Mort stood in front of the building where Dr. Harris' office resided, his eyes wide – he was watching Alex leave the building.

She knew something was wrong…she went to tell him about it.

So, she's worried about you.  She loves you!

Shooter scared her.

You let yourself shut down…believe me, she thought it was you.

I did not let myself shut down!  It was too much; Shooter knew it would be.  He knew that I wouldn't be able to handle him being with her!  Mort's eyes focused on Alex.  She knew something was wrong afterwards…Do I let her know I'm here?

And trap her?

Mort looked at the ground.  It wouldn't be trapping her.  It's O.K. that…Wait, she didn't want me to know…

"Mort?"  It was too late, Alex saw him.

Mort lifted his head, his eyes slowly meeting hers.  "Alex?  I…I thought that you had a meeting."

"I didn't want you to worry," she said quickly.  She bit her lower lip, then continued.  "Mort, I was going to tell you everything when I got…Wait, why are you here?  Where's Julia?"

"She's with Karen.  I'm going to see Dr. Harris."

Alex's eyes widened.  "Are you all right?"

Mort looked away from her for a moment.  What should I say?  There was no answer from his "inner self."  Taking a deep breath, he said, "To be honest, I'm not sure.  I think…I think we should talk tonight."  Is she starting to cry?  "Alex?"

She made sure to look away from him.  "Hm?"

He slid an arm around her waist.  "What's wrong?"

"That just sounds…not good."  Yeah, Alex, that almost makes sense.  I shouldn't have come here without telling him.

Mort ran his finger along Alex's cheek.  "Love me?" he asked sweetly.  She nodded.  "Well, I love you too – just remember that.  I need to tell you some things, that's all."

Alex looked slightly relieved.  "O.K."  She kissed his cheek.  "See you at home?"

He smiled and let his lips brush against hers.  "I'll always love the way that sounds."  His comment made Alex smile back at him.  With a final, gentle hug, the couple went in their respective directions.

Mort all but ran to Dr. Harris' office; he was oddly nervous about what Alex may have said to him.  He was immensely grateful that he didn't have to sit in the waiting room for more than a few minutes. 

See, you did fine with her on your own.

Yeah, lot of help you were.

I just wanted to prove that you are capable of functioning without me – most of the time.

Well, I…

"Mort, I'm ready for you."  Dr. Harris had broken through Mort's thoughts.  He got up and followed the doctor into his office.  He took his place on the couch – sitting as he had on his last few appointments.  "You were rather frantic on the phone.  What's wrong?"

Mort's words flowed quickly.  "I told you on the phone – things happened when I missed one lousy dose yesterday.  I appreciate your credentials, but I think that your diagnosis of me is wrong."

"Fair enough," Dr. Harris said, his voice calm.  "What exactly happened?"

Mort thought a moment before answering.  He didn't want to sound like a crazy person, despite the fact that he felt like one.  Before he could think of his phrasing, another question popped out of his mouth.  "Alex knows there's something wrong, doesn't she?"

"How would I know that?"

"She just left here," Mort said "matter of factly."  "Look, I know that there's a doctor/patient confidentiality thing, but…"

Dr. Harris raised an eyebrow.  "Mort, why are you so concerned over whether or not Alex was here?"

Nervously, Mort popped his jaw.  "She knew.  Yesterday, she knew that something wasn't right with me."

"What happened between the two of you yesterday?"

He's going to commit me.  "After I realized I missed my…taking the pill…the voice was back – like it was never gone."

"Are you positive that you didn't just make yourself think it was there?"

Mort looked utterly confused.  "If it's in my mind to begin with, how am I supposed to know the difference?  Look, I didn't just hear it this time, O.K.?"

Dr. Harris placed his notebook on his lap.  "What?"

"I saw him.  The character I created, I swear to you, I saw him again."  Mort rubbed his eyes.  "The only stress that I'm under is from him, or it, or…or whatever you want to call it.  And he took over my…"

No!  No, you can't tell him that – at least not yet.  You could lose her.  You could lose both of them.

"He took over what, Mort?" Dr. Harris asked.

"He…he was loud, demanding.  I felt trapped.  And Alex, she knew something was wrong."

"I see."  Dr. Harris then got lost in his thoughts.

Maybe she's better off without me.  Maybe I should never have gone to the hospital that day…

She gave you your life back.

I don't know whose side you're on anymore!  First I'm not supposed to be with someone, then I am…Now you're…You're supposed to help me see things clearly!

I don't want to be without her now either…

Wonderful, my reasoning is as lovesick as I am.

"Mort, I'm going to change your medication to risperidone – a very mild dosage of it.  It's a drug that is used with patients who suffer from schizophrenia."

Mort was hit with an intense wave of nausea.  "Schizophrenia?  What, now I'm a fucking psychopath?"

"Calm down, Mort."

Realizing his tone and language, Mort apologized.  "I'm…I'm sorry.  You think I'm sick?"

"You're suffering hallucinations, hearing voices…I'll need to meet with you – and Alex – more regularly…"

"Alex?  I don't want to drag her into this."

"If you feel as strongly about her as I suspect you do, you really don't have the option.  Therapy will help both of you.  I do not feel that you are definitely suffering from schizophrenia, but this medication is for the same symptoms that you seem to be suffering.  Is there anything else I should know about?"

"N-no."  I swear, if it happens again, I'll tell him. 

"All right."  Dr. Harris scribbled the prescription down.  "I'll need to start to see you and Alex weekly.  I have one evening slot open that I'll give to the two of you, since Alex works days."

"Thank you," Mort said, suddenly terrified of everything that was happening.  He left the office in a daze.  Not only did he have today's session on his mind, but Alex was going to tell him why she was in that building and he told her that he needed to tell her "some things." 

She could end things.  She could get scared and end things.

Or she could help you.

Or I could break her.  Just like I said I would.

***

Author's Note:  O.K., I'm not a doctor and I used the Mayo Clinic website to help me with this chapter.  Um…yeah…So don't be too critical, O.K.?  Thanks!  And thanks SO MUCH for all of the reviews!!!