A/N: I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I for some reason had great difficulty writing it. If its not up to par like the others trust me I will make up for it in the next chapter. Now for the bad news. I see this story coming to an end. Again I would like to thank everyone for reading, favoriting, and reviewing this story along with my others. You sure do know how to boost a girls ego.
It had been three months since that fateful night that Alex had disclosed everything to Olivia. True to her word Alex saw Huang on a regular basis. They began with two sessions a week and as time moved on the frequency of the sessions decreased. She was now down to seeing Huang once a week.
The hardest session she ever had with Huang was when Linda Cavanaugh was included. After almost two months of therapy Huang believed it would be best for her to open up about how she felt to Cavanaugh. Alex on the other hand believed he needed to be committed. After a few more sessions of hearing how he believed this would help her in her recovery she agreed. Not because she wanted to do it but because she figured there was no way in hell Linda Cavanaugh would agree to such a meeting. Therefore helping her avoid a situation that she never had a desire to encounter. What she didn't count on how Huang had a way with words and was able to convince Cavanaugh to come to the session.
Instead of the normal forty-five minutes to an hour long session that one had been almost three hours long. The beginning of the session was the same as any other she had attended. Huang asking how her week had gone. Had anything at work or in her personal life happened that triggered a setback. If so was she using the coping methods they had practiced. She had of course informed him that it had been a great week and she had no setbacks. That within its self was not a lie. After having live through what she believed was losing Olivia she swore she would always be truthful in her sessions even if there was a possibility of a setback. Alex would rather deal with a setback than the thought of living without Olivia.
That was when he had informed her that Linda Cavanaugh was waiting in the lobby for the rest of the session. To say she was shocked would have been an understatement. She used the few minutes alone she had to mentally and emotionally prepare for what she would say to Linda Cavanaugh. Every bit of which flew out the window when Linda walked into the room.
A blind person would be able to see the toll her sons attempted suicide had taken on her. She looked as if she aged twenty years since Alex had seen her at Barnett's sentencing. There were new lines of worry around her eyes which now seem dull and void of life. It tore at Alex's heart to see the pain that Linda Cavanaugh lived through on a daily basis.
Huang had started the session informing Linda that there were things Alex needed to tell her. The only requirement he has was to allow Alex to say what she needed to say before passing judgment. She simple nodded her agreement and turned to face Alex.
Alex took a deep breath as she looked Linda Cavanaugh in the eye. Slowly and carefully Alex explained everything. How she felt as if she was to blame. How she had wished it was her instead of Sam in that bed. How she buried herself in the bottle and how she wanted to take her own life. How paying for Sam's medical bills were her way of begging for forgiveness.
When she had finished Alex was waiting for Linda Cavanaugh to tear into her like she had done in the past. Instead she took Alex by the hand and with tears streaming down her face explained to her that even though she had blamed her it was not her fault. If there was anyone to truly blame it was Barnett. He was the one that took advantage of her son and ripped his youth from him. He was the one that even though they had no proof was the one that lead her son to suicide. The thought that everyone thought he was gay was just too much for him to bear. That and knowing that Barnett never truly loved him just used him for his sexual satisfaction.
Cavanaugh pointed out that as much as she wanted to blame Alex for pushing him and sending him over the edge she couldn't. What she did do though was get him and all of Barnett's victims the justice they deserved and needed. For that she should never feel guilty.
As the session neared the end Alex finally sucked it up and asked Linda the question she had been dreading. Would it be ok for her to continue to pay for his medical bills? It was not meant as a way to admit or admonish her guilt but instead to give Sam every possible means of recovery. If it offended her or she resented it in any way she would not do so. Linda agreed that it would be fine for her to pay for his bills. As long as she understood it was not necessary but greatly appreciated.
The two ladies ended the session with a greater understanding of the pain that Sam's attempted suicide caused both of them. Linda hugged Alex before she left thanking her for doing her job and paying for Sam's bills. Alex thanked her for allowing her to say what she needed to say. They both agreed that they would keep in touch and talk on a regular basis. Each believing it would be best for the other to have someone else who understood what, how and why they felt like they did.
Alex was set to leave after Linda did but Huang kept her there a little longer. She knew he was just concerned about her but personally she wanted out of there. Not because of a setback or anything to that extent. Because for the first time since Sam's attempted suicide she felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. There was only one person she wanted to share this feeling with, Olivia.