Walking down the cold corridor, he could already see her from afar. Her office’s door was wide open, he could see her leaned against her desk, wearing a light pink skirt suit. The color matched her skin tone.  

She passed her fingers through her hair, moving it from side to side while her other hand held a patient file, or so it seemed. Kit couldn’t take last night’s vision from his mind, no matter what he did, they were there, lurking, consuming his mind with power lust.

 

“Good morning Kit” her smiling face greet him as he walked into her office. Closing the file, she straightens herself up, fixing her skirt. Little did she know, that her exposed upper thigh was the least of the things he has seen last night.  

“Good morning Marlena, did you sleep well last night? You look rested” smiling back he got closer. Now he could smell that alluring scent of her perfume again, he had to focus.

“You know, as a matter of fact, I did. It’s been such a long time that it happened” she was calm, relaxed. Passing around her desk, she sat on her big comfy chair.

“So” she started “ do you have any question regarding yesterday’s sessions?” Crossing her arms, she leaned forward.

He was shaved, his hair was a little wet, she guessed he took a shower right before coming in.

It reminded her of John. He used to take quick showers every morning before starting the day.

She loved the way he smelled right after one and always had to pace herself from ravaging him, although he never seems to mind.

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I looked over the notes I took at our last session with Mrs. Carter. She was hysterical, couldn’t carry one coherent thought. I was wondering if you considered hypnosis as a way of treatment”

He sat on the sofa, looking at her, she nodded her head as a yes.

“That’s a very good question. You see, after a few sessions, just like the last one, I offered her to try hypnosis. She refused. Was very afraid to lose control. Then I didn’t” her body leaned back into her chair.

“Couldn’t you still hypnotize her though?”

“Kit, a person who doesn’t want to get hypnotized, simply won’t. You have to be ready for it, embrace it. Hypnosis is not something one can force on another” she explained, he continued, loving to hear her voice, “ could someone be hypnotized without his knowledge? That would surely help with her treatment”

She stood up, heading towards the door, closing it.

“Kit, these are very disturbing questions” Marlena turned to gazed him, concern in her eyes.

“It’s purely academic Marlena” his piercing eyes stared at her for a minute and then she spoke.

“Well, one could be hypnotized without him knowing it. If he’s in a safe environment, feeling relaxed and listening to the therapist’s words with intent, he would go under”

Coming back to her chair, she sat on it. This conversation gave her the chills but she knew he was an apprentice and it was all so new and exciting.

 

It’s been too long since the last time he has seen her. He wanted to hear her laugh, how it echoed the room, sending butterflies into his stomach. To feel her warm hands, lips,

My God, he missed her like a madman.

Not too long before the divorce would be final and he would be hers, just like god intended.

Stretching himself up, he walked toward the kitchen, placing his coffee mug on top of the counter. The phone rang.

“John Black” he spoke

“John, hi, this is Shaine. How you doin’ man?” Shaine was his good friend and he was happy to talk to someone right now, to help him take his mind away from Marlena, if only for a little while.

“Hi man, I’m good, what’s up?”

“I’m going over your ISA application and there’s a thing missing. The physical examination team needs some more blood tests. Could you have these done by tonight? I really want to wrap up your application and send it to the guys at the board”

“sure, no problem” John smiled “I’ll get to the hospital and get right to it”.

 

He was happy he had something to occupy him because it felt like it’s going to be a very grueling day.

 

Sitting on her couch, holding a file on his knees, moving between the pages, he read her notes, each one of them. She was brilliant, he couldn't get enough of her.

“Marlena “ his voice broke the silence in the room “I’m reading Mrs. Walter’s file and I understand you tried on another hypnosis technique on her. Why was that?”

Marlena was known for her ability to help people using hypnosis, it was one of her signature treatment methods.

“Well Kit” closing the file that was on her desk, she stood up, taking it in her hand, heading toward the file cabin to place it back in “I always try to find new methods, new ways to help people slide into hypnosis. Each technique has its own advantages” she explained and came to sit beside him on the couch “I’m sure that once you’ll start treating patients, you would find the perfect method, just for you” her smile was beaming and he had to push all the stops in his body, not to kiss her.

 

Marlena looked the most relaxed he has ever seen her, leaning back onto the soft fabric of the couch taking another patient file in her hand, she roamed the pages “Wait, I will try to find the exact technique I’ve used on Mrs. Walter. I have it written in her file ” her long fingers browsed between the pages until she found it “here”.

 

The two sat in her office, the curtains drawn, the office darker than usual. Morning light filtered through the curtains, creating a soft, lazy atmosphere.

