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Title: Sweeney's Revenge

Author: Jules

Email: jandci5@iprimus.com.au


Authors comments.

A big thankyou to my beta Joey for reading through this and catching my spelling and grammar mistakes.

This story is inspired by a true life event. Some years ago a true Aussie hero by the name of Stuart Diver was trapped in the ruins of a ski lodge that had somehow slid down the side of a mountain in Thredbo. We watched the drama unfold on tv and the dramatic rescue. 18 people were in the lodge including Stuart's wife Sally who drowned in the first few minutes. Stuart was trapped by a concrete slab and almost drowned a number of times himself. His story was an inspiration to us all. The second part of the story was an idea I had from watching an episode of Providence. Where Syd has to sign the consent forms for her boyfriend to have his arm amputated against his wishes.

The rest of the story that comes directly from watching the DM episode Obsession recently and wondering what might happen if Carter Sweeney came back for revenge on the Sloans.

All the usual disclaimers apply Diagnosis Murder and the characters in it are owned by CBS and Viacom, I just borrowed them for a little while and promise to put them back when I've finished.

Summary:
Carter Sweeney is back for revenge on the Sloans, Steve is almost killed and Mark goes through a harrowing time helping him overcome what happened and rebuilding their damaged relationship.


SWEENEY'S REVENGE


Dr Mark Sloan watched as the monitor gave out its monotonous, steady, beep beat sound. At least it was some comfort to know that his son Steve was still alive. He didn't look very alive at the moment.

His skin looked ghostly white and he wasn't even able to breathe unaided. He was hooked up to so many monitors and drips, with tubes and surgical tape almost covering his battered and bruised face, that Mark hardly recognised him. Steve his only son, so full of life not so long ago, reduced to an empty shell being kept alive by machines. He knew he would have to make the decision to turn off life support sometime, but he couldn't wouldn't let go until there was absolutely no hope at all. He had to keep fighting for Steve, he just couldn't imagine life without him.

It had been five days now. For five long days and nights his son's life had hung in the balance. At first there hadn't been any hope at all. No one expected Steve to make it through that first long night. But he had and as each day passed it became harder for Mark to admit that Steve wasn't going to come back to him. He had clung tenaciously to life and the hope in Mark's heart had begun to grow that maybe someday soon Steve would come back to him. He couldn't wouldn't give up on his son even if everyone else around him had.

It was times like this that Mark hated being a doctor. If only Jesse could lie to him, give him some reassurance that Steve would be fine. Doctors do it all the time, they tell patients families that there is still hope, even when they know in their own hearts that the chances are slim. But they feel they have to give the families some hope to cling to.

Mark looked up as Jesse entered the room. Tired eyes betrayed his feelings.

"Mark, why don't you go home, get some res?. You're exhausted."

"Jesse, you know I'm not going anywhere until Steve wakes up and I know he's out of danger."

Jesse opened his mouth to argue, but he knew it was pointless arguing with Mark once his mind was made up. He moved around to the other side of the bed, checking monitors and filling in Steve's chart.

"Jesse, how's Amanda doing?"

Typical of Mark to worry about others when he had so many worries of his own.

"She still blames herself for what happened. I don't think she's had much sleep these last few days."

"It's not her fault, if anyone is to blame it's me." Mark's voice was cracking with emotion.

"You? Mark how could you have known Carter Sweeney had escaped from jail?"

"It's not that. If I hadn't gone after him in the first place none of this would have happened. My son wouldn't by lying here now."

Jesse was stunned for a moment.

"Mark you can't mean that. You don't honestly expect me to believe that you would do things differently if you had the chance. Carter Sweeney had to be stopped. Steve knew that and so do you. How many lives would have been lost if you hadn't caught him?"

"My son wouldn't be lying here." Mark's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Mark, Steve would have gone after Sweeney even if you hadn't. He knew he had to be stopped."
Mark stared blankly into space as the memories of the previous week came flooding back.

****

Community General Doctors Lounge.

"Hi Dad, Amanda, thought I'd find you here, you guys ready?" said Lt Steve Sloan as he walked into the lounge.

"Hi Steve, Hi son," replied Amanda and Mark.

"We're nearly ready," Mark was looking forward to this evening. Bar-B-Q Bob's had been doing well in the months since it had opened. Steve and Jesse had certainly been very successful with the business and now Steve was taking Amanda, Jesse and himself out to dinner as a thank you for helping him crack a really difficult murder case.

Just as they were getting ready to leave Steve's phone rang and Amanda's beeper went off.

"Sorry dad." Steve smiled apologetically and answered his phone. "Lieutenant Sloan here When? Where? Fine - I'll be right there". He put the phone away just as Amanda came back. "Sorry dad, a body has been found at an old warehouse on Elm Street. The Chief wants me to take a look."

"Mind if I catch a ride with you Steve?" asked Amanda. "I've been called to the scene as well."

"Since you are both going - mind if I tag along?" Mark's curiosity was getting the better of him.

"Sure dad," smiled Steve. "But what about Jesse?"

"Oh , I'll leave him a message, he can meet up with us at Bar-B-Q Bob's."

"Fine let's go." Steve headed for the door, a big grin on his face. He knew that at the mention of a new murder case to solve his father would be anxious to be involved. He kind of liked it to. He enjoyed spending time with his dad working on difficult cases. He didn't know what kind of case this was going to be but he had an uneasy feeling about it. He tried to shrug off the feeling as he headed for his truck.

The warehouse was in a rundown business park. Funny, thought Steve as he got out of his truck. Can't see a patrol car here. Wonder who called it in? The hairs on his back were standing on end and that uneasy feeling had come back big time. He just couldn't shake it. Something just didn't feel right about this.

"Dad why don't you and Amanda wait here, I'll take a look around."

"Whatever you say, son,." Mark smiled.

