Atlanta General –

Derek's Room –

Derek lay quietly in bed while Penelope dozed in a chair next to his bed. She was beautiful and strong although he suspected that she didn't consider herself strong…or beautiful. There were so many memories clawing themselves back to the forefront of his mind but there were so many more holes that still needed to be filled. Looking at her sleep, it was obvious why he'd fought so hard against Savannah, Marcos and Hamilton. She was worth it because without her living was not really living.

"Hey, Handsome how long have you been awake?"

She smiled up at him he seemed so far away as he stared back at her.

"Hi, did I wake you?"

"No, not at all. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I can't sleep. So many things, pictures running through my mind."

He grimaced as he shifted to get comfortable. She noticed the light bead of sweat on his forehead. Penelope stood and placed her hand on his forehead. He was warm. Not good she thought.

"Derek, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure anything."

"You promise to tell me the truth?"

"Of course."

"How are you feeling?"

"What?"

"Because you don't look so good, you're sweating and you're warm, very warm."

"I'm fine."

"You promised."

"Okay, okay. I feel bad, really bad. I thought if I ignored it…"

"Derek, listen to me we're going to find out how to help you, please hang in there."

"I'm trying but…" He grimaced in pain. "It hurts and my mind…it's so hard to fight the thoughts telling me to…"

"To what?"

"To kill myself. I made her mad and she's not happy. I'm supposed to make her happy. Please don't make me do this!"

With one hand, Penelope grabbed his hand and held on tight. Her heart broke as she watched the tears slowly trickle down his face. With her other hand she pressed the call button for the nurse.

Dr. Flores was seated outside near the front fountain. She was exhausted and disappointed. She'd become a doctor so that she could heal people. For the most part she'd been successful and fulfilled. What had started as a rocky career path had managed to turn itself around and now she was one of the top Internist in the nation. Still, for the life of her she couldn't help her latest patient. He didn't deserve to die just like he hadn't deserved all that had been done to him at the hands of Dr. Hamilton Porter. She felt deeply for him, they had more in common than anyone knew and that's why she prayed that they would forgive her for what she had done.

Flashback…

It was late and Casscia was still on cloud nine. She'd made it to New York to one of the finest medical schools and it felt like a dream. While everyone seemed miserable with classes and homework, Casscia thrived breezing through classes and conquering every challenge thrown her way.

Then her life changed. She'd been studying at the library for the last six hours and it was late. As she strolled back to her dorm she wasn't paying attention. Still caught up in the excitement and her sudden privilege of being there, her mind was miles away. She wasn't sure how long he'd been following her until she finally heard footsteps behind her as she put the key in the door. Quickly, she turned to see a familiar face.

"Professor Hamilton, what are you doing here?"

"Miss Flores, it's a little late to be out alone isn't it?"

"I was studying in the library I must have lost track of time."

"I bet you haven't eaten all day, have you? Such the dedicated med student neglecting her…body all in the name of good grades, am I right? How about we go and grab a bite?"

Casscia began to feel uneasy. Professor Hamilton had been hinting around that the two of them spend some time together but she had refused. Now he was here at her door and she was nervous…no she was afraid.

"I had a sandwich a little while ago. I'm fine but thank you anyway."

"Come on Casscia, I can call you Casscia, can't I?"

"Please professor Hamilton, I'm exhausted and it's really late."

With a shaky hand she pushed the door open but before she could close the door behind her he'd forced his way in behind her grabbing and holding her tight around her waist.

Casscia opened her mouth but he'd read her mind and clamped his large hand over her mouth.

"I know you want me, Miss Flores and it's okay I want you too and I always get what I want."

Casscia shook her head and moaned beneath his hand. She fought, hard but he was too big and too strong. Her mind raced wondering what she had done to give him permission to force his way into her room.

The more she fought against his hold the stronger he held her.

"Don't fight me! It won't matter! Stop fighting!"

It was getting harder to breathe and she felt weak…she was so tired. Then it was black.

She thought it would be over when she woke but instead he was standing over her with a vial and syringe in his hand. She tried speaking but the gag in her mouth kept her silent.

"I could have taken you already but I thought it would be more fun if you were awake to enjoy it too."

"Mmmm! Mmmmm!"

He chuckled at her attempts to speak and struggle against the bindings around her wrist and ankles.

"You're a fighter. I love it when a woman pretends she doesn't want it. But you all want it."

She watched as he filled the vial and then slowly hovering over her, savoring the moment he stuck her and immediately her body began to go numb.

"Now in just a few minutes, the two of us are going to have a good time."

"Excuse me, Dr. Flores? Dr. Flores?"

Casscia was jerked back to the present suddenly by an unfamiliar voice.

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't startle you."

"Uh, no, no. Can I help you?"

"My name is Evelyn; Evelyn Porter."

So this was the woman who'd married the evil monster who'd stolen her youthful joy and hope. Dr. Flores stood to face the woman.

"Porter, as in…"

"Hamilton Porter is my husband."

