A/N Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed my last chapter, as always they really made me smile. Please forgive this chapter, it's more of a filler for the next phase of the story. Anyway, bear with me
'Would you like a cup of tea, Zoshie?' Guy asked as his daughter and Ollie sat in the on call room. She had been interviewed by the police, and a psychiatrist had just assessed her and given her a dose of lithium and although she hadn't said much yet, she nodded slowly and let out a weak smile. She was yet to let go of Ollie's hand, and as Guy passed her a steaming hot mug, her eyes welled up with tears and she let out a quiet sniff before the first bout of real, raw emotion she had felt in days flooded out.
'How could this have happened to me? I've been so stupid' she cried, and Ollie hugged her. However, she felt tense, as if she was still unsure of where everyone stood. Ollie knew not to rush her so he let her take control of the moment and move away and gave her a small sympathetic smile before she looked away, embarrassed.
'You haven't at all, Zosia. He's been manipulating you, plain and simple. He's being charged with a serious criminal offence, he's going to be struck off- it's over, you will never have to go through that again.' Ollie reassured, deciding it was safer to reach for Zosia's hand instead. 'And whenever you want to talk, I'm right here' he smiled and she smiled weakly. Maybe this guy wasn't bad after all...she had to get it into her head that Seb had been lying and manipulating her.
'Zoshie...can you tell us what you remember?'
'I remember being in Elliot's office, and then I woke up in Seb's car- I didn't know where I was, or why I was there, but my head felt really cloudy, and then over the next day or so Seb told me that Ollie had been emotionally abusive, Arthur and Dom had dropped contact with me, and that he was the only person who I could trust, it was as if I didn't remember a single detail about my own life. I don't know why I believed him' she looked down, feeling ashamed.
'He drugged you darling, it isn't your fault' Guy reassured, squeezing Zosia's hand. 'I have to ask this...did he, you know…take advantage?'
At first she remained quiet, but simply shook her head. 'No no, he kissed me but we didn't...' her voice trailed off, and both Ollie and Guy felt relieved.
'I'm going to let Dr Digby and Dr Copeland know that you're ok, darling' Guy smiled. 'Give you two some privacy'
Zosia stood and hugged her dad and as Guy left, Ollie stood and approached Zosia slowly. He ran a calm and gentle hand up and down her arm. 'You're not what Seb said you were, are you?' she asked, tears forming in her eyes again. Ollie looked sympathetic and moved his arms around her slowly, pulling her into him gently but firmly at the same time, showing her that he would support her but not force her into anything. For the first time since this ordeal started, she relaxed into them and put her arms around him too. He could feel her shaking slightly, like she was crying, but hearing his heart beat against her made her feel safe.
'Zosia...I don't want to rush you in anything that you do- if you feel uncomfortable with me cuddling you, just say' he said kindly, and she shook her head.
'No, this is- nice' she said quietly. 'I know that what he did wasn't right, but what he told me, it made it all feel so clear. It's scary how he could have that effect...' She reasoned as she tightened her hold of her boyfriend. He kissed her on top of her forehead. 'Thank you...for coming to find me'
"He was obsessed with you Zosia…I just feel terrible that I couldn't stop it in the first place" he sighed sadly, and Zosia shook her head.
"But you found me, and I'll always be grateful"
'Well, I had to find you. I have to have someone to tease on Darwin, the Prof just doesn't get the bants half the time, believe me I tried' he laughed, and Zosia laughed back as she pulled away. He gently moved his palm to her face and wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
'Nice to know I'm useful for something' she sighed, laughing still. 'Can I ask you something?'
'Of course'
'Will you stay with me tonight?' She pleaded subtly, and Ollie looked deep in thought.
'Hmmm I don't know, I met this fit girl last night, she has a deadbeat psychiatrist for a boyfriend but she's well into me, really' Ollie teased and Zosia thumped his arm.
'And she's back' he laughed. 'Of course I will, silly' he calmed down and wrapped his arms around her again. 'They want to keep you in the psych ward for the night, I'll see if there's any way I can stay with you' he reassured, 'and if they say no I'll feign a bipolar attack or something, they might put us together' Ollie laughed.
'I love you' Zosia blurted, she was surprised at herself given how unsure she was about him a few hours before.
'I love you too' he smiled.
'Please, just for one night?!' Ollie pleaded with the doctor in charge on the psych unit.
'We're not a hotel Mr Valentine, we are looking after some seriously unwell people' he replied, unsympathetic to Ollie's request.
'She's been through something traumatic, and she's already agreed to stay one night to tick a few boxes, she needs a friendly face' he argued, and the doctor sighed. 'Please? She's in a room to herself anyway, can't we just break the rules this once?'
'Fine! But as soon as Zosia shows signs of needing to rest or be alone, you're out'
'How did you convince them?' Zosia asked as she lay back on the bed, and Ollie joined her.
'With my charm and wit of course' he smirked, and Zosia looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
'With your what?' Zosia quipped, and Ollie nudged her.
'I think you're fine, back to your old self' he laughed, 'we could just leave now'
'I'd love to but dad insists I should stay here tonight and let them assess me' she sighed. 'And I think he's right'
'Yeah I know...I'm just messing around' he smiled. 'Come here, you' he added, shuffling over slightly and hold out both arms for her to move into.
She smiled and cuddled into him, and then he took a deep breath. He was trying to prepare himself to say something, but he gradually changed his mind...she had been through a lot the past few days, weeks even if they counted the whole episode...he didn't want to rush it or make her feel pressured. He was gradually getting her back, he didn't want to push his luck. For now he smiled as he looked down and saw the sleeping girl he had fought for cuddle against him with her arm around his waist, like they had slept in New York. Time was always to be a great healer, the right moment would come. They had already come so far, and Seb had lost this particular battle. He was out of their lives, for good.