Dinner at Derek's went well. We were met at the door by Max, who was excited when we all walked in. Melody and I set the table once the food had arrived. While we were eating Mel wanted to know what happened inside the library. She was curious about the Sailor Scouts, especially Sailor Sea. The thought that Sailor Sea might be her hero warmed my heart. So Derek and I told her, between mouthfuls of food, about how she saved me from one of the monsters, with the help of the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask.
Once we had finished eating and cleaned up, Derek helped her with her report. I wasn't allowed near her project, she thought I was going to spill my tea all over her paper. So I just sat on the couch cuddled up with Max, and read the books she checked out. I turned the pages one after the other reading little fun facts listed on the pages. There were beautiful pictures of the planets, and the constellations. Some older editions still had Pluto listed as a planet.
"Hey Derek would you mind helping me with building my outer space mobile?" Melody asked putting her stuff away in her pink backpack. She rolled her eyes towards me. "I'd ask Ariana but she'll probably break it somehow."
"Hey!" I shot her an offended look. Although I knew she was probably right. I still would have liked to help.
Derek chuckled. "Of course I'll help you Mel. How about you and Ariana come over next week and we can both help you."
"Why does Ariana have to come?" Melody crossed her arms, and pouted her lips. I knew what card she was trying to pull, but jokes on her since Derek wasn't going to fall for it.
"She's my girlfriend, and I'm sure she really wants to help." He nudged her side trying to make her smile.
I knew he was going to side with me. Anyways, if there's one person who can persuade Mel to like me, its Derek. "You hear that? I'm his girlfriend." I emphasized, just to rub it in. "And yes I would very much like to help, even if its in a small way." I gave her a small smile so she knew that I genuinely would like to help her.
"Fine." was all Melody said, knowing she had lost the argument.
"Hey it's getting pretty dark out. Let me drive you guys home." Derek said looking into the night from his balcony. He stood up from the table and went to grab his keys.
Melody and I both grabbed our belongings.
"Bye Max!" we both said. He ran over to us and began to lick Melody's face.
We went out to the garage, and looked for his red car.
"There it is." He spotted it, as we walked towards it. He unlocked the car and we all got in. "Everyone have their seatbelts on?" he asked,starting the engine.
"Yup." Melody answered from the back seat. This was the first time she had been in his car. I could tell she was fascinated by it. She kept rubbing her hands on the seat, and pressing her face to the window.
Derek turned the radio on and let the music fill his car. We rode in silence, but it wasn't awkward, it was comfortable. Halfway to my house I heard a small snore. I looked back, and realized that Mel had fallen asleep. "She looks adorable when she isn't trying to hurt my feelings." I muttered out loud as I continued staring at her.
Derek checked through the mirror. "I can tell she's conflicted about you."
"Conflicted?" I raised my eyebrow at him. "Nuh uh, she doesn't like me."
"That's not true. She held your hand twice today. She was worried about you when she thought you might be in danger. I just think she doesn't know if she can trust you. Anyways she likes Sailor Sea." he added.
"But she doesn't know I'm her. So that doesn't count" I shook my head in disagreement.
"Sailor Sea is an extension of you, it so counts. Just give her time, she'll warm up to you." He grabbed my hand for reassurance.
"You really think so?" I looked at him with hope in my eyes.
"Of course, what's not to like?" He smiled. Just then Derek pulled up to my driveway. We got out of the car.
"Thanks for the ride home. I'll see you soon." I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Do you want me to carry Mel?" He asked opening Melody's door.
"I've got it.' I put Melody's backpack on my shoulder and gently lifted her into my arms. She might be tiny but she definitely weighs a bit more than I thought.
I closed the car door and walked to my front door. Luckily my parents saw me, and had it opened. My mom wiggled the backpack off my shoulder.
"Here" my dad said reaching for Melody.
"I've got it, don't worry." I moved away from his reach.
I climbed up the stairs slowly, very slowly. I walked to the guest room and placed Mel on the bed. I took her ballet flats off and placed her under the covers. I watched her for a bit, debating whether or not to bring her into my room instead. I chose against it, I mean she was already settled into bed and I didn't want to wake her. Anyways she was probably tired of me being in her presence. I walked out of the room, bid her a silent goodnight and shut the door quietly behind me.
