10

They ate in silence. Rayne was lost in thought, staring down into her food and occasionally lifting a forkful to her mouth. What she managed to chew she did not taste.

Mark spent most of his time watching her. Studying her. The meal she'd cooked was good. Better than good actually. His appetite was not affected by the situation. He'd lived this life for a long time; he knew better than to let circumstances throw off his strength.

When dinner was over, he cleaned up without a word. Rayne watched him move around the kitchen, a little frown forming on her face. "Aren't you worried about Randy? He's been gone a long time."

Mark looked over his shoulder at her. "Randy is all right. He had some things to take care of tonight. He'll be back in the morning."

"Oh." Rayne dropped her eyes, sighing. Great. Stuck alone in this place with Mark. That should be interesting. She crossed her arms on the table and rested her head on them, yawning.

Mark's face took on a worried frown that she did not notice. He watched as she blinked, the lids moving slow. She was getting sleepy. Randy had put her under for hours this morning but that had not been sleep; there had been no rest in it.

He was in for another long night. He'd have to stay up, watch Rayne sleep, be ready to...to intervene if it looked like Dominic was making a move. It would be the only way to draw him out. Mark would have to push him to the point that he would be forced to physically show himself.

He quickly finished up the dishes, then turned to Rayne. Her eyes were closed. He sighed and went to her, bending down so that he was at eye level.

"Rayne?" He touched her shoulder.

"Hmm..."

"Rayne. Come on. Wake up." He nudged her. He wasn't ready for her to go to sleep yet. He still had a few things to do.

Her eyes fluttered. Opened. Focused on his. "I..." She sat up, shaking her head. "Sorry. Guess I'm worn out or something."

"Don't be sorry. You are tired." Mark put his hand on her arm and squeezed gently. "But try to stay awake for a little longer. Then we'll both get some sleep."

Rayne nodded. Then she noticed his hand on her arm and stared at it. Mark bit back a smirk and pulled it away. She seemed to be drifting back into sleep sitting up, but she caught herself.

She stood up suddenly, almost knocking Mark flat on his ass. "I think I'll have a smoke. Something. Hell." She grabbed the cigarettes from the counter and went to the door, slipping out before he could say anything.

Rayne leaned against the wall, hand on her chest. What the hell? She'd dozed off...then he'd woken her up and he'd...touched her. Ok. That was nothing to freak out about. But when her eyes had gotten heavy again...

It was as if a bolt of electricity had shot through her arm where his hand rested. And she suddenly did not want to sleep. Her body was still saying it was tired but her mind refused to listen to it.

And she wanted to sleep damn it. Eight straight, glorious hours. She'd been through too much, had taken in too much. She knew if she could just let it go for a while, she'd wake up able to look at everything in different ways.

But she knew that she wouldn't be able to just drift off now. Something inside told her to wait. For what? Mark's permission? She was confused. Her mind was refusing to think straight.

Sighing, she went back into the kitchen. Mark was not there. Whatever he was doing, she hoped he made it quick. She climbed the stairs slowly, then hesitated at the door to his room. Where was she supposed to sleep, anyway? In his bed again? In Randy's, since he wasn't going to be there til dawn?

Rayne stood indecisively, biting her lip. Shit. Why had every little decision become so complicated all of a sudden?

"You can sleep in my room." Mark had come up the stairs behind her. She jumped, wondering how such a big guy could climb those rickety steps so silently.

"I don't know if I want to do that."

"You will sleep better there." He urged her.

She surprised him by laughing. "Why does that sound like some kind of a pick up line?"

"It is no line. It is the truth." He took her arm in his hand. "I can help you sleep. I have to help you sleep."

"You...have...to?" She emphasized the second word. What did that mean?

"You'll understand...later." Mark gently guided her through the door. She went without a struggle. He was right already. She now felt that same mind numbing tiredness that she'd had in the kitchen but had lost the first time he'd touched her. Mark pulled back the comforter. "Come on. Climb in."

Rayne hesitated for a moment, then did as he said. What was to keep him from just throwing her down on the bed? Nothing. And she was too tired to fight with him. In the morning it would be a different story.

She slid under the blanket and felt it being pulled over her. Her eyes were already slipping shut. Rayne could hear him moving around the room, sighed in relief when he turned off the light. She felt the other side of the bed sag under his weight as he got in. Should she protest? She couldn't. Her mouth and her brain no longer seemed attached.

Mark didn't get under the comforter. He didn't make a move toward her, although Rayne was half-expecting it. He just lay there in the dark, listening to her breath. This sudden sleepiness...it was Dominic. Calling her. It as easier for him to get to her when she was sleeping. But Mark was ready for him. At least, he hoped he was.