A/N: I am really sorry for the late chapter *apologetic faces*. I've been really busy with homework and stuff, please forgive me!

Warning: this chapter includes more language than the one before

Shit. Oh, he was in such deep, unending shit.

Kaiden paced restlessly around the Rec Room, debating whether or not to follow Alex. Of course he wanted to, but he didn't think Alex would want him around.

He opened his mouth as Jordan and D.C. came strolling past, then shut it again, not wanting to trouble them with his Alex problems.

But Jordan had seen the movement, and pulled D.C. over. "Hey, man. Have you seen Alex lately?"

Kaiden hid a smile. That was Jordan- so concerned about his best friend. His smile disappeared as he recalled how Alex had stormed off.

He shook his head, realising that Jordan and D.C. were still waiting. "I saw her once, this morning. Haven't seen her lately." Kaiden thought about telling them about their argument, but decided against it. Alex might not want this shared.

"Okay, then." This time it was D.C. who answered, linking her arm with Jordan's. "Tell us if she says anything, 'kay?"

Something flashed in his peripheral vision- he might've dismissed it if he hadn't noted its colour, the exact same as Alex's hair.

Kaiden nodded his head mutely in answer, his mind spinning. It couldn't have been her …. could it?

All he had seen was a glimpse of long brown hair. Should he risk it?

"See you guys, then," he answered, before dashing off in the direction he had seen her.

Hoping against hope that his glimpse proved right, he full-out sprinted around a corner- and saw her.

Leaning against the wall, hair flipped casually over a shoulder, arms crossed, her red-rimmed eyes the only sign of how upset she was.

"I was wondering when you would come."

Her voice was quiet, full of pain and anguish and raw emotion, the kind of voice that made Kaiden want to protect her from the world.

"I had to," he answered just as softly, battling the desire to scoop her in his arms. "I never would've forgiven myself otherwise."

"Then why didn't you follow me?"

The question was barely audible, but even Kaiden could hear the amount of suffering in it.

"I figured you might want some… space." All he could muster. The only reason he had.

She laughed. It was such a harsh sound, so different then the laugh of the Alex he knew, that he started.

"Of course you did. Of course you didn't give a fuck about what I went through, about what I had to face when I Called up that door."

Every word that Alex spoke was laced with venom, tinged with menace and dipped in anger.

He hated himself, hated how he hadn't known, hadn't even tried to find out what had been the start of that argument.

"I'm so sorry, Alex. I didn't know."

A poor excuse.

"You didn't know? Well, let me tell you." Her voice was sarcastic yet pained as she began her tirade.

"Skyla. Watching her die? It was the first death caused because of me. I was broken inside. I hadn't known her that well, but it hit me like a blow."

There was undisguised grief in her eyes, and raw pain described on her face.

"Then it was William, Bear's dad. I watched him die, unable to do anything about it. I heard his final words to his son, words that no one but me and Bear heard. And you know what those words were? I love you."

She was struggling to hold in her tears now, but her cheeks were still flushed with rage.

"Lady Mystique. My teacher, who I trusted - I watched Aven kill her using Vae'varka. Her death is on my head."

Tears were trailing their way down Alex's cheeks, but she ignored them as she continued to speak with vehemence.

"Niyx. My protector, my guardian, my friend. Died. Stabbed with Vae'varka, I was unable to save him. And do you know what he said? I always knew I would die for you." She swallowed a sob. "Do you know why I always use Fletcher's medicines, not laendra, which is so much more effective? Because they failed me- they failed him."

She was crying unashamedly now, but still managed to force her words out.

"My parents. My loving, beautiful parents- killed just to spite me. As if they were nothing. As if they meant nothing. Gone, in a blink of an eye. A simple slice across the throat ended them- but only after Aven" here she spat his name "tortured them ruthlessly."

Kaiden tried to swallow past the lump in his throat- how had she kept it together, when her whole world was crashing down around her?

"And every time I go back to Freya, there is something inside me that mocks me, saying, You know what? You could've saved them, saved Medora if only you had stayed here. And that's what kills me, whenever I go back there."

She stopped quite abruptly, mainly because of the heartbreaking sobs that were being wrenched from her. Unable to take it anymore, Kaiden rushed forward and gathered her in his arms. Alex cried her heart out onto his shoulder, and Kaiden patted her back in reassurance.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Alex." Kaiden murmured over and over, stroking her hair.

She mutely nodded in acceptance, still heartbroken over the grief dealt to her.

They continued to hold each other like that, until it was time for curfew.

A/N: *wipes forehead* Phew! Chapter 2 is UP! *grins* Chapter 3 should be coming soon, if it doesn't don't worry, I'm just really busy with homework. Anyways, for those wondering, there WILL be a Kailex kiss (!) but I'm not telling you which chapter it's in *evil grin*.

Have a great day!

xx goddess7533