Author's note: Spoiler: Hot House

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Last Chance

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Steve had been assigned to attend a conference in Chicago Illinois. Going to Illinois was not something that Steve had been looking forward to. Steve had wished they could have scheduled the conference in a warmer climate like Hawaii. But the powers that be were worried about the weather conditions with all the hurricanes at this time of year and so Chicago Illinois had been the agreed upon place for the conference on the latest crime solving technology.

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The plane he had been on was not a non-stop flight. Because of budget cuts they had to conserve and flying Steve on a non-stop flight from California to Illinois had been deemed too expensive. It was just as well Steve thought. He needed to stretch his legs. Steve knew he had at least an hour before his flight took off again.

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So here Steve was inside Denver International Airport. He was going to grab something quick to eat like a doughnut when he had heard the announcement. There was a storm coming all flights were canceled until the following morning.

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Steve used the first available phone he could find and booked himself a room at a motel nearby for the night. Then he went to go back on the airplane to grab his carry on luggage. He was told that nobody would be allowed to enter the plane until boarding in the morning. The stewardess gave her apology but said those were the rules.

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Then Steve decided there wasn’t anything he could do but get a cab go to his motel and get some sleep until the morning. The cab arrived at the motel. Steve paid the cab driver and told him to come in the morning to take him back to the airport.

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After Steve had checked in and had been given his room key along with directions to find it he was walking towards it when a couple of guys came up to him. They beat him up and took his wallet. When they saw that Steve was a cop they were scared.

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They knew they needed to escape before the police were on to them. They had been mugging the guests at the different motels around the airport figuring they were in too much of a hurry to get to their destinations to bother with filing a police report.

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Steve being a cop had changed things. They knew that he would take the time to report this maybe even help with the investigation. They decided they had better leave while they still could. They dragged Steve up and forced him at gunpoint to get into a car and then after hot wiring it forcing Steve to drive.

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Steve was forced to drive to Last Chance Colorado when he was told to stop the car. They get out while Steve is beaten some more after getting a few kicks in himself. Steve staggers around before he finally collapses.

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The lone doctor in Last Chance Colorado was not happy. Dr. Thad Morris hated living in Last Chance. The weather in Colorado the backwards town everything about it disgusted him. But this had been the only place he could practice medicine after Dr. Mark Sloan had used his influence to get him barred from practicing medicine anywhere else. Someday he would get the doctor he had promised himself.

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There had been a victim of a brutal beating brought in. He had no identification. The doctor looked at his new patient. He couldn’t believe it. Steve Sloan his nemesis’s son. Sure he had aged since the last time he had seen him but he could tell right away who he was. The doctor decided now was the time for revenge.

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Dr. Morris made a small effort to take care of Steve’s wounds and went through the motions of trying to find out who his John Doe patient was.

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When Steve came to he couldn’t help. The last beating Steve had, he had received several beatings to his head, and now that he was awake Steve couldn’t remember anything.

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Since Steve couldn’t supply them with any medical insurance the doctor decided to kick him out of the hospital. It had felt good to be able to get his revenge on Mark Sloan. Dr. Thad Morris was not done yet.

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Meanwhile Steve’s flight from Denver International Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport had departed in the morning. The plane had arrived in Springfield a few hours later.

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Mark wondered where his son was. He expected his son to call him when he had arrived at the hotel that the conference had been scheduled. He had called the airlines and had been told that Steve’s flight had been delayed.

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Mark decided he was just being an overprotective father. His son was a grown man. Still there was this inkling inside of him that something was wrong. Mark decided to give Steve a few more hours before he called the hotel again.

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Steve had been scheduled to give a short talk on some of the high profile cases he had worked on as a lieutenant for the LAPD. When Steve didn’t show up that was the first time that any of his fellow officers knew there was something wrong.

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They called his superior, Captain Newman. Newman had remembered Steve complaining that he didn’t want to go. For a minute the captain thought that maybe Steve had decided not to go. Then Captain Newman realized that his favorite detective wouldn’t have shirked his responsibilities. There must be a reason why Steve wasn’t there.

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Captain Newman dreaded this phone call but he knew it was up to him.

