~Sorry for the long wait guys. School's killing me. Ugh! I hope this makes up for the 8 years in between in chapters. As usual I don't own any of the wrestlers. I hope you like it. Please, please, please review & let me know what you think. Thanks~

~Chapter 10~

Alex was lounging on his couch reading the book that Jamie had lent to Chris. The blonde had told Alex it was good, but the younger brunette didn't expect it to be this addicting. He wasn't even done with the first book, but couldn't wait to read the next three novels documenting the forbidden love between the girl and the vampire. When his cell phone rang he almost ignored it, but the caller I.D. was too enticing.

He dog-eared the page then accepted the call. "Hey, damn I was beginning to think I'd never hear from you again."

She giggled softly, "I am busy Alex. I can't base my life around phone calls to you."

"Oh well pardon me," he chuckled stretching. "How'd rehearsal go?"

"Um… pretty good. They finally found a male lead to cast, so we'll have to do press photos soon."

"Well don't sound so happy," he teased. "What do you not like the guy?"

"Oh no, Jackson's great. I just haven't had a good day," she sighed.

"Uh oh. What's wrong Kam?"

"It's just not a good day for me. What are you doing tonight?"

"Ah… probably nothing. Chris is hanging with Jamie."

"Come to Addiction with me," she had that seductive velvet quality to her voice.

"Ya know, why don't you just come over here and we'll stay in tonight," he suggested but braced himself for the rejection.

"I just can't do that tonight Alex. I'm going to Addiction; you can come if you want. It's all up to you," Keegan replied with a near desperation in her voice.

"What's the matter?"

"It doesn't matter. I'll be at Addiction, do what you want." She terminated the call.

"Keegan," he tried, but she was gone. "Ugh!"

Alex checked the clock on his phone and was surprised to find it was nearly 8:00. He tossed it onto the couch and hurried into the shower.

~xxx~

Alex drove by Jamie's place hoping to recruit some back up. She buzzed him in and he found that she and Chris were sitting down to dinner.

"Hey 'Lex," she smiled. "Help yourself to some lo mein."

"Um… thanks. Sorry to barge in here on you guys."

"It's good bro," Chris replied. "We got extra egg rolls too," he pointed to the opaque white packet.

Alex argued that he wasn't very hungry, but Jamie pushed a plate in front of him anyway.

"So what's up?" the pretty blonde smiled picking up her chop sticks.

"Well, I was kinda hoping you guys would come to Addiction with me," he pushed the food around on his plate. "Keegan's going and she asked me to go. I don't know, I think there's something wrong."

"What do you mean? Something's wrong with Keegan?" Chris inquired.

"She's had a bad day and I kinda wanna just go and keep an eye on her," Alex confessed. "Just so she doesn't do anything crazy."

"Isn't that like her calling card though?" Jamie asked.

Alex frowned at her. "She likes to have fun, why begrudge her that?"

"Sorry," the knockout looked down. "I didn't mean to be mean."

"It's fine," he sighed. He smiled in spite of himself, "she is a firecracker."

"Hence your ongoing interest," Chris smirked.

"Shut up!" Alex retorted.

Jamie giggled and accepted the invitation to the club. The video she and Chris had rented would have to be watched later. Alex and Chris waited on the couch flipping through channels while Jamie went into her bedroom to get ready. The boys wondered just what took girls so long. Chris thought that Jamie looked great in her t-shirt and jeans, but it just wasn't acceptable to go clubbing in. After a while she came out in a pair of tight black pants and a red tube top with strips of material winding around her well toned middle. Her blonde and black hair had been straightened, the pieces falling just past her shoulders.

"Ready guys?" She asked putting a few essentials in her small black clutch.

"Finally," Chris heaved, but the remainder of the complaint died on his lips once he looked at her. "Wow."

She smiled at him and tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

"Close your mouth dude, you'll start catching flies," Alex quipped.

Jamie chuckled and slipped into her jacket. The boys followed her out, waiting while she locked the door.

"Whose car are we taking?" She asked when they were in the elevator.

The boys shrugged, and then Chris volunteered his services.

