*One hour later*

The taxi we took pulls up in front of the house.

I hand the driver cash and Norman climbs out, sliding his sunglasses up and widening his eyes. "Wow, Jolene, this is a really beautiful house."

"Thank you Norman. Come on, lets go inside."

We start walking but he freezes, staring at the front door.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm nervous to go in. I don't want your fiancé to..get angry with you."

I smile, going over to him and putting my hand on his back, giving him a little push. "Come on, it'll be okay. No matter what happens, you've got me!"

He nods, following me in the back door.

"Richard, I'm home!" I announce.

"Hey Babe, do you remember that guy that was dressing as his mom and killing people? He's out of the insane asylum! Can you beli-" he cuts himself off as he rounds the corner, seeing Norman standing behind me.

"Honey, this is Norman. He's gonna be staying with us for a while."

He looks at Norman, then at me. "Jo, could you come in the bedroom for a minute?"

I nod, following him in there as he steps off to close the door behind us. He turns, tightly grabbing my chin and raising my head, leaning down to my face. "Are you crazy?"

"Richard just listen to me, he-"

"Shut up! How dare you let a murderer come in to our house without even talking to me about it?"

"Because I knew you'd say no."

"OF COURSE I'd say no! Why on earth would I let him in here?"

"Richard..he's changed. He doesn't kill people anymore. He's changed for the better and I'm the only one who sees it. Just trust me."

"This is a whole new level for you Jo. I don't know how much longer I can do this."

"Stop talking like that. You just have to trust me."

"I don't want him here."

"Well, I do, and my name is on the contract of this house too and he's staying here whether you like it or not!"

I've never stood up to him like this before.

His eyes darken, and he steps even closer to me. "What did you just say to me?"

*Norman's POV*

I'm still standing by the door where I've been since we got here.

Jolene and Richard are arguing in their bedroom, definitely about me.

I hear her yell at him, and then I hear a few slapping sounds.

Just as I debate on going in there the door slings open and Richard stomps out, grabbing his keys off of the coffee table.

He starts to walk out to door but stops, glaring at me then turning to leave.

The door slams and I slowly walk in the direction of Jolene's room.

She's sitting on the floor curled up and crying into her knees.

"Jolene," I sit next to her, "are you okay?"

She nods.

"Look at me."

"Not now Norman. Just go in the kitchen I'll be in there in a minute." Her voice is muffled by her knees.

"Come on, look at me."

She sighs, lifting her head off her legs and looking over at me.

Her face is tear stained, she has a bright red handprint across her face, and her lip is bleeding. I also notice a forming bruise around her chin.

"Oh Jolene, I'm so sorry." I gently cup her face with my hands, wiping the blood off her lip with my thumb.

"It's not your fault Norman. I shouldn't have been disrespectful, I guess."

I shake my head. "No, I wasn't in here and I know you did nothing to deserve this."

She smiles weakly at me, leaning over and laying her head on my chest. "How'd I get so lucky to meet someone as nice as you?" She asks.

"Beats me." She laughs softly.

I take the opportunity to wrap my arm around her shoulder, hugging her to me tighter.

Oh, how I'd love to be normal. In another life she'd fall in love with me and I'd propose to her and we'd get married and move to my house and run the motel together. Maybe even have a child or two.

We'd be the pair that those without love would be envious of.

Unfortunately though, I will never get to experience that. This guy Richard is lucky enough to have her and this is how he treats her. She deserves better.

More than Richard. More than me, even.

She deserves a man who can give her all the love and attention she needs.

She needs a man who will cover her body with kisses, not bruises.

The fact that Richard has got to taste her sweet lips and do everything with her that I've only got to do in my dreams makes my blood boil. Although I shouldn't have watched her change her clothes, I'm not gonna deny that her body is anything less that perfect.

Oh, how I'd love to let my hands roam her body.

Part of me feels guilty though. Someone as kind and warm as her being loved by someone, as not kind and cold as me.

She treats me like I'm human. She's so naïve to the dangers of the world, including me, and in a way I am taking advantage of that.

But as long as she doesn't mind, neither do I.

*Jolene's POV*

After I get a good, long cry out I stand up, extending my hand to pull Norman off of the floor.

"Thank you for letting me have a small breakdown on you like that."

He waves his hand. "No need for thanks. We all do it sometimes. I know I have."

I nod, my eyes trailing to the kitchen. "It's getting kind of late, do you want me to fix you something to eat?"

He shakes his head. "No, actually, can you show me where I'll be sleeping?"

I nod, motioning for him to follow me up the stairs.

We go into one of the four spare bedrooms up here. I thought he'd rather stay up here and have his own space rather than downstairs with Rich- well, me tonight.

"The bed is king size and there's more blankets in the closet. This is also the only room with a bathroom and there's soap and fresh towels in there in case you wanna take a shower. I'm just downstairs. If you need anything, don't hesitate to knock on my door. I'll make you breakfast in the morning if you want."

"That sounds nice. I think I'm gonna take a shower and go to bed. If YOU need anything, don't hesitate to come up here and knock on my door." He smiles.

I nod, turning to the door.

"Goodnight Jolene."

I turn back, giving him another hug. "Goodnight Norman, thank you again." This time I actually do leave, jogging back downstairs to my room.

I change into the same nightgown I slept in last night and as I climb in the bed I hear the water upstairs start.

My thoughts start taking over. This is the first night I've been completely alone with Norman.

Sure we slept in the same room at the hospital, but there was a guard right outside.

What if he tries to something? No, what if SHE tries to do something?

After a few minutes the water stops and I quickly hop out of bed, pushing my small frame against the dresser, scooting it right in front of the door to barricade myself in, or barricade..someone..out.

It's just in case.

*Norman's POV*

It feels like I haven't had a shower in forever, so it felt nice to get one.

When I go to lay in bed I hear a large noise downstairs that sounds like something being moved across the floor.

I start to reach for the doorknob but hesitate, not wanting to bother her.

I pull the blankets back and raise an eyebrow at the obviously expensive satin sheets and pillowcases.

What's wrong with cheap white linen?

This room is very nicely decorated, though. I can tell she put a lot of work into it.

There's no telling how much this house costs. She'd much rather live here than at my old house.

The picture of her at my house creeps in to my mind and I smile at the thought, playing it out as a scenario until I drift off to sleep.

Another short, boring chapter.

And I totally agree about the rule of cool, that's why I say this story is fiction. ;)

It's actually based off a dream I had one time that I just kept adding to. (See, Norman: last paragraph)

Also, do you have a twitter? If so, my acc is madaboutperkins (I know, I know). If you have twitter, dm me on there. I'd love to actually have a conversation with you!

Better chapters coming soon…hopefully. :)