He had been watching her for the last fifteen minutes, making himself as little and as silent as possible, mentally taking notes. She hadn't moved much in those minutes. The books she had found, her books, the ones she had asked him for, had caused a lethargic reaction in his young patient. He was amazed in the difference he was seeing from the women he had met with yesterday. She had been here for seven weeks. It had been seven weeks of silent sleep-walking dullness. He could make out the difference in her eyes, the glimmer that told him there was still someone inside, but he was afraid her mind was slowly going away again. He was hoping she'd fight. He cared for all his patients, but this young woman, she was different.

Katherine Beckett was the daughter of an old friend. He hadn't known her, her father and he had lost touch after university. He had shaken her hand at the funeral, but that was it. He could tell though, bare this woman of her demons and she could have been beautifully successful. The murder of her mother when she was barely 19 had caused this infernal descent to hell. She had stopped living, buried her head deep into denial and hadn't gotten up for a breath ever since. Some people were functioning addicts, she, without a doubt, was not. At 24, Katherine Beckett was a hard core addict, probably making it in his top 10 worst list.

When Jim had called him, asking for a favor regarding his little girl, the tremor in his voice was enough to make him accept. Never would Dr. Marx have imagined the saddened women he had met 5 years back, would have turned out like this. He had been taken aback the first time, literally, backing a few steps when he had seen her. She was in a bad shape, her arms completely mutilated by the years of abuse, her medical file heavier than a brick. He would never acknowledge this to anyone, ever, but he was surprised that, at the rate she was going, she had survived this long. He was surprised she hadn't died of an overdose before turning the meager age of 22.

Now, after weeks of lethargy, she was responsive and he was anxious to see how the trauma and dependence had affected her mind. This early morning 'chat' was the first time he had heard the sound of her voice. Today, she had talked; she had moved. No matter how silenced she now seemed, it was still a good day.

Not wanting to startle her, he decided his best option for the moment was to simply let her be. As he carefully directed himself towards the door, her head jerked in his direction. He stopped and she stared.

After seconds, or maybe minutes, of stillness, she broke the silence, "This is a joke, right? I'm being punked?" Kate wasn't laughing, though, not even the hint of a smile could be perceived on her tired expression. She thought none of it was funny. If the guys were up to this; it was a sick, sick joke.

"No," answered the man sharing the room with her, as he slowly went on shaking his head.

"This… I… I…"she tried formulating a clear thought.

Why is everything such a blur? I feel so powerless, so vulnerable. I hate this…

"My dad… he's not involved in this. I mean, he can't…"

"Yes, he is. He's w-"

"I don't believe you," she said as she pulled on the collar of her sweater searching for the chain, craving the familiar touch of the ring she always kept safely around her neck. When her fingers brushed the bare skin of her sternum, her heart started pounding violently and her breathing became unequal. She nervously brushed her thumb over her ring finger, only to realise her engagement ring was gone too. She opened her mouth; her breaths were fast and loud, as her panic continued to grow.

"You… You… You took my stuff." She was panicking, hysterically shifting her weight from one foot to the other, biting her lip to the point it would leave a mark. The man was observing her, analysing her reactions debating internally on how best to deal with her. How could he explain, when he didn't fully understand? Kate didn't appreciate the pause, threatened by the look.

Stop staring dammit!

Her tone had suddenly changed from panic to anger, "I don't understand. I want to talk to my fiancé, you can't do that. You can't keep me!" He could still perceive the slight hint of doubt portrayed in her tone.

When he tried to answer, it sent her over the edge. She could feel him, looking at her, puzzled, like they weren't even speaking the same language, and the last ounce of self-control she had managed to salvage was gone. With that, Kate seemed to regain full control of her voice. She exploded. "I want to leave. You can't detain me against my will. I want my things, my phone, my…."

"Katherine, let's talk this through."

"It's Kate, god dammit. There is nothing to talk about. I won't let you, or anyone, detain me against my will. What the hell do you want from me?"

"It's okay, Kate. You're okay."

Something snapped. She jerked towards him, ready to strangle him, her legs were still wobbly but she didn't care.

The doctor, with a few paces towards the exit and a look to the hallway, motioned the nurses it was time to intervene. Two people rushed into the room. She was still screaming, her hands waving in space, about to stroke the man in front of her. One man grabbed her by the shoulders, containing her, while the other pulled down her pants. She screamed for mercy. Her eyes were bulging with terror and her body was contorting, trying to free itself of the tight grasp it was in. Missing a breath, she uncontrollably coughed, her lungs lacking oxygen, as she watched the man take a syringe out from his back pocket and stab her in the thigh.

Her breathing calmed down and she suddenly felt lightheaded as her eyelids became heavy. Fighting the urge to sleep, her head helplessly fell forward.

I know the ages don't match, but this is because I don't think her father would have let her go on for 10+ years before doing something. Since they're delusions, I decided I could pretty much do what I wanted with it!

I opted for shorter chapters, but faster updates, but if you prefer longer chapters, let me know, it can be done!

Thank you all for the favs and follows. I really enjoy reading what you think, please continue reviewing, all comments welcome :)