Title: Mission of Mercy

Author: Katherine Tripp

Disclaimer: I own none of the Diagnosis Murder characters. I wish I did, but I don't. The other characters in the story are fictitious characters that do belong to me 

Summary: When Jesse goes on a humanitarian trip to Africa, he brings back more than just stories and pictures.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! I've been a fan of Diagnosis Murder for years, but this is my first try at a story. Feedback is appreciated, I love hearing what people think. I have an idea as of where this story is heading, but we'll all have so see what happens, cause it's not completely clear in my head yet. Anyways, happy reading!

MISSION OF MERCY, CHAPTER 1

"Jesse, you're absolutely insane!"

"No I'm not!" Jesse said, quickening his step to catch up with Steve.

Steve stopped suddenly and turned around to face his friend. "Yes you are! You hate the outdoors, camping with you is always a disaster, mosquitoes love you, you can't live without air conditioning- you're just too much of a city boy to do this. You'll regret it; going to Africa definitely isn't something you're cut out to do."

"But I love helping people. This kind of work is my life." Jesse protested. "Besides," he added, grinning. "I already have my plane ticket."

"Does my father know about this?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I do." Mark joined Jesse and Steve outside the doctor's lounge. "And I think it's great."

"Great?" Steve asked. "It doesn't sound great to me. It sounds dangerous."

Jesse's grin grew even wider. "Ah, I see what it is Steve. You don't think I can't do it, you're worried about me. After all, what would you do without me?" He laughed.

"Steve," Mark added. "I've done work overseas before. It's incredibly rewarding and I never regretted it. And I always came home in one piece."

"The hospital needs this consultation." Jesse explained, his tone more serious. "With so much focus on the war against AIDS and other diseases in Africa, we need to develop a partnership to do our part to help." They entered the doctor's lounge and sat down as Jesse continued. "But we can't have a partnership without seeing what organizations are doing good, effective work in that area. It's important, and the Board of Directors here wants me to go check things out."

Steve sighed; this battle was as good as lost. "So what made them decide to pick you?" He asked, and then smiled as he continued. "They obviously don't know your weaknesses like I do." He joked, trying to cover his still-present concerns.

"I'll prove it to you Steve." Jesse said, ignoring the joke. "This is my adventure; it's going to be great!" He grinned from ear to ear.

"Maybe I should come with you to make sure you stay out of trouble." Steve said. "You know, make sure you don't get your pretty little hands hurt out there in the elements. I need to protect my best dishwasher!" He smacked Jesse on the back. "So when do we get the joy and privilege of taking you to the airport."

"Tomorrow!" Jesse said excitedly.

"What!" Mark and Steve said in unison.

"Yep, tomorrow. I didn't tell you sooner because I didn't want to be talked out of going. I've had my Typhoid and Hepatitis shots, have Malaria pills and lots of first aid supplies, and I'm packed and ready to go!"

"Gosh Jess, I knew you were getting ready, but I didn't think it was this soon." Mark said. "But you sound ready and prepared. Have you already started on the Malaria medicine?"

"Yep, one week before, just like I'm supposed to."

"Make sure you still wear long sleeves and pants, and use repellant though." Mark added. "Malaria medicine doesn't always work, and there's Dengue and Yellow Fever you could get from a mosquito. Not to mention the food and waterborne illnesses. Don't drink any water that isn't from a purified source or hasn't been boiled for at least 10 minutes. And wear a mask if you come in contact with any potential infectious diseases or outbreaks. And-"

"Mark," Jesse cut him off. "I appreciate your advice, but I'm not a tourist. I've been reading about Tanzania and its health hazards for weeks now. I've taken every precaution and I'll be fine." He stood. "I have to go check on a few patients and meet with the board one last time. Are we still having dinner at your house tonight?"

"Yeah, at 7. Will we see you there?" Mark asked.

"Yep, I'll be there." Jesse started to walk out of the room. "Oh, yeah, and, um, thanks." He added quickly.

"Thanks for what?" Steve asked.

"Um, I don't know, it's just that, well, it's nice to know that you are concerned." Jesse responded awkwardly, and left the room.

"I just hope there's nothing to be concerned about." Steve said, turning to his father. "Dad, are you sure that Jesse will be alright? I mean, he's never done something like this before."

"I'm sure he will be." Mark replied. "Jesse is an incredibly competent doctor and he'll do great over there. He has a genuine concern for people. I think this experience will dramatically change him and he may not want to come home. Besides, it's only for two weeks. They won't let him do anything too crazy."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Steve replied. "But if he gets into trouble I'm not going over there!" He said, knowing that the exact opposite was true. Jesse was like his little brother and he'd do anything for the guy.

"And I'd be sure to join you for that long plane ride." Mark replied, as if reading his son's thoughts.

"Here are the reports for your research, Dr. Travis." Board member Charles Sanders said as he handed Jesse yet another stack of papers. "Do you understand what we're asking of you while on this trip?"

"Absolutely," Jesse replied. "We're looking into a partnership with NEED International to provide funding and short term personal for their clinics in Tanzania. I'm supposed to go to observe their clinics and partner hospitals to see if their claims are true and if a partnership with this organization would be beneficial to the people of Tanzania and to Community general." He rattled off the statement that had been drilled into his head for the past three weeks.

"That's correct." Sanders replied. "I spoke with Randall Hansen, the project manager for NEED, and they'll be waiting for you at the Dar es Salaam airport. Mr. Hansen has arranged for you to meet with Asia Chatham as well. Miss Chatham will help with translation if need be. She is the public health representative for Hospital of Hope, the Hospital that we would like to correspond with as well. Mr. Hansen assured us that they will provide you with ample information and allow you to see the workings of their administration. Do you have any questions?"

