Title: Nothing's as it Seems…
Chapter 1 - Fatal Attraction
Summary: Steve's new girlfriend is not exactly what the doctor ordered. And a new person comes into their lives.
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters Steve and Mark Sloan, Jesse Travis and Amanda Bentley are borrowed for the purposes of this story. All other characters are my own.
NOTE
: The character Jade Marshall will be a recurring character in other stories. The purpose is to develop the persona as a love interest for Steve as well as a new character to watch grow. Please indicate whether you like the character in your comments. This will encourage further character development or not.
"You would not believe this girl Jess. She is awesome! Tall, slender, beautiful, talented. And did I mention beautiful." Said Steve Sloan gushing.
"Yeah about 10 million times." Said Jessie Travis laughing and rolled his eyes. "So what else do you know about her Steve?"
"Well she is an advertising executive, she just moved to LA, she loves roller blade and actually likes football." Said Steve beaming.
"Wow, sounds like a match made in heaven. And she doesn't mind that you're a cop?"
"No why would that matter?" asked Steve suspiciously.
"Well some girls just don't like cops, that's all." He said quickly walking away as he knew that the conversation would not end in his favor. Steve was his best friend and in all the years he knew him, Steve was always with a different girl, never one steady. Maybe this would be the one? That would be cool, that way he and Susan could double date with them.
"Well I have to go to work. Later guys." Steve called out as he left the room as his dad entered.
"Bye son, see you tonight." He called and Steve just waved goodbye, leaving Mark chuckling to himself.
"So who is this mystery girl?" asked Jesse.
"Haven't you heard? She is beautiful." Mark said laughing.
"Yeah that and nothing else."
"Well Jesse, Steve is a grown boy, and although he has very poor taste in women some times, I am sure that he knows what he's doing." He paused, "at least I hope so." He laughed. Mark always worried about his son, call is fatherly protection. But he loved his only son dearly and wouldn't stand for anyone hurting him. The problem was Steve usually jumped in head first where angels feared to tread. Well time would tell what this new fling would turn out to be like. "Shall we go and do rounds?" he gestured to Jesse as he headed out of the room. Jesse got up and followed the senior doctor out of the room.
"Hey handsome. Got a minute?" said a foxy voice into Steve's ear. He jumped slightly in his chair as he was so engrossed in his latest case that he didn't hear who came up behind him. He turned to see Sara standing behind him smiling.
"For you? More than that." He said beaming back. Steve hadn't known Sara for very long, but they seemed to hit it off instantly. And from the moment he saw her it was love at first sight. "So what's up?" he said putting his files away.
"Just wanted to square away some details for tonight."
"Tonight?" he asked.
"Yes silly, tonight. Did you forget?" she asked shyly.
"Obviously." He said sheepishly.
"Well be at my place at 7pm and I'll help you remember." With that she planted a huge kiss on his warm lips and jumped up and was out the door before Steve could open his eyes and take a breath. He just smiled and watched her leave. Thinking of tonight definitely helped make the day go by faster.
"Hot date again son?" asked Mark coming into Steve's room.
"Yup. How do I look?" he asked laughing. Marked eyed Steve's choice in clothing. Black dress pants, a cream-colored mock-turtle neck shirt, and his black jacket.
"Very GQ." He said laughing.
"Well I have to go." Steve said walking out the door. He turned back and looked at his dad and said with a wink, "don't wait up for me." With that he was gone.
Mark just laughed and watched him go. Well this girl definitely made Steve happy. Mark had never pressured Steve for grandchildren. He knew that in his line of work it would be hard to put a family through all that stress and worry. But Mark did want Steve to be happy, and he knew that if he was at least married, and had that stability in his life, he would be happy. Could this girl be the one? Maybe, maybe not. The only thing Mark didn't like about her was her inability to look him straight in the eye when she answered a question for him. He didn't trust people who didn't look him in the eye. That means they were hiding something. But what? What was Sara hiding? Only time would tell.
"What do you mean we lost her again?" came a female voice yelling to a male voice. "How did this happen?"
"If you don't calm down you are going to have a coronary. And then where would that get us?" he yelled back.
"You're right. Yelling will both of us no good. So you listen and I'll yell." She said slumping back down in her office chair. She stared out the window at the rainy New York night. She hated the rain, it always depressed her. She longed for the California sun, any sun at this rate.
"Just be patient. I have an informant working on a lead for us. If this works, we'll be back on the hunt again. Don't worry it won't be long and she'll be behind bars where she belongs." He said softly.
"Jail? Jail is to good for her. You should have said six feet under is where she belongs." And he winced at her last comment. Revenge was something she was good at, and this would be no exception, only this time it was personal, and she would carry it out to her last breath, if that is what it took.
