Once In A Dream
By Mary ILP & Joni

                             21

Sarah tossed and turned trying to sleep.She closed her eyes in the 
dark room.It was the first time she had been alone sense she had been 
in the hospital.She closed her eyes hopeing for sleep.She craved  
falling sleep.She was so tired yet sleep seemed to not come.Fear 
seemed to creep into her mind as she lay there.Fear of what she had 
no ideia but it was fear none the less.Paul's words echoed in her 
mind."I'm across the hall if you need me...."Sarah hated to bother 
him.He had looked so tired.She felt so safe with him thoe.Sarah sat 
up in bed looking at the outlines of the furtiue in the dark room.Her 
thoughts seemed to be what were keeping her awake as much as this 
fear she couldent seem to shake.Sarah laid back down closeing her 
eyes hopeing that some how sleep would find her.Her eyes closed sleep 
claimed her.....along with dreams.She felt herself falling as she lay 
there.....A slow fall.Suddenly she jerked in her sleep as she felt 
herself about to hit the ground.She sat up in bed as she realized she 
was crying.Her face was wet with tears as she felt the sobs racking 
her chest.She was wearing the kiss t-shirt that Paul had given 
her.What was happening to her.Sarah reached over and switched on the 
bedside lamp.She whiped her tears away and looked down at the 
shirt.Why was it she was so comforted at seeing those four painted 
faces looking up at her from the shirt.

Paul fell into a hard restful sleep.It seemed he was asleep before 
his head even hit the pillow.His eyelids fluttered as his sleep grew 
deeper.Along with his sleep came Sarah....walking towards him.She had 
a name now in his dream.He had been dreaming of her sense they had 
found her."Sarah...."he said softly as she walked into his arms.He 
could feel her body aginst him as he looked into her eyes.Her eyes 
were dark and half closed as he bent and kissed her lips ligthtly.Her 
lips were soft against his.The dream seemed so real to 
him."Sarah..."he whispered again as she relaxed in his arms.Suddenly 
in the dream she seemed to fade away.Paul was calling her name when 
he awoke from his sleep."Sarah..."he said loadly as he sat up in 
bed.What was he dreaming he wondered as he looked around the dark 
room.Was she alright he wondered.Paul got up slowly and pulled his 
jeans on.He knew he needed to check on her.

Paul stood at the door wondering if he should knock.He looked at his 
watch it was past midnight what if she was asleep.Paul turned to walk 
away when he heard the soft sound of her crying.Paul knocked softly 
on the door and waited.Sarah looked at the door when she heard the 
knock.Fear seemed to make her heart pound as she wondered who it 
could be."Yes?"she said as she pulled the blanket around her body 
tightly."Sarah....are you alright?"Paul's muffeled voice called 
through the door.Sarah quickly got up and pulled her jeans 
on."Paul..."she said as she unlocked the door and opened it.Paul was 
standing there bare chested in his jeans."I....I think I had a 
nightmare."she said softly.Paul looked at her in the dim light of the 
room.Her eyes were red as if she had been crying."I think I had a 
nightmare too."Paul said as he steped inside.Sarah nodded."Would you 
like me to stay with you until you fall back to sleep?"Paul 
asked.Sarah looked down at the floor her hands were clasped in front 
of her.Paul reached up and took her chin gently in his hands.He 
lifted her face up to look at him."Sarah....are you afraid?"he asked 
softly.Tears formed in Sarah's eyes as she looked at him.How did he 
know she was scared,how did he know she needed him."Yes....I'm 
afraid."Sarah said softly."I'll stay with you,no one is going to harm 
you."he said as he looked into her eyes."Come on."Paul said as he 
took her hand and led her over to the bed.Sarah lay back in the bed 
her head resting on the soft pillow.Paul sat on the edge of the 
bed.Sarah's eyes closed the minute he took her hand.Paul sat there 
watching her as she fell into deep peacful sleep.He got up from the 
bed and walked to the couch in the room.He laid back and fell 
asleep.No more dreams came for them as they slept that night as if 
being together was what kept the nightmares away.