Steve opened the door of the warehouse, it was pretty dim inside, not much light. He pulled out his gun and went carefully into the building. The air was stale and the ground floor at least looked deserted. All he could see were a few discarded, empty cartons and piles of paper that had been left when the previous tenants had moved out. Nothing but a derelict building really.

Maybe he was just imagining things. He tried to shrug off his uneasiness and slowly moved towards the stairs. Climbing the stairs slowly and carefully one at a time. The stairs creaked and groaned as he put his weight on them. So much for going in quietly! he thought.

Mark and Amanda were waiting outside, wondering what was taking Steve so long when suddenly they heard him cry out in pain.

Without giving any thought to his own safety and the danger he may be in Mark rushed into the building eyes quickly scanning the area for any sign of his son.

"Up here!" yelled Steve his voice edged with pain.

He quickly ran to the stairs. "Steve what is it? What's wrong?" Mark called out worriedly.

"The steps are rotten and my foot has gone through one. Please come and help!" he gasped. " I'm stuck.!"

Mark and Amanda, slowly and carefully climbed the stairs. Mark bent down to examine Steve's foot.

"It's well and truly jammed son." He looked around for something to pry the wooden step open so Steve could get his foot out. "Amanda, over there, that piece of wood. " Mark pointed behind Amanda.

They soon had Steve free and he lay panting on the floor, sweat covering his face.

"Let's have a look son?" asked Mark as he gently probed his son 's foot and ankle.

"Ah, that hurt!"

"Sorry," replied Mark, looking at Steve, concern on his face. "I don't think it's sprained but it is badly bruised. We need to get you out of here, can you walk on it?"

"I don't know I'll try ," replied Steve through clenched teeth. He tentatively put his foot to the floor and grimaced in pain. "It's okay, I think I can walk on it." Steve's voice was edged with pain as he spoke.

"Mark," said Amanda looking around. "Do you see a body anywhere?"

Both Mark and Steve looked searchingly around them.

Amanda started to walk towards a pile of boxes in the centre of the room,. "Maybe the bodies here, that's the only place that a body could be hidden."

Steve turned to look in Amanda's direction. What he saw and what she obviously hadn't seen was what looked like a trip wire about ankle height strung between two of the boxes.

"Amanda, freeze!" he yelled, limping as fast as he could towards his startled friend.

Amanda looked up as Steve yelled, her left foot catching on the trip wire. Steve looked in horror as at the scene playing out before him. Alarm bells rang in his brain even as he lunged towards her, sending her flying. In that split second Mark turned, watching with horrified fascination as an explosion ripped through the building and the wall and part of the roof came crashing down on Steve.

"Steeeeeeeeve!!!" he screamed but the name died on his lips as a piece of brick wall connected with his skull. There was an explosion of pain, followed by bright colours and then darkness.

****

Steve was aware of pain, agonizing pain. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked. He couldn't see anything. It was pitch black. For one horrifying moment, he thought he was blind. He brought his hand up to his face and, to his intense relief, he was just able to see the faint outline of his hand. He wasn't blind. That relief was short lived, however, when he realised where he was.

He tried to move but something was pressing down on his chest. He couldn't move, he was trapped. Trapped where? It was too dark to see very much. Panic started to well up inside him, threatening to overwhelm him. No, this couldn't be happening. It was all so clear now. The explosion, the wall
crashing down, the floor giving way under it's weight. The feeling of falling.

"NO!!!" he screamed. He was trapped.
No, not again! he thought as his heart started racing madly. His breathstarted coming in short gasps and he struggled to get his breathing under control. This was the nightmare he had been reliving for months, ever since he had been trapped in the ruins of the hospital when it had exploded, having no idea if his father, Jesse or Amanda were still alive.

Now it was all happening again. Panic was taking control of his mind and body and he started to shake uncontrollably.

"No," he told himself. He was not going to panic. He had to breathe deeply, take deep calming breaths. "Come on, Steve, you can do it!" He tried to follow his own advice, but a sharp pain shot through his chest,
leaving him gasping. NO!! his mind screamed.

"Dad, Amanda!" he yelled, panic making his voice high pitched. "Help me. Please."

No answer.

What if his father and Amanda were dead, crushed beneath the fallen roof? No, he wouldn't allow himself to think like that. Even now they would be searching for him. It would be just a matter of time before he heard his fathers voice calling his name. He was going to hang on and wait.. Surely he would come.

He took another deep breath to steady his nerves, trying to ignore his protesting ribs as he did so, and waited for help to come.

****

Mark gradually became aware that he was in pain. His face was lying against something cold and hard. Slowly he came to his senses. He could hear a weak pain filled voice, with a hint of panic in it, Steve's voice calling his name. Steve!!! He opened his eyes and lifted his head intent on looking for his son but that only resulted in an explosion of pain in his skull and the darkness rushed up to greet him.

Steve was starting to lose hope. It seemed to him like it had been hours since the explosion. He had yelled until his throat was hoarse and dry. No one was coming, his father and Amanda must already be dead. He let the grief overwhelm him. He was trapped, waiting to die, he hoped it wouldn't take too long.

The pain in his side was growing steadily worse and it hurt to breathe. He had been able to move his hand a little and had been both sickened and horrified to find a metal bar sticking out of his flesh. He wasn't sure how deep the piece of metal went in but he could feel something wet and sticky and it smelled like blood, his blood. He couldn't feel his legs at all.

He began to shiver - he was cold, very cold. He started to drift off to sleep, exhausted from his ordeal, only to wake up screaming in terror and calling for his father. Shaking and struggling trying desperately to get away from the nightmares that threatened to engulf him. His frantic struggles caused the rubble to shift, pinning him down even more firmly and the metal spike was driven even deeper into his flesh. The pain was more than he could bear and he mercifully passed out.

