I would like to thank all my friends who kept telling me that I should write DM Fan fictions besides coming up with ideas for others to write. This is a Steve hurt/comfort and/or a Steve/Mark Relationship Story.

This is a Steve based story.

Author’s Note: This takes place almost a year after the events of ‘Town Without Pity’. It’s not really a story just a few paragraphs with Steve having to deal with Carol being killed on his birthday and how Mark helps him. It has always bothered me that Carol Sloan was murdered on Steve’s birthday. The events in these few paragraphs have nothing to do with another one I wrote ‘Death in the Family’.

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Steve's First Birthday
After Carol's Death

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Almost one year after Carol’s death

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“Steve your birthday is coming soon. You haven’t given any hints about what you want.”

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“I...Don’t want anything this year. Can’t we just skip my birthday I really don’t feel like celebrating.”

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“Why Steve?”

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“I just DON’T. ..I have to go to work now Dad.” Steve walks out the door.

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“...but,” Mark says as he sees Steve leaving.

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At the hospital Mark, Jesse, and Amanda are discussing Steve’s recent behavior.

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“Mark what’s wrong with Steve?”

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“Jesse what do you mean?”

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“When I suggested that we have a party at Bob’s like we did last year he got all mad and said he was too old for parties. I was looking forward to it. You know last year I had to work and couldn’t come.”

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“Too old for parties?” said Mark, “I’m not too old for parties.”

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Amanda stood quietly listening and then said. “Mark, Jesse I think I know what’s wrong with Steve.”

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“Well don’t hold us in suspense Amanda what’s wrong?” said Jesse.

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“Mark... she said slowly what happened last year at Steve’s birthday party?”

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“...Amanda I didn’t think of it. Why would Steve blame himself?”

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“Excuse me here you two,” said Jesse what are you two getting at?”

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“Jesse last year at Steve’s birthday party Carol called for help... You know what happened after that” said Mark sadly.

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“Yes.. I know.” Jesse replied.

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“So” Mark continued “Steve is somehow blaming himself because he’s getting older and Carol isn’t.”

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“I think so” Amanda said.

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“Thanks Amanda now I know what’s wrong with Steve why he’s acting like this. Now all I have to do is figure out how to help him. I won’t allow my son to continually blame himself each year for getting older.”

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“Mark can we help?” Jesse and Amanda both wanted to know.

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“Thanks you two but I think Steve and I need to talk this over ourselves.”

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“Ok Mark” they both said.

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For the rest of the day at work when he wasn’t busy with his patients Mark thought about what he was going to say to his son. Finally when it was almost time to leave he thought of what to say.

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Mark comes home and sees Steve sitting on the couch just staring out into space. “Hi Steve” Mark says sadly.

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“Dad what’s wrong?”

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“I lost a patient today.”

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“Dad I’m so sorry.”

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“It was her 50th wedding anniversary. It’s my fault she died of an aneurysm.”

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“Dad you once said that an aneurysm can happen to any doctor.”

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“Yes Steve but that doesn’t matter does it. She’s dead and it’s my fault. Her husband will always have to remember that his wife died on their anniversary.”

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“Dad don’t do this to yourself. I’m sure you did everything you could. I’m sure there was nothing you wouldn’t do to prevent this from happening.”

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“Steve.. son there wasn’t anything you could have done to prevent what happened to Carol. It was Campbell and the town’s people who instead of looking at what was in the inside of Carol’s husband, warmth, compassion, love, only saw the color of his skin.”

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“Dad..I”

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“Steve I understand that you don’t want to do anything fancy this year but don’t keep blaming yourself because you’re getting older and your little sister isn’t.”

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“Dad... I can’t help it each year I’m getting older and my little sister is dead..killed on my birthday.”

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“Steve.. if Carol would have been killed on another day would that have been better?”

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“Of course not.”

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“Son you are not to blame for what Campbell and those town’s people did. If you keep blaming yourself I’m afraid they are going to claim another victim. Please Steve I can’t lose another child.”

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“...Ok Dad.. I understand what you are saying but I still don’t feel like a party.”

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“Steve that’s no problem. If you’d like it will just be the two of us at home.”

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“Dad would it be ok if we took a drive to where Carol is?”

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Mark gives Steve a hug. “Steve I’d like that very much.”

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The End.

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