Monday 13th April 09 Who: Cassie and Jason with some Harlow and some NPC healer dude. What: Explaining what happened in her nightmare. Where: Starting at the infirmary, then.... ? When: Monday evening.
All the time that the healer was looking at her arm and asking her what happened all Cassie could think about was how the hell she was meant to tell Jason what happened. Harlow was right, she needed to tell him herself, and he needed to know she was in the infirmary, but this was not going to be pretty. It wasn’t exactly pretty in the first place, but telling him seemed almost as bad, if not worse. Cassie knew he’d be upset, and that he wouldn’t take it well. He’d already tried to avoid her to keep her safe and it happened anyway. What if he broke up with her? Left her completely in some stupid attempt to look after her? What if he went after Wolf on his own? What if, what if, what if...
The sting of the healer cleaning out the wound before he could heal it made the demon hiss in surprise and pain. Her eyes went to the girl who had stayed with her and who she owed so much to. “Please talk to me while he does this part, anything. Tell me anything, just distract me from it.” She asked Harlow. For someone who got herself hurt quite a lot Cassie wasn’t a very good patient sometimes.
---
Harlow winced as the healer cleaned up her arm and then blinked her wide eyes at the other girl. “Um sure I can do that. I like cheerleading alot, the jumping around and getting thrown around it’s way too much fun and the tiny skirts are so awesome.” She grinned and then walked to Cassie’s other side, the one without the wound and started babbling more about other random things at school. It was pointless and empty chatter but Harlow was just trying to distract her from something that probably felt like hell.
---
Jason snapped his phone shut at the text and bolted out of his room. Cassie was in the infirmary? He didn’t know much beyond that but it couldn’t be good. She’d tell him herself if it was something minor. They’d laugh it off, kiss and all would be fine. But this came from Harlow. Didn’t even say what it was. So now the dhampir was running through the halls and across the grounds to where the women were.
He arrived just in time, barreling past the attendant to see the skin on Cassie’s arm being restored to it’s proper place. Wait, what? “Cassie...” Jason panted a bit breathless, more than a little tired at this point. “What?”
---
Harlow was doing exactly what Cassie needed of her. Her laugh as she listened to the enthusiastic babble was less than the normal bright sound you’d expect from the chaos demon, but it was something other than the almost scary quiet the poor girl had been subjected to from Cassie earlier in their infirmary visit.
Someone bursting through the door was not good for her already frayed nerves, and Cassie jumped, earning both her and Jason a glare from the poor healer trying to heal her arm. “Sorry.” She muttered blankly to the healer, before she could look to Jason. “I should have made sure Harlow told you it was nothing serious.” She joked weakly. “It’s just my arm, I lost some skin from it. You didn’t need to rush.”
From next to her came a snort from the healer. “I hope she’ll tell you how that managed to happen in the library, because I got nothing.” He said, giving the demon a look as he wrapped up all his rubbish and walked away, leaving the kids alone as Cassie uttered a soft sorry and thank you, slipping off the bed she was sitting on.
---
Harlow winced when she realized she probably should have told Jason it wasn’t life threatening...but she did have a tendency to forget to add that stuff. She looked as guilty as she felt when she saw the distress on Jason’s face. “Sorry I...I should have explained a little.” The blonde twisted her pigtail around her finger and then looked at the two of them for a second, seeing and feeling the bond between them. It made Harlow smile because she didn’t love like that very often.
The little blonde looked at the healer and then back at Jason because obviously he would know exactly how Cassie got hurt just sitting in the library. She would stay if Cassie needed her to but she was pretty sure the demon could handle her overtired boyfriend on her own.
---
Jason dropped into a seat, staring at her now-healed arm. “No,” he shook his head in denial. “No, he didn’t. Couldn’t, because you didn’t sleep without the dream catcher, right?” He raised his eyes to hers, begging for an answer. One that didn’t involve his nightmare coming to her.
---
If only Cassie had seen that smile and known why it was there from Harlow. She could do with just concentrating on that, but she was distracted. It took effort to not avoid Jason’s eyes as she answered his worries. “I was studying in the library.... I really didn’t intend to fall asleep.... I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to have to worry more.” She apologised, tears forming in her eyes. “I should have taken someone with me.”