They both sat in their chairs in the darkened quiet corner office and waited for the phone to ring. The next ring that would dictate the next actions in their lives.
"Well do you remember now?" said Sara as she greeted Steve wearing a slinky black dress. She had her dark hair pinned up with soft curls framing her face. Man she looked good. Steve just stared at her and felt his face go red.
"I hope that's not the only part of you that's going red." She said with a wicked laugh and grabbed his hand and led him to the waiting table. Steve felt his face go even redder, and felt helpless to do anything but let her. It was definitely going to be a long night.
After a delightful dinner Steve and Sara slowed danced the night away on her freshly polished hardwood floor. The music was soft, the lights low and the smells of roses, scented candles and cologne's filled the air. It was a magical night indeed.
"Up for a little desert?" she asked shyly.
"What's the flavor?" he asked somewhat nervously.
"Come try and see." With that she took his hand and led him to the bedroom. It was going to be a long night indeed.
Steve awoke the next morning with Sara still curled up beside him. He smiled down at her and looked at the clock, it was 7am. Time to go! He regretted to get out of the warm bed, but alas he had to work. He took one last look at her sleeping form and got up to get dressed. Sara felt him stirring and woke up.
"Off so soon?" she asked sleepily.
"Yup. Time for work. How about you? What time do you start?" he said pulling on his shirt. He would stop by home first and get a fresh change of clothes after a long hot shower. If he stayed any longer he would need a cold one.
"I have a late meeting at 10 so I get to laze about for a bit more." She laughed softly. "We still up for the trip to the cabin on the weekend?"
"That was this weekend?" he asked in horror.
"Yes. Don't tell me you forgot?" she said pouting.
"Completely." He said mock smacking his head. "But don't worry I didn't make any promises that I can't break." He said lightly. He would regret breaking the day off with his dad as they had planned, but he knew his dad, he would understand.
"Great! Well I better get up and start my long hot bubble bath." She said slipping past him in nothing, pecking him on the check as she went for her robe.
Steve just gulped and left the room feeling his face going red. "I'll see you later." He called out.
"Ciaobella." She called out in a mock Italian voice.
Steve reached home just as his dad was leaving.
"Well it must have been quite a night." He said as Steve got out of his car and headed for the house.
"And then some." He said with a broad smile on his face.
Mark was so happy for Steve. Obviously this girl was just what the doctor ordered. He mentally laughed at the pun. "Well I'll see you later son." Mark called getting into his car.
"Bye dad." Steve called as he closed the door.
Mark couldn't help but be just a tiny bit suspicious about Sara. She just seemed to good to be true, and sadly Mark had learned all to often that nothing's as it seems. He would do a bit of checking on her, of course without Steve knowing.
When he reached the hospital he fired up his computer and went to work. He even called the advertising firm where she worked and did a bit of background checking.
"What is it about her you don't trust all of a sudden?" asked Amanda coming into the room.
"It's not all of a sudden. I just didn't have the time to do any checking until now, is all." He said looking up from his computer. "Did you know that she just moved here from New York. And that before this company she only worked for one other. At least that is what she put on her resume."
"Well Mark, just because some just moved here and has a short resume is no reason for suspicion." Amanda tried to reason. "Most employers don't like to read long resumes today. It's just not done. Now come on, give it a bit of a break will you?" she said trying to get him to leave his office.
"Okay, but I will check some more later. Steve and I have planned to spend this weekend together I'll see what I can find out from him then." With that he closed his office door and decided to let Sara Jackson rest for now.
"Got it." The male voice said slamming down the phone. "Guess where our rat has surfaced?"
"China?" she asked in mock surprise.
"Close, LA." He said laughing.
"Your kidding. How in the world did she get that far without us knowing? Oh well, pack your bags we're headed for the sunshine state tonight." She was about to leave when the phone rang, "FBI, Agent Marshall speaking." She listened and then hung up.
"We're on our way. I'll brief ya in the air." With that the office went black and the two top FBI Agent's headed into the night.
"So Sara told me that someone called her office and was asking about her. Don't tell me it was you?" Steve said in a rather angry voice to his dad later that night at home.
"Now listen Steve, I am your father and am allowed to show a little concern."
"About what? What in the world could possibly make you suspicious about Sara, dad?" asked Steve in disbelief.
"That's just it son, I can't put my finger on it, but something just does."
"Well I have spent a little more time than you with her, and I think I should know her a little better than you. Nothing is wrong, in fact I think she is terrific and I can't wait to spend every second I can with her. In fact I was thinking of asking her to move in and I can't think of a better time than this weekend."
Mark just stared and looked at his son in horror. What was going on? Had she put a spell on him? What was his defiance of him all of a sudden? Steve never defied Mark as he was doing in this situation. Now move in?
"Son, you have only known this girl for a short time. Don't you think it's a bit soon for all of this?"