~xxx~

By the time the three wrestlers arrived the bar was full and the dance floor was crowded. There was a heavy bass line pounding throughout the club and the lights were swirling colors everywhere. Alex scanned the mass but came up empty. He figured she was back in VIP. He leaned in to tell Chris that he was going to go look for her; the older machine gun nodded and motioned to the dance floor. Holding tightly to Jamie's hand he led her out there and Alex headed to the back. He stopped at the velvet curtain, Emmett wasn't there. He looked around before peeking into the small room. It was empty. He made his way to the bar grabbing a beer and asking the bar back if Keegan had been in yet.

"I haven't seen her, it is still kinda early for her though," he replied.

Alex nodded and went to the bathroom for a minute of quiet. He pulled out his cell phone and sent her a text message.

Hey, where you at?

He swallowed some of his beer and went out to claim a table. He saw Chris and Jamie pressed closely against each other. He caught Chris' eye and pointed out the table; his tag partner nodded. Alex watched the couples and sipped his beer. He was alone for the first few songs, but Chris and Jamie eventually tore themselves away from the music and joined him.

"She on her way?" The Michigan blonde inquired.

"Supposedly. I texted her so…" He sipped his drink.

Suddenly a commotion erupted near the door and the patrons charged towards it. Alex finished off his drink and got up. He maneuvered his way through the throng of bodies and waited back by the VIP curtain.

Keegan strutted past the swarm smirking and waving coyly. Emmett and another huge body guard made sure to stay close beside her. Alex marveled at the way she owned the room. It was hard to imagine this woman ever being desperate. She stopped at the bar, barely waiting a minute before accepting her drink, and then she finally saw Alex. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he noticed her sigh in relief. He offered her a lopsided smile; earning one of her genuine ones in return. She sauntered her way over to him.

"You came," she sucked on the tiny dark bar straw in her glass.

"Yeah. You sounded upset on the phone so I came down to see if I could help."

Those soft jade eyes seemed to mist over for a moment; she brushed past him and went behind the velvet curtain. Alex shook his head but followed her. Keegan took a seat on the second couch so she could watch the door. She kept the glass in her hand frequently nipping at the cocktail inside.

"So…" Alex glanced around the decorated room. It hadn't changed since the last time he'd been there. "You're not gonna tell me what's wrong are you?"

Keegan's lips twitched as she fought to put a smile on her face. "What does it matter? I'm here now and you came so let's just have a good time. I just wanna forget today and have fun."

Alex nodded despite wanting to push for an answer. He noticed her drink was empty already and although he knew he shouldn't he offered to get her another one.

"Jack and coke," she replied.

"Damn, you have had a bad day."

"Yeah, the 27th is never good," there was undeniable gloom in her voice. It made Alex shudder to think about what must have occurred to warrant the look that passed over pretty face.

He was thankful he'd dropped the subject; he promptly went to the bar to get her drink, getting himself another beer as well. He met Chris waiting for his own beverages and explained the situation. The blonde leered at him and told him if he could manage to come out he should join the rest of the peons. Alex rolled his brown eyes, but he told Chris to come back and say hello.

"Am I allowed?" He asked in a child's delight.

His tag partner shrugged. "Why not, go get Jamie and come on back."

"Awesome," Chris beamed practically running back to the table.

Alex was able to snag the bar tender and placed his order. By the time he received his drinks Chris and Jamie had appeared. He chuckled and they went back to the curtain.

"Who are they?" Emmett stiffened.

"My best friend and his girl, they're cool," Alex replied. "Keegan knows them."

Emmett held the drape opened, but he squeezed in behind them. Keegan was talking on her black berry. Her whole face lit up when she saw who had come in, and she held up her finger.

"Yeah, it's fine whenever you get here. See if he'll come and tell him that I want some of Griffin's stuff." Keegan ended the call a minute later. "Chris… Velvet. I'm sorry I don't remember your real name."

"It's okay, Jamie," she smiled.

"Right, I knew that. What's up?" She took the drink Alex placed in front of her. "Emmett it's fine. They're okay."

The body guard affirmed brusquely and resumed his post. Keegan motioned for everyone to sit down and a pleasant conversation began to unfold throughout the quartet. Alex was thankful that Chris and Jamie seemed to distract Keegan from consuming her drink as quickly as she had the first one. But, when Merrick and Chase Davenport walked through the curtain disappointment crashed over him.

