Old Nightmares

[Cmdr Ridire 0]

Aidan wakes up from a very vivid nightmare gasping for breath. He starts to sit up but finds himself pinned back to the bed. For a moment he thinks he’s back in the nightmare but, as usual, Deb was sleeping tucked tightly against his side and partly draped over him with her head resting on his shoulder.

 

He spends a few moments calming himself and a few more moments watching Deb sleep peacefully. As gently as possible he slips out from her embrace and lays her head on the pillow. He slips to the edge of the bed and stands. He turns and glances at Deb again for a few seconds. Considering their evening and how exhausted he was when he fell asleep he should be sleeping as peacefully as she was. He fingers a scratch along his left shoulder as he steps over to the window.

 

He watches the dazzling lights of the warp field flash by beyond the window. The lights dance across him, bathing him in alternating shadows and light as he thinks quietly to himself. He suspects..in fact he knows the reason for the nightmare. That being the mention of the Dominion war by the Captain earlier. He had been on the USS Venture during the Dominion war and, like all ships of the line, it had seen major and heavy combat during the war. As such he had seen more then his share of death including the death of several friends. Now, granted, the Dominion war hadn’t been his first taste of heavy combat and the tolls it took....but it was more than bad enough to warrant nightmares.

 

He wraps his arms around in front of him as a chill runs through him. As the lights from outside continue to play over him, Aidan loses himself in his thoughts.

 

If he thought he was sneaking out of bed, he was sadly mistaken. She awoke the moment he moved but chose to lie still. She quietly watched as her husband took his position in front of the window. He wrapped his arms around himself and stared into the darkness beyond. There were demons out there....hiding in the blackness of space...patiently stalking their victims. And Aidan was now forced to deal with the demons lurking in this sector.

 

Deb tossed back the covers and silently made her way to his side. "What is it?" she asked softly, looking up into his shadowed eyes. "You've been distracted all evening. Please, tell me what's bothering you?"

 

He spends a few moments continuing to stare out at the stars before he turns his attention to Deb. He turns and slips his arms around her to hold her close. One of his hands slips under her shirt to spread against the skin of her lower back. He spends a minute allowing the feel of her and her warmth calm him and bring him some comfort. Sighing quietly he murmurs "Sorry, Deb. I didn't mean to wake you. It's just...." He falters for a few seconds as he founders for the exact words. "Just I guess what the Captain..or rather who the Captain said we may be dealing with has dredged up some bad memories and nightmares. I saw a lot of good people die at the hands of the Dominion. It's....it's not so easy to forget...or forgive." He shakes his head again then adds "I'm sorry for waking you up."

 

She leaned against him and couldn't help noticing how tense he was. She'd suspected he was reliving the war. For Aidan, as with many who endured those dreadful years, some battles continued long after the hostilities ended. "Don't worry about waking me up," she whispered. "I'm just sorry you're going through this." She pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "Would talking about it help?

 

He nods and murmurs "It won't hurt at least, yeah it will probably help. Besides, if I don't talk about these things to you then who? But....I think being a bit more comfortable wouldn't be such a bad idea either. And perhaps some cuddling?" He bends slightly and picks her up. Cradling her he carries her back to the bed where he gently lays her down. He lays down next to her and takes a moment to stretch.

 

Deb was grateful he was willing to broach the subject. She found herself wishing it wasn't so early in the morning. This was sure to be an in depth conversation. There might not be much time left over for sleep. She rolled onto her side. Propping her head in her hand, she smiled at the man stretched out beside her. She realized he needed to talk but maybe there were a few minutes to squeeze in something else....something that would help him relax. Moving closer, she brushed his lips with hers and whispered softly. "Would you like to talk now or in a few minutes?"

 

It takes him a few seconds to figure out to what she's alluding to. Still, he can't help but have one small misgiving though it takes him a few moments to figure out how to voice it. He leans in and kisses her gently. Softly he murmurs "I will probably hate myself for saying this...but as you said I've been distracted all night and if I'm not focused completely on you..." He frowns slightly then finishes quietly "I wouldn't want to disappoint you somehow."

 

"You could never disappoint me," replied Deb softly. She propped her head up on her hand and smiled softly at him. "Unless you choose not to tell me what's been on your mind all evening." She nudged him playfully. "So tell me....tell me everything."

 

He smiles and pulls her gently closer to him. He leans up and kisses her warmly for a long minute. Breaking it off, he murmurs "Very well, as my angel wishes." He pauses slightly then asks "But afterwards you can explain this "a few minutes" to me." What would only take a few minutes?" He smirks teasingly as he says that. “And I think we both should take a day or two off as soon as we can. I don’t know about you but I could use some at length private time with you. A few seconds pass before his expression sobers. He tightens his arms around her as he starts to explain what was keeping him awake.