****

Mark slowly became aware that his head was hurting. Remembering the last time he woke up and not wanting that to happen again, he opened his eyes and very carefully moved his head. He was surprised to find that he was on longer lying down. He was sitting in a chair. He tried to move his arms on to discover that he was tied up. As his vision cleared he realised he was no longer on the floor of the warehouse but in a small windowless room, that looked like it had been used for an office at some time. Amanda who was also tied up was sitting in a chair nearby, he head was resting on her chest and she was moaning softly. The rest of the room contained some filing cabinets with drawers hanging half open and a desk with a tv monitor on it. Before Mark had time to work out what was going on the door to the room burst open and in walked Carter Sweeney and evil smile on his face.
"Glad to see you're finally awake Dr Sloan. Chloroform can be so difficult to get the dosage right can't it?"

"Steve has been calling for you for hours, pity you were tied up." Sweeney laughed at his own joke. "Not laughing doctor? I thought you would have found that funny. No? Ah well can't win them all."

"Where's my son? What have you done with him?" Mark's voice was harsh with anger.

"Come, come, Doctor. Is that any way to speak to m? It's not what I've done to him. This is all down to you." Sweeney's voice turned cold and hard. "If you hadn't testified against my father none of us would be here right now."

Mark wasn't in the mood for talking to Sweeney. His head was pounding and he was deeply concerned about his son. "Where is he? Where's Steve?"

Sweeney moved over to the television monitor and switched it on. "He's still where you left him."

Mark could barely make out anything at first, then the picture cleared. His blood turned to ice at the horror scene in front of him. He could see Steve pinned under a slab of concrete. His face caked in a mixture of dust and blood, surrounded by debris and pieces of roof and flooring which had fallen into the hole with him when the bomb had exploded .

Mark struggled with his ropes.

"What kind of monster are you?" "My son needs help, let me go."

"That would be too easy doctor." Sweeney's voice became even harder. "I want you to suffer Dr Sloan. I want you to sit here and watch your son die, helpless to save him. Just like I was forced to do when my father was executed."

"Your father was a mass murdered, a jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death not me. It was his own doing. My son has done nothing to deserve this!" Mark was shouting now fear for Steve overwhelming him.

"A life for a life is my motto, Doctor. I want you to suffer for what you've done. I want you to live with the horror of watching your son die. I want it to haunt you for the rest of your life. Knowing it was your fault, you caused it!" With that he turned and picked up a little black box. "Wondering what this is doctor? Here." He tossed it to Mark. It landed on his lap and was barely balancing on his knees. "When that little box falls off your lap doctor - boom! - and explosion will be heard, your son won't have long to live after that and it will be your fault. You will have caused the explosion that killed him. I have a little job to do, but I'll be back." With that Sweeney left the room.

Mark stayed as still as he could, hardly daring to breathe but he could see the box slipping. He tried his best to keep it on his lap but it was no use and he watched horrified at the box slowly slipped to the floor, bouncing once and then coming to rest. There was a long silence and then suddenly from somewhere beneath him Mark felt an explosion. His eyes shot to the tv monitor. He heard Steve scream as debris fell on him and then water started to rush out of a broken pipe slowly filling the hole with water. Steve was going to drown.

"Noooo!" he screamed, struggling anew to get out of the bonds that tied him. "Steve hang on, please!!! "

Mark Sloan had never felt so helpless in his life. His son was going to drown and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. He struggled frantically until his wrists were rubbed raw but he couldn't free himself. He sat back panting and exhausted, his eyes fixed on the tv screen, as Steve fought for his life. Tears falling down his cheeks he broke out into harsh sobs, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, he couldn't watch any longer and turned away from the screen, his heart ripped out from him.

"I'm sorry son!" he cried.
****

Steve had been drifting in and out of consciousness when he heard a loud explosion. Debris rained down on him hitting his exposed skin and causing even more cuts and bruises. He couldn't help but cry out as a particularly large piece of concrete knocked against the piece of metal pipe protruding out of his side. It sent fresh waves of agony through his already pain racked body.

He soon became aware of a new ominous sound. Rushing water, he could here water running. He could barely see, it was still very dark when he felt the ice cold water sweep over him making his cough and shiver with the sudden coldness. He felt panic rising inside him as he realised that he was pinned down unable to get away from the onslaught and the hole was rapidly filling with water. He started calling for help but only managed to get a lung full of water as it poured over his face. He began coughing and choking and that only brought fresh waves of pain to his already badly damaged body. The blackness closed in on him and he knew no more.

****

Amanda could feel her head pounding. As her mind began to clear she became aware of someone sobbing loudly nearby. She opened sluggish eyes only to see Mark's tear stained face. He was shaking uncontrollably and calling out "Steve Nooo!!!!" between sobs. Before she could clear her thoughts even to ask Mark what had happened the door to the room burst open and in came two very heavily armed SWAT officers pointing their guns and quickly scanning the room. Once they were satisfied with what they saw they signaled to someone behind them to come in.

Jesse came rushing into the room, closely followed by Captain Masters.

Jesse quickly took in what he saw and rushed over to Amanda. It was obvious that Mark was in no fit state to tell him anything. He started to untie Amanda, asking her questions as he worked.

"Amanda where's Steve? I thought he was with you both?"

"I don't know. I..." She stopped for a moment trying to clear her head. "The last thing I remember was Steve pushing me and..." Her face suddenly drained of colour. She turned her horror stricken face toward Jesse.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Jesse didn't like the way Amanda was looking.

"Steve he... there was an explosion. Jesse I don't know where Steve is!"

Jesse quickly finished untying Amanda and moved over to Mark. Once he had untied him he gently took him by the shoulders and asked, "Mark do you know where Steve is?"

Mark just stared blankly at Jesse for a moment and then with a trembling hand pointed to the tv monitor. Jesse turned to look, gasping in disbelief,.his own heart contracting in pain at the sight of Steve, his head barely above the water level, pinned down by concrete.

"Captain Masters!" he yelled, his voice urgent, with a hint of panic. "Come see this."

