Norma pulled into the driveway of Alex's house and the shut down the ignition. She turned to him with a dry expression, but then beamed at him attentively.

"You need help up the steps, don't you?" She faded into a smaller smile as he coyly looked down at himself and then into her eyes.

"Yeah. That would be helpful," Alex whispered hoarsely as he grimaced at his own discomfort. The injury could have been a lot more severe, but it was still incredibly painful.

Norma hopped out of the car and went around the back of the car to open the passenger side door. Opening the door, she grabbed his arm carefully. He began to wince as she slowly pulled him out. Alex stepped out with his stronger leg, as Norma pulled his arm around her shoulder, while his other held a crutch. Norma was holding his other crutch, forgetting that she was carrying it. She could have given it to him and allowed him to walk freely on his own, but it was an excuse for casual physical contact, so she continued to help him up the steps. He leaned against her slightly as they walked up to his porch. When they reached the door, Alex held his breath as he realized in this position, he could not reach the house keys in his left pocket.

"Uh, Norma?"

"Yes?" She cooed as he kept his eyes on the ground.

"Could you reach into my left pocket and grab my keys? I can't really get to them…"

She swallowed but then smiled warmly at him. Norma needed their every interaction to be less awkward and not filled with tension. She knew this could never happen, but it worried her sometimes. They were both getting so attached and yet were becoming more cautious and reluctant at the same time. It was infuriating to them both.

Doing what he'd asked, she reached into his pocket and felt around for his keys. The first thing she had picked up on when feeling around was that his very warm, almost burning up. As quickly as she could, she finally caught the keys and pulled them out of his pocket. She didn't want to look down at his groin, because she felt something awkward would come out of it, but she impulsively looked back at his lower region. Norma could see a more prominent outline emerge in his jeans. She knew he was hot for her, and she was conflicted. Shakily, she turned the lock and the door opened.

She then handed him his other crutch and helped his arm into it. Allowing him to enter first, she followed close behind and decided to lighten the mood with some playful banter.

"How does it feel to not be such a tough guy for once?" She placed one hand on her hip as her other closed the door behind her. Alex made his way to his easy chair in the living room. Norma followed, sitting on the brand new couch beside it.

Norma admired the leather couch for a while before speaking. "This couch is nice, Alex. Love the leather." The interior designer in Norma was talking, and she looked up at him and blushed. He chuckled and stood up once again with his crutches.

"Yeah, it's new. Hey, um, do you want a drink? Like a coffee or something?" Alex tried his best to be a good host, but he rarely ever had guests. The truth of it was, Alex didn't have many friends. Between his stressful and intimidating job, terrible upbringing, and guarded personality, he pushed most people away. But with Norma, he couldn't seem to get her out of his business…or his space.

"I'm okay, thanks," she replied. He awkwardly returned to his chair and turned to face her.

"You know, I don't need you to keep tabs on me. I'm perfectly fine managing alone."

"If you're sure. I'll stay a little while longer. I mean, just to make sure you're settled in."

"Norma, I'm not a child," he scoffed. But secretly he loved the concern he had for him.

"You're injured."

Alex rubbed his temple and kept his head down. "I've been injured before and have managed on my own. This is no different. I'll be fine." The silence that had fallen after his response was uncomfortable, mostly because Norma didn't have a comeback. She was reflecting on what he'd said. She forgot how lonely he must have been before she'd befriended him. But who was she kidding, it's not like she knew that much about his social life. There were so many gaps in their understanding of one another.

Norma decided to change the subject of conversation. She inched closer to him; close enough to rest her arm on the arm of his easy chair. He looked at her inquisitively.

"So. What did you think of the movie?" It was an innocent question, but Alex felt his stomach crawl at the indirect mention of the theater.

Alex rested his chin on his hand, gazing past her. "It was pretty rough. I found it boring and plot suffered a little near the end." His face was inexpressive and unimpressed.

Norma laughed at his criticisms and bumped his arm with hers briefly before shooting back, "Really? I thought it was captivating. I didn't think it was boring at all." Alex leaned back in his chair.

