Barnaby didn't know where to turn. Sternbild was a mega-city with a hundred licensed psychiatrists, a plethora of counselors, and several hypnotists. If Barnaby's mind could be righted, who would know how to do it? His case was more than brainwashing - it was NEXT-related tampering. For all he or anyone else knew, the process could be irreversible without Maverick's power, or an exact copy of said power, present. In such a hopeless case, who could possibly help him?
After careful research, a few inquiries, and a discussion with Kotetsu, Barnaby crossed all the names from his list except for one. Dr. Amaranthe Spring, a psychiatrist who specialized in NEXT psychology and dabbled in expert dream analysis. From the information Barnaby procured online, she appeared to be a woman only slightly older than himself with a warm smile that distinguished her from many of the other stern-faced professionals Barnaby had seen during his search.
A phone call was made to her office and an appointment booked. Once Barnaby gave his name, he was moved to the front of the list.
"Dr. Spring can see you tomorrow if that's convenient, Mr. Brooks?"
Barnaby sighed internally, realizing that every psychiatrist and counselor in Sternbild had been hoping for this phone call for over a year. Maverick's NEXT ability and the temporary brainwashing of Sternbild's citizens, the heroes, and especially Barnaby had been documented on HeroTV, after all. It was assumed with good reason that Barnaby's problems extended beyond that single incident, given Maverick's close relationship to the star hero as well as his identity as the revealed murderer of the famous Brooks engineers. He was a psychiatrist's dream, if only for the fame he would surely bring.
With this thought in mind, he told the secretary as an afterthought, "I would very much appreciate it if your office would treat me like any other patient. I don't want the press asking questions, and I would ask that you not encourage them to do so. If I'm not going to be treated like a normal person, I can see another doctor."
His request was polite but firm. Even over the phone, the intensity of his voice was palpable, and the secretary agreed with what seemed to be genuine understanding. It was enough to placate Barnaby for the time being, and he hung up the phone both nervous and relieved.
Kotetsu stared at him from across the room and raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"I have an appointment tomorrow," Barnaby answered the unspoken question. He walked over to his lover and sat on the couch beside him as Kotetsu took the thin hand in his own.
"I'm nervous. I don't want to do this. I don't want to know."
Kotetsu just looked at him and grimaced, the look in his eyes only confirming what Barnaby didn't want to admit.
There was no choice, now. It had to be done before the nightmares consumed him. Once already the visions had appeared to him in the daytime. Night terrors were bad enough, and Barnaby didn't want to add hallucinations to his list of daily torture. It was apparent that if his memories were not untangled, the contradictions they encountered would be too much for his mind to handle. If he waited any longer, he would become so confused that even the most concrete truths in his life would no longer seem to be real. His mind would implode; he would be hospitalized, possibly unable to care for himself in his state of mental distress. He would lose Kotetsu.
Again.
Kotetsu squeezed Barnaby's fingers reassuringly and placed a gentle kiss to the back of his hand.
No matter what Barnaby discovered about his past, it was worth getting to have Kotetsu by his side for the remainder of his future.
There was no arduous wait for Barnaby Brooks Jr. The moment he returned his paperwork to the front desk, Dr. Spring herself appeared from behind a door that must have led to her office. She took Barnaby's hand in both of her own and welcomed him warmly, looking up at him with a smile that managed to temporarily relieve him of his worries and fears.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Mr. Brooks," she said as she led him back to a comfortable room with a reclined leather couch, which he had expected, and a beautifully decorated porcelain teacup accompanied by two matching cups and saucers, which he had not expected. "I hope you like tea, Mr. Brooks. There's milk and honey if you'd like."
"Ah," Barnaby replied quickly, trying to hide his surprise. "You can call me Barnaby. And I do, thank you."
It was awkward, he had to admit, but not as uncomfortable as he had expected. The tea was sweet and relaxing, and in an attempt to keep things natural, Dr. Spring permitted him to sit on the couch facing her instead of lying back and staring into the void of the plain white ceiling. "Whatever makes you the most comfortable," she said.
They discussed her research and her interest in NEXTs, his work and accomplishments as a hero, and even Kotetsu. Talking about Kotetsu relaxed him significantly, and Dr. Spring took that as her cue to dive deeper.
"What would you like to talk to me about, Barnaby?" she asked carefully, leaning forward in her chair and gazing into his emerald eyes with keen interest and curiosity.
He blinked and lowered his head, searching for words and finding it unexpectedly difficult to confine the immensity of his problem to a few choice words. It didn't help that Barnaby had never been good at talking about himself or his feelings. Forming words was far from his strongest attribute even after years of careful training and grooming by Maverick and the rest of the media.
"My memories are causing me trouble," he finally stammered out.
He was rewarded with a knowing and sympathetic smile from the woman sitting across the coffee table from him. He could see that she had figured as much. Of course she had. She was far from stupid, and just as Barnaby expected, she had been waiting for this opportunity for months.
"I believe I can help you, but it will take time. I can't guarantee it will be pleasant. There will be medication and possibly some unordinary treatments. But if you're patient with me and if you trust me-you cringe at the mention of trust? We will work on that, too."
Barnaby's cheeks reddened. She was reading him like an open book.
She sighed and leaned back in her chair, never once letting her gaze stray from Barnaby's eyes, and reassured him, "We'll work through this. You will work through this. Sternbild has faith in you, Barnaby! No one wants to lose their hero."
She paused. Barnaby said nothing.
"Will you trust me, Barnaby? Will you promise to give me a chance to help you?"
He had never given anyone that chance except Kotetsu, and even allowing that stupid old man into his life had taken so long. However, it was the thought of Kotetsu alone that gave Barnaby the encouragement he needed to nod his head in agreement.
Anything to preserve his future. Anything to keep Kotetsu.
"I promise."