Was it day? Was it night? The blindfold made it impossible to tell and Steve could not remember how long he had been strapped down. He grunted as the needles pierced his skin over and over. Suddenly the strap across his chest loosened. He had to get away. He pushed the strap away and sat up, desperate to be rid of the pain.
"Steve!" He heard her voice calling his name. How was that possible?
"Steve! Wake up!" It was clearer now, like she was right beside him.
Steve woke with a start. He looked quickly around, seeing the dark wood walls and furniture of the bedroom in Donovan Manor. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was not in the compound any more. He was safe.
"Steve, are you all right?" Her voice was softer now, and he could hear the concern and anguish in her voice.
"I'm fine," he said, avoiding her eyes. "It was just a little bad dream. I'm sorry I woke you."
"Don't be sorry. I just need to know that you are okay," Kayla said, leaning over to turn on the beside lamp.
"I said, I'm fine. Let's just go back to sleep." Steve still refused to meet her eyes.
"You're sweating, your heart is racing, and you're breathing like you just ran a marathon. That's hardly what I would call 'fine,'" Kayla said. She reached out and placed her hand on his cheek, turning his face towards hers and forcing him to meet her concerned gaze. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"It was just a little bad dream, Kayla. It's nothing to get all worked up about." Steve could not keep the frustration out of his voice. Why couldn't she just let it go? No, I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to remember it. I just want it to go away.
Kayla ran her hand down his face and then brushed his hair off his forehead. "I read your medical file, Steve. I know that you had nightmares in the army hospital and you're obviously still having them. I'm worried about you."
Steve knew she would not drop the subject easily so he forced a smile and tried to sound cheerful. "I know you are, baby. But there is nothing to worry about. A few bad dreams aren't going to hurt me. I'm tougher than that ol' boogeyman."
Kayla sighed. Steve could see her eyes were still filled with concern and uncertainty. Steve took the opportunity to change the subject and leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss, then another. He leaned in a third time, but Kayla pulled away.
"I know what you are trying to do, Steve. But kissing me is not going to make all of this go away."
"I don't know about that, Sweetness. Kissing you always makes all the bad things go away," Steve said, leaning in again.
"You're incorrigible, you know that?" Kayla asked, her voice reflecting both love and a little exasperation.
"So you've told me many times," Steve answered with a grin. He leaned in yet again and this time she didn't pull away. Steve could feel Kayla respond and he deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to tangle with hers. Kayla's body relaxed against his and her arms slid around his neck pulling him closer. For a moment, he simply lost himself in the feel of her.
When they finally parted, he cupped her face in his hand and said, "Now that's the only thing I need to fix a bad dream. Well, one thing might be even better." He saw her eyes sparkle and the telltale blush creep up her cheeks.
"We'll save that for later," Kayla said, smiling now in return. She settled back down into the bed and snuggled up against him, her head lying on his chest. "For now, how about we just hold each other all night long?"
"That sounds like a dream come true," Steve said, settling in beside her, knowing that there would be little sleep for him the rest of the night.
He felt Kayla's breathing deepen and could tell she had fallen back to sleep. He thought about the kiss and remembered her promise of more to come later. Not too much later if I have anything to say about it. Steve thought to himself. Doctor's orders be damned; he was not going to wait a month to make love to his wife. He thought back to what had happened earlier in the night, or what had almost happened anyway. He had wanted nothing more than to make love to Kayla, but as much as he hated to admit it, he knew they needed to wait. He just needed a little time to get his strength back.
He also knew that when he was stronger and had more control of his life, the nightmares would go away. He didn't need to talk to Kim and he didn't need to worry Kayla. He could handle it on his own and that's exactly what he intended to do.