The two sat in silence until Shane pressed her face into Alice’s hand letting her know she was making progress. Alice moved closer and brought her hand behind Shane and rubbed her back as she wrapped her other arm around her. She could feel Shane’s boddy shaking again with what she could only guess were silent sobs of pain.

Alice: You’re gonna be okay baby…I’ve got you now…. you’ve got me all night okay?

Alice was sure that whatever had put Shane in this vulnerable place was from her past and she made no attempt to push her for answers because she was quickly learning that with time and patience came answers when it came to Shane.

She could feel Shane calming down and sniffing away any signs of tears that may or may not have spilled. Shane picked her head up from her knees and stared straight ahead as she let out a weary sigh when Alice leaned in and kissed her bare shoulder.

Alice: water?

Shane shook her head no but Alice reached over and handed her a glass that was sitting on the night stand. Shane started gulping down the water and Alice grabbed the base in concern.

Alice: Slow… take it slow.

When shane finished the glass Alice took it and turned to place it back on the nightstand. When she turned back, Shane’s emerald eyes were looking right through her. Alice was taken back by how empty and cold they looked. She placed both hands on the side of Shane’s face and kissed her on the forehead. Alice took Shane’s bulky caste between her own legs and pulled Shane in close on her side so that her head was resting in her lap before peppering the side of her face with light kisses.

Alice: Just rest, you don’t have to sleep if you don’t want to.

Shane nodded and wrapped her arms protectively around Alice’s waist while she continued to run her hands through her sweaty raven hair. Shane continued to shiver and Alice reached over to pull the sheets up when Shane grabbed her wrist. Alice was concerned until Shane took Alice’s arm and wrapped back around her body.

Alice: I’m not going anywhere I just wanted to wrap you up.

Shane nodded and Alice’s heart broke when she saw the tears threatening in her eyes caused by one simple movement and they laid in silence for what seem like forever.

Shane: They always come in the dark….even if I’m alone and I just close my eyes.

Alice: Nightmares?

Shane: All of them.

Alice could understand part of the hidden meaning in what Shane was saying but didn’t want to press any further.

Alice: I’m sorry Shane, I must have turned the light off when I went to get a drink of water, I didn’t know… God I’m so sorry.

Alice wrapped her arms tighter around Shane’s pale body.

Alice: Never again okay?

Shane nodded and looked up at Alice with a weak smile.

Alice: You want to try to go back to sleep? Or you want to go watch some T.V.?

Shane bit down on her bottom lip but relaxed into Alice when she made her decision.

Shane: Just lay with me please?

Alice: Sure…there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Alice and Shane climbed under the covers and positioned themselves so that Shane was cradled in Alice’s arms with a pillow at her side to prop her caste on.

Alice: Its okay to go back to sleep…just remember your not alone anymore okay?

Shane nodded as her body began to relinquish control over her fight with sleep.

Shane: I won’t forget….the greatest empire….

Shane drifted off to sleep with thoughts of the same story she’d always used to calm herself to sleep. Alice continued to stroke her back until the sun started to rise while refusing to sleep as if she were keeping guard on the watchtower. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Shane’s lips when she was satisfied that she had finally drifted away into a peaceful slumber.

~I did a last minute chapter I will try to post tomorrow night but if you want to download “I Shall Be Me” by Sheryl Crow it will go with it.  And the chapter is a follow up to this one~