--- Harlow bit her lip and picked at a loose string on the strap of her bag. This wasn’t a conversation she needed to be listening to but she hated Cassie being so upset. “Cassie, Jason’s just worried not angry with you.” Harlow went blank for a second as she saw something in the future that had to do with Cassie and Jason. She shook her head because she did not want to see it ,once was enough, but she did say one thing. “Wolf keeps changing his plans, he’s crazy and it’s hard to see what will happen when someone is like that....but it will be soon.” She winced at Jason and then hugged Cassie. “You need to wear a dreamcatcher I think, just in case.” She said softly and then motioned to the door. “I think I should go and let you two talk.”
---
Jason nodded to Harlow. “Thank you. For being there. I don’t know what part you played in it, but you obviously got her here. So thank you.” Harlow was right. Jason wasn’t upset with his girlfriend. He was upset that there was nothing he could do to protect her. No. Even that was a lie. There was something he could do. Something he would do. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, not wanting either empath to pick up on his thought process. Once under control, he stood and moved over to Cassie, gathering her in his arms.
---
Cassie did not need telling that the guy who had just made her dreams into a nightmare was crazy, but she shivered a little at Harlow telling them that he was going to try something big soon. He was bad enough in her dreams, in Jason’s dreams, what would he do in person if he could get to them? She was a little tense as she hugged the blonde back. “Thank you Harlow. I know I keep saying it but... I really owe you for waking me up.” She said softly, even giving a small but weak smile. “I’ll talk to someone about the dreamcatcher.”
She would let Harlow go, it wasn’t fair to tie her up in any more of this or make her watch Cassie and Jason talk about this, or to Jason to have to share it unless he wanted to. She would have told her that, said goodbye, but suddenly her boyfriend was there. Just like she had been with Harlow, Cassie was tense at first, but after a couple of seconds she relaxed slightly, crying very softly against his chest. This was real. Everything in that dream... it was just the horrible thoughts of a very sick man, but this was real. Jason was real, and she was safe in his arms where he would never hurt her.
--- Harlow nodded at Jason and shrugged. “I just woke her up when I found her but it’s good that I did.” She said softly and then smiled at the both of them, before heading out the door and texting her brother warning him she was coming over whether he wanted her to or not and that he had better be clothed.
---
Jason held her close, stroking her hair and rubbing her back, just letting her cry. She’d been dealing with him these past couple weeks. It was past time he returned the favor. “When this is all over, we’re going somewhere. Just you and me.” They deserved a break after this mess. He kissed the top of her head, sitting on the bed next to her and tugging her into his lap so he could hold her closer.
---
There was a chance that, had things not been so rough recently and they weren’t all dealing with sleep deprivation on top of everything else, Cassie would have handled this a bit better, maybe even with her own brand of joking and brushing it off as just dreams. That wasn’t the case though. She was tired, and emotional, and she needed these few minutes of someone looking after her and letting her cry. She just wished Jason wasn’t having to be strong for her when he had even more to deal with.
Listening to his words, she laughed softly and let him move her into his lap. “As much like a line from a film that sounds... it sounds nice.” She nodded, tilting her head up to kiss him. Of course in films when people said something like that one of them normally died so they could show the other going to the place alone, and that was a less comforting thought, bringing Cassie back down. “How did you cope with having him in your dreams? If Harlow hadn’t woken me up.... It’s amazing you’re still so strong. I love you.”
---
“I love you, too, Cassie.” Jason held her as she cried, rocking them both even as he started working out how he was going to end this. “I didn’t cope. I just...I dunno.” He couldn’t even describe what happened, why he did what he did when Wolf raped his mind. That’s what it was. Rape. They could dress it up as pretty as they pleased, but Wolf was violating Jason in a very intimate way. And now he had raped Cassie. The bastard was going to die.
---
It was probably a good thing Jason didn’t use that word out loud right now. Cassie might not have dealt so well with it, especially considering what that bastard was making the Fox in her dream do before Harlow woke her from it... Right now she could tell herself it was just a dream and nothing had really happened, but if she stopped to think about all the real ways he had violated her.... it was best she pushed that all away right now. “Whenever that man is gone from our lives it won’t be a moment too soon.” Cassie shivered. “Not that I’m telling you to go after him. You’re not ready.” She warned him, tilting her head up again to fix him with a look. She was worried about Charlie and Candi too, but she really hoped they were ready and organised soon, because she wasn’t sure she’d ever sleep again knowing Wolf was out there.
