Dreamtime

Danny had tears in his eyes when he and Ruby were done being together.

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked.

"I had an evil thought," Danny replied. "I usually... I have nightmares when..."

"You win."

"What did you say?"

"You win." Ruby closed her eyes and smiled.

Danny's eyes widened. "You... you said that? Back then?"

"Mmmhmm!" Ruby's smile was wider.

Danny blinked and touched his lip.

"Oh, and I have something for you," she went on, and held out his teddy bear... the one from back then. "Mommy got it from the hospital. She got it back just for you."

Danny instinctively took the bear and held it in his arms. "Thank you, Ruby," he whispered. "Thank you."

"Thank me in the morning," Ruby said, getting up off the bed. "You sleep now, and have good dreams. Mommy's taken away all your nightmares. Let Her worry about them."

"Yes, Ruby," Danny said, and took his regimen of pills.

"You don't have to use my name, if you don't want to," Ruby whispered. "Goodnight, Danny boy."