Alex drove the Range Rover back to Saxon Suites G in silence, for which Jesse was grateful. It was difficult to process the scene that burned in his mind: Sam equally pressed between the wall of the library and the body of some football player, wantonly running her hands through his hair. It fit, in a sick, twisted sort of way. The schoolgirl and the football player. That's the way the world worked. He had learned that once before, hadn't he? They always went for the football players… and Jesse would put money on the quarterback. Damn quarterbacks, he thought darkly. He scowled at his reflection in the window.

More than once, Alex glanced over at him with concern on her face. She didn't try to start up a conversation – he would talk when he was ready, if he wanted to talk at all. She wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to discuss what had just happened, even if she knew that it would be better for him. Deftly maneuvering across campus and avoiding the half-drunk students swaying through the streets, Alex parked the car near the Saxon community and sat wordlessly in the dark to let Jesse collect himself for a few moments longer.

Neither seemed willing to break the silence as they walked up to the second floor, steps loudly echoing in the stairwell. Everyone was out celebrating, it seemed, for the entire dorm was deserted and quiet. Jesse unlocked the door and flipped on the light as he went in; Alex trailed after him, closing the door with a slight snick. Jesse glanced over his shoulder, brows furrowed.

"What are you doing?"

Alex raised her eyebrow and threw herself into the armchair. "I'm making sure you're okay."

"I'm fine," he muttered. Lie number one. Jesse toed off the black boots and kicked them into the wall with force. He'd be lucky if they didn't leave dents. Alex grimaced.

"Yeah, I can see just how 'fine' you are."

Jesse whirled and narrowed his eyes. "Has anyone ever told you how annoyingly persistent you are?"

She nodded. "Frequently."

"Leave me alone, Alex."

"No."

He scowled and sank down onto the couch opposite the girl. They studied each other, Alex calmly and mostly expressionless, Jesse less calmly and looking suspicious. "Tell me why you care."

"In general," Alex asked, "or in this instance specifically?"

"Take your pick," he grumbled.

She sighed softly. "You're hurting. I've seen what happens when you spiral down. I figure this time I'll just hang around in case you need me."

"I don't need anyone." Lie number two.

Alex shrugged. "Suit yourself." She curled up in the chair and grabbed the book that Matt was currently reading for one of his Gen Eds, flipping it open.

Jesse stared at her incredulously. "You're really just going to sit there and read?"

"I'll sit here all night if I have to." She raised her eyes to meet his. "Unless you'd like to talk about it."

"Talk about it."

"How you're feeling. What you saw. Why it hurts you so much."

Jesse snorted. "I'm not hurt, Alex. Pissed, maybe, but not hurt." Lie number three. Keep it up, St. James, you're on a roll.

The corner of her mouth tilted sardonically. "Hotshot, maybe it's just me, but you are such a horrible liar." When he didn't reply, she went back to the book, humming slightly under her breath.

His scowl deepened. Maybe it was just her, because he planned to make his living pretending to be someone else on stage, and he could lie really well when he had to. Just ask anyone in Lima, Ohio. Why was it that Alex could see through anything he threw out? Other than the overly defensive tone that he generally adopted whenever she asked after him, that is. Maybe it was the fact that she was truly the only person who knew that there was more to his story than he let on – ever. That bit of truth sliced both ways, though. He was certain that more had happened in her life than just losing her potential future, like that hadn't been enough to begin with. They weren't close enough yet for full disclose of deep dark secrets. On the other hand, he hadn't ever been this close with anyone, and it was as disconcerting as it was a relief.

"I don't take rejection well," he blurted out.

"Oh really?" Alex's lips hinted at a smile, which she hid behind the cover of the book. "I wouldn't have guessed that." She glanced up and saw his frown. "Okay, okay, no joking." She set aside the book and gave him her full attention. "I am aware of that fact, yes."

Jesse stared back into the duality of her eyes and swallowed. She looked back expectantly.

"Aren't you supposed to say something about how that makes me feel?" Jesse said mockingly. He didn't know where to take it from there.

Alex laughed outright, eyes sparkling like someone had flipped a switch. "This isn't a therapy session, hotshot, unless you want to pay me – which I wouldn't object to." Her smile was mischievous.

"Well what am I supposed to say beyond that?"

She shrugged. "You started talking first. You can say whatever you want." Alex sobered. "Jesse, I'm here for you. And whatever you say will never pass my lips again. I swear it."

And the funny thing was, when he gazed into her face, he believed her.

"What are your parents like?" he said quickly.

If Alex was thrown by the abrupt change of topic, she didn't let it show.

"They're normal, for the most part, except for the fact that they basically ignored me until I started dancing." A bitter smile crossed her face. "Why do you think I decided to go to New York for high school, and then attend college all the way across the country? Once I couldn't dance anymore, they cut me out again. It was almost worse this time, because of other circumstances," she met his eyes steadily, "that will not be included in this discussion."

