In It For The Long Haul

Grace headed towards the industrial district, small cluster of offices her goal. Dr Delara Auzenne had gotten in touch, her request to meet Grace was taken up immediately, the latter deeming it necessary to speak with her.

Why had it not worked out with Adam?

Likely creative differences, but, why was that?

Perhaps she was hasty? Not quite as intent on helping Adam help himself? Rather, put him in a corner and lecture him?

Grace panicked. She'd be at a disadvantage if she let herself feel anxiety. She and Delara needed to be on the same page of the same book.

She arrived at Ms Auzenne's office, a small sigh the only indication of her presence.

Okay, here goes...

She knocked lightly, the door opening a second later. A tall brunette answered it, melted amber eyes wary.

"Good morning, Ms Auzenne."

Grace offered a hand. Delara did not take it immediately.

"Please, it's Delara, Miss Fielding. Thank you for taking up my offer."

Offer? Grace thought it a sure thing?

She took the hand.

"Grace, please."

The two sat.

"Forgive my lack of reply to your email. It automatically went to the spam folder, and I only just retrieved it and Adam's file before it was deleted."

The older woman had a red light flashing in her brain, its glare forcing her to look at the desk in front of her, as to not look suspicious.

"That's fine. Did you lose Adam's file? I have the physical copy," she got it from her bag, "however, I only have the one."

Delara's warm brown eyes hardened.

"Surely I should have that?"

Grace tilted her head.

"Ms Auzenne, I am here to take over agent Adam Jensen's treatment plan. You should have received an email from your employer, and mine, telling you exactly that."

She masked a smirk. "Could it, too, have ended up in the spam folder?"

If eyes could kill, Grace could have sworn Delara's were stabbing her at that exact moment.

"With all due respect, Miss Fielding, I was not informed of this arrangement."

"It was a rather special arrangement, we can agree on that. But I am certain our employers wouldn't have thrown me onto a train to Prague for nought. You're welcome to clarify it with Mr. Miller, but I can only hope we both have the patient's best interests at heart, and thus I'd appreciate your cooperation."

Delara let her head tilt a tad.

"Miller? I ought to speak to him. And, with all due respect, the physical copy of Adam's file would be far more useful than an online one."

"It could, I agree. This shouldn't be with me, I believe it should have stayed inside Sarif Industries walls, however, it was deemed prudent I have it. I cannot hand it over if I am returning to my position as Adam's psychologist. I am sure you understand, and would do similar. In our profession, privacy is vital."

The younger nodded.

"Discretion is a virtue." The ladies nodded, Delara leaning forward, body language open. "How can I be of service?"

Grace didn't even need a C.A.S.I.E. to see through how badly the therapist was trying to upkeep the professional posture.

And failing by the moment.

"I will require the documentation for your recent progress with Mr Jensen."

That threw the psychiatrist. Grace looked expectantly, but feeling deep inside that the red lights just before weren't just a hunch. Delara suddenly tried to break eye contact by frantically browsing the data on her pocket secretary. She looked... lost. It was painstakingly clear something was amiss, but Delara clearly wasn't losing her footing here.

"I currently have his most recent missions on file, but only online. We do not have a paper trail."

Grace raised a brow.

"I find the latter is easier to keep a hold of. Mr Jensen's file is thick, emails are not. I acknowledge their merits however."

She placed the file back in her bag.

"Could you forward what you have to me please?"

After all, she held more about Adam in her purse than Delara could glean in years.

"Recent progress isn't the term I would use for our previous session." Grace nodded, so, Delara continued. "Reticent conjecture."

"Hesitant, it goes without saying he has experienced much in such a small space of time."

"Very much so. He is a strong character, and I believe deep down, he knows that."

Grace resisted a pout.

"You believe he is able to open himself up? Metaphorically speaking of course."

Delara's eyes flashed concern.

"What else would I mean? Short of taking a scalpel to his chest..."

Now Grace pouted, eyes wide. That was a rather disgraceful thing to say.

A slur? Simple misunderstanding?

She mustn't have known about the unfortunately long list of operations Adam was subjected too.

Grace wished she hadn't read the file. Her throat closed up, chest felt like it had a vice around it, ripping into flesh.

If she hurt reading it, if mere words, albeit words, building a horrific scene, akin to a horror film, she didn't wish to imagine how terrible it was for him...

