, do you not understand that I'm trying my best to protect you! Can you not help me out?" He sighed, exasperated.

Norma's eyes softened.

"Alex, I'm really sorry, I -"

A familiar voice cut her apology off. Norma's eyes widened in horror, her breathing becoming rapid as she stood frozen in fear.

"Well, well, I thought I'd finally got you, Bates, away from the sheriff, but my patience is wearing thin."

Abernathy stood menacingly still, glaring at the couple.

In an instant, Alex pulled Norma close, pushing her behind his body.

Norma let out a fearful whimper.

"Stay behind me, Norma. It's alright." His strong arm extended outwards shielding her from Abernathy's glare.

A tall man with dark hair flanked Abernathy. Norma began to calculate the odds in her head as her heart spiked. She wasn't going to let Alex fight both of them alone. Gosh why did she need this damn eggs.

"I'll give you 3 seconds to leave before I decide to kill you." Alex spoke with intimidating seriousness.

Abernathy laughed taking a step closer. The rain continued to pour.

"And I'll give you 3 seconds, Sheriff, to escape with your life. Miss Bates is the one I have a problem with."

Alex stepped forward, his face menacing. Norma grabbed his arm, pleading. She wasn't worth this much trouble.

"Alex, please just get out of here, please."

She had learned some fighting moves in high school. She was sure she could defend herself long enough to at least try and run.

He pushed her hand away, eyes locked intently on Abernathy.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but you're not gonna touch her. And after we are done here, I'm going to put a bullet in your skull. "

A smile creeped across Abernathy's face.

"Let's us settle this like men, Sheriff. How about just a good old fist fight."

He slowly lowered his gun, throwing it a distance away from him.

Alex accepted his challenge, removing his gun from his belt and sliding it across the floor.

The tall man took a step forward, fists ready. Alex crouched lower, readying his stance and quickly glancing to ensure Norma was out of the way.

Fury radiated off Alex, quickly being channeled into breaking the accomplice's nose. Punches were thrown as Abernathy's accomplice attempted to fight Alex.

When he was distracted, Abernathy lunged towards Norma.

She screamed, lifting her hands up to shield her face. His fist hit her cheek, the wind whooshing out of her lungs as she hit the cold, wet gravel.

Alex turned briefly, darting at Abernathy, his hands grabbing his waist, throwing him metres from Norma. He looked at her crying face desperately.

"Norma, get out of here now!" The accomplice had recovered, punching Alex hard in the cheek as he took a few steps back.

Abernathy regained his stance, aiding his accomplice in hitting Alex.

He was a good fighter and took the blows well but fatigue was setting in.

Norma lifted herself from the ground, tears streaming down her face in panic. She reached for Alex's gun, fumbling with the trigger and aiming towards the men.

She screamed and pulled the trigger.