Secrets and Sins Part 2: Finding Mary

Chapter 36

~Ava~

Ava trailed her fingertips over the smooth skin of Bea's shoulders as her girlfriend slept. The sister warrior was lying on her stomach, face turned towards the Halo bearer, expression relaxed and peaceful. 

Tracing one of the numerous scars that crisscrossed Bea's body, she smiled when the taller woman mumbled softly and burrowed closer to her. The duvet falling further down the sister warrior's naked form, settling at the small of her back.

It was the wee hours of the morning now, Ava listened to the rain intensifying outside, the pattering against the windowpane increasing in volume. Sleep called to her, and the Halo bearer finally decided to give in. Nestling down closer to Bea, she brushed a feather-light kiss to her girlfriend’s forehead and, knowing they would both end up chilly later if she didn't, Ava pulled the duvet up to cover both of them.

She had just started to drift off when Bea rolled over. Ava, without opening her eyes, scooted forward and automatically slid her right arm over the other woman's waist, tangling their legs together. Settled, she let out a contented sigh, there was nowhere else she would rather be than right here, right now.

Darkness. That's all she could see, she couldn't move, couldn't speak, she was trapped in a body that refused to obey her instructions. Chest tightening, Ava tried to control the burgeoning panic within. 

"What the hell are you doing?" If Ava could have flinched at the sudden noise, she would've, at least it provided a distraction from her paralyzed state.

A murderous snarl, followed by a rapidly spoken reply in a strange language answered. A feeling of foreboding settled in Ava’s gut, what the hell was going on?

"I can't…I don't understand you." Bea! That was Bea's voice! The sister warrior's breathing was strained, like every breath was a challenge, something was wrong.

The sounds of a struggle reached her ears. Ava tried to move, to open her eyes, to do something, but she couldn't. There was a thud of bodies hitting the ground. Bea cried out in pain; Ava's blood froze. Fear for the other woman flooded the Halo bearer.

"Bea!" Ava screamed as she bolted upright, panting raggedly, her heart thundering in her chest.

"Ava…?" A gentle hand touched her trembling back, the Halo bearer jumped, still half asleep, wrenching herself away from the contact.

Her eyes briefly darted around the room, their bedroom, their apartment…home. The panic began to subside, leaving behind a mess of terror and grief. She turned towards the sister warrior, who was sitting up in the bed beside her, watching with concern, waiting for Ava to regain enough control to speak.

She couldn't help but scan the taller woman for any signs of injury, "Bea? You're okay?" Ava's voice cracked, tears starting to roll down her cheeks.

"Oh darling…come here." Bea encouraged her into a tight hug, stroking the fine hairs at the back of the Halo bearer’s neck with her fingers.

"I'm right here. I'm fine. It was just a dream. " The sister warrior soothed.

Ava buried her face into the taller woman's bare shoulder, breathing deeply, trying to calm herself, "It was so real…" She whispered after a moment.

"I know baby…come on, lie back down, breathe." 

Ava allowed herself to be maneuvered down onto the bed until she was lying pressed against her girlfriend’s chest. Bea knew how much the younger woman valued skin to skin contact, especially at times like this. Hands drew gentle circles on her back, grounding her in the present. Listening to the sister warrior's steady heartbeat, Ava’s own began to slow. She couldn't stop replaying the nightmare in her head, hearing Bea fighting for her life.