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Title: A Brand New Life
Author: Lenina Yaesu
E-Mail: Demolition_Girl@excite.es
Rated: PG-13 for some graphic violence
Summary: No summary available

"A BRAND NEW LIFE."

PART ONE.

It was about 6:00 at the beach house, Steve was asleep on the couch and Mark looked at him thinking about all the events that happened during the last months: Lynn's death, the Trainor's affair, without forgetting of course Carter Sweeney and his crew.

Mark was proud of his son, of his strength when he fought against the coma, his courage to face Nam: his friend's deaths, the come back home after two years of war; but above all his firmness after Lynn's death.

Steve intended to hide the pain he suffered after losing her, but he couldn't avoid that his father heard him cry in his room wondering why. Though Mark didn't say anything to him about what he had heard, but he stayed there, just in case Steve needed his help.

"Mark, it's enough."- he told himself- "Now Steve is better, all these things finished. Now everything will be different, everything is gonna be okay."

At that moment Steve awoke: "Good morning, dad."- he didn't obtain an answer. Even his father was there sitting on the armchair in front of him, he was absentminded. Steve spoke again trying to catch his father's attention: "Dad? Dad, wake up!!"- This time it worked and Mark reacted:

"Oh sorry son. I was thinking about..."- suddenly he stopped because he didn't want to say anything that made Steve remember all the past events, now that he began to recover, or at least that was what it seemed.

"About what."- asked Steve. Before this question Mark looked quickly for an answer, he pretended to fake that he wasn't worried although he wasn't successful, and answered:

"I was thinking about What would you like to have for breakfast."- When Steve heard this answer he looked at his father in disbelief and said:

"And is my breakfast so important to you?"

"Well Steve, it all depends on what you'd like to have, and on how hungry you were. Is possible that we hadn't enough food in the house. And you must remember what your mother said about breakfast."- At this assertion father and son looked at each other and proclaimed in unison:

"BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD OF THE DAY!!!"- the sentence was followed by a sonorous outburst of laugher.

"Yeah dad, I remember it perfectly. By the way, Are you trying to tell me that I should begin to care of my fit, or maybe that our feeding' budget is increasing dangerously."- he said staring at his father with a malicious smile on his face.

After this question that was clearly rhetorical, Steve rose of the couch and made his way to the bathroom to tidy himself, and after that he went to his bedroom to get dressed. When he did it he looked through the window and his brain began to make plans for the weekend:

"The weather is fine, I don't have to go to the headquarters until Monday morning. I have all the weekend to enjoy myself, maybe I call Jess to surf, or I can spend it sitting on my armchair watching some pay-per-view eating popcorn, or...Lynn."

It had been a year since Lynn's death, he was forced to pull the trigger, forced to kill the only woman by whom really felt this thing that he was so scared about and that he avoided to pronounce since then: LOVE. He hadn't be able to forget the traumatic experience of her death; the same thing happened to him some years ago, when he returned after the war, after undergoing all that barbarism, he would never forget that but at least he had learned to live with it.

It was different with Lynn. Most of the nights he awoke feeling her by his side, other he had horrible nightmares; he thought that time would heal his wounds, that would help him to forget but he had little hope in this option.

"Well Steve, a year is not a long term, maybe you need a little more time."- he thought. But there was something that tormented him: What would happen if time couldn't erase Lynn's memories? Then, Could he follow with his life?

When she died part of him died with her and since then he wasn't the same guy anymore. During this last year, that had been like eternity for him, everyday there was something that evoked Lynn's memories: some song, love-birds that walked by the beach.

He wondered again the reason of Lynn's death. He still couldn't understand it, although it was stupid try to find an answer because the only thing that he would get with that, was remind the time that they spent together and continue torturing himself; as he had been doing during the last twelve months, as he was doing right now. He felt a lump in the throat, and his eyes became damp.

At this moment the 'knock, knock' at the door gave him back to reality.

"Steve, breakfast is ready."- Was his father who called him, who once again (though unconsciously) rescued him from the emptiness that he felt after thinking about Lynn.

Now it was the time of the change. Time to forget Lynn, time to come back to life, for some hours at least. Too many times during the last twelve months he was obliged to do this, and although he intended to forget her he got it for some hours but at night she came back, even worse: her memories came back.

As Steve entered through the kitchen's door said: "Dad I'm here, what did you make?"- with this question he tried to show some interest.

"Well son, I've decided to make the American traditional breakfast: Bacon, eggs, orange juice , there're also pancakes and..."- Mark noticed that Steve was looking for something - "What are you looking for, Steve? There's jam for the pancakes in the fridge, and if you want..."- Steve interrupted his father:

"No, that's not what I'm looking for. Didn't Wes bring the newspaper?"

"Yes he did, but I thought that you wouldn't be interested in it today. After all, this is your first free-weekend in two months. I thought that you'd prefer to rest, go away of the noisy world and its news..."- Mark finished the sentence with a smile on his lips.

As the matter of facts, this was the first weekend in two months that Steve could enjoy. Chief Masters gave him a two days' vacation after the resolution of a complicated homicide case in Pasadena. The idea of a weekend without investigations, cases and news could be attractive for most people, but for Steve this was going to be a long, long weekend.

"You're right, dad. No news, no beepers... After my last case I think that I need some rest, and I don't surf months ago. I believe that I'll call Jess when I came back from running. Maybe we can surf together."

A smile crossed Mark's face when he heard these words coming out from his son's lips, and with an agreement sign told him:

"I think that's a wonderful idea Steve, Jesse will love to know that after a year he can defy you again. Later we could also call Amanda and Ron to eat all together."- Mark waited for a negative answer from Steve ('cause since Lynn's death he had avoided the meetings at the beach house with the rest of the crew) but he was gratefully surprised when he heard an 'Okay' gushing from his son.

After breakfast, Steve left to the beach and started his early morning race; the beach was desert, quiet and a fresh breeze blew. Steve didn't think about anything, he just ran. Suddenly he noticed that his trainer had untied, he crouched to tie it and at the moment he was coiled by something and fell on the sand.

"Oops, I'm sorry I didn't see you, I looked back and when I realized... Are you okay? Oh God! I'm so sorry."- Steve upset, opened his eyes and saw the woman that was on him. She had short and brown hair, her eyes were green and her skin was softly tanned. Steve thought: "She's new at Malibu. I've never seen her before." She wore fit shorts and an aerobic top, white shocks like her trainers. She was about 1.70cm, maybe 1.75, athletic and her smile was sweet and warm. He couldn't stop thinking with his detective mind making the picture of the young stranger.

"It's okay, don't worry, everybody can have a stumble. These accidents occurs."- he said gently and sincerely- "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get up."

The woman blushed and she rose quickly:

"God, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't try...Excuse me."- she regretted holding up her hands to Steve, who didn't reject the help offered by the unknown woman.

He got up and while he dust the sand from his clothes and his hair he told her:

"Take it easy please, I told you before that everybody can have a stumble. Just there's a thing I'd want to know, Where did you come up? The beach was desert two minutes ago."- They started to walk.

"Well you'll see, my house is a few feet from here, I love to run where everything is quiet and... and you were the only one who ran. I started to run and when I realized I was laid on you."- her tanned skin began to turn into red because of the shame. At the moment Steve heard a gasp of pain from his partner and he was quickly interested in her:

"Are you right?"

The woman tried to outline a smile but Steve noticed that she could barely rest her left foot on the sand.

"I must have twisted my ankle when I crashed against you, but don't worry I'll be fine."- she answered.

"Are you sure?, you can't barely walk. It could be a sprain or something like that. I'll tell you what: my house is five minutes from here, my father is a doctor and he can have a look at your ankle; probably it'll be just a twist, but it's better to be sure."- Steve finished the sentence with a smile, looking directly to his new neighbor' eyes.

