Chapter One: The Beginning

Sunlight filtered into my room through the window. I surmised it was still early as I cracked an eye open and looked around. I had just moved into this house with my girlfriend a few months ago and it still looked the same; unpacked boxes were shoved into the corner, the closet open and full of empty hangers.

The rest of the house was nearly suitable for visitation rights. The kitchen, as Elena insisted, was to be family friendly. I didn't mind it, except that I wasn't necessarily as excited about having guests over as she was. She told me that it would be nice to have friends where we didn't know anyone. I disguised my laughter by coughing when she said that.

I yawned and my nose twitched, picking up the scent of something cooking. I couldn't make it out right away until the door opened. I rolled over and blinked. I saw the plate in her hand and smirked.

"Are pancakes okay?"

I nodded as she came to sit beside me.

As I reached out to take the plate, her hand gripped mine, her fingers squeezing my own. She curled next to me and closed her eyes.

I ate in silence, wondering how we had gotten to this point.

___

I never understood how someone could be with me. I worked horrible hours and barely had time for anyone anymore. But that didn't seem to matter to Elena. She always said that she just liked knowing I was around when she woke up.

It was a nice thought when I was home in the morning. But more often than not, I left early and got home late. By that time, she was already asleep; her body curled around one of her pillows.

I've worked as a Psychiatrist in Alpena, Michigan, for the last four years. I love my job. There was nothing else I could picture myself doing. The only other thing I was good at would be inappropriate to base a career around.

I chuckled to myself as I felt Elena stir beside me. She didn't wake up, which was good. She'd been exhausted for the last few days so letting her sleep was the right thing to do. As I finished the food she made me, I got up quietly and walked across the cool floor to the kitchen where I dumped the empty plate in the sink. Then I headed for the shower.

I stepped into the bathroom and headed to the mirror. I stared into it, at the unshaven face, the shaggy brown hair, and the dark circles under my hazel eyes. Setting the razor and cream beside me, I twisted my body to turn on the shower and finished before the steam was able to cloud my reflection.

As I undressed and stepped into the shower, I let out a moan as the hot water slid down my body. I could feel the tension in my muscles relax as my shoulders slumped and I gave into the comfort that the warmth provided. When I was done, I shut off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a towel. I secured it around my waist and left the bathroom.

I dressed in my usual attire: white, oxford shirt, black slacks, and shoes. I never thought it necessary to wear a jacket in a small room all day. I would take it off as soon as I stepped into my office anyway.

Elena slept throughout my rummaging, and as I bent down to kiss her forehead, she stirred. I placed my hands on the bed and leaned forward, brushing my lips against her ear.

"I've got to go," I said softly. "I'll be back later."

Blue eyes sapped open at the announcement and she sat up, her brown hair tangled and wild as she blinked at me. I groaned and hung my head, pulling my hand back as it started to reach for her. I watched the water from my hair drip onto the mattress and shuddered as her fingers slid through the wet locks.

I watched her lips curve into a small smile and jerked forward to crash my mouth against hers. I kept myself from climbing back into bed with her, kept myself back from fucking her senseless before I left.

As I closed my hands around her wrists and pulled her up and away from the comforting sheets, she stumbled slightly. She pressed me back against the wall, her eyes full of lust. When she started to undo my belt, I had to try like hell to compose myself.

"I can't," I mumbled as her lips sought to find my neck, her tongue sliding against my pulse. "I have to go to work."

"So do I." Elena smiled. "Hold still."

As she dropped to her knees and my boxers and pants went around my ankles, I prayed none of my patients were contemplating suicide in the next hour or so.

___

I entered the building in about a half an hour, thus resulting in my having more than four patients (there are only four chairs in the waiting room), and none of which looked entirely happy that I had arrived late.

"You're late," a voice said snidely. I raised an eyebrow at the boy sitting in the first chair.

"I'm sorry, Dylan," I said. "I had something to take care of. Next time I'm late I'll have Jenna notify your parents ahead of time." I motioned to the blond behind the receptionist desk, like none of the kids had ever seen her before.

"Whatever." Dylan's brown eyes narrowed and he stood up. "Well, I was here before anyone else so I should let to go first."

I rolled my eyes. "This isn't first-come-first-serve type of deal." I stared past them at Jenna, who shook her head and mouthed little prick.

"It is to me," Dylan snapped.

"Sit down," I said. "There are other people ahead of you."

"They don't matter."

I was halfway to my office door when I heard what he had said. I whipped around so fast that the girl beside me jumped. "Don't matter?" I muttered quietly, my eyes blazing on Dylan. "They matter just as much as you and your horrible attitude. Why don't you go home? I really don't feel like helping you if you're going to be like this."

Dylan, who had a bunch of rotten shit to say when I walked through the door, fell silent as I looked at him. He opened his mouth to speak again and I averted my gaze. Instead, I spoke to the girl who sat closest to my office.

"You're up, Veronica."

I left the others outside as I shut the door. I took a seat behind my desk and folded my hands behind my head.

"Are you mad at him?" Veronica asked. She was biting her lip. "Dylan, I mean."

I stared at her. She'd grown somewhat in the last two years she had been coming to me, though she still had some nervous gestures to get over.

"He aggravates me," I said, running a hand through my hair and looked at her. "So, tell me what's bothering you today."

Her session was only supposed to be thirty minutes. She talked for an hour.