So it's late; sue me. Actually don't. All you would get is a half-eaten bag of M&Ms. New chapter!

Chapter Twenty: You Get What You Give

Gabe leaned back in the chair. He stretched his shoulders; making one of them pop loudly. He grunted and sighed as he returned to where he was sitting originally. "You know when we talk about things; I always talk about being the good guy?"

Alyson took an alcohol soaked cotton ball and applied it to his eyebrow. "We talk a lot about trying to be good people, or better people." She rubbed the cotton ball against the eyebrow. "But I think that you're going in a totally different direction."

"It has something to do with that." Gabe winced a bit, but didn't move. "I'm talking about being a good guy."

"Like a superhero?" Alyson questioned. "I think you really lost me at that point. Although I've wondered if you're from another planet."

"What do you mean?"

Alyson threw the used cotton ball away. "The way you are with people. You actually treat everyone you know with so much kindness and love. It's one of the things I noticed about you the first time we talked."

"If I'm the last son of Krypton; how come I don't have the powers?" Alyson snickered as she rolled her eyes. "But I get where you're coming from Ally. I'm not like the rest of our class. I'm different."

"Is that so bad?"

"What's that?"

Alyson looked at him. "Is being so different such a bad thing?" She closed the peroxide bottle up and put the first aid kit away in the bathroom. She came out and stood at the island in the kitchen. Gabe turned and watched her. "Gabriel; you're the type of guy that EVERY parent want their daughter to bring home. Ever since you came over for dinner a month ago; you're the topic of conversation. My family; including my parents, adore you! I adore you! Gods I love you!"

Gabe blinked a couple of times at Alyson. "You love me?"

"What's not to love!?" Alyson shouted. "You sit and wait for me to come home and then come in and tell me about your day. While you're doing this; I'm patching you up and I don't question it. There is something wrong about this!"

Gabe looked at her. "What's so wrong with that? I share everything with you."

Alyson laughed in a high, contemptuous laugh. "Really?" She slammed her hand on the counter. "Then why the hell do you look like you took on Ogre Morgan?"

Gabe smiled and started to shake. Alyson looked at Gabe like there was something wrong with him. Gabe couldn't hold in his laughter and broke out laughing. Alyson looked at him before rolling her eyes and trying hard not to laugh with him. This caused Gabe to laugh harder; causing him to wince a bit and he groaned. Alyson shook her head; her light laughter chiming in.

"You got into a fight with Ogre Morgan, didn't you?" Gabe merely nodded; holding his sides. Alyson crossed her arms and watched him. "I'm sure that there's a good reason for you doing so?"

"I was protecting some younger kids."

"Huh?"

Gabe sighed. "The last five or six Halloweens have been bad; for me at least." Alyson motioned for him to continue. "I was ten when it first happened. Ronnie was sick that year and couldn't go out for candy. Juliette and I went out and we were planning to split it with Ronnie."

"Please don't mention her name; you know how I feel about her."

"Okay, but keep in mind that she's involved with me on most of this story." Alyson nodded and Gabe continued. "We were heading back and a couple of kids jumped us. They got away with my bag and destroyed my costume. She got off with some bumps and bruises. We got home and mom freaked. Dad had to talk her down about pressing charges. We had compromised on me taking Tae Kwon Do."

"So that's how you started in that."

Gabe nodded. "Yeah. I still love practicing." Gabe cleared his throat and continued. "The next two years were pretty much the same thing; go out and get candy and head on back home. I made it a point to make sure the girls would go another way. Sure enough; the same thing happened to me at eleven and twelve. Thirteen I was able to fight back. I ended up breaking a kid's nose. Between that and a good growth spurt and no one wanted to mess with me after that."

"I took Ronnie and her friends when I was fourteen. After that; we really just kind of lost interest. Ronnie was really focused on school and didn't want to go out." Gabe moved to where his girlfriend was standing. "So I went out, but not for the reasons of getting candy…"

"You wanted to make sure that no one had to go through what you went through." Alyson finished, moving closer to him. "That's a noble idea. A really stupid practice, but a noble idea."

"I didn't say it was my brightest of ideas." Gabe chuckled; pulling Alyson into a hug. "I would have gotten away from the cops last year if it wasn't for the cape."

Alyson put her arms around Gabe's neck. "Do I want to know?"

Gabe lifted her onto the island and sat her on the countertop. She pulled him closer and crossed her legs behind the small of his back. He had his wrists crossed at the small of her back. They had met foreheads in the middle as Gabe continued.

"You'd be surprised how many people actually run away from Batman."

Alyson broke out into riotous laughter and pulled away from Gabe. "Only you would put that into practice." Gabe laughed with her. "So what did your parents say?"

Gabe blushed. "Actually; you're the fourth person to know about it. My Uncle Lucas and Aunt Mia were watching my sister while my folks were out that night. My uncle said that they would talk to my parents and he never did. Instead he sat me down and laughed at the whole situation." Alyson laughed harder and Gabe smiled. "Can you picture me in a Batman costume standing on my doorstep with two cops holding me in place?"

Alyson snorted and hugged Gabe; laughing hysterically. Gabe couldn't hold it back and laughed with her. They were finally able to calm down after five minutes. As much of a rough day Gabe had had; it felt good to laugh with someone about his day.

"You really know how to make a girl feel better about her day." Alyson pulled him closer and kissed him on the lips. She looked at her watch and groaned. "And now you have to leave."

Gabe gently grabbed her wrist and looked at the watch. "No, not really." He let go of her wrist and kissed her again. Alyson broke from the kiss.

"Yeah you do; it's quarter to midnight. You have a curfew."

