Restless
She was always restless in bed. He could feel her and hear her. Something was constantly moving; a foot twitched, an arm adjusted, shifting her hips, turning over. Trying to be subtle because she thought he was sleeping. Even after they made love she would sleep for only a little while, then wake and begin her uneasy fidgeting.
He, on the other hand, would lie perfectly still, breathing quietly and evenly, waiting for hours for sleep that seldom came.
Her feet wiggled again. She sighed, turned on her side away from him, and for a few minutes was motionless... Then it began again. The toes of one foot scratched the opposite instep. She flexed both legs, and then stretched them out toward the foot of the bed, spreading her toes. Raised her arms over her head to grab the spindles of the headboard. He stifled a chuckle. Sometimes he wondered if she were engaged in some sort of weird calisthenics!
It was very odd. In the field she had never been like this. In her sleeping bag, in the tent or outside on the ground, or on the narrowest of cots, she was as still as a stone, settling down in mere seconds and falling asleep at once. He'd wondered if she found his bed uncomfortable, but when he asked she'd said no, it was perfectly fine, and he had no reason not to believe her... after all, she could fall asleep on the rocky ground, for crying out loud!
The constant movement bothered him at first, but eventually he'd grown used to it. Like a lullabye, it became familiar and comforting—sometimes even entertaining. He'd teased her about needing to circle three times before settling in, just like a dog he'd once had!
She sighed again, a soft breath easing past her lips. He wondered what she was thinking about at times like this. He'd asked once about that, too, and she'd just looked at him with a sort of puzzled frown, and replied, 'I don't know. Nothing really.' The concept of Carter not knowing what she was thinking of was enough to shut him up for quite a while!
There was one thing he could do, however, that would usually settle her down. (No, not that, O'Neill! Although it was tempting...) He'd discovered this trick a long time ago, accidentally. And it was about time to take action tonight!
He shifted a little and rolled over so his back was toward her. She grew still, and remained that way as he counted slowly to fifty. Soon there was a slight movement. Very subtle. Carefully she began to inch closer to him.
It was working! He felt himself smiling, and kept still and relaxed as an arm eased gently around his torso and her fingers spread softly against his stomach. She squirmed, fitting her body along his back, with her cheek pressed to his shoulder blade. She bent her legs and snuggled them into the back of his thighs. Finally she sighed and curled her top arm under and around his and grasped his wrist. Another long exhale, and he felt her whole body relax into his, as her breath evened out into sleep. As usual this seemed to be just the comfort she needed!
His smiled widened and he closed his eyes.
When he woke the next morning he was not surprised to find that she was still cuddled against his back, soundly asleep.
~finis~