To make up for the cliffhanger I made fluff. Because who doesn't like fluff? Also, the only thing that belongs to me is Zelda. Everything else goes to Jeaniene Frost. Anyway read and review with suggestions and opinions, no flames. And to the lovely anon who reviewed this is for you. I planned to post this much later, but your review spurred me on. I will be posting another Valentines Oneshot for Dark Pharaoh as well.

The images from so many years ago swam in my head, my fear turning every shadow of the room into him. Forcing back my panic and taking a deep breath, I reached blindly for my chair. It took considerable effort to get back into it without throwing myself onto the floor, my panic making my fingers numb, but the minute I was situated I powered over to the light switch.

Slamming my hand down on it, I felt relief instantly wash through me as the light chased the shadows away. My hands shook as I leaned my head against the wall under the light socket. My breathing slowly evened out as my fear fled, leaving a familiar bone deep exhaustion behind. The phantom feeling of hands gripping my hips harshly didn't fade, but I knew if I kept breathing they would leave too.

Tears burned behind my eyes, the liquid feeling like a personal failure as it slid down my cheeks. I bit my lip to the point of bleeding as sobs tried to break out, nothing but my willpower held them back. I was already ugly crying, I refused to let myself completely break down over a nightmare. Besides, if I got too loud then someone might hear and come running to check on me. That's the last thing I wanted right now.

After a few more minutes I felt stable enough to lift my head, wiping the tears as I eyed the door dubiously. I would kill for some hot cocoa and cookies right about now but what was the chance I could find my way to the kitchen without getting lost?

Glancing at the clock, I immediately decided to not bother Maximus. He must be sleeping by now and I refuse to wake him just to take me to the kitchen. Was there a rule about not going anywhere without Maximus? Biting my lip, I weighed the pros and cons. If I went to the kitchen and got lost Vlad might be mad since he had assigned Maximus to me to stop that from happening, but as I glanced around the room I knew I needed to go somewhere.

The walls began to feel like they were closing in around me, making my choice for me.

Opening the door, I carefully shut it before glancing around the hallway. Maybe I could just roll up and down this stretch of hall, I wouldn't get lost but I could work off some of my nerves. While it wasn't as nice as the thought of cookies, it also didn't have the chance of getting lost.

Decision made, I turned to start moving only to jolt to a stop when a door not far from me opened and Maximus stepped out. He only wore a pair of pajama bottoms and they hung low on his hips, the trail of hair leading down immediately catching my attention.

His voice dragged my focus back up to his face, "Is something wrong? I thought I heard something coming from your room."

It was all I could do not to curse, I hadn't wanted to wake him up. A sigh pushed from my lungs before I could stop it, "I'm sorry for waking you, I had a nightmare. I was going to just stretch a bit in the hall before heading back in."

Maximus lifted a brow, disbelief painting his face before he spoke. "If you wish I could take you to the kitchen? I'm sure there is something I could make you to ease your nerves. If we don't have anything I can go out and get whatever you want."

Immediately denial sprang out of my mouth, "You don't have to go out of your way like that, I just need to move around and then I'll be good to go. You shouldn't make yourself stay awake for this, I get them all the time so I'm used to it-" I bit my tongue until it bled, I hadn't meant to tell him that much. He's going to think I'm a nut case at the rate I'm going.

Trying to switch the topic before he could pity me, I blurted out. "I didn't wake you did I? I'm sorry if I did." I sure hoped I didn't, although the sight of him in those pants was certainly noteworthy. Cursing my hormone's sudden violent revival, I beat them back enough to focus on his next words.

"No, you didn't wake me. I have insomnia so I don't get much sleep. I was awake when I heard your door opening and decided to check on you. Also, it would be no trouble for me to escort you to the kitchen. I'm not hungry but I would like the chance to get to know you and this is as good an opportunity as any. If you are agreeable?"

Two Zelda's battled it out inside me. One wanted to accept his suggestion, Maximus was the first man to make me feel even moderately safe since my injury and I wouldn't lie to myself by saying I wasn't interested in getting to know him more.

But the other half wanted to curl back up and hide in my room. These feelings are new and terrifying, the last time I felt even a fraction of them it ended horribly. While I knew that just because I was feeling a slight infatuation didn't mean disaster was ahead, I still couldn't shake the feeling that it would turn into a painful mess.

Looking up, I met Maximus's eyes. He looked…hopeful for lack of a better word. He really wanted to get to know me and, with a fortifying breath, I decided to take the leap of faith.

