Marie slept peacefully the entire night, encircled by Stein's arms. The scientist woke with every subtle movement the woman made, each time her breathing changed, every time she would make a sound of any sort. He didn't care though; waking meant that he was able to see her, to feel her against him, to make sure that she was truly alright. He finally fell into a deep sleep.
When the sound of knocking drifted through the lab, Marie woke first. Stein's face was smoothed over in sleep, obvious exhaustion playing across it. He didn't stir when she slipped unsteadily from the bed, her muscles aching from the long days with no exercise. He didn't stir when she stumbled to the door or even when she descended the steps.
Marie stood unsteadily in front of the door, breathing hard. She gingerly leaned against it, standing on tiptoe to look out the small peephole that she had made Stein install. She didn't see anyone, so she leaned heavily against the door for a second before turning and coming face to face with Stein. She couldn't suppress the laugh that bubbled from her.
"You look like a zombie!"
Stein had dark circles underneath his eyes, and he just reached a hand out to Marie. "Marie, you shouldn't be down here. You still need your rest."
Both of them jumped when another knock came on the door. Stein moved to her and picked her up despite her protests and sat her down on the couch before striding over to the door and opening it. Blair stood in front of it, holding her bag. Stein just gave her a look.
The cat-woman looked over at Marie and waved, but Stein moved to block her entry. "Come back later, Blair, when people are actually awake."
"But it's 7am already, and I want to talk to Marie~nya!"
"Talk to her later, around 2 or 3pm, Blair." Stein said woodenly, and shut the door in her face.
"Franken! That was rude!" Marie exclaimed. The man didn't answer, just stepped over to her and picked her up again and walked back up the stairs and into her room before setting her on her bed. He then slid off his lab coat and walked around to the other side, crawling back into bed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back and against him.
"Franken?" She asked cautiously as the man settled his chin on her left shoulder, his arms snaked around her waist.
He answered her with a yawn, his breathing slowing down.
"Franken?"
"Oh, hush Marie." He said quietly. "We both need more sleep," his voice slurred a bit at the end and Marie blushed suddenly, realizing how very little he must have slept the last week or so, all because of her. With a sigh she wriggled back against her, her back resting against his chest and he tightened his arms around her waist, readjusting his chin so it wouldn't dig into her shoulder. His quiet breathing in her ear was soothing.
Stein fell asleep quickly, but Marie lay there awake. There was something she needed to do, something she had dreamed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Stein's breathing soon lulled her to sleep.
Marie lay curled up against Stein, her breathing slow and calm. She was dreaming, but this time the dream was pleasant. She smiled in her sleep; snuggling closer to the man she loved.
And it was as if that were the trigger. Her dream-self's realization of her love of Stein caused his dream-self to be ripped away from her and she shuddered in his arms. His arms, even in his sleep, instinctively pulled her closer to himself.
Something clicked in Marie's subconscious- and she suddenly realized that she was dreaming, Stein's words from earlier playing through her mind. Her trembling ceased and she smiled happily, deep in a dream of her own devising.
*knock knock*
"Maybe they're not home, Kim." Jackie said impatiently. Neither girl liked to be at the lab, especially alone.
"I'm sure they are, Jackie. I don't think that Professor Stein would risk being gone." Kim said.
*knock, knock, knock*
The door swung open and Stein was standing there. "I'm glad you girls could come. Marie is upstairs still." He stepped aside to allow them to enter the lab. "Whatever you're doing seems to be working, Kim. Marie and I appreciate it."
"Anytime, Professor." Kim said, climbing the stairs behind him.
Both girls tried to keep from laughing as they realized that Ms. Marie was wearing Stein's shirt. Marie smiled at them as they came in.
"Franken said that you two are who I have to be thankful to for my first decent sleep in almost a week." Marie said as she smiled at the girls.
"It's not a problem, Ms. Marie." The two said together.
Kim sat down on the bed beside Marie and started chanting. Stein watched Marie's soul closely, and he could see the bands around it weakening even more. Kim stopped chanting about ten minutes later, shaking her head.
"That's all I can do right now, Professor." She said, "It takes a lot of effort to break something like that and I'm not even sure I'll be able to get rid of it."
"Thank you so much for trying though, I can assure you that it is helping!" Marie said with a smile.
The two girls just smiled and left. Stein saw them out, and then returned to Marie. She looked up and smiled at him, then held her arms out. She looked like a child asking for a hug. He crossed to her and she did wrap her arms around him, and then pulled his face to hers and kissed him. She leaned backwards then, one foot kicking his out from underneath him.
He lost his balance and tumbled forward with her, sprawling against her. She smiled up at him and brought her lips to his again.
A/N: I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter- things may be on the mend! Let's hope so!
I don't own Soul Eater.