"How can I help you Mrs. Porter?"

Evelyn couldn't help but notice the change in the woman.

"I understand that you are also treating a Mr. Derek Morgan."

"I'm sorry I can't discuss his case with you."

"No, I understand that but…" Then pulling a flash drive from her pocket. "I think I can help…if you'll let me."

Unsure, Dr. Flores accepted the flash drive from the older woman's extended hand.

"What is this?"

"It's a copy of all of my husband's files and notes on every dirty, filthy thing he's ever done. And I mean everything he's done…Casscia."

"I'm not sure what you think you know, Mrs. Porter."

"It's Evelyn. Call me Evelyn. I'm sorry, so, so sorry for everything my husband did to you. Now please, let me help."

Dr. Flores nodded and slid the flash drive into her pocket and hurried back into the hospital. Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the doctor head out of sight.

Casscia trembled as she nearly ran toward Morgan's room the memories of her last meeting with Hamilton Porter threatened to beat her there.

Flashback…

"She'd avoided going into his room as long as she could, sending in her nursing staff in her stead. He'd insisted on seeing his doctor and so, not able to put it off any longer she pushed her way into the quiet room. She knew he'd be awake because she had seen her other patient staggering out of the room just before her arrival.

He had that same look of arrogance and the same toothy grin as he watched her enter. Even after all he had done, he was still the same confident son-of-a-bitch that had nearly destroyed her desire to pursue her dream of being a doctor.

"Doc, I know you're busy but I am still a patient here and a quite important one at that."

"Dr. Hamilton Porter."

"Yeah, that's right. So when can I get out of here? I hope it's not too soon because the thought of spending time in…"

"You don't remember me, do you?"

"What the hell are you talking about? I've been asking to see you for hours now and this your first time here! Are you sure you're a doctor?"

"Oh, I'm a doctor alright and a damn good one too, in spite of you and what you did."

"I'm sorry I don't follow."

She watched as he untied the rope around her ankles. She tried to move but there was nothing that worked…her brain said move but her legs remained lifeless even her arms were motionless against her order to move and pull and fight.

"I gave you something to keep you, agreeable. That way we can or should I say, I can take my time with you."

Slowly he spread her legs apart his hand crept up between her thighs resting on her cotton bikini panties and he chuckled.

"Cotton. Such a little girl, still. No worries you'll be far from a little girl after tonight, I make women. It's my specialty. Now relax."

His hand followed the trail back toward her ankles this time with her panties in his hand bringing them to his nose and inhaling.

"Ummm…strawberry. I love strawberry."

Her tears scorched her face as he lowered his body onto the bed.

"Don't cry, little girl."

His hands felt heavy as he unbuttoned her blouse…removed her bra by ripping it roughly from her body. She cringed as he touched her…every part of her…no man had ever seen her that way…it was supposed to be her choice freely given…not taken against her will. But that was what he was doing.

Then he stood and undressed smiling as he fondled himself before her eyes. Against her will he straddled her then before he lowered himself between her legs he whispered in her ear.

"Am I your first?"

"Doctor? Flores is it? You were saying? Hello?"

"Uh, yes, I'm here…"

"Where'd you go? You seemed so intent on saying something."

"December tenth, nineteen-ninety-eight."

"Excuse me?"

"The girls dorm at Carvington-Wellington Medical School."

"Very prestigious!"

"You followed a young female student back to her room. She was so happy to be one of the few admitted that year. Didn't realize you were behind her until it was too late."

"Where is this going? What does all this have to do with me?"

"She rejected you but you insisted that she was going to let you…"

"I just need to know when I'm being discharged…"

"You raped her! You held her down, then you drugged her so she couldn't fight, she couldn't move!"

She could see the recognition in his eyes as his jaw dropped. The arrogance was replaced with fear as she pulled the syringe and vial from her pocket.

"Please…"

"I did some research and I found out what you gave that poor innocent student. That student…was me!"

"You have me confused…"

Dr. Flores filled the syringe and slipped the empty vial in her pocket.

"…with someone else. I beg you!"

"I begged too only my mouth was stuffed with a gag you had made with panties you'd pulled from my dirty laundry."

Dr. Flores placed her hand on the IV port to steady her target.

"Imagine my surprise when I saw your name on the roster. I was on call…at first I thought it was a coincidence but then I saw you! All the feelings, the memories came flooding back."

"You loved what I did! You wanted it rough and I gave it to you just how you wanted it!"

Casscia froze and any reluctance and doubt were replaced with fury as she pushed the drug into the port and exhaled. She smiled as Hamilton shot a look of horror at the medicine disappearing into the IV.

"What have you done? What have you done?"

"I've given you enough to stop your heart. Now, in just a few minutes, we're going to have a good time."

Dr. Casscia Flores closed her eyes as the lone tear escaped down her face and as Dr. Hamilton Porter took his last breath she knew it would be the last tear she'd cry because of the man who believed he had the power to take from others what did not belong to him.