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Disclaimer: I do not own Diagnosis Murder or any of the characters. They are owned by CBS and Viacom. I am not making any money just having fun. All Disclaimers Apply.
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. Spoilers: Sleight-of-Hand, The Patient Detective, Love Is Murder ?This story follows Mark’s TV Appearance Disaster ? ? ? ? ? The Revenge Of John Martin by ? ? ? ? ? ? It had been over a year since John Martin- the ex-doctor Martin had sworn revenge against Mark Sloan. At the time Steve had requested and had been given a 24-hour guard on his father. But after 6 months and no attempts on his father’s life even Steve was forced to concede that John Martin had been full of hot air, empty threats like so many people before him. ? ----- Jesse had had Steve admitted for a few hours and then had declared Steve well enough to be discharged upon which Steve had continued on with the investigation of which twin had been murdered. ? ----- ? John Martin was angry. Over a year later he had not forgotten his promise to get Dr. Sloan he was merely waiting for an opportunity as he read the morning’s newspaper that chance appeared in the morning newspaper. Community General would be having its annual magic show at the hospital to benefit the children. Dr. Mark Sloan would be the magician. ? Knowing Dr. Sloan, Martin was sure that he would somehow get his son Lt. Sloan to help him. Perhaps even going into the magic box once more. John Martin could remember the frantic look on the doctor’s face as he called for someone to get Dr. Travis. ? Dr. John Martin had been passing Dr. Sloan’s office when a frantic father had run out calling for someone to find Dr. Travis fast and to bring an oxygen mask. John Martin had thought it was funny. Although he dared not laugh. That would have gotten the doctor’s ire for sure. Now it didn’t matter and he laughed as the scene replayed in his mind. ? ----- ? “Dad, you know I’d do anything for you but there is no way you are going to get me into the magic box again.” ? “But Steve please it’sfor the children.” ? “That’s what you said last time!” ? “Look the lock and the chain are rigged. I checked them out myself not 5 minutes ago.” ? “You also said the lock and chain were rigged too.” ? “Steve…Please look check it out yourself.” ? Against Steve’s better judgment he checked the lock and chain. He noticed they were both working properly. Steve sighed. He decided to give into his father again. After all it was for the children. ? For a couple of weeks Mark and Steve practiced. Not that it was a difficult trick but Steve wanted to make sure nothing went wrong on opening night. Each time they practiced the trick worked flawlessly. ? ----- ? John Martin knew Mark would keep the magic box in his office until it was time for the show. How to get into Dr. Sloan’s office was another matter. He knew Dr. Sloan’s office was usually locked. Then an idea came to him. He knew someone else with a grudge against the Sloans, especially Mark. ? Zeke Silversmith was surprised to get the phone call from his ‘lawyer’ a Mr. John Martin insisted he had to talk to him about his case. Silversmith knew his attorney was still Candace Thornton but he decided that Martin must be up to something and he decided he was game. If it meant Dr. Sloan would pay. ? John Martin talked to Zeke Silversmith and told him his plan for revenge against the Sloans. Silversmith was more than willing to teach Martin how to pick locks. ? Now all John Martin needed to do was to replace the lock and chain. He went to a magic shop saw a magic box and then went and bought a real chain and lock. He couldn’t quite get a lock to match exactly but he was hoping Mark would be too busy with the magic show to notice. ? ----- ? The day of the magic show had come. Martin knew that Mark would be busy with the last minute details that he wouldn’t think of practicing before the show. After all Martin was sure that Lt. Sloan had been making his dad practice a lot. ? Martin disguised himself and snuck in as just another orderly. When the coast was clear he snuck into Mark’s office before Mark had had time for the magic box to be moved. He switched the fake lock and chain with the real ones and took the key with him. Martin wanted to watch the magic show. It would be a lot better than the one Mark Sloan was planning. The more John Martin thought about it he decided that as much as he wanted to if he was seen there it would arouse suspicion and Mark