Since basically everyone reviewed me and told me they liked the way the last chapter went, I'm going to do the same for this chapter and the next. I'll only be writing 4 more therapy sessions. But if I had written it like a regular chapter, Max would have stayed longer in the hospital. So now on to the therapy sessions!

(Bold= Max.Italics=Dr. Ross)

5th Therapy Session

Dr. Ross

Hi Max. How was your week?

Crap.

How come?

Are you going to take notes on that clipboard you have there?

I have to. This is what goes on your record.

Then I won't tell you.

Max, you need to let it all out. Holding all those bad feelings in will make it worse.

Whatever.

Max, you know why you didn't get permission to go home temporarily for Christmas?

Enlighten me!

Your behavior. We believe you're not close to ready for the outside world again.

Woahh, back this up. My attitude?

Yes, your attitude. Like a few moments, that sarcasm wasn't nice.

Well excuse me. Didn't mean to offend my crazy doctor.

There you go again. Max, I want you to do well out there. I'm trying my best and now you need to put your part.

Fine. You want to know! My week was crap because I didn't go home for Christmas, I'm stuck in this mental place, they upped my medicine dosage, and you!

Max, do you have anger issues? I can help you with that too.

Ughh, see! You always ask the wrong questions!

How so?

I don't know! I just feel like you're not asking the right questions.

Well, I apologize.

Oh, so it's okay for you to use sarcasm but not me?

I'm sorry. It's just that you're one of my hardest patients. Just understand we want to help.

Yeah, right.

We do. I think the reason you're so defensive is because of the environment you lived in. You've been living in an abusive environment for so long, it has affected you. And it's totally okay for you to be that way after going through what you did.

You know, I've never been told that.

Do you push people away?

Yes.

Why?

Well, because I don't want to get hurt. Emotionally I mean. I only let Iggy get close to me. And Fang, he's my best friend.

You've mentioned Fang and Iggy a few times. Would you mind telling me what they're relationship with you are?

Iggy, I've known since before the whole Jeb-abusing-me-for-years thing. So I always trusted me. We always used to get in trouble together. And Fang's my best friend.

Is that all Fang is to you?

Why do you ask?

I've noticed every time we mention Fang your voice gets lighter. You're tone changes, you seem different.

Dang you're good.

So is Fang something else to you?

Wow, you're also pushy. And yes he is.

What is he to you?

My boyfriend.

Max, how come you didn't tell me before?

Because exactly that! I didn't want you to act like an over-reactive mom who found out her anti-social daughter was able to get a boyfriend!

I'm sorry, but I really didn't expect you to have a boyfriend!

Now you're going to tell me I should break up with him because I'm too young, blah blah blah , I shouldn't be worried about boyfriends at this age, blah, I should break up with him. I get it okay!

Well Max, answer me this question. How does he treat you?

Wait, come again. No motherly lectures?

Well, it depends on what you answer me.

What does that have to do with anything?

Considering you abusive past, that plays a major role in your mental health.

I don't know why I bother asking anymore. Fine, I'll tell you. He treats me well.

Is that all? C'mon Max, this is serious.

Well he takes care of me, he treats me well. That sort of boyfriend stuff.

Do you feel comfortable around him? Are you okay with being in a romantic relationship?

Surprisingly yeah. Look, I have a hard time expressing my feelings and he, I don't know, he makes me feel important. He above all makes me feel wanted and love. Its strange feeling loved after so long. Iggy made me feel loved as well, but just different than with what I feel around Fang.

Well, as long as you feel comfortable and okay with it I'm okay with it.

Really?

Yes Max. I'm your Therapist, not your mother. I can't really tell you what not to do. Although I'm still a bit worried about your mental state and health, I appreciate you telling me.

I think my mom would have been okay with it. Fang may seem quiet and closed-off, but he's different than what he seems. She would've been happy.

Do you miss her?

Nope Ross, only one confession per session.

6th Session

Dr. Ross

Good morning Max.

'Sup.

What do you say we go somewhere else today for our session?

Why?

Well, I think we should get out of this room and change things a bit today.

Well, I'd sure as hell would love to get out of here.

Today we might have to talk about your language.

Whatever.

Yup, we're definitely doing that. So why don't you tell me about your day so far on our way.

Well, Iggy brought me some more of his delicious, heaven-filled food. Dr. M brought me cookies and Fang brought me a letter from Angel.

Who's Angel.

She's Fang and Nudge's little sister. She's such a cutie.

Does she know you're here? In a mental hospital I mean?

