***Hunter's POV***

When I opened my eyes the next morning, there was Chris lying next to me, already awake. "Hey..." I said slowly. "How long you been up?"

He smiled sleepily. "Not that long. I was just watching you sleep. You looked so peaceful......"

It was about that time things started to click, when I noticed the bruises and cuts and remembered why they were there. "You ok?"

The smile stayed on his face, but the happiness behind it disappeared. "Uhm...yeah, I'm fine, little sore but otherwise, I'm ok."

I took a deep sigh. He's lying to me. I know he is, I know he hasn't been honest with me for quite awhile, but hey, what can you do? "So...did you talk to Vince yet? About whether he still wants you to show up with your busted ribs?"

"He told me to take some time off. Said I deserved it." Dammit, he can't even look at me! He's now examining the intricate pattern on the bedspread.

I touch his hand, causing him to look up at me. "You going home then?"

"No!" he said, a little too quickly, and for a moment, I saw sheer panic in his eyes. He took a deep, shaky breath and let it out. "I mean...you know, I'll be bored if I'm stuck home alone. Do you mind if I tag along?"

I kissed him lightly. "You can tag along with me any time. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't rather just rest at home."

He rested his head on the side of my chest, and I wondered for the millionth time what could happen to steal the light and energy that, up until recently, had been in Chris.

* * *

So, I went to Smackdown. Fought my match. Watched Chris, who refused to leave my side unless there was a camera pointed at me, and even then he was pretty much glued to Sean. This only served to make me more sure that there was something very very wrong with my honey bun.

Once Smackdown was over, we drove back to the hotel. Oddly enough, even though Chris wouldn’t stray more than a few inches away from me, we were doing very little talking. When we got in the hotel, Chris went in the bathroom, showered and came out dressed in a t-shirt and boxer shorts. "I’m really tired, so I’m just gonna go to bed it that’s ok with you." he said, crawling under the covers.

"Ok…I’ll join you soon as I take my shower, ok?" Chris nodded.

I got into the shower and let the warm spray run down my body. This whole Jericho and Benoit situation has really screwed up my head. I feel….inadequate somehow. Like I should have been there to protect him. Like whatever else has got him so scared, I should’ve stopped that too. Dammit! I hit my fist against the shower wall, immediately regretting it because not only did it hurt like hell, but I didn’t want to wake Chris up.

I broke myself out of my thoughts and proceeded to wash my hair when I heard the bathroom door open. "Hunter?" I heard Chris’s voice ask, sounding tired and weak. "Did you drown in there?"

"No, sorry, I was just…lost in thought." I finished rinsing my hair. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I’m fine.." Chris sounded so sad….God, what is going ON here?????

I stepped out of the shower, my towel around my hair. I saw Chris get an odd look on his face, and taking it for interest I did I slight hip wiggle. "You decide you aren’t as tired as you thought?"

Chris looked down and away from me, then back up into my eyes. He looks....lost??? But why would he look lost.....why does nothing that happenes ever make sense anymore???  "I’m really sorry Hunter…I’m exhausted." he said apologetically.

Well damn. I moved the towel around my waist. "It’s okay. Why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll be there in just a second, ok?" He nodded and walked back to the bed.

I put on my boxers and t-shirt, trying to stop thinking about everything. I climbed into bed, pulling Chris into my arms. He snuggled up against me. "I love you," I whispered.

For an instant, I thought I heard a sniffle from him…must’ve been my imagination. "Love you too."

***

I wake up to the small cries coming from the body lying next to me. Turning over, I saw Chris whimpering and shaking, still asleep but obviously dreaming. "No..no..please stop..." I hear him whisper. I touched him gently, trying to get him to calm down, but he pulls away from me, crying "No! Please...not that, anything, just please don't...."

Not that???? What does he mean....what did Benoit do to make him scream like that in the middle of the night? And for that matter, what exactly IS the "that" that has Chris so scared? I shook him, trying to get him to wake up, but he keeps on having his nightmare. Finally, he appeared to calm down and I felt him drift back into normal sleep. I turned back over to lie on my back, but couldn't fall back to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about Chris's words...and the fact that before any of this mess with Benoit started, there was something going on with him.

I gave up on sleep soon after and got up to go for a walk. Maybe the night air will calm me down. But no sooner had I changed into pants and a t-shirt, Chris started to toss again. I rushed over, sitting down on the side of the bed and holding his hands. "Shh...calm down, I'm here...I'm not gonna leave." Almost as soon as I touched him, he relaxed. Well, looks like I'm not going anywhere for awhile.

I looked down at him. Usually, he looks like an angel when he's asleep (it's the worst cliché ever, but it's true), but with his face bruised from the attack and his eyes puffy from the tears that came with his nightmare, he looked awful. I smoothed back his hair from his face. "Chris, why won't you tell me what's wrong?" I whispered. "I want to help you, you gotta know that, why won't you trust me?" I bit down on my lower lip, feeling tears threatening. "I love you Chris, this is killing me, why won't you tell me what has you so terrified?" But there was no answer, not like I was expecting one.

_______
I can't see the thief that lives inside of your head
But I can be some courage by the side of your bed
I don't know what's happening and I can't pretend
But I can be your....
-"Thief", Our Lady Peace