Diagnosis-Revenge--- 18

Steve Sloan had never been so glad to see his home, and sighed heavily as he leaned on the crutches tucked beneath his arms. He'd spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and had finally convinced his father and Jesse that he'd rest better in his own bed. The reason for the lengthy stay was an infection in the wound Tatiana had made and it had made it necessary for him to be on strong IV antibiotics. Connie had visited him every day and that was the one thing, besides the food, that he was going to miss. He knew she could not get to the beach house every day, but she'd promised to call and she'd be there when she could.

"Steve, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, dad, just glad to be home. Smell that air," the younger Sloan answered and leaned against the car as his father took his bag from the trunk.

"It is wonderful…come on, let's get you inside and settled…"

"I'd rather sit out back and enjoy the sun," Steve told him.

"I think that can be arranged, but you need to keep your leg elevated," Mark warned and led the way into the house. "Is there anything special you'd like for dinner?"

"How about BBQ steaks and your famous potato salad?"

"I think we can manage that…do you feel like some company?"

"Why not…Anna?" Steve asked of the woman Mark was now seeing exclusively.

"Anna's working tonight, but Jesse and Amanda said they stop by."

"Tell Amanda to bring a chocolate cake and it's a deal," Steve said.

"She'll think that's the only reason we invite her."

"Not really, but it's a good incentive," the younger man teased.

"I'll give them a call, but for now you go on out back and I'll bring you your meds and some lemonade," Mark told him.

"Sounds good, thanks, Dad," Steve said and leaned on his crutches as he made his way toward the patio doors. His leg ached, but the worst part was the itch he could quite reach and had taken to using anything to get under the cast. He smiled when he spotted a chair already set for him with a cushion covered stool waiting for him to rest his leg on. Shaking his head at how easily his father could read him, Steve eased down on the chair, placed his crutches beside him and lifted his injured leg onto the cushion.

Steve closed his eyes and allowed the sun to warm him as he listened to the waves lapping at the shore. The squawk of a gull added to the feeling of being home, and he rested his head back as he soaked in the feelings racing through him. 'No place like home,' he thought as he heard his father join him.

"Son, you need to take these," the elder Sloan ordered and held out three pills for the younger man, relieved when Steve took them with only a token fight.

"So, are Amanda and Jesse joining us?"

"Yes, and Amanda said to tell you the cake is in the oven," Mark said with a grin.

"A woman after my own heart," Steve said and watched his father closely as Mark's eyes were filled with a deep sadness that worried him. He knew his father was still beating himself up over Tatiana's death, and he knew it was time to get things out in the open. "Dad, in case I forgot to say thanks I'm saying it now."

"For what?" Mark asked, genuinely confused as he poured two glasses of lemonade and watched as his son took the pills he'd handed over.

"You saved my life that night. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be sitting here," Steve said.

"I did what I had to do," Mark said.

"I know, and that's what you need to remember," Steve told him. "Tatiana chose the way she lived and who she lived with. She didn't have to join a gang or turn to a life of crime."

"How do we know that, Steve?"

"Because we're all given a choice…I know Tatiana's life was hard, but what she did…what she chose to do was steal and hurt people and from what Captain Newman told me she's killed at least two people. She's not innocent, Dad…"

"No, but she's dead…and…"

"I'm alive, Dad," Steve said and hoped his father understood what he was saying. Tatiana would have killed him without remorse if his father hadn't stopped her, but it would take a long time for that sorrow to leave Mark Sloan's face.

"I know, and God help me I'd do it again if I had to, Steve, and that's what makes it so hard. I swore I'd do everything I could to save lives…not take one," Mark told him.

"Dad, I see death every damn day in my job and I'm sworn to protect the people of this city including the ones that decide to take matters into their own hands. It's not easy to take a life and if it ever does become easy then it's time to find a new career," the injured man supplied.

"That's what makes you a good cop," Mark told him.

"It's also what makes you a good doctor…you're passionate about saving lives and I've seen you when someone doesn't make it. It tears you apart, Dad, but it also makes you stronger because you dig deeper and work even harder to save the next one. Don't let Tatiana's death sour the good you've done…the lives you saved," Steve said.