Captain Masters finished talking to the SWAT Team members and came into the room. He too was shocked at what he saw. But this was not time for emotion. He took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he had to do next. He took Jesse aside, this wasn't going to be easy. He had to make many difficult decisions in his time in the police force but this had to be one of the hardest especially as he knew everyone in the room personally. He knew no one was going to like what he was about to say.

"The SWAT Team have found another two bombs. One set to go off in 10 minutes the other in one hour. I'm ordering the building be evacuated immediately."

"NO!! You can't leave him, you have to help him." Mark jumped out of his chair eyes wide and wild looking.
"Dr Sloan, we have no choice." Captain Masters had expected Steve's father to react this way. He waited for Jesse and Amanda to do the same. He didn't have long to wait.

"You can't just leave him in that hole to drown!" they chorused.

"I'm sorry but I can't risk anymore lives. We have to wait for the bomb squad to secure the building."

"By the time they do that Steve will be dead!" shouted Jesse unable to control his emotions any longer.

"Please, don't make this any harder than it already is," replied Captain Masters.

"Captain Masters is right," said Mark sounding defeated. "Jesse, you and Amanda go with him."

"What about you?" asked Jesse, already knowing what Mark was going to say.

"I'm not going. I will not allow my son to die all alone in that dark hole. I'm going down there to help him. Now please both of you go."

"I'm coming with you Mark."

"Jesse no, you go."

"He's my best friend and how am I going to run Bar -B-Q Bob's without my partner.?" Jesse let a small smile play across his face and then he was serious again.

"You're going to need help down there." He turned to Captain Masters. "I need a med kit and two torches."

The Captain knew it was pointless to argue with them. "I'll see that you get them."

Jesse turned to Amanda. "Amanda you have to go. Think of CJ. Steve wouldn't want you to put your life in danger for him."

Amanda knew Jesse was right. CJ only had one parent and he needed her. She hugged Mark and Jesse.
"Take care both of you and bring Steve out alive."

It was a difficult climb down into the hole. Captain Masters had his men set up some climbing ropes and had sent some men off in search of valve to turn off the water. Although the water wasn't flowing anymore the walls and debris were very slippery. Mark adjusted his pack as he tried to get a stronger foothold. His foot slipped on the wet beam he had been trying to balance on and he fell the last couple of feet landing with a thump and a splash next to Steve. He let out an involuntary cry of pain as his arm connected with some concrete.

"Mark are you okay?" came Jesse's anxious voice.

"A little soggy. Hurry Jesse, Steve's not looking good."

Jesse was soon crouched down next to Mark who was shining his torch over Steve's body checking for injuries. Mark's torch beam came to rest on Steve's side. Jesse felt the breath catch in his throat at what he saw. Mark's hand was shaking and the beam bounced up and down. He turned to Jesse.

"We have to get him out of here now!"

At that moment there was a loud bang, like thunder, the whole building began to shake and more bits of concrete and debris came crashing down on them. Jesse and Mark threw themselves across Steve's body trying to shield him from the worst of it.

Soon everything was deathly quiet. Jesse looked over at Mark who was holding his arm. His lips were pressed tightly together in pain. Jesse could see blood on Mark's sleeve.
"Mark how bad is it?"

Mark's voice was barely a whisper. "I think it's broken."

Jesse's mind raced. First rule of triage - assess patients and then treat those that can be saved first. He reached down, carefully placing two fingers on the pulse point on Steve's neck hardly daring to breathe. Steve was alive, his pulse was very faint but he was still breathing. Jesse knew he couldn't get Steve out of there on his own. He slowly moved over to Mark. Even in the dim light of the torch Jesse could see that Mark's face was strained with pain.

"Mark," he spoke softly. "Steve's okay for now. I'm going to splint your arm and then we can both work on getting him out of here."

Mark nodded weakly. Jesse had just finished making a sling for Mark when a voice called down from above. It was Captain Masters.

"We've got 45 minutes to get Steve out of there, lets get to it!"

Time flew by as heavy lifting equipment was brought into place and the concrete slab was gently moved off Steve. Jesse quickly assessed Steve's injuries, surprised that his friend had managed to survive this long. Steve's left leg was lying at an odd angle and it was obvious that it was badly broken. He could see a sharp piece of bone sticking out. Jesse carefully bandaged Steve's more obvious injuries and prepared him to be moved.

"Dr Travis, hurry up we're running out of time." Captain Masters yelled down to him. They made it out of the building and into the ambulance with only minutes to spare. As they were driving away the whole building exploded in a fire ball.

Jesse let out his breath. "Whew that was close!"

The trip to the hospital was a nightmare for Mark and Jesse. Steve stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated twice.

Amanda had everything ready for their arrival and Steve was rushed straight to OR. Mark just stood in the ER looking shocked and dazed. Amanda gently took him by the arm and led him to an exam cubicle where his broken arm could be treated properly.

Mark refused a sedative wanting to be fully awake when Steve came out of theatre. Amanda stayed with him while they waited for news. It was six long and worrying hours before Jesse came to find them. He looked exhausted.

Mark looked at him expectantly. Jesse took a deep breath and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.

"Mark Steve is in ICU. He has three broken ribs. Fortunately the metal pipe missed any vital organs and we were able to remove it without too much difficulty. We've repaired the tissue and muscle damage. He has a compound fracture in his left leg, there may be complications further down the track. It's too soon to tell yet. Mark...." He paused not wanting to go on but knowing he had to. "Steve is suffering from blood poisoning caused in part by debris that entered his wounds, he has also developed pneumonia and is suffering from mild hypothermia. I don't have to tell you this but in his extremely weakened condition any one of these injuries could prove fatal. I wish I could lie to you and tell you Steve is going to be fine, that he has a good chance. But I can't, you know that as well as I do. His condition is extremely critical, it's touch and go and we can't even be sure he'll make it through the next 24 hours. He's in a coma, on life support. His body is just too weak to allow him to breathe on his own. I'm so sorry, I wish I had better news."

