Alex had rejoined the Iceberg Lounge, resuming his job as a bartender and most of the visitors were glad to have him back. And though a few days had passed without any lethal fights, minor upheavals were rather common in the club.

The highlight was that just a month was left in the contract and after that he would not have to deal with the chaos that raged at the place.

He had learnt from his experience though to remain discreet and seek cover whenever any fight started. And he had also found out that Helena's list of rules was rather helpful because the lesser he interacted with the people in there, the better it was for him.

But as usual Helena herself was an exception. Though she had reduced her conversations with him ever since that day when he had indirectly confessed, her presence nevertheless had a rather soothing effect on him, almost as if he had begun to consider her as a friend.

Out of all the people in the Iceberg Lounge, she was the first and only one who had offered to help him out and the only one who had stood up for him.

It was about time for Alexander to close the bar when a gunshot sounded in the distance. He sighed wearily, putting back the glasses and when the crashes got louder and closer he ducked under the counter.

Helena's sharp voice echoed through the club, "if you'll start a fight now, you'll lose. Either you answer my questions or suffer."

He couldn't hear anymore due to the crashes that resonated louder but all he could assess was that Helena too was directly involved in the fight. And as expected it didn't take long for the place to switch into war zone mode.

Penguin or rather Oswald Cobblepot's henchmen had to drop in the ruckus as well but they only made matters worse as sounds of glass shattering and further gun shots grew louder.

Alex kept under the counter, his eyes frantically peeking out after a short interval of silence but he had to duck down again when another series of crashes started. He had no idea whether Helena was safe or injured during the fight and his mind was continuously flickering towards her.

However, Helena had not been much hurt in fact she had made the opponent surrender either way. She was the Huntress and people knew best not to go fighting with her because there was a high chance that she would win.

A dreadful silence spread in the disheveled club again and Alex waited for a short while then lifted up a little to see what was going on. Bodies littered the floor and Helena was standing with her crossbow held tight in her hand as her eyes scanned the place.

He couldn't see her face because she was turned away from his field of vision but still it was one of those moments when Helena appeared both terrifying and beautiful at the same time to him. She was tough and resilient, a trait in her that he admired greatly.

But his eyes flickered towards a person stealthily creeping up on her with a crowbar in his hand. Alex could see that if he wasn't stopped he would aim right for Helena's head that could be injurious so without even thinking twice, he grabbed a wine bottle from under the counter and just like that man was creeping up on Helena, he did the same with him as he stealthily crawled out of the counter.

Hearing the thwack behind her, Helena turned around and was surprised to see that Alex had knocked out the man who was about to attack her by smashing a glass bottle on his head.

However she did not put her crossbow down and took aim, shooting an arrow straight at the person edging silently behind him. Alex had not even flinched as the arrow whizzed past him and hit the man it was intended for. There was no other person in the whole area who could cause any threat to the two by then.

Helena lowered the crossbow at last and sighed wearily though a smile was creeping up to her face at the fact that he had saved her, "Alexander, what did I tell you to do when you hear a crash?"

"Stay under the counter," he replied vaguely dropping the smashed bottle aside and brushed off the shards sticking onto his hand.

Her eyes flickered towards the spots of blood glistening on his skin, "and why didn't you?"

He shrugged, a soft smile gracing his lips, "because I'm a bit stupid occasionally?"

Her smile widened as her hand closed on to his wrist while the other rested on his chest, "you stupid little squirrel..."

She pushed him back against the wall, not paying any heed to the shards of glass and bodies laying around their feet. His honey colored eyes were focused upon her, hand holding her close by the waist, curious to see what she would do next.

"Alexander... You're driving me insane," she breathed leaning so close to him that her lips were mere inches away from his.

"Don't you think I should be the one saying that?"

She laughed and her fingers closed around his shirt pulling him towards her as their lips connected at last. She kept him pinned to the wall as she deepened the kiss, body curving into him.

Surprisingly for her, he kissed back with just as much passion making her arch her head back as he dipped her down before pulling apart.

A light chuckle escaped her and she held him close, hands clutching at the collars of his shirt, "no one has ever done this to me before."

He smiled gently, "glad to know I'm the first."

Her grey eyes twinkled in amusement, "how many other tricks do you have up your sleeve, sweet squirrel?"

Her brows were raised suggestively as if baiting him to take the hint.

"What trick could be new to the Huntress?" He replied instead and her smile faltered for a slight second realizing that he hadn't fallen for the bait.

"Fair enough," she mumbled but her hands still lingered on his shoulders, "but you have a flair for doing the unpredictable. And I like that. Very much."

His palm cupped her face gently, thumb gliding over the cheekbone as he kissed her sweetly, light as a feather yet making her eyes flutter shut.

However they had to pull apart as someone cleared his throat rather loudly behind them and they turned to see Oswald standing there with a frown on his face.

"Get a room," he mumbled, then looking over at Alex he spoke, "and you, clean the mess first."