wouldn’t perform his ‘famous’ magic box trick. ? The kids were loving Dr. Sloan’s magic tricks. For the grand finale Mark did his magic box trick assisted by his son Steve, who was no longer nervous having practiced it over and over with his dad. ? ?To Mark’s dismay the lock and chain would not work. Once again Mark was nervous. His son was stuck inside the box suffocating in front of the children. Mark quickly ended the show and had the nurses and doctors, except Jesse escort the children back to their rooms. ? Steve was scared once again he was stuck inside the box. He was pounding and pounding. It was dark. Steve was running out of air, once again. As he fell unconscious he asked himself why he always let his father talk him into doing these things. ? While this was going on inside the box Mark had been asking Jesse how something like this could have happened. Neither of them knew. All they knew was that time was running out. Once again they had Captain Newman bring in a locksmith. While Jesse got things ready for Steve. ? This time the locksmith was having trouble opening the lock. When he finally did they lifted the chain off and opened the lid. Steve was unconscious. ? Jesse realized that Steve needed CPR. Just an oxygen mask on for a few minutes wasn’t going to be enough. Mark, Jesse, Captain Newman and the locksmith managed to get Steve out of the trunk. When he was out Jesse performed CPR on his best friend. It wasn’t working. Jesse told Mark to get a crash cart. Mark frantically called for someone to bring a crash cart to the children’s unit STAT. ? Jesse used the defibrillators on his best friend. He remembered the last time he had used them on Steve was over a year ago when the incompetent Dr. Martin had prescribed too much medicine for Steve. That time he had almost lost his best friend. And now, he was in danger of losing him again. After calling “Clear” three times and no reaction Jesse tried again. Mark was crying. He was watching his son dying right before him and there was nothing he could do. On the 5th try finally there had been a response. ? Jesse quickly had Steve admitted to ICU. Steve had been deprived of oxygen. Mark and Jesse both knew what that could mean. There was a possibility that Steve would have brain damage. ? ?----- ? Mark had been in Steve’s room watching him. Mark knew it had been his fault but he could not see what had gone wrong. The trick had worked before many times. Mark was so worried he wasn’t thinking clearly. Steve was breathing on his own which was a good sign but he still had not come around. ? Captain Newman hated to do this but he had no choice. Until Mark could come up with a reason that the lock and chain did not work he would have to arrest Mark for the attempted murder of Steve Sloan. ? Jesse could not believe it as he saw Mark taken out in handcuffs. “Mark what happened?” ? “Jess I don’t know.. Just please take care of Steve.” ? Jesse knew that for right now Steve was fine. There wasn’t anything he could do for his best friend until he woke up. ? Meanwhile it was the elder Sloan who needed help. Jesse had seen Mark and Steve practice the trick before. He decided that somehow something had to be different about the magic box. Jesse went to examine the box again and noticed the lock while quite similar wasn’t the one that he had noticed before. Which meant only one thing. The magic box had been tampered with. ? Jesse checked on Steve once more and then went to talk to Captain Newman. Mark needed to be with his son not stuck in jail for something that wasn’t his fault. ? Meanwhile, Captain Newman had learned something too. There was a message on his desk asking for help to find out when Zeke Silversmith’s lawyer had been changed from Ms. Thornton to a Mr. Martin. ? Captain Newman was just about to have a talk with Silversmith when Jesse came bursting into his office before anyone could stop him. ? “Captain Newman, Mark was framed and I can prove it.” Jesse said so fast Captain Newman wasn’t sure he heard it all. ? “Hold on Dr. Travis. I just learned something too. I’m going to have a talk with Zeke Silversmith. Why don’t you see Mark and tell him he should be cleared very soon.” ? He stepped out of his office and motioned to one of the officers near to come inside. Sgt. Duncan please escort Dr. Travis to see Dr. Sloan right away.” ? “Yes Sir.” replied Duncan. ? Jesse was delighted to see Mark. “Mark it’s good to see you!” ? “Jesse I haven’t been in here that long. How’s Steve?” ? “He was still unconscious when I left