Epilogue

Doctor Jesse Travis strode purposefully through the reception area, dodging nurses and supply carts in his haste to get to the doctor's lounge. It had been a long shift, and he couldn't wait for some well-earned coffee. He wiped a patch of sweat from his forehead as he entered the room.

Why had he ever been so desperate to return to his job? He could have had two months sick leave! But instead. . .he had chosen to return to work!

* * * *

Weeks had passes since James Seville had been taken into custody. Where he was and what he was doing now was anyone's guess. Jesse supposed he'd never really hear about what had eventually happened to him. He didn't really care anyway, he was just glad it was over. Dane Travis had returned to work with the CIA, but not before spending a few days with his son though, leaving the promise of a fishing trip later on. Promises like this had been left before, and had never been honoured, but now at least Jesse felt an affinity with him. They were closer now than they had ever been before; A new-found kinship had been established. Their relationship would never be like that of Steve and Mark's, but it was improving.

His situation with Kealy, however, was worsening. Somehow, the CIA had found out about her leak of information concerning Delta 5. She was being investigated. This put a strain not only on herself, but also on their relationship. Arguments plagued them, and bickering was driving a wedge between them. How Kealy would be disciplined, they did not know, but there was a distinct possibility of her being fired. If that happened, he didn't know how their relationship would survive it. It was basically his fault that she had told everyone and he felt responsible.

Jack had returned to Colorado the previous week. Mark, Amanda and Steve had been very sad to see him go, but Jesse was secretly glad; It meant that they could all focus on getting their friendship back on track without any interruptions.

Jesse had promised to keep in touch with Angel and the gang, he owed them so much, and he had really grown to like them. As a gesture of thanks, he had offered them free medical care if they ever had an accident with any demons, but only if they didn't get him involved. He'' seen enough demons for one lifetime!

* * * *

Assuming a reasonably normal expression onto his face, Jesse's eyes swept the room. It was not empty.

Doctor Mark Sloan was sitting by himself on one of the couches, reading a medical journal, his glasses slightly askew on his face. His features were scrunched up in a look of deep concentration. Jesse chuckled at the sight.

Mark looked up instantly, startled for a moment, and then smiled a welcome at his friend. "Hey Jesse, how's it going?"

"Ugh! I don't know why I ever came back to work! I need coffee urgently!" Jesse said with a twinkle in his eye.

Mark laughed while Jesse hurried over to the coffee pot and poured himself a large mug. Taking a sip, he joked, "Still tastes as good as ever!" He sat down next to Mark, who patted his back in a fatherly gesture.

After a moment of amiable silence between them, Mark decided to ask the question which had been on his mind for a while. Jesse looked fine on the outside, but inside it would be a different story. He pondered how to phrase his question; it was, after all, a difficult subject.

"Jess, how are things with Kealy? I mean, when the CIA found out that she'd told us about Delta 5. . .?" Mark instantly regretted his words as the grin evaporated from Jesse's face.

The worry lines on Jesse's forehead were evident as he frowned. "She has her disciplinary hearing today. . .I, uh, was kinda trying to forget about it"

"I'm sorry" Mark apologised, feeling tactless, "I didn't mean to bring it up. . .it's just that we all care about Kealy. What about Vaughn?"

"Well, Kealy's gonna try and keep him out of it, they don't know that he was there and that he authorised her to tell you guys"

Mark was ridden with guilt. It seemed that his actions had well and truly ruined the life of his friend; it was, of course, his fault that Kealy had told them in the first place, and now she was in trouble for it.

"Jesse. . ." Mark began.

"Mark I know what you're going to say. It's not your fault; Kealy is an adult capable of making her own decisions, she made the choice to tell you" Jesse assured him, "Besides, if I hadn't been in trouble she would never have said anything"

"Yeah but if it wasn't for me-" Mark protested, removing his glasses and staring intently into Jesse's eyes.

"Mark, I don't blame you and nor does she. Okay?" Jesse said gently, returning the gaze.

"Yeah, okay. Well, that's my break over, I've got some rounds to do. Give Kealy my love when you see her" Mark said, half groaning as he heaved himself out of his seat.

"I will" Jesse called after him. That hadn't felt natural at all. Mark had seemed uncomfortable; he really hoped that things would re-adjust back to normal again, things were getting a little strained.

* * * *

Jesse sat watching football highlights in the darkened living room of his apartment. It was getting late and still Kealy was not home. Jesse was on his fifth pizza slice and his third beer, and was beginning to feel a little nauseous.

After another hour, Kealy's key finally scraped through the lock and Jesse was on his feet by the time the door was open.

She looked vulnerable and upset. Jesse crossed the room in three quick strides and pulled her into a hug. Still they had not said a word to each other.

Along moment passed, and then Kealy pulled away. Her long dark hair framed her tear stained face in a way that made Jesse almost fall in love with her all over again. "What happened?" he asked in a whisper.

Kealy broke down and sobbed into his arms.

"Have they fired you?" Jesse questioned her, his voice soothing against her anguish. She shook her head no.

He waited patiently until she caught her composure, "It's not as simple as that. I can keep my job, but I'm on probation, and. . .Jesse they're transferring me to New York." She began to sob, "They're taking away the one thing I love the most, the one chance of happiness that I have. They're taking me away from you"

Jesse hugged her close, unable to hide his own devastation. "How long for?" he whispered, hoping against hope that it was only temporary.

"Permanently"

* * * *

They spent the night in each other's arms, making the most of the time they had left. Kealy was to leave in a few days, so Jesse took some time off work.

The two of them tried to make light of the situation, tried to smile and be happy; but neither could keep their sadness at bay. They went round for a meal at the Sloans, a goodbye dinner. The cheeriness on that night was bittersweet, with everyone keeping up a jolly façade. They all felt like actors in a movie, hearing themselves laughing but knowing that their hearts were not in it. Mark, Steve and Amanda could see Jesse's pain and it made it all the worse that they could do nothing to alleviate it.

Their time together eventually had to end though, and Jesse, Mark, Steve and Amanda accompanied Kealy to the airport. A final farewell.

"I love you Jesse" Kealy whispered as she hugged him one last time.

"I love you too" Jesse returned, his voice choked with emotion.

She turned to leave, shooting him one last glance, before handing her ticket to a hostess and passing through the gate. Jesse gave her a small wave, and forced his mouth into a smile, wanting her to remember him happy rather than sad.

For a moment he felt all alone, but then he sensed the presence of his closest friends behind him and turned to embrace each in turn. He knew now that they would support him.

They would always be there for him.

THE END

Hope you enjoyed reading this story! I sure enjoyed writing it!

Please review! This is my second complete story and I would like to know what you thought as a whole.

Hopefully I will be back soon with another story, but until then. . .Bye!