Disclaimer: All still apply.

SOMETHING TO PROVE

(PART THREE)

"You did what?"

It was unusual for Mark Sloan to raise his voice and Jesse couldn't help but wince at his tone. He'd waited until morning, then gone to see his mentor in his office. He had considered calling him at home the previous night, but then decided that this was something he had to do face-to-face. Only now, he was beginning to regret that decision.

"Jesse, what did we talk about, just yesterday?" Mark's tone had changed from incredulous to exasperated. "Do you have any idea what you have just done?"

"I..."

"You have practically accused a man of abusing his daughter," Mark continued, cutting off his attempted explanations. "And without one shred of evidence. From the way you say Melissa's sister reacted, I'd also say that there's a good chance that you're wrong."

"Mark..."

"How could you be so stupid?"

Jesse bit his lip and looked away. He knew that Mark had every right to be mad at him. After all, if the Flynn family decided to take this any further, it could have repercussions for the entire hospital. But that knowledge didn't make it any easier to take.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, knowing how woefully inadequate that sounded.

"Jesse, your enthusiasm is a part of who you are and I wouldn't change that for the world." Mark's tone was more gentle, as he softened towards his downcast young friend. "But what you did last night was downright irresponsible. If Melissa's father makes a complaint..."

"Just tell me how to fix it, Mark."

The natural enthusiasm that Mark had so recently referred to came bubbling back to the surface. The older doctor rubbed at his eyes tiredly.

"It's not always that simple, Jesse. The next move, if there is one, will be down to Mr. Flynn. In the meantime, I can only suggest that you take Rebecca's advice and stay well away from that family."

*****

Jesse had fully intended to heed Mark's words but, that afternoon, the fates conspired against him. After his talk with Mark, he had immersed himself in his work. If anything he had been working even harder than usual, if that were possible, desperate to make up for his mistake.

He didn't even know that Melissa was in the building until she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, not knowing who to expect, but the last person he'd wanted to see was the teenager.

"Oh no," he breathed.

He hadn't meant to speak aloud, but knew that he had the moment that a look of hurt flashed across her features. In spite of what Mark said about him being wrong, he found that he still felt very protective towards the girl.

"Jesse?" She was on the verge of tears.

"Mel, honey, I'm sorry," he hurried to reassure her. "It's just that I was... expecting someone else. What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"No, I um... I just wanted to say sorry, about Becky." Melissa was obviously embarrassed by her sister's behaviour. "She can get a bit... intense. Since mom died, you know?"

"It's okay, I understand. Big sister's are allowed to be like that. It's part of their job."

Melissa didn't look convinced, so Jesse placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"I mean it, Mel. It's not a problem."

"So we're still friends?"

Jesse paused for the briefest moment, wondering at what stage and in her mind, the doctor/patient relationship had developed into friendship. Then, seeing the hopeful look on her face, he knew that he couldn't add to her hurt any further.

"Of course we are," he answered.

Then Melissa leaned forward and planted a quick kiss firmly on his lips. Taken by surprise, Jesse jerked his head away and looked around to see if anyone was watching them.

"I'm sorry," Melissa said, in a small voice. "Shouldn't I have done that? I just wanted to say thank you."

"It's okay and you're welcome, but I really do have to get back to work." Jesse smiled, then beat a hasty retreat, fervently hoping that nobody who witnessed the exchange recognised Melissa and reported back to Mark.

*****

"Jesse, I want you to meet Pam Connelly. She specialises in cases like the one we were discussing earlier."

It was mid-afternoon and Mark had tracked Jesse down to the doctor's lounge, where his young friend had been indulging in a cup of coffee and a doughnut.

"Pleased to meet you." Jesse hurriedly dusted the sugar from his fingers and offered her his hand to shake.

"Likewise, Doctor Travis."

"Jesse, please."

"Don't worry, I'm not here to pry," Pam went on. "I don't even want to know the names of the parties involved. But Doctor Sloan seemed to think that you could use some advice."

Jesse flashed a genuinely grateful smile towards his good friend. Any residual irritation that Mark might have been feeling, after the way he'd behaved, had obviously dissipated. The older doctor winked at him return.

"Well, I'll just leave you to it," he said as he exited the lounge, closing the door behind him.

Jesse spent the next half an hour voicing his concerns to Pam. The woman just let him talk, her expression a thoughtful frown.

"Well, I must say that I am inclined to agree with Mark," she said when he'd finished. "The sister's reaction does seem to be the key. If they are as close as you said they are, then she would be the natural confidant. I know that sometimes a child will suffer for years without ever telling any one, but you said that this girl's injuries are all clearly visible. If there had been abuse occurring for any length of time, then the sister would have had her own concerns and they, most likely, would have shown in her reaction to the accusation. Did you get the impression that she was hiding something?"

"No, she was just mad," Jesse answered, ruefully.

He had to admit that he was disappointed by what he was hearing, especially as it all made such perfect sense. He was still no closer to finding out what was happening to Melissa.

"However," Pam continued, seeing his dejection. "There is clearly something wrong with the situation. The girl's injuries have been inflicted by someone."

"So how do I find out who?"

"Didn't Mark tell you to leave this alone?" Pam asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Well, yeah, but what if she comes back in tomorrow with more bruises? How can I leave something like that alone?"

"I understand what you're saying Jesse but, if that were to happen, I'd suggest that you let somebody professionally trained in these things handle it. Try to get her to talk to a counsellor."

Jesse nodded and, pushing his chair back with a noisy scrape, got up to leave. He was already late back from his break.

"Whatever happens," Pam called after him. "I'm sure I don't need to warn you about the dangers of getting too involved."

*****

Jesse was nearing the end of his shift and, thankfully, things had quietened down somewhat in the ER. He stood at the nurses station, just making small talk with the woman on duty, trying to kill the time until he could go home.

He heard the elevator doors open and, out of sheer habit, glanced up. He smiled as he saw Mark and Steve step out into the corridor.

"Are you Jesse Travis?"

The voice came from behind him and Jesse started to turn, a smile of greeting already forming on his face.

He barely had time to register the man who confronted him, before a fist lashed out and connected solidly with his jaw. Caught off guard and off balance, Jesse crashed to the ground. The man glowered down at him for a brief moment before grabbing him by the lapels and hauling him to his feet. Then he all but threw him against a wall.

"You stay away from my daughter, you sick little pervert," he growled. "You touch her again and I'll kill you."

TO BE CONTINUED...