"That sounds nice, if you're sure that you don't mind." The smile he sent me made my stomach feel as if bubbles were expanding in it. He gestured for me to follow him as he led, I did so while trying to settle my broiling emotions. He had been nothing but polite to me since our meeting, even when I had given him no reason to be. Just because I was feeling things for him that he definitely couldn't return was no reason for me to refuse his kind offer.

When we reached the kitchen, Maximus wasted no time in maneuvering around my chair. "So, what sounds good?" He looked at me expectantly, but no irritation showed as he waited patiently for my answer.

Biting my lip, I ignored the tang of blood and missed his flash of concern as I thought out my answer. "I would like some hot cocoa, if you have it…" I really wanted some cookies, but I got the feeling that if they didn't have any he would go and buy some for me. I didn't want to trouble him any more than I already was.

My longing must have shown on my face because he lifted an eyebrow while prodding in a playful tone, "Aaaaand?"

My cheeks flushed red, of course he would know I hadn't told him all of it. I mumbled under my breath, "And some cookies, if you have them. If you don't then that's fine, please don't go out of your way."

Maximus grinned down at me before spinning to rifle through the cupboards. Pulling out the cocoa he began breezing around the kitchen, his voice brushing over me like a caress. "We don't have any premade cookies, but I can make some for you that I guarantee will be better than any store bought ones you've tasted."

His voice had lulled me into a drowsy state to the point it took me a second to process what he said, but before I could object about him going out of his way, he turned to me. His grin never slipped as he rebutted my argument before it could even leave my mouth. "Our kitchen wasn't built with your disability in mind so I will make you whatever you want and before you say it, I truly don't mind doing it. So far I enjoy your company and would like the opportunity to cook for you. So what type of cookie is your favorite?"

Swallowing back my instant denial, I sighed in defeat. As I quietly mumbled my favorite cookie, the feeling of warmth slid through my chest, leaving a light feathery feeling in its wake. I had never felt this before, not to this extent at least and definitely not for someone I only just met. The feeling wasn't altogether bad, it was just unsettling. Generally, lust followed this feeling and the thought of doing…those type of things with Maximus was enough to turn the butterflies in my stomach to ashes.

Knowing my thoughts were going nowhere good, I redirected them to my amazement over the situation. A hot blonde man who could double as a heart throb in any Hollywood movie is offering to make me cookies while making me cocoa.

Through the feeling of surrealism, the flutter increases against my stomach as if reminding me that it was still there, thank you very much. Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I again forced myself to drop the line of thought. It would only lead to heartbreak. He's just being nice. Don't look deeper into it because he's the first person you've been attracted to in…years.

Maximus stretched to reach the uppermost cupboard, making my mouth go dry as the muscles in his back flexed invitingly. The sight of the muscles shifting and moving was enough to have me swallowing around the mouthful of saliva that suddenly appeared, and to send a shot of molten heat straight down to my stomach.

The feeling froze me in surprise, I had never felt that before… But that surprise quickly turned to fear. Memories of the last time I had been forced to indulge in intimate activities flared to the forefront of my mind. The feeling of phantom hands came back with a vengeance as my stomach threatened to heave its contents back up.

Focusing on my breathing, I tried to pry my mind away from the memories but they refused to be pushed aside. Distantly, I heard Maximus ask me something but I couldn't focus past the building panic. As my heart hammered in my chest and my stomach rolled threateningly, a touch on the back of my hand jolted me out of my thoughts. My eyes snapped open to stare at where Maximus's thumb rested against my knuckles. He wasn't moving at all, his eyes riveted on me with concern lightening their dark grey color. As his thumb brushed carefully against my knuckles, I braced for the instinctually revulsion I always felt, only for confusion to hit when it never came.

Staring into his eyes with what must be a dumbstruck look plastered across my face, I shifted my hand against his thumb again. Again the feeling of skin on skin met me, but just like before no negative feelings made themselves known. While logically my mind understood this, the rest of me wasn't so accepting. I had hated every touch for years, leading to many fights with my mother when I refused to hug her or allow her to touch me, and yet Maximus, a man who I had known less than a day, was stroking my hand and I felt nothing.

Well, not nothing. It actually felt…nice. The thought shocked me so much that I didn't hear Maximus speaking until he was almost right in my face, the sudden proximity not spooking me like it had with others in the past.

