I hate you! I hate you!

They're both breathing the same air—their mouths barely touching. Alex wants to kiss her; tell her that he never meant to disappoint her nor hurt her feelings. He wants to tell her that he'd protect them the way he always has. He wants to show her how much he cares—but Norma is as obstinate as ever and won't budge.

"Don't touch me," she demands, turning away from his sparse kiss on her cheek. "Don't you touch me."

She slips away from his hold, marching towards the door that, if he had superpowers, he would lock infinitely and keep her in until they turn old and grey.

"Norma," he mutters with no power, still feeling frivolous from their proximity. She makes him feeble. "Norma!"

But Norma continues her way to her car, car that she had to lurk in the dark to limit Alex from seeing it when he arrived home.

"Please, stay," Alex implores as he tries to catch up to her. "Let's talk."

"We have nothing to talk about," Norma says coldly. Her back towards him. "I have nothing to say to you."

Alex steps in front of her, making her stop abruptly, her body imperceptibly collapsing with his. "You're mad. I'm mad. People say and do stuff they don't mean when they're angry."

Norma lets out a quick but unreal chuckle, stepping aside and continuing her way to her car. She needs to get out of there as soon as possible.

Alex stands there, gradually giving up on trying to make her come to her senses. "Do you really hate me?"

The question seemed to get a reaction from her. Her feet stop moving, and her breath stirs. She turns around very leisurely as if he had just insulted her by asking her the obvious.

"Of course I do!" she declares. "You ruin everything! You make me believe that I can trust you, and then you stab me in the back with no regret. Like it's nothing to you."

"Norma, that's not true—"

"You are just like the rest," Norma ejects. "You're just a ticking bomb waiting to explode. You make everyone trust you just to take advantage of them. God, you're such an asshole, Alex!"

She rolls around and starts to walk away, but his feet are fastened on the floor. He can't move. Harsh words can hurt a person more than physical pain. The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart.

"You know that's not true," he speaks in a hushed voice, gazing at the dirt. "I've never taken advantage of you, and you know that. This is different and needed to be wielded differently. But that doesn't mean that I'm done protecting you."

Norma whirls around. "Protecting me? You're protecting yourself. You're just doing your job. You couldn't care less about the people in this town. You clearly don't care about the consequences of your actions."

Alex breathes. "Norma..."

"I'm-I'm so stupid for ever trusting you," she got closer. The rage on her face was imminent. Alex couldn't help but love the way she furrows her eyebrows when she's annoyed. "I should've known that you couldn't be trusted. You're a damn cop. Cops are nothing but lying pigs."

"Insult my profession for as long as you want. It doesn't bother me, Norma. It's not the first time I hear this," he tells her guardedly, stepping closer to where she was standing. "You're just upset because I did something behind your back. I turned the damn flash drive in because it needed to be turned in. There are a lot of important people affected, and quite frankly, I'm not—"

"I don't care!" Norma stops him. "I don't care about anyone in this town but my son! I had Bob Paris by the hairs. He was doing everything I was telling him to do. He was so threatened by me that he had to find other ways to manipulate me. To hurt me."

"Bob isn't scared of anyone," Alex points out. "And most certainly, not of you."

Norma feels a rush of fury again. "You-you think you're made of steel and that no one can hurt you. That no one can touch. You're so arrogant, Alex. It disgusts me."

Alex knows she doesn't mean it. He could see it in her face. She's just mad. That's all it is. She tries to turn around again, but Alex stops her. His steady hand holds her forearm tightly but with prudence. Her eyes burn him the way they always have.

"If you're so sure that I'm an asshole, that I'm so arrogant then why did you trust me with this in the first place? Why come to me and ask for my help if, according to you, I'm this pathetic cop that only cares about himself and no one else?"

"B-because I had no choice!" she is quick to think of an answer. Alex hates the way she can think of a lie so fast. "I had no one else. You were my last option. Like always."

Alex furrows his eyebrows and stiffens his grip on her. "You've always been a bad liar. Ever since I met you on your porch that night, you've always lied. And I've always known."

Norma rolls her eyes at him, trying to move again from him. His cologne was intoxicating her yet again. "What, you're God now? Is that it?"

"I'm not," he reacts promptly. "But I've always been able to read you. It's so easy, Norma Bates."

Norma shifts her eyes from him, looking down where he had his hand on her. "Let me go."

He could never do anything against her will. Not this at least. He lets go of her immediately, watching her as she walks away.

He was whiling to let her go but not before telling her how he feels.

"You know you don't hate me. You trust me more than anyone in this town. I'm your only escape," Alex remarks. "I've always been. And now? You're just mad at me for what I did. But you don't think I'm an asshole. You still trust me with your life and you always will."

She turns around again, her eyes catching a bit of his scanty grin. He's so cocky and annoying. She can't stand it. "My world doesn't revolve around you. You don't know anything about me and you never will. You think you know, but you don't."