                             22

Paul spoke softly to the man as he pushed the cart into the 
room."Thanks...."the man said as Paul tiped the man.Paul closed the 
door softly and locked it.Paul walked over to whare Sarah was still 
asleep.She looked so beautiful,her long dark hair was covering the 
white pillow case.Her face was  still a little bruised from the 
attack.Paul lightly shook her shoulder.Her eyes sprang open and she 
looked at him.Sarah was a bit confused for a moment as she looked at 
him."Good morning..."Paul said smiling at her."Hi."Sarah said softly 
as she streached and sat up."I ordered breakfast."Paul said waving 
his hand towards the table.A small cart with pancakes and fruit sat 
next to the table."Do you mind if I take a shower first?"Sarah asked 
shyly.Paul smiled "Not at all...."Paul said as he walked over to the 
cart and poured himself a cup of coffee.Sarah headed for the bathroom 
as Paul sat down at the table.

Sarah quickly turned on the warm water and stripped off her 
clothes.She was a little nervous knowing that he was right outside 
the door as she steped into the shower.Sarah let the warm water run 
over her  body.She was careful not to look at the scar on her back.It 
was such a shock just knowing that it was there.The last thing she 
wanted was to have to look at it.Sarah shut off the shower and dried 
off.She looked at herself in the mirror.Who am I? she asked her self 
as she looked at herself.Was anyone looking for her....or was there 
something that Paul wasent telling her.Sarah quickly pulled the soft 
robe on that the hotal had provided.She steped out into the room.Paul 
looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smiled at her."Want 
some coffee?"he asked as he sat the paper down.Sarah shook her 
head.For some reason she knew she hated coffee."No thank you."she 
said as she sat down across from him.Sarah looked down at the plate 
filled with pancakes and fruit.Paul poured a glass of orange juice 
and handed it to her."Here ya go."he said as Sarah took the glass 
from his hand.Paul picked up the newspaper again and began to 
read.Something caught Sarah's eye as Paul held the paper up.'Man 
killed in car accident' read the headline on the front page.A photo 
of the man that had been killed was above the headline.Sarah sat her 
fork down and stared at the photo."Paul...."she said softly.Paul 
fliped the edge of the paper down to look at her."I....I think I know 
that man."Sarah said as she ponited at the front page of the paper 
with a shaking hand.Paul could see nothing but fear in her brown eyes 
as she looked at the photo.Paul fliped the paper over to look at the 
headline.His eyes quickly scaned the story."Brain Blackwell was 
killed on Saterday night....his body was throwen from his jeep and 
not discovered till yesterday."Paul read outload.Sarah let out a soft 
gasp as Paul stoped reading."I know that name....Brain...Oh my God.I 
know him."Sarah said softly.Paul had a millon things running through 
his mind.Was she close to this man,what else was she 
remembering."Sarah is there anything else....I mean was he close to 
you?Did you work with him?"Paul asked.Sarah shook her head."I dohn't 
know,I just know that I know that man."she said.Paul reread the 
story.Saterday was the night of the exspo....the man was killed the 
night of exspo."Sarah do you remember anything else about that 
night.Were you alone at the exspo?"Paul asked wondering if maybe she 
had come there with this man."No...I mean...I can't remember."Sarah 
said.Suddenly a fear griped Sarah as she thought about the man in the 
photo.Paul put the paper down and looked at her.He could tell that 
seeing the photo and remembering the man had sook her up."Lets eat 
and will go shopping,maybe you will remember something else 
later."Paul said trying to take her mind off of the newpaper.Sarah 
nodded,she wanted to tell him how afraid the photo made her feel.Paul 
smiled at her."We can call the police and see if they have any 
information on the guy."Paul offered.Sarah shook her head."Maybe 
later...."she said as she picked up the fork and bagen to eat.For 
some reason Sarah knew that she dident want to remember the man in 
the photo.