"Goodnight" I yelled to my parents. I was so tired, I was ready to go to sleep.
"Night!" I heard them from their room.
I literally changed into my sweats and a shirt and went to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Still being half asleep, I crawled back into my warm sheets, and realized someone else was in my bed. It definitely wasn't Sebastian. I yelled in fear. I turned the light on and turned the covers, it was Melody.
"Five more minutes mom." she said, still asleep.
I smiled, and decided not to do anything but to let her sleep with me. She wasn't bothering me. Also it made me a bit happy knowing she came into my room in the middle of the night. Maybe she was warming up to me. I placed the covers over her, and went back to bed.
Unfortunately my parents walked into my room, the must have heard me yelling. Of course they automatically thought I was yelling at Melody, so they took her back into the guest room, but not before giving me extra chores for tomorrow as punishment. I didn't argue back, because if I did, my punishment would have been much worse.
The next morning, after breakfast, my mother had assigned me to dust the rug outside. I carried the ancient thing out, and began swatting it with a device my mom gave me. Jace came out to observe.
"Why didn't you just let her sleep with you?" he asked me with his arms crossed.
"I was going to, but then mom and dad barged in assuming the worst." I said irritated with the outcome of last nights situation.
"Uh huh sure." Jace wasn't buying it.
"I'm being serious." Why can't anyone believe I can be nice to the little squirt. I hit the rug hard in frustration, as I did so a cloud of dust wafted around my face, I coughed.
Jace and I then heard the door shut loudly. Melody was walking out of the house, hugging her ball. Her face looked upset. "Where are you going Melody?' I asked her warmly.
"Where I'm wanted!" she yelled at me and ran off into the street.
I jogged down the driveway. "You can't leave the house by yourself. Come back here!" but she was already out of sight. Ugh! Where could she be going? I thought she was done with the whole running away thing. She was doing really well.
I felt a small pinch on my foot. I knew who it was before looking. I grabbed Sebastian, and placed him on my shoulders.
"Ariana you have to be nicer to her." He suggested.
"I have been nicer to her." I whined. "Did you not see me carry her into the house. Or how I tucked her in last night?"
"Can't say that I have."
I rolled my eyes in disbelief. Of course he isn't there to witness my sweet moments with Melody.
"You have to go find her before she creates that weird beam again and calls the attention of those weird sister." He advised.
"But I'm suppose to be meeting the girls soon to go shopping, and I can't be late. Jade will probably yell at me. How about you go find her. Just call me on the communicator when you find her"
"She's not my responsibility Ariana." He looked at me with his little black beady eyes. " I expect you to do the right thing. She's probably all alone and afraid."
"She probably wants some space. Maybe she'll come back on her own." I said, knowing it wasn't true.
"I don't count on that happening. Come on let's go find her."
"Ok." I put him and down, and went inside the house for my shoes and to tell Jace I was going to go look for her. When I came back Sebastian was already gone. Probably took a head start.
I walked through town hoping to find Melody. I knew Sebastian hadn't found her yet, he would have called me on the communicator if he had. I kept walking into stores, and leaving disappointed when I found no trace of her. She must be upset about what happened yesterday. I guess I would be too. She must think that I don't like her. Is that what Derek meant when he said she was conflicted about me? I have to find a way for her to see that she can trust me. Once that happens, I might be able to help her get back home. And honestly that's all I want for that little munchkin. To be safe, and to be with her parents.
As I continued my search, I heard people muttering about a beam of light. I looked into the sky and saw the bright projection. It was coming from the train station, and then it vanished. That's her, she's close. I have to get to her before the weird sister do.
I ran as quickly as I could. Oh Melody. I hope she's alright. I received a few weird looks as I ran like a maniac, but I didn't care. All I cared about was Melody and her safety. If her beam went off that meant something was happening to her. I sprinted up the flight of stairs that led to the platform, I began to scan for her. But she wasn't there. Oh god I hope she didn't hop on a train. I looked up at the schedule, and saw that no train had left. Phew, so she's still here, but where?
I went back into town, and as I walked past an alley. I spotted a floating ball. Its her! The worry melted away from me. She was safe. I quietly followed Mel into an empty work site to see what she was up to.
She sat in front of a stack of concrete blocks "Here's a good place to hide." she whispered, a bit out of breathe.