He paces closer to her, staring profoundly into her blue orbs. "I don't think. I know."

Norma swiftly shoves him back. "God, you annoy me!" she relaunches him. "I hate you so much! I hate you!"

This time, he doesn't let her do as she pleases. He walks closer to her and pins her against her car that's hidden in the dark. "Stop it. Stop hitting me and stop pretending that you hate me because you know you don't."

"I do hate you. I hate you so much. I've never hated anyone in my life as much as I hate you."

He holds her face again, looking at her with loving eyes; finding her wounded ones.

"Let me go," he's not going to. Not this time. "Alex, let me go."

"No, please," he urges. "Just stop. Stop whatever this is."

Her eyes dart down to his lips. Her breathing is picking up again. He's so close, and she's not able to breathe because of it.

After a few seconds of finally making her linger in his arms, he feels her body reposing into his. Her eyes start to water, and he instantly hates the situation they are in. They're both hurt. They both said things they didn't mean.

Alex leans his forehead against hers. "Do you really hate me?"

Norma half smiles but is quick to conceal her grin from him. "The answer is not going to change no matter how many times you ask the same question."

He lets out an inadequate chuckle, making her smile. "I was hoping it would."

"I've always hated you," Norma states but her voice is so mellow and soothing that he must know the truth behind it. "You're just an annoying human being."

He tilts his head back a bit, glimpsing at her. "But not as annoying as you. You broke into my house, for God's sake. You're a crazy woman."

Somehow the tension had vanished in a matter of seconds. Maybe it was their closeness. Perhaps the way he was holding her, similar to how he had her moments ago inside his house and pinned against his wall. She holds onto his forearms, but her tears are still there.

"I'm the Sheriff, and you broke into my house," he says with a hint of a smile. "You're crazy."

"Don't waste your time trying to arrest me."

"I won't," he affirms. "I'm not wasting my time and energy."

"I'm glad you know so."

They gaze into each other's eyes. Deeply this time. As if trying to find the answers they were looking for in a dull glare. Alex is driving himself crazy as he tries to figure all of this out.

"I never intended to hurt you. I wanted to keep you and Norman away from this mess for as long as I could. It's out of my hands now, but I'll continue to protect you. I always will."

"I know," she whispers, looking straight into his big, heavy eyes. "I know you will."

"Do you trust me?"

Alex wipes the tear that escapes her tired and foggy eyes. She cries softly in his arms. His eyes never leave her face. He wants to protect her until he dies. Nothing will ever change that.

"Norma..." Alex whispers again. "Do you trust me?"

After a few seconds, she responds. "I do."

He smiles shortly, comforted that she still does.

"Oh, stop smiling so much," she says with a frown. "It's weird."

"Sorry," he chuckles.

But Norma grants him with a smile.

"And I don't hate you, Alex," she pronounces openly.

"Really? Because I don't think you'll ever get tired of reminding me how much you do."

"I mean, I hate you, but I also don't," she clarifies.

Alex frowns. "How does that work?"

"I don't know. It just does," Norma tells. "Besides, you were the one that said it first."

Alex nods. "Yes."

"So you started it."

"I know I did. But I only said it once."

"And? It still means what it means. Or do you really hate me?"

Alex shrugs. "No, I do hate you."

"See?"

"But I also don't," he adds with a smirk.

Norma pushes him softly, sucking her teeth right after. "Shut up."

Alex can't help but smirk. Seeing her finally pacified gave him some redemption. She was upset because of him, and it was up to him to remove that fury from her eyes one way or another.

"Feeling better?" he asks as his thumbs caress her cheekbones.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry for everything," he starts. "I'm sorry for making you mad."

"Like that's not your area expertise."

Alex rolls his eyes. "I'm trying to apologize here."

"Well, you're terrible at it."

"Cut me some slack, will ya'?"

"Never," she finally smiles.

He removes his hands from her face, taking a few steps back from her. He smiles. "You're so complicated, Norma Bates."

"Oh, and you're not?"

"Not as much as you."

"We all agree to disagree," she nods, licking her lips and wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She looks back at him, at his stoic appearance and can't help but to cherish the way he is. How everything has to be done his way when it comes down to guarding her.

"But thank you," she finally says. "I don't know what I'm going to do now, but I know you did what you did because you had to."

"Nothing will happen to you. I promise you that much. You'll be safe."

"I don't feel safe, Alex. Not anymore. My plan backfired, and now I'm screwed."

"I'm going to take care of it."

"You always say that."

"And that's what I'll do," he vows. "Just trust me, okay?"

"What are you going to do?"

Alex nods, walking away from her. "Don't ask me that question."

"Wh-why? Just tell me," Norma steps away from her car and paces towards him. "How are you going to fix this? There's no fixing this, Alex."

Alex spins around. "I just am, all right? Don't ask me how. I can't tell you how."

"Why not?" she whispers. Her eyes pleading for an answer that she's afraid to discover.

