A dose of reality

She stares at you with half-terrified eyes. "Pinch me. Fuck me. Anything, please just...prove you're still here." Her shoulders shake with the threat of new sobs. "God damn me, I can't...I just can't believe you're real."

Your eyes widen in panic as she starts to come apart in front of you.

"I need--" sob, "--I need to know that I'm not going to wake up, and be too late, or have never known you because--" sob, "--because I--" Her throat closes up completely, and her grip around your hands tightens to painful proportions.

"Why?"

She looks at you in confusion.

"Why can't you believe I'm real?"

An intuitive part of your mind suspects, but you stifle it. You don't want to think, don't want to hope, but you need to hear her answer.

"I...I'm..." She can't seem to string two words together. A slow gulp manages to clear her throat. "Because people like you just don't exist."

The statement is so surprising, you don't actually know how to respond, or even how to feel about it.

Seeing your confusion, she continues. "What I mean is...god, you--the last month has been like a constant waking dream."

A smile quirks your lips. "Good one, I hope?"

That manages to draw a small laugh out of her. "Like you wouldn't believe. Waking up with you, eating breakfast together, talking, sleeping...not sleeping."

You grin a little.

"All of it is...I can't remember the last time I felt so...alive. I know you're technically just supposed to be my assignment, my prisoner, but...I can't imagine where I'd be right now if not for you." Her smile narrows, but remains. "Frankly, I don't want to. And I know it's not admissible in court, but there is...no way that you're guilty."

You snort a laugh. "Glad I've convinced you. Let's just hope I don't have to sleep with the jury to convince them too."

Alessa laughs again, but it's a little restrained this time. "Not a chance, stud."

You blink.

She forcefully grabs the back of your head. "'Cause you're mine, got it?"

You blink again, like a deer caught in green headlights.

Alessa's expression takes on a note of uncertainty. "Okay?"