A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short. Hopefully the next one will be longer. As for how fast this came about, I've had this stuff rolling around in my head for a while now. Can't wait to get it all out on paper.



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Chapter 2: Therapy?



//I can't believe I agreed to this...//

Dwayne sat in the large, comfortable chair with his hands resting in his lap. He glanced nervously at watch again as Dr. Reinhardt settled into her chair. The doctor was a tall woman with shoulder length dark blond hair. It wasn't the first time Dwayne had seen her since she was a member of the BGY commission.

"So, Lt. Hunter, how are you feeling today?" she asked with a warm smile.

"Uh... fine..." he answered cautiously. Dwayne was well aware that anything he said was going to be considered important by the doctor.

"That's good," she said with a nod. Glancing down at the notepad laying in her lap, Reinhardt asked another question, "How long have you been involved with the BGY program?"

//She must know the answer to that...// Dwayne thought suspiciously, "Ten years."

"Ah, yes... And you were one of the original pilots?"

"Yeah..."

"Mmm... Do you enjoy your job?"

"Of course," Dwayne frowned, "I'm serving my country."

The doctor leaned her chin on her hand, "Is that the only reason you like it?"

Dwayne fidgeted, "Well, no... I like flying..."

Making a small note, she said, "I see... Do you get along well with your coworkers?"

"Sure. They're my friends."

"Mmm hmm... How do you feel about Big Guy's fame?"

Dwayne blinked, caught off guard by the question, "Huh?"

Studying the Lieutenant, Reinhardt explained, "The Big Guy is considered to be a hero. How does that make you feel?"

"I feel... just fine..." Dwayne frowned.

"You've spent ten years serving as the Big Guy... Do you feel under appreciated?"

"Uh.. You've lost me, Doc... Why would I feel under appreciated?"

Reinhardt's voice indicated that she felt the question should have been an obvious one, "You've spent all these years working as the Big Guy, yet he gets the recognition for your efforts. Does this bother you?"

Dwayne bristled, "What's that supposed to mean?"

The doctor leaned forward in her chair, "Do you resent him?"

"Excuse me?!" Dwayne stared at her incredulously, "Resent him? 'He's' a machine! And not even one with artificial intelligence! Why the hell would I resent Big Guy?"

She made another small note while changing the topic, "Why don't you tell me about your friends? Who do you spend the most time with?"

Though still angry over her last assumption, Dwayne answered slowly, "That would be the rest of the Pit Crew... Jo, Garth, and Mack..." He paused for a second before amending himself, "And Rusty and the Doc..."

Dr. Reinhardt tipped her head, interested, "Who're are you referring to as 'the Doc?'"

"Dr. Slate," he told her, "She's the one who built Rusty. The Doc's pretty much our scientific consultant, even if it's unofficially. She's saved us more than once."

"Ah..." Reinhardt smiled knowingly, "Do you admire her?"

Dwayne frowned, "Sure I do... There isn't anything she doesn't know about robots. I don't think I've ever met anyone with more guts than she has..."

"Mmm hmm... I see... Are you involved in a relationship at the moment?"

Nonplused, Dwayne just let his mouth hang open as his thoughts caught up with the question, "Uh... No..."

"How long has it been since you have been?"

"Uh... Well..." Dwayne rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to remember, "Not since... Um... I guess that would have been the early days of the BGY project... About nine years ago."

"Really..." Reinhardt made another note, "Why do you think that is? Are you not interested?"

"No... I just... don't have the time," he said defensively, "It's hard to be involved with someone when you have to run off every time the planet's in danger... Most just wouldn't... understand."

"Mmm hmm... I see..."

Dwayne gritted his teeth, irritated. //I wish she'd quit doing that...//

Dr. Reinhardt abruptly stood, smiling genially, "Well, I think that's enough, Lt. Hunter."

Dwayne was a bit startled by the sudden movement and rose to his feet, "Uh... all right..." He was quickly escorted out the door which immediately clicked shut behind him, "Sheesh... That was fast..." Looking around, the Lieutenant stuffed his hands into his pockets. Slowly wandering towards the door, he briefly considered the meeting, "Hope I didn't say anything too stupid..."


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Dwayne opened the door to General Thorton's office. Everyone turned to look at him, and he hesitated. He hadn't been expecting to see so many people. Mack, Jo, Garth, and Dr. Reinhardt had spaced themselves around the office. It was obvious that they had been discussing something while waiting for him to arrive, "Uh... Hi, guys..."

Thorton sat with his hands clasped on his desk, "Come in, Lieutenant."

"Sure..." closing the door behind him, Dwayne glanced around at the group. He took one of the empty seats in front of Thorton's desk, "What's this all about?"

Clearing his throat, the General spoke, "Considering your recent... incident, Dr. Reinhardt has made a recommendation."

Dwayne tensed, "Really? And what would that be...?"

Thorton took a deep breath, "A vacation."

"Huh...? A... vacation?" Dwayne couldn't help but laugh. Relief washed over him, "Is that all? You made it sound like something serious."

"A month," Thorton continued, "without any interference."

Dwayne balked, "A whole month?"

"Maybe more," Thorton warned, "You're not to even set foot on the Dark Horse."

Jo put a hand on the Lieutenant's shoulder, "Hey, don't sweat it. We can handle things while you're gone."

Garth nodded emphatically, "Besides, you've earned a break. After all you've been through, you should get some time off."

"What am I going to do for a whole month...?" Dwayne asked, more to himself than anyone else.

"You'll figure it out," Mack said as he adjusted his baseball cap, "Bet you'll find it's not even enough time."

"If I'm not supposed to be on the ship, where am I going to stay?" Dwayne asked.

Thorton tossed a set of keys to him. Dwayne snatched them easily out of the air and studied them curiously. "The military has a suite at the Plaza that it keeps for VIP's and visiting brass. We figured you fit the bill, being such a celebrity and all," the General grinned.

"Yeah... Perfect..." Dwayne's voice betrayed his uncertainty.

"You'd think you handed him a death sentence instead of a vacation," Mack grumbled, "You might take it a little better, Lieutenant."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly, "I'm just not used to this... You really think this is necessary?"

Dr. Reinhardt nodded, "Of course. Removing yourself from the stress related to your work should do a great deal to replenish you."

"Right... Okay..." Dwayne shrugged, knowing that he had no way out of the situation, "No problem..."

"Oh, right," Jo snapped her fingers as she recalled, "Your sister and nephew are intending to come for a visit. Darlene got in touch earlier and said they'd be out tomorrow morning. She sounded like she was pretty worried about you."

"Darlene and Jeffy?" surprised, Dwayne shook his head, "That ought to be interesting..."

General Thorton tapped his fingers on his desktop, "Anyway, you've got your orders. Your vacation starts tomorrow morning, Lieutenant, and no excuses!" Glancing down at the pile of papers on his desk, he dismissed the group, "Now... Everybody get out of here. I've got paperwork to finish..."


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