Alex walked towards the door- before opening the door she looked back at him, confused and unsure. Another knock interrupted her deep thoughts, "I'm coming." She yelled irritably as she reached for the doorknob. She glanced through the peephole and what she saw made her curse under her breath, "Shit." With a sigh, she opened the door. Awkwardly with a toss of her head she smiled, "What's up Nate?"

Nathan was standing there holding up a takeout bag with a smile on his face, "You want some Chinese?"

"I was actually going to bed soon," Alex mumbled fast, "Going back and forth to the hospital isn't much of a treat."

"Oh right, I didn't realize that.. I shouldn't have bothered you this late," He rubbed his neck, "So.. How is he?"

"The same.. Not exactly talking or moving, but he is stable," She explained quickly and then sighed, "The doctors are staying positive, but he just haves to wake up first."

Nathan nodded and watched her, unsure of what to say. Meanwhile she couldn't help, but to turn her gaze towards him. Her eyes were preoccupied with Justin who sat on her couch. His head was down and he didn't even seem to care who was at the door. He was too buried in his thoughts.

"Alex?" A worried look etched across Nathan's face, "What are you looking at?"

She hesitated and pulled the door even closer to her own body, leaving him completely out in the hallway, "It's nothing."

"Maybe you should go and get some sleep then," He sighed, "I'll talk to you later."

Alex offered him a sad smiled, "I'm sorry about bailing on you, but I just.. can't."

"No, it's alright," Nathan went on, "I totally get it-besides now I just have more food for myself right?" She grinned back at him and laughed softly before saying her goodbyes.

Slowly, but determinately Alex approached him. Kneeling in front of him, she just stared at him for awhile. He said nothing, barely looking at her.

Finally she spoke, there was a worried edge to her voice, "Hey… where are you?"

It seemed like he had been alone with his thoughts for days and he was reaching the breaking point any second now. She reached her hand up to Justin's cheek and held it there. He closed his eyes at her touch and frowned. They had basically locked themselves in her home after the disaster Justin found at his house. He had kept for himself the entire time and she on the other hand tried to look after him while he kept calling Juliet every other minute. The situation in front of them was impossible- there was so much that needed to be done, but they simply couldn't do anything.

Alex waited anxiously for him to speak, "I'm sorry Alex… I… uh…"Justin looked pained, even with closed eyes.

"No… it's ok.. just come back to me," She tried to smile, "I'm still here.. I'm here for you." He opened his eyes and stared down at his sister, but the look he had when he left the hospital, the hope and the strength, had evaporated from his eyes.

Alex breathed out sharply and he stared down at her, "It's been almost two days," Justin looked into her eyes, "What am I supposed to do? She isn't picking up her phone- I've called everyone she knows and nobody has any clue of what's going on. It's like they disappeared into thin air."

"I'm sure there is a good explanation," Alex swallowed nervously, "Maybe.. She just needs time to process what happened to Harper and Max."

"It's not that," He shook his head, "If she needed time to think she wouldn't have taken Emma. Not like that- Something is wrong."

She took his hands and tried to stay optimistic, "Justin if there was an accident we would know-"

"I should go out and look for them." Justin pushed her hands away and got up, but she took his wrist and pulled him back with every strength she had.

"You've been out looking for them already. It's no use!"

"I know that okay?" His eyes collided with hers as the passion and need flowing between their bodies echoed in each other's eyes. He took another deep breath then looked up at Alex with pained eyes, knowing what he had to say but not knowing how to say it, "I just.. feel helpless."

His eyes bore into hers with great intensity and they stared at each other, breathing heavily, "Listen to me," She murmured softly, tugging him closer to her, "They are fine. You would know if something happened to Emma," Her hand traveled over his heart, "In here." Alex smiled to herself, before dragging her eyes away and up to meet his eyes. Justin leaned in then, fingers tracing her cheek for a moment, taking in her scent. A familiar sensation went through her body, making her breathing quicken as he planted a soft, slow kiss on her cheek. He pulled back a little, closed his eyes to remember this moment, and retreated. She looked into his eyes, filled with confliction and desire, but he smiled at her, "Thank you." He wrapped her in his embrace.

