Hello again.. hope everyone is well.. another chapter down.. not updating as fast as I'd like but there are aspects of this story that I want to do properly.. and it requires focus.. also.. had my birthday and it was lovely..

Been on a re-reading binge.. or originally reading some.. if you want my two cents on a story and I haven't offered it yet, hit me up in a dm..

Thanks to marsupial1974 as usual for her unending support and arse-kicking..

Read on and review if you can.. or just enjoy ...


Chapter 6

Her first week outside was a whirlwind. Naomi was still getting acclimated to the lack of restrictions. Getting up early wasn't something she would likely stop any time soon. Too ingrained in her. Getting tense at unusual noises was better. One particular exchange with Kieran put an end to her using the word sir. She giggled at the stream of profanities he let out and it felt so foreign that she laughed until her sides hurt. Kieran simply looked at her and joined in. Gina was in the kitchen and felt her heart swell at the noise. It was an adjustment for all but a good one.

Other things she noticed changing, she kept to herself. She no longer jumped out of her skin at the sight of a group heading her way on the sidewalk. First time a group of four were to cross her path she froze and put her back against a store window until they passed. She felt naked having nothing on her person to protect herself even if she hadn't been in immediate danger. Anywhere she went, she made sure to note the exits and places to hide behind. Fights had been a part of life inside and she was habitually trying to erase the fears. Sleep came easier at least. Nightmares were seemingly minimal too.

She'd met up with her mum's old friend at the flower shop. She didn't quite remember her but the woman remembered Naomi. She told her to call her Jules. Naomi would be working in the back which suited her fine. She wasn't one for flower arrangement but organizing shipments seemed easy enough to pick up. Plus it limited her contact with the public. She wasn't ready for that. Might not be ready for that for a while still.

Something else that took place was her meeting with her parole counselor. She called him officer on the phone and he directed her to call him counselor. He mumbled something about not being the man. The phone call was over quick and she had an appointment with him scheduled the next day. She didn't know what to expect. She'd read over the provided rule book but his demeanor didn't give her much credence in what she'd read. She showed up thirty minutes early and waited an hour before he finally appeared.

Naomi had watched other counselors walk past her as she sat waiting. Clean cut, hard edged. The people seeing them equally hard edged and sullen. No one made eye contact, no one spoke. She understood the air of invulnerability they all carried. Naomi wondered if she looked like that to others. She worried her thumb as a short man, disheveled and in a rush came around the corner holding a briefcase, a pile of papers and a cup of something warm. He walked up to the office door next to her chair and looked at it, trying to figure out how to open it with his hands full.

"Here. Make yourself useful will ya?" He handed her the hot cup and the pile of papers while he looked for the key. Once the door was open, she followed him in. He put his briefcase down. Taking the files from her hand, he added to the pile already on his desk. "Thanks for that.. oh and that." He took the cup and sipped from it, making a hissing noise as it burned his lip. "Fuck.. still hot. Have a seat." She looked at him a little odd. He reminded her a bit about someone in the way he moved. "Go on Ms. Campbell."

"Thank you Mr. Jenkins." He made a face before taking a seat.

"Yeah.. no.. let's not.. No Mr... please.. um.. Sid.. Sid will work." He took off his glasses and wiped at them. "Mr... that was my father.. long since gone.. not being replaced.." He smiled at her. He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk. "So.. I read your file.." He point to a file he'd taken from her hand. "Pretty easy really... not you.. Don't know anything about that.. nor do I want to.. not saying that." He cleared his throat. "Sorry long night.. brain doesn't always work in the morning. Anyhow.. read through it.. hardly any trouble doing your stint.. only a few scuffles.. self defense from the notes.. earned time off.. as well as parole.. might say you was a model prisoner.." She looked at him but he was playing with his tie oblivious to the words he was using it seemed. "So.. keep it the same out here.. I'm supposed to do drop in visits but really you're living with your mum and da.. don't see the need.. you come in every month.. piss in a cup.. get tested.. stay employed.. you got work yes?" He looked up at her finally.

"Um.. yes.. I'm working.. part time at a florist shop.." She wasn't sure he was serious. "Are you.. having a laugh?"

"Sorry?" He looked at her and sipped at his beverage, swearing at the temperature but having another sip.

"I thought.. aren't you supposed to.. .."

"Be up your arse about staying out of trouble.. toeing the company line so to speak and making sure your parole isn't an egregious error? Yeah.. I would if I thought you were dangerous.. but you merely fucked it when you were younger.. made a mistake.. huge one but not loser material.. trust me I know loser.. you're not it.. so no.. I'm not making more work for myself if I don't have to." She looked at him like he was losing it. "Any questions?"

"So that's it? Show up once a month?"

"Mostly yeah.. if I need something else, I'll call. Took note of your mobile when you called for your appointment.. also.." He took a card from a drawer and handed it to her. "My mobile is on there in case there's an issue."

"I thought.."

