She screamed, and bolted upright in the bed, her heart pounding. Being awake hardly alleviated her fears though – she had no idea where she was – until Mac burst through the door and gathered her gently into his arms.
"Stella, you're okay. I'm here, you're okay."
"Frankie..." she gasped, tears chasing down her cheeks, "He was here."
"No Stella, just you and I. You're okay, I won't let anyone hurt you. Come on, back to sleep. Lie down." She calmed at his words, her frantic sobs fading to the occasional hiccup as she clung tightly to his waist. She knew she was safe here in Mac's apartment, with him only across the hall to rescue her from her nightmares. She held on tighter to him as he tried to get her to lie down again, bringing him with her onto the bed.
Used to this happening after so many nights, Mac shifted the covers over both of them and snuggled down into the sheets. As she drifted off again she murmured "I love you," quietly, hearing Mac's reply as she fell asleep again. He always said it back, and she always heard it. Someday soon, they would acknowledge it in the cold light of day, when the nightmares stopped and he had no excuse to hold her at night. But for now, it was enough that they both knew.