Chapter 1
“I don’t see why she has to be here Finch.”
“ I hope you understand Ms. Shaw, that a prerequisite to attend couples’ therapy is being a couple. And Mr. Reese is busy with a number of his own.” Finch rambled on, limping his way to the glass board where he carefully stuck on to it his second number for the day’s photograph.
“And I can’t switch places with John because –?” Shaw demanded, strutting fast along the lobby of the building, making her way to the counsellor’s office.
“I believe this is a case rather close to Mr. Reese and perhaps he would prefer it if he could deal with this one alone.” Finch’s voice explained, looking at the photograph of the first number.
Shaw huffed at that. John and his stupid romantic-at-heart ways. It was becoming quite obvious that she had to make do with Root on this one.
“I didn’t think you could infuriate me more than when you made me a perfume salesperson, but this time you’ve really outdone yourself Finch.”
“The covers were chosen by The Machine Ms. Shaw, as was this number.” Harold patronized, going over the details of this case.
“Marlena Sheetz. High-end marriage counsellor and only deals with couples who can actually afford her fees without declaring bankruptcy, her records thus far look clean so it is rather difficult to see why The Machine gave us her number. That is where your session with Ms. Groves comes in. Perhaps the two of might be able to find something.” Harold explained over the earpiece, as Shaw finally met Root outside the doctor’s office.
“Hey sweetie. Don’t forget the rings.” Root grinned, handing over a platinum band to Shaw. Shaw was quite used to Root’s quirks – but the depths the woman would go to to play a character also meant the depths she would be dragged down too. Right now – she doesn’t even want to know how Root managed to get ahold of these rings. Shaw was already not looking forward to this.
“Fusco would have been a better choice for this.” Shaw groaned to herself, following Root into the doctor’s huge office.
8 minutes of silence. Perhaps marriage counselling isn’t so bad. Shaw was sitting as bored as ever, drumming her fingers on the arm of the comfy sofa she and Root were sitting on. She was trying to sum up this counsellor. She seemed harmless enough. Root, she was sure, was smiling her angelic smile and coming off as the perfect wife.
As long as it’s silent.
“Would you like to begin?” the doctor drummed up, looking intently at Shaw, seeing that neither woman seemed intent on beginning the session.
Shaw considered for moment, then realizing she normally didn’t play wife at all, decided against it.
“No - thanks.” Shaw politely replied, feeling the awkwardness of the room.
“I know that these kind of situations can be awkward, but seeing that you are the ones paying 3,000$ an hour, I assumed you would want to get this over with.” the doctor replied, with a soft smile of her own.
Paying how much?!!!
“Remember Ms. Shaw, you are a wealthy criminal lawyer from Yale, which is how you can logically afford this session.” Harold offered, his voice coming on Shaw’s earpiece. Shaw, however was still stunned that people actually pay that much to talk to a shrink, so she helplessly turned to Root, who was ready to jump in.
“Actually Dr. Sheetz, I would like to begin.” Root began cheerily, taking Shaw’s hand as if to reassure her.
“We’ve been married since 2010, and over the years we have grown apart so a friend suggested you would be good place to start to remind ourselves of why we got married in the first place.” Root beamed, playing her cards precisely, taking care to even give a sweet smile at Shaw.
That, however was too much for Shaw, who immediately rolled her eyes at Root’s antics.
“You see what I mean?” Root explained, faking slight exasperation with Shaw’s annoyance at her.
“Why is it that you’re annoyed at your wife, Sameen?”
Oh crap.
“Uhh – well – “ Shaw stuttered, sure that Harold was having the time of his life with this show.
“She does catch you unawares sometimes.” Shaw managed, remembering the times Root had turned up unannounced at her loft, armed with her taser.
“Could you explain that a bit?”
“ She’s unpredictable. She does things out of the blue – and that gets a little tiresome sometimes.” Shaw replied, sitting up and seeing that she would have to somehow manage the next 50 minutes of this.
Root however narrowed her eyes at Shaw, smile still plastered on her face.
“Because then - I have to leave critical work and go after and make sure she hasn’t done anything stupid.” Shaw continued, remembering that she once had to bicycle across a state to get to Root.
“Well, what do you have to say to that, Augusta?
Shaw had to force herself to not roll her eyes again at Root’s name. The woman sure could pick them.
“It’s not like Sameen here is a charm to get along with.” Root jumped in, eager to prove that the fake marriage wasn’t failing because of her.
This cannot be happening.
“I mean, I know that she isn’t one for nice gestures, I knew that when I married her” Root went on with her dramatic flair, playing the hurt wife to perfection.
“But would it hurt to admit that once in while, she did something for me? Instead of claiming she did it for the mission, for the dog? Am I really worse than the dog?”
“Wow, I don’t know what to make of that.” the doctor soothed, but Shaw was already throwing up her hands in exasperation, realizing that the two women were ganging up on her.
“Wh-What?!?”At that, Shaw pretty much knew she had lost this session.
I’ve been in the Marines and that was the hardest 60 minutes of my life!?