“To ensure Lena is progressing forward, we’ll implement a series of paired exercises,” she continued. “Handler-assisted. Repetition will be key. Lena, I’m going to ask you a few baseline questions before we begin to discuss what those exercises will look like.”
I nodded.
“During your recent encounter with Handler Knox, and subsequent contact with Handler Silas,” Dr. Hampton said in her usual clinical tone, “did you experience sexual arousal?”
The air in the room shifted.
Heat rushed to my face, draining just as quickly. My fingers twisted together in my lap.
Silas answered before I could stop him.
“Well doc, she soaked through her panties,” he said flatly. “So, I'd say yeah.”
I snapped my head toward him, mouth falling open.
He just shrugged, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Noted, Special Officer Mercer,” Dr. Hampton said flatly, without looking at him. “But I’d prefer for Lena to respond.”
Her eyes returned to me.
“I’ll ask again. Did you experience arousal?”
My throat tightened.
I nodded, though my gaze stayed fixed on the table, unable to look her in the eye.
“Good,” she said. “That indicates your autonomic response is beginning to re-associate touch stimulation with safety rather than threat.”
“Have you experienced arousal since those encounters,” she continued, “even without physical contact?”
Knox and Silas leaned forward slightly, betraying their interest in her question. We hadn't been intimate since the safehouse. In fact, there had beenlesstouch, rather thanmore.
But if I was being honest, my arousal had grown constant, fueled by just their proximity.
I gave a small nod.
My face burned hotter this time.
“What stimuli triggered that response?” she asked.
My eyes lifted before I could stop them.
To Silas.
Then Knox.
Just for a second.
Then back down.
Silence stretched.
“Understood,” Dr. Hampton said, making a note.
My stomach twisted. I didn’t feel entirely safe speaking aloud. Not to her, not yet at least. Touch and speech were slowly returning… but only with them. Anyone else still felt like a risk, even the doctor.
“That aligns with positive touch response development,” she continued. “Your system is selectively associating safety, arousal, and regulation with your handlers.”
