The light in the room was far too bright for her eyes and her head had a dull throb in the back. Sitting up she recounted the last evening. She went down to the bar and got drunk. Remembered Alastor being there, helping her to her room and… her face started to heat. She groaned as it started to all come back. Not only had he had to look after her, puking her guts out but she spilled her feelings for him too. Her head fell into her hands. He would no doubt avoid her now. She felt so stupid.

She pulled herself out of bed and started her morning routine trying to find a way to successfully nullify everything she had said to the Radio Demon last night. 'I was terribly drunk. I definitely didn't mean it' ,'oh no I was joking ha! You actually thought I liked you!?' She shook her head. She was certain she had spooked him. Who does that? Just confess love to someone when they're drunk. Well, maybe that wasn't too uncommon. Maybe she would just go over and apologize. He would be understanding right? Maybe? Probably not. Definitely not. She sighed.

She regretted looking in the mirror after her shower. She looked like shit. Her left arm from elbow down was a whole assortment of colours, the bruises now a painful piece of art that she never wanted. She had the added cuts on her arm from the knife, and a dark red line across her neck to match it. Her waist still burned a bit but it definitely looked worse due to her pale complexion. She wondered why she hadn't passed out from blood loss yet, between all her wounds and helping Alastor the other night she was pretty sure she didn't have much left at this point. And to top it all off she had large dark circles under her eyes, proof of her exhaustion. She sighed heavily. What a mess.

After dressing, she made her way down to the lobby. It was a weekend, so there were no morning activities, which also meant many slept in. She started for the kitchen when she heard chuckling from somewhere. She stopped and swept the lobby again, this time finding Husker at the bar.

"Damn, you look like shit."

Ellen made her way over to him sitting on one the stools, her body leaning over the bar. "You wouldn't happen to have a pair of sunglasses to complete my look back there would you?" She joked.

He poured her a glass and slid it to her. When she gave him a questioning look he explained. "It's just water. I think you're still cut off from last night."

She grabbed it and took a long sip. "I can't even argue that."

He laughed again, turning back to what he was doing. "Wasn't too rough of a night I hope." When she didn't respond he turned to look back at her. "That bad, huh?"

"I suppose it depends on what your definition of 'rough' is." She slumped back over the bar head laying on her arm like a pillow. "If you mean confessing you have feelings for a guy who laughs into your face about the waste of those particular feelings, all the while puking your guts out then, yeah. Yeah it was pretty rough."

Husker scoffed. "You told Alastor you liked him? Shit, Alastor was right, I should have cut you off sooner. Damn. You sure you don't want something stronger?"

She waved him off. "So everything is going to be horrendously awkward from now on, right?"

"That explains why he went to visit Rosie this morning." He said in a curious tone, ignoring her question.

Of course he ran away. She knew he would. So why did she feel a twinge of disappointment? Her stomach growled, pulling her from her inner dialogue.

"Right. Well I'm going to eat and hide in my embarrassment for the rest of the day." She hopped off her stool and started for the kitchen she paused as a thought came to her.

"Hey Husk, does anyone else know I go up to the roof for air?" He shook his head. "Good, I'd like to keep it that way."

"Sure." Was all she heard as she went into the kitchen to make herself breakfast.

Alastor decided that he would walk to go see Rosie this morning. It gave him more time to think about what he was going to tell Rosie. Since he left Ellen's room the night before, he couldn't help but keep thinking back to what she had said on the bathroom floor. Rosie would better understand what she had meant.

He too quickly found himself outside of Rosie's Emporium. He quickly gave himself a quick look over ensuring he was looking his best. He pulled the door open and stepped in as the little bell above the door chimed. She was at the counter with another client and he secretly hoped they would take a while to give him more time to get his thoughts together.

"Alastor? Alastor!"

He gave her a small wave as she quickly made her way to him.

"You know better than to keep a girl waitin! It's been too long, Alastor. Come on, I'll put on a pot of tea and we can catch up."

"That would be wonderful, thank you my dear."

She had already turned toward the back of the shop and he followed already knowing where they were headed.

Shortly the two were seated inside her kitchen each with a cup of tea.

"So. How have things been? Did that Ellen girl get settled in well?"

"Yes, I believe she's settled in as well as she can be. Charlie has her participate in those dreaded group activities now, and she seems to be getting along with everyone there."