Hide? From what? No, from who? Were Leila and her sisters after Melody again? Next time I see them, things will not end well for them. If they want Mel they are going to have to go through me.
Melody hadn't realized I followed her so I decided not to pop out at her. I sat on the far adjacent side of the concrete block, crouched, hoping I could find out more about her, and see if there was anything I can do to help her.
"Oh Dash, I'm scared too. I should probably tell Ariana where I am, but she doesn't care. She didn't even let me sleep with her last night." She began to sob.
As I heard her cry, my insides dropped. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. All I wanted to do was comfort her and let her know everything was going to be ok, and that I was honestly more than ok with her sleeping with me. If I was being honest with myself, I preferred her to, rather than having her sleep all by herself in the guest room. When we get home I'm going to let her know that my room is her room now too.
I decided to sneak a glance at her to check to see that she wasn't hurt. I saw her push the walrus nose on her ball. One of his eyes began to blur, and when it had gotten clearer, there was a muffled shape of a woman.
"Hi Melody." The woman spoke through the ball. She had a sweet but yet strong voice.
"Hi!" Melody wiped her nose, and cheered up.
"What's the matter darling?"
"I'm so lonely, no one likes me." Melody told her, drying the tears from her eyes.
"But you've made so many nice friends, remember?"
"I'm scared. These weird ladies are chasing me. They're after the Sparkling Sea Diamond too." her voice had a little quiver.
"They're from the Negasea." The woman's voice informed her. "They want to change the future so they can take over Diamond Marina."
The future? That's not possible, no one knows the future. And what about this Diamond Marina? What is going on? Who is this woman Melody is talking to? And why does her ball act like a phone? What kind of toy is that?
I heard Melody crying again. "What am I suppose to do? I haven't found the Diamond or my mother."
So her mother is here. But who is she? Why hasn't she looked for Mel? Is her mother in danger?
"You're going to have to keep trying, darling. I know its hard for a little girl." the voice sympathized. I could hear in her tone that this woman really cares for Melody.
"Yeah, but Ariana, the girl I'm staying with doesn't like me. I can't do this anymore. Can't I come home without the Sparkling Sea Diamond? I miss home. I miss mom and dad. I miss everyone." she wept.
Oh Melody. My eyes began to water as I heard how hurt she was, and I wasn't making matters any better with the way I've been acting with her. She did think I didn't like her. I really wanted to go comfort her right now, but if I did she would hate me for eavesdropping. I just wish there was more I can do to help her. I can't give her the Diamond, but the best thing I can do for her is to make sure those sister stay away from her, and to find her mother. I silently vowed to myself that I would protect Melody at all costs from this moment on.
"Melody we miss you too. But it's safer for you to be here with the Sailor Scouts, where they can protect you. Just like they do in the future."
The Sailor Scouts? This voice knows about the Sailor Scouts? We protect Melody in the future? But why, and how far into the future? Is she someone important? Who is she really?
"Don't you remember little princess." the voice began to say.
Princess? If Melody's a princess, then that makes her mother a-
"In the future, they are the female warriors that will always protect you." The voice continued to talk, interrupting my train of thought. They are your loyal and true friends. Those warriors are the Sailor Scouts. They are fighting for a peaceful future, just as we are. You must put your trust in them and Sailor Sea. If you want to see your mother again you must remain here. Its the only way."
And just like that the voice had vanished and the eye of her walrus painted ball, had become an eye again. And not a silhoutte of a woman. Melody stood up from the spot she was crouched in and began to hug her ball. "Don't go." she whispered over and over again.
Hearing her conversation made me realize the troubles poor Melody was going through. She was in a new place. And to make matters worse she thought everyone around her didn't like her. But now I understood why she was here, and why she's after my Diamond. She's trying to save her mother. But what this woman was putting her through made me angry. Melody is just a kid, she can't be doing these types of missions. The amount of pressure to save her mother, must be exhausting.
"Found you!" I heard Leilas voice call out. "You're not getting away from me this time. "
Crap! She picked the worst moment to bully Melody. I'm all hyped up and ready to give Leila a good butt kicking. She is not going to mess with her as long as I'm around. I crawled away from my hiding spot and found a place to transform. "Sea Diamond Power!" As I had turned into Sailor Sea, I climbed a few steel barriers and yelled at Leila. "Leave her alone!"
