Partners in Love

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

TITLE: Partners in Love.
AUTHOR: Allison A. Hunter.
E-MAIL: Scribe5@Hotmail.com
RATING: PG-13.

SUMMARY: Steve and Tanis find they want to be more than partners.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, CBS and Viacom do. I've only
borrowed them for a little while. No money is being made from this - which
is the story of my life. Still it's a lot of fun.

The courtroom was hushed as Judge Jules Simon read the jury's verdict and
handed the paper back to the bailiff who returned it to the Chairperson of
the jury. She opened it and read out:"In the case of the people versus
Gerald Pressman on charge one that he did murder Diane Sherman we find him
guilty of first degree murder. On charge two that he did conspire to commit
fraud against the US Government we find him guilty. Both verdicts are
unanimous."

A noise rippled through the courtroom as the verdict was announced and the
accused Pressman shook his head with disbelief.

Judge Simon looked down at him and said: "Will the accused please stand. You
have been found guilty of two heinous crimes. The court is grateful to the
jury for reaching a clear-cut unanimous verdict in this case and we would
also thank the police officers who gave such accurate and irrefutable
evidence which certainly left no doubt in my mind of your guilt."
Lieutenant Steve Sloan and his partner Sergeant Tanis Archer exchanged
glances in the public benches. The judge continued: "Because of the selfish,
pre-meditated and evil crimes which you have committed I have no option but
to impose the harshest sentence of this court. You are sentenced to death by
lethal injection. Take him away."

The officers on either side of the accused took his arms but before they
could move off he thrashed round and glared at the detectives in the public
gallery. "Sloan, if I'm a dead man so are you!"

"Wow!" said Tanis Archer. "You made a pal there."

Steve Sloan smiled. "Yea, but I won't lose sleep over it. He's going to be
locked up in a jail cell now till they take him for that long walk. Come on,
I'll buy you lunch."

Tanis stepped back and stared at him. "You're going to buy me lunch?"

"Yes," said Steve. "Something the matter with that?"

His blonde haired partner smiled and shook her head. "No, but the last time
you and I tried to eat out in a restaurant you ended up in the hospital."

He shuddered. As if he could forget the three bullets tearing into his body
as he fell to the bar-room floor. "Yea, well this is different," he said.
"It's not dinner at 5 a.m. with the Chief, it's lunch in the middle of town.
Of course, if you don't want to we could always brown bag it back at the
office."

"No way partner" said Tanis, putting her arm through his. "If you're buying
I'm eating out."

As they made their way through the main course Tanis put down her fork and
said: "You don't think there was anything in that threat from Pressman do
you Steve?"

Steve looked at her worried eyes and without thinking reached over and took
her fingertips in his hand. "Of course not. It was just the last yelp of a
dying man. I told you there's nothing he can do."

She smiled and squeezed his hand for an instant longer than she had to
before withdrawing it and picking up her fork.

He felt a frisson of excitement ripple through him and suddenly feeling
confused about his emotions concentrated on dissecting his steak. Finally,
feeling calm enough to look at her again he asked: "What are you going to do
with the next few days off?"

She finished swallowing and said: "I'm planning to go back east to visit my
sister, what about you?"

Steve smiled. "Oh Jesse's been on at me to go surfing with him so I guess
I'll just be hanging about the beach."

"Mhhm" she said. "That sounds good."

Steve turned his icy blue eyes on her and said quietly: "You're welcome to
join us."

She hesitated. "No, I don't think so. I'm not really a beach person."

He shrugged and they continued their meal.

The next day, true to his word, Steve met up with Jesse and they spent an
hour surfing before coming back onto the sand to get their breaths back.
Jesse lay on his back, his fair hair as unruly as ever, one arm behind his
head. "So Steve, how's your love life these days?" Anyone special?" he
asked.

Steve, who was sitting up with his arms on his knees glared at his friend.
"As if it's any of your business" he said, but even saying it he felt a
blush stain his neck.

Jesse didn't miss it. He sat up and pointed a finger at Steve. "Aha, there
is someone isn't there?"

Steve smiled and shook his head. "No Jess. There's no-one. Which was the
truth he told himself, or was it. He took a deep breath and pointed out to
the ocean. "Come on Jess, surf's up and we're missing it."

Jesse smiled, knowing he was being side-tracked but gave up for the time
being and picking up his board ran after Steve into the glistening surf.

Steve lay on the board and propelled it through the waves with his powerful
arm muscles till he was far enough out to stand and surf back to the beach.
Jesse was still 20 yards behind him and watched as his friend got his
balance as a wave picked up the board.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, the sound of a jetski filled the air and Jesse
looked in horror as the machine turned straight for Steve and smashed into
him before veering back out to sea. He saw Steve's body flip through the air
and heard the board crash down on his friend before he disappeared beneath
the surf.