"I'll try, Son, but I won't promise it'll be easy."

"It never is, Dad, but that's what makes you special…you're willing to try," the younger Sloan explained.

"When did you get so smart?"

"I think I come by it honestly…from both sides of the family," Steve answered with a grin. He settled back with the ice cold glass of lemonade and hoped the hint of a smile on his father's face was a sign that he could see past his involvement in Tatiana's death for good. He placed the glass on the table and closed his eyes, listening as the older man moved around the patio and soft music reached his ears.

DMDMDMDMDMDMDM

Steve knew he'd dozed off when he heard voices talking softly nearby. He opened his eyes and smiled at the two people sitting at the patio table.

"Welcome home, Sleeping Beauty," Amanda teased.

"Guess I must have fallen asleep…where's dad?"

"He's in the kitchen making salad," Jesse answered and studied his friend's face. "I could have sworn you were supposed to come home and rest…"

"I was resting…looks like I slept the afternoon away," Steve told him.

"The afternoon and part of the evening," Amanda corrected. "Do you need anything?"

"Coffee," Steve answered.

"I'll be right back," Amanda said and left the two men alone.

"Okay, Steve…doctor to patient…how do you feel?"

"Surprisingly better than I thought," Steve answered honestly.

"Good, any pain here," Travis asked and pointed to the wound made by Tatiana.

"Sometimes, but not like it was, Jesse, I think everything's finally healing."

"Thank God," the younger man acknowledged. "How's Mark? Did he talk to you about what happened?"

"He's okay, but you know dad, Jesse. Tatiana's death took a lot out of him, but I think he's coming to terms with the fact that he didn't have a choice…she didn't give him one," Sloan explained.

"No, she didn't," Jesse readily agreed. "I heard Damian Ryan was held over for trial and denied bail."

"Yes, he was and I hope that's the last we ever hear of El Diablo."

"Me too…but it won't be long before there's another bunch looking to take over their turf," Travis said sadly and listened to the tranquil sounds of the ocean and gulls flying high overhead. He loved coming out here to visit the Sloans and stood up to help Amanda with the tray she carried.

"Dinner's ready," Amanda said.

"Good, I'm starved," Steve told her and looked around.

"What's wrong, Son?" Mark asked as he placed the salad on the table.

"I…just wondering where the cake is?"

"It's inside and it stays there until you eat," Amanda told him.

"Oh, come on, Amanda, have pity on a poor injured…"

"Not on your life, Steve…salad…main course and then dessert," Bentley warned and smiled as she served the salad. "French or Italian?"

"Chocolate," Steve answered with a grin.

"On your salad…well that's weird, but I'll see if Mark has any…"

"Italian," Steve told her and relaxed when he saw a real on his father's face. It would take time for his father to completely recover from what happened, but there was no doubt that he would. Amanda and Jesse would be there to help, of that he was sure, but there would be times when he and Mark would sit down for a quiet evening and talk about the lives they'd been unable to save. Death and life were a natural part of both their jobs and always would be…they just needed to remind themselves that they were not alone and had friends who would be there for them.

"So, Mark, when are you seeing Anna again?" Jesse asked.

"Now, Jesse, a man has to keep some secrets," the older Sloan answered.

"Come on, Mark, I know you two are…"

"Friends, Jesse, just friends...now Steve and Connie are a different story," Mark offered.

"Connie and I are friends…"

"What is it with men?" Bentley asked, shaking her head as she looked at the smiling trio. "Why can't you just admit it when you have feelings for someone?"

"Where's the fun in that, Amanda?" Steve asked.

"What do you mean?" the pretty woman asked.

"Don't mind them, Amanda, they just like getting arise out of you," Travis said.

"Is that right…well maybe I should have a heart to heart talk with Connie and Anna and tell them about you two…"

"No need for that, Amanda…we can…"

"Got you," Amanda said and the group relaxed as heartfelt laughter eased the turmoil from their lives at least for now.

