It turned out to be a grueling day of work for Gunner and the other trimmers. They had to travel to the most hidden pot field and lug their day's winnings back to the compound. By the time Gunner got back to the motel later that night, he was tired to the bone. Though he wanted to just collapse on his bed, he resisted the urge and went to check the office to see if Emma happened to be there. Gunner let out a disappointed sigh when he saw that the office was empty.

"Looking for someone?" Gunner was startled by the voice behind him. It was Dylan, staring at him expectantly while lighting a cigarette.

"Yeah, do you know when Emma works?" Emma was close with the family, right? Surely he would know.

Dylan took a slow puff from his cigarette before answering. "I don't know when she works. She probably doesn't work when she has school though."

Gunner grimaced. "We're leaving tomorrow, right?" When Dylan nodded, he continued. "I need to talk to her before then. I don't even have her number."

"I usually get a girl's number before I sleep with her. Try to remember that next time," Dylan chuckled as he made his way up to the house.

Gunner let out his own embarrassed chuckle before making his way back into his room. The sheets in the bed were still rumpled from their tryst the night before. He took a heavy seat on the bed before leaning back so he was staring at the ceiling. If someone were to tell him yesterday what would've happened these past two days, he wouldn't believe them.

The first time he saw Emma last week, he instantly thought she was cute. He was sitting on the motel porch smoking a joint by himself. He thought she might join him at first and he gave her a slight nod before he realized that she worked for the motel. He tried to quickly run into his room but before he knew it, Emma was knocking on the door. She reprimanded him and told him to put the joint out, which he quickly did. She thanked him then walked away as if that experience was just an annoyance to her day. But to Gunner, it was a highlight. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her as she walked away and ended up leaning out the door looking after her like a lovesick puppy. He always noticed when she was around after that but did not try talking to her, other than giving her the cupcake. Last night was the first time they had a conversation since the first time they met. A lot more than a conversation, Gunner thought while grinning.

But he was going back to California the next day. He needed to talk to Emma at least one more time before leaving, preferably getting her number also so they could talk while he was gone. He never really thought about White Pine Bay that much, it was just one of the places he went to for work, but now he had a reason to want to stay.

Gunner actually set an alarm to wake up early. He never woke up before noon unless he had work, but he was motivated this time. He pulled on some jeans and a relatively clean shirt before heading to the office. To his joy, the light was on and he could see a head of long brown hair behind the desk.

He quietly opened the door and leaned on the doorframe. "Hey Cupcake."

Emma jumped a little bit, which he found cute. "Red," she breathed out, a blush creeping up on her cheeks.

"You're always blushing around me, maybe I should call you Red," Gunner teased as he walked up to the counter to stand across from her. She laughed and looked down as he reached across the surface to take her hands in his. "What are you doing here so early?"

"Since I never got to finish organizing the records on Saturday, and I was busy yesterday-" she gave Gunner a look that made him laugh,"I decided to come in early to finish them before school."

"That's good. I actually need to talk to you," he gave her a small smile, rubbing his thumb along her fingers. "I'm going back to California today and I wanted to see you one more time before I go."

Emma frowned and leaned back. "When will you be back?"

"I don't know," he confessed as he put on a matching frown. "I'll try to come back as soon as possible but I mainly just go wherever they need me."

"Maybe Dylan can set something up where you can stay here… if you want," she added hastily. She didn't know if he had a family to go back to in California or if he actually wanted to move to White Pine Bay.

"Yeah, I'll ask." A smile took over Gunner's face again. "In the meantime, I think I should get my girlfriend's number."

Emma was silent for a second. "Me?"

"I don't know who else would be my girlfriend, if you want to be that is."

"Of course!" Emma was so happy; she forgot he was leaving soon. These past few months were spent with her trying to get Norman to be her boyfriend, but now she had one of her own.

"So about that number…"

"Yeah, just wait a second." Emma quickly found a scrap of paper and scribbled her number on it, writing 'Cupcake' above. She proudly presented it to Gunner, who happily put it into his pocket.

"Thanks, I'll text you later today so that you'll have my number too," he told her. He reached out for her hand again, encapsulating it within his bigger hands. "I'm going to miss you," he said seriously.

"Me too," she nodded and looked into his eyes. "I want to kiss you," she whispered.

He nodded and leaned forward over the counter to bring their lips together. It was a sweet kiss but it was filled with enough longing to be a goodbye kiss. They broke apart when the door opened.

"Gunner, it's time to go," Dylan jerked his head towards the van where the other trimmers were yawning and stretching.

"Isn't it early?" Gunner could feel Emma's fingers tighten around his.

