Chapter 4

Jesse picked up the stack of patient charts that were waiting for him at the ER reception desk, and turned to visit his first patient when suddenly Norman Briggs appeared out of nowhere, making Jesse jump and almost drop his charts. "Dr Travis" Norman said cheerfully, "Just the man I wanted to see!" Jesse smiled wearily at the man. "We have a new doctor who has transferred from Portland. I need you to show him around for a few days while he settles in."

"But I have a ton of patients to see…" Jesse began, however Norman interrupted him, acting as though he hadn't heard, "Excellent Dr Travis, now if you'll just follow me..." And before Jesse could react, Norman was pulling him towards his office, where a tall young man with dark brown hair and brown eyes hidden behind a pair of spectacles was sitting nervously at Norman's desk.

"Dr Allday, this is Dr Travis," Norman said to the young man, "Dr Travis will be showing you around and if you have any problems just let him know. Good! Right, I must be off, I'll see you soon ," Norman called as he disappeared down the corridor.

Dr Allday smiled nervously at Jesse. "He's a bit full on, but he's all right really" Jesse said with a laugh. "I'm Jesse" he added shaking the man's hand. "I'm David" Allday replied, "Thanks for showing me around, I can see you must be busy" he said, pointing at the stack of charts Jesse was holding.

"Oh, don't worry about that" Jesse replied, "In fact, you can give me a hand with them" and he led Allday down the corridor to see the first patient.

**********

Jack walked through the door of BBQ Bob's for the first time and after looking around for 10 minutes, he turned to Steve and said "This place is amazing! I never thought you were the restaurant business type to be honest".

"I wasn't sure either at first" Steve replied laughing, "But after the bomb incident, Jesse and I just though screw it, let's go into business, and we ended up with this place. Its hard work, but I love it!" Steve said, looking around proudly.

"Jesse's your partner?!" Jack asked shocked.

"Yeah", Steve said absentmindedly, "All down to mine and Jesse's love of all things meat" he added laughing. Mark and Amanda who were sitting at the bar also laughed at this remark.

Jack sat down next to Mark, as Steve went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Jack could not believe what he was hearing. He had not realised Steve and Jesse were such good friends. It really did feel like they had all just moved on and forgotten him. And he was starting to dislike Jesse even more now, even bordering on hating him. Jack knew he was being childish, but it just seemed that every time he wanted to be with his old friends, Jesse would turn up one way or another and….

"Hello guys" Jesse called happily as he entered the restaurant, bringing Jack out of his thoughts.

"Typical" Jack mumbled.

"What was that?" Mark asked.

"Oh, nothing, I was just clearing my throat" Jack replied glaring at Jesse as he walked behind the bar to get a drink.

"Jack what do you think of the restaurant?" Jesse asked smiling. Mark knew Jesse well enough to know he was trying to get Jack's approval, and Jack's half-hearted "It's alright" obviously disappointed Jesse, whose smile faltered. But Jesse quickly recovered and hiding his disappointment told the others about the new doctor.

Jack glanced at his watch. It was 11.30pm and they were still at BBQ Bob's. Everyone had had their fill of spare ribs and chips and after hearing about nearly all of Mark, Amanda and Jesse's crime solving adventures, Jack had had enough and was ready to leave. He did not want to hear another word of how Steve and Jesse had become cowboys for the day, and standing up he said, "Right, I'd better be off, it's pretty late".

"Oh, I hadn't realised what the time was" Mark exclaimed, looking at his watch, "Sorry Jack, we've been talking about everything that's happened these past few years we haven't had a chance to hear what you've been up to".

"Hey, don't worry about it", Jack replied, "It's not your fault" he added, briefly glaring at Jesse. "Goodnight" he called as he left.

"I don't think he likes me" Jesse said downcast, when Jack had left.

"Don't be silly Jess" Mark replied patting the young man on the shoulder as he stood up to clear the plates away, "He has no reason not to!"

"Yeah, you're probably right" Jesse said but he was still doubtful.