Three months later:

Marissa smiled to herself as she stepped into the rebuilt TAC offices. Everything looked the same as it did before the explosion three months earlier, except that there were dozens more security officers around the building. Bull had told her that once the building was fixed, he was planning on hiring more security so that everyone- workers included- would get screened before entering the building. Two separate bomb incidents in a year were too many: there never should have been any chance for a bomb to be brought into the building. Personally, Marissa agreed that they needed the extra security, and that TAC staff should also be checked upon entry to the building, though she was aware that a lot of the people working there didn't like the new security measures.

Too bad, she thought. At least we're much safer like this. I personally don't feel interested in a return trip to the hospital. Once was too much for me.

"Hey, Riss," called Bull as Marissa reached the elevators. "How are you today?"

"Good. It's good to see you walking again, Jason."

"Thanks, Rissa. Are you sure that you're okay?"

"I am. I spoke to Dr Sanders yesterday, just to double check everything, and she agreed that I'm okay."

"That's a relief."

Marissa smiled. "It is."

Stepping out of the elevator on the twenty-second floor of the refurbished building, Marissa felt herself relax. She was home. She followed Bull into their conference area, where the rest of the team were already discussing a potential new client. They hadn't noticed Bull or Marissa yet, which was going to make things a lot easier. Marissa took a deep breath, then stepped up to the conference table, effectively ending the conversation that was happening.

"Hi, guys," she said.

Cable was the first to react. She jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Marissa to give her a hug. "I missed you so much!" she said.

"I've missed you, too, Cable," Marissa said as she gave everyone else a wave.

"Are you back?" asked Danny.

"How are you feeling?" asked Chunk.

"Guys!" called Benny before Bull had the chance. "Let the woman breathe! Give her a moment."

"Thanks, Benny," said Marissa gratefully. "I'm fine, guys. Don't worry about me."

"You've been home for the past three months with migraines. Why shouldn't we worry?" asked Danny.

"Because, I said, I'm fine. Migraines happen to me more than you think. It's nothing new."

"Then why were you home for so long?"

"Doctor's orders. As much as it might not seem that way, I do tend to follow orders." Marissa didn't add that she had been having some trouble with nightmares since the explosion occurred, nor did she mention that the 'doctor's orders' had actually come from Bull, and not Dr Sanders.

"Alright. Are you back, or just visiting?" Chunk asked before Danny could ask another question.

Marissa smiled, but didn't get to answer before Bull cut in.

"Marissa is back," he said. "Just remember that she has been home for three months, so be gentle. And we are working, not socialising. Leave questions for your lunch break. Welcome back, Rissa."

"Thank you, Bull." Marissa took a seat next to Benny.

"Yes, welcome back, Barbie," said Cable mischievously.

"Oh... I forgot we decided on a nickname," said Danny. "I really think that is the perfect name for you."

"No. We've been through this- my name is Marissa, not Barbie," Marissa said with a sigh. "Just don't use it so much, okay?"

By lunch time, Marissa was feeling tired. Ever since she had gotten her first full time job, she had never taken a day off. So, having taken three months of leave, she was feeling overwhelmed. She hadn't forgotten what her job entailed, but she had gotten used to waking up when she was ready and doing nothing during the day. It had been a welcome change, one that she had been sure she wouldn't miss once she got back to work.

"Hey, Rissa," said Bull a few minutes later. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just forgot what it was like to work all day, I guess. I was enjoying being home."

"Do you need more time off?"

"No. I'll never get back into it if I stay home longer."

"Alright. You know, earlier, you mentioned that you were home because of doctor's orders. Why didn't you tell them the truth?"

"Except for Benny, they don't know about the nightmares, Jason, nor do they know I've been seeking your services. I'd like it to stay that way."

"That's fine. It's your choice. They won't judge you."

"It's not that. I just don't want them to feel sorry for me. I came to you because I know that I can trust you- which has nothing to do with you being my boss, by the way- and because I know that you can help. And you have helped me. This last week has been the easiest since all of this began. But it isn't something I want to discuss, either."

"I understand. Nobody is going to hear about it from me. And I can talk to Benny about it too."

"He already promised to not say anything. I'm sure that he hasn't spoken to them about it, otherwise they wouldn't have been surprised at how long I took off work."

"That's a very good point." Bull smiled. "Do you want to go home early?"

"No."

"Okay. If you change your mind, let me know." He gave Marissa a cheeky grin. "Welcome back, Barbie."