"Gil doesn't want to pay you guys for another day so if we leave now it won't count."

"How kind of him," Gunner mumbled before looking back at Emma. Her eyes were so sad, he had to lean in and give her one last tender kiss. "I'll talk to you soon," he said softly before detaching his hands from hers.

"Okay," she whispered. She sat back down at the desk as Gunner and Dylan both left the office and got into the van. She watched the van drive down the road, taking her boyfriend with it.

Eventually, Emma had to head back to school. It was hard to concentrate in classes when all she could think of was the next time she could see Gunner and hoping he would text her soon. It didn't help that she was still a bit sore from the time she spent with him so every time she sat down, she thought of him. She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Norman's name in the hallways.

"I can't believe Norman is still following her around. Didn't he get the memo that Bradley has Richard?"

"Yeah, he definitely made up sleeping with her. Why would she ever let that thing touch her? He's so creepy."

"Him and his mom are so weird. I saw her freak out on the street after this one guy bumped into her."

"But Bradley's still hanging out with him. I don't get it. Why can't she just drop him?"

Emma had to stop listening. Their girl talk reminded her that she does not have any friends to gossip with or tell secrets to. Her only friend was Norman and she had been trying to avoid him. She wished she had someone to talk about Gunner with.

She walked into the cafeteria to see Norman sitting alone at a table. Looking around, most of the other tables were full, so Emma begrudgingly walked over to where Norman was.

"Hi Norman," she tried to say cheerfully but it came out a bit flat.

Norman looked at her for a few seconds before answering. "Hey Emma."

"So… how've you been? I haven't talked to you in a while."

Norman shrugged. He wasn't even trying to make small talk. His focus was not on Emma at all. She followed his gaze to find Bradley at the end of it. Of course.

"You know, I heard Bradley's friend's talking about you and her." Norman's ears perked up at Bradley's name. Emma had to refrain from rolling her eyes. "They were saying horrible things, questioning why Bradley hasn't dropped you yet. You should be careful."

"Why are you so obsessed with us?" Norman asked brusquely.

Emma was startled. "What are you talking about?"

"You told her friends about me and Bradley. You even told my mother. Why can't you just accept that I like Bradley and not you?"

Emma was shocked silent. Some deep hidden part of her heart was broken. She wished that he would at least have the decency to not be so harsh about it. "I'm not," she tried to say weakly.

"Yes you are. You really need to leave us alone and get a life of your own."

It felt like multiple knives were stabbing her in the back. "I do have my own life," she spat out at him. "In fact, I have a boyfriend who is much better than you'd be. A boyfriend who actually knows he's my boyfriend, unlike how you've been calling Bradley your girlfriend."

Norman shook his head. "It's not good to delude yourself with these fantasies-"

Emma didn't want to hear anymore. She abruptly stood up and grabbed her lunch, storming away. She wiped away her angry tears as she stomped to her next class. She did not even care that she was twenty minutes early.

How dare he? That was it; Emma Decody was officially done and over Norman Bates.

The rest of the day felt too long, but finally Emma made it home. Her dad was in the basement working on his woodchuck so Emma landed on the couch in front of the TV. She would start her homework soon. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She shifted a bit so she could pull it out. It was a text from an unknown number.

I miss you Cupcake

Emma smiled and saved the number under the name Red. She quickly sent him a text back.

I miss you too Red. Are you home yet?

It only took him a few seconds to reply.

Not yet, I'll be home tomorrow. Can I call you when I get home?

Emma imagined him in the van, Dylan driving with all the trimmers stuffed in the back for hours on end. She sent him one more text before putting down her phone and grabbing her bag to start some homework.

Of course, I'll be waiting

Emma had succeeded in avoiding Norman, Bradley, and all her friends in school the next day. She had to work the desk at Bates Motel for a few hours before she could go home and take a much-needed bath. Though she was done with Norman, hiding from him stressed her out.

Her phone began buzzing, signaling an incoming call. Her heart jumped when she saw Red flash across the screen.

"Hey Red," she smiled. She twirled her hair around her finger as she anticipated hearing his voice.

"Cupcake," Gunner greeted her. "Are you alone?"

"Yes…" she answered, a bit confused.

"You should know how much I miss you," he lowered his voice. Emma almost laughed. He's not doing what she thinks he's doing… is he? "I miss how perfectly our lips fit together, I miss your curves, I miss how you would whimper when I kissed down your body."

Emma had to bite her lip. Gunner's voice along with the words he said were bringing back pleasurable memories. "Yeah?" she said quietly.

"Yeah, I miss how wet I could get you just from rubbing you the right way."

