A/N: Hey! I'm back! As a celebration of my birthday tomorrow, I decided to update! Thank you for the support my lovelies. I really appreciate all the love I get from you all. Hope you guys like this new chapter, it isn't much, just a backstory of Alexander. The next update should be up soon! I'm making amazing progress with the writing, so excited to share this story with you all!

Six

Emerson and Alex sat in front of the television, just relaxing after their busy night. Thankfully none of them were sporting a hangover. Alex had cooked them breakfast since Emerson was far too lazy to do anything but sit down.

"I need to ask you something," Emerson spoke up as they watched Flip or Flop.

"What's up?" Alexander turned his head towards her.

"I had a dream yesterday, well I think it was a memory, I think, care to help me?"

"Of course, what was it about?"

"I had a dream that I was dating Jeff, like we were full blown kissing and everything."

Alexander knew this day would eventually come. But he really had hoped he wouldn't be the one who had to explain it to Emerson. How could he talk about their relationship without sounding biased? How could he say that they had a great relationship and ended amicable? Okay, they did have an amazing relationship, that wasn't a lie, but they had their dark moments, moments that Alexander didn't want to be the one to tell her about. Why couldn't she ask Jeff? It would make much more sense for her to ask Jeff.

"So you want to know if you and Jeff dated?"

"Yes, did we? It would explain the sudden closeness and why he watches me like a hawk." She pretended not to notice, but Jeff did watch her often. It was endearing, it wasn't creepy. He didn't do it for a long period of time, but he always looked over at her to make sure she was okay. Friends could do that, that's why Emerson brushed it off, but it was the way he was with her, she couldn't explain it.

"He can't just be a friend who's looking out for you?" Alex wasn't sure why he was trying to brush this off. He didn't want to lie to Emerson. He's lied to her before, but this wasn't something he should lie about. But he really didn't want to be the one to talk to her about it. Fuck. This was Jeff's job or anyone else but him. He was going to be biased and he was going to ruin their relationship.

"So, the dream was just a dream?"

Alexander sighed. "Yes, it was, why? Do you like Jeff?"

"No, I mean, he's cute, but Jeff has always been Matt's brother." It didn't feel right brushing it off, but she wasn't certain what she felt for Jeff. She's happy she was closer to him, but it ended there. At least, that's what she thinks.

"Maybe it was cause you two were so cozy yesterday and you just had a dream about it."

"But this isn't the first time I've dreamt about Jeff. You know that."

Alex nodded. "Look, I shouldn't be the one you're asking. Why not ask Jeff?"

"So we did date?"

"Emmy, ask Jeff."

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"Because we both know what you're doing, you're trying to avoid the obvious, which is to go to Jeff and get your answers." Alex knew what Emerson was doing. It wasn't that she was not confrontational, at this point and time, she was much more comfortable with Alex. Therefore, she wanted to talk to Alex about it. In some way, Alex wanted Emerson to be comfortable with Jeff, it might help trigger some memories for her. It already has, pushing a bit more wouldn't be so bad.

"Alex," Emerson whined.

"Emmy, either you ask Jeff or you ain't getting any answers."

"I can ask one of the other guys."

"But would you ask one of the other guys?"

No, she wouldn't. She wanted to, she did, but she didn't feel that comfortable with them yet. And she felt as if she was afraid to know the answer, that it would change things if she found out. Brushing it off would be ideal, but she couldn't brush everything off forever. She had to face things. Teenage Emerson didn't like fights, she much rather walk away instead of dealing with things, but she figured that as an adult she grew out of that.

"Alex, you're my best friend, it's your duty to look out for me."

Alex laughed. "It is, but Emmy, this is your fight, this is something you need to learn on your own."

"You're a pain."

"I love you too."

Alex walked out of Emerson's house and unlocked his car. He was leaving tomorrow and figured he should talk to Shannon. Emerson was currently immersed in HGTV so he could leave her for a bit. They had dinner plans later and he wanted to talk to Shannon before they left.

The drive was short and he pulled up beside Shannon's car. Exiting his car, he locked the door and made his way to Shannon's front door. He should be here since it was three in the afternoon on a Sunday. His car was at the driveway, but Shane could have picked him up since Shannon could be a lazy ass when it came to driving. Knocking on Shannon's door, it was opened by his fiancé, Melanie.

