Alex suddenly wakes, missing the state in between dreaming and waking for a moment lost in disorientation. Thoughts, or rather sensations of memories, slowly flood his mind, and he's aware of the body next to him. Relief is ebbing through him.

He rubs sleep from his eyes before he turns around, strangely emotional the moment he lays eyes on Ashly's relaxed expression. For only a few moments before she starts to stir, her eyes opening sluggishly.

A rise of guilt tightens his ...