"And what do you think of her?"

His smile tightened. While she was the subject for his visit, he wasn't ready to jump into it so quickly.

"She's an interesting young lady, I'll give her that."

Rosie's smile fell. She knew him too well.

"Well, I take it things aren't going too well right now." When he didn't answer she gave him a stern glance before continuing. "You can't fool me Alastor. Come on, spill."

"I'm not sure where to start, my dear. It's all a bit confusing. I'm afraid I don't really understand it well myself."

"Well, let's start with what you do understand. There's a reason you're not yourself today." She waved a finger at him."And don't think I wouldn't notice."

He let out a sigh crossing his legs. "She was quite ossified last night and she said some things I can't make sense of." He scoffed. "Silly thing thinks she's in love. I did tell her it was a waste of time and energy." He gave Rosie a knowing look. He had always said that to her whenever she needed to vent about one of her clients and their romance problems. He continued. " She asked me if I had ever loved anyone."

"And you answered 'only your mother' right?"

He nodded. "Then she said the most perplexing thing. She stated that I didn't think anyone could love me? Why would she make that kind of assumption?"

When he looked back to Rosie she had an amused smirk on her face. "Oh Alastor, she's a smart one, ain't she?"

"Is this some kind of joke? I don't understand."

"She said a lot of stuff after that I reckon." She leaned forward on her elbows, head in her hands. He knew that look. She did this when she knew where the conversation was going. It was almost like she could read his mind. He nodded, knowing she would stare until she got an answer.

"She said that you don't care for love because you believe no one could love you like your mother did? Somethin' along those lines?" She raised an eyebrow at him and he scowled in response.

"You know I hate when you do that." He took a sip of his tea.

She laughed," Oh Alastor, I keep telling ya, ladies just know things. I'm afraid I can't answer that question for ya, though. That's one I don't think anyone could explain to you."

His ear pinned back annoyed. If she couldn't answer it, then that meant he had to, and he already had enough on his plate. Thinking about this wouldn't even make it on his to-do list.

The two were silent as they sipped their tea. Finally he broke the silence. "I believe I am a bit out of practice." He put his cup down. "She is not afraid of me. At least not anymore even in my demonic form. She was so bold to say she even admired me." His smile brightened at the thought. It was nice someone acknowledged his particular talents. Like Rosie. Of course it was to be expected, he was the great Radio Demon after all.

"When did you notice she wasn't afraid of you anymore?"

He took a second to think. "It was the night of the open house. She didn't trust me, but she wasn't afraid." Was it because she didn't think he was as intimidating now that she knew he had a tail? The thought hadn't occurred to him until now. Though she didn't seem to make a fuss over it.

Rosie sat back looking confused. "I don't remember seeing her? Was she there?"

His smile tightened again. He had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Rosie. "I invited her to the event and hid her on the balcony, so she would be out of sight but still participate. Otherwise, not much different than the evening I had with you, my dear."

"But it was private."

"Well yes, it was made clear she could not be seen." He was confused why those details were important.

Rosie smiled behind her tea cup.

"And now she is gaining favours without trying, all unintentional." He ran a hand down his face. She had accrued too many for his liking let alone the one for his life. His ears were pinned back again and he knew his demon form was starting to show. He had enough to worry about breaking his own chain, but now, this girl was messing things up, getting in the way.

"Alastor, don't be putting holes in my ceiling again." She said in a warning tone.

He quickly collected himself. "Sorry my dear, pardon my manners."

"So how is she 'unintentionally' gainin favours?"

Alsotor explained everything that had happened since the open house evening. He left out most of the latter half of that evening only mentioning he got uncharacteristically plastered and she tended to his chest. He remained true to everything else. The demon soup she had made him, and the deal of three questions with truthful answers, even the battle the day before. He even explained the part about the sniper and unbeknownst to Ellen that it was an angelic steel bullet. And of course leading them back to where the conversation started, her drunken state the previous night.

Rosie had that look again, elbows on table and head in her hands. Grinning from ear to ear.

"Well I'll be. She's got it bad, the poor thing." Her face turned to a stern glare. "She's a good thing for you, Alastor."

"On the contrary! She has been nothing but an absolute nightmare that won't seem to leave me alone. Just looking at her makes me nauseous, and I can't think when she's in the same room. I can't focus with her around because she brings disaster everywhere she goes!" His hands were clutching the top of his head, panicked. "She's getting too close, she's been around for a few weeks and she knows almost as much about me as you! It took me decades to get to that point with you!" He could feel his nails digging into his head.

