And now that we know she's awake, let's see how the group does in therapy!

Second Chances

Chapter thirty-four: If You Could Read My Mind, You Wouldn't Be Here

"Do I have to?" Andi asked as she stood outside of an office door.

"Yes." Zartan replied. "There is no getting out of this; it's standard procedure. Besides, there's obviously a whole lot of issues you need to work through before you can return to work."

"You're crazy if you think I'm gonna tell this whack job anything!" Andi protested.

"Until he clears you, you can't work! I don't know how to make that any clearer." Zartan shot back. "Just go in and chat for a while."

"I don't do small talk." Andi growled.

"Go before I drag you in myself!" Zartan hissed as he pointed at the door. Andi let out a low growl, but complied.

When she entered, she found a man with dark hair and eyes sitting in an armchair.

"Hello." He said. "You must be Atlantis."

"And what are you supposed to be?" Andi asked.

"I'm Sigfreid, the base psychiatrist." He said. "You're here for your psyche evaluation, correct?"

"Just write me a note so we can get this overwith." She said. "It will save you a headache."

"Let me be the judge of that." Sigfried replied. "Take a seat, Atlantis, and we'll get started."

"Whatever." Andi grunted as she walked over to an empty chair.

"Let's start with a subject that's less provocative." He said. "Why did you come to Cobra?"

"To get back at SHIELD." She replied. "Have you not read my file yet?"

"No," He said "I make it a point not to. It helps to connect with my patients."

"Keep tryin'." She snorted. "It ain't gonna work."

"And where did you come to that conclusion?"

"Like I'll tell you."

"Fine." He said, scratching a few things down on a notepad. "Then what about your family? Are your parents alive."

"Yes." She said.

"Are they married?"

"No."

"Any siblings?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"That's a yes. Now on to the hard questions."

"Which would be what?"

"Have you ever been in any sort of laboratory before?"

"Twice."

"When?"

"What difference does it make?"

"I simply want to understand you better, child." Sigfreid asked.

"Well stop!" Andi growled. "I am not some sort of thing to be analyzed!"

"I never meant it like that!" Sigfreid said. "But it's not something to argue about. I can see that there's more to talk about than can be covered in an hour's session."

"Can I go, then?" She asked.

"Yes," He said, "but I will see you again this next week."

"Whatever." She groaned and walked out the door. "It won't do you any good."

"Let me be the judge of that." He said. "But yes, you may leave."

"Score!" Andi exclaimed as she walked out.

"And now I must go re-negotiate my contract." Sigfreid sighed.