It was a warm evening at the beach, and the sun was just about to set. Marty sighed as she sipped her coke.

"I can't shake it, Marty…". Alex took a bite of his burger. "All those things you said… they were really self-deprecating. I'm still feeling pretty low about it."

"I know… but I…". She sighed. "Look, I know… you care. You wanna know why I'd even think that. I…". She sipped her soda again. "My last boyfriend… he…"

"If you're not ready to tell me…". He smiled. "You don't have to."

Marty leaned forward. "He was horrible… he… he told me… he said these terrible… awful things, and…"

"Did… did he hit you?" Alex asked, shocked.

"No…" she whispered, "but he might as well have… he'd make me feel trapped… like I couldn't… couldn't get away from him. He was so clingy, and… and narcissistic, I…"

Alex gently smiled. "I'm here… he can't hurt you, not while I'm here."

"He moved to some other state, thank God…"

Alex's eyes widened. "Your… your wrist…". He gently took her hand.

"Two years ago… while we were dating…". Her voice broke. "I was in my room…. I had… I had a knife…"

Alex was shocked. "No…"

Marty sniffled. "There are times I think he sent that girl…"

"Danny tells me she's one of the Scorpions… I don't think your ex would know her…"

"No… but still…". She blinked back more tears. "I… I just want to be happy… and to be loved… it…". She sighed shakily. "Have you ever wanted something so badly… that if… if you don't get it, you… you think you'll die of heartbreak?"

Alex nodded. "Yes," he whispered.

"But… but you're a doctor's kid… how could you want for anything?"

"I want you safe… and happy. If anything were to happen to you, I… I can't imagine what I'd do…"

"Alex…"

He squeezed her hand. "Please don't give up…". He planted a small kiss on her scar. "Please…"

Marty looked into Alex's eyes, her tears glistening in the crimson sunset.

"We will find her… I promise."

Marty smiled slightly as she sniffled again.

Alex cupped her cheek, gently drying her eyes. "Shhh…" he whispered. He held her close and gently. "Shhh…"

Marty smiled as she felt herself being rocked. Her eyelids became heavier with each passing second. "Don't… don't go…" she whispered.

"I won't leave you…" he whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm here…"

"Alex…?"

"Mmm?"

She felt herself being placed in Alex's passenger seat gently. "Stay… with me…". She snuggled into him. "Keep… me… warm…" she whispered as Alex held her closer, comfortingly stroking her back. She began to drift off. "Don't… go…". Her frame went limp as she felt him gently kiss her forehead. "Don't…". She let out a contented sigh.

Alex smiled as he gently laid her head in his lap, being sure to drive slowly. She had a sleepover at Jan's to get to, so that's where he went.

Marty stirred a bit as they arrived.

"We're here," he whispered, gently smiling as her eyes opened.

Rizzo, who had just finished a cigarette, walked over as Alex very gently shook her. "Wake up, sweetie," he said softly.

Marty groaned softly as Rizzo helped her out of the car.

"Fell asleep," she murmured. "He's so comfy…"

Alex smiled as he watched Marty and Rizzo disappear into the house, then he drove home. He headed to his room, lying awake in his bed. They had to find this girl. She was a Scorpion, that much he and the T-birds knew. He couldn't stand to see Marty hurting, either physically or emotionally. He smiled as he came to a sudden realization…

…he loved her.