"Mel, always nice to see you," Alex gave her a hug. "Where's your fiancé?"

"Alexander, surprised you're here," Melanie replied. "Well, not really, Emerson is back so of course you'd be here. Shannon's cleaning the pool out back."

"Thanks," he gave her a kiss on the cheek before making his way to the backyard.

Sliding the door open, he walked out and found Shannon with his dog Max.

"Shannon," Alex called out. "Didn't know you knew how to do chores."

"Fuck you, not everyone hires people to clean things for them," Shannon turned around waiting for Alex to reach him. "What's up?"

"Just wanted to talk to you before I leave," Alex sat on one of the chairs by the pool. "I wanted to say sorry for not telling you, it wasn't my secret to tell."

Shannon nodded his head. "I understand, I'm not going to chew you out over this, you did what you had to do." He sat across Alex, Max following him, lying by Shannon's feet. "Stephen is an asshole to deal with."

"Tell me about it," Alex rolled his eyes. "Jeff and Matt are protective, reasonable, though they have their moments of insanity, but Stephen is just ridiculous. Keeping her in Texas was such a fucking awful idea."

"When did you find out about the accident?" Shannon questioned.

"Vanessa called me, she was hysterical and I flew with Lauren to North Carolina." Alex answered. "Wanna know something really crazy?"

"What?"

"I wanted to call Jeff, to tell him what happened to Emerson, but I decided against it. She was finally getting a clean break from Jeff, none of us wanted her to go back to Jeff, so I kept my mouth shut." Alex confessed. He did want to call Jeff, but it was a new beginning for Emerson, she literally had a blank slate when it came to Jeff.

"What's up with everyone around Emerson being assholes? Do you people not think about her well being?" Shannon shook his head. "None of you know what's best for Emerson, I'm not saying its Jeff, but none of you ever thought of her in this situation. Just because ya'll were trying to save her doesn't mean it did her any good."

"I know, I realize that now, you know how I felt about Jeff."

"Jeff isn't your older brother," Shannon reminded him. "You know this isn't about the drugs, at least not entirely."

"Look, Emerson was in my life first, she always counted on me, I've been the person she counted on ever since she was ten, then Jeff comes in and in a matter of months I'm dethroned." It was petty. Alex could admit that. He was jealous of Jeff. Not because he had some undying love for Emerson, no, it wasn't that. Jeff replaced him with such ease. He was no longer her first call. He was no longer the person she leaned on when she was feeling sad. He was no longer the person that had Emerson's undivided attention. It was petty. Emerson was the only constant in his life before his wife came in and swept him off his feet. Sure, she still spoke to him, told him her troubles, especially the things she couldn't talk to Jeff about, but that was just it. She told him first because she couldn't possibly tell Jeff. And it hurt him.

"Alex, you know Emerson will always be your best friend, no matter what happens, she's always going to be there for you. But you can't sit here and tell me that Lauren hasn't become your best friend," Shannon understood his cousin. It was a big problem for Alex, he felt inadequate, like he no longer belonged in Emerson's life. "Jeff didn't replace you, he just became another best friend to her."

"Yeah, well, I was being unreasonable, I know that now." Alex sighed. "The first time she spoke to me about Jeff, I knew things were different. She always had a thing for Hardy, she always thought he was so cute, but I thought it was some puppy crush; she was in love with me. Then I left for California and everything changed."

"You were never in love with Emerson, so why are you so crushed that she liked Jeff?"

He loves Emerson, of course he does. But he didn't love her in the way he loves his wife or the way she loves Jeff. It just never added up for him. He never saw Emerson that way. She was a beautiful girl with an amazing personality, but it just never clicked. He wanted to walk away from her at some point, because he knew he was hurting her, going out with other girls as she remained the best friend. But he never led her on and Emerson always knew the deal. All she cared about was their friendship and so did he.

And he saw the moment that Emerson fell out of love with him. It was the day he met up with her while she was on the road with Jeff and Matt. He picked her up from the hotel she was staying at with the boys. This was about two years after he left, six months before Jeff and Emerson started dating.

