Somehow they had fallen asleep, just like that. Together on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms. It was warm and comforting, filling a void both of them tried to hide. They dozed, quietly, contentedly.

The sun filtered into the dark room, casting light shadows against the wall. The first sounds of the morning made Alec stir in his sleep. He nudged himself out of a long overdue rest, and caught a glimpse of Max lying next to him. Her head resting on his bare chest, and her breathing heavy, she was still asleep.

Then he remembered, everything from the night before. Alec had shown her for the first time how vulnerable he really was, and she accepted it. He smiled as he looked down at her, gently running his fingers through her tousled hair.

Slowly, Max opened her eyes and Alec stopped touching her, afraid she would reject him. Realizing she was draped over him, she pushed herself up, so she sat next to him. Still only in his boxers, Max felt slightly uncomfortable.

There was no denying that he was a fine specimen of a man, even if he was a jerk half the time. After his outburst last night though, Max felt different. Although she couldn't explain it, she knew they were more connected than she once thought. He wasn't as tough as he made himself out to be. Max knew what that was like because much of the time she had to put on the same act. She had to be the strong one, because there was no one else who could be.

"Morning," he said, a little unsure.

"Yeah, morning. I can't believe we fell asleep here. I feel like I've been asleep for days." Max yawned.

"You needed it. Your body has been through a lot the last few days."

"I guess," Max said, smiling and then turning to Alec, with an expression he couldn't read, "Alec, about last night?"

"Forget it. It was nothing. I didn't mean for you to see that."

"But I did."

"Yeah, yeah ya did, but just forget about it, okay. I'm fine."

"You're not fine, Alec. I saw the fear in your eyes."

Alec stood up and paced the room, not even daring to let her see the insecure expression on his face. "It's just something that happens. I can handle it."

Max watched him, for whatever reason just talking about his nightmare was getting him riled up. Max decided it was better to let it go, if Alec didn't feel comfortable talking to her about it, then she had no other choice than to drop the subject. "Fine."

"Do you want to take a shower?" Max gave him a puzzled look. "I didn't mean, with me," he laughed.

"Yeah, I better. We don't want to be late for work."

"There's clean towels in the bathroom."

"Thanks," Max told him, then turned to go shower, scooting past him.

Alec sat on the couch, waiting for Max to finish, so he could get in a quick rinse before work also.

Growing impatient, Alec went into his bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door. "Max, are you all right in there?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, just give me a few more minutes."

"Well, hurry up."

Max opened the door, adorned in only a towel. Alec gaped at her. "I said, I needed a few more minutes, " she growled, slamming the door in his face.

"Yeah fine, take your time, whatever."

Standing by the lockers at Jam Pony, Max caught sight of Original Cindy. Max knew she was in for it. There was no way she could talk her way out of not coming home and spending the night at Alec's no less.

"Hey, girl!" OC greeted her. "Now Boo, I know it's really none of my business, but I couldn't help notice that you and your boy Alec over there left Crash last night together and then you mysteriously didn't come home all night. You wanna tell me what's up with dat?"

"It was nothing, we fell asleep," Max told her, turning to avoid her gaze.

"Riight. After an extensive workout or what?" OC laughed, at the horrified look on Max's face.

"Relax Boo, I know Logan's more your flava."

Max looked down at the ground, painfully aware that others knew more about her life with Logan than she knew at the moment.

Original Cindy laid a reassuring hand on Max's should. "Don't worry, those memories will slide on back, and then you and Logan will be right back where you were."

Max smiled, trying to figure out if that was a good thing. How did she really feel about Logan anyway? As she turned her head, she caught sight of Alec antagonizing Sketchy and for whatever reason she smiled.

Alec turned around, feeling her eyes on him, and he smiled back at her, giving a curt wink, before returning his attention back to Sketchy.

Things were definitely happening. What those things were, she had no idea. One thing was obvious, without Logan around, she was realizing a lot about herself. Not to mention, learning what made Alec tick. Maybe he wasn't as shallow and vain as he portrayed himself to be.

TBC