Bella stared at the bench in disbelief, a wary look on Alex's face, not knowing if he'd done the right thing. Not knowing if he'd just pushed Bella away. He really hoped he hadn't, because she was one girl he did not want to lose. Bella sat there, her hands still pressed against her mouth and her eyes wide.

"Oh wow, I.. I.. d-d-don't know what -" Bella stammered, as she stood up to look at Alex.

"Er, just forget I wrote it, okay. I've made a fool of myself, I can tell." Alex walked towards the marking and covered it up, sitting over it. "Just don't worry about it, beautiful."

Bella walked towards Alex, pushing him from where he was perched on the edge of the bench. She ignored what he was saying and crouched down, looking carefully at the marking and trying not to cry. Tears started to form in her eyes as she wiped them away before Alex could notice them. "Alex, is this true?"

"Yes. Each and every word. I promise."

"I don't -"

"I wouldn't have written it otherwise."

"Alex, I.. I.." Bella tried to push out the words. She knew they were there. They were stuck in her throat. They'd been stuck in her throat since the first time they'd had sex, and he'd looked her in the eye with such compassion. But she hadn't wanted to say them in fear of feeling and looking like an idiot. But now it was happening.

"Bella, stop -"

"I love you too."

"What?"

"You heard."

"Say it again."

"I love you too." Bella looked at Alex, wide-eyed, reaching her hands out.

Alex inched forward and their hands met, lacing slowly. "I love you."

A wide grin started to spread across Bella's face and the two of them leant in to each other, Bella slowly reaching up on her tiptoes. Alex's head bowed down slightly and he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. They wrapped themselves in each other's embrace and held on tightly. Alex was very reluctant to let any part of this moment go. He was reluctant to let Bella go. He was reluctant to let go of anything concerning the two of them and their relationship.

"Come on, let's go baby." Alex started to walk, dragging Bella behind him as he walked towards the car. Bella unlocked it with the electric key but before she could even begin to open the door, Alex pushed her against the car, her front pressed up hard against it. Alex ran his hands up and down her body, caressing every curve, every bend, every inch of skin as he pressed himself against her back. Bella moaned lightly as Alex took it all in, kissing her neck, grinding slightly into her.

He pulled Bella around to face him and holding his grip on her, he kissed everywhere he could reach without having to bend too much. They both ground their bodies into each other in time, Bella feeling his arousal. They kissed and kissed and kissed, a very heated one at that, until Bella broke off, biting her lip. She motioned for Alex to get in the car as she took a deep breath and let it out slowly and quietly. Her cheeks felt as if they were burning for everyone to see but she climbed into the car nonetheless and began to drive off again.

Alex fiddled with his hands in his lap, as he tapped his feet on the car-mat. "Where are we going now?"

"I really want to go to Paige's."

"For the reason I'm thinking of?"

"What's the reason you're thinking of?"

"I think you know."

Bella chewed on her lip.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Well, I wasn't expecting this."

"Not a lot of people do, babe. It's not the best area but she loves her little house."

"Hats off to her then. Why are we here though?"

"We're gonna be detectives for the day!"