Hello, it's been a while since I've written any fanfiction and I wanted to test this story out to see if anyone is interested. This story picks up right where season 3 begins. There is only one slight tweak. Alex never got pregnant by Derek so she never had to get an abortion. Other that that, I do not own these characters and I hope you enjoy. Please let me know if I should keep writing. Thanks in advance!

A dark blue BMW with heavily tinted windows pulled up to the curb in front of 'God's Blessings' hair salon. "I can't believe we finally made it" Alex said, as she stretched, her body stiff from sitting in a car for so long.

"Yeah, and it only took three days" Derek joked, as he turned off the ignition. They'd driven clear across the country from San Diego to Atlanta.

"Thank you so much, Derek. I don't know how I would have made this trip without you. I don't know how I would have made it the last three months without you. I truly don't deserve the kindness you've showed me".

Derek reached for Alex's hand and gripped it tightly. "Don't talk like that Alex. You're the most deserving person I know".

"How can you say that after everything that has happened, after everything I did to you"?

"You mean like staying by my side after the car accident? Alex, I was practically an invalid for almost a year and could hardly do anything for myself. You were the one who took care of me, hassled the doctors and the insurance companies, made sure I didn't give up on myself and what I believed in. And you did it all without complaining. Most importantly, it was you who always believed that I would walk again. If it wasn't for you, I don't know where I'd be today. That's how I can say you're deserving".

"All of that still doesn't make up for the fact that I cheated on you" Alex whispered, still consumed with guilt over her actions. Sometimes she still couldn't believe that she'd acted so recklessly. She'd spent most of her childhood despising her father's cheating ways and now she felt like she was slowly becoming him".

Derek sighed. "I'm not gonna lie. What went down between you and Noah hurt me deep but none of us are perfect, Alex. And time gives you perspective. I realize that though you weren't upfront with me about your feelings for Noah, you tried your best to keep those feelings in check out of respect for me".

"It had nothing to do with respect" Alex interjected. "I was living in denial and ignoring my feelings for Noah because I loved you. I still love you, Derek".

"And I still love you too. But we both know we're not meant to be; we love each other but we're not in love anymore. Besides, you're in love with Noah".

"He's a drunk and a coke head. I can't be with someone like that; especially after witnessing my mother relapse time and time again".

"It still doesn't change the fact that you love him".

"Well, he doesn't love me. By some miracle I survived a freaking plane crash and I haven't heard one word from him. When I woke up in the hospital, it was you who was by my side. It was you who insisted on keeping me company for the last three months in California even though I tried multiple times to send you away. It was you who drove across the country with me for three days because you knew I wasn't ready to fly again".

"It was only right that I return the favor. Like I said, you held me down when I couldn't walk. How could I not be there for you"?

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I am deserving of your kindness because I'm too dumb to really appreciate it. I should be down on my hands and knees begging you to take me back, but instead..." Alex trailed off. She didn't want to think about Noah.

"We can't help who we love, Alex. You need to talk to him and tell him about ..."

"Don't" Alex raised her hand, and cut him off. "I don't want to talk about that".

"You can't avoid it forever".

"But I can for now". Alex took a deep breath and looked out the tinted car window towards the salon. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she'd missed this place and everyone inside it. Over the last couple of years, the salon had become her home and the people inside had become the family she'd always wanted. It was a crazy and dysfunctional family, but her family nonetheless. It made it all the more painful that she'd be walking away for good it in a couple of days. She'd only come back to Atlanta at Carlotta's request. She'd scheduled an interview for Take3 on a popular daytime show. Alex knew Miss C was hoping this would be a cataclyst to get the group back together but the damage was already done. Though they hadn't seen each other in three months, she'd kept in touch with Simone in the Dominican Republic and they'd both agreed this would be their last interview as a group. Star had finally gotten the fame she'd wanted and didn't need them anymore. That left Simone free to enjoy her marriage to Angel and it gave Alex the opportunity to explore her modeling career out in California. All she needed was to wrap up loose ends and then she'd be driving back across the country, this time alone.

"Are you ready to see everyone" Derek asked, sensing her hesitation.

"I'm not sure" Alex admitted.

"Well, why don't you come inside my grandma's house to get cleaned up. Maybe that will give you enough time to get your head right".

"Do you think Ms. Ruby will mind"?

"No" Derek exclaimed. "Even though we didn't work out, she still loves you. You don't have anything to work out".

"Okay" Alex said, slowly. "Then I'll take you up on your offer. Thanks".

"No problem".

It turned out Alex didn't have anything to worry about. Ms Ruby wasn't home. Derek set her bag down by the bathroom door. "Ladies first".

Alex lightly touched Derek's cheek and gave him a slight peck. "Thank you for everything, again. I mean it" she whispered, before stepping into the bathroom. As soon as the door clicked shut, her eyes gravitated towards the mirror. She studied herself critically. Her face looked slightly rounder, her nose a little wider. Her breasts looked bigger and fuller. She lifted the oversized t-shirt she was wearing and touched the bulge in her lower adomen and wondered if she would be able to escape Atlanta without anyone knowing she was carrying Noah Brook's baby.