"Come on Phil, it's time for your doctor's appointment!" Stu shouted up the stairs, and then he checked his watch. They were supposed to be there in 15 minutes. He smiled slightly at Stephanie as she watched him from the kitchen. She had been nothing but supportive this entire time, and Stu really appreciated it. They all did. It helped a bit that she was a counselor, but Phil still refused to talk about what happened. That's why today was so crucial; Dr. Francis was a psychologist.

"Why? I'm not sick!" came Phil's grumpy reply as he descended the stairs wearing jeans and a light blue long sleeved shirt.

"This isnt that kind of appointment. Dr. Francis is just someone who you can talk to, think about it that way." Stu answered, jingling his car keys. Phil motioned for him to lead the way. Stu sighed, and then walked into the kitchen, bitter experience had taught him that Phil preferred not to have anybody behind him, were he couldn't see still had a long way to go, but things had improved since they left Vegas. The biggest breakthrough though was that Phil was getting better at allowing them to touch him. He wasnt flinching as much, and Stu took that as a good sign. Stephanie was pouring herself a cup of coffee as they entered.

"Hey babe, getting ready to go?" She asked Phil with a smile.

Phil nodded, "Yeah. I guess so."

"Nervous?" she asked, setting the coffee cup down. Phil shrugged and stuff his hand in his pockets. Steph took a few steps towards him.

"You're going to do great, I promise. Can I have a hug?" she asked him.

Phil smiled, "Sure." and he embraced her. Stu smiled as she whispered something Stu couldnt hear in Phil's ear. Then she let him go and held his hands.

"I love you, remember that okay?"

Phil nodded, and Stu was surprised to see that his eyes were glassy.

"Yeah. Love you too." Phil said, his voice full of emotion. He sniffed a bit as Stu walked over to stand next to Steph.

"We're all really proud of you, Phil. You know that, right?"

Phil nodded, and sniffed again. "Thanks." he whispered, looking from Steph to Stu.

Stu smiled. Phil had gotten really far, despite his reluctance to talk about what happened. They all helped though, if anything else this had brought the four families closer together.

"I'll walk you guys out. Tracy's coming over soon, we're going to get sandwiches together for the park. You can meet us there if you want, after the appointment." Steph said.

Stu nodded, "That sounds wonderful. We will." then he motioned for Phil and Steph to continue following him into the garage.

Stu opened the drivers seat of his prius and got in, unlocking the doors so Phil could enter through the passenger side. He watched as Phil and Steph talked, he grabbed her hand in his as they said goodbye. Stu had never felt more grateful for anyone else in his life, Steph was amazing. When she found out what had happened, she didnt freak out, or get angry or anything.

Phil got in the car, and uncertain expression on his face. "Are you sure-I-I dont know if I can do this."

"It will all be fine, I promise. Put your seatbelt on" Stu sighed, starting the car. Phil rolled his eyes, but did so. They drove in silence for a few blocks, until-

"Why do we have to go again?" Phil asked

"I'm fine, I've been fine all week-"

"I know, I know Phil. It's just we want you to be able to talk to someone, about what happened to you. Someone who understands. We want whats best for you." Stu explained

"I know, I know. But Stu, I can't even talk to you or Steph about it. How can I just open up to a complete stranger?"

"You are able to talk about what happened. You're stronger than you think, Phil. I know it might be hard at first, but just give Dr. Francis a shot. The first appointment is free anyway." Stu answered with a little smile, very aware of Phil's emerging brittle tone.

"I'll try." he whispered

There was a pause, and then "but what if I loose control again? I dont want-I cant do that again."

"That's not going to happen. Unless Dr. Francis turns out to be Chow..." Stu said trailing off.

Phil laughed a little and Stu looked over at his friend before parking the car in the Doctor's complex. Phil's smile faded as he ran his fingers over his sleeves, where they both knew where the nearly healed cuts were.

