Part VIII

Alex drove the lengths of the road. She followed a path to where the hospital was. She wasn't sure why. But her heart told her she needed to be there. She tried not to speed up more than normal. She didn't want anything to happen to her either.

----

Marissa for her part sat on her couch. She didn't know where her girlfriend was going. Or if something was eating her. She knew Alex won't take it easy. She would probably be blaming herself. She had to find Alex. She had to look for her. Marissa stood up and grabbed her car keys.

"Where are you going?" Summer asked.

"I'm going to find my girlfriend. Don't wait up for me." Marissa replied and slammed the door behind her.

----

Alex came into the hospital and asked the receptionist about Inna.

"I'm looking for Inna Van Stein." Alex said softly.

The receptionist was about to tell her that visiting hours were over. But when she turned to look at Alex, blood covering her, she had to entertain.

"Um… I'll look. Are you alright?" The receptionist asked as she looked for Inna's location.

"I'm fine. I just want to look for my friend." Alex replied.

"She's still in the emergency room. She's being prepped up for surgery. I don't think you should…" Before the receptionist could finish, Alex was already on her way to see Inna.

Alex found Inna lying on the bed. Her face was in sheer pain.

This is all because of me…

All because of me…

Inna closed her eyes then turned towards Alex. She opened her eyes and saw Alex in tears.

"Hey…"

"Hey…" Alex replied wiping her tears.

"I'm sorry." Alex blurted out.

"It's ok… I thought he was over me… I didn't know he was capable of doing that…" Inna smiled but then grimaced in pain.

"Slow down don't talk…" Alex hurriedly went to Inna's side.

"Alex this… isn't your fault…" Inna said in pain.

"Why do I feel it is…?" Alex furrowed her brows as she watched Inna flinched.

Inna reached out for Alex's hand. She squeezed it gently.

"It's not. Go Alex. Someone with bright green eyes is worried. She might be looking for you as we speak."

With those words Alex thought of Marissa. She cursed herself silently for leaving without a word.

"I'll come back tomorrow morning." Alex gave Inna a kiss on the forehead and was off to find Marissa.

Take care of her Marissa Cooper…

----

Marissa opened Alex's apartment door. She already had a spare key case she wanted to visit or to drop by. Alex trusted her that much.

"Alex?"

There was no answer. Marissa stepped inside and locked the door behind her. She sat on the couch and breathed in softly.

Where are you Alex?

She looked at the side table where Alex's phone was. She picked up one of the picture frames. Marissa sighed. It's a photo of the night they spent in California.

It's been a year.

A great year…

I just wish I knew where to find you Alex…

Slowly Marissa fell on to the couch. She hugged the picture tightly. Sleep came over her.

----

"Hi Julie. It's Alex. Is Marissa still awake?" Alex was in her car. But she didn't start it yet.

She went out to look for you. You're not with her now?

"No. She's not answering either." Alex was now worrying about Marissa.

She told me if she can't find you she'll go straight to your apartment.

"Ok Julie. I'll just let her call you back tomorrow. Bye."

Alex hanged up and drove home.

----

Marissa stirred from the couch and found herself in a candle lit room.

Alex…

She searched for her girlfriend, but was nowhere around the living room.

"Alex?" Marissa stood up.

Alex appeared from the kitchen. She was wearing a white tank top and her basketball shorts. She was bringing two cups of hot chocolate to the living room.

"Um… I'd like to say good morning but it's just half past eleven." Alex placed the cups on the coffee table and hugged Marissa tightly.

"I thought I lost you…" Marissa mumbled in Alex's chest.

"I came back to you…" Alex replied.

"And…" Alex trailed off pulling a box out of her pocket.

"Alex…" Marissa stared at the box.

Alex opened the box. It revealed a simple gold ring. Alex took it out to show Marissa.

"Are you…?" Marissa looked up to Alex in confusion.

It's too early to get married. We're just sophomores.

"No… No… I know it's early." Alex smiled.

"I just… I just wanted to give you something. So that they would know this is the real thing. I know we do… But they don't." Alex gently placed the ring in Marissa's right ring finger. She grinned and showed Marissa the other ring she wore.

"Alex I…"

"Happy Anniversary." Alex smiled and captured her lips.

Softly at first, then it became more intense. They knew the chocolate would get cold: that Julie would probably be looking for Marissa. For now they didn't care. The night was crazy and it was the first time in weeks that they actually had much time to stay alone. Alex lifted Marissa in her arms. Marissa held on Alex's neck and buried her head to the blonde's chest. Slowly Alex carried Marissa to her bedroom.

"Um… Alex…" Marissa said as Alex placed her in bed.

"What?" Alex stood up beside that bed.

"It's the time of the month…" Marissa tried to smile.

"Oh…"

"I can you know… Your turn?" Marissa grinned.

"That's just the thing… Time of the month too…" Alex laughed.

Marissa laughed too.

"Well then… Why don't you hop into bed and hold me to sleep?" Marissa grinned.

"My pleasure." Alex jumped to Marissa's side that made the brunette giggled.

They held hands and stared at each other lovingly.

"I love you…" Alex uttered as she drowned herself looking at Marissa's green eyes.

"I love you too…" Marissa replied.

They closed their eyes and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. Smiles etched in their faces. They knew they were going to wake up to find each other again.