Justin sighed and rested his forehead against her, feeling her quiver slightly along his body.

Alex palmed his face bringing their gazes level, "For what?"

"Everything." He smiled slightly and as a way to block this whole mess, "It's funny how things turn out.."

She smiled gently at his words, her eyes shining, "What are you talking about?"

"You've managed to turn me into the neurotic one."

Her eyebrows raised and smile broadened, "Really? You?" Alex stepped back and put her hands on her hips, "The guy who almost lost his mind when one of his dolls went missing?"

"It was a collectible!" Justin's eyes widened in a childlike manner, "And not a doll!"

She rolled her eyes as an answer before laughing, "Some things never change with us huh?"

"Maybe…" He shrugged, uncertainly, not quite sure how to word it, "But I'm glad some things do change."

Alex couldn't help the smug smile curling her lips, "I'm glad about that too."

"Good." He said cupping her flushed cheeks and smiled, but soon the vibrant smile faded as the moment of happiness felt so wrong. He felt guilty of feeling like this when his family was well... missing.

"Hey," Her voice was huskier that normal and the air became charged, "Juliet is going to call you soon and everything will be fine."

Alex cupped his cheek, gently running a thumb across the hard line of his jaw. Her touch seemed to wipe all the anger from his body as they sat there just gazing at each other, "Have you thought about Juliet's parents?"

Justin shook his head, "Juliet wouldn't have gone to them. They haven't talked in years for god's sakes.. They are not a part of our lives anymore."

"But there is always a chance."

"No," He shook his head again, this time jerkily, "She wouldn't go to them."

A lump formed in Alex's throat, "What if she knows…" She cut off her words, shook her head.

She kicked herself inside for saying it, but they both knew they were thinking about it.


"Is dad at work?" Alex barely whispered.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pen drop.

Theresa fidgeted a little, trying to find more a comfortable position in the hospital's low budget chair, "He had to," She was watching Max and rubbing his hand, "Somebody has to keep the substation going."

Alex, who sat next to her mom sighed as she looked into his closed eyes, "He looks so peaceful," She glanced at Theresa, "It's hard to imagine he is suffering." Theresa gave her a sad smile as she realized nothing had changed. The monitors were still bouncing in their green heartbeat line, showing that Max was still here, just not with her, "That thought kills me."

Alex squeezed her mothers other hand for support and sighed again.

It seemed like this was all she did these days. Usually she sat there watching her little brother for hours before going to home and watching her big brother in his misery. As much as she disliked to refer Justin as her brother these past three days had been more about their family than them in general. It wasn't the time or the place to turn their backs on the one thing that mattered the most. Their family.

"Justin told me he should be waking up soon," She tried to think of something to say, "Or at least from his experience."

Theresa nodded, "Is he talking to the doctors again?"

She didn't even have to say anything. Of course Justin had hunted down everybody who was involved with Max's care. He couldn't just sit there and hope for the best. He needed papers and tests- evidence, for his condition. It had been sad to watch him stumble with all of this and at the same time Juliet was tormenting his mind. Alex couldn't help it. She felt frustrated and angry. Nobody with working brains would have abandoned them like that, but Juliet.. Alex grimaced. They had taken her in and given her their support- well she hadn't, but the rest of her family had when her bloodsucking family had basically thrown her out of their community or whatever they called it. What made her even more angry was the way she had forgotten about Harper. Harper lost her child! And she was the bad friend? God she couldn't understand the world sometimes.

"Alex."

Her mom's voice snapped her out of her rant.

"Is Juliet with Emma again?"

Yep.. they had even lied about that. Of course they had to. There was no way they would cause more worry when there was enough, almost suffocating them, "Yeah.. I guess she is." Her answer was always the same because frankly she didn't know what else to say to her. She had tried to- begged for Justin to go to their dad and find a way to use magic as an answer, but Justin didn't want to move the focus out of Max to him. It was always Max who got the short end of the stick and that was not going to happen this time. Alex was just worried about what would happen if Juliet didn't turn up with Emma soon. The door cracked opened and Justin stepped in. He hugged their mom first before joining them on the other side of the bed. He smiled at Alex awkwardly and she reached over and grabbed his free hands with hers. The four of them were joined by their hands now. Theresa and Alex with Justin stand on either side of Max quietly, watching him as he slept and praying silently for him to wake up


Alex and Justin stepped out Max's room and stood in the hallway. She could tell he was getting nervous by the second.

