Before I get into this next story, I would like to thank the many readers who have favorite, followed and reviews. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time to comment, and so positively! I'm glad so many people are enjoying these stories and coveting this relationship as much as I am. I think of these one-shots when I'm sitting in traffic or waiting in line at the store, then try to remember them and write them down when I get a break. I have a few more planned for this series of just random stories I think of. Thanks again, and please keep reviewing!

A Bad Dream

They had been so lucky with Kelly. He was just shy of five months old at this point and was pretty much sleeping through the night. He always slept at least six hours, and sometimes even seven or eight. It was a dream come true for the new parents.

However, there had been one unexpected downside. As Adalind had finally been sleeping long enough stretches again to dream, she had unfortunately had some nightmares, mostly related to Diana. Most of the time she just woke up a bit startled, but a few times she had gasped startling Nick as well, who was a super light sleeper. He would gently ask her if she was okay, and she would say yes and apologize and go back to sleep. Nick felt a desire to comfort her, but their relationship was just so complicated he didn't go beyond asking her if she was okay.

It didn't happen every night, but it was becoming more frequent than either of them would like. She was so lucky Kelly was such a sound sleeper, and she didn't startle him too. Nick had continued to share her bed – a permanent arrangement for the near future as Trubel was still living with them.

After about a week of the bad dreams happening on and off, Adalind had a particularly vicious nightmare. Nick awoke to her somewhat squirming around and making whimpering noises. He gently reached over and shook her shoulder. "Adalind," he said quietly. "Wake up, you are having a bad dream." Not only did she wake up, but she also sat straight up in bed gasping and crying out, "No." Nick sat up alongside her, now gently clutching both her shoulders. "Adalind, you're okay. It's just a dream," he said softly. When she still didn't respond, he gently took both sides of her face in his hands forcing her to look at him. "Adalind," he said again, "Look at me. It was just a dream. You're safe." Adalind finally seemed to come out of the trance she had been in. "Nick," she said blinking as if realizing where she was. "You're okay," he repeated now dropping his hands from her face. She was breathing a bit heavy and looked around the room frantically until her eyes finally landed on Kelly, who was sleeping soundly in his crib.

Nick saw the relief wash over her face. She ran her hands through her hair and shook her head as if trying to shake an image out of her head. "I'm so sorry," she said. "It's okay," Nick said and meant it. He felt terrible that she was having such a rough time sleeping. "I'll get you some water," he said and made a move to get out of bed. "No," she said way too quickly and reached out to grab his hand and hold him in place. Nick looked back at her concerned. "Don't leave, please," she said in a way that nearly broke Nick's heart in two. "Okay," he said and settled back into bed. "Want to talk about? Sometimes that helps," he prompted.

"Um, okay," Adalind said and started. "Remember when the Royals put me in that horrible place where I was hallucinating and having visions of Diana?" Nick knew exactly what she was talking about. They had this weird connection that allowed him to see what she was seeing while she was there. Nick nodded. "Well, in one of rooms, there was a baby, Diana, sleeping in a crib, only when I picked her up, it wasn't her, it was a pig." Adalind recounted the experience with a shudder. "It was by far the worst thing that happened me there. I thought I had found her. I haven't ever been quite able to shake it." Nick just listened intently forgetting how much she had been through sometimes. "Well, tonight," she continued, "I had a dream very similar, only it was Kelly, not Diana. I went to pick him up, and it was the pig, and he was gone." Adalind could barely get out the words as her eyes filled with tears. "That's awful," Nick replied. "I'm sorry."

"I think I'm just so afraid of losing him," she admitted now looking in Nick's eyes.

He softened further and reached out and squeezed her hand. "I know, but I'm never going to that happen. You know that, right?" Nick couldn't imagine the pain of losing a child, now that he had one himself. He admired Adalind for being able to hold it together as much as she did. "I know," she responded smiling. "Just wish my subconscious would believe that," she said now trying to make a bit of a joke.

