Disclaimer: Butch Hartman, not me... oh, you read the last chapter, right?

Session 2: Samantha Manson

Age 14

Goth. Environmentalist. "Ultra-recyclo-vegetarian," whatever that meant. Even without the little file, Cade would have guessed that Sam liked challenging labels and preconceptions everywhere she went. Even the labels she ascribed to. He had a feeling, for instance, that the hair color was natural-- either that, or a very, very good dye, since the hair had the healthy blue sheen that most Goths didn't bother with. Violet eyes scanned his office with a certain cynical wariness, but also a level of interest he'd never seen a Goth- or a teenager- willing to admit before.

And like another of his interviewees, she seemed more than content to wait out their session in comfortable silence. Which meant he got the first shot.

"So, did Danny tell you anything in particular about our session?

A black eyebrow arched. "If you get doctor-patient confidentiality, I do too."

Cade chuckled. "Point acknowledged, Ms. Manson. Seriously, though, that is what this is about, isn't it? My notes indicate you only had one session with Ms. Spectra, not long before she disappeared... the real reason you don't trust me is because of what she did to Danny."

"She did the same thing to everyone else in the school," Sam responded, arms folded over her chest. "Tucker and I just got off lucky."

"Mmm. Look, Sam, I don't know the whole story of what Spectra did, to Danny, to you, or to anybody else. I probably never will, because I know none of you are going to want to talk about it. If someone had hurt me as badly as this looks, I wouldn't want to talk about it either, especially not to someone who was in the same position, and a total stranger to boot. And I won't deny that there are people in the psychiatric profession who are like Spectra, who enjoy manipulating and twisting people for their own ends. But I'm not one of them. I got into this job to help people, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm NOT here to strong-arm any of you on behalf of the administration. And I will never, EVER ask you to betray anything a friend has told you. Especially Danny."

Sam's expression only betrayed her shock for a moment before she returned to her typical emotionless mask. "Why do you keep coming back to Danny? If this is about that rumor going around the school that we're a couple, I can tell you now, it's WAY off."

"No, it has nothing to do with that. I watch people, Sam. It's my job. And the way you and Tucker both protect Danny is pretty obvious. He's... fragile, isn't he? On some level that doesn't usually apply... he's been hurt before, and he's still healing. And you refuse to let anybody hurt him again."

Seeing he'd struck a nerve, Cade continued. "I want to help with that. And if that means sitting on my curiosity and not asking questions... I can do that. I WILL do that. I'm here for you to talk to, about anything you need. When the pressure gets to be too much, you can come to me and vent and know it will never go beyond these walls. But I'm promising you now, I WILL NOT PRY. Despite what some people will tell you, you're allowed to have secrets. I just want to help you deal with them. I don't have to know what they are."

For a second, the girl seemed to be ready to say something in response, but the ringing of the bell cut off anything she might have replied. Regaining her composure, Sam stood, smoothing out her skirt.

"Thanks, Dr. Maboroshi... I've gotta go. Danny and Tucker will be waiting for me to walk home with them." Halfway out the door, she stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "But... I'll keep what you said in mind."

Then she was gone.