Damn it Damn IT DAMNT IT. I wasted that energy for nothing. I just exhausted myself and it didn't go away. What the hell did I do to myself? I should reset my body into a previous state, before living with the lizard Tarzans, but then everyone will wonder why I look different. Shit. Maybe this will go away on its own. I could go Groundhog Day montage. Sometimes really intense traumatic termination could reset the energies. I don't have a toaster though, or a bathtub. Grunt's tank perhaps?

I need to clear my head. Today is my first session with Kelly. She said the first time will be very informal and it's more of us getting comfortable with each other. I bet she's using this as an opportunity to find my baseline. Essentially, she will monitor my behavior and catch a glimpse of my normal behavior and how it differs after future events such as uh let me think.

Losing someone during a mission? Medical emergency? Not getting a pentakill with explosives.

We are using the conference room. No relaxing couch for me to lay down in. Oh the thought of it is making me sleepy. I enter and hug Kelly Hello. She acts a tad friendlier with me compared to my limited opportunities seeing her with the other crew members. We sit down and she grabs her pen ready to take notes.

"As a reminder this is not a therapy session. This is just a time to get to know each other and learn to relax, although if there is something bothering you, I am happy to listen. Or we can wait for another time" she said.

"Ok I'll take that into consideration. I do have some issues, but I don't know what exactly" I said.

She asks in a friendly tone "Why do you say that?"

"I have something holding me back. I don't know what exactly, but it is a problem. I can't move up. I tried working on myself, going to experts, and some techniques I learned on my travels. I made progress but I still can't seem to figure out what is wrong in me" I said.

"Who says you have to move up?" she writes something down.

"Oh no one. I don't have to but I really wanna" I said.

"We can go into more detail later, but for today let's get to know each other. My name is Kelly Chambers. I earned my degree in psychology at the University of Arizona and spent a few years aboard the citadel researching and learning to heal the minds of Xenos. It's fascinating how similar they are to humans and the subtle differences can make a tremendous impact in their responses. Cerberus recruited me to help them in retrieving information from a young hanar. He was in a state of shock from witnessing the murder of a family member and I was the best/only one they could find willing to help. One thing led to another and despite what Cerberus stands for, I believe I could make an impact here and maybe build some bridges between humans and aliens" she said.

"Interesting. Ok my story. Let's see I was really sick throughout my childhood but didn't know it. I worked really hard for everything because getting accomplishments was one of the very few things that gave me a break from my painful existence. Got better and kept my tremendous will power. I continued to push myself and eventually my tastes grew more and more weirder and after a long road of recovery, discover, and hardwork I am the man you see today" I said.

"You are being very vague" she blurts out.

"Well, if I told you everything, we'd be here all day" I retorted.

"Commander Shepard warned me you would be a difficult situation. Most people do not choose to live in the woods or help the alliance as a volunteer. You are clearly educated. Why didn't you get a real job or join the military?" She asks.

"Who said I didn't? Besides where I am from had a lot of external factors beyond my control and I had to make due with what I had."

"I see. Sadly not everything goes to how we want them to occur. Something we have to live with. What was your family like? Did you have one?" she asks.

"They were the best. I owe them so much. My dad worked at a pharmaceutical company and my mom was a helicopter rescue pilot. They loved me and never gave up on me. I owed them so much. It's kinda why I push myself so hard. They taught me to never give up because they never did for me. I really miss them. They died a long time ago" I said. Kelly takes notes.

"I'm so sorry" she said.

"It's natural" I said.

"Why don't we talk about something else. What do you like to do with spare time?" she asks.

"I like learning what comes my way, challenges whether it be video games, exercise, meditation, crafts, whatever. That feeling of accomplishment drives me. I'm also a big animal lover" I said.

"Me too. I'm a dog person but can't keep them on a ship and the citadel didn't allow earth pets yet. To make up for it I offered to feed commander Shepard's fish. It's not the same" she said.

"I know. During guys night in the cabin, I like to watch them when the conversation drifts off to something I don't understand. I forgot does he have a hamster or something?" I ask.

"Not that I am aware of" she said.

"Huh. If I may ask, why are you so friendly?" I ask.

"I've always been this way. Just who I am" she said.

"I wish there were more people like you" I said.

"Thank you!" she said cheerfully.

"Hey, can you talk to Jack? I really hated how… grabby she was during our first encounter. I don't want that to happen again. She said she was sorry, but I am still mad at her. Forgiveness is import to me, but I still get flickers of anger from time to time. Don't worry it will subside" I said.

"I heard. I've been having multiple sessions with her already. I read her file. I can't talk about the specific details, but could you be a little more accepting of her? She had a very difficult childhood and let's just say self control was not encouraged. What about the rest of the crew? Have there been any issues?" she asks.

"Besides the girls undressing me with their eyes, I'd say things are pretty good. I like to hang out with Shepard and Garrus since I know them the best. It is weird having an alien roommate. He does this weird turian snoring thing with his face flaps. Samara and I have been meditating together. It's nice to have someone to share that hobby with. Grunt likes to ask a lot of questions about Tuchunka and krogan culture. I think he feel's left out. Whatever questions he asks I either answer or guide him to discover it for himself. Thane is stoic. He is very formal when we speak and when we do it is short. I feel like he doesn't want me to get too close. You know with the whole slowly dying thing. Not fun." I said.

"What about Cerberus crew? Miranda and Jacob?" she asks.

I rub my hands together "Hehehe I got something planned for Miranda. Jacob is cool. He shares my distrust in governments. Smart man. When new gear arrives, he shows me how the new weapons work. I like the waiting for the guns to cool down, but he insists I try the new thermal clip models. Worth a shot. I like novel experiences" I said.

"Anything else?" Kelly asks.

"If we do have any therapy sessions, will you make sure Kasumi isn't listening? She likes to watch what I do. Since I am a minimalist and she's an attention seeking kleptomaniac, it's a weird dynamic going on. I don't want her spreading rumors around. Kasumi can you please leave?" I point to the right of the door frame and usher her to the exit.

"How do you keeping doing that?" She uncloaks. Kelly is surprised and says something to herself.

I offer a bargain "Show me your face and I'll tell you how."

"That is not happening cutie" she disappears from the room; with my soul vison I can see here crouching in the corner. It's hard not to laugh.

My omnitool gets ping. Shepard messaged me. I know because the icon is a picture of a zombie. I open it and it says we are heading to omega to help Samara with an issue and invited me to come along. We kind of became friends. She taught me some meditations that's likely not of any use. A lot of what she taught me I already knew but the terminology was different. Still, I appreciate her time trying to help me. I should volunteer. It's the least I can do. I say my goodbyes to Kelly, Kasumi, and go find Shepard.