One-shot fluff between Andrew and Karma (OC). I don't own the rights to Andrew's character, nor do I claim to.


A sudden, familiar scream wakes me after only an hour of sleep. The first time, I remember getting up and going straight to her, but it's better to wait. Particularly if I don't want her clawing my face off.

No, waiting works. The springs of her bed creak slightly as she slips out of it a few minutes later, grumbling on trying the light only to find the power still out, the rain lashing even more heavily against the window.

A flash of lightening gives me the chance to check the time, not that I need to any more. 2am? No...2.26am. The nightmare's running late this evening then, or she's spent longer tossing and turning before it's woken her. She won't explain - she never explains, but that's just her in general. I wouldn't expect an explanation off her even if I came home to find her trying to mow the carpets...

The water rushes through the pipes as she moves from the bathroom, her footsteps light on the carpet before a slender silhouette appears in my doorway.

"Awake?"

"Yes, Karma...I'm awake..." I murmur softly back to her. She doesn't wait for an invitation, moving in one smooth movement from the doorway to the empty side of my bed, wriggling under the covers and taking most of the duvet with her back to me.

I say nothing, and moments later am rewarded for my silence. Her cool limbs rest against my warm ones as she snuggles into my chest, whimpering softly with fear from the dream. I slip my arms around her waist, holding her as close to me as possible and hoping that I can be enough to block out any more dreams tonight, be the protective lover even if she'll hit my arms away come morning. It's only ever if she's frightened at night that she'll ever show me affection - the real Karma, not the tough, collected woman that everyone else sees. The beautiful, vulnerable, innocent girl that's the real her. Not a teacher, not the ex stripper, and not running away from her feelings. The her, the one I only ever get to see when she's like this - the side of her I love the most.

"...Karma?"

"What Andrew?"

But how can I tell her that? Like always, I shake my head and let her start to drift off in my arms, her long blonde curls resting warmly against my chest and her back like a soft, silver curtain. Beautiful as always.

"I love you, y'know..."

"Mmm...you're meant to...you're my half brother..."

I didn't mean like that...