Thanks to Ellen Hursh for her Croatian translations.
Dave was attacked on his way home from work. Recovering in the hospital, he started suffering from nightmares. A visit to Nina Pomerantz seemed to help, but Dave's sister, Chris wasn't so sure, so she asked Luka to speak to him. Luka explained to Dave that he too had suffered from nightmares after an incident in Croatia, and tried to help Dave realize that he was not to blame for the assault.
"Would you stay with me a little while?" asked Dave, "I... I don't want to go to sleep just yet."
"I will stay as long as you need me," promised Luka. "We will get you through this, I promise."
Dave smiled, suddenly feeling better than he had for days.
"And the strange thing was," said Luka, "No one found so much as a feather afterwards."
Dave laughed at the tale. The laughter turned into a yawn, as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Sorry," he said, yawning again. "Not bored, just tired."
"Do not fight it, Dave," said Luka softly. "Let yourself sleep. You need your rest."
"I... I don't want to dream," said Dave hesitantly. "Can't you give me something to make me sleep without dreaming?"
"Even if I could, I would not," replied Luka. "Running away from your fears will only make them stronger. But I will stay with you."
"Yeah?"
Luka nodded. "Sleep, and remember that I am here. Say to yourself as you close your eyes, 'I am not alone'."
Dave nodded tiredly. Curling up in the bed, he pulled the bedclothes around him. "I am not alone," he whispered to himself, as he closed his eyes.
"Ja chu zashtititi te kapuljachan kandzhe, ja chu drzhati vampir tvoje vrate," said Luka softly. It was what his father used to say to him after putting him to bed, and Luka had said it over the sleeping forms of his children on many occasions.
"What?" said Dave, sleepily.
"Shh, sleep," ordered Luka. He waited until he was sure that Dave was asleep, and then got a blanket and pillow from the nurse on duty. Turning off the lights, he settled himself more comfortably in the chair. True it was not the most comfortable way to spend the night, but it was certainly no worse than many places where he had slept in Croatia during the war.
A few hours later, Dave moaned softly in his sleep. The sound was enough to wake Luka. Untangling himself from his blanket, he moved over to the bed, ready to wake Dave if he seemed too distressed. As Luka watched, Dave lashed out weakly at an unseen attacker.
"Easy Dave," murmured Luka, putting his hand on Dave's shoulder to calm him. "It is all right."
Dave jerked at the touch on his shoulder, but didn't wake. Beads of sweat coated his forehead and his whole body was trembling.
"It is all right," said Luka soothingly, taking Dave's hand and squeezing it gently. "Do not be afraid, I am here." He wasn't sure if Dave could hear him and he was afraid that waking him suddenly might do him more harm than go d. He remembered being told in his Paedes rotation that the best treatment for nightmares was comfort and reassurance. Hopefully the same thing would work for Dave.
Whether it was the sound of Luka's voice or whether the dream had run its course, Luka didn't know, but Dave gradually stopped moaning and shaking. When it seemed that Dave was at ease again, Luka let go of his hand, and carefully rearranged the bedclothes that had been disarrayed by Dave's tossing and turning.
Settling back in the chair, Luka resolved to stay awake in case Dave had another nightmare.
"Yo, Kovac. Wake up."
Luka heard Dave's voice calling him. Opening his eyes, he squinted against the bright sunlight that was streaming in through the window. "Good morning," he said to Dave, who was sitting up in the bed.
Dave grinned at Luka. "Was gonna let you sleep for another bit, but I got bored. You know that once word gets around that you spent the night here, the rumors are gonna start flying."
"And I am sure that you will do nothing to dispel these rumors?" said Luka as he stood up and stretched, grimacing slightly as his muscles protested.
"You sleep okay?"
"Well enough," replied Luka, "and what about you? How did you sleep?"
Dave shrugged, "Pretty okay, I guess. I mean I didn't wake up screaming, so I guess that's good..."
"And did you dream?" asked Luka.
Dave nodded. "It...it was the same dream again...but it was sort of different...I mean, I was there, but it was like I was watching it happen to someone else. You know, like it wasn't me on the ground being kicked."
"I think that the more you talk to people about both the dream, and the attack, the less power it will have to frighten you. I know that it is not easy, but I promise that I will be here to listen whenever you want to talk."
"Thank you Luka," said Dave softly.
"So," said Luka, after a few minutes silence. "What time will Dr Corday be discharging you?"
"Well, I've got another appointment with Nina this morning, so I guess sometime in the afternoon," replied Dave.
Luka nodded, "In that case, I will go home and get the house ready. Do you wish me to bring you some clothes to wear?"
Dave shook his head, "Nah, I'll get some more scrubs. They'll do me for today."
"Very well then. I will see you in a few hours. And Dave?"
"Yeah?"
"You will talk to Nina? I mean, really talk to her. After all, she is there to help you, not to judge you."
"I'll talk to her," promised Dave.
continued in next post