She drove straight home. Her schedule was free for the rest of the day and she was in need of some quiet, alone time to start sort things out.

She was feeling so lousy for leaving him there like that but she couldn’t stay and didn't know what to do. Her own feelings were so confusing, she needs more time. Time to heal.

She walked into the house and took off her high heels. Falling onto the soft couch, she laid her head to the back, closing her eye and enjoying the silence.

“Doc? Heyyyy what are you doing home?” He was so happy to see her, he didn’t even notice how startled she was. “Oh! Roman, Hi, I didn’t know that you were home. I was free for the rest of the day and I decided to come home early. What are you doing here?” She has straightened herself up, watching him as he came to sit beside her.

“ Apparently, the police academy has a benefit tomorrow tonight. They’re raising money for the women’s shelter. Everyone left early. It’s going to be huge, most of Salem was invited” he smiled and  lightly caressed her cheek “ did I forget to tell ya?”

“Oh, I believe you have.. my head is somewhere else I guess, I’m sorry” she rubbed her forehead for a second while standing up but he got up as well, stopping her with his hand “ Hey Doc, it’s ok, it’s understandable. Don’t worry about it” he hugged her and she felt drained. She was lying to him again but what ached her the most was that she didn’t feel contained in his arms. His embrace felt more like a distress than anything else.

“ I’ve been meaning to talk to you.. I didn’t want to pressure you back then and I don’t want to pressure you right now” she pulled away from his arms, looking into his eyes “what?” She asked quickly.

“I was hoping you could share with me what happened at Maison Blanche”.

 

She let out a loud gasp and turned around. Even without telling him the part that has kept well hidden from him, talking about what that monster did to her was still very difficult. “ I’m sorry.. I thought that by talking about it, you’ll feel somewhat better.. and we could arrest that son of a bitch”. He walked around to face her. She didn’t talk, she didn’t know what to say. All she wanted was to go home and rest her mind, little did she know that it wouldn’t happen.

“Oh Roman ..” she whispered “I can’t.. I just can’t.. I know you mean well but I need more time”

Still not looking into his eyes she passed him, heading towards the stairs, “Doc I’m sorry” he let out. She gave him a small smile and headed upstairs.

 

She woke up before him and quickly left the house. She couldn’t face him. Yesterday she went to bed early, she was so tired and needed to recharge. The hospital was somewhat quiet, she loved it that way. Today would be the first day of her mentoring and she needed to get herself together. The nurse’s station coffee was horrible, so she headed downstairs to the cafeteria.

“Good morning Sinthya, one large macchiato to go please” she smiled to the old lady at the counter and waited for her order.

“Make it a two” the voice made her turn around quickly “ good morning Doctor Evans” he smiled. It was his. Doctor Kit Harington, her apprentice.

“ Oh hi, Dr. Harington” she smiled back, reaching her hand to shake his hand “ Please, Call me Kit” he reminded her. She remembered him offering her to call him by his first name but she didn’t want to come off as rude on his first day.

“ of course, Kit, well, you can call me Marlena.  We scheduled for 10:00, didn’t we?” She was trying to make conversation “ yes, yes we have. I just couldn’t sleep. My neighbor’s renovating and unfortunately, the noise starts early” they received their drinks and went up the elevator “oh, sounds annoying. I hope it’ll all be finished soon. Ok, so if you’re here, we could just start” Marlena opened her office’s door and Kit closed it behind him.

“ ok, so I would like to start with some techniques. I’m sure you’re familiar with hypnosis. Have you tried it before?” She sat on the couch while he took the chair. It was on purpose. She wanted to let him sit at the “psychiatrist's chair”.

“ no, I haven’t. I find it very interesting. Also, Dr. Ford always talked about how you use this technique when needed and how well trained you are with it” he leaned forward, looking into her eyes. She smiled “ our dear Dr. Ford is right. Hypnosis helped me a lot during the years” her hands went to fix her hair, crossing her legs on top of each other “ Could I practice on you?” He asked bluntly. She felt her cheeks starting to red up, she wanted to help him learn of course but they have just met, although ..”I know we've only just met but if Dr. Ford trusts you, then I do too. I’m your free time” Marlena closed her eyes, laying on the comfy sofa beneath her.

He felt honored to even be there and learn from her but to actually practice hypnosis.. he was thrilled.

“all right, are you feeling comfortable?” His voice was low “I do” she really was. The sofa was soft and a calming feeling flashed through her body.

"Let my words wash over you, and take the suggestions as you desire them. Everything here is safe, calm, and peaceful. Let yourself sink into the couch as you relax deeply. Your eyes may feel heavy and want to close. Let your body sink naturally down as your muscles relax. Listen to your body and my voice as you begin to feel calm.
You are in complete control of this time" He spoke in a low, slow, soothing voice. She was quiet now. Her face was peaceful and she breathed out quietly. “ Marlena, can you hear me?”

She nodded as a yes “ good” he said. Looking at her. His eyes examining her taut body, he got a glance at her bruised wrists “‘what happened to your wrists?”

She didn’t say anything. Her breathing turned ragged. Then she finally spoke, “‘I was raped”.