Chapter 8

Unfortunately, my pleasant thoughts of the man I loved did not keep the nightmares away that night. The images came but this time they were a little different. This time I was calling out to Horatio for help and he wouldn't come. It was like I could see him in the distance, but he couldn't see or hear me.

Ella Twofeathers was coming through the family room headed for the kitchen for a middle of the night snack when she heard noises coming from her niece Alexia's bedroom. Worried about her, she peeked in to check on her. Alexia was thrashing around fighting with her blankets and calling out for help. Knowing that her niece was dreaming of her attack, Ella went over and shook her shoulder as she called out her name. Alexia sat straight up with a gasp.

"Horatio!" she exclaimed and searched for the man she was calling for.

"Horatio, where are you?" she said again and the plea in Alexia's voice was enough to break Ella's heart.

"Horatio isn't here Lex, he went home remember," Ella told her niece.

"Aunt Ella, I want Horatio, I need him, please call him, please!"

"Okay honey, I'll call him, but you need to calm down and tell me where to find his phone number," Ella spoke to her gently trying to calm her.

"In my phone," she said and pointed to her cell lying on the nightstand and then she wrapped her arms around her drawn up knees and buried her head there and began to sob.

Ella hit the speed dial number that corresponded to Horatio Caine's name and only had to wait for two rings before he picked up.

"Lexi are you okay?" he asked without greeting and Ella smiled at the man's obvious affection for her niece.

"Horatio, its Ella Twofeathers, we need you back at the house. I woke Lex from a nightmare and she is hysterical and asking for you."

"I'm on my way Ella, I'll be there as quickly as possible," he replied and hung up his phone before she could say another word.

Less than ten minutes later, Ella could hear a siren pull into their driveway and she knew that her niece's savior had arrived. Alexia jumped from the bed and headed for the front door before the siren had died away. Daniel had barely opened the door and greeted Horatio before Alexia came at them and Horatio turned wrapping his arms around her.

When Ella woke me from my dream the only thing I was really aware of was that Horatio wasn't there and I felt like I was going to lose my mind if I didn't have his arms around me soon. I begged my Aunt to call him and I heard her end of the conversation as she did as I asked.

It wasn't long until I heard the siren and I knew it was Horatio. I jumped up from the bed and ran for the front door. My Father had opened the door but I had eyes only for Horatio who turned and caught me in his arms as I flung myself at him.

"I've got you," he whispered as I once more sobbed against his shoulder.

"You weren't there," I gasped through my tears.

"I am now sweetheart and I'm not going anywhere," he told me rubbing his hand down my hair soothingly.

"Please don't leave me," I whimpered and I felt his arms tighten around me. My ribs protested the pressure, but I didn't care, I needed his arms around me too much to care about a little bit of pain.

"Come on," he said and he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the couch. He sat down and settled me into his lap. "I'm not leaving you Lexi, I'm staying right here. We'll sleep on the couch that way I won't be sharing your bed."

"Okay," I mumbled nestling my head against his chest.

As he held me and stroked my hair, I began to calm and finally I let my eyes close and I drifted back to sleep.