fandom_clinic | Post Holiday Counseling

[Walking into the clinic, she desperately hopes she won't bump into Wilson. She steps in the office and looks around, fidgeting.]

Jonathan looks up to see Professor Cregg, she of the gorgeous legs and unneccessary touching. He puts on a smile and stands as she enters the room.

"Hello Ms. Cregg," he says, "I'm not sure if you remember but I'm Jonathan Crane," he extends his hand to her, "How may help you?"

[Her voice is incredibly soft...subdued. She looks at his hand and pulls in on herself, arms folded and tucked under her arms.]

Of course I remember, Jonathan. [She smiles softly] I came in to, um, make an appointment? Maybe? I need to get back to therapy.

Jonathan returns her smile and folds his hands together in front of him, his voice is also soft but professional.

"Well, I usually hold open hours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays," he tells her, "But I also make appointments if you'd prefer that. My schedule is fairly flexible and I'm always happy to accomodate a patient. What sounds best for you ma'am?"

You? You're the therapist? Bu you're so...[she looks at him with a strange realization in her eyes.] young. I'm sorry, that was rude. Wednesdays sound fine.

Jonathan gives Professor Cregg a smile, "Not to worry, I've heard that many times ma'am. And if Wednesdays are all right for you would you like to begin now? I'm free." He indicates the couch, trying to look unthreatening.

I...could do that. [She moves to the couch, never entirely taking her eyes off him.] I'm kind of out of practice with this. I haven't seen anyone since I lived in California.

Jonathan sits down in his usual chair though he attempts to scoot it back a bit further away from the couch than it normally is. He tris to look as unthreatening as possible and keeps both feet on the floor as he addresses her, hands folded in his lap.

"There isn't really a set formula to it, Ms. Cregg, would you prefer I call you CJ?" he asks expression blan but interested, "I usually start with a question or two about how you've been feeling lately, why you're here. I do assume there is a reason why you're here?"

Um, CJ's fine. Yeah. [Looking down at her hands, she relaxes a little] I'll follow your lead, I guess.

"All right then CJ, why did you feel the need to come in today?"

[She looks down at her hands, and slowly slides her sleeves up, revealing bruises in perfect hand shaped bracelest around both of her delicate wrists.]

Something happened last night that brought back some things I've been pushing away for years...and I thnk it's time I deal with them.

Jonathan doesn't blink at the bruises, just nods.

"Some one tried to hurt you?" he asks gently, "And it reminded you of being hurt in the past?"

[His lack of a reaction puts her at ease. Relaxing against the arm of the couch, she slips off her shoes and pulls her feet up, tucking them beneath her.]

Yes. Precisely. [She chews on her lips for a while] I used to work for a non profit organization that helped rape victims.

Jonathan focusses his attention on CJ's face. Trying to look as unthreatening as possible while still seeming professional.

"Sometimes we try to help others because there was a time when we didn't get help ourselves. Don't you agree CJ?" he asks as gently as possible

I do. I do that...all the time.

[She tucks her hands underherself, rocking slightly. For no good reason, Jonathan's shoes are fascinating and she stares at them...through them, really.]

I taught self defense too.

"CJ did this attack, the one recently, remind you of the time you were raped?" he asks. He wants her to look at him, but he knows he can't make her so he lets it go.

[She freezes, not believing it's so obvious that even a student can see it. Looking down, she blushes brilliant red and she can feel the heat from her neck to her eyes. As it fades, she decided it's finally time to admit it...to someone. To herself. She looks up, her words precise and her voice hollow.]

Yes. It did. It brought back when I was raped...before.

Jonathan nods, he tries to relax his own posture.

"Are you okay with talking about it?" he asks her gently and without pressure, "I understand if you can't right now but I think it might help."

He sets the legal pad and pen he usually has with him during his sessions down on his lap, hoping it might make her more comfortable.

Okay? Not really. [Straightening herself on the couch, she looks at him.] It's not something I've ever talked about, Mr. Crane. I think that's a big part of the problem.

