The Same Mistakes
A/n: The production blogs for Fear Clinic offer some interesting details. For example, Doc Andover and Nurse Owens had been "partners in crime" for a long time and she stuck by him when he was imprisoned and lost his medical license. How's that for devotion? Not only was Nurse Owens Andover's constant companion, she was also his first success when it came to curing phobias.
"Victor," purred Elizabeth Owens as she held her lover against her breasts and belly affectionately as he began to nod off.
"Hmm?" Victor Andover muttered sleepily.
Owens smiled and lightly ran her fingers over Andover's hair.
"Can I ask you something?"
"If you must," Andover replied, rousing himself enough to kiss her neck.
"When did you know?" she inquired. Victor smiled, weakly repressing a chuckle.
"When did I know what?"
"When did you know you loved me?" Elizabeth pressed on. She was surprised by the sad, almost hurt look in Victor's eyes.
"In all honesty, I-I don't know…" he said. "I was so lost in my work for all those years that I never…" Elizabeth felt him shiver in her arms as he continued. "I neglected everything else in my life save my work. I neglected you, Elizabeth. I'm so sorry…"
"It was a long time ago, Victor. The past is over," Elizabeth replied.
Victor shook his head.
"I don't want to make the same mistakes…" he whispered, afraid to meet her eyes.
"Was sparing me a mistake?"
Andover sat at the defense stand. Elizabeth Owens, his partner in the work he'd done over the years, sat in the back but at an angle so he could see her. Those around her were those Victor once considered friends-his fellow medical practitioners. Now they were an intellectual lynch mob.
"Victor Phobos Andover, do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" asked the prosecutor.
What is truth? thought Victor.
"I do," he said.
"You've been developing methods for treating anxiety disorders, phobias specifically, for 6 years or so, correct?"
"Yes."
"In that time, did you ever had an accomplice in your work?"
Victor saw Elizabeth stiffen where she sat. His eyes met hers before quickly making contact with the man questioning him.
"No. I worked alone."
"Why did you do that? Spare me the same thing that had happened to you?" Elizabeth asked.
"Prison changes people. In the licensed medical world I am the equivalent of a corpse. I need you in order to stay alive."