It was one of three things.

[replicant_argent]

I woke up last night at 2 AM.
I couldn't figure out why.
It was quiet. But not the usual quiet.
My wife had finally fallen asleep after hacking and coughing as we both had for the past few weeks. I really didn't know what was up, but by sitting bolt upright, I of course woke her up.
It was a humming. I strained to see if I could locate it.
The dogs weren't reacting in any way.
A low throbbing humming. Not the usual high pitched tinnitus I hear.
I got out of bed, turned off the ceiling fan. Nope, not it.
My wife asks me, "What are you doing?"
"Can you hear that?"
"No."
"That humming sound."
"That?"
"No, that was the furnace."
"You look like an idiot."
(I shake my head back and forth quickly, and hear a clanging in my head. This, of course, concerned me, and the noise didn't go away, yet was a different concern. Great.)
Hands to my ears, standing in the middle of the bedroom, shirtless, crazy Bozo the Clown hair, cocking my head like a dog at a silent whistle concert. I agreed, of course. Stalking downstairs, tracking through the kitchen, basement, mud room, kitchen, half naked and in a ready crouch, I wouldn't want to see the video. Back upstairs.
"I swear there is a noise, and if you can't hear it, I am either insane, the alien chip has been activated in my skull, or you just can't hear it"
At this point, my wife informs me that she had finally gotten into a restful sleep before I had awoken her. And was now quite awake, thank you very much.
"Sorry."
We both laid there for a while, trying to go back to sleep, me trying to convince myself I was developing a 6th sense or something. No dice.
The GSP demanded coming under the comforter. I obliged. Pulled the little Tootsie Factory heater close in her Bagel Dog configuration to my chest to relieve the chill.
Stopped....

Listened....


The noise had stopped.


A few seconds later, Beth says.
"I hear it."



"Good, the aliens have switched off my chip and turned yours on, Goodnight honey."



I still haven't figured it out, but fully intend to make sure I have tinfoil hats for Beth, the dogs, and myself tonight.