The early morning light streaming in through the windows lent to Erica's skin a warm glow. After days of stress, running on caffeine and anger, she'd cried herself to sleep in his arms.
Jack wished there was something more he could say or do that would ease her pain over Tyler's death, but some things are beyond comfort. So he just tried to be there for her, to hold her as she cried and see that the little, day-to-day things, like meals, were taken care of.
It seemed even the rare peace she found in exhausted slumber was not exempt from her demons. A small crease had formed between her eyes and she was shifting, muttering unintelligibly to herself.
"Shhhh," Jack murmured, stroking her hair and gathering her close. He usually woke up with her pressed into his side, seeking warmth and he hoped it would help her slip back into a dreamless sleep.
Unthinking, he allowed his lips to fall against the smooth skin of her brow, a chaste contact designed to soothe, to let her know she wasn't alone.
She stilled and he felt the soft flutter of her breath against his neck before she borrowed into the crook of his shoulder.
They had to be up soon enough, but he thought they could linger for a moment longer, before reality crashed back down upon them.
Comments?