A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. I want to warn you upfront that this storyline could have some triggers because it does deal with a sensitive topic. Remember what work the Miranda Center does before proceeding. Please read the Author's Notes at the end of the chapter. Sorry for the late post, but I got it up today, just in time as part of my birthday. I have made yet another trip around the sun! This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

"When I got hurt, one of the coaches sent me to see the team doctor." Tessa's voice trailed off.

Bianca and Marissa noted the pause and could see Tessa's struggle to say the doctor's name.

"Take your time." Bianca said calmly.

After a few minutes, Tessa had gathered her courage and pushed forward. "The team doctor is Dr. Jerry Landry. He's on staff at LU and not just our doctor. He's an osteopathic physician, and as such, he oversees rehab for all of the school's athletic teams. I had never seen him before because I had never been hurt that badly before. The coaches trusted him, and he had a good reputation. So, I went to see him instead of my primary doctor back here. At first, everything went okay. He was nice and seemed to really want to help me get better. I remember him telling me that we were in this together and that he was going to help me make my Olympic dream a reality. I believed him. I had no reason not to. That is at least not at first. Things changed after a few treatments."

Bianca and Marissa noted the difference in the tone of Tessa's voice from when she talked about her love of gymnastics compare to when she brought up Landry's name. There was little doubt in their minds that the so-called treatments had nothing whatsoever to do with any medical procedures.

"That's what Jerry called them anyway." Tessa accepted the tissues that Bianca silently offered and wiped away the tears that had started to fall. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Would you like to take a break or continue?"

"I want to continue. I think I just really need to get this out." It was then that Tessa described the treatments that Landry had performed. She needed to stop several times to collect herself, but she got through it. Bianca and Marissa sat quietly and listened as Tessa spoke. Their hearts broke for the younger woman as she told them what happened during those treatment sessions. When they heard how Landry manipulated Tessa, it made their blood boil. The couple kept their anger in check however. To do otherwise would shift the focus from Tessa to them, and they knew more than anything that this was not about them. This was about Tessa and doing whatever they could to help her.

When Tessa finished, she took a couple of tissues from Bianca and murmured her thanks. The younger woman took a few more sips of water along with a few deep breaths to calm herself. After several minutes, Tessa nodded to the couple. "I'm ready. What would you like to ask?"

"Are you sure? We can take a break if you need to." Bianca said.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Marissa glanced at Bianca who nodded for her to start. "What do you want to do, Tessa?"

The younger woman didn't miss a beat in her answer. "I want to stop him. I don't want him to hurt anyone else, and I want him to be held accountable for what he did to me and what I'm pretty sure to others."

"There are others?"

Tessa nodded. "I don't know for sure, but I've heard whispers. To be honest, I wouldn't put it past him. If he could do it to me, I don't see anything stopping him from doing it to someone else."

"Unfortunately, I think you're probably right. You said you told your coach and the Athletic Director?"

"Yeah, I did. They said they would look into it and get back to me. In the meantime, they said I could go to my own doctor for treatment which I did. She recommended another physical therapist, and coach went along with that. As to Landry, I haven't heard anything from them since then, and I've stayed far away from him."

"Did you talk to anyone else in authority at LU?"

"No, just them."

"Since they haven't talked to you about him since you reported what happened, we don't know if your coach or the AD talked to anyone in the administration." Marissa jotted a note about that point. She remembered the cover-up involving the football team's quarterback, and that had her doubting that the administration did anything if they knew. They didn't have the best track record. Marissa knew she would definitely need to check on that, and that Nora and Vikki would be able to help her out.

Bianca knew why Marissa asked that last question. All the signs were pointing to a systemic problem at Llanview University when it came to how sexual assaults were handled. The couple had firsthand knowledge of the school's inaction when it came to the rape of a female student by the star quarterback. His parents along with the athletic department and university administration tried to cover up that incident. Thankfully, they weren't successful, and the truth eventually came to light. Like with most illegal activities, the cover-up only increased the severity of the original crime. Bianca knew Nora's office, along with The Banner, was still investigating the school for that incident along with two others that had come to light in its wake. Tessa's case would add to the Llanview D.A.'s caseload, but that didn't matter. Nora would go after them with every resource at her disposal. The same held true for Vikki. She would put her best investigative reporters on it, this included herself. Marissa had told Bianca she was counting on that when they had spoken earlier. Her wife already had calls into both women to see what, if anything, they knew. Marissa would also be giving them a heads-up on what was happening in case they didn't know in addition to enlisting this help with Tessa's case.

Marissa looked at Tessa. "You said you want to stop him. I need you to tell me exactly what you mean by that."

Tessa took another drink of water before she answered the lawyer. "I want to press charges against him."