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Mark was in his office at work debating with himself whether to call the hotel again or to give Steve some more time. The phone rang and Mark quickly answered it.

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“Steve it’s about time I’ve been worried sick about you!”

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The caller hesitated. “Mark it’s not Steve but that’s why I’m calling. Lt. Sloan is missing.”

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“Missing?!”

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“Yes nobody at the conference thought anything was wrong until he never showed up to give his speech. Then they checked and Steve never registered at the hotel.”

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“What about the airport?”

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“His carry on luggage had been left on the plane and his suitcases were still in the baggage claim area… At this time Mark we don’t have any idea where your son is.”

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“…Do you know who saw my son last?”

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“Mark from what we know it was a stewardess. Back in Denver Steve had wanted to get back on the airplane to retrieve his carry on when he had heard the flight had been delayed. The stewardess told him that nobody was allowed on the plane until boarding. She said it was for security.”

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“So my son is somewhere between Denver Colorado and Chicago Illinois. Possibly hurt.. No I know my son is hurt. Steve wouldn’t just take off. There’s a reason he hasn’t contacted anyone.”

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“I know Mark. We’ll do everything we can believe me.”

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“Not without my help Captain.”

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Since Steve had been kicked out because he couldn’t pay for his hospital bill he had wandered the streets. Steve was hungry, and tired. Nobody lifted a hand to help him. Steve was a stranger and the residents of Last Chance didn’t want to get involved.

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Steve had checked his pockets over and over again looking for anything that would tell him who he was but there had been nothing. Not even a scrap of paper that had told him who he was. Steve just hoped that somewhere someone was looking for him. Steve wished that someone would find him soon.

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Mr. and Mrs. Dalton were an old couple. They had lived in Last Chance their whole life. Their only son, Steve had died years ago. They had no one to work their ranch for them. They were also indebted to Dr. Thad Morris. Usually they would have to choose between going without a meal once a week or buying their medicines. This time however, Dr. Morris had insisted they not pay. He had another way that they could get their medicines. He also promised them if they helped him they not only would not have to pay for their costly medicines again but they would have someone to work the ranch for them. The Daltons were desperate so they had agreed.

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Dr. Morris and the Daltons searched for Steve. It wasn’t hard since the town was so small. Dr. Morris tells Steve that he will work for the Daltons to pay his hospital bill. He also tells Steve if he doesn’t cooperate he will turn him in to the authorities.

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So Steve had been forced to work for the Daltons. Mr. Dalton would have a gun on Steve as he labored on the ranch. Mrs. Dalton would have one on him as he ate his one meal a day. Dr. Morris came by each night to check on how things were going. He made the Daltons chain Steve up with a chain each night in the barn.?

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Captain Newman contacted the authorities at Denver International Airport. He found out that Steve had not checked in after the flight had been rescheduled to take off. Captain Newman wanted to know why no one there didn’t notice that the lieutenant wasn’t on that flight. They told him they figured that Lt. Sloan must have decided to get to Chicago somehow else. They told him it happens quite frequently and so they never took notice and continued on their flight as planned.

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Mark used his connections and called around to the different hospitals between Denver and Chicago. He knew there would be a lot of them to call but he was desperate for any help at all in finding his son. He wondered why no one had bothered to do a DNA test or a fingerprint test. Surely those two tests would lead Steve and whoever else to Mark.

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Jesse and Amanda had offered Mark their help in calling the numerous hospitals but still no one knew anything. They had no one who had fit Steve’s general description.

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Amanda suggested concentrating on small towns between Colorado and Illinois. It was highly possible that an identity check had not been done because the equipment would have been considered to be too expensive to a small town’s budget.

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After hours of calling Jesse had reached the hospital for Last Chance. A Dr. Thad Morris had taken the call. He had told Dr. Travis that he was so sorry that he couldn’t help him find Dr. Mark Sloan’s son, Steve.

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Jesse thanked Dr. Morris for his kindness and then hurried to tell Mark the news. Not once in their conversation did Jesse tell Dr. Morris Steve’s name. That meant only one thing for some reason Dr. Morris had been lying.

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Jesse told Mark and Amanda about Dr. Thad Morris.

