Authors Note: Sorry for the delay guys, I've been busy. I hope you enjoy this chapter, it was really fun to write. I'd like to hear some responses :D


Chapter 11: Shots

Elle had managed to cuddle up next to Alex while they watched some old episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond for lack of anything better to do. Alex was propped up on his elbows to watch the TV; he hadn't given much more thought to Elle's reasoning for being so close tonight. Alex just assumed she still didn't want to be alone despite the night she stayed alone at her aunts.

Alex couldn't seem to stop his mind as it seemed to wander back to his dream over and over again. The seductive outfit on Elle, the darkness within her, the family ring and even the grating seemed to haunt him. The needle began to make him suspicious; what had even been inside of it? Some sort of monster juice? Alex remembered she stated something about it not being able to help him. Perhaps it was a reflection of his medication. Alex didn't know what to think of the whole mess.

Elle's sudden shifting beside him caused him to look down at her. Her eyes were watery and it was clear she had been thinking of something unpleasant. "Elle?" He asked leaning to get better look at her.

Elle shook her head quickly and waved a hand, "I'm fine, don't worry." Her voice was masked with calmness, but her voice held a crackle of pain when she spoke.

Alex placed both arms around her shoulders and leaned back with her in his arms; she placed her hand against her face and tried hard not to cry any louder, but failed. "Please don't, Alex. Just let me go." She began sadly.

Alex shook his head, "What is this about?" He asked her.

Elle clenched her eyes closed and a few tears dripped out, "I hate crying. It makes me look stupid…" She wiped her eyes.

"Its fine, Elle." Alex's voice remained soft.

Elle sniffled and took what he said into consideration. He was here for her, and she knew she could trust him. "I guess I'm just worried that I'm going to hurt you. I mean that dream had to mean something." She looked up at him.

"Hey, you know I'm the champion. You have no chance at it." He smiled playfully.

"Alex, you don't know what that place could make me do. It's a curse! The whole damn place! If I ever killed you against my will, I would have to kill myself, Alex. I don't think you're getting it." She yelled.

Alex shook his head, "Elle, in my dream I knew it wasn't you. It was just an illusion. I'm not going to end up dead." He said calmly.

Elle nodded, "I just hope you know what you're doing by trusting me." She looked down.

"Elle, I know you better than anyone ever has or ever will. If I think I'm in danger, I'll escape, but I'm not. I'm safe with you just as you are with me. Nothing will happen as long as we stick together like we have. I'm stronger with you around; you make me want to fight harder." Alex looked into her light coloured eyes as he spoke.

Elle examined his face, but found only sincerity in her best friend. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Alex nodded.

Elle took in a confident breath as Alex ran his hand up and down her bicep. "You're really good with words you know." She laughed slightly.

Alex smiled at her, "I guess I was just born perfect." He joked.

Elle laughed, "Don't get too cocky or I'll have to stop giving you compliments."

Alex looked back up at the TV, "I guess I'll have to behave." He surfed through the channels for something else to watch, "I hope there's something good on."

Elle watched the TV as he pressed the button every few seconds. They couldn't seem to find anything good on. "Alex, it's almost five thirty, maybe we should just go out and get something to eat." Elle suggested.

Alex looked over at her and flicked the power button on the remote to shut the TV off, "Sounds good to me." He said smiling at her.

Elle got up and put on her black hoodie before they headed out of the hotel room together. "So what are we in the mood for?" Alex asked draping his arm around her shoulder as they walked.

"Hmmm…. Surprise me." She said to him.

***

After their dinner at the tiny Italian restaurant, Alex and Elle decided to get to know Brahms. They would remain there for a few days until Elle's aunt was ready to come home. Her aunt was given the number to the hotel in case she decided to call. Elle was feeling for once since the events of Silent Hill she could let loose a little.

"So where do you feel like going? Not much is still open." Alex reminded her.

Elle bit her lip as she thought, "I could definitely go for a drink." She said confidently.

Alex looked at her surprised, "You? Drink?" He let out a loud laugh.

She furrowed her brows and lightly hit his arm to make him stop laughing, "I drink." Elle assured him.

Alex shook his head, "Please Elle, I could drink you under the table."

"Is that what you say to all the guys?" She laughed as he gave her an unamused look.

"Elle, you won't last ten minutes in a bar." He said seriously.

"Oh really?" She pointed to the bar across the street, "Wanna make a bet?" She held out her hand.

Alex rolled his eyes, "If I win you're going to watch an entire porno with me. Only because I know you hate porn." He smirked.

Elle bit her lip again, "Okay, but if I win, you have to tell me your darkest, most, deepest secret."

"What the Hell, I'll let you keep the dog tags too if you can stay sober longer than me." Alex shrugged.

Elle looked down at the dog tags; she had left them around her neck. "Deal." She held out her hand; Alex hesitated a moment before shaking her hand.

Elle dragged him over by his arm and the two went inside after Elle was carded at the door. "See Elle, you're too young for this shit." Alex said as they sat at the bar.

The bar itself was full but not completely full. What with it being a sports night they managed to escape most of the people as they sat at tables watching the television. "What do you want to start with? Maybe a nice light beer?" He deviously said as they got comfortable at the counter.

