The Protection Program

TPP : Chapter L

Nightmares was all she had, she would fall asleep, have a nightmare, wake up, go back to sleep, repeat. They were vivid and real, she felt like she was awake in the nightmares but it was all a dream. At times like this, Being wrapped in Aubrey's arms sounded like heaven on earth.

She wrapped her arms around herself to try and make the lonely feeling go away but that helped none. It only made her crave him more, the feel of his strong arms, his smooth, soft, warm skin against hers. It was a feeling she missed more then anything since they were separated. Sleep obviously wasn't an option so she thought she might as well do something, even if it wasn't productive, something to get her mind off of things.

She threw her legs from the bed, she wiggle her toes against the hard "carpeted" floor, it was nothing like the soft, warm carpet at Aubrey's home. She shuffled around the bed and into the bathroom, she squinted hard as the light shown bright. Her eyes took time adjusting as she look at herself in the mirror. She looked a mess, not just because she was half asleep but because emotionally she was a wreck. All she did was cry when she was alone, when she wasn't alone she never spoke, never said anything and never looked up from the ground.

She rolled her eyes at the disgusting Image of her, she turned out the light and shuffled her way out of the door. It was dark, the only thing that illuminated the room was the numbers on the digital clock. There were no stars out and the moon was partially hidden by the clouds, dark was the only way to describe everything at the moment. She knew she wasn't supposed to leave the room but she didn't know what else to do, Oliver kept his wallet on the kitchen counter, he had a ton of money so he wouldn't miss a few dollars, right?

She took two crisp dollar bills and quietly left the room, she had learned quickly that Oliver snores and he's a very heavy sleeper. She hated elevators with a passion but they came in handy, her feet felt like cinder blocks, they were heavy and hard to lift from the ground.

The hotel was quiet, even a little scary. The workers remained low key in the back while the person who worked the front desk was asleep. Unprofessional but to each is own. She probably wasn't even going to eat what she got from the vending machine but just to get out of the room made her feel a little better. She stood In front of the bright machine, looking at all the foods and snack assortments.

"Hungry?"

She turned around and felt her heart skip several beats. She smiled small, feeling stupid because she didn't know what to say, her tongue got caught in her throat and she was nervous. Her palms got sweaty as a larger smile crept on to her face.

"No. I just can't sleep."

"Me neither."

They stood there together, staring at each other. It wasn't weird or awkward, it was soothing and comforting, she knew she probably shouldn't but she couldn't help it.

She wrap her arms around his torso, she lay her head on his chest and squeeze tighter then intended. Luckily he did the same, he hugged her back, squeezing tightly, not wanting to let go. Aubrey couldn't sleep, he didn't sleep since Nina was taken from him. He was late to the event because he was out in the city all night, he was all she thought about and it felt good to have her back in his arms. Temporary or not, it felt good.

"Damn I miss you, Baby girl."

Her insides grew fuzzy, it felt wonderful to not only hear him say he missed her but to hear him call her baby girl. She felt like she was going to throw up but oddly enough it was a good feeling and she was okay with it. She looked up at him, her eyes were watery because she was so happy and it made him smile, he wasn't dumb, he knew the difference between Ninas happy tears and Ninas sad tears.

"Don't cry baby, it's okay."

"I miss you. I want to come back to you. Why didn't you fight for me?"

She let go of the hug, she stepped back and looked at him. The machine got tired of waiting so it spit her dollar back out, she let it fall to the ground not even caring about it. He stood there, staring down at her. He didn't answer because he didn't know, he didn't know why he didn't fight for her, he wished he would have because maybe if he did, they wouldn't be going through this.

"Do you not want me anymore? Did I upset you?"

"No, No. That's not it at all. I want you, Nina. I'm heart broken that you got taken for me, I don't know why I didn't fight for you. I'm sorry."

He scoot forward, he grabbed her hands in his and held them tightly, they were clammy but he could care less. He yanked her forward, pulling her in for another hug, it felt good to hold her again even though it was temporary, he wanted to feel that for as long as possible.

"I'm sorry Nina. I'm sorry."

She snuggled her face into his chest, taking in his delectable scent. She missed his scent, she missed him. His voice was groggy, as if he had just woken up too.

"Why are you down here?"

"Can't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about you, it's ironic that we met here."

She smiled hard as she blushed, it felt good to know he was thinking about her, thinking about her the same way she was thinking about him. They thought until they couldn't take it anymore.

"I want to come back to you, Oliver is nice but he's not you. I want you."

He smiled softly before leaning down and kissing her nose, his lips were soft and she wished he would have placed them a little lower under her nose.

"I know baby, I know. I'm gonna try, I know I messed up. I'm gonna try to get you back."

She sighed out, Aubrey wasn't a man of lies but she didn't see the point. Steve hated her, she had no idea what Oliver told him so Aubrey would have to put up a tough fight. She pulled away from the hug and turned on her heels, now that she saw all the snacks she began to crave them. Nacho cheese Doritos and a pineapple soda, she liked both items so to have them both at one time made her happy. She could feel Aubreys eyes on her which made her blush, she felt him press against her rear end as she bent down to pick up the items from the machine opening. Her face grew hot as thousands of butterflies were released in her tummy.

She stood back up and turned on her heels, he lowered his head and placed his forehead against hers. She could feel his lips barely touching hers as there noses pressed against each other's.

"I promise, I will get you back Nina."

He pecked her lips softly before walking away. He turned around to face her as he walked backwards. He was smooth, as if he had time to process every thought and move, she smiled at him as she held the items in her hands tightly, she was excited and nervous so she was afraid she would drop them. The elevator doors opened and he backed inside, he puckered his lips and made a kissy noise, he winked as the doors began to close

"I PROMISE."

She smiled and shook her head once the doors closed for good, he was gone and for once she was okay with that because

He promised.