DMDMDMDMDMDMDMDM

"Here, let me help you, Son," Mark Sloan offered as Steve tried to get the tie right. Two months had passed since Tatiana's death and he was finally coming to terms with the decision he'd been forced to make. Steve had finally been cleared to return to light duties and was anxious to get back to work. Damian Ryan plead guilty to murder and attempted murder and was awaiting sentencing in prison.

"Thanks, Dad, come on or we're going to be late," Steve said.

"And whose fault is that?" Mark asked with a grin.

"Come on, Dad, I feel like a school kid on his first date."

"Well, you look pretty good in that monkey suit," the elder Sloan teased.

"Maybe I should change…"

"Come on, Son, you look fine," Mark said.

"You sure?"

"I am…"

"You look great, Dad, Anna's going to have to fight them back," Steve said seriously as he walked up the stairs. His father looked after himself and always had and that was something the nurses at Community General commented on every time Steve was a patient there.

"Thanks," Mark said as they locked up the house and headed for his car. They would pick Anna and Connie up before making their way toward the restaurant for dinner and dancing. The tickets had cost 100.00 per person and all proceeds would go toward the pediatric wing at Community General.

DMDMDMDMDMDMDMDM

Steve smiled as he knocked at Connie's door and turned to see his father and Anna Downey in the front seat of the car. The nurse looked beautiful in a long shimmering blue evening gown with a diamond necklace and matching earrings.

Steve turned back to the door and smiled appreciatively at the woman standing before him. Her hair hung down over her shoulders, pinned back slightly on both sides by a set of pearl clips. The gown she wore was a beautiful shade of emerald green that brought out the deep green of her eyes.

"Connie, you look beautiful," he managed and kissed her gently.

"Down, Big Boy, or we won't be going to any dinner…"

"I could tell dad and Anna we'll catch up with them later…say in about a week," Steve said.

"Keep it up and I might just take you up on that offer," Connie said, laughing when a horn sounded and Steve reluctantly released her. They made their way to the car and Steve held the door for her before going around to his side and getting in.

"Anna, it's good to see you again."

"You too, Connie," Downey said as Mark drove them to the restaurant. They exited the car and Mark passed his keys to the valet driver before taking Anna's arm and walking up to the door.

"They make a wonderful couple," Connie whispered to her date.

"She's good for him," Steve told her, reaching into his pocket and taking out the tickets as they reached the front of the line and entered the restaurant. He smiled at several people he knew and followed his father and Anna to the table they'd be sharing. He held her chair for Connie as his father did the same for Anna.

Mark looked up as a waitress dressed in a black skirt, white blouse, and string tie came over with a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine wrapped in white linen. She poured them each a glass before moving to the next table.

"Steve, Mark told me you're scheduled to go back to work on light duties," Anna said.

"First thing Monday morning," the younger Sloan told her.

"Just try not to be Superman," Downey warned sternly.

"I won't," Steve assured her.

"I'll believe that when I see it," Anna teased as soft music played in the background.

"He doesn't have a choice…Captain Newman won't let him mess up," Mark told them, relaxing as he watched his son and date. Connie Evans was good for Steve and he hoped the duo continued to see each other. He turned his head toward his own date and realized he could very easily fall in love with this woman. Maybe it was time to think about a serious relationship, and Anna Downey could certainly match him in a verbal sparring match.

"What are you thinking about, Dad?" Steve asked.

"Just thinking how lucky you and I are," Mark answered and smiled. "We cornered the market on beautiful women."

"That we did, Dad, that we did," Steve said and held Connie close as his father did the same. It felt good to see his father laughing and smiling and that was something he hoped was a sign that Mark Sloan was coming to terms with what had happened and for that Steve gave thanks. Come Monday he'd be behind a desk, and that was okay because there was a lot more to police work than just catching men like Damian Ryan…they needed to make sure they had the evidence to keep him behind bars where he belonged.

"To the future," Mark said and held up his glass of wine.

"The future," the others agreed and let the world outside this room slip away for just a little while.

The End!