AJ knew she had messed up. She let her title come between her and her boyfriend. Dolph had been nothing but supportive and she hadn't even considered how bad he felt about losing his own title. And now he laid next to her, back to her like a stranger just sharing a bed. She looked over at his blonde locks peeking out of the covers and hesitantly moved closer. They both knew she couldn't sleep unless she was curled into his side. The nightmares from her childhood abuses kept her awake most nights. Except when she was cuddled in his strong, safe arms. But she wasn't going to get that tonight. She settled for pressing her back to his, missing the feeling of his bare skin against her cheek. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. It didn't come.

She laid in bed, silently crying as images of her father abusing her flooded her head. She could almost feel Dolph's body heat and that made it worse. If he noticed her pain, if he noticed her, he didn't seem to care.

"Dolph? Baby?" He stayed silent. She called for him another time.

"What the hell do you want? I'm trying to sleep!" He looked over at her, anger flaring in the brilliant blue eyes she so loved.

"The dreams are back."

"Well, why don't you go get your precious title? That'll cheer you up." He turned away from her again. AJ was truly sobbing now. She rolled over on her side, facing his back.

"I don't want my damn title! I want you. I want you to hold me and tell me that it's just a bad dream and that I'm okay and that you... love me..." She couldn't hardly talk now with how badly she was crying.

" I want my boyfriend. I need you. You. I need your warmth... your scent. Your heartbeat. The belt doesn't have those things. Only you do. Only you can tell me it'll be okay. That I'm completely safe. I wanna lay on you like always and sleep safe and sound." She she got choked on her tears and couldn't breathe.

She heard a tried sigh and then he turned towards her. He wiped away the giant tear drops on her face and pulled her to him. He rolled over so that she was pressed up against his left side, half on his chest. She took a risk and quickly squirmed on to him, resting her small body squarely on the centre of his.

He rubbed her back as the sobs subsided, not able to deny her the comfort she so desperately needed. He whispered soothing words and held her, breathing deeper than normal for her to pace her breathing with his and calm down. She closed her eyes finally. She listened intently to his breathing. His heart thumped strong and steadily under his skin and against her cheek. She loved to listen to it. Nothing calmed her faster.

She was finally asleep and he looked down at her sleeping on him. He always marvelled at how perfect she fit in his arms. He softly kissed the top of her head. Sometimes her priorities got a little off kilter, but he loved her anyway.