By Joanne Foxcourt,2004

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Author's Note: This is a little bit shorter than previous parts, but it's been such a long time between updates that I decided to post it. Besides, I think it ends at a pretty good spot. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this episode in the life Melissa Stevens. All of the normal preamble from the first three parts apply here as well.

Joanne

 
 
Chapter 18: Do I Make You Nervous?
 
 
Melissa absently flipped the channels on the television, dreadfully bored by her continued confinement in the hospital bed. Soon, the nurses kept telling her, she would be able to leave. Soon wasn't fast enough from Melissa's perspective. She turned off the television upon hearing a knock at the door. "Come in," she called.

"Hello, Josh Stevens?"

"Melissa," she responded firmly to the man who entered.

"Ah, well, um, this is an official discussion if you have some time. I'm afraid that I'll have to record it as such," he responded. "My name is Detective Ames."

"What would you like to know?" Melissa asked, sitting upright.

"Well, uh, Melissa, we have Mr. Davis's version of events, amongst others, and we do need yours. Why don't you tell me what happened from the first encounter at the club?"

Melissa nodded and related the events as best she remembered. "I don't remember anything after the first punch," she concluded.

"I see," Detective Ames hemmed as he scribbled in his notebook. "Are you sure that you didn't say anything in the club that would lead him to believe that you were making a pass at him?"

"What? Hardly!"

"Okay, why did you go to the club dressed as a girl?"

"I'm in my real life test."

"Your what?"

"It's a process that transsexuals, like me, use to determine if a more permanent gender change is a good idea," Melissa explained patiently.

"Uh, okay. Did Mr. Davis know you were a transsexual?" Detective Ames asked.

"Probably not," Melissa shrugged. "He probably assumed that I was gay. He said so anyways."

"Are you?"

"Gay? Do you want to know if I like girls?"

"No, boys."

"That wouldn't make me gay," Melissa told him.

"Huh?"

"Detective, I identify as a girl."

"You're a boy though," he suggested.

Melissa's lips compressed into a firm line. "Maybe you should talk to my psychiatrist," she said.

"Right. Well, I think I have enough information," he said as he shuffled a little nervously.

"Do I scare you?" Melissa asked bluntly.

"What?"

"You seem nervous around me. It isn't catching."

"I'm a professional," Detective Ames responded stiffly.

*****

"Are you certain that you want to file that report?" James Draper, District Attorney, asked as he flipped through the pages.

"What do you mean?"

"Bob, your conclusions fly in the face of the evidence."

"Yeah, well," Detective Ames replied. "I interviewed it and that's what I saw from the evidence."

"It?" James asked, his eyebrow rising and his countenance darkening.

"You know what I mean."

"I don't, really. Are you suggesting that this child doesn't deserve the support of the law?" James asked.

"What?"

"I don't think I could make the question any clearer. In fact, Detective, I'm quite concerned that your prejudices are coloring this report."

"Wait just a goddamned minute!" Detective Ames shouted, "You listen to me!"

"No. You listen to me. This report is either a result of shitty police work or a deliberate attempt to cover up a crime. Either way, it isn't going to reflect well on you and, frankly, if I decide it is the second case I might well file abetting and obstruction charges against you."

"What?"

"I seem to be leaving you a little confused throughout this conversation."

Detective Ames stood up. "This report reflects my findings," he declared.

"I see. I want Turner Davis picked up and charged, now, and I'll deal with you later."

*****

"You can't win this James," Turner's lawyer, Layton Harper decided.

"The facts are pretty apparent; I don't see how I can't," James replied. "Your client assaulted Ms. Stevens maliciously and without due provocation."

"Ms. Stevens? Lets not confuse the legalities here; Josh Stevens is legally a male."

"True. However, Ms. Stevens is undergoing a real life test with the supervision of a qualified and competent psychiatrist. It is generally considered polite and reasonable to refer to such individuals by their chosen gender."

"Very enlightened of you," Layton commented dryly.

"Indeed."

"Regardless, you know how this is going to play out. I'm going to go into court and paint a picture of a young man being led on by another young man pretending to be a female. When he finds out, he becomes justifiably enraged and responds as any normal person would."

"So, you intend perjury?" James asked.

"It's what happened."

"Only if you ignore reality."

Layton shrugged. "Perception goes to motive. Mr. Davis perceived this situation and reacted accordingly."

James snorted.

"Suit yourself."

"I intend to," James told him. "I intend to prosecute Turner Davis to the fullest extent of the law. I understand that a civil suit has been filed as well."

"So?"

"Ms. Burke has a lot of money."

"What has Judy Burke to do with this?" Layton asked, surprised.

