Body Guard

"Secrets....secrets....hm. Yes. When we played hide and seek one time, when we were little. When you all got bored of trying to find me. I was hiding in your hamper." An easy smile crossed my lips and I shrugged as if it was nothing. We were teenagers then.

Julie:
I smiled and shook my head at him. "Thats kinda gross," I said. "You understand the hamper is where the dirty clothes go, right?" I asked. "And just for the record, I used to hide under your bed. Thats how I found out about the porno magazines." I told him, matching his shrug.

"Never said it was a good idea. But I also won hide and seek by doing it." Crossing my arms I shifted my weight. "So long as we are giving secrets, any you want to get off your chest before we finally blessedly relax?"

Julie
I could think of one or two things he might be interested to know. But I wasn't ready to tell him yet. I took a few steps forward and pulled him into a hug, something I seemed to only do after a fight. "Nope," I said, softly. "Just glad you came back," I said.

Breathing out slowly into her hair I held her in the hug until she felt ready to let go. "I'm glad I did too Jules."

Julie:
I pulled away after a few minutes and wiped at one of my eyes. I wasn't crying, but I did get a little misty for a second. "Are you sleeping in the guest room tonight?" I asked, tugging at the bottom of my shirt instead of looking at him.

"If you wouldn't mind me staying I'd like too." It might have been better for me to go, but I wanted to stay. While I still could.

Julie:
"Yeah, of course, you can always stay," I told him, seriously. "I'll see you in the morning," I said, giving him a little wave. I walked to my room and shut the door before falling into bed.

I waited for her to go into her room before I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my face. Tonight hadn't gone at all how I wished it could have. But things seemed patched between us. I let that take solace for me as I moved into one of the guest rooms and stripped out of my clothes.

Julie:
I tossed and turned for what felt like hours until I fell asleep. After all the drama with Cody was resolved, i was left with the horror of Ryans murder. I woke up in a cold sweat after a nightmare. I wasnt sure how much time had passed but my room was pitch black.

I got up and stumbled across the hall and pushed open the door to the room Cody usually slept in. "Cody?" I called softly from the door way. It was still dark enough that i couldnt see, but I hoped he was a light enough sleeper to hear me. My hands were still shaking after the dream.

My dreams were light, but my sleep wasn't restful. I tossed and turned and even though I'd changed into something to sleep in, I ended up ditching half of it just to stay cool. So it was with a little groan that I awoke to Jules's voice. "Yeah? What's wrong?" I forced myself to roll over and sit up, rubbing at one eye as I peered towards the door with the other.

Julie:
I stepped a little further into his room. I felt silly. I wasnt a little kid who couldnt handle nightmares. But I knew if i was around him, i would feel safe. Thats just how it worked. "I cant get Ryan out of my head. I had this awful dream and-" i stopped and bit my lip. "Can I stay with you for a little bit?" I asked, softly.

I nodded and beckoned her over. “Sure, don’t mind it.” As I spoke I scooted a bit over to make room for her on the bed or under the covers. Half asleep I didn’t even consider my current state of dress or even hers. All I knew was that she needed me and this was the easiest way to make things right in her world again.

Julie:
I sighed in relief and scrambled onto the bed. I pulled the covers over and settled beside him. He didnt stay here every night, but the sheets smelled like him anyway. "Thank you," I whispered.

“Mmhmm. It’s gonna be okay. No more bad dreams.” With her now in bed beside me I laid back down and threw an arm over my eyes. Unlike the overbearing warmth I had experienced so far during the night, having her sharing the covers was a much gentler warmth and a pleasant one at that.

Julie:
I felt my breathing relax into a calmer rhythm. I squinted at him in the dark and saw his arm thrown over his eyes. The arm that was connected to a very bare chest. I turned my head back to the ceiling, swallowed hard and tried to relax. I told myself I wouldnt fall asleep in here. I was just staying until i wasnt scared anymore.

My breathing slowed further and further as the tendrils of sleep she'd broken slid over me to drag me down. It had been a long time since we shared a bed. We'd been kids. But I was too far gone to think about it or notice.

Julie:
I rolled onto my side and hugged his pillow to my chest. Without even trying, i fell asleep to the sound of his breathing.

Letting out a soft sigh I rolled to face her, an arm moving out to lay across her side. Comfortable now I didn't move until morning.

Julie:
I woke up in the morning feeling comfortable and warm. I pressed my face into whatever was giving off that wonderful smell and sighed. It only took me a second to realize what position i was in and I didnt exactly rush to move. I was wrapped around Cody with my face pressed into his neck.

At some point I was holding onto this pleasantly soft warmth. I wasn’t normally one to sleep in but I was comfortable and last night had been an exhausting experience. As such even when she stirred I did little more than mumble a protest and hold her tighter for a second.

Julie:
I heard his mumbled protest and stiffled a giggle against his shoulder. I blinked my eyes open and even though i really didnt mind the closeness, i wasnt sure how he would feel about it when he was fully awake. "Wake up sleepyhead," I whispered.

“Fine.” I groaned while releasing her. Untangling myself until I could sit up and push the covers off took me a bit as I fought through the haze of sleep and comfort. Once I was up though it didn’t take me long to shake the fog of sleep. “Morning.” I murmured to her before doing a double take. “Hm. Couldn’t sleep?” I ventured as I blinked down at her beside me.

Julie:
I sat up and looked at him in confusion. "You don't remember me coming in here last night?" I asked. In the light of day, him without a shirt was even more impressive

Taking my fingers through my short hair I tried to think back. “You came in...I remember that. But usually you leave after a bit or I’m awake enough to carry you back. Both of us must have been exhausted.” With a soft sigh I turned away and climbed out of bed revealing that I was wearing only a pair of sleeping shorts hooked low on my hips. Giving a slow stretch I hunted around for my discarded shirt. “Well either way. Good morning Jules. Sleep better here?” I turned and offered a lazy smile.