I apologize first for the delay in posting this chapter, one of my fears is sounding like one of those fanfic authors promising chapters and begging for reviews. I will do neither, but I will point out the correlation that some more reviews will help me write chapters faster. Just food for thought. There isn't any story changing plots in this short chapter (in fact I split it with the next chapter because I liked how this one ended) but I think it's important for the charters as I see them. And I hope you too are starting to fall in love with them as I have.

Ten Years Ago: The Mai Apartment Three Weeks After The Warehouse

I felt the bed shift and the person who was lying next to me got out of bed with practically no sound. Then I heard the faintest sliding of the door that led out to the balcony. After a couple of beats, I threw off the covers and sat up. Through the glass of the door I saw her standing there, a green throw blanket wrapped around her form which was clad in a tank and sleeping shorts. Her curls were being ruffled slightly by the wind as she stared out over the city.

I let out a sigh. I wish that she would just come back to the bed and cuddle until her nightmares passed, but recently she was pushing me away. Things were hardly normal at the moment. School had finished two days ago, although Jasmin and I had been excused from finals because of Valentia's death. It had been hard on all of us and in retaliation Jasmin was throwing herself into coordinating more protectors for Chloe and more training times.

That's actually why Chloe was at the apartment tonight. Our training session had run late and her mom had let her crash here, now acknowledging that she was the most important Mai and was safest around us. I wasn't sure if she would have let me into her room if she was home tonight. Lately, Chloe was insisting that she needed to be able to sleep and deal with her dreams by herself. Even tonight she had instigating the no touching rule as we laid in the same bed.

But I knew that her independence was only part of the issue. The other part was Brain. I wanted to relax as his smug face entered my mind, but my body tensed as I thought about punching him. Now that we found out he was part of the Pure, immune to the curse, and was helping the Mai council with information regarding the Order, he was a really contender for Chloe's heart again. And it bloody pissed me off.

Jasmin was having me take lead in training the new protectors, making it so Chloe and I hardly spent any time together in the light hours. And we don't even talk much when she is literally a foot away, we just hold each other through the silence. Or at least we did. But now I know for a fact her and Brain were spending time together when I am off working, because they have some sort of special "Mai project" about the Order. It was all a load of rubbish.

The jealously was coursing through my veins. I might feel better if Chloe and I had established a formal relationship after the warehouse incident which was three weeks ago. But we hadn't even talked about where we stood, let alone kiss since the quick peck she gave me after I was shot. And now she was spending her days gallivanting around with the guy who shot me!

I took another deep breath trying to calm my anger. What was I doing inside when the person who could give me answers to all these questions was just outside? I pushed myself out of bed and made my way towards the door, collecting my thoughts. I was known as a composed guy, I could not let Chloe know about how much internal turmoil I was feeling about Brain, and other things that had come to the light since that night. There was also the fear that if I confronted her about our relationship, she would officially pick Brian. And I'm not sure I could handle that.

The moment of truth arrived as I pushed the sliding door open and joined her at the railing. The city was still a buzz with lights and noise, but from the eighteenth floor of the building there was a whimsical sense of calm as well.

I finally broke the silence with a soft "Chloe". She turned towards me, finally acknowledging my presence, and I could see the tears breaming on the edges of her eyes. A couple had already fallen to steak her delicate cheeks. "Come here," I said, opening my arms for an embrace.

"Alek," she pleaded, "please don't make this any harder. I need to deal with this on my own."

I wave of frustration coursed through me, partly from her stubbornness, but mostly because I could not figure out a way to really help her. "Who says Chloe? You don't have to do this alone."

"It's just so much. You couldn't understand."

"Then help me understand Chloe, tell me what wakes you up screaming in the middle of the night. What makes your claws come out and shred the sheets. Tell me what is making you cry like this!"

Chloe took a step back from my momentary outburst, eyes wide. But they changed from shock to concern. "Do you really want to know Alek?" she asked.

"Would I ask otherwise?" I tried to joke, to lighten the mood from brooding Alek to caring Alek, though too often than not they are the same person.

"It's not pretty stuff, and I'm not sure what all it is." Flicker of pain and worry crossed her face. "But whatever it is, it needs to be kept secret. Can I trust you, Alek?"

"Chloe," I took a step forward and covered her hand that was resting on the railing with my own, "of course you can trust me. I am always here for you, it will be harder to get rid of me than to tell me your secrets. I guarantee you." That made her smile slightly, but she was still hesitant.

"How about a secret for a secret?" I suggested. Normally I would never be this open and forthcoming with someone, but with Chloe, it was different. I felt I could tell her anything, I felt like I could do anything when she was around.

Chloe arched an eyebrow in response. "I don't want to know the real number of girls you've dated Alek or who was your first. This isn't some slumber party truth or dare secret to devolve."

"Well, honestly I've lost track," I smirked back at her, "but none of that petty rubbish. I'll tell you the number one thing that's been keeping me up if you tell me what's keeping you up. And hint, it's not you, although your thrashing is a close second."

"So Mr. Petrov has insomnia as well?"

"Maybe, but you shall only find out if you shake on it Ms. King." I extended my hand for the official deal to commence.

She paused to search my face for the joke, but came back empty. Finally, Chloe firmly grasped my hand in a shake, "You've got a deal Mr. Petrov, but you must share first."