Safer With A Ghost - Part Two | Simon "Ghost" Riley

Chapter Fifteen

"Stockholm Syndrome? Nightingale Syndrome?" Ivy asked with frustration and confusion in her tone. "Nightingale Syndrome is when someone develops feelings for someone who took care of them, basically." Dr. June said with almost no emotion in her tone. Ivy shook her head, "No, I know what that means, that's for like nurses and shit, it's- it's different with Simon." she said as the frustration grew. "Not always, it's typical for those situations, yes, but your situation can fall under this definition." Dr. June's face was unreadable. "No, that's not- I don't-" Ivy ran a hand through her hair, "You don't understand the-the relationship between Simon and I, and I don't-" Dr. June held a hand up, "It's alright, Ivy. We can work through this frustration." she said nonchalantly. "Work through it?" Ivy asked in disbelief. "There's nothing to work through, mine and Simon's relationship is fine. I don't need someone I just met to tell me about MY relationship. You're making dumbass assumptions off of a few statements." she said with anger rising rapidly in her chest. "You know, what, I'm not even here for my relationship," Ivy stood up, "I'm all done for today. Fucking bullshit." she said as she turned to leave. Dr. June stood up quickly, "Ivy, please," she tried but Ivy was already out of the door. 

Ivy walked with the anger swirling in her chest, making it difficult to control her breathing and the tears that warned to break free. She avoided any and all eye contact with anyone she came across, only wanting to see Ghost. As she walked, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Ivy pulled it out, getting frustrated as it got stuck on her pocket and yanked it out. "What?" she snapped without looking at the caller ID. There was a short silence before Ghost spoke, "Everything alright?" he asked, concern mixing along with a tinge of her from her tone. She fluttered her eyes in regret, "Sorry Simon, I just-" she exhaled through her nose, shoving the emotions down, "Things didn't go as well as I wanted them to with Dr. June." she said as she eased the frustration in her tone. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked. "I probably should, but don't want to at the moment." she said with a trembling tone. "Meet me at the back of the compound?" he asked, more so sounding like a demand. "Simon, you can't walk all the way back there." Ivy said as she shook her head. "Then meet me at the physical therapy office." he responded with a more demanding tone. "You're so bossy." Ivy said holding back a grin. "I try not to be, but I worry about you, dove." he said, his tone sounding like he returned a smile. After thinking it over, she agreed and hung up the phone. 

Once making it to the building, she walked in the front doors. Approaching the desk, she felt nervous. "H-Hey, is Lieutenant Riley here?" she asked the man sitting at the desk. He smiled at her, "Yes, he's still in the back. Need me to show you?" he asked as he began to stand up. Ivy shook her head, "I'm sure I can manage if you just tell me where to go." she said with a timid tone. After getting directions and thanking the man at the desk, Ivy walked through the hallways, finally seeing Ghost sitting at a table in a large therapy room with Konig talking quietly. As she walked towards them, Ghost's eyes met hers and Konig turned around. He stood up, stumbling slightly but made every effort to hide his struggling, "Ivy, great to see you. I'll give you two a moment. We'll finish this conversation later, Ghost." Konig said as he limped away. "See you later, Konig." Ivy said as she waved him good-bye. Ivy replaced Konig and sat across from Ghost. "What's going on?" Ghost asked with concern in his tone once more. Ivy exhaled her frustration, "Well, Dr. June said some things I didn't like... I don't want to go back. I'm sure she's good at her job, but-" Ivy just shook her head to finish her sentence. "Can I ask what she said?" Ghost asked as he rested his chin on his hand, propping his elbow on the table. "Well, she said I had Stockholm Syndrome with Graves, which I agree with, but then she said I have Nightingale Syndrome with-" her eyes fell to her hands as she fumbled with her fingers on the table, "you, but I told her I didn't and she kept trying to convince me that I do." Ivy looked back at him. Ghost reached his hand that wasn't being used as a support and grabbed Ivy's hand. "While I don't agree with her," he paused to squeezed her hand in assurance, "I can see why she'd think that." he finished. Ivy looked at him confused, "I don't understand, I-" Ivy shook her head once more, running her free hand through her hair. "What I mean is that yes, I saved you and we fell in love, but I'm sure she's just-" Ivy held her hand up, "You fell in love with me first." she said with a slight attitude to her tone. "Oh, did I?" Ghost said with a laugh. "Yes," Ivy laughed in return, "You DID." she said with a higher tone. "Alright, whatever you say," Ghost subtly rolled his eyes, "regardless of who fell in love first, we are just that. No syndromes involved." Ghost spoke again before Ivy could respond, "BUT, I do think you should go back. She might be helpful with the other things that you've been through." he suggested cautiously. Ivy tilted her head, her expression unamused, "Absolutely not, she talked shit about you." Ghost tilted his head as well, "It's nothing I can't handle, besides, this isn't about me." he said softly. "You need to heal from things and this may be more helpful than you realize at the moment." he rubbed her hand with his thumb, waiting for response. Ivy exhaled another deep breath, "FINE," she said stubbornly, "But I'm not talking about you, AT ALL." Ghost laughed, "That's alright, just as long as you talk about the other stuff." They sat quietly for a moment before Ivy broke it, "I should probably go apologize," she sighed, "I don't think I was very nice to her." she released Ghost's hand, rubbing her face in frustration and a tinge of embarrassment. "Can't imagine who you learned that from," he winked, pulling another laugh from Ivy. "I think I'm almost done here, so I'll meet you at my room later. If you get there before me, just ask whoever is at the desk to let you in." Ghost said as he tried to stand before Ivy stopped him, "Don't get up, fool." she teased as she stood and walked to his side. He slide a hand around her waist, "I can stand, Ivory." he said as he looked up at her. "Well you don't need to." Ivy said as she leaned down, kissing him quickly before leaving him.