"Yeah I do, but if my folks think that I have came home already…"

Alyson slapped his arm. "You snuck out?! Do you realize how much trouble…?"

Gabe kissed her again. "Yeah and it's a risk I'll take. You said that you wanted to talk to me about something important. Getting grounded will be worth it."

Alyson looked at him. "It can wait another day."

"This coming from the girl that has a boy in her house with her parents gone?" Gabe pointed back. "Where are the parentals anyway?"

"They are out of town." Alyson took a deep breath. "Mom had a conference in Montreal and dad went with her. My cousin was supposed to come by but bailed and headed to a party." She tried to catch her breath but felt her pulse race. "So we're alone?"

"It seems like it." Gabe smiled. "I want to hear what you wanted to tell me."

"It might be better if I show you." Alyson nodded, pushing Gabe back and sliding off of the countertop. "Follow me up to my room."

"You're being a little forward there Miss Manning." Gabe stated. Alyson rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand.

"Now don't go thinking like the rest of the boys and think this is about you getting lucky. It's easier for me to show you what I'm talking about than actually explaining it."

The two went upstairs and got to the top of the landing. Gabe noticed that Alyson's home was similar to theirs except the upstairs. There was a full size bathroom on the right and the rest of the upstairs was an open area. He noticed that the bedroom was more similar to a loft than a bedroom. The coolest part was the skylight over the bedroom part of the upstairs. He had to smile at the idea.

"Wicked" Gabe grinned. "I love this room."

"It was mom and my idea really." Alyson let go his hand. "Ever since I was a little girl; I've loved nature and being outdoors. Grandpa Nash used to take me camping with him over the summers before he passed a few years ago." She took off her shoes and headed towards an outside door. Gabe looked and saw that the doorway lead to a deck.

Gabe proceeded to take off his sneakers and looked around the open room. He noticed a computer on her desk and a good sized library filled with hundreds of books. He made his way over to the bed and noticed on the nightstand that there were some photos. One photo he happened to notice was the same one that he had of Alyson and himself. This caused him to chuckle a bit to himself. He continued to walk around and noticed a small table with little items all over it. There were some candles and other odd items on it. He looked at a necklace that she wore occasionally. Gabe looked at it for a few moments and then realized what it was. He figured it out and followed Alyson out to the balcony.

He walked a small pathway that led to an open deck. Gabe could see that the deck overlooked the backyard. She was looking out into the sky and seemed to be lost in thought. Her arms were crossed over her breasts; trying to stay warm on that late October night. What surprised him the most was that Alyson wore a completely white outfit. The moon's reflection played on the dress and skin; she's so beautiful was all Gabe could think to himself. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her abdomen. She took in a deep breath and sighed; crossing her arms on his.

"I'm sorry if I scared you babe." Gabe whispered. "You are absolutely stunning in the moonlight."

Alyson sighed. "No you didn't Gabriel; I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear you." He placed a kiss on her neck, causing her to sigh with contentment.

"You want to share with me?"

"Am I crazy?" Alyson started after a moment. Gabe waited for her to continue. "I mean I spent last year going through my own personal hell. I come back home to Toronto; thinking that this year's going to be just as bad. What do I find instead but welcoming friends and my own personal guardian angel?"

"Everyone deserves someone to love Alyson." Gabe stated after a moment. "We all deserve to be happy and feel wanted; a sense to belong. From what you told me about the last couple of years; you need a break. Maybe the Fates decided that things would work out for you."

Alyson broke away from her boyfriend. "What did you just say?"

"Oh come on; you're surprised that I figured it out?" Gabe smiled at her.

"Say it." Alyson stated in a flat voice. "Say the word Gabriel or I won't believe you."

"You're a witch." Gabe said clear as a bell. "You practice witchcraft; you're a witch."

Alyson stared at him. She had a tear going down her cheek. "How do you do it?" Alyson spoke in barely a whisper, but he could hear every word. "How have you broken through each and every wall that I throw up? I try to keep people out but you're the only one that keeps getting past them all. How?"

Gabe looked down at his shoes and rubbed them together. He sighed and looked at her. "Babe, I really wished I knew." He took a breath and continued. "I could list at least ten reasons to how I know things with the easiest answer being that I pay attention." He took a step closer to her. "Just know that I love you as much as you love me." He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her on the lips. He broke the loving contact and headed back towards her room.

Alyson looked up at the sky; knowing that Gabriel put everything into that one gesture. She heard the front door open and close. It was then that she fell to her knees and began sobbing.

I can hear all of you out there literally yelling now: What were you doing?! Worst chapter ever!

Yada, Yada, Yada.

I had to rewrite this damn chapter twice to get a result that I liked. This was the result. Yes, it's not a great result. Alyson has a lot of unresolved issues that she's working on and Gabe has been a rock for her. Gabe figured out what she wanted to talk about and it threw her off completely. Is this the end for Alyson and Gabe? Let's go with an impasse at this time. We'll see how in the next chapter or so how this chapter with affect both Alyson and Gabe.

One more thing that I'm working on is connected and it will canonical to The Kids are All Right. I was able to get some feedback on an idea I posted at the end of last chapter's notes. Many thanks to CrashAgainstMySkin for the opinion that will make it possible. I will be working on a companion piece to this story that will take parts that I edited out of the original manuscript due to length or just not thinking that it was important at the time. I will admit that I won't work on that one as much. It will be updated here and there as I go through and reread parts of the original and clean it up.

Start looking forward to Bits and Pieces here by the end of October or early November.

So many thanks to my faithful readers and making this one of my more popular stories. Thank you for your continued reading!