Author's Notes: You may categorize this as a filler chapter, but every little bit moves the story forward even if it's not some story altering event within it. No worries, one of those chapters is soon… maybe even the next one. Let me know what you think or what you think may happen, you may be right.

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 18: Hidden Words

"You missed the kid again, Sheriff." Deputy Hanson mentions casually as Romero strides through the half door leading back to his office, ignoring the words of the officer.

Romero steps through the doorway to his workspace and takes a seat on the somewhat comfortable chair behind his desk. He pretends to shuffle through files in one of the drawers in a further attempt to pay no attention to the deputy following him. However his efforts are futile because instead of leaving, the officer sits down in one of the chairs opposite of him with an inquisitive look on his face.

After an awkward bout of silence, Romero peeks his head up to see the deputy hasn't moved. Leaning back in his office chair, he grows irritated at the other officer's continued presence because he knows where this is all leading. "Do you need something Deputy?" He asks, with a hint of annoyance.

Unfazed by the Sheriff's tone, Hanson continues to pry. "Well, I was just wondering why you avoid that kid like the plague."

The Sheriff sighs and then tilts his body over the desktop with his elbows to make eye contact with the man sitting across from him. "I'm not avoiding anyone."

Hanson relaxes back in his chair with a smirk. "Oh yes you are. Sorry boss. It's pretty evident."

Romero glances downwards and clears his throat before he acts as if he's organizing a file, which happened to already be sitting on his desk. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm just doing my job."

Hanson chuckles. "Look, I respect you Romero but come on man. You've been helping out other counties almost every day now," he points out.

Romero stills his movements briefly and then goes back to skimming through paperwork with his fingers. "Oh you mean, I've been doing my job?

"He's been here almost every day for two weeks, asking to speak with you. Honestly, I've never seen our receptionist happier than when he steps into the lobby. If you don't talk with him soon, I can't be responsible for Miss Dixon's actions Sheriff." Hanson snickers, "I'm just saying this out of a concerned citizen."

The paperwork drops from his hands and stares at his deputy. "You're not going to go away unless I say something, are you?"

Placing his hands behind his head and slouching more in his chair, Hanson appears to be getting comfortable waiting for the story he is about to hear.

"Fine," Romero grumbles. "Here's the story, we don't get along… The end."

"Well that is a load of bullshit," Hanson drops his hand to the sides of the chair. "He's a good kid and from what I remember, you even talked about how Dylan would be a good addition to the department someday." The deputy then stands up from his seat and stares down at his boss. "It's fine I won't keep pushing this. This is all your business, I understand that. I just thought I'd let you know he's been here." He turns away to walk toward the door, however pauses for a moment before stepping through the doorway. "Anyway, I kind of got the impression he looks up to you." Hanson states firmly as he disappears, shutting the door behind him while leaving a guilt ridden Sheriff by himself with the deputy's words still lingering.

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Norma swirls her coffee absentmindedly with a tiny silver spoon in her right hand as she sits at the kitchen table with left elbow resting on the tabletop and chin propped on her left palm. For some reason the coffee has tasted better than ever in these recent days, most likely due to the new coffeemaker she received from a supposed anonymous source. The Sheriff must've purchased the top of the line brand, knowing how Norma needs her morning coffee. The thoughtfulness makes her heart full but with the feeling of butterflies fluttering, also comes the unbearable sensation of emptiness.

With a sigh, Norma continues to stare at the vacant seat next to her. A small smile reaches her lips at the memory of Alex sitting there on the occasional morning, after Dylan hadn't returned from the night before and Norman was still sound asleep upstairs. She remembers when one set of his fingers intertwined with hers as they both used their other hand to sip their daybreak coffee, not even paying attention how awkward the position was.

One memory in particular was when she knew, maybe they both knew how they were truly a match. How she leaned toward him that particular evening and touched his face with her gentle fingertips to clean an unfortunate wound he suffered. It's possible she may have lingered a little too long during that moment and it's possible she leaned a little closer than necessary; however, the Sheriff didn't seem to mind. At least she didn't think so, since Alex wasn't tearing his stare away from hers. Norma also didn't imagine the man tilt his face a little closer to hers, without being asked.

While Norma slightly smiles to herself at the memory, Dylan's footsteps into the room go unnoticed. "Norma?" He asks quietly in order to gain his mother's attention, though he's unsuccessful which causes him to be a little more aggressive with a step closer and a little louder tone. "Earth to Norma!"

