[Ciara Winters]

Ciara had fallen asleep in the chair she was sitting in. The newspaper from a couple of days ago rests in her lap. It's open to an article with the headline that says; "Child molester released due to mess up on part of police". The article slides off her lap and lands in a heap on the floor as at the same moment it hits, she awakens with a scream.

It takes her only a moment to realize that she's not actually in the hellish dreamscape that was inside her head. She buries her face in her hands and winces inwardly, hoping to God she didn't wake up the baby.

( TBC Alex Shade )

[Alex Shade]

Alex wakes up with a start, in his bed. Laurel was sound asleep on his chest nursing on her thumb. Alex wondered what that muffled yell was about. He gently picks up his daughter and lays her back down on the bed. He opens the door to see Ciara with her face buried in her hands.

Alex: Babe? You okay? What happened?

[Ciara Winters]

Deep breath in and let it out. Calm down Ciara. It was just a dream, even if that bastard is on the loose again.

Taking a shakey breath in, Ciara speaks.

Ciara: It was just a bad dream. I'm sorry I woke you...

She reaches down to pick up the newspaper and starts to ball it up.

[Alex Shade]

He didn't even bother wiping away whatever sleep was in his eyes. The groggy-ness was barely there on none exsistant. He steps towards her and crouchs at her feet placing a hand on her leg.

Alex: I never seen or heard you react to a bad dream like that. You normally punch me in the arm or something in your sleep.

[Ciara Winters]

Ciara: That's because I hadn't had a dream like that since he was put away..

She couldn't lie to Alex but she had been keeping the article from him. There was no need to cause panic where there was none. Funny coming from her considering she's the one having nightmares about the bastard. Unballing the paper, she finds the article again and hands it to Alex.

Ciara: They let him out because the way the cops and Izzy went about it was entrapment. Judge ruled that it made all evidence null and void.

[Alex Shade]

He let's a low groan.

Alex: So he's free to walk. Sonovabitch.

He leans back from his crouch to sit on the floor as he reads over the article. The photo of the man made him sick to his stomache.

'Prick is probably smiling right now.'

Alex: But he's gonna be monitored right? They just can't wash that all away.

[Ciara Winters]

She shakes her head.

Ciara: They can't watch someone who they just said did nothing wrong. I don't think he can have another trial either. Not unless he does something else.

[Alex Shade]

Alex: Christ. I can see why your upset babe. You really think he's going to come back around?

[Ciara Winters]

Ciara: He did almost two years ago..

Ciara cringes. Thinking about two years ago brings back a flood of bad memories. Most of which fall under the filename "Simon Cagero". The man who acted like he cared, the man who played upon her emotions and the man who ultimately was there only for himself.

[Alex Shade]

A old feel came slithering back. Forked tounge licking the air feeling that something else has entered its territory. He was quiet and still for a moment. The photos image searing itself in his head.

Alex: And he's going to try again then isn't he?

[Ciara Winters]

Ciara: I was his favorite..

She shudders and draws her knees up into the chair, hugging them.

[Alex Shade]

The hairs on the back of his neck rises as the feeling does. He re-crumples the article in his hands.

Alex: I'm sorry babe... I'm so sorry that you ever had to go through something like that. What if we try to find him first?

[Ciara Winters]

She shakes her head.

Ciara: You can't!

She winces at how loudly that came out and then lowers her voice.

Ciara: I don't want anything to happen to you because of me. I don't want to have to explain to Laurel that her daddy is in prison because of me. I'll be okay...

She sighs. If she told him this half, she might as well tell him the rest.

Ciara: Derek has to leave to be with Kyra. He said he wants to be gone by next week. While he's gone, he's leaving me in charge.

She sounds truly overwhelmed.

Ciara: I don't know if I can handle all of this Alex.. I guess at least this way he couldn't get to me without drawing a lot of attention to himself.

This post has been edited by Ciara Winters: 31 July 2010 - 01:07 AM

[Alex Shade]

He sighs,defeated. He would have loved to boldly state he wouldn't ever see the inside of a prison but he couldn't. He's not at home. No where's even near it. He's to widely know to be able to do it either. When ciara's right she's right.

Alex: You don't have to. I'm here to help you. We'll do this together. So maybe this spot will be good then. Like you said you would be to out there for him to get anywheres near you.

[Ciara Winters]

She nods.

Ciara: I believe you.. We'll figure out something and we should have some time. I don't think he'll come after me until he has a plan.

She believed that Alex would keep her safe. It's a feeling she didn't have with Simon. Her head had warned her about him from the beginning, mostly through dreams. Jeff's voice taunting her with his snide voice "You think he'll save you?". Hearing his voice inside her head made her shudder. He didn't save her from Jeff.. Izzy ultimately didn't either. Neither of them were Alex.. Her Alex.. Whom she loved more than anything in this world. It made the whole situation with Simon and everything with Jeff almost two years ago seem like a bad dream. She was so happy with her life with him even if it did have it's bad spots. Now the demons of the past were poised to destroy everything again. In all honesty, she was scared out of her mind and yet at the same time as long as she was with him, she was safe and she knew it. Maybe it was just the shock of it all messing with her mind and her reactions to things.

[Alex Shade]

He sits on the arm rest of that chair and lays his arm across the back.

Alex: It killed me to be away from you the last time and I promised you that I will never leave you again. I won't let anyone come between us. I won't allow anyone to take you away from me.

He picks up her hand and kisses it.

Alex: You complete me, you know that? All I want to do is protect you from these nightmares.

[Ciara Winters]

She blushes a little and gives his hand a squeeze. No matter how often he does it, Ciara can't help but blush when he compliments her or says something really sweet.

Ciara: Next you'll be wanting to protect me from the monsters under the bed.

There's a teasing tone in her voice and most of it was meant to be just that. Although part of her does feel like a child for having the silly nightmares especially when she's perfectly safe.

[Alex Shade]

He smiles.

Alex: I check already for my own needs.

[Ciara Winters]

She laughs.

Ciara: Well at least then Laurel won't have to feel bad for you having to check. If she gets teased about it, she can just say "Well my daddy checks too!".

She giggles at the thought.

Ciara: Oh what rumors will fly.. The great Alex Shade looks for monsters under the bed.

[Alex Shade]

Alex: In my defence I know that its mt clothes in the closet. I don't know what's under the bed or who left what under there.