Brodi had to admit that he probably slept better in Elise's room than he would have in his room. Even at that, he woke up in a cold sweat at least twice. Elise was always there, though, pulling him close, soothing him, whispering to him. Then she would rub his back or his neck until he fell asleep again.

The last time he awoke to find Elise propped up on one elbow, leaning over him with one hand resting on his forehead and her thumb gently massaging his third eye point.

"Shhhhh," she whispered when he opened his eyes and startled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. You were groaning in your sleep, and I was trying to settle you back down without waking you." She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Dreaming?"

He looked around the room, then visibly relaxed. "Yeah, I think so. Not really clear."

"You're sleeping rough. Do you need anything?"

He sighed contentedly and rolled over, nuzzling his head into her shoulder. "You're doing it, babe. Trust me, I doubt I would have slept at all in my room, especially without you beside me. I'm sorry I've woken you so many times."

Elise smiled and kissed the top of his head. "Anything for you, love. Besides, if the tables were turned, you'd do the same for me." She rolled on top of him and kissed his neck. "Wouldn't you?"

Brodi blinked. Ordinarily being in this position would be sheer nirvana for him, but something wasn't right.

"Elise? I don't think this is a good time."

She tilted her head and grinned at him. "Of course it is. We're both awake. It's a couple of hours until daylight. Might as well pass the time." She flattened herself against him, his body already responding despite his frustration. Damn it, he HATED it when his body did this to him. Elise obviously noticed and laughed. "See? Perfect timing. You're already ready for me."

"But my head isn't in the right place. Elise, we have a deal, remember? No using sex to self-medicate. No regrets."

His mind was still clinging to the knowledge that he and Elise were safe in each other's company. Reality didn't seem to be backing him up.

"You're ready. Come on. You'll feel better. We might as well make the most of it."

"Damn it, it's NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN."

Brodi pushed her off and sat up, gasping for breath. He blinked and looked around to see where Elise had landed—but she was sleeping beside him, just starting to stir because of his movement.

"Brodi?" Elise, exhausted from seeing him through his last two nightmares, reached out for him sleepily. "Lay back down, sweetie. You're having another dream. You're safe."

Her hand touched him, and all the confusion and fear and anger from the dream came boiling back, and he couldn't hold it anymore. He bolted for the bathroom, barely reaching the toilet before a hot bitter liquid filled this throat.

He had no idea how long he was on the floor, but he was down to dry heaves when he became aware of a soft hand supporting his forehead. There was a cold washcloth folded over his neck, and he felt a gentle hand moving up and down his back.

"Elise?" he coughed hoarsely.

"Easy, sweetie. I'm here," she said as he fell against her. "Easy. Easy now. I'm here. I'm right here." Elise held Brodi's head to her shoulder and wiped his mouth with a towel. Then she reached up to the sink counter and pulled down a bottle of water. "Here, baby, take a sip of this." She held the mouth of the bottle to his lips and tilted it gently. "There you go. Think you could handle a little more?"

He nodded so she held the bottle up one more time. He took a big gulp this time and sat up.

"Whoa, babe. Go slow."

Elise sat back on her heels and watched him as he tried to get his head together.

"That was a rough one," she said at last. "Somehow I don't think that was the alcohol from last night. Do you think you can stand? I'll help you back to the bed."

"Damn it! I can't let her ruin this!"

Elise jumped at the exclamation.

"Ruin what, baby?"

"You! My friendships! My life! The dream—by the Buddha, I feel like I'm going insane. I am awake now, right? You were sleeping beside me. You were sleeping, weren't you?"

Elise nodded slowly. "Yes, honey. I woke up right before you ran in here. You're safe, Brodi. I promise you you're safe. You're with me, baby. You're safe."

Brodi leaned back against the tub and looked around the room as if still not trusting her or his own senses. Then he related to her the terror of the dream, and his anger and confusion at his mind mixing what was good in his life with the one horror from his past that now seemed to be permeating everything.

Elise let him talk, let him pour out his grief and anger. She made no effort to touch him, merely watched him to see what he needed. When he finally stopped, he pulled his knees up and rested his head on his arms.

"Brodi? Can you stand, honey? Come on, let's get you back to bed. It was a dream, sweetie, a horrible dream. But I promise you that you are awake now and you are safe."

At this point she didn't want to stand over him, so she sat back on her knees and held out her hand to him. After a tense moment, he finally took her hand and they stood together and made it back to the bedroom. She covered him and squeezed his hand.

"God, that must have been terrifying. I am so, so sorry. I would take all of this away if I could, baby."

She kissed his hand and then went and settled into one of her chairs. Brodi lifted himself up on one forearm and looked at her questioningly.

"Elise? Come to bed."

"I, uhm, want to get some reading done."

Brodi sat up completely. "You're a lousy liar."

"I don't want to trigger…"

"I don't care about that. Look, if I stop doing things and being with people I love because it might trigger something, then they have won."

Elise sighed and took a step towards the bed.

"Wait." He said suddenly.

Elise froze. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you to do something?"

Elise raised an eyebrow. "Maybe…" she said hesitantly.

"Could you…could you put on some more of you lotion? It sounds silly, but I love the vanilla scent, it always reminds me of you. It might help me keep my head on straight while I'm sleeping."

Elise smiled and felt a tear form in the corner of her eye. "Of course! Hell, I'll bathe in the stuff if it helps."

She pulled one of the bottles out of her drawer and covered herself in the lotion, making sure to get her arms, chest, and neck covered. Then she sank down beside him, sliding up under the covers and taking him into her arms.

"Now, just settle in with me here and try to get some sleep. I don't know what time Rahzel might call in the morning."

Brodi nuzzled her neck, drinking in the scent of her lotion.

"Thank you, babe?"

Elise kissed the top of his head. "For what?"

"For this. For everything. Mom was right. You're an incredible woman."

Elise felt herself blush, but she smiled and pulled him closer. "I should be thanking you."

"For what? Keeping you up all night and holding my head while I throw up in your bathroom?"

Elise leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Don't you see it? You've melted the ice queen."