"Oh come on Oswald, he didn't cause any of this mess," Helena sauntered over to him, her features set in a dangerously alluring expression, "clearly your henchmen are responsible for this and they shall clean it all up on their own."

His frown had darkened, "he works under me as well."

"Nothing in his contract specifies cleaning up a crime scene."

He gave her a pointed glare but she stared back with twice the intensity making him retreat at last.

Her hand beckoned Alex forward, "come now darling, ought to leave this place before someone else's blood gets spilled as well."

Oswald's eyes twitched in annoyance but he did not stop them though Alex himself felt quite uncomfortable regarding the whole situation.

However, Helena's arm had snaked round his back as she led him out of the club, her sharp voice reduced to a soft cooing whisper, assuring him that everything was going to be fine.

***

Alex was fast asleep when his phone rang and as Helena had just emerged from the bathroom, drying her hair off with a towel, she picked the call instead seeing the name Dora flashing on the screen.

"Where are you, you sneaky little raccoon?" Her light but concerned voice sounded from the other side, "do you know how worried I had been? Like I get it you're the elder one and all but you could've at least texted me. I had been damn scared about you."

A smile spread on Helena's face as she answered, "hi Dora, your brother is perfectly fine. He'll come soon after he wakes up."

There was utter silence from the other side but then she spoke up, "right... Just tell him it's ten am and he's needed at the coffee shop."

Helena was surprised that she hadn't asked her identity at all but then suddenly Dora's voice sounded again.

"Oh and if you've kidnapped him and are pretending to be his girlfriend then you bet I'm coming straight over to beat your ass up."

An amused laugh escaped her, "I've definitely not kidnapped him. I'm Helena Bartinelli and you have met me before as well. He just crashed over at my place because there had been a bar fight last night and we were all tired afterwards."

"Oh... Helena, right. He isn't hurt, is he?"

"No, not much. A bottle smashed in his hands though."

In the meanwhile Alex had lifted his head from the pillow. His hair were tousled and he struggled to peel open his eyes as he asked in a hoarse voice, "is that my phone?"

"Yup, it's Dora," she handed over his phone to him and walked out of the room to fix some breakfast for the two.

Minutes later Alex came out as well fully dressed and lacing up his boots, he was about to wear his trench coat as if to leave just then but she took it away from him. His eyes connected with her playful grey irises and his lips parted as if to speak but no words came out as if he was hesitant to voice it out.

She always had that mesmerizing effect on him which left him temporarily blanked out each time she got too close. Maybe it was an effect of her striking aura or the unpredictability in her nature.

Helena asked at last, breaking the silence, "leaving already?" 

"Dora's alone at the shop and..." But his voice trailed off again as she leaned closer.

"Won't you at least have breakfast with me? I prepared everything already and can't finish it all up on my own."

"Oh, thank you," he didn't object and sat down on the chair she had gestured to as she did the same, "for everything." 

Her eyes twinkled in amusement but she chose not to tease him further for the familiar pink shade had begun to creep up on his features.

"Now I don't make as good coffee as you do but I've tried my best," she remarked, placing he cups at the table, the aroma of frothing hot coffee had spread in the kitchen inducing a rather calming effect.

"I appreciate both the effort and the concern," he smiled, his soft eyes crinkling at the corner.

Her eyes were focused on him as he had breakfast and though at first he was a little tensed, he relaxed, looking up at her as well time and again.

A smile was threatening to break out on Helena's face for it seemed as if there was a silent exchange going on between the two which was quite amusing to her. She spoke up at last, "about last night... I hope you don't regret it."

"Why would I?"

"I don't know I just thought maybe... Maybe I influence you a little too much and don't leave room for your decisions."

He thought for a while before speaking up, "it's not like that. I just... I am a little too hesitant all the time. I'm glad you took the first step."

Her smile widened, "you know I had been thinking about what you had said to me back when you were beaten black and blue all over..."

"Oh that..." His cheeks colored but a small smile tugged up on his features.

"I am sorry I ruined the moment that night," she admitted truthfully, "and I have thought about it a lot these days. But before I tell you of my decision, I want to ask from you one very important thing."

He had straightened, his eyes focused on her attentively, "sure."

"I have always made it more than clear to you that I want you. But Alexander, do you want me too or not?"

He didn't have to think about it contrary to what she had expected as he replied, "I am not very good at explaining my feelings but Helena what I feel for you is something I haven't felt before. And I don't want to lose this feeling."

Selina's words of advice resonated in her head and she gently placed her hands on top of his, and he too interlaced his fingers through hers. "Would you like to give us a chance?"

"I would," he nodded and she relaxed as well because for a second she had thought he would refuse but he didn't.

He brought their entwined hands to his mouth and gently kissed her knuckles, making a faint pink appear on her cheeks as well.

"I'll make sure you never regret this decision," she replied, squeezing his hand in reassurance as her grey eyes softened, lovingly gazing deep into his honey shaded irises.

***