She heard him, but she waited until she knew he was well asleep before she repeated the words. She wasn't afraid to say them, she was afraid of how she'd say them. And hearing herself she was glad she'd waited. Her voice, soft as it was, was filled with need and confusion. She knew she'd have to get past that.

With a low sigh, she snuggled a little closer and closed her eyes. She needed sleep, too, badly.