Disclaimer: I do not own The Hurt Locker, only original characters and the plot based off the movie.

Thanks to Straight Edge Queen and Osbourne20 for the reviews, as well as everyone who has put the story on alert.

Enjoy

He could tell she was nervous when she opened the door. Her hazel eyes were wide and frantic looking as she let him in the house, rushing back into the kitchen and letting him close the door. He chuckled and looked around the living room. It was pretty bare, the only sign she lived there were all the books spread around the room. He shook his head and followed her into the kitchen, amusement overcoming him at the state.

"You don't cook often do you?" He questioned, looking around at the kitchen trying not to laugh. Gab spun around and glared at him before turning back to the large boiling pot and stirring again.

"It's not exactly my forte." She snapped, feeling like a complete failure in front of the man. He walked over and stood next to her before shutting the burner off on the pot of pasta and the pot of sauce.

"You'll over cook them at this rate sweetheart." He lifted the large pot and brought it to the sink, dumping the contents into the strainer and watching the water fall through. She huffed in annoyance and began setting the small table with dishes and utensils. James sniffed the air and called over his shoulder.

"Something smells like its burning." He smiled when she swore under her breathe and rushed towards the oven, pulling out the well done garlic bread. She threw the pan down on the top of the stove and closed her eyes in frustration. James went through the cabinets and pulled down two bowls, placing the contents of the pot into them. They finished setting the table together and sat down across from each other. The silence stretched between them.

"How are you?" He finally asked, twirling the pasta on his fork and placing it into his mouth.

"Fine." She responded quickly, to which he looked up questioningly.

"Come on Doc, you always want me to talk about feelings, lets hear yours." He pushed, trying to get her to open up about earlier. She looked over at him in anger and put her fork down.

"That wouldn't be very professional James. I think this was a bad idea, maybe you should leave." She stood and started walking to the door, only to be spun around by him.

"It's not healthy to try and suppress or forget it, isn't that what you tell me." He hadn't noticed she flinched when he touched her and it took him a moment to realize she was shaking in fear from his proximity.

"Fuck." He said softly, taking a step back and looking at her more gently. "I'm sorry Gab, I didn't mean to scare you. You have to talk to someone though and wouldn't you rather it be someone who was there? Who you at least know?" He took another step back and watched as she clenched her eyes and fist closed, taking deep breathes.

"I was terrified James, what do you want me to say? That all along I knew someone would come, that I was trying to be strong the entire time. That I didn't resign myself to getting raped?" She was yelling in his face now and he simply stood there, letting her vent her anger and pain. It was the first time he had ever seen her so un-composed. They stood staring at each other before she turned and sat on the couch in the living room.

"I can't be touched by another man without flinching, I don't even like being alone with men anymore." She looked up at him and he sat down next to her, placing his arm behind her on the couch while making sure not to touch her.

"Except you, I feel better near you." She whispered, not bringing herself to look up at him. She stared at the books on the table in front of her. "The moment I realized you were there I can't even describe what I felt." She trailed off, leaving the conversation there. James knew not better than to push her again, taking what she said as enough for now. He was surprised when she turned to him and looked over in concern.

"How are you though? I heard what you said to Jack in the medical building." He looked away from her, seeing the things Anderson had tried to do. He sighed and thought over what to say, and was surprised when she spoke again.

"I think you're wrong anyway." She said quietly, looking up and meeting his blue eyes.

"You might not be ready to go back out there yet, but you are making progress. You should be here, you were meant to be here." They let the silence overcome them again and he shifted so he faced her more openly.

"Maybe we could do this again, ya?" He asked, smiling softly when she nodded in consent. He stood and started to leave when she called out again.

"I think you need to find a new therapist to see James, I think this situation will interfere with that portion of our relationship." Frowning he looked down before sighing realizing she was right.

"Way to ruin my Thursday Doc. Just set me up with someone else then, see you soon?" He left the question hanging and walked out of the house, closing the door behind him. Though the thought saddened him, apparently he wasn't the only messed up person on base anymore. He vowed to help her though, just as she was trying to help him.

Reviews are loved. Sorry for the time between chapters, RL is currently taking over and hindering my writing time. Next chapter soon.