That. Right there. More to the story. Not important for the moment, however, so he'd let it go. One day, though…he'd find out.

Jesse nodded. "My parents were pretty much the same way, except in addition to ignoring me they always dumped me off on someone else. My father started up a very successful business before I was born and then sold it when I was about twelve, thereby making the St. James family rich by the standards of today's society. So from then on he and my mother took trips all over the world. Dubai is his favorite, so he tells me when I'm worth speaking to. They didn't much concern themselves with the college process. They'll probably return from Greece or Japan or wherever and wonder where I am for about two minutes before remembering that yes, I am halfway across the country.

"Discovering my aptitude for performance was all that kept me going through high school. I think," he said slowly, "that I act the way I do because my life just works better if I don't care. At Carmel, I was Jesse St. James. More popular than the football players; I would walk through the halls and girls would sigh behind me. I could have anything – anyone – I wanted. I guess it was a shock to come to UCLA, even though the girls still want me," Jesse said with a smirk.

Alex rolled her eyes, but did chuckle lightly. "It's not hard to figure out, really."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You're charismatic," Alex counted off on her fingers, "you exude that aura of 'don't give a damn' that is misinterpreted as confidence, and places you squarely in the bad boy category. All girls love a bad boy," she explained with a shrug. "I think it's genetically programmed into our DNA. And, you aren't the worst-looking male on campus," she finished with a teasing smirk.

Jesse relaxed against the arm of the couch. "You seem to have a lower opinion of me than 'all girls,'" he pointed out.

"I told you the first day, hotshot, I know guys like you," she replied. "I went to an über-competitive arts school. I grew up with the cocky, the handsome, the arrogant. So forgive me if I treat you like a normal teenage boy for once in your life," Alex grinned.

He sighed. "I don't mind, really."

"You're kidding me."

He chuckled at the skepticism on her face. "You ground me, Alex. I guess I need that, especially since I'm not number one anymore."

Alex nodded. "I'm sorry about Sam."

The frown returned to Jesse's face, but it was softer than before, more like he was trying to solve a math problem versus being pissed at the almost-girlfriend.

"We weren't even going out. It's not actually her it has to do with, really."

Alex tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Rachel."

He watched the understanding paint her features. "She was the one you went out with last year, right? You wanted to screw over her glee club for Regionals."

Jesse winced. She didn't mince words. "Yes, that's Rachel."

"So," Alex propped her head up on a closed fist, "what do Sam and Rachel have in common?"

"Aside from their irritating dating habits?"

She raised her eyebrow. "Care to elucidate on that?"

Jesse grumbled and stared at the wall.

"Speak up, hotshot."

"Football players," he bit out. "They both seem to have an obsession with football players. And going back to their exes. Who happen to play football."

Alex giggled. "I wouldn't take you for the jealous type."

Jesse shook his head. "It goes back to Carmel. I was the best high school performer in the nation. Then Rachel and Finn… now Sam and what's-his-face…"

"So it isn't really about the girls, or the relationships." Alex tugged on a strand of hair, watching him. "It's a power play for you."

"Yeah, that sums it up pretty nicely," he said with a sarcastic bite.

"Oh, Jesse," Alex sighed, "you really need to grow up a little."

"Excuse me?"

She shrugged and met his heated gaze. "Do you know what would happen if you treated me the way you treated Rachel?"

Jesse chuckled nervously. "Quite honestly, I don't even want to think about it."

Alex answered with a chuckle of her own. "Exactly. Do you think I would date someone else, even if you and I had the occasional fling?"

His eyebrows shot straight up. "What specifically did this fling entail?"

"Hmhmhm," Alex rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Apply the situation between you and Sam to this hypothetical scenario. You've told us that you didn't actually sleep together, so we'll use that. I say again, if we'd just had an occasional fling, do you think I would date someone else?"

"Without a doubt," Jesse replied honestly.

"If you had asked Sam out, officially, do you think she might've been with you tonight and not that other guy?"

He frowned. "Maybe."

"There you go."

"What?" Jesse blinked.

Alex casually pointed her finger at him. "You see girls as a conquest, Jesse. Dating, relationships, it's nothing more than a game to you. Take Rachel, for example. You didn't even date her for the person she is – you did it to screw with her head, increase your odds of victory."

"That isn't true," he interjected softly.

"Which part?" Alex tilted her head.

"I started to like her, after dating her for a few weeks. There was more to her than her voice, you know?" He hesitated briefly. "But I couldn't just leave Vocal Adrenaline, even for her. It was my senior year, and we were heading for Nationals – again. You can understand that kind of ambition, can't you?" His eyes pleaded with her to understand.

"Have I told you before that I've never climbed over anyone to reach the top?" Alex asked. Jesse shook his head mutely. "Well, I'm telling you now. The ambition I get, the methods of reaching that ambition I don't understand. I'm just not that type of person," she shrugged, shifting in the chair so that her legs hung over one side.

"Now you're just making me sound like an awful person," Jesse sulked. "You know that isn't all that I am."