"Wow Keegs, you must've gotten awfully lonely waiting for us." Merrick's arrogant tone diluted the playful sarcasm of the statement. "None of you look very familiar."

Chris and Jamie looked around unsurely, Alex's jaw clenched, and he moved to the very edge of his seat. Keegan narrowed her eyes at Merrick.

"You remember Alex Shelley. I introduced you to him a few weeks ago. This is his friend Chris Sabin and Jamie…." Keegan looked at her like she should supply her last name.

"Szantyr."

"Charmed." Merrick replied indignantly. "Well my dear, if you would like to meet your new friends later Chase and I have something for you."

Keegan looked at the wrestlers guiltily. "I'll catch up with you guys in bit."

"Oh, sure," Jamie got up quickly and waited for the boys to do the same.

"Later," Chris took her hand and glanced at Alex.

"I'm staying. I'll see you guys in a while," he stated unflinchingly.

Merrick's dark eyes narrowed at the young wrestler. "Perhaps it'd be better if you went with your friends. We're just going to talk business, it would probably bore you."

"Actually I find the film industry fascinating. I'm sure I could keep up."

Chase laughed and flopped himself down on the empty couch. "Ah hell, let him stay. He's been hanging around Keegs long enough to know what goes on. As long he doesn't have a problem with it then I'm good."

"I do have a problem with it. I wish she wouldn't do it at all, but I can't stop her. I can be here to pick up the pieces that you and the twins seem to be so good at leaving behind though."

Keegan stepped in between the two couches. She was pale, it looked like the long lack of sleep was finally catching up with her. "If the two of you wanna argue like little boys on the playground then do so outside. I can't deal with all this right now."

She threw back the remainder of her drink and turned imploringly to Alex. "Please go get me another one."

He tried to read her ambiguous green eyes; he wanted to beg her like she was begging him. He could see the strain in them, saw the tension in her whole body, but all he could do was go and get her another Jack and coke. He took her glass; their fingers brushed against each others and she graced him with one of her rare authentic smiles. It was small and meant only for Alex. He sighed; with a shake of his head he went to get her drink.

The bar was even more crowded and unlike Keegan Alex had to wait for the bar tender. He ordered her drink but skipped himself this round. He spotted Chris and Jamie at the table. His partner shot him a questioning look and Alex simply shrugged. He went back to the VIP room. He nodded at Emmett; the mountain of a man clapped a large hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Are you sticking around for a while?" He inquired.

"That depends on Keegan, but probably."

Emmett bobbed his head. "Good. You're the only one that really seems to care about her. The vultures only come around for the spotlight and the drugs. Merrick's the worst. He thinks he's helping her, but she needs to get away from them. This isn't helping her deal with anything."

Alex watched as the body guard looked down solemnly. "You know why she's so upset tonight don't you?"

"Only because she gets talkative sometimes when she's drunk. Her father died on the 27th, it's never a good day," Emmett replied austerely. "It'll be 8 years tonight."

Alex had to take a step back, as if the words nearly knocked him over. He suddenly felt unbelievably guilty. Keegan had not offered up any information about her family to Alex; he had to dig the little he did know out of her. But he was aware that she was close with her father, no wonder she had sounded so desperate. She was reaching out to him, but she would never admit that she needed him. He shook his head hoping to clear it enough to face her.

"Just take care of her tonight," Emmett beseeched.

Alex looked up at the man who only a few weeks earlier wanted to snap him in half. Keegan's unmistakable laugh finally splintered his daze and he slipped behind the velvet curtain. Merrick was relaxed on the sofa watching as Chase and Keegan snorted a white powdery substance. Keegan finished her line first; she rolled her head back onto her shoulders and sniffed deeply. Merrick smiled at her, almost like he was proud of her. The young billionaire finished his line a second after the actress and fought to keep it in. Merrick smirked at him.

"Are you sure you can handle it Davenport?" His smooth British accent was taunting.