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Mark then told Jesse and Amanda that Dr. Morris must indeed know where Steve was and told them how the two of them knew each other.

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After several patients of Dr. Morris had died under mysterious circumstances Dr. Mark Sloan had reported his suspicions to the authorities. It had been determined that Dr. Morris had committed murder in a couple of cases. One of them he had refused nutrients to a dying patient. The family and the patient had not requested that this was done. In another case he had intentionally not treated a woman who was bleeding internally from an accident she had been in. It was determined that had she been given medical care it was quite likely she would have survived. When Mark discovered that Dr. Morris had stood to gain financially from her death an arrest warrant had been issued for Dr. Thad Morris.

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Before the authorities could arrest him he had fled the state but not before causing an accident with a school bus. One of the young students who had been injured was Steve. He had broken his leg in the accident.

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As Mark had been comforting his young 10 year old son he had received a phone call. Dr. Morris vowed vengeance no matter how long it took.

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Mark then told Jesse and Amanda that Steve had told him he was going to be a police officer like his grandfather when he grew up so he could protect his father.?

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“Mark Steve and Dr. Morris must have run into each other. But what is Steve doing in a small town like ‘Last Chance’.”

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“I don’t know Jess but I’m going to contact Captain Newman and have him arrange the quickest way to get there.”

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“I’m coming too.” Said Jesse.

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“Me too. Echoed Amanda.

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“Sorry you two not this time. Dr. Morris wants a confrontation I’ll give him one but you two are not to come and that’s final!”

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Mark called Captain Newman and before long they were on their way to Last Chance Colorado in a small plane that only had room for four. Mark looked across the empty seat beside him. He prayed that on the return flight his son would be in his seat next to his father.

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Steve had become adjusted to his situation. Mrs. Dalton had begun to sneak in two meals to him when she could and sometimes she even gave him cookies and she tended to his wounds. Mr. Dalton would tell Steve how well he did as he fixed their fence, mowed the yard whatever needed done. Steve was beginning to feel a special attachment to the Daltons. They were his father and mother, and Steve was their son. The Daltons would call him Steve and it had seemed so natural to him.

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When Steve had realized this it occurred to him that he was home. He no longer dreamt of someone looking for him to take him home. The Daltons still used a gun on Steve and he was still locked up in the barn at night but this didn’t matter to Steve.

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Captain Newman and Mark had arrived at Last Chance and had been taken to the rental car that Captain Newman had arranged. They had stopped at a gas station they saw and was given directions to the only hospital in town.

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When Mark arrived at the hospital he showed a picture of Steve and asked the nurse if she had seen him. The nurse told Mark that he had been in the hospital several days ago. The result of a severe beating, but that when he could not provide insurance because he had no memory Dr. Morris had kicked him out of the hospital. The nurse did not like working with the doctor but there had been no one else willing to stay in the town for so long.

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Mark was furious that Dr. Morris would kick Steve or anyone out of the hospital because they couldn’t afford treatment. Mark knew that Dr. Morris had recognized Steve as being his son and had decided that it was time for revenge.

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Mark was also worried. Steve needed to be in a hospital receiving proper medical care. Mark was sure Dr. Morris wouldn’t have performed an MRI or a CAT scan even if they had the equipment in the small town.

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Mark and Captain Newman decided to ask around at the different shops near the hospital and see if anyone recognized Steve’s pictures that they both carried. They both didn’t have any luck until Mark stopped at a nursery the owner remembered Steve purchasing some huge sacks of beans, corn, and tomato seeds. He was with Mr. Vern Dalton.

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Mark asked where he could find Mr. Dalton and the owner gave him directions to the Dalton’s ranch. Mark found Captain Newman and told him they had their first strong lead as to where Steve was.

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The Daltons heard a car coming by. They figured it had to be Dr. Morris. Steve hurriedly got inside the barn where Mr. Dalton chained him up just like he had been ordered to. Then he had left the key nearby so that Steve could unlock himself after the doctor had left.

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Mark and Captain Newman got out of the car and introduced themselves to the Daltons. Mark showed them a picture of his son Steve. The Daltons were surprised but tried not to show it. Someone had come to take their son away from them. They denied ever seeing Steve before. When Mark mentioned that Steve had been spotted with him by the nursery owner Mrs. Dalton said he must have been mistaken. She and her husband hadn’t left their ranch in days.

