"He can't be with her during the examination. I don't allow any males present in these type of cases, its too upsetting for the victim."

Doctor Samantha Brittain has joined Jake Wride and Claire Black at the observation window looking at the odd couple sat on the couch in the room before them.

"I can't allow you to perform the examination under those conditions. For whatever reason, this girl has latched on to that man and doesn't find him a threat. He's there or you're not."

They both look up as the door opens. Jake and a stranger enter the room. One look tells Jane, despite the absence of a white coat, that the stranger is a doctor, and that she's not happy to see him. He deduces that she wanted to get rid of him, but lost the battle. The girl moved imperceptibly towards him at the entering of the doctors and is searching for his hand, and grabs it with all her might. He gives it a squeeze of reassurance while bending to whisper in her ear.

"This lady is a doctor and she wants to examine you, like in the story. She just wants to know how she can help you. It's your decision whether you let her examine you, no one will touch you unless it's okay with you. It's something that has to be done, but when you're ready. Do you feel ready?"

She looks up at Jane, with questioning eyes.

"Yes I'll stay with you."

The girl gives a slight nod of her head.

Jane smiles and gives her hand another squeeze and turns his attention to the waiting adults.

"She's given her permission. I know you will be gentle with her."

The Doctor bristles against the warning.

It's been difficult and slow but they made it through the physical examination. Difficult for the girl and for Jane. He didn't want to be there but he knew that she would need him. He knelt beside the girl, his body turned away from the doctor his attention completely on the girl. He held her hand, when he could, stroked her hair, whispered in her ear, telling her how brave she was being, that the doctor would stop, any time she told her too. He used his voice to try to take her away from what was happening, but knew he only achieved mild success. He listened to her whimper and wiped away her tears. After the doctor finished, she crawled on to his lap, tried to get under his skin and stayed there for an hour. Neither the girl or Jane were aware of the Doctor slipping away.

. He prepared her as best he could. He knew it had to be done and he knew she wasn't ready, but she's allowed it anyway because of him, because he was there. He supported her as best he could and marvelled at her strength and bravery and at her trust in him. It shone in her eyes. He's completely aware of the responsibility that trust brings with it and that his actions will determine her view of the world, and of herself for the rest of her life. He feels the weight of it, heavier than the weight of the body pressed against him, so much heavier. It's the most important thing he's ever had to do.

She hears his heart beating as her ear presses against him and she feels his chest rise and fall as he breathes. It's gentle, yet strong as it vibrates into her mind. In the silence of the room, she hears nothing else. It begins to enlarge and push against the blackness that had descended as the woman poked and prodded, touched and invaded. The blackness that always came, that brought a darkness that she welcomed, that hid her from the actions taking place upon her. It doesn't bring comfort or ignorance, but she can count on it to come. It tendrils taking hold of her and wrapping itself around her limbs and body, It's hold growing stronger, expanding until she's engulfed in a nothingness that has no taste, feel, sound or smell but she can sense it's there, as she succumbs her mind, and her will, becoming one with the blackness, embracing the darkness, becoming nothing.

At first the darkness would disappear, as soon as she wss discarded, when her use was exhausted, leaving her in agony, and tears. Tears that brought impatience and anger upon her. The darkness began to stay longer. She told her about the darkness, to ease her concerns.

She said the darkness wasn't her friend, that it just pretends , that she understood its appeal, knows of its promises but it's tricking her, that if she allows it to stay it will bring destruction.

She knows that she always told her the truth, that she needed to listen, needed to be strong. But she wasn't strong, not strong enough, perhaps it's already too late. It came without invitation, it's hold unrelenting. The alternative so frightening, so painful, it weakens her resolve, her fight ineffectual.

But he's strong! She watches exhausted and fearful as with each beat the darkness weakens. But as it slowly releases its hold upon her, there is no pain, or terror, the light is not filled with the memories of the invasions of her body, he's keeping them at bay. She slowly becomes aware that he's not fighting the darkness, or battling her demons, that it's her who's becoming stronger, that her desire for nothingness is growing weaker, that it's her who's fighting the darkness. He's showing her a different path, offering his hand to guide her to a place she has no knowledge or understanding of, but instinctively she knows is better. Fuelled by desire she reaches out, grabs hold and clings with all her might.

Jane feels her stir, her hand once again searches his, her hand curls around his fingers and she holds on with a strength he didn't think she had. He looks down at her in surprise and she nods her head and a faint smile touches her lips.