"And that's exactly why she's good for you, my friend."

He looked at her bewildered as she refilled their cups of tea.

"You like her, Alastor. Plain and simple."

"No, no, no. I don't do 'liking'. I don't do relationships. I just need to get close enough for her to put her guard down." He forced a laugh, but even to his ears it was unconvincing.

Rosie raised an eyebrow. "Lower her guard for a soul deal? What could you possibly offer her Alastor? She's mortal."

"Exactly. No one else has ever owned a mortal soul before, surely it's worth the effort. Everyone has their price, I just need to find hers."

"I may not know her very well, but I can tell you, you're not going to like what she'll offer. She's a smart girl. Just be careful, my friend. You mess with her feelings and you'll lose any chance."

"There are no feelings to mess with."

"She likes you Alastor and I suspect you care for her too."

"I do not. I'm simply trying to win her trust."

"And how long do you really think the act will stay an act? You can't pretend to like her forever, you'll fall for her eventually. It's already started." She blew into her cup before taking a sip.

He glared at her. While she was normally right about these sorts of things, he knew she was wrong this time. He wouldn't even entertain the thought of 'falling' for a girl. It wasn't in his agenda.

"It's not a concern of mine."

"It's just like having a best friend. Someone to have your back."

"I have you my dear, Rosie."

"You can't keep bottling everything up forever. You know I am always here for you, but maybe having someone else to talk to would be good for you. Clearly you two are comfortable enough with each other."

Alastor opened his mouth to protest but she continued. "Find me someone else down here aside from myself, that'll protect you like she did yesterday. Lookin for nothin in return" He glared, ears pinned back. She had made her point. "What more do you need before you'll admit it? It's okay to care for this girl, Alastor. She is not out to get you. She just likes you."

"I do NOT care for her. She is just under my care as per Charlie's request." He crossed his arms.

Rosie leaned back taking a sip of her tea looking amused. "Maybe you're right, what do I know? Tell me, how would you describe her, honestly?"

He was taken aback by her question. What did he think? "She's smarter than I thought. I underestimated her wit." He thought back to what she had told him about the night she had closed most of his wound. "She is reckless but thoughtful and perhaps a little too bold. She's an interesting young lady." He paused lost in thought. She had no problem handling herself, a fact that had surprised him. She wasn't a typical lady, not afraid to get her hands dirty if needed. Even standing up to him, thinking she could intimidate him. The corners of his mouth pulled up a little bit.

"So what's not to love? It's okay to be afraid. Love is like the afterlife, messy, full of mistakes and different for everyone. Just play the game and see where it takes you."

He was pulled back from his thoughts. "I am a powerful overlord in hell, my dear Rosie, same as you and I don't scare."

"You're right, until feelings get involved, then you're a deer in headlights." She said in a dry tone.

"I don't have time to play frivolous games, especially ones of this 'liking' nonsense."

"If it's with the right person, it's well worth it, my friend."

"Ha! She's hardly worth my time." He rolled his eyes.

"Then why is she stuck in your head, hmm?" Her eyes were sparking in amusement.

His ear flicked. "We've spent an awfully longtime on myself, I would hate to spend all our time together on me, please indulge me Rosie, how are things with you?"

She gave him a knowing look. He was done with this conversation, and she wouldn't push him anymore. She had made her point.

"Well Susan stopped by a few days ago…"

The rest of the morning and well into the late afternoon the two chatted, catching up after they're long absence from each other. It was well into the late afternoon that the two finally parted ways promising that they would reconnect soon.

Alastor felt much better after his day with Rosie, while she always left him with a lot to think about, she would clear up most of his thoughts and feelings. He enjoyed his walk back to the hotel humming happily to himself, watching other sinners move to avoid him. It lifted his smile.

By the time he made it back to the hotel, Angel was just finishing up in the kitchen, everyone else already seated for dinner. All except Ellen.

"Oh! Alastor perfect timing we were all just getting ready to eat. You'll join us wont you?"

"Apologies princess, but I'm afraid I am a bit behind on some work." He started for the stairs.

"Okay well, if you see Ellen, can you let her know dinner is ready? I haven't been able to find her today, I'm worried yesterday might have been… hard for her."

