Waking up nearly a half hour later and only from Liv liking her hand, she shifted her head and moved her neck from side to side cracking it and took in Marissa's arm around her.

Oh. Ugh. This couch may be more comfortable than the futon but I need my bed. She reached her arm out and Liv hopped over to her lightly, looking to be pet. Trying to remove herself from Marissa's grasp was difficult. She tried numerous times knowing Liv would have to go for a short walk but Marissa held onto her waist tightly and resisted.

Finally, Alex gave up and knew she had to wake Marissa who, after she looked at more closely had circles under her eyes. Oh, Marissa…she thought as she sunk back into the couch. Running her hand along Marissa's bare arm she tried to wake her. It took a minute but her eyes fluttered open and she looked directly at Alex, eyes glazed and unfocused.

"Sorry…I have to take Liv out," she said looking down at Marissa's arm and Marissa's eyes followed Alex's gaze and quickly released her tight grip from around Alex and moved her head back.

"Oh. Yeah…its late. I should go." She said rubbing her eyes.

"No you don't," Alex said gently. "It's two AM, you can stay if you want," she finished as she slowly got up and Liv jumped up, putting her front legs on Alex's thighs then hopping over to Marissa to lick her face slowly as though trying to wake her up and coerce her into joining her.

"Anyway, Liv seems to want you to stay," Alex said, possibly using Liv as an excuse for Marissa to stay longer.

"Alright," she giggled as she sat up more and took Liv in her arms and set her on the floor. "Can I sleep in your room?" Marissa asked glancing at the floor and then at Alex.

"Sure, you like it, I can take the downstairs one," she said working it out.

"No…I mean…I'm not kicking you out of your bed…could you stay with me?" Marissa got out, visibly looking vulnerable.

Alex wanted to hug her and ease the tension out of her but she just nodded and mumbled, "Yeah, that's fine." Marissa gave a slight crooked smile and followed Alex to the front door, Liv trailing behind them with a spring in her step.

Opening the door, Marissa seemed nervous when she leaped out into the tiny yard and Alex snapped her fingers making Liv walk near her side. Marissa seemed impressed and walked comfortably next to Alex but Alex noticed she blinked for long periods of time.

"Go on," Alex said gently, allowing Liv to leave her side when she thought it was safe and looked back at

Marissa who didn't notice a large rock as she began to fall forward but Alex grabbed onto her waist and pulled her closer to her to make sure she didn't fall on the ground and hurt herself. Marissa looked startled and more awake then.

"Mmmm thanks," Marissa said looking at Alex who's body was really close to hers. Alex on the other hand could feel how cold Marissa was and smelled her perfume, feeling a little hazy.

God its pathetic how much that affects me-how much she affects me. She thought as she felt her arms hold Marissa tighter as she tried to will her body heat into Marissa. They held each other like that until Alex felt Marissa's grip on her shoulders tighten a bit and so she shifted them to a standing position and dropped her arms from Marissa's waist and then quickly looked around for Liv. She whistled and in a few seconds Liv was by her feet.

"Ready to go back inside?" she asked Marissa who wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep in the warmth. Marissa nodded sleepily and Alex reluctantly held out her hand for Marissa who seemed surprised by the offer, but Alex didn't want Marissa to fall again and it seemed like she was on her way to being a somnambulist. Leading Marissa back to her apartment was quick, less than a block away but she quickly let Liv in and locked the door behind her then led Marissa upstairs, careful to keep holding her hand up the winding staircase.

"Rissa, you need to change your clothes, okay?" Alex asked her gently once she sat her on the bed. Marissa nodded and let out a quiet, "alright." Alex turned to her dark wooded dressed and grabbed another t-shirt and sweat pants for Marissa. Placing them beside Marissa she looked at her and gently lifted her chin with her index finger.

"I have to go and get Liv, you change while I'm gone then?" she asked gently looking in Marissa's eyes. Marissa nodded and moved her arm grabbing the clothes. Alex dropped her hand and went to go get Liv, taking her time, throwing out the empty pint containers of ice cream that were gone and getting herself a glass of ice water leaving it on the counter to brush her teeth downstairs. Picking up her dog and balancing the weight of the puppy and the glass of water Alex ascended the stairs.

Setting the water on her side table and Liv on the ground, she saw Liv make her way over to her usual pillow but stopped near Marissa to lick her foot, causing Marissa to wake up a giggle. Alex was glad Marissa had managed to change into the clothes she gave her, she didn't think she could managed changing her clothes for her. Marissa sat up slowly and looked down at Liv then to Alex.

"She's so cute," Marissa said just as a yawn was coming out. Alex made her way next to Marissa and looked at Liv who looked up at them warmly.

"You haven't seen anything yet, watch…" Alex said looking from Marissa then to Liv. "Smile Liv, Smile," she said raising her voice in a happy way as though she were talking to a baby. Liv grinned back showing her teeth and make smiling faces at Marissa and Alex. Marissa giggled and looked at Alex amusement on her face.

"What?" Alex asked skeptically.

"Nothing, this is just a side I've seen to you before," she said honestly.

Alex could only nod once and slowly got up to go change herself, purposefully avoiding any lingering looks from Marissa.

When she came back from the bathroom after she was changed in her shorts and black tank top she notices Marissa was already curled in bed but was shivering a little. Soundlessly getting into bed she pulled the covers closer to Marissa and then turned her light off.

Moving closer to Marissa, she wrapped her arm around her, pulled her closer gently and ran her thumb over the light brunettes forearm. In turn Marissa pressed her body into Alex, eliminating any space that was previously between them forcing Alex to breath in Marissa's hair as the Marissa took Alex hand in hers and intertwined their fingers.

Feeling Alex stiffen against her back she turned her head towards Alex, looking over her shoulder again and frowning at Alex Marissa whispered, "I want you to hold me." Alex released a little of the tense muscles but didn't move so Marissa moved her head back in the position it was before and grabbed Alex arm gently, pulling to over her waist, making her hold her tighter. Finally feeling Alex relax Marissa was able to drift off to sleep, Alex following her into the dark soon after.