Chase glared at him and easily flipped him off; Merrick laughed. Keegan fell onto the unoccupied couch, laying her head back against its cushion. Her beauty couldn't be denied even in this state. Some of her thick ruby tresses were pulled back and pinned to the crown of her head; leaving the rest to cascade in waves around her shoulders. Her top was a sheer one shoulder tank, the color of lilacs with a black rose mesh covering. Her dark denim jeans hugged her hips and legs in an air tight embrace. Her legs were stretched out in front of her crossed at her ankles. The dim light hit the silver Swarovski crystals on her black Manolo Blahniks. Alex absently wondered what she used to wear before she ever came to Hollywood.

"What are you staring at?" Keegan quirked her brows without opening her eyes.

Alex set her glass on the table in front of her then set down beside her. He leaned back on the cushions like her. He didn't speak to her, just peered at her out of the corner of his eye.

"What are you looking Shelley?" She insisted.

"So you're a coke head too?" He shot.

Keegan flung herself into a sitting position and fixed him with the harshest glare one could marshal. "How dare you?" She spat. "If you must know it wasn't cocaine, it was Oxycotin."

"Because that makes it better," Alex scoffed. "Look I know that you're upset but this isn't going to fix anything. You can't keep doing this to yourself."

"And what am I doing? I'm just trying to have fun, get off my back Shelley." Keegan reached for her beverage, downing it in a few gulps. She slammed the glass back on the table and ordered Chase and Merrick to follow her to the bar.

Alex hurried after them, but the crowd that had parted to let the star studded group pass had swallowed them up again. He pushed past a few people finally spotting the tiny girl in between her two lackeys. The bar back placed shot glasses in front of them and handed the tequila over. The young X division star went back to the table with the other wrestlers, but made sure to keep an eye on the actress.

"So how's it going lover boy?" Chris wiggled his eyebrows at his best friend.

"Not very well." Alex answered falling into an empty chair.

"Is she okay?" Jamie asked.

"No. Chase and Merrick never have her best interest at heart, and tonight she really needs someone who does," he sighed.

"Well then why aren't you still with her?" Jamie questioned.

"I pissed her off again. I tend to do that without trying sometimes."

"Ordinarily I'd say stop being a dick, but maybe she deserves some of what she gets," Chris stated.

A pair of matching glares made him instantly regret his words.

"No one deserves to be taken advantage of," Jamie clucked.

"I didn't mean it like that," he tried to defend. "It's just she makes her own her choices ya know?"

"They just aren't smart or well thought out," Alex added. "I'm sorry I dragged you guys out here."

"Forget it bro, it's all good."

"Yeah, so far it's been a pretty cool night," Jamie bolstered.

Alex smiled gratefully at them, resting his chin on his fist.

~xxx~

The rest of the evening didn't get much better, Chris and Jamie hung out for a while but they called it a night around 2:00. Alex walked them outside promising to call his tag partner when he got home. Jamie told him he was quite noble, Chris just thought he was glutton for punishment. Alex walked back inside the club wondering just who was right. He decided it was probably Chris when he headed back toward the VIP room. A commotion on the dance floor caught his attention; he stood on his tip toes on the fringe of the circle that had opened up.

"Great," a humorless chuckle couldn't be helped.

Keegan was up on a table providing a very public lap dance for Chase Davenport. The boy was sitting back in the booth wrap around enjoying the show. His smile was wicked as he watched her sway her hips to the beat. Suddenly she dropped to her knees and slunk to the edge of the table. Chase leaned forward trying to capture her in what looked to be a kiss, but Keegan pushed him away and crawled into his lap. She seemed to have no qualms about grinding against him instead. Chase's hands began to roam all over her, and when his fingers slipped inside the top of her jeans Alex shoved his way toward them. The other club goers watched with lecherous fascination, only a few looked away awkwardly.

Keegan smiled wantonly up at Alex as he approached. She stood ungracefully, tripping slightly and barely catching herself on the corner of the table. She laughed turning back to Chase.

"Keegs, you're so fucked," he snickered.

"Mmm," she purred, "I'm so good right now." She started to switch her hips to the music.

"Hey," Alex spun her around.

