No answers (McKay) - Gilded Cage

Greer had texted, waited and then a happy reply.   But moving out of bed at the moment seemed bigger than she could do.

Fifteen minutes passed before the knock on her door came.

That was reason to move, so she answered the door in a lavender lace bathrobe, and stepped back to let him in. She had no make up, her hair not done and yeah pretty much looked like shit.

Which meant that he looked concerned. "Hey. You okay?"

"Failed at the masquerade party." with a deep breath "I missed you there did you have fun?"

He smiled. "I did. What happened ta make ya fail, darlin?"

'I started a full scale panic attack." gently rubbing her temples, making sure he was fully in the apartment, "masks, dress up, mirror mazes and." her hands start to shake "So I am canceling the performance, but thank you." not able to look at him as she moves to the couch curling into herself.

He moved to the couch and sat down beside her. Then he reached for her. To pull her into his lap. "Hey. Stop that. What's tha performance got ta do with tha party?"

"What if I have a panic attack in front of everyone." whispered "I was so scared Jim it was illogical and I don't want to do that in front of people." with a shiver.

He started petting her hair. "What caused tha panic attack? Specifically?"

"I am not sure but I think the mirror maze and then the masks - pieces of somewhere - and something I can't quite remember....." resting her head on his shoulder with a deep breath.

He nodded and wrapped his arms around her. "Well, tha performance doesn't need ta have masks or a mirror maze. An' I'll be right there beside ya if ya need. So we can make sure it doesn't happen again."

"But what if it does..." staying happily curled into his arms.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer. "Then I'll be right there with ya, ta hold ya hand if ya start gettin' scared."

"I am already scared..." with a self depreciating laugh "I hate being this much of a mess."

He kissed the top of her head. "That's what I'm here for."

"To deal with the crazy chick?" with a sigh.

He smiled. "That. An' ta take care of ya."

She gives a half hearted smile at him, "Then I need taken care of this eve." resting her head again on his chest.

He started brushing his fingers through her hair. "An' how can I take care of ya, darlin?"

A soft smile as he started to brush her hair, "Help me get ready and take the boys out to run on the beach?"

He smiled at her. "I think I can handle that."

"Good. I think that works for both of us." with an actual smile.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Pretty sure it does. Come on, let's get ya dressed."

She slowly gets up from his lap, takes his hand, and slowly starts to walk towards her room.