The smile on James face grew wider. "Ms. Burke has taken our young victim under her wing. In fact, Ms. Stevens is currently residing with her and was doing so before the attack. I think Mr. Davis is going to get a rough ride given the amount of influence that Judy Burke is capable of leveraging. However, I'm given to understand that the civil suit will be dropped if they are satisfied with the results of the criminal prosecution."

"I can win both."

"I doubt that, but if even if you did, Turner Davis would still lose. Really Layton, do you think that Judy Burke is the sort to let someone out of her crosshairs until she has satisfaction?"

"Is that a threat?"

"Hardly," James replied. "It's more in the nature of friendly advice that you might consider passing onto your client. You know how to reach me if he comes to his senses."
 
 
Chapter 19: Skirmishes and Defensive Planning
 
 
"I think we can win both cases," Layton Harper told the Davis family as they sat arrayed in front of his large desk. "Nevertheless, I think that would be half the battle."

"What do you mean?" Arthur Davis asked, looking concerned.

"The civil suit is being backed by Judy Burke."

Melanie Davis paled. "What has she to do with this?" She demanded. "My son has no connection with her."

"I'm afraid he does, in a manner of speaking," Layton told her. "It appears that Josh Stevens is currently working for and living with Judy Burke."

"I'm not worried," Turner said.

"You're a fool then," Layton told him. "Ms. Burke is amongst the most influential in this city and she has a great deal of money. She can sustain legal pressure for a long, long, time. Not to mention, she can cause a great deal of other difficulty for you and your family."

"So, what do we do?" Arthur asked.

"We negotiate."

"No."

The adults turned and looked at Turner. "What?" Arthur asked.

"I said no," Turner reiterated. "I'm not going to let them scare me."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Layton said.

"I don't care. You said we could win. If we do this, then we lose."

Layton sighed.

***** "Hello?" Arthur Davis asked into the phone.

"Mr. Davis?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Andrea St. Laurant," Andrea replied. "I understand that your son is in some legal difficulties in regards to a Josh Stevens."

"So?"

"I think I can help."

"How?" Arthur asked, sounding a little suspicious.

"Mr. Davis, a civil suit has been filed against you by Judy Brown. Ms. Brown has a great deal of financial wherewithal and the necessary tenacity to see her case as far a long as she desires. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, you do not have that ability and, at some point, your lawyer is going to become reluctant to continue."

"He is now."

"He's a wise man. It's not very reasonable to fight the influential without some backing from a similar position. I'm in that position."

"Why? I mean, why do you care?"

"Let's just say that I have my own reasons for disliking Josh Stevens."

"I see."

"Also what he is doing to himself is wrong. It should be stopped and discouraged."

Arthur shrugged, "I wouldn't know."

"Have you agreed to a deal?" Andrea asked.

"No. Turner refused it."

"Good lad."

"What do you propose?" Arthur asked.

"Well, Layton Harper works for me as well. I think I can take over the costs and provide some additional assistance."

"I'll admit to being grateful," Arthur told her. "We can't really afford to lose."

"Indeed."

*****

Melissa sank into the couch gratefully. She winced as her bruises protested any shift of her body, but they were becoming more bearable. "Thank you Judy," she said with a grateful smile.

"My pleasure," Judy responded. "I talked to my lawyer today. He's filed the civil suit and has begun putting the information together."

"Why a civil suit?"

"Sometimes justice in criminal courts is sadly lacking."

"What do you mean?" Melissa asked.

Judy passed Melissa a cup of tea. "Witness the O.J. Simpson trial," she suggested. "He was found innocent in criminal court, largely because of a solid defense team and a less than solid prosecution. However, as little as it may have been, some justice was done in the civil suit that followed. Standards of evidence are very different."

The doorbell rang and Judy's eyebrow rose. "Who could that be?" She asked. "I wasn't expecting anyone today." Melissa shrugged.

"Judy?" Asked a man from outside the door to the parlor.

"Aaron! Come in, we were just talking about the case. Melissa, this is Aaron Bosko, my lawyer. Aaron, this is Melissa."

"How do you do Melissa," Aaron smiled and extended his hand. "I've heard a great deal about you. I was expecting, however, to see wings and a halo."

Melissa blushed.

"Oh hush," Judy laughed. "You'll give her a big head. What brings you around?"

"I got some news from Layton today. Rather interesting really."

"Layton Harper? Turner Davis' lawyer?"

"The same," Aaron nodded. "It seems that a certain Andrea St. Laurant has picked up the cost of his defense in both the criminal and civil cases."

"Why?" Melissa asked. "I met her once, at the store, and she was really nice to me."

"It seems," Judy told her, "that Andrea has some prejudices that have come to the front since then. She's always been quite homophobic, despite having a lesbian daughter, and has been fighting her own underground battle over the concept. Says her daughter has 'the sickness' or some such. I'd guess that she would have an even harder time with a transsexual."

