It irritated Sam this girl only knew him for a few months and already knew more about his life than people he had none for years. The same irritation was what kept him talking, she knew the right questions to ask and how to phrase it and the way she was asking the questions Sam had an idea she already knew more than he was telling. ”I am a fighter and I was someone else.” Sam shifted his weight forward pulling his head away from Eve even though it couldn’t go very far. ”She makes your every dream feel so real…” Sam paused for a minute remembering some of the things that had happened in his constructed dream world. His dogs, his kids… his wife.

”I was married… had two kids… time doesn’t work the same way there. I was only gone for a short amount of time. Years passed in the dream. Makes you start to wonder what was real after that.” Sam’s hands turned into fists and he exhaled letting out a cold breath that misted in front of him as they passed through it. ”It was like I was living that one dream over again only I was happy I even remember my kids and all the times I had with Alexandra.” he trailed off when he said her name, he felt more alone than he was in the artic. Sam sighed slightly trying to forget it again.

”Amanda’s a cold b***** always has been I just didn’t know how cold till what she did to me. To break her control to get a fraction of control over myself, my mind, my body…” he didn’t say anything for a few moments. His muscles tensed and he felt sadness well up. Sam really did hate talking about his feelings or his past but then again…

”You have to pretty much admit that you’re living a lie and when she started to realize that...” rage started to take over his body again pushing the sadness to the side like a tidal wave. He was in his head again watching everything happen again watching his loved ones being taken from him and Amanda telling him she can make it go away if only he went back to his dream. ”Hard to forget.” he shifted his weight again in a turn and approached the road that took them home. ”Not sure how to come back from this...” Sam said revealing the feeling that he feared the most. Doubt.

Evelyn could sense the shift in Sam; it was both a physical transition and a mental one. The muscles on the back of his neck tensed, then relaxed slightly, as if some of the weight of what he was saying took pressure off him physically. She couldn't learn as much without seeing his face, but she didn't feel like she needed to now. The words he spoke were enough. She was learning the answers, but it was a lot to swallow. She wished there was more she could do to help.

His sadness felt heavy on her, and his anger had a certain sting to it, but she wasn't sure if that just came with his ability to form and control ice. She couldn't really understand what it would have been like to be in his shoes. To have a life, have a relationship, a family, and feel like it's real, only to have it snatched away. She didn't dream, but she still knew how disorienting it was trying to separate her memories from reality. He had to do the same, but with someone that only felt real, and was a lie.

Whatever she did at the end of those dreams, she could only guess. Did she kill his family? Did she make Sam kill them? She could only imagine... and those thoughts put a cold chill in her heart. She felt sad, and mad for Sam, and what he was put through. She stared at the city below them, and the doubt settling into the conversation got her to speak a bit more quietly.

"I...can't even begin to understand what that feels like. And I won't pretend to. The only thing I can relate to is knowing what it's like to not be able to forget. My mutation means I don't forget anything, and I relive my memories. Every stubbed toe, every papercut, every page of every book I've ever read. Most people gradually forget details. Memories grow hazy and time heals. It doesn't work that way for me. I'll remember every bad memory, and face it again further down the road. Sometimes it scares me. Sometimes... Sometimes I don't know how to deal with it.

"But I've learned really the only thing I can do is look forward. I can't change the past. Can't control it. When I relieve my memories, they always end the same way each time, and that's just how it's going to be. But you can control the future. No one can tell you who you'll be, or what you'll do from here. You find better memories, and do what you can to make things better from here.

"She may have messed with you then, but she shouldn't be allowed to control you still. Maybe, take it as a challenge. You're the only one who can decide who you'll be, decide what you believe in, or what you care about. It's not going to make it suck any less, not going to make the memories any less clear. But it's a start. You'll come back from this. I've got faith in that." She gave a half smile, but unless he turned he wouldn't have seen it. Then she looked back away and out across the city. She felt tired, and there wasn't much left of the ice in her numbed hand. She was going to be a mess when they got to the mansion, and she didn't want to have to face Doc Prof when he helped patch her up.

Sam had a future at least he did, it wasn’t real but it was one he wanted back. The pain of losing his kids and his wife. His thoughts shifted again and anger filled him why was he still clingling to a lie? There was nothing real about them, the way his daughter would call out to him when she had a nightmare, the way his son flew after a football he launched followed by his two dogs. The way his wife told him she loved him after a long day. He pushed the thoughts from his mind again when Eve finished again this time her words eased his thoughts slightly.

”Easier said than done blonde, one second I’m fine next…” Sam shook his head and reached his hand out to something that wasn’t there, ”Every time I close my eye or try to sleep there she is with my kids telling me to come back.” his voice stopped when he opened his mouth again not entirely comfortable sharing this much with anyone let alone Eve, ”I’m not sure I can forget every time I try to I’m overcome with guilt. I lived with them for years, even if it was a lie. Still felt real.” Sam hung his head slightly before he decided to speed up a bit.

”Move forward.” Sam shrugged and turned towards the mansion that was in view, ”Like I said it’s just hard to deal. I know time is supposed to heal any wound but… Glad someone still has faith in me.” ‘Because I’m not sure I do anymore.’ Thought Sam as he slowly angled down towards the entrance of the mansion.

Touching down Sam didn’t feel like it needed it to be said but he said it anyways as he walked to the door not giving Eve the option of walking to the infirmary she was still injured after all even if some of the kids would talk about Sam appearing with someone who was now injured. ”Thanks.” he paused for a second before he added, ”Stays between you and me got it?” he pushed the door open and kept walking in, ”All of it!” now he was talking about the body. Sam was being watched now and he didn’t want to give anyone a reason to kick him out for good.

There was only so much you could say when someone was suffering with something so personal. Sometimes, all you could do was listen, and understand. Evelyn did her best to do just that, sitting quietly and trying to ignore the pain from the nights injuries. She wanted to say more, do more to help. But most of the things she could say seemed like they would make it worse.

They landed on the grounds of the mansion, and it was late enough there weren’t many people up at least. She didn’t see anyone as Sam started for the infirmary, and she was somewhat relieved she didn’t have to try to walk to the infirmary herself. She nodded at Sam’s remark, catching both the meanings in the statement. ”My lips are sealed.” She quietly responded, and then they were in the office and DocProf was turning to face them. He glanced at her, her mouth started to open, but something in her expression must have said how exhausted she was, and he just motioned to the table instead.

”Set her down there, Sam. Do I really want to know what you got yourself into this time?” He said quietly, coming over and looking at the injuries. Evelyn gave a grimace of a smile, and pushed her hair from her face.

”It’s been a long night…” She remarked as he touched the cut on her arm. As the images of the sewer monster encounter replayed for the Doctor, his face visibly changed with surprise, and a touch of concern.

”I can see that…” He said, and the healing energy started to mend the injuries.

Once Doc started to work Sam looked from Evee to the Doc who was still a little suspicious of Sam now that he was back. One of the last times Doc had been taking a look at Sam he was under the control of someone else and not only attack Doc but managed to jump through his window, which was now fixed. Sam looked to the window then back to Doc. He wanted to apologize again for it but he could only apologize so many times before it wasn’t heard anymore.

Sam took a few steps back then looked to the pair, ”Well it looks like you can take it from here Doc. I’ll be seeing you later I guess.” Sam started to head for the infirmary exit and he put on a small smile, fake but small. ”Evee, next time you go into the city make sure you go with an escort, you have the worst luck.” Sam left it at that gave her a small wave then he started back towards his room where he would try once again to get some sleep.