LOVE DOESN'T HURT.

BY PHOENIX FURY.

A new doctor joins the team. Weary of love, determined to stand alone. Steve slowly falls in love, but is the love returned?

PROLOGUE : PERFECT START- PART I.

Amanda smiled as she watched the last van leave with the last of her things. Memories of the good times she had. All the mysteries she helped solve and fun she's had. The life she'd made for herself and the friends she made along the way.

(Jack leaves, Jesse arrives, I leave and she arrives. Jack and I were the old team and I guess Jesse and her will be the one.) Amanda thought as she went back inside to clean down the kitchen.

(It seems like so long ago I joined Community General. It's been like a roller coaster. The ups and downs. I have one failed marriage, two great kids and a good job. It's been one hell of a ride. Now I go on to a new ride. I wonder if I'll enjoy it as much as this?) She smiled fondly at the trip down memory lane as she wet a sponge.

"Amanda!" Dr Mark Sloan, chief of internal medicine at Community medicine called out as he entered the open door interrupting her thoughts.

"In here." Mark walked in to see Amanda wiping down the kitchen sides. "Hey Mark."

"So all packed then."

"Yeah." Amanda sighed looking at the eldery doctor. He had pale blue eyes filled with wisdom and humour. She always found comfort from him when she needed it. They'd had good times together and it was going to be strange not seeing him everyday, helping him slove mysteries. "Jesse and Steve helped me pack everything up last night. Jesse came before his shift to say goodbye. Steve came and helped start the loading and then left for work. The kids are at my parents for the weekend and she arrives in a few hours."

"So what's your cousin like?" Mark asked leaning against the side.

Amanda paused searching for the right words. "Quiet, funny and an excellent doctor. She's very independent which drives my family crazy because her most frequent phrase is 'I'm fine'. She'd say that if she was bleeding to death." Amanda sighed. "She lived so far away so we didn't see much of her but now she'll be close. Thank God she went for my position."

"You encouraged her then." Mark chuckled.

"Encouraged! I said if she didn't I'd make her life miserable and she knows I can. If you can't bribe, blackmail." Amanda exclaimed. "She's the most stubborn person I know."

"You close then?"

"Grew up together. Her father is a military guy so they moved around a lot. My aunt died giving birth to her and her father just ignored her existence, blaming her I think. So my family brought her up along with my aunt Izzy, who haven't met but you will. She tries to run herself into the ground and burn the candle at both ends all the time, I keep expecting her to crack but she hasn't yet." Amanda sighed softly.

"You nervous about leaving?"

Amanda shrugged. "In a way. I mean new job, new house and new school. But I'll be close and I'll be visiting. I'm looking forward to the bigger department."

"Well I better go, patients to see. Trouble and mysteries to attract." Mark stood straight with a sad smile.

"Look after her Mark." She hugged her mentor. He always smelled of mint to her, he made her feel comforted.

"Of course." He hugged her tightly. "I'm going to miss you Amanda."

"I'm gonna miss you too Mark."

Hours later Amanda Bentley threw an empty box to the pile and looked over to see her cousin, her best friend, Maxine Hunter in the modern kitchen unpacking the cutlery.

Though family they were mostly opposites. Amanda had dark chocolate skin and shoulder length black/brown hair and deep brown eyes. Max was different she had pale ivory skin, deep dark blue eyes and long dark red/black hair. Their personalities were different too. Amanda was well-mannered, sweet and not fazed by attention. While Max was quite though energetic, and weary of getting close to people. Both were funny, kind and caring and had the same kind of interests.

Max sighed looking a little apprehensive.

Amanda could guess what was on her mind. It was never easy starting over. "It's going to be fine." Amanda said patting her shoulder.

"Ya-huh. Says the optimist of the family." Max said as she stacked the plates in the cupboard. "Thanks for staying to help with this Amanda. You'd think with all the moving I do I would get used to it."

"Darling you're my cousin would I just leave you to the dogs?"

Max simply gave her a look. "How are the boys?"

"Good, they like the new house and are ecstatic about getting cats. I'm still not sure it's a good idea I mean I work all day."

"Cats are independent and don't need walking. Unlike those two." She gestured two the two dogs lounging outside the back door.

"Good point."

"Thanks for letting me buy this place." Max said looking around the condo.

"Your welcome." Amanda said. "I'm just glad I get to come back and visit. It means I'll see you more often now that you live closer."

Max smiled as she filled up the dog bowls.

"When does Meeko get here?"

"I put her at the local cattery till this place is less hectic. Knowing her she'd stow away in an empty box on the way to the tip."

Amanda chuckled. Max's little Siamese cat Meeko was as curious as cats got. "By the way Izzy rang me and said she'd see you in the next few months and apparently I'm not only one who's glad you moved."

"Enough already, you win. I get the point. Live close to home, call more regularly and show up at get togethers." Max said in defeat.

"Good about bloody time. We've been trying to get that through your head since you were a kid. You don't have to stand alone all the time you know."

"Yeah I know but it's a hard habit to break." Max sighed as she lent against the island.

Amanda came over and hugged her and repeated, "It will be fine."

"Mmm."

"Look I know three great guys. Mark is funny, caring and the best doctor I've ever met. Jesse is innocent, eager and sweet. Steve, Mark's son is slightly cynical at times but he is a cop. He's fair and open-minded though. They are my friends, they'll take care of you if you let them."

Max simply nodded.

"Well I better go." Amanda picked up her bag and they went to Amanda's car. She threw her bag onto the front seat and hugged her cousin. "I love you darling. I'll ring you later on."

"Love you too." Max hugged her tightly.

"Have fun for once Max, life's too short." Amanda waved as she drove away leaving Max to her thoughts as she carried on unpacking.

As the sun set Max sat in her garden watching the dogs run around. She looked up to the multicoloured sky. (I can see why Amanda had a hard time leaving; it's so peaceful compared to DC and New York.) Meeko climbed onto her lap.

"Oh so you've forgiven me then?" Max laughed at the chocolate point Siamese who flicked her tail a feline version of flipping you off.

Meeko simply curled her sleek body up. "You three are very spoiled, do you know that?" She scratched her chin hearing her purr like a train.

The two dogs wandered over and lay beside her sun chair. Jinx the Husky wasnearly a year old and always in trouble. Vexed wasjust overthree was the sensible and laid back of the three animals. While Meeko was sneaky manipulative and quite a character and always talking, a real Siamese cat. She had themsince they were pups, or in Meeko's case a kitten.

Max thought over Amanda's words. "I've been alone for so long, always leaning on only myself. Can I change? Can I make friends? Can I let someone in after everything?" Max sighed as she watched the moon rise. "I've started over it's time I at least tried to join the human race. What do ya think?" Max looked down at her lap.

Her blazing blue eyes much like her owners blinked at the question, Meeko gave her an agreeing meow.

"I'm asking my cat for advice I defiantly need human company. No offence Meeko but talking to animals isn't a sign of sanity." Max smiled at the cat who gave her a look as if to say 'why not?'

Max could only chuckle in response.

END OF PROLOGUE.

Thanks for reading, hope you liked it.

PHOENIX FURY.