"Danny!" Lindsay awoke suddenly, sweat pouring down her face, her breathing harsh and heavy. She was slightly disoriented, but soon realized that she was in Danny's bed, of all places. He wasn't in there with her, but he soon entered the room, having heard her cry out.
He climbed up next to her, and took her into his arms. "What's wrong?"
"He was here," she sobbed, "He was here and he was going to kill me."
"Lindsay, slow down, I can't understand you, baby."
Lindsay sniffed and tried to calm down so that she could tell him. "I was in my house and I was all alone. I heard the door open, and I thought it was you, so I got up and went to see you. But, it wasn't you. It was Vince, and he had a gun and he said that he was going to kill me. I started screaming and tried to run away but he caught me. I kept screaming for you, but you wouldn't come."
"Oh, Lindsay," he rocked her back and forth slightly, trying his best to soothe her. "It's ok, Linds. I'm always here for you, you know that."
"I have that dream nearly every night. I'm afraid to sleep. That's why I'm so tired all the time."
"I noticed," Danny told her, "you fell asleep watching the movie and I didn't want to wake you up, so I carried you in here and slept on the couch."
"You didn't have to do that," Lindsay told him, trying to forget about the dream.
"Yes I did." He kissed her just behind her ear
"I'm so scared, Danny. He terrifies me."
"You have every right to be scared," he assured her. "He's a scary guy. But, like I said, I won't let anything happen to you."
"I know." She relaxed into his embrace. "Will you stay with me?" she asked, sounding very young and vulnerable.
"Of course I will," he shifted so that they were lying down, without letting go of Lindsay.
"Don't let go," she pleaded.
"I won't." he promised. When he was sure that she was asleep, he closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.
"How did you sleep?" Danny smiled down on her the next morning when she opened her eyes.
"Better than I have in months," she admitted.
"Well, I'm glad to have been able to help," he kissed her lightly on the lips.
"You helped a lot. I feel safe when I'm in your arms."
"You are welcome to stay here any time you need to."
"Really?"
"Yep. I just want you to be happy, Linds. Seeing you unhappy like this makes me hurt inside. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, no questions asked, no pressure on you to do anything you don't want to."
"That means a lot to me Danny. Thank you."
"You are very welcome." He kissed her again.
A/N Argh. Another short one. I just can't link my thoughts together to make it sound good, so you're just going to have to deal with about a bajillion short chapters. Sorry.
xoxo
Lia