---
Jason wasn’t going to tell her what he had in mind. Going off that look she just gave him, she’d slit him from navel to nose in retaliation. “Just make sure you always have a dream catcher and someone to watch you from now on, okay?” At this point, he didn’t care if she slept over with Fox every night if he would keep her safe.
---
Maybe not quite in that fashion, after all there were some very pretty things that would be ruined if she did that, but yes, the chances were that whatever he was thinking was something she wouldn’t be happy about. “And you’re going to do the same, right?” It might be time to let Charlie watch over her at night like he wanted, switch between people so they didn’t get landed with her all the time.
Taking a deep breath, Cassie wriggled away just enough to feel comfortable bringing this next part up in case it went where it probably needed to go. “We both know Wolf is going to try and use what he did to me to make you do something stupid, but when he shows you.... I need you not to go mad and do exactly that. Don’t let him win because of me....”
---
“Yeah. I’ve been doing the same.” Mostly because Candi kept running into him and using that Alpha power of hers to make him sleep. Still, it was nice to know that she would wake him. Had done so a few times already. Hearing what Cassie said, Jason froze. “What did he do?”
---
Cassie rubbed her hands over face, looking down at the bed and picking at a loose thread as she started to speak. “I guess it’s probably better if you know before he shows you it...” Because she assumed the dreamwalker would since he had told her so. With a sigh she lifted her gaze, but couldn’t meet his, instead looking over his shoulder or around her, anywhere but into her boyfriend’s eyes. “At first he was just trying to wind me up. There were dream versions of you and Fox and he was making them fawn over him, bit Fox... He was taunting me by saying he’d have you running to him if kept up his dreams. Then I guess he started getting to his point, that’s where the ripping the skin off my arm came in....” So far it was ok to talk about. It wasn’t a pleasant memory, but she could tell him about it without reacting too much...
“I guess he didn’t get a good enough reaction.” She laughed bleakly, her eyes going back to the bed and the loose thread. “I was being stubborn and he’d moved the dream to some cave with other vampires around. You and Fox were naked, and.... he made my clothes go too... but I was still refusing to beg him, so...” Cassie took a second, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
---
Jason could feel his coyote rushing to the surface, staying just below, out of sight and only from the force of his will. “You don’t have to tell me the rest,” he gritted out. Cassie didn’t need to force herself to say this. It was obvious just how hard it was on her. He rubbed her back and kissed her temple. Trying to be supportive.
---
“No, he didn’t! I mean he was going to. He told Fox to and there were hands holding me and he was trying to get me to open my legs and I was pleading, but Harlow woke me up.” Cassie reassured him, although it all came out in a very fast babble so she didn’t have to think, and there were tears in her eyes as she looked up at him. She didn’t want him thinking of that when he saw her or thinking worse had happened than had really had time to happen.
---
“Oh baby,” Jason whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead and holding her to him. “I’m so sorry.” It was only the knowledge that it was a dream that was going to be allowing Fox to keep his manhood attached. But Wolf? His was forfeit. “I’m so sorry.”
---
“It’s just a dream.” She whispered back, but even that broke a little as she let him hold her, her own eyes shut. “It didn’t happen, and it was only a dream and you don’t have any reason to be sorry.” Cassie insisted. “I don’t think he liked me defying him.” She laughed emptily again, although it turned into a sort of sob at the end, which she cut off. “Just don’t leave me.”
---
Jason sighed. He loved that she was so forgiving of him. After all, he was the one who brought Wolf to her doorstep, to her mind. As far as he could see, her pain was his fault. “No, he doesn’t like people going against him. You’ve got that right.” He stroked her hair, holding her tightly. “I won’t. I won’t leave you. Just promise me you won’t give in to him.”
---
The idea of him leaving her, whether because he wanted to protect her or another reason was something she couldn't handle right now. She needed his arms to feel safe, so she was relieved when he said he wouldn't leave her. As for what he asked of her? "Have you met me? I don't do anything I don't want to do if I can help it" Cassie joked weakly, looking up at him.
---
Jason smiled, trying to soothe her. “Yeah. I know. Just don’t let him get the best of you. I promise I’m gonna take care of this.” He kissed her forehead again, running his hand down her newly healed arm. “Oh baby.” He choked off the sound, moving to brush apologetic lips over her arm.