She smiled him back and said: "I accept your proposal with two conditions: first, that you tell me your name and second, that you accept to have a coffee in my house."

Steve nodded and hold up his hand to her saying: "I accept your conditions. I'm Steve Sloan and I must tell you that I feel passion for coffee."- shaking his hand she answered:

"Nice to meet you, Steve. I'm Sarah Schwartz and I'm a specialist making coffees."- her warm smile continued while their hands were shaking.

Finally they began to walk to the beach house. Steve seeing that Sarah had serious difficulties to walk, held her in his arms as she corresponded with one of her sweet smiles.

"You should think that I'm a clumsy fool, don't you? What a first meeting, it's not enough falling on you, now you must load with me."

"Sarah I told you, these accidents happen; don't worry. On the other hand, this is a good exercise for my arms, muscles you know."- both began to laugh.

They were seeing the beach house when Steve told Sarah: "I remember my graduation day, when I was called to take my diploma, I was going upstairs to the dais and at the last step I stepped on the gown and I fell face downwards, before all the people. It was my most embarrassing situation in life. Dad recorded everything and that anecdote is still remembered in each celebration at the institute."

"Did that really happen to you? I can't believe you!"- Sarah began to laugh while they got into the house Steve laughed with her and replied:

"You don't believe me? I have evidences to prove it. Do you want to see the unforgettable 'Sloan fall' moment?"

She answered him: "Are you kidding? I wouldn't loose it for anything in this world."

Both got into the hall laughing, and Mark got out of the kitchen when he heard the noisy laughs. Steve didn't laugh like that a long time ago, and he wondered what have make him change so suddenly, because during the breakfast he was forced to smile and to make this smile look sincere. Anyway, Mark was glad to hear his son's outbursts of laughter.

When he reached the living room he saw Steve holding Sarah in his arms, but they didn't notice his presence there. Finally Steve talked to him:

"Oh dad I'm sorry. I was remembering my spectacular graduation ceremony. I want you to meet a new neighbor: Sarah Schwartz; Sarah, this is my father Mark Sloan."

Mark shook Sarah's hand and looked at Steve with a questioning glance on his eyes, he asked himself who Sarah was.

"Dad, Could you take a look at Sarah's ankle? We were running in the beach and she twisted it. I'm thirsty, I think I'll take some iced tea. By the way, Sarah would you want to have some 'Sloan special' iced tea?"-he asked.

"Of course, Steve. I'd love to."- she answered.

Mark was astounded, he couldn't believe what was happening there. He started to check Sarah's ankle, (that looked a little bit swollen but there wasn't fracture or rend) and he finally said:

"Sarah your ankle is fine, it's just a little bit swollen by the twist but that's it. Nothing serious. Just don't force this leg for one or two days, okay?"

"Thanks Doctor Sloan. And excuse the annoyances."- she gave him the same warm smile that she had shown to Steve when they had the little accident at the beach.

"It isn't an annoyance."- Mark answered while he took a glass of iced tea.

"Mmmm.. this is the best iced tea I've ever had. Now you have to taste my coffee."- Sarah smiled again in front of the astonished glance of Mark who was lost in that situation.

"It was a deal. I told you: I accept your conditions. You owe me a coffee"- Steve smiled her back.

"Well,... I think I should go home, have a shower and follow the doctor's prescriptions."

Steve answered quickly: "I'll go with you, after all you mustn't force the ankle."

Both stood up and walked to the door, Sarah turned around and said to Mark:

"It has been very nice to meeting you, Doctor Sloan. I hope to see you again now that we're neighbors. Oh, thanks again for take a look at my foot."

"The same to me. I hope to see you soon."

Steve and Sarah left the house and Mark stayed sitting on the armchair. He still couldn't believe what had happened a minutes ago. His thoughts began to crowd in his brain.

"After a year in which the only thing that Steve has made is work and stayed at home almost locked in his free time, one fine day he goes to run...to the beach, and comes in laughing, with a girl that he has known during the race. He accepts a proposal to have a coffee, and the most strange thing: he told her about his graduation fall. Well, maybe after a real hard year, he has decided to go ahead with his life and to forget Lynn for ever."

At this last reflection Mark's face lit up, because the only thing that he wanted was that Steve came back. He desperately needed to have his son again, and in accordance with the joy that Steve's eyes showed this could be the moment.

Mark was still sat on the armchair thinking about Steve and his attitude about Sarah; Steve didn't know her and he had already told her about his accidental graduation. He didn't told that to Jesse until a year after that they were friends, and Jesse was like his brother.

"Jesse! I had to call him."- Mark shouted- "Mark you haven't solution. You're a complete disaster."- He picked up the phone that was on the table next to the armchair, dialed Jesse's number and waited. Five tones and nothing, when he was on the point of hang, a hoarse voice answered at the other side:

"Yeah?"- without any doubt it was Jesse, but he sounded as he had recently awoke.

"Jesse, it's me... Mark. Have I wake you up?"

"Well, I could say you that I'm awake more than three hours, but...why lie? I had a double shift yesterday and now I was sleeping."- Jesse clear up his voice.

"I'm sorry Jesse. I must have remembered it, but I was so...overwhelmed about what happened this morning that I forgot it."- Mark regretted.

"Tell me, what is so amazing. I'm beginning to get curious. Has there been some big wave or something like that?"- Jesse asked who now looked more awake.

"Talking about big waves... Steve wanted to call you and ask you to come here...to surf..."- Jesse cut him, it was like he jumped on the other side:

"Really? That's a great new!!! He refused to see me since a long time ago. Above all, after the chat that we had after Lynn six months ago."- Jesse's voice changed from euphoria to sadness.

"As the matter of facts, is Steve who I'm worried about. He has completely changed, not just for his intention to call you, but for his agreement when I told him about calling Amanda and Ron to join us..."- Jesse cut him again:

"But it's great, Mark!! I don't think that being again with his friends was a thing to be worried about, it's natural and..."- Jesse was excited, he talked very fast like when he draw out a conclusion at an investigation. This time was Mark who interrupted.

"Jesse, I know that is very positive the fact that Steve wanted to join with all his friends again and it's not why I'm worried about. His way to do that is what makes me worried. He has change so suddenly...I know my son and I know that this might be the beginning of a crisis. This morning he could barely smile, he went out to the beach and when he came he..."- At this moment Steve walked into the room and Mark didn't finish the sentence. At the other side an anxious Jesse asked:

"What happened when he returned?"- He didn't get the answer, at least the answer that he wanted to hear:

"Then Jesse, Will Susan and you come today?"- Mark asked.

"Sure Mark. You can't leave me like this."- Jesse said with an ironic tone.

"Dad! Are you talking to Jess? Before you hang please give me the phone, I need to talk to him."- Mark said goodbye to Jesse and gave the receiver to his son.

"Are you doing, Jess?"- Steve asked.

"I'm perfect Steve. Specially hearing you after two months... Did you finally solve Pasadena's murder."- he didn't know how to talk again to his best friend after the fight that they had some months ago.

"Yeah, this is my first free weekend in some time and I thought that perhaps you could bring your surf board and we could surf together."- Steve waited Jesse's answer, wishing that the stress that his voice shown disappeared.

"Sure I'll take my board, body. Although I don't think that you could beat me this time, I got a feeling."- the informal tone at Jesse's voice finally appeared; Steve breathed with relief hearing his friend daring him again.

"Jesse believe me, presentiments are not one of your specialties."

