Chapter 83: Forgiveness and A Promise

As I made my way toward the first row of seats, I stopped briefly at the row Aaron and Cheryl were sitting in.

Cheryl gave me a knowing smile when she saw me.

"You helped him with that, didn't you?" I asked, smiling a bit.

Cheryl laughed.

"I swear I didn't. He just asked me if you liked the song, and wanted to know who your favourite guy was. Pretty weird how it worked out…" Cheryl replied.

I was slightly stunned.

Zak had coincidentally picked that verse, with those lyrics, sung by my favourite member of the group?

Wow…weird is an understatement…

"So, are you two going to kiss and makeup now?" Aaron asked, before making kissy faces at me.

I noticed that Ashley, Jay, and Billy - who were all sitting nearby - were watching me for my response.

I felt my face flush.

"I'm going to ignore that question and just simply say…I'm not done with you guys yet," I replied, before walking forward again.

"Wooo! Yes!" I heard Aaron exclaim behind me, followed by laughter from the others.

I smiled to myself as I continued walking.

Zak's Point of View

I sat staring out my window, completely on edge, hoping and praying that I would receive some sort of response from Alicia, even if it was just a text.

That's if she even reads the letter bro… I thought, sighing quietly.

I was also hoping I didn't write anything that would upset her further.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly - I felt like shit.

I was having a lockdown hangover, and I still had a few symptoms of my cold – though it was a bit better - and I hadn't slept since the night before the lockdown.

All I could think of while I had been trying to sleep, was Alicia.

I really didn't want her to leave.

I always feel so much peace and calmness when she's around, unlike anything I've experienced before.

I felt like fate had brought her into my life, not only to improve it, but to keep the darkness away as much as possible.

Not to mention…she's making me happier than I've been in years…and not a chick looking for fame or money, like some of the "demons" from my dating past…I thought.

I hoped my video wouldn't anger Alicia either, since part of it was humorous.

When I had started browsing "iTunes" and bought a few songs by the "Backstreet Boys", I was surprised by their music, for a "boy band".

Obviously, some of their earlier material was cheesy, but the last few years of material was pretty good.

I had a few songs and lyric selections in mind when I saw Cheryl coming back from the bathroom, and had quickly questioned her on the songs, and who Alicia's favourite member was.

When she said it was Brian Littrell, and she saw the confused look on my face, Cheryl laughed and then sat down with me.

Ultimately I decided on the final choice, but Cheryl had helped me greatly, since she was able to tell which member was singing what part.

After I decided on the song, I gave Cheryl the letter I had written and asked her to give it to Alicia, which she agreed upon.

I then proceeded to listen to the opening of the song I had chosen – "Shape of My Heart" – a few times to get the lyrics set in my head.

The lyrics were almost perfect for our situation.

I was asking for forgiveness, an obvious one.

The "don't put out the glow" part…well, I suppose it could relate to two things.

One being the "flames" or "sparks" that were between us, but I liked it for a different reason.

I was a happier, carefree, and calmer person when she was around, she was my light in the darkness of my world.

The chorus was pretty self explanatory too.

In the past, I dated the users, the famewhores – I'll admit it, the show was becoming popular, I was becoming more recognizable, and women threw themselves at me – so I let them.

But over the years of seeing ex-girlfriends experiencing paranormal activity around me, and as I grew older, I quickly tired of the drama that type of lifestyle brought me.

And as much as I believed that there was no one out there for me, I was quickly coming to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, Alicia could accept me and all my weirdness.

My thoughts were distracted and I suddenly jumped when I heard a voice next to me.

"Hey…sorry…is this seat taken?" Alicia asked, her voice a bit deeper and raspier than normal.

She must still have her cold…but damn, her voice…

I looked up to see her standing next to the empty seat beside me, carrying her backpack and pillow, and despite looking exhausted, she still looked beautiful.

Oh please…say you're staying…

I smiled slightly at her as I moved my backpack from the seat and put it on the floor at my feet.

"It's all yours…" I replied softly, trying not to get my hopes too high.

For all I knew, she could be here to tell me to leave her the hell alone.

I gently helped her set her backpack on the floor as she stepped into the row, and then sat down in the seat beside me, setting her pillow on top of her backpack.

Once she was settled, she looked at me.

"I'm sorry too, Zak...for everything…" Alicia said softly.

Oh no…she's leaving…

"I didn't mean what I said…I don't want to leave, and I don't regret taking the job…and I definitely don't regret having met you…" Alicia said, looking shy.

She's so cute when she's shy…

I wanted to leap from my seat and shout my relief to everyone on the plane.

"You don't…?" I asked softly.

She smiled a bit at me.

"No, I don't. I'm so sorry for making you feel like that.." She replied, tears swelling up in her eyes and starting to spill down over her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry...it's okay," I said softly, reaching up and gently wiping her tears away.

She looked at me with her beautiful, chocolate brown eyes, before suddenly leaning forward and hugging me.

Relief…

I closed my eyes in relief and contentment, quickly moving to hug her back, tightly.

"I was so afraid you'd never forgive me…or that you'd reject me" Alicia said softly, her voice a bit shaky.