but he was stable. That’s a good sign. I’m just hoping that he will be awake when we get back.” ? “Jess what do you mean when we get back?” ? “Mark I found evidence that the lock had been changed and most likely the chain also.” ? Mark sighed in relief ? While Mark and Jesse were talking Captain Newman met with Zeke Silversmith. He had refused to cooperate. ? Captain Newman then went to see Mark and Jesse. He was sure that Dr. Travis would still be visiting his mentor. ? “Dr. Sloan I’m sorry about this. I know you’re innocent but I can’t get Zeke Silversmith to talk. I found out that a John Martin went to see him but I don’t know why.” ? “John Martin!” Mark and Jesse almost shouted at the same time. ? “Yes. What about him?” questions Captain Newman. Martin had been convicted of malpractice and lost his license. It had been so long that Captain Newman had forgotten the threat that Steve Sloan had been concerned with. ? Suddenly it occurred to him. He was the one that had threatened Mark Sloan. An APB was issued for John Martin. ? Captain Newman had Mark released and Jesse took him back to the hospital to see his son. ? ----- ? When Steve had at first woken up he thought he was still trapped in the box. As he came around more fully he realized he was in a hospital room. He looked around some more. Steve had been in the ICU many times to recognize it. ? There was something else that was upsetting him. Where was his dad? He knew his dad would have stayed with him especially since he was in ICU. What could have made his father leave? And then he realized that Jesse was also gone. ? Steve was beginning to go into a panic attack. He had not expected to have awoken alone in his room. Not after having to be alone in the cramped, dark magic box. ? Before Steve’s panic attack got out of hand Mark and Jesse came back to his room. Mark soothed him and let Steve know everything was all right he was right there. Jesse gave Steve a mild sedative. Not enough to put him asleep just enough to calm him down. ? “What happened to you Dad?” asked Steve when he was more relaxed. ? “I’m sorry Son. Captain Newman had me arrested.” ? “He what!” ? “Calm down Steve.” Said Jesse. ? “It wasn’t his fault.” Assured Mark. “All the evidence at the time pointed to me being the last one to have used the magic box.” ? “Only I found evidence that the lock had been changed. And Captain Newman found a note on his desk asking about Zeke Silversmith’s new lawyer, John Martin.” Said Jesse happy that he had helped solve the case. ? “Yes, Steve. Jesse went to the police station to help me get out as soon as possible. We were hoping to return to you before you woke up.” ? “I’m sorry Buddy I should have had a nurse stay with you. I was just in a hurry to get Mark out of jail.” ? “It’s all right now Jess.. Dad what’s going to happen to John Martin?” ? “Captain Newman put out an APB for John Martin.” ? John Martin called Community General Hospital pretending to be a concerned citizen. His child had witnessed the magic show and he was wondering how the poor detective Steve Sloan was doing. He was overjoyed to hear that Lt. Sloan had been placed in ICU. However, his joy was short-lived upon learning that he was doing so well and would be moved to a regular room ? ----- ? Martin realized that by now they must have figured out that the lock and chain had been replaced. And that he was under suspicion once they found out he had visited Zeke Silversmith in prison. Martin wasn’t going to give up. He would make the Sloans pay. ? Martin knew he would have to work fast. He disguised himself as a doctor and during a change in shift at St. Vincent’s he signed a fictitious name at the infectious diseases lab and took out some staph. Martin knew that the lieutenant had almost died the last time he was given staph. He was hoping that this time Lt. Sloan would not survive. ? Now the hard part had come. He knew that Lt. Sloan would have a guard on him and he also knew that most likely Dr. Sloan had one on him too. ? Martin was going to try and sneak into Community General and put the staph in Steve’s IV just like what happened last time. Another idea occurred to him. He hoped it wasn’t too late. ? John Martin knew both Sloans had enemies. If some of them could be used to help him with his revenge then they’d all win. Lt. Sloan would be dead and Dr. Sloan would be so devastated he’d never interfere again. ? With the help of those enemies, some of them cops who were tired of Lt. Sloan and his father getting all the credit for solving