Alex walks closer to her, clearing his throat before speaking. "I will do what I have to do to protect you. You and Norman. There are no limits, no barriers. You just have to trust that I'll do this and that you and Norman will have nothing to worry about."

"Alex..." her voice quivering with dread. "Are you going to kill him?"

Alex breaks eye contact with her, scrutinizing the dirt beneath his feet. And so she knew. Nothing else needed to be vocalized among them. Norma simply knew.

"Alex," her voice scarcely a whisper. She moves closer, seizing him by his jacket, forcing him to look at her. Once he did, she saw nothing but intensity and perception in them. "Don't. Don't do it. You could go to prison and-and I won't bear it."

"I am taking care of it," he says again, not affirming nor denying her speculations. "You just have to trust me."

Her voice wavers. "I trust you, but I don't want you to do this."

Alex grabs her hands, the ones that were clutching his leather jacket with authority. He brings them to his lips, kissing the back of her hands with sheer discretion.

"I'm going to keep you safe," he murmurs, looking back at her with her hands still pressed against his lips. "I will do whatever, Norma. I don't care how despicable, how immoral. I'm keeping you safe."

Norma's eyebrows furrow with concern. Her eyes watering at the thought of losing him forever because he merely feels entitled to always protecting her—not caring about anything else but her.

"Alex, no," she whimpers softly, her body closing the gap between them. "I don't want to lose you."

He is taken aback by her words. It always surprises him the numerous layers of Norma Bates. She was hitting him, screaming at the top of her lungs how much she despises him and now—now she's afraid of losing him? She's going to kill him. He's sure of it.

"You won't," he promises.

"You can get hurt. What-what if they hurt you first? What if-if they..." she takes a deep breath. "If-if they kill you? It's not only Bob, Alex. Bob has an army. You know that better than anyone."

"I'll be cautious. I may not have an army, but I know how he thinks. Bob is shallow. He can't keep up with the things he does."

"I don't care," she sobs. "We can try something else. I can leave town, move somewhere far. If something happens to you because of me I—"

"No, you're not leaving," he says, letting go her hands to wipe her tears away. He cups his wet cheeks with tenderness. "I am not losing you either, Norma."

"I don't want you to do this," she weeps. "Please."

"I'll be okay," he susurrates. "I promise."

"No."

"Norma," he sighs. "See? This is why I didn't want to say anything, but you're so stubborn. You just have to let me do what I have to do. Let me handle it."

"Give him a good scare," she offers. "But don't do something that can put you away forever. Or that can get you killed. There is one of you and a hundred of them."

"I have a plan," he says. "I'll be meticulous. I always am."

"I'm sorry, but every time you say you'll handle something, someone dies," but Norma thinks of Abernathy and Nick Ford, and a cold spark suddenly runs down her spine, making her shiver.

"And I don't regret it," he confesses with security. "When are you going to understand that I have your back?"

"This is my fault. I got myself into this mess, and it's not up to you to clean it up, Alex. I can't let you do this."

"It's my job to protect you."

Norma looks back at him. "Because you're the Sheriff?"

Alex steps closer to her. "No."

"Then why?" Norma whispers.

"Because-because I have to protect you," he explains with a slight stutter. "Not because I'm a cop, but because I'm Alex."

The intense look she's giving him makes him feel weak and unsteady. She breathes and looks down at his lips.

"You can't risk your life for me," she says.

"Like I haven't done it before."

"This is different," she points out.

"Stop worrying, okay? I'm going to be fine."

Her hands grab his jacket again, bringing him closer.

"Promise me that you'll come back to me in one piece."

Hearing her talk and act this way confuses him to say the least. She was acting like a lover. Someone that cares about you and sees you as more than a friend. Come back to her? When has he become her property? Alex takes a deep breath as his feet move involuntarily towards her. Closing the gap between the two.

"Come back to you?" his calloused hands find her refined face.

But Norma is keeping her steady glare on him. Her eyes watery yet determined.

"Yes," she affirms. "Promise me that you won't die. Because if you do..."

"What?" his hot breath stroking her face. "What will happen if I do?"

Her eyebrows furrow in dismay. Tears emerging from her loving eyes. She tugs on his jacket as if exasperated by his ridiculous question.

"I won't be able to—"

"To what?" his forehead resting passively on hers.

"I won't be able to go on without you. I don't want to lose you. I hate you with my life, but I don't want to lose you, Alex."

His heart flutters as the desperation in her voice. The impotence.

"God, Norma," he says in the most carnal way. "You're going to kill me. Not Bob, not my profession. You."

"I hate you," she states again with a sparse grin. Alex opens his eyes and wipes her tears away. He smiles at her remark.

"I don't," he says. "Because I love you, Norma Bates."

Norma feels as her heart skips a beat. She stares back at him in awe. Understanding now the reason behind his thirst for vengeance. But she can't say that she's surprised.

Because maybe, just maybe, she just realized that she loves him just as much.