To make up for the few days I was busy, I'm uploading 2 chapters today. Here's chapter 7; enjoy!

"Which part?" When he didn't answer, I pulled the sheet over my head. I thought back to the emotions I had felt from Abe. There had been something warm and gentle. It had been tinged with sadness and loneliness that had grown until he had removed his hand. The silence lengthened and I just thought of how much of an idiot I am. "Just kill me now," I mumbled.

"What?"

"I said, 'Just kill me now.'"

"Why would you want me to kill you? I couldn't do that." I moved the sheet down.

"I feel so stupid." He didn't say anything. "I'm tired of being a stupid little puppy."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't know what it means when someone is called a puppy?"

"Not really."

"When a person has a girlfriend or boyfriend, there tends to be at least one person who is still infatuated with him or her. That person is called a puppy." I sighed. "And I'm a stupid puppy."

"Why didn't you tell me about the rest of your 'dream'?"

"Which part?"

"I saw the night you got drunk with Hellboy." I started laughing. "What? What is it?"

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"If it wasn't all you saw, would you say something?" He didn't answer. "Abe?"

"I don't know."

"I'll have to be content with that, then?" I lay my head back. "The reason I didn't tell you is because I'm not like that. I've never had a drink before and probably won't after that."

"I understand."

"I'm just not proud of what happened then and the next day."

"It didn't really happen, though."

"I know, but I'm still not proud of it."

"What did you do?"

"You don't want to know."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know."

"Ha-ha. Very funny," I said as blandly as I could.

"I was serious." I couldn't help it, but at least I quieted the laugh that escaped me.

"I know."

"Tell me. Please. I won't say anything and it will be off your chest."

"I don't like to say things that will hurt someone or make them mad." I felt him move towards me. "And please don't read it."

"You wouldn't have to say it." I sat up.

"That doesn't mean you wouldn't get angry, or worse…hurt. I can't do that to anyone, especially you. You're my friend and you've helped me so much."

"I can help you more if you'll talk about it."

"I can't." I put my face in my hands, trying to quell the tears. "I just can't." When he put his hand on my shoulder, I didn't move away. I felt what must be his emotions again. There was still that warm and gentle feeling, but the sadness was more prominent. And the loneliness…and something else…it felt like pity. He moved away. "Please don't leave." I heard the door shut, but I couldn't tell if he had left because he wasn't moving. "Abe?" I called. Nothing moved or made a sound. I collapsed back into the pillows and put one over my face, thinking of screaming into it.

"Don't smother yourself! Then all my hard work would be for nothing!" The pillow was jerked away from my face.

"I thought you had left." I felt for the side table and set my book there.

"Not yet. I was closing the door."

"You were awfully still and silent."

"I know. I was…pondering."

"Did you…?" I couldn't say it.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry." He sat beside me and put his arm around me.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. No one can control their dreams."

"You don't have to feel sorry for me."

"What?" I touched his hand.

"I feel the pity. Please don't feel sorry for me." He tried to move his arm, but I didn't let him. "And why are you so sad?"

"I'm not—"

"I may not be able to read people, but I can tell you're upset. And don't say it doesn't matter. I said that and you didn't let me get away with it."

"I know, but you're my patient."

"So? I didn't have to tell you anything."

"You didn't."

"Not technically. But you read it from me. Same thing."

"Not exactly…"

"You learned it from me. Close enough."

"Yes, well…"

"Tell me what's wrong." I considered. "Please," I added.

"I don't know."

"Can you tell me without…telling me?" He put his hand on my face.

"Will you let me?" I nodded. He pulled my face close and gently touched my lips to his.

"That's not how I meant, but okay. I can roll with that."

"Do you know why now?"

"I'm not sure, but I can guess. Does it have to do with what you read from me?"

"Yes. I know how…how you feel."

"About what?"

"Red."

"But you've got it all wrong! I don't feel that way. Red was with me when I woke up once. I didn't feel like that then! It's over. I was just a puppy, but now I'm not! Right now, I—" Why do I keep slipping up like that?

"You what?" I didn't answer for a while and he let me sit quietly.

"When your feelings were projected to me, I felt something…warm and gentle from you. What was it?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Because, when…when you kissed me, I felt it. It wasn't projected; I felt it. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yes."

"I think—"

"What is it?" I leaned closer to him.

"There's someone at the door," I whispered quietly. Abe stood and opened the door.

"There's no one there."

"But they were. I swear it!"

"Well, they're gone now." He closed the door again, walked towards me, and laid my arm flat.

"What are you doing?"

"You're in pain."

"How—never mind." I really don't like needles. "You're not giving me anything to put me to sleep, are you?" He didn't answer. "Abe?"

"It's an effect of the pain medicine. You need to rest anyway."

"But I want to talk. I've rested enough!"

"Are you healed yet?"

"No."

"Then you need rest."

"Fine." I lay back into the pillows.

"Good."

"Hey, Abe?" I asked before he left. I wonder if he'll read to me again…

"Yes?"

"Never mind."

"What is it?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Are we going to start this again?"

"Start what?"

"Just tell me what you need." I shook my head. "Laura—"

"It doesn't matter."

"What do you want?"

"You!" I clapped my hand over my mouth and hid my face in my hands so he couldn't see it.

TBC

Laura keeps slipping up, doesn't she?

Find out what happens--well, you get the idea...

Please review!