Her eyes; glassy and huge reflected the swirls of the colored lights. She fell into Alex, immediately moving her hips against his. He stilled her by putting his hands on her hips, but she didn't seem to mind. Keegan cuddled up to him, resting her head on his chest.

"You left me," she whispered into his simple black shirt.

"You didn't want me around anymore," he replied. He was getting better at hiding his surprise around her.

"I always want you around." She leaned up expectantly.

Alex shook his head, but he did slip his arms around her waist. "Kam, I told you that I want you to remember it in the morning."

She sighed but didn't shove him away. The music had morphed into a ballad and Alex suddenly realized they'd moved to the center of the floor and were dancing to the slow romantic beat. He pulled her a little closer against him.

After the song the tempo picked back up and Keegan led Alex back to the VIP lounge. Emmett gave them a brief smile as they slipped inside. She settled onto the fluffy pastel pillows in the corner, smiling at the young wrestler as he sat down cross legged beside her.

"So, you about ready to get outta here?" Alex suggested.

Keegan's attention was abruptly stolen by the shiny pink fabric on the throw pillow.

"Can we go back to your place?" She asked softly.

"Yeah. We can go wherever you want."

Keegan leaned over resting her head down on the supple pillow. Her eyes slipped closed and Alex hoped she wouldn't pass out before he got her home.

"Hey." He swiped a lock of hair behind her ear. He noticed a small cluster of pink and black stars tattooed behind her right ear. He squinted at it bending closer for a better look. "Huh, that's cute. Kam, c'mon you can't fall asleep yet."

"I'm not," she argued. "I'm comfy. You should try these pillows Trix."

Alex raised his eyebrows, "Trix? This seems to be a trend when you're messed up."

"I'm not that messed up." Keegan popped her eyes open as if to prove her point, but her pupils were huge. "I'm good. And yeah, Trix."

He chuckled, "where did you come up with that?"

"I used to know someone named Trix. You remind me of them."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

She smiled, "a very good thing."

Alex was suddenly captivated by that smile; it was slight and had a hint of mischief at the corners. He knew that was probably the smile that she used to get out of trouble when she was a child. Alex recalled what Emmett had said earlier, about the 27th never being a good day. Sadness ebbed over him; his father was still alive; he couldn't imagine losing him when he was a kid.

"So are we blowing this popsicle stand or what?" He finally asked her.

"Chase and Merrick," she slurred, "I've gotta say good bye."

Keegan got to her feet unsteadily and giggled when she nearly toppled over. Alex caught her before she could fall. He sighed; Keegan smoothed the creases from her shirt and marched out of the VIP room. The crowd was beginning to thin out. She scanned the club goers from the safety of the bar, but she didn't see either Chase or Merrick. Alex came up behind her slipping his arm around her waist. He watched as her face fell in a pout; he knew they wouldn't still be there.

"C'mon Kam, lets go back to the apartment," he urged tugging gently on her waist.

"Everyone always leaves me," she murmured leaving his embrace and walking back to the VIP lounge.

She instructed Emmett to call the car as she let the curtain fall behind her. Alex caught the drape leaning on the door frame as Emmett spoke on his phone. When the bodyguard was done arranging transportation Alex told him he was taking Keegan back to his place.

"Good luck getting out the door," he advised. "The paparazzi are still waiting outside and we don't have a decoy tonight."

"Where is Britt?" Alex asked.

"She is allowed one day off. Not that Keegan really notices. She usually yells for her all day long."

"Yeah, she's not the nicest boss; she kinda takes you guys for granted."

Emmett shrugged. "I've had worse employers. Besides, if Britt and I leave, she'll have no one. Her very first agent hired us on for her and we're the only ones that she hasn't chased off yet. She can't keep a publicist, and she's had multiple agents. The one she has now will only deal with Britt. She's gotta tell Keegan the plans and about the meetings. I mean Britt pretty much organizes and runs Keegan's life, not that Keegan ever follows those plans."

"Yeah, she doesn't like to make plans," Alex smirked to himself.

"Well, the car should be here. Do you wanna go get her?"

"Just get us in the car as quick as possible. Can we meet it at the back door?"

"You're going to, but photographers are going to be there as well."

"Hell," the brunette cursed. "Can't you scare them away?"

