A/N: Let me know what you think!

Norma snuck into the house as quietly as she could. It was 6 AM now, which she was thankful for since she made it home just before Sam got up for work. She kicked off her shoes and tiptoed through the hallway to check on the boys. Thankfully, they were still asleep.

When she reached her bedroom, she heard Sam moving about. Cautiously, she opened the room door and entered. Sam never really slept in their bed unless it was a night he forced Norma to have sex with him. He usually passed out drunk on the couch or in his favorite chair.

"Where were you at?" He demanded.

"I slept in Norman's room. He had a nightmare last night," she lied. She knew he would buy it because he never checked on the boys and Norma sometimes slept with Norman to keep his tantrums at bay.

"When will he grow out of that? Isn't he too damn big to be acting like a baby?"

Norma rolled her eyes at the back of Sam's head. She just wanted him to drop dead sometimes.

"Kids have nightmares all the t-"

"He needs to get more manly. You need to stop letting him hang on your hip all the time. He doesn't need to be a sissy!" Sam brushed passed her and exited the room. Norma immediately smelled that sweet fragrance when he walked past her. He must've been with another woman last night. She scoffed and shook her head, but she realized she had no place to judge about her husband's infidelities since she almost had sex with Alex in his car last night if he didn't stop it. She wondered how their conversation would go later.

Sam left without another word and Norma went to the kitchen to start on breakfast. Soon enough, the boys entered.

"Good morning babies," Norma smiled.

"Good morning!" Norman chanted. Norma looked at Dylan awaiting his reply.

"Morning," he said solemnly. She fed them pancakes and whip cream with fresh diced strawberries on top. After their bellies were full, she dropped them off at school.

Once she parked, she turned around to face her kids. "Dylan, I know we didn't go to the program yesterday but you are going today. Understand?"

Dylan blew out a huff of air and exited the car. He waited for Norman to get out before slamming it shut. Norma shook her head. She really didn't know what else to do with him if the program didn't work. Maybe Alex would help.

Speaking of Alex, Norma pulled out her phone and texted him.

Hi, I just dropped my kids off. Are you still home?

She waited anxiously for his reply, which was immediately.

Yes.

Norma put her car in drive and headed down the road back to Alex's home. Her anxiety was pooling in as she prepared herself to face him again.

*deviatedrift*

Alex heard her pulling up on the gravel outside and set down the glass of water he was drinking. When he opened the door, he couldn't help but be pleased with what he saw. She had changed clothes to some casual jeans and a white button down shirt along with a thin black cardigan. Her hair was also pulled into a bun on top of her head. She looked amazing.

"Hi again," she said shyly and walked past him to enter his home.

Alex closed the door and locked it, glancing down at Norma's backside before she turned around. Norma faced him and he could tell how nervous and jittery she was. He smiled at her and asked for her to sit on his living room couch.

"You want something to drink?"

"Water," she answered quickly.

Alex obliged and came back with a glass of water with ice cubes in it.

"Thanks," she grinned and practically gulped down the cool liquid. Alex took a seat in his favorite chair across from her and waited for her to look at him.

"So I want to talk to you about what happened last night," he started.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I didn't mean to go that far with you. It's- It was... I shouldn't have done that."

Norma disagreed completely. She wanted to kiss Alex and if he didn't stop her, she would have slept with him right there in his SUV. She didn't care about Sam or her marriage. But she figured Alex isn't the type of man to lay so easily with another man's wife.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have threw myself on you like that. I was drunk..." Norma apologized.

"That and also... I just don't think it's right because... you are married-"

She hated hearing that. "Yes I know I'm married to that bastard. God, I've been trying to get out of this situation for years Alex!" She stood up in frustration and paced around the room.

Alex stood up and walked up to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders in order to get her to calm down.

"Let me help you. I know he's hitting you Norma. You can file charges and-"

"I cannot do that. I have no job and no money. Me and my kids will be homeless. I just can't..." She started crying and a pained formed in Alex. It hurt him to see a woman like her so broken over a man who was supposed to love, cherish, and protect her.