Jesse only stopped for a moment to shout for help from the lifeguards before
dropping his board and swimming to where he's last seen Steve. Diving under
the water he thrashed around desperately trying to find him. Rising to the
surface to gasp for air he found he had been joined by two lifeguards. "He
went down here!" he yelled, diving down again. This time he saw Steve's body
being pummelled by the waves and grabbing his head pulled him to the
surface. The lifeguards immediately took charge and hauled him to the beach
where they laid him on his back.

Jesse slumped on the sand beside them, his chest aching as he tried to get
his breath. When he did the first thing he said was: "Oh God Steve no!"

Steve's shoulder was cut to ribbons and his left leg was bloody and torn
from thigh to calf where the jetski had hit him.

"He's not breathing" shouted one of the lifeguards. "Starting CPR."

Jesse watched as the man put his mouth against Steve's and breathed life
into him. He caught a glimpse of another surfer he knew and called out to
him: "Davie, go tell his dad will ya?"

"We've got him!" gasped the triumphant lifeguard as Steve gasped for breath
and a lungful of sea-water gushed from his mouth.

Dr Mark Sloan was sitting on a lounger in the back yard of the beach house
when he heard his name being called and looked up at the agitated young man
at his gate. "Dr Sloan, you've got to come quick. It's Steve, he's been
hurt!"

"What!" gasped Mark. "I'll be right there!" Pulling off his glasses and
putting his book on the table he loped across the yard and down to the beach
to where a crowd was gathered at the edge of the surf. Pushing his way
through he fell to his knees beside his stricken son. Looking at his
injuries he said to Jesse: "What happened to him?"

Jesse was pale and frightened for Steve and said in a small voice: "A
jeskier ran into him. Mark it was deliberate. I saw him do it!"

"What!" said Mark. "Why on earth would someone do that?" But he didn't
expect a reply to the question, he was too busy assessing his son's
injuries. "Has someone called an ambulance?" he asked.

"On its way" said a voice from the crowd.

As the sound of the siren approached Jesse put his hand on Mark's shoulder.
"Mark, I'll go back and lock up the house and follow you in."

Mark looked up briefly. "OK, thanks Jess". Then his attention went back to
his son, who although breathing on his own was still deeply unconscious.

As the EMTs pulled the stretcher out of the ambulance and hurried towards
the doors of the ER at Community General Hospital Jesse's car pulled up
behind it and he leapt out. Throwing his keys to a security guard he
shouted: "Have someone park my car will ya?"

The guard caught them and called "Sure Dr Travis, no problem". But Jesse had
already disappeared through the ER doors, racing after the stretcher
carrying his friend. He had stopped at the beach house only long enough to
pull on a dry shirt and a pair of deck shoes and running into the department
in shorts drew strange looks from some of the staff. He ignored them and
headed for Trauma One, just in time to move to the other side of the table
and take hold of Steve. "On my count" he said. "One, two, three." Together
he and two nurses pulled Steve over onto the exam table and the EMT team
cleared the stretcher out of the way.

Immediately he set about checking Steve's vital signs, aware than Mark Sloan
was hovering close-by, knowing he wanted to help and knowing also he was
giving Jesse his place. Jesse looked up at Mark. "His BP is 90 over 60 and
his pulse is thready." He lifted each of Steve's eyelids in turn. "He's
deeply concussed."

He gently ran his fingers through Steve's hair, feeling his skull. At the
back of his head his hand encountered the stickiness of blood and he eased
apart Steve's thick hair to see a three inch gash on his scalp. "This must
be where his board him him," he said, adding in explanation. "I saw it crash
down on him."

Mark Sloan groaned and leaned on the bottom of the bed for support. Jesse
looked up concerned. "Mark are you alright?"

The older doctor nodded. "I'm OK Jesse. Just take care of Steve."

Jesse nodded and looking at the nearest nurse said: "Could you cut this vest
off so I can examine the damage please."

"Yes doctor," she said, pulling out a pair of scissors and starting to cut
the material. "What about his shorts?" she asked.

Jesse looked at his unconscious friend. "I should be able to examine his leg
without removing them." he said. "I don't think the Lieutenant would be too
pleased if he knew he'd been lying stark naked in the middle of a busy ER."

Mark's white moustache twitched in a smile, knowing Jesse was making light
of things for his benefit.

With the vest off Jesse could see the full extend of the damage. Steve's
left side had taken the full force of the impact and his shoulder and back
were torn and bleeding. Jesse's hands continued to check Steve out. As his
hands moved over his friend's rib-cage he felt one, two, three broken ribs.
He moved down, palpating his abdomen in a bid to detect any internal
bleeding. Then he placed his hands on each side of Steve's pelvis and pushed
them together gently. He watched Steve's face intently for any reaction but
got none. Even a deeply unconscious patient would react to a fractured
pelvis being manipulated. Jesse was fairly certain he could rule that out.

