Iridescent

I don't want to be the one the battles always choose

(A/N- Just another semi filler. It does, however, add some depth to the story.)

Getting into work Monday morning, Mila felt rested and happy.  The combination of how her week ended last week and how her weekend went helped put her into a good head space.  She was motivated and looking at the pile of paperwork needing her signature in her interoffice mailbox, she was thankful she felt this way.  Taking her iPod out of her purse, she connected it to her headphones she had in her desk and set to work getting the mountain in front of her done before her first client arrived.

A vibration on the desk startled her out of her concentration on the discharge paperwork from one of her clients.  Picking up her cell phone she swiped her screen up using the ball on the side to toggle down to her messages. 

'Good morning Beautiful, the guys and I will be done with this photo shoot around 11:30 am and we wanted to know if you could meet for lunch,' Mike had text her.  Mila smiled double checking her schedule seeing that if they met for 12 o'clock she could make it work.

'Morning handsome, if you guys can meet for 12 pm I can do it.  Any later and it's cutting it close.'

'We can do that.  Meet you at the Mexican place down the street from the office?' He replied a couple of minutes later.  Mila agreed and set an alarm on her phone for 11:45 am just to make sure she didn't miss the time when she would have to leave at.  After contacting the front letting them know she was actually taking her hour lunch, something that surprised them, she grabbed her purse and sunglasses as she left the building. 

The walk took about ten minutes and as she walked inside she spotted them immediately.  It was honestly hard to miss them between their hair and clothes, they stuck out for sure.  Especially with the other customers who looked as if they had also come from different offices around the area.  

"Mila, you're making us look bad with that outfit," Brad commented as he watched her walk over with a smile on his face.  Mila looked down at her printed skirt that sat above her knee about an inch, sandals, and black button up shrugging. 

"It's what happens when you work a 9-5 grown up job with a Master's degree.  If I had known I was having lunch with you fine gentlemen I would have at least made sure to at least spice my outfit up with my all black sneakers," She replied as they stood hugging her saving Mike for last who kissed her lips.  Taking her seat between him and Chester, she began looking over the menu giving the waitress her soda and food order.  She knew what she was going to get prior to even looking at the menu due to the fact that this was the place she usually ate lunch at when she actually took one.

"So how's work?" Chester asked intrigued about what her morning entailed.  He had heard from Mike that while Mila had started out in the Art field, she had moved to a career in Therapy when she fell in love with a position she had previously.  At first he didn't know how to feel about this since he had honestly not found many Therapist to be helpful or even to be nice individuals, but he honestly liked Mila.  She was nice, friendly, smart, caring and had a quick wit about her.  She held her own even in their group which said a lot about her. 

"Work is good so far.  I signed off on all the boring paperwork that comes along with it before I came here.  When I get back I begin seeing my clients until I leave," Mila said smiling her thanks at the waitress for her drink.

"What kind of clients do you meet with?" Joe questioned leaning into the table fixing his glasses.

"Mostly teens but I have some children. My youngest client is five years old. It's mostly making sure they are stable and using techniques or skills we've gone over or discussing whatever they think about slash processing things from their past.  Sometimes there are medication appointments I have to go to with them to," She told him seeing Chester fidget on her left.  "And a lot of paperwork."

"Do any of them have substance abuse issues?" He asked earning a nod from the woman next to him which surprised him.  Her client's ages seemed so young to even have to think about dealing with that. "Really?"

"A couple of them do.  It's a difficult situation when they have substance abuse diagnosis's.  Most people assume that it's easy for someone to get clean and stay that way but in actuality it's not.  Addiction is not cut and dry, there are a lot of things you have to look at."

"Like what?" He asked and she watched as all the guys around her leaned in further watching her.  It was like the wanted to make sure to get this information she was about to tell them and make sure they didn't miss a part.  She was confused about this but responded anyway.

"Well," Mila cleared her throat looking at Chester.  "For one, you have to understand what led them to begin using to begin with.  Sometimes it's boredom or wanting to experiment.  Usually the people who don't have pre-dispositions with addiction will be able to use and stop.  The ones that aren't so lucky tend to stay addicted and experiment with harder things when they aren't getting the same response from whatever they are using.  Other times there is an underlying trauma that they hadn't processed yet and certain things will trigger memories which leads them to use to kind of numb them from dealing with it." She noticed a small change in his eyes as she said this.  The therapist in her wanted to ask him about this but the friend in her left it be.  "If it is the second then more work goes into the case.  Once a trauma is confirmed then you have to balance out Trauma Therapy and Recovery Therapy.  It sounds difficult but if the individual is willing to do the work then they can overcome.  They'll have relapses but as time goes on, they learn skills and techniques to prevent it and allow themselves to feel the emotions or memories.  It honestly comes down to making sure the client knows whatever happened wasn't their fault.  Whatever it was isn't their fault."

Chester nodded taking a deep breath as he looked down at the table.  "Excuse me for a minute," He said pushing his chair away from the table and walking out the door to the restaurant. 

Mila looked at the guys whose gaze followed where their friend went.  She heard Mike's chair slide on the floor as he stood up.  "Can I?" She asked placing her hand onto his arm.  Mike looked at her for a moment before nodding.  Standing from her seat she followed the path her friend had gone just seconds prior.  Mila spotted him leaning against the side of the building smoking a cigarette.  As she walked over to him she tucked hair behind her ears not saying a word as she leaned against the wall next to him.  She continued to not say a word and focused her attention on the busy street.

"You understand more than most," He said causing her to turn to him.  "You also explained it better than any rehab place I ever went to.  They always made it seem like I was an asshole for battling what I am and you...you said it like it was understable and I was human."  Chester looked at her giving her a small smile.  "You're clients are lucky to have a therapist who is down to Earth and doesn't judge.  If only I could find that."

Mila nodded holding her hand out for the cigarette in his hand bringing it to her mouth when he handed it to her.  "If you're willing I can help you find someone who will help.  I know a lot of great therapist.  Some of them being who I learned from."

Chester smiled nodding taking the cigarette back from her.  "That would be rad." He surprised her as he brought her to him in a tight hug after he flicked the stick away.  Mila wrapped her arms around him just as tightly. 

"Just always try to remember whatever happened to you Chester, it wasn't your fault.  I saw the look in your eyes when I said that.  You don't have to tell me, just know that you're an amazing person and nothing bad that happened, whenever it did, was something you caused."

"Thanks, Mila," He replied and she could hear the emotion in his voice.  "I can see why Mike picked you." He released her as she looked up at him.  "You're beautiful and fucking kick ass."

Mila laughed as they began walking back into the restaurant with his arm around her shoulders.  She saw the concerned looks the guys sent them and with a small nod of her head they let a noticeable breath go.  As they each got settled into their seats Mike brought her towards him placing a kiss to her head.  He was happy that there was someone in their life that clinically understood what was going on with Chester.  Someone they could go to and get tips from if they needed to.  He knew even if they didn't ask for it, that she would offer it and it seemed like that is what happened when she was outside with their friend.  Mike couldn't help but feel proud of both of them.  At Chester for asking questions and Mila for being there to answer honestly and noticing when he needed someone who understood.