Chapter 4
Screams echoed through the hallway and bounced off the walls, reverberating all around the apartment. Sheldon leaped from his bed, breaking into a cold sweat. It took him several minutes to realize the screams weren't a part of his dream, as he had assumed, but that they were coming from Leonard's room. Amy. She sounded truly petrified. Leaping awkwardly from his bed, he grabbed his robe and donned his slippers before moving into the hallway. Bursting through her door, his jaw dropped as he watched Amy's body rocking violently, the bedclothes tangled around her kicking feet, with her arms thrashing over her head. Her eyes were wide open in terror, and a nearly inhuman wail issued from her mouth. The picture was quite unsettling.
"Night-terror," he murmured to himself. "Right. I researched these: I'm supposed to calmly stroke her hair and then try to coax her into relaxing her muscles, possibly by holding her gently, while talking in a calm, assuring voice. Ok, Cooper, let's do this." He approached the bed cautiously, crawling into it on the far side. He laid near her and began speaking in a calm, clear voice. He reached out and started to stroke her hair. He was momentarily taken aback by how soft and silky her hair was beneath his fingers. "Amy, Amy, I'm here, Amy. Come back to me. I'm here." He repeated her name like a mantra and continued to stroke her. Soon, her legs and arms began to still enough so that he could hold them down gently, and he pulled her flush to his side.
Then, suddenly, as if electrified, Amy let out a final, startled cry, and seemed to rip herself from the dream, literally forcing herself into a seated position. Sheldon moved with her, still holding her steadily to his side, and continued his quiet recitation. Her face was contorted with tears and still showed remnants of her terror. She looked around in complete confusion, her eyes starting to clear. She heard Sheldon speaking to her, and her eyes found his. Still somewhat confused and disoriented, she sighed in deep relief and instinctively threw herself into his arms. Fisting her hands on his robe, she buried her face into his chest and sobbed. She had to release her injured hand, due to the striking pain in her casted-wrist. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking with her, consoling her as best he could. Stroking her dark tresses, he whispered into her ear. "It's ok, Amy. I'm here. You're safe. You're with me, in my apartment. It was just a nightmare. Shhh, I've got you." In mere moments, he felt the tension of her fear ebb from her body, and her sobs died down. He didn't release her, though. He found he was just as shaken up as her, and he needed her to stay in his arms for just a moment longer. He found himself inhaling the scent of her hair and letting his lips brush gently across her temple. They stayed like this as quiet overtook the room.
Releasing her iron grip on his robe, Amy pulled herself away from Sheldon's chest and looked up at him. His face was so close to hers that his image was slightly distorted. The terror was gone, and only Sheldon remained, warm and safe; an anchor of security. Relief flooded her system, along with a good healthy dose of embarrassment. She was in Leonard's bed, with Sheldon. He was holding her and gazing into her eyes; his own full of concern and something else she couldn't quite name. She flushed. The night terror was over, but how much trouble did it leave behind? Her cheeks reddening further, she started to pull herself out of his gentle hold.
"Sheldon, I'm so sorry. I'm so embarrassed. I haven't had a night-terror in awhile. I woke you. I… " her voice trailed off and she looked down at her hands, which she now had pulled into her lap.
"Why are you embarrassed? You are not to blame for your sub-conscious. I'm just glad I was here to bring you out of it." As he spoke, he lifted her face by her chin and looked in her eyes, examining her for any tell-tale signs of fear. "What brings them on?" he questioned.
"Anything can, really. Sometimes stress will, or sleeping in a strange place. Alcohol usage sometimes." She shrugged. "I bet in this case it was just everything all together: the pain medication, sleeping here instead of my apartment, the stressful day. I don't know. Maybe it all just added up." She was starting to feel her anxiety levels rise again, but Sheldon must have noticed because he began to stroke her arms softly again.
"Shhh. It's ok. You're still shaking a little. Do you remember it?"
"Not really. Just the overwhelming terror. Something terrible was happening. They always leave me groggy and the fear just sticks around and ruins my sleep for the rest of the night. I'm actually afraid of going back to bed in case I end up right back in that… terror-world, I guess. You can go back to your bed. I'll just be here. Maybe I'll eventually fall back asleep before morning." Her voice had a thick level of fear in it. Sheldon didn't feel like he could leave her alone.
"Would it help if I stayed here with you?" He watched her eyes widen at his suggestion, and then he saw it, just a glimpse before she could close it down: hope. He knew she would feel better if she wasn't alone.
"I couldn't ask you to do that. I know you don't share your bed with anyone. Besides, I don't want to keep you up. I really don't think there's much chance I'll fall back asleep."
"You know, Amy, I can always tell when you aren't being truthful. I really don't mind. These are extraordinary circumstances, and I don't want to have to reference the Relationship Agreement again, but I will. This falls under boo-boos and ouchies. I'm staying. Now, do you need some chamomile tea before we return to sleep, or do you just want to lay down right away?"
Amy was overwhelmed with gratitude. Sheldon was being so caring. She almost wanted to cry in relief. Maybe if he were here, in the bed with her, his presence would help stave off any further night-terrors. She desperately wanted to sleep. "Could we just try to sleep?" she asked him, in answer to his entreaty. She watched him nod, and then he proceeded to untangle the sheets and comforter, which were clearly askew due to her struggle in the dream. Once the covers were sorted, he fluffed the two pillows, and laid down on the far end of the bed, leaving plenty of room for her to do the same.
He laid on his back, settled the covers around himself, and it almost looked like he was tucking himself in for the night. Amy couldn't help but smile. He is so adorable, like a little boy. She wanted to reach out and smooth his hair, which was mussed from sleep, but she held back her hand. She got herself as comfortable as she could, and also laying on her back, she stared into the darkness and willed herself not to think of Sheldon sleeping just inches away. The thought that they were sharing a bed made her pulse elevate. She was feeling restless, and she moved around a bit, struggling to settle. Sheldon sighed and adjusted himself as well.
Her body is a furnace, he thought grimly, and she can't seem to get comfortable. Maybe I should try comforting her? How? Struck with an idea, he smiled. Thanks, Brain. He reached out tentatively under the covers and placed his hand right next to where hers lay on the bed between them. He brushed his fingers against hers to signal that he was right there, next to her. She sighed contentedly, and he felt he had succeeded in his mission. He heard her breathing decelerate, as did his own, and before long, they had both fallen asleep, their fingers interlocking loosely as they nodded off.
