A New York Secret

Chapter Seventy-Four

Two months quickly turned into four. It was currently just after two in the morning and Emily tossed in her bed, wrapped in the blankets. Tears ran down her cheeks in her sleep as she fought her greatest demon.

James heard Emily tossing and turning again, knowing her dreams were turning dark. He quietly got up from his little bed in the living room and walked into her bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently rubbed her back in the way he had learned was good at soothing her.

With a jolt, Emily woke. Her breathing was heavy, gasping, until she felt the familiar heavy hand from James against her back. "James?" She croaked. Her mouth was dry.

James handed Emily the bottle of water from the nightstand. "I heard you tossing and came to see if you were alright."

She took it from him as she propped up on her elbow and took a long drink. "I'm... I don't know anymore." Emily closed the bottle back and gave it back to James as she moved to lay on her back. "I don't know why I keep having the same awful dream."

"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked, willing to listen.

"I just... I relive it all over again in different ways," she answered quietly, staring at the ceiling. "I watch him leave over and over again."

"I know it's hard, but maybe it's better to focus on who's still here." James said in a soft tone.

Emily looked over at James and gave him a tired smile. "If that's a pickup line, that's the cheesiest I have ever heard," she teased.

"No, not a pickup line. I never really needed to use them." James chuckled. "I was referring to focusing on friends instead of the past."

She reached out to rest her hand on his as he moved to rest his hand on her arm, thankful for his comfort. "I'm trying. The nightmares come from nowhere. At least I didn't scream this time."

"I hope that means it's starting to get better. You need to get some sleep if you're going to Mary's appointment with her." James pointed out.

Emily sighed softly as a reluctant thought came to her mind. She warred with it for a few moments before relenting. "James... will you lay with me?" She whispered.

"I can if you'd like." James agreed. He waited for her to scoot over, then he laid on the bed next to her.

"Thank you," she said softly. "It feels better... when I'm not so alone."

"I will stay while you fall asleep, if that would help." James offered.

Emily nodded as she turned to lay on her side and face him. She gave him another soft smile in the dark, even though he'd hardly be able to see her face. "Thank you... again," she whispered softly.

James wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head in a comforting gesture. "Get some sleep."

The warmth that ran through Emily was something she hadn't felt in months, but it felt like a lifetime. She smiled as she curled into his embrace, her forehead against his chest as she slowly fell back asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

Steve woke up with his alarm. He sat up and yawned before he stretched his arms above his head and popped his back. Turning, he saw that Mary was still asleep, and decided to let her sleep in a little while he fixed the apartment coffee.

When he walked into the living room, Steve quickly noticed that Bucky wasn't where he usually slept, which made his brows furrow in confusion. He hadn't heard anything during the night, so he knew nothing had happened. That's when he noticed Emily's bedroom door was slightly ajar.