Number One Fan

Chapter 10: Sabbatical

"So I think I'm all better now. I just had a temporary lapse in judgment... but I'm ready to rejoin society as a professional and productive citizen." Around two weeks after the, 'sign it!' Encounter with Tommy. Happy was now assigned to mandatory in-home therapy sessions with Cam. An attempt to help him 'get better.' Unfortunately for them, these didn't really seem to be going anywhere. They'd had three of them so far.  It usually began with Happy being upset at the ankle monitor, begging to be released... then right back to being aggressive again. He was like a light switch. 

He and Cam had a staring contest; he was uncooperative... as usual. 

Cam noted Happy's responses(or lack thereof, rather) in the log. As the only medical officer on board, it was imperative that he be trained in all aspects of medical care. While it wasn't his preferred specialty, he cared about all the citizens and their health, including mental wellness. So that's what brought him here. Of course, he'd be a fool not to recognize that he was a bit out of his scope of practice... but despite all of that, he was still confident that he could help Happy; like all things on the Kori, they had to be learned. This was as much a teaching experience for him as much as it was for Happy. He just wanted the bunny to accept his help. "I see. So... you're completely over your obsession with Tommy?"

Happy hesitated. His smile tried to be convincing, but it was clearly a struggle for him. He shuffled viciously. His hands didn't seem to have the ability to sit still. "No, because as I've said to you, Russell, my father, and just about everyone else on this 9,000-meter titanium death trap, I never had an obsession with Tommy to begin with." Happy sounded through gritted teeth. It was clear a nerve had been struck.

"I feel like you're just telling me what I want to hear so I can get that ankle monitor off your leg." 

"That isn't true." 

"Happy, have you always struggled with therapy? According to your onboarding medical examination, you've had psychiatric care in the past before."

"Why does everyone keep saying I struggle? I'm not a 'struggler,' Doc. I feel perfectly fine." Happy crossed his ankle over his knee, almost leaning back in his chair.

To that, Cam offered a concerned gaze. "Well... if you say so, Happy. But remember that people who 'feel fine' don't typically break into their idol's quarters begging them to sign fan fiction." Cam highlighted... he'd seen the security footage and taken accounts of the event from both Tommy and Russell. So he knew what he was up against.

"I do not have an obsession with Tommy or Gel-Squad." Happy insisted, developing an irate tone at the end of that sentence.

"Alright... alright. Let's try to stay relaxed." Cam smiled awkwardly and raised his hands, trying to keep Happy grounded.

"You try staying relaxed when everyone keeps saying you're crazy!" Happy cried. He was tired of trying to convince everyone that he wasn't some insane person; he was a genuine fan, he cared about Tommy, he did!

"I don't think you're crazy, Happy." Cam reassured, "But for obsession... even you must admit that when the mind asks itself if it's obsessed with someone, it tries its hardest to convince itself that it's not," Cam remarked. 

Happy didn't like that at all. He wrinkled his nose. When was this fiasco going to end?

 "Okay... let's switch topics and take a look at some of your behavioral cycles and patterns. What pushes you past the point of no return? The point where you have an episode.

"Episode... that's a bit of a harsh word doc." Happy laughed awkwardly as he crossed his arms, "I guess... stress from my pop always being on my case all the time? And the idea that I wasn't worth it to Tommy... Y'know, he never even gave me the time of day? Not one of those letters or gift baskets were opened. It was frustrating, I snapped."