In the Darkest Hour

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Explosion, sent me back against the building wall. Slammed it hard. Plus, shrapnel hit me, too, and debris.”

  “Hmm, what do the doctors say as far as medication to help?”

  “I’m kind of in between needing something and not.”

  “You mean you’re resistant?”

  He glanced at her and leaned back. He rubbed his jaw. “It fucks up my thinking and makes me feel groggy, and like I’m out of it or slurring my speech. Like I’m fucking drunk but I’m not.”

  “Could be the dosage,” she replied.

  “Anything less and I still have the pain.”

  “How about more homeopathic remedies? Did the doctors suggest anything like that?”

  “Are you kidding me? We’re a name and number. You should know. You’re a fucking doctor,” he snapped at her.

  “I’m not that kind of doctor.” She took a seat next to him and faced him. Staring into his dark green eyes, she could see the pain he was in.

  “I want to help you. It’s why I’m here, and if you give me a chance to show you some things, you might find my techniques are unique but helpful.” He stared at her and she could tell he was having a hard time, and she remembered what Voight said about his resistance and the team’s.

  “It can’t be easy trying to maintain control and a position of authority when you’re hurting. Nor can it be easy to order your men to concede to treatment and help making you all feel vulnerable. However, if the result of feeling a little bit of weakness and vulnerability can eventually lead you to empowerment, control, and strength, wouldn’t you risk it to help yourself and your men?” she asked him.

  He just stared at her and inhaled as if he liked the smell of her perfume. He licked his lower lip. “They are resistant to everyone and everything. They are fighting it all.”

  “I understand that, but they’re hurting, they’re frustrated more than likely, and we need to get them past that. You need to get past that.”

  He looked away. He rubbed his jaw and whiskers. “I don’t know. Fuck if I know anymore.”

  “Others have failed. I don’t fail, Commander. I see things through, and I have a determination that some may say is annoying, but it gets the job done. I want to help you and your team. It’s why I’m here. Why I’m working at the clinic and here.”

  “You don’t know what they went through. How hard it is for them.”

  “I can help.”

  “They won’t accept.”

  “You’re their commander. Their leader. Why don’t we see what happens? I can work with you, find a better way of helping you heal once I get access to your medical files, then to your team’s. We can work this out together.”

  “Together? No doctors, therapists of whatever, say we’ll do it together. They want it done their way, and for us to be robots and just comply.”

  She shook her head. “I’m going to make you a deal. We do this together. You help me and I’ll help all of you.” She stuck her hand out.

  “You don’t know how aggressive, how intense they get when they are frustrated and angry.”

  “You’d be surprised what I know, what I can handle, and my determination to help.”

  He shook her hand and she immediately felt the attraction, and he must have too because he squinted and then looked her over. “They’re going to fucking kill me.”

  She released his hand and chuckled. “I doubt that very much. Now, explain to me what you’re feeling and again how it happened.”

  Magnar couldn’t believe the series of events that took place here this morning. He was sitting beside one drop dead gorgeous woman, a female doctor, Corpsman no less, who obviously saw action. She smelled so good too, and her body was incredible. She was fit, had full breasts, platinum blonde hair pulled back in some fancy style and the most beautiful ocean blue eyes he had ever seen. Her skin was exceptional. She was almost too perfect, and he wondered what was wrong with her. As they spoke, she had a calming tone of voice, an empathetic response, and he felt comfortable with her. It was insane. Was he just attracted to the hot doctor or what? Before long he was giving her details he hadn’t given to any other doctor or therapist, because he didn’t trust them or feel like seeing them cringe from the description of the scene or the pain.

  “I’m going to bring you some things after I look over the files and the medical reports. A friend of mine who is stationed in Germany had sent me this stuff. She swears it helps with sleep and migraines. I had a few patients use it and they had positive results. I’m going to give it to you to try for the next week.”

  “It isn’t going to work, Alaska. Wait, do I call you that or Doc, like Voight and the guys do?”

  “Your choice,” she said, and they talked a little bit longer as his pain passed and he felt good enough to drive. They made plans for her to meet the men one by one, staring with Gordo tomorrow.

  After he said goodbye and headed back to his house, he thought about Alaska and whether or not this was a good idea. When he suddenly felt excited about seeing her again, and about talking to her, it surprised him. Could she help him and the team get past this pain, this anger and frustration, or was she just going to be some other medical person and fail? He didn’t know, but he would definitely keep thinking about her beauty, her calming tone of voice, the sweet smell of her perfume, and that gorgeous smile and body. Hell, maybe thoughts of her would ease his mind enough to stop the migraines and get him a full night sleep? He chuckled. Who the fuck was he kidding? He didn’t put much confidence in her capabilities, but admitted she was a fine looking woman. Time would tell. Now he had to break the news of his decision to all the men. They were going to flip their shit.