"I'm going to be honest with you. It's not going to be easy. He will most likely fight you on this, and his lawyers will come after you. It could get very ugly. I don't like telling you any of this, but I need you to be prepared."

"I understand, and I want to do this. I have to do this. Will you help me?"

Marissa nodded. "I will. I'll be there every step of the way. Now, I'm not a prosecutor, and this happened in Llanview. We are, however, friends with the Llanview D.A. Her name is Nora Buchanan, and she is really good. I know for a fact that she is investigating three separate incidents that happened at LU, none of which are related to Landry. This tells me that there is definitely something going on there, and Nora won't rest until she gets to the bottom of it. We have a couple of other resources at our disposal if you're interested."

"What or who are they?"

"Another friend of ours is Vikki Buchanan, who is the publisher of The Banner. She also happens to be Nora's sister-in-law. In addition to that, Vikki's been investigating the university as well. She's good and very thorough. I think she might have some useful information."

"You think she would be willing to help?"

"I know she would. Finally, my firm employs the services of private investigators to help us with our cases. Mitch Reardon is the private investigator that I use, and he is very good. He always works within the law, but he has the freedom that police may not always have. Not only has he helped me professionally, but he's helped me personally. I trust him, just like I trust Vikki and Nora. I believe that with their assistance we will be able to build a case against Landry and help get you the justice you deserve. Because of the faith I have in them, I have reached out to them. I haven't talked to them yet. I just have calls into them. When I do talk to them, your identity will remain private, and I won't tell them, or anyone else, who you are without your permission. For now, and until you say otherwise, you will be known as Jane Doe. With that said, do you think you're up to talking with them?"

"As Jane Doe, right?"

"Yes."

"If you think they will help, then I think so. Could I ask you something? I want you to be honest with me."

"You can ask me anything, and you have my word that I will be completely honest with you."

"What are my chances at that?"

"Getting justice?"

"Yes."

Marissa paused for a moment. "I'll tell you my thinking and then give you my opinion. Sound good?"

Tessa nodded. "Yes."

"Landry took advantage of his position and abused his authority. When doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, they pledge to do no harm. He violated that basic tenant. He took your faith and trust and twisted them to serve his purposes. He took your dream and used it against you in the vilest of ways, and he tried his best to crush it and you."

"I think that's what hurts more than anything."

"That's perfectly understandable. Listening to you earlier though, I don't think he succeeded. What do you think? Did he succeed?"

"No, he didn't. He took a lot from me, but I won't let him take that from me too. I want to fight him, and anyone else that knew and did nothing." The determination was etched on Tessa's face and in her voice.

"Good. So do I. With what I know so far, I think we have a chance to beat him, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen. It's going to start with the video he made of one of your so-called treatment sessions. I know several doctors on staff at Pine Valley Hospital. I'd like them to view it and give me their professional opinion. I'm also going to have another osteopathic physician review it as well. Are you okay with that?"

Tess nodded. "I am. I trust you. You have my permission to do what you need to do in order to build a strong case."

"Thank you. I'll set some meetings up for us. Now, I'm going to let Bianca take over."

Tessa nodded and turned her attention to Bianca.

"I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Miranda Center and the services we offer."

"Not very. I'm sorry."

Bianca shook her head. "Don't be. It's okay. There is nothing to be sorry about. The Miranda Center offers medical and psychological counseling including legal advice and other services to help with our goals, one of which is to help our clients through the healing process. Another of our goals is help our clients ultimately feel like they have control of their lives again. The first thing I want you to understand and to believe is that what happened is not your fault. You did absolutely nothing to deserve this."

"I'll try."

"That's a start. Our counselors will help you with that. Counseling services are also available for your family. How much do they know?"

"They know some of what happened but not everything. Mom and Dad know more than Jessica. I … I've been trying to keep some of this from her to protect her. I don't know that I'll be able to do that for much longer though, especially if charges get pressed against him." Tessa paused for a moment. "I'm just afraid that I've really disappointed them and let them down. Mom and Dad put a lot of time and money into me being able to pursue my dream, and Tessa looks up to me. Now …"

Bianca leaned forward. "Tessa, I know your parents. They put the time and money into your gymnastics because they love you and saw just how happy it made you. To a parent, a little sacrifice is worth it if their child is happy. As to Jessica, she loves you, and she will continue to look up to you. Jessica knows that you're hurting, and she wants to do whatever she can do to help you. That's why she went to Miranda for help."

"Miranda is a really good friend to my sister. You both should be proud of her."

"We are. We're just as proud of her as your family is of you. Do you think they would be interested in counseling?"

