Helena plopped herself down on one of the modern style sofas that graced the presence of Dr. Harleen Quinzel's office. She sighed and put her hands over her eyes trying to figure out how she was going to get herself through the mess that she thought herself to be getting into.

Dr. Quinzel watched her client's body language closely as she was trained so well to do. Quietly she extended her question. "What is wrong Helena?"

Helena stood up off of the sofa and walked over to the window to look down at the bustle and traffic of the city, and remember that she was temporarily outside of that madness and had to deal with the madness inside of her own being.

"You know.. These sessions are useless without you talking to me and letting me know what is wrong. I can only make suggestions and give advice when you talk to me."

Helena turned back around and looked questioningly at Dr. Quinzel, trying to decide if she could trust her with this problem bothering her. Deciding that she could, she proceeded cautiously so that she could retreat should she feel the need.

"I'm just so frustrated."

"And what is causing this frustration?" She lifts her pen to her legal pad, ready to make notes when necessary.

Helena took a deep breath, closed her eyes tightly shut and took her time in replying, surprising Harleen at the fact that she was still talking... something that was highly unusual for her sessions. "Barbara."

"What is Ms. Gordon doing that is causing you such anguish?"

"It's nothing that she's doing... it's more of what I'm doing."

Harleen makes a quick note. "Um hm, I see... and what are you doing?"

Helena turns back around to the window and looks up at the sky this time. "Each time I start to get close to her, I push her away before I realize what I'm doing."

Dr. Quinzel makes another note. "And why.. Do you suppose... do you push Ms. Gordon away?"

Helena sighed again and approached her next words with extreme caution. "I'm... I'm..." Her words sputtered to a stop before she finally forced herself to trudge on and say aloud what she had been battling herself with for almost a month now. "I'm in love."

Dr. Quinzel blinked a few times, trying to figure out if she heard her correctly. When she realized that she had, she replied. "Well congratulations! But I don't understand why you are pushing Ms. Gordon away because of this. I would think she would be happy for the two of you... What's his name anyway?"

"Well... HER name is Barbara... and that's why I've been doing what I have."

Harleen's face was swept over with the 'Deer in the headlights' look. "I wasn't expecting that... but that is still wonderful news... Does Ms. Gordon return these feelings?"

"I... I don't know." She walked away from the window and plopped herself back down onto the sofa.

"Haven't you spoken with her about this?"

"No... I'm almost to love her. And I'm definitely afraid to talk to her about it. Every time I get close to talking about it, I get frustrated with myself and storm off."

"Lets start with why you're afraid to love her... What is your reason?"

"Everyone I have ever loved.." She paused for a moment and took a few long breaths. "Has either left... or gotten killed."

"And you're afraid that if you love Ms. Gordon, she will do the same?"

Helena replied quietly "Um hm..."

"Are you sure that it's not because she's a woman?"

"That's not anywhere near being it. I' ve had a lot of friends that have had beautiful same sex relationships that have lasted longer than most conventional relationships that I have known."

"I believe," Harleen put down her pen after making a few more notes and stepled her fingers. "That if you truly feel this way about her then you would do everything within your power to protect her and make sure that nothing harms her again."

Helena didn't say a word... but nodded agreement.

"And as for you getting frustrated about talking with her, maybe instead of getting upset and yelling, you should stay quiet and listen. Ms. Gordon is a very intelligent woman. Possibly she is giving you the answers you are searching for and you're not receiving them because of your frustration." Harleen stood and walked over to her desk. "Will you do me a favor?"

Helena looked at Harleen skeptically. "Depends on what it is."

Dr. Quinzel took a piece of paper out of a drawer and walked back over to her chair. "Just so that maybe you're more comfortable... and less stressed about speaking with Ms. Gordon about this... Go to a neutral ground, a restaurant, so that you are both more relaxed and open... and casually work it into the conversation." She handed the paper to Helena. "That is a complimentary dinner for two to Dos Lobos. It was given to me for Christmas and I'm not going to use it. Take it, use it... enjoy yourselves." The timer started to ring on the desk, Harleen went over and turned it off. "You know what that means. And now you have no choice but to take the comp."

"I guess I should thank you then."

"None needed... Just remember to be honest with Ms. Gordon. We'll discuss it during our next session.. And I appreciate you speaking with me finally."