                            23

Sarah looked at the jeans as Paul stood beside her holding the bags 
of clothes he had already bought for her.He smiled at her as she 
looked at the size and the price.Paul had told her not to worry about 
how much anything was,but Sarah couldent help it he was so nice and 
had already done so much for her.They had hit every store in the 
mall.Somthing caught Sarah's eye as she looked over at a beautiful 
purple silk tank top.Sarah ran her hands over the silk top."Do you 
like that?"Paul asked as he saw her eyes light up.Sarah droped her 
eyes from the top as if she were embarrassed."Yes....I love the color 
purple."Sarah said shyly.It was as if the thought had just come to 
her that her favorite color was purple.Paul smiled as he walked over 
and took the top off the hanger."It would look good on you."he said 
as he held it up.Sarah smiled shyly at him."Do you think so?"she 
asked as she looked up at him.Paul nodded as he lost himself in her 
gaze.God she was so beautiful.He couldent help but wonder what it 
would be like to hold her in his arms.Sarah quickly looked away.She 
could also feel herself losing herself in his warm and loving 
eyes.Paul reached for Sarah's hand"Are we done here?"Paul asked 
trying to cover the uncomfortable silence that was envoloping 
them.Sarah and Paul walked to the counter together holding hands.


It was late afternoon when Paul and Sarah returned to the hotal 
room.Paul smiled as Sarah unlocked the door and he carried all the 
bags into the room."Well I think this was a very good day!You 
remembered your favorite color was purple!"Paul said in a joking 
voice.Sarah laughed a small laugh as she closed the door behind 
him.Paul laid the bags across the bed.She was starting to feel more 
comfortable around him."What do you say about getting dressed up and 
having dinner with me and the rest of the guys tonight?"Paul said as 
he turned to look at her.Sarah looked down at the floor as her 
shyness seemed to take over at the mention of the rest of the band."I 
don't know....Do you think they would mind?"Sarah asked.Paul shook 
his head "Not at all....Come on.Get dressed and I'll come back to 
pick you up in about an hour."Paul said as he walked across the 
room.Sarah nodded shyly."Alright....If your sure they wonl't 
mind."Sarah said.Paul smiled at her as he walked out the door."You 
know they don't bite."he said laughing.He wanted so much to bring her 
out of her shell.Sarah laughed as she nodded.Sarah closed the door 
behind him.Paul waited outside the closed door until he heard the 
click of the door locking.He turned to go back to his room and nearly 
bumped into Doc."Whare have you been?"Doc asked in a frantic voice."I 
took Sarah shopping for some new clothes."Paul said as he walked 
across the hall to his own room."Whats going on?"Paul asked as he 
inserted the key card in the door."The cops want to quistion Sarah 
about a guy who was in a car accident.....they found some pictures of 
her in his wallet."Doc said as he followed Paul inside his room."Oh 
my God......"Paul said as he remembered the newspaper article in the 
mornings paper.

                             24

Paul stood outside the small room that they had taken Sarah 
too.Paul paced around like a caged animal as Doc sat on the bench 
sipping his luke warm coffee."What could be takeing so long?"Paul 
asked as he stared at the door."Relax....I'm sure they will be done 
soon."Doc said shaking his head."I hope there not upseting her."Paul 
said as he took a seat next to Doc."You've got it bad for this 
woman."Doc said with a chuckle.Paul narrowed his eyes as he looked at 
Doc."Its not like that....I just think she has been through 
enough."Paul said with a sigh.The door opened and both men looked up 
to see Detective Gray with his arm around Sarah shoulders.She was 
leaning on him and crying softly.Paul leaped to his 
feet."Sarah....."Paul said as he wraped his arm around her 
shoulders.The detective noticed the dirty look Paul shot him as Paul 
escorted her over to the small bench."Its alright...shhhhhhh....What 
happened?"Paul asked as he soothed her.Doc turned to look at the 
detective."She remembered Brian....seems he was her boyfriend.We 
found her blood in his jeep.Theres no doubt in our minds that he was 
one that done this to her."Detective Gray said.Doc nodded "So are you 
saying the case is closed?"Doc asked as releif came over 
him."Yeah....this case is closed."the detective said."Thats good for 
us,but its not good for her."Doc said as he looked over at Sarah and 
Paul sitting on the bench."He was very abusive....he was also 
married,but not to her.From what she is remembering she was his 
girlfriend.....maybe on the side.She still has no ideia whare she 
lives or anything like that,but she remembered living with Brian at 
sometime."the Detective said.Doc nodded "Well,I guess we better get 
her back to the hotal."Doc said as he shook the detectives hand.Doc 
walked over to whare Paul and Sarah were sitting."We can go."Doc said 
looking at Paul.Paul helped Sarah to stand as she leaned aginst 
him.Paul shot Detective Gray another dirty look as they left the 
station.Sarah seemed so diconncted from everything as they got into 
the car.Doc slid behind the wheel of the car."Is she alright?"Doc 
asked as he looked at them in rerveiw mirror."She's just 
upset...."Paul said through clenched teeth.He had no ideia what had 
gone in that room.They dident have to upset her like that thoe,Paul 
thought as he held her in his arms.