Mark was shocked. He hadn't felt this way since, well since Steve's shooting and he had hoped never to feel like this again. Amanda had collapsed in a heap, shock and exhaustion finally setting in. That had been five days ago.
****

A gentle shaking of his arm brought Mark back to the present. He looked up to see Jesse standing over him.

"Mark..." Jesse wasn't sure how he was going to say this. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Mark, Dr Glaser from Vascular has been looking at Steve's chart. His condition is deteriorating. His leg is getting worse and there are signs of infection, possibly even gangrene. I don't have to tell you what this means. Steve's running out of time. If Dr Glaser doesn't operate soon, he could lose his leg or worse."

"You mean die," stated Mark flatly.

"Yes."

"And if he has the operation what are his chances of surviving surgery?"

Jesse didn't want to be the one to tell Mark this but at his friend he felt he had no choice. He didn't want this to come from some stranger that hardly knew him.

"Steve has a 30% chance of surviving surgery. Without it, the odds are that he will die from the infection in his leg. Mark I have the consent forms here for you to sign."

Mark took the forms and glanced at them. Suddenly, he looked up at Jesse. "This says that I consent to Dr Glaser amputating Steve's leg if he feels it necessary!. You're asking me to agree to you cutting my son's leg off!" He was almost shouting now. "I won't do it, I won't let you do it!"

"Mark please," Jesse's voice was pleading. He put his hand on his friends shoulder. "You're not thinking rationally, you're exhausted and emotionally drained. You have to think of what's best for Steve."

"I am thinking what's best for Steve. I want him whole."

"And if you can't, are you prepared to let him die?" Jesse hadn't meant to be so blunt but he had to get through to his friend Mark wasn't thinking rationally, not that anyone could blame him. It was a difficult decision to make and, as Steve's father, he was the only one who could make it.

Mark looked at his son's pale face. "What have I done?" He reached out and took the consent forms from Jesse. With a trembling hand he signed them. He then held his son's hand. He leaned close to his head speaking softly. "Son you know I love you and whatever happens in surgery I will always love you no matter what the outcome. We'll get through this together."

The orderlies came to take Steve to theatre. Mark turned to Jesse.

"Take care of him."

"I will." said Jesse quietly.

Amanda came and put her arms around Mark. Trying to offer him comfort and support. She gently lead him to the waiting room to await the outcome of Steve's surgery.

It was a long wait. Amanda was still feeling guilty over what had happened. If Steve lost his leg or died she wasn't sure how she was going to cope. Right now she had to put her own feelings aside and be strong for Mark. She took a close look at him. He had aged 10 years in the last five days. He looked, old and frail, beaten down by everything that had happened. She didn't know what he would do if Steve didn't make it.

Her thoughts turned to Steve. Don't leave us Steve, hang in there.





It was seven long hours before Jesse came to find them. He looked totally exhausted. Mark stood as Jesse entered the room his face full of unspoken questions.

"He came through the surgery in one piece."

Mark sank back down on the nearest chair, sagging with relief. Jesse knelt down in front of him.

"He's not out of the woods yet. There was extensive damage to the leg. Dr Glaser didn't want to risk keeping him under any longer. He's going to need further surgery when he's stronger."

"Can I see him?" asked Mark.

"Sure, I'll take you to him now."

Jesse led Mark back to ICU.

Mark wasn't even aware that he had fallen asleep. Something had woken him. He looked around trying to get his tired mind to work properly. He looked at Steve only to see two very tired blue eyes blinking back at him.

Mark was overcome with emotion.

"Welcome back son," was all he managed to say before the tears started to flow down his face.

****

Three Weeks later.

Community General Doctors Lounge

Amanda and Mark were sitting drinking coffee when Jesse walked in.

"Thought I might find you two here."

"Steve's sleeping so I decided to grab a cup of coffee while I could," said Mark, looking up. "I don't like to leave him on his own when he's awake."

Jesse noticed the dark circles under Mark's eyes and the tired lines on his face. This last month had been very hard on him. "How is Steve?" he asked, his voice full of concern for both his friends.

"Not good, he's still the same," replied Mark a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"You mean you two still haven't talked about what happened in the warehouse?" said Jesse surprised.

"I've tried, but he just gets angry and refuses to talk about it."

"So he doesn't know about Carter Sweeney then?"

"No, Steve's not strong enough yet to deal with all that. I think he may be having nightmares about what happened but he won't let me stay with him at night so I can't be sure. He's always so on edge in the mornings when I go to see him and I'm sure he's not sleeping well. He refuses to take any sleeping pills."

"What about you Mark, how are you holding up? You've been through a pretty tough time yourself. Have you talked to anybody about it?"

"Jesse, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. It's Steve I'm worried about, he's hurting deeply and he won't let anybody help him. He's angry all the time, yesterday he threw an empty bed pan at one of the nurses. He's bottling everything up and it's not good for him. This morning Dr Glaser came by to talk to Steve about his leg. He needs surgery soon, the infection is coming back again. Steve refused point blank to sign the consent forms or even discuss it with him. He said no one was going to cut his leg off, even if his own father wanted them too. He said he'd rather die than lose his leg."

"Mark, I'm so sorry," said Amanda putting a comforting hand on his arm. "I didn't think Steve knew about that."

"Neither did I, apparently he overheard two of the nurses talking about it. He's so angry and he's seriously cut up about it all but he won't let me help him. I don't think he trusts me anymore. I let him down, first at the warehouse and then later signing that consent form. He's shutting me out and I don't know what to do." Mark put his head in his hands defeated, shoulders slumped, looking like an old man. "I've lost my son, what am I going to do?"

"Mark, Steve needs time, right now he's in pain both emotionally and physically. We can't really understand what he went through down in that hole. No one can but until he's ready and able to talk about it we just have to be there for him in whatever way we can. He just needs time that's all," said Amanda paining for her friends.

"That's just it, he doesn't have time. Dr Glaser said if he doesn't have surgery in the next few days, Steve is at high risk of gangrene. Then I'll be forced to sign the consent forms. He'll die if I don't. He'll never forgive me." Mark looked totally defeated.