"No, that sounds good." Jesse replied. "Thank you for this opportunity, I'll see you in two weeks." He smiled as he shook each of the board member's hands.

Tanzania, two weeks later

"Mjomba Jesse, Mjomba Jesse!"

Jesse whipped his head around to see Aminia running towards him. The little 7 year old girl had stolen his heart from the first day he had set foot in her village. She had taken to calling him 'mjomba Jesse', Uncle Jesse, and he absolutely loved it. She was a beautiful little girl, with chocolate skin and jet black hair pulled up in pigtails. He was told that her name means 'to believe in', and her big smile and equally big heart had captured his.

Aminia's mother and father had died from AIDS a few weeks before he arrived. She had one older sister still alive who, at 16, had become Aminia's caregiver. It was painful to think about their situation, in desperate poverty and no one to really care for them. He scooped her up in his arms when she reached him.

Aminia started speaking quickly in Swahili, her eyes filling with tears. Jesse sighed, he wished he knew the language, but her expression spoke of what she was saying. He put the little girl down and called out to the woman a few yards away. "Asia, could you come here for a sec?"

Asia Chatam had been his lifesaver. The 27 year old aid worker had spent several years in Tanzania, and spoke Swahili with ease. She had patiently translated for Jesse on many occasions. She said a quick goodbye to the woman she was speaking to and walked over to Jesse. "Hey Jesse, what's up?"

Jesse smiled sheepishly. "I promise this'll be the last time I ask. But could you translate for me."

"Absolutely." Asia crouched down next to Jesse to be eye level with Aminia as well. Aminia spoke for a moment, then Asia turned to Jesse. "She wants to know why you are leaving."

"Aminia, I have to go back to my home in America, and help some boys and girls there. I'm going to miss you."

Asia then spoke to Aminia, and got a quick response from the little girl. "She wants to go with you." She said with a small smile, looking at him.

Jesse smiled sadly as he fought back the tears. "Gosh, I don't know what to say to her." He said quietly.

"Don't worry," Asia put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'll explain it to her. But I must say, she's never asked any of our volunteers that before. You must be her favorite." She turned back to the little girl and explained to her. Jesse saw Aminia's little head bob up and down, and Asia whispered something in her ear.

After a moment Aminia threw her arms around Jesse, nearly knocking him to the ground. "I love ou Mjomba Jesse." She said, a few tears falling down her cheeks.

"I love you too Aminia." Jesse said, his own tears threatening to fall. The jeep was waiting to begin his long journey back home. He never thought it would hurt to leave, he thought at the beginning of his trip that he'd be incredibly eager to return home. But the opposite was true. Although the western amenities offered by his comfy home in America were nice, the simplistic nature of the way the people in Tanzania lived was calming and beautiful. And they were in such desperate need of medical and economic help; it was painful to see all the suffering.

Aminia let go of her grip after a few moments. Asia told her that Mjomba Jesse had to go, so she said a tearful goodbye "Asante Sana, Mungu aku Bariki!" She said to him. 'Thank you very much, God Bless you'.

Jesse gave the little girl one last hug and turned to walk to the jeep. Many of the people in the village called out "Haya" 'Goodbye' to him as he got into the jeep. Asia hopped in behind him.

"Haya" he called back as it started to roll away. He then turned to Asia. "I didn't think it would be this hard." He said quietly, allowing the tears to fall.

"It's terribly hard." Asia responded. "That's why I try to not leave. Amidst all the difficulties, struggles and pain there's such a joy that comes from helping these people."

Jesse smiled. "Yeah," he agreed. Trying to lighten the mood, he grinned and said. "I didn't know that I'd have such a lovely escort to the airport."

Asia laughed. "Well, be flattered, but it's not all for you. I have some things to pick up in the city, and TONS of pointless meetings. I also have to, uh, get something tested." She finished quickly.

Jesse noticed her change in tone. "Get what tested?"

"Oh, um, it's the, water, yeah the water," she said awkwardly. "I have to make sure the well water is clean when I come into town, so I get it tested in a lab."

Jesse looked at her. "Asia, is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Asia responded. "Everything's fine, it's just a routine check. So," she said, changing the subject. "Are you going to give your faddies a good report on us?"

"Faddies?" Jesse asked.

"Oh yeah, sorry." Asia smiled. "Mike in the education sector of NEED calls those middle aged men who always sit in meetings, making decisions for us little people out on the field 'Faddies'. You know, they're usually fat, bald and a little ignorant of what actually goes on anywhere."

Jesse laughed. "Yes, faddies. We have quite a few of those at Community General. But of course I'll be giving them a praise filled report of NEED and the Hospital of Hope. Hopefully I'll be able to come back for a visit when the partnership gets underway."

"That would be great." Asia responded. "Oh, and Jesse," she added.

"Yeah?"

"Would you do me a favor and not tell Randall about the water testing if you see him? It's just that he, he likes everything to be perfect, and I do this every month just to keep up with things, I think if he knew it would freak him out."

"Okay," Jesse replied. "I won't tell him. But are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"You'd tell me if there was?"

"Yes Jesse, I would." Asia assured him.

They kept up a lively, random conversation for the remaining hours to the city. They said a quick goodbye at the airport, Asia promising to keep Jesse up to date on his new little friends at the village through email, and Jesse promising to give Asia inside info on the partnership developments. Jesse grabbed his bag, went through his final security checks, and before he knew it, he was on his way back to America, full of stories to tell of his adventure of a lifetime.