Author's note: This is an Emma Approved fanfic that was written after Episode 69, "Strange Days." It's a three-shot from Alex's POV, ending in some speculation about how Knighthouse happens! I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: Loose Ends

"Have I really been this blind or have I been lying to myself this whole time?" She sighs. "Well that stops now. Because now…"

It had taken over two weeks, but Alex had finally worked up the resolve to go back to the office and take his things. He couldn't just leave his desk like that. There were…loose ends that needed to be tied up.

Like the fact that he was in love with her, and she was Frank's.

But he had spent enough time torturing himself with these thoughts, restless and sleepless and heartbroken. He had restrained himself from checking Emma's Twitter, Frank's Twitter, any social media at all. A day after leaving the office he went up to visit John and Izzy, making them swear they wouldn't tell her, and tried to get a grip on his feelings. And his disappointment in her. Or whatever version of her had been so abominably cruel to Maddy in such a careless way. If that was what being with Frank did to her, then he couldn't stay and watch her become that Emma. It would be the only thing that could break his heart more.

But being around Izzy, who looked like Emma, talked like Emma, was not helping. And she and John were clearly worried. He couldn't remember ever having a major fight with Emma, let alone something as enormous as this. He couldn't talk about it to John, though. He couldn't tell anyone. He just had to find a way to let go of the years of feelings that had piled up in his heart.

Now he was back home, and he had promised himself that he would look her in the eye properly, and say goodbye. He'd find a replacement for his job. And he'd leave, carrying all his love with him, and let her and Frank be happy together.

But then he was in the doorway, watching her speak to the camera in a trembling voice, reproaching herself. Over what? What could she mean? He knew—he didn't want to be too arrogant, but he knew that he must have hurt her. He knew his anger was justified after what she did, but he felt like he had betrayed her terribly. They were best friends. And he was so important to the business that he had no idea how she and Harriet managed to keep it going, though of course he believed in them. Emma was so intelligent, so ambitious, so driven. And she had managed to transform Harriet as well. She hadn't seen him, but he had watched Harriet handling customers on the phone just now with ease and confidence.

But she had Frank now. A relationship now. What could she have been blind to seeing? Emma, who seemed to see everything and know everything except the love he had hidden so carefully from her?

He lost all his nerve. Fighting Emma, even leaving Emma, he could do. But he couldn't face crying Emma. He couldn't resist the urge to bury her in his arms and tell her that she was the most wonderful, the most beautiful…

He couldn't bear to stay. Turning on his heel, he left without even entering his office. He snuck out into the parking lot feeling even more guilty than before, regretting that he hadn't listened more. What was Emma talking about? What was wrong?