"Why dad, can't I make a grown up decision without asking your permission first?" he said almost yelling.
Mark knew this was going downhill fast. Steve never cancelled his planned days with him, like he had for this weekend, but now was not the time to bring it up. They needed their space and time for this to settle and then discuss when cooler heads would prevail. Mark hoped it would be his.
"No son you don't. Just think carefully about this first okay." Said Mark leaving the kitchen.
Steve continued to clean up in silence. He never yelled at his dad. Must be the case I am working on right now he thought. He regretted bringing up this weekend to his dad in this way, but his anger got the best of him. They both needed time to cool down. Mark was right to leave.
The next two days were pretty uneventful as all the respected parties did their jobs and led their lives as normal. Only Steve and Sara's relationship continued to grow by leaps and bounds and Marks suspicion continued to grow even more. He learned that she was living in a place that she borrowed from a friend, she never owned anything; car, house, credit cards, and that Sara Jackson's life seemed to start only a few years ago. Didn't Steve know any of this thought Mark in frustration. Maybe he does and chooses to ignore it.
"Okay see you in one hour." Said Steve hanging up the phone. Saturday was finally here. The weekend away, he could hardly contain himself. He set about to finish packing. He decided to dress lightly for the drive up, selecting jeans, a cable knit sweater and his mack shirt.
"Well I hope you have a good time. And I do mean that, even if it's not obvious." Said Mark coming into Steve's room.
"Yeah dad I know. I think we just both need some time away and some time to think." He said smiling at his dad.
Steve took his duffel bag to the truck and went to say bye to his dad.
"Take care son." Said Mark giving Steve a big hug.
"You too. Try not to party to much." He said laughing breaking the hug and getting into the driver's seat.
Mark watched Steve leave as he mouthed the silent words 'watch your back' to no one in listening range. Steve drove to Sara's with a permanent smile pasted on his face. This weekend would be one he would not forget. Reality was about to make sure those words came true. In living color.
"She's doing what?" Asked FBI Agent Marshall to her partner Agent Philips.
"An Advertising Executive." He said rolling his eyes. "Hey don't get mad at me, that's what the sheet says." He said noticing he partner's mad expression.
Jade Marshall just fumed as she stared out the window of the FBI office in LA. This was getting ridiculous. "And what name does she go by now?"
"Um, Sara Jackson." Her partner Shane Philips answered.
"Yeah okay. Where is she now?"
"Well it is the weekend and I am pretty sure she's at home. Unless she's already hooked some unsuspecting dupe."
"Yeah well that poor dupe could be the next victim." She said madly.
Sara Jackson as she was known right now was one of the hardest serial cases that Jade ever had to solve. Each time they had a lead she somehow magically slipped through their fingers. This led both Jade and Shane to believe that someone on the inside had turned against them and was helping Sara. But who? Until they could figure out who was the traitor, they could trust no one but each other. Fortunately they knew each other well enough to know that neither one would betray their country or their job for any reason. Unfortunately they weren't sure about everyone else. This is where the problem lay.
"Here's a break." Said Shane triumphantly.
"What?" Jade looked up in anxious anticipation.
"It seems that she has been seeing a cop. Go figure. Name of Sloan, Detective Steve Sloan of the LAPD. I even got a number."
"A cop?" Jade asked in disbelief. "Now that is irony. I wonder if he's clean." She rolled her eyes. "Okay lets give him a call and take it from there."
With that they set to work to learn what they could about Steve Sloan and how they could find exactly where Sara Jackson was hiding.
Steve and Sara made small talk as they drove along the coast up to the secluded cabin in the woods that would be their getaway for the weekend. It was a beautiful day for the fall, lots of sun, crisp clean air and no hint of rain in sight. They pulled up to the cabin and Steve stopped the truck.
"Oh Steve. It's awesome." Sara squealed in delight.
"Yeah and wait until you see inside." He said smiling.
They grabbed their bags and headed for the cabin. Once inside Sara fell in love with what she saw. The large fireplace stood ready and waiting in front of a large polar bear skin rug. The small kitchen which was fully equipped was inviting to the eye. And speaking of eye's she spied the stairs to the loft bedroom and smiled even more. It would be fun indeed.
Steve followed her upstairs and placed their bags on to the bench infront of the king size bed. It had a feather quilt on top and he flopped down on top of it. Sara was soon on top of him in a playful way and they started to wrestle around.
"How about a hike before dinner?" he asked grasping for breath after about ½ hour of playing.
"Sounds like fun." She said jumping off him and running down stairs. Steve grabbed his jacked and bounded down after her. He was so caught up in the moment that he had forgotten all his dad's words of warning. He would fine out what her story was and that would be the end of the matter.
"They went were?" Jade asked out loud.