cases,? John Martin faked his death. With Martin dead there was no longer the need for the guards. ? John Martin was going to go into the hospital that night now that the guard had certainly been called off. He glanced at his afternoon newspaper and read about the police officer who was injured by a rigged magic trick being released from the hospital that day. ? Martin was furious. Once again there had been a barrier in his plan for vengeance. Then Martin smiled. This could actually work in his favor. ? ----- ? Mark had been so happy that Steve had recovered. Even though his head knew that he was not responsible for his son getting hurt, his heart felt otherwise. Steve had not wanted to do the magic trick. Only agreeing out of pure love for his father, and a desire to see some laughter in the children who still faced long hospital stays. ? Mark was both delighted and proud of his son when Steve had insisted on visiting the children’s ward before going home to let them know personally that he was all right. When Steve had heard that some of them were having nightmares about what happened it had touched his son’s heart. ? Steve had spent a great deal of time thanking the children for their concern. It meant a lot to Mark to watch his son interact with the children. ? Now they had returned home. Mark knew that after Steve’s hospital stay his son was bound to be tired. Plus they had spent nearly two hours in the children’s ward until Mark gently insisted that his son needed to go home and get some rest himself. Mark gave his son a light dinner and then sent his son to bed. ? It was so quiet in the beach house without his son to talk to. Mark was going to watch one of his Bogart movies and then decided against it. The sound might have woken up Steve who needed plenty of rest. Instead he opted for a mystery book. ? Not even half way through the book Mark had already figured who the murderer was. He lost interest and started yawning. Mark looked at his watch. It wasn’t that late only 10 p.m. Mark decided to turn off the lights check the doors and go to bed despite it not being very late. ? ----- ? John Martin had been watching the beach house. He had finally seen what he had been looking for the lights to the upstairs unit turning off just like the lieutenant’s bottom unit. ? Martin crept cautiously close to Steve’s patio door then he picked the lock and snuck into Lt. Sloan’s unit. Using a small flashlight Martin went into Steve’s bedroom. He saw Steve sleeping. ? Martin wasn’t about to let something else go wrong not after he had come so far. His target for retribution was asleep but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t wake up when the syringe entered his arm. He took out his bottle of chloroform he had brought with him and getting a washcloth from the bathroom put some chloroform on it being careful not to breathe it himself. Next he woke Steve up. Just enough so that he could get Steve to breathe through the washcloth. Steve struggled at first. Then he had fallen into a deep sleep. ? Martin took out the syringe that was loaded with the staph and put into Steve’s left arm. As the deadly toxin made its way through Steve’s veins Martin smiled. This was it. By the time his father checked on him in the morning it would be too late. John Martin would have his revenge. ? ----- ? If asked later Mark would have been unable to answer why he had suddenly felt this urge, this intense overwhelming urge to check on his son. Maybe it was just father’s intuition. But whatever he couldn’t deny the impulse. ? Mark looked at his alarm clock it was only 3 a.m. He didn’t have to get up until 8 in the morning. Still he knew there was a reason he needed to check on his son. If only to satisfy himself that his son was sleeping peacefully. ? Mark went downstairs quietly. As he stepped closer to his son’s bedroom a strong odor greeted him. Mark no longer cared about waking his son. He knew there was something desperately wrong. He turned on the bedroom light. Steve did not flinch. ? Mark rushed over. Steve’s skin felt hot. His son had a high temperature. Mark called for an ambulance. While giving the address of the beach house Steve went into cardiac arrhythmia. Mark quickly performed CPR hoping it wouldn’t take the EMTs long to get there. Mark could only hope the ambulance would arrive in time and Mark could use the defibrillator on his son once more. Mark knew there was a danger that Steve could suffer a stroke. ? Mark didn’t know how this could happen so quickly. However, he