Nanz, and now I'm back, from outer space! I'M BACK! OH YEAH! I'M BACK! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Punk'd, y'all make me happy. Very happy! I have a beta though. *Grumbles at Beta* Thank you, though.

I'm so polite!

Eli, I'm a bad, bad girl. Bad. :) I'm crazy, ain't I? I couldn't wait to post it... I was too excited... Sorry...

At http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/PrettyLeaves.BMP, http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/PRETTY.BMP, and http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/Preetty.BMP are two versions of the "ad" for this story.

I was trying to figure out how to work my photo manipulating software I have a trial for. I'll make more soon. I almost have it down pat, now!

A basic idea of what Natalie looks like can be found at http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/22.jpg.

For Natalie post-hair cut, go to http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/37.jpg.

She "is" Cindy Kurleto.

For Alex, go to http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/W.jpg.

If you want to see a picture of Alex with short hair, go to http://www.geocities.com/maya_bee@sbcglobal.net/mag04.jpg.

He "is" J. R. Gallison.

And Now,

The Long Awaited Chapter Eleven!

Alex jolted awake. His breath coming in short gasps, he looked around the minimalist-style room. He couldn't remember the dream that made him so terrified. His breathing slowed, and he crawled slowly out of the bed. His chest and throat ached for some unidentifiable reason.

Alex ran his fingers through his hair and headed towards the bureau. Pulling on the first thing he could reach, he stalked towards the door, only to remember that he forgot shoes. Yanking on black leather boots, he once more walked towards the door.

He crepts silently through the mansion, not bothering to go through the house, and avoiding security cameras easily. The gate presented no problem. He took a giant leap, making sure the gloves he'd pulled onto his hands were on correctly. Slight shocks got through the leather, but he ignored it, and hopped over, landing gracefully on the other side.

Alex ran the short distance to his motorcycle, and began the short ride to Natalie's apartment. Something told him that she was in trouble.

When he got there, scaling the fire escape, Alex swiftly traveled to her window, and leaned closer to see through the reflections.

Natalie was sitting on her couch, sobbing into a worn book. Jimmying a piece of metal that emerge from his pocket underneath the window pain, Alex broke in, quietly opening the screen. The sound of the metal catching alerted Natalie to her uninvited guest.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she demanded in a scratchy voice, wiping the tears away roughly.

Alex climbed through the window. "I don't want you to hurt," was all he said. Natalie's angry face softened a little. "Why are you sad?"

Natalie scoffed, "Like you don't know." The tears began to flow again.

Alex turned toward the book that Natalie had thrown down when he came in. It was a photo album. He walked towards it, careful not to anger Natalie.

Picking it up by the opened flap, Alex turned the book over, and looked at the single picture on the right side. It was of a little girl and Natalie, standing side by side hugging. On the left side was a picture of a younger looking Natalie holding a little boy on her lap.

Alex looked up questioningly. "Why did this make you cry?"

Natalie flinched at the word 'cry.' "They were my little brother and sister.." She turned away from Alex, and walked towards her kitchen, leaning towards the still steaming pot of water on the stove. Picking the pot up, and carefully pouring it into a small glass, she mixed in a small packet of herbs. The scent of lemons and oranges began to waft around the apartment. Alex followed her into the breakfast nook, and took a seat across from her.

"They make you cry?"

Natalie snorted. "Don't you already know all of this?"

Alex shook his head. "No. I was not allowed to know anything about you. I was supposed to do my job, watch you, know where you were. Not care about you."

Natalie raised her eyebrows, but didn't meet his steady gaze. "They were killed. A car accident. My sister just got her license, and was treating my family to a dinner to celebrate. Someone rammed into them." Natalie shrugged. "About six years ago, now."

Alex leaned towards her and took her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." He brought her hand to his lips, and kissed her palm. Natalie looked at his lips, worshipping them. They looked fuller when he wasn't frowning. Her breathing hitched slightly, and she leaned forward. Alex looked into her eyes, and leaned towards her as well.

Rock With You, by Michael Jackson began to play.

Natalie pulled back swiftly, and reached for her coat on the chair behind Alex. Pulling out her phone and backing away from him hurriedly, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Nat, I called to see how you were doing."

'Fine until the phone rang,' Natalie thought, but said aloud, "I'm okay." She looked towards Alex's seat, and her eyes widened.

It was empty, save for a piece of paper from her refrigerator.

It said, 'I'm sorry.'