World's Apart

Believe in Dreams

                "Allie, my heart, it's time to move around."

                She slowly opened her eyes, afraid she was imagining his sexy voice, that her cruel mind was playing tricks on her. And suddenly all she could see were Scott's bright blue, smiling eyes looking into hers.

                "Where did you come from?" She whispered, her voice rough.

                "I never left you. I'll always be here." Sweeping the blanket from her legs, a cool breeze shocked her warm skin, he scooped up her legs and placed them in his lap as he settled at the foot of the bed. "We need to keep your muscles working." He produced a bottle of lotion and poured a generous amount onto his palm.

            Allie's cheeks burned as she realized what he meant to do. She tried to distract herself by watching the dust motes flit through the bright sunlight streaming through the gauzy curtains. Scott began working her calves, taking his time on each. 

            "What's the matter? I've done this for you many times." His laughter brought her focus back to him and his talented fingers.

            "It still feels new." She whispered.

            "You still don't remember me." He wasn't asking, the smile disappeared and a profound sadness replaced it. 

            "I'm sorry. I wish I did." Allie placed her hand on his. It was the first contact she initiated and it felt completely natural. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

            "No, of course not. It's not your fault, Boo." Scott perked up, his lopsided smile returned, lighting up his handsome face. "We'll just have to fix that."

             His hands continued their intense ministrations as they continued to their trip to her thighs. His long, talented fingers caressed her thighs inside and out. Goosebumps covered the flesh his tender fingers explored. Trailing his hands backwards to her knees, he lifted each thigh gently, allowing the knee to bend and stretch her hamstring.

            She groaned as her muscles protested. How could this be a dream? Why was everything so intense?

            "Am I hurting you?"

            "I'm just so stiff."

            "You're not the only one."

            Allie's cheeks flamed at his innuendo but she couldn't help laughing at his charming smile. Chuckling he applied more lotion to his hands. The smell of coconuts permeated the room giving the illusion of a tropical paradise. She didn't really care where she was as long as she could stay with him. 

            Clearing her throat she tore her gaze painfully from his. 

            "How did we meet?" She needed a distraction from the sensations this sexy hunk was stirring up in her. Be careful, or else you might forget this is only a dream. Would that really be so bad?

            "Well, it was a spring afternoon. I was in town having a cup of coffee at the bistro and this beautiful woman walked down the sidewalk. Suddenly her heel was caught in the storm grate. She tugged on her shoe unable to pull it free. When it finally did, she stumbled backwards and almost fell into traffic, and then I caught hold of her." 

            "Wow, that's some story. So what really happened?"

            "What? You don't believe that I chivalrously saved you life?" She smiled at his feigned look of shock. 

            "Surprisingly enough I can smell the bull." Laughing softly, she felt carefree and light for the first time in more years than she cared to count. 

            Laughing Scott stopped massaging her legs and gently rubbed her feet. "Seriously, it was through work. I wish I could have given you the cute meet you deserve but I met you at the hospital."

            "Why were you at the hospital?" She swallowed over a lump in her throat.

            "I'm a pediatric surgeon. You were on your way to radiology and I was leaving surgery. It had been a rough procedure and somehow you knew what to say."

            "Was the procedure successful?" What could she have possibly said to help him? But what a sweet thing to say. Spending so much of her life in the hospital only made her more socially awkward. And around a handsome doctor? Unheard of!

            "Yes, although it was touch and go for awhile there."

            "I'm glad it worked out. I know first hand that it doesn't always." There were always people coming and going, Some got better, some didn't. She learned early on not to get too close. 

            "That's all behind you now. Soon you'll be up and around and you'll never have to spend time in a bed unless you want to."

            "If only that were possible." She chuckled, she couldn't control the blush at his last comment. she had no delusions though. Her destiny lay in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines, dying alone. 

            "You'll see." He started massaging her feet until she was sure her muscles wouldn't support her if she tried to get up.

            "That feels incredible." She groaned, The exquisite pleasure and pain elicited by his beautiful fingers threatened to unravel her reservations. 

            "I knew I'd bring you around." His eyes crinkled delightfully as he smiled at her.

            Playfully she batted at his arm. It was getting easier to enjoy her dreams. The ones with Scott. She had never felt so cared for. So loved. She would much rather stay here than go back to her lonely hospital bed.

            It was only a pipe dream though. It wasn't possible to live forever in your dreams. No matter how much she may want to. However, she was determined to enjoy them while she could. Maybe she could be well in her dreams. Maybe she could walk along the beach with Scott by her side. Or go on a picnic. Kiss him. Make love to him. Just once.

            She reached for his hand. He froze,

            "Are you alright?"

            "Yes. I wanted to thank you. For everything."

            "You're my heart, I'd do anything for you."

            Tears burned her eyes. If only he were real. But this was her dream. She didn't have to be sick and weak if she didn't want to. She had control. This was her messed up mind after all. Placing her hands behind her back she tried pushing herself up. Her arms shook under the strain. It's not real. It's just a dream. I can do anything I want. 

            "What are you doing?" Shocked, Scott tried to stop her. "You're going to hurt yourself." 

            "No. I have to do this." Groaning, she leaned her weight against one arm as she took a break. Sweat trickled down her back as she panted. 

            "Allie, lay back. You're not strong enough yet." He placed his hands on her shoulders. Close enough to rest his head on hers. His full lips so close to hers, his breath mingling with hers. 

            "Who says? This is my dream and I will not spend my dream like I spend my life. Trapped in a damn bed."

            Scott's sigh as he pulled away broke her heart. Pain etched across his features.

            "You still think this is a dream? I had thought we were getting somewhere."

            "Does it really matter?"

            "Of course it does. I love you, Allie. There is no way we can have a future if you can't see this as real." Getting up, he stormed out of the room. 

            "Scott, please."

            Flopping against her pillows, tears burned her cheeks. What was wrong with her? She turned her face away from the closed door. Why couldn't she even be happy in her dreams?

            The sound of the door opening stirred her from her troubled slumber.

            "Scott?"