Nick smiled as well at her effort. "I'm okay now," she said finally. "Thanks for listening." "Of course," Nick said ashamed of himself for not asking her before now if she wanted to talk about her dreams or Diana or anything else. They had settled into a great co-parenting relationship that was now a solid friendship, and he should make sure she knew he cared about her. Make more of an effort. He had not done a good job of that.

Adalind got out of bed to walk over and check on Kelly to take a closer look. She pulled up his blanket and whispered, "Sweet dreams, my angel." Nick smiled. She really was a great mother.

She then got back into bed, and per usual turned away from Nick facing the wall. "Sorry again for waking you up," she said softly. "No problem," Nick said lying on his back staring at the ceiling. He let about 30 seconds go by before he swallowed his pride and misgivings and said, "Adalind?" "Hmmm?" she answered back looking over her shoulder toward him. Nick paused as he phrased his question in his head. "This might sound a little awkward," he started, "but, do you want me to hold you?"

Adalind could barely believe her ears. Nick had shown her a small amount of affection a few times, but this offer felt different. It was sincere and genuine, and somehow intimate. Maybe because they were in a bed together.

"Really?" she asked with a question. Nick laughed a bit, "Yes, really. I can be a nice guy," he said in mock defense trying to lighten the mood so things didn't get too serious.

Adalind had now turned over to face him. "I know," she said laughing a bit back. "I was just surprised by your offer," she said then paused. "That would be really nice," she then responded sincerely. Nick smiled. "Then, come here," he prompted opening his arm for her to snuggle up to his side. She gently laid her head on his chest and draped her arm across his stomach as he closed his arm around her holding her close.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"You're welcome," he answered. "Sweet dreams," he followed up repeating her words to Kelly, and they both drifted off to sleep.

Adalind woke up the next morning when she heard Kelly starting to rustle. She had been nightmare free the rest of the night. Nick was still sleeping, and she took the opportunity to stare for a moment at his handsome face. She felt so safe in his arms and was so grateful that he had extended such a sweet offer the night before. When Kelly began to really wake up, Adalind tried to gently remove herself from Nick's grasp. She smiled when his instinct was first to clutch her tighter. With a bit more force, she did untangle herself to hop out of bed and tend to Kelly. Nick stirred and finally woke up. "Morning," he said sleepily. "Morning," she responded back sitting back on the bed with Kelly. "Hey buddy," Nick said reaching out to cup the babies chin." He let his hand drop and it landed on Adalind's knee, which he squeezed lightly. "You okay?" he asked. "Great," she responded honestly. About that time the alarm sounded, so Nick moved to turn it off. "Ugh. Guess it's time to start the day," he announced. Adalind smiled. She moved to change Kelly's diaper and feed him while Nick went to take a shower.

The rest of the day was normal – Nick off to work. Trubel working out in the garage and helping Adalind here and there. She had actually been such a huge help. Kelly kept Adalind busy throughout the day, but she managed a grocery run and fixed a yummy dinner, which Nick and Trubel both happily consumed once he got home from work.

Adalind had thought many times throughout the day about the kindness and comfort Nick had shown her last night. She couldn't help but wonder and hope if they had crossed into a new phase as bed partners. Would touching, rather than just sleeping next to each other, now always be okay? Or would tonight revert to the same old, same old. It only took her a few hours to find out.

Adalind turned in before Nick as he always double and triple checked the locks. Kelly was sleeping soundly and Adalind went ahead and got into bed starting in her usual position, facing away from Nick towards Kelly's crib. She smiled at Nick when he came in and closed the door behind him and took a deep breath as she felt the bed dip when he sat down on it. He clicked off his bedside lamp and laid down after plugging in his phone to charge.

Without hesitation, he reached for her draping his hand across her stomach. Adalind smiled and immediately scooted back flush against him to make sure he knew she was pleased. In this case, actions spoke louder than words.

"Good night," he whispered. "Good night," she replied snuggling even further back against him and placing her own hand over the one on his stomach.

From that night on, Nick and Adalind found comfort in each other. Adalind still had nightmares once in a while, but wrapped in Nick's arms, they came much more infrequently.