Takeaway & Comfort

He watched her chat with the few people who had attended the funeral. A poor showing for a woman who had kept such dark secrets. Secrets which had almost resulted in Laura's death. He found he couldn't summon much sympathy for the dead woman. Not after what had almost happened to Laura.

As the paramedics had pulled her unconscious form from the grave, his heart skipped several beats. He'd been certain they hadn't gotten there in time. As they jostled her slightly, her eyes opened, she'd reached for him. He'd offered his hand, surprised at her strength as she clung to him.

It had never occurred to him to let go as they loaded her into the ambulance. He climbed in behind them holding onto her hand. She'd clung to it even after the sedative took hold. He'd held her hand through the night, watching her sleep. A small piece of him had wanted to climb into the bed next to her, pull her into his arms.

He was almost certain the gesture wouldn't have been welcome. They'd come so close to a date, had even agreed to try again but nothing had ever come of it. They'd fallen back into their comfortable routine, friends and nothing more. He wanted more, wanted to be the one who comforted her, protected her.

The next morning she'd been released. He'd almost offered her his spare room but a friend had appeared whisking her away. She'd smiled back at him, sadly. For a moment, he imagined the sadness was at leaving him and not merely the circumstances.

Today was the first time he'd seen her since then. Even as tired as she looked, she was still beautiful, almost luminous. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed her beauty. Those moments seem to come more and more frequently of late.

She was walking toward him, a tired smile lighting her face. She reached for him, "Robbie, thank you." Her hand came to rest on his chest, warm, soft. "If you hadn't…"

He smiled, "We did. And we always will." She smiled back at him, her hand flexing lightly against his chest. Motioning away from the cemetery, "Blow away the cobwebs?"

She nodded and they walked away. She looped her arm into his as they walked. They walked leisurely, neither in any hurry to go anywhere. Silence loomed between them but in its own way, it was comforting.

Neither of them moved to fill the space, instead they kept walking, each comforted by the mere presence of the other. If Laura hadn't yawned, the silence might have continued.

"You need to rest, pet."

She smiled, covering her mouth with her free hand. "Probably, but not quite yet. I need to go to the market, there's nothing to eat at my house."

He looked down at her, surprised, "I thought you were staying with a friend."

She nodded, "I was, I did. But it's time for me to go home."

He stopped walking, "Are you sure?"

Shrugging, she squeezed his arm, "If I don't, I might never."

"Do you want some company?"

"At the market?"

He laughed, "I have a better idea." When she nodded, he continued, "Let's grab a takeaway, go back to your place. That will solve your immediate need for food and there will be someone there to keep you company."

Coolly, she met his gaze. "Do I seem like I need company?"

Keeping his face blank, "Would you rather be alone?" He paused, "The thoughts will come either way but with someone there, they might stay at bay for a bit longer. And, if not, there will be someone there to distract you, make you laugh, hold you together."

A small crack in her façade appeared, "What thoughts?"

"Betrayal, anger, hurt. They will all come. And after what you've been through, I would imagine a fair share of fear."

She smiled, "Those sound like therapist words."

"I don't like them; I didn't say I hadn't seen them."

"What kind of takeaway?"

Offering her his arm, "Lady's choice."

They were laughing as they fell into the door of her home. Both of them carrying arms full of food and wine.

Laura turned back to him, laughing, "I think this is why you aren't supposed to shop while hungry."

Robbie smiled at her, glad to see her happy. "Maybe you won't have to go to the market tomorrow."

She wrinkled her nose, "Leftover curry isn't great for breakfast."

"No, but I might be willing to take you to breakfast."

"Thank you, Robbie."

Shifting the bags to one hand, he reached for her, stroking her cheek lightly. "No need, It's what friends are for."

A blush warmed her cheeks, "I'm hungry, you?"

He nodded, "Yeah." He handed her one of the bags, "Why don't you fix our plates? I'll open the wine."

"Deal."

The remnants of their meal were on the discarded plates on the table in front of them. Robbie poured the last of the wine into their glasses. He touched his glass to hers, "And you thought we bought too much food."

She laughed, "There are still two full containers in the kitchen."

Settling deeper into her sofa, "Give me a few hours and I can eat again."

Laura yawned, "I don't know if I will be awake for that much longer."

He motioned toward the stairs, "Why don't you change into something more comfortable? I'll clean up this mess, make some tea then we can watch some telly."

"You don't have to stay."

"I know, Laura. I want to." He paused, "Unless you want me to go."

She shook her head, "No." Draining the last of the wine from her glass, "I like having you here."

"Then off you get. I'll have the tea ready by the time you return."