Jesse and Amanda were at a loss what to say to their friend. They knew both he and Steve were hurting badly.

"What are you going to do now Mark?" asked Jesse.

"Dr Glaser suggested that I take Steve home. Give him a break from the hospital. Maybe once he gets there he will relax enough to talk and we can work things out. I have to convince him to have this operation, I just have to."

"Mark whatever you decide to do Jesse and I will be there for you."

"Thanks Amanda." Mark managed a watery smile. "Jesse," he said, needing to lighten the solemn mood that hung over them all. "You never did tell us how you found us."

"Oh that was easy," smiled Jesse. "After you all failed to show up at Bar-B-Q Bobs I rang the precinct to see if you had finished at the murder scene yet. They didn't know anything about any murder. Captain Masters told me Carter Sweeney had escaped from prison and we put two and two together. We figured it had to be him that lured you to the warehouse. The Captain arranged for the SWAT teams to be there. It was lucky you told me exactly where you were going otherwise we never would have found you, at least not until it was too late." Jesse's voice trailed off as he remembered the fear he had for his friends when they arrived at the warehouse only to see that part of it had already been demolished by an explosion. "Sweeney was just coming out the building, he walked straight into the SWAT team."

"Jesse we owe you so much, if it hadn't been for you none of us would have got out of that building with our lives. How can we ever repay you?"

"You do it everyday just by being my friends and being there for me when I need you," replied Jesse.

Next Day Sloan Beach House.

Mark wheeled Steve into the house. He was in a wheel chair because he still wasn't strong enough yet to use crutches.

"Do you want to sit on the sofa son? It might be more comfortable than that wheel chair."

"No thanks dad. I'm really tired, I think I'll just go to my room and rest."

"Fine I'll help you, just give me a minute to put your bag away."

"Dad, I can manage by myself, replied Steve angrily. "I don't need a nurse, I've had enough of them in hospital, I'm not a cripple you know."

Steve wheeled his chair to the top of the stairs and then using the rail for support hopped very slowly and unsteadily down the stairs to his room, banging the door closed when he got there. Effectively shutting Mark out.

Steve stayed in his room all day. He refused to eat saying he was too tired and not hungry and he just wanted to be left in peace. Didn't anyone understand that? He needed to be on his own!

Mark sat on the sofa as it started to get dark outside. The wind was picking up and the rain had started lashing against the windows. Mark hardly noticed it though. He was deep in thought. He felt empty and so alone. His son was hurting badly and there was nothing he could do to get through to him. He wanted so much to help Steve, to take his son's pain away but he couldn't. Steve wouldn't let him help. The emotions of the day finally caught up with him and he drifted off to sleep on the sofa unaware of the mounting danger of the storm.

He woke with a start at the sound of a loud bang followed by a crashing sound and Steve screaming in terror, calling for him.

He jumped up only just realising that it was now pitch black. He realised that the power must be off . He could hear the wind howling and the rain was lashing fiercely against the windows. Some storm! he thought as he moved as fast as he could to the kitchen cupboard where he knew there was a flashlight. Steve was screaming out to him.

"Hang on son, I'm coming," he yelled hoping Steve could hear him about the noise of the storm.

He quickly turned on the torch and made his way down the stairs to Steve's room unsure what was happening but knowing that Steve needed him. He wasn't going to fail him this time. He opened the door to Steve's room shining the torch around in a big arc. He gasped in horror at the sight that confronted him and for one terrifying moment he was back in the hole in the warehouse. Quickly gathering his senses he rushed to his panic stricken son.

There was a big hole in the wall just above Steve's head, water and debris from the storm were pouring in and Steve was lying under a pile of bricks that had fallen on him. No wonder he was so scared. He quickly pulled the bricks off Steve and wrapped his arms around him. Talking gently to him as he would a small child. "Steve, I'm here you're safe now.

Steve looked at him obviously in a state of shock. "Dad, you're alive!" he sobbed seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening around him. "I, I thought you were dead!" His voice came out haltingly.

Mark held his son tightly until he had calmed down a little bit. "Let's get you out of here, you're soaking wet and freezing cold." He helped Steve slowly upstairs. It wasn't easy, Steve was very unsteady on his feet and it took all of Mark's strength to get him upstairs. He settled him down on the sofa, concerned with the way he was looking. His face was ashen and he was shaking uncontrollably, shivering with cold. He didn't seem to be aware of what was happening around him.

"Steve you're freezing cold, we have to get you warmed up," he spoke gently to his son. "I'm going to leave you for just a minute and go and get some dry clothes and blankets for you. I'm not leaving you, I'll be right back. Here," he said passing the torch to Steve. "I'll leave the torch with you. Do you understand, I'll be right back."

Steve nodded weakly, Mark wasn't sure he understood or not but right now he had to get Steve warm and dry. He moved as quickly as he could in the dark fumbling around in the kitchen until he found what he wanted. A couple of candles, some matches and a torch. He quickly turned on the torch and went in search of some blankets. He almost tripped over Steve's bag as he entered his bedroom. He had left it there that morning. He'd forgotten all about it. Steve had a nice warm loose fitting sweat suit in it. Steve had been wearing it in hospital instead of a hospital gown once he had been well enough to sit out of bed. That would do and now to find some blankets. He was soon back at Steve's side. Steve didn't seem to have noticed that he had even been gone. It was obvious that Steve was in shock but all he could do now was warm him up.

He helped him out of his wet clothes and into some dry ones. Steve wasn't much help and Mark had to struggle to get him dressed. Mark's arm although not in a cast anymore was still heavily bandaged and weaker than normal. Which made it all the more difficult to help Steve. It was like trying to dress a rag doll.

"You know son getting you dressed was much easier when you were a baby." He smiled at the memory of his son when he was small. He was brought back to the present by Steve's weak voice.

"Dad. I was so scared."