"Steve... Are you okay?"- Jesse asked hoping that this question didn't make Steve feel uncomfortable. He also breathed with relief when he heard the answer coming out from Steve's lips:

"Sure Jess, I'm fine."- before Jesse could reply he continued- "Jess... I feel so much what I told you the last time we spoke, I..."- this sincere apology caused a fast answer from Jesse:

"You don't have to apologize or feel bad, Steve. I was pressing you with Lynn's affair, your reaction was very normal, and understandable. I forgot everything, I passed that page months ago, so you don't have to worry anymore, you'll remember that?. On the other hand... there's something I'd like to know, Are you trying to appease me to let you win? 'cause in that case you must know that you'll never make it."

Steve couldn't see Jesse's face at this moment, but he'd bet anything to he was smiling, and in fact he would win that bet.

"Well old salt, I hope see you here in fifteen minutes"- Steve said saying goodbye to Jesse.

Steve left the phone on the table, and picked up a glass of iced tea that he arranged to drink, while he smiled knowing that Jesse neither hate him nor felt spite to him.

Finally he got up and went downstairs to his apartment. He undressed and opened the faucet of the shower, he closed his eyes and began to think about the fight between Jesse and he, six months ago.

After Lynn's death, Steve went away from his friends (even from his father) something that anything or anyone had achieved until then. He sheltered at work; Captain Masters gave him a couple of weeks to rest, but he didn't take it. When he got no work he lied saying everybody that he had a case, 'til one day Jesse saw him through one of the beach house' windows.

Steve was behind a sand dune looking at the sea with something in his hands that Jesse couldn't see clearly. Everybody thought that Steve was working on a crime, so Jesse didn't tell them a word of that he'd seen and waited to the right moment to go to see how Steve was.

He approached to Steve, who didn't notice his friend's presence. Now Jesse could see perfectly what Steve was holding in his hands, it was a photo of Lynn and Steve. Steve was behind she, holding her and both smiled. Steve remind the moment when the photo was taken and sighed with his look lost.

"I miss you so much...God I wish I hadn't shot you, I didn't want to! Lynn,...I didn't..."- Jesse sat next to him and talked, his voice was low, almost a whisper:

"Steve, you couldn't do another thing, it was her or..."- Steve turned to Jesse and said:

"No, it's not true Jess, there's always a way out, I should have tried it, I should have helped her!! She loved me and I killed her, damn it Jess she trusted me!"- Steve was excited- Don't you understand? I killed her!!"- his blue eyes filled with tears while he spoke.- "I killed her..."- after saying these words he began to cry with his head between his hands.

Jesse tried to encircle his friend with his arm but Steve pushed aside and said staring at Jesse:

"Don't touch me Jesse, let me alone please."- his voice was almost imperceptible.

"I can't do it. You're like a brother to me, you really are. And I can't leave you and see how you destroy yourself. I'm here and I want to help you; everybody want to help you, but we can't do it if you go apart from us. Steve..."- Jesse's eyes filled with tears but he tried to control himself. Steve cut him:

"Jesse, it's enough!! I don't need anything, all right?, All I want is that you leave me alone. All of you say that you want to help me, but you don't understand anything."- Steve had stopped crying and now he felt rage.

"No, it's not enough!!, you're wrong saying that we don't understand. I understand you, I know for what you're going through and now you're going to listen what I have to say, and believe me: it comes from the straight from my heart. Lynn died six months ago, and you can't hide anymore, your life must go on. You loved her, yeah, but... Are you sure that she felt the same? I have some doubts about that: first she tried to kill you she failed and later she came back to finish the work. Fortunately she didn't achieve it. For Christ's sake she was a killer, don't you see it!"- Before Jesse could react Steve's fist impacted against his face and he fell on the sand, his nose began to bleed. Jesse was stunned; not just because of the hit but because he couldn't believe that Steve had beaten him. He stood up and stared at Steve, who started to cry again throwing the photo away from him. At this moment Jesse's eyes filled with tears again, and he came back to the beach house with the disappointment to have hold up a hand to his friend without success.

Steve shook his head and regret the incident at the beach. Jesse's words echoed in his mind: "you can't hide anymore, your life must go on... she tried to kill you... For Christ's sake she was a killer.". for the first time in the last twelve months he didn't feel emptiness thinking about Lynn, now he felt rage: rage for what she had intended to do with him, rage for all the cops that she had killed, for he had gone away from his friends,... but above all he felt rage for beating Jess when his only intention was to help.

"Jess was right. Lynn didn't love me, she was just a killer. I couldn't have helped her, though I had had the chance to do it. Steve, now is time to forget, to come back, time to begin a brand new life."- he took a deep breath, closed his eyes and submerged his head in the water. He held during half a minute and when he reached the surface, still with his eyes closed, his lips sketched a smile.

Jesse drove by the coast motorway to the beach house; next to him there was Susan. They were in the car for 10 minutes, and Jesse hadn't say a word, he just smiled.

Susan felt uncomfortable because it was very unusual to see Jesse silent, and finally she said:

"Well Jesse, tell me What's the matter? Is not very usual to see you so quiet, you're 10 minutes without saying a word. Did I make something wrong?"- when Susan broke the silence Jesse jumped in his seat. He stared at her and realized that she was getting impatient, he continued driving without talking, just smiling and Susan couldn't stand it anymore, she was beginning to think that he was making fun of her:

"And so?"-she asked.

Jesse looked her with a funny glance on his eyes and he inclined to her kissing her on her lips: "I love you Susan Hilliard you know that, don't you?."

"Jess!! Are you crazy? Take the steering wheel, right now!!"- Jesse began to laugh and Susan folded her arms, she was angry:

"First you seem to ignore that I'm in the car, and later you left the steering wheel and you kiss me in the motorway with the engine running. I'm not kiddin' Jess, What's so funny? Tell me, and maybe I can laugh with you. You're a rash!"

"Well Susan, we must take a few risks from time to time, in addition there were no cars following us, there was no danger."- he stopped for a few seconds -"That's right, don't kiss me back if you don't want, but don't shout me."- He said that as he were a child trying not to cry after a scolding. Susan stared at him and the disapproval that showed her face suddenly changed, she tried to contain the laugh but finally she exploded in an outburst of laughter; she gave Jesse a slap on his shoulder and told him:

"You're a silly, Jess."

He sighed and raising his eyes to the sky answered: "Thanks honey, my mother told me that about fifty times every day."

Susan looked at him again and thought that she would never stop to love Jesse. Her lips drew a words and although there were no sound Jesse could read in his mind:

"I love you to Jesse Travis."- after this little confession she kissed him back.

"Well and now, Are you going to tell me what's wrong or not?"- Susan was getting curious about what Jesse had to say.

"Let's see, half an hour ago I talked to Steve through the phone, and he invited us to lunch, he told me that he'd like to surf with me; and Mark talked to Amanda and Ron."

"That's great, Jess!!"- Susan cried out, she knew the pain that Jesse had been through during the last six months.

"Yeah, I told the same thing to Mark, but he seems to be worried about this sudden change. Something that happened this morning worries him but he didn't told me what."- When Jesse said these words the same worry that Mark showed during their conversation was reflected in his voice. Susan realized and she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on his cheek.

"Everything is gonna be alright, Jess."- she said with her sweet voice- "Steve will come back. Don't worry."- she kissed him again and Jesse stared at her saying:

"Eh, Who's the rash right now? Do you intend that we had an accident nurse Hilliard?"

"Absolutely Doctor Travis, I just practice what I learnt from you: No risk, no glory."

Both continued laughing while they were approaching to the beach house.

Mark was at the kitchen making one of his special jumbles to delight his friends in the reencounter meeting; he made a special sauce. When Steve got in, still with his hair wet, he closed his father and picked up a carrot, he bit it and started to flavor it:

"Hey dad, Have you seen my surf equipment?. I've looked for it anywhere but I can't find it."