Jonathan shakes his head, "Of course," he says, "That was poorly worded and I'm sorry. Obviously you aren't okay about any of it. I'm simply asking if you are able to talk about it. Because if you really aren't ready, my pressuring you into it will only hurt in the long run.

So I have to ask, can you talk about it? And please, call me Jonathan."

I...can talk about last night. Can we start there? J-Jonathan?

"Certainly CJ," he says giving her a reassuring smile, "So, why don't you tell me about what happened last night?"

Is this confidential, Jonathan? I mean...really? I don't want some of this out. People might get killed.

"CJ, I assure you, I'm very serious about my duties and obligations as a counselor. Everything you say to me is completely confidential, all of my charts are as well. No one is going to know anything you say to me," he tells her.

[She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.] There's this boy, he's not in school. He's kind of wild, and I spend time with his brothers and him. He'd gotten the wrong impression from me, and last night he met me walking home...and he...carried me into an alley. [Her breathing comes faster, and she closes her eyes, pushing on.] And he grabbed me and told me that he knew I wanted to...with him...and he woudn't stop.

Fandom isn't exactly Gotham City and as far as he knows there's only one trio of wild brothers hanging about. Not that he lets on that he knows who CJ is talking about.

"Were you able to stop him?" he asks, wondering if she needs an appointment at the clinic for a completely different reason, "And how did he get the impression that... you wanted that from him."

I...stopped him. I pushed him off me. He wasn't trying to hurt me. If he had been I'd have never gotten away.

[She fidgets a little, picking at her skirt hem.]

He got the idea because of how I am. I touch. I smile. I care about people. And they aren't used to it, so when I said I cared, that I liked them...he thought that meant I wanted to...you know...be lovers.

Jonathan nods, "Sometimes people get wrong impressions CJ. It's not like you did it on purpose. You know that, right?"

I know...but it happened anyhow. [She sighs] And I do like him. And I adore his brother. But...Jonathan, they're children. I don't look at kids like that...it's sick.

"That's a very healthy outlook," he assures her, "And was this similar to what happened... before?"

[Closing her eyes, she looks down and begins to tremble] Um...sort of. Um, before he, um...I...can we wait on this?

"Of course CJ, not a problem," he tells her, "So, you know the person that attacked you well? Have you talked to him about it?"

I won't talk to him again. Ever. I hurt his feelings telling him no. If I go near him, he'll take it...he won't stop at no. [Her eyes are wide with fear and the trembling becomes more pronounced.]

"CJ that's... that's kind of dangerous for you," Jonathan says, "I mean, Fandom isn't a huge place and you're bound to run into him again. I'm not so sure you'll be able to simply run from this."

I'll...talk to his brother. They share everything. He'll know. He'll...help me. I think. And I've run from other things, Jonathan. I'm no good at hiding and excellent at coping. It'll work out. Last night I ran into Angel...he kept me safe...even if he is a...you know.

"Murderer?" Jonathan asks, unsure what exactly CJ's trying to say, "Well, if you're sure CJ, I'm just concerned. You're certain you can keep this from happening again?"

He's a vampire, Jonathan. And the Dean says we can trust him now. I guess. [She doesn't sound entirely certain, but she's trying.]

I don't know if I can keep it from happening again, Jonathan, but I know how to protect myself and he won't do anything if I'm not alone. So...for now at least, until there's a better solution, I won't be alone.

Jonathan nods, "Can I ask you what it is you like about these boys? How you first became friends with them?"

[She smiles softly, remembering.] I saw them at church, actually. And then we talked about the Virgin Mary in the park. I get along with the youngest the best. He's...sweet. Curious. Lost. He, um....he makes me feel needed. Useful.

[ooc: *Sniff...wanders off crushed like a little grape* Nobodieluvsme]

((CJ's done broken. She'll catch you on the way out. I have my evil plan in motion! Muwahahaha))

[ooc: Evil plan woohoo!! *Cheers and waits patiently in the wings.]

Post Holiday Counseling

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