"Just get inside the SUV as fast as possible, and whatever you do, don't say anything. Do not answer any of their questions," Emmett pointed his massive finger directly in Alex's face.

"I won't," he shook his head then went in the room to gather Keegan.

She was curled up in the corner on the pillows. Alex was able to rouse her with little difficulty. She'd kicked off her shoes again, but she had enough sense to grab them before she fitted herself to Alex's side. His arm went securely back around her middle. He was beginning to enjoy having her so close to him, but back in the corner of his mind there was a little voice telling him to be careful. Ignoring any doubts that he may have had, they stumbled out the back entrance of the club. Emmett was right, there was a handful of photographers scoping out the exit and as soon as the body guard pushed open the door the flashes started going off. Alex was nearly blinded by all the bright punches of blue light and all their voices jumbled together. He couldn't separate one question from another even if he wanted to answer any of them. Emmett fielded what he could, keeping the zealous reporters off of them. Alex shoved Keegan in the car and slammed the door behind him.

"How the hell do you deal with that on a daily basis?" he demanded.

She shrugged pulling her knees up to her chest. "If it's not career or life threatening you just deal."

He smirked at his own words then finally breathed a sigh of relief when they began to move. He gave the driver his address and settled back for the brief journey. Keegan remained unusually quiet while she stared out the tinted windows. Alex scooted closer to her, brushing his hand along her arm.

"You okay?"

She gave him a tight lipped smile with her nod and turned back to the car window.

~xxx~

Keegan stood in the middle of Alex's living room admiring the décor of two bachelors. It wasn't as immaculate as her cottage, but he and Chris didn't have a cleaning lady once a week either. She dropped her shoes unceremoniously by the couch and went into the kitchen. Alex was getting a glass of water and two Tylenol. He heard Keegan come in and wasn't surprised to find her sitting on the table top when he turned around.

"Do you want something?" He asked.

She shook her head. "I like your apartment. It suits you; very frat boy meets experienced traveler." She motioned to the eclectic group of storage canisters sitting on the counter.

"Yeah," he smirked, "with a dash of irresponsible ditzy blonde and overanalyzing cocky brunette thrown in for good measure."

She chortled and stretched up toward the ceiling popping the cricks out of her back. Hopping down off the table she wandered into the living room, grazing her hand along the navy pin striped couch she looked around.

Glancing down the unlit hallway she remarked, "Your room's down here?"

Not waiting for an answer she found the open door and went in. The hunter green walls had gray accents up near the ceiling. He had several framed pictures scattered all over the room and a carving of two black Japanese characters hanging over the head of his bed. Clothes were overflowing from a hamper in the corner, and the bed was made haphazardly with his lap top sitting in the middle of it. But the thing that caught Keegan's eye the most was the window. It was oval and took up a large portion of the upper left wall. Mahogany stained molding surrounded it. She leaned against the wall and sought out the iridescent moon.

Alex found her after texting Chris; her presence stopped him cold in the door way. She was more than beautiful standing there in a swatch of moonlight. He quietly crossed the salt and pepper carpet to be with her.

"Do you believe that things happen for a reason?" She asked not taking her eyes from the window.

"Yeah, I do."

"Even the bad things?"

"Well yeah, the bad things usually have a lesson ingrained in them. It sucks when it's happening, but you're usually a better person for going through it."

"I'm not." She disagreed.

Alex watched as two tears dripped slowly down her cheeks in the pale moonlight. "I know why you're so upset tonight."

Keegan tore her eyes away from the sky, fixing them on Alex. She waited for him to continue.

"I'm sure it doesn't get any easier as time goes on and there really isn't anything that I can say that will make you feel better, but I'm sure that your father is very proud of you. He's looking down on you everyday."

Keegan's eyes widened, and filled up with more water. "How did you…. Who told you?"

"Emmett and I were talking. I know it's gotta be so hard to remember it every year. But you need to remember all the time that you had with your dad."

She quickly shook her head. "No, no. Just st- stop. I can't… You don't even know. I… No." She clamped her eyes closed; black tears poured down her ivory face as she tried to shield herself with her hands. She wiped at the mascara and the eye make-up smearing it even more. Alex was shocked. He didn't expect this and was floundering for what to do.

