Escaping Grace

I woke myself up screaming.
I sat straight up in bed with a whimper, my head pounding in pain. I pressed my hands against my face, feeling the bandages on my forehead and the soreness around my eye. My cheek was swollen already.
God, everything really hurt. I looked up in alarm as the door suddenly flew open, and a half-dressed half-sleepy Andy stumbled in the door.
I blinked.
I was at Andys.
"Leah?" he demanded, at the side of his bed. "Are you okay?"
My mouth felt like cotton, so I just nodded.
Andy was just in his sleep pants, and I hoped he wasn't asleep on the couch. I glanced down at myself, seeing I was in his clothes again. Did he change my clothes? I wondered.
"Do you need anything?"
"Water," I croaked, and he left the room.
I tossed the blanket off my legs. I was warm, but not burning up like I would have been if he had been sleeping with me.
I glanced at the clock, seeing it was just now four in the morning.
Andy returned with some water and painkillers, and I took them both gratefully. I closed my eyes, feeling a little better.
Andy sat on the edge of the bed, and gently brushed my hair out of my face. "How bad do you feel?" he asked.
"Not too bad. My head just hurts."
"I'm surprised that's not the only thing. Do you hurt anywhere else? Is there any more large bruises?"
"I don't think so."
He took my hand, and I glanced down. It was dark, so I couldn't see the damage right now.
"Thank you," I said, my voice small. "For being there for me. He would have killed me."
"I would have killed him," he responded. My eyes flicked to his in surprise, and then away.
"I'm sorry you got involved, though." I sighed. "He's my problem, no one elses."
Andy didn't say anything immediately, his thumb brushing slow circles on my hand. Then he gazed at me, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't know how. Finally, he let his breath go in an aggravated sigh.
"Has he hurt you before? Like that?"
"N-no." "Leah." he frowned at me. "At this point you don't have to lie about it. He's already black listed."
I frowned at him. "He's abusive, yeah, but I've never seen him so bad before. It was like something had set him off worse then what it used to be." I rubbed my arm. "He never even hurt me until Danny moved out. Danny!" I gasped.
"He's asleep in the guest room."
"What?" I blinked. Andy looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, he couldn't stay at the apartment with the door busted down. And he was furious and wanted to see you. I said he could sleep over. Vale is with CC." he added, and I let my breath go. I relaxed, and squeezed his hand.
"Thank you so much for this, Andy. I don't know how to repay you."
"Just get better so we can sleep together again and I'll call it even."
Startled, I laughed, and then winced. Andy gave me a smile, and leaned over to peck me on the lips. "Go back to sleep," he ordered, "and I'll see you in the morning."
"Are you sleeping on the couch?" I asked, holding onto him tightly before he could leave.
"Yeah."
"Why?" I blinked at him.
He looked embarrassed again. "I told your brother we were friends. I figured it would fuck that up if I slept in the same bed as you."
I chuckled. "I feel bad you're on the couch."
"It's not like I've not been passed out on it before."
I smiled.
"So get some sleep, okay?" he went to move away.
"Wait!" I hesitated. I really didn't want to be alone. I couldn't remember whatever drug hazed dream I had been having, but I wasn't feeling like being by myself would help me sleep.
Andy stayed. He brushed at my hair again.
"I'll stay," he said softly. He leaned forward, and his lips brushed mine, just the barest touch. I raised my eyes to his, suddenly wishing I wasn't hurt.
He smirked slightly, as if assured again of himself, and I rolled my eyes.
His lanky self crawled over me and laid down, and then he pulled me to him. I laid my head on his chest with a sigh, and wrapped my arm around him, curling my legs up. His arm swept around me protectively, and he pressed his lips into my hair.
I closed my eyes.
"Sleep well, angel," he murmured.

Notes