Then he moved on. Steve's right leg was fine but his left one was a mess. It
had deep tears above and below the knee and would certainly need further
investigation. Satisfied he had done all he could for the moment he
straightened up and said to his nursing team:"Right, get him to x-ray. I
want a full set of pictures and cat scan, and I want it ten minutes ago!".

As a nurse threw a green sheet over Steve's battered body two others rushed
his bed out of the room to x-ray.

A short time later they were all back in the same room as Mark and Jesse
carefully studied the set of x-rays. Jesse looked closely at the x-ray and
cat scan of Steve's skull. "Just as well he's so thick headed" he said. "I
can't see any signs of a fracture, although that board hit him real hard."

He looked along the x-rays. "No fractures in that shoulder despite the mess
it's in. Three broken ribs, pelvis clear, right leg clear, left leg cl..."
He stopped and looked closer. "Mark, what am I looking at?"

Mark stepped closer and peered where the young doctor was pointing. "It's a
piece of bone Jesse. It's been chipped off the base of his femur. It's
floating in there. It'll have to come out. OR will handle it. He'll have to
go there anyway to get that deep tissue damage repaired."

As he removed his glasses a sound behind him made his back straighten and he
spun round. A hoarse, almost inaudible voice whispered "Dad".

"Oh thank God" said Mark Sloan, moving over to his son's side.

Steve's eyes flickered weakly and when they opened enough to focus they were
filled with pain and confusion.

"Don't try to move son" Mark said, placing his hand gently on Steve's
shoulder. "Do you remember what happened?"

Steve closed his eyes and then opened them again. Even that seemed too much
effort for him. "Something hit me in the water" he croaked. He closed his
eyes again and moaned. "It hurts Dad".

Mark wished he could take the pain away but right now he couldn't. "I know
it does Steve. You've got a couple of bad injuries. Your shoulder's been
hurt and you've got some broken ribs and your leg's in bad shape."

Mention of his leg caught Steve's attention. He loved to run the beach and
ride his dirt bike and most things he did involved his legs. He lifted his
head and strained to see his injuries. When he caught sight of his left leg
he gasped and started to panic. Jesse leapt forward to hold him down.
"Steve, don't, you'll do yourself more damage."

The monitors were beeping wildly as his blood pressure and pulse altered
erratically. "My leg Jesse" said Steve, staring intently into his friend's
eyes.

Jesse managed to get him to lie still but kept his hands on him in case he
did anything more on impuse. "Steve your leg's pretty torn up but it will be
alright. You'll be running after the girls on the beach again in no time
believe me."

Steve let out a breath then said: "But..." He knew there was more.

"But" said Jesse. "you've chipped a bone in there and we're going to have to
operate to remove the fragment and repair the tissue damage. You're not
going to be moving very fast for a while I'm afraid."

Steve groaned and Jesse patted his shoulder. "Never mind partner. You'll be
able to dine out on these injuries for months. The girls'll be queueing up
to mother you."

Steve tried to smile but a wave of pain turned it into a groan instead and
brought Jesse back to business. "Right team," he said, "Let's get him
prepped for the OR." To Steve he said: "We'll be able to make the pain go
away very soon now Steve, just relax."

The sun cast a dappled pattern over the hospital room as Steve started to
come awake the next morning. His left arm was in a sling to prevent him
moving his injured shoulder. His left leg was heavily bandaged and resting
on pillows. He shuffled to change position and groaned as his injured ribs
reminded him of their presence.

The groan woke his father who was sleeping in a chair near the bed and the
older man looked round in confusion, momentarily forgetting why he wasn't
home in his own bed. Then remembering he leapt to his feet and came over to
Steve's side. "How're you feeling son?" he asked.

Steve smiled. "Not as bad as you look" he said to his father whose hair was
mussed and who uncharacteristically was unshaven. "Have you slept there all
night?" said.

His dad sat on the edge of the bed. "I wasn't going to leave you" he said.

Steve put his good hand on his father's. "Dad, go home and get a proper
rest. I'm OK and I'm certainly not going anywhere."

His father smiled. "How does everything feel today?"

Steve made a face. "Everything hurts like hell. I just wish I could get my
hands on that idiot on the jetski. I'd give him some idea of how it feels to
be hit by one of those things."

Mark patted his son's hand. "The police are invesgating what happened Steve.
Leave them to do their job. I'm sure they'll find him. Now, if you're sure
you're alright I'll do as you say and go home and get cleaned up. I'll be
back soon."

With that he ran a hand over Steve's hair and left.

After a while Jesse came by to check on his vital signs, stayed to chat for
a little while and left. Steve lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes,
trying to blot out the dull aches that remained despite the meds he'd been
given. He heard the room door open but assumed it was just a nurse and kept
his eyes closed. A voice close to his head suddenly said: "Howdy pardner".