"Sailor Sea." She spit my name out.
"That's right." I jumped from my spot and went to stand in front of Mel. "Come on Melody, we're out of here."
"I don't think so. And neither do my sisters." Leila called out. Her sisters then appeared all over the site. "Let us introduce ourselves."
"I'm Zenon." The girl with short blond hair called out. Her outfit continues to remind me of cotton candy.
"I'm Alex." Ponytail girl was sitting on top of a lamp post.
"My names Mitchie." The girl in the maroon dress smiled. She sat next to Alex, they looked a lot a like.
So thats her name. She was the one with Zenon on top of the building on the day of the storm.
"I'm Leila, but you already knew that. Now hand her over"
"Four against one, you don't stand a chance." Alex retorted.
"Then let's even the odds." I heard Sailor Rose's voice. Her and the rest of the girls walked towards Leila. The four sisters then stood by each other too.
"The Sailor Scouts." Melody whispered next to me.
"Well then it seems like we have a fair fight now." Alex looked at the Scouts.
Leila didn't hesitate to throw her blue fire towards Sailor Mystique. Jade's reflexes are fast so she quickly summoned her own powers.
"Sailor Sea get Melody out of here!" Mystique yelled.
"But you guys-" I began to say
Mitchie saw her window of opportunity and began the next fight. Sailor Blossom dodged her water currents that she was throwing towards her. Sailor Beauty took on Alex, and they both dodged each others powers.
Sailor Rose kept throwing flower petals at Zenon, hoping to slow her down.
"We can handle it! Go!" Rose instructed.
The Sailor Scouts are strong, but I knew they needed my help. These Four sisters were capable of fighting for a long period of time. But I couldn't just leave Melody to help my friends.
Then all of a sudden purple balls of energy were thrown to where Mel and I stood.
They exploded near us, debris flew everywhere. I protectively crouched in front of Melody, safeguarding her from the impact. I took most of the hit. The wind was knocked out of me and chunks of rocks hit my back, and scratched my legs. I felt the back of my uniform rip, and there were stings on the skin of my back.
I fell to the ground in agony. I heard the Sailor Scouts gasp at my collapse.
"Sailor Sea!" I felt a little hand on my cheek, wiping the dirt away. "Sailor Sea! Are you ok?" Melody sobbed.
"She will be once she gives up." I heard a deep, raspy male voice say.
I looked for the new person. And he appeared in front of us, floating. He wore light gray pants with dark gray stripes, and a matching vest. His hair was the same color of the dark gray stripes on his outfit. His eyes were a golden color.
"Face it you're no match for the Negasea.' He continued.
I stood up, ignoring my bodies protest, and brought Melody closer to me. Letting this new guy understand if he wants her, he's going to have to go through me. "Who are you?" I asked with anger in my tone.
"I'm Undertow. I live to see Crystal Marina under the influences of the Negasea. So I suggest..." He cupped his hands, and created the purple blobs in his hands, prepared to throw them at us. "You hand the kid over to me. I don't want to hurt you. But if you refuse I won't hesitate to throw these explosives at you again."
"Never!" I shouted at him.
"Have it your way." He smiled mischievously. And threw the purple balls of light.
I had enough time to scoop Melody into my arms and jump out of the way. The ground shook under us, but we were ok. I looked down to check on Mel. "Sailor Sea, don't let them take me." She begged, tears streaming down her face.
"I won't, I promise!" I yelled over the commotion. "I won't let anything happen to you ok?"
Another wave of those purple bombs were thrown at us. I jumped a second too late. Debris scratched my face and my arms. I lost sight of where I was going to land. All I felt was my back slamming against a concrete wall.
Melody rolled out my arms, when I hit the ground. "Sailor Sea?" she asked crawling closer to me. "Sailor Sea! Sailor Sea!" she began to shake me with panic. "Don't leave me! I need you! Don't go!" Tears stained her face.
"Ready to go Sea Brat?" Undertow appeared behind Melody. "We're wasting time."
"No." I said in a hoarse voice. I got up slowly, my body screaming in objection. "I'm not letting you, or anyone take her. No one takes her without facing me first." I pushed Melody behind me as I saw Undertow getting ready to fight me for her.