Silence, a pregnant pause lingered in the still space. Grace's hazy eyes snapped open, clouded from tears.

"Whilst I respect you, and your opinion is valued, I disagree. I believe Adam is in there, inside the metal that is his new body. His heart is that what it was prior to the violation of his modesty. The organ remained pure, despite it being tampered with by multiple people. However, I do not think he can truly be free again, freedom is a bane in a world that sees you are a freak. It cannot be achieved by a man who does not feel worthy of anything other than disdain. Adam is a puzzle, he does not want the pieces to be found. I do not want to find them, he must do that himself. I can only encourage that foray, discourage prying eyes, words misspoken from minds not willing to understand external differences from forcing him to flee. Bury himself in packets of items that will cause more damage. I don't need to hear that he is becoming an addict, I saw it for myself."

Grace made an ultimatum, brave leap when she should have strolled.

"That's my observation. I see you do not agree. That is fine. However, as I have been brought in, you know what that means."

Delara looked relieved, stressing Grace a tad.

"You seem more equipped to handle Adam than I. He should thrive with your guidance."

Grace offered a hand, not in respect, but simply a gesture, it was up to Delara if it held anything.

"Thrive? I wouldn't use that word. I would say 'survive' without self hatred, the world's view should not matter. Adam does not have to love himself, only believe he is worth something, and always was. Outward appearance accounts for little, especially when one's internal is flawed, their mind skewed. I wish Adam lives in the now, not that he forces his past from sight, but sees it as a change that, although he could not control, it has served him well. Externally, his form is strong. Inside, it is crumbling, staunch facade does not assist him. Cement cracks are beginning to show in the armour he wears, and I don't mean his augments."

Dr Auzenne took Grace's hand.

"You truly manage to understand him, get on his level. I see your wavelength is similar to Adam's, though, I find myself torn on how to view that."

The older brunette's head tilt was an inquiry.

"Comes off as personal, when it ought not to be."

"I try to have a personal element there. Being on their level means I learn how to speak to them. Not everyone reacts well to certain phrases, wording can take a fragile mind and send it hurtling off a cliff. I wish to understand them, in a non-condescending way. I hear too many of my fellows treat their patients as if they are dim bulbs, needing a new power source. They are not bulbs, we are not sockets. We should energise them, yes, give them back the confidence they have buried deep down. It's rare they have given up completely, no matter how much they think they have. If they truly had..."

She let Delara fill in the rest, the younger appreciative but feeling as if Grace was schooling her in her own job...

"They wouldn't have come to us. Grace," she stood, "I wish you luck. You a positive person, an influence for what is good in the world. It needs more people like you. Thank you again for coming to see me. Adam has a chance to regain his humanity, I truly wish he does."

If alarm scarlet got any brighter, they would blind her. Grace squinted, turning away from the woman, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"I hope I am not causing you too much distress. You don't have to move, do you?"

Delara shook her head.

"No, this complex is owned by my employer. As you are not with them, I cannot get you an office as of now. I can talk with Miller, however. I do not know why he would ask you here, but not provide you with an office. That strikes me as odd."

Grace waved, making her way to the door.

"I have only just arrived, its fine. And, I am glad I came to visit, comparing notes and gaining different viewpoints is important to me. You're welcome." She opened the door. "I ought to go, forgive my exhausted appearance. It was a sudden move here. Luckily, I made plans on the way."

The elder woman decided to be firm but fair. Delara flared worry in her mind and gut, but she wouldn't let her see that.

"Good bye, for now."

Delara waved, the door shut, as Grace made her way back to the hotel.

Regain his humanity?

Adam wasn't human?

What on Earth is Delara babbling about?

Grace got out her phone, the email app an automatic popup, as if the device predicted her thoughts.

That, or she was predictable...

She pressed Adam's email address, copying it into the address bar.

I just met with Delara, I see your point, why it did not work out.

When you are free, we ought to meet, discuss where to go from here.

Thanks.

Regards,

Grace.

She pressed 'send,' watching the icon fly off the screen with a sigh. The doctor decided, after she dropped off her purse to have a look around the city centre, the brisk wind refreshing her.

If Adam replied, that would be great.

The sooner, the better.

She wouldn't rush him.

After all, she wasn't Delara...