His eyes flew open in surprise. "Tanis!" he gasped. "I thought you were back
east."

She smiled and perched one hip on the edge of his bed. "I almost was, then I
stopped by the precinct to pick something up and they told me what happened.
So I called my sister and cancelled and came here instead."

"You cancelled your trip because of me" said Steve.

"That's what friends are for isn't it?" she asked, putting her hand on his
chest.

For a moment he didn't know what to say. He only knew he loved the feel of
her hand on his bare flesh and hoped she'd keep it there.

Finally she broke the silence. "So, the boys tell me this wasn't an
accident. D'you think this is Pressman trying to keep his promise."

Steve stared at her and shook his head. "I don't know. I've been so busy
feeling sorry for myself it never occurred to me. I guess it could be.
I...I...still can't believe you're here," Steve stammered.

She smiled again. "Well, I thought you'd be easier to handle if you only had
use of half of your body Sloan," she joked.

He covered her hand with his and said with a mischievious grin. "All the
bits that matter are still working perfectly."

"Well," she said, "you're obviously not as sick as I was led to believe. So
now that I'm here is there anything I can do for you?"

He looked at her oval face, framed by shoulder length copper hair. "Well,
there is one thing now you mention it" he said.

"Sure, what d'you want?" she asked.

He reached out with his right hand and placing it behind her neck pulled her
face towards him. "This" he said, opening his lips and pressing them against
hers. She returned the kiss for a moment then broke free and sitting up
said: "Whoa, what are they putting in your meds?"

He turned serious blue eyes on her and looking intently at her said: "Tell
me you didn't enjoy that as much as I did."

"I...yes...I...liked it..but Steve, we're partners. The Chief would kill
us."

He stroked the back of her hand. "The Chief doesn't need to know."

Just then the door opened and Mark Sloan entered the room. He was surprised
to see Steve's visitor and said: "Well hello Tanis, nice to see you."

"Is it?" she said. "I wouldn't have thought you'd of been too happy to see
me at all."

"And why's that?" Mark asked, smiling.

"I put you in jail or had you forgotten."

"I know you did" he replied. "But you were just doing your job. You did
everything by the book and when the evidence pointed to me you did what you
had to. You weren't wrong, the evidence was."

She smiled. "I seem to remember someone else telling me that at the time."
She tossed a quick glance at Steve who smiled back and said: "Tanis called
off her trip back east to come and see how I was. D'you think someone could
get her a coffee?"

"Sure" said his father. "I'll arrange it."

Out in the hallway Mark asked a nurse if she could rustle up a decent cup of
coffee for Steve's guest and as he spoke Amanda passed Steve's room and
glanced in before coming over to Mark. "I see Tanis is with Steve" she said.
"Is something going on there?"

"I don't know" answered Mark. "But I guess we'll find out eventually."

Two days later Jesse came into Steve's room to change his dressings. pushing
back the sheet on the bed he carefully began to peel the gauze dressing from
his friend's leg. Dropping the gauze into a waste bag he studied the wound
and said to Steve: "It's looking pretty good. D'you want to see?"

Steve, who was studying the ceiling, answered: "I don't know - do I?"

Jesse grinned. "It's nothing like it was last time you looked. It's OK
really."

Steve slowly pulled his gaze away from the ceiling and lifting hsi head from
the pillow looked down at his injured leg. There was massive bruising and a
long line of stitches on his thigh and calf. "Jeez" he whispered. "Are you
sure I'm going to be able to walk properly again."

Jesse moved up the bed and put his hand on Steve's arm. "It's going to be
fine. In fact we'll probably release you tomorrow if you promise to take
things real easy."

Steve's eyes brightened. "Hey, that's great news."

"What's great news?" asked a voice from the door.

Both men turned their heads in that direction. Tanis Archer was standing
there, looking radiant in a sleeveless white blouse and short red skirt.

"Hi Tanis" Steve said, angry as he felt a blush heat his neck. "Jesse says I
can go home tomorrow."

She came over to the bed. "Well, that's good news." Then she frowned as she
saw the damage to his leg. "God Steve, I'd no idea." Looking at Jesse she
said: "I'm sorry, do you want me to leave while you do that?"

Jesse, who was unwrapping a sterile dressing, looked up and smiled. "No,
that's OK. Yuo seem to be able to take his mind off things when you're here.
I'll be through with this in a minute and leave you two together."

Steve threw him a look but the doctor just smirked and went on with his
work.

The next day Steve was sitting up in bed, waiting expectantly for his
release from the hospital. The door opened and his fatehr came in with a
holdall. "Hi son" he said. "Brought you some clothes. You weren't wearing
much when they brought you in remember."

"Thanks Dad" Steve said as he began to sift through the bag, pulling out
black joggers and a sweatshirt.

His father watched him struggle out of the hospital gown he was wearing and
asked: "D'you want a hand there."

