Kate

The rest of the day went by slowly and everyone was working quietly, which was pretty unusual. I stayed in the lab all day, while everyone else attended their classes. Somehow, I managed to get caught up in all of my classes and started attending to the massive amount emails that had piled up. Most of them I could delete without reading. I wasn't interested in campus events in that moment.

I heard a knock and turned to the source of the noise, Tadashi. "You ready to go?"

"Um, actually, I'm gonna stay a little longer…finish catching up. You go ahead."

"We can wait—"

"No. It's fine really. I'll walk back when I'm done." Tadashi looked at me, uncertain but gave in.

"Okay. But be careful. And if you aren't back before dark, I'm coming to pick you up. You shouldn't walk by yourself at night."

"Don't worry. I won't take long." I forced a smile and Tadashi left. I looked around and stood up cautiously. I was the only one left in the lab. I walked over to where Baymax was and sat on a desk, pulling my knees up to my chest. I look around again before whispering, "Ow." Baymax inflated and spoke.

"Hello, Kate. I heard a sound of distress."

"Baymax?" I hugged my knees and spoke softly, "Earlier, you started talking about my psychological health and I stopped you…what were you going to say?"

"You have high levels of cortisol and epinephrine, indicating that you are stressed. Your oxytocin and serotonin levels are unusually low. I suggest plenty of sleep and support from friends. I can contact your friends for you—"

"No! Please, don't. Can I just talk to you, Baymax?"

"Would that improve your emotional state?"

"It couldn't hurt." I looked up at the robot.

"Alright. What would you like to talk about?" I told him everything, more than I had told Tadashi. I was afraid to talk to the others. I knew they wouldn't judge me but I just couldn't bring myself to tell them what I remembered. Baymax, on the other hand, was easy to talk to. I didn't have to worry about what he would think or how he would treat me afterwards. He was a robot. He wasn't clouded by all the hormones and feelings that humans were. He could listen and just tell me the facts. That's what I wanted to hear. Not 'it will be okay' or 'I'm here for you'. I just wanted to hear the science, the logic. I didn't want to be seen differently, as weak or inferior. I know my friends would never try to look at me like that but I would feel different, weak, out of control. Maybe I should have been worried that I was spilling my guts to a robot but I didn't. And when I was finished, I felt good. It was all out but no one would see the fear that I had been trying so hard to hide.

"Your hormone and neurotransmitter levels have improved."

"Yeah. Thanks for talking to me, Baymax. It really helped. I am satisfied with my care." Baymax walked back to his charger and deflated. I hopped off the desk and looked at my phone. It would be getting dark soon. I quickly grabbed my things and walked out of the lab, locking up behind me. The sun was already going down. I stepped out onto the street and my phone rang. Tadashi.

"Hey, I'm already on my way back." Tadashi seemed worried but I assured him that I would be back soon and quickened my pace after hanging up. After a few minutes, I notice someone following me. My heart rate picked up and I started shaking.

"Hey, baby! Looking good. Wanna come back to my place?" I ignored him and kept walking. "Hey, come on."

I glanced at him and replied, "Not interested," and tried to stay calm but I felt his fingers close around my wrist and he turned me around to face him. My eyes widened as he backed me into a wall. I tried to hit him but he grabbed me other wrist and pressed me into the wall. His face inched closer to mine and instinct took over. I brought my knee up and he doubled over in pain, letting go of me and swearing. I bolted away from him. I didn't stop running until the Lucky Cat Café was within my sight. I slowed and calmed my breathing before looking around and walking into the café.

Tadashi

Tadashi was sitting on the couch when Kate finally walked in. She sat across the room in one of the sofa chairs. "Hey, you okay?" She looked up, surprised.

"Yeah. I'm good." Her voice sounded bright but Tadashi could tell something was off. He looked back to the TV and decided not to push her. A few minutes passed with Kate fidgeting before she spoke, "Hey, Tadashi?" She kept her eyes on the ground and Tadashi looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"Could you teach me how to fight?" Tadashi had obtained several black belts before graduating high school and Kate had seen some of his fights. He hardly ever lost. Kate still wouldn't look at him and Tadashi was stunned by her request. He turned the TV off and turned to look at her directly.

"Why do you want to learn how to fight? Did something happen on your way back?" The worry in his voice was evident and Kate hesitated.

"I just…don't want to feel afraid anymore," she whispered. Tadashi's stomach lurched and his eyes softened. He walked over to Kate, who finally looked up, and he sat on the arm the sofa beside her. He leaned closer to her and spoke softly.

"Yeah, I'll teach you." Kate sighed in relief and Tadashi slid into the seat and put his arm around her. Kate was tiny and both of them easily fit in the chair but she leaned into Tadashi. He smiled and kissed the top of her head, continuing, "I don't want you to feel afraid anymore either, Kate. I don't want you to ever have to feel afraid." Tadashi always treated Kate gently and he appeared to be calm at that moment but he was angry. Someone had hurt her and he knew she was terrified that they would come back for her. He hated that he couldn't protect her all the time but at least he could teach her how to protect herself.