The Defender

Chapter 6

Mia woke up coughing as she tried to catch her breath. The room was dark and she could see the outline of Mark sleeping in his bed. Her heart raced as she leaned up against the bed board and tried to breathe. She felt like she could not take a deep breath and catch her breath. Her heart raced in her ears and she was not sure what was going on.

"Mark" She called out to him and he rolled over but did not wake up. Her brain started to kick in even more as she started to panic that things were not going to get any better. "Mark" she called her voice shacked a bit as she tried to get him to wake up. She turned on the light and Mark began to rub his eyes.

"Mia, what's wrong?" He asked as he sat up trying to figure out what is happening.

"I can't breath," She said as he could tell she was having a panic attack. He got up with just his sweatpants on and walked over to her and sat down next to her and started to rub her back. He put her hair up high on top her head the best he could and clipped it.

"It's okay it will pass. You're just having a panic attack." She looked at him fear show in her green eyes as she looked at him. "Let's try this follow my breathing," He said to him as he took her hand and placed it on his chest. Mia was scared as tears started to well up in her eyes. Mark sat with her as the panic attack continued for a bit longer. Mark soon was holding Mia against his chest as he breathing started to go back to normal. "Did you ever have that happen before?"

"No, I never had that happen" She gently ran her hands slowly up and down Mark's chest.

"Come let's lay down and maybe you can get some sleep." He reached over and turned off the light and laid down in Mia's bed as Mia laid on top of his chest. He gently ran his fingers against her soft skin as he could tell she was starting to fall asleep. Mark smiled and leaned in and took a deep breath of her fragrance and kissed her head.

Mark woke up to his phone buzzing. He slides his hand over to the dresser and pick it up seeing the time and knew he had to get up and take a shower. He looked down at Mia who was still asleep on him. He smiled not wanting to disturb her in any way. He gently slides out of the bed and pulls up covers to keep Mia warm. He walked over to the bathroom and started the shower as he started to get himself ready.

Mark felt bad that Mia had to deal with a panic attack in the middle of the night. He wondered if she would feel any better this morning. Mark came out of the shower and opened the door to get the hot air out of the room. He wrapped his towel around his waist and walked out to see Mia still sleep. He sat down on his bed and gently ran his hand against her cheek. Mia woke up to see Mark sitting there.

"I am sorry, I must have overslept," Mia said as she pushed up on her elbows and looked at him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired," She said and rolled over her pajama shirt gently showing off her one shoulder. Mark frowned a bit as he tried not to let his mind rushing into how it could feel kissing her shoulder right now.

"That is expected. Why don't you stay here and take your time getting ready and come over around lunchtime" He said with a smile and Mia took a deep breath.

"You think that is a good idea?" She asked as she looked at him her eyes very hazy.

"Yeah, they serve breakfast until 11 am here. Give your self-time to just do you and get back to normal. Then come over and before you leave here call me and let me know. I will make sure Rob comes and gets you."

"Thank you," Mia said and leaned her head against the pillow as Mark got up and started to get dressed. He grabbed his pants and boxers and walked back over to the bathroom putting them on and walk back to Mia who watched every movement that he made.