Context: More pictures of The Host inspired this.

My Darling Catherine

His hands trembled as he knelt beside her, trying to calm his racing heart. It wasn't her, it couldn't be. She was alright, she wasn't here, she was safe -

There was a huge gash on her forehead, blood seeping into her hair. Her breathing was labored, her throat making a strange rattling sound. There was no denying that it was her; the film over both of her eyes didn't hinder him from knowing the truth.

"Cathy…"

She turned her glazed expression to him, saying nothing, just breathing, that awful shaking rattle escaping her throat.

No…

"She's dying, Jamie." Someone else was nearby, but he couldn't see anyone. "She's going to die."

No. She wasn't. She couldn't. There was just black surrounding them; there was nowhere to go. But that wouldn't stop him. He'd get her help. He'd save her.

He was trembling harder, making it difficult for him to take her in his arms. She felt heavier than normal, but he gritted his teeth against the pain, stumbling forward. He blindly walked through the darkness, his wife's blank face the only thing visible.

"Jamie, she can't be saved," the voice came again. "You can't save her."

No. He could do it. He needed to get help. His feet were lead, and he could barely walk, but he pressed on.

"She's gone, Jamie."

NO!

He'd screamed it this time. He looked upward, a patch of light shining onto them. "No," he repeated. "I won't let you take her. No…"

"Jamie, give up."

He collapsed onto his knees, the pain in his arms unbearable. He refused to let go of her, searching her face for a sign of life.

"Cathy, look at me. Cathy…sweetie, come on. Wake up…wake up, please…"

Her breathing was slower, her eyes still vacant. She convulsed violently, shuddering in his hold.

"Cathy, please…" He pushed her bloodied hair out of her face, his voice choked with tears. "Please don't leave me. Cathy, stay with me…come on, now, stay awake…"

She weakly grabbed his hand, her mouth slowly turning up at the corners. "It's okay." Her voice was barely above a whisper, scratchy and rough.

"No…it's not." He watched the little life there was in her eyes slowly disappear. "Cathy…Cathy, no. Come back. COME BACK!"

"Come…back…"

Jamie awoke with a jerk, hitting his head on his nightstand. He slowly sat up, feeling a bump form behind his ear as he rubbed the sore spot. His other hand shot out, feeling nothing but bunched-up sheets. His blood ran cold.

Fuck.

He had to calm down. It was just a nightmare, and she was going to the bathroom. She'd be back, and then he could wrap her in his arms and kiss her forehead and hold her close and know she was there beside him.

Five minutes later, and she hadn't come back.

He shakily stood, trying not to fall over as he passed the bathroom and walked into the hallway. He swallowed a few times, fighting the urge to break down. He wasn't going to be weak.

No lights were on downstairs, and there was only one other place she'd be this late at night. He walked to the end of the hall, light pooling out from under the closed door. He gently turned the knob, quietly opening the door.

Cathy sat in the rocking chair next to the crib, cradling Matthew and singing softly. Her pajama top was askew, both straps sliding down her shoulders; Matt must have been hungry. He was still awake, his blue eyes never leaving his mother's face.

"You feeling better, Matt?" Cathy ran the pad of her thumb over the baby's cheek. "You ready to go back to bed?"

He yawned in response, wriggling slightly as his eyelids drooped. Cathy giggled, kissing his tiny nose and standing up. She laid him back in the crib, pulling the large knitted blanket over him.

"Good night, Matt. I love you."

And then she screamed.

Jamie had unconsciously moved further into the room, startling his wife - and his son, who immediately woke up and began crying. Cathy took him back into her arms, trying to calm him.

"Jamie, what on earth are you doing up?"

"I…uh…"

"Why did you sneak up on me? You know I don't like that." She kissed Matthew's head, whispering soothing sounds in his ear as he began to quiet down. "Is everything alright?"

He shrugged. "Dunno."

"You don't know?" Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean you -"

Jamie didn't let her finish. He strode forward and drew both of them close, holding them tight and biting his lip to prevent any tears from escaping.

"Jamie, what's going on?"

"Nothing. I just want you to know I…I love you, and I love Matt."

"…Right." She gently pulled away, laying a now sleeping Matthew back in the crib. "And you had to get out of bed and startle me to tell me that?"

"So what if I did?"

She sighed, turning off the lamp on the table and taking his hand, leading him back to their room. She turned on her table-side lamp and sat in bed, looking him in the eye. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Jamie, I'd like to get back to bed. Would you please let me know what's bothering you?"

"I'm fine." He wasn't going to worry her, not this late at night. She didn't deserve that.

"Dammit, Jamie!" She folded her arms, sighing. "I know I'm usually not so pushy, but it's a bit worrisome when you show up unannounced in our son's room just to tell me you love me." She paused, laying her hand over his. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer her right away. He looked down at their hands, entwining them and watching Cathy's engagement ring catch the light. He exhaled slowly, too tired to keep pushing down his urge to cry.

"I had a nightmare. You were…hurt. Badly. And…I tried to save you, but…I couldn't…and then you…" He stopped, feeling his tears run down his cheeks and onto the skin of his forearm.

Cathy shifted closer, pulling him to her. He rested his head on her shoulder, allowing himself to cry, allowing himself to be vulnerable for once.

"Sweetheart, it's alright." Cathy rubbed his back, holding him tighter. "It was just a dream."

"I…d-don't…I don't want…t-to…lose you…" He coughed a bit, taking deep breaths.

"You won't lose me. I'm right here. Everything's okay."

He raised his head, trying to see her through his blurred vision "But…b-but what if…"

"Shhhhhh." She kissed his cheek, brushing away the trails his tears had left. "Nothing's going to happen to me."

"But…"

"Jamie, look at me." Her gaze was steady as she spoke. "I know that life can be unpredictable sometimes, but you can't worry about what could happen. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm perfectly alright. Nothing's going to happen to me, or you. I promise."

He nodded, sniffling as she kissed his cheek again. "I love you."

"I know." She smiled. "I love you, too. Very much."

He pulled her to him again, pressing their lips together gently. He broke away after a moment, there foreheads together. "I'll never let anything happen to you, Cathy. My darling Catherine."

She giggled slightly, kissing him lightly again. "And I won't let anything happen to you. I care too much." She leaned into him, rubbing his left arm. "Not that that's a bad thing."

"No, it's not." He laid them down, snuggling closer. "Not in the slightest."

They lay awake for a while longer before Cathy drifted off. Jamie secured her in his arms, listening to the soft, even breathing that told him his wife had fallen asleep. He watched her for a moment, kissing her head before closing his eyes.

In the morning, he wasn't surprised that they were spooning; he was, however, stunned that this time around, Cathy was the big spoon.