Tessa thought for a moment and then nodded. "I'll check with them, but I think they will be. Would you be the one conducting those sessions?" Tessa wasn't sure how her parents would feel about that since they knew Bianca personally.

"Because I'm friends with your Mom and Dad, I don't think it would be advisable. I believe they would be more comfortable working with someone else, be more willing to open up."

"I think you're right. I think they would feel a little awkward talking to you. No offense."

Bianca smiled. "No offense taken. I do have someone in mind. Her name is Dr. Jo Shelton, and she is a psychologist on staff at Pine Valley Hospital."

Marissa's cellphone alerted her to an incoming text. "It's Nora."

"Go ahead and respond. I have some more questions for Bianca."

"I'll be right back then." Marissa said before she moved to the other side of Bianca's office.

/

When Marissa returned, Bianca and Tessa looked at her expectantly.

"I didn't give Nora a lot of detail. It's not something I want to do over the phone. She has agreed to come here and talk. She is pretty sure that Vikki will come with her. I'm going to check my schedule and get back with her as to a date and time. I'd like to meet with them before I bring you in, Tessa, if that's okay with you."

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. I … I … This whole thing has just turned my life upside down, and I can't help but wonder what people will think about me if they find out. I want to talk to the D.A., but I'm also a little nervous and scared."

"That is perfectly understandable. You have nothing to worry about with Nora though. She's on your side, and she's not the only one."

"Rissa's right. You have us and, more importantly, your family. You're not alone, Tessa, not anymore." Bianca assured the young woman.

Tessa swallowed hard and nodded. "Thank you. That means a lot." It was then that Tessa noticed she had been there for a few hours. "I didn't realize it had gotten so late. I should go. I need to talk my family. I'll let you know what Mom and Dad say about talking to someone here. If they decide they don't want to, I still want to. Is … is it okay if I call you, either of you, later, just to talk?"

"You can call us any time. In the meantime, I'll talk with Jo and have her set some time aside."

"Thanks." Jessica stood and turned back to the couple. "You know, I wasn't sure what to expect exactly today, but talking to you has helped a lot. You've given me hope. I know there is a lot to do still, but I do have hope now. That's something I really didn't have earlier. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let me walk you out." Bianca said.

"I'll talk to you soon, Tessa."

The young woman nodded. "Talk to you soon, Marissa."

/

While Bianca walked Tessa out to her car, Marissa went in search of the couple's son. It was a little later than they had thought it would be when their discussion with Tessa wrapped up, but the extra time was needed. The couple knew their children were safe and well taken care of. Susan had agreed to stay with Miranda, AJ, and Gabby for as long as they needed, and Jan and Aya had done the same with Danny. Marissa didn't want to take advantage however. As she walked down the corridor towards Aya's office, where she suspected she would find the women and Danny, Marissa sent a quick text to Susan to let her know they would be on their way home soon. She poked her head inside Aya's office and smiled at the sight in front of her. Danny was giggling as he tossed, or at least tried to toss, a ball with Jan. Aya was encouraging the boy as she took pictures.

"You have an arm on you, Danny. Major League teams are going to be scouting you soon."

"He gets his arm from his big brother. As for teams scouting him, they're going to have to wait until he's a little bit steadier on his feet." Marissa smirked at the last part.

Danny heard the voice of one of his mothers and turned with a huge grin. He dropped the ball and held up his arms. "Mama!"

Marissa's grin matched that of her son's and scooped him up in her arms. At this point, he called both her and Bianca 'Mama', and that was just fine with them. "Hi, Sparky. Has Aya been good for you?"

"Of course he's been good for … Hey! Wait a minute!" It took Aya a moment to catch the playful jab, and she stuck her tongue out at the redhead.

Jan laughed at her friend's reaction. "They've both been good. Sparky a little more than Aya though."

"I can believe that." Bianca teased as she joined the group. She kissed the top of her son's head and sighed. Seeing one of her children's smiles was a tonic for her when she had a trying day, and today was no exception. Bianca turned to Jan and Aya. "Thanks for staying late and watching him. We really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. It was no problem. We had fun." Aya said before she turned serious. "Are we going to have a new client?"

"Yes, we are. We'll go over the details tomorrow. For now, get out of here. Go home and enjoy your evenings."

Jan stood and nodded. "Okay. Let me know if you need me to move anything around on your schedule."

"I will. Thank you." Bianca turned to her wife. "Are you ready to go home?"

Marissa could tell her wife was just as exhausted as she was. "I am. I just need to grab my things from your office."

"Same. Did you text Susan?"

"I did. I told her we would be on our way shortly. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like cooking tonight. What do you say to us ordering pizza?"

"I say that is a brilliant idea. Let's go home. I want to see our other kids and hug them too."