"I know son, maybe it would help if you talked about it."

"I thought," Steve took a deep shuddering breath before continuing, "I was asleep. I had this terrible nightmare. I was back in that hole again, calling for you and you didn't come." He looked at his father, tears pouring down his pale face. "I thought you were dead, that you had been killed in the explosion and it was all my fault. If I hadn't let you come with me to that murder scene, you wouldn't have been killed. I thought I'd never see you again. Then something woke me up, a loud bang and I realised that I wasn't dreaming after all. I was back in that hole and that you were really dead. I couldn't see anything, it was pitch dark and I felt something heavy on top of me."

"You were covered in bricks and debris from the damaged wall in your bedroom when I found you," said Mark his voice almost breaking with emotion.

Steve continued, "I couldn't move, then the water started pouring in and I thought I was going to drown. But this time it was different. You were there, talking to me, holding me, you weren't dead."

Mark felt Steve's words cutting through him like a knife. He'd imagined it must have been very hard for Steve down in that hole, feeling totally abandoned but hearing him put it into words, all the hurt and pain he felt, tore at Mark's heart. All his own feelings of helplessness and anger came back to him. He'd never felt more helpless in his life. His son needed him and he couldn't be there for him, forced to watch as his son almost drowned. Steve was suffering and there was nothing he could to stop it.

The storm outside seemed to be getting worse. Steve was lying on the sofa wrapped in blankets, sleeping fitfully. They had, had a long talk about what had happened that evening in the warehouse. Steve finally opened up and let out all his pent up emotions and now he was exhausted. Mark was feeling emotionally drained himself as Steve had relived that terrible time and he had been forced to confront his own feelings. It had been very difficult for them both but at least now they were talking and that had to be a positive step. Steve was still in a very fragile state emotionally and he knew he would have to tread carefully over the next few days if he was to continue to build the bond back with his son. Hopefully once he was feeling stronger he would be able to convince Steve of the need to talk to a professional counselor so that he could put all this firmly behind him. Right now though he was happy that Steve was no longer shutting him out of his life.

Steve shifted restlessly on the sofa. His blanket had half fallen off so Mark went over to put it back on. It was then in the dim light of the candle that he noticed Steve's face was covered in sweat. He put his hand to his son's forehead. No he screamed inside, this can't be happening, not know. Steve was burning up with fever. The drenching he'd received earlier coupled with his weakened condition had made the infection in his leg worse. Mark tried the phone again, useless. He knew that he had to get Steve to the hospital immediately if he was going to have any chance of saving his son's life.

He quickly ran out to his car and brought it as close to the house as he could. Not caring that he was soaking wet. His only concern was for his son and the danger he was in. He wasn't strong enough to carry Steve by himself. He was going to need Steve's help.
He gently shook Steve on the shoulder. "Steve c'mon wake up."

Steve mumbled and tried to push his hand away, he was too tired to get up. Mark was persistent and Steve finally gave up, opening his eyes slowly trying to focus on the blurred image swimming in front of him. Mark saw that Steve was trying to wake up.

"C'mon, that's it son, we need to get you to the hospital."

Steve was having trouble comprehending what his father was talking about, but the urgency in his voice made him realise that he needed to do what his father asked of him. Mark helped him to his feet. He stood balanced on one foot, leaning heavily on Mark as he helped him into his wheel chair. Mark placed a waterproof coat over Steve's head trying to give him some protection from the rain and wind.

It was a wild ride to the hospital. Mark could barely see more than a few feet in front of him. The rain was really heavy and the gusts of strong wind threatened to blow his car off the road a number of times. But Mark was determined to get his son to the hospital, no matter what the risks. He pushed on determinedly.

It took a long time to get to the hospital, by the time they arrived Steve was barely conscious and Mark was starting to feel the panic rising inside him. What if he was too late, what if they couldn't save Steve. No, he pushed those thoughts firmly aside and rushed into the ER searching for help.

Jesse was walking past the reception desk as Mark came bursting into the ER, eyes wild searching for someone, anyone to help him. Jesse rushed over to his friend. Placing his hands on Mark's shoulders he asked worriedly, "Mark, what's wrong?" He was fearing the answer to the question even as he asked it.

"It's Steve, he's out in the car, he needs help."

Jesse called to two orderlies to bring a gurney and rushed out into the rain.

Steve was brought in and taken straight to the exam room while Mark stood in a state of shock at reception. The adrenaline that had got him this far was starting to wear off and he was feeling the effects of what had happened. He was barely aware of Dr Glaser being paged. A soft gentle hand was placed on his arm and he was guided to the waiting room. A warm blanket was wrapped around his shoulders.

Amanda was worried about Mark. He looked so frightened. She squeezed his arm gently but he didn't seem to notice she was there. He just kept staring at the door. Fifteen minutes later Dr Glaser came in.

"Dr Sloan," he said in a quiet voice.

Mark looked up at him.

"Steve's temperature is 104B, the infection in his leg is getting out of control. He needs surgery immediately, it can't be put off any longer. If I am going to have any hope of saving his life I need to operate now. I know this is difficult for you and I am aware of how Steve feels about this, but I need you to sign the consent forms. I'll do everything I can to save his leg, believe me but if I have to amputate to save his life, then I will. Dr Sloan, if I don't operate Steve is going to die. "

Mark didn't want to sign the forms. He knew Steve was dead against having his leg amputated but he couldn't, wouldn't allow his son to die. Steve who had fought his way back from the coma after the shooting, his one and only son, the son he loved so dearly. He was damned if he was going to let him throw away his life.

"Dr Glaser, before I sign the form can I talk to Steve.?"

"He's pretty much out of it, but if it helps fine, I'll take you to him."

"Mark," said Amanda, with tears in her eyes. I'll be right here when you get back"
Mark sat down next to his son's bed. He wasn't sure if Steve even knew he was there. The fever had taken a pretty strong hold on him now.

He took Steve's limp hand in his.