                             25

Sarah stared out the window as the car made its way back to the 
hotal.She had calmed down a little.Paul still kept his arm 
protectively around her shoulder.No one said a word as Doc drove 
through the mid day traffic.Paul wanted so much to ask her what had 
happened but he feared upseting her again."Sarah are you hungry?"Doc 
asked as he glanced in the reaveiw mirror.Sarah looked down at her 
hands as she said a soft "No..."Paul shook his head fearing that Doc 
hadent heard her."Were fine."Paul said.Paul squeezed Sarah shoulder 
letting her know everything was alright.Doc pulled the rental car 
into the hotals parking garege.Paul and Sarah climbed out of the back 
seat.All Sarah wanted to do was go to her room and sleep.Meromies had 
flooded back to her of her time with Brian.Paul never let go of her 
as they made there way to her room."Thanks Doc."Paul said as Sarah 
and Paul headed for the elavator."Are you hungry?We can order room 
service."Paul said as he pressed the buttons."No....I'm just 
tired."Sarah said softly.Paul nodded "Would you like to tell me about 
it?"Paul asked knowing that she had remembered the attack.Sarah 
looked at the ground as they steped inside the elavator."Yes...."she 
said softly as the door closed.She knew she could trust him and right 
now she needed to tell someone about how she was feeling.


Sarah handed Paul the key card and watched as he opened the hotal 
room door.They both steped inside and Sarah felt safe.This room was a 
safe place for her.She knew Brain was dead yet she still hated being 
outside of this room.Paul took her hand,he noticed how cold her hand 
felt.He rubbed her hand trying to warm her up."Come sit down....I'll 
order us some hot tea."Paul said as he gently eased her down onto the 
sofa.Sarah watched him as he ordered a pot of tea from room 
service.Sarah replayed what the cops had told her about Brain.My God 
her life had been a living hell with him.....no wonder she was so 
nervous....Sarah closed her eyes as she thought about everything he 
had done to her.Not just the attack at the exspo but how he had kept 
her a prisoner in his house.....had she gotten away from him?was that 
why he had come after her.Still there were so many gaps in her 
memory.Paul came over and took a seat next to her."The tea will be 
here in a little while."Paul said softly as he looked at  her."He was 
the one who did it....."Sarah said shaking her head.Paul nodded as he 
looked at the floor."Do you remember anything about that night?"Paul 
asked hopeing not to upset her.Sarah picked up one of the throw 
pillows sitting on the edge of the couch.She hugged it to her as she 
nodded."Yes.....I remember all of it.He was my boyfriend."Sarah said 
as she fought back her tears."I'm sorry Sarah....."Paul said in a 
whisper.Paul had hoped when her memory came back she would be able to 
go home to a loving family.Sarah swollowed over the lump in her 
throat as she looked at him.They both stared into each others 
eyes.Paul wanted to take her into his arms and kiss all of her pain 
away.....both looked up when they heard a knock at the door."Theres 
the tea."Paul said as he got up from the sofa to answer the 
door.Sarah sat there wondering how much should she tell him about 
Brain.He had become her strength sense all this had happened to 
her.Paul came back over carrying a tray with the tea.Sarah watched 
him as he poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.Her hands were 
still shaking slightly as she took the cup from him.Sarah took a sip 
of the tea as Paul watched her."Sarah.....is there anything else you 
remember?"Paul asked hopeing that maybe she had a friend or a family 
member some whare.Sarah shook her head."Just that Brain was very 
cruel......Nothing else."Sarah said softly.Paul nodded "You can stay 
in this hotal as long as you like....I mean if you want too."Paul 
said."You have been so nice to me....Thank you."she said softly.Paul 
nodded as he got up from the couch."I'm going to go.....if you need 
anything I'm across the hall."Paul said.Sarah followed Paul to the 
door.Paul looked at her.She was staring at the floor almost as if she 
was afraid to look up.Paul walked over and encircled her waist with 
his arms.He brought his hand up and cuped her face."Sarah....."he 
said softly as she looked into his dark eyes.Sarah could feel his 
warm breath as he leaned in and planted a warm kiss on her lips.Sarah 
felt the hint of his tongue as he kissed her gently.Paul released her 
face and looked into her eyes."Good night...."he said as he turned 
and opened the door.Sarah touched her lips that were still warm from 
his kiss as she closed the door.Paul stood at the door and waited 
until he heard the click of the lock.

