Disclaimer.. See chapter 1
Chapter 10
Lee settled Amanda and himself on the couch, he had popped some corn, gotten some iced tea and rented a nice chic flick for them to watch. Amanda curled up and laid against Lee's chest, he put his arm around her, pulled her close and placed a soft kiss in her hair. The movie ended and Lee cleaned up the dishes they dirtied for the movie, gave Amanda another dose of her medications and tucked her down on the couch for a nap for the afternoon. "Lee, I'm not tired. I'm really fine. You don't need to mother me." Lee pushed the hair off her forehead, "Amanda, you said you would let me take care of you. I am holding you to that. Like I told you before I need my partner healthy so she can watch my back. So no more complaining, lay down and rest. I am going to clean up, and start prepping for supper and I have some plans for later if you are up to it. OK?" Placing another light kiss on her lips and tucking a blanket around her shoulders he watched as Amanda's eyes drifted closed and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Lee cleaned up. Prepped a few things for supper. Then just sat and watched 'his' Amanda sleep, he got comfort from just watching the rise and fall of her chest, knowing she was his and she was safe. Just realizing how lucky he was to have picked her out of all the other people on the platform of the train station that morning, in some ways it seemed a lifetime ago and in others yesterday. He moved to the edge of the couch where she lay, taking care not to wake her he gently stroked her cheek, the urge to touch her so he could once again make sure she was really here, was overpowering. As he touched her a small smile crossed her lips and she whispered Lee, somewhere in her subconscious she knew it was him. As he sat there he became concerned, he noticed her breaths quicken, a frown come on her face and small cries emanate from her lips. The nightmares were coming back. He could only hope his voice; his pleas would get through to her. He spoke softly to her and gently rubbed her hand, "Shhhhhhhhh! It's OK Amanda, you're safe, I'm here. I'm never going to let them hurt you again. I'm here. I'm here. You're safe." She woke with a start," Lee?" recognition almost immediate in her eyes. He pulled her to his chest and rubbed her back, "They were in my dreams again, they were hurting me again. They were going to kill you. I had to try….." Lee took her face in his hands, wiped her tears with his thumbs, kissed her nose, "Amanda it's OK, we're OK. You saved me, I am here for you. You're safe, thank God, I don't know what I'd do…." Wiping a few more tears, "hey this one wasn't as bad, they are getting better, once your brain gets the message your safe, you can rest better." Amanda sat up and urged Lee down beside her, she curled up to his side took his hand and spoke as she absently toyed with his fingers, "Lee have I ever told you how glad I am you picked me? How happy I am you are in my life? I was lost that day at the train station, you saved me. Thank you." "Amanda, I will forever thank that day, you saved me too. I honestly don't think I would still be here." Placing a sweet soft kiss to her hair and pulling her a little closer, "if it wasn't for you. You gave me a reason to go on, to be careful, to trust someone, to count on someone again. (The last part almost a whisper) to believe I was worthy to have someone care for me again, that I was important to someone. Thank you Amanda."
They sat holding each other for a long time, each realizing the feelings were there even though they were yet to be said aloud they were there. After a while Lee stood up, helped Amanda stand and let her walk around a little to stretch the sore muscles, knowing she would be better off with some movement. She stood at the window looking out, the sun was beginning to set and storm clouds were rolling in, he came up behind her, gently circled her waist with his strong arms. She leaned into his strong form, "so Stetson, we are both house bound, what are we going to do this stormy night?" "Well, after a nice meal of steak, potato and salad, I though some slow dancing to maybe work out some soreness, also holding you may ease some of my worries. Something for everyone tonight. How does that sound?" He could see her smile reflected in the window, "that sounds wonderful."
Later that evening the meal had been eaten, the dishes washed and dried, and soft music was playing on the record player and a couple swayed to the music, Amanda's arms around Lee's neck and her head on his shoulder, he had one arm around her waist and the other on her back their eyes we closed it was like the world around them didn't exist. They danced a few songs, Amanda unsuccessfully stifled a yawn, "medication time then it is off to bed for you, young lady." Lee gave her the medications, led her to the bedroom so she could get ready for bed. "give me a yell when you're dressed and I'll come back and help you to bed." After Amanda was dressed she called for Lee, he came in helped her to bed, covered her up and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. He started to get up when Amanda blindly grabbed for him, "don't leave me. Please!" He sat back down, took her hand and began to rub the back with his thumb, "what is wrong?" She looked away and almost whispered her answer, "I'm afraid, I know I shouldn't be, that you're here. But…." He put his finger to her lips, "it's ok, give me a minute, I'll be back." He got up placed another kiss on her lips and went into the bathroom and changed into some sweats. When he came back, she was still awake waiting for him. He sat up against the headboard on top of the covers pulled her to his side and rubbed small circles along her arm. She relaxed against his strong form and soon he felt he labored breaths become even and regular and he knew she was sleeping, still he sat on his bed holding the woman he loved so she would feel safe to sleep and he was happy to do just that.