Returned..... Different

Nightmares and Flashbacks

Miranda's pov

*in her dream*

I was running through the woods when I hear Jason cry out. "Baby girl?!" "Jason?!" I scream spinning around. "Where are you?" I whimper, running back the way I came. I run into a clearing where he stands, holding his arm, and blood by his temple. Tears fall in a steady stream from my eyes. "Jason!" I cry, running to him. His eyes widen and he hits his knees. A bullet in his forehead. "No!" I hit my knees beside him. The world falling apart around me. "Jason! Don't you die on me dammit!!" My hands on his shirt are shaking miserably. Suddenly it fades away.

*she wakes up*

My heavy breathing and his hushed whispers are all I hear. He strokes my hair. "You're home hun, take a deep breath." I do what he says, my hands shaking. "Oh God thank God you're here." I choke out sobbing. "What was it about?" He asks.

Jason's pov

She had another nightmare so I held her against my chest while she cried. "What was it about?" I ask her. "You." "Me?" "You died again. I couldn't save you. I.... You died at my feet!" Oh man, not that dream! "Baby girl, look at me, it's okay. I'm not dead and I'm not going anywhere."

*the next day*

When I wake up, she's already awake and downstairs, sitting at the table, a mug of coffee in her hands. "Did you go back to sleep after that nightmare?" She shakes her head, her hands clamping tighter around the mug. I put a hand over hers. "What are you thinking?" I ask. She looks up, her shaking figure scaring me. "Why? Why do you stay? This must be hell to deal with!" My eyes go wide. I fight back the tears and hug her tightly. "I love you. I don't care what happened. You're still my girl and you always will be. Don't ever think I don't love you because I do. I'll walk through fire to get to you." "Oh Jason!" She throws her arms around my neck. I hold her in my arms. "How could you ever love a broken girl." She whispers. I pull her to where I'm looking in her eyes. "You stop talking like that. I'll always love you. You're my broken cowgirl and I'll be the one to fix you." I hug her tightly and she cries against my chest. "It's okay baby let it out. I have you. I'll always have you."

*later*

We went to Denny's for breakfast. She's finally smiling again. They bring us our drinks and I'm peering through the menu. She shoots her straw wrapper at me, making me smile. She's finally acting the way she usually did before. I smile as she laughs. The waiter comes over to take our order. She can't stop laughing though making me laugh. She finally stops laughing enough to tell him what she wants. Then I tell him what I want. "You shoulda seen the look on your face." She gasps, pointing. I just sit there smiling. I'm so glad to see her happy and carefree again. The door opens. I smile, seeing Luke. Luke is my best friend and her older brother. He walks up behind her and hugs her. Her eyes getting huge. "Lukey?" She whispers shocked. I smile and nod. "Surprise baby girl." She turns around, hugging him tightly. "Oh Luke! I missed you so much!" She cries, he holds her.

*later*

"Wow you weren't kidding when she's different. What are you doing about it?" "I've been reading up on PTSD. I know what I need to know. I just have to be careful not to set her flashbacks off." Luke smiles and we clink beers together. "Thanks for sticking with her Jason. Most people would just leave." "I won't. I love her." "She loves you too. Even if it's hard to show it now." I smile. "Her waking up every day is all I need to know she loves me." He stares at me confused. I think I said too much. "What-" "I don't want to talk about it." I mumble, staring at my boots. She was taking a nap but I heard some pots and pans falling. I stand up confused.

Miranda's pov

~PTSD flashback~

An enemy throws me against the wall, a gun in my throat. "Please! I just want to get home to my family." I whimper, my eyes shut tight. He pushes me forward. All I think of is Jason.

*In the present*

Jason's pov

She grips the stove, her knuckles white. "Baby girl, you okay?" She doesn't respond, her body going rigid. I think she's having a flashback. I put a hand on her back. "No! Don't shoot!" She screams, spinning around. "Baby?" I gape confused, my hands in the air. "Don't shoot me! I promised I'd make it home. All I wanna do is make it home!" Tears fill my eyes. I pull her into a hug. But she fights to get away. She doesn't know it's me. "Sweetheart, calm down. You're home. Noone's gonna shoot you! You're safe!" Luke stares at her shocked and confused. "What's going on?" He asks. "A flashback. From when she was at war." I hold her hands down as she fight me. "Baby girl, open your eyes and look at me!" I gasp, shakily. She finally locks eyes with me. Tears filling them. "J-Jason?" She chokes out. "Yeah baby it's me. You're home. It's me." She cries against my shoulder. "I-I kept my promise? I made it home?" "Yes. You're home." I soothingly whisper. "I'm sorry." "There is nothing you need to be sorry for!" "I'm sorry I'm scaring you so much. You're worried about me!" I hug her. "I am worried but it's nothing you need to be sorry for. It's not your fault." "Sis?" Luke mumbles, staring at her worried. "I-I'm okay. I'm sorry I scared y-you Luke." "Like Jason says, nothing to be sorry for." She smiles and holds my hand. He ruffles her hair. She hugs me, her head against my chest. "I'm safe in the arms of love." I smile and kiss her head. "I'm gonna love you through it." "I love you." She whispers. I kiss her passionately. "I love you and only you." I say, my arms around her waist. "I can't thank you enough. For all that you're doing. For not giving up." I move my hands to her cheeks and kiss her again. "I will never under no circumstances give up on you. You're my perfect little warrior." Luke pats my shoulder. "Well I have to get back on the road. Goodbye hug for your big bro?" She smiles and hugs him tight. "Don't be a stranger." She says. "Wouldn't dream of it." He says, kissing her head. He waves and heads out the door. I hold her on the couch and she falls asleep, her head on my chest. Her fingers laced with mine. "I'm always gonna love you baby girl." I say, kissing her head.