I watched a ton of Chalek moments to try to get the characters down...wanna let me know if I did a good job? :) Remember to please pleaseee review! I have nothing else written and I'm not starting until I get some feedback ;)

"Today we learn the fine art of blocking." Alek declares in that impeccable accent of his.

I scrunch up my nose. "Blocking, Alek? I thought you were teaching me how to fight, not run away."

"In many cases it's better to just not get hurt. You're down to eight lives, Chloe."

Oh. Yeah. Slight detail that he doesn't know about...

"Seven." I correct, preparing myself for whatever's to come.

"Pardon me?" He takes a step and suddenly looms over my head.

"Um. Seven." I repeat, slightly losing eye contact and whatever drive I had.

"You died once, Chloe. Nine minus one is eight. Americans..."

"I lost another life, Alek. That night with Brian in the theater. I was...shot."

He shakes his head slowly. "You're bluffing."

I stare at the muddy ground. "Why would I?"

There's a beat of pure, empty silence before he hurls his fist at a tree. "Damn it!" He yells. "Why didn't you tell me Chloe?"

"Because I was scared you would do something stupid! Oh look-you did." I spit out. The huge oak now has a dent the size of a melon. "It was my fault and I take full responsi-"

"You have to stop thinking like that," Alek warns me, his voice low and threatening. "You aren't the only one at risk here!"

"Stop telling me that!" I can't help but react the way he is-voice loud and borderline hysterical.

"I know it all already! I'm the Uniter, I have no life, my needs aren't importa-"

"Chloe," He rubs his eyes and leaves his hand covering them. His voice is tight and attempting control. "That's not true. Your needs come first. It's just when so much is at stake..."

I feel sudden guilt for stressing him out. He's only doing his job, I remind myself. I take a few steps forward and gently lower his hand from his vision.

"I'm sorry Alek. I guess I'm just embarrassed that I fell for such a cheap trick to begin with."

"Cheap trick?"

I softly retell everything-from Hannah Hannity to the final bullet.

"God. Chloe..." He closes me into a hug and for the first time I don't feel the immediate need to pull away.

"I should have been there to protect you," He whispers into my hair.

"I hurt you so badly that day, Alek. I don't blame you for a second for not wanting to be near me."

He goes stiff and releases me, taking a step backwards. Probably not so smart to bring that night up, especially since the little human in question is still an issue.

"It's no excuse. I'm a professional. It shouldn't have happened."

He's cold and distant, the way he always gets when his pride is put on the line.

I want to tell him it wasn't his fault but there's no point in talking to him when he's like this. He's never had a forbidden crush, he doesn't understand. Even if I can't be with Brian, I can't desert him either. He's my friend. Why can't Alek just push his stupid jealousy aside and comprehend that?

"Get ready," He warns and pulls back his fist. His face is determined and harsh, fight mode.

"I'm always ready," I give him a small smile, trying to make make the air breathable, and block my face.

Alek's eyes soften and he gently lowers his hand. "That's enough for tonight. C'mon let's get you home."

Usually I'd break into song at those words but I knew tonight wasn't because I'd completed the training. We're taking a break because he's exhausted. I single handedly broke him down. When he's still so fragile from Valentina's death, that's the last thing I should be doing.

"Don't give me that look, Chloe King."

"What look?" I ask innocently.

"The pity party look. I'm fine. We're actually leaving because you have a Chemistry test tomorrow that you haven't even studied for."

"You are such a creeper, Alek. How did you know about that?" I ask, only slightly joking.

"Uniter duty calls for certain stalking measures. It's in the job description, actually." He says seriously, giving me his signature smirk.

Looking at him now it's easy to see how I could have told Amy that day at the carnival that I liked him. Underneath this C.B mask he's one of the sweetest guys I know. Yeah, sometimes he messes up and acts like a total jerk, but it's usually with really good intentions. As long as I don't bring up Brian, things run really smooth between us.

I stare into his eyes and think, Why is it that I love Brian? I can't date him, I can't kiss him. We should be the perfect match. But we aren't. Because you have to grow up before I can love you.

"Yeah," I say finally, "Lets go back." I turn around, take a deep breath and start making my way home, trying not to crunch on too many leaves. After a few seconds I stop, realizing there are no footsteps following me.

I swivel around to see darkness. Would he really leave me to venture home alone? I mean, I'm all for the privacy and space but it just doesn't seem like him...

Suddenly I'm crushed into the ground by a dark figure. It tucks my hair behind my ear and whispers with a smile.

"Point Alek. Now the lesson is over."