"Kam, I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you so much." He reached out to take her hands but she jerked away. "What? What's wrong?"

Keegan had to sit down before she could look at him. She shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "Nothing. Forget it."

She was trembling when he sat on the corner of the bed beside her. He didn't touch her, just turned to directly face her.

"Keegan I'm sorry if I brought up painful memories, the last thing I want is to hurt you. But I can't believe that all this is because of your dad."

"I don't wanna talk about this anymore," she whimpered. "Please stop."

Alex would have agreed to anything if it would take that heart breaking look off her face.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I can make tea," he offered.

"You're gonna make me tea?" Keegan almost laughed.

"Yeah, I don't have any of the cool kinds that you do, but I think we have honey and a lemon."

She wiped at the black lines still staining her cheeks and gave him one of her worn sweater smiles. "I'd like that."

He beamed back at her, "okay. If you wanna wash your face and stuff the bathroom's across the hall. There should be washcloths on the shelf in there."

"Alex," she called him just as he got to the door, "thank you."

All of the pretense was gone; her voice wasn't wrapped up in velvet and her eyes were red. She looked like a little girl caught playing dress up.

"You're welcome Kam. Come out when you're done."

~xxx~

Alex was sitting on the couch in a pair of track pants and a tank top. Keegan's tea was waiting for her on the coffee table. When she came out her face was devoid of all make-up, her hair was down hanging free in its soft natural waves. As pretty as she was in designer gowns and flawlessly made up, Alex wanted to see more of her this way. Without all the artificial cover up.

"I hope it's alright, we didn't have any lemon," he confessed.

"It's fine," she assured inhaling the steam curling up from the mug. She tucked her feet up under her and sipped it gingerly.

"Look Kam, I don't wanna fight with you, but I kinda do wanna talk to you about something."

"Alright. Shoot."

Alex took a deep breath and dove in. "Merrick and Chase left you again tonight. Can't you see that they don't really care about you?"

Keegan chuckled "I know that. We all only really care about ourselves and our habits. The twins included. They use me and I use them. I wouldn't know half the people I do in this business if it wasn't for Merrick. I wouldn't have even gotten in to see the director of Double Vanity if Merrick hadn't met him at club for a deal."

"And you're okay with that?" He questioned incredulously.

"No, but you do what you gotta do right?" She took another sip of tea.

Alex shook his head. "Even if it does a disservice to you? I mean you're too good to think you really need him or that shit he gives you."

She stared down into her cup. "It just helps sometimes," she finally shrugged.

"What about finding another way to deal with it," he suggested.

"That's why I love acting. I get to be someone else for a while."

Alex squinted at her like if he looked hard enough he could see inside her mind. She stared back at him in a way that suggested she was well practiced at deflecting this same attempt by others. He finally sighed and dropped his gaze. The clock above the T.V. said that dawn was well on its way and he suddenly realized how tired he was.

"Ya know something," Keegan began, "I like you."

It took Alex a moment to find his voice but he replied with, "well that's good, 'cause I like you too."

"I know," she smirked.

He rolled his eyes. "Is there anything you don't know?"

"No," she indulged in a mouthful of tea.

He laughed and stood up. "I've got a match tomorrow night, I'm going to bed. You're more than welcomed to watch a movie or something out here if you want."

"I'll manage."

"Do you want pillows and a blanket? Or you could probably just crash in Chris' bed, he'd love it; he'd never change his sheets again."

"I'm fine. Go to bed Trix," she smiled at him.

He returned it, "G'night Kam."

~xxx~

The sun was playing peek-a-boo with his curtain and he rolled over pulling the covers up to hide form it. He snuggled down into his pillow almost asleep again when he heard a tiny whimper. Picking his head up, he concentrated on the sound coming from his door. He got up and padded across to open it.

"Keegan?" He thought he must be dreaming when he found the actress sitting beside his door with her knees drawn up to her chest.

She sniffled and picked her head up, her cheeks were damp and her eyes still had pools of water in them.

"What's going on?" Alex asked. "Are you okay?"