Steve shook his head. "No, it's OK. I've got to start doing things for
myself again.|"

His father shook his head and sank into an armchair to wait for him to
dress. He wondered how he had raised such a stubborn son.

Finally Steve sat up and admitted he needed help. "Uh Dad, there's no way I
can get my shoes on. Can you help me here?"

Before his father could answer another voice said: "I'll do it if you like".

Tanis had come into the room unseen and walking over to the bed knelt down
and gently pushed his loafers onto his feet. Standing up again she said:
"I'll take you home if you want - I've got teh day off."

Steve looked at his father, knowing he wanted to do it and not wanting to
hurt his feelings. His father just smiled as fathers do and sai: "That would
be great Tanis. Then I can finish up here and be home early to make dinner."

Steve didn't say anything but gave his father an "are you sure" look, which
his father returned with a slight nod.

Jesse pushed open the door then with the obligatory wheelchair and a pair of
crutches balanced on it. "OK big guy,time to go."

Steve sank onto the chair and Jesse came round in front of him and handed
him the crutches. "Stay off that leg as much as you can and if you have to
move around use these. But don't use them more than you have to because
it'll put a strain on your shoulder. Got that?"

Steve nodded and smiled at his friend. "Yes Jess, thanks."

Tanis took the handles of the chair and pushed Steve out of the room, much
to Jesse's surprise. He looked open mouthed at Mark who shook his head and
laughed. "Don't ask Jess, don't ask."

Once they reached the beachhouse Tanis helped Steve inside then turning to
him said: "What now - do you want to go to bed?"

Steve smiled mischieviously. "Wow, I didn't think our relationship had
gotten than far yet."

She hit his good arm. "I meant you, not us, idiot. Do you want to rest?"

He shook his head. "No, I just want to sit outside and watch the surf."

She shook her head. "I'd have thought you'd have had enough surf for a
while."

"No" he answered. "It wasn't the ocean that hurt me, it was that bastard on
the jetski. do they know who he is yet?"

"Come outside and sit" she said, guiding him across the living room and out
onto the balcony.

Once they were seated she leaned on the table and said: "They traced the
jetski to a rental yard along the beach. They could tell by the damage it
was the one that hit you. Would you believe the punk that hired it gave his
own name?"

"You're kidding" said Steve, open mouthed. "So they got him right?"

She looked at her hands on the table and hesitated. He repeated: "They did
get him didn't they?"

She looked up at him. "Somebody got him - but it wasn't us. He was found in
his apartment with a bullet through the back of his head. He'd been
executed."

"Oh my God" said Steve. "You don't think his death is linked to what
happened to me do you?"

Tanis looked even more uncomfortable. "We think he was taken out so he
couldn't identify who hired him to get you. Yes, we do think it's linked."

Steve looked skyward for a moment then wheels began to turn in his head. He
turned to stare at Tanis. "This isn't your day off is it? You're here to
protect me right?"

She sighed. "Yes, I'm here to protect you. You're not exactly in a fit state
to look out for yourself right now."

He sat quietly, staring out to sea, a shadow over his face, his eyes dimmer
than usual. Finally she couldn't take the silence any more and said: "What
is it? Why are you so angry?"

He was quiet for a while longer then, without looking at her, said almost in
a whisper: "I thought you were here because you wanted to be with me."

Then he lowered his head and stared at his hands in his lap.

She felt a weight press against her chest and took a deep breath to shift it
before she got up and went to his side. Gently pushing his right leg over
on the deckchair she perched on the edge and said quietly: "I do want to be
with you. That's why I volunteered for this duty. Sometimes you can be so
stupid."

With that she leaned forward and putting a hand on each side of his head
kissed his mouth. He didn't respond and she stopped, suddenly feeling
foolish. "Sorry, maybe I misread the signals."

Slowly he raised his head,his eyes filled with emotion. "No you didn't."
Reaching out with his right hand he pulled her face towards his, opening his
lips to kiss her long and slowly, holding her against him as best he could
with only one good arm. Finally she broked away and said: "If you're alright
now with my reasons for being here I think we should get you inside. You're
too much of a target sitting out in the open like this."

He nodded and standing painfully slipped the crutches in place and limped
into the living room. He sat on the couch and she saw the strain on his face
from moving around. "Lie down Steve," she said. "You need to rest. I'll
watch some TV while you nap."

He lay back and she helped him slide his long legs onto the couch. She had
barely turned on the TV when she heard his breathing deepen and even out and
realised he was already fast asleep. She noticed a travel rug lying on a
stool near the window and picking it up draped it over him, pausing for a
moment at his side to look at his strong face, relaxed now, the pain lines
eased out by sleep. She brushed a hand lightly over his blond hair then
returned to the armchair.