  Chapter 2

  “I want to go back. I don’t think I belong here. I mean, how did I get here?” Amanda Shay asked as she tried sitting up from the couch. Her body felt funny. Her breasts ached, her private areas as well. She looked down at her blouse. She was fully dressed just like how she came in here for her therapy session. She held her head between her hands and looked at the empty bottle of water. She remembered the doctor offering it to her, then him saying to lay back and relax. She stared at him as he watched her, smiling, looking like he always did. The bow tie, the glasses, his hands leaning on the desk behind him.

  “We had a good session today. You really got a lot out of you, Amanda, and that’s progress. I think if we schedule some more sessions, twice a week, you’ll see even more progress. You mentioned that the nightmares were a bit intense, but the pain in your chest afterwards nonexistent. I think that’s a good thing,” he told her.

  She didn’t remember anything and it scared her. “Dr. Rogers, I don’t feel right. I don’t even remember our session,” she said, and he helped her to stand up. When she did, she felt the ache in her mound, and her head felt groggy.

  “It’s natural to submerge the emotions and the depth of our therapy session. It’s like you need to have some kind of control over your memories, which I feel is part of the reason why you suffer so much after the tragic loss you sustained. Each session will alleviate that pain. I’m bringing you the help you need in the best way possible. Trust me, Amanda, none of my patients ever leave here unsatisfied.” He gave a soft smile.

  She nodded as she grabbed her things, and he made sure that she was okay to drive before she exited the office. The more she walked, the less pain she felt in odd places. A glance over her shoulder, and she saw a man enter the office next. Military, definitely.

  Dr. Guy Rogers smiled wide as Amanda left the office. She was precious, and he didn’t need to use too much drugs on her to make her oblivious to his control and actions. He was helping her, and she didn’t even know how. Her fear of intimacy would be gone in no time as he trained her while she was high on the drugs. She sure did have a great body, and her tits were nice, too. He had to be careful not to leave any marks on her, but boy when she was under the influence of the drugs, did she make a lot of noise as he fucked her.

  He adjusted his p
osition in the chair. He’d had a hard on all morning just waiting for her arrival. Now he had to recoup for this afternoon’s session with Cassidy. She was another one who would benefit from his therapy.

  He glanced at the tie. Kennedy was coming in next. Fucking asshole soldier. The dick thought he was God’s gift to women just because he killed people and wore a fucking uniform. So what, who cares what Kennedy and other soldiers saw combat. He was a doctor. He understood the human mind and all its capabilities. He healed people, and he could also make others leave this earth. He glanced at Kennedy’s chart. He was going to increase his medication just a little. He wanted the man violent and behind bars or crying in pain like a baby. Weak, unable to use those capabilities, unlike Guy who would be the one to save Kennedy. Who got the last laugh now? He opened the door and looked at the pompous soldier as women walked by and smiled at him. Soldiers always got all the women. The sexy hot ones ready to spread their thighs. He cleared his throat.

  “Kennedy, you ready?” he asked, and Kennedy stood up and nodded, then entered the room. He was standing tall now, but once he increased his meds, this soldier would be on his knees crying in agony, and then he would heal him.

  “I’m not fucking doing it,” Czeck and Asher said at the same time.

  “This isn’t up for discussion. I met her and she is nice, empathetic, and seems straight up. She’s easy to talk to, you will see,” Magnar said.

  “Fuck that,” Czeck said.

  “Gordo, come on, I’ll drive you, and tomorrow Czeck is next, then Asher on Friday,” Magnar said, and Gordo headed out of the house with him.

  “What makes this doctor, this therapist, better than the others we’ve met?” Gordo asked.

  “I don’t know. Just give her a chance and she’s open to any questions you have as well. You don’t like her, then so be it,” Magnar said to him.

  Gordo didn’t like feeling this way, or having to go through counseling, but it was required with staying in a program and living here in Warrior’s Way. He liked the place. It was really beautiful, and he was surrounded by other soldiers if he sought out being sociable, and he was with the team. His family. As they pulled up towards the main house, he immediately caught sight of a woman standing by the main fence where a bunch of horses were. There was a session going on with men riding horses, and preparing for a trip along the property. He wished he could do that, but he wasn’t there yet. He had a lot more physical therapy to do. His focus went back to the platinum blonde, the sun casting a glow around her as she turned and laughed, giving a wave to one of the groups heading out. Her blue jeans hugged her round ass and she was trim, tall, and holy God, curvy as she turned towards the truck. Her ass stuck out in those blue jeans and her breasts were large in the V-neck blue top she wore. She headed right towards the truck as Magnar parked. Who the hell is she?

