chasing demons. ***completed***

#6 Emma

they made it back to Mary and Kevin's and Mary pulled out the wine bottle and two glasses. Emma watched as Kevin popped open three bottles of beer knowing what Emma would do. Mary began toasting Emma on knocking Paul to the floor and the more she drank the less she realized Emma was dumping her wine into her glass. they were all laughing and enjoying the night as Emma drank beer after beer. Mary was the first to acknowledge she was drunk. she drank two bottles of wine and her and Kevin retreated to their bedroom. " those two have been together since high school and they still act like newly weds."

" he talked about her a lot over there. I could tell he really loves her. so I'm impressed with that swing. your dad taught you well. your form was perfect."

" well it was probably easier to get him while he was drunk but my dad definitely taught me how to throw a punch. although truthfully it did hurt a little but I would never let Paul know that."

" what's his deal anyways? you two dated before?" Emma pierced her lips together at the question.

" his deal is he wants more and no matter how many times I tell him no he doesn't give up. he has never acted like that before. I don't think any man has ever grabbed me like that before." Emma shrugged her shoulders at the thought. " my parents never laid a hand on me and I sure as hell won't ever let a man either. he'll get over it." Dan looked away and she could tell he was trying to hide his smirk. " I see you smiling and trying to hide it. it's ok to show your softer side."

she heard him give a little chuckle and watched as he grabbed his beer taking another gulp from it. she started cleaning up the bottles from the floor and rose to her feet. she stumbled a little as she did. he reached out helping her steady herself. " you ok?"

" yeah, just one too many beers and I'm definitely going to pay for it in the morning. I'm gonna clean up a little then put my drunk ass to bed." she grabbed some more bottles from the floor carrying them to the kitchen Dan was right behind her with the rest of the mess they had made. " what room are you in?"

" I guess the one right across from you." she gave him a genuine smile. she really liked him.

" thank you for helping. I should try and make it up those damn stairs. see you in the morning?" he stayed close to her side helping her up the stairs and into her room. Emma wished he didn't leave but just smiled. " goodnight Captain Dan. " he slowly shut the door and disappeared. she took her clothes off and pulled on shorts and a tank top to sleep in. as soon as she hit the bed she was out. light blue eyes prancing in her dreams.

Emma woke up abruptly. she looked at the clock. 3 am. what was that noise? she heard it again and crept to her door to listen. she could hear Dan thrashing around wildly and then he screamed out. a nightmare. she rushed into his room as she watched him thrashing about. she ran to his side trying to wake him up. she felt his arms wrap around her pulling her close to him as he held on like she was his lifeline. she wasn't sure what to do so she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. " shhhhh, it's ok. it's going to be ok. it was just a nightmare. I'm here now." she heard him let out a moan as he continued to hold her close. she didn't even realize she had drifted off to sleep her arms still wrapped around him.

the next morning the sun was high in the sky and the room was warning up. her eyes slowly fluttered open and she felt strong arms wrapped around her body and someone heavy behind her wrapped all around her torso. she remembered the nightmare and Dan pulling her in. she opened up wide as she realized she was in his bed with him snuggling with a man she just met. she went to move off the bed but his arms went tighter around her and she couldn't get up without waking him up. crap! she thought to herself. how was she going to get out of this? she felt him stirring behind her as he moved closer to her. she felt something hard against her back. her eyes went wider as she realized what it was! " oh f**k!" she whispered.

she felt his breath on her neck as he let out a soft moan. then he stiffened behind her and sat up with a jolt. " oh my God! am I in your room?" she watched as he looked around confused.

she sat up and slowly got off his bed. " ummm no," her face turned red with embarrassment. " you were having a nightmare and I tried waking you up." she cleared her throat. she was completely embarrassed and she was sure her face looked like a tomato. " ummm, you grabbed me and pulled me onto the bed but didn't wake up. I must have fell asleep. I'm.... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep. you just seemed more peaceful and i..." she didn't know what to say. " I better get back to my room."

