Hello, Ladies. I'm so happy I've got more reviews for the last chapter :D Thank You so much :D This chapter is shorter than the usual but the next chapter will be ... I won't tell what it will be :evil laugh:

betareader: Fleur LB

song: Silent war by A Fine Frenzy

CHAPTER 9
SILENT WAR

Alex slowly started to wake up, her mind cloudy. Last night's images appeared in front of her eyes again, her breathing quickened and she opened her eyes with a start, panting. She tried to sit up to get more air, but she felt something heavy on her waist and on her legs.

She moved her gaze, only to find Tim's huge arms around her, his leg tangled with hers. She glanced at him to see if she'd woken him up, but Tim was sleeping like a baby.

She let her mind wander. It was such a long time ago she let him so close to her. One of the reasons she couldn't sleep was Tim. She couldn't bear his touch on her, it was too much to handle so she kept waking up every time he touched her, which wasn't letting her get much sleep.

She thought about last night and that she wasn't the one who was scared. Tim was scared, too. She thought about the concern in his eyes, the way he pulled her close to his body and the hurt in his voice when he asked why she called Billy and not him. Did she hear jealousy in his voice? Was she not the only one who was confused about her feelings?

She should push him away, Alex thought. And just like Tim could read her mind, he pulled her closer, and she forgot to breathe.

Something is changing me

Real slow from the inside out.

Alex started to sing quietly, watching Tim breathing peacefully next to her.

It seems you mean too much to me,

Too much for comfort, see.

The cause is the cure, now.

She started to caress his face without realizing what she was doing.

Someone once (I forget who it was)

Said, "Do not think so much,

You can't hear what your heart says."

Alex shivered as she felt Tim's breath on her neck, her heart beating sped up.

But it speaks, it tugs and puddle-leaps,

And bangs my ribs to pieces.

Thoughts are the safe bet.

We fought a silent war

In the hardware store and the air was thick as paint

Though I carried it on, I knew that I was wrong

But I fight when I'm afraid

My guns will come a-blazing,

A lesser man would be afraid

Alex thought about how she kept looking for reasons to push Tim away, that she yelled at him all the time with or without reason and neglected him, finding stupid reasons to avoid him. I'm such a great friend, she thought.

A lesser man would break free.

"I'm sorry" 's all I meant to say.

"Hey," Tim opened his eyes.

"Hey," Alex blushed, realizing her hand was still on Tim's face. "I'm going to have a shower," she mumbled, trying to get out of the bed but Tim refused to let her go.

"Can you not move just for a moment?" Tim groaned, tightening his hold around her. "I swear you're like a mite, woman."

Alex stayed still, her breathing coming out loud. He drove her crazy and he didn't even know, Alex groaned mentally.

"How is your head?" Tim asked, his face in the pillow.

"Fine," Alex shrugged.

Actually it still hurt but she was eager to get out of the damn bed, away from Tim as far as possible. Her instincts scream two different things: 1. run, run, run 2. just kiss him and get over with it finally.

"Let me look at it," Tim command, leaning on his elbow, pulling her hair away from the wound on her forehead.

Tim leaned closer, one of his hand on Alex's cheek and he gave a light kiss to her forehead where she hit it.

"You will live," Tim moved his gaze to meet with Alex's eyes.

"Thanks, doc," she muttered, pulling away from Tim, practically running toward the bathroom.

She looked in the mirror, her face was anything but perfect in that moment: her make up was ruined by last night's tears, her hair was a mess, there was a wound on her forehead and mostly she looked scared. What is wrong with you? Alex screamed, mentally.