  “Wipe your mouth, that’s the doctor,” Magnar said and got out of the truck. Gordo’s heart began to race, and he actually reached up and wiped his jaw as he undid the seatbelt then opened up the door.

  Magnar shook her hand hello and she gave a huge smile, and then looked up at Gordo. Jesus H. Christ, she had the bluest eyes he had ever seen. “So this is Gordo.” Magnar introduced him and she reached her hand out for him to shake. She was about five feet six maybe, and holy Christ, her scent filtered right through him, making him feel a sensation he almost didn’t recognize. She was gorgeous.

  “Hello,” he said, and as their hands touched, he noticed her eyes widen. She gulped and then forced a smile. He felt it, too. Fuck, is that why Magnar was insistent on them giving this woman a chance? Did he feel an attraction to her? Gordo was staring at her.

  “Gordo,” Magnar said, and gave his arm a shove to make him focus.

  Gordo couldn’t ever remember being so awestruck by a woman before. He was a pretty quiet guy, rough around the edges, and not one to ask questions or engage in sweet conversation, but holy shit, he wanted to know more about her.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gordo. I appreciate you taking the time out to meet with me.”

  “Uh, yea of course. The commander ordered it,” he said, trying to not act so fucking lame here. She was making him tongue tied.

  “Hmm, I had a feeling that might be the case,” she replied.

  “I guess I’ll leave you two alone to talk,” Magnar said.

  “Oh wait, Magnar. I got that stuff I mentioned. Come on inside. Faith and Leeann set me up with a nice area by the back of the house. It’s private and we have access to the back porch. I want to show you how to use the stuff,” she said, and they followed her across the driveway and to the main house.

  He, however, couldn’t take his eyes off her ass, or stop inhaling her scent. He glanced at Magnar, and sure enough his commander was staring at her body as well. He even hurried to open the door for her, and she glanced at them both and smiled. As they entered the house, a few of the soldiers called out a hello to her. Gordo felt jealous and narrowed his eyes at those men. He also tried not to limp, but the fucking pain was ridiculous, and he had P.T. this morning.

  They headed down the hallway and into a nice large sitting room. There wasn’t a desk, but instead big recliners and a long couch, a table by the window with plants or something growing, and then a whole bunch of boxes. She walked right over to one and bent down to pull out a white mesh bag. “Come check this out,” she said to Magnar. She pulled open the bag and took out a round container and a small bottle, plus a little card. Gordo walked closer, and they stood on either side of her. “Okay, so this is what I want you to do, Magnar.” She explained about putting some drops on his pillow at night, and about using the cream whenever he felt the stress or headache coming on. “Rub it into your temples.”

  “Are you serious? I’ll smell like a woman,” he said, and Gordo chuckled.

  She gave him an annoyed expression, and holy fuck, Gordo’s cock hardened. He sobered up fast, but then Alaska was telling Magnar to sit down, and he did. She stood in front of him and she placed the cream, just a little onto her fingers, and pressed them to his temples. She massaged the stuff into his skin and Gordo watched as his commander stared up at her and then placed his palm on her leg. With Gordo standing right there, he could feel some kind of magnetic connection between the three of them, but then she quickly stepped back. Magnar’s hand fell from her thigh.

  “It doesn’t smell bad. I kind of like it,” Gordo said, and then looked at Alaska.

  “See, would I steer you wrong? No. Now take it and he’ll call when he needs a ride back,” she said, and stepped away and let Magnar take the items as he stood up.

  He locked gazes with Gordo, who raised one of his eyebrows and sniffed the air. “Pretty,” he teased, and Magnar shook his head and exited the room.

  “So, where would you like to sit? Inside or outside?” she asked.

  “Here is fine.”

  She grabbed a file off her desk, as well as a pen. He hadn’t expected her to sit right next to him on the couch. Normally these therapists like to sit in a single chair and stare at them.

  She chuckled knowingly.

  “This is not a clinical setting at all. My job is to help soldiers transition through their injuries, to healing both physically and mentally. Very relaxed, very easy going, and the hope is that you feel comfortable expressing your needs.”

  He just stared at her. She was incredibly beautiful, sexy, calming, holy fuck. He swallowed hard.

  “You had P.T. this morning, how is that going?” she asked as she opened up the file and held his gaze.

  “Fine,” he replied.

  She raised one of her eyebrows up at him and he felt another surge of attraction, or maybe lust fill his body.

  “Any concerns? How about medication? Are you still using pain meds? I didn’t see anything listed here, but I know they don’t always disclose that.”