A paramedic is wheeling Melanie Rose, a fourteen year old into hospital. She was bruised, battered, and unconscious. Her injuries consisted of a mild concussion with no memory loss, two broken ribs, a ruptured appendix, a broken arm, and a fractured leg. A pediatric doctor, Cooper Freedman ran some tests and x-rays on Melanie to see if she had any internal injuries. He discovered that Melanie was bleeding internally in her abdomen and that her appendix ruptured. M A surgical doctor, Samuel Bennett and some other doctors took Melanie into surgery to stop the bleeding.

A couple hours after coming out of surgery, Melanie woke up. The managing doctor, Charlotte King walked into Melanie's hospital room.

"Hey Melanie. I must say I'm a little tired of seeing you in my hospital injured, but I'm glad your awake though." Charlotte said "Is there anyone we can call for you?"

Melanie shook her head, "Can I go now?"

"We had to do an abdominal surgery to stop some internal bleeding and we'd like to keep you overnight for observation. Plus a parent or guardian has to sign a release form." Charlotte explained

"I don't have any parents." Melanie stated shyly "My mom and dad died when I was four."

Charlotte nodded, "What about your foster parents?"

Melanie stayed silent and made no eye contact with Charlotte.

"Melanie, how did you get these injuries? Is somebody hurting you?" Charlotte asked concerned

Melanie shook her head, "No, I told you the last five times I was here I'm clumsy. I fell down the stairs."

Charlotte sighed softly, "Melanie, please tell me. Is somebody hurting you? Did they threaten you?"

"No, I fell down the stairs, Dr. King." Melanie said exasperated

"I want to help you, Melanie, but I can't if you don't talk to me." Charlotte explained

"I don't need help." Melanie replied defensively "I can take care of myself."

"Okay but since you won't tell me how to get in touch with your foster parents I'll have to call DCPS." Charlotte told Melanie before heading to the door.

Melanie panicked for a few seconds. She couldn't get taken away from another foster home. Her social worker would be mad since its hard to place a fourteen year old. But also because her current placement is her third foster home in three months.

"Wait!" Melanie called

Charlotte turned around, "Yes Melanie? Do you have something you want to tell me?"

Melanie sighed but nodded, "My foster parents are Eric and LeAnn Johnson."

"Thank you. I'll call them. They probably want to see you." Charlotte replied "Unless for some reason I shouldn't call them." Charlotte suspected that somebody was hurting Melanie, but couldn't be sure about it until Melanie confessed.

"My foster dad did this." Melanie said reluctantly "He hurt me."

"Thanks for telling me. I'm sorry that you were hurt." Charlotte replied sympathetically

"It's okay. It's not your fault, Dr. King." Melanie told Charlotte "It's my fault for making him mad."

"It doesn't have to be my fault for me to feel bad, Melanie." Charlotte stated "Plus your foster dad shouldn't hurt you just because he got mad. That's wrong."

Melanie smiled softly and nodded. Nobody had shown her sympathy in a long time.

Charlotte left the room and walked to her office. She called DCPS because their was no way that this kid would be going back to her foster parents. That just wasn't going to happen. At least not on Charlotte's watch. She'd have to talk to Cooper about it, but she wants to foster Melanie. She'd also have to see how Mason would feel.

About an hour later, Melanie's social worker, Miss Janie Stout arrived. She was shown the way to Melanie room.

When Melanie looked up and saw her social worker, she freaked.

"I'm sorry, Miss Janie. I'm really sorry. I know how hard it is to place me, and I'm not making it any easier." Melanie said crying

"Hey Mel, it's okay. This isn't your fault. Dr. King told me everything." Janie explained "Your foster dad, Mr. Johnson he is the one at fault here. He was wrong to hurt you like he did, and it's not okay. The Johnson's won't be allowed to foster anymore kids. Alright?"

Melanie nodded as tears streamed down her face, "Okay Miss Janie."

Melanie didn't normally cry, but she couldn't help it. She was hurt, physically and emotionally. She had been strong for too long and now she just needed to cry a little bit.

Meanwhile Charlotte was in Cooper's office talking with him.

"So this girl Melanie is fourteen?" Cooper said more as a statement than a question.

Charlotte nodded, "I feel so bad for her, plus I'm pretty sure she's worked her way into my heart just like Mason did. She's meant to be with us, just like I'm meant to be with you and Mason. I was meant to be Mason's momma, and now I'm meant to be Melanie's too. She needs a family, Cooper."

"Okay we'll go home and tell Mason since Melanie isn't being discharged till possibly tomorrow. If you want us to foster Melanie I will support you. I'm very okay with it." Cooper stated "And we'll talk to the social worker tomorrow."

Charlotte smiled, "Thanks. You just made my day."