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Steve heard the Daltons were in trouble. He took the key Mr. Dalton gave him and unlocked the chain then he looked around the barn. There it was almost hidden in the corner an old rifle. Steve didn’t know why holding the weapon should seem so familiar to him. Next Steve crept out of the barn so that the two strangers wouldn’t see him.

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When Steve was close enough he cocked the rifle. The sound gained Mark and Captain Newman’s attention and they turned around. Mark smiled at having been reunited with his son. That was until Mark realized what was happening.

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“Leave my Dad and Mother alone you two. We don’t need you here. We’ll happy just the three of us together.”

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Mark tried to reason with his son but it was no use. When Steve threatened to pull the trigger Mark knew that Captain Newman and himself would have to leave and come up with a plan later. It was clear to Mark that his son was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome- Steve was sympathetic towards his captors. He viewed them as family. And the Daltons considered Steve their son.

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Mark told Steve and the Daltons they were leaving and then Mark and Captain Newman went into their rental car. They had no choice and so decided to check into a bed and breakfast inn while they called Jesse and told him the latest development.

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When Mark told Jesse what had happened Jesse was surprised. He agreed with Mark that besides suffering from amnesia Steve had Stockholm Syndrome.

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“Mark I thought the captors of Stockholm Syndrome victims were always brutal?”

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“Most of the time Jess. I think Steve developed it because the Daltons were so kind to him and they really believe Steve is their son…and right now that’s what Steve believes.”

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“What can we do Mark?”

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“Jess at this time I’m not sure. I do know this much I won’t give up on Steve. I will get him back.”

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Captain Newman then uses the telephone. He had a hunch and he wanted it confirmed. He calls Chief Masters and asks him to use his influence and find out if a Mr. Vern Dalton living in Last Chance Colorado had ever had a child. Several minutes later Captain Newman received confirmation.

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“Mark,” Captain Newman said as he hung up the phone. “The Daltons had a son years ago. He died from a tractor accident on their ranch.”

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“That explains why they think Steve’s their son.”

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“Mark it’s more complicated than that.. Their son was also named Steve.”

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Dr. Morris had begun watching the Daltons through his binoculars. He was mad that the Daltons were treating Steve so well. Dr. Morris knew it had been a pretense how Steve was locked in the barn and had a gun pointed at him when the Daltons knew they were being watched.

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Dr. Thad Morris decided to get even with Mark personally. He would kill Steve himself rather than rely on an old couple to hold Steve hostage.

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Armed with this new information Mark and Captain Newman were heading back out to the Dalton Ranch to try and reason with them and to try to get Steve to listen that he was not Steve Dalton, and it was vital that he get medical attention as soon as possible.

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When they were almost there Mark saw it. He told Captain Newman to drive faster and then Mark jumped out of the car before Captain Newman had put the car in park.

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Mark had seen his son Steve and Mrs. Dalton lean over someone. Mark presumed Mr. Dalton. He had also noticed Dr. Morris lying close by covered in blood.

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“Please move out of the way I’m a doctor I can help!”

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“No you just want to take me away from my father I won’t let you!” Steve guarded Vern Dalton.

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“Look he needs help!”

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“Steve,” Mrs. Dalton said let him help. “No one will take you away from us again.”

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Steve moved out of the way and Mark started examining Mr. Dalton. Mark noticed what Steve and Mrs. Dalton didn’t notice in their grief. Mr. Vern Dalton was dead.

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Mark slowly rose up. “I’m very sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

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“No!” Steve started to sob. He and Mrs. Dalton comforted each other.

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Mark had felt so bad. He wanted Steve back from the Daltons but not like this. He knew they had generally cared for Steve.

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There wasn’t much need for any law in Last Chance but what there was came out when they got the call.

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Steve and Mrs. Dalton had calmed down and were telling everyone what had happened. Dr. Morris had arrived unannounced at the ranch. The Daltons had heard the car in the distance and were going through the charade of having Steve work on the ranch by gunpoint. Dr. Morris had pushed the gun away from Mr. Dalton and told him he knew that the gun was empty, and then he pulled out a gun and said this one wasn’t and he was going to shoot Doc Sloan’s son. Mr. Dalton and Dr. Morris struggled and the gun went off twice.?