"That pretty much sums up my understanding of the situation," Aaron confirmed. "Layton was feeling a lot more relieved to have this turn of events."

"Can they win?" Melissa asked.

"I'll be honest with you Melissa; it depends on the attitudes of the jury. If we get some secret Andreas in the collection, then they might. Layton's defense is that you lead Turner on and he only reacted after discovering the truth." Aaron helped himself to a cup of tea.

"I never said anything to him!"

"I know that. I also know that you didn't hide who you were from him and the assault took place long after he discovered who you were," Aaron placated her. "Nevertheless, in a trial, it will be up to the jury to determine if they see it his way or yours."

"It's still assault either way," Judy noted.

"Yes, but if the jury decides that he was goaded into it, then they may exonerate him regardless."

"This is so frustrating," Melissa cried. "Why can't they just leave me alone?"

"Who knows?" Judy told her. "Some people live to interfere in the lives of others. For some, it is simply a case of feeling that their way is better and that everyone should believe the same. They forget that the same freedom that protects their way also serves to protect yours."

"I don't understand."

"Be grateful for that Melissa," Aaron smiled. "If you did, you would probably be one of them. Nevertheless, such people do exist and they expend extraordinary effort in the pursuit of their cause."

*****

"Why?" Judy asked into the handset.

"Why Judy, I was expecting you to call," Andrea St. Laurant replied. Judy could almost see the malicious smile that accompanied the facetious response to her question.

"The question, Andrea, is why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you backing Turner Davis?" Judy clarified.

Andrea laughed. "I think that should be fairly obvious," she replied. "I was quite upset about Mr. Stevens serving me in your store and you refused to do anything about it."

"That's petty."

"Hardly. You're putting women in the position of exposing themselves in front of a boy without their knowledge."

"I asked you before, did Melissa do anything, anything at all, that was untoward?"

"That's not the point," Andrea told her. "The point is, the child is a boy and was ogling half-dressed women while pretending to be a girl."

"Melissa was not ogling!" Judy exclaimed.

"Figure of speech," Andrea purred.

"Nor is she pretending anything!"

"Judy, you can call him a her all you want, but he has a penis and that makes him a boy."

"You're entitled to your opinion," Judy said, "but it does not explain why you're defending that boy for assault."

"He, like me, was fooled into believing Josh was a girl and was, justifiably, upset. I have a little more couth than to engage in simple assault over the issue, but I can certainly understand young Turner's reaction."

"You can understand premeditated assault?"

"Premeditated? Hardly, Josh led the boy on and Turner reacted as any normal boy would have under the circumstances."

"Melissa never did anything to lead him on and Turner knew almost from the start. If it was such a spontaneous reaction why did he threaten and attack hours later?"

"He denies that and I believe him," Andrea said.

"Of course you do," Judy said with a note of irony. "It fits with your little world."

"You won't win this battle," Andrea told her.

"How little you know me," Judy replied.

"It will be costly."

"Andrea, you should hire a better private investigator. I am, at last check, the wealthiest person in this town. You want to assume that I own a store for the money. No, I own it for the fun. I'd shut it down in an instant to devote my attention to this battle."

"Why?" Andrea demanded, a little taken aback.

"I have my reasons. How's your daughter? I hear she has become very close with my ex-secretary. Still no cure I assume?"

Andrea hung up, the phone making a loud crashing sound in Judy's ear. Judy laughed and shook her head.
 
 
Chapter 20: Scenes from a Mall
 
 
Melissa sipped her tea at the table in the food court. She was still feeling sore, and privately admitted that the hard plastic of the food court seats wasn't helping, but she nevertheless stayed and watched the people pass her by. It was her favorite hobby, people watching, and Melissa learned a lot from it. Her eyes picked out some familiar faces, including many customers to Judy's store. She sighed, wishing she was feeling up to working again.

Melissa didn't see the approach of Andrea St. Laurant, focused as she was on the people entering The Regency. "Well, if it isn't the thing?" Andrea hissed at her.

"What?" Melissa responded, startled from her reverie.

"Look at you. All dolled up, pretending to be something you're not. Fooling honest people and ogling nude women in change rooms."

"What are you talking about?" Melissa demanded.

"You know what I'm talking about," Andrea snarled. "You ogled me. Pretending to be a girl and staring at me while I was buying a bra."

"I did no such thing!"

"You're a liar. That's not a surprise given how you're dressed. You're entire life is about lies. Hiding your identity."

"I hide nothing!" Melissa shouted, standing up.

"Do you deny being a boy?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have a penis?"

"What?"

"Answer me!"

"No! It's none of your business," Melissa snarled, her fists clenching.

"You answered the question. Obviously, you're a liar, living a pretend life like a sick pervert who just wants to leer at unsuspecting ladies."

"You're a twisted old bitch aren?t you?" Melissa responded with heat, sitting back down and turning away from Andrea.

