Wow guys 4x02 was something... And I enjoy so much seeing Romero more; I just love him and can't wait for the third episode! Without further ado, here is the third chapter. Please keep leaving reviews to tell me if I should go on with this story :)

A few hours later, Dylan came back with Norman, who went straight to his bedroom, completely oblivious to Norma. Dylan mumbled something about dealing with business at the farm and left again so Norma just waited in the kitchen, afraid to talk to Norman and worried about Alex not being back yet.

On the road back to the motel, Alex stopped by in a little pub. He felt like he could use a little drink before going through everything that waited for him. Of course it wasn't the best idea he could have because drinking reminded him of his dad, and then about what he did to Bob Paris, and of course his thoughts went again to Norma. He wished she would have said more when he confessed her everything. At least she wasn't upset but he hated it when he couldn't read her. She was already making him a wreck and he wasn't even settled with her yet.

"Dude you look like hell" said a guy who just took the sit next to him

"Well, I'm getting married tomorrow you know."

Alex didn't know why he just said that. It really wasn't in his temper to talk about him to complete strangers.

"Ow... You don't seem thrilled do you?"

"I am thrilled. I am. It's just... Complicated."

"Women troubles, I got it. Wanna ride home? I bet you'll regret this hangover on your big day."

Alex was tempted to refuse but he remembered he had to go back to the motel and he couldn't drive like this. He silently blessed himself for removing his sheriff uniform so that the man didn't recognize him. Or maybe he did but was just too kind to humiliate him more. Finally it didn't really matter to him at this point. He was going to marry Norma Bates so people would talk anyway.

"Sure. Just leave me at the Bates Motel."

"You got it!"

The ride was silent. The guy didn't ask any questions. Luckily Alex was the type of man you don't want to bother with useless small talks. Finally the car parked in front of the motel and Alex was barely out that he already saw Norma coming down the stairs which led to her house.

"Christ..." He said to himself. He didn't like to be like this in front of her. The last time he was drunk she was really sweet with him but he felt exposed. He isn't really used to be taken care of.

"Where the hell have you been? And why didn't you answer any of my calls?"
"My phone didn't have battery and ... Shit Norma I'm sorry I fucked up."

She has this look on her face when she couldn't decide if she should be angry or gentle. To his release she went for gentle this time.

"That's ok. That's ok. You're gonna have a good night sleeping and tomorrow... Well tomorrow is a big day right?"
"Thanks Norma. Just give me a room in the motel and I'll take care of myself. I'm sorry again"

Alex was ready to head to the office but Norma stopped him.

"What are you talking about, there is no way you'll sleep in the motel. Come on, you'll sleep in Dylan's bedroom."

He would have argued in his normal state but he didn't have the strength to. He followed her to the house, feeling her arm around his waist to support him.
Norma tried to get into the house without making too much noise but Norman was up anyway and was waiting for them in the entrance.
Norma seemed scared and Alex felt so ashamed, he knew Norman didn't like him so much around his mother and he was just showing the boy that he was right to distrust him.

"Hi mother. Hi sheriff."

"Norman please go to bed, we have things to deal with here"

"Yeah I can see that."

He began to go back upstairs but he stopped and turned slowly.

"You always have the best taste in men mother."

Norma began to open her mouth to snap something back but Norman just climbed the stairs and shut his bedroom door loudly (surely on purpose). She seemed really upset but she focused her attention back on Alex. Which made him feel even more ashamed because he knew her son was everything to him. And he was supposed to help her, not to be a burden.

"I'm really sorry Norma. I hope you're not too upset…"

"About what? You drinking the day before our fake wedding? No that's ok Alex, I thinks it's a very rational reaction considering the irrational …"

"No not about that. I mean, you can be upset about it, I'm a freaking mess. But I meant about what I told you earlier. You didn't say a thing."

"Oh. Right. Well you know nobody has ever done something like this for me before so I don't really know how I should feel. I guess I'm not proud of myself for pushing you this far. But I'm far from being upset, I owe you so much…"

Her gaze met his and they just stared at each other for a few seconds. She was so beautiful; he knew he reached the point of no return where he would do anything for her. He closed the distance between them, feeling her warm breath on his face.

"You know you don't owe me anything Norma. You never will." He murmured.

He leaned in, in an attempt to catch her lips but she turned her head at the last second and just rested her forehead on her chest.

"I don't want you like that Alex."

He could have felt hurt for being rejected like this but he remembered it was the exact same words he told her a few days earlier. So he just smiled faintly.

"Oh so you do want me?"

She took a step back and looked at her feet, burying deep down the sudden need she had to kiss him, explore his skin, being touch by his soft hands.

"Go to bed Alex, tomorrow will be a long day."

"Ok. Thanks again Norma and… see you tomorrow."

He climbed the stairs and went to Dylan's room without looking back at her. He felt perfectly awake and sober. His little chat (or whatever you call what just happened) has been like a cold shower. But not in a bad way, it was just like it removed every drop of alcohol he had in his veins and cleared his ideas. And he wasn't going to sleep much this night …