"I promise you I can help you. Just trust me. I know that's a lot to ask of a person you only knew for such a short amount of time, but I'm still asking."

Norma finally looked up at him and she immediately relaxed. She knew she could trust Alex. She's been knowing that for a while now. Her arms wrapped around him to embrace him in a tight hug.

Alex felt the butterflies in his stomach once again, hugging her back even tighter. He daringly kissed her forehead, an action he knew he shouldn't be doing, but did so anyways.

"I trust you."

Norma looked up at him to meet his eyes. This beautiful man, inside and out, made her heart thump uncontrollably. How'd it get to this point? She didn't know, but she wouldn't stop the emotions she was feeling from happening.

Alex too seemed to be drawn into Norma. He didn't want to let her go and wanted to hold her in his arms like this forever. Without thinking, Alex brushed his thumb across her cheek as he looked at the face he became so attached to. Norma's flickering gaze from his eyes to mouth was making him have a hard time resisting her.

With a sigh, he reluctantly let her go.

"I have to get ready for work in a bit," he announced.

"Of course. Thank you for everything you've done for me lately."

"If you still want, I can meet you at the elementary school to take Dylan to the program once he gets out."

"Oh yes. I would very much appreciate that," she gave him that thousand watt smile she possessed and Alex grew warm inside.

*deviatedrift*

Norma made her way back to her house after meeting up with Alex. She sighed as she set her keys down on the table by the door and glanced around her house.

She thought about what Alex said. He wanted to help her with her situation with Sam and was even willing to help her with her kids. He gave her that encouragement she desperately needed to hear. But the more she thought about it, the more unrealistic it became. If she really left Sam now, what would she do? She can't force Alex to take her and her two kids in. She didn't even know the process of getting a divorce in a new state. She felt like a sitting duck.

Her phone buzzed and interrupted her betraying thoughts. When she saw it was from Alex, her heart went wild.

I forgot to ask, where did you want to meet up so we can drop Dylan off at the program?

Norma read his message and instead of texting back, she decided to dial him.

"Hello?" Alex deep voice answered.

"Hey, sorry can you talk?"

"Yeah. It's pretty slow here at the station."

"Okay. Well, I usually pick Norman and Dylan up by the playground fence. So you can meet us somewhere over there. It's always crowded around that time. So if you can't find me, just call me or something."

"Okay that's good. But I'm sure I'll be able to spot you out."

Norma smiled at his words. "Okay."

The line was silent for a moment before Alex finally spoke again. "Yeah, I'll see you later then."

"Bye Alex."

She hung up smiling to herself. Even though she had just left his house not too long ago, she couldn't wait to see him again.

*deviatedrift*

School was out, and Norma made her way to the elementary school to pick up her boys.

She parked her car by the fence where the playground was and waited for them to make their way towards her. Her heart bloomed when she saw her kids. Norman ran up to her cheerfully and gave her a hug.

"Hi honey. How was school?" Norma asked him.

"I made you a picture!" Norman handed her the piece of paper in his hand that was a drawing of an owl.

"Wow this is lovely. Thank you sweetie." She then turned her attention towards Dylan who seemed annoyed by the affections his mother and brother were displaying to one another.

"And how was your day Dylan?"

"Fine," he said in a monotone voice.

"Okay, well we're going to wait for Deputy Romero to meet us so we can take you to the program."

"Why does he need to come?" Dylan asked.

"To help."

Dylan squinted but said nothing else. She looked around anxiously for Alex to show. All day she's been thinking about what happened between them in the early hours of the morning. It was a drunken kiss, but she'd do it again even when she was well and sober. Her lips still tingled from the way he passionately kissed her. When she finally saw him in his deputy's uniform standing on the sidewalk, her eyes lit up.

She, Norman, and Dylan walked up to him.

