This was very hard for me to write. There was so much detail that I wanted to add, but it ended up being so graphic and so awful that I just couldn't do it. I can't even imagine what hand-to-hand combat must be like, or what losing a comrade and friend might feel like either. There is strong language.
I did have to have some humor from TK and his crazy, loveable self. 3
The next day...
"Well, Terrance, our time is up." Dani gestured to the small clock across from her.
"Aw, Dr. D!" TK slapped his leg. "Okay, so I got a question for you."
"What's that, Terrance?" She could not even imagine what might come out of TK's mouth these days. She'd learned to just wait, rather than guess.
He gave her a very serious look. "Nico gonna be alright? Cos, he ain't been himself lately, if you know what I mean."
"Nico is fine, TK." She smiled.
TK made a dramatic gesture. "Aww, see now, I know you think he fine, but come on, he gonna be okay?"
She rolled her eyes. "Terrance. Boundaries?"
"Aw, girl, don't play it like that, I seen y'all lookin' at each other since I met you. The way I see it, y'all need to be knockin' boots..."
"Terrance."
"Okay, okay, I'm just playin'." He stood up. "I'm just sayin', though, Dr. D. The man could use a lady like you." He winked and made a gun out of his thumb and index finger, pointing at her.
"Well, thank you for the observation, Terrance." She walked him to the door. "Next Tuesday, and don't be late."
As TK opened the door, he saw Nico walking up the steps. "Aw, what up, Nico Suave!" He held up his hand for a high five. Nico raised his eyebrow instead. "Hello, Terrance."
"Got another super-secret mission for Dr. D, huh?" He laughed. "Catch you later... or maybe not!" He swaggered down the sidewalk to the Suburban waiting to take him home.
She waved goodbye and gestured for Nico to come inside. "Come on in, Nico."
He walked through the door and slipped his hands in his pockets with a half-smile.
Dani rubbed her forehead. "God, but he wears me out."
"I concur," Nico added. He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. "And how is the lovely Dr. Santino today?"
She smiled and patted his arm. "I'm just peachy. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Maybe just a glass of water."
"Okay, then why don't you have a seat there," she pointed to the couch, "and I'll be right back."
He gave her a small nod.
She walked into the kitchen, took a glass from the dishdrain, and filled it with ice and water from the fridge. When she walked back to her office, Nico was seated on the couch, his head down, hands clasped over his knees.
"Nico?" She held out the glass.
He looked up and held out a hand. "Thanks." He looked nervous.
"You okay?" She took a seat in her chair.
"Yes. As okay as I can get."
"Alright." She sighed. "Well, let me tell you how this will work. I'll put you into a hypnotic state, called a trance. While you're in that state, I'll help you reconstruct your missing memory. When we're done, I'll bring you out of the trance, and we can take it from there, okay?"
He nodded.
"Okay. Why don't you drink a little water, and lie back. Just get comfortable."
He did as she asked, setting the glass on the table by the couch. Stretching his long, slim frame out on the couch, he crossed his ankles, and clasped his hands over his chest. "Okay."
"Ready?"
"Yes. Please, let's get this over with, Dani."
She began speaking in a slow, rhythmic voice, soothing and smooth. Soon, Nico was deep in a trance.
"Nico?"
"Yes?"
"Okay, good. Let's start with the day you were shot, and Johnson died. Can you take yourself back?"
"Yes."
"Good. Tell me what you see, tell me what's going on."
"It's hot. Sunny. There are children playing..."
She watched as his brow began to furrow. "Nico, you're okay. Everything's fine. Just... remember. You're watching, like a film. You're safe, with me. This is just a memory."
"Snipers on the roof. They're shooting at us. Oh, God..."
"Nico, what's wrong?"
"They're shooting at the people... the children..."
She leaned forward, covering her mouth with her hands.
"Oh, fuck... Adams... Buddy... yeah, I know... let's get that bleeding stopped..."
Tears stung at her eyes.
"Johnson... have to stop them... looks like two of them... get up there..."
"What's going on, Nico?"
"Adams got shot. I'm trying to stop the bleeding."
"How many are you?"
"Just me, Adams, and Johnson. They're sending in a reconnaissance in one hour to get us. I know, buddy... Oh, fuck... Adams! Adams!"
"Nico?"
"I'm losing him! Adams! Don't you fucking die on me, that's an order, sailor!"
A single tear slid unbidden down her cheek. "Nico, what now?"
"They're still shooting. Goddammit. Adams is gone... still taking cover..." He jumped. "Oh, my fucking God..."
"What's wrong, Nico?"
"Johnson!" Nico cried sharply.
"Nico, it's okay, you're safe!" She jumped from the chair and knelt by his elbow, stroking his arm soothingly. "Nico, I am going to count backwards very slowly from five. When I reach the number 1, you will awaken, and you will remember everything from this day. Five."
Nico began breathing erratically.
"Four."
His breathing slowed.
"Three."
He lay still.
"Two."
Unmoving.
"One."
Still unmoving.
"Nico?"
His eyes opened slowly. He sat up and pinched the bridge of his nose.
She grabbed the glass of water. "Here, drink this, sweetie."
Hands shaking, he held the glass to his lips as she steadied it.
"What happened?"
He looked at her, expressionless. "I remember."
"Are you okay?"
He nodded slowly. "It seems that I wasn't remembering the day correctly. I didn't kill Johnson. They did."
She slid her arm around his shoulders. "Who did? The terrorists?"
"Yes."
"But you felt guilty. Why is that?"
"I don't know, Dani." He sighed. "You're the expert."
She ruffled his hair softly. "Come on. You look exhausted. That's enough for you today. At least you remember."
"Yes, thank you. I should make a report to the Navy." He smiled. "They'd be most appreciate of your efforts."
"No. No more sailors." She patted his cheek. "One is quite enough for me, thankyouverymuch." Rising, she gestured for him to follow her. "Let's go sit on the other couch for a while. You need to relax."
"I need to do some work, Dani."
"No, sir. Relax. Doctor's orders." She grabbed his hand and tugged him forward. "We can snuggle a little, maybe, um… make out?" She grinned.
One sleek, dark eyebrow popped up a half inch. "Well… maybe for just a little while…"
"Come on, sailor..."