"Tell me Steve, Why am not surprised of that?. Try to remember where did you leave it a year ago, maybe you'll find it."

"Dad I'm serious now, Do you know how much that equipment cost?. If I don't find it, I will have to search for a new job, probably as a clown in kids parties. And you don't want to see how your son, your single son humbles himself dressing a rabbit disguise, do you?"- Steve looked at his father with a begging glance and he started to laugh again.

"To be completely honest I don't know the equipment price, but if it were mine I would have never lost it. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind to see you dressed as a rabbit, Have you something against them? You loved them when you were a baby."- Mark's voice sounded ironic.

"Dad"

"And I have to tell you that you aren't my single son. You have a sister, remember?"

"Dad..."- Steve knew that his father knew perfectly where his surf equipment was.

"It's okay you win, I'll tell you where's the equipment."- Mark sighed and looked to the roof: "What would you do without me?"

"You're right dad, I'm a complete disaster."

At this moment the bell rang, Steve went to the main door. He was still laughing when he opened the door. Susan and Jesse were in front of him, he made them a sign to go in and continued with his smile:

"I'm sorry Jess. I was thinking about disasters and rabbit disguises. Hi Susan."- He bowed to Susan and kissed her on her cheek.

Mark appeared through the kitchen's door: "Sure Jesse, Steve is thinking about seeking for a new job as a clown in kids parties, and earn some extra money."

"Did you? Is the situation so bad that you haven't enough with your cop earnings and Bob's profits?"- Jesse said at the same time that he hug him.

He had anxiously waited for this moment since Lynn died. Steve hug him back. During a few seconds they didn't say a word; they just held each other tight with their eyes closed, trying to tell everything that they hadn't said in six months. Mark was next to Susan and he put his arm around her as she placed her head on his shoulder. Both pleased enjoyed the meeting, and Susan eyes filled up with tears.

"Well Steve, Are you ready to accept the defeat that you're going to suffer in a minutes?"

"The truth is that I'm not. And you?"

"Do you actually think that you're gonna beat me, Mr. Bunny? And,...exactly How will you do that? You haven't practiced in months..."

"And how do you know that...In addition, I don't remember many times in which you had beaten me. Hey what do you have against rabbits? Have you ever heard about Duracell's Bunny?"

Both left the house by the back door to the beach, each with his plank ready to have a good time surfing.

Susan stayed with Mark in the kitchen making the meal. She couldn't avoid look through the window to see Jesse and Steve walk away from the house talking, laughing as nothing had happened between them. Al last, after a long tough year Steve had come back.

Steve and Jesse enjoyed as two kids in the water doing pirouettes and standing up the waves, ignoring that somebody was looking at they. It was Sarah, through his house window. Steve certainly had a pleasant image for her, and she waited for the afternoon to see him again and to offer him one of their special coffees.

She sat on the couch and looked at the little table that was next to her, on it there was a picture that she saw with a disappointment glance. There was a couple on the picture: Sarah and a man who was behind holding her. Sarah picked up the photo, her face expression suddenly changed, she closed her eyes, she shook the head, took a deep breath and a tear went down her face. After a few seconds she opened her eyes, she stood up and went to the kitchen, picked up a lighter and putting the photo in an ashtray, and finally she burned it while she said:

"Sarah, you have come here to forget everything. He doesn't deserve your tears, he not even deserve that you remember him. Jack, you're a undesirable fool, but I don't wish that anything bad happens to you. I wish you would be very happy. I'm beginning a brand new life and I've just now got out you of it.

She stared at the fire while the picture disappeared with an only desire on his mind: leave the past behind and begin a new life.

"Steve... you're still in shape. Uh! Well... What do you think if we quit for today?"- Jesse asked breathing deeply.

"What's wrong Jess, are you tired? You can't follow a... how did you call me...bunny?"- Steve smiled Jesse waiting for an answer.

"No,...no...of course I can follow you...but my brain...claims for some energy..."- Jesse looked like he was near to breathing collapse.

"Jess, I warned you: presentments aren't one of your specialties. C'mon, let's go to eat. Maybe you finally learnt the lesson and you didn't dare me again to swim to the buoy."

Both got out of the water laughing, they picked up the surf boards and started to walk to the beach house. Steve stopped, his smile disappeared, he stared at Jesse directly to his eyes and said:

"Jess, I really sorry have beaten you. You were..."- Jesse cut him saying:

"Steve I told you through the phone that I had forgotten everything months ago. And What's about 'Never complain, never explain and never apologize'?"

"Jesse please, I need to tell you this face to face. You're like a brother to me and now I need you to listen to me. When Lynn died I was lost, I felt...guilty for what had happened, even for what those cops from Santa Mera did to her. I walked away from all of you, and I refused your help. I loved her very much, Jess. My feelings for her didn't let me see what she had tried to do to me. During these last months I've spent every moment thinking about her. I feel sorry for me."- Steve's expression got serious, sadness was reflected in his eyes, Jesse realized that and interrupted him:

"Steve..."

"No Jess, don't. I have to get rid of it, and I have to do it right now. This morning I've realized of the pain that I've done to myself and to you: to my father, to Amanda and to you. Now I believe that I'm ready to leave the past behind. You were right, Lynn was a killer and I couldn't have helped her; now, I can see it and I want to start again and I really need that you forgive me Jess."- Steve took a deep breath, relieved to free his feelings and a shy smile appeared on his face.

"I'm happy that you finally had decided to trust me, but specially 'cause you had decided to get rid of the guilty. I suppose that you'll know that your father knows you're having a bad time, won't you?"

"Yeah, I know it Jesse. But I wasn't ready to talk about it 'till today. I had enough with self-compassion to worry about the others. I've been a fool."- his voice reflected scorn to himself.

"Well, in that case I think it's time for you to have a sincere chat with your father. He's very worried about your behavior this morning."

"My behavior? Oh! you mean Sarah."

"Sarah?"- Jesse asked with surprise.

"Yeah, she's a new neighbor that I met this morning in the beach. She was running, we tripped and she fell on me..."

"She fell on you?"- an incredulous Jesse asked.

"Ehmm... yes. In the fall she twisted a ankle and I took her home and asked dad to have a look at it..."

"Steve, it won't be a new flirting technique, will be?"- Jesse had a malicious smile on his face.

"What?! But what are you talking about? No!! She was running... on the beach, we tripped, she fell on me and I...and I helped her. Is not a right of all citizen to help people in trouble?... In addition everybody... can have a stumble."- Steve lightly blushed.

"Yes, but I'm sure that it wasn't so great as your fall at the graduation."

"Well she couldn't believe me when I told her about it."

"Did you actually tell her about the fall?"- Jesse was perplex- "You didn't tell me until a year after knowing me. Sloan you like this girl."- Jesse surrounded Steve with his arm waiting for an answer.

"I just told her to calm her...to rest stress...ehmm..."- Steve was quickly getting red.

"Stress? C'mon Steve, you've been trough a lot of stressing situations in your life, and talk about this 'little' incident have never helped you to rest stress, but the opposite! Why don't you tell me the truth?"

"This is the truth, Jess!!"

"Steve, you're tottering. I know when you're hiding something."

"It's alright. She's a very attractive girl, she's nice,...and she has invited me to have a coffee this afternoon. If you want to know her..."

"Are you kidding? And spoil your flirting time? No way man. I'll stay at home and wait for a complete report."

"Jess, I barely know her. She's grateful and she has invited me to have a coffee. That's all. What would you do if you were new at the district."- Jesse was still staring at him with the malicious smile. Steve sighed and said him:

"That's right, I like her. But I don't know anything about her. I have an empty report."

