Ghosts of the Present

Summary: What happened during the first session that David had with his new psychiatrist? And did David finally find a mother figure in the redheaded doctor, who was actually searching for a child she had long since lost?

Disclaimer: I only own the idea, nothing else.

Chapter One

A/N: I've decided to use the word 'mom' as the characters are American. I'm British.

Young David Collins was being led by the hand through the mainly winding hallways of his home, an 18th century manor known by the name of Collinwood. The manor had been in his family for over two hundred years and his aunt, Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard, the one pulling the slightly bored seven-year-old along had never let he or his twelve-year-old cousin Carolyn forget what a noble heritage they had, not that it was easily visible in the half-ruined mansion, nor in the people that inhabited it.

Eventually, the pair reached a large room with a few small armchairs, a desk, a kitchen area, a large bed and what looked to be a doctor's chair, with doctor's equipment set around it.

"Aunt Elizabeth?" asked a curious and slightly scared David.

He gasped and jumped behind his aunt as he caught sight of the woman sat in the armchair at the corner of the room. She was wearing a green, pink and purple floral silk blouse and a black pencil skirt, accompanied by purple high heels. Her hair was a fiery orange and was hanging in a bob down by her shoulders. In fact, David would have thought that she was very pretty if he hadn't been so terrified of her.

"David, this is Doctor Hoffman. She's just here to talk to you about your mother." Elizabeth explained, bringing David forward in front of her and pushing him slightly towards the unknown redhead.

"Okay." whimpered David, reaching up to give his aunt a peck on the cheek as she left.

"Good luck, Doctor Hoffman."

The two were left alone. David noticed for the first time that there was a bottle of red wine on the table in front of the armchair and the woman had a half full glass in her hand. She took a large swig from the glass and beckoned David to come and sit in the armchair opposite her.

"Hi, David." David was taken back. Her voice wasn't harsh and commanding, like he feared it would be. It was soft and considerate, with a strong Metropolitan accent. David was sure that she must have come all the way from New York City for him.

"Hello." squeaked David, still feeling wary of the woman.

"Now, David, do you know why I'm here?" asked the woman.

"You're a doctor."

"I'm a psychiatrist. I help people with problems they have in their mind. I'm here to help you. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"My mom died in a fishing boat six months ago. Everyone keeps telling me I'm crazy, especially Carolyn, but I'm not lying. I see her, she...talks to me. You probably think I'm crazy too, don't you?"

"No, David, I don't. In fact, I believe you. I think you're totally right. Just because people are dead doesn't mean they love us any less. My mom died too." David looked up at this comment.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah. Although I don't really remember her, she died a few weeks after I was born. My dad died six months later, I grew up in a kid's home with my big brother. So I know how you feel. I think my mom still talks to me sometimes too."

"She appears when I meet strangers, when I'm scared."

"When you need a mom?"

"Yeah."

"Is she here now?"

"No. She's not."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't feel scared of you, so I don't need her. Doctor Hoffman?"

"Yes, David."

"Will you be my mom?" Julia froze, her face softening instantly.

"Oh, David, I'm sorry, but I can't. I'd be fired."

"But what if it was a secret?" asked the boy, looking desperately at Julia. She smiled at him.

"Can you keep a secret, David?" she asked, her smirk widening as he lept up and threw his arms around her, climbing onto her lap as she stroked his hair.

"Yes, yes, yes. I love you, Mom."

"Now, David, it would probably be best if you call me Julia. After all, it's our little secret."

"But you're my mom. Why can't I call you Mom?" David was confused once more.

"Because that would give away the secret, wouldn't it? But we know that every time you call me Julia, you really mean Mom. Right?"

"Right!" exclaimed David, nuzzling into Julia's neck.

They stayed like that for the majority of the session, until Elizabeth's heels clicking against the floorboards of the hallway caused them to spring apart. The matriarch was slightly suspicious when she saw the two sitting stiffly in their armchairs, trying not to giggle.

"Good session, was it?"

"Very. We learnt a lot, didn't we, David?"

"Yes, Aunt Elizabeth, we learnt loads."

"Right, well, David, you've got homework to do for Mrs. Marsh, so off you go."

David reluctantly got up from his seat and followed his aunt to the door. They was almost out of the door when David turned back to her and smiled.

"Goodbye, Julia."

"Goodbye, David."

And the pair left her room. Julia stepped from her chair and walked over to her bed, throwing herself back onto the coverlets in glee. She cast a glance to her side and saw a glowing blue light surrounding a redheaded woman in her thirties, smiling up to her.

"So. A son, eh?"

"Julianne Louise Merida Hoffman, I am so proud of you. You'll make a brilliant mother to that boy, I know you will. I love you." Then the woman faded and vanished, the light dimming to a mere glow.

"I love you too, Mom."

A/N: Please tell me what you think, your reviews mean everything to me.