I bow my head down near hers and softly spoke near her ear.

"It's more my fault than yours, and Doll, I will never reject you…" I said softly.

"Never?" Alicia replied softly.

"Never," I replied. "I was afraid too…that you really were regretting meeting me…" I added.

"Never," Alicia replied, causing me to myself as she quoted me. "And how can I hate you when you can sing like that?" She added, teasing.

I laughed, louder than I had in days, and also smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it doll," I replied, holding her close.

Alicia's Point of View

It's so nice to hear him call me "doll" again… I thought, as I stayed close to Zak, hugging him still.

It also felt wonderful to be in his arms again.

I could of stayed in them forever, but I felt him gently pull back to look at me.

"So…are we good now? Alls forgiven…?" Zak asked, looking slightly fearful that I'd say no.

I smiled a bit at him and nodded.

"Alls forgiven," I replied.

Zak nearly beamed with happiness.

"I'm so glad…" Zak said, somewhat shy.

He suddenly pulled me into a hug, as if to hide his shyness.

I smiled to myself and hugged him back.

"I'm glad too," I said softly.

After a moment or so, I felt Zak pull back and saw him reach up and lightly tug on the edge of my hood.

"Why are you hiding under this?" He asked, and started to push my hood back, but I stopped him.

"Because I'm sick and look like shit," I said, pulling the hood back into place.

Zak frowned slightly.

"You do not look like shit, just tired. And a cold still?" He asked, looking slightly concerned.

I nodded.

"You look tired too…" I said, slightly worried.

I noticed he had dark circles under his eyes.

"I haven't slept since the night before last," Zak replied, causing me to frown.

"Should I go back to my seat? So you can try to- eek!" I exclaimed, feeling him wrap both arms around me and pulling me closer to him.

"Hell no. You're staying right here," Zak said, smiling at me.

I smiled in return, wrapping an arm around him and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Fine by me," I replied, suddenly feeling tired myself.

I felt a bit of surprise when Zak lightly kissed the top of my head.

"Good," Zak replied softly, before gently resting his head against mine.

I smiled to myself and closed my eyes, feeling more relaxed than I had in days.

A few minutes later…

"Ali?" Zak asked softly.

"Yeah?" I replied softly.

"I just remembered, and wanted to tell you before I forgot, I heard back from the psychic couple I know that I was telling you about," Zak said.

I lifted my head up to look at him.

"You did?" I asked.

"Yes. They're both willing to meet with us to talk about your visions and drawings," Zak replied.

I felt slightly relieved.

"That's great…" I replied.

Zak smiled a bit.

"I told them we were in the middle of an investigation, so they're going to fly in to Vegas next week. Give us time to recover and everything," Zak explained.

"Did they say anything about what they think it is…?" I asked.

Zak nodded slightly.

"The wife, Marti, she had the ability to draw spirits without a description from anyone. She doesn't react like you do, she just starts drawing. But she thinks you're probably similar to her. She calls it 'Psychic Artistry'," Zak replied.

I thought for a moment before asking my next question.

"So…she hasn't exactly heard of what I do before?" I asked.

Zak shook his head slightly.

"No…but she believes it's a Psychic gift nonetheless," Zak replied.

I sighed quietly and leaned my head against his shoulder again.

"Yeah…a 'gift' that'll get me killed," I mumbled without thinking.

"What?" Zak exclaimed in shock, his body tensing.

Way to ruin the moment Ali…

"Nothing," I replied. "Let's just try to sleep," I added.

"No, tell me what you meant," Zak said, his voice sounding worried.

I sighed quietly.

I knew I couldn't keep my concerns from him, not after how I reacted to the issue of safety these past few days.

I lifted my head up and looked at him.

"When I had my…visions…on the way here, it really scared me this time. I realized that the only warning I have is knowing there's an upcoming investigation. But otherwise, I don't know when or where they'll happen. What if I'm driving and I suddenly have an attack?" I explained.

I saw the worry in Zak's eyes, but he gave me a reassuring look.

"You don't draw and drive do you?" Zak asked, trying to be funny.

Despite my fear, I did laugh slightly.

"Funny," I said quietly.

I felt Zak's arm tighten around me.

"Try not to worry. We'll figure this out somehow, so that we can roughly guess when you might have an episode," Zak said.

I nodded slightly, but didn't share his optimism.

"I guess so," I replied softly.

I felt the fingertips of Zak's free hand lightly brush along my jaw as he turned my head to make me look at him.

"Hey…I'm not going to let anything happen to you, I promise," Zak said, looking me in the eyes.

Despite the unknown of my "gift", somehow, I knew he'd keep his promise.

I smiled a bit at him and rested my head against his shoulder again.

"Thank you Zak…" I said softly.

I could practically feel my insides melting when I felt Zak lightly kiss my forehead.

"No need to thank me doll," Zak replied softly.

I smiled to myself as I snuggled up closer to him and closed my eyes, eventually drifting off to sleep.

Authors Note: Yay! They're speaking to each other again! lol

Hope you enjoyed those two chapters, and keep on reviewing! :)