ways_infirmary | will and kate: taking stock

will and kate: taking stock

Malcolm is in the quiet corner he and Peter Venkman set aside for psychiatric sessions, for those times when patrons in the bar want a little privacy to talk about their problems. It's never had an official name, but Malcolm has heard it referred to as the 'counseling corner.'

Or as Venkman usually puts it: "Ye Olde Wackaloon Pen."

Fortunately, Venkman has never got around to putting that up on a sign, though he did scrounge one up that reads: "Don't feed the shrinks (but do buy them drinks)."

Malcolm has no problems with that one at all.

Anyway, he's meeting with a couple today, and they've been through a lot in the past few weeks--even for them. So Malcolm is taking a little more time than usual to make sure everything looks nice in the cozy space. The plants look fresh and green. The warm, incandescent lighting is at just the right setting. The temp is fine, and the climate control is keeping the air fresh. And for a last measure, Malcolm arranges Will and Kate's favorite drinks and snack foods on the table. (He has a knack for remembering details like that.)

With everything set, he settles back into the chair on the other side of the table from the couch (some days it's two or more chairs, but today a couch seems right).

And then, he waits.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Today, Will holds Kate's hand as they come in and leads them towards the couch, giving Malcolm a bow as they sit,

"Thank ye."

"Really appreciate it," Kate added as she sat down on the couch with Will, and she gazed back over at the doctor.

"Always glad to help if I can."

He gestures to the table. "Help yourselves whenever. We've known one another for a while now, so there's no need to be formal, unless that would make you feel more comfortable."

"The important thing is this is about what the two of you need. My job is just to do what I can to help make that happen. That sound good?"

"Aye, na sure what we need but 'rhaps ye can 'elp us find it."

Will pours himself some tea as with his other hand he squeezes Kate's hand.

"Need some help dealing with this," Kate quietly admitted, and helped herself to some of the vanilla chai to sip on.

Malcolm has some tea of his own, and he settles back with what will probably be only the first of several cups.

"OK. Why don't we start with something easy then? How are you both feeling physically? Recovering all right?"

"Guppy aided me side, doesna 'urt as much."

"Since I woke up? Ok, just need to build my strength back up, and been pacing myself with practice."

Malcolm nods. "OK, good. That fits the last reports I read about you."

"I know things happen when they happen around here, but if you can, try to keep resting. It's got to be getting to you by now, but the more time you can give yourselves to heal, the better."

"Anyway. Not trying to lecture you about that. Is there a beginning where we could start to talk about things from?"

Will moves his thumb over Kate's hand,

"Plannin' to get 'way for a bit an...na sure."

Kate got quiet, and glanced down at her tea.

"It has. A lot of it's hazy, but I remember about all of it now. Even the stuff from when the demon had control."

She grabbed some tissues hurriedly, and kept them in hand. Trying to hold off the sudden crying.

"That kind of violation is going to take some time, Kate. I'm sorry."

Will puts down his tea so he can hug her properly and stroke her hair and back,

"Na rush, love, we'll find our way through the darkness."

She drew in a shuddering sigh. But the word of violation didn't help, and yet it did.

"God... it was... happened again." She clung to Will, and started to cry anyway, unable to stop it.

Malcolm suspected the word would be shocking, but it was better to have the reality of the situation out there right from the start. To do anything less would prolong the agony, and that wouldn't do Kate any favors either.

"OK," he continues gently. "I think we can safely say that's one of the things that needs to be talked about. But I'm wondering if there are some others we can identify before we get into the details of any of them?"

Again his thumb traces circles on her hand,

"Na sure what ye mean."

"Become a damn statistic," Kate quietly said as she cried against Will. A repeat victim, something she had swore that it would never happen again, that guarding herself like she had would be enough.

Malcolm frowns ever so slightly. Sure enough, this was the main issue, enough to make the others not matter at all for now. At least, for Kate, and Malcolm suspected, that meant it would be the same for Will just because of that.

He studies Kate for a moment before speaking, but the signs he's picking up are all too familiar.

"There was another time," he says quietly.

Will holds her a little bit tighter at that, hating that she has to think of it again but doesn't speak.

She nodded, and hurriedly wiped her eyes. Tight grip on Will's hand as she spoke, "There was. A few years back now. Was walking through Central Park, had stayed late helping at a shelter. This man grabbed me from behind, and put his hands on me. I said no, but he didn't listen. Just took what he wanted, and left me behind. I've already been to therapy for it though after it happened, and the doctor I spoke to. She was a great help with it."

"OK," Malcolm nods. Glad to hear Kate had talked to someone, but wishing very much he could consult with the doctor she spoke to. Now was not the time for questions about that, though.

"And now you're worried this might amount to the same thing?"

Again Will doesn't have words so he just looks between them as he strokes Kate's back.

Kate peered back at the doctor, "You just called it a violation, Merlin said I was tampered. Sounds like the same kind of analogies, the same phrases."

"Well," Malcolm looks away in thought, "We might be dealing with the limits of language here."

He looks back. "But there's some sort of analogy at work here, Kate. And in the absence of a better sounding approach, I have to think we'll be better off treating them as being more alike than different."

"But that's how I see it, and that only means so much. Your opinion is the one that counts most here."

"'e 'urt ye, Kate, took 'vantage o'ye by findin' the chinks in yer armor. Means 'e did ye wrong as did that demon."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject