Title: Nightmare
Author: Cindy Ryan
Paring: Ryan/Alexis friendship
Post ep for 3XK—triple killer.
Summary: Alexis checks on Kevin
Notes: Unbeta'd all mistakes are mine.

Alexis Castle wrestled the three helium filled balloons as she struggled up the stairs to Kevin Ryan's sixth floor apartment. In her left hand was a brown wicker basket full of assorted muffins, coffee packets and chocolate. There was also a digital music giftcard tucked in amongst the chocolate.

The teen glared at the silver spheres that changed color every time the light hit them. Different angle different color. Seemed like a wonderful idea in the store. But the store had been five blocks away. She'd almost had it delivered but Alexis had wanted to check on Kevin.
He'd never been good at taking it easy. Like most people he wasn't very good at taking care of himself….always put others first.

Alexis had almost made it to the fifth floor when the third balloon got tangled on the banister. With a sigh the red head shifted her purse and the get well basket to her right arm while still keeping a grasp on the other balloons. She unraveled the wayward balloon's tether from the metal railing and winced as the basket tipped precariously on her wrist.
The balloon finally free Alexis put it with the others. She put the basket back in her left hand slung her purse over her right shoulder and continued on her way.

Her plan to get to Kevin's by ten in the morning was now nearing eleven thirty. She'd gotten confirmation from Jenny that Kevin didn't have any doctor appointments or other plans that morning.
But with Alexis's luck that morning Kevin would be running errands. Pain or no pain.

Reaching Kevin's apartment Alexis knocked on the door. The balloon bouquet bounced against the ceiling. She cringed as they came dangerously close to the florissant light fixture.

The door swung inward revealing Kevin's smiling if bruised face. "Hey."

"Hey."

"This is a nice surprise."Ryan commented as he stepped aside so Alexis could enter. "All that for me?"

Alexis took in the large bandage across the young detective's nose. The bruises developing across his right cheek and chin.
The slightly fat upper lip and the way he favored his left side.
She knew it could've been so much worse….for both him and her father…but still….

"Earth to Alexis."

Alexis smiled as she handed over the gifts. "From Storm and I."

"Thank you."Kevin acknowledged as he took the basket and balloons and walked over to the small dining room table. "These balloons are cool….and are those triple chocolate chip muffins?"

The teen laughed. "Jenny said those were your favorite."

"They're extremely addicting."Kevin commented as he sat heavily down in one of the wooden chairs.

"I thought you'd like the balloons."Alexis stated as she took the bouquet and placed them in the center of the table. The red plastic weight held them in place. "They change color depending on the light."

"Very cool."Kevin approved with a tired smile as he unwrapped the muffin. "You didn't have to get me this."

Alexis sat down next to him. "It was the least I could do."

The teen heard her voice waver on the last word and mentally kicked herself. She wanted to distract her friend for a few minutes.
To make him smile. Not revisit the dark stuff.
The stuff nightmares are made of.
The nightmares that had visited her since the triple killer had almost murdered her father.

A gentle hand on Alexis's left arm brought her back to the present. She looked into Kevin's concerned blue eyes.

"How's your Dad doing?"

Alexis sighed and leaned back in the chair her gaze focused on the trio of balloons. "He's not sleeping much. He keeps trying to shrug that off as a writing spurt….but I've caught him in the kitchen several nights staring off into nothing a mug of coffee in front of him. This really spooked him, Kevin."

"He'll be okay."Ryan said quietly. "If anybody can bounce back from this it's your Dad."

Alexis flashed him a weak smile. She looked down at his uneaten muffin and stood. "Do you want milk or hot tea with that?"

"Milk's fine….pour one for yourself. There's enough muffins in here to feed the whole twelveth."

Ten minutes later Alexis set two glasses of milk on the table along with two plates and two paper napkins.

"How are you, really?"The teen asked after several minutes of companionable silence.

Ryan broke part of the muffin and dunked it in the milk before taking a bite. "Hurts to breathe, talk or do anything. I've had broken ribs before….hurt like a bitch but nothing rest and painkillers won't heal."

"And the head?"Alexis asked worriedly.

"Take a lot more than that."Kevin assured the youth. "I owe you an apology."

Alexis did a double take the muffin partway to her mouth. "For what?"

"I made you a promise that I'd keep your Dad safe."Ryan stated softly. "I dropped the ball on that."

"I overheard Dad tell Grams what happened at that hotel." Alexis said as she set her muffin back on the plate.

"Alexis…"

"Tyson had everybody fooled. There's no way you could've done more than you did."

"I should've seen it sooner."Kevin said as he absently twirled the glass between his hands. "He got the drop on me…..got my gun…..if anything had happened to your Dad because of me…."

Alexis shook her head. "It wouldn't have been because of you. I know and so does he that you guys have his back no matter what."

"I've been over it a million times."Ryan continued. "It was so fast…."

Alexis covered one of his hands with hers. "I'm just glad everybody's okay….my worst nightmare is my Dad never coming home….that didn't happen this time because of you. Thank you."

Kevin shrugged a smile returning to his face. "All in the line of duty, Ma'am."

Alexis returned his smile as she stood. "You need to get some rest."

"I feel like all I've done is rest."Ryan replied as he stood gingerly. "Actually doing pretty good."

"That's the pain killers talking."Alexis stated with a laugh. "Take the time to rest….watch some daytime tv."

"I have…some of which is amusing."

"Send me a text with the highlights."Alexis said as she moved toward the door.

"Will do….thought I couldn't be surprised any more of what people sued each other over until I turned on daytime court shows."Kevin commented with a grin as he opened the door for her. "Thanks again for the gift."

"You're welcome. I'll see you later."Alexis acknowledged as she left the apartment and stepped out into the hall.

The door closed behind her and Alexis stood there for a moment. She closed her eyes and took a steadying events of the past week were starting to take its toll. She hadn't slept much. Her nightmares kept taunting her with what could've happened.
What had come so close to happening.

Her family both blood and blue were safe. Kevin a little worse for wear but he'd heal….as would her father.
They'd all recover and move on.
Somehow they always did.

Opening her eyes Alexis walked down the stairs and exited the building. The bright afternoon sunshine warmed her.
Reminding her that despite the bad there was good in the world too.
It was the balance of things.

end