My Accidental Mates

Ari

"RUN! RUN!"

I screamed as the gunshots whistled around my ears, racing as fast as I could to the car.

The horrer of the situation didnt reach me yet as I drove away, tires squealing on the tarmac. Looking behind me in the rearview, I saw the broken body of the man who had stayed behind, to save me.

My whole body jolted as I woke up, tears pouring down my face, my throat sore from screaming in my sleep. I groaned against the light coming through the curtains. Racing to the toilet, I knelt and abruptly threw up, my stomach heaving and roiling. I panted and rested my head against the lid, slowly coming down from my nightmare.

Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was already 8am! I raced through the shower, got dressed brushed my teeth and grabbed a coffee. I got into the taxi I had arranged last night, which had now been waiting 10 minutes.

"Hey, man - everything ok?"

"Yeah, just slept in is all."

I glanced at his face. Beautiful bright blue eyes gazed back at me, the picture of kindness and concern.

I blinked back the tears that suddenly threatened to come up to the surface. No way was I going to humiliate myself in front of someone this handsome and sexy.

I turned my head to the window, looking at the trees and the scenic hills in the distance.

"Hey, are you sure you're ok? I don't mean to pry, but there seems to be something wrong."

I couldn't help it. My eyes started streaming as I angriy swiped them.

"Sorry, this is really embarrassing, yeah, just a rough morning I guess, had some really bad dreams."

"It's ok, everyone has those, as a veteran of the Afghanistan war I certainly relate to that."

"You are? I did anti terrorist work for the fbi. I guess that's why my mornings go south most days. I'm currently being treated for ptsd."

His eyes met mine through the rearview. Once again my gaze snagged on them, the bright blue seeming to look right thru me.

"And how's that working out for you?"

"The treatment?" He nodded.

I sighed. "It really does help with a lot of things, like my constant anxiety and depression, but I still really struggle with sleep, and my anxiety can get really bad in the mornings and late at night."

"You know, if you like- I can get you onto a therapist for sleep issues. He is specifically trained in treating trauma related nightmares and sleeplessness." "He is currently looking for a house to rent or board so would do that in return."

"Oh, wow that would be great, I would try anything to be honest."

"Awesome, I'll get him on to you."

His full lips curved up into a smile as his eyes twinkled.

My heart skipped a beat as we pulled up to the front of my work, fbi forensics lab.

I tipped him $20 more than the norm, grateful for his patience and compassion for me.

His resulting smile was a literal grin which made my breath stutter and my heart rate pick up again. I looked back once inside the glass doors and there he was, still parked there, waiting until I was safely inside.