Scene - Lesson Learned: Part 2 - Ren

There was a long painful moment of silence, and then...

"I don't know what will help."

He nodded. Kissed the top of her head. He held her close. Lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "Do ya trust me sweetheart? Even a little?"

He held her eyes. "All right. Then trust in this. Never again baby. Look at me. Ya know I'm tellin' ya tha truth. Never again. They won't touch ya. Not once." He kissed her again. Held her eyes again. "Now that I'm here. Never again."

She stared into his eyes for a long time. She nodded softly, accepting his words.

He smiled. "Ya have my word." Then he kissed her forehead again.

She lay back down, her head on his strong chest.

Henrietta had let him speak. Now she leaned over and kissed the top of the girl's head.

"You sleep, love. Do you want me to stay here? Or would you like me to leave?"

"Stay...please." She liked the feel of them on either side of her. Strong. She liked strong.

Henrietta smiled and kissed her hair again.

"Of course. As long as you need me."

She moved just enough to curl up under the comforter, curling protectively around Ren's back.

He smiled at Ren. Brushed his fingers through her hair. "Get some rest. Imma stay up for a bit. Until she gets ta sleep." The meaning was clear. He was going to fight the day as much as he could to make sure Ren was okay.

Henri nodded her understanding. She wouldn't fight the sun at all.

"Doc will watch over us as we sleep. He won't let anything hurt us."

He smiled. "Ain't worried about anythin' comin' in ta hurt us mama."

She was curled up safely between the pair. Her eyes closed as she waited for the sun to rise and sleep to claim her.

He still held his arm around her. And began his battle with the sun.

Henri smiled, and gave a significant look at Ren that told the large Brujah who those words had been meant for. Then she closed her eyes, still curled protectively around the tiny Brujah. Now all that was need was the sun.

Just before sleep took her, there was a tiny whimper. It had been a long while since she'd had a nightmare. She expected one this morning.

That's why he was fighting the day. He held her tighter. Safe in his arms. Running his fingers through her hair gently.

Henri fought the day only long enough to snuggle closer, wrapping Ren in her strength so the girl would wake up feeling just as comforted as she had fallen asleep. Then let the day take her.

(Assuming the day passes uneventfully...)

Ren woke the next night, confused. Strong arms held here against the broad expanse of a man's chest, large dogs took up the foot of the bed. There were more arms around her, but that didn't register for the first few moments. She began to tilt her head up, a look of child-like wonder in her eyes. "I missed you..." She blinked rapidly as the dream and reality somehow didn't mesh. "Jim?" The memories of the night before came flooding back. Her head fell back against his chest.

"Good evening, Henri."

Henrietta kissed the girls head and hugged her tight for a moment before rising up on her elbow to look down at the girl.

"Wake up a little confused, love?"

She brushed the hair from the girl's face.

"That's to be expected after such a difficult night."

His eyes came open with a snap. He looked up at Ren. Brushed hair from her face. "Hey sweetheart. How ya doin?"

Her usually short hair was long, very long, reaching nearly to her waist. Dark shiny strands that were currently pooled on James' chest as well as falling behind her.

"I really wish you hadn't seen that."

I'm okay."