Page 22 of Heart’s Prisoner

Lana shrugged, uncertain. "I don't know honestly. But whoever his enemy is, they were on planet 421."

Nicole nodded, her brows furrowing. "I know you'll figure it out, Lana. In time. Maybe just lay off the games for a while?"

"Maybe..."

"And I know this wasn't meant to be a therapy session or anything but how have you been feeling otherwise? Sleeping okay?"

Lana's eyes fell to her lap and she clasped her hands together. " I...ah...I've been having these dreams."

Nicole leaned forward. "Oh?"

Lana closed her eyes. " Okay, more like nightmares."

When Lana opened her lids, she saw Nicole staring back at her. "Tell me," she said.

Lana sighed. "I'm in the room where I do my sessions with Xerus. It's like any normal day. We are talking...or I am talking and Xerus is just...watching me. Then suddenly he is speaking but I don't understand him and his tone changes and it sounds like..." Lana's eyes met Nicole's. "It sounds like my father's voice. And when it changes I can understand him and suddenly I am crying. No, I am weeping. Then the glass just disappears. I scream and run for the doors but they won't open and I can feel Xerus right behind me. When I feel his breath on my neck that's when I wake up."

Nicole reached out and placed her hand on Lana's. "When did they start?"

"About four days into my sessions."

"I can prescribe a sleeping agent that might help dispel the dreams."

Lana shook her head and smiled. "Those always give me a raging headache when I wake up. It's okay, I'll manage. It hasn't affected my work."

'At least not yet,' Lana thought.

Nicole's lips tugged up in a little smile as she released her hand and sat back. "Just keep at it, Lana. You've got this."

***

Lana decided to take Nicole's advice and pause any more games with Xerus for the time being. At their next session, she entered the room carrying a bag over one shoulder and a box in her hands. She set the box down on the table and dropped the bag next to her chair. Xerus was by the window just as she turned off the screen.

"No games today I take it?" he said, eyeing the box and bag.

"Not today. I'm...holding off on playing anymore for a while," Lana said.

Xerus' mouth twitched. "Pity. I was really enjoying all the favors."

Lana gave him a tight smile. "I'm sure." She went to the box and opened it. "Since you've been too shy to talk about yourself. I thought today would be about me." Lana took several items from the box and set it aside then she took her laptop out from the bag and set it on the chair. Xerus gazed at the items curiously.

"What are those?" He pointed to the items on the table.

"Those are gifts I am giving to you," Lana said. She went to pick one up but hesitated when she caught Xerus` confused stare. "You do know what a gift is right?"

Xerus' eyes flashed over to her. "Yes, I know. I just don't know why you are giving them to me."

"Because I want to. Does there need to be any other reason?"

Xerus looked at her suspiciously. "Gifts are not usually given without just cause."

"Well, where I come from it can be." Lana hid her smile while she picked the first item. She turned back to the window and held it up for Xerus to see. "This is a mango. It's my favorite fruit."

Xerus looked down at her to gauge how serious she really was. Then he glanced back at the fruit. "It's...edible?"

"It sure is, see?" She took one bite from it and showed off the dark orange innards. "It's sweet and tangy. Care to try?"

When Xerus didn't say anything but didn't look completely disgusted either, Lana took out a non-bitten mango and went over to the transfer box by the wall. She opened it and dropped the fruit inside then closed it back up. She stepped away and observed Xerus carefully while taking another bite of her mango.

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