Page 95 of Caged
Danny thought of Rani and was glad that Jeremy was including everyone, even if they weren't around a lot. The more he learned about the loyalty of the team, the more he liked them.
"Sounds good. The only night I'm not available is Thursdays. I work with a group at the homeless shelter that night. Any other time should work for me."
"Then I'll be in touch." Jeremy stood. "I'm going to run a few errands and leave you two the next half hour to talk. Danny, I'll meet you outside when you're done." He stepped to Gary and offered his hand. "Thank you and welcome to the team."
Gary shook his hand and grinned. "Thanks, I think."
"You'll love us." Jeremy winked and headed out the door.
With a sigh, Gary glanced at Danny. "So, tell me how your week's been?"
Glad they weren't going to linger on the team, Danny relaxed and started to tell him everything he'd done, thankful his session wasn't going to be a waste.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Danny glanced at Faith and smiled. "I wish you didn't have to leave."
"Me too. I love being here. It's so different than California." She sighed as she reached for her water bottle. "But soon I'll be living back east and have to get used to all kinds of new things."
"Nervous?"
"Excited, but a little nervous. I've never lived on my own. Dad insists I get an apartment so I don't have to deal with dorms, but I insisted on a two-bedroom so I can get a roommate. I don't want to live alone. I'm going to be studying so much it won't really matter." She played with her hair as she spoke, twisting it around her finger.
"I wish I was as brave as you. I still don't want to walk into the store by myself." Danny sighed. "I saw a puppy outside the pizza place the other day that looked like the one Larry had used to lure me away and I had to fight a full panic attack. If Marshall hadn't been with me, I might have really lost it."
"It gets easier. I promise. My dads had to walk me to and from school for a couple of years because I was so scared. I didn't like people close or especially touching me, and the nightmares I went through went on for years, but they eased up in time." She leaned forward. "You've come a long way fast. The fact you're in a relationship is huge. I still haven't done more than go on a group date. I'm scared to death to be alone with a guy. I'll probably die an old maid."
He wasn't sure what an old maid was, but he could guess. "You won't. You'll find someone. I think I'd be like you if I hadn't clung to Marshall when I escaped. It just seemed natural to keep hold of him once he was there."
"Marshall's a good guy. I hope things work out for the two of you." She glanced across the room to where Gary was talking to Patrick and Rani. "I'm glad the team found a counselor. He seems like he'll be good for the team."
"I think so. He's helped me a lot. Thanks for pushing me to open up more to him."
She nodded. "Holding it in doesn't do any good. You need to let the pain out."
"I'm learning that." He still couldn't talk to Marshall about everything, but he was telling Gary a lot he never thought he'd discuss with another human.
"Maybe once I get settled at school you and Marshall can come visit for a couple of days?"
He thought about traveling and wasn't sure if he was excited or not to go so far away. "Maybe. You'll keep in touch anyway, won't you? Email or call?"
"Of course, I will. You're going to have to keep me updated on what D is doing. He never tells me anything going on. He likes to protect me and make me think everything is good. You need to let me know if he gets hurt or something goes wrong. I'm tired of them protecting me."
Danny laughed. "What makes you think I won't do the same thing?"
"Because you wouldn't want them treating you that way, so you won't treat me that way. You understand the need for honesty, no matter how bad it is. You know I've been through more than they think they know and a little bad news isn't going to put me in into a panic attack."
"True." They understood each other in a way that only someone who had been through what they had could. She knew the darkness that would always linger in their memories. Even though their experiences were different, she understood the feeling of having no control. Of being at the mercy of someone else who hurt you all of the time. He was thankful she didn't have to suffer as long as he had but hated she had to go through it at all. "I'll always be honest with you. I promise."
"Thanks, and it's the same with me. Though I'm going to be so busy with school I probably won't know anything that is going on here or back in California. It's going to be strange not having a team around for a change. The guys have been there since I was kidnapped. They're family."
"Distance doesn't matter. They're still family and always will be." He smiled as Xander walked into the room.
"Ready to go?" Xander asked.
"No, but I know we have to." Faith stood and stepped closer to Danny. "Give me a hug."
He did and wrapped his arms around her. "Take care and learn a lot. You're going to be a great doctor."
