Just-A-Stick

She shivered with delight, a smile appearing on her face.

Okay. She sighed and laid her head back on his chest.

She kissed him back. It's fine... I'm not really thinking about it, to be honest. She blushed softly.

You care about me, you hold me, I can talk to you, you let me help you, you understand, you have a good heart, a kind spirit, a beautiful smile... You haven't left yet. You love me. You... you treat me like... I deserve to feel good. The answers came immediately, swirling from her mind and into his, pushing back the shadows. You aren't like Morgan, or my father. You are so much more. Thank you...

Good. She smiles, wiping her eyes.

Yes. I love you. I want you with me. Always, remember?

Forever... I'll never stop wanting you. She smiled through her tears.

Rex nodded as tears found their way down her face again. I... I love you. Please, just stay with me... She closed her eyes.

"Don't talk like that. I'd... I'd be dead without you." A thought rose unbidden through the connection. I sometimes wish that had happened... I could just stop...

"Daniel. I forgave you. It's in the past now... right?" She looked at him carefully.

"I'm sure you don't like being scared." She says.

"You don't have to be more. I love you. Just like this." She smiled softly at him, continuing to rub his back.

"Shh... It's alright. Does Jared do that a lot?" Iris sooths her gently.

"Shh... Just take some deep breaths." She whispered soothingly, rubbing his back with one hand. "It'll be ok."

Shh... yes you do, it's okay... You just... don't realize it yet. She brushed her thumb against his cheek, looking into his eyes.

"We can talk about why you called me." Iris says with a gentle smile.

She smiled and kissed him gently back. You deserve it.

"See, now, that's the thing... I have to keep it a secret, otherwise I could lose my job and I couldn't help anymore people!" Iris says. "I have an idea of what we could talk about, if you want..."

She looked at him, a confused look on her face. For what?

Thank you. She kissed his cheek, resting in his embrace.

Iris shuts the door to their office. "What would you like to talk about?" She asks Isa

I do need you. I hope... I want you to remember that... if there is a next time. She wrapped her arms around him.

"Jared, there is an empty office next to this one, if you want." She offers with a smile

She opened her eyes. Thank you... thank you so, so much. I need you. I love you.