So, that's it. St. Thomas Hospital, Charming, California. Hopefully my new working place. And my chance to start all over again. When I found the job offer in the "California Daily" a few days ago I hesitated. I could never imagine to be a nurse someday. But I knew that this was my only chance to get back into the medical business. And I promised myself that I had to change my life for a better. And this change has to happen now.

So here I am. Standing in front of that big grey building. Ready to leave the broken pieces of my past behind. But the nearer I got to the the entrance the faster my self-confidence sank. Until I simply just froze like a stone in front of the large entrance door. Am I really ready for this? Suddenly my palms became very sweaty and my breath went quicker and quicker. Great. That's exactly what I needed. A little panic attack. Before everything could get worse I sat down at a close bench. My whole body was shaking like a rattle snake and at this very moment I was so angry and frustrated at myself that I didn't realize that tears are falling down my cheeks. When I cannot even get my ass into a simple job interview, how the hell am I supposed to change anything about my miserable situation?

I let my head sink into my hands and started to breathe as normal as I possibly could in order to relax myself. So concentrated of calming down I didn't realize that someone sat down right next to me and put a hand on my back.
"Hey, everything allright?" I heard a woman say. As I looked up I looked into the eyes of a very beautiful woman with long brown hair who was smiling worrily at me. I felt so ashamed that someone noticed my little break-down that I was speechless for a moment. "My name is Tara Knowles." She pointed at herself. "And I am a doctor here at St. Thomas." Still smiling she gave me a questioning look "Who are you?".
"Ehm.. Sorry. I am Idella. Idella Priestly" I said behind some sniffs. "But mostly I am just called Ella"
"So, Ella, you want to tell me why you had that little attack then? Does that happen often to you?" Tara still looked worried.
"No, no. Nothing to worry about. I guess I was just nervous. You know, I have this job interview in .." I checked my watch "Oh God! It's in 5 minutes!" I jumped off the bench and tried to clean up the mess my tears made with my make up with my fingers.

"Do I really look that bad?" I turned over to Tara still trying to fix my short black bob. Studying my face she let out a soft laugh. "You look just fine. Your tears didn't not ruin anything. Must be a hell of a make-up you have there."
Well, you want to look good on stage. When there is just a pole and you wearing nothing but a thong, at least your make-up has to put your self-esteem high.
"Haha. Yeah, well thank you." I smiled. " Ehm. You do not happen to know where I can find a Margaret Murphy? She will interview me in, now, 3 minutes. And I am sure being late is not a great opener."
"Oh, you are lucky. I do know Margaret. I can escort you to her office."
"Thank you. That would be great."

"So, Miss Priestly, I have to admit that your vita is pretty impressive" Margaret Murphy, a lady in her mid 40s with short reddish hair, said

"But I don't really understand why you applied for the job as a nurse.

As I can see you attended UCLA Medical School to become a doctor. I guess you will be quite overqualified for the job. May I ask why you didn't finish Medical School and got your license? And what did you do the last two years? I see there is a gap in your vita. Don't get me wrong. I think you could be a great asset for our hospital. And with your 28 years you could really build up your future here in our institution. I'm just making sure you don't have anything to hide."
And there it was. The situation I was the most afraid of. How could I explain to her that I messed with the wrong kind of people? That this fucker made sure that I would never be able to fulfill m dream of becoming a doc?

I assumed that she already knew the "official" reason why I left medical school.

So I simply asked: "Well, Miss Murphy. I highly doubt that you wouldn't have invited me without running a check through my criminal history. So what do you exactly want to know from me?" I tried to smile.

Deep in my heart I knew that I wouldn't get the job and that my chances of starting all over again began to sink.

"Indeed. I know about your little, let's call it, "breakdown". You punched a guy in the face whose daughter came into the ER that day. You were an intern back then. All I want to know is why you did it? I am sure you had a reason, 'cause you don't seem to me as an "uncontrollable, aggressive person", as it is described in your file."

Margaret looked at me. Her eyes were filled with care and honesty.

After all these years someone was really interested in the true story. From past interviews 2 years ago I knew that a report in my criminal file was the end. But I sensed it would be different this time.

I let out a deep sigh, which I didn't know held in. Though I felt very comfortable around Margaret I couldn't tell her all the truth.