knew now was not the time to think about how his son had become so deadly ill so quickly. What only mattered is that he kept up the CPR. ? He heard the EMTs knocking on the door. Mark yelled as loud as he could for them to come downstairs. The EMTs quickly came around to the back of the house. ? In his desire to rush out of Steve’s unit,? John Martin had not bothered to shut the patio door behind him. Mark had been so busy he hadn’t even noticed it was slightly open when he came downstairs. ? The EMTs rushed in with all their equipment. Mark quickly told them he needed the defibrillator, Mark was well known so introductions were not necessary. With the defibrillator installed Mark sent about doing what was necessary to save his son’s life. After the second “Clear!” Steve’s heart had begun to respond. ? Steve was quickly placed on a gurney and then was on his way to Community General with his father next to him. Mark was overjoyed that the doctor on call in the emergency room that morning would be his friend Jesse. ? Dr. Jesse Travis meant a lot to Mark. He was like a second son to him. However, Mark knew that no matter how much he cared for the young doctor what Mark and Jesse had in no way could ever come close to what Mark and Steve shared. ? The ambulance arrived and Steve was met by his best friend. Jesse quickly gave Mark a comforting glance as he escorted Steve to one of the trauma rooms. ? While Mark was in the doctors’ lounge waiting it suddenly occurred to him to call Captain Newman and tell him what was happening. Mark knew that Amanda was also working the early shift. He hoped she could take a break soon. He hated waiting all by himself. ? Captain Newman arrived and together Mark and Newman waited. Soon Jesse came into the doctors’ lounge. ? “How is he Jess?” ? “Not good I’m afraid.” ? “What’s wrong?” Mark could hardly get the words out. ? “Steve has endocarditis, and I’m at a loss of how it could develop so quickly. He was just fine when I released him yesterday.” ? “Excuse me doctors would someone mind telling me what endocarditis is?” ? “Sorry Newman.” Jesse said. “Endocarditis is an infection of a heart valve or the inner lining of the heart.” ? “What does it do?” ? “It can damage or destroy the heart valves and damage the heart.? It also causes cardiac arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation which can lead to a stroke..” Mark I took a blood sample and had it sent to Amanda for testing.” ? “Why?” ? “Mark I’m sure you were too busy at the time to notice but Steve has a puncture mark on his left arm. I’m having Amanda perform some tests to confirm my suspicion.” ? “And what’s that?” ? “Mark I believe that Steve has been infected with staph.” ? “Staph! Steve almost died the last time that happened.” ? “I know Mark.” ? “I remember of course” said Newman. “What I don’t understand is how it could have happened. Last time didn’t Dr. Walker forge Ashley Weller’s name and give Steve the staph that way?” ? “Yes he did. Captain.. Captain thank you! You’ve just given me an idea. Jess could you have Amanda check and see if any staph is missing from the infectious disease lab. If there isn’t have her check around to different hospitals in the area.” ? “Sure Mark. I’ll go talk with Amanda right now. I’ll also let you know if she’s been able to confirm my hunch.” ? “While you’re gone can I see Steve?” ? “Sure Mark I’m sorry. Steve’s in ICU room # 2.” ? Jesse rushes to talk to Amanda. While Mark goes to ICU. Captain Newman followed Mark and asked if it was ok to see Steve. He promised not to stay too long. Mark agreed. ? Captain Newman was Steve’s commanding officer. Tough when he needed to be but he also had a soft spot for the Sloans. ? Together Mark and Captain Newman watched Steve sleep. All of a sudden Steve started talking quietly in his sleep. “Mar-” He said so silently neither Mark or Captain Newman could be quite sure. ? Captain Newman gestured for Mark to leave the room. He wanted to ask Mark something and he didn’t want to disturb the lieutenant. ? “Mark I’m sorry for asking you to leave but did Steve just say “Mark?” ? “No Captain it sounded more like ‘Mar-’ I’m just not sure what Steve means by it.” ? Just then Jesse came by. “Oh good” he said as he came closer. “I think we are onto something.” ? “What do you mean Dr. Travis?” ? “I talked to Amanda she was able to positively identify that Steve has been infected with staph.” ? Mark was about to say something when Jesse stopped him. “Wait Mark she also talked to the staff at the