Alex studied his best friend as she spoke about her adventures on the road and her university life. He missed Emerson. Hanging out all night watching movies. Talking on the landline till early morning about nothing in particular. Trying to drag her to go jogging in the morning. He missed doing these things with her, but it seemed like she found someone else to occupy her time.

"I like traveling, but I definitely want to go home. Sleep has a bigger pull than traveling." Emerson took another bite of her pasta. "But I get to spend time with Matt, Jeff and Amy so it's super fun."

"I'm surprised they haven't tried to kick you out, you're a pain to wake up in the morning." Alex teased her.

"For your information, I've learned to become a better morning person," she stuck her tongue out. "I get to sleep in the car, Jeff shares the backseat with me since Amy is at front with Matt. But if Jeff is driving, I'm up front with him."

"You know what's a common factor in all your stories?"

"Lack of sleep?"

He shook his head. "Jeff Hardy."

"Well of course, I travel with him and he's my roomie. Matt and Amy like their alone time," Emerson gagged "Those two put jack rabbits to shame."

"Alright, didn't need to know that," Alex's face scrunched up. "So, how's this whole thing with Jeff going?"

"What whole thing?"

"Come on Emmy, don't play dumb."

Emerson sighed. "He's so great, you know that?

Alex laughed. Emerson's had crushes, she's had boyfriends, but the way she spoke about Jeff was different. She thought very highly of him, but there was something different with her tone, she always got this stupid smile on her face.

"Have you told him you like him?"

"Ssh! Don't say it so loud," Emerson looked around, blushing. "There's no point in telling him, Jeff is six years older than me, I'm sure he doesn't want to date someone younger."

Oh, but he did. He was certain that Jeff wanted to date Emerson. The way Jeff watched her, the way he would look at her like she was the only thing that existed in his world, Alex saw it and he wanted to smack Emerson for not seeing it. She was with the guy everyday for God's sakes.

"Is that supposed to mean something? Age is nothing but a number, besides, nothing to lose for you." Alex told her. "Just tell him, if he rejects you, he does, if not, then good thing you took a risk."

"I don't want to lose him, if he rejects me, I can't face him again. He's my best friend," Emerson replied.

Alex's heart constricted. He's never heard her refer to anyone as her best friend besides him. Nowadays majority of their conversation involved Jeff and he fucking hated it. What was so special about Jeff Hardy? Nothing in his eyes. Sure he's an amazing wrestler, but so was Matt. He no longer lived in North Carolina and she's around Jeff much more often, but that didn't mean he couldn't be her best friend. It was a title he held dearly.

"Ouch,"

"No, wait, you know you're my best friend as well, but he's become really close to me."

Alex knew there was a possibility of having more than one best friend, but he was territorial, he liked the damn title all to himself.

"Emmy, it's fine, I understand." She didn't need to know his insecurity. It would seem pathetic. Emerson and himself, Jeff and Emerson, they were different relationships. But he was just used to being the person Emerson counted on and now, he was like second in line.

"I really do miss you," Emerson told him.

"I miss you too," Alex smiled.

"I'm afraid to let myself fall further," she quietly admitted.

"Why? Jeff seems like a good guy, why wouldn't you want to fall deeper?"

"No offense, I just don't want to be back in the friend zone."

It hit him then that Emerson was talking about their own relationship. He didn't purposely put her in the friend zone, but he wasn't going to lead her own. He made it clear as day that they were best friends, two people who were very important to one another, but was completely platonic. Emerson never really discussed her feelings about him and Alex never tried to get it out of her. But maybe he should, things were different for him and Emerson. He couldn't speak for Jeff, but he would like to think that Jeff and Emerson had a chance.

As much as it pained him, Emerson looked happy and that was the most important thing.

"Emmy, you and I, we're different. Just because things didn't happen doesn't mean all the people you grow to like will not have feelings for you." Alex gave her a small smile. "You're an amazing person and beautiful, you never lacked anything, my lack of feelings was never cause you lacked in any department, we just didn't have a click."

"A click?"

"Yes, a click, it's not something I can describe, but you'll know when you feel it."

