The window is closed and yet it flickers. With every overwhelming wave of frustration a sigh escapes and the flame, flick, flick, flickers. A yawn escapes me, my eye lids feel of lead and they begin to drop, slow and heavy. But I must not falter, it is my destiny that I finish what must be done here. But the flame, those ever present sighs, the way the flame dances against the air, seductive, enticing, hypnotic. Darn this form. A quick respite, then, then we will finally see it through.

…

The candle has formed a pool of wax at its base, It seems to be a 1/4” lower than it had been but a moment ago. Realization settles in at the amount of time lost. Must have dosed off longer than I wanted. Damn it, which would also explain the blank pages and a quill unyielded, it’s tip bone dry. The unceasing need to stretch takes over while I scan the room. A lumpy pile of blankets tells me all I need to know and I make my way to the pillows on the bed. It’s soft and warm and calls to me. Has me thinking of another possible nap but I can’t mess this up. The CDS gave me this assignment for a reason.

I push at the warm comforters edge, where I feel little warm puffs of air escape. She stretches long and deep and she groans at having been disturbed. She gropes for the alarm clock and pulls it under the covers. Another groan, and the cover go flying.

It only takes a sideways glance to the table for her to look over and notice the paper still laying there bare and ink well left uncapped.

“We must have dosed off” She rubs the back of her hand against her eyes blinking them wider as if to waken herself faster.

“Good thing you woke me, I should probably get going on this report.” Her lips curl into a beautifully simple smile. “Thank you, Sam” her voice is like catnip to my ears. She leans forward and caresses the back of my neck, down through my tail. I purr and she kisses me deep on my forehead.

Pulling a blanket along with, she makes her way back to the desk and dips her pen into the awaiting ink.

“I can’t do this alone” she looks over her shoulder at me. I smile too, she might not know it but she’s never alone. That’s what I’m here for, I’ll always be here for her.