They stood in silence for a moment, but she took in a shaky breath and began, "Justin you need to do something."

"About what?"

"Juliet," Alex said bluntly, "Let's face it- She has your daughter. What if she did this on purpose?"

"She wouldn't." He insisted quietly.

"Look," She said calmly, "Worst case scenario you will never see Emma again."

"What!" Justin stared at her like she was crazy, "Have you completely lost your mind?"

Alex stared at him, as though frightened. After a long moment, she spoke, "I'm just saying.. She could have taken her on purpose."

"What!" He still seemed out of it.

"Oh come on," She stared him down this time, "Juliet is shady- She could have just realized this was her way out and she took it. I think you should talk to the police."

"What!" Justin seemed to be stuck on that one word as he listened his sister babble on and on about silly secret theories, "Alex she didn't take Emma."

"What are you getting at?" She demanded, crossing her arms in front of her.

Then, he sighed, passing a hand through his hair. "I don't know," After a moment of thought he continued, "But I do know she wouldn't just take off with our daughter."

"She has already done that."

"No, she hasn't."

"Yes, she has."

"You're impossible," Justin glared at her for a moment, "Juliet didn't take Emma- they are missing okay? And what's with this negativity suddenly? Last night you were sure about this being a huge misunderstanding."

"I'm hoping that for you," Alex looked at him, eyes pleading, "but I don't want you to lose her." She placed a hand on his arm, "It's been three almost three days.. We need to find Emma before it's too late for all of us and most importantly Max."


She was walking down the corridor, nervous look on her face as she approached her room. Alex knew she had been too harsh on Justin, but still there was no way in hell she would watch by as Juliet destroyed his life. It irritated her, but she couldn't do anything except let it go and trust Justin.

"Alex?"

Alex was snapped out of her daze as she heard Harpers voice. She looked over at her and sighed, lowering her eyes a little as she took in her fragile appearance. There was a reason why she had gone to Harper and as much as it hurt her, she still had to straighten things out. Harper sat herself up in the bed and looked over at Alex. She smiled and beckoned her to sit beside her on the bed,"Trust you to leave it until my last day in here to come and visit me."

Alex snapped her head up and looked at Harper with a little alarm in her eyes.

"You didn't know I was getting out of here today?"

She shook her head, "Already?"

"Yeah well.. I really don't have much healing to do," She pursed her lips, looking a bit miffed, "… physically."

"Are you sure?" The brunette gasped, expressive eyes getting wide with worry, "I mean I could ask Justin to talk to the doctors and-"

Harper took her hand and squeezed it, "I'm more than happy to leave. I can't stand this place anymore." She cleared her throat discreetly, "My body will heal. And the best news is, I can still have children."

Alex smiled sadly.

A concerned look crossed her friends face, "Max hasn't woken up?"

"No he hasn't," She pursed her lips thoughtfully and finally shrugged, "Justin believes he will wakeup soon and I trust him.." She gave a slight, awkward smile, "He is a doctor after all." Shortly after Alex had mentioned his name Harper stiffened. Like it was somehow almost painful to think about him because he was part of Alex's life now in a different way.

"Sorry." Alex finally broke the silence with a mumble.

"For what?" Harper asked, genuinely. She turned to her, frowning.

"It's just…"

Harper held her hand up, "My baby is gone. And I get that now, I really do. I have to deal with it, but I can't do that if everybody around me breaks down whenever I bring the subject up. For a moment even I gave up, but I knew I had to pull through for you guys and Zeke. I wasn't the only one who lost something."

Alex bit her lower lip and dropped her head, the guilt weighing heavily on her conscience. She took a deep breath and looked down at her fragile hand in hers and closed her eyes in pain, "I need to ask something."

"Ask me then."

She settled herself on the edge of the bed, so that she could look at Alex.

