Don't own anything, as much as that would be awesome, it isn't the case.

Got this idea in my head last night, just had to get it out. Hope you all enjoy this little blurb. Holly's POV

The sound of something shattering, almost muted by the crashing thunder, but not quite, wakes me from my sleep. Still half in another world my instincts kick in. I make it to my bedroom door before I finally remember that I am not the only occupant here tonight. My heart rate drops substantially. More likely than not, it is Gail making a commotion, hopped up on painkillers and stumbling blindly through the house and not the intruder that had stormed into my thoughts as I first awoke. I take a moment to calm myself further before flicking at the light switch next to my bedroom door. Nothing. Great, the power is out. I hastily stumble back towards my bed, pull my phone from the charger and open the flashlight app. Now armed with a light source, I make my way from my bedroom.

As it turns out, the noise is in fact coming from a one Gail Peck. A rather confused and frightened looking Gail Peck at that.

"Holly? Oh, thank god. Your damn house is too big. I couldn't find your bedroom."

Half confused and half startled I close the distance between the two of us and drag Gail by the arm into my room. I can tell she is shaken up, but I am not really sure what has her in this state. It is probably a combination of the oxy she was prescribed for her wrist and the rather impressive storm outside.

"Hey, Gail…look at me. What is wrong?"

Her eyes lock on mine in an instant. She seems downright terrified. I can feel a tightness in my chest start to form. She isn't exactly the most cheerful person, however she is usually fairly stoic, strong. Tonight though, tonight she is a mess.

"The power went out." Her voice is quiet. Almost a whisper.

"I know, but what has you so worked up?"

"I woke up, and it was dark, and I couldn't find you." This time it was a whisper.

I can't help myself any longer. I know she isn't the type of person to welcome physical comfort, but the look in her eyes and the slight visible tremble of her muscles keeps me from staying put. Instead I swiftly wrap my arms around her, easing her body against mine. "I am right here Gail." Surprisingly she offers no resistance. Her arms encircle me in return as she shuffles closer, quickly eradicating any space left between us. She buries her face in the crook of my shoulder and I can feel the wet heat of her tears on my neck.

"I don't like the dark Holly." Her words are muffled. I can't help but squeeze her tighter against me.

"I have an idea Gail, but I have to go downstairs for a minute okay?"

She doesn't say anything, but I feel her grip on me loosen. I take it as my permission and rise from the bed. I can see the fear in her eyes return and I know I can't leave her alone in the dark.

"Here. Take this for now. I will be right back." She accepts my lit phone and tries her best at a smile. I smile back, trying to give her even a little assurance.

The trek downstairs is slower than I hoped. I know my way around my house fairly well, but everything is slower in pitch black darkness. I laden my arms with as much as I can carry and start back up the stairs. As I reach the top landing thunder shakes the house.

"Holly!?"

I feel myself break into an almost run, trying to reach the doorframe quickly. "Hey, I'm here. It is okay, I'm here Gail."

I kick the bedroom door closed as I walk passed, leaving the darkness behind. Gail steps from the bed and helps me sort through the armful of stuff I brought up with me. I pull a couple candles from the pile and set about lighting them on my dresser. The more I light, the more she starts to relax. By the time I finish with the candles, my bedroom is no longer cloaked in darkness, but in a soft amber glow. Gail has settled comfortably against my headboard, buried from the waist down in my comforter, still munching on the chocolate bar I brought up to calm her nerves.

"Thank you Holly. Really."

"Any time honey."

She smiles at me, not like the first attempt at a reassuring smile earlier, but a genuine smile. I can't help but smile back. I pick up her bottle of oxy and toss it over.

"You should take one; your wrist has got to be hurting quite a bit."

She looks at the bottle and places it on the night stand. "I'm okay. It isn't that bad."

I give her a look and she rolls her eyes back but it does the trick. "Fine, okay, it really hurts, but….I just…I don't want to have any more nightmares."

I pull a second bottle from the pocket of my pajama pants, ibuprofen, and toss it towards her as well. "I figured I would bring this too, just in case."

"Thanks."

She rises from her perch on my bed and heads towards the bathroom, stopping to pick up a candle on the way. I settle myself into the bed, placing my glasses back in their spot on the nightstand. Gail returns quickly, depositing the candle back on my dresser and climbing next to me into bed. She hesitates only a second before reaching out for me. Tentative at first, only an arm extends, barely making contact with my stomach, seeming to just search for confirmation that she isn't alone. I place my hand reassuringly on hers and it is all it takes for her to close the distance and curl up against me. I ease into her grip, encouraging her to wrap herself tightly around my body, my hand slowly circling her back.

"Holly?" Her voice is but a whisper. I can almost feel the words breathed against neck better than I can hear them.

"Hmm?"

"Can you not tell anyone I'm afraid of the dark?"

"Of course not. Who am I going to tell?"

"I don't know. I just…please don't tell."

I pull her in tighter. "I won't Gail. I promise. It can be our secret."

"Ok."

She nestles her head back down into my neck, her lips ghosting against my skin. I can't help but place a kiss on top of her head, and if I were to be completely honest with myself, I would admit that she returned it with a kiss of her own. But I'm not. I can't afford to be. Because the thought of that is dangerous. I can't let myself feel any more than I do for the woman in my arms, because I am about 98% sure that it is a one way street. She doesn't need me pining after her. No. She needs a friend. A friend who will pick her up from the hospital when she burns her wrist, who will take her drugged up ass home and settle her into the spare room, who will make a candlelit oasis from the dark for her when she gets scared, and who will NOT let herself continue to fall madly in love with her. And I am fairly certain that I can be that person, at least every part but the last, because if I were being honest with myself, which I am not, I would know that it is too late. If I were being honest, I would know that I am already head over heels in love with her.