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 Notes: I know that Captain Newman shouldn’t be in this one but I like him so he appears as the captain in all my stories. This story takes place after Town Without Pity. There’s no Ellen in this one.

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The Family Without Pity

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Doctors’ Lounge

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Jesse and Amanda enter the doctors’ lounge, Mark is already waiting.

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“Mark why did you want us to meet you here?”

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“Jess I was wondering if you could take over my shift for a few days.”

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“Sure Mark why?”

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“Campbell’s trial is coming up. Steve and I have both made arrangements to have time off to attend the trial every day. We owe it to Carol and her husband.”

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“I understand Mark but what does that have to do with me taking over your shift for a few days?”

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“I’d like to take Steve on a camping trip up to our cabin for a couple of days before the trial starts. He’s been working extra hours lately. Volunteering for duty on his days off. He needs this time away. I’m worried about him.”

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“It must be hard on Steve. Carol being killed on his birthday.”

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“That’s another reason I want to go Amanda. Steve’s birthday is coming up. I don’t think Steve’s up to a big celebration but I was hoping I could convince him to come up to the cabin with me and then in a few days you two could come and we could have a small surprise party. I think a big celebration would be too much for him..too much for both of us.”

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“Sure Mark we’d be glad too. But how are you going to convince Steve to take some extra time off?”

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“That’s where you come in Amanda. I was hoping you could talk him into it.”

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“I’ll try Mark.”

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“Thanks Amanda.”

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Mark gets up to leave. “Where are you going Mark?”

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“I want to try and invite Steve to eat at the hospital cafeteria.”

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“What do you mean try? Usually Steve jumps at the chance.”

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Mark sighs. “Jess, besides putting in extra hours Steve hasn’t been eating very well. I also think he hasn’t been sleeping very much either.

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Mark leaves the doctors’ lounge and enters his office to phone Steve.

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Steve is at his desk working frantically to clear more cases to keep his mind off the upcoming trial of his sister’s killers.

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The phone rings and Steve picks it up. “Lt. Steve Sloan..”

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“Steve it’s your dad.”

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“Dad, what is it?.I’m busy here.”

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“Steve would you come over to the hospital with me for lunch? We’ll eat in the cafeteria.”

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“I’m sorry Dad I’m very busy I don’t have time for lunch right now.”

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“Son, please you need to eat.”

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“Dad I’ll grab a quick doughnut later on.”

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“Steve will you please come here..for me. I’m worried about you.”

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“Dad, I’m fine. I just want to make sure I get some more scumbags off the street.”

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“Steve taking a little time out to eat isn’t going to make a difference.”

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Steve sighs. “I suppose not Dad. Ok I’m coming over but I need to make it quick.”

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“All right son, thanks.”

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Mark hangs up the phone and sighs. He was beginning to think Steve would turn him down again. At least now he was sure he could make sure Steve had a decent lunch.

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Steve signs out for lunch. The captain is only too pleased he knows how hard his favorite lieutenant has been working.

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Mark waits for over an hour in the cafeteria. He’s afraid that Steve changed his mind. Mark decides to go back to his office and call Steve. He calls Steve at his desk. When the person answers Mark is surprised to hear Captain Newman’s voice.

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“Captain Newman where’s Steve?”

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“Mark I thought he was still with you. He signed out to have lunch over an hour ago.”

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“Captain something’s wrong.”

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“I’ll send out an APB on the Lieutenant.”

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Steve’s car is found abandoned at an old warehouse there is no sign of him. There are however, traces of blood on the door of the car and on the inside by the driver’s side.

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Mark and Captain Newman are afraid that Steve has been kidnapped. Captain Newman has joined Mark in his office to help with the investigation of Steve’s disappearance.

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Jesse comes into Mark’s office without bothering to knock. “Excuse me Mark this just came by special messenger I thought it might be important.”

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“Thanks Jesse.” Mark starts to open the package when Captain Newman stops him.

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“Wait Mark. Let’s let the bomb squad check the package over and check for prints also.”

