AN: HEY GUYS! I am very very sorry for not getting this out sooner. Life happened and for awhile I couldn't because my laptop broke down (got a new one now tho) and then I just became depressed. Anyways enjoy!

Click. Click. Click. Her breathing is heavy at the sound and it's rapid. She can't stop it. She can't fight it. It's empty. It's all empty. God! Why now? Why did the gun have to be empty?! She hadn't paid attention to how many were in the clip.

Frantically she pops it out and fumbles with another clip. They're closer now. They're always close. They never leave do they? No, they don't. She knows that and she knows it's futile to fight but she can't do anything else. By accident, he drops it.

"Fuck!" She shouts loudly.

The screams are louder now. She bends over to get the clip but then it happens.. the water seeps through the ground and he stand back up. This always happens. The water comes and she goes. The clip is gone, no longer there when she reaches back down and she knows she's fucked. The creatures of pure black scream louder, she doesn't know what they are and doesn't need to know. She doesn't want to! They're far away, but it doesn't stop her from raising the gun and aiming, pulling the triggering uselessly only to throw the gun aside with a defiant yell.

She looks around for something to stand up on but of course there is nothing. There never was so why would there be now? The dark murky water only climbs higher reaching waist high as she wades in it trying hopelessly, begging for there to be someway out of this nightmare. There is no higher elvation. Then it starts. The burning.. at first it's nothing but as the water finds it's way past the fabrics and to her skin it burns, like fire. She grits her teeth refusing to cry out like she always does. She WON'T give it the satisfaction.

The burning is stronger and more painful than any other time. It's pain is tripled when she tried to move so she whimpers and finally let's it out- crying mercilessly for it to stop. Why her? Why the burning? The water climbs higher and higher all the while the burning continues but she feels a new sensation. Hand grip her legs and she doesn't move until she can feel the hands tighten and the shocking - much like lightning - begin.

She screams again hearing her name be called out faintly but then the water fills her mouth and-

"SAM!" Her eyes shoot open at the sound of the voice and she struggles not recognising it for a moment, just scared there was a weight on her and her wrists trapped against the bed like- "Sam! Sam! It's me!" She blinks and relaxes at the sight of the face sighing. Lara. Thank god.

Lara let's go of her wrists and Sam rubs her eyes. Lara was careful about how she held Sam down. She hadn't wanted to hurt Sam as Sam did a good job of that herself as she thrashed but atleast she had managed to stop her before it got worse. She wasn't sure sitting on your best friend holding them down as they thrashed away qualified as good but surely stopping her from hurting herself did. She Managed to take a deep breath and look at Sam who rose an eyebrow at her. Right. She was shirtless in sweats.

"Uh..?"

"I- was in the middle of changing when you started calling for me." She admitted embarrassed at the scars the adorned her body. Sam only shrugged and pulled at the fabric on the side of Lara's bras. "Stop that." Lara warned.

"Atleast you had that on or this would have been awkward." More than it already is, she thought to herself.

It was conventional but she wasted no time in coming to Sam's aid like she had done before. It wasn't much of a big deal but Sam just wanted to change the obvious subject and Lara respected it, but this had been the third time this week the nightmares got this bad. The first time Sam was asleep at the table and had moved so much that the cup shattering against the floor jolted her awake, the second was a night much like this except Lara had been able to wake her up and comfort her. The second time she stayed the night in the room and it seemed to ease Sam but this was far different and far worse.

Lara rolled off of Sam and sat on the bedside her letting Sam sit up and take a proper breath. It didn't help but atleast she could breath now without the extra weight on her stomach.

"Sam," Lara started softly, "I think it's time." Sam gave her a shocked look. "I think-"

"No." She stated hanging her head low. "No.. I don't need it."

Yes you do Sam, she thought sadfully. She didn't want Sam to go through this or have to need this but those were the circumstances. This was unfair but it was how it was and it broke Lara's heart to see the state of it all. She couldn't force Sam, not now not ever, but Sam needed help as much as she did maybe more whether either would admit it or not they couldn't do it alone. She understood why Sam didn't want it because it was similar to why she didn't want it but that couldn't be helped.

"Sam-"

"No Lara." She snapped almost hatefully. Lara winced and retreated the hand she outstretched. Sam felt instantly bad. "I-I'm-" The words froze in her throat. She was just scared to do this. She could hardly trust herself anymore how was she going to trust a complete stranger with all her darkest secrets? Was that even possible? Maybe. Who knows.

"Oh Sam," Lara frowned and put a hand to her cheek rubbing it gently. Sam leaned into the hand and held it close. "Just once. If it doesn't work out then no more."

"I-"

"For me? Please?"

"Alright," Sam wavered. "Alright," She kissed Lara's palm and took the hand in hers giving Lara a defeated look. "Fine." Lara smiled softly but sadly and moved closer to wrap an arm around her.

She didn't have it in her to fight at this hour. It was five in the morning and she was exhausted. How much more could she take? She was already broken. The reassuring squeeze from Lara didn't help much but the gentle kiss against her head did slightly. It was warm and inviting letting her know she was here much like Sam was had been there for her first starting her sessions. It was still hard to watch Lara disappear into the room but she'd always welcome her back warmly after. Sam knew she'd get nothing differently from Lara.

Lara wasn't sure of how to comfort her and perhaps her presence wasn't enough but she just wanted to let Sam know. She was there. If she hadn't gone anywhere this long she certainly wouldn't go anywhere ever. Sam was someone she couldn't afford to loose. She'd fight till her last breath for the woman beneath her arm right now and she was sure Sam knew it but it was still hard. It was hard to not be able to do anything about it at the moment.

"Lara?" Lara looked at her. "Don't go anywhere tonight please." Lara only nodded and placed her chin ontop of Sam's head. She wouldn't go anywhere unless need be.

After a few minutes Sam managed to fall asleep against her. She looked more at ease and peaceful certainly than before but Lara still wondered if she was dreaming about something pleasant or not. Sometimes she wondered what went on in her head and sometimes it worried her to think about the possibilities, right now however she felt the need to move as her arm started to fall asleep against Sam.

With a small sigh she gently laid Sam down only stopping to convince her that she should sleep underneath the sheets before tucking her in. Lara herself was tired so when she tucked herself against Sam wrapping an around her waist to which Sam leaned into her she sighed contently and hid her face in Sam's hair shortly falling asleep after. Sam just needed an anchor to remind her humanity wasn't far away and the good was right there though Lara never saw it like that. Lara never questioned it. Lara just did whatever helped as long as it helped and never stopped to think about it.

They were a work in progress and all things considered it felt like they were crawling back to where they were to start again freshly. Whatever the case Lara had only hoped they'd last together having each others backs. Everything was uncertain except the woman beside her was her only family left. She loved her. She'd keep her safe. She hoped.