Team Aliens // 8 Drabbles

[revivingophelia.livejournal.com]

This turned into a lot more drabbles than I expected.

Title: One Month
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

It had been a month since she had slept in a bed.  At her insistance, the old bed had been thrown out.  She hadn't wanted it anymore.  In fact, she'd wanted it burned.

Clark had done the honors.

She refused to buy a new one, refused to accept one as a gift, and instead, she slept in a chair, her slim body curled up in a position that couldn't be comfortable.  As she slept, he watched over her, concerned brown eyes on her small form, and Oliver couldn't help but wonder if Chloe would ever sleep in a bed again.
 

Title: A Change
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

She was on the couch when he arrived.  Chloe was curled in a ball on the cushions, and the sight of it shocked him.  It had been nine weeks since she'd slept in a bed, since it had happened (the man that had hurt her was in jail and would be staying there a long time if Oliver had any say), and he'd never seen her even laying down since then (laying down made her feel too vulnerable).  But she was laying down on the couch, and even if it wasn't a bed, it was a change for the better.
 

Title: Progress
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

"I can't sleep on a couch forever."

She said the words softly, but he heard them, the man turning to look at her.

"It's not like it's even the same house, you know.  After... Now I live here instead."

"Chloe?" Oliver said questioningly, softly, watching as she shifted from foot to foot.

"It's stupid.  To not... It's not just the bed, it's the dark in the room, and... And I'm going to have to sleep in a bed again one of these days, Oliver," she said, and the blonde man nodded his head.

"Then it's time to buy you one."
 

Title: Hesitation
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

She stared at the new bed in the center of the room.  "It's not the bed that I'm scared of," she whispered, moving closer to it.  "It's what happened the last time I was in one.  When... I woke up, and..." Chloe trailed off, wiping at her eyes, and Oliver stepped forward.  He didn't hug her, worried that would scare her, instead reaching out to take her hand.

"You're safe here, Chloe.  He's in jail.  The evidence... He's not going anywhere."

"I know.  I just... I have a bed now."  A pause.  "I think I'll sleep in the chair tonight."
 

Title:  A Step Forward
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

"I'm sleeping in my bed tonight."

She announced it without warning and with a tiny shake in her voice.  Chloe bit her lip as he looked over at her.  Oliver nodded.

"Okay," he said, afraid that if he made a big deal out of it, then she would, too.

Chloe took a deep breath, biting her lip.  "Will you... Will you stay with me?  At least until I get to sleep?" she asked.  He nodded again, his expression gentle.

"Of course, Sidekick. I'll stay as long as you need."

This time, he was the one that slept in the chair.
 

Title: Stay
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

She awoke from a nightmare.

He was beside her bed in an instant, reaching out to her, and instead of pushing him away, she clung to him like a lifeline.  Despite her nightmare, there was never fear of him.  "Chloe?"

"Bad dream." she managed.  "It was him, and... "  She heaved out a sigh.  "It's the past.  It's over."

"He'll never touch you again.  Ever," Oliver promised, and she nodded against his throat, then let him settle her back into the bed.  She grabbed his hand before he could move, her small hand gripping his.  "Stay with me?"

"Always, Sidekick."
 

Title: Five Months
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

It was five months after it all happened that she slept through the night.  He knew because he was there.  He was there in bed with her, his arms wrapped around her as she slept with her head on his chest, and her hand fisted in his t-shirt.  He awoke to the feeling of the sun on his face and her small form against him, and a look at the clock told Oliver that Chloe had slept through the night.  She shifted against him then, green eyes fluttering open, and he saw her smile as she realized it was morning.
 

Title: Finally
Team: Aliens
Challenge: Bed
Character/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: series has darker themes

"I did it," she whispered, sitting up in bed, looking around.  "Not one nightmare.  I didn't even wake up."

"I know.  I was here," Oliver said quietly, and Chloe frowned a little, looking down at the blankets.  "Chloe?"

"I guess that means... You've been sleeping in my bed for two months, and it's not fair to expect- I mean..."

Oliver shook his head, reached out to take her hand, hesitant because he didn't want to cause her fear.  His look spoke volumes.  "Chloe... I'm right where I want to be," he said, hoping that she understood.

Her smile was brilliant.