                             26

   Sarah tossed and turned as she thought about the kiss Paul had 
given her.He had to have known me....his kiss felt so familier to 
her.What was he wasent telling her.Had she and he been more then what 
he was saying.Paul had said he dident know her before.Sarah sighed as 
she closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep still wondering 
about all of her unanswered quistions.


Paul steped into his hotal room across the hall.His mouth still felt 
the warmth of there kiss.My God,he was going to have to leave her 
here to finish the tour.He just couldent do it.How the hell could he 
tell her that he was leaving after everything she had been 
through.Paul slamed his fist on the wall as he closed the hotal room 
door.He was angry at Doc,at the band ,at himself.Dama it he wasent 
going to make her stay here alone.

Sarah awoke to a soft knock on the door.The shadows on the wall told 
her that it was morning."Hold on."she called as she grabed her 
robe."who is it?"she asked as she put her hands on the door knob."Its 
me."Paul called through the closed door.Sarah opened the door to let 
him in."How did you sleep?"Paul asked as he looked at her.She was 
looking at the floor.Still so afraid to look him in the eye."Fine 
thank you."she said softly."Why don;t you get dressed and we can go 
out to breakfast."Paul said.Sarah's heart began to pound the outside 
still scared her."I'll order room service...."Sarah said."You have to 
get out some time."Paul said as he reached for her hand.Sarah felt 
the warmth of his hand as it encircled her fingers.So safe,nothing 
would happen to her when he was near her.Paul led her over to the 
sofa."Did you remember anything else?"Paul asked softly.Sarah kept 
her head down as she nodded slightly."What else?"Paul asked hopeing 
that something else had come to her,maybe a family member anything 
just so he wouldent have to tell her he was leaving her here on her 
own."Brain used to tape the doors shut so he would know if I left the 
house......."Sarah said softly.Paul closed his eyes.My God she was a 
prisoner in his house."Oh Sarah.....I'm so sorry."Paul said shaking 
his head.All he wanted to do was wrap her into his arms and take all 
the hurt and pain away."Did you remember anyone else besides Brain?I 
mean a friend or family member."Paul asked.He remembered she had said 
Jack when she was in the limo.Sarah shook her head."No,nothing 
else,just how unhappy I was."Sarah said softly.Paul nodded."Sarah we 
need to get someone in here that you can talk to.....like a 
therapist."Paul said as he looked at her.Sarah nodded she dident want 
to tell him that she just felt better talking to him.Paul had become 
the only person she trusted.Paul took a deep breath as he reached for 
her hand."Sarah.....tomorrow the band is leaving.....We have to 
continue the tour."Paul said shaking his head.Sarah's heart began to 
pound.He would be gone tomorrow....she would never see him 
again."Sarah you can stay in this room for as long as you 
like.....I'm going to find a good therapist for you to talk too.I'll 
pay for everything."Paul said almost as if he were trying to convice 
himself more then her."I understand.....you have a job to do."Sarah 
said softly knowing that he had already done so much for her.Paul 
never let go of her hand as he looked into her dark eyes."I don't 
want to leave you here."he said."Paul.....you have to go....Thank you 
for everything....."Sarah said as she looked away quickly.Paul nodded 
as he got up."I have to go....."he said as he walked to the 
door.Sarah followed behind him."I'll come by in a little while."Paul 
said as he looked at her.She was leaning aginst the wall her eyes 
still downcast as if she was forbidden to look at him.Paul reached up 
and brushed her dark hair from her face.He leaned in a placed a 
gental kiss on her cheek.Sarah could feel the tears burning the back 
of her eyes as she closed the door behind him.What would she do when 
he was gone......Sarah was afraid,but she never wanted Paul to 
know.He had done so much for her,the last thing she wanted was for 
him to think he needed to babysit her.