infectious disease lab. There isn’t any staph that has been unaccounted for. She then called around like we asked. St. Vincent’s has a signature signed by Dr. Hart requesting staph.” ? “Dr. Hart?” questioned Captain Newman. ? “Yes” Mark said. “He was the one that we thought had done it last time.” ? “I still feel bad for the things I said to him even though Dr. Hart has said he forgives me and understands I was just trying to protect my best friend.” ? “You didn’t accuse him again did you Jess?” ? “No Mark. I just asked him if he’s been to St. Vincent’s lately and he said “no”. I believe him Mark. He’s not the one.” ? “I believe him too.” Mark said. “Which leads us with no suspects. Dr. Walker is still in jail so he couldn’t have done it.” ? “Lets look at what we have.” Suggested Newman. “Who would know what happened the last time Steve was infected.” ? “Most anybody here.” Jesse said. ? “Yes” Mark confirmed “the hospital grapevine works fast here. Anyone could have found out.” ? “If we weren’t positive that John Martin was dead he would be my number one suspect.” ? “Martin!” Mark almost shouted. “That could be what Steve was trying to say.” ? “Mark now I’m lost.” Jesse said. ? “Sorry Jess before you came here Steve said ‘Mar-’ we were just discussing it as you came here so we wouldn’t disturb Steve.” ? “You think John Martin isn’t really dead and that he’s the one that infected Lt. Sloan?” ? “Well it wouldn’t be the first time someone had faked their own death in order to come back and harm Steve right Mark?” ? “Yes Lynn Conklin she faked her own death and then came after Steve when he was blind for a few days. Steve had to kill her in order to save his life.” ? “But in this case we had officers confirming the report.” ? “Maybe they weren’t entirely truthful Captain.” Mark suggested. ? “Maybe. Look I really hate to do this but I have to get back to the precinct. If you learn anything could you call me especially when Steve wakes up?” ? “Sure Captain. I understand.” Replied Mark. ? Captain Newman went back to work while Mark and Jesse went to see Steve. ? ----- ? Jesse had kept up giving Steve antibiotics and having Steve’s heart monitored. Several hours later Steve’s fever had broken. The infection that had almost killed Steve for the second time was now under control. ? Steve awoke and smiled. His father and best friend were here. As he looked around Steve realized that he was in the hospital. Steve didn’t know what was going on. He had went to sleep in his bed he was sure of that. So why was he waking up in the hospital? ? “What’s going on?” Steve managed to say. ? “Somehow you were infected with staph Steve. You developed endocarditis which is an infection of the heart valve. You were in danger of having a stroke Steve.” ? “Wow! I’m out of the woods?” ? “Not yet Buddy. We still need to keep an eye on you. But I’m sure you’ll be back to your old self in no time.” ? Steve smiled. Then he began to yawn. These few minutes of being awake had exhausted Steve. ? “Wait Steve!” Mark quickly said as he saw his son’s eyes drooping. “What did you mean by ‘Mar-’?” ? Out of the blue it had all come back to Steve. He had thought it had been some dream seeing John Martin in his room. “I saw Martin.” Steve said as he drifted off to sleep. ? “Jess call security get them to get a guard up to Steve’s room now. Then call Captain Newman. Tell him we were right. Steve positively identified John Martin as being the one who injected him with the staph.” ? “I’m on it.” Jesse said unconsciously using one of his best friend’s favorite lines. ? Mark smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. ? Captain Newman had already started investigating the officers, Sgt. Hayes and Sgt. Barnes who had supplied him with the confirmation that John Martin was dead. He discovered that they both had a grudge on Lt. Sloan. He and his father had been the first ones to solve several cases that they had been working on for months. ? When Jesse called Captain Newman he was just about to call those officers into his office for a little talk. If they cooperated he would turn in a good word for them to the IA when an investigation was launched. If not well, he would see to it that the officers not only were kicked out of the police department but they would lose their pension. ? Both officers did not want to lose everything they had worked for years to gain. They decided to cooperate and tell Captain Newman how they helped John Martin fake his own death. ? ----- ? Mark had been in his son’s room as