Page 184 of Knotting the Firefighters
Heat approaching?
Stress manifesting as paranoid delusions?
All of the above?
My eyes close again—exhaustion suddenly overwhelming, body demanding rest despite uncomfortable location and professional responsibilities waiting.
Just a moment.
Rest for just a moment.
Then back to work.
The sensation of hand brushing my forehead pulls me from unconsciousness—gentle touch that registers as concern rather than threat, familiar warmth that my sleeping brain recognizes as safe.
My eyes flutter open, vision adjusting to find Bear hovering above me with an expression broadcasting worry. His massiveframe blocks sunlight, creating a shadow that makes his features seem more defined, concern evident in the furrow between his brows.
Bear.
When did Bear get here?
The kittens have apparently claimed me as territory—climbing across my torso with complete disregard for personal space, their tiny meows demanding attention I'm too disoriented to provide.
"Where did you come from?" The question emerges confused, my brain struggling to reconcile his presence with my memory of being alone.
Timeline doesn't make sense.
He wasn't here before.
Now he is.
What am I missing?
"I've been sitting here for at least fifteen minutes," Bear responds with gentle patience, clearly recognizing my disorientation.
Fifteen minutes?
I frown, awareness expanding beyond immediate surroundings. I'm still under the tree, still in my original position, but now my head rests in Bear's lap rather than against rough bark.
His lap.
I'm sleeping in his lap.
Under tree shade.
On training track.
How—?
"When did I fall asleep?" The question seeks missing time, attempts to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the current circumstances.
"Fifteen minutes ago," he confirms, hand coming up to brush hair away from my face with a tender gesture. "Was worried you'd fainted initially…came over to check on you, found you unconscious but breathing steadily."
Unconscious.
Lost fifteen minutes to unplanned sleep.
That's not normal.