" no wait." Emma stopped at the door. she had just become painfully aware that her ass was hanging out of her shorts and she had no bra on. " please don't go. I won't do anything I promise." she watched as he threw his hands up in the air. " thank you. it's been a long time since I have been able to sleep through the night." she smiled at him." I'm sorry you had to do that."

"it wasn't the worst thing ever. sleeping with a man who didn't expect s*x. " she grinned sheepishly at Dan. " you snuggle pretty well for a man who isn't relationship material. since I'm sleeping here all weekend maybe if I hear you again I will come back." she watched as his mouth dropped. she had to turn away because looking at his shirtless chest was causing her to be aroused. his body was perfectly chiseled like a Viking. and if she was honest from what she felt behind her poking her back he was definitely well endowed. as she was walking g out of the room she could barely hear him whisper.

" I would like that." then she closed the door. Mary and Kevin were already downstairs. she decided to take a shower in the guest bathroom before heading down to help with breakfast. she turned on the hot water and adjusted the temp. she peeled her clothes off and let the hot water sooth her muscles. she could feel the stress melt away. if she were honest she would like that too. she liked him but she kept reminding herself he was only here temporarily. he was just passing through. nothing real would ever come of it. after scrubbing her body she turned off the water and stepped out to grab her towel.

the door opened and closed and she looked up just in time to see Dan stop still. she was completely naked and his mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide as she snatched the towel quickly. she watched as he turned around trying to open the door but it was stuck shut again and he leaned against the door almost in a panic. " it's ok I'm covered. let me help you with the door."

" I'm so sorry I didn't realize you were in here!" there was panic in his voice.

" considering you have been deployed and bullets and bombs going off around you I'm pretty sure walking in on me naked isn't the scariest moment of your life. And if it is then I need to work out some more." she walked over to him and reached her arm around him to the door. she could feel his muscles under the towel. " the door is tricky. sometimes it doesn't want to open. you have to jiggle it to the left then turn right and it pops open like this." she smirked as his face turned a light shade of pink. " it's ok Casanova. I'm going to go get dressed then meet you downstairs for breakfast." he just shook his head not meeting her eyes. yup she definitely made him speechless. that could be a good or bad thing. one thing was sure she was going to thoroughly enjoy torturing him. she threw on a pair of her good panties. she usually just wore whatever but today seemed like a good time to put on matching lacey bra and panties. she was definitely pining for a man that was completely unavailable. she pulled on a pair of jeans and a tank top that showed off just a little cleavage. she slipped on her flats and made her way downstairs pulling her hair into a loose bun. " hey Mary hey mister rogers. whats for breakfast?"

" bacon and eggs and waffles. what are you doing today?" Mary looked at Emma with that mischievous look she always got when she was about to try to meddle in her love life.

" no Mary. " she watched as kevin started laughing and Mary threw her hands up like she was innocent. " besides after breaking Paul's nose I may have to swear off men. I'm gonna head over to the town square and see what activities they have going on. did you guys want to go?"

Kevin looked at Emma with a loving look on his face. " I think Mary and I were gonna head over to our spot to have a little picnic. would it be ok if Dan hung out with you and you showed him around? I kind of miss my wife." Emma smiled at the two. she couldn't help but feel a little pang of jealousy. she thought she had that with Rory. these two, these two were real.

" umm sure. when he comes down I will ask if he wants to go with me. might be nice having him around in case Paul shows up again. that way I have a witness to why I have to beat his ass down again if he tries anything more " Emma grabbed a piece of bacon and shoved it in her mouth as the three began laughing. Dan came into the kitchen as everyone was laughing.

" what is going on in here?" he looked like he was about to have a panic attack.

" we were just talking about Mary and Kevin here going on a picnic and I was gonna see if you wanted to go with me to the start of the festival activities and see what they have. you can be my witness if I have to beat Paul's ass again. " he gave a small chuckle.

" sounds fun. I'm in."

" oh and don't worry. I haven't told them yet about you seeing me naked." Emma got up from the kitchen stool and ran up the stairs to grab her purse as he choked on his waffle.