I do not own Bates Motel.

But, in some ways, I do own a Dylan. And I love him so much.

Yeah, Whatever

Savior

He was scared and alone and had no idea what to do make any of it better or even survive.

Aside from knocking the shit out of his rampaging baby brother to save his own ass getting beat, that was.

What the hell, Norman-

All the adults were gone . . .

Hey, I'm an adult.

. . . Norma shattering a mirror and running off like a bat out of hell . . .

I just don't feel like it right now.

. . . and now it was just him and Norman.

Whom Dylan was pretty sure was having a breakdown.

And he was afraid.

Oh my god, I should have just stayed in South Dakota and starved-

So afraid.

And then she arrived.

Emma, who was younger. By a good five or six years.

Emma, who should be weaker than anyone else because of her CF.

"I'm worried about Norman!"

But was somehow stronger.

"How can I help?"

Though just as compassionate and worried and uncertain as anyone could be.

"I can stay here with you . . . shouldn't be alone with all this . . ."

Really? Cause Norma didn't seem to care if I'm alone with all this.

And Dylan Massett felt like hugging her.

". . . can't ask you to do that."

I'm fine, I'm fine, shit, I'm not fine-

And bad for needing her.

"You're not asking, I'm offering."

And just grateful to God there was someone else stable enough to stand with him through this nightmare.

He didn't know at the time that she always would be there for him.

As long as she could be.

Thank you, Emma.

They cleaned up the kitchen together.

Which looked like the Tazmanian Devil had powered through it.

Pretty good description actually. Jesus, I was so scared.

"Norman really did all this?"

Emma with the broom, sweeping up shards of shattered china, ceramics, and glass.

"Yeah, it was . . .

The most terrifying experience of my adult life so far. You don't expect that from your brother.

". . . weird. He just went crazy."

Dylan with the garbage can, gingerly discarding bigger chunks.

"Wow. And that's when you punched him?"

"I had to. He was hitting me. He's skinny but he's got crazy strength when he freaks out."

Emma's lovely, pale face was drawn and pinched and Dylan worried he'd said too much.

"I'm, I'm sorry," he stammered apologetically. "I shouldn't have told you."

Keep it inside. Shut up. Nobody cares about your problems. They can't fix them anyway.

Emma shook her head.

"No, it's okay. I wanted to know. I'm just glad you're okay."

Dylan felt too exhausted to act tough.

I wouldn't say that.

"I'm glad you're here, Emma."

She reached out and squeezed his hand, pouring warmth and strength into him.

"Me too."

Then before he could a wrap his arms around her in a desperate, tight hug she probably wouldn't want from someone like him, Dylan Massett grabbed the dustpan.

And knelt down on the floor for Emma to sweep the broken dishes into it.

I have lived this experience and worse as a child. Many times. I grew up with holes punched in the walls and door frames splintered. Abusive drunks with loaded guns. Stepmoms with black eyes and knocked out teeth that nobody ever talked about. And worse.

And after a while, everybody else left and there was only me to deal with it alone.

But I'm an adult now and not a victim and I'm in charge of my life and I don't live like that anymore.

And my children have never and will never know what it is like to suffer that constant fear.

And I'm happy now too. Relaxed and happy and cleaned out.

So, yeah, whatever. Right, Dylan? ;)

Thanks so much to DinahRay and Lana Brown for reviewing. I'm so glad you're enjoying. And yes, I will be writing about the pregnancy and the baby and everything, you've got it! :D