A/N - This is my first ever fanfiction, I've just started it, have a vague idea of where its going, if you think its ok please say so, I'd love to hear feedback, positive or negative. I'm enjoying giving this a go so please let me know what you think :) thank you for reading, enjoy!

Lisa's Nightmare - Chapter 1

Leonardo Da Vinci woke suddenly from a deep sleep and was, at first, unsure of why. There seemed to be nothing out of place.

As always, he was lying on his blanket-bed on the floor of the upper level of the workshop. The room was dimly lit by moonlight coming in through the window which was only partially concealed by a tattered rag. He could see the shadows of the cloth dancing faintly on the ceiling. The scent filling his nostrils was the same as always: Dusty, paint-like musk. He felt perfectly comfortable – or as comfortable as you can get in a blanket-bed on the floor – scratchy sheets rough against his fingertips.

He could hear a slight breeze whispering through the streets outside, chickens somewhere far off, the rustling of the other apprentices, their heavy breathing, a child whimpering…wait, no… not a child. The sound was too near. Leonardo's ears tuned-in to the pitiful sound. It was soft and child-like yet troubled, accompanied by quick breaths and the sound of moving sheets as if someone were tossing and turning. As he became more aware, Leo realised that this distressed child was lying right beside him. Not a child at all. It was Lisa.

Leo blinked deliberately, trying to wake himself more fully, and pushed himself up onto his elbows so he could look at her. He was almost relieved to discover her to be asleep. She was merely having a nightmare and all he would have to do was wake her up. He didn't really fancy dealing with an emotional girl at this time of night, probably crying about staining her dress or something.

Leo stopped and mentally chastised himself for thinking as such. Lisa was not like that, not at all, if she was upset then it would have to be something serious and he knew it was wrong to begrudge someone their feelings.

A slightly louder cry brought him out of his thoughts. He blinked at Lisa, taking in her troubled appearance: her forehead was slightly sweaty and creased in a frown, eyes tightly shut, tears escaping the corners but mouth open, she fidgeted, getting more frantic by the second. Her long curly hair was beginning to escape the short wig and her hands were tight fists around handfuls of blanket.

Conscious of the other, possibly awake apprentices, Leo chose to use her boy name, for safety.

"Tom…Tomaso, Tom, Tom! Wake up. Tom…" He whispered hurriedly but she didn't respond. He reached out to shake her shoulder but with her frantic movements his hands brushed her cheek instead. The touch was light but Lisa started away from it gasping, getting even more distressed.

Leonardo didn't know quite what to do. Foolishly, he reached out with both hands and roughly grabbed her shoulders. Only wishing to break her from the torment of the nightmare, he had meant well but he didn't know he'd made the wrong move until it was too late.

As he put his arms out he continued calling to her, using her fake name to protect her identity. The moment his hands made contact with her body and began to shake, Lisa's body language changed.

She suddenly stilled, tense as a taut rope, then her eyes sprang open but somehow she seemed still stuck in the nightmare. Her eyes rolled in their sockets, as if moving around the room but not actually seeing anything. She began to struggle hard, trying desperately to escape his grip, like she thought he was attacking her or something.

Just as he was about to let go, Leo saw her open her mouth and take a deep breath in. She was going to scream. Instinctually, Leo clamped his hand over her mouth, muffling her scream. He hoped no one woke up to find her this way, she would be found out for sure. He tried his best to quiet her, reassure her but she seemed to be totally unaware of him. She knew only her nightmare and feeling trapped.

Leo's reaction to her scream, despite keeping the others from waking, scared Lisa further and she struck out to try to free herself. She caught him square in the stomach with her fist. He quickly let go of her and put his hands over his midriff, trying to protect himself from another blow. Lisa took her chance and clambered clumsily out of bed and started to run down the stairs into the main workshop.

At the loss of contact, he realized she was gone.