Chapter 14: I Know Who

~No Ones P.O.V. ~

Last past week Jessie has been having a couple of bad dreams, and Axel think it's starting to take a toll on her. Watching her come down before they head off to work as they have been carpooling lately since she works just across the street. "You ready to go?" She told him as he smirked and followed her out making sure Shadow's water bowl was in the shade and had been filled. As they started driving he decided to bite the bullet. "Angel?" "Yeah?" She told him not looking at him watching the everything go pass them from the window. "I noticed the dreams are kind of getting worse and was wondering if maybe you wanted to talk about it?" "No. I don't. It's fine I'm just a little stressed first week of my own office you know. Having to get ready for my meeting with Dante and the board and then you know everything you guys need from me for the station. I'll be fine. I just need some time."

"Well I know and understand all that and I know that's true and all. It's just you know sometimes after some traumatic events like you know what happened with Sage, the hospital, and of course the gross Preston Johnson sometimes it takes you know a bit of a toll on ones body and mind. Just was thinking maybe you need to talk to about it. Lots of people when they go through things like that and then have even everyday life stress pile on it can be a little much and sometimes it takes a toll in all kinds of ways like effecting your sleep." "What are you trying to say Axel? You think I need to go see a shrink over a couple of bad dreams due to stress if that's the case then maybe half the town should too." She snapped to him crossing her arms getting offended. "If bothers you so much I'll just sleep in another room. I'm sorry for disturbing you." She added with anger.

"Look now that's not what I'm saying at all. You know I can't sleep without you baby and you know how much I love curling up next to ya it's just I want to make sure you are ok. I'm not saying you have to see a shrink I was just suggesting you talk to someone maybe if you vent a little about what's going on inside that big, beautiful head of yours. Maybe it will start letting you relax enough to get some real rest. I mean you could talk to your parents or me or the girls anyone hell baby even Shadow. It doesn't have to be a shrink angel." Taking a deep breathe glancing at over to her.

" The guys and I do this all the time it's not a big deal we go into a safe room at work or fishing and we vent to each other. Jessie in fields like us were bound to get emotional attached. Emotionally over worked because we have to keep emotions out of it and on certain cases we come across or certain events it gets hard to that. You get stuck in the what ifs it's ok to talk about things that worry you, even if you are worried they may happen again. It's healthy Jes no need to get defensive about it we all need to do this every now and then." Axel tried to use the sweetest calmest voice he could not to anger her more.

After pulling up she got her stuff and got out the truck slamming the door before she rounded the front of the car as he got out and walked around hoping she won't smack him. "I know you mean well. I know your right about needing to vent but your wrong about what kind of dreams and the help I need." "Then explain it to me angel. Let me help. You always let me in why are you pushing against me now?" He asked her in a sad whisper of feeling pushed out.

"Every time I dream I piece more and more of this together and it makes sense then when you wake me up it's all different and I'm confused again. I am perfectly fine with everything that has been happening with everything coming up it doesn't faze me at all babe but the random guy who has me thrown into this that is what gets me all worked up and I think were both getting closer in our own ways ok. I swear I am fine. I just need to sort my thoughts better. Your right I do need to talk to someone I'm going to see if Dimitri is free today and maybe grab a bite with him there's somethings I liked to talk about before meeting his dad anyway." "You sure you don't want to talk to no one else?" Axel whined.

~Jessenia~

"You promised." "I know. Fine. Just tell me when you're ready to leave." Axel told her as she gave him a kiss goodbye. Picking up her phone to text Dimitri if he was free for lunch who texted back he could take a break around lunch time and run to the diner across the street from the fire house just in case they get a call he can just jog across the street. Walking into the back way of their office she saw the girls happily buzzing around like happy worker bees. "Hey Bella, can you do me a favor?" "Sure thing boss." She told her back finally looking up from the computer screen. "Can you clear up next Friday for me I need a mental health day." "Sure thing boss. Got anything special planned?" "I just need some peace. I was thinking maybe picking Maddie up from school early and hanging down at the river chilling with Shadow maybe if he's struttin' around." Jessie told her with a big ol smile walking into the first patients room.

