Chapter 5

A couple of weeks later found things more or less back to normal. Yugi was back in school and caught up, thanks to Alex, the gang went out to Burger World for lunch almost every day, and everyone cracked jokes. Usually at Joey's expense. The only difference was that Yami made more appearances on group outings.

As the days passed Alex found herself drawn more and more to Yami, and though he would never admit it, he felt the same. Of course Yugi helped matters by forcing Yami out of the puzzle more than once so that the two could spend time together. Gradually though, Yugi didn't have to push Yami as hard. Before very long Yami had decided to walk Alex home from gymnastics practice every night. His excuse was that he was making sure the rogue vampires weren't attacking the people he considered friends, which was partially true, but Yugi knew the main reason was because Yami wanted to spend time with Alex.

However, Yami was not particularly impressed the night that he had to carry Alex home.

After a few minutes of silence he finally asked, "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Alex fidgeted in his arms embarrassed. "I didn't see the girl walking across the floor and I went to do a tumbling pass. When we crashed into each other I messed up my ankle and knee," she said looking down at her hands.

"Alex." Yami stopped walking and waited for Alex to look at him. "What's going on? I know you, I've seen you at your competitions before, and I know you don't make mistakes like that. Not unless something is distracting you. And this isn't the first injury you've had lately. Not to mention the circles under your eyes you've been trying to hide. Has something happened? Is someone bothering you?"

Seeing his anger rising at the thought of someone upsetting her she quickly tried to calm him. "No! No one is bugging me!"

"Then what is?" he asked softly, anger draining away.

"I just haven't been sleeping well," she said looking away.

"Why?"

Alex started fidgeting again. "You won't like it."

Yami's eyes narrowed. "Tell me."

Alex sighed but complied. "I've been having dreams."

"Nightmares?" Yami prodded and started walking again when she didn't continue.

"I- I suppose. There's one, the main one, I've been having it for years. It's so vivid. Not like any other dream I've ever had," she started. "It's not very long. Only a few moments. There's a person holding me and they're crying. And more than anything I want to help them but I can't move. And then I die."

At that Yami stiffened and his step faltered but he kept walking. "You said dreams. More than one?"

Alex sighed and nodded. "Yes. The rest aren't quite as clear though and they just started a few weeks ago. They always take place somewhere different. Sometimes I see Yugi or Seto's faces but they're gone before I can speak to them. I never know what's happening, all I know is I'm searching for something and someone is after me."

"And you can't see this person?" Yami asked frowning.

"No. Sometimes I think I see a flash of gold and white out of the corner of my eye but it disappears so fast."

Yami walked in silence and considered. The dreams were likely a result of the disappearing girls, the rogue vampires, and Alex's worry for her fellow students and friends. Try as he might though, he just couldn't find the vampire enemies' base.

But what if… What if they weren't just dreams? What if they were visions of the future? What if something happened to him? What if Yugi and Alex got hurt because he couldn't protect them?

Yami you can't think like that, Yugi's voice said.

You're right aibou. I'm sure they're just dreams. But that means, at least subconsciously, Alex feels unsafe and she's losing sleep over it. How can I fix it?

Just as he finished his thought they arrived at Alex's apartment building. Normally this was where they parted ways, but seeing as Alex couldn't walk he supposed he would need to carry her up to her apartment. He walked up to the front door of the building but realized Alex was lost in thought.

"Alex? Do you have your keys?"

"What? Oh! Yeah they're right here," she said digging them out and unlocking the door. "I'm in apartment 2B. Up the elevator and to the left."

He followed her instructions and waited for her to unlock her own door before depositing her on her couch and looking around. It was small, but cozy, with red and gold accents everywhere.It suited her.

"I should go," he said after she was settled and comfortable.

"Yami wait," she said catching his hand. He turned back to her with questioning eyes. "Do you think… just for tonight… you could stay?"

Yami blinked.

"Please?" Alex asked.

You wanted a way to make her feel safer, Yugi pointed out.

Yes, because it is much safer to have a vampire sleeping in the same apartment as her, Yami said wryly.

C'mon, you fed just last night. And we both know you want to stay and make sure she's safe.

"Alright," Yami said to them both. He felt his heart pound at Alex's answering smile.

She told him where she kept her spare linens (she tried to get them herself but he wouldn't let her up) so he could make a bed on the couch and then she got ready for bed. "Good night Yugi. Good night Yami," she said from the doorway of her bedroom.

Yami smiled slightly at the pyjama shirt that was about three sizes too big for her and the Dark Magician Girl pyjama pants. "Good night Alex."

She smiled and then shut the door. He listened to her breathing until he heard it slow and deepen indicated that she was asleep. Not really feeling like sleeping he poked around the apartment to check it's security. Satisfied, he settled back into the couch.

So when are you actually going to ask Alex out? Yugi asked.

How did the romantic night in with Tea go the other night? Yami countered. He could feel Yugi's embarrassment across the bond.

That's private.

Well, since you insist that Alex and I are a couple then isn't our 'relationship' private too? Yami asked grinning in victory.

Yeah ok fine, Yugi grumbled good naturedly. Since you stay in the puzzle and make yourself scarce during my dates, I'll do the same on yours.

Yami rolled his eyes. Before he could say anything in response though his hearing picked up on something. Focusing he heard sounds of thrashing and whimpering coming from Alex's room. In an instant he was there. Looking around though, there was no intruder. No blood thirsty vampire at the window, no missing Alex. She was thrashing around in her bed having a nightmare.

Yami was quickly at her bedside trying to wake her up. "Alex. Alex, listen to me. It's only a nightmare. Wake up!" Alex's eyes flew open and she shot up. Seeing Yami she collapsed against him and cried. After a moment of uncertainty, his arms came up around her and he rubbed her back gently. After a few minutes she began to calm down and Yami started to pull away. He stopped though when hands fisted in his shirt and kept him in place.

"Please," Alex said already almost half asleep again against his chest. "Please don't leave me."

Yami didn't even waver seeing her in this state. "Never."

He pulled her against him and laid them both down on the bed. After tucking the blankets up around them Alex quickly started to drift off to sleep. Just before unconsciousness claimed her though, she felt the lightest brush of a kiss against her forehead. She didn't have a single nightmare the rest of the night.