Norma inhales deeply, breaking herself from the pleasant trance. "Dylan? Sorry, I must have drifted away for a second." She giggles uneasily as she drops the spoon from her grasp and then brings up the now lukewarm coffee to her lips for a much needed sip.

"Probably guilt." Dylan grumbles while walking towards one of the many cabinets in the kitchen, grabbing a cup from the shelf and then paces his feet in the direction of the counter. After pouring a few drops of coffee in the cup, he realizes the drink is a little too cold for his liking and drops the cup into the sink with a clash. "Jesus Norma. How long ago did you make this coffee?" He asks while turning around to face the back of his mother's chair.

"Oh, um. I couple of hours ago maybe." Norma responds, glancing up at the wall clock. She then looks downward and takes another sip without noticing the cool temperature. At the sound of shoes hitting the linoleum, Norma lifts her vision to connect with her eldest son's.

"What's wrong with you?" Dylan furrows his brow at Norma out of actual concern. "I mean right now, not in the general sense. Just to clarify," he addresses with a bit of sass but she can tell he really does speak out of genuine worry.

"I'm sorry sweetie, well, um I'm just a little distracted." She musters out a few words and then places a fake smile in an attempt to appear fine.

"I bet," Dylan replies while taking a seat in the vacant chair, but then notices the effort she's putting forth to hide her true feelings. He can tell she's suffering, no need to cause any more pain. Maybe he might not be so different than his mom after all. Ever since the strained or rather non-existent relationship with Emma, he feels a little distracted himself. He and Norma both created their own messes so maybe they deserve to feel some pain. "You're not sleeping, right?"

Norma sets her cup down and yawns with her hand covering her mouth at the exact moment of her son's question. "I guess I could be sleeping a little better."

"l've messed up with someone too," Dylan shares accidently and only realizes he's given too much information when he sees his mother's eyes widen. He quickly clears his throat and avoids Norma's gaze of anticipation. "Let's just say, I know the feeling." He pauses and then briefly looks up to gauge his very curious mother's nature, she doesn't disappoint. "Never mind, I'm just talking about the lack of sleep part. You know with business getting busier and having to meet with new buyers. I think I messed up a sale is all." He releases a shaky breath in relief when he notices Norma's face change, indicating she won't push the subject further.

With a nod, Norma drops the subject even though she knows her son's agony stems from Emma. Since Dylan basically ignores her she couldn't tell the full extend the situation with Emma, but a mother knows when her child is hurt.

Silence blankets the room for longer than comfortable for Dylan, which makes which twitchy. Maybe he's underestimated Norma's persistence on resolving her curiosity. "Anyway, I want to speak with that buyer again. I just have to figure out what to say." Dylan sighs, and slumps in his seat. I've been trying to get some advice from someone who may know how to handle, um, rejection. Unfortunately, he's been pretty busy lately."

Norma remains quiet. She knows her eldest son better than he believes, but she'll never give away her secret. She'd rather have a surface conversation with a hidden meaning buried beneath versus no conversation at all. As the simplest of principles, a mother's intuition is never wrong just as a mother can feel her child's misery. No matter how terrible Norma sees herself as a parent, at least she possesses the most basic of requirements.

"I guess we are the only ones in charge of changing things around, right? You need to straighten things out with the Sheriff, and well I guess I need to figure out the situation with this buyer." Dylan states matter-of-factly and then sighs again while straightening up in his chair. "We're the only ones who can change all of this, good or bad we're the ones in the driver's seat."

After giving a brief tight lipped smile to his mother, Dylan places the palms of his hands on the tabletop but immediately freezes his movements when he observes Norma slowly slide her hand toward one of his. The young man flinches when her fingers finally make contact; however, he ultimately remains still and allows the comfort before he slowly withdraws from the touch and steps away from the table with a tightness in his throat. "Hope it all works out for you, Norma." He utters earnestly while walking away, leaving his teary eyed mother behind.

"You too sweetie." Norma whispers while a tear escapes.

After a few minutes pass, she takes a deep breath and lifts herself from her seat. What her eldest son said did not fall onto deaf ears and she's going to prove it to not only him but herself as well. No more pity party for Norma Bates, not this time. Only she can change things around in her life.

And, win back her love.

XXXX

Thank you for reading!