Ellette’s eyes flew open and she sat up with a gasp. She pulled her knees to her chin and sat wide eyed, trying to shake the last lingering hints of her terror, the desperate struggle. Twice now, she’d drowned. This time, though, she wasn’t waking from one reality to the next. This time, it really was only a dream. The transition from dream to waking was still jolting, but not painful, not... like it was the night before. She was warm, comfortable even, despite the way she trembled in memory of it.

The familiar sounds of music piping through battered old speakers and Rand clattering around in the kitchen was comforting. She glanced over the back of the couch, catching sight of his dark form as he unloaded the groceries.

She shivered one last time, and adjusted her robe before slipping her feet into her worn slippers. Still shaky from her disturbingly vivid dream, she knew retreating into herself wouldn’t help. She made her way to the little counter and pulled up a stool, watching Rand put the last few items away.

“You rest?” he asked, back turned to her as he evaluated the contents of the cabinet.

“Yes and no,” she muttered.

“Dreams?” His tone was carefully disinterested.

“Not that kind...” she answered vaguely. “Nothing to worry about,” she clarified. “Just restless.”

He turned, a can in hand. His gaze met hers, and she glanced away quickly. He wasn’t buying it. “So. What should I fix?” he asked lightly. “Curry? Pasta in a tomato sauce?”

She smiled. “Pasta. I hope you bought some sausage.” She rested her chin on her arms which were folded along the counter.

“Not the Italian kind like you like, just some turkey linguica,” he said, reaching back into the pantry. “If you’re still tired, go lay down.”

“I’m okay,” she replied, not daring to chance the places her sleeping mind would take her. “Let the smell of your cooking bring me back around,” she said, not bothering to raise her head. The clatter of the pots and pans, the click of the gas lighting followed by the warmth filling the tiny kitchen soothed her. She sighed, wishing to be nowhere else, thankful he’d stayed home to keep her company.