                             27

  Doc saw Paul come into the hotal restaurant as he took a bite out 
of his danish.He motioned for him to come have a seat.Paul sighed as 
he made his way over to Doc and his band mates."Well tomorrow we blow 
this place!"Ace cracked as he laughed.All of them had been wanting to 
get back out on the road.Paul nodded as he took a seat next to 
Gene."Well it will be nice to get back on the stage!"Gene said as he 
sat his coffee cup down.Paul was silent as he listened to everyone 
talking."How is Sarah doing this morning?"Peter asked as he whiped 
his mouth with his napkin."Little things are coming back to her 
slowly...."Paul said as the waiter poured him a cup of coffee."Thats 
good...."Doc said nodding.Yeah thats great..... all the woman has is 
bad memories of a man who tried to kill her.Paul thought as he took a 
sip of his coffee."Well if you ask me we have done a hell of alot for 
her....She will be fine."Gene said shaking his head.Paul nodded not 
saying anything."I'm just glad they found out who did it!"Ace said 
shaking his head."To think some crazy was loose doing that kind of 
thing to women."Peter said with anger."Well it was him 
alright....they found the backstage pass on his body and photos of 
Sarah."Doc said as he leaned back in his chair."Doc can I talk to 
you...alone."Paul said as he got up from his seat."Sure...."Doc said 
as he whiped his mouth and got up to follow Paul.

Paul stood in the lobby with Doc."I don't want to leave that girl 
here.....I just don't feel right leaving her here."Paul said shaking 
his head."Look Paul...we have a tour to finish.....now we have done 
enough......We can get her a therapist and pay her hotal 
bill....thats it."Doc said throwing his hands into the air.Paul 
clenched his jar."Dama it Doc....she needs someone around her who 
cares about her."Paul said."What the hell are you talking about?You 
don't even know this chick."Doc said with a chuckle.Paul shot Doc a 
dirty look."I'm staying here......"Paul said as he crossed his arms 
over his chest."Paul this is insane.....now get hold of yourself and 
pack your stuff.....our plane leaves in the morning."Doc said as 
anger came into his voice.The last thing Doc needed was this 
crap....he had a band to mange."I'm bringing her with me then."Paul 
said as he looked at Doc."Awwwwwwww no way! Paul this is so 
crazy.....we can't bring her with us.This is a tour,the rest of the 
guys won't go for it.Now get yourself together."Doc said as he walked 
back into the restaurant.Paul shook his head as he headed towards the 
elavator.He wasent leaving her here and the band would just have to 
live with it,his mind was made up.


                             28

   Sarah sat looking at her untouched breakfast.She had been holding 
back her tears sense Paul had left.It hit her hard that he would be 
leaving in the morning.Who would she depend on to help her through 
all of this.A sob escaped her throat as she buried her head in her 
hands.She wanted him to stay with her.She knew she was being 
selfish,but she just couldent help it.She felt so  alone.What was she 
going to do after tomorrow?Sarah let her tears fall as she sat there 
wishing he could stay with her.Sarah heard the soft knock at the 
door.She quickly whiped her eyes and went to the door.She tried to 
regain her composer as she asked "Who is it?"Paul's muffeled voice 
came through the closed door."Its me."Sarah whiped her eyes once 
again as she opened the door.Paul walked inside and could tell right 
away that she had been crying.Sarah stood leaning aginst the wall 
close to the door.Her arms were crossed over her chest and her head 
was hung down."I heard you crying....."Paul said with concern in his 
voice.Sarah looked up at him,her dark eyes still held a few stray 
tears."Sarah......I don't want to leave you here alone."Paul said as 
he looked into her eyes."I don't want you to go...."Sarah blurted out 
as she looked into his eyes.Paul nodded as he reached out and wraped 
his arms around her.Sarah went limp aginst him as he held her in his 
arms.She was safe he was holding her and he was going to be there for 
her."Come with me.....I'll look out for you."Paul said softly as he 
stroked her dark hair.Sarah dident ever want him to let her go as she 
buried her head in his chest.She knew she didnet need to be afraid 
anymore......He was takeing her with him.