He was still sleeping soundly at 4p.m.when Mark came into the house. Tanis
sat forward in her chair and put a finger to her lips, then pointed at the
couch. Mark put down his briefcase and looked down at his sleeping son,
smiling. She pointed to the deck and indicated they should go outside. He
nodded and held out his hand for her to go first. Once outside Tanis turned
to Mark and said: "You ought to know the person who did this to Steve has
been found dead."

"What!" gasped Mark, and before he could say more she added: "We think he
was killed deliberately to stop him identifying the person who hired him to
hurt Steve."

Mark sat on a deckchair and wiped his hand over his face. "My God," he said
quietly. "So this isn't finished is it?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm afraid it isn't?"

He looked up. "And your friendly gesture of spending the day with him was
official business wasn't it?"

She smiled at how alike father and son were. "Yes, I'm on duty - but it was
a duty I volunteered for. I don't want anything happening to him any more
than you do. And because of that I have a favour to ask you. Can I stay here
in your guest room for a few days till we hopefully sort this out?"

He was slightly taken aback by the request but then nodded and said; "Yes,
yes of course. Does Steve know?"

She shook her head. "No, he fell asleep before I could run it past him. I'll
tell him later."

Mark looked at the pretty detective standing opposite him and hesitated for
a moment before asking: "Tanis, it's none of my business but do you and
Steve have feelings for each other?"

She smiled and looked out to the ocean for a moment before looking back at
him. "Yes, we do, but it's early days."

"I see" said Mark, smiling. "Well, I hope things work out for the both of
you. I've seen the way he looks at you."

She lowered her eyes and blushed and realising he was making her feel
uncomfortable the older man said: "So if you're staying we'd better get
dinner organised. Hope you don't mind. Jesse and Amanda are joining us, sort
of celebration meal since Steve's home."

Together they set off for the kitchen to get prepared.

Later on as they all dined together Mark said to Steve: "Has Tanis told you
what's happening yet?"

Steve paused, a forkful of food halfway to his mouth. "What d'you mean
what's happening. I didn't know anything was happening."

Tanis looked a little sheepish then said: "Uh Steve I asked your dad if I
could stay here for a few days till we get this case sorted out."

Jesse looked puzzled. "I thought it was sorted out. Didn't you say the guy
who did this was dead. That's the end of it right?"

Tanis shook her head. "No, I'm afraid it's not. The person who ordered the
hit on Steve is still out there and could try again."

"That's awful" said Amanda. "So you're staying here to protect him is that
right?"

Tanis nodded and glanced at Steve. He was looking thoughtful and didn't say
anything more which was odd for him. She hoped he wasn't going to make a
scene when everyone left.

Finally the evening came to a close and Jesse and Amanda said their
goodbyes, hoping Steve was feeling better soon and the case could be
resolved. As Mark began to clear away the dishes from the table Tanis put
her hand on his arm and stopped him for a moment saying: "Mark I think Steve
should sleep upstairs for the time being."

Steve looked up from where he was still sitting at the table. "You're
kidding right?" he said. "I'm home and I want to sleep in my own apartment,
where all my things are."

Tanis sat beside him and took his right hand in hers. "I know you do Steve
but if everyone sleeps upstairs it's easier to contain any situation that
may arise. Also, it would be easier on you if you didn't have to climb up
and down those stairs when your leg is still so bad."

He knew she was right but was annoyed that things were being taken out of
his hands. He opened his mouth to speak but before a sound came out his
father said: "Steven!" God he hated when he called him that, it made him
feel ten years old again. His shoulders slumped. "OK," he said reluctantly.
"But only for a few days."

The night passed uneventfully and after breakfast Mark set off for the
hospital, leaving Steve and Tanis at the beachhouse. Tanis's cellphone rang
and she answered it, scribbling down the information that was being given to
her and giving non-committal replies so as not to alert Steve who was
sitting in an armchair across the room. When she rang off he looked
expectantly at her and asked: "Anything interesting?"

"No," she said, "just the guys keeping me up to speed."

She made to leave the room but his voice stopped her in her tracks: "Whoa,
come back here and tell me what's happening or I'll drive down to the
precinct and find out for myself."

Her shoulders drooped and she turned round and came over to flop into a
chair near Steve. She looked at him wearily, knowing if she didn't tell him
what she knew he'd do something on his own to find out. She held up the
piece of paper she had written on. "When they searched the flat of the guy
who did this to you they found a phone number written on a pad by the phone.
The same number was stored in the guy's cellphone. They traced it to a
realty office downtown, owned by Marcus Jennings."

Steve frowned. "Who the hell is Marcus Jennings?" he asked.

She gave her "you're going to love this smile" and said: "Marcus Jennings is
the half-brother of Gerald Pressman!"

Steve gave a low whistle. "So let's go see him." He started to get out of
the chair but she stood and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.What the
hell do you think you're doing? she asked. "You're on medical leave remember
- you're not going anywhere."

