Chapter 12: Real Zak Bagans

Zak's Point of View

You're an idiot Zak, I thought.

I had tried pushing Alicia to hard to open up about her experiences again. And as to be expected, I had upset her.

When she pushed my hands away and vented her emotions to me, I felt like I had run smack into a brick wall.

Had I really been acting that way? Treating her as if she were just another guest on our show?

Quickly thinking back on my actions, I realized she was right. I had been acting like "Investigator Zak Bagans", as she put it.

I felt horrible. I hadn't meant to treat her that way. I knew now that whatever experiences she was having with the paranormal were deeply personal. I truly just wanted to help her. I wanted to know what she was experiencing, so when we went out to do our investigations, I would have that insider information about what might be too much for her to handle. The information I needed to keep her safe from her activity becoming worse, or developing attachments, especially dark ones. I'd never forgive myself.

Then I had felt her push past me and start to walk away, and I knew if I let her walk away now, I would "lose" her forever. Not that she was mine, but I felt that we had some sort of bond between us. Regardless of what that bond turned out to be, I couldn't lose it.

So I did the only thing I could think of. I used my strength to pull her back to me, literally, and held her against me. I realized at that moment she could of yelled out for help, accuse me of assault, which really, it could have been.

But she started to relax against me as I talked. As I explained the reason for my behaviour.

Then I decided to do something I rarely did anymore. With anyone. Open up.

"How about I open up a bit, and share something with you?" I asked softly.

Alicia nodded.

"Alright…" she replied.

I could sense she was nervous.

I lightly rubbed my thumbs over the top of her hands to try to reassure her. I wondered briefly why she hadn't turned around to face me. Maybe she was feeling the same thing I was. It felt easier to open up to her and not having to look into those beautiful, yet haunted, eyes of hers.

Maybe eventually we'd reach a point where we could face each other. But for right now, it felt easier this way. She had started to cry when I upset her. I didn't want to face the tears I had caused. And I knew she probably didn't want to face me with a tear stained face.

I tried to gather my thoughts so I could tell her how I was feeling about us. Yes, even though we barely knew each other, there was some sort of connection there. One I had found comforting. One I had never felt before.

A song I recognized distracted my thoughts.

It was then I realized my song choice had long since ended. One, or maybe even two songs having since passed. But this song I recognized.

"Night Like This" by Shawn Desman.

Not exactly my preferred music style. But considering my current position with this beautiful woman, I wasn't about to complain. If this was Billy's doing, I owed him. Big time.

I tilted my head down toward Alicia's neck a bit more as I gently traced my hands up along her arms, despite knowing how she'd react.

"Oh no…" Alicia mumbled in horror.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

I moved my mouth close to her ear again.

"New deal," I started.

I moved my hands to her hips and I felt her shiver against me.

I smiled slightly to myself.

"Nope," Alicia said before I could continue.

I laughed again.

"But you haven't even heard the deal!" I exclaimed.

"I don't care," Alicia replied, but I picked up on the joking tone in her voice.

I smirked.

"I'll share how I really feel about us, about you…but only if you dance with me," I stated, with a grin on my face.

Alicia's Point of View

I heard the new song come on, and recognized it immediately. This had to be Billy's doing.

Damn you Billy Tolley! I thought.

My thoughts were nearly obliterated when I felt Zak's breath on my neck, and his hands tracing up my arms.

"Oh no…" I mumbled, somewhat jokingly, sounding horrified.

"Walk in the room

Leaving the sun in disgrace

Shining so bright

Makes me forget time and space"

I listened as he started explaining about a "new deal" and felt his hands rest on my hips.

I couldn't stop the shiver from running down my spine.

I acted like I wanted no part of this "deal". The self conscious part of me did not want this deal.

But then I heard Zak say he'd explain how he really felt about "us" and me...and I couldn't refuse.

"And I feel like

Nothing

Nothing can touch me now

In this moment

Right here

No one can bring me down"

Despite being horribly self conscious about dancing to a fast song with him, I rested my hands over his on my hips, not entirely sure what I was doing. I took a deep breath and started dancing with him, moving my hips against his. I closed my eyes as if that would ease the shyness.

