Wincing The Night Away.

"I don't want you to leave, Annie." Kerry settled in close to her and snuggled in for the night. "I thought about you a lot; every time I flew over the Hall." He kissed the back of her neck. "I was scared today. I didn't know it, but I was. But I'm not now. I'm where I want to be."

“I thought about you every second you were gone, Kerry. When I thought you might not come back…alive,” Annie shuddered in his embrace. “I almost lost it.” She pulled him tighter, tangling her legs with his. “But we’re both where we belong now, and we’re both safe.”

Kerry didn't want to let Annie go. "I know. I thought about protecting you. That's why I was out. I wanted to protect you." His smile was soft and sweet. "And everyone else, but you first."

He gave Annie a long, tender kiss, then pushed his head into the pillow. "You're always with me," he said. "I like sleeping with you."

And then he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

Annie stayed awake a while longer, listening to his breathing become deeper as he relaxed into unconsciousness. She studied the contours of his face in the dim light of the room and imagined the exact shade of his hair in her mind.

“I love you, Kerrigan Rodney Malibey,” she whispered into the darkness while closing her eyes. “And where there is love…there is pain.”

OOC: Morning. 6AM

IC:

Coraline stood at the foot of Kerry’s bed and smiled down at the two kids. I’ll be damned. Denna called it exactly…

Of course, Coraline had already reamed the orderly who she was positive would not only stay awake all night, but would catch Annie slipping into Kerry’s bed. I should know better than to bet against Denna by now.

She shook Annie’s leg and folded her arms across her chest, tapping her fingers on her upper arm.

“Wakey, wakey, sleepy heads.”

Annie rolled over onto her back and yawned. The bright light in the room kept her eyes shut, but she felt someone standing at the foot of her bed.

“Mama,” she said, slightly annoyed about being woken up. “Az iskam da ostana s momcheto s plamenen kosa.”

Annie rolled back over and hit something soft. She squinted and realized there was a boy in her bed. No…not just any boy--it was Kerry. This is his bed and I’m in it.

For a few brief moments, Annie thought this was one of her dreams gone wrong. She wasn’t supposed to be able to touch him, but there he was…

She sat up as the night before came back to her and Nurse Coraline smiled.



OOC: Translation: I want to stay with the boy with the flaming hair.

Kerry was drifting up from whatever warm blanket of sleep he'd been cocooned within. There was a slight pressure on him; he half-opened his eyes and saw parts of Annie's face . . . and there was a scent . . . it had to be her hair.

"Morning, Sweetie," he said, mumbling softly. He tried to sink into her. "I slept so well . . .."

And, from the corner of his eye, Kerry realize they weren't alone.

Annie couldn’t help but smile at him. She admired his bedraggled hair and longed to snuggle back in the shelter of his arms. Instead, she looked up at Nurse Coraline and wondered what kind of punishment they were about to get. Whatever it is, I’d do last night over again in a heartbeat.

“Good morning, Nurse Coraline. Sleep well?” She’s going to murder both of us…

When Annie said the magic words--"Nurse Coraline"--he knew there was no talking his way out of this. Instead he rolled back over and made himself appeared as relaxed as possible.

"The, um, treatment worked," he said, acting as if Annie really wasn't there. "I feel great! Thanks for, um . . . everything." Yeah, and you imagined you crashed and burned yesterday, he thought.

Coraline raised her eyebrows. “I’ll bet you do, Red.” She crossed over to the chair next to the bed both kids occupied and sat.

“I already know what happened last night, so don’t bother explaining. I trust Denna when she says nothing happened,” She paused and eyed them both, trying to determine if that was indeed the case. I still can't believe she called this so perfectly.

“Just so you two both know—I don’t make it a policy for students to sleep together during their stay. However, last night I was informed that I should make an exception to that rule.” Coraline sank back into the chair and furrowed her brow.

“I don’t pretend to have all the answers, guys. But I have to tell you both that this behavior will eventually catch up to you.” She stood up and leaned against the side of the bed. “I will always be here if either of you would like to talk about anything that seems…confusing. Am I making myself clear?”

He didn't need to be told twice. Understanding what a bullet they'd just dodged, Kerry nodded. "Yes, Nurse Coraline," he said softly. "And we didn't want to get anyone in trouble. It's just . . ." He looked over to Annie. "I had a nightmare. Annie came over to talk and--"

There wasn't anything else to say. Kerry reached over and put on his glasses, then said, "We'll watch it in the future."

Annie heard the relief in Kerry’s voice and nodded her own agreement. “I’m really sorry, Nurse Coraline. The orderly was gone and Kerry was in bad shape. I didn’t know what else to do for him, so I went with what came naturally, and that was to sleep next to him.”

Annie felt her cheeks flush as she finished speaking.

Coraline grinned at the sight of them. These two will be something else when they get a little older…

“Alright, enough of that talk. I really am glad both of you managed a good night sleep. Sometimes, that is just what is required to feel better.

"So what do you say, Kerry? Are you well enough to get up and get some breakfast under your own power?”

Kerry began moving he arms about slowly. When he didn't wince from the movement, he nodded. "I think so, Nurse Coraline." He slowly extracted himself from the covers and swung his legs over the side. Sliding off the bed he steadied himself for a bout of the dizziness and/or disorientation he'd been having last night. Nothing.

He turned to the Head Nurse and smiled. "I feel good, Nurse Coraline," he said. "I think I'll be okay now."

Clapping her hands, Coraline proclaimed him well enough to accompany Annie to breakfast.

“Go get changed and you can consider yourselves sprung.” She put her hand on Kerry’s shoulder. “Kerry, try to take it easy today. No flying, no long hikes, and if you feel dizzy, come back immediately. Other than that, I’m sure Annie will keep a good eye on you.” She winked at him and said her goodbyes to both of them.

“Remember, I’m always here if you want to talk, guys,” she said, and disappeared, leaving them on their own.

“She’s right, you know,” Annie giggled, still sitting cross-legged in his bed. “I’ll keep an eye on you.”

"You've been doing a great job so far, Sweetie." Walking over to where his clothing had been put, he opened the drawers and began removing his things--and remembered that when he'd been brought in he'd been wearing his flying gear. "Do you think leather pants and flying boots are going to be too much for breakfast?" he asked.

Then for the first time since they'd awoken Kerry became a little embarrassed. "I, um . . ." He looked to the other bed where Annie was suppose to have spent the night. "I need to change."

Annie howled with laughter and doubled over onto his bed as she realized he was serious. She sat up, holding her aching sides and slid off his bed. “Alright….Red,” she said in her best Nurse Coraline impression.

Annie wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body close to his. “Hurry…” she whispered and stroked his neck with her lips. Without another sound, she let go and disappeared to the bathrooms in order to freshen up for breakfast.