"You're a really great cook." I complimented as I held my stomach in satisfaction and laid back on the bed. John had cooked steak and mashed potatoes for dinner and I couldn't believe how good it tasted.

"Thanks but it's only because I didn't have a choice. I've been living on my own for a long time, now." He said. I felt the bed dip and I realized he had sat next to me.

"How long have you been on your own?" I asked.

"Ten years."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty six." I looked over to see him staring off into space.

"But that would mean-"

"Yeah, I've been on my own since I was sixteen." I pursed my lips together and looked up at the ceiling as I thought about his words.

"Do you have any siblings?"

"You ask a lot of questions." He commented.

"So, do you?" I pressed.

"Yeah, one. An older brother."

"Do you get along?"

"Not really." I paused before asking my next question because I was nervous to hear the answer.

"What all do you know about me?" I asked a little quieter this time.

"Hmm. Well, I know that your birthday is August 10th. You're a college student at the University of Arizona in Tucson. You are majoring in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. You are the only daughter to congressman, James Morrison. Your best friend is Jessie Trulow, the daughter of congressman, Timothy Trulow. Your hobbies include drawing, watching movies, and sitting outside while you listen to music." I started to feel a little invaded by all of the things he knew about me.

Does he know about my mom?

I looked over and saw that he was staring at me and I blushed from embarrassment.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I asked and pulled a hand up to feel. He let his lips curl up a little and shook his head.

"No, I was just thinking."

"About what?" I asked as I pushed myself up onto my elbows.

"I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong with me." He said as he looked deep in thought.

"What are you talking about?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"I've never...opened up to someone like I've done with you...I'm just trying to figure out why." I blushed at his response and looked over at the TV.

"Can we watch television or is that against the rules of kidnapping?" I asked and I saw his lips turn up again.

Geez, I'm making light of a horrible situation. What is wrong with me?

"I guess a movie wouldn't hurt." He said and stood up. He ruffled through his duffle bag and pulled out the movie, Rambo. "I don't really have any girly movies." He said as he grabbed a few more DVDs out of his bag.

"It's alright. I don't care." I said as I stood up and walked over to him. I went to grab the handles so he could grab the movies easier but he jumped when I touched his hand, making everything fall to the ground.

"I'm sorry." I said quickly and kneeled down to pick stuff up. I was putting everything back in the bag when I picked up my cell phone. I held it in my hand and stared at it.

Five missed calls: Jessie
Fifteen New Text Messages

"I can't let you keep that." I heard him say beside me. I turned to look at him and his smokey eyes looked conflicted. I handed him my phone and gave a small smile.

"It's fine." His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he looked down at my phone. "Can I ask a question, though?" He looked up at me and nodded. "How long has it been since you took me?" His eyes squinted as if he were in pain and then looked down again.

"Three days." He said as he put my phone in the bag and grabbed the rest of the movies out. "You can go ahead and pick."

Three days...the Father's Day party...I wonder if he's looking for me. I only had missed calls from Jessie that I saw on my phone.

Daddy...

Did he really not worry about me?

"You have x-men?!" I asked excitedly as I grabbed the movie and smiled.

"I take it that's the one, then?" I nodded and handed the movie to him. He popped it into the DVD player and put the rest of the movies back in his bag.

"Do you have popcorn?" I asked as he walked over and sat on the bed.

"Yeah, the far left cabinet." I went to the kitchen as the ads played and made the popcorn. When it was done, I turned the lights off and sat down next to him. Our arms brushed as I went to set the popcorn bowl between us and he moved away a little so we wouldn't touch again. For a reason I didn't really understand, it bothered me. We watched the movie in silence as we shared the popcorn. At one point, we put our hands in the bowl at the same time and our fingers touched. He immediately withdrew his hand and pretended like nothing happened.

Why is he acting so jumpy?

Towards the end of the movie, my eyes started to droop from sleepiness. I hadn't slept very good the night before due to sleeping in the chair. I tried to keep my eyes open but pretty soon, my eyelids were too heavy. I was only slightly aware that I had leaned over onto his shoulder for support but I was too tired to care by that point. I was happily in dreamland, content with the fact that my body wasn't aching from sitting up straight like the night before.

"Sweet dreams, Rori."

*~*~*~*

I rubbed my eyes and noticed that I was laying on the bed underneath the covers. I sat up slowly and looked around the room. It seemed to still be dark outside. John was sitting against the door with his legs and arms both crossed. His head was bowed and I realized he was sleeping.

