I'd been dreaming again. I should have known better than to trust my over-loaded, nerd mind.
This time, I woke up screaming at the top of my lungs. My reddened eyes were wide open as I sat up, and Shane was staring at me in shock. I shuddered violently, than let out a small cry as I remembered my dream. Before Shane could say anything, I lifted my wrist up, looking at it carefully. There were no signs of it ever being bitten, or even cut, for that matter. I was mystified; how could I dream about something that horrible?
"What's wrong?" Shane asked, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his lap. He ignored the fact I was still in panties and a cami, and I was grateful for that. It saved me from being embarrassed, for now, at least.
"Nightmare. Bad nightmare." I muttered, hiding my tear-stained face in his shirt. "I'm fine now, though. Don't worry about it." I pulled the blanket towards me, refusing to move from his warm body.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and his hand went to my tousled hair, stroking it back slowly. "Do you want to… talk about it?" The offer was unexpected, and he looked a little embarrassed about asking. Well…. Not embarrassed, exactly. More like indignant, like he didn't want to be laughed at about being concerned about me. Awwww! Shane could be so sweet sometimes!
I felt the smile tug at my lips, and I peered up at him, shaking my head. "No, I'd rather not talk about it right now. Maybe later." I relaxed in his arms, shivering with pleasure as his hand slid up and down my back, but never up my shirt.
"Alright," he said, nodding a bit. He pressed his lips to my forehead, than laid me back down on my bed with a small grin.
I pouted up at him in return.
Shane held up his hands in surrender, chuckling softly. "I'm just going to get you some food, jail bait. I'll be back in ten minutes, tops. I promise." With that, he disappeared out the door, and I snuggled under the blankets, closing my still feverish eyes.
It was times like this that I missed my Mom.
The way she'd always worry about me when I was sick, even if it was just a cold. I got sick a lot, and it really freaked her and Dad out. Well, it freaked Shane out, too. Not a big shocker there. Anything that had to do with my not feeling happy was something for him to worry about. Maybe after I got better, we could finally go on that date he promised me.
Well, that was a nice thought. It actually sounded like fun. A night for us to be alone, and Eve and Michael could have a night alone, too. Wow. That really did sound nice.
"Hey, here's your soup and Coke." Shane said suddenly, pushing the door open with his foot. He had a tray in his hands, and a wet washcloth and a bottle of Ibuprofen was sitting next to the bowl. "I thought you could use some medicine since you have a fever." He explained, sitting the tray in my lap before he kicked his shoes and socks off, then nestled under the blankets next me.
My hormones didn't like this. They wanted Shane to be closer, which would have been bad for the both of us. I silently cursed myself, than ladled the chicken noodle soup into the spoon before taking a sip. Mm, the soup tasted really good. "Good soup." I commented, grinning a little before taking swig of Coke.
"It isn't that hard to cook a can of soup, smart ass." He pointed out, sneaking a drink of my Coke when he thought I wasn't looking. "I mean, c'mon! Cooking chili is harder than cooking a can of that shit, and chili is the best damn thing I can make!" He looked teasingly outraged. It really was kind of adorable.
Still, I gave a roll of my eyes. "Just let me finish this soup so I can get drugged up again." I said jokingly, and then pushed the bowl away. "I'll eat the rest later, okay? I'm really not that hungry." I opened the bottle, then dumped two Ibuprofen into my hand. Shane was nice enough to put the lid back on it for me while I took a long drink of my Coke, than swallowed the pills. "Ah… numbness will come soon…" I sighed happily, nuzzling against his chest.
"To bad you won't put some damn pants on." Shane said wryly, nipping playfully at my earlobe. "I kinda like this, though. Except for the fact that you're sick." A frown appeared on his face, and he brushed my hair back, looking unhappy. "That part sucks. I want my jail bait to feel good."
I snickered a little, than glowered into his shirt. "I do feel good, except that I'm sick. I like being in here with you. It makes me feel happier, Shane. Plus, you make me feel better about being sick. You're so adorable when you're worried, Doctor Collins." I teased, giggling quietly.
His answering glare was playful. "I'm the doctor, Miss Danvers. And I say that you should get some sleep. Now." He pressed his lips to mine for a moment, and they felt just as warm and damp as the usually did. Not to mention silky smooth and… NO! Focus, Claire!
"I will…." I murmured drowsily, than laid my head back against the pillows. "Don't leave…." I added through the haze that was beginning to surround me.
"I won't, Claire." He promised, than closed his eyes, too. "I'll sleep in here. See you when you wake up."
I nodded, than closed my eyes and sighed heavily, feeling the darkness began to pull me under.
The oceans of sleep were coming, and within moments, I was underneath them.
Consciousness had faded away. I was now just floating along in the ocean, with no one there. And yet...... I wasn't afraid. I had no reason to be afraid tonight. I was safe with Shane beside me, and I loved him. That was enough for. Hell, that was enough for forever.
Tonight was the first night that I didn't have nightmares while I was sick, but I knew that wouldn't last for very long.