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Mark knew that now wasn’t the time to point out that Dr. Morris had proved that Steve was Steve Sloan and not Steve Dalton. Steve and Mrs. Dalton were shook up and needed to be seen by a doctor. The only problem was that the town’s only doctor was dead.

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Mark volunteered his services until another doctor could be sent from Denver in a couple of days or so to take over for Dr. Morris. Mark was hoping in the meantime he could get Steve to remember him and gain their father and son relationship. Mark knew that in order to do that he had to let Steve and Mrs. Dalton continue with their relationship.

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After the new doctor had arrived Mark examined Steve and begged him to come to LA with him so he could be given an MRI and a CAT scan. Steve didn’t know what those were and so Mark told him that they were special tests that could tell if there was something wrong with him.

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Steve refused to go back. His mother, Mrs. Dalton needed him.

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The pilot had returned and so reluctantly Mark and Captain Newman had to leave Steve behind. Mark would not, and could not force his son to leave Mrs. Dalton who was treating him like her own son.

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Mark glanced at the empty seat beside him. How he wished that things could have been different. He remembered hoping on the way out that Steve would be sitting next to him now.

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Steve and Mrs. Dalton no longer had to pretend. Dr. Morris was dead and the new doctor was so much different. He did not care if his patients had money to pay him.

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Mr. Dalton’s funeral had been the day before the two strangers had returned to LA. Steve knew their names were Dr. Mark Sloan and Captain Newman but to Steve he would refer to them as strangers since they had once tried to take him away from the Daltons.

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Steve slept in the house now instead of the barn. It had felt strange going to sleep without the chain around his ankle.

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As Steve drifted off to sleep he remembered what Dr. Morris had said to them - he was going to shoot Doc Sloan’s son. Then Dr. Morris had aimed the gun at him before his father and Dr. Morris had fought for the gun.

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Steve jumped out of bed. Things were coming back to him. He was not Steve Dalton, he was Steve Sloan. His memory of the past was starting to return.

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As Mark came home from his flight he was tired although he knew that as tired as he was it would be hard to sleep in the beach house. Without his son the house had seemed so empty.

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Mark walked around the upstairs unit. He thought of walking down to Steve’s unit just to touch a few of his son’s belongings and feel of his presence. But as much as Mark wanted to he knew that he would not intrude on his son’s privacy.

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Mark decided to sit in his chair and think of a way to get his son back to him. Mark was drifting off to sleep before it hit him. His son was not going to leave Mrs. Dalton so why not invite her to LA.

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Steve thought about calling his father but as he looked at the time he decided to wait until the morning. His father was probably sleeping. Steve lied in bed for several hours before he finally couldn’t stand it.

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An early morning phone call around 4a.m. woke Mark up. He picked up the phone and answered with a groggy “Hello.”

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“This is the operator would you except charges from a ..“Steve Sloan” Mark could hear his son say his name.

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“Yes, Yes I will! Mark says eagerly.

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“Dad!” Steve said excitedly “I’ve started to remember!”

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“Oh Steve that’s wonderful!”

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“But Dad there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

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“What’s that Steve?”

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“Why did I believe Mr. and Mrs. Dalton were my parents even after the way they treated me at the beginning?”

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“Steve do you remember when Alex was in Hot House and one of the people were killed?”

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“Vaguely.”

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“Well it doesn’t matter. But I remember suggesting that the woman who was defending him was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.”

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“Dad what is Stockholm Syndrome?”

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“Steve it describes the behavior of kidnap victims who, over time, become sympathetic to their captors.”

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“So that’s what happened to me?”

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“To a certain extent. Jess and I also think you were effected because the Daltons were so nice to you treating you like their son at a time when you were vulnerable having no memory of your past.”

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“Who..who’s Jess?”

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“Steve he’s a friend of ours. It doesn’t matter. Your memory is coming back and in time I’m sure it will all come back…Steve I’m very glad you called…I was hoping I could get you to change your mind and come out here.”

