Rick looked at Kate. She had put on weight – not much, but she looked healthier, and stronger. Her expression was stronger too – she looked a lot less afraid – still sad, but not nearly so timid. And she had a much better colour – three months ago she had been deathly pale and sick looking – now she was a little more tanned, and although tired, she looked well. Also – there was just something more about her appearance. He had thought she was beautiful when he had first seen her – but now she was much better presented. Her hair was dyed properly, and her eyebrows were neat – it wasn't that these things had bothered him before – he hadn't even noticed until he was seeing the difference. But she definitely had the air of someone who took care of her looks – which she hadn't had before.

Kate knew Rick was looking at her. She wondered what he was thinking. His face didn't give much away – maybe he played poker. She sipped her coffee, and he came to sit on the coffee table, opposite her.

"So, Kate. How've you been?"

"I've been okay, thanks. You?"

"Busy. Writing. My agent makes me do all kinds of stuff – going to parties, meeting people, signing books...It's not that interesting, but it fills up my days nicely."

Kate smiled. "It doesn't sound like you much like being told what to do."

Rick laughed. "You're right – I don't. I'm terrible at following orders." He paused, absorbing the smile that suited her so well, but didn't meet her eyes.

"Why did you call me, Kate?"

Kate thought about it. Honestly, she didn't know. Except that she had wanted to see him, and she had been so scared. Again, she opted for honesty.

"I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I don't want pity, I don't want a helping hand. But you make me feel good. You feel like a friend, and when I'm with you, I feel the best I've felt in 6 months. I feel so selfish for being here – but I can't seem to stay away."

"You shouldn't feel selfish," Rick said with a smile. "You make me feel good too. I feel selfish for wanting you around – but you make me feel like life means something, that it's not just about fame and girls wanting me to sign their chests-"

Kate couldn't help gaping at him. "People want you to do that?"

She instantly felt bad, and stupidly innocent. She blushed. Rick was handsome, there was no doubt about it. And he was famous – she shouldn't have been so surprised.

"What can I say?" he smiled at her, and she felt better. She drank some more coffee, and wished she could stay with him forever. He did the same, wishing exactly the same thing.

Kate wondered if she needed to explain why she called Rick in the middle of the night – but he had stayed with her at night before, and she thought he had a pretty good idea. When they had finished the coffee, he took their mugs and put them in the sink, and when he came back, he sat down beside her. He put his arm round her instinctively, and she liked the way it felt. She closed her eyes, but shook herself more awake. He looked at her questioningly.

"I don't want to sleep. Here I feel safe – but when I'm asleep, I can't keep my guard up."

Rick wondered what to say. She should sleep – it was bad for her not to. But he had seen her at night, he had seen her dreaming, and he had seen the terror in her eyes. He couldn't let that happen to her again.

"Well, I can keep you awake, if you like. What d'you want to do?"

Kate thought about it. "Please. But I don't know...I've never had that offer before."

Rick grinned, and got up off the couch. He pulled her off it too.

"Right. I have a lot to teach you, I think." He caught her eye with that mischievous look which always caught her interest. "First, we're going to play acid floor – that's where you have to get all over the apartment, without ever touching the floor with any part of your body..."

They started to play. Kate was a bit self conscious at first – but Rick's childishness was infectious, and soon she was into it. Then Rick found a chess board, and she beat him in 37 minutes – he winked and said he had let her win. They made hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream and marshmallows – and he introduced her to eating cream squirted straight from the can into her mouth – she was ashamed to admit she liked it. They arm wrestled – he won, but it was a close thing, and when they tried with their left hands, they had to call it a tie.

Whenever he saw her yawn, Rick thought up something else to do. They made it to 6am. She was lying on the couch, smiling, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to resist sleep for much longer. She didn't have class until 2pm, but she could feel her eyelids drooping. Rick was very tired himself, and he could see her drifting off to sleep.

"I'll be right here," he whispered, stroking her hair. She mumbled that he didn't have to watch her, that she would be alright – but he didn't hear – or at least, he pretended not to. When she was actually sleeping, he fetched a blanket and covered her with it. She was right - when she was asleep, she couldn't keep her guard up. He could see the pain and fear on her face, and she moved agitatedly in her sleep. He sat on the armchair that faced the couch, and closed his eyes, just to rest them.

He was woken by her screaming, two and a half hours later. He scrambled up, and put his arms around her. Tears were pouring down her cheeks, and when she became aware of him holding her, she grabbed on to him as if he were the only thing keeping her from a terrible fate. He brushed her tangled hair out of her face, and she wiped away her tears. She looked at him. He was here, he was holding her, it had just been a dream. Unable to stop herself, she leaned towards him and kissed him, gently, on the lips. He kissed back, bemused, but after a moment she pulled away, clamping her hand over her mouth.

"I can't, Rick. I'm so sorry I just did that."

"It's okay – don't worry about it." He smiled at her, his eyes full of understanding. "It was a reflex. You'd been dreaming, then you were relieved. It's fine. I won't read anything into it, I promise."

Kate wondered how she had found such a good friend. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on her face. At least she wasn't sick. When she came out, Rick was washing up the mugs in the kitchen. She smiled cautiously at him, and he smiled back. Kate found her sneakers, and slid them on.

"I think I'm going to go home now. Thanks so much for everything last night."

"No problem. I'll give you a lift. And don't...Don't let what just happened stop you from hanging out with me, okay? You can call whenever you need me – and even if you don't. I'm here for you – and I can just forget that, if that's what you want."

Kate paused, and took in what he had said. "Yes – I think that would be best. And I will call...Anyway," she attempted a joky tone, "you know where I live now – I couldn't drop you, even if I wanted to."

Rick dried his hands, and told her she was right. He drove her home, and by the time she was getting out of the car at her place, the atmosphere between them had gone back to relaxed and friendly. She thanked him again, and went upstairs – to be confronted by a very curious Lanie.