He looked up at her, a serious look in his eyes. "Either help me up or get
out of my way Tanis. One way or another I'm going."

Sighing, she put his arm round her shoulder and pulled him to his feet.
Instead of pulling away from her once he was upright he tightened his grip
on her shoulder and pulled her round to face him. "Thanks" he said simply,
lowering his face to kiss her lightly on the cheek.

"Is that the best you can do Sloan" she asked mockingly before putting her
arms round his neck and kissing him long and hard on the mouth.He responded
them, returning her kiss with a passion that took both their breaths away.

Finally pulling away from him Tanis put her hands flat on his chest and
breathed deeply. "I think we'd both better get some fresh air" she said,
turning and heading for the door. He limped after her, a happy smile on his
face.

The realty office was in a nondescript block of modern buildings beside a
shopping mall. A girl at a reception desk looked up from reading a magazine
when they entered. Tanis flashed her badge and said: "LAPD Homicide - We
need to talk to Marcus Jennings."

The girl stared in amazement at the gold badge in Tanis's hand then
gathering her thoughts said: "Mr Jennings isn't here right now. Perhaps I
can get him to call you."

Steve caught a movement through a partly opened office door behind her and
said: "Tanis, there's someone in there."

The receptionist rose to block her way but Tanis pushed her aside and opened
the door. A window stood open and she ducked her head to look out, just in
time to see a dark haired man climb into the driver's seat of a blue Chevy.
"He's driving away!" she shouted and Steve limped out the front door in a
bid to spot him.

The car lurched round the side of the building as Tanis ran out the
building. Suddenly she realised the driver had spotted Steve and was
steering towards him. "Steve!" she shouted, rushing forward and pulling him
to the ground. The car mounted the sidewalk, the rubber tyres kicking dust
into their faces as it skimmed past them and sped off.

Tanis sat up, rubbing sidewalk grime off her jacket and said: "Are you
alright Steve?"

He rolled onto his back and groaned. "That was a helluva a tackle Archer.
Did you play football at school?"

She laughed and kneeling said: "Come on, I'll help you up." Then she stopped
and said: "Uh-oh".

He looked at her. "What is it?" he asked.

She nodded at his leg. "Look" she said.

The denim covering his left thigh glistened dully with blood. He groaned.
"Oh shit - dad's going to kill me.

They walked into the ER of Community General, feeling like two schoolkids
called before the principle. Dr Mark Sloan was standing by the nurses
station checking a report when he saw them and for a moment thought it was a
social call, till he saw the look on their faces. Putting down the file he
went quickly over to them. "Is everything alright?" he asked. "Steve?"

Steve sighed and leaning on his crutches said to his father: "I think I
maybe burst open some stitches in my leg."

"What?" gasped his father, looking down and seeing the blood on his son's
jeans. "How on earth did you do that?"

Tanis piped up then. "It was because I pushed him out of the way of a car
which was trying to run him down."

Steve saw the thunder clouds gather in his father's eyes and winced, waiting
for the storm to hit. He didn't have to wait long.

"Steven you were told to stay home and rest!" his father shouted at him.
"You just can't stop yourself can you. You think everytime you get hurt we
can just patch you up and send you back out there. You're not the only one
who gets hurt everytime you injure yourself you know. Someday you're going
to have to stop and think what you're doing to other people!"

Steve stood with his eyes lowered, waiting for it to end and when it did he
looked up and said: "Point taken Dad. Now can someone do something with my
leg before I bleed to death?"

His father's anger still hadn't abated. He turned and called to Jesse who
had just emerged from a trauma room: "Dr Travis will you see to this patient
please." With that he gave Steve a last glare and turned and strode away.

Jesse came over and said: "Wow, you certainly upset him. Come on, let's
check you over."

He led Steve into an exam room and helped him onto a bed. "OK pal, you want
to shuck down your jeans so I can see what you've done this time."

Steve reached for his belt buckle then stopped and looked up at Tanis.
"D'you mind?" he asked.

She giggled. "Oh God, I never thought Steve Sloan was the shy type," she
said. "I'll wait outside."

His father still hadn't come back to see him by the time Jesse had finished
and he was ready to leave. Resignedly he limped out to find Tanis and asked
her to take him home.

"What, no more sleuthing today?" she said.

He shook his head. "No, guess not. Apart from anything else I can't really
wander around covered in blood."

They went back to the beach house, stopping on the way to pick uplunch from
BBQ Bob's. Sitting at the table with a plate of ribs in front of him Steve
looked at Tanis and asked: "Why d'you think Jennings would carry out a hit
for a half brother?"

Tanis wiped sauce from the corner of her mouth and shook her head. "Who
knows. Family loyalty perhaps - or maybe Presman had something on him an
blackmailed him into doing it. Anyway, at least we know now who's behind it
and we've got an APB out on him. It should be over soon."

It was late when his father came back from the hospital. He said a polite:
"Good evening" to them then headed for his room to change.

