Marissa was worried about Bianca.

Her girlfriend was putting up a brave front and Marissa wanted so much to be there for her, but how could she when Bianca was refusing to accept that something was wrong.

That night, as Marissa settled into a bed that only two nights ago she had shared with Bianca for the first time, her head filled with fear, she didn't think she could ever get to sleep.

…

Marissa ran down the corridor. Bianca needed her. David had said something was wrong and Marissa had to be by her side.

She ran, knowing exactly where to find Bianca, it was like a magnetic pull that drew them together, she never questioned it.

She pressed the elevator button to the second floor.

When the door's opened Marissa hear Bianca's voice call out,

"Who's there?"

Marissa sprinted towards the sound and burst through the door.

It was a hotel room at the Yacht Club and Bianca was standing in front of a closet door but the doorway behind her shoulder was almost a black hole, like a mouth that sould open wide and swallow them both whole.

The closet terrified her, but the look of hopeless fear on Bianca's eyes stirred a new strength, drawing Marissa closer to take Bianca's hand and try to pull her away from the menacing shadow waiting beyond the door.

"Bianca… what happened?"

"I don't know, I don't have any idea why any of this is happening to me." sobbed Bianca.

All Marissa wanted to do was stop those tears and banish the pain from Bianca's eyes. Only, as much as Marissa wanted to be near her, take her hand, hold her close… Bianca kept backing away.

But Marissa wouldn't let he run. She took both of Bianca's hands in her own pulling them to her chest and gazed into the eyes of the woman that meant so much to her.

"Bianca… there is nothing wrong with needed somebody."

"Marissa…" stammered Bianca, the word almost a sigh as she stared back, her eyes wide.

"Tell me what is it?" asked Marissa.

The dream was on a familiar path and Marissa could feel what happens next; Bianca pulling away and the longing in her eyes left unspoken.

Bianca looked down and began to pull out of Marissa's grasp.

"No… I can't do this anymore."

But Marissa didn't want her to step away, she wanted her to stay. She searched her mind for a way to keep her close…

"Listen!" cried Marissa… the dream shifted and room turned dark around them and Bianca starred back with trepidation. "Listen to me… okay?"

"Okay." stammered Bianca.

It wasn't just the light that had changed; the whole room shifted around them, the bed moved, the closet vanished but Marissa still held Bianca's hands in hers and she still desperately wanted her to stay.

Marissa took a step closer.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life than being here with you, and loving you… never!"

The gasp that escaped Bianca's lips was exquisite.

Marissa smiled.

"This is where I belong." Marissa sighed, knowing she meant every word.

She saw the surrender in Bianca's eyes and leant in for a soft kiss. Bianca sighed once more and leant in to return a passionate kiss, taking Marissa in her arms and pulling her close.

This was a Bianca who wouldn't run away ever again.

…The dream shifted and they were on the bed, Bianca laying her gently down onto the mattress, their lips never parting. It was tender and loving and Marissa lost herself to the moment, the softness of Bianca's hair as she lifted it from her cheek, the sweetness if Bianca's lips, the gentleness of the hand that had begun to explore her body, Marissa gave herself to all of it…

…The dream shifted again and their shirts were gone and Marissa was lying back on a pillow. Bianca was looking down with a loving smile on her lips and Marissa was gazing back, waiting for those lips to return to her own. No words were spoken… no words were needed… Bianca stroked her fingers through Marissa's hair once… twice… and then with her smile just beaming descended for more kisses. Marissa reached out and pulled her closer, the delicious taste of her lover's mouth stirring a need for so much more…

…The dream shifted again as Bianca tugged Marissa's jean's passed her up bent knees, not breaking eye contact as she planted a soft kiss on the inside of her thigh…

…and again as Marissa slowly slid the bra from Bianca's shoulders, her breath held in anticipation…

…and again… and again… and again…

…

"Mommy, mommy wake up!"

"What… what's wrong." gasped Marissa trying desperately to get her bearings.

She found herself being shaken roughly awake, AJ starring at her with an anxious expression on his face.

"You were having a bad dream mom." he said desperately. "You were crying out. I was scared! You screamed Bianca's name."

Marissa was still a little breathless from a dream that had been anything but bad.

"I'm okay." she said trying to slow her heart rate and control her body. "I… I was just… um… worrying about Bianca I guess."

She could hardly tell him the truth.

"Do you want me to stay with you mom? Like you do when I have bad dreams? I don't mind!" said AJ climbing onto the bed bedside her.

Marissa smiled at her son as she tried to drag her head back into reality. He was such a sweetheart, she felt blessed to have such an amazing little boy in her life.

Marissa glanced at her bedside clock. It was 2am.

"Oh buddy, thank you, but its late." she said giving the worried little boy a hug. "I think you would sleep better in your own bed, don't you? I'm sorry I woke you up."

AJ gave a big yawn.

"If you're sure, mommy." he said, "But I don't like you having bad dreams."

"I don't like bad dream either." said Marissa as she kissed her son goodnight.

AJ looked back one last time before closing the door behind him as he shuffled back to bed.

Marissa collapsed back onto the pillows, embarrassed but also a little confused.

That dream had been so unlike the others. Usually when dreams had a path they rarely strayed from their journey, whether it was the wonderful dream about snowball fights, where she and Bianca are laughing like children after Bianca throws a snowball square in her face, or the nightmare in the hotel room with the infomercial and the horrible fear that she didn't recognise, but this time she had changed the path easily to something so much better.

And her 'other' dreams of Bianca, the erotic, yearning dreams that had filled her head after their first kiss had been just as graphic but also overblown and fanciful… this time it had felt so tangible… this time it had felt wonderfully real.

Marissa gazed up at the ceiling, wondering what was going on in her head. Maybe she should make an appointment with Dr Stanhope. Shrinks, after all, are the experts when it comes to deciphering dreams.

…