Chapter 264
.
Note: Linda is from the television series "Lucifer." All other characters in this chapter are from "Batwoman."
.
As a psychiatrist Linda was used to family therapy, including families who should have gone to therapy long ago. The Kane family was one such example. Beth Kane had been kidnapped, tortured for years, brainwashed into becoming a monster. Everyone in the room knew her tragic back story, but it didn't lessen the pain she had brought to them. She had murdered Catherine, Mary's mother. And her gang had murdered Ryan's mother. When Linda died she had been sent to her own Hell, working as a therapist to people like this. Sometimes she wondered if she was still there. Still, it did help some people deal with their own issues, helped them move on. There was always the hope that she could help this family.
.
Linda: Okay, who would like to go first?
Ryan: How about the fact that Alice's gang murdered my mother?
Mary: And mine.
Beth: Catherine forged evidence so that my father stopped looking for me. And then she tried to have me killed to cover up her crimes. I'd also like to say I never ordered my men to kill Ryan's mother. And during our little truce, despite you betraying me I still came to help you, and you once again left me to die.
Linda: Okay, there's clearly been fault on all sides, but if noone can admit their own fault, you won't be able to start the healing process and move on.
Ryan: I should ask forgiveness from the person who killed my mother?
Linda: Yes, and she should ask forgiveness of you.
Beth: Her I can understand, but should I really ask forgiveness after what Catherine did to me?
Linda: You did murder Catherine.
Beth: She deserved it.
Kate: Maybe I should go first. Beth, I'm sorry I didn't look harder for you. I'm sorry I didn't try harder to save you. And I'm sorry for what I did when I was under Black Mask's control.
Beth: Well I did some damage to you during those fights. Besides, that part wasn't your fault, you weren't in control of your actions.
Kate: I tried to resist, and now I still owe you an apology for what I did.
Beth: Apology accepted.
Linda: Beth, do you have anything to say now?
Beth: Fine, Ryan, I'm sorry that my men killed your mother.
Ryan: I'm sorry I left you to die. I should have taken you to prison, but I shouldn't have left you to die.
Kate: I made mistakes as Batwoman too. Murdering the guy who tortured Beth.
Beth: Thank you for that.
Kate: I see him in Hell, I'll ask his forgiveness.
Beth: And Mary, I'm sorry I killed your mother in front of you.
Linda: Okay, we're making progress. We still have a long way to go, but you have all taken some important first steps today.