Hey there, this may not seem like a direct cause and effect, but I got a review about a month ago and this is the first time I updated in 6 months. Coincidence? I think not. Thank you for that review and reminding that I really do love this fic and I hope readers new and returning think so too. Enjoy!

Ten Years Ago: The Apartment: Morning after the Balcony

"What the hell did you say to Chloe last night?" Jas exclaimed.

"Me? Why is it that I said something?"

"Well, because for the last couple of weeks I couldn't get you to be apart from her and now Lewis is her tail? I don't pretend to even try and understand the relationship you two have, but now it is interfering in her protection. You can't just switch around the details without my consent!"

"Well, sorry for the short notice, but I just needed some Chloe free time, ok? And there is no relationship between us."

"No relationship my ass! I didn't ask questions, but you two have been sharing a bed for the past week."

"Sharing a bed does not constitute a relationship, being able to rely on someone does. Sharing with someone and being there for someone is foundational. And Chloe has made it clear that I am not the first person she looks to. Far from it, despite the amount I am willing to tell her. That conversation may or may not have happened last night, so what if it did."

"Oh, I see," Jasmin smirked, "This is about Brian."

"Why the fuck would you think that?"

"Because you're butt sore right now about something Chloe told Brian and not you. It's written all over your face!"

"No, Jas, you got this all wrong."

"Like Basset I do, Alek, we've lived together for years, I can read you like a book. I knew you had feelings for Chloe, and now I know you want to kill Brian. Though that's not new, only intensified right now."

I glared at Jasmin a minute longer, trying to brainstorm ways to avoid this conversation, but knowing ultimately I was not going to escape. "FINE!" I gave in, "Chloe and I had a conversation last night because neither of us could sleep and I sorta gave her an ultimatum between me and the human."

It had not been my intention to make her choose between me and Brian, but after her confession about her dreams, it also came out that she had told Brian. Apparently, it was relevant to whatever their little "Mai project" was, but that was beside the point. It was clear she had no trouble sleeping in my bed at night and not talking to me in the morning. The problem was that my heart could not take it, for the more time we spent in each other's presence, the more I realized I was falling for her. Only she was still clinging to Brian.

"You did what?" Jas asked, clearly exasperated by yet another Alek-Chloe fight, "you are an idiot."

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!"

She looked at me as only a cousin could, "I am on your side Alek, but you should know Chloe better by now. Ultimatums never work, she never accepted that she couldn't have relationships with humans. Take Amy and Paul, they know all about the Mai despite protocol. But maybe that's why she's the Uniter."

"And maybe it's to be a constant pain in my ass." I replied with a bitter tone. I knew Jasmin was right, I should have known better than to make Chloe choose and that was mostly the reason I was avoiding her now. Me and my stupid temper.

I started to stalk off to the gym to channel my anger, mostly at myself, into a punching bag. But Jasmin's voice called after me, causing me to stop.

"And maybe it bothers you so much because you love her."

I froze. Her words took root in my brain as I considered their validity. I knew I had feelings for Chloe, I knew I would lose all sense of life and purpose without her. I knew it was killing me inside that I could not kiss her and hold her. But I had never attached the "L-word" to those feelings. However, at Jas's statement I knew that was the only word to describe it.

The thought of saying it aloud terrified me, so I turned to face Jasmin. She was standing in the living room, hands on her hips, waiting for my response. I just looked at her across the room, making eye contact to answer.

Her shoulders slumped as she saw all the love and pain I was in. Although not quite in the same way, she knew what it was like to lose love. Zane was the first guy to ever get her to open up and she was devastated at his betrayal. I knew she was still hurting, but it was also easier to get over a guy when he threatened yours and your mother's life. I was just being forced to watch the girl I…loved…. yeah I loved her, not choose me.

"Alek, if that's how you feel you should tell her."

"Do you honestly think that will make any difference. I may not have told her, but it should be obvious, right? I sleep next to every night, I hold her when she cries, I tell her things I tell no one else!"

"Maybe not, I just hate seeing you like this," she answered, showing defeat at my predicament.

I nodded to show that I had heard her, but words were failing me now, as I dealt with the new vocabulary word for me feelings.

"Is there anything I can do Alek?" Jas genuinely asked.

There was a moment of silence before I answered, "I just need some Uniter free time. Maybe I can train new recruits or something? I just need some space to clear my head and lock down my heart."

Jas bobbed her head, "Of course, I'll train Chloe for the time being, you handle new recruits. Is there any new developments about her I should know?"

My thoughts briefly flashed back to her confession about her dreams and the future. I knew I should tell Jas, she's almost as concerned about Chloe's well-being and future as me, but I'm hesitant. Despite all my mixed-up feelings and anger regarding the situation, Chloe told me that in confidence. I couldn't break that bond of trust we somehow managed to develop.

I shook my head no before turning around again to head to the gym and pound out my newly realized feelings when Jas called after me again, "but I don't think you should lock down your heart completely."

Sorry it was a short update, but I have at least two more chapters in the editing stage to post. Who would like to read them?