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“Not without my mo.. Mrs. Dalton.”

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“Steve I realize that. If I could arrange for her to come out here with you would you go?”

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“Only if she agrees.”

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“Ok Steve ask her in the morning and I’ll see what I can do.”

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Later that morning Steve suggested it would do them good if they were to leave Last Chance for a while. Mrs. Dalton told Steve that they couldn’t afford to do any traveling. Steve told her to leave things up to him.

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Finally, Mrs. Dalton gave in. Her son was right some time away from the ranch and Last Chance would do them both some good. She had almost changed her mind when she had found out who had arranged for the taxi to come to the ranch and drive them to Denver to catch a plane to LA.

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Mark decided that Mrs. Dalton would be less intimidated if he wasn’t there at the airport to greet them even though he was anxious to see his son again

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Jesse waited at LAX. It was going to feel strange introducing himself to his best friend and being friendly to a woman who had held his buddy hostage.

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Steve and Mrs. Dalton got off the airplane and looked around the airport. Suddenly Steve saw a short man waving to them. Jesse made his way through the crowds.

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“Hi I’m Jesse Travis.”

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“You’re the friend that my Dad mentioned.”

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“Yes Steve we’ve been friends for a long time I hope you remember some day.”

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“Steve, son your father died.”

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Jesse’s feelings towards the woman changed. He didn’t see the woman who held his friend prisoner instead he saw an old woman who was generally confused. She had no idea that Steve was not her son.

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“Let’s not worry ok.”

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Mark waited impatiently at Amanda’s house. It had been agreed on after considering Mrs. Dalton’s state of mind that it would be best if she stayed with Amanda while CJ was away at camp.

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Mark held Steve’s badge and ran his fingers along it. Steve’s badge and wallet had been returned after they were found discarded near some trash. Steve’s wallet had been missing his credit cards and money.

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Mark was going to have to start fresh with Mrs. Dalton. As he had thought of it some more Mark knew that the poor old lady was suffering from the early stages of dementia.

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As introductions were made and Mark had apologized Steve suggested that his mother was tired from her long trip and asked where he could help his mother. Amanda showed Steve and Mrs. Dalton to the guestroom and Steve helped his mother lie down. When he had been sure she was asleep he quietly shut the door and came out to talk with the others.

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When they were alone Jesse asked “Steve you do know she’s not your mother don’t you?”

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“Of course Jess, but she has been so kind to me I don’t want to spoil her illusion.”

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“Hey you called me Jess!”

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“Hey I did!”

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“Well if Mrs. Dalton is going to be staying with me I need to know her real name what is it Steve?”

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“She’s never come out and told me Amanda but I looked her first name is Martha.”

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“Son, I don’t know how to tell you this but Mrs. Dalton is very ill.”

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“I know Dad. I checked with the new doctor in town. He explained it to me. Pretending to be her son for a few months won’t be hard. She’s very kind.”

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“Ok Steve I’ll keep it up for you.”

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“Thanks Dad.”

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Steve’s memory had fully returned. He had treated Mrs. Dalton just like she was his mother. When Mrs. Dalton died it had been like losing his mother again.

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Mark was there for Steve. He had comforted him through her funeral and had accompanied him as he went back to Last Chance so that Mrs. Dalton could be buried next to her husband. He had fought back the green-eyed monster jealousy that had crept in now and then as he had watched his son treat Mrs. Dalton with such kindness. Mark knew that to a certain extant Steve really did feel like she was his mother.

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Mark sat on the deck thinking as he waited for Steve to return home from work. Steve had returned to work a few days after they had returned from Last Chance.

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Mark remembered the first time that Steve was going back to work after being in LA for a while and convincing his mother that she was too ill to return home. He hated leaving Mrs. Dalton but more than that he hated lying to her about what he was doing. Steve didn’t think she’d understand that he was not following in his father’s steps as the real Steve Dalton had done before he had died years ago. As Mark thought about it some more he considered his son was his own man. Mark knew Steve loved him even if he never once wanted to be a doctor like his father.

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Steve was back home with him where he belonged. Mark was extremely glad that they had not had a “Last Chance” to be together.

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The End

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