Walking in the door hearing the dinging of the little cowbell Dimitri smiled. "Was starting to think you stood me up." He teased with a sad pout. "ME?! Never." She mocked back. Smiling to Hilda the sweet old waitress who owned the place. "Grilled chicken sandwich lettuce and ranch only with fries and a cherry coke Auntie Hilda please," she told her waving off the menu before she came up. "Sure thing love bug." She hollered back.

"Not that I am complaining by the happy surprise invite. I can't help but wonder what brought it on?" Dimitri asked scratching the back of his head. "Well could be many number of things like maybe I miss having lunch with my buddy. If we are both friends it's not very fair for you to be the only reaching out is it?" She told him faking being hurt holding a hand over her heart that she would have to have a reason to see or hang out with him… no matter how right he is. "Well I want to say now I feel bad but I know you well enough to know that even though all of that maybe true you still have a reason for today." He gave her happy glare.

"Yeah your right. But the other stuff was true to." "So noted, what's up Jes?" He asked as they both got their food and started diving in. "Well would you believe me that it was kind of Axel's idea?" "No." He laughed and scoffed at the same time. "No really it was maybe not exactly his idea but close enough he's convinced I am stress and need to talk to someone with everything that has been happening. Everything still about to happen. He says it's not healthy to keep it all in and it may be it's starting to affect me and draining me. So I thought I would reach out and talk to you today because he may be right."

"There's no maybe Jessenia we are both still doctors and smart enough to know the reality of he IS right. How are you doing after everything?" "I am actually good. It doesn't take a toll on me like it should I am honestly ok with everything going on and that has happened. The whole thing Preston has me thrown. However he is still not waking up in the tank. Guess it will be awhile longer for any answers on his side. The thing that may have me thrown at the moment is this thing with your dad soon." Jessie told him reaching for her drink as she made eye contact with him.

Feeling her worry and sadness it hurt him to see it. "Well would it comfort you to know my dad has already spoken to me about the situation with you?" "Really? Is… is it something you can talk to me about?" "Yes it is. He has already implemented new laws and upgraded security including all the systems so that never happens again. He also has done a complete inventory and new orders coming in. The computer will start to flag certain things down as no one can start sneaking shit like that again. Also he has the sheriffs combing everything over again from top to bottom with giving them complete remote access should anything like that happen again. Also he is holding the hospital responsible and is encouraging you to sue them. Although he would love for you to still have or keep some ties with them he understands. He just doesn't understand letting good people suffer because of one horrible man's actions. No one ever seen you as that kind of person but they understand why and where you would be coming from." Dimitri told her flatly with a shrug trying to be comforting.

"You think me cutting ties to do surgeries at the hospital is selfish and hurting people?" She asked him appalled. "Look Jessenia we both know as their doctor you are the one who is going to want to do the surgery those who are need, need. Now are you going to refer them to other doctors at the hospital or you going to make them do the hour drive to West Wick or Alden or Hillside hospital to the East. Last time I check you are not equipped in your new place to do them there. And I don't think it ever will be so how exactly are those people going to get the care they'll need?" Dimitri asked her as he was getting confused but making his point.

"Fine point taken. I get it. You know I can't refer them if I am well and able. Fine I will keep the ties with hospital Dante already did everything that was of major concern anyway. I don't know if I will sue yet or not though. Draven is pushing for it and he hates the board so I might just keep with it. I would need a new contract that would limit the hospitals access to my success and future success. My back is going to start to break as much as they try and do piggy back on everything I do."

"Is there anything else that is bringing you trouble now that you're ready to take on my dad and the board?" "Some little things going through my head like why Preston is such a pervert. How did he get certain photos of me. What I would do or be if it weren't for you and Axel right now. Can I ask you something?" Putting down his food as he finished as he gave her a chin nod.

"Every time I got hurt by someone the other person has been dealt with by Preston or whoever. Anyone who ever laid on a hand on me except Amber and you. Has anything weird or bad happen to you after the night at the cabins? Maybe even to Amber?" "No. Nothing weird or dangerous has happened to me. I don't know about Amber I stay away from her. Natalie told me she got detained because she was trying to push the blame of this on you. Since she knew things she wasn't supposed to. Apparently she is in all kinds of trouble, but that's a her issue so maybe that's her karma." Dimitri shrugged. "Sorry princess. I got no answers for that. I need to get back though this was good. Let's do it again Monday I'm on call." "Yeah sounds great." Jessie told him getting up as she argued with Dimitri who paid for both of them.