"Stu, I-I wish it was something I could forget, but I-I can't. Why cant I just forgot it and move on? I just want this all to be over with and in the past" he asked quietly.

Stu sighed, "It will be over soon, I promise. I think if you are able to tell someone what happened, someone who is able to break it down and understand it for you, if you are able to share this burden, you might be able to finally forget." he said, opening his car door.

Phil smiled a little, "Thanks, Stu." he unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car.

Phil checked in with the receptionist, and then went to sit in one of the chairs and Stu sat next to him. Phil's breathing became shorter and sharper, and he clutched the chair handle to keep his hands from shaking.

"Phil? Phil are you alright?" Stu asked softly, Phil nodded but didn't say anything.

A middle aged women with auburn hair stepped out of the office.

"Phillip Wenneck?" ashe asked, and Phil seemed to snap out of his trance. He stood up with a shaky breathe. The women smiled and walked over to them.

"Hi, My name is Dr. Francis. How are you all doing today?" She asked with a smile.

Phil nodded, "I'm alright." he said, his voice betraying him as he battled for composure.

"A little nervous? That's alright. This is just the first appointment. We'll just be getting to know each other." Dr. Francis said

"Do you want me to come with you?" Stu asked, Phil paused for a moment but then shook his head slightly.

"Alright."

And Stu sat back down in the waiting room and let out a sigh of relief. Phil was finally getting the help he needed.. Everything seemed to be going better, now that everyone knew what was going on. Stu had been so scared in Vegas, scared that Phil wasnt going to find his way back. But he did and Stu was so happy that he hadnt lost his friend. Doug and Alan had been a great help as well, making sure that the kids were kept at a distance so they wouldn't ask prying questions and making sure that the Wennick family had plenty of food. Alan had deemed it upon himself to make every kind of chocolate pastry and bring it to them, claiming that "chocolate heals the soul" and keeping everybody occupied by planning their next adventure: a cruise to the Caribbean.

A little more than an hour later Phil re-emerged into the waiting room.

"How'd it go?" Stu asked

Phil shrugged, he looked a little burnt out. "alright, I guess." he paused, and then said "I think I want to make another appointment."

Stu smiled as Dr. Francis came out of the room, "Will this time work for next week?" she asked, and Phil nodded.

"See, that wasn't so bad." Stu said with a smile as they pulled into his driveway. They were going to picked up Lauren and little Jamie for the picnic
"It did feel nice to talk to someone. You were right, Stu. As always." Phil answeredAs they got out of the car, Lauren came into the garage holding Jamie in her carriage and gave them a wave.

"Hi! How'd it go?" She asked with a smile.

"It went really well, ready for a picnic?" Stu asked

Lauren smiled "Baby's first picnic! We so excited." she said happily and then snapped a picture of Jamie with her iphone.

Phil smiled at them, "That's so cute."

"Yeah. We're the dorky kind of parents that document everything." Stu answered as he reached over to take Jamie and put her in the car. Lauren shifted her bag and smiled at Phil.

"You look good, Phil. Come here, give me a hug" she said opening her free arm. Stu couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he watched Phil walk over and confidently give his wife a hug. Just a few weeks ago he couldnt stand to be touched by anybody, and here he was, giving out hugs.

"Ready to go?" Stu asked

"Yes!" came the enthusiastic reply.

Stu smiled as he climbed into the car.

Phil had not been broken, but just bent. He was still strong, and he was slowly learning to trust again. The path ahead of them was long, but the friendship that had started all those years back would carry them through. Stu watched his friend has he stared out the window with clear, bright eyes and smiled.

Everything was finally going well.

The end.

888

Man this has been one epic journey writing this story. It's been through so many re-writes, and I am so glad to say that I am finally happy with it! Thank you all so much for sticking with me! Love you all!

PS

Just one more thing...

There is an updated version of this story posted on AO3 under "Not Broken, Just Bent". It's almost the same, but a little different.