"Zelda, are you alright? You're pale as a sheet and your hands are ice cold." He had no idea of the turmoil he was causing, and I wasn't about to inform him. I needed time to think about my new feelings, my not having any negative reaction to his touch and everything else to do with my sister.

Swallowing my emotions back, I did my best to reassure him. "Sorry, the nightmare just hasn't quite let go yet." Maximus leaned back but didn't look convinced. Instead of pushing the subject, he handed me the cocoa. "Careful, it's still hot. Hopefully this will help you a bit. I'm going to start on the cookies, so relax and try to forget the nightmare."

I felt the calluses brush against my skin as he passed me the cocoa, the brief touch against the back of my hand sending a new round of butterflies flying in my stomach. Those butterflies must be made of tungsten steel or something because nothing seems to kill them.

Bringing the mug to my mouth, I sipped slowly only to hum in enjoyment after the first mouthful. "This is really good, thank you."

Maximus waved the thanks off, pulling a cookbook from the cupboard as he unfolded an apron. The sight of his lean body clothed in nothing more than an apron and sleep pants sent another flash of heat down to my stomach. A light shudder rolled down my spine, but I spoke up in an attempt to preempt the panic. "So what do you do for Vlad, when you're not on Zelda sitting duty that is?"

Maximus mixed the ingredients as he answered, glancing up to briefly meet my eyes. "You say that as if talking to you is such a horrendous task. I quite enjoy spending time with you, but to answer your question, I'm one of Vlad's guardsmen."

I wasn't surprised, his body certainly looked like he worked out… Mentally slapping myself, I moved on to the next question. "How long have you been a guard?"

I didn't understand his smile when he turned to me, it looked like someone who was sharing an inside joke but I didn't get it. His words didn't help me understand at all. "Longer than you could imagine." Before I could ask further, he continued. "I have been under Vlad's employment for the better half of my life and have had no desire to go elsewhere."

He turned back around to retrieve a cookie sheet, but before he could start to spoon the dough I cut in. "Can I help with that? It's been awhile since I've made cookies."

Without a word he handed the spoons over and shifted to holding the bowl. I balanced the sheet on my lap and began carefully forming cookies. Once it was full, Maximus put it in the oven before refocusing on me.

He let out a snort when he saw me freeze, mid lick of the spoon. Embarrassment flared in my cheeks as we stared at one another. After a moment, his mouth twitched in amusement before he gestured to the spoon. "You don't need to stop on my account, we are finished with the spoon and I'm not hungry."

I continued licking the spoon clean, still flushing dark red but grateful I had something to distract myself. Once it was as clean as it would get I put it in the sink and turned back to Maximus. He was leaned casually against the counter top, his eyes following me as I rolled back to his side. The light glinted off his eyes, almost making them appear green for an instant. I looked again only to see his usual grey, as I expected. Maybe I needed sleep more than I thought.

His voice startled me when he suddenly spoke, "Are you comfortable in your chair or would you prefer to shift to a stool?" He gestured to the kitchen seats by the bar with his hand, but didn't move toward me.

Biting back a grimace, I was suddenly very aware of how sore my butt felt. Another downside to being in a chair all day. Shifting would help some, but I would need help to not topple right off the stool… Mentally, I gathered my courage. His touch hadn't caused a panic earlier, so maybe it wouldn't this time either and there was only one way to find out…

"I am pretty sore, but I'd need your help. I can't shift out of my chair without the stool being braced or I'll fall off it or topple it completely."

Maximus nodded his understanding before moving to hold the stool still. Looking at me expectantly, he waited. Taking another deep breath, I locked my wheels before using the counter to pull my weight up. Once I was up, I swung sideways to slide onto the stool only to over shoot it. I felt as I started to fall, the familiar kick of panic making me squeak and flail only for two hands to catch me. One I could see belonged to Maximus, but the other was…

Vlad stood behind me with his hand on my arm to keep me from falling and a concerned frown on his face. My shock quickly fled to be replaced with a familiar sickening sensation that made me physically jerk away from his touch.

Well that shot a hole in my working theory that I was getting better with other people's touch. But then why don't I mind Maximus's? As if to further prove the point Maximus's hand hadn't left its spot but no panic made itself known. The brush of his fingers against my hip should have sent hme into an attack as it had with many others, and yet there was no reaction.