She mumbled something then put her head back down. Alex crouched in front of her and picked her chin back up. "You gotta speak up, I'm deaf sometimes."

She bit her quivering lip for a moment. "I had a bad dream," she confessed in a whisper so soft that Alex wouldn't have heard it if he wasn't so close.

"That's why you never sleep isn't it?" He suddenly understood.

She nodded. "That's why I take the Ativan. It's supposed to relieve my anxiety and help me sleep. But it doesn't stop the nightmares."

"What are they about?" Alex moved to sit beside her against the wall; he slipped his arm around her and drew her closer to him.

She shook her head, "just stuff that I've tried to forget about."

"You can talk to me ya know. It's like a rule when two people like each other; they're encouraged to trust each other and open up to them."

"No one believed me then. Why should you believe me now?" She asked. She hadn't moved any closer to him, but she hadn't pulled away either.

"Why shouldn't I? You've been nothing but honest, maybe even a little too honest at times," he hoped to get her to smile but his attempt was unsuccessful. "It's up to you Kam. I'm here if you wanna talk to me."

She took a deep breath and held it for a second. She closed her eyes; Alex let her gather herself waiting patiently for her response. "My father died when I was 14, you know that. He was in a car accident. On his way home from work someone swerved into his lane, he tried to move over but he hit some loose gravel and lost control of the car. He died before the ambulance got to the scene; he was trapped by his seat belt." She kept her gaze steeled to the opposite wall. "My mom and I moved down to Hartford and she met David Montgomery. They dated for a while, then before I knew what was happening they were married. We moved into his house and he wanted me to call him dad. Needless to say we didn't see eye to eye. It was 7 months after they got married; my mom was already pregnant with Zachy when he came into my room for the first time. He didn't do anything that night, I woke up and he was just watching me. I told him that I'd tell my mom and he dared me to."

Keegan blinked quickly trying to get rid of the water in her eyes. Tucking a piece of hair back determinedly she continued. "I told her about David coming into my room but she didn't believe me. She said that I was just upset over my father's death and I was placing my resentment on David. He could never do that, he'd saved us, I should be grateful that she had found such a great guy. Yeah… he was great. The first night he got into bed with me I fought him so hard that I scratched the side of his neck. He twisted my arm behind my back so I couldn't move and just kept touching me…. everywhere."

Keegan shuddered screwing her eyes closed tight. Alex pulled her closer to him and she didn't open her eyes until her head was tucked under his chin and she could hear his heart beat.

"I thought my mother would have to believe me, I left four scratches on him, but she just ignored them. Said they could've come from anywhere, she never asked him about them. It went on that way for while. He'd sneak into my bed and just touch me at first, but then he tried to do more. Zachy was a few months old; he'd just started sleeping through the night. I knew it was different when he tried to take his boxers off. I screamed, he slapped me and covered my mouth with his hand. I couldn't breath. I kicked at him, punched him, I tried to get away from him. We woke Zachy up. I know my mother got up with the baby; she never came to check on me. She had to have heard the struggle. I kept screaming every time his hand slipped. She never came."

"How long?" Alex's voice sounded rough and choked even to him, like it had been a while since he'd last used it. He didn't slacken the hold he had on her.

"Until I was 17. I graduated high school and before July came I was gone. I stayed with friends at first, bounced around from couch to couch. I was always so afraid that he'd find me ya know. Then one of my friends was going down to New York to start school and I went with him. I actually lived in the frat house on campus for a few weeks. One of the guys I met was a senior majoring in theatre, he took me on a couple of auditions with him and that's how I got my very first bit parts in off Broadway plays. I beat my first agent's son in poker, that's how I got him to represent me. He got me out to LA and the rest is history. See I belong in movies, my whole life's a movie," she tried to make herself smile but it got lost somewhere on the way to her mouth.

Alex picked her head up so he could look into her eyes. They were a misty haunted lagoon. She held his gaze challenging him. She was daring him to run away, imploring him to get out while he still could. He tucked some of her ruby waves behind her ear and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Tentatively Keegan unwrapped herself and snaked her arms around him. She tucked her head back under his chin and her eyes fluttered closed; content in feeling the rhythm of his heart beat against her ear