As usual, Laura's alarm began it's insistent beep at 7am. There was a muffled curse and an arm shot out from under the duvet, grappling clumsily for the snooze button. The arm disappeared back under the duvet and she curled up tightly into a ball. He was lying next to her, his warmth rendering the thought of getting up impossible. He shifted slightly, an arm wrapping itself more tightly around her waist, a cheek pressed against her temple,
"D'you need to get up?"
She smiled at his husky voice, turning her face to meet his,
"No..it's ok…"
He sighed in approval and nuzzled back into her neck.
Eventually the daylight began to trace a luminous border around the curtains, and he found he could doze no longer. It was a long time since he had felt this relaxed. Her breathing was slow and shallow, she was entirely asleep. He pondered the events of the previous night. He'd long known about Laura's insomnia, that she often stayed up late and woke early, that she worked too hard, that she didn't drink anything caffeinated in the afternoons. But he'd never pushed her on the reasons why. It didn't seem appropriate to ask. Everyone was a bad sleeper these days, too many bloody screens, too much work, he'd never thought that there might be something more to it. She turn slightly, pressing her face into the pillow, her blonde hair fanning out. Maybe it was too early to ask her to talk about it. Yes, they had known each other for many years, but not like this. And it was too easy to convince himself that they had always been so close. She might need time. She might never want to talk to him about it.
He glanced over at the clock. Ten past eight. He was pretty sure that she wouldn't need to be at work, but she might not thank him for not waking her if she did. Gingerly he slid backwards, tucking the duvet around her, and padded his way downstairs to make some tea. If he was going to wake her, the least he could do was bring a peace offering.
Laura woke as the kettle clicked off, surprised by the familiar noise and momentarily confused. She glanced at the alarm clock and rubbed her eyes. As always, her phone and pager were both on the bedside table, and she checked both for messages. Out of habit she cleared a few junk emails, added a meeting to her calendar and, more out of curiosity than anything, checked the local news for the write up of last night's shooting. It was something she always did after a call out. It made it easier, somehow; added a bit of context to the clinical precision of her work. She was just scrolling through the BBC news article when Robbie set a large mug of tea down next to her.
"I was going to complain about being abandoned…but it looks like I might need to rethink that…thanks"
He grinned boyishly and, placing his own mug on the side, adjusted a few pillows, and slid in next to her.
"Are you ok this morning?"
She put her phone down, and grasping the steaming mug, took a sip of her tea. It was hot and strong, and immediately her nascent tension headache eased,
"I'm fine…it's ok"
He reached out and ran his palm across her shoulders,
"Would it help to talk about it?"
"No…not really"
She answered quickly, and he squeezed her shoulder gently.
"OK"
She was cradling the mug in both hands now, and she turned slightly to look at him over her shoulder, her eyebrow slightly raised. He smiled patiently,
"It's ok"
It was strange. Like a clenched muscle suddenly relaxing. As soon as she realised he wasn't going to push her, to question her, she wanted to talk. And, for once, the words came easily,
"I'm afraid it happens quite a lot…"
Her voice trailed off slightly, asking permission to continue,
"The nightmares?"
"Hmm…"
She took another sip of her tea, her finger tracing the smooth loop of the china handle.
"The twins?"
She smiled sadly and looked at him, again reminded of the guilt he still felt about that night.
"No, much further back, since I started training"
She set the mug back down on the table and hunched her knees up against her chest,
"It's pathetic really…"
She didn't see his raised eyebrow, or the concerned look in his eyes.
"You'd think a pathologist would be able to get a grip, wouldn't you?"
He sighed loudly, and again ran his hand down her back, trying to soothe the tension that was so obviously building. Carefully, he eased her down to lie against his chest, his arm wrapping around her stomach.
"Tell me what happens"
There was a pause, a moment of consideration, and then a flood of words,
"OK, when I'm stressed out, or thinking about work, I always end up in a locked room, being ordered to dissect a laughing child"
"Geez…that's…"
"I know…pretty macabre"
He kissed her temple, trying to imagine the scene, almost trying not to.
"Maybe I should quit the day job and write horror fiction?"
She was trying to make light of it. Perhaps she was right. But he couldn't imagine how she could cope with such images. She must be terrified to sleep.
"And you've carried on, even though you suffer like this?"
"Hmm…glutton for punishment, I guess"
He smiled with her, kissing her again.
"Does anything help?"
"Exercise, no caffeine, not too much wine…not being called out to a crime scene in the middle of the night"
He smiled reassuringly, mentally taking notes,
"Not getting too wound up, or eating lots of cheese, more's the pity…and remembering to take a bloody horse tranquiliser if I forget all the above"
That last admission was added quietly, her shoulders hunching slightly and she burrowed into his chest.
"It's ok, you know, taking pills…if you need them. Especially if it stops you punching me in your sleep…"
"Oh god, I didn't?"
She looked genuinely horrified and he grinned broadly,
"No, you didn't…but I think I can handle you, woman, don't you worry about that"
As if to prove it, he gripped her firmly and rolled her over until she was lying on top of him…before realising how the demonstration of control had somewhat backfired on him. She smirked, playfully pinning his wrists above his head, relief coursing through her.
"You know, there is a silver lining to last night…"
"Hmm…?"
She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, teasing him mercilessly,
"I'm legally required to take the next 12 hours off, so technically I don't need to get up until at least midday"
He smirked back, pleased to have rediscovered playful Laura after the morning's charged words,
"That is most excellent news. And would you have any particular plans for this morning? In light of your newfound freedom…"
Her hands though small, were firm in their grip, and she teased his palms with her thumbs,
"Have you recovered yet from yesterday's exertions, old man?"
"Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out…"
AN - OK folks, I think that's it... I'm sorry it's taken so long to finish. I've been rather distracted by other projects, but I am pleased to announce that I have another long fic in the works! It won't be posted for a little while, mainly because I want to have the majority drafted before posting anything, but it is coming. Thanks so much to those of you who have read my little meander, and especially to those who have taken to review, your comments have been much appreciated.