The Night After - Bella's Castle; The West Wing

Robert tossed a little in his sleep, muttering quietly, but with each toss his body, seemingly instinctually back to Bella.

His nude body wrapped in the sheets around him.

Bella would cuddle against him each time he returned to her, and as that time came, her eyes slowly opened. She glanced up at him, unmoving - she knew he would wake sometime after she did.

He tossed for awhile after, his mutterings becoming more and more frantic, his face pained and afraid. She could make out only bits and pieces.

".....no.....please.....who am I....."

She sat up in the bed next to him, her dark hair falling over her face as she ran a gentle hand along his face. "Hey.. wake up.."

At her touch he sat bolt upright, his eyes looking lost and confused. His face panicked, and he grabbed the sheets and covers up over his chest as if for protection. He wasn't looking at her, just out into the darkened room.

Bella moved in gently, drawing him to her in a hug. "Hey, shh.. it's me, it's Bella."

He flinched mildly at her touch before the voice clicked in his head and he practically fell into her arms. His eyes were closed and there was a look of such relief across his features. He buried his head into her gently, seeking the comfort only she could give at this moment.

"Still having nightmares?" She hugged him close to her, gently running her hand over his hair. "It's okay, I'm here now.."

There was a soft sob quickly stifled against her flesh.

His voice came out soft, and confident, "Yeah, the one thing I can't seem to shake.". The five is joking, but behind it there is fear. He chuckles softly.

She kissed the top of his head, giggling softly. "And me."

He looked up smiling, "And you." There was no more fear in him, it fled before her love and compassion.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you?" He reclined back down onto the bed, pulling her with him, his arms wrapping around her, gently running through her hair and down her back.

"I suppose you might at that."

"What have you been doing? I've missed you so much.."

"Hiding, watching, moving around. I spent some time among the Sabbat.". He frowned at that, "I wish I hadn't, but the experience was useful. I wish instead is come right here, to you, as soon as i could."

He sighs, "But then I would have led her right to your doorstep, and is never forgive myself for that."

"I'm not scared of her." Bella frowned some, "If she wanted to do something, she would find me."

He nods, "I know, that's why I love you, and why I decides to come back."

He smiled confidently at her, "That and I'm not sure I could live without you with me, at least not live with myself without you."

His hand rubbed her head soothingly, his hand brushing her cheek gently.

"So you're an addict." She mused, chuckling at him.

"Only for you." He laughed. "I'll tell you everything about where I've been and what I've been doing when we get out of the watchful eye of momma Raz0r." He smiles at her, "What about here? What have you been up to and how have you been?"

"I've been chillin', you know.. got to town, hung out, became Harpy." She shrugged, smirking at him playfully. "Like you do."

He laughed, "More like you do, I'm retired from politics, too damn distracting. Fun to watch, Shitty to play, like football."

He smiled happily up at her.

"It's not bad when you know how to play," She smirked, "But I know you were the worst Lesser Harpy I've ever seen."

He raised a finger, wagging it. "Don't forget, that was purposeful." He chuckled, his voice musical.

He stroked Bellas' cheek gently.

"Yeah, yeah. So what do you wanna do, now that you're here? We should get you introduced."

"I believe Toleration is all ill receive and all I really want. I want to help you, I want to make my own choices, and I want to be free. For once in my life I choose what I want, and I want you."

She giggled, leaping and pouncing on him, "I choose you, Pikachu!"

He grabs her laughing, rolling her on the bed playfully.

"Use lightning!!" He says dramatically.