That does not look comfortable.

I slowly got out of the bed and walked over to him. I watched him as he breathed evenly, despite how he was sitting. I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in that moment and a flutter went through my stomach.

I touched his shoulder lightly and in the next moment he had me pinned to the ground with my hands held above my head with one of his hands and a knife to my neck with his other. His legs were on either side of me as he hovered over my body. His eyes were intense and his teeth were gritted with his lips parted slightly. I stayed motionless as I took in what just happened. As realization came over him he released his grip on me, returning his knife to his holster. He sat back up and turned away from me.

"Don't ever try to wake me up again." He whispered as he rubbed his face with his hand.

"Yeah, I got that." I mumbled as I sat up and smoothed out my clothes.

"I'm sorry." I heard him say. I looked over, a little surprised by his apology.

"It's not your fault. I was the one who shouldn't have woke you up but...I was going to tell you to come lay down in the bed. It's big enough...and I feel bad watching you sleep like that." I explained as I stood up and walked back over to the bed.

"I'm fine right here." I turned around and crossed my arms.

"Don't be stupid. We're both adults so stop acting like a child and get over here." I said and he rose an eyebrow at me.

"I need to make sure you can't run. I have to sleep here unless you want me to tie you up to that chair again."

"Don't threaten that. I'm not going to run and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to sneak out without you noticing." He narrowed his eyes at me before finally standing up and walking over to me, getting inches away.

"Do you have any idea what it means for a man and a woman to sleep in the same bed together?" He whispered.

He's trying to intimidate me so I'll back down! Well, there is no way I'm letting him get his way!

"I'm twenty one years old. Yes, I know what it usually means but that's not the case here." I said defiantly. He closed his eyes and sighed in defeat.

"Fine, you win." He said and then motioned for me to lay down. I gave a satisfied smirk and then snuggled under the blankets. I turned over in time to see him take his boots off and get in bed. I stared at his back and noticed how tense he was. I wanted to reach out to him but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I heard rain start trickling outside and my nerves kicked in.

Oh no...please...please don't let there be a storm.

I turned on to my stomach and held my pillow as I listened to the rain become heavier and heavier. The room lit up from lightening flashing through the window and I cringed.

No, no, no!

I closed my eyes tightly and braced myself.

CRASH!

I held the pillow harder and bit back my scream. Fear filled tears leaked from my eyes and into the pillow. I felt the bed move and I opened my eyes to see he had turned over to look at me.

"You're scared of thunder." He said calmly. I stared at him, terrified to admit my irrational fear. Light filled the room again and tears started to stream down my face once more. "Come here." He held his arms out for me but I hesitated.

CRASH!

I jumped into his arms and clung to him as if my life depended on it. My hands clutched handfuls of his shirt as I buried my face into his chest. A scent surrounded me that I couldn't describe as anything other than uniquely him. It gave me a sense of comfort as his arms held me close to him. One of his hands held my head securely to his chest while his other was slid around my waist. Even in my state of fear, I couldn't help the deep blush that came to my cheeks when I felt his muscular body against my own. The room lit up again and I closed my eyes, trying to manage my fear.

CRASH!

I clung to him harder, if that were even possible. He stroked my hair and rubbed my back, trying to console me.

"Shhh." He soothed in my ear. His breath on my skin made my stomach do somersaults.

I felt like I was on a roller coaster; riding up to the top in fear and as soon as the final terrifying moment surged through me, I felt excitement bubble up inside of me from his touch, pushing out the rest of my fright.

"Thank you." I whispered but instead of responding, he just held me a little tighter. After the storm had calmed to mere trickling again, I relaxed in his arms. He loosened his grip on me and pulled away a little bit to look at me. He moved his hand to my cheek and wiped away the last of my tears.

"You alright, now?" He asked and I nodded as I avoided his gaze. "Good." He said and then relaxed like he was going to sleep with me still in his arms. Unsure of what to do, I froze and suddenly realized the position we were in. My skin burned from embarrassment and I buried my face into his chest to hide my red cheeks. Eventually, I let myself relax into him.

"Axel." He said.

"What?" My eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"My real name...it's Axel Brooks." My breath caught in my throat for a moment in surprise and understanding.

"Axel." I tested his name on my tongue. His body tensed up and I smiled at his reaction. "I like it."