"Well, somehow I managed to have a good time," he said quietly. He then shot her a weak smile. Her heart skipped a beat and she swallowed her feelings. Their faces were so close to one another, and neither had really noticed. They were both leaning in subconsciously, and Alex started to realize after he had subtly flirted. He looked down at her lips, which were parted as she had noticed him taking her in. Her throat began to contract with nerves as she saw his lashes lower. He leaned in a little more, bringing his head down to touch her forehead with his. He needed her and he was tired of restraining himself.

His lips hovered for a while, not brushing over hers, but not pulling away either. He suddenly felt himself tense up. Freezing, Alex found himself waiting for her to close the distance between them. His skin smelled of cologne. It intoxicated her to the extent that she almost felt lightheaded. She was unsure if it was the cologne, or just the effect he had on her.

The strain became too much, and she slowly kissed his lower lip. He reaction was instantaneous as he put a hand on her jawline. He pecked her back before deepening the kiss. Norma leaned in more as he did so, knees on the couch, hands awkwardly reaching for his shoulders. She hungrily continued, leaving a trail of open mouth kisses down his neck. To get better access, she left the couch and sat on his good leg, arms wrapped around his neck. The position was very uncomfortable; as Norma had to twist herself around, and Alex grunted at the weight she had put on him.

Alex broke the sloppy kiss and looked her deeply in the eyes. "We shouldn't do this now," he advised, out of breath. Norma could hear the disappointment in his voice, but also the rigid side of him she knew all too well. His chest rose and fell quickly. He seemed to be as worked up as her, but he was resisting.

"My leg. You know I can't do anything strenuous right now." Norma silenced him, pressing her lips against his once again. He found himself kissing back. Norma's hands floated down to his belt, carefully beginning to unhook it. Before he could stop himself, his hands were sliding up her thighs and riding up her skirt. He squeezed her behind before shaking his head and pulling away.

"I want to. I do. But it will get in the way of my leg healing."

Norma scanned his eyes intently, frowning a little. She knew that this wasn't the right time. He needed to get better before they could take it any further. She nodded sadly and stood up.

"You're right." She straightened out her skirt. But his face seemed tormented, like he chose to leave something out from his explanation. Alex almost looked terrified. "What?!" Norma cried, crossing her arms reproachfully.

"I didn't say anything? What?"

"You look ashamed of what you'd done!" You pulled away as soon as it got heated!" She stated bluntly, watching as his face fell even more. Alex's eyes widened at her observations. Damn it, she's good, he thought.

Why doesn't he want me? He always seems to pick the wrong times to show how he feels, Norma thought to herself.

"It's just…my leg. The doctor and nurse both insisted that I don't do anything too strenuous…"

"There's something else and I want to know what it is?! Why don't you want to have sex with me?" Norma's voice caught, and even she was surprised with herself that she had brought such a topic up. Ever since the time when Dylan and Emma almost walked in on them, she had been a bit uneasy and self-conscious that he'd turned her down. That was not something Norma Bates was used to.

"Norma…"

"Seriously. Am I that repulsive? Are you not interested?!"

"Norma. Norma, calm down. You know that isn't true."

"Then really, what is it? I thought at this point in our relationship…" And that's when she cut herself off. The R word. She didn't like using it when talking with Alex, because she really didn't know what any of this was.

"That's what I'm unsure about! I want you, Norma. I want you very much, okay. But I don't want to screw anything up. You're someone that I haven't scared off, and I want to keep it that way. And part of that to me is the next step in our relationship: the physical part of it. I don't know about you, but I take it pretty seriously, and if it happens…it makes everything real. Everything becomes serious and no matter how slow the pace may seem to you, believe me when I tell you it seems a lot faster to me." He sighed after his lengthy rant and scratched his arm anxiously. This time, he'd won the debate. She had no idea what to say next. Alex Romero was getting more complex and enigmatic than she had ever imagined.

Question 1: Would you like to see a new Bates family member introduced, or a Romero one?

Question 2: What do you think of Alex's aloofness? Is it in character, or do you think they should just get on with it?!

Question 3: Should the investigation into Bob Paris' death continue with Alex on the hot seat?