A/N: There is something to be said about patience. The last three weeks will be discussed in time (Born of Stars). I hope that you have picked up on what possibility I chose to be played out in one of the parallel universes.
I think I forgot to mention, this will be one of those serious fics.
Chapter 2: Mystery Door #1
Here I was in front of mystery door number one, which I didn't choose.
Ranger finally convinced me to step outside the 7th floor apartment and he drives me to another office building, walks me inside, leads me to an elevator, takes me to the 5th floor and leads me past a series of doors to one at the end of the hallway; mystery door number one.
Ranger reaches past me and opens it for me. I step through into a small sitting room. A narrow room with two couches against the walls facing each other. End table with magazines. There was a woman sitting at the corner of one of the couches. She looked to be in her forties; her face showed signs of lack of sleep, but her clothes were neat. She looked up as we entered but then went back to her magazine.
Ranger put his hand at my back and I flinched. He took his hand away and I looked at him apologetically. He moved his eyes to the couch opposite the woman, indicating for me to sit and I did. He sat beside me but with plenty of space between us.
I wish he wouldn't do that, I wish he would pretend I didn't flinch.
A few minutes passed and then two people emerge from the door at the other end of the room. I hadn't even noticed the door. One was a young girl maybe 15, 16; the other was a man in his thirties maybe, good looking.
"I'll see you next Thursday?" He asked the girl and the girl gave a slight nod.
The girl walked up to the woman who was standing now. We all watched as they left, then the man walked up to us.
"Hello Stephanie," his voice was gentle and soothing. "My name is Gabriel Weiss. You can call me Gabe."
I was standing now, with Ranger by my side. We all shook hands and then Gabe was leading me through the door to a spacious room, his office.
The two sidewalls were covered in bookshelves, which were stacked with books. To the back was a desk and comfortable chair sitting in front. Near us, to the right side was a pair of armchairs.
He waved for me to sit in an armchair. I took the one nearest to me, the one facing the desk. It was quite comfortable. I pulled my legs up under me.
He walked to his desk, grabbed a file and notepad and then sat across from me.
"So Stephanie, how are you doing?"
Is he serious? Is this how he wanted to start? I was feeling overwhelmed again. What would he do if I just left? Nothing probably, but I couldn't get my feet moving.
I haven't left the apartment in 3 weeks, and the first time I step out I go see a shrink. I was expecting ice cream, my parents, my apartment, even the Batcave, but not this. Not a therapist. Was this Ranger's idea of joke?
But I was silent. He was trying to help right? He didn't know what he was doing right?
Now I wondered how to answer. He kept staring at me, patiently waiting. How should I answer? "I'm fine." It slipped out.
He nodded and waited. I wasn't good at this game. "As fine as I can be." I said, my voice colder.
"You know why you're here?" He asked.
"I can guess." Cold again. I didn't want my voice to be cold, but I didn't want to be here either.
"Why won't you tell me?" Patient therapist voice.
"Is it because I haven't left the apartment in three weeks?" I know I'm being a wise ass.
"Partly."
"There are other reasons?" Why am I being so defensive?
"You tell me."
I don't like this. I don't like being here, I don't like talking. And time is dragging. I wish this were over already.
He was taking notes. What did he have to take notes on, I haven't said anything.
"Um… Can't we start with something easier? Like what's my favorite food, because I have an answer to that."
"Ok then. What's your favorite food?"
"Pino's."
"Best pizza around."
"You've been to Pino's?"
"Is there any other place to go for pizza?"
I was leaning forward in my seat now. A guy Ranger knows that liked Pino's… a guy Ranger knows. Did Ranger know this guy? He was looking at me again.
"Do you know Ranger?" I asked, taking even myself by surprise, but he wasn't surprised.
He leaned back in his chair. "We are here to talk about you."
"Well I don't want to talk about me." I was a little angry now. Why can't people understand that I don't want to talk?
"Then why did you come here?"
"I didn't where I was going. Ranger brought me here."
"Very well then." He stood up then, motioning for me to stand up too. "Come back when you're ready to start talking."
I was on my feet and being led back to the sitting room. Ranger stood up and looked at me then at his watch. Gabe gave Ranger a small nod and Ranger returned it. I guess they'll talk about me because before I know it Ranger's guiding me outside.
I couldn't decide if I wanted to be angry with Ranger or thankful he was trying to help.