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Mark sighs. In his hurry to find out about his son he nearly made a serious mistake. He knew the importance of making sure there wasn’t a bomb in the package and to check for fingerprints.

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The bomb squad came and didn’t find any explosive device. They also didn’t find any fingerprints. What they did find unnerved Mark. Amongst Steve’s badge, ID, and gun was a type-written note. If Campbell and his friends weren’t released within 12 hours Mark would lose another child.

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Mark was still pacing. He was doing that for.. Captain Newman couldn’t recall. Jesse and Amanda had joined them to try and find out where Steve was being held.

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“I can’t lose my son. I just can’t! I can’t let my daughter’s killers get away either. What am I going to do?” he asked desperately.

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“Mark, we’ll find Steve.” Amanda tried to soothe Mark.

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“Amanda we have less than 12 hours.”

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“Then lets get busy” said Jesse.

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“Why are you holding me?” Steve said for the umpteenth time. Like all the times before he received no answer. At least not the answer he was hoping for. Steve’s legs had been tied together and Steve’s own handcuffs had been used to cuff his arms behind his back, with no way to fight back Steve received another beating.

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While Steve could do nothing to prevent this latest beating he remembered how he had been kidnapped. He had entered the parking lot to the police station and was about to enter his car to head over to the hospital to have lunch with his father. Steve noticed the guard walking by him. He was new. At least Steve couldn’t recall seeing him before. Steve gave him a warm smile and the guard smiled back. Before Steve knew it several perps had appeared and forced Steve into his car. The guard got into the passenger side with a gun. With his friends in the back.

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“Why are you doing this?” Steve had said. The guard had said nothing but “drive and keep quiet pig.”

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The guard had made Steve drive to an old warehouse, and get out of his car. As he got out Steve tried to make a break for it but he was caught and beaten. He lost consciousness and didn’t know what had happened after that.

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The beating ended. Steve’s ribs hurt and his face hurt. In fact the more Steve thought about it his whole body was hurting. And he still had no idea what his captors had wanted.

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Mark, Captain Newman, Jesse and Amanda had all come to the precinct in hopes of gathering clues as to Steve’s disappearance.

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“Where do we start?” asked Amanda.

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“Where else?” Mark replied.

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“From the beginning” confirmed Captain Newman. “We know that Steve must have left the parking lot because his car with his blood on it was found at an old warehouse.”

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“Lets question the guard on duty,” suggested Jesse.

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“I tried that already” responded Captain Newman. “The guard on duty now relieved his partner shortly after lunch. He did say an odd thing though.”

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“How odd” asked Mark.

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“He said he noticed his partner was panting as if he had been in a hurry.”

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“In a hurry to get back I suppose.. Captain Newman do you have anything on this guard?”

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“What do you mean Mark?”

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“I mean like his name, where he comes from. You know personal information.”

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“Just a minute I’ll look it up.”

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Captain Newman goes to his telephone and requests the personal file of John Anderson.

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Nothing significant came up except the file stated that John Anderson was from San Juan Capistrano.”

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“Wait Captain Newman” Mark just about shouts. “That’s not far from where Carol and her husband stopped to have their car repaired in Los Rios.. Where they were murdered.”

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“You think John Anderson could be an alias?” questioned Jesse.

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“There’s one way to find out. John Anderson had to be fingerprinted at some time to obtain his job.”

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“How long has he been working here?”

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“Only a few weeks Mark…We’ve been short on guards. The budget cuts. We’ve been lucky to get the ones we have now.”

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The fingerprint match doesn’t check out.

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“I don’t get it.”

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“What don’t you get Jesse?”

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“If the prints were obviously not a match to John Anderson then why were they in the files.”

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“Which means that someone in records forged the fingerprints so that no one would suspect anything if a background check was done.

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“It says here that Anderson’s real name is ‘John Harris’.”

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Did you say ‘John Harris’?”

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“Yes Mark why?”

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“Kelly Harris. She was the police woman in Los Rios. She’s also Campbell’s niece. She’s one of the people that tried to kill us.”

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“Lets get the address of this John Anderson..Harris. Just maybe we’ll be lucky and they are holding Steve there.”