I felt Zak's grip on my hips tighten slightly, before he started dancing with me, against me.

"See doll, not so bad, is it?" Zak said softly near my ear.

Doll…

"Not to bad…" I joked softly, as if some part of us dancing was disappointing.

I could practically feel Zak smile against my ear.

"Makes me wanna say hey yeah yeah

I don't want this feeling to end

I wanna say hey yeah yeah

'Cuz it's like anything can happen

On a night like this

Night like this

Night like this

Night like this"

"Before I get into my end of the deal," Zak started. "I want to say, I'm sorry," he added softly.

It didn't dawn on me in the slightest what he might be apologizing for. I was too distracted by feeling his body moving against mine.

"For what?" I questioned softly, continuing to dance with him.

"For being a complete ass the first time we met, at the interview," Zak said softly.

Oh my god..he's apologizing…

"It's o-" I started, but Zak cut me off.

"It's not okay. Don't say that it is. I was a jerk and I upset you. I've been wanting to apologize since you left the office, but I couldn't find the right time," Zak said softly, sounding slightly upset with himself.

"Come be with me

Under the wide open sky

Drinks all around

Freedom you just can't deny"

I felt like I was on top of the world. I had started to think he was never going to apologize.

"I hadn't slept the night before. It was one of my nights plagued by terrible nightmares…I kept having the same nightmare, me violently killing people, over and over…" Zak admitted, pain evident in his voice.

I felt horrible for him, and I felt like I needed to apologize too.

"I'm so sorry Zak…" I said softly, turning my head to look at him as best as I could.

Zak smiled weakly at me, I could tell he was reliving the nightmare in his own head.

I hesitantly reached up, and back, with one hand, to rest on the back of his neck. I gently rubbed his neck reassuringly.

I saw his eyes close, as if a great relief had been lifted off his shoulders. He opened his eyes again after a brief period, and the haunted look in his eyes seemed to be gone.

"Thank you..for understanding.." Zak said softly.

I kept my hand on the back of his neck.

"If I had known that in the first place, I would of understood," I replied softly.

Zak smiled at me, and then turned toward my ear again.

"I don't think I can fully explain my feelings right now…because we've only just met. But I like being around you…" Zak said softly.

I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Something about you makes me feel at ease when I'm around you…I don't feel so haunted…" Zak added.

Oh my god, I have to be dreaming.

"You just explained exactly how I feel…" I admitted honestly, but also shyly.

Zak's voice seemed heightened when he next spoke.

"Really?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Yes," I replied softly.

I was suddenly unsure of what these confessions meant, and afraid to say anything, in case I freaked him out.

"Then I guess we'll spend more time together," Zak said softly, then added, "And see what happens."

I smiled.

I liked the sound of that.

"That sounds great," I replied softly.

"Good," Zak said.

I could feel him smiling again.

"Makes me wanna say hey yeah yeah

I don't want this feeling to end

I wanna say hey yeah yeah

'Cuz it's like anything can happen

On a night like this

Night like this

Night like this

Night like this"

We continued dancing in silence after that, the song nearing the end.

Suddenly, I decided I wanted to share something with him too.

"Zak?" I asked.

"What is it doll?" Zak replied.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling, but then became serious again.

I turned my head to look at him.

I hesitated briefly, feeling the emotions rolling back in, but I softly said, with some sadness in my voice, "I do know them…her…"

Zak caught on right away that I was answering one of his questions from earlier.

He smiled slightly and leaned down, taking me by surprise when he lightly kissed my temple.

Don't faint, don't faint.

"That'll do, for now," Zak said softly.

I smiled.

It seemed I had gotten to meet the real Zak Bagans after all.

Authors Note: So, how were those two chapters? I know it may seem early for Zak and Alicia to be getting close, but I do have a plan in mind as to why it happens so quickly. But it's not going to include them dating too soon, IF that's in my plan. :)

I know the update was a bit short, but I wanted to get these two chapters up, before my next update. Because in the next chapter, the first lockdown is coming!