He took it from her hand, started reading it aloud "This will be quite simple. Just relax. Every muscle in your body. Let them rest. I want you to take slow, deep breaths. Each breath brings you closer and closer to complete relaxation. Allow all the thoughts to dissolve, and leave your mind as quietly as possible." Marlena scoffed softly, and Kit smiled again.

"It's only difficult if you imagine it to be”

He kept on reading, adding the last sentence from his mind, not looking at her on purpose.

She looked at him, puzzled, the way he read it, his tone was so low, she felt like it’s sweeping her away.

Marlena’s expression softened and became almost melancholy, but she didn’t move and took another deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment to concentrate. She opened them again looking almost lost, and Kit knew she was almost there.

 

"Now, I'm going to count backward from ten. Every number I count, it will become harder and harder for you to keep your eyes open. You will find yourself slipping closer and closer to a restful, dreamless sleep. When I count to one, you will be asleep."

Marlena met Kit eyes again, a flicker of uncertainty behind her deep hazel irises, but she pressed her lips together in a nervous but obedient manner that caused Kit to inwardly shiver in anticipation for what was being given to him.

"Focus on the sound of my voice and nothing else. Ten. Nine. Your eyelids are heavy. It would be easier to close them."

Marlena's eyelids fluttered, and the woman's gaze fell to her lap as if she was confused. Or scared. Those two emotions often went hand-in-hand.

"Eight. Seven. Six. Your mind is now teetering on the edge of a beautiful unconsciousness. Don't be afraid, let yourself fall in. I will be there to catch you."

Eyes closed, her head drooped a bit. She caught herself, but just barely. Her eyes were still open, but only by a sliver.

"Five. Four. Three. The empty space in your mind is being filled with the unconscious. You are so very close to sleep, and as soon as I count all the way down, Marlena, you will be there." he used her name now.

Marlena didn't seem aware of anything anymore, and she seemed unable to focus her gaze.

"...Two. ...One." As if by an unseen force, Marlena's eyes closed and her head drooped slightly again, but this time she was asleep. Kit allowed himself a moment to gaze at Marlena's sleeping, defenseless form. Her breathing was so calm, her expression so tranquil. Kit marveled at the sight for a moment, savoring it as if it was a bite of delectable food.

The fact that Marlena trusted him so much, as to lower all of her defenses in his presence... It was delightful in a way previously unknown to Dr. Harington.

 

"Marlena." Kit cooed in a questioning tone. There was a small pause before Marlena issued a 'Hm' sort of sound. "Can you hear me?" the doctor continued. "Yes," came Marlena's immediate reply. Her voice was devoid of its usual defenses and emotions. She has allowed Kit into the forts of her mind. The possibilities were tantalizing.

"I'm going to ask you some questions, Marlena. I would like you to answer me as honestly as you are able. Can you do that?"

"Yes."

"When was the last time you engaged in sexual intercourse?" came Kit's first question. Under normal circumstances, the bluntness of this incredibly personal question would have had Marlena putting up every defense and avoidance in the book, but today, Marlena was the insect that had been put to rest by the venom of the spider, all wrapped up in webbing and waiting obediently to be devoured.

"3 weeks ago."

"Who was he?" Kit asked interestedly.

"John. We were together for a few years before but we couldn't anymore."

"Couldn't what?"

"Couldn't be together," Marlena said emotionlessly. Kit perked a brow.

"Do you relieve your sexual tension in other ways?" Kit asked, crisscrossing his fingers and resting his hands on his lap, knowing the answer.

Marlena was silent as if she wasn't sure how to answer.

"Do you masturbate, Marlena." Kit rephrased.

"I did, only once" she responded.

Kit tilted his head slightly. "You can't bring yourself to, because of your longing for John."

"Yes."

"Whenever you close your eyes, begin to focus, touch yourself... You see those images. You see your ex-husband, you see Stefano." he knew who this man was and what he did.

"Yes." Marlena's voice was lower now.

Kit's eyes moved to the ceiling. "Stress manifests itself in many different ways. But there are as many relievers as stressors, and the release that comes from carnal pleasures are among the most ancient and prescribed stress-relievers known to man. Your particular stressor happens to be the very thing preventing you from relieving it."

Dr. Harington’s gaze trailed back to Marlena's partially aware form. "I would like to help you relieve your stress. Would you like that, Marlena?”

Quiet, not a single response “Marlena” he continued, his voice lower “It’s John, would you like me to help you relieve your stress?”

"Yes," Marlena answered, sounding almost desperate.

Bingo.

Another smile formed on Dr. Harington's lips.