Undesired Help – Chapter 2 – First Session
Emma walked up to the third door on her left after exiting the elevator with Neal in tow. How had she let him talk her into this? To say she was nervous is an understatement, she knew she could do this, she was just doing it for Neal, and more or less for herself, knowing that it would get Neal off her back for the time being.
She opened the door with an obnoxious amount of hesitation to find a rather young woman sitting behind a desk. She was beautiful, Emma noticed right away, she had perfect chocolate-brown eyes, dark brunette hair that could be mistaken for black if she hadn't looked close enough, and her lips had the most adorable pout permanently plastered there. Emma blushed when she realized her eyes must have lingered on the woman's body for too long when Neal nudged her.
The woman looked up. "Miss Swan, I presume?" She asked, studying the younger girl's features.
Emma couldn't even form a coherent thought, so she didn't dare try speaking; she just nodded and attempted a smile, failing miserably.
"And is this young man your boyfriend?" She asked casually.
Neal laughed at that. "No, I'm not really her type." With an elbow to the gut from Emma, he clarified, "I'm her brother." He stated.
Regina almost smiled at that. "I'm Doctor Regina Mills." She introduced herself. "Is he going to be staying with us for our first session?" The older woman asked.
Emma shook her head, "No, um, is there somewhere he could wait for me?" She asked, finally finding words.
"Yes, there is a waiting room just down the hall." She directed the young man standing in front of her.
Neal smiled and squeezed Emma's shoulder as a sign of support. Emma sent back a fake smile in thanks.
As soon as the door closed, Regina spoke up. "Do you do that a lot?" she asked, when she got a confused expression, she elaborated, "Fake smiles to please those around you, dear." She said gesturing for Emma to sit down on the couch across from her desk.
The blonde shrugged, "not really, I only do it for people I care about, and the only person I care about is Neal. He's the only family I have." She explained, avoiding eye contact with the doctor.
"I see. So, tell me about yourself, Emma. What made you request for urgent treatment after all these years?" She asked, staring intently at the young blonde.
Emma slightly faltered, but quickly regained herself, "Neal followed me to this old, abandoned bridge a few hours ago." She stopped and finally looked back up at Regina, seeing nothing but understanding and comfort in her eyes, she trusted this woman, she didn't know why, but she felt like she could bear her soul to her and get no judgement in return, so she continued, "I was going to…" Her breath hitched in her throat as the realization of what exactly she was going to do on that bridge hit her like a big yellow school bus; she cleared her throat and continued, "I went there to kill myself." She finally concluded, with a bitter, hoarse voice.
The doctor's eyebrows furrowed as she stepped out from behind her desk and sat down on the black leather couch next to Emma. "Why?" She simply asked.
Emma allowed a silent tear to slide down her left cheek, "Because I don't have a reason to live." She stated sadly but honestly to the doctor sitting next to her.
"You simply haven't found one yet, dear." The older brunette stated, sending Emma a sad but reassuring smile.
"Will you help me find one?" She asked dumbly in her extremely vulnerable state.
She didn't understand why she had asked, but she was silently hoping with all of her heart that this woman would give her a reason to want to live again, to want to feel alive.
"I promise you, I will do my best, Miss Swan." She said, smiling at the broken girl sitting beside her.
Something flashed in Emma's eyes, it was gone as quick as it came, but for a second there, Regina could have sworn she seen hope.
"You can call me Emma, you know." Emma joked.
"Of course, dear." Regina smiled and got up to go to her desk when Emma grabbed her hand, startling her; she quickly turned around and looked Emma in the eyes.
"Thank you, Regina." The blonde said graciously.
"I'm just doing my job, Miss- Emma." She indicated, not caring that their hands were still clasped together.
Emma released the older woman's hand and her face immediately hardened, Regina found herself missing the warmth of another person. How long had it been since someone touched her, even in the most innocent way possible? Five years? Six?
"Right. Your job." Emma whispered, as if she was reminding herself more than anything.
Regina recognized the look of disappointment on the younger girl's features and immediately realized her poorly chosen words. "Emma, it's not like that. I'm not just helping you because of my job; I'm helping you because it's what I want to do." She desperately explained.
Emma looked up at her and knew she was telling the truth, she always had that ability, after years and years of being lied to and manipulated, she finally knew how to notice the signs of dishonestly. Her mask came down and she was back to the same expression she had worn just moments ago.
"So how long have you been a therapist?" Emma asked, her curiosity taking over.
Regina stiffened. "I'm uh; I'm actually not technically a therapist… yet." She admitted, upon seeing the younger girl's confusion, she continued, "I'm working towards my doctorate." She explained.
"Wait, so this is all just gonna be in some report? My life, is just going to be your class project?" It was more of a statement than a question. Emma was starting to get angry.
Regina didn't want to lie to her, she got the feeling that she wouldn't be able to even if she tried. "Yes, but don't worry, all the names mentioned will be changed for privacy and confidence, but I really am here to help, Emma. I promise" She said, smiling at the younger girl.
Emma released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "So when do we meet next?" She asked, clearly ready for this overwhelming session to be over.
Regina didn't need to check her schedule to know that she had the rest of the year free, "How about in three days' time? And if you need me before then, I'll give you my personal number, just in case it's late at night and you need someone to talk to." Regina smiled.
"Three days, that's Monday, right?" Emma asked, unsure if it was Friday or not.
Regina nodded.
"Monday it is." Emma concluded, taking the appointment card that also had Regina's personal cell phone number written on the back, just for emergencies, she reminded herself.
Just as Emma was about to leave, Regina spoke, "See you soon, Emma."
That hope that had flashed in her eyes before was back, and this time, it wasn't leaving.
May she could get better. Maybe she could be happy. Maybe she could have her happy ending, just like in the fairy tales. Emma laughed to herself at the last thought, there's no such thing as fairy tales.
A/N: Hope you liked this chapter! Please review!
