Casina listened, dashing the tears from her face, but not fully understanding. Her parents were dead, her brother was dead, and she...she had spent over two years of hell in some damned mental institute she had no place being at in the first place. And for a crime she wasn't even guilty of committing.
Her shoulders shook then, and she released her hold on the branch overhead and dropped to a precarious squatting position on the other. Her hands flew to her face as deep, gut-wrenching sobs tore at her spirit. Afraid for her safety, the commander moved to draw her to him, comforting her the best he could, before pulling her back against him as he resettled himself in the crook of the tree. Gravity and the angle of the branch made it a necessity.
"I know you're probably hating being this close to me," he said, "but it's the best way for both of us to stay safe and get a little rest. I know you don't feel well." As she continued crying, he drew her closer as if she were a child, cuddling her against him, a hand to her head as she buried her face against his shoulder. "Let it out, Casina," he advised. "There is no one to hear but me. You're safe with me."
It was a good long while before she stopped crying. And still he held her close, feeling her heart beating against his, the wetness of her tears on his skin and vest, the warmth and softness of her form against him. Eventually, realizing now that it was an alien she was snuggling against, she sniffed and abruptly drew away.
"I wish I had a hankie," she said, running a hand under her messy nose.
"A what?"
"A tissue. You know, something to wipe my nose with."
"Here. These should work." As he spoke, he leaned over to tug at some greenery below them, until he had a few leaves in his hand. His light drifted over them for a brief inspection. "No insects or nasty fuzz," he said. "Here." He grinned when Casina quickly snatched them from his hand and blew her nose. Then, after wiping her face the best she could with the leaves, she let them drop into the darkness below.
"Th-Thank you," she said.
"My pleasure." He carefully leaned his head against the massive trunk behind him, glad the branch was wide enough for him to stretch out his legs on it. "The night is still long. Just relax against me. Pretend I'm your luxurious, comfy bed back at TrCasinaar. I won't try anything, trust me. And I promise, I won't let you fall. Seriously, I'm not going to hurt you. This is our best option."
When she remained silent, he added, "Would you rather I lay against you?"
"No, I suppose not." She giggled at the thought. He chuckled in response and pulled her tighter against him, helping her get more comfortable.
"I know you're afraid," he said softly. "But please, just trust me for once."
Casina refrained from saying anything after that. She was tense as she resettled herself against him, every muscle in her taut with the expectation of what he might do to her. But he slowly brought her head back against him, allowing her peace so she could relax.
Surprisingly, it wasn't long before she fell asleep, apparently being soothed by the warmth of his body and the steady beating of his heart beneath her ear.
* * * *
He sighed at this and tightened his arms about her, enjoying the feel of her warm body nestled against him. The scent of palenton rose petals drifted from her hair, and he closed his eyes at the intoxicating scent. He lifted a hand to smooth her hair back and whispered a few words in Kathian to ease her pain. He knew it was risky, her sleeping with a head concussion. But he knew his prayerful words would help.
As a trained warrior, alert to everything around him, he knew he wouldn't sleep much himself. He paced himself, drawing himself from near-slumber every so often to listen to the night noises and to check on Casina. Amazed that she slept so peacefully in his arms, he wondered how she would react to him in the morning when she realized where she actually had spent the night. Once she was rested and more alert, she would probably give him a tongue lashing that would put them right back to where they had been in their relationship before the crash. Damn.
* * * *
Several hours later, Casina started mumbling in her sleep and growing physically agitated. She stirred restlessly as she was consumed by yet another nightmare. Without Paxis there to sedate her, there was little the commander could do now except reassure her.
"Sh sh," he whispered, as he pulled her even closer, his mouth close to her ear. "It's okay.
Everything is all right. Go back to sleep. I'm here. I won't let anything hurt you. Sh sh."
That seemed to work because he didn't hear another peep out of her after that. When satisfied she was sound asleep once more, only then did he relax again and settle in against the tree, wondering what it was about her that affected him so. Then gently and confidently, he placed his hand atop her head, whispering words that only he and his Source could hear.