"Hey," he greeted, looking at Dylan and Norman and then finally at Norma. Everytime he looked at her, Norma felt like the sun.

"Hi Alex," Norma replied in a light voice, causing Dylan to quickly glance at her. He knew the different tones his mom would use when talking to people. This tone sounded like the one she used the times she was trying to convince the young grocery store clerk back in their old town to take her expired coupons. It was the tone she used when flirting. Dylan scoffed at his mom.

Alex grinned and quickly fixed his face. "Ready?"

Norma nodded and followed Alex into his patrol car with her boys. The ride was silent except for the music that played from the stereo. Dylan watched the two adults intently. He could see Norma glancing at Alex every now and then with a small smile on her face.

Dylan knew his mom had cheated on his dad with Sam, as he remembered hearing a conversation between Norma and Sam just a few months ago. Sam was drunk one night and telling Norma how she was a whore who cheated on her first husband with him.

When they arrived at the rec center, Dylan exited the car first. Alex and Norma hopped out next and she helped Norman out. The four of them went inside and Dylan was signed in quickly.

Norma stepped away from Alex and Norman to talk to Dylan before he went inside the gymnasium with the other participants.

"Okay honey, so I'll be back to pick you up at 7:30," she smiled and brushed his hair back.

Dylan kept looking to where Alex stood and studied him. Norma followed his gaze and became confused.

"Dylan? What's wrong?"

He finally looked in his mother's eyes. "Nothing."

Norma knew he wasn't telling the truth. She bent down to his level and grabbed his face.

"I know why you've been so angry lately. But I promise you I'm gonna find a way to get us away from him."

"Whatever Norma," he walked away from her and disappeared from her sight. Norma fought hard to keep her tears at bay. She finally stood up and walked back to Alex who was talking to Norman about owls.

"Lets go," Norma said and grabbed Norman's hand. Alex could see how tense she became and wondered about the conversation she just had with Dylan, knowing that was the cause of why she was that way.

When they settled back in the car, Norma was quiet the whole ride back. Alex was very concerned about her. When they got back into town, he dropped her and Norman off the elementary school so she could retrieve her car.

"Thanks for the ride. I'm gonna' go get started on dinner. I would invite you but... you know."

"Yeah no problem," Alex blinked at her with his gorgeous eyelashes and Norma fell into a daze looking at him.

Norman's voice broke the stare between the two adults and Norma told Alex goodbye.

*deviatedrift*

Later that evening, Norma had put the boys to sleep and was resting in her bed. She thought about her day and how she was able to stay friendly with Alex even after what happened between them when they saw each other at the bar.

She also kept thinking about what Alex said about him helping her with her situation with Sam. Speaking of the devil, she heard him stumbling into the bedroom making a lot of ruckus. She frowned in the darkness of the room and pretended to be asleep as he made his way to the bed.

She could feel him standing over her for a while but kept her eyes closed. Fear started to form and she could feel herself start to sweat. His breathing was heavy and ragged and Norma could tell he was drunk. She started trembling as she felt him coming closer to her. Everything happened so fast. Sam ripped the sheets from her body causing her to gasp loudly.

"Sam! What are you do-" she was cut off by him straddling her and putting his hand around her throat. She grabbed onto his arms to try to release his hold from her neck but failed to do so. The large man used his other hand to raise her nightgown up her legs.

"Sam please. I can't- I can't breathe," Norma choked out and started grabbing his arms again. He became annoyed and slapped her hard. Norma winced and cried at the contact. She looked into his drunken eyes and cried harder. She could no longer speak and just waited for the bad part to be over with. Just as Sam was about to force himself on her, the door swung open and her oldest son Dylan was standing in the doorway with a pair of scissors.

"Get off her!" Dylan yelled at the incoherent man. Sam glanced behind him and laughed mockingly at the young boy. He turned his attention back to Norma and was about to continue assaulting her, not even caring if her son watched. Dylan ran towards the man while Norma screamed for him to go back to his room, not wanting him to be harmed or witness what Sam was about to do to her.