"No body, not of it. This afternoon you're going to..."

"Sarah."

"Thanks... you're going to Sarah's house. And at night I want details, Is that right? Or maybe you need me to refresh your memory and remind you the burdensome that you got when I started to date Susan."

Now Steve was who smiled remembering the first weeks when Jesse and Susan met. "I didn't get burdensome, I just look after you, you are like a younger brother to me, Jess."

"Yeah sure. You can say whatever you want, but I know that this afternoon you're going to use this charm owned by the Sloans, and at night I want my report. Older brother."

Both arrived at the beach house laughing just as they left; they got in trough the back door and saw Amanda, Ron and CJ sitting around the table next to Susan and Mark having a cool drink. Amanda got up of the chair and hug Steve:

"Hi Steve! How do you feel?"

"Just now, I feel a little...I can't get my breath Amanda."

"Yes I understand you Steve, sometimes Amanda gets a little aggressive. Specially when she gets...affective."- Ron said and suddenly he felt Amanda staring at him with a 'if looks could kill' glance.-"I told her more than 100 times."

"Ron!!"- She shouted, hitting him in his shoulder.

Everybody started to laugh. This was a happy day for everybody but specially for Mark, who finally could see his son laughing happy and sincerely, as nothing had happened, as he did during the last lunch that they had a year ago. Steve definitely had come back.

After the lunch they sat in the living room and thirty minutes later, Steve got up, he went downstairs to his apartment, got dressed and when he went upstairs and told his friends:

"Well guys... I'm afraid that I have to go now, I'd like to stay but a new neighbor has invited me to have a coffee."- he didn't want to look at Jesse, but he did and found him with one of his smiling silly faces.

"Have a good time Steve. Oh, and don't forget to call me this night, I have to ask you something about the ribs sauce."

Steve shook his head and went to the door, before he left he looked at Jesse dedicating him a military greeting putting the hand on his temple.

Sarah's house was three minutes from the beach house. Steve was nervous and told to himself:

"Don't be stupid, Steve. She's just a new neighbor, and she's probably married. No, I don't think so, if she were married, she wouldn't have invited me. And...What's about that FBI detective that intended to flirt with you at Miami? She was married too.

Maybe she's engaged, and she just want to know the district, or maybe..."

"Steve!"- Sarah opened the door.

"Hi Sarah. Am I late?"

"No, you're just on time. I was looking trough the window and I saw you. Come in please."

Both got it the house. Sarah guided him to the living room and told him to sit on the couch.

"Thanks Sarah, so tell me How is your ankle?"- Steve asked who didn't know how to break the ice.

"Much better, thank you. It doesn't hurt, now."

Both remained in silence for a few minutes. Finally Sarah said: "Well Steve, Do you prefer some kind of coffee?"

"Ehmm... no, I like all kinds. Yes." "That's perfect, Sloan. Why don't you try to be a little more stupid, ah?"- he thought to himself.

"Cappuccino?"

"Perfect! Do you need help?"

"Relax, I'm with you in a minute."

Sarah went to the kitchen to make the Cappuccinos and Steve stayed at the living room studying the house decoration. There still were boxes on the table and on the floor, there were a lot of books and CD's on the table. One of them draw Steve attention, it was a CD with Donna Summer greatest hits, he picked up it and red the song titles. The coffee fragrance got out of the kitchen and arrived to the living room where Steve was.

Sarah got in the living room carrying a tray with the two creamed coffees. She sat down on the couch next to Steve, leaving the tray on the table, she noticed that Steve had picked up a CD and she asked him:

"Do you like Donna Summer, Steve?"

"Yes, she's great. I specially love two songs of this CD. 'No more tears' and 'I love you'."

"It's a coincidence, these are my favorites. What's your moment?"

"What?"- Steve asked in surprise. He didn't expect this question.

Sarah left her cup on the tray, she put her legs on the couch passing her arms around her knees: "I have a theory, each song has its moment, people love a song 'cause it reminds them something or...someone. So I repeat the question: What's your moment?"

"Well, tell me... What's yours?"- Steve smiled.

"Touché."- Sarah shown again her warm and sweet smile, she took her cup and asked him: "Tell me something about you."

"Like what."- Steve answered.

"Like... What do you do for living?"

"Well... I work at LAPD, I'm homicides lieutenant."- Steve prayed for she didn't have anything against cops.

"No Steve, I'm not kidding. I'm serious now."- Sarah asked.

"I've never been so serious in my life."- Steve began to worry about she felt uncomfortable with his job.- "On the other hand, I'm a restaurant co-owner with my best friend Jesse Travis and with my father. The business is BBQ Bob's. Maybe someday you'd like to come and eat with me there. According to the clients food is not too bad, and for now nobody has died poisoned."- Steve finished the sentence with an outburst of laughter.

"What kind of food do you serve?"- Sarah was interested in his new friend story.

"Ribs, burgers, sandwiches,... you know genuine American food. Well, we also have salads and low cholesterol food, and things like that. Disadvantages to have two doctors as partners."

"I'd love to go if someday you invite me."- Sarah went to Steve and he did the same but when he realized what was happening he went back, swallowed and asked Sarah:

"Tomorrow at lunch time, It applies you?"

Sarah looked to the floor, cleared her throat and answered him: "Yeah sure, it applies."

"Perfect, then I'll pick up you tomorrow at a quarter to two. Now I have to go, time flies. The Cappuccino was great. Thanks Sarah."- Steve got up of the couch and Sarah did the same, she led him to the door and when he was leaving the house she held his arm and told him:

"Steve... excuse me if I was a little impertinent about your job. I didn't expect you were a cop."

"It's okay, Sarah. Tomorrow I hope that you told me something about your job and about your moments."- saying this he instinctively went to her and kissed her on the lips, she didn't say anything neither refused the kiss. After the kiss Steve automatically reacted noticing what he had done. He went back and his face turned into red as he apologized: "I...I'm sorry Sarah. It was something instinctive, I...I had never done a thing like that, I...I don't know what was I thinking about. God, I'm a stupid!! Sarah, excuse me please."

"Take it easy, Steve. I almost did the same in the couch. Now we're drawn. Forget it, right?"- She said trying to relieve Steve's shame- "I wait you tomorrow at a quarter to two, okay?"

"Yes see you. Good night, Sarah."

"Good night, Steve."- Sarah smiled him again, while he turned and went to his house.

"Good beginning, Steve. What were you thinking about? Since when do you rush over a girl to kiss her? God, what a stupid!! Although she said that she almost did the same in the couch. Does it mean that she's attracted by me? Well, maybe she's just done it 'cause you're a cop, many women like cops. Or maybe she likes you. She could also want to have a love affair, and she's using you. Or,... no I think that she's not using you. Well, you should give you a break Steve. Maybe I should phone Jess and told him about what has happened. I don't know... Oh God, I'm so confused...I just met her today, I don't know anything about her. Sloan relax and tomorrow act as if nothing had happened."

"Sloan, It's you?"- it was Leo a Mark's friend, he was fishing, he was blind but he had an extraordinary hearing.

"Yeah Leo, it's Steve. Are you lucky tonight?"

"No, I think that all the fishes are sleeping. And I should be in bed too. Steve you're alone... who were you speaking to? I'm not a gossip but I thought I heard you speaking."- Leo smiled waiting for an answer from the young Sloan.

"Was I talking? Did you hear what I was talking about, Leo?"- Steve's voice reflected a little panic degree.

"I heard that you were talking about a girl, and you looked worried."

"No Leo, don't worry. They were just thought without relevance. I'll see it tomorrow in a different way, I'm sure."