And then a rose struck the ground in front of him. Undertow jumped back in surprise.
"Bullying a child? How far will you go?" Tuxedo Mask asked him. He stood on top of a crane.
Undertow searched for his voice. When he laid his golden eyes on him, he summoned his exploding purple blobs, and threw them in his direction. "Lets find out."
Tuxedo Mask jumped from the crane and landed near Melody and I.
"Are you two alright?" He asked us concerned, looking at my cuts and scrapes.
Melody and I nodded.
"Sailor Sea.. I think you know what to do." Tuxedo Mask encouraged.
I did know what I had to do. I summoned my trident, that appeared in my hands. The energy that radiated from it helped me heal myself, and I was revived with pure energy. I swung it a bit and yelled out "Oceanic Trident Elimination!"
The power that shone from the trident was pure and strong. I pointed it towards Undertow. Somehow he had managed to dodge my attack. He appeared back in the sky, a bit unbalanced. It seemed that my attack did touch him a bit. There was a scratch on his arm.
"We're out of here!" he yelled. "Hurry up sisters!"
The fight between the Sailor Scouts and the Strange Sisters had come to a close. One by one the sisters began to disappear. I could tell the Scouts were exhausted, but they didn't let it show, not for a second. They focused their attention on Undertow who was the last to leave the scene.
I dropped my trident, and ran to Melody. I wrapped her in my arms. "Are you ok Melody? That was scary stuff. You were very brave, you know that?"
She then placed her arms around my waist and hugged me back. She felt warm against me. It was as if she was comforting me.
"Thank you for saving me. I'm sorry I put you in danger. It's all my fault." Melody began to blame herself.
"It was not your fault. This is what the Sailor Scouts and I do. We protect innocent civilians, which includes you. We're going to have to keep a closer eye on you though. The sisters mean serious business, and their bound to come back again. But the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask will protect you" I said stroking her black hair.
"You too?" she looked me in the eyes with longing.
I crouched down so that we were at eye level. "Especially me." I told her as I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
In that moment Melody's eyes began to water. Not because she was sad, but because she had finally found a group of people who care for her. I tried so hard not to let her know that I, Ariana, was Sailor Sea. I promise myself, right here right now, that I was going to be kinder to Melody. I wanted to let her know that Ariana cares for her just as much as Sailor Sea does. And I was going to prove it to her.
Melody leaped into my arms, and hugged me tightly. "You saved me. Those sisters were going to take me away, before I even found my mother." She looked at the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask. "I can't go home without finding the Sparkling Sea Diamond, and finding who my mom is." Melody wept into my chest. "I don't want them chasing me anymore."
"Oh" I sympathized, hoping no one heard my voice crack. Tears were forming in my eyes again, but I wiped them away. I held Melody in my arms for a long time. I rubbed her back as she tried catching her breath. Her little sniffles came and went."We'll help you find your mother Mel. We'll get you back home. I promise." I whispered into her ear over and over.
It was nice not having her yell at me for calling her Mel.
When she finally calmed down. She let me go. I felt strange, when she did so. She looked at the Scouts and thanked them one by one. Sailor Beauty couldn't help herself and hugged Melody. She looked a bit puzzled, which made me giggle. But in the end Mel hugged Beauty back.
When it was time to thank Tuxedo Mask, she ran to his arms. I did feel a little jealous. Not because she was hugging my boyfriend, but because it seemed that she liked him better than me. I was trying so hard to get this munchkin to like me. But I guess I was making progress, ever so slowly.
"Can I walk you home?" I offered Melody.
"It's ok. Ariana will probably freak out if I brought Sailor Sea home." Melody responded with a warm smile. "Thank you Sailor Sea. For everything." she waved as she left.
I watched her as she left. Until Jade interrupted.
"Ariana you might want to beat her home before she finds out who you really are." Sailor Mystique said, when Mel was out of earshot.
"What? Oh yeah. That's probably a good idea." I said cleaning myself up a bit. "We need to have a meeting tomorrow, all of us. You too Derek." And with that I jumped onto the roof and ran home. As I jumped from roof to roof as Sailor Sea, the idea of Melody coming here from the future isn't that far fetched.