Realizing that both men were staring, I quickly righted myself on the stool as my face burned red again. It's going to stay red at this rate… "Sorry about that, I told you transferring isn't easy but thank you for holding the stool and for catching me." I angled the last bit to both of them. Despite my harsh jolt away from Vlad's hand, he had also helped stop me from landing on the ground.

My mind sardonically inputted, Great job Zelda, you almost landed your ass on the floor in front of your sister's husband and a man that could pass as Adonis. Because that's how you make a good impression. Having to have one of them lift you off the floor like a senior citizen on life alert.

I could only be grateful that I hadn't actually landed on the floor, so I saved some of my dignity. As I shifted to get comfortable, I felt Maximus's hand stroke my back. The feeling was comforting and I felt my face cool as I relaxed into the new but mostly okay sensation. Maybe I don't fear his touch because something deep down knows he isn't the type to force himself on me like that monster…But if that were the case, I wouldn't have reacted to Vlad's touch.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I resolved to think on it more once I was alone. Whatever, there's no use in thinking about it now. I'll have plenty of time to try to figure it out later.

Unknown to me, Vlad stiffened behind my back. Maximus eyes him curiously, but doesn't say anything when Vlad gestured for him to continue on as normal. After a 'we're talking about that later' look Maximus focused back on me.

"Are you alright? That was almost bad." I nodded, glad to feel my blush completely recede.

"I'm fine. Even if I did fall it wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last either. I've survived worse than a little bump." I couldn't help my tone darkening toward the end, if only you knew just how much I have survived.

Shaking off the thought, I turned to Maximus. "Besides, you looked like you were a split second from catching me. Your reflexes must be insane, I didn't even see you move." I'm almost disappointed he didn't catch me, it's been years since I've enjoyed being in someone's arms.

As Maximus spoke to me, my mind wandered to my odd attraction to him. I really need to get ahold of myself, just because I have some type of attraction to him doesn't mean he would return it. Even if I were to ignore my disability and my many personality flaws, men don't like women who drop into a psychotic break anytime they touch them in intimate areas…

I watched in confusion as Vlad's form stiffened. What had caused such a reaction? I went back over what I had said but found nothing. I heard a whisper of sound, that almost sounded like Vlad's voice but it was too quiet to be him, what with him being right behind me. Immediately after the sound, Maximus stiffened too.

"Are you two alright?" For both of them to suddenly go stiff, something must be up. Maximus met my eyes, his grey ones seeming to war with himself over something before the sound of the timer broke us out of our staring contest.

Maximus excused himself to pull the cookies out of the oven, leaving me with the feeling that I just missed something important. Before I could pursue the topic anymore, Vlad pulled me into conversation.

As I chatted with him, my eyes followed Maximus. His body seemed to cut through the air as he moved with an almost unnatural grace. Must come from fighting as a guard for so long. He wouldn't only get muscles from that kind of experience after all. I didn't even try to stop the thought that time, choosing to ignore it instead.

When Maximus came back with the cookies, he seemed completely relaxed, as if both he and his boss hadn't turned to statues for a minute. Taking the offered cookie, I bit into it and almost moaned. The sound stopping low in my throat as I sipped my cocoa. "These are delicious. You were right, they're better than any other cookies I've had."

While the cookies did taste phenomenal, they tasted even better knowing he made them specifically for me. Food always tasted better when it was made for you. The effort he put in just because I had a nightmare made me warm inside and for the first time in four years I wanted to give that warmth back to someone. Before I could lose my nerve, I gripped his hand and squeezed in gratitude.

The dazed look on his face was amusing but he quickly recovered, "You're most welcome. Should you ever feel the need for a midnight baking spree feel free to come knock on my door. I don't sleep much so there's a good chance you'll catch me while I'm awake. If you need anything else for that matter, don't hesitate to come to me."

I felt blissfully happy as I munched on my cookies, sipped my cocoa and enjoyed the touch of his hand that he still hadn't taken back yet. I'll enjoy this while it lasts, for however long that is.

As I finished the cookie, I bit back a yawn. It was time to go back to bed for me. "I think I'm going to try sleeping again, thank you again for your company Maximus. I can find my own way back if you want to stay and chat with Vlad." Maximus stood to help me back into my chair without being asked, making gratitude flare in me again.

Once I was situated again, I sent them both a wave before turning and wheeling out of the room. I didn't see the look Maximus sent after me, but Vlad did.

And that's it for this one! Next chapter will be short and be centered around Maximus and Vlad's conversation.