Scene - Lesson Learned: Part 2 - Ren

She cuddled up against him, taking comfort in his strength.

He rocked her gently again. Brushed his hands through her hair. "Ya did good sweetheart. Ya done real good. An' ya don't have ta touch another Tremere ever again. They won't touch ya again, so long as I'm here."

Henrietta walked back into the room.

"Sam is panicking. I'm going to go kick his ass. As far as he is concerned, Ren, Jim and I rescued you. And when you're feeling less lost, I'm going to want to talk to you about the cause of this. I can fix the wounds they left on your soul."

She took another hitching breath as she fought to get her tenuous grasp on her self control back.

"okay" She said softly as Henri came back in.

He tilted his head. "That only took him a few hours." He nodded toward the door. "Go 'head, mama. I've got her." He smiled and kissed the top of Ren's head again. "Get ya tea sweetheart. We'll go tuck in with a movie. Sound good?"

She hopped off the counter and picked up her cup.

He picked up the other cup. Then slid an arm around her waist. "I'm thinkin' comedy. Sound good ta you?"

He laughed. "How 'bout Shrek?"

"I haven't seen that one" She gave him another of those awkward smiles.

He looked shocked. "Ya ain't seen Shrek?" He scoffed. Led her to the bedroom with an arm around her waist. "Well now. We gotta fix that." He closed the door to the bedroom behind him. Then gestured for her to climb onto the bed. "Get yaself comfy." He turned to the large entertainment center across the room from the foot of the very large bed.

She set her cup down and hopped up on the bed. She was watching him as he puttered about. Even in her current state, it was kinda hard not to watch him.

He flipped a case from a shelf. Turned on the television. Slid the disc into the DVD player. Picked up the remote control. But he didn't push play. He went to his dresser. Came out with a pair of flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt. He came over to the bed. "Arms up." He reached for the hem of her shirt.

She looked at him, blinking rapidly several times. She hesitated, though when she finally did raise her arms she smiled with a little more warmth.

He grinned. He tossed the remote control onto the bed. Then he lifted her shirt over her head and over her arms. Then he reached behind her to undo the clasp of her bra with expert fingers. He slid that off of her too. He thought about it. But he kissed her forehead and slipped his own t-shirt over her head and arms. "Lie back an' I'll get ya pants."

The shirt was like a dress on the willowy girl. She lay back on the bed so that he could deal with the rest of her clothing.

He unbuttoned the pants. He didn't even wait for her to lift her hips. Just started sliding them off of her. He leaned over to press a chaste kiss against her hip. Then slid the pants off of her. The flannel pajama pants were next. He slid those over her legs. They were probably about a foot too long. If not more. But he smiled and settled them around her hips. Tied them in a tight little bow so they would stay in place. Then held out his hands to help her up. "There we go."

She took his hand and let him pull her up. She looked down at her feet, lost inside the pants. "Thanks, Jim." She peered up at him, trying so hard to be strong and not break down.

He chuckled. Released one hand to brush over her hair. "Nothin' ta thank me for sweetheart." He turned to change into pajama pants of his own. He still wasn't wearing underwear. Still wasn't shy. But he had his back to her so that she didn't have to look if she didn't want to. Hitched the pants into place. Then came back to the bed. Sat down on it and picked up the remote control again. "Snuggle or ya want ya space?"

Sounds came from the kitchen. The sounds of popcorn popping in the microwave. And was that whistling?

"Snuggle." She waited for him to get comfortable.

Her head snapped in the direction of the door at the sounds coming from the kitchen. The look in her eyes was cold and predatory.

Yeah...she wasn't okay.

As if sensing the reaction from the girl, Henri's voice carried through the house.

"Ren, Jim, what do you want on your popcorn?"

Being close, his hand went immediately to Ren's back. It was a comforting move. "Shh, just Henrietta." How he knew that was anyone's guess. Then he smiled at her. Ran his hand in a slow circle over her back. "We got white cheddar toppin', butter, an' caramel toppin'. What kinda popcorn ya want sweetheart?"

She pressed back against his hand. "Butter and salt, please."

He turned his head to call down the hallway. "Butter an' salt, mama." Then he turned back to Ren. Kissed the top of her head. Pulled her against him. He tucked the blanket around her. Just up to the waist. His arm went around her shoulders. Rested her head against his shoulder. "I promise ya sweetheart. Safe here. Safe with Jim."