"Steve, I don't know if you can hear me but I have to talk to you. Son, Dr Glaser says you need surgery straight away, it can't be put off. He's going to do everything in his power to save your leg but he might not be able to, he might...have...to...amputate. Son I'm so sorry." Mark's voice was breaking with emotion, he felt his heart was going to snap in two at any moment.

"Steve, I know you don't want this surgery , that you don't think you can live with only one leg, but son, I don't want to live without you. I don't want to spend everyday for the rest of my life missing you. I need you. I'd rather have you with only one leg than not have you at all. Even if that means you hating me for what I am about to do, but at least you'll be alive. I can't let you die, I love you, please forgive me."

Tears were rolling down Mark's cheeks and his hand was shaking as he signed the consent forms.

Amanda stayed with Mark through the long hours of Steve's surgery. Dr Glaser had asked Jesse to assist him and it was Jesse who walked through the doors to the waiting room six hours later.

Mark could hardly bring himself to ask.

"Mark, it's okay, the surgery went well. Dr Glaser thinks with physical therapy Steve will make a full recovery."

"He didn't lose his leg?" Mark sat down with a thump emotionally drained.

'No, he didn't," said Jesse animatedly, Dr Glaser was able to save Steve's leg, he's going to be fine. He's in recovery now. I'll come and take you to him once he's back in his room."

Amanda hugged Mark, tears of relief rolling down her cheeks. A little while later Mark walked into his son's room. Steve's leg was protected by a metal frame covered with the bed clothes. He was attached to an IV and was still on a course of antibiotics to clear up any residual infection. His face although still very pale looked much less strained than it had such a short while ago. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully for the first time in weeks. He was alive and that's all that mattered to Mark. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief as he looked down at his sleeping son. He would deal with the consequences of his actions later. For now he was just happy that Steve was alive.

Steve opened his eyes groggily. His brain still felt a little fuzzy and his vision was blurry. The first thing he became aware of was a big mound covering his left leg. A frame, he was in hospital, he could smell the antiseptic. He couldn't feel his leg.

"Nooo!" he screamed, his voice full of panic.

Mark who had been dozing in a chair nearby woke up suddenly and came to stand next to his sons bed. Anxious to let him know everything was fine.

"How could you?" yelled Steve accusingly. "You let them take my leg,! I trusted you, how could you do this to me? Get out!" Steve's voice was full of anger and confusion. "Get out of here, leave me alone, I never want to see you again!" Steve was becoming more and more agitated, Mark just stood fixed to the spot in shock. He hadn't expected this reaction from Steve, if only Steve would give him a chance to explain.

Jesse came rushing in. Seeing Steve trying to get out of bed he gently but firmly pushed him back down and called for a nurse. He turned to Mark,"I think you'd better leave."

Mark turned and left the room, he'd lost his son, Steve would never forgive him for what he did, never.

A few minutes later Jesse came out of Steve's room only to find Mark standing in the middle of the hall seemingly unsure of where to go next. He gently led Mark to the nearest chair and sat him down.

"Mark," he spoke gently, "I've given Steve a sedative, he should sleep for a while. Now would you mind telling me what that was all about?"

"He woke up, he thinks..." Mark paused seemingly unable to continue. He took a deep breath. "Steve thinks his leg has been amputated. I couldn't get through to him, he wouldn't listen, he just yelled at me to get out. You saw the state he was in. He was so angry, he never wants to see me again."

"Mark, you know Steve didn't mean what he said. He was just coming out of the anaesthetic. He's had a huge shock. Once he calms down and realises he hasn't lost his leg, he'll come round. He'll understand you were only doing what was best for him."

"What if he doesn't?"

"Then I'll have to knock some sense into him won't I?" said Jesse smiling. "Look, you're exhausted, you can't deal with all this right now. Why don't you go and lie down in my room and get some rest? I'll stay with Steve."

Mark opened his mouth to protest.

"Mark, Steve's going to need you now more than ever. Physical therapy isn't a walk in the park you know. He's going to go through depression and frustration before this is all over. He needs you to be strong for him. You won't be much use to him if you make yourself sick."

Mark suddenly felt exhausted, "Jesse maybe you're right, I'll have a lie down, but come and get me if Steve asks for me, promise me you will."

"I promise, now go and get some rest."

Steve gradually became aware of pain. His leg was hurting, badly, his left leg. He quickly opened his eyes and lifted the sheets. It was still there, they hadn't amputated it after all. It had all been a bad dream.

"Awake at last."

He turned to see Jesse looking at him.

"Hi Jesse, where's dad?" He had been surprised that his father wasn't in the room when he woke up. Something in the way Jesse looked at him had Steve's heart racing. "Is he okay, has something happened to him?"

Then it hit Steve like a bolt of lightening, everything came flooding back. His face drained of colour. It wasn't a dream, that had all been real, all the awful things he'd said to his father, how could he have done that, what had he done? he'd driven his father away from him. How would his dad ever forgive him. He didn't think he would ever be able to forgive himself for hurting his father so much. His eyes started to fill with tears.

Jesse rushed to Steve's side, worried at the sudden ashen look on his friends face. He squeezed Steve's arm, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I, I told dad to get out, I was really angry with him. I didn't mean it, I didn't mean to hurt him. I really lost it Jesse. I thought that my leg had been amputated. He was only doing what was best for me, just like he always does. He has to know that I love him." Steve was sobbing now unable to control his overwrought emotions any longer.

"I know son," came his dad's voice from just inside the door.

"Dad I..."

"It's okay Steve. I know that you were upset last night. You didn't mean anything you said. I felt bad about signing the consent forms. I thought you would hate me. Son I couldn't let you die, I just couldn't."

"Dad, I'm sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me"

"There's nothing to forgive son."

"I love you dad and thanks."

"For what?" asked Mark

"For not letting me die, for being stubborn, for signing the consent forms even though you knew I was against it but most of all for being my dad."


THE END



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