He walked to the main building of the A.R.C., where everyone was already working. Abby spotted him, and elbowed Connor before making her way to the soldier.

"Jess?"

"She'll be fine. Went through hell and back, but she's with us now."

"Where is she now?" Connor inquired.

"Making tests. I'll tell you more after a cup of coffee. Grab Matt on the way."

They went to the break room, finding Matt along. Everyone having their drinks, silence settled in.

"So?" began Connor, not much for patience.

"She lasted the forty hours. Barely but she did. They ran some analysis and apparently the drug as no more effect on her. They gave her the go to sleep right after and she slept the day away."

"And you did too, obviously" added Matt.

"Wanted to check on her" Becker shrugged. "She just woke up. They're running final tests now, to 'assess definitely the damages'. Because of the drug they couldn't really see the future ones. The whole check up. Wanted me away for a while." He finished his cup.

"And when will we be able to see her?" the blonde asked.

"No idea. Told me they would send someone to warn me."

A pause.

"Well, she's now with us, the drug hazard behind her. I doubt they will find anything worse now. We can consider her safe" claimed Matt.

No one answered.

Everyone was aware that the body might not be the only thing that would need healing.

Never trust a doctor when he says "it won't take long". Jess's tests had been running for more than three hours already.

So far, her friends knew she had been through toxicology, MRI and X-rays. She was also taking various question tests to evaluate her brain.

What they did not know about was the psychological exam.

"Hello Miss Parker" a young woman, mid-twenties, casually dressed, greeted.

Jess stiffened. All about the woman's behavior was shouting out her profession, and if there was one medical discipline Jess hated the most, it was psychology.

In the past, she had already been forced to see one. "That is my only condition to apply the sentence" had said the judge. He had wanted to be sure that she hadn't been making up her story, horror story she had had so much difficulty to narrate. So she had been to see one. Afraid of any of her words, any of her movements. She was persuaded that they were the kind of person to see many troubles with only one sneeze. She didn't trust them.

"My name's Sláine Kaducey, but you can call me Sláine" the doctor continued.

Jess noted then four things. One, this woman really thought the whole 'you can call me by my first name so that we'll be the best friends in the world' tactic actually worked. She probably thought that Jess would be asking her to do the same. No chance. Two, she purposely left out her title, probably not to scare her. Lost again. Three, her name was a concentrate of health. Sláine Kaducey. Health and its symbol. Sometimes, too much was really too much. Four, she really did not want to talk to her.

Jess said nothing.

The woman cleared her throat nervously.

"Well, you know probably who I am and what I'm doing here."

"I do, Doctor Kaducey."

The relief at Jess finally answering was replaced by a frown when she heard the appellation.

"What you've been through was rather… traumatic wasn't it?"

No answer. Way to state the obvious.

"Look, I know that the last thing you want is someone peering into your brain but you have to help me."

Ah. The classic 'I can't do anything if you don't help me' trick. To create a sensation of being in power in the patient.

"Jessic-"

"That's Miss Parker to you and no, it hasn't been traumatic. I've been abducted, fighting creatures and now I'm back. There's all that can be said about it. End of the story. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to see my friends."

"But-"

"I believe I asked you to leave, am I wrong?" Jess insisted.

"No but-"

"Then I don't see why you're still in my room."

Nodding, the woman turned on her heel and left, obviously about to cry.

"Newbie."

Outside, the Dr. Kaducey tried to compose herself. This Miss Parker was obviously stronger than she thought, and she wouldn't be able to crack her up. But it was also as obvious that she needed help. She was in denial. She was denying the effects of such an experience on her. Long term, it could lead her to serious problems.

She caught a glimpse of four people on her right, a bit fidgety. Probably the 'friends' Parker asked for. She made her way towards them.

"Are you here for Miss Parker?"

At the name, all looked up.

"We're waiting for the end of the tests. I'm Matt, and this is Abby, Connor, and Becker" Matt made the introductions.

"And I'm Sláine. Nice to meet you" they shook hands. "As far as I'm concerned, the tests are over for Miss Parker. She's asking for you."

At that, she could see the delighted look on their faces. This guy, Becker, was already moving towards the patient's room.

"Well, erm, we'll go and see her then" Matt finished, a bit embarrassed by Becker's behavior.

"I see, don't mind me. I'll probably see you later, considering, well, I work here."

"Yeah, probably."

Abby and Connor were squirmy.

"Well then, bye" the doctor announced, making her way towards the opposite direction.

"Bye" Matt replied, before all of them went to Jess's room.

OK. So Jess Parker was not one to crack up easily. But meeting her friends, Dr. Kaducey left with a weight less heavy on her shoulders. They obviously were concerned about the patient, and wouldn't fail to see if any problem arose. She doubted they would let the young woman do as she pleased, withdrawing, denying.

But even so, Parker had to receive professional help.

And despite Sláine's faith in her capacities, she was well aware that she didn't have what it took to.

It was time to call in the big guns.