Ruth woke up in the middle of the night, her breathing heavy as her mind went over her latest nightmare. Slowly, so as not to disturb Harry, she got out of bed and threw her dressing gown on. She walked over to the window and looked at the quiet London suburbs in the darkness, lit only be three streetlamps. She didn't know how long she stood there when she heard Harry turn over in his sleep. Turning to face him, she watched as Harry realised she wasn't in bed next to him. His eyes opened and scanned the room for her.

"What's wrong?" he asked in a voice cracked with sleep.

"Nothing, go back to sleep," she said with a false smile on her face.

"I can't," he said. "Not when I know you're worrying. What is it?" Ruth sighed and sat down on the bed trying to consider how to phrase what she was thinking.

"I had another nightmare," she said quietly. Harry didn't reply with words. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her body tightly against his own. She felt comfortable and safe and the heat from his chest made it easier to think somehow. She also loved how he would never push her. He let her speak in her own time, no matter how long that took.

"I dreamt that you left me," she said hollowly, minutes later. He took his time before replying, not because he needed to think about what to say, because he wanted her to accept his words for what they truly meant.

"That won't happen," he said with a growl in his voice. "I swear to you, I promise you, that will never happen."

"I know that," she replied. "It was just the thought of it… I had to let you go once before, I don't know if I have the strength to do it again."

"Ruth," he said in that special tone he reserved just for her. "You won't have to. But if the worst should happen and I die…"

"NO!" Ruth said unable to contemplate her future without him.

"Ruth, if I die I have no doubt that you would have the strength to move on. You're one of the strongest people I know. When you have to be, you're fearless. You're unstoppable."

"No I'm not Harry," she replied as her heart rate returned to normal. Harry's death was not a subject she liked to dwell on. "I do what I have to do. Nothing more."

"If you say so," he replied, clearly not agreeing with her. She decided to let it drop. She was far too comfortable to get into an argument. Within moments she was back under the duvet, their limbs tangled together. It was heavenly. He kissed her lips incredibly lightly. In some ways this simple touch of their lips was more sensual than the most passionate kiss they had ever shared. His breath was dancing over her lips wonderfully. Their kiss held so much depth of feeling and the promise of so much more to come. The anticipation made her heart race more than she thought it rationally should. But it didn't matter, because for the foreseeable future, Harry was all hers, just as she had always dreamed.

N is for Nightmare. Please leave a review and make my day!