Ryder had the great idea to go dancing and the whole group went and couldn't keep themselves off dance floor for the last two hours. After a brawl went off over by the pool tables. Axel was taking statements form everyone Aria, Ryder, Axel, and Jessie were the last ones of the group everyone else left earlier. Aria was passed out in truck while Ryder and Jessie were laying down on the tailgate star gazing waiting for Axel to finish up. "So how are you two doing?" Jessie teased Ryder.

"She finally unpacked after moving in last week. I'm loving every minute of it." Ryder couldn't keep his smile small or away. "Axel was right for us being so stupid waiting so long to do this with you guys." "Yeah, but maybe it was for the best." "Yeah everything happened when it needs to or for a reason I know I know." Ryder teased her propping up to look at her. "How are you two doing? I would be losing my shit after having to clean up another man's love juices all over my woman's shit." "Yeah it was hard to reel him back in but we are ok." She told him looking to the side to meet his eyes still laying on her back.

"Ryder can I ask you something?" "Yes, there was more than one man's DNA well call it on your things. I know I should have answered you back on that sooner. I just didn't want to worry you or cause any rifts because even though there were two men's mark on your things we only go the one on DNA on file." Ryder told her feeling guilty. "So it's not just Preston and he's not the one calling the shots. Can I tell you a secret?" "Always."

"I know who it is. I figured it out earlier I just couldn't bring myself to get past it now I am having nightmare s of everything piecing together and Axel thought it was stress from everything before. Really it was just the realization of having to face him now that I am terrified and I need your and Daltons help because Axel can't know yet. He'll lose his shit." Ryder looked at her with his mouth hanging open. "You're telling me you know who is behind this and after months of this torture you want me to keep it from my best friend. Jessie that's my brother!"

"You're my brother too. Are you going to help or not? Axel won't take it half as hard knowing you were there to protect me. Now I got a plan but we have to do something before we can come forward. I know where the evidence is and how to get it I just need help getting it." "You are sure like 100% because I don't' want to risk anything on either of us on this if there is a chance you are wrong." "I already have one huge piece. I have his computer he left in the hospital thinking no one would find it I found it before Keith's men did. I just need help with one other thing or you guys will never catch him and we are running out of time." "When did you really discover who it is?" "I woke up after the hospital and then it just clicked. There was a question I asked him one night and the answer just kept replaying in my head."

"What question was it?" "If they had a special power it would be to be able to control how people's empathy how they feel and the way they think. They thought that would be the perfect villain power and he was right but you know mine was to be a shape shifter I guess we were both right. I have a plan but if Axel finds out everything he is going to be going to jail for murder and then we will never be able to get him. He is so smart he has everything like twelve steps ahead but we only have two opportunities to get him and after I get ahold of something we really need, then we have to quickly have a meeting and make our move that's when Axel is going to kill me." "Please you go that boy wrapped by the nuts. Nothing you can do is going to change that." "I love him I really do it's been killing me keeping this from him that now he thinks I need to talk to a shrink. He's going to be so pist to know how right he's been. Swear you won't tell him until after we get it." "Fine I promise. For the record I am against it." "Noted." She told him as Axel came walking up to them helping her out of the truck to go home.

~Axel~

There is a lot of new information that has come across that I haven't and won't be telling Jessie. Starting with Amber someone had snuck in with her help as they got to put the USB in her computer so we had to get new updated shit and get her off she is now suspended and after talking to the chief of the fire department she is being transferred to the paramedics dispatchers side. Even though she may not be physically involved she is still responsible for her share.

This is the best I can do for her for being so stupid. Amber confessed to being newly pregnant she is not telling anyone because she is unsure if she wants to keep the baby or not. Wonder how Dennis and Dimitri feel about that. Amber admitted to sleeping with Denny for almost two years and to Dimitri like four times yet he wonders why she was crazy stalking him. However Amber did admit that only one man ejaculated into her Dimitri never did. Eliminating his chances of being the father Hence the eye roll. I'm guessing it's Denny's kid or else she would be over the moon.

Preston hasn't woken up yet. Everyone got worried he's now still comatose in the hospital getting extra medical help turn out he's kidneys were starting to shut down and was getting some type of infection. He's mind and body shut down to heal so we are at a standstill on that huge next step. Even though we have more than enough evidence on putting him away for a very long time for all the crimes and charges. It's still not enough the death tolls are getting higher as people are using this new drug it has now expanded to the three other neighboring cities.