Not exactly, all they told her was that I was sick and in a hospital. It's sort of true, so I don't think we're really lying, but not telling the truth exactly either.

How old is she?

She's seven, turning eight in a few months.

I see why you wouldn't tell her.

Yeah, but she's bright. She would understand. But at the same time I don't want her to understand.

Why?

It's sick, really. She looks up to me a lot. She looks up to a suicidal, "emo", cutting, crazy teenage girl. And she doesn't know she does.

But that has nothing to do with you. It's not your fault you went through so much. If she looks up to you, it's for a reason. You must be some sort of inspiration for her.

Really? It's not my fault I cut myself? It's not my fault I wanted to kill myself a bunch of times!

Max, you misinterpreted my words. What I mea-

Do you see these scars Doc? Do you think I was just born with them? Nice advice Ross.

Max, what I meant was all of this happened because of your father.

He's not my father! He died along with mom six years ago!

I'm sorry Max. I don't mean to make you upset. Will you sit down for a while? It's kind of cold but you get fresh air here.

Fine.

It seems I can't really touch this subject. But I think it would do us some good to talk about it. It will help you and me.

No way!

Max, you may not like it but you need to open up more. Jeb is in jail, you're safe here.

But it's impossible to feel safe anywhere. What if he gets out of jail? What if he kills me in my sleep?

Max, calm down. He's very much locked behind bars! Just take a deep breath.

Can you just shut up about this? I don't want to talk about it anymore! Stop pushing me!

Alright. I think that's enough of that.

Whatever.

But I do want to know about Fang.

Why?

Because Max, I want to know how you feel around him.

I told you already!

All I want is for you to feel secure. Has he ever hurt you in any way? And I do mean anyway.

No. He's really good to me. He's the one who called the ambulance to save me. He also protected me from Jeb. He's an awesome guy! Can we please drop this too!

Do you think that maybe we can have him come in during one of your sessions?

NO!

Max, this important. I'm going to arrange a meeting.

You're supposed to be my therapist only. Not my love therapist. Anyways, I thought we were supposed to work on my language! Not my love life!

Alright. We'll work on that now.

Ughhh!

Let's move on shall we? Why are you defensive Max?

I am not!

Yes, you are. The slightest personal question irks you. Haven't you noticed?

Fang told me about it. He said I used to curse a lot and I was very mean to everyone.

And that's okay. Most victims of sexual and physical abuse are like this. What do you feel like every time someone asks you these kinds of questions?

First, I feel like flipping them off or punching them. They have no right to ask me those questions!

See, there you go. You're in a defensive mode. I want you to let people know that those kinds of questions make you feel troubled in a positive way. No punching or flipping them off.

Fine, but it won't be easy.

Do you worry a lot?

Sometimes, mostly about small things. But with Jeb I used to worry a lot.

What do you do when you're worried?

I used to cut.

What about when you were angry, helpless, upset?

Cut. Cut. Cut

Have you cut lately? I mean you shouldn't be but have you?

Yes.

How? We make sure you don't have any "sharps". (A/N: "Sharps" are sharp objects basically, Scissors and whatnot)

Paper. Those little plastic knives we get at meal time. My nails.

Max, you're here to stop that! I'm disappointed.

Sorry.

Well you're going to work on that. After two days I'm going to ask you again and I want to hear good progress. I'm really disappointed. Here's something. I got this doll for an old patient of mine but he was discharged before I was able to give it to him. You basically stab, throw, slap, damage this little guy when you feel like cutting. Talk to it or something.

Okay. I'll work on not cutting any more. I promised Fa- people I wouldn't anymore. Plus I want to stop.

That's the optimism I want from you. And I want to help you keep that promise. Cutting is addictive, sort of like drugs but not really. Most people, even cutters, don't know that once you know the feeling of cutting, it never goes way.

Really?

Yeah, and all those urges they have are not there to fall into, but to ignore and be stronger. Max you're a really strong, young lady. You'll make it through this. Keep your head up, and don't be afraid to rely on others. Open up, it'll be worth it.

Thanks Doc. I'll work on it.

Was that sarcasm?

Not at all.

I say we're making some progress already.

That's it! Next chapter will be 2 more therapy sessions and after that, we'll be back to normal and regular chapters! Thanks to those who review! And can we please get to 100 reviews before the 10th chapter? If we do, I'll either write 10 pages, a very long and FLUFFY Faxy chapter, and/or a chapter on Fang's past!

So, please, please, please! Please, let's get to 100 reviews fast! If I get more I'll do all of those three options, combined! It'll be an awesome filled chapter!

So (I can't stress this enough) REVIEW! Dark Angel.