This is from Syed's POV. It's the evening of the 'phonecall

~s~c~

It's been over two weeks now. Those two weeks have been both the worst and the best two weeks of my life.

They've been dark and miserable because of his pain, his grief, his sorrow. It is just plain wrong to see that strong, beautiful, powerful man crumble into a miserable heap of hurt.

But it's been wonderful and light as well, because we've spent so much of it together. He lets me help him, comfort him, hold him... He let's me look after him. Be there for him. And that has meant the world to me.

I spend every second I can slip away from my life, with him. I've learned to be vague with both family and Amira, not saying where I'm going or where I've been. I just let them assume I'm with one ore the other, when in reality I am with him.

I love looking after him. I had no idea it could be like this. I always assumed it was just me needing Christian, that big mountain of a man. Someone to lean on. A shoulder to cry on. It never occurred to me that I could be the same for him some day. That he would ever need me as much as I need him. It makes me feel strong, capable, trusted, needed… I almost feel guilty that I could get so much from something that has caused him that much pain.

You can hardly see the scars now, except for when you look into his eyes. He hasn't left his apartment in weeks. Sometimes he doesn't even bother to get dressed. Just sits around in his bathrobe all day. When it gets really bad, like that first day, he doesn't even get out of bed.

~s~c~

I'm in the unit, on my own for a change. It was pretty quiet today and I offered to do the cleaning up. Mum gratefully accepted and went home, mumbling some insulting comments about how some people should get off their lazy bums and stop milking a few bruises into an extended holiday. I had to literally bite my tongue not to snap at her. I can still taste the blood in my mouth. I used all the pent up frustration to go on a cleaning frenzy, which means I'm about done. Good. I've been dying to see him. It's early yet and I've been to the shops yesterday, so we'll have plenty of time together.

For some reason, I instinctively know exactly what to do when I'm around him. I can't explain it, but I just know I have to bide my time for now. He'll have to go out eventually, but he's just not ready yet. Not while that animal is still out there. All he needs from me is my support, my care, my presence. And I give it willingly. I'll know when the time is right. And I'll know what to do when it is. I know he'll be fine. I don't know how I know this, but I do. I have complete confidence in him. He is still the strong, powerful man he always was. He's just forgotten it for a while. But lucky for him, he has me to remind him.

I jump as my phone vibrates in my pocket. Seeing his name flash up on the display makes me smile.

'Hello gorgeous' I say

'Sy. I've missed you'.

'Yeah? I've missed you too'.

'Look Syed, you don't fancy coming over do you?' he asks.

I don't like the sound of his voice, like he can't imagine I would want to come over, spend time with him.

'Of course I do. When?'

'I don't know… now?'

'I'll be right over'.

I can hear his relieved smile.

'Great. I'll… cook or something'.

'Sounds good. I'm on my way'.

~s~c~

We spend a lovely evening together. He seems a bit better. He tells me about Roxy visiting him, cheering him up. I think it's good he's having some contact with the outside world again. Progress.

After dinner, we sit comfortably together on the sofa. He's got the TV on, flipping channels, while we chat about our day. When I looked in on him at lunchtime, he was still in his trusted old bathrobe. But he's showered and gotten dressed now, looking stunning as ever in his black t-shirt and black jeans. I'm getting used to the stubble, getting to quite like the feel of it.

'Why are you sitting all the way over there' he complains.

He holds out his arm and I snuggle up underneath it. The satisfied little sigh he lets out, sends goose bumps down my spine. Feeling my shiver, he pulls me in to him, letting me absorb his body heat.

'Ugh… can you change the channel please. I hate watching surgery. Why people would want to watch that, with all that… blood. Gross!' I exclaim.

He laughs at me, but changes the channels non the less.

'How's that?' he asks, cocking his eyebrow at me.

'You're hilarious', I say, glaring at him.

'What?' he asks innocently.

'You know I hate those cooking shows. It's like I'm back at work. After a day of slaving away in the kitchen, the last thing I feel like is watching someone else do the same. You know that very well mister. Now hand me that remote', I sternly say.

'Yes Sy' he answers meekly, handing over the remote.

Meekly, yeah right. Who does he think he's kidding there? I snort and start searching for something decent to watch.

'How's this?'

'Meh… don't do nature' he complains.

'This one?'

He just yawns and pretends to snore.

'This one than?'

'Cartoons? What am I, twelve?'

'Well you're acting like a child, so I thought it might be fitting' I tease him.

'Oy you cheeky sod! Come here you' he demands as I squeal and try and get away from him. I'm no match for him though, it takes him no time at all to catch me and tickle me to death.

'Christian…' I beg, only just managing to get the name out between fits of giggles.

'Yes darling? Anything you want?' he enquires, keeping up the merciless tickling.

'Christian… please…' I plead, weak with laughter under his attack.

'Please…tickle me some more? Sure Sy, no problem'

And with a wicked glint in his eyes he ups his attempts, tickling me beneath my armpits, along my sides, behind my knees…

'Stop… pleeeeeeeease…' I croak, with the last bit of breath left in me.

Instantly, he stops.

'You should've just said' he scorns.

Bastard. I'm too weak to reply, to week to aim the vicious kick I'd like to deal him. But then he smiles, puts me in his lap and kisses me. All plans of revenge vanish from my mind just like that as I happily return his kiss.

After that, we sit contentedly for a bit, watching the cartoon channel after all. He chuckles at Wile E. Coyote's hopeless attempts to catch Road Runner. After that it's Scooby Doo and he has me in fits of laughter again as he keeps imitating the 'Scooby-dooby-dooooooooooooo's'.

There's only one little glitch to the evening. It's when he's startled by someone slamming a car door shut and then shouting something. He cringes, closing his eyes. I slip my arms around him and hug him tight.

'It's ok… Just a car door. It's ok… ' I whisper, pressing gentle kisses all over his face. I can feel his heart pounding in his chest.

He opens his eyes and smiles at me bravely.

'You're right. I'm sorry' he says.

'Don't worry about it' I shrug.

'Now… can I tempt you with a Scooby snack perhaps?' I try.

That elicits a genuine smile in return.

'Yeah go on then. What did you have in mind?' he enquires.

'Oh, I believe I can think of something' I answer, smiling sweetly in return.

~s~c~

Reviews, as always, much appreciated :-)