Warm fingers closed around her hand, gently slipping into her palm. The bed beneath her creaked slightly and the sheets shifted before her hand, and them arm, was lifted high in the air. If she'd had the strength, Helen would have protested but, as it was, she barely managed to let out a small moan at the shooting pains that ran up and down her body.

The warm fingers held her hand tight though as another hand grasped her shoulder. Together, the foreign limbs lifted her body slightly, causing yet another flash of pain to shoot through her overly taxed system. Not that she knew why she was overly taxed but the deep ache within her mind and body suggested that she must be.

Just as she was about to force some kind of words from her lips, her body was lowered ever so gently until her head was pressed against a warm body, one hand stretched out over a chest as a strange hand ran down her back in soothing patterns. Long fingers gently massaged her back, kneading her muscles.

"Shh," her newcomer whispered. "Just breathe."

And so she did. The arms around her were warm and the steady thrum of a heartbeat under her ear comforting. She tightened her grip on the body and let out a soft sigh.

"Tighter," she whispered, voice hoarse enough that she was certain whoever held her would miss the word. But, as if by magic, the arms around her tightened, holding her closer and more securely. She hummed softly in contentment, a small smile on her face.

"Sleep," the voice whispered. "Sleep, love. Just... just wake up for me, all right?"

"Mmmhmm," she half whispered in reply. "But sleep now?"

"Sleep now," he confirmed. "Sleep now, Helen."


I make myself naw with Teslen cuddles :P