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“I hope so Captain because we are running out of time.”

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“Time’s almost up Pig. And then your father will spend the rest of his life without either of his children.

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Just when Steve was going to get another beating, which would have in all likelihood been too much for Steve’s already bruised and battered body, the door was kicked down and Captain Newman, Mark, Jesse, and other policemen came rushing in. The captain and his men took care of John Anderson and his friends. Mark and Jesse ran towards Steve. Mark called 911 while Jesse did what he could until the ambulance came.

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Mark waited for word on Steve. Mark hated so much being stuck in the doctors’ lounge while he awaited for word about his son. He couldn’t count the amount of hours since Steve joined the force that he spent waiting in this room while his son’s best friend saved his life on numerous occasions.

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Jesse finally came into the doctors’ lounge to find Mark.

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“Mark, Steve’s going to be just fine.”

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“Oh, thank goodness!”

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“He has a few broken ribs and bruises over most of his body but we managed to get to him in time. He did have a broken rib which punctured his right lung but we were able to reinflate the lung.”

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“Can I see him Jess?”

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“Of course Mark come on I’ll take you there.”

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Jesse led Mark into Steve’s room. Mark just looked at his son sleeping peacefully. Now there was nothing stopping Mark from seeking justice for his daughter Carol, and his son-in-law that Mark wished with all his heart he could have got to know.

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Mark waited for Steve to wake up. When he finally did Steve was still a little groggy. Mark could tell Steve wanted to ask his father something so he leaned over so he could hear him better. “What… did…those people..want..Dad?…no one….would tell..me.”

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“Steve, you were kidnapped by the brother of Kelly Harris. He was hoping by doing so the trial of his uncle and sister and the others involved would not take place that I would stop the trial in order to protect you.”

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“..Dad…you didn’t….did you?”

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“Steve I was torn believe me. I didn’t want anything to happen to you and at the same time Carol and her husband deserve justice…Now there’s nothing stopping us from seeking justice for them.

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Steve sighed. “I’m glad Dad.”

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Just then Mark heard Steve’s stomach growling. “Son, when your doctor okays it I’ll get you some food from the cafeteria.”

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Steve sighed. “I guess I am a little hungry.”

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After days of being in the hospital recuperating from his kidnapping Steve was found well enough to return home.

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While they were on their way home to the beach house Mark discussed his desire for the two of them to spend some time together before the trial began.

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“Steve I was going to talk to you about this before..I’d really like for the two of us to spend some time together up at our cabin.”

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“That sounds good Dad…It’s almost been another year since Carol was murdered. I can remember because my birthday is coming up.”

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Mark cringed. He knew it was hard on Steve, but until now he had no idea how hard it had been on his son having his sister murdered on his birthday.

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Mark didn’t know what to say at first. Finally, he hoped these words helped his son. “Steve, I know this is hard on you. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you I understand how you feel because of course I don’t but son don’t blame yourself. What happened was completely out of your control..of our control. Matthew Campbell and his family and friends are to blame not you…Come on what do you say Steve, we both need this time away together.”

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Steve thought for a few minutes. His father was right. Some nice father and son quality time camping together at their cabin did sound like a perfect way to relax and recuperate from his latest ordeal and get ready for their next ordeal- attending the trial of his sister’s murderers.

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“Dad, I’d liked to. Spending some time with my father at our cabin is a great idea.”

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Mark and Steve spent a couple of days together going fishing and just generally enjoying the quiet time together. Steve even decided to go for a short hike. Steve would have liked to have his father come along with him for the hike but he understood his father’s reason for declining. Mark wasn’t as young as he once was.

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Actually that wasn’t the real reason Mark had turned his son down. He wanted to take the time to call Jesse and Amanda so they could come over and surprise Steve. His son’s birthday was tomorrow. Mark was adamant that Steve would know how much he really cared for him.

