Hello! I'd like to say 'thank you so much!' to all of my reviewers -showers reviewers in heaps of magical cookies until all are completely burried-

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The characters and books have all taken over mind, so I think it's safe to say that they own me...

Root sat in Holly's living room, thinking. I wonder if there's a way to get Holly back in a good mood. She's had a rough day. When Root had come back from getting his things from his locker, he had stopped by the Ops. Booth.

-Flashback-flashback-flashback-flashback

"What are you still doing here Julius?" Foaly asked as he buzzed the Commander in

"I had to come and get my things from my locker." Root took a deep breath, "Thanks for not letting Sool into it."

"It wasn't intentional, I just hadn't gotten around to it yet." Foaly winked. Root glared back at him, "By the way, did you know that Holly's birthday is on Sunday?"

"Really?"

"Yup, I believe it'll be her 85th birthday. But I can't be sure, so don't make any bets or anything."

Root grunted.

"So why are you back in here again?"

"I need a map to Holly's place."

Foaly laughed at him and printed the map.

-Endflashback-endflashback-endflashback-endflashback-endflashback-

I could give her a birthday present… But what would I get Holly? The little box that Root had taken from his locker suddenly came to his mind, Would she like something like that? I doubt it… Root was jerked from his thoughts as Holly entered the room.

"Sorry about the stupid guard. They've been really paranoid lately." Holly said after a pause

"Before the guard tried to arrest me, he said that they've tightened security because they thought someone was stalking you. And that there have been reports of screams coming from your apartment. What was he talking about?"

Holly looked away uncomfortably and blushed, "Well… um,"

"You yelled at him something about a nightmare."

"I-I've been having nightmares." She said softly, still staring at the floor.

"About what?" Root was surprised by how good he was being about not becoming nervous or agitated

"Please, Julius, I don't want to talk about it right now. Maybe later." Holly looked at him pleadingly

"Fine" Root picked up his newspaper, trying to look like he was reading. He watched Holly pick up her book out of the corner of his eye.

This must be what Foaly was talking about earlier… What is it that she doesn't want me to know? Root sat and pondered what Holly would have nightmares about for most of the day.

"Hey, the TV film about the B'wa Kell Rebellion is coming on soon. Do you want to see how accurate they got it?" Holly asked that night

"And have to relive all of that? At least the victory is included. Sure, why not."

Holly turned the TV to the correct channel and sat next to Root on the couch with a small yawn.

"Sorry in advance if I fall asleep, Foaly's midnight call and surprise has taken its toll on me."

"Just as long as you don't snore."

"I'll be sure to snore as loud as possible"

"If you do, then I'll throw some water on you to wake you up" Root chuckled

"You don't seem to realize that if you do, you might find yourself begging on the street." She gave him a slightly reproachful look

"I wouldn't go quietly, so you'd have to bodily throw me out. Then I could have you arrested for assaulting the LEP Commander."

"I could just call back that security guard and tell him that you're holding me hostage"

"So we'd both end up in jail all because of a centaur waking you up in the middle of the night… Do us both a favor and just don't snore."

"Can't make any guarantees, sorry." Holly grinned. Root just rolled his eyes

About half an hour into the movie, Root glanced at Holly. Her head had fallen on her shoulder, and she was sound asleep. At least she hasn't started snoring yet; guess she doesn't want to be arrested. Root chuckled to himself.

The unexpected noise made her stir. She shivered slightly, as if she was cold, and shifted closer to the warmth next to her. Root froze as Holly unconsciously rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled even closer. He felt like he was going to have a heart attack.

Breathe, Julius. Calm down, you might wake her up and end up in the hospital. She's just cold, and you're a source of warmth. This wouldn't be happening if she was a little more awake.

Cautiously, Root wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hoping this would warm her up enough that she would settle and return to deep sleep. A sigh of relief escaped him when Holly stopped moving.

I have to be careful, if she wakes up and finds my arm around her, she'll kill me. Or scream for that guard. Almost as if to spite him, his left arm began to itch, but he ignored it. I can't believe Holly's actually asleep in my arms. She seems so vulnerable like this… It actually feels nice to be keeping her safe. Root mentally slapped himself for thinking like that

Why is it so bad? She doesn't work for you anymore. There's nothing wrong with it.

Silently cursing the traitorous part of himself, he turned his attention back to the movie.

Root opened his eyes sleepily, the movie was over and the credits were scrolling up the screen. Holly was still snuggled against him, using his chest as a pillow and his left arm like a shawl. I need to move before she wakes up.

Slowly, Root stood up, gently laying Holly down. Maybe I should get her to bed.

Supporting her shoulders with one arm, and under her knees with the other, he picked her up and carried her in the direction of her room. She shifted her head back onto his shoulder, letting out a small contented sigh. Root prayed that she couldn't feel his rapidly beating heart.

To her, I'm just moving furniture that has a heating feature. Nothing more. But that sigh… He quickly stopped that train of thought and concentrated on putting Holly into her bed.

Suddenly missing his body heat, Holly reached out, "Wha…?" she mumbled, curling her legs closer to the pillow.

"Sweet dreams, Holly" Root gently pulled the blanket up to cover her and went to his own room.

The soft sound of a door closing nearby brought Holly back to consciousness. A dream about warmth and flying was lingering in the back of her mind. She looked around confused, I thought I was watching that movie… how'd I end up in bed? Why do I feel so cold all of a sudden? Holly pulled the blanket up under her chin. Realization hit her and she felt herself blush. I must have fallen asleep, and Julius carried me in here… Why couldn't I have been awake for that?

She cursed herself under her breath for thinking like and went back to sleep.

The next morning, the front door slamming shut jerked Holly awake. She heard the sounds of Root opening a cabinet. Where was he?

She walked into the kitchen; Root was standing with his back to her and pouring himself a cup of coffee, "Good morning"

He jumped "Holly! Good morning, I didn't hear you come in." He looked a little nervous, "Today's your birthday, isn't it?"

My birthday…? I completely forgot about my birthday… "Yeah, I guess it is… How did you know about it?"

"Foaly told me."

"How did he know? I didn't tell him. In fact, I haven't told anyone, I completely forgot about it." Holly wondered

"Maybe he's stalking you"

Holly snorted, "Is there a conspiracy between everybody to make me become paranoid or something?"

"If there was, do you really expect me to honestly answer that?" Root grinned

"I'll just take that as a yes." Holly went to the fridge to get a nettle smoothie, "So was the movie last night any good? I fell asleep pretty fast."

"I actually fell asleep too, maybe a fourth of the way through." Holly turned around and looked at Root. His face was a little red. What's that about?

"So did I sleep walk to my room, or did you carry me there?" She asked, watching him turn a slightly darker shade of red. He cleared his throat.

"I took you."

"Thanks for not waking me up, I was exhausted."

Root just nodded in response. "I'll be right back." He walked off in the direction of his room.

He came back a couple of minutes later carrying a small box that had a bow attached, "This is mix between a birthday and a thank you present for letting me stay here. So, Happy Birthday, and thanks." He grunted awkwardly, handing it to her.

"A present? You didn't have to." Holly took it cautiously, "So is this from all of the conspirators, or just you?" She shook the box, and it rattled softly

"Just me. Feeling a little paranoid, Holly?" He chuckled

"I'll get Foaly to get me a tin-foil hat. So is this going to explode on me?"

"Why don't you open it and find out."

"Fine…" Holly opened the box, "Wow… Julius, it's beautiful! Thank you!"

Once again, magical cookies for all that review! You know you want to :D