Priestly clutched onto Faith's arm for the hundredth time that night. He was shaking, beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. He hyperventilated, gasping for air as the tears rolled down his cheeks.
"It's ok," Faith soothed, rubbing his back gently. "It's ok, Priestly. I'm here."
"I... can't... do... this..." he choked out, holding onto his mother. "I don't... understand."
"Stop," she told him gently, leaning him forward so his head was between his knees. "Breathe. Slowly. Focus on the breathing. Just in and out."
After a few minutes, Priestly had calmed downn considerably, though he was still crying silently.
"Now," Faith half whispered. "What's wrong?"
"I'm tired," Priestly replied, turning his head away.
Faith sighed. "Ok."
She helped him lay back on the bed, and tucked him under the blankets. She sat by his side for a few seconds, while he breathed steadily, then she got up to go into the next room.
"Mom?"
Faith turned, her hand on the doorknob. "Yeah?"
"I don't want anyone else in here but you. Promise me?"
"Ok," she nodded. "I promise. Get some rest."
"Thanks Mom."
Faith waited until his breathing returned to it's natural pattern, then she left the motel room. She paused outside the door, closing her eyes tiredly.
Priestly had fallen apart early this morning, and had been inconsolable, only calming down when Faith was with him, and she was worn out. He didn't look like he was going to sleep through the night either, so she would be back to check on him every hour.
She rubbed her swollen tired eyes before making her way into the other motel room, where Sam and Dean were staying.
Dean & Sam
"So?" Dean demanded as she walked in.
Sam barely looked up from his computer.
Faith
"He's asleep, for now."
Faith rubbed her eyes.
"I just need to get him through one night at a time."
Dean
"Ok. Sam's taking first watch if you want to get some sleep. You look like crap," Dean said straight out.
Faith
"No, I'm going to sleep in there," Faith said firmly.
"He doesn't want to talk to either of you."
Dean & Sam
"Shocker," Dean rolled his eyes.
"Then go sleep," Sam insisted, "you need your rest. It's been a tough few days."
Faith
Faith nodded.
"Yeah, I hope he can get a few hours, so that I can too."
Sam
Sam stared at her for a moment.
"Are you ok otherwise? Or just tired?" he asked seriously.
Faith
Faith nodded, and then made a rocking motion with her hand.
"Eh, I don't know these days. But it's nothing a few hours sleep won't fix."
Sam & Dean
"Get some," Sam insisted.
"And be careful," Dean said sternly.
Faith
Faith went over to Sam and kissed his cheek lightly.
"Will do. To both."
Sam
"Goodnight," Sam kissed her back.
Faith
"Night Smoosh."
Faith slid her arms around his neck from behind and pressed her nose into his neck for afew seconds, breathing in his scent.
"Will miss you," she said softly in his ear.
Sam & Dean
"I'll miss you too," Sam leant into her touch, closing his eyes a moment.
"Oh come on," Dean rolled his eyes.
"Shut up Dean."
Faith
Faith brushed her lips across his neck lightly.
"I'll stick my head in again in a few hours."
Sam
"Ok," Sam nodded.
"Love you."
Faith
"Love you too, loserface."
Faith straightened up and left the room.