Emma opened her mouth to say something but Norma came into the office at that moment. Emma let out a little squeak as her eyes widened. "Uh, Red, I have to go now," she managed to get out before hanging up the phone.

"Hi Emma," Norma greeted her cheerfully, unaware of how flustered Emma was. "I'm so glad those potheads are out of here, now we can finally try attracting the right people. I just need to quickly clean the rooms so they don't smell like weed anymore." Norma pulled the cleaning cart out of the back room and put on her apron. Before she left, she took a moment to talk to Emma. "I hope you can find someone worthy of your time. Remember that just because a boy shows interest doesn't mean you have to give in."

Emma nodded her head but rolled her eyes as soon as Norma was gone. Her prejudice against Gunner was not going to stop her at all.

As soon as Emma got into her room later that night, she picked up her phone and called Gunner back.

"Are you actually alone this time or is someone else going to walk in?" Emma could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Oh shut up, I was at work and Norma came in. If I'd known you'd say that I wouldn't have said I was alone," she laughed.

"You're alone now, right?" He didn't wait for an answer. "So what are you wearing?"

"Everything. Jeans, button down shirt, shoes."

"Take off your pants and unbutton your shirt."

Emma quickly obeyed. "You do the same then."

"I'm already just in my underwear," he said lowly. "You need to get on my level."

"Alright, I'm there. Now what?"

"I want you to touch your breast and describe what you're doing."

Emma bit her lip and slowly brought her hand up to her chest. "Okay, I'm touching it."

"Gently squeeze it."

She did what she was told but almost laughed. "This is so weird."

"Come on, just pretend it's me who's doing it. Close your eyes."

Her eyelids fluttered shut as her palm gave her breast another squeeze. This time she gasped.

"That's it. Just keep your eyes closed and listen to what I tell you."

"Can I take my bra off?" she questioned. The material separating her fingers from her body was irritating her.

"Yeah. Can I touch myself?"

It felt strange that Gunner had to ask her for that but it made her feel powerful. "Yes," she lowly moaned as she slipped her bra off and ran her fingers over her nipple.

There was rumbling on the line, the sound of fabric moving. Then there was a squelching sound; Gunner had gotten lotion to help him. Emma rubbed her legs together to try to create some friction.

"Can I touch myself?" she whimpered, her hand already creeping down her stomach.

"Not yet," he breathed out. Emma groaned and forced her hand to stop, instead bringing it back up to massage her breast. The sound of Gunner's soft grunts on the line were making it impossible.

"Please," she begged, resorting to sitting at the edge of the bed to try to rub against it. "I really need to, Red."

"Okay, I just needed to hear you beg more." She didn't even care about the grin she could hear in his voice. She quickly stripped herself of her panties and smeared her hand with her wetness. She brought it up to her clit to provide for some lubrication. "Tell me," Gunner began again, "how wet and tight are you?" She dipped her fingers inside of herself and sighed at the feeling.

"Very," she said, her voice quivering. "I don't think I've ever been this wet before. I really want you and being able to hear you but not touch you is driving me crazy."

"Good, it's the same for me." Gunner's breaths began getting shallower. "Do you remember how I feel inside you?"

She answered with a moan. Her fingers were furiously driving in and out of her while her thumb massaged her clit. Her eyes clenched tight as she let go of the phone so she could use her other hand to caress her breasts. The phone landed on her shoulder and she tilted her head so she could still hear what Gunner was saying.

"I can't wait to see you again. I can't wait to fill you up with my hard cock." Gunner's words made her feel dirty in the best of ways. She quickly got to the edge and one more dirty phrase from him made her go over.

She let out a drawn out moan that let Gunner know what happened. Just imagining what Emma looked like right then was enough to make him come also. In the throes of pleasure, Emma let out a few words without meaning to. "I love you," she gasped, her body still shaking from her orgasm.

It wasn't until everything went quiet on both lines that she realized what she had actually said. She hoped Gunner was too out of it to hear what she said, but her hope was quickly dashed.

"What?" he questioned hesitantly.

Author's Note: I was going to split this chapter into two chapters and update the second part later this week but I just decided to update it all now. I have big plans for this story. I hope I can write enough so that I have a few chapters ready before I post them :)

I'm so excited for tonight's episode! In the description, it says "Emma begins a new relationship", aka Gunner! Ah I can't wait. I might write a oneshot after watching the episode, like as a behind the scenes of things they didn't show. Look out for that.

(Update: I wrote a oneshot based on 2x03, it's called Make Bad Choices With Me, check it out!)

Please review! Tell me what you want more of, less of, what you like that I'm doing. It'll really help and hopefully you'll like the story more :)