Down the road of memories

Author's Note: In the next chapter, the characters will come to the aid of victims of sexual assault. I know it's a heavy subject but since the subject is found in the books and the film, I found it interesting to imagine how these experiences changed Elle and Noah's lives?

Elle POV

Since Noah's move, life has returned to normal. He must have made a few trips to Boston and was even there right now. I tended to work more overtime when he was away. But tonight I was exhausted! I was at the nurses' station in the emergency room while I completed my files. My shift ended in 30 minutes and I was just thinking about putting on my bikini to go lounge in the jacuzzi at home. When suddenly Dr. Levis came next to me :
- Dr Evans, it seems that you are comfortable performing gynecological evaluations after an sexual assault...

I looked at him with big eyes before saying :
- I don't think you can ever be comfortable doing this kind of thing, but I made it a priority to do it as humanely as possible.
- There is a 16-year-old girl who has just arrived for an attack and her older brother has demanded that a woman do the examination.

My desire to go and relax at home had just been compromised but I told myself that one of the reasons why I work in the emergency room is to support these patients.

Anthony gave me the file and I froze when I saw the name...Rebecca Pena. Oh no, not that! Maybe it's another one with the same name...and the same date of birth! But I knew it was unlikely.

When I approached the room, I recognized her and also her brother... Marco. I took a deep breath before entering the room :
- Hello Rebecca, I'm Dr. Rochelle Evans.
- Elle?! " Marco said in surprise.
- You are Brad Evans' sister?" Rebecca told me.
- Yes it's me ! I was asked to do your exam but I can ask someone else if you like it better than not me." I said to her, focusing my attention only on her and not on her brother with his back to me.
- I was told that my brother wouldn't be able to stay during the exam, I would feel better if you did it.
- All right ! Mr. Pena, I am going to ask you to leave the room while I do the exam." I said to him without really looking him in the face.

He obeyed without question. I sat down to do the exam, chatting about everything and nothing with Rebecca who admitted to me that she had never had a gynecological exam. I managed to take all the samples without major problems. I was putting everything away when Rebecca started crying. Other medical residents often mention that they prefer to leave when people become emotional. It often takes time and energy to be empathetic with patients but I find that it gives meaning to what I do.

I sat on the edge of the bed and let Rebecca tell me how it happened. She was at a party with some friends from school when the guy who threw the party lured her outside to get some fresh air. He finally raped her in the garage despite her trying to push him away several times.

This description reminded me of a party I attended in high school. A bit of the same interaction happened to me... except that I had someone who protected me.

Noah POV

I had been back in LA for a few weeks. I was taking more and more clients in LA and fewer and fewer from Boston. I was sitting at my desk when my new assistant handed me a new file and said :
- The complainant specified that she would like it to be you, Master Flynn. It seems you came highly recommended.
- Ah good ?" I told her, taking the file.

It must have been an acquaintance of my father or mother. I froze when I saw the name on the file : Pena.

I started reading the police statement. It was probably Marco's little sister who is the same age as Brad. She was making a complaint about sexual assault. But how could she have got my name. I understood when I read the emergency doctor's report... she had been treated by Dr. Rochelle Evans.