Not What You Think We Are (Gabriel)

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara stood outside the administration office, pacing back and fourth. Four steps one way, pivot, and then four steps the other, then repeated. She was waiting for a familiar car to pull up the drive and then pull into one of the parking spots. She had hoped against all hopes that her social worker would just brush this meeting off, but she also knew that the man knew that it would raise alarm bells if he blew off the meeting - after all, since it was his idea for the girl to see the counsellor once a month, it was only time before he would also be called in.

The girl stopped her pacing and brushed down the blazer she was wearing, today her pant suit was a crisp hunter green, as a silver jaguar cruised up the drive and came to a stop in one of the parking spots. She clenched her fists to stop them from shaking and bowed her head toward the man who stepped out of the vehicle. She clenched her teeth and forced herself not to flinch as the man ran a thumb across her cheek.

Silently, they entered the building and walked down to the office of Mr Reese. She allowed the man to take charge as he stepped forward and raised a hand to rap on the door with his knuckles.

[Gabriel Reese]

Time really was flying by as he settled into the familiar repetitions of his job and focused on life in general. Gabe sighed as he unlocked the familiar door to his office and stepped inside, surveying the room for a moment before muttering to himself something about coffee and turning on his heel, leaving the office for the break room, where he could smell coffee.

Ten minutes and two cups later, he felt more awake and was settled behind his desk, working his way through the third cup of strong, black coffee and reading a few new files before putting them away. His leather jacket was tossed haphazardously over the back of the couch in the far side of the room, leaving him sitting there wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up, left unbuttoned to reveal a deep crimson t-shirt underneath and jeans.

He idely played with the side of the wire-rimmed squared glasses he now had to wear, for reading purposes as he went through the motions of reading, yet wasn't paying near as much attention to the files as he should have been. He was a bit nervous. Today he'd be having yet another session with a particular student who'd caught his interest and piqued his curiosity, but more, he'd requested to meet her guardian.

Gabe knew he didn't seem to be the most professional person out there, and that made him nervous. He certainly didn't want Miss Kitchi's guardian to pull her from counseling. And he'd attempted to look a bit more professional, though he'd only part way succeeded. He just wasn't the type to 'walk the walk and talk the talk'. He wasn't typical and he knew it.

The knock at his door caused Gabe to look up suddenly, and then glance at the clock on the far wall. Was it time for their meeting already? Taking a moment to check the time, he realized that it was, and a moment later, after taking another sip of the coffee, he leaned back in his chair and called, "Come on in!"

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara stood back, on the opposite side of the hall from her social worker and the door. She silently begged for the counsellor to be out of his office, but when she heard Mr Reese's voice, she knew that she was out of luck.

At a look from Mr Andrews, she stepped forward and fought the urge to shudder as he placed his hand on the small of her back before he opened the door. She moved forward as he did so that it didn't look as though she were entering against her will - as she knew that she had no choice but to move forward as the man did. She did take a shadow of a step to the side though as the man took his hand away from her back as he stepped forward some more and offered his hand to the man behind the desk.

Tony Andrews was dressed up in his charcoal Baroni suit with a royal blue collared shirt and a tie that was slightly lighter than the suit. On his feet were a pair of shiny black Gucci shoes. "I am Tony Andrews." He introduced himself, the epitome of suave coolness and charm. "Is there something wrong with my young charge?" He turned toward the girl with a smile, much like a proud father would give to his daughter.

Cara stood, silently observing the interaction between the two men. She dropped her gave as Mr Andrews turned to look at her and she sank down into the chair she was nearest too, reading the man's eyes so he didn't have to open his mouth. She released a quick breath as the man sat down in the other chair. She placed her right hand on her knees and then her left on top of that, every inch the calm lady who was awaiting to learn her form of execution.

[Gabriel Reese]

Gabriel watched the door as it opened and gave Cara a small smile in welcome before turning his attention to her guardian. He studied him for a moment, eyes taking in the mans face, his expression, and even his choice of outfit. Gabe rose to his feet as the duo entered his office and took the proferred hand, giving it a firm shake and noting the mans grip. It was said that you could tell a lot by a person by their handshake.

"Gabriel Reese, Mr. Andrews." He introduced himself as well before indicating the chairs opposite his desk while he himself sat back down. Gabe waited until they were all sitting before shaking his head, easy smile playing across his lips as he relaxed into his desk chair. "No, sir. There's nothing wrong with your, er, charge. I merely wanted to meet you, as I understand that it was you who wanted Cara in counseling... I wondered if you could tell me why you wanted her to come to me." He said, though he them turned to the girl in question. "Hello Cara, how're you doing today?"

Gabe hoped to talk with her guardian a bit before dismissing him and getting on with Cara's counseling session. He couldn't do much with the man in the office anyway, as what was said between him and Cara was private, but he had wanted to meet Mr. Andrews and get to know him. "Thank you for informing your guardian that I wanted to meet him." He told the girl before looking back to the other man.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara remained silent as the men spoke with each other, she forced herself not to shudder when Mr Reese repeated the word that her social worker had used to describe her. However, the word charge was so much better than pet.

Tony gave the man a smooth smile. "The child is supposed to have weekly sessions with a counselor after she decided to open her wrists with a knife." He replied. His tone was so casual that he may as well have been talking about the weather. "Instead, the two of us meet weekly to make sure that she is progressing along in her training and I asked her to seek out one of the Academy counselors so that she didn't need to leave campus for more than our meetings." The charming smile never left the man's face and his eyes gave away nothing as to what training he was meaning. His gaze did however shift to the small girl as she was spoken to.

Cara could have whimpered as her social worker spoke, she knew that this news now be added to her file, and she wouldn't be surprised if she was now carefully monitored for any suicidal tendencies. The girl jumped slightly when she realised that she had been addressed. She pressed her lips together and ordered herself to get it together, this was no different from any other time she had been in this office. "I am good thank you, Sir." She replied, her eyes not leaving the hands that were folded just-so on her lap, even though she could feel Mr Andrews' eye on her. She bowed her head, chin to chest, at the man's thanks, not trusting herself to be able to answer verbally.