When Steve started to walk to his house Leo said: "Steve, when you can't see, you develop other senses, and you learn to know the people trough their voice and other qualities, you know?"

"And what this is got to do with me?"- Steve interrupted him.

"You'll see, through all these years I've reached the conclusion that you're a nice and a legal guy..."- Leo stopped waiting for a reaction from Steve.

"And?"

"What I'm trying to tell you is that a woman doesn't allow that anyone kisses her, and believe me she won't have done it 'cause you're part of the force."

"Thanks Leo. Good night."- Steve said as he softly slapped his friend shoulder.

"Steve I'm serious. Tomorrow be just yourself, and everything will be alright. Good night."

A few minutes later Steve got into the beach house. His father was asleep on the armchair, with the glasses on and a book in his hands, when Steve closed the door Mark awoke:

"Well Steve"- he said clearing his throat- "How went with the new and unknown neighbor?"

"Fine dad, we've had a Cappuccino and we've been talking...Tomorrow we'll go to Bob's to have lunch."- Mark noticed happiness on Steve's eyes, a happiness that he had lost months ago, and with a smile he told him:

"If you need something you know that I'll be here."

"I know dad, and thanks for supporting and standing me during all these years."- Steve felt the need to apologize for the way he had acted with his father in the last months. He smiled back to his father and put his hand on Mark's shoulder- "Good night, dad."

Mark knew that this was the particular way for Steve to say 'I'm sorry'. Through the years Mark had learnt to decode the messages that his son sent to him.

"Good night, son."

Sarah was sat on her bed thinking about the day. First she knew Steve in the most shameful way, since she saw him she felt something special, it didn't mean that she were falling in love 'cause she didn't know him, they had been together only two times, but she enjoyed staying with him, the way in which he act with her during their accident, his smile... He was completely different to Jack.

"If I had fell on him, I bet that he would have sued me. And of course, he would have thrown me to the sand, and he would have gotten mad. I don't understand how I could get out with him for that long. Maybe this place is a second chance for me. Steve maybe...he could be..."

After she thought about the complicity smiles that they had been sending during all the afternoon, it was like they knew each other since a long time ago.

"Sarah, all you know from him is that he's a homicide lieutenant,... that he's very handsome, nice, and...that kiss. Don't be stupid! It could be his way to say goodbye. No, I don't think so. If it were he wouldn't have apologized; or maybe he did 'cause I was upset, no I wasn't upset. Well, now you must rest 'cause you're drawing conclusions that can be terribly wrong. But the kiss...could be a sing of kindness or perhaps it means that you like him, Steve..."

Finally Sarah got into the bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep thinking about his new neighbor, and in his kiss, wishing that the next day arrived to talk to him and know him better.

It was noon when the phone at the Sloans house rang, Steve left the kitchen with a Donut on his hand and went to answer:

"Yeah?"

"Good morning lieutenant, I'm still waiting for a report. You know that you owe me, don't you?"- it was Jesse who was at the other side.

Steve sat down on the couch and bit the Donut: "I know it Jess, I owe you a complete report, but What's about reporting you this evening after lunch. Now I'm too busy, I've to shower, wash the car, and go to pick up Sarah."- He said with his mouth full.

"Excuse me but I think that I haven't clearly understood you, what was the last thing that you say?"- Jesse asked knowing perfectly what he had heard.

"I said I have to pick up Sarah. Yesterday I invited her to lunch at Bob's."

"Invited her to Bob's? That means that everything is alright."- Jesse's voice shown a mix between impatience and joy.

"Hey, slow down Jess! There's nothing between Sarah and me, don't hurry drawing wrong conclusions, right? Will you try it for once? Tell me you'll do it, please. Ah! Another thing, please don't go to Bob's today, you're a really bad spy."- Steve said laughing.

"What you want lieutenant. But you owe me a coffee too, remember that. Have a good time,"- Jesse also laughed.

"Ciao."

"All men, you're practicing Italian. You know Steve...it's said that Italians are very good at love affairs."- Jesse said ironically.

"Bye Jesse."- Steve hung the phone, and felt the joy that everything had made up with Jesse. For the first time in months he felt really good. He got up of the couch and went downstairs to his apartment.

Steve's clock pointed half past one, he had washed the car, he had had a shower, he had dressed and now he waited sitting on his bed for the scheduled hour; he wanted to be at Sarah's house just in time. He looked at his watch counting each minute. He was anxious for meeting Sarah and talk to her; he wanted to know more about her.

"Please Steve, look at you. You're like a teenager, excited before his first date. Don't be silly, okay?"- then he remembered Leo words: "Just be yourself, and everything will be alright.". Finally the clock pointed twenty to two, he took a deep breath and after he released the air in three short and dry expirations, he got up of the bed and went to the terrace where Mark was reading a exotic foods book. Seeing Steve, he stopped reading and said him:

"You leave, Steve?"

"Yes dad, I told her that I would pick up her at a quarter to two. Are you going to Bob's today?"

"No, I'm not. Today I'll spend my time reading this book, and maybe next weekend I'll make a Thailander receipt."- before the answer Steve breathed in relief.

"That's right, dad. Well, I have to go now, I don't want to be late."

"Have a good time, son."

"We'll try."- Steve said with a smile as he got in the house.

Mark also smiled and stared again the book, he frowned as his face showed a repulsion sign:

"Ugh, I know what I won't make, at least if I want to preserve my friends. How are they able to eat this? It doesn't like too healthy."

Steve arrived to Sarah's house just in time. He rang the bell and quickly the door was opened; Sarah was there wearing a black dress over the knees, without sleeves; a pearl necklace was surrounding her neck, her ear-rings were two little white pearls. He was again tracing the picture robot, it was something that he couldn't avoid, finally he told her:

"Are you ready?"

"Absolutely."- she took her purse and closed the door.

Steve offered his arm to her and led her to the car, he gently opened the door and Sarah sat in smiling him. Steve got in and turning on the engine he said:

"That's right, go for it."

During the trip Sarah didn't stop to see the details of Steve's car, cassettes were perfectly in order, there were no sign of dust, Steve was completely different to Jack, she quickly thrown him away her mind, and she started to study again the cassettes, there were Tony Bennett, Donna Summer, or Tom Jones cassettes. Steve was the first breaking the ice:

"Do you want me to turn on the radio, Sarah?"

"Do you like Tony Bennett?"

"Yes, and you?"

"Well,... a long time ago I enjoyed listening to his songs but..."- Sarah stopped suddenly.

"You don't like him. You can be sincere, it's not an offense to me. Everybody don't like the same kind of songs."

"You'll see, a long time ago I dated with a guy who said that all the people who heard Tony Bennett were ridiculous, and he'd like to break their face."

"Really? Uff. He won't be around here, will he? 'cause I wouldn't like that anyone broke my face."- He said laughing and at the same time trying to rest tension, because it seemed that Sarah got a little sad talking about that.

"I neither like that he hurt you... On the other hand I don't think that he were around here. I left him miles away."- Sarah remained quiet, and after a few seconds Steve broke the uncomfortable silence:

"That was a long time ago."

"Exactly a year since I left him. But we lived at the same city and I wasn't able to go on with my life, so I decided to come to Malibu. I've always loved the sea, and having a house at the beach was my top illusion; aside that meeting a good guy and setting a family."- Sarah felt the need of be relieved and Steve inspired her confidence, without noticing she was telling him her life. A red light made Steve stop the car and he noticed that there was something else that she wanted to tell him, so he waited silent staring at her eyes but she didn't go on, she just simply said:

"Well that's my problem, and I don't want to bore you with all this stuff, 'cause if I start to talk about him I'm sure that I'll lose my appetite, and for nothing on this world I'd lose your bbq ribs."- She smiled although her eyes were sad. Steve knew that she was hiding something, something painful.