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It had all been arranged. Jesse and Amanda were going to arrive at the cabin in the afternoon with Steve’s favorite food, and cake and non-alcoholic drinks. Mark had told them what he wanted to get for Steve, a new motorcycle jacket with a back pad for extra protection and a new helmet with extra protection also. Mark didn’t like when Steve drove his dirt bike but he wanted this year to be special for Steve and he knew how much his son loved to ride.

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It was Steve’s birthday. Steve spent the morning reflecting. He realized his dad wanted him to come up to the cabin for more reasons then just recuperating. Steve didn’t want to celebrate his birthday but he also didn’t want to spoil it for his father either.

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Steve decided to take another hike. This time he didn’t ask his father. He just told him he was going on a longer hike. Mark was worried. He hoped Jesse and Amanda would arrive soon so they could celebrate Steve’s birthday. It wasn’t right that Steve should be so down on himself on his birthday. It wasn’t his fault what had happened to his sister.

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While Steve was away, Jesse and Amanda came.

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Mark rushed out of the cabin when he heard a car motor. “Thank goodness you came” he said when Jesse and Amanda were out of Amanda’s Grand Cherokee.

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“How’s Steve?” Amanda gently asked.

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“Not good Amanda. He’s trying to put up a front but I know my son too well.”

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“Hopefully this will cheer him up Mark” Jesse said as the trunk was opened up and Steve’s presents were taken out of the trunk. Amanda retrieved a bag from the back seat. Mark noticed another one on the other side and brought that in.

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After the bags were brought in Jesse asked Mark if he had ate yet. After Mark had told Jesse that he had ate Mark asked why. Jesse opened up one of the bags and showed him. They had stopped at the hospital cafeteria and bought ‘pigs in a blanket’. Jesse told him they were hoping that if nothing else cheers Steve up the food would.

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Mark emptied the bag he had brought in. It contained three bottles, sparkling Catawba, sparkling cold duck and sparkling Spumante all non-alcoholic drinks.

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As they were getting everything arranged for when Steve came back from his hike Mark asked them if they had heard about the trial. They told him that because of the pretrial publicity the trial had been moved to Laguna Hills.

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Steve made it back to the cabin. It didn’t take him long before he had noticed Amanda’s Grand Cherokee parked by the cabin. Steve figured what was going on and although he didn’t feel like it he decided to make the best of things. His father and friends had gone through a lot to make his birthday special. He wasn’t going to spoil it for them.

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Steve walked into the cabin and Mark, Jesse and Amanda yelled “Surprise Happy Birthday Steve!” Steve smiled and thanked them all.

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Mark gave Steve the gifts that he had Jesse and Amanda bring to the cabin. Steve really appreciated his father’s gesture. He knew how much his father worried whenever he noticed his son was going to go dirt bike riding. Amanda told Steve she had picked out the color, black and blue striped. The blue was to match Steve’s eyes.

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Jesse showed him what he had organized. Hospital take-out. All of Steve’s favorite meals. Amanda brought out the birthday cake that they had brought with them.

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Steve could honestly tell his father and friends that he appreciated everything that they had done for him to make his birthday special.

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After the celebration Steve asked about the trial. Mark told Steve they would talk about it tomorrow. Today was Steve’s birthday.

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Jesse and Amanda stayed with Mark and Steve for several hours until Amanda looked at her watch and noticed they had to get back. CJ would be going to bed soon. Her mother was taking care of him but Amanda liked tucking her young son into bed when she could.

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Before retiring for the night. Their last night at the cabin Steve thanked his father once again for what he had done for him. He didn’t think it could be possible but he really did enjoy his birthday. Mark was pleased. He was hoping this little celebration would cheer Steve up.

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The next day as promised while they were getting ready to head back home they discussed the trial. Mark told Steve what Jesse and Amanda had told him. The trial had been moved to Laguna Hills.

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Steve told his dad that he had already discussed it with Captain Newman and he had given Steve permission to have leave just as long as he needed. Mark also was prepared.

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After spending a couple of days back in Los Angeles, Mark and Steve were headed to Laguna Hills to attend Campbell’s trial.

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End of Part One

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Author’s Notes:

?This is part one of a two-part story. It continues in ‘State Without Pity’.

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