"I'm content where I am now, Jeff and I are great friends, I don't want to jeopardize that."

Alex could see it now, it finally happened, a day he thought would never happened, as fucked up as it sounded. Emerson was over him and he was certain this wasn't something new. It's been something that started when he left for California and Jeff motherfucking Hardy walked in like he's been there this whole time. Alex was being selfish, he knew that, but fuck it, Emerson was his best friend, he can be selfish if he wanted to be. Though, he wasn't going to discourage her, Emerson has a chance to find someone for her and he knew he was flip flopping, but this was new to him.

"Emmy, come on, don't be like this," Alex encouraged her. "If Jeff stops talking to you because you have feelings for him, then he was never worth it in the first place. But I'm certain that this will turn out well for you."

"How do you know?"

"You're Emerson, not everyone is an idiot like me."

It was an adjustment. Emerson didn't confess till six months later and that was not on her own will, she blurted it out while she was drunk. He remembered the call from Emerson and he laughed a little too hard at his best friend, but he couldn't help it. Either way, two weeks after her confession, her and Jeff was officially a couple. Alex was ecstatic for them, but mostly for Emerson. The happiness lasted for some time, till Jeff's drug problems surfaced. All the emails and phone calls he received from Emerson because of Jeff made his blood boil. He couldn't understand how the ingrate could throw all his blessings away.

He thought Emerson would walk away, he advised her to walk away, but she didn't. She flat out refuse. She was an idiot. That was something Alex definitely didn't refrain from telling her, but she just wasn't listening.

But she finally did, when Jeff's ex-girlfriend, some wrestler, told Emerson about their relationship. Emerson was even friends with the damn girl and apparently the girl couldn't take the guilt and told Emerson. He knew it was serious when Emerson showed up in his doorstep and was fine at first, then when she was settled, she showed him and Lauren a folder. The word angry couldn't even describe how he felt towards Jeffrey Nero Hardy. Furious still wasn't enough. He was livid, absolutely livid.

Before this particular incident, even though Emerson has left Jeff's side before, she always came back. Not this time around, Emerson had a plan. Even though she had told her brother that she was going to stay in North Carolina, she wasn't. Emerson was going to move to Los Angeles. It was a big change for her, but she wanted it, no, she needed it. Lauren and Alex promised to help her, offering their spare room while she settled. But it never happened since she lost her memory.

"I guess I just knew that once she got with Jeff she wouldn't be as close to me. That the relationship I had with Emerson, even though it was already different, would further change." Alex sighed. "Emerson was my world before Lauren came. It was one of those times that I realized that she didn't need to be my girlfriend for her to take over my world. I just really cherished Emerson. I was jealous that Jeff took her from me without any effort."

"Well maybe it had something to do with you leaving all the fucking time," Shannon pointed out.

"Emerson knew why I had to, my mom needed me." Alex grimaced.

Shannon felt like a tool. It's not like he forgot Alex's mom's condition, they just didn't talk about it much. Losing her husband and her son in a short span of time did a number on Alex's mom and even though she still had Alex, she couldn't take it. She broke down and Alex had to focus on her. His mom was battling cancer and as hard as she tried to fight, it was difficult for her. She grieved and didn't notice her own health deteriorating. Luckily, she was able to see Alex get married before she ultimately passed away.

"Sorry man, I'm a tool."

"Don't worry about it, I know what I did to Emerson. I wasn't the best person for her after her mother died, that's why I will always be thankful for Jeff for being her anchor at that time."

"This question has been bugging me, wasn't Emerson supposed to leave North Carolina the night the accident occurred?" Shannon knew about Emerson's plan to leave. Hell, he helped her with it. Initially, Amaya was going to take over the bakery, to keep it running till Emerson eventually returned. But Stephen came in one day stating that he was closing down the bakery. Shannon tried to talk to him about it, but Stephen didn't give him the time of day. It pissed him off, but there was nothing he could do, he was on the road when Stephen closed down the shop.

He was with Jeff when Vanessa called him, to tell him about the bakery. And he definitely wasn't shocked when Jeff didn't hesitate to buy the bakery.