They had something in common: in a way or other both had left someone they loved and they were ready to begin a new life.

While he parked the car in front of BBQ Bob's Steve told Sarah:

"I have to warn you about the sauce. Susan, my partner's girlfriend has a sentence that defines it: it'll burn your tongue and it'll scorch your stomach."

"No problem Steve, I love strong emotions."

Both got out of the car and came into the restaurant. It was crowded, there was a boy behind the bar, a couple of waiters taking care of the tables and a couple more at the kitchen making the food as they received the orders.

One of the waiters approached to Steve and slapped him on the back:

"Are you doing Steve? It's been a long time, It was time for you to take care of the business."

"Hi Jake! How is everything?"

"Well, if we consider that we're crazy 'cause people don't stop to come in...everything is alright. Are you going to stay?"

"That was our intention, although maybe it's not the best day for that. All the tables are occupied."

"There will always be a table for the chief. Jesse told Kevin that you were coming with a friend and we've reserved number 7 for you."- Jake said smiling.

"Jesse? Number 7?"- Steve tightened his jaw, he couldn't believe it.

"Oh, he also told him that we shouldn't tell you anything of it. I have to go, they need me in number 5. Excuse me."

"No problem Jake, we'll find out how to arrive there, thanks."- Steve said.

"I hope that you don't consider that I haven't leaded you to the table, at the tip's time."- he went laughing to table number 5 and took note of the new order.

"Tip time?"

When they arrived to their table they sat down, and Sarah asked: Do you maintain this relationship with all your employees?"

"They are more than employees, we consider them as friends. Our theory is that they felt comfortable at work; it's better for them, for the clients and for us.

Meaning Jake, he's a good kid but he is often in troubles. His familiar situation was not too good and he decided to become independent, at his district there were youthful gangs and he was always involved in some mess. Until he got in a help program to marginal districts kids, things got better and when we opened Bob's, we gave him a job that made him learn to earn money. He works hard and people like him."

Sarah was fascinated hearing what Steve thought about the employees, and about his way to help Jake.

At the moment Jake approached the table where they were with a fatigue face and said to Steve:

"Steve, I know that you've come here to have lunch with your friend but, could you lend me a hand? People don't stop to come in, Kevin has burnt a hand and he can't cook, Melanie has replaced him, Frank can't be behind the bar and taking care of the tables at the same time, and I can't..."

Steve cut him: "Take it easy, Jake. I'll help you with the tables."- he looked at Sarah- "Would you mind if I leave you alone for a minutes? I know that this is not very polite coming from a host but..."

"No, don't worry, this things happen when you own a business. I'll wait."- Sarah smiled him.

"I'll be right back."- Steve took off the jacket and he quickly went to the bar, and picking one of the little notebooks he went to table number 3.

Sarah stayed sitting and in a while that Steve had free, he went to the table with a bottle of wine and served a glass for her:

"I'm sorry for not being with you, but this is the rush hour. I think that coming here wasn't a good idea. I didn't know about Kevin. And this is getting longer than I thought. Would you like something to eat?"

"Don't worry, I'll wait for you. Take care of the tables calmly, and when you finish we'll eat. I'm neither so hungry, I can wait."

"Thanks Sarah. I'm going to number 2 to see if they need something."

Sarah was amazed seeing Steve work. He served the tables very quickly and he seemed to know everybody, when they were eating he walked around wondering if they need something or if everything was fine. The restaurant was crowded, she couldn't barely hear the background music by the hubbub, she only could see Steve walking from side to side, stopping sometimes to chat with the clients and smile them. It was unbelievable how he maintained calm and control.

Again she began to remember Jack, he wouldn't stand all this. One night they got into a Seven-eleven, it was crowded. A man was watching backwards and, without realizing, stumbled with him spilling coffee over Jack. Without thinking twice, Jack pushed the man, he hit his face, threw him to the floor and he kicked him several times.

In other occasion, they had a date and because a traffic jam Sarah arrived a fifteen minutes late. When she went upstairs to Jack's house, he held her arm, pushed her in and struck her in the face bursting her lip.

She shook her head and picked up the glass arranging to drink.

Steve once in a while looked at the table where Sarah was smiling. Finally, some clients began to leave, Steve kindly said goodbye to them. Almost three hours had spent since Steve left Sarah. Jake sat dawn on a chair with the head between his hands, Steve put his hand on Jake's back:

"Is everything fine, Jake?"

"Perfectly Steve, now that we're alone. I'm beginning to understand your theory about boredom; although I don't think that it would be too good for my health."- Jake looked at him with a if looks could kill glance.

"C'mon Jake, don't be plaintive. In reference to your health, I'm not the family doctor."- Steve began to laugh and went to the table. He sat down and took a deep breath closing his eyes. Sarah asked him:

"Tired?"- she intended to fake a smile but her eyes accused her sadness and Steve soon noticed that something wasn't right, he held her hand:

"A little bit. Sarah, are you okay? I'm sorry for taking so long in being with you, I haven't planed this like this way."

"You don't have to apologize, Steve. Sometimes we imagine things in a way and after they are the opposite thing. I know that."

Once more Steve felt that Sarah wanted to say him something more.

"Do you want that we leave the lunch for other day, and you go home to rest?"

"The truth is that I'm tired, but not so much. Though I'm not too hungry. We could go to walk by the beach, if you want, you still have to tell me about your job and...your moments."

"You're right Steve. I'm neither so hungry."

Both got up, said goodbye to the employees and left the restaurant to the car, they got in and Steve to the beach. For the first time was Sarah who started to talk:

"Would you mind to explain me your theory about boredom?"- she asked with a funny voice.

" Well it's an old theory and it's not mine. The global thought is that when a person has too free time it gets bored. That is a well known idea. But when it's applied to marginal districts boys it can become into a very dangerous thing. Big delinquents take care of recruiting kids at the school promising them a lot of money, cars,... and all that stuff. After they use and introduce them in drugs, prostitution, robberies... If they don't have a work or some activity to spend their free time when they leave school, it's almost guaranteed that they'll finish at jail, with some addiction, or maybe...dead."- Steve voice turned sad as his expression, Sarah guessed that he had seen some kid being used like this, and she put her hand on his shoulder:

"Is wonderful what you've done for Jake, really."

"The truth is that I'm very proud of him. Since he left the district he's been dedicating his free time to help other boys, and we've established a little basket league, we join on weekends to play..."- Steve stopped and Sarah looked at him waiting, he didn't react. They arrived to the beach, Steve parked the car, they got out and started to walk to the sand.

"Today is Saturday, Aren't you supposed to be playing?"- she asked still waiting for the reaction.

"Well...I left it a year ago. It's been a bad year to me too."- Steve stopped walking and he sat on the sand tracing figures on it.

"I don't think that you didn't enjoy being with the boys, why did you leave it?"- Sarah was really interested in what Steve had to say.

"You're right I love being with them, but...this last year has been very hard to me, I've got a really bad time. I've spent...time at home lock up, I didn't want to see nobody, not even the kids."- Steve couldn't believe that he were opening his heart to Sarah like this way, for a moment he felt panic because he wasn't the kind of person that use to show his feelings so openly and less to a stranger; he looked down to the sand and took a deep breath. Sarah realized that he has also something to tell her, but he didn't, he just continued tracing figures on the sand.

"Where did you live before coming here?"- he asked to avoid to talk about Lynn.

"I lived in a small town at Kansas, although I wasn't Dorothy and of course, I didn't find Oz wizard there. I worked as a children teacher; I loved that job but my boyfriend, Jack, didn't feel the same about the job either the kids. I hated that town"

"You said that you love the sea, why didn't you leave that town before?"- he asked trying to reach the bottom of the situation.