---
“That’s what worries me.” She admitted. “I don’t want you doing something stupid or getting hurt even more. You’re barely sleeping, you aren’t safe to go up against him.” Yes Cassie was pleading her case, she was worried. “I’m healed, and everything else... it was just a dream. None of it was your fault and I’d do it all again to keep you safe.” Stupid? Maybe. “He’s done worse to you, and that was only dreams. You’re too vulnerable at the moment. We just need time. Better dreamcatchers. Something. We can’t let him win.”
---
“He won’t win. He won’t.” Jason gave Cassie another hug then pulled back. “We should probably head out of the infirmary. Do you wanna get something to eat?” They could stop by the cafeteria on their way back to the dorms. Cassie could sleep and he’d watch her.
---
Cassie sighed and nodded, wriggling away to stand up. “I guess we probably should. Leave the place to the actual sick people.” She agreed, holding her hands out to him with a small smile. “Coffee would be good right about now. Hot coffee, and a hot boyfriend. Sounds perfect.”
---
Jason followed her up to his feet, grasping her hands and tucking her into his side. He was feeling protective right now, so he was loathe to let he go. “No coffee. Food. And then since you’re so tired, you’re coming back to my room to sleep. No arguments.”
---
The demon was fine with his reluctance to let her go. She felt safe against his side anyway, as evidenced by the way she relaxed there, head resting on him. What she wasn’t so sure about was the no coffee rule. Tilting her head back she gave him a look that looked lost. “No coffee? What is this... no coffee thing?” Cassie joked, pouting, but ruining it with a laugh. “I don’t need to sleep, I got sleep when Candi was watching us yesterday and a nap already today. It’s you who needs to sleep.”
---
“Sleep where Wolf invades your mind isn’t sleep. It’s...something else.” Yeah, Jason’s mind was slowly going from lack of sleep. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d caught more than an hour at a time. A full eight hours seemed like a myth to him now.
---
“All the more reason it’s you who needs the sleep more. I’ve had safe sleep, and just this one dream, you’ve barely had anything safe.” She argued. “Either we both sleep and find someone else to watch, or you’re sleeping first and I get my coffee.”
---
Jason huffed and frowned down at Cassie. “You can be damned annoying when you wanna be. You know that?” Rolling his eyes, he nodded, giving in. “Fine. Do you know someone who can watch?” He didn’t want to sleep without her next to him.
---
Jason’s reaction made her laugh again, something more genuine and less broken than before. “Where would be the fun in me giving in to every little thing? I have to fight back to make it more fun when I do let you do whatever you want.” Cassie pointed out. “Charlie would probably watch, although it may mean him finding out about the dream, which is a whole new drama. Mal might? Umm... Candi? Can you think of anyone else?”
---
Jason shook his head. “No. Who do you think would be readily available? We need dinner and then sleep.” He wasn’t even thinking about classes just now. Hadn’t been thinking about it for awhile. This was more important.
---
Cassie was done with classes anyway, so she was fine to go and get some sleep with someone to keep them safe. “Well Candi and Charlie are the two on campus, and they don’t really need much sleep given their race.” She reasoned. “I might be able to catch the cook in the kitchen too, I think he does stuff like dreamcatchers, he might have some ideas for jewellery or something we can both keep on us. As for the sleep... it’s up to you where you’d rather be. Maybe they can switch off.”
---
“The cook?” Jason didn’t know who she was talking about for a moment. “Oh! Bastian? Yeah, Candi was telling me about him.” Maybe dream catchers they could wear wasn’t such a bad idea.
---
“Bastian.” She confirmed with a nod. “He seems nice. I’ve talked to him before, and it can’t hurt to ask... we need all the protection we can get.” Cassie sighed. Sometimes optimism was all you had, so they may as well work with it. “Can we get the food to go? I really don’t feel like being around people right now.”
---
Jason nodded. “Sure babe. Since Bastian works in the cafeteria, wanna see if we can talk to him there? Or maybe someone will know where to find him.” Keeping his arm around Cassie, he led her out of the infirmary and towards the cafeteria so they could find a quick meal.
---
“Sure” It was a sensible option. Maybe Jason could get the food while she talked to Bastian or something, speed it all up a little more. They still had to ask someone to watch them, eat, maybe explain some stuff before they could sleep... or try to sleep. Cassie wasn’t so sure she’d be so successful in sleeping after her little ‘nap’ in the library. So off they went, the demon relaxed against Jason’s side again and with a plan in mind. Now if only she was allowed coffee things would be looking up even more.