"You're smarter than I am Ms. Campbell.. we both sure of this.. or would know this if we talked at length.. I don't think you want to sit there for hours and get hassled for stuff you're not doing anyway.. So.." He opened another drawer and took out a plastic cup, placing it on the desk. "Go to the end of the hall, on the right is a lavatory with a lovely female nurse who will watch as you relieve yourself. Hand her the cup when you're done and I'll see you in a month's time... unless you're on drugs which makes things complicated.." He looked at her.

"I'm not." She took the cup and stared at it. "Really? That's it?"

He nodded and smiled. "That's it... six months and you're done.. start living Ms. Campbell."

"Naomi."

"Ms. Campbell... don't ask.. just part of my own requirements." He drank form his cup. "Oh much better. Now.. off you go."

..

"Elizabeth..."

Effy blinked and realized she hadn't said much of anything since she walked into the appointment. She had appointments with her therapist once a week now. It had started as daily sessions way back when Foster was her counselor. She'd had some progression and regressions and so forth since then. She looked at her counselor and nodded. "Sorry.. was lost in thought." The therapist stared at her with a smile on her lips. She'd learned Effy's behaviors after almost to years of counseling. She was her fourth therapist since she'd been sectioned. "Naomi's out.. saw her and her mum the other day."

"And?"

She shrugged. "It went well. She looks older. Hair's dark.." She picked at her top as silence filled the room. A clock ticked away the minutes. "She seems ok.. sad around the eyes.."

"Are you happy she's able to come see you?"

Effy rolled her eyes and the therapist smiled. "That's a dumb question. Dumb questions serve no purpose."

"Then don't make me ask them."

She smiled and rolled her eyes once more. "I'm happy she's safe.. and able to come see me yes. We didn't braid each other's hair or do a slow montage pillow fight at the reunion." She made the therapist laugh and shake her head. The rest of the session was spent going over her previous week. Overall it had been a good week. Another one in the books. Her medications were working at the current dosage. Nightmares and small outbursts had been due to excitement and anxiety she'd been feeling over her friend finally being free. At the close of the session, the therapist brought up the same talking point she'd been talking about for the past three months.

"Any more thought to moving into a home? Somewhere with more freedoms... maybe taking courses?" She was convinced Effy was well enough to try life outside the institution. Nothing drastic. Living in a supervised home or a half-way house would be beneficial to Effy in her opinion.

Effy shook her head. "Not ready." She pressed her mouth in a stern line and the therapist merely nodded. The appointment was over and she was free to roam the halls or take art in the common room. She did neither. Instead she went to her room and sat by the window. She would often stare out. While encouraged to attend some sort of group activity earlier on, it had been evident she wasn't a joiner. Those close to her, the numbers always dwindling, had noticed that her penchant for being all-knowing had unfortunately taken a back seat to her ailments. Those not close to her, the major populace including other patients, were stymied by her all-seeing talents. More than once she had brought on panic attacks in others the rare occasion she attended an art class. There were a couple of more violent incidents from the more volatile patients. So the window was her solace.

She could spend hours looking out on to the back gardens. Somedays she saw every color, every blade of grass as it danced in the wind. Somedays she saw dingy film strips of a life so far gone she could barely recognize her own smile. Days she saw him had lessened. She used to hear and see him everywhere all of the time. Since her mother's passing, his appearances were close to none. Her mother had visited her a few times since. At least the memory of her. She knew that she was getting better. She wasn't dumb. But her episodes of darkness had terrified her. Being alone more so. While this wasn't ideal, this place. It served a purpose. It was secure and she knew there would always be someone around the corner.

Effy did think about it, leaving here. She wondered what kind of activities she could safely engage in that didn't create the urge, or need, to run away. She didn't know for sure and the doubt scared her even if she didn't exactly shout it out loud. She was aware that one other person knew about the therapist's thoughts on her going about her life. She'd mentioned it in passing while visiting but didn't dwell on it. The option presented during that fleeting conversation would pop back up every time her therapist opened up the discussion, or attempted to. She sighed and stood up and went out to sit in the garden instead.

..

Lady Gaga was blasting through the house. With her parents on a holiday and her brother away at university, Katie was taking full advantage of the place. "Ooh...ok... yeah.. a little harder.." Katie moaned loudly as she gyrated on top of a very focused muscular body. "God.. yes.." She raked her nails down his smooth chest and he grunted. His hands were on her hips, keeping her steady and their bodies tight together. They had gone to bed late and woke up early for the same reason. She had called him late evening on Wednesday as expected but she surprised him by telling him to come over to her place. He'd never been in all the time they had been together. While he had hoped to meet her family, he knew it wasn't that kind of visit when she met him at the door wearing some sort of silky thigh length nightgown. They didn't make it past the hall the first time. It was safe to say that they consecrated a lot of surfaces before they made it to the bedroom.

