Katarina woke the next morning warm and comfortable, and then she remembered what happened. She was slightly disoriented when she felt someone beneath her and a heart beating right under her ear. Her eyes snapped open and she looked up to see Brian's face. It was he whom she was lying on so comfortably. She felt gratitude for the man as she watched him sleeping peacefully. Then she paid attention to her own body. The intense pain from the previous night had gone down immensely. She only felt a slight discomfort. Her private area also didn't feel like it had the night before, she was very glad she no longer ached in pain there. Katarina stretched sleepily then nestled her head back down on Brian's chest. Brian woke then and brushed his fingers along her cheek. She looked up at him with her soulful blue eyes that melted his heart.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
"Much better, thank you for staying with me." She said and broke eye contact, blushing a little.
"It was the least I could do." He said softly.
They both just laid there. Neither wanting to break the physical contact that brought such comfort to them both. But Brian knew he should go, even though he didn't want to.
"I should let you rest in your own bed." He said while sitting up and bringing her up with him. Katarina nodded and Brian picked her up and carried her to her bed. It was then that she noticed that he had redressed her in comfortable clothes, and that she wasn't wearing a bra anymore. She blushed furiously and tried to hide it. Brian noticed and apologized. "I took the liberty of making you more comfortable. I didn't think that sleeping in your good clothes was very comfortable and I didn't want anything else to add to your discomfort."
"It's all right. Thank you for being so nice to me." She said softly.
He set her down on her bed and his arms lingered around her for a moment longer than was necessary. He placed a slip of paper with his name and number on her bedside table. "In case you ever need anything." He said. "I am glad that you feel better, your injuries are very small and will heal quickly." He paused in the doorway of her room. He inclined his head to her in a small bow then let himself out.
....
Over the next few days Katarina healed. Physically she was almost back to normal. But mentally she was still a little unsteady. Almost every night she had nightmares that had her waking in a cold sweat and tears in her eyes. After a few days of this and her friends and coworkers asking if anything was wrong she decided call Brian.
"Brian? It's Katarina." She said when he answered.
"Katarina hello!" He said; glad to hear her voice again.
"I was wondering if I could see you sometime." She said meekly.
"Of course." He could tell by her voice that she was troubled but decided not to pursue the issue over the phone. They set when they were going to meet then hung up.
Brian picked her up at her house the next evening. He took her to a nice quiet restaurant where they talked about everything except what was wrong. When they were leaving Brian took her hand and asked quietly. "Katarina there is something bothering you. Would you like to tell me?"
Katarina nodded and looked up at him sadly.
Brian squeezed her hand. "I'll take you home."
When they got back to her house Brian waited patiently in the living room while she changed out of her dress into comfortable clothes. Then she came in and sat opposite him. She just sat there for a moment, looking down at her tightly clasped hands.
"Katarina, tell me what is wrong." Brian said, even though he knew.
"Ever since....that night a few days ago." Katarina began shakily. "I haven't been right since. I'm constantly thinking about it, and I have nightmares every night. I feel like I've been shattered on the inside." Then she began to cry.
Brian quickly went to her side and gathered her in his lap. "You have been shattered, little bird. That's what he wanted to do. Shatter your will and possess you. But he didn't possess you and the pieces can be put back together. You feel like you can never trust again and you'll never be yourself again. You feel that because of what he did to you the things that made you, you have been torn away, leaving jagged little fragments of who you used to be." He tilted her head back and looked into her eyes as if he was seeing into her very soul. He saw her realize what he was saying as the tears began to slowly trickle down her cheeks. He gently wiped them away and cradled her. "Oh sweet little bird, you may feel broken but those pieces can be put back together again. Will you trust me and let me help you heal?"
She looked up at him with her soulful eyes and he saw the faintest change in them. "I can try?" She said softly.
He pulled her close so her head was resting on his chest and he rested his cheek against the top of her head.
"Trying is very good. Trust me Katarina, and I promise that you will never be hurt like that again. I will protect you."
Katarina lifted her head to look at him and saw his promise and love that he could not hide reflected in his eyes. "Ok. What happens now?"
He thought for a brief second then smiled.
"How about a movie? You choose, and I'll go make us some tea."
Katarina smiled and went to choose a movie as he went to make the tea.
"What are we watching?" He asked as he came back with two mugs of tea.
"The Phantom of the Opera." She said with a smile and settled into the couch.
