Open Case File [COMPLETED]

First Day Back (Part 6)

Carter relaxed her grip.

"Sounds good, sir," Carter said.

"Dr. Howard is open today if you want to begin your two weeks."

Townsend turned his gaze on Donovan.

"Agent Keller, you mentioned wanting to be part of the Costello case. Your brother is running lead. You can start whenever you're ready. Brock can bring you up to speed today if you like."

"Thank you, sir."

Townsend opened his desk drawer and removed a gun and badge. He set them on his desk.

"It's good to have you back, agent."

Donovan reached out and accepted his returned firearm and badge. He stood, slipping the gun into his shoulder holster and tucking the badge into his pocket.

Both actions were simple but Carter saw how he straightened ever so slightly with it. It was that easy for him to become the agent he'd set aside to take care of her.

Townsend rose and stretched out his hand. The two men shook. A second later, Carter pushed herself up and accepted Townsend's hand.

"I'm happy to have you both back."

They left the office and paused outside.

"Do you want to go see Dr. Howard?" Donovan asked.

Carter didn't know. But as she looked at Donovan she saw an eagerness to move, to be in action that he hadn't had in a while. Maybe he'd had it but she hadn't seen it. She knew what he wanted.

"I'll go," she said. "You go talk to Brock."

"You sure? Because I can go with you and talk to Brock later."

There was only one answer to give because Donovan had a fierce intensity in his eyes. He'd cared for her, now he wanted to finish taking down the men who'd hurt her. She wouldn't take that from him.

"I'll be fine. I'll see you at home," she said.

She kissed him and backed away. But he walked with her to the elevators and saw her into it.

"I'm only a phone call away," he said.

"I know."

"I love you," he said as the doors began to close.

"I love you too."

The therapist's office lay in the adjoining building and all too quickly Carter found herself outside the receptionist's door. She stood there, motionless, convincing herself that it was a simple routine appointment. It merely needed to be gone through and she could get back to where she'd been.

Letting out a breath, Carter walked in. The receptionist greeted her and happily told her that Director Townsend had called and Dr. Howard was waiting for her.

Dr. Howard was a well-dressed man in his fifties with salt and pepper hair and a kind face.

None of his fatherly appearance put Carter at ease, but she sat with a placid expression, not letting him see her discomfort.

He smiled at her and sat with a leather folder on his lap but didn't open it. Instead, he rested clasped hands on top of it.

"I want to start by saying," Dr. Howard said. "The bravery you showed with what you went through is admirable. And that these sessions are to help you readjust to life. I've worked with many cases like you and I want to you know that everything you feel is normal. What you went through was life changing. You are no longer the person you were and that is okay."