They'd met at a pub. He was with a couple of mates having a bit of after work fun when she came in and sat at the bar by herself. She ordered a glass of wine and sat there barely even glancing around. His mates were set on a group of girls celebrating some hen party or such. She'd noticed the lot but wasn't there to socialize with anyone much less a gaggle of peroxide chavs that reminded her of lesser times. The young man found himself attracted to Katie and left his mates after they started to hit it off with the girls. He walked up to her - something he hardly ever did. After asking if the seat next to hers was taken, and receiving a tepid response, he almost walked away. He wasn't her usual type. In truth, he reminded her of someone else. Someone she wouldn't look twice at when she was younger. He had a fit body, not a boy's and his eyes twinkled when he smiled. She made a comment and he laughed genuinely. They closed the pub down and ended up at his place that first night. Months later they were still at it. sShagging for what felt like the eighth time since he'd walked in the door. He definitely wasn't complaining. Neither heard the front door nor the voice calling up.

"Fuck's sake Katie!" The yell broke through the music and the groans as all motion stopped and a topless Katie turned to see her mortified sister standing at her bedroom door. She pulled up the sheet and covered herself. The young man under her froze and turned beet red at the same time.

"Cow! What the fuck! Don't you knock?" There was a noise of disgust as Emily turned around and flipped her off. She stormed down to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Katie sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Shit." She looked down at the man smiling up at her. His ears a deep crimson. She smiled at him and leaned in to kiss him, her hand touching his face. She pulled away and hopped out of bed. "Looks like playtime's over.." She grabbed a fluffy robe and covered herself. "Get dressed and get out yeah? I'll call you later." He sighed and nodded. She went to the loo and freshened up before heading down to face Emily who sat with a cup of hot tea simmering in front of her. "So like.. what? You came all the way here to perve on me?"

"Yeah cause I've not seen your tits enough in my lifetime." She blew on her tea and shook her head. "I left a couple of things. Figured I'd stop by.." Katie grabbed a mug.

"You could have called.. or rang or.."

"I still have a key Katie.. mum and dad's house yeah? It's not like I'm ex-communicated." She held her cup in both hands as she stared at her twin. "And it's not like I expected to walk into a porno.."

"Yeah well not all of us can afford to be out on our own can we? Mum and Dad went on holiday and I decided I needed my own." She poured the milk into her tea and took a seat. Emily looked at her and smiled as she shook her face.

"New boyfriend?"

"Hardly." She spoke as the young man entered the kitchen. He was fully dressed and smiled. "Hey.. heading out?" He nodded and looked at Emily.

"You must be her sister. I'm Tobias Webster." He held his hand out and Emily looked at it while raising her brow. "I've washed up.. promise." She smiled and shook his hand.

"Emily."

"I gathered.. Sorry.. about meeting under such.. well.. anyhow.. I should be going." A new blush crawling up his neck, he looked at Katie and she tilted her head up slightly as he leaned in for a good bye kiss. Emily watched him and she was reminded a little of JJ. He had a similar posture but the man in front of her was more muscular, lacked curly hair and braces. He also seemed a lot more articulate or mannered that any Katie's previous suitors.

"I'll call you yeah?"

He touched her cheek. "Of course.. Friday night or next Wednesday as per.." He smiled but there was a hint of genuine sadness in it. He kissed her again and with a wave he was gone. The front door shut quietly as Katie stared into her cup.

"So not boyfriend? Really?"

"Huh?" She looked up at the question.

"You said hardly earlier when I asked if.."

"Oh.. yeah.. no.. I don't know.. I meant hardly new.. He's been.. I met him months ago.. pure chance.. He was nice enough and good body.. We kind of.. shag... nothing complicated.." She looked a little perplexed and took a sip from her tea. "So you came back for some things?" Emily sighed.

"I also came by to see.. if you'd thought about the invite or if maybe you hadn't received it.." She met her sister's eyes and could tell she had received it. "Maybe you don't want to go.."

"Of course I want to go." She whined and rolled her eyes. "Ok maybe when I first got it I wasn't exactly thrilled cause you know bitch.. you move out get a roommate .. not me." She pointed to herself as Emily smiled. "And then you send an invite? Not even a call? Not like the warmest alright Emsy.. Could have called not add me to some list meant for coworkers and the likes."

"The invites weren't my idea.. But.. Connor insisted.. he's rather formal and forever complaining that I don't invite.."

"Connor? Your roommate's name is Connor? Funny name for a girl.. wait.. you're living with a bloke?" There was curiosity in Katie's eyes and Emily steeled herself. "Is he well fit? Oh god.. he's probably gay too.. ugh.. I bet he has keen fashion sense though." Emily had to laugh.

"Way to go for stereotypes.. and no he does not have keen fashion anything.. he's very.." She wanted to say plain but realized that would sound bad. "Adult in his wardrobe. He wears neutral colors and sensible clothing. And why are we talking about this?"

"Cause what else? If you're living with a nancy you might as well dish...though he doesn't sound very exciting. What kind of queen doesn't have fashion sense?"

"He's not a queen Katie." She played with her cup. "He's.." She cleared her throat. "He's my boyfriend."