"She was, she was supposed to leave the day before the accident, but news broke out that Jeff got arrested." Alex pursed his lips. "Matt called her, telling her Jeff got arrested and he was freaking out. So, she made Vanessa turn around and they came back. Stephen thought she was coming to visit me, not to stay permanently."

"So when she didn't leave Stephen didn't see anything off with it?"

"No, but he knew why she didn't leave and it pissed him off. They got into an argument the night Jeff was released, especially after Jeff called her. It was raining and she drove to Jeff's house." Alex shook his head. "She shouldn't have stayed, if she left that night, if Jeff wasn't arrested, Emerson would still have her memory."

"You can't blame Jeff for this."

"I'm not, it's just so easy for me at times, sorry," Alex ran his hair through his blonde hair. "Does Jeff know about her planned move to Los Angeles?"

"No, I couldn't tell Jeff that, especially if he knew we were all working against him. Jeff was in a bad place when he couldn't find Emerson." Shannon remembered those next six months after Emerson disappeared. Jeff was prepared to see her in town, to run into her in parties because their friends were basically integrated, but to not see her at all, it killed Jeff. He would be clean for months then slip up, it was expected, but he tried the best he could. His last slip up, where he could barely wrestle against Sting, that's when it really changed. He completely got cleaned and he's been drug free since. "We never spoke about Emerson around him, he would get in a shitty ass mood when we even mentioned her. Yeah, he blamed himself, but there would be times where he blamed her for walking away. I want to talk to him, yell at him for being an asshole to her, but it wouldn't have done any good, the drugs was still there. If anything, the drugs were keeping him going when she left."

"When he finally got cleaned, why didn't you talk to him about Emerson?"

"Honestly? I didn't know what to say, Jeff was finally clean, I felt that if I mentioned Emerson it wouldn't do him any good." Shannon answered. "But he spoke about her, when he was clean and flushed all those pills down, first thing he told me was, 'I'm going to get her back, I'll look for her and show her that I've changed. That I'm worth loving now'."

"Let me guess, Stephen never answered any of your phone calls?"

"More like he changed his number, they all did."

"My favorite Leon," Alex scoffed.

"I have to hand it to you, you still came through for Emerson even though by then, you two weren't as close as before." Shannon commended him.

It was true.

Around the time Emerson came to Alex about Jeff's infidelity, they were no longer as close as they were. Before the whole cheating fiasco, Emerson and Alex weren't talking. No fights, they just didn't talk as often anymore, Emerson was no longer leaning on him. Alex always wanted to know why that was. She sure as hell wasn't leaning on Jeff, someone must have been helping her out. But that didn't matter then or now, when she arrived in his front door and she never visited him unannounced, he knew something was up. He had an idea who was helping her out, but he didn't want to assume.

"No matter how our friendship changes, she'll always be important to me. We could have not talked for seventy years, but if that girl came running to me, I would help her without hesitation."

"Why did you two stop talking?"

"We just got busy," he shrugged. "Emerson was focused on the bakery and Jeff, she really had no room for anything else. Though, I'm curious who she was leaning on, cause I know it wasn't Nero."

"I've been wondering the same thing, I always thought she was still talking to you, but you proved otherwise."

"Maybe Shane or Matt?"

"No, impossible, they would have voiced something out. Besides that, remember when you called us? We were concern cause she wasn't talking to us about it."

Alex shrugged. "Doesn't matter, whoever it was, saved her quite a few times. Maybe it was one of her siblings."

"Maybe," Shannon nodded.

"So, Emerson asked me if she dated Jeff." Alex couldn't brush off his conversation with Emerson. He figured he would tell Shannon just so someone else knew.

"What? Why?"

"Emerson has been dreaming about Jeff, she only has told me because you know, eighteen year old Emerson counted on me. I tried telling her to talk to Jeff, but it's like a child to eat vegetables. She just won't do it." Alex sighed. "Anyways, she dreamed about him again and it's getting much more detailed. I'm sure being around Jeff is causing this, which isn't bad, but I wished she would just ask him."

"Well, what did you tell her?"

"I said no at first, but I told her to ask Jeff."

"Why would you even say no? I thought lying to Emerson shouldn't be a thing anymore."

