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Set after episode 2

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"Is anybody out there? Is anybody listening? Does anybody really know if it's the end or the beginning?" – Holding on, letting go

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It was night time. Alex always hated it, it was the only time she felt truly alone. Tom and Hal slept peacefully, they got to escape their lives and worries, even if it was only for a short while. It was why Alex envied them. It was during those hours that she realised how different her life was – if you could call it that. Can a ghost have a life?

Normally Alex would sit on the window ledge in her room, looking out at the quiet street. Sometimes she would laugh at the drunks passing by in the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes she would just stare blankly, remembering her brothers. If felt like a lifetime a go, a life where she knew nothing about supernatural beings, a life where she thought Barry would be a safe place for a holiday because her brothers couldn't wreck anything, a life where she had a heartbeat.

Tonight was different than the other nights. Tonight Alex cried. She crie4d because she had to say goodbye to her family, she cried because they were moving on and she would stay frozen, she cried because she was dead, but mostly she cried because it hurt. It really fucking hurt.

Alex didn't know what time it was when she heard the bedroom door creak open. Judging by the still darkened sky it was probably very early, but if she was being honest every second of darkness felt the same to her.

"Alex?" His smooth voice was still thick with sleep.

"M'fine, you should go back to bed" Alex replied hating that her voice broke slightly due to the crying. She turned around slowly, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"No you are not fine! You've been crying. I heard you through the wall." Hal answered back. Alex was taken back by his appearance. He was wearing his pyjamas, which consisted of a loose pair of trousers that hung low on his hips and a white t-shirt, his brown hair messy. He looked almost relaxed without the neat pressed clothes and perfectly styled hair.

"Honestly, it's nothing, Just me being stupid. Sorry I woke you." Alex lied. Hal's eyes narrowed seeing straight through it.

"Tell me what's wrong. Perhaps I can help?" Hal spoke softly. He was being nice and Alex hated him for it. She didn't need any special treatment. He was using that voice. The one he spoke to Tom with when he was trying to reassure him about the competition not being a big deal. Alex could feel her anger boiling inside her.

"Help? I'm dead, Hal! I am never going to sleep again! I am never going to get so drunk I can't remember where I am! I am never going to fall in love to have my heart broken by a stupid twat who doesn't care! I am never going to be able to yell at my little brothers for hiding the TV remote or prank calling every bloody number they can find in the yellow pages! I am never going to be human, never going to feel the warmth of a touch or the taste of chocolate." Alex ranted, tears streaming down her face now. Hal was in shock at how quickly her mood changed.

"And it kills me, its killing me, Hal! Never being able to see my brothers again, having to say goodbye. It feels like someone is stabbing me over and over again. I practically raised them since I was 17 and now I have to move on? Forget about them? I can't do that! I don't know how! So tell me, why am I here, Hal? Please, tell me because I have no fucking idea" Alex sobbed, objects falling off the shelves on the opposite side of the room.

Hal stood there open-mouthed watching her fall apart for at least a minute before he strode over to her and wrapped his arms around her. It was a very un-Hal like thing to do but for some reason it felt like the most natural thing in the world to Hal. Alex sobbed into his chest, clinging to him like a lifeline. Hal tightened his hold on her, his muscles flexing around her small frame.

It was hard to tell when Alex started falling but her legs gave way and she crumbled. Hal fell with her. Together. They landed on the floor, Alex practically in his lap. Still wrapped inside his embrace. It was cool yet warm. Alex felt safe and…home. Hal didn't need to say anything; Alex knew what he would say. The comfort he would try and convey but honestly the hug was all she needed. A reminder she wasn't alone. He and Tom cared about her; they would stop her from drowning. She wrapped her arms around Hal's back while he stroked her hair with one hand. The other securely around her waist.

"You are going to be fine, Alex. It's just the beginning of a different chapter of your life. I promise you, it won't be one that you explore alone. Tom and myself will be at your side." Hal said gently wiping a tear from her cheek.

"I'm sorry for shouting; I just…really hate night time." Alex laughed lightly, hoping to lighten the mood.

"I can stay up with you. I've rested enough for one night."

"You don't have to, I will be fine now. Meltdown over and all that" Alex sighed. Hal didn't move though. Instead he shuffled them back was his back was resting again the wall.

"Can we not tell Tom about this horrifically embarrassing incident?" She asked, hating that Hal of all people was seeing her vulnerable but also not minding it as much as she should.

"Of course" she heard Hal smile. They stayed like that for the rest of the night. Nothing but a few words exchanged to each other, neither needed them. When the sun rose Hal went to have his morning shower and Alex went to wake Tom up for work. That night not being mentioned except from the few smiles the pair exchanged throughout the day.

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Next chapter update will be Tuesday or Wednesday!

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