I do not own this show at all. Expect updates of this fic on Wednesday if i miss it one week check it out the next and it should be up. Any planned hiatus lasting for longer than two weeks will be posted both in the story and in the profile, unplanned emergency hiatus's will only be posted on the profile. Now that that is out of the way please enjoy the story.
"You're trying too hard." Dr. Ella said softly as she looked at John Watson. "It will take you some time to come to grips with what happened to you. It's natural for you to feel frustrated, to feel like you're not going to get through this anytime soon. It's natural to feel like you need to get it immediately or you'll never be able to, but this is going to take time and patience."
"I would feel better about not having any control of it if I wasn't being held prisoner here." John said bitterly the words burning with fake civility. He clenched his fists tightening them around the steel cane that sat on his lap. His hand trembled minutely even as he tightened his grip.
"This isn't a prison John we are not locking you up because you've done something wrong. The Irregular House is a safe house. It is a place for Irregulars to learn to control their gifts in a comfortable and secure environment without the fear of accidentally hurting someone. Until you have control of your gift you are a danger to yourself and to others. For your own protection and the protection of everyone around you we're holding you here until you can enter society safely. Answer this question for me and tell me if you are ready to rejoin society. An Irregular of your strength with no control of their gift loses control of it on the tube, what happens?"
John didn't answer he glared at her with anger simmering in his chest. His knuckles turned white as he squeezed the cane and tried to reign in the sickening feeling in his chest that was letting him know he was close to losing the tenuous control he had over it.
"Dr. Watson answer me." She stated simply like she wasn't demanding him to rip open the most sensitive part of himself and put it on display.
"Everyone dies." He ground out through gritted teeth.
"And do you have enough control to prevent that?"
"No." He said reluctantly.
Dr. Ella leaned toward him her hands clasped together on her crossed legs. "I'm going to ask you a question Dr. Watson and I want you to answer it truthfully. Whatever you say next will influence my decisions from here on out. I want to help you, but I can only help if you answer with the truth. So do not lie to me here to save face or to spare my feelings. Are we clear?"
"I'll do my best." He said the caustic bitterness having dissipated some a sinking feeling in his chest he identified as hopelessness rising up in its place.
"Do you feel that these sessions with me are helping you gain control of your gift?" Dr. Ella said the same way she seemed to say everything, with a mix of pity and compassion that ignited a virulent flame in John Watson like almost nothing else could. He was a fully grown mature man. He was a doctor and a soldier. He did not want nor did he need to be coddled.
He sat there silent for a moment weighing his answer carefully. "No Dr. Ella I do not feel like these sessions are helping me."
She nodded decisively like she agreed with what he said. "Most Irregulars respond well to therapy, but everyone is different and things that work well for one person won't work for others. That is why I am recommending that you be removed from therapy and placed in a Mentorship Program. If you chose to join the program you will be partnered with an experienced Irregular who can stop you if they feel you are losing control. They will be your Mentor. You will live with them in a flat overseen by a Manager, that is to say a normal person like me that will help you to gain control of your gift. The Manager is not a therapist and you are not required to speak with them about your thoughts or feelings. If you for whatever reason cannot go someplace with your Mentor you must stay near your Manager. Specialized bracelets will prevent you from going more than one hundred yards from your Mentor or Manager outside the flat. You will be required to live with them and work with them. Wherever they go you will go. Whatever their plans are your plans are. Whatever missions they have are your missions. Once they feel as though you are thoroughly in control the security bracelet will be removed and you will no longer have to rely on your Mentor or Manager to leave the flat."
"I won't have to come to anymore sessions?" John asked sounding thoughtful to the therapist's well hidden delight.
Dr. Ella shook her head. "No once you are signed up for Mentorship any and all therapy sessions end. Instead your Manager and Mentor will oversee your progress. The only way you will return to therapy is if you choose to do so or your control of your gift deteriorates."
"I'll be able to go outside then." John said and the therapist noticed that his hands had loosened their grip on his cane and he leaned forward.
"As long as either your Mentor or Manager goes with you, yes you'll be able to leave your apartment whenever you need to do so." Dr. Ella said with a nod. "So would you like to join the Mentorship Program or would you like to proceed with therapy."
John sighed weighing each option carefully even though he already knew how he would answer. He nodded once confident with what he decided and spoke. "Sign me up for the program."
Dr. Ella picked a thin manila file folder up from the table beside her and held it out to him. "Pack your bags and be ready to leave at six thirty sharp. A black car will pick you up at the front gate and drive you to your new flat. In the car you will be given your instructions, your new security and bank cards, your security bracelet, and a packet of rules and restrictions."
He took it from her and resisted the urge to look through it. "Thank you Dr. Ella."
"You're welcome Dr. Watson. I wish you the best." She said as she stood and held out her hand for him to shake. He shook her hand feeling lighter than he had since he'd been invalidated home.