Dylan took the scissors and jabbed them at the man's shoulder, but since he was so small, he didn't have enough pressure and force to pierce his skin with the dull scissors. Sam immediately backhanded Dylan and the boy hit the floor with a small yelp.

"Sam! Please!" Norma yelled, still trying to get from underneath him.

"You little shit!" Sam roared and started towards Dylan who was still lying on the floor, his hand holding onto his reddening cheek.

"You trying to stab me with a dull pair of fucking scissors?" Sam grabbed Dylan and slammed him against the wall in the room. Norma jumped off the bed and pulled Sam away, screaming, yelling, and hitting him. She took the opportunity to kick him hard in between his legs which caused him to loosen his grip on her son. He yelled out in pain and Norma snatched up Dylan and ran towards Norman's room.

"Norman!" She called out when she didn't see him in his bed.

"He's under the bed," Dylan breathed out, holding his shoulder in pain. It hurt Norma to the core to see him in pain caused by a man 4 times his size. Norma looked under the bed and saw Norman laying on the floor crying.

"It's okay honey. We're leaving right now. Let's go. We have to hurry!"

She didn't have time to grab any of their belongings. She could hear Sam yelling in their bedroom and she took her two sons and ran towards the front door and ushered them into her car. All three of them were bawling. Norma drove down the road and continued straight, her mind jumbled. She had nowhere to take her sons. She had no money so they couldn't get a room in a motel for the night. There was only one person she thought to turn to; Alex Romero.

"Shit!" she said loudly when she realized she had forgotten her phone at the house. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened and her eyes became blurry with her tears.

"Where are we going Norma?" Dylan asked and tried to comfort Norman in the backseat.

"I don't know Dylan. I…" she paused in frustration. Surely she couldn't just park on the side of the road and have them sleep in the car. She shook her head and continued driving down the road.

*deaviatedrift*

It was 12 AM when Alex was disturbed from the bad TV show he was watching when he got a call on his phone. He glanced at it and read the caller ID saying Sheriff's Station.

"Romero," he answered.

"Hey man. Sorry to disturb you," Deputy Young greeted.

"What can I do for you Young?" Alex asked.

"Well uh. There's a situation here. You know that Bates woman who you've had visiting you down here?"

"Norma Bates? Is something wrong with her? Is she there?" Alex jumped to his feet and grabbed his leather jacket, already making his way out the door, his heart racing and pounding through his chest.

"Yeah. She's here. She was looking for you. Something happened to her but she won't tell us. She wants to talk to only you. From the looks of it, someone banged her and her son up pretty good. I'm guessing it's a case of domestic abuse."

"Tell her I'm on my way. I'm in my car right now," Alex hung up and hurried to the station. When he arrived, he saw three deputies talking amongst one another through the glass window and saw the receptionist texting on her phone.

Alex rolled his eyes and banged on the glass, gathering everyone's attention. The receptionist gave a small smile and buzzed him in.

"Where's Norma Bates?" Alex demanded at the three deputies.

"Romero," a voice called out. It was the deputy that called Alex a couple minutes ago. "This way."

Alex followed the man to one of the interrogation rooms where he saw Norma and her two sons. He could instantly see the large red bruise around her neck and the one under her eye. He looked at the boys and saw Dylan holding onto his shoulder, tears glistening his eyes. Fortunately the youngest boy, Norman, looked uninjured.

"Norma, what happened?" Alex asked as he approached her. She sobbed when she looked into his eyes and it was a loud one. One that he could tell she had been holding in for a long while and he sympathized with her.

"Give us a moment," Alex asked Deputy Young. The other man nodded and closed the door behind him as he exited.

"Dylan, are you in pain?" Alex asked when he heard him whimpering. Dylan nodded slowly and rubbed his shoulder. Alex placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder and gently moved it, making Dylan scream in agony.

"I think it's dislocated. We need to get you to a hospital to get checked out," Alex offered.

Norma quickly looked to Dylan and touched his shoulder.

"Norma stop! It hurts!"

"Oh my God…" Norma whispered.

"Look. Let me drive you guys to the hospital and then you can tell me what happened when we get there. Okay?"

Norma looked back and forth between her two sons. Dylan was still fighting back his tears while Norman had yet to stop crying. She hated what Sam had done to her and her boys. How could someone be so evil? She nodded to Alex and he walked them through the station and into one of the patrol vehicles.

When they arrived at the hospital, Dylan was quickly assessed in the ER and he indeed had a dislocated shoulder. With the help of pain medicine, the doctors were able to pop it back in place, much to Dylan's pleasure.

Norma was then seen and nothing was broken on her, just a lot of bruises. The doctor prescribed her some medication for her pain and asked to speak to Alex.

"Is this what I think it looks like?" The woman asked.

"I have yet to talk to her. But yeah, I think she was beat up by her husband and maybe her kid tried to stop it and got hit on too," Alex shook his head.

"When we were in the exam room, I asked her if she wanted to press charges against the person who did this to her and she said no. I told her it's as serious as it gets because her child was involved. Her husband needs to be arrested Deputy Romero."

"Yeah. The station is handling it. Is she okay to leave? And Dylan?"

"Yes they've been discharged."

Alex nodded to the doctor and went back to where Norma and her sons were waiting at.

"Norma… I need to talk to you."

Norma told her boys to sit in the chairs and to stay put while she went a few feet by the exit doors with Alex.

"Did your husband do this to you and Dylan?"

"Yes," she immediately answered, surprising Alex at her honesty.

"You told the doctor you didn't want to press charges?" Alex questioned.

"I- I can't do that. He will post bail and come after me and my sons."

"Norma, he hurt Dylan. And he hurt you. You need to press charges. And we can put you and your sons in police protection. He will most likely go to-"

"No! I can't risk it!"

"Norma," Alex stepped towards her leaving very little space, forcing her to gaze into his eyes. "I'll protect you. You won't have to worry about him again."

Norma read his eyes kind and genuine and believed him. She knew he was a good man and she trusted him. Still, she just wasn't sure.

She sighed. "We have nowhere to go."

"Okay. I can get you into a motel around here."

"I feel like he would find us…" Norma replied.

"The police are already at your house looking for him. They've probably already picked him up. I'll call them in a minute to get an update."

Alex glanced over at Dylan and Norman who seemed as settled down as one could expect from a couple of kids who just experienced this kind of trauma. He turned back to Norma and watched as she contemplated his offer in her head.

"What do you say?" Alex asked after some time had passed. Norma nodded her head yes.

*deaviatedrift*

Alex unlocked the door to the motel room using the key he got checked out at the front office. Norma and her boys followed after him and looked around the room. There were two beds with a really small kitchen area along with a door that led to the bathroom in the corner.

"Thank you for this Alex," Norma spoke.

"My coworkers said Sam has been arrested and he's in booking down at the station. We're gonna' try to charge him with the highest possible charges."

"Okay…" she dragged out, still in disbelief that this has happened. Sam has hit on her plenty of times over the years. Dylan too, but not as badly as he had done tonight.

The two brothers settled down on the bed and turned on the TV to find some cartoons to watch.

"You should get some rest. Are you guys going to be okay here?" Alex wondered.

"We'll try." Norma graced him a reassuring smile. "Thank you again. I appreciate this so much. I didn't know who else to turn to."

"Yeah no problem. I'm… I'm glad you and your boys are safe now," he paused. "You are safe, you know that right? I'm here for you…" Alex admitted. Despite his crush on her, he always had a need to protect anyone that seemed to need it.

"Yeah, I believe you."

Alex told her he would call her first thing in the morning to check up on her and soon left. He made a call to the station to confirm that Sam Bates was still in holding and made his way down there to confront the man himself.