Andrea grasped Melissa's shoulder and spun her around on the seat. "Don't you turn your back on me," she snarled. "You should be grateful that I don't have you charged with sexual assault."

"Just leave me alone," Melissa cried.

"I will, as soon as you stop lying to everyone."

*****

Melissa glared at the table surface as Andrea stalked away from her. Her stomach felt queasy, as though she was going to be sick. She felt torn between shouting in anger or crying in pain. Her knuckles turned white where she gripped the table.

"How did you like my mother tranny?" Marty asked as she and Arlene circled in front of Melissa.

"Go away," Melissa replied, not looking up.

"Aw, poor little tranny," Arlene cackled.

"That's nothing," Marty laughed at her. "You should try living with her."

"What do you want?" Melissa demanded, glaring at the pair.

"Oh nothing," Marty told her. "We're just feeling a little bored and wanted to see, up close and personal like, this boy who wants to be a girl."

"What's it to you?"

"We don't like men," Arlene told her. "We especially don't like men who pretend that they are women."

"I'm pretending nothing," Melissa said.

"You can cut off that useless sack of meat," Marty sneered, "but you won't be a woman."

"We're tired of your type invading our space," Arlene added.

"Go away," Melissa reiterated, getting tired by this.

"We're never going to go away," Marty told her. "We'll haunt you every step of the way."

"You ladies have heard about the anti-stalking laws?" Steve Jones asked from behind.

"What?" Marty asked, spinning around.

"Anti-stalking laws? You know? The very laws that prohibit what you just threatened to do?" Steve replied.

"Who, the fuck, are you?" Arlene asked.

"You're bothering my friend," Steve told her as Melissa favored him with a grateful smile.

"Fuck off, it's none of your business," Marty told him.

"I don't think so. You should take your own advice or I'll call mall security over and you can explain harassing a mall employee. I'd be willing to bet that Ms. Burke would just love to have you both brought up on charges."

Arlene looked nervous, but Marty just shrugged and stared. "I don't have your connections," Arlene noted, tugging at Marty.

Marty shrugged. "Whatever. See you around tranny," she threatened as she left with Arlene.

Steve sat at the table. "You look like shit, if you don't mind me saying so."

"Queer eye for the tranny gal?" Melissa managed with a wan smile. "I feel like shit, so it works."

Steve chuckled. "Are you okay? I heard about the assault."

"Word gets around."

"It does in my community. Turner Davis is known, though most of us avoid him."

"He's in to gay bashing?" Melissa asked, looking shocked.

"I can't prove it."

"Wow. I'm feeling better though."

"That's good," Steve smiled. "I'd invite you out for some mini-golf, but I don't think you could take the punishment of the course today."

Melissa smiled again and nodded. "It's pretty demanding," she agreed.

Steve laughed again. "It's good to see you smile."

Melissa blushed and took a sip of her tea. It was starting to get cold and she grimaced slightly. Steve just gazed at her and they fell into a silence.

Melissa fidgeted after a few minutes and looked at him. "What are you thinking?" she asked.

"Thoughts I didn't really expect to have," Steve admitted.

"Huh?"

"Did you want to take a walk?"

"Okay."

*****

"Any regrets?" Steve asked as they strolled along the park path.

"About what?" Melissa replied.

"Your decision."

"No. Well, I regret that my mother has been so difficult."

"Not worried about the abuse?"

Melissa shrugged. "I can't help what other people think," she replied.

"I can't figure out the two lesbians," Steve admitted.

"Lesbians?"

"The ones that were bothering you in the mall."

"I didn?t know."

"I've seen them around," Steve told her. "I guess they're part of the more militant group."

"Militant?"

"Yeah. They make raging feminists look tame. If it was up to them, men would be locked up twenty-four and seven."

Melissa giggled.

"Don't laugh, some people think that way."

"They said that they were tired of people like me invading their space," Melissa told him.

Steve nodded. "Yeah, that would fit. Some of them actually believe that men have surgery just to infiltrate their society."

"What purpose would that serve?"

"Search me," Steve grinned. "I've never found any desire to determine what was so all fired special about them that I'd change my sex to discover."

Melissa turned to face him. "Thanks Steve," she said.

"For what?"

"For protecting me and keeping me sane." Melissa stood on her toes and kissed him. She started with it being a chaste, sisterly kiss, but both unexpectedly responded. Their arms circled each other and the brief kiss turned into something longer.

The kiss broke and they looked at each other.

"I?" began Melissa.

"I?" began Steve.

They both laughed.

"I thought you were gay," Melissa said.

"Me too."

"Unexpected thoughts?"

Steve nodded.

"And?"

"It was a lovely kiss," Steve said. "I'd really like another."

"Okay," Melissa replied, feeling, somehow, a little more free.

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To Be Continued...