She knew that she was being irrational in her fear of seeing someone she knew. She knew that everyone knew what happened to her and she couldn't fight the embarrassment that flooded her being. "You don't mind taking it home do you?"

"I thought it would be kind of nice to celebrate the huge steps you made today but I understand if you feel better going home."

"I know you probably think this is stupid but I'm afraid how people are going to look at me. I know that they know and it's humiliating."

"Temperance, know one thinks this is your fault. They don't you did anything wrong. What have you got to be humiliated about?" He did not have a clue and that angered her. She just expected him to understand what she felt and he couldn't no one could.

"Maybe if you had someone violate you and do things to your body when you should have been able to stop him you might feel a little embarrassment as well. I don't expect you to understand." Her outburst wounded Booth. She was right, he couldn't understand but he wanted to.

"I'm sorry. You're right of course. I don't know what you are feeling and I hate that. I want to understand but I seem to keep pissing you off."

"I shouldn't have yelled at you. You've been wonderful through all of this and I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you. I just feel so damn helpless Booth. I want my life back. I want to forget this ever happened." She hated that tears threatened to fall again.

"Let's just grab some food and go home. We'll just let this go for now. Did you call Angela today before we went?"

"No. I didn't want to let anyone know what I was doing. Other that you that is, I just don't want people to get their hopes up thinking that everything will be fine. I' not convinced that anything will be fine again."

XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOX

"Temperance, it's good to see you."

"Hi, Carmella," She said in genuine friendliness.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am that you came back. It's always iffy after the first session. I think you've made a wonderful decision."

"It was a difficult decision but I want to be better. I hate the feelings I have."
"You realize that much of what you are feeling in completely normal under the circumstances. You feel you've lost control, you feel helpless, humiliated, and morose and that says nothing for the terror you feel." Temperance was amazed that she had hit the nail on the head. "Now, tell me what you are going to do about it."

She thought for a moment. What was the answer? She agreed to therapy but she was certain that was not the correct answer. "Don't think about it Temperance. What do you want to do about it? Don't search for the right answer because there isn't a single right answer to this question. It is different for each of us."

"I want to be a woman. I want to feel like a woman without being terrified."

"Again, what are you going to do about it?"

"Actively take control of my recovery."

"Excellent and you said you weren't good at psychology." She smiled warmly. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"Sure," she replied.

"Okay Temperance here comes the hard part," Carmella said giving her a mug of the hot brew.

"What do you mean?"

"We need to dispense with the tough questions. Where did it happen?"

"I was on my way upstairs to my apartment after work and I remember someone grabbing me."

"Did you see him?"

"Not then. I woke up somewhere. I had no idea where I was. I was scared and then he was over me."

"What does he look like?"

"His eyes were brown. They were lifeless and cruel and they seemed to mock me."

"Then what happened?" She sat there for a moment with her eyes closed.

"He kissed me. It was hard and brutal and he tasted like liquor. I was sickened but I struggled and then he hit me. He hit me hard and I tasted blood. I heard him laugh. He seemed to enjoy that part of it." She had begun to fidget and move about in her chair.

"Temperance, just tell me what you can. Go as far as you feel comfortable and remember I am not going to force you to reveal anything you're not ready for."

"I couldn't move my arms. I tried to hit him but I couldn't move my arms." Carmella could tell that she was becoming frantic.

"Temperance let's step away from that scene for a moment. You said something earlier that I found to be intriguing. You said you wanted to feel like a woman. What do you mean by that?"

"I feel fragile and I feel that Boo…people are treating me as if I'll break. I want people to treat me like they always have. I want to kiss a man without freaking out."

"Have you tried kissing?" Carmella asked.

"No, that would take another interested party, so I don't see that happening for a while."

"Don't rush it Temperance. It's only been a few months. I can tell you have a personality that doesn't like to be kept down but you may be surprised at your reactions to intimacy. It is something that you are going to have to learn again."

Temperance laughed. "Actually, I had never learned it before. Sex yes but not intimacy, I was never good at that."

"Then you have something else to strive for. What about Booth? Is he someone you would like to learn with?"

"N-no! He's my partner…just my partner." She stammered.

"But you trust him?"

"Yes, with my life," she blurted without thinking.

"Trust is the biggest thing you will need Temperance. I'm just making a suggestion mind you but…well just think about it." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and averted her gaze from her.

"That is not a rational idea Carmella."