Alex closed her eyes to compose herself and opened them again slowly, a determined look in her eyes, "Did you tell Juliet?"

Harper looked at her unknowingly, "About what?"

"About.." She didn't want to go there, but she knew she had to, "Me and Justin."

"No." She mumbled, a flush warming her face, "Why do you ask?"

"She's kind of missing," Alex said quietly. "And so is Emma."

Harper gaped at her, "What? What do you mean kind of missing?"

"Justin can't reach her over the phone and she was last seen on Tuesday picking up Emma." It suddenly makes sense in her head. Harper had wondered why Juliet hadn't visited her and figured she was more concerned about Max because Justin was her husband after all.

"You think she knows?"

"I don't know," Alex buried herself in her hands, "but I still feel like this is my fault."

"Alex…"

"No, Harper," She looked at her, "You know it too. It all starts and ends with me."

Harper leaned back thoughtfully, "What is Justin going to do?"

"I wish I knew," Alex's eyes fall at the sound of herself saying those words, "I just know… everything is going to change."


Justin didn't want to do this. He dreaded this, but what Alex had said had hit his core.

He and his shabby appearance caught a few glances, but he continued determinately his walk. He stopped a few steps later and pulled out his cell phone. Agitated, he dialed her number once more. A frustrated growl escaped his lips as he heard the same voice message. Soon as the beep rang he stated what he had been holding back, "Juliet I know you're going to get this and… I'm hoping… begging you to call me. I need to know that you and Emma are alright. I don't care what is it that made this happen- just call me okay? Send me a message! Something!" He took a deep breath when his voice calmed down, "I will do anything in my power to find you and Emma. I'm not going to sleep, eat or even fucking breathe until I have my daughter back," Surprised by his own words, he swallowed and continued, "Just.. Call me okay? Please. I'm begging you. If you get this. Call me."

Torn by his feelings he closed his phone and looked up at the building in front of him.

Justin nodded to himself confidently and walked through the large glass doors into a room filled with people shuffling about, papers in hand. In front of him was a single concierge desk with young officer behind it. The police officer looked up and waited him to spill it out, "Can I help you sir?"

"I'd like to.." He struggled with the words, "I'd like to file an missing persons report." Justin swallowed in fear as the whole situation sank in.


"I'm not going to sleep, eat or even fucking breathe until I have my daughter back.. Just.. Call me okay? Please. I'm begging you. If you get this. Call me." She blinked a few times after hearing the message he head left her, but soon enough found herself just as angry as before and placed the phone on the nearby table with a loud thud. Familiar footsteps walked closer to her, but stopped at the edge of the couch she was sitting on. The exquisite white leather couch was probably the only comfort she had right now- well it wasn't exactly true...

"Another one?"

Juliet looked up at him, her eyes piercing, "Yeah.. But like you said," He had never imagined he would see her angelic face like that- so mischievous, "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

His smug smile glowed, "I told you this would happen eventually."

Her eyes flashed at him dangerously. She chose to ignore him with a clenching of teeth. He held his hands back in amusement and took the glass from in front of her. He made his way to the fancy mini bar and poured her another glass of wine before returning it on the table. She sat straight up from the comfort of the couch and glanced at him, her voice was tense, "You aren't letting us stay here out of the kindness of your heart now are you? " She hissed vehemently, "What do you want?"

"You should be asking that same question from yourself," His calm voice held the barest hint of a challenge, "But me.. I don't need to do that because we already know what I want, kitten." Dylan simply brushed past her, "Let me know when you're ready to talk."


And you thought he was gone.. NOPE. The leech of this story is back.

Speculation.. Speculation.. but yeah Im gonna explain what the fudge happened to nice-ish Dylan and his dream house by the lake lol.

Oh and because this character is kind of all over the place in this story I added his photo on my profile.. check it out if you want to... Its what I picture him to look like if you picture him differently- fine no problem.

OH and people have been probably thinking like how old are my characters excatly? Well Id say Justin was 25 along with Juliet and Dylan. Alex goes a couple of years younger meaning 23(23,5) or so. Doesnt really matter, but whatever..

anyway! Im gonna stop blaabbing and ill let you just move on already lol!

- Aly