Doc paced back and fourth in his hotal room."What do you mean he 
wants to bring her with us?"Gene asked with a twinge of anger in his 
voice."Paul said he wants to bring her on the tour with us.....Hell 
what can we do.....I mean he has a point.The woman is all alone 
here."Doc said stoping to look at Gene.Ace shook his head."Whats? 
Curly in love with this chick are something?"Ace cracked as he leaned 
back on the sofa."Paul's just concerned about the woman,come on 
guys...."Peter said as he ran his hand through his hair.Peter 
understood what Paul was trying to do.After all they should some how 
all feel responible for her in a way."Well this is Paul's deal....I 
want nothing to do with it anymore!"Gene said shaking his head."Paul 
seemes to think this isent going to be a problem.....besides Paul 
knows whare to draw the line."Doc said trying to resure himself as 
much as the band."Whare's Paul now?"Ace asked."With Sarah.....Whare 
else would he be."Gene said rolling his eyes."Come on Gene....quit 
the big bad, unfeeling Demon crap.....you were as concerned as the 
rest of us were when we found her."Peter said sitting forward in his 
seat like a cat about to pounce.Gene nodded "Its just that were a 
rock and roll band for godsake....We don't have time to babysit this 
woman."Gene said.Doc sighed "Look the girl is comeing with us.....we 
need to get used to it."Doc said.Everyone nodded in agreement,even 
thoe they had misgivings about it,Paul's mind was made up.


                             29

   Sarah smoothed out the navy blue mini skirt she was wearing.She was 
a little nervous about meeting the rest of the band.Paul after alot 
of talking had convinced her to have dinner with them in the hotal 
restaurant.Paul knocked on the door at half past six on the dot.Sarah 
took a deep breath as she opened the door.Paul smiled at her as she 
steped away from the door."You look beautiful...."he said as he 
admired the outfit she had chosen to wear.The blue mini skirt and 
gray silk blouse brought out her eyes.Sarah could feel her face flush 
at his complement.Her hair was pulled back in a small hair clip at 
the back of her neck so Paul could see the slight color in her 
cheeks."Are we ready to go?"he asked as he reached for her hand.Sarah 
nodded as she felt his warm and gental hand in hers.Sarah looked up 
and stared into his eyes.She  almost felt like backing out and 
ordering room service for a moment,but looking into his eyes she knew 
she had nothing to fear.

Doc,Gene.Ace and Peter all stood up from the table when they saw Paul 
walking towards the table holding Sarah's arm."Sarah,I'd like you to 
meet Doc.....Peter....Ace....and Gene."Paul said as each man nodded 
at her.Paul pulled out a chair and Sarah took her seat as she 
murrmered a thank you."So.....Paul tells us your going to be touring 
with us."Doc said as he stired his drink.Sarah kept her eyes down 
cast.It was plain for everyone to see that Sarah still wasent 
comfortable being around them.Ace looked at the woman as she sat 
there with her head hung down not saying anything.Ace could see her 
shake as she picked up her water glass and took a sip.Paul draped his 
arm around the back of her chair protecivly as he sat next to her."So 
are you going to be one of out offical groupies"Ace cracked up at his 
own joke as he looked at her.Sarah bit her lip as a warm feeling came 
to her cheeks."Ace leave her alone....."Gene said as he shot Ace a 
dirty look."Hey I'm just trying to make her feel welcome."Ace said 
shaking his head.Suddenly a memory filtered into Sarah's mind.Ace was 
the joker....always laughing and cutting up.Sarah found herself 
smiling slightly as she looked up at Ace."See.....I told you I could 
make her laugh!"Ace said with a nod.Paul looked at the smile on 
Sarah's face.She was even more beautiful when she smiled....not a 
forced smile but a real smile was on her lips."Well leave to Ace to 
get her to laugh!"Peter cracked as he opened his menu.The band 
laughed as they felt the ice had been broken.Paul gave Sarah's arm a 
slight squeeze telling her that none of them meant her any harm.Sarah 
bagan to relax as she sat there eating dinner with them.She still 
only spoke when she was spoken too.Paul noticed when ever she was 
asked a quistion she would look over at him before she 
answered.Almost as if she needed to permission to answer."Well we 
should all turn in for the night....."Doc said as he whiped his mouth 
at the end of the meal."Yeah we have a early flight to catch!"Gene 
said as he rubbed his hands together.He had been itching to get back 
out on the road.Sarah slowly got up from the table as Paul pulled the 
chair out for her."It was nice meeting you....."Sarah said softly as 
Paul took her arm.Everyone nodded as Paul escorted Sarah from the 
restaurant.Gene narrowed his eyes as he watched them leave."She seems 
like a frightend animal.....what the hell happened to her?"Gene said 
shaking his head as he got up.Peter shook his head."Paul could fill 
us in I bet."he said as he stood up.Gene nodded "I have a feeling he 
could,but I don't think he will."Gene said.