Worse thing is people are using it to willing get young women and even men to agree to be a part of human trafficking it is such a mind controlling drug. Every day we don't shut it down is another day we are finding more bodies on the streets. The body is not being able to handle being used as much as the people are injecting and using them. There is somewhere in this fucking town I am overlooking. It's starting to take a toll on me, luckily I got a great woman who takes my mind off it and even makes sure to take care of me, since I haven't been paying much attention to meals or things until she brings it to my attention.

Luckily Killian and Chloe have been coming over a lot to so I can spend time with my other favorite girl. Also both Killian and Chloe may still be mad at our mom. They need to get over it though. My mother has once again tried to reach out but it ended badly. Apparently it is my fault people are mad at her for the way she came to me to only make sure she can still get ahold of my future kids. I still don't know how but it ended badly when she told me maybe Jessenia would be better off with Dimitri. How maybe I should let her go and cut my losses there were still other women who wanted me. Leave it to my mother to make sure I felt like I wasn't enough for the woman I love. I can't bring myself to tell Jessenia everything my mother and I had said to each other. Hell all of this craziness has even left my dad going to week long fishing trip with Caleb as in his father's terms his wife needed to find her damn mind or she needed to stop being the heartless loveless grinch. Clever dad.

I still can't find the other DNA of the other semen found in her home. It's driving me nuts to know some pyscho ass man is out there with God knows how many eyes on Jessie. Also whatever photos or items of her they may have getting off using them in their spank bank. This person has already got into so many people in so many ways how the hell can I protect her if I can't even get the fucker narrowed down. What evidence could I even get to get him off the street without it. I have hundreds of people in town depending on us to keep these types of people off the street. How the hell do I do that when its someone who we grew up with is killing hundreds so far.

"Son you've been here all day you need to get home and get some rest." Dalton told him placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's that woman of yours doing today?" "Well it's Friday and she informed me she needed a mental health day. She was supposed to go get Maddison early from school. There was some carnival thing and she let Maddie stay there. I don't really know what she had planned today. I think I should grab some pizza or something on the way in though she did tell me she was not cooking tonight." Axel said rubbing his hands on his face.

"Son let me tell you the best night for a mental health day. You bring home dinner and dessert. Then make sure by the end of the night neither one of you can remember the week before." Dalton winked to him. "That being said have you put any more thought into that little thing in your desk?" Pulling out the diamond ring he had in his locked desk drawer, it was the only place he knew she nor anyone one else would find it. "Yeah I think maybe next Saturday on her birthday I pop it up. As soon as I get the minute alone with her. Maybe Maddie has some better ideas." Axel said laughing.

"I think you two are going to be just fine. What Dana was thinking of trying to get you to give her up because she didn't like what you had to tell her was straight up bullshit. Look Axel I see you as my own boy. I've seen all the great things you've done for this town, and for that woman. You are worth everything kid. You are smart and kind. You know how to walk the line kid and there is no one walking this Earth who deserves that woman more than you do especially some fire fly twat wit. Also I'm stepping down as we all head into the next year I will be just another law man around the office. I already told the town and they already agreed and voted for my replacement of this town. Congratulation's kid town belongs to you starting January." Dalton told him with a huge ear to ear smile.

"Are you serious the town officials all voted, unanimously, voted for my fat ass?" Axel asked him mouth hung open. "Yup you're it kid. See more people believe trust and love you more than you think. You really need to remember what a great person you are because there's not a soul here who doesn't forget everything you do for them no matter how big of an asshole you or we both are. We are still good people. Good hearted people.

They both hugged for a moment as the sound of arguing and slamming a man down Hunter, Keith and Elias was dragging Mateo and Travis in. "What the hell is going on?" Dalton yelled at them as Axel's phone starting ringing with Ryder on it. "Ry?" It was hard to hear him over all the voices he was around a place with a lot of people yelling random things it had to be the hospital. He could hear the tears in his voice as he was choking on the other end of the phone. "Axel you need to come down to the hospital, it's Jessie." Looking over to Dalton who was staring at the man grabbing his keys getting into his truck. Only thing in his mind was getting to her side and the person to dare stop him better have more than power of hell to back them up.