I mean come on. I was a mermaid in my past life. I lived in the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. Now I am a Sailor Scout who saves the world with my best friends. That is a lot weirder than coming from the future.
Although, if Melody is a princess then that means that democracy later becomes a monarchy. I wonder how we made that jump.
I made it home before Melody did. I jumped and hid in an alley. I quickly transformed back and went inside the house to grab some Ice Tea from the fridge and two glasses. I went back outside and poured half of my glass, and the other I filled up. I sat on the porch waiting for Melody.
She slowed her pace when the house came into her view.
I made the first move. "Hi Mel-ody" I remembered that Sailor Sea was allowed to call her that, not me.
She looked at me with a confused look, but shook her head and took a seat next to me.
"Everything ok?" I asked her based on her earlier expression.
"It's just that you sounded like..." she stopped herself. Oh no, don't make the connection. "Nevermind. Have you been sitting here the whole time?!" she huffed. Yes! She doesn't think I'm Sailor Sea
"No I went looking for you." I told her honestly. " I saw you walking around town and decided I better give you some space. It's always better to clear your head by yourself." I offered her the tea I poured for her. She accepted it and gulped it down. "I see you're thirsty." I giggled. "Had fun in town today?"
"I guess you can say that." Melody swung her legs since her feet didn't touch the ground. She looked as if she was having a debate with herself. "Hey Ariana, could I ask you something?"
Sebastian came outside. "Hold on one second." I cupped him in my hands and placed him on the little table between Melody and I. "Ask away." I said getting back into my seat.
"Do you know Sailor Sea?" she blurted out.
I tried hiding my surprised expression."Not personally. I've heard a lot about her and the Sailor Scouts."
"Like what?" she asked curiously.
"Well that they're very brave, and loyal. I know Sailor Sea fights for love and justice."
"The Scouts fight for a peaceful future." Melody informed me.
"That's right. I think they're so cool." I could almost feel Sebastian face palming himself
"What about Tuxedo Mask?"
That one I didn't expect. "I heard he always shows up at the perfect time. That and he likes roses. I don't know what that means exactly." I pretended.
"He uses it as a defense against bad guys." Melody said a little bit too eagerly. "Or so I heard."
I laughed a bit. "Really?"
"Mhmm. Ariana do you think Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Sea are together?"
There's another one I didn't expect, and I could already feel my face turning pink. "Why do you ask that?"
"Well I've heard that" She began to say "Tuxedo Mask usually shows up right on time to save Sailor Sea when she gets a little lost. It's like he's her knight in shining armor. " A little lost? What is she talking about? I don't get lost. I just freeze up for a few seconds. "And whenever they look at each other they remind me a bit of my parents."
I smiled at Melody. "It's possible they could be together." I felt little butterflies when she compared Derek and I to her parents. Maybe one day we'll be parents too, but not anytime soon.
"Ariana why are you being so nice to me?" Melody asked, pouring herself another glass.
"I have been nice to you." I told her truthfully.
"Then what about last night huh?" she crossed her arms.
"Can I tell you about last night?" I asked her, which seemed to grab her attention. She gave me a small nod, and I continued. "I got up to use the bathroom and when I went back to bed I felt someone else in it too. So naturally I yelled. But when I saw it was you, I decided to let you stay. Of course with my bad luck, mom and dad came to my room and assumed I was yelling at you. Which by the way I wasn't." I told her.
Melody looked at the starry sky for a while. "I believe you." she said, finally looking at me.
"Thanks Melody."
"You can call me Mel... I guess." She sighed in defeat
My eyes lit up. "Really?"
She nodded and gave me a smile.
We sat in silence sipping our tea, and looking at the stars. I got up from my seat, and went to lay on the lawn. The roof was getting in the way of the stars. I placed my hands behind my head. Melody followed. We layed there again admiring the night sky.
"Melody can I ask you something."
"Sure."
"Why did you sleep in my bed? I mean it's totally ok. There doesn't have to be a reason."
"Well, I've been having nightmares. And whenever I have nightmares, my mom or dad come into my room to comfort me. And for some reason, I came to you."
"From now on you can come to me Mel ok?" I said placing my hands against my sides.
Melody's small hand slipped into mine.
"Ok." She agreed.
I turned to face her. "So tell me about your nightmares."