This guy I punched back then wasn't just a normal guy. His name was Marshall Baxtor and he was a highly regarded lawyer of Los Angeles

So no-one to mess around with, 'cause he sure knew his rights. Well, my bad.

When his daughter came into the ER I was there to clean her wounds and help her fill the paperwork. Reports and stuff. When I asked her how this happened she nervously looked down and stammered something like "fell down the stairs".

But I knew this behavior exactly. This girl, sweet 14 years old, had bruises all around her arms and legs. Some of them were at least weeks old.

I guessed she just came to the ER because this motherfucker of a dad punched her so bad that he caused a laceration on her head.
God knows what he did else.

As I reported my concerns to my supervising doctor he just answered that this is none of my business. That Mr. Baxtor is the most trustworthy civilian in L.A. And that I should be careful with what I was accusing him.
But I couldn't just let it be. This was never one of my traits.

If others can't help me I have to help myself. And let's just say my aid was my fist in his ugly visage.

After that I was fired from my internship and when I wanted to apply for my medical license all my papers were sent back to me with a stamp "DECLINED" on it.

As I wanted to call the authorities I always got the same answer
"Due to that incident last summer you don't fulfill the qualifications to earn your license".
And from that day on I knew that the people with the most influence are the ones who have the most dirt under their carpets.

After that I fell into a deep hole. Jim and Jack became my best friends in that time and in order to pay for them I needed to do dirty jobs.
You know, that kind of dirty where you have to swing around a shiny pole with high heels and nothing but a thong on. Those jobs that make you want to vomit everyday because some sweaty fat guy can't keep his hands off of you while you're giving him a lap dance.

I was 26 then. I never planned my life to be like that.
When I opened the newspaper on that sunny day back in August last year I knew that I have to get me out of that dirt.
There it was. A obituary showing a picture of a beautiful innocent little girl.
Mary Baxtor. Died at the age of 15.
That was my fault. I could've stop this.
So that's when I decided that I have to get up and do something

Of course I couldn't tell Margaret all about this. It would simply cause too much trouble telling her all about Baxtor and my suspicions back then.
His time will come.

"On that day" I cleared my throat "I was not in my best shape to be honest. Too much stress with the exams and many nights without proper sleep. When Mr. Baxtor assumed that I wouldn't care for his daughter properly he caught me on the wrong foot.

I overreacted back then. And I am really sorry now.
I shouldn't have punched him.
So that's when I needed a little time-out. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to be a doctor again. I had some troubles with my self-confidence back then. Didn't know if I could handle the stress, you know.
In the past 2 years I had some occasional part-time jobs. For example waitress in a bar.
I made enough money to cover my living costs and had enough time to think about my future.
Now I know that I want to be back in medical business. And as a nurse I thought I would have a fresh start into that field."

While telling that lie I was sure that I spoke every word with as much honesty as I could.

It wasn't even a real lie, though. Just let out some details.
And the last part was absolutely true. I wanted to have a fresh start.

Margaret looked at me the whole time like she was scanning if I said the truth.
"Thank you for your honesty, Miss Priestly. I appreciate it very much and I am sure this wasn't easy for you. Everyone deserves a second chance and I would be honored if I could be the one who gives that chance to you"

My jaw dropped. "You ..you mean, I got the job?"
"Yes, you have the job. I don't see why I should send such a talented young woman home. Though I don't understand why you would leave such beautiful place like L.A in order to live in that little hole of Charming" She laughed. "Guess that's what a fresh start means"
I nodded, still in disbelief that I really got the job.
"So, you can start in two weeks. Of course only, if you want"
"Absolutely!" I screamed, maybe a bit too loud. I couldn't hardly contain myself.
Now everything is going to change into better.

THIS IS MY FIRST FANFICION IN A LONG TIME.
SO PLEASE, BE GENTLE ;)

I DID NOT WANT TO SPOIL EVERYTHING IN THE FIRST CHAPTER.
THIS IS JUST MEANT TO BE AS A LITTLE INTRO.

THIS STORY WILL DEFINITLY BE A CHIBSxOC STORY.
YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT A BIT UNTIL THE HANDSOME SCOTSMAN WILL PLAY A PART HERE ;)

I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERY FEEDBACK I CAN GET :)