Flipping on the television, Alec found a show the two had watched together back in college. "You still like this one, Els?" She'd nodded with a small smile before taking up one corner of the couch and curling up with a grimace. That position had to hurt her ribs, but it was one she always took when tired. "You can't sleep yet, darlin'. I don't know if you have a concussion or not, so we need to make sure you stay awake awhile." He scooted over next to her. "Come on. No curling up in the corner tonight." She sat up, leaning back slowly against the couch.
"Do you want some Tylenol?"
"No. It's fine."
Alec smiled to himself and tried to force himself to relax. He was still keyed up from the night's events, but he didn't want Ellie to feel any worse than she already did, so he tried to present an easy-going and caring front to cover his rage and dismay at the situation. He had called his boss in the car while driving over, though he'd glossed over how hurt Ellie had been since he didn't want to chance taking her to a hospital. One of his work buddies had texted him later saying that while the alley in question had shown signs of the struggle, the attackers had escaped. The Chief had said he could wait until the next day to come in with the knife and make a statement, and that he could take some files and work mostly from the apartment.
For tonight though, he just needed to get Ellie to relax yet stay awake so he could keep monitoring her for signs of a concussion. That meant relaxing himself. He glanced down at her, but her eyelids were drooping.
"Hey, darlin'. You've got to stay awake." He gently slid an arm around her, pulling her toward him as carefully as possible. "C'mon, Els. Stay awake for me."
She shook her head clear and tried to focus on the television, but it was late and the day had been stressful. Alec started rubbing her arm, trying to keep her awake but it felt so soothing that it made her still sleepier. She nuzzled into his chest, too tired to care that they shouldn't be snuggling and too sore to want to move from that position.
Alec gave up. She had thrown up, but other than that she seemed tired rather than concussed. He glanced at his phone; it was nearly three-thirty. No wonder she was so tired. He continued rubbing her arm. Though she was sleeping now, the action relaxed him. Feeling her softness against his chest and under his hands gave him certainty that she was safe. He traced her arm with his fingertips as unbidden, the image of the scars on her back came to mind. Taking a deep breath, he tried to dampen his rage, but he couldn't release his tension. Even though she was here and safe, she had been harmed, probably in ways far worse than a physical whipping. Just the thought of anyone doing that to her set off a boiling sensation in his veins. He needed some way—any way—to channel this anger. He couldn't let her see him this upset.
He leaned down and softly kissed her hair. The action mollified him slightly. She was here now; that was the important thing. However, until the man who did this was behind bars—or dead would be fine too—he couldn't fully relax. He tuned back to the sitcom, trying to distract himself. It half worked, but the real distraction was the girl in his arms. After another episode, it was time for bed, so he awakened Ellie, asked her some basic questions to see how she was functioning, and helped her to her room and to the bed. After closing the door on his way out, he listened for a few minutes, and, hearing nothing but her even breathing, made his way to his own bed.
*****
This time whimpers brought him out of his slumber. Though he was glad she wasn't screaming this night, he wished she weren't having nightmares at all as he hurried to her room. Opening the door, he rushed over to the bed, where Ellie had tangled herself in the sheets.
"Els. Darlin' wake up. You're dreaming." He lightly shook her, rubbing her arm and forehead to try to wake her up, but she was solidly asleep.
"Come on, dear. Wake up." Now he crawled into the bed alongside her. The jostling woke her and she rolled toward him, reaching out for comfort. "Hey. I'm here, ok?" he said as soothingly as he could.
"Can you stay awhile? I'm afraid they'll come back for me," she whispered.
"I'll be here as long as you need me, Els. No one will find you here, I swear." He stayed on his back and she lay next to him with her head resting on his shoulder. It was her favorite position for snuggling, he recalled. With one hand, he played with her hair, hoping the action would help lull her back to sleep. The other hand held hers against his chest, and both were asleep within minutes.
*****
The next morning, Alec went to work as planned. Ellie had been sleeping peacefully when he left bright and early, so he hoped to finish and return before noon so that she wouldn't have to spend much time alone. Everything went as planned, and he returned to a suspiciously silent apartment. He figured Ellie would have awakened by then, so he strode to her room and knocked lightly. When he heard nothing, he opened the door.
Ellie was lying prone on her bed, and her shoulders were shaking in silent sobs.
"Oh honey," he stated softly.
She heard and rolled over. "I'm sorry," she stammered. "I just...I thought I was dreaming but everything really did happen and I woke up and it all came back." She sat up, wiping at her face as silent tears continued to stream out of her eyes.
Alec sat himself on the foot of the bed, sitting cross-legged and facing her. "Do you want to tell me about everything?"
She shook her head, but before he could protest, she continued, "I don't want to, but I suppose I should. Gosh, where do I start?"
After a quick pause, she started on the tale.
*****
Mendon was incensed. His men had had her, and somehow she'd gotten away again. He'd called hospitals searching for his "sister Ellie," but no one bearing her description had been admitted. It seemed she had a helper from the story his guys told. Perhaps the man who had so easily beaten them could also take care of the girl?
The boss was livid. Mendon had made that call himself, knowing he'd need to deliver those words himself because Davidson would have killed the others immediately. He always killed first and asked questions later. Except with the girl. If only Mendon had permission to throttle her, he would. That would solve all their problems, really. Davidson had countless whores as well as numerous women after him. Yet this inconsequential, insipient female was the one he wanted enough to keep alive despite her escape and the disappearance of the ledger.
