The bathwater was almost cold by the time she finally was done soaking ? to be honest, she had fallen asleep for a while in the water. She would have felt bad for keeping Lang waiting so long, but she was too tired to care. Over-sized Inn robe was pulled from the door, and she padded out from the bathroom with her hair dripping in a tangled mass down her back. Straight for one of the two beds in the room, Kacey didn?t remove the robe as she crawled under the covers. She just had time to hear the water of the shower turn on before she was sound asleep.

Screams tore through the room, barely two hours later. Kacey sat bolt upright in the bed, and the screams stopped as she woke herself with the violence of her reaction. Lang was already crouched beside the other bed, gun drawn in automatic reaction. It took him a moment to remember where he was and realize the source of the noise. When he did he set down the weapon and walked over to Kacey?s bed. His voice was quiet. ?You okay??

She looked up at him with eyes so wide that the whites showed all around the color. It was several long moments before she swallowed, focus returning from nightmares to reality. ?I? I?m fine. Just a nightmare.? If she said it enough, maybe it would be true.

((Note: Posted with full consent of Lang Darkwing's player))

She started to shake her head, jerking motion cut abruptly short, and then she nodded, once - her voice a hoarse rasp, just above a whisper. ?It's all tangled... zombies and blood, fire and pain. So much pain. So much death.? She stared at the wall, invisible in the darkness. ?Past and present... it's all mixed up. And I can't tell it apart.?

He nodded softly to that, as he ran a hand through his hair. Slowly he sat on the side of the bed facing her, as he spoke softly. ?Kacey...how long have you been having this nightmare?? He'd keep his eyes on her, while she stared at the wall. He'd understand if she chose to end the conversation there.

It took several moments before she answered, wrapping her arms around herself with a convulsive shudder, and her eyes when she looked at him again were haunted. ?A year, more or less, since the first one. Since I was shot.? The words just laid out baldly, no emotion ? she was retreating inside her shell again. ?They're getting worse.?

"I see?? A soft nod and would place a hand to her shoulder. ?If you don't want to talk about it...We don't have to?? He did notice the haunted look in her eyes, as well as that shudder that rocked her form. There was a touch of understanding in his eyes, to the feeling of being shot.

She nodded, silently, staring at the wall again, his hand on her shoulder a solid presence to anchor her to the hereandnow. ?You should try and get back to sleep. I'm sorry I woke you.?

?I'll get some sleep, once I know you are going to be able to get some sleep as well.? He smiled, as he gave her shoulder a light squeeze. ?Besides..would hate to tell Harry that I let his boss pass out on the job.? Trying to lighten the mood.

She managed a little smile at that. ?If you wait for me to be able to get back to sleep, you'll be waiting a while. I don't know if I'll be able to get back to sleep tonight. But if I pass out tomorrow, I'll take all the blame with Harry.?

He chuckled. ?Alright...? He slipped off her bed, then held out a hand to her, ?How about we go downstairs for a bit then? Maybe getting your mind off of things will help you to relax.? At least he was offering to keep her company.

A few moments, then she nodded and took his hand and stood, pulling her robe tighter. ?Maybe.? And a crooked little smile. ?You don't have to stay up with me, you know - I know you haven't had much sleep,? then, quieter, ?But thank you for offering.?

?I know that.? He then crossed his arms a bit, as he was just in his pants at the moment. ?Saying you don't want me to keep you company?? And yes, he gave her a pout, but was trying not to grin.

Another little smile, but with more real humor in it this time. ?Brat. You know that's not what I meant... and I really would appreciate your company. But if we're going back downstairs, turn around or something so I can get dressed.?

?Alright.. alright.. I won't look.? Covering his eyes, but jokingly peeking through his fingers. He moved back over to his clothes, before he got smacked. He would get dressed again, while keeping his back to her of course.

A quiet chuckle at the banter drew a few coughs, but it only took moments after that to pull on her jeans and sweater - just going downstairs, she didn't bother with her shoes, and padded barefoot towards the door. ?Coming, slowpoke??

He looked over to her, as he just slipped his shirt on. ?Oh hush up? granny.? A smirk as he would open the door for her, letting her slip out first, then followed her to the stairs.

She gasped at that, just gasped - a few more coughs, quickly stifled, and then she answered as she headed down the stairs. ?Granny?! I can't be more than five years older than you! Brat.?

He snickered to that and moved up to walk beside her, patting her back at the coughing. ?Oh hush up...old woman? Just teasing banter...Meow? Fake hiss and clawing done with his hand. He did that with a grin, as they entered the common room side by side.

((Note: This post adapted from live RP))