He turned back to the table and saw Angel and Husk share a knowing look. Husker pushed his chair out standing with a sigh. "I think I know where she is, I'll go get her."

"I'm already on my way, I'll be more than happy to save you the trip." He gave his shadow a quick nod, sending him on his way to check the hotel top to bottom.

Husk just grunted as he walked past, "He won't find her. She's found a place to hide from everyone, and she wants to keep it that way."

He followed the cat silently until he stopped on the top of the stairs. "I don't think she wants to see you, boss."

He waved off the concern. "Husker my friend, she's nothing I can't handle, I assure you." Husker only raised an annoyed eyebrow.

"She told me about last night. You are definitely the last person she'll want to see."

His shadow returned to him with a head shake, turns out Husker was right, she had managed to find somewhere no one would pester her. Why did Husker know where she was? Did anyone else know? His eyes narrowed.

"You will tell me where she is, my old friend if you know what's good for you."

Husker growled at him. "She specifically told me not to tell anyone."

"I own your soul, everything you have, you hear, you know, is mine. So I'll ask you only once, where is she?" He saw a flash of fear cross the cat demon's eyes before he turned his back.

"That's a low blow, even from you Alastor. She's most likely on the roof." He started back down the stairs. "Good luck. You're gonna need it."

Alastor and his shadow disappeared, moving to the roof in a matter of seconds.

Husker had been correct. On the roof with a little radio he recognized as Angel's, was Ellen, completely oblivious to his arrival.

She was focused in the moment, singing and dancing to whatever was playing. An amused smile played on his lips. He stepped further into the shadows, curious as to how long it would take her to notice his presence. She always seemed to know when he had eyes on her.

She looked to be enjoying herself. When the song ended, she was out of breath taking a second to get some air, but was right back to it when the next song came on.

She knew every word, every note, and it looked as though she was putting on a performance. He shifted a bit uncomfortably, perhaps he should make himself known. This felt oddly personal. Before he could, his shadow darted out to join her. To his surprise, she paused for only a split second before her smile grew and she moved to perform like it was a dance partner.

She laughed, a real heartfelt laugh, something he had never heard from her before. His stomach twisted at the sound. She easily conveyed the emotions of the words through her singing. She seemed to have just as much showmanship as he did. She twirled across the roof. She was dancing like no one was watching. Free to be as she wished.

He enjoyed the scene. She was quite entertaining to watch as she moved around the roof, anything and everything added to her routine. The AC unit became a table she would lean across.

"And though we go together like a Chenel number 5 and mace. At least it's not as dull as fitting like a glove." Her smile widened as she sang. Her eyes closed fully enveloping the music. " 'Cause you're a nightmare that I've not been dreaming of, but I suppose that when push comes to shove." Her smile lit up her whole face as she playfully sang to his shadow. "Fine, I love your stupid face."

She turned then, her eyes finally finding him in the shadows. Her whole image changed in an instant. Her cheeks reddened, but she quickly hid it under her glare.

"Unbelievable" she muttered under her breath, she turned and started collecting her things.

"I didn't know you could perform. It was quite a lovely spectacle. I might even say I was impressed."

She only scoffed in response, quickening her pace toward the roof exit. His brow furrowed confused. Had he insulted her? She seemed upset with him. He reappeared between her and the exit, blocking her way. She glared up at him.

"What do you want?"

"I was sent to let you know that dinner is ready downstairs."

"Great. Thanks. Can I go now?" She stepped to get around him.

"You seem upset by my presence."

"Glad it's obvious."

"I don't think I understand-"

"- I ruined it. Okay? Everything is going to be weird and awkward now that you know I like you. So let's just end things here and move on. You leave me alone, I leave you alone. Simple." She closed the door behind her, leaving him standing there confused.

Rosie seemed pretty sure Ellen was smitten, heck even Ellen used those words last night, but now it seemed she was angry with him? He let out a frustrated sigh. Couldn't people just say what they meant? He slipped into the shadows, reappearing in his room. He didn't like that she was upset with him, but he didn't know how to fix it. And even worse he didn't know why it bothered him.

AN. Song in this chapter was 'Your Stupid Face - Kaden MacKay'

Things are starting to move quickly now. I don't know if I'll continue to post multiple chapters at a time, we'll see. Hope you guys are enjoying my writing. :) Cheers!