Day 10 Morningish
*********************
N'lin was just getting ready to leave when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," he called, pulling on his boot.

Timidly the door opened at Merissa peaked her head in.  He winced.  "Come in
Merissa.  Its nice to see you again."

She stepped inside, and he could pick up her guilt without even trying.  He
patted the spot next to him on the bed as he scooted over.   She sat and
started speaking in a rush.

"N'lin, I'm really-"  he put up a hand and cut her off.

"Sorry?  Don't be," he said firmly, but with a smile to soften it.  "It
wasn't your fault.  By the Gods, it wasn't.  For one thing it's not the
first time."

He met her eyes and turned his best 'sincere' look on her.  For his own
peace of mind, as well as hers, it would be nice to set it straight right
away.

"It's just something that happens to me, Merissa.  The official term is a
night terror.  I can't really help what I do when I sleep and neither can
you.  In fact, I should be thanking you.  You saved my life, Merissa."  He
took her hand and gave her his best smile.  "Thank you."

He wasn't really surprised as her dusky skin acquired a red flush.  He knew
he would feel the same.

"Ah.. um.. I really didn't do anything-" she started to protest before he
cut her off again.

"Exactly, so you have no reason to feel guilty about it," he said with a
grin.  She blinked, a bit surprised by the turn around.  "I also know you
think that anyone else would have saved me, and you're probably right.  But
it was you and not someone else and I've very glad about that.  I'm not sure
Trinale would have taken it so well considering what happened last time..."
He trailed off with a frown, eyes dropping to their hands, and barely
controlled a shudder.

"But that was the past and," he raised his head to meet her eyes again," so
is last night.  If you prefer, we can call it even?"  He really hoped she
would.  He was already feeling guilty because she felt guilty.

Merissa smiled, "Please.  I really didn't do anything special.  I'm just
happy that you're all right."

"I am.  But I'm not sure if my luggage is.  Foil cut it loose rather
abruptly in the urge to be after your lovely queen."

They both shared an all too understanding smile over that.

"If you don't have anything else to do, I'd appreciate the help getting it
moved into my old apartment, which no one else seems to have taken.  That is
if you're not busy.  Foil's not the best gossip and it'd be nice to get
caught up on what been happening..."

[NRPG: Well, I guess that's a tag, Arlene :-)]