"Start me off with some vodka shots. We'll see where we get from there." She flicked her brows confidently.

Alex let out a low laugh and called over the bartender, "Get us both a round of vodka shots." Alex placed down some money on the counter.

The bartender nodded and placed two shot glasses before them and filled it with Smirnoff vodka. "Straight shots," Alex picked up the glass and nodded at her, "Isn't that too much for a little girl like you?" He asked smiling before taking the shot.

Elle glared and took the shot right after him, slamming the glass lightly against the counter, "Hit me." She said to the bartender.

Alex smiled, "Sure you can handle it?" He placed his glass beside hers.

"Are you sure you can handle the pressure there, mister? You're starting to look a little intimidated by a little girl like me." Elle retorted crossing her legs in the most feminine manner possible.

Alex picked up his newly refilled shot glass and didn't remove his eyes from hers as he drank. He placed it back on the counter, "Again."

Elle drank hers down and placed it beside his. "Are you changing your mind about the bet yet?" Elle asked him confidently.

Alex shook his head with a small smile, "You're only a few seconds into this. Just wait until we hit the ten minute marker. Then we'll see who's won." Alex looked her in the eye, "You're going to be watching porn no matter what you think you're capable of." He said attempting to keep a straight face.

"We'll just see about that." She took the next shot.

***

An hour later Elle was laughing hysterically at Alex, "You're drunk, you're so damn drunk." Alex slurred as he laughed back at her.

She covered her mouth as she made a hiccupping laugh, "You're drunk!" She practically yelled back.

Alex caught her elbows as she almost fell backwards off the stool. He slid forward and almost landed on the floor with her. Alex listened to her laugh loudly at him and began laughing lightly back. "Perhaps you two should sit in a booth." The bartender suggested.

"Alright. Get the waitress to send over a whisky and… what do you want?" He asked as though his lips were numb.

"Another mudslide!" Elle shouted up at the bartender from the floor.

The bartender nodded. Alex held both of Elle's hands and pulled her to back onto her feet. Elle stood up and placed an arm around Alex's neck while he placed an arm around her back to hold her up as they walked to a booth the waitress led them to. "Thanks." Alex slurred as he waved to the waitress who placed their orders down.

Elle rested her head on Alex's shoulder as she carried on laughing over their previous conversation, "So Wheeler thinks aliens are going to come and hijack our bodies." She snorted causing him to laugh.

"He's so fucked." Alex looked down at her through misty eyes, "So are we." He noted before taking a drink.

Elle smiled showing her teeth, "You are fucked, not me." She tried sitting up straight.

Alex rolled his eyes and looked back at her, "You're smashed, Elle. Now you gotta watch porn with me." Alex pointed at her.

"Nu uh, you get to tell me your secret," She hiccupped, "because I know you have one!" She pointed back.

"I do not; I'm clean as a whistle." Alex slurred reminding himself of his dad slightly.

"A whistle? Oh Alex, you're very drunk." Her voice faltered through every few words.

Alex finished his whisky as Elle made it halfway through her mudslide, "We're both smashed, but I guess you did last longer then I thought. You win after all." Alex sighed.

Elle looked from her glass to him lazily, "I told you so." She agreed going to shake his hand.

A tall blonde guy tapped Elle on the shoulder, "Hello?" Elle said looking up at the man who was dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt.

"Would you like to hang out with me at my table?" He asked her pointing a thumb over to a small table in the corner.

Overall the situation seemed fairly unsafe. She wasn't too drunk to know she was having a good enough time with Alex yet. Elle didn't want to wake up in some stranger's house. God knows what kind of sick-o he was. Elle shook her head, "No, I'm fine with this guy." Elle pointed to Alex.

"Oh come on, just for a few minutes. Let me buy you a drink. Your boyfriend here looks like he could use a nap anyway." The guy said with a smile.

Alex lightly shoved Elle out of the booth and stood before him, though Alex was an inch shorter, he glared up at the taller man, "She said no, so why don't you go fuck yourself?" Alex didn't sound very drunk, he just sounded mad.

Elle watched slightly confused and worried. "Please, you're in no condition to demand I do anything." The guy pushed Alex's shoulder with one hand.

Alex swung with one fist quickly, colliding with the guy's jaw, In a quick second blood shot out of the guy's mouth as Alex's knuckles cracked hard against his jaw. In a second punch Alex's fist collided with the guy's temple. The guy fell to the floor out cold. Alex looked back at Elle, "Come on, let's go before someone notices." He said to her.

"Yeah, I don't want you to go back to jail or anything like that." Elle said looking up at him.

"Believe me, if he hurt you, I'd take that risk." Alex said sternly.

Elle smiled in admiration and put her arm around his waist while he leaned on her for some balance. Alex placed his money on a trey at the bar. "Have a nice night you two." The bar tender said, clearly not noticing the passed out man on his floor in the dark area of the bar.

"Yes sir!" Alex saluted the bar tender making Elle laugh out loudly.

The two did their very best to make it down the street together. Alex didn't exactly need the support of Elle under his arm, but it sure was nice to have it. He seemed to take any excuse just to be close to her. Alex and Elle managed to stumble their way back to the hotel together safely.


Reviews rule! Yay for drunken heroes!