Laura handed him her glass then stood. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

He watched her walk away, a small smile playing across his lips. All of this felt right, comfortable. It had been so long since he'd had someone to take care of, someone to treasure, to love. He shook his head, surprised by the thoughts running through his head.

Picking up their plates, he made his way to the kitchen. It only took a short while to clean up their mess. The kettle was ready by the time he finished. He made a cup of tea for them both then carried them to the sitting room.

He was slightly shocked she hadn't returned. Carefully he set each cup down then turned on the television. He started flipping through the channels as he settled into the sofa with his cup of tea. Ten minutes later he started to worry.

Placing his cup on the table again, he stood, moved to the foot of the stairs. "Laura." When there was no answer, he climbed half the stairs, "Laura."

He waited again, still no answer. Climbing the remainder of the stairs, he crossed the small landing. Her bedroom door was ajar, he pushed on it lightly. "Laura."

As the door slid open, he saw her. She'd managed to change clothes, pajamas that seemed soft, well worn. She was curled in the middle of her bed, asleep. He couldn't help but smile. In the corner of the room was a stand. There were several blankets hanging from it.

He took one, tenderly draped it over her body. She stirred lightly, then settled, curling into the blanket. Backing out of the room, he made his way downstairs as quietly as he could. He perused her bookshelves, selected one then settled on the sofa. He picked up her cup of tea and started to read.

His eyes shot open, confusion filled him. For a moment, he had no idea where he was, what had woken him. The book falling from his chest reminded him where he was. The blood-curdling scream answered the other question.

Without a second's hesitation, he was up the stairs, pushing his way into her bedroom. "Laura."

She was wrestling with the cover, tangled, screaming. He crossed the room, sitting beside her on the bed, pulling her into his arms. Stroking her hair, he whispered, "It's OK, Laura. I'm here. Shhh…"

Laura pushed at him. He let her, but cupped her cheek. "Laura, it's me. It's Robbie. You're safe."

Her eyes were wild, her breathing labored. "Robbie."

He smiled, "Yes, I'm here." He cupped her cheek, "It was a bad dream. Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head, "No, not yet."

"Would you like some tea?"

"No, I wouldn't say no to a glass of water though."

He nodded, "I can do that. Can I get you anything else?"

"No." She pointed to the bathroom, "I'm going to wash my face."

"I'll be back with your water."

She watched him go, closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths. Once she was calmer, she made her way to the bathroom, splashing water on her face. Glancing in the mirror, she could still see the fear and wildness in her own eyes. The dream returned in full force.

The twins dragging her from her home, driving her to the abandoned hospital. The feel of falling into the grave, the first shovel of dirt landing on her. Her breathing was ragged, panic overtook her. She felt the scream start was about to let it loose when she felt arms around her.

His scent surrounded her, a blend of the cologne he'd always worn and something which was distinctly him. She remembered it from that night. It calmed her just as it had then. She exhaled deeply, all of the air she'd been holding to scream releasing in a single silent breath.

"It's OK, Laura. They aren't here and they never will be."

She clung to him, desperate for the comfort his arms offered. He had anchored her that night, given her a sense of peace. "How did you know?"

"Nightmares don't always end just because we wake." Kissing her hair lightly, "Let's get you back to bed."

She shook her head, "I can't."

Guiding her gently, "Yes, you can." They returned to her bedroom. He pointed to a smallish, uncomfortable chair, "I'm going to be right there."

She smiled, "You can't sleep there, Robbie. That chair is dreadfully uncomfortable. I really should replace it."

"Who says I'm going to sleep?" He moved her to the bed, stood there as she sat. Lifting the blanket, he waited patiently while she settled amongst the pillows. He flipped the blanket over her, tucking her in carefully. "I'll watch over you all night long. Now, it's time to sleep."

"You don't have to do that, Robbie."

He stroked her cheek tenderly, "I know, Laura. I offered."

Laura woke the next morning to sun streaming into the windows of her bedroom. She'd slept through the remainder of the night without incident. As she sat up in bed, she froze, smiling at the sight which met her.

Robbie Lewis was sprawled across the uncomfortable chair asleep. A soft snore issued forth from his lips. Her hand covered her mouth, tears formed in her eyes. Her protector, she remembered him sleeping next to her in the hospital room.

It had felt so natural to wake next to him. She knew her feelings for him were growing, deepening. There had been a time when she'd thought he had feelings for her. But then it passed. She didn't know what had happened, only knew their window of opportunity had closed.

Perhaps it was for the best. They had managed to salvage their friendship, hadn't lost it. She didn't think she could handle losing it. Especially in light of Ligeia's betrayal. Robbie might be the closest friend she had left. That was worth more to her than any romantic entanglement.

He stirred, almost fell out of the chair. As he sat up, she laughed. "Good morning, it seems we made it through the night."