Disclaimers: Xena and Gabrielle belong to Universal (or someone else). However, everyone else in this story belongs to me.
Sexual Situations: Nothing R-rated happens. Though if the thought of a couple of gals gettin' together bothers you, then please read something else.
Strong Language: Don't grab that bar of soap just yet. There's not that much ya know. On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it a 5.
Violence: There is some, but it's mostly spoken of not acted out.
Feedback: Wanna send me some? You may do so at
[email protected]. Thanks a million!
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"I feel like I just wasted $250."
"That's a peculiar response to the question 'how are you doing today'." A ghost of a smile on her lips, she leaned back in her comfortable leather chair, regarding the young woman sitting before her. "Why?"
"Why do I feel like I just wasted $250 or why did I give that response instead of saying the usual 'fine and you'?"
"All of the above."
"I feel like I wasted $250 because I don't need to be here. I could put that money to better use, like shopping or throwing it in a garbage can. And I gave that response because I just thought you needed to know that I don't need to be here--that I don't require your help."
"Why don't you?"
"Tell me, do you shrinks have a quota of whys to ask per day? Like 30 per patient? That means you have exactly 56 more minutes to squeeze in 28 more whys. The way I figure, that's two a minute." To say that she was annoyed to be sitting in front of Dr. Anne Perkins was an understatement.
The curly haired brunette's smile increased with amusement. "I see that someone is good with mathematics." Her patient's frown didn't deter her smile. "Why don't we start over? How are you today?" After a slight pause she added, "By the way I do believe that's three now. I hope you're keeping score because I wouldn't want to go over or have too little." The frown deepened.
"I'm fine considering."
"Considering what?"
"Considering that my parents bulldozed me into coming here. Considering that I lost my lover almost a year ago and no one understands. No one gives a damn." Noticing a small blue stress relief ball on the doctor's desk, she grabbed it, proceeding to squeeze the life out of it.
"Up until last June you were in a coma, correct?"
"Sort of. The proper name is catatonic schizophrenia."
"For six years." A nod was Dr. Perkins' only confirmation. "And tell me what you think happened during that time."
"I don't think it happened. I know."
"Okay. Tell me what you know."
Snorting, Hannah swiftly tossed the ball back and forth between her hands. "Why? I'm sure the parental units already filled you in."
"I want to hear it from you." There was no response from her newest patient. "Hannah stop playing with the ball and please look at me." Almost begrudgingly, the young woman lifted her eyes to meet those of the doctor as she placed the stress relief ball back were she'd found it. "That's better. Now talk to me about these six years."
"My parents want me to forget them. They want you to make me forget. Though, I won't forget. I never will. Those were the best years of my life. The nineteen years preceding them couldn't even come close."
"Go on."
"While I was in a catatonic state here in the 21st century, I was actually reliving a past life. My past life with a woman named Xena. We went around fighting for the greater good, trying to right wrongs…help those who could not help themselves. It all ended when she died in Japa. My last memory is being on a boat holding a small jar filled with her ashes…and then I regained consciousness here." Tears in her eyes, Hannah looked down at her feet. "I lost her and I feel so empty now. I know that was really over 2,000 years ago but it feels like it just happened…like I just lost her. That was another me…another time…but it was still me." Looking at Dr. Perkins, tears rolled down her cheeks. "It's still me and no one understands. They think it was just my imagination but it wasn't. That happened…it was too damn real not to have happened. I'm not a liar and I'm not crazy."
"There's not a doubt in my mind that you're being truthful and I don't think you're crazy."
"You believe me?" Hannah's expression was skeptical. Everyone else aware of her story thought it was just that--a story. Something that a mentally ill young woman trapped in unconsciousness for six years had dreamed up. There was no such thing as reincarnation her parents and the doctor who looked after her for six years had stated several times during the past year. Well Hannah knew the truth.