Julienne went through the rest of her appointments without issue. Several of her clients were almost ready to reduce their sessions each week. She’d been so proud of her various clients today. Her big worry was Hannah. There were two options happening here. Well, three if you wanted to get technical.

The first option, and the most likely, is that Hannah had a mental breakdown of some sort. The stress of running a billion dollar tech company, the upcoming wedding, and family issues following her father’s death put too much stress on the girl. Julienne had seen this happen to various people in her short career, especially since this clinic served the rich and elite almost exclusively. But most weren’t dealing with all three at the same time. 

The second option, which was the least likely in her mind, was Hannah had been faking it the entire time and the mask had slipped. Leading to a wildly created on the spot story. This didn’t feel possible just on the basis that nothing the good doctor had observed was even hinting at that sort of mindset. Often, looking back at notes, a good therapist could see the cracks over time. The hints of a compulsive liar or a narcissist. Was Hannah oblivious to some things? Certainly. But there was no hint of ill intent in coming here. If there was, she probably would be therapist hopping. 

Which left, strangely enough, the third option being the second most likely. That they were somehow in some weird ass K drama. Or anime. Or whatever. Julienne only knew of them from an old roommate in college. The roomie loved those things and was always downloading them illegally from various websites. And often getting a bunch of spyware on their shared computer. Oh those poor hackers, only getting poorly written papers and various research notes. Julienne had learned quickly to keep a separate device for sensitive notes. Ideally one not connected to the internet. Can’t hack what you can’t get access to after all.

Which is why she was typing today’s notes into the old clunker laptop. The incident during their session left an impression. Regardless of what option was the truth, Hannah was on some level aware of what was going on around her. It was what would have triggered the mental shift. Or, you know, the time travel whatever. Which meant dummy files of the notes on the work computer and the real ones on the clunker that had been around for ten years. It literally groaned just opening documents, and couldn’t even be updated anymore. 

Which meant everyone ignored it as even being a possible source of sensitive information. 

As a bonus it doubled as a substitute for a brick in a purse as well. Great for the walk from her car to her apartment door. Julienne only had to use it for that twice. And it didn’t even get a dent!

Thankfully, tonight wasn’t going to be a late night. And with it being late spring, the sun was going to be shining for a while. Just as she slipped it into her bag, there was a knock on her door. She glanced up to see Dr Kent. He wasn’t a traditionally handsome man. Not even in a dad bod kind of way. He was silver haired, with a balding spot the size of a silver dollar in the back. His nose honestly looked too small for his face and his lips far too thin. And he was always squinting. She was fairly certain he needed glasses but refused, swearing he had the laser eye surgery years ago. Despite his looks and overly stubborn personality the 54 year old still found various dates to entertain him each night. She wondered how that worked. His practice had made him moderately wealthy. The rich often paid extra to keep sessions extra discreet. Even down to having fake names. As it was, Hannah Kerr was listed as Desiree Yukon. A joke she knew Hannah would appreciate. But this meant he could simply buy expensive drinks and food anywhere his lady for the week desired. 

There were a few he often revisited, but she was somewhat sure they were just using him for the money. 

“I was going to lock up early and wanted to check in. How did the Kerr case go today?” He asked calmly, looking Julienne up and down. “Was she made uncomfortable with the … current look?”

“She actually is quite comfortable with ‘the look’ as you put it. It makes her feel like this isn’t the same environment she lives in. She needs that break.” It was time for this song and dance again. 

Technically, Dr. Kent was Hannah’s official doctor on the paperwork. Julienne was treated like a nurse doing all the dirty work. Never mind she was the therapist and he barely looked at the notes. This felt like five kinds of illegal. But he swore it was needed as Hannah’s insurance company wasn’t willing to work with someone with her level of experience.

“Can I have a copy of today’s notes then? I want to help manage her plan.” He walked over, looking at the work laptop. “I should be prepared in case we’re audited.”

“If we get audited they’re going to see you somehow are triple booked each day.” She quickly grabbed the work laptop and shoved it into her backpack. “And I have my name on all of her notes. So they’ll ask why. But I think we made a good breakthrough today.”

Dr Kent seemed to falter. “I- really? That’s good. Do you want to expand on that?”

No, I don’t want to expand on that. Julienne gave a warm smile. “She just seems more confident and like she knows what she may want.”

“I see. It could be a temporary state. I’d like to sit in on your next session.” He gave his cheesy smile with far too white teeth.

Oh god not another sit in on a session. Half the time he did that the clients suddenly ended up on his docket and he threw her some undesired clients or ones that were about to go down to once a month or less. And the more clients he had that were frequent fliers, the more of the clinic’s cut he got. Maybe this was what Hannah picked up on. The client that left was one that wouldn’t be back and would be transferred to the state clinic for a while. Meanwhile Hannah came in frequently and wasn’t likely to leave.

It might also be why he was concerned with the fact she had a break through. He had mentioned to another therapist that the Kerr family was a potential source of big business. If they knew other families in the business world, it’d make sense that they might bring in more business. Hannah having a major breakthrough would either mean less money if he was counting on a long term client, or more business if it made it look like they ‘cured’ her quickly.

Hannah wasn’t a meal ticket. She was a good client who did not need to be switching doctors at this critical stage. Not when she flat out said this was the one spot she felt safe.

“I will see if she is ok with that, sir. She was a bit shaken seeing what happened to your client.” She started walking out as he put his arm out in front of her. For a man that was 5’ 4”, he sure acted like he was about a foot taller. 

“Dr. Fry. Remember. We allow you to dress like that.” He lightly tugged on her pink leather jacket, barely avoiding one of the studs. “To look the fool for the clients as it seems to help. But you have barely been a psychiatrist for a year now. Don’t waste 12 years of working towards your dream career and landing a role in this prestigious clinic… just because you are stubborn.”

“I will keep that in mind, Dr. Kent. Now,” She readjusted her bag. “I believe you had a special appointment you wanted to close up early for?”

“Oh, ah, yes. Please keep an eye out for any messages from myself or anyone else. Just in case cancellations need to be made.” He walked away, waving his hand as he did so, “And remember, no client poaching. You are lucky the Kerr family was fine with handing Hannah over to you.”

“I’ll do my best, sir.” She let out a breath as she went out towards the backdoor. She did not want to even be by his desk as he pretended not to be making dirty comments to his date on the phone. 

For now? Home. Home and looking at the adorable older dog she was going to adopt tomorrow. Which wouldn’t match Hannah’s beliefs at all.