"It shouldn't, I just didn't want to be the one to talk to her about it. I'm biased, I would wreck Jeff's image." Alex reasoned.

"Hey, they had a good relationship, they had their ups and downs, but Jeff loves that girl more than anything in his life." Shannon defended.

"I never doubted that, at some point in his life, the allure of drugs were much stronger than his love for Emerson. And I know, not like Emerson was giving him ultimatums, she just wanted him to be okay."

"Is she going to talk to Jeff about it?"

"Doubt it, but if she talks to you about it, just be honest about her."

"Nice of you to pass of the responsibility to me."

Alex laughed. "You're my favorite cousin, you have to help me some time." The two men laughed. "I need some help, I'm taking Emerson out to dinner and I wanted to know where did Jeff take her for their first date."

Shannon gave Alex a look and he held up his hands. "Hey, I'm trying to stir her memories, the doctor's orders. Telling her a story isn't going to help her remember, visuals will." He explained. "Besides, fuck you, I'm happily married."

"Don't be a douche, I wasn't assuming anything. I just know you have a tendency of pissing Jeff off."

"No worries, this is being done with good intentions."

"He took her to a restaurant in Chicago, their first date was when they she was on the road with them."

Alex sighed. "Of course it was, any significant places for Jeff and Emerson?"

"I think you should leave that to Jeff, he might take offense that you're bringing Emerson to all their places."

"Shannon, this is about Emerson, Jeff's feelings are the least of my concerns."

"Which is the problem, you know Jeff already fucking hates you. Bringing Emerson to their special places wouldn't get you to his good graces."

"Not trying to get into his good graces."

"I know you're not, but just let Jeff have something. You've had Emerson for three years, it's Jeff's time."

Alex sighed and nodded his head. "Fine, I'll just cook her some of that macaroni and cheese she likes. You and Melanie are welcome to come over."

"We would, but we have a double date with Shane and his wife."

Alex stood up and nodded his head. "Thanks Shannon, for being the wise one."

"I'm always here for you, you know that right?"

"Yeah, you're a pest, but I really do appreciate you."

Shannon stood up as well. "I'll take care of Emmy."

"I'm pretty sure you don't have to, but thanks for looking out for her."

Jeff walked up to Matt who was washing his car. Matt nodded his head at his younger brother and placed the hose down before turning it off.

"What's up man?" Matt questioned as he began to wipe his car.

"I was wondering if you had some of our old home videos? Like Emerson's 19th birthday?"

Matt paused for a moment thinking about where he last placed the videotape. "I think it's in the basement, with the rest of the VHS tapes."

"Man, I feel old, VHS tapes." Jeff cringed.

Matt laughed. "You're telling me."

Jeff patted his brother's back before making his way inside. Amaya was at the bakery since he took the day off from the bakery. He ran the bakery at times, helping out with customers. He was rarely there; too many memories of Emerson. But when she came back, he's been there much more often.

He had this idea while he was lounging around at his home. Matt recorded a few of Emerson's birthdays. Maybe showing her some of the videos would trigger something.

Making his way down to Matt's basement, he looked around for the boxes that would contain the tapes. Instead, he stumbled upon a few boxes that had Emerson's name on it. That was weird, these boxes weren't here the last time he was down here. Walking over to the boxes, he opened them without even thinking. Looking inside the box, it looked like Emerson's things from the bakery, the one Matt took. Rummaging through the box, he found a notebook, no, a journal at the bottom. Picking it up, he examined it before closing the box.

He walked over to the couch and sat down, forgetting about the tapes he came there to get. Should he open this journal? This might have things he wouldn't want to read about.

Fuck it.

Jeff opened the journal and immediately recognized Emerson's handwriting. Flipping through the pages, he noticed that it was only half way done.

This was an invasion of privacy; he knew that. He shouldn't go through her journal, but maybe it would give him some insight.

But he couldn't read it here, Matt might try and take it away.

He stood up and looked for the VHS tapes again, it would hide the journal since it was of the same color. Once he found the tapes, he placed the journal in the middle of the tapes.

Jeff was about to learn that curiosity was hardly a friend.