Rachel sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the familiar walls of her childhood bedroom. It was strange being back in a world she had once taken for granted—air conditioning, running water, the soft scent of her favorite lavender-scented candles. Yet, despite the comfort, something still felt foreign.

It had been a week since she and Finn were discharged from the hospital. Their physical injuries had healed, but the real work was just beginning.

Therapy. Processing. Adjusting.

Her dads had been incredibly supportive, making sure she didn't feel pressured to rush back into normal life too quickly. They had also encouraged her and Finn to start individual counseling, something Rachel knew was necessary—but still felt overwhelming.

A knock at her door broke her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, smoothing her hands over her lap.

Hiram peeked inside, a gentle smile on his face. "Sweetheart, you ready? Your first session is in an hour."

Rachel nodded, standing up and grabbing her bag. "Yeah. As ready as I'll ever be."

Her dad walked inside, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Therapy is a good thing, Rachel. You and Finn went through something unimaginable. It's okay if it takes time to feel… normal again."

Rachel smiled faintly, leaning into the comfort of his touch. "I know. I just don't even know where to start."

Hiram squeezed her shoulder. "You'll find the words. You always do."

Meanwhile, across town, Finn sat in the passenger seat of his mom's car, his fingers drumming against his knee. Carole had insisted on driving him to his first therapy session, though he wasn't sure if it was for his benefit or hers.

"You don't have to sit in the waiting room," Finn said, glancing at her. "I can get an Uber back."

Carole smiled, reaching over to squeeze his hand. "Finn, you've been gone for five months. Let me drive you at least once, okay?"

Finn chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, okay."

Her expression softened. "I'm proud of you for doing this. It's not easy, but it's important."

Finn nodded, staring out the window as they pulled into the parking lot. "Yeah. I just hope I don't sound like an idiot trying to explain everything."

Carole touched his shoulder. "You've survived something most people can't even imagine. No one expects you to have it all figured out. Just be honest."

Finn took a deep breath. "Yeah. Honest."

Rachel's session was intense.

Her therapist, Dr. Hayes, was patient but direct. "Tell me about your first thought when you woke up in your own bed again."

Rachel hesitated, gripping a pillow in her lap. "That I didn't belong here."

Dr. Hayes nodded, jotting something down. "Because the island still feels like home?"

Rachel swallowed. "Because the person I was before the island doesn't exist anymore."

The words settled between them, heavy but true.

Finn's session was equally draining.

"So, Finn," his therapist, Dr. Miller, leaned forward slightly. "What's the hardest part of being back?"

Finn exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Everything is loud here. Fast. People complain about traffic and coffee orders, and I just… I don't care about any of that anymore."

Dr. Miller nodded. "Makes sense. Survival became your priority. Your perspective has changed."

Finn leaned back. "Yeah. And I don't know how to un-change it."

At the end of the day, Rachel and Finn met up at her house. She had texted him earlier, and he had immediately agreed to stay over. It was an unspoken routine now—they took turns between her place and his, never spending a night alone if they didn't have to. Their parents understood, giving them space while keeping a watchful eye.

Rachel curled up beside Finn on her bed, her head resting on his chest. "How was yours?" she murmured.

Finn let out a breath, running his fingers through her hair. "Heavy. Yours?"

"Same."

They lay in silence for a while, just listening to each other breathe.

Rachel tilted her head up to look at him. "Do you think we'll ever feel normal again?"

Finn thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I think… we'll feel different. But maybe that's not a bad thing."

Rachel sighed, pressing closer. "As long as we figure it out together."

Finn kissed the top of her head. "Always."

And with that, they drifted off to sleep, two survivors still finding their way home—together.