T/W:

***
Lex

Steve is acting strangely. Not in a bad way, just in a weird way. I often come across him smiling or humming to himself. He's a little spacey, which isn't like him.

He's a pretty straight forward man, not unlike his brother. So to see Steve acting this way is a little weird and puts me on edge. As if I don't have enough on my plate right now.

***
"What are you up to?" I ask Steve one evening. He blinks at me, like he has no idea what I mean. Men are excellent at that crap.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"You're up to something," I snap.

"I'm not," Steve protests.

"You've been acting weird for weeks now," I say. "What gives?"

"Lexie, nothing is going on." Steve moves to take my hand. It's the most physical contact we've had in days. I reach uo, cupping one of Steve's cheeks in my palm.

"I'm sorry," I murmur.

"For what?" Steve asks.

"You know what for."

"I just wanted my wife to be present," Steve murmurs. I drop my hand, tugging the other one free from Steve's. He sighs. I realize I haven't touched his beard lately, like I usually do when I'm upset.

"Baby," Steve whispers.

"I know you're frustrated with me," I say.

"Yes," Steve admits. "I have been."

"Knox doesn't have anyone he can rely on," I explain. "You do."

"Except none of them are my wife."

"You're missing the point," I say, annoyed.

"What exactly is the point?" Steve asks. "I'm a little lost here."

"The point is: Knox has no one. You have several someone's."

"And you're missing my point," Steve snaps.

"Which is?" I frown.

"You're my wife. Not Knox Marshall's."

"Oh my gosh!" I shake my head. "We are not going down that old, tired path again."

"I'm only going there because you insist on staying there," Steve growls.

"So I'm supposed to kick Knox to the curb because I'm married to you?"

"Don't twist my words, Lex," Steve snaps.

"I'm not twisting your words," I snap. "You're the one overreacting!" Steve just shakes his head, walking away, muttering under his breath.

"Fine!" I call after him. "Act childish! I'm not abandoning Knox. No matter what you want!"

***
Steve

"You look a little down." Kris comes over, settling down next to me as I work on the website.

"It shows that much?" I ask.

"It does. Anything you want to share?" I shake my head.

"Just some marital shit," I mutter.

"It happens," Kris says simply. "Even the couples who love each other the most have disagreements." I look over at her.

"You sound like you know what you're talking about." Kris shrugs, smiling a little.

"I might know a thing or two about it."

"I don't want to sound like a know-it-all," I say. "But I don't think you have much knowledge with this particular problem."

"I probably don't," Kris concedes. I sigh.

"It's just..my wife is so wrapped up at the moment with a..friend."

"Like..too close for comfort?" Kris asks.

"Yeah. Except he was critically injured on the job. For a while, it was touch-and-go. And..he still isn't really out of the woods, physically."

"You feel badly because he almost died, but you don't want your wife being his main support system," Kris says. I nod.

"Yes. Exactly. See? You get it."

"I wouldn't go that far." Kris grins. "But I get the jist of it." I sigh again.

"It's kind of a bizarre situation."

"What do you mean?"

"This guy, he was in a bad car accident, some years ago. He had burns all over his body. My brother saved his life, so he chose to look like my brother."

Kris winces. "Whoa."

"Yeah. It's really difficult to look at him. Yet my wife really likes him."

"So he's a bit of an oddball," Kris says. "That doesn't make him a bad person."

"He's not a bad person. I just don't like my wife spending all her time with him."

"Does this guy have someone else who could step up and help out?" Kris asks. I shake my head.

"He's not married. He doesn't have a girlfriend or any family that live close by. So Lex feels like she has to be the main one."

"Doesn't he have any other friends who'd be willing to help him out?" I shrug.

"He might. But Lex probably doesn't want to find out because then she wouldn't have an excuse to hang around him all the damn time."

"So you find out," Kris says reasonably. "Then Lex won't have to. And you'll get your wife back." I smile.

"You're brilliant, you know that?" Kris blushes.

"Aww," she murmurs. "You give me too much credit." I take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Not a chance."

***
Lex

Knox is being transferred to the new facility today. I stop by the hospital one last time, just to see him before and make sure I have all the up to date information correctly.

"At least I'm getting out of here," Knox tries to joke, but I can tell he's not terribly excited.

"I'm sorry you can't go home yet," I murmur, taking his hand.

"It sucks," he says quietly, sighing. "But what choice do I have?"

"I know the doctor said there wasn't major damage," I say softly.

"He seems to think I could possibly be back on my feet within three months," Knox says. He looks so downcast it tugs, hard, on my heart.

"You'll have me there, cheering you on," I say, smiling. Knox's face lights up. He gives my fingers an affectionate squeeze.

"That'll make this all the more bearable."

***

As I'm driving home, I keep thinking to myself: what will happen once Knox does return home?

Will he even be able to live by himself? Will he have to hire someone to come and assist him with his day-to-day activities? Will he even be able to return to work as an E.M.T.?

I'm sure Knox has had those thoughts himself. I make a decision right now: I'll help Knox as much as I possibly can.

Steve will learn to understand. He won't like it, but he can learn to understand.

***
Unfortunately, Steve drops a bomb later that evening.

"I've decided to look into seeing if any of Knox's colleagues or friends will help him out. That way, you won't feel obligated to be the only one." I stare in disbelief.

"What?"

"Did you misunderstand me?" Steve asks coolly.

"Steve, you don't get it," I say, struggling to remain calm. "It's not just about other people helping Knox. I want to be there for him, because I care about him."

"So why can't other people help out as well?" Steve scowls. "You can set up a schedule. That way works so much better."

"You mean, it works out better for you," I retort.

"Lexie, I understand how you feel," Steve murmurs. "But you can't take care of Knox forever."

"I never said I was going to take care of Knox forever!" I shout, completely losing my temper.

"No?" Steve stares at me. "You could have fooled me."

"You're being ridiculous!" I snap.

"And you're making this all about you."

"I'm not," I growl.

"Aren't you?" Steve turns, walking away. Again.

"That's your answer to everything these days, isn't it?" I hurl at Steve's back. "Just walk away!"

Steve stops, turning to face me. "Only because you refuse to discuss shit like an adult."