Two things I'm sorry for; one, this very long author's note. Two, I'm sorry I've been away longer than expected. Besides the rough couple of months I've been having, I also was Internet-less for a LONG time. Oh, and writer's block is always kicking me in the face. Also, to anyone who read and were tolerant to my rant in the previous "chapter", thanks. For those saying stuff about my mom being the victim, shut up. Please and thank you. I didn't ask for your ignorance.

I had some breakdowns at school so that caused my test grades to drop due to the lack of sleep and not being able to clearly think ONLY about what was on the paper. But now everything's getting back to normal. Sort of. This house is really quiet when I get home now. :/ *sigh* I broke up with my girlfriend out of love, but she took me back the same day (*happy tear*) long story. Like, really long story. XD Anyways, writing's been able to get my mind off things so I'm back. OKAY! 3 Enjoy.

Stevie drove up to the sub shop for the second time that day, looking out from her window to the second story. She smiled as she saw Alex leaning on the terrace, her chin in her upturned palm with her eyes closed in that look of deep reflection. Her dark brown hair was swept up slightly by the wind, never seeming to touch her now gentle face. Her lips were slightly pouted, and all Stevie thought when she saw her was how innocent Alex seemed in that second of bliss when they kissed. Stevie looked through the corner of her eye as Shadow also looked out the window, mimicking Stevie. He looked back at Stevie and licked his lips before panting.

Stevie smirked as she patted his head. "See that girl up there, pup?" she asked Shadow, poking the window twice as she pointed up at Alex. She got a slight nod and a lick at the window in response. "That's 'mommy'. Let's hope she's a dog person." Stevie chuckled a bit as she spoke the last sentence.

After Stevie found a parking spot behind the shop, she pulled out her wand, topped with a crystal skull. She took a moment to marvel at the craftsmanship, a small glow emitting from it as she did.

"'A wave of the wand… A glimpse of the past or future…" she muttered, frowning a bit as she did.

How she got that wand she hated remembering, and she had no time to get into her thoughts as Shadow barked at it impatiently.

She chuckled a bit and waved it once, making both of them appear in front of the Russo's apartment. Shadow spun around once and shook his furry head. Stevie thinks that maybe he doesn't really like that. Before lifting her hand up to knock, she flashed a leash onto Shadow, getting headshakes of refusal in the process.

Alex spun around a bit surprised as she heard a knock on the door, completely shaking her out of her reverie. When she opened the door, she gasped a bit at the sight of a smiling Stevie.

"Hi," said Stevie with a hint of playfulness in her voice, her crooked smile warm and inviting.

"Stevie. Hi," replied Alex, surprise easy to detect in her voice.

A silence enveloped them for a moment, Shadow sitting patiently as if he knew they were sharing an unspoken moment. His ear twitched out of nowhere and he shook his head. This seemed to wake Alex up, as she then blinked and motioned for Stevie to come in. Her and Shadow went to the couch, both sitting somewhere.

"So…" Alex drawled out, her mind completely wiped out.

Stevie stood up, letting Shadow's leash go. He lifted his head up from where he was lying down in front of the couch as his neck suddenly got lighter, then laid his head back down on his paws, suddenly feeling lazy. It was like the aura around this couch and its owner has taken Shadow's being in, it's idle presence contagious.

In the time it took for the leash to fall, Stevie was in front of Alex.

Flirt mode, engaged.

"Looks like I made you shut up," she said, her hands in her pockets.

Alex wasn't one to back down from a challenge. She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed slightly. She knew Stevie was taunting her.

"Oh, shuddup," she repeated. She was out of words.

"There you go again. You say it, but you can't make me. You gotta walk the walk if you're gonna talk the talk, Alex," Stevie said matter-of-factly with a shrug.

"Y'know," Alex started, pointing a finger at Stevie curiously. "I've never met anyone like you."

"Granted and guaranteed you never will again," Stevie added.

Alex rolled her eyes. "You're a huge flirt. I'm not sure if I should be around you."

"Why? Afraid you might fall for me?" Stevie smirked.

"More like afraid you might fall for me." Alex smirked back.

Stevie chuckled. "Care to explain?"

Alex nodded once, slowly, as she began to walk towards the fridge. "Well, ask around. I don't like people very easily. Not even my family-"

As if on cue, Max came walking down the stairs, instantly going to the fridge as well. "That's true," he said, never missing a beat in Alex's speech. He grabbed a juice box and walked back upstairs.

"… Okay… Anyways, it takes a while for me to like people, whereas for some weird reason-" A chuckle lurked in her words. "-people like me pretty quick." As she spoke, Alex moved around the kitchen, something unusual to see; her making her own food. "I have no control over this, so the more you flirt with me and kiss me-,"

Stevie cut her off, going to sit at the island and watch Alex work, "You kissed me."

Alex's eye twitched as she paused. "The more you flirt and WE kiss, the faster you'll start to like me," she finished, not missing a beat. She threw mustard, ham, and some things that shouldn't be put together on top of two slices of wheat bread.

Stevie's lips curled into an amused smile, lacing her fingers together on the counter and lying her head on top of them. "Interesting," she said simply, watching the train wreck on a kitchen counter.

Taking a bite of the monstrosity that was held firmly with both hands, Alex nodded and shrugged. Stevie cringed slightly, staring at the food. "Is this to make me avoid kissing you?"

Alex froze, and swallowed quickly before ranting her thoughts aloud. "Oh no, crap, I totally wasn't doing that. I-I actually wanted you to kiss me but-, no, wait, no I didn't! Why would I want to kiss you? Wai- No, uhh-." Alex's sudden outburst made Stevie laugh outloud, making Shadow roll over in his sleep from where he laid. She stood and leaned forward on the counter.

Alex shook her head and quickly moved to the counter to get a tissue to clean herself. Stevie stared curiously at Alex, her laughs receding. She shrugged.

"Shut up…" Alex whined, a look of frustration crossing her pretty features.

"For your sake, please stop using those words. Bad things can happen," Stevie warned, her shoulders still level with her head in a paused shrug.

"Oh please," Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes at the same time.

"Please what?" Stevie countered, a smirk playing at her lips.

"Dammit Stevie!" Alex crossed her arms in frustration because of Stevie's comebacks. "That's what I mean!" She sighed. "Look, all I'm saying is that maybe you should… back off with all the flirting and come-ons for a while, 'kay?"

Stevie frowned slightly, her shoulders slumping. Fun's over, she thought. "If that's what you wan-"

"Yes. It is."

Stevie nodded and pushed the chair back calmly to stand. Shadow stood as well, almost as if he hadn't been sleeping, and waited next to Stevie, tail wagging. "I should probably take Shadow back," she said, hurt lurking in her voice. It was all an act, of course.

Alex knew that much, so she didn't say anything. Stevie began walking to the door, head hung with a pout.

"God, you're lucky you're cute," Alex muttered under her breath, not thinking at all. She sucked her lips in her mouth, wishing they were in her control 24/7.

"What was that?" Stevie turned her head, blinking and cupping her hand around her ear.

"Go home, Stevie," Alex groaned, slapping her forehead softly and throwing her head back slightly.

Stevie laughed and walked out of the apartment, Shadow leashed in her hand.

After Stevie was gone, Alex looked down at her "snack". If that's what you could call it. She cringed. "How and why did I make THAT?"

Seems like someone was distracted.

I realize now that I've been making Alex a bit OOC in some scenes, but I have to. Sorry to anyone that gets bothered by this. I honestly didn't like this chapter, so if anyone didn't as well, I don't take offence. My writing's sucking lately…:/