"I continued in that town for Jack, I was hooked to him, but after three years engaged, the situation became untenable and I was obliged to leave the town."- she looked at Steve, saw a curious look in his eyes and she answered him- "You'll see, Jack was a strange guy: he was possessive, maybe too much, extremely jealous and he got angry if someone looked at me. More than once he broke somebody a rib to talk to me, I always had to dress like he wanted, eat what he wanted,..."

Steve interrupted her: "Why didn't you leave him before?"

" 'Cause I was in love with him, on the other hand every time I tried he began to cry saying that he couldn't live without me... and in a certain way I felt guilty about what was happening."

"Guilty? But Why? You didn't anything bad."

"When I noticed that, it was too late. When I picked up my stuff to leave his house, he gave me a beating."- Sarah remained quiet and Steve did the same for a seconds, he was amazed for the details of Sarah's life.

"You sued him. Didn't you?"

"I did when I got bored of the beating, but sheriff didn't believe me. He needed some witness."- Sarah closed her eyes and shook her head. Steve didn't know what to say, he knew that it was necessary to have some proofs, but in an physical attack they were obliged to investigate before rejecting victim's testimony.

"Nobody helped you?"-he asked finally.

"Nobody. Everybody at the town knew Jack, they knew that if they testified against him, their lives would begin to go very bad. He was a kind of God at that town. He was a dictator, and everybody were afraid of him, in addition the sheriff was his friend. So finally after the last beating I was at the hospital for two weeks and before he came back to pick me, I ran away decided to start a new life and fulfill my dream: buy a house at the beach."- Sarah breathed deeply, her eyes were filled up with tears, Steve stared at her and said:

"Is that one of your moments, No more tears, enough is enough?"

"Right. When I decided to leave him, it was that song on the radio and it made me see that I was wrong, that I couldn't blame me for he were an undesirable, that the truth was that he was sick, and though I thought that he was special it wasn't true. I noticed that I'd stand Jack for too long and the worse: that I was getting use to his way of treating me. It really helped me to say: It's enough!"- and saying this she broke to cry. Steve held her tight and remained silent trying to digest Sarah's story, something that was extremely difficult to him. In that cases he hated to be part of the force, because in most occasions they couldn't do anything before that situations more common every day. Sometimes because attacked women didn't sue their aggressors, others because judges didn't make their work easy and asked for proofs that they weren't able to get, as an eyewitness.

After a minutes, Sarah calmed but she stayed between Steve's arms, for the first time in four years she felt really safe, protected. Steve broke the silence his voice was like a whisper and reminded him the way in which Jesse talked to him after Lynn's death:

"Do you feel better? You don't have to feel guilty about what happened. Take it easy, now everything is gonna be okay. He doesn't know where are you. This won't happen you again."- he said while he caressed her cut hair.

"Steve, Would you mind if you hold me for a minutes? I feel good with you is like nothing wrong could happen to me. Since I left the hospital a year ago I've lived with fear, always looking back thinking that he'd be right there...but now, with you I feel safe."-"she said putting her head over his chest, he began to swing and kissed on the forehead. They remained silent watching the sunset.

Next day Steve awoke, he couldn't hardly sleep thinking about Sarah and her story that she'd told him the afternoon before. He'd never understand how someone could fake that they love somebody and hurt them; he thought again about Lynn and he couldn't avoid to compare her with Sarah, they were completely opposed, not only physically but psychologically.

Both had very much things in common, they had been through a bad experience and now they were trying to recover, maybe they could help each other, of course he was disposed to help Sarah, and ready to forget Lynn.

Finally he got up, washed his face and went upstairs to join his father:

"Are you doing Steve? You went late to bed?"

"No, but I couldn't hardly sleep. I've spent the night thinking."- he said as he sat down on a stool and picked up a pancake with jam.

"Can I help you, son? You know that I'm here if you need me."

"I know dad, but now there's not much that you can do."- he said with some melancholy in his voice.

"Do you think again about Lynn?"- Mark asked waiting that Steve didn't go away from him again, and told him about his feelings.

"No dad, I don't. Well, in certain way I do it. But I don't think about her in the way that I did it before, the truth is that I don't know how could she play with me like that."- he remembered for a moment the chat that he maintained with Sarah on the beach when he asked her the reason for what she continued with a guy that mistreated her, and he found the answer- "I've decided to leave Lynn's affair behind, but now I'm worried about Sarah, she's also trying to leave something behind, and I have a bad feeling about that."- for a moment it seemed that Mark wanted to say something but he didn't leaving that Steve spoke.- "She was engaged with a guy that mistreated her physical and psychologically, she spent three years before leave him, and since then she's been running from him. She said me that she doesn't know anything about him for a year, but I think that she's hiding something. She's afraid of something."- after the explanation he drank a drink of orange juice and he rose of the stool before the worrying look of his father that asked him:

"Son, Don't you have breakfast?"

"No, I'm not hungry dad. I'm going to have a walk by the beach."- Steve answered.

Mark was very worried about Steve, but he let go away without tell him a word. He preferred that Steve clarified his thoughts and spoke with him later.

Sarah was at her bedroom still in the bed, suddenly she awoke frightened, a hand was on her mouth covering it to avoid that she shouted, she remained with her eyes closed terrified before what she could find when she opened them; after a seconds she heard a familiar voice:

"Good morning, honey. How do you feel this morning?"- her fear increased when she recognize Jack on the voice that whispered in her ear. Sarah finally opened her eyes and saw him there sitting next to her on the bed, she wished that this were a nightmare and closed them again waiting that he weren't there when she opened them back, but it wasn't a dream: Jack was there.

"Tell me something, Sarah. Are you going to shout if I back off my hand from your mouth?- he said with a smile on his lips and a madness look on his black eyes. Sarah nodded and Jack immediately retired his hand, Sarah sat on the bed and asked him:

"How did you find me, Jack?"- fear completely disappeared form her voice.

"Do you think that I'm stupid, Sarah? I didn't become a CIA agent for nothing. I've my sources and I'm a very good investigator. Not like your new friend lieutenant Sloan."- his smile quickly erased from his lips.

"He has nothing to do with that, Jack."- Sarah tried to protect Steve.

"There is where you're wrong, my dear Sarah. He's the reason for what I'm here. You're thinking as a little kid. If my memory is right we had a deal, and that was a simple deal: your deliver Sloan to me and I'd give your freedom back. I'd have a revenge and you would recover your life."- he said with a slow voice staring to Sara's eyes.

"Things haven't happened as we expected, Jack. He can't trust me, is very soon, as you could imagine he can fall in love with me in a couple of days. And that's the time since we know each other. Give me some time and Sloan will be yours."

"C'mon Sarah, don't try to play with me. I've been following you, I saw you tonight in the beach embraced, in addition Friday I saw how he kissed you. Do you actually think that he doesn't trust you? Don't underestimate me."- Jack's voice shown a little of scorn.

"I need one more week to get closer to him. Just a week, Jack. You've been waiting for twelve months, what can you lose for giving me a week?"- Sarah was completely serious.

"You're right, what can I lose? But let me tell you something, if you try to deceive me like the last time and run away from me, I'll finish with you, you hear me? I'll kill you and also to Stevie. Think very well what you're going to do, sugar."- saying this he kissed her on her cheek, he got up of the bed and got out through the door. Sarah stayed on the bed trembling holding the pillow, she closed her eyes and started to cry.

The things have taken a unexpected turn, a direction that she didn't want to take and that Steve not even suspected.

END OF THE FIRST PART.