"It's a very big part of who you are, though."

Jesse sighed. "Your honesty is borderline brutal, you know."

"Yes, I do know. I bet you're contemplating slapping me too, huh?"

"I take it you've heard that before as well."

"Too many times to count," she grinned, not looking at all sorry. "I'm only trying to help, hotshot."

"I know, Alex. And I do appreciate it," he responded honestly.

Alex nodded. "Good. Now, there's something very important that I'd like to discuss with you…" she adopted a mischievous smirk and watched him across the room.

"Yes…?" Jesse was wary of that look.

Her grin widened. "Would you like me to hunt a certain someone down and kick her ass?"

Jesse stared at Alex in silence for about five seconds before he burst out laughing. She watched him with obvious amusement, one eyebrow raised at his outburst.

"No," he choked out between fits of laughter, "I don't really… think that'll be necessary."

"Suit yourself," Alex shrugged, but her face was clearly lit with merriment. She cocked her head slightly. "I don't think I've ever heard you laugh, hotshot."

"You've heard me laugh."

"Uh, no. You chuckle – you don't actually laugh like you just did."

"What can I say? You're freaking hilarious."

Alex giggled and inclined her head. "Thanks. I'll ignore the sarcasm," she stuck her tongue out at him on a childlike whim and quickly reverted back to a grin. "The others will figure out that we've left soon. How about a movie until then? I can walk back with the girls when they get back."

"Sure," Jesse agreed. "Although I'm not sure if Tiffany would go back with you… I got the feeling she wanted to spend the night."

She quirked her eyebrow. "Doesn't that bother Matt?"

"I think it used to make him a little uncomfortable, to be honest, but he and Cory talked it out. They just sleep together, all cuddled up." He made a face that made Alex smirk. "I don't know how they can stand it. Those beds are small enough with one person, never mind two."

Alex laughed. "You'll understand some day."

"Don't act like you're so much older than me, Alex."

She held up her hands and chuckled softly. "Movie?"

An hour and a half later, Cory swept the door open, closely followed by Tiffany (of course), Sharon, Matt, and Jamal. The little group stopped just inside, staring at the scene in the living room. The television was on mute, explosions lighting up the screen periodically. Jesse had turned his head toward them and had a single finger pressed against his lips; he nodded to the figure curled up at the other end of the couch, breathing evenly. Jesse had thrown a blanket over Alex, and when he looked at her he thought she looked younger whilst asleep – more vulnerable.

Jesse eased up off the couch and met his friends by the door. "She's asleep," he said softly, glancing back.

"We figured," Cory whispered, entwining his fingers with Tiffany's. "Where'd you two go?"

"There was an… incident with Sam," Jesse explained, keeping his voice low. "Alex was with me and she saw how freaked out I was, so we came back here."

"And?"

"And we talked," he answered Sharon with slightly narrowed eyes. "She didn't want me getting into trouble again, I guess."

"Aw, that's so cute," Tiffany gushed softly.

"What's happening with you and Sam, then?" Matt asked.

Jesse shook his head. "Nothing. I anticipate that conversation taking place very soon, and I doubt it'll go well for her or me." He sighed and glanced over at Cory and Tiffany. "Staying the night, are you?"

Tiffany blushed deeply and nodded, biting her lip sheepishly but casting flirtatious eyes toward her boyfriend, who squeezed her hand affectionately.

Jesse shifted his attention to Matt. "You can sleep in my bed tonight, if you'd like."

Matt's eyes widened. "Where will you be?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sharon interjected with a sly grin. "Can't leave Alex out here in the living room all by herself, now, can we?"

As one, they all glanced over to the sleeping girl, who slept on, completely oblivious to their conversation. Jesse grinned. He liked her better asleep – she didn't talk as much.

Half an hour later, Cory and Tiffany were settled in behind the closed bedroom door, but Jesse wasn't particularly worried; he could hear their murmured voices. Matt had moved to Jesse's bed (new sheets in place) and was already asleep, and Jamal was emerging from the bathroom with hair dripping down his shoulders. Sharon had left for the girls' dorm shortly before, grinning about having the whole room to herself.

Jesse flicked off the lights and slithered into the sleeping bag that Jamal had allowed him to borrow, staring up at Alex on the couch. A sliver of moonlight slanted through the blinds and landed across her shoulders, casting enough of a glow for Jesse to see the slight smile that touched her face. He allowed himself an echoing grin.

"Good night, Alex," he whispered and closed his eyes.

They slept on.

A/N: Hey, all! First of all, my most profuse and sincerest apologies for not being able to update sooner. If any of you are or know any Biology majors, you understand the workload that comes with the territory, especially near midterms. Hopefully I'll have more time to write now…

Thank you to ChronoNomad, egyouppt, Elsiebelse, jesse lover, and Cory Anne Stickel for reviewing the last chapter!

Speaking of reviewing… see the pretty blue words down there, begging to be clicked? Please review, it fuels the muse!