it began to happen. Once more his son’s fever had started to rise. He quickly summoned Jesse and the young doctor gave Steve a wide-spectrum of antibiotics. At first they were afraid that there would be more serious complications but once more the antibiotics had worked. Jesse used a higher dose hoping that this time his fever would continue to fall and not rise up like it had done. ? Mark watched his son sleep. Although he knew his son would get better right now he was very weak. Steve was unable to defend himself. Mark knew Martin would not give up until his son was dead. ? ----- ? Mark didn’t like the idea that Captain Newman had told him about. Leaking the news that Steve was recovering. He did relent when the captain told him he would have someone else in ICU room # 2 and Steve would be moved to a regular room. However, the change in rooms could not be given until Jesse had said Steve was well enough to be transferred out of ICU. ? Finally Jesse had given his ok and Steve had been transferred to a regular bed. He had been given a sedative and now he slept peacefully while Jesse and the guard stood by. Captain Newman had a guard only inside Steve’s room as to not to draw suspicion. ? Martin could not believe it. He had read that Lt. Sloan had been doing so well that he was going to be transferred from ICU into a regular room in the next few days. He still didn’t know that they now knew he wasn’t dead. Martin decided now was the time. ? Not willing to risk getting caught Martin disguised himself again. This time as a janitor. He figured no one would take notice of him as he worked. He came to ICU room # 2. He didn’t see a guard but he figured that Mark was inside with his son. John decided to fake a message and have it broadcasted on the PA system. ? ----- ? Mark heard the news that he was wanted in trauma room # 1 by Dr. Travis. This was it John Martin had come to even the score once and for all. Mark had wanted to be in the room with Steve but he realized Jesse had been right when he reminded him that Martin would think something was wrong if he wasn’t in the ICU. So reluctantly he had stayed in the ICU putting up the front that Steve was still there. ? Mark came out of ICU room # 2 taking a last moment look as he dashed to the trauma room to help Jesse… At least that is how it had appeared to John Martin as he had watched from the corner. To add to the deception Mark got into the elevator and pressed the floor to the trauma room, and then he used the stairs to climb to Steve’s room. ? While Mark had been doing all this John watched as the elevator went down to the main floor where the trauma rooms were located. Figuring that now no one was in the room except his prey Martin crept into the room. Came close to the bed when he was met at gunpoint by Sgt. Hayes who had helped him earlier. Captain Newman and Sgt. Barnes? had been waiting on the other side of the door. ? ----- ? Mark was relieved as he had heard the news that Martin had been captured and was no longer a threat to his son’s life. Now Mark could sit with his son and watch him sleep. Jesse had offered to stay so Mark could get some sleep himself but Mark had needed the comfort of seeing his son sleeping. ? Mark had been sleeping when he had felt a gentle squeeze of his hand. He glanced up and saw his son’s blue eyes staring at him. “Hi son” Mark said with loving care. ? “Hello yourself Dad. It’s over isn’t it?” ? “Yes Steve, how did you know?” ? “Dad if there was any cause to be concerned I wouldn’t have awoken to find you sleeping with your hand on my hand.” ? Mark smiled. ? “Yes Martin has been arrested but the better news is that you are out of the woods this time. You just need a few days to rest and then Jesse.. ? “Will let me get back to work?” Steve said hopefully as he cut in. ? “No Steve I was going to say Jesse would release you from the hospital where you will spend a few weeks rest at home.” ? “But Dad. I feel fine. A little tired perhaps but I’m fine.” ? “Steve don’t argue. You need to build up your strength. Staph is a serious infection and this is the second time someone’s injected you with it.” ? “But Dad what am I going to do with all those weeks at home?” ? “Well we could practice the sawing a man in half trick.” ? “No way Dad!” Steve pointed to his left arm and said “You see this scar? That’s what happened last time I let you do it.” ? “Ok Steve. You have officially been fired from being my magician’s assistant.” ? “No I quit.” ? “No you’re fired.” ? “No I quit…..” ? The End ? ?? |