Tanis lifted her eyebrows at Steve. "I guess you're still not flavour of the
month huh?"

Steve made a face. "Nope, guess not."

When his father reappeared and headed for the kitchen Steve rose stiffly and
followed him through. "Dad" he said, but his father didn't respsond, turning
instead to take a plate of steaks out of the refrigerator. "Dad," Steve
repeated. "I'm sorry I upset you. You're right. I wasn't thinking straight
when I went out. I'm sorry I hurt you."

Mark Sloan finally turned and faced his son. Steve was shocked to see tears
in his father's eyes. Mark's shoulders drooped as he spoke: "Steve, you mean
the whole world to me. When you were shot and everyone thought you were
going to die I was terrified. Every time you go out on duty I worry myself
sick that you'll be brought into the hospital again like that. I don't know
what I'd do if I lost you."

Steve leaned his crutches against a work-bench and limped forward. The two
men put their arms round each other and hugged for a long time before Mark
pulled back and handed Steve his crutches. "Here, go back and sit down while
I get dinner ready."

Steve slipped his arms into the crutches and before he left the kitchen
turned and said: "I love you Dad".

His father grunted. "Huh, fine way you have of showing it."

Steve smiled and returned to the living room.

It was 2 a.m. and Steve was lying awake. His leg was throbbing and he was
debating whether to get up and take something for the pain. As he lay
watching the stars outside his window he heard a metallic sound somewhere in
the house. His insticts suddenly on alert he sat up and swung his legs out
of bed - sitting for a moment for any more sounds. Somewhere a floorboard
creaked - downstairs, in his apartment! He rose and limped as quietly as
possible to Tanis' room. She was fast asleep, her hair spread out on the
pillow like a golden halo. For a moment he almost forgot why he was there
then he reached down and shook her gently.
"Tanis, wake up" he whispered.

She moaned and tried to turn over. He shook her again, a little more firmly.
"Wake up Tanis, it's Steve." he said.

Her eyes flickered open, her mind still fuzzy from sleep.Then she smiled.
"Steve, your dad's in the next room, what are you thinking of."

He shook his head. "Tanis, someone's in the house, downstairs."

Suddenly she was alert and on duty. She quickly sat up and reached for her
police special on the nightstand. "Come on" she said, "I assume you are
coming with me."

He smile and followed her out of the room, admiring the rear view of her in
silk pyjamas.

They made their way slowly downstairs, more slowly for Steve with his
injured leg. Steve indicated the living room as the likely source of the
sounds and they stood each side of the door. He reached forward and pushed
it open and Tanis rushed in, weapon trained in front of her. A shot rang out
and she dove to one side, rolling onto her back and firing at the same time.
There was a groan and a body slumped to the floor.

Steve rushed into the room and went over to her. "Tanis, are you alright?"

She rolled onto her knees. "I am - but he's not" she said, indicating the
dark shape on the floor.

Steve threw a light switch and went over to the man's body. It was Jennings.
He reached out and felt for his carotid pulse. There was nothing. A dark
stain was spreading over his chest from the heart shot he'd taken from
Tanis. "He's dead" Steve said.

His father came rushing into the room, wakened by the shots and looked round
desperately to check on Steve and Tanis. Steve put his hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright Dad. We're OK. That's Jennings. He's dead. It's over Dad, he's
not going to hurt anybody now."

"Thank God" said his father, patting his son's hand.

A week later Tanis was back at the beach house for dinner with Mark, Steve,
Amanda and Jesse. Steve was still walking with a limp but no longer needed
his crutches and was already talking about when he could get back to work,
much to his father's disgust.

At nine o'clock Amanda and Jesse got up to leave, both having early shifts
at the hospital next day. "Would you like a walk on the beach before you
go?" Steve asked Tanis.

"That would be nice" she said and Mark smiled as he watched them walk out on
the deck together.

The evening was warm and the moonlight glinted on the white tips of the
waves as they strolled along the sand. Finally they stopped and watched the
ocean for a while till Steve reached out and pulled her gently towards him.
He stroked her face and hair then pulled her head towards his and kissed her
deeply. She returned the kiss, enjoying the closeness of his body and his
strong arms round her.

He nuzzled his lips against her ear then whispered: "Stay with me tonight."

She pulled back slightly and looked into his face. "What about your father?"
she asked.

He grinned. "Let him find his own girl."

She slid her arm round his waist and they walked back to the beachouse.

In the living room Mark was settled in his favourite armchair reading a book
when he heard Steve's apartment door open and close. Putting the book down
on his lap he called out: "Goodnight Steve".

His son's voice echoed up the stairs. "Night Dad."

Mark waited a second then called: "Goodnight Tanis."

There was a moment's hesitation then her voice replied: "Night Dr Sloan."

He grinned and picking up his book continued reading.

Return To Main Page