                             30

  Sarah placed the key card into the door.Paul stood behind her with 
his hands shoved in his pockets."Well....I guess I'll say 
goodnight."Paul said as Sarah steped inside the room.Sarah 
nodded "Thankyou for dinner."she said softly as she stood inside the 
room."Don't forget to call the desk for a wake up call....Were 
leaving really early."Paul said.Sarah nodded as she stood there.Paul 
could feel himself wanting to kiss her as she stood inside the 
doorway of the dark room.Paul without a thought brought his hands up 
to caress her cheek.Sarah flinched slightly as she felt his hands on 
her flesh.He stroked her skin with his index finger.There faces were 
now inches from each other as Paul wraped his arm around her 
waist."Do you want me to kiss you?"he whispered as he tried to read 
her dark eyes.Sarah could feel the words in her throat as she 
nodded.She was unable to speak as he tilted his face towards her 
placeing a soft kiss on her lips.Paul was now standing inside the 
room with her.His arms around her almost holding her up as there kiss 
grew deeper.Both of them starteled when they heard the door close 
behind them leaving them in the darkness of the room.There kiss broke 
slowly,both of them not really wanting to let each other go.Sarah 
fliped on the light switch bathing the room in light."I'm 
sorry...."Sarah said softly as she looked away.Paul shook his head as 
he looked at her "Sorry for what?I kissed you."Paul said.Sarah wasent 
sure why she was sorry....all she really knew was that she wanted to 
have his arms around her again.The only thing Paul knew was that she 
dident need a man right now pawing at her.He needed to tell her 
goodnight and leave the room before he did something that he would 
regret."Good night Sarah...."Paul said as he turned to leave the 
room."Paul.....please stay with me."Sarah said in a whisper.Paul 
turned around to look at her.She seemed so small and frigtend."You've 
been through so much....."Paul said as he took her once again in his 
arms.Sarah felt so safe when he held her....he was her knight in 
shining armour and she never wanted to let him go."I'll sleep on the 
sofa...."Paul said as he pulled away from her.Sarah nodded "As long 
as your near me.....I just hate being alone."she said.Paul nodded "I 
know....I'll stay with you."Paul said.



Sarah's eyes closed the moment she laid down.It was the first time 
she had fallen asleep without fear sense she had left the 
hospital.Just knowing that Paul was in the room sleeping on the sofa 
across the room was all the comfort she needed.Paul lay awake looking 
up at the ceiling.She wanted him near her and he would stay with 
her.If it helped her sleep he would never leave her side.Paul was 
just drifting off to sleep when he heard her crying softly in her 
sleep.Paul quickly walked over to the bed.She was clutching her 
pillow as the tears streaked her face."Shhhhhh.....your 
ok....shhhhh"Paul said as he stroked her hair.Sarah reached up and 
took his hand.Paul lowered himself into her bed and took her in his 
arms.She curled herself around him as her crying stoped.Paul looked 
at her face in the darkness as she relaxed against him.Paul fell 
asleep holding her in his arms.One of his dreams was coming true 
about her......he had fallen in love with her.