"I'm not deaf you know." Said Shane putting his hands over his ears pretending to be hurt by her loud voice.
"Ha ha!" she said slowly.
"They went up the coast for a romantic little weekend getaway." He said.
"Oh yeah, very romantic. A little wine, a little food, a little slice and dice." She said angrily.
"Oh come on now, we'll get this guy before she can kill him. You'll see."
"I hope your right. I'd had to lose another one." She sighed sadly. Jade closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. Shane watched her from his chair. His heart went out to her. This case had taken it's toll on Jade Marshall. She used to be full of life, loved to laugh and be able to make any man do what she wanted by simply smiling. Things were different now. She rarely laughed, things that once amused her were now dull and smiles were hard come by. Shane had tried to fix her up on dates, but since the murder of her fiancée by Sara Jackson, Jade was never the same. When Sara killed Dean she killed a part of Jade as well. If only Jade could find another like Dean. But that probably would never happen. Maybe the sun would cheer her up. Jade loved the California weather. Perhaps they would stay for a few days of rest and relaxation after this case was over. If it was lucky enough to end here. Shane sighed and went back to reading his latest information sheet.
Jade's thoughts dwelt on the past. On Dean her fiancée. He was taken from her. He was murdered. After that life was never the same for her. It did not hold the same interest it did before. Dean had a way of making even grocery shopping a memorable event. She could still remember how he looked, how he smiled and sometimes even the smell of his cologne. She knew that it was not good to dwell in the past, and it had been two years since his death, but she could not for some reason move on. She guessed it was because she hadn't found someone who came close to Dean. She was also aware that she compared every man to Dean, and that was her first mistake. If she was ever to be happy again, she would have to let him go. Perhaps this latest chase would do that. She opened her eyes again and allowed reality to sink in.
"So where do we go now?"
"To see Doctor Mark Sloan."
It was getting close to dark now when Steve and Sara returned from their hike. "I am starving." Said Sara almost breathlessly.
"Good because I have a couple of marinated steaks with our names on them." He said with his mouth almost watering at the thought of the food waiting for them.
They walked back to the cabin unaware of the hidden vehicle waiting and the lone pair of eyes watching them. Almost time said the silent figure to himself.
"Thanks for all your help Doctor." Said Jade. "It really means a lot." She said walking around the Sloan living room. She picked up a picture of Doctor Sloan and his son Steve and stared. Wow, not bad. She said to herself. Not bad at all. Shane noticed Jade smiling and stopped in mid stride. Was it possible? Jade, smiling at the picture of a strange man? Yes it was possible. He didn't say a word for he didn't want to break the moment, and when Jade looked up he continued to talk to Mark. Mark of course was unaware of the connection.
"I just hope that you can help him." Said Mark as he walked Jade and Shane out of his house.
"Try not to worry. We'll get him in time." Jade said patting him on the arm. "I won't let her hurt him." She said so only he could hear. Mark smiled a warm smile. Now Jade Marshall was someone whom he liked right away. Nothing up front with her, just what you saw is what you got. Steve why couldn't you find one like this? He said to himself. But alas she is probably married. He put the thoughts out of his head and tried to concentrate on anything but the bad predicament that Steve could be in. If this Sara Jackson did turn out to be the Sara Jackson they were looking for Steve was in trouble. But the FBI could handle it and they would determine if it was so, or if it was another they were looking for. Still Mark couldn't help but be worried.
"Seems like a nice guy." Said Shane as they drove up the coast towards the cabin.
"Yes he does." She returned. "He does indeed." She knew the woman they were pursuing was their girl, but she didn't want to worry the good doctor needlessly, so she said that it might not be her. She hoped she was wrong, but deep inside she knew she wasn't.
With that they drove on ahead in silence. Each contemplating what they would do if this was their girl. Shane knew that Jade had revenge on her mind, but he would not let her do something that she would come to regret late on, both personally and professionally.
"Dinner was fantastic." Why don't you go and get some more wood and I'll make some real desert for us." She suggested coyly.
Steve didn't need to take a second hint as he grabbed his gloves and headed for the door. Sara moved fast and let the waiting dark figure into the back door. He quietly crept to the front of the cabin and took his place behind the door, waiting for his unsuspecting victim to return.
Steve opened the door with one hand and held the wood in the other. He spied Sara as he opened the door, but failed to see the waiting figure behind the door. He turned to close it and was met with a gun to his temple. The blow caused Steve to stumble backwards and onto the floor.
"Did you have to hit him so hard?" she yelled at the waiting man.
"Yes. Look at the size of him? Did you really want a fight to ensue?"
"That might have been fun to witness. Anyways help me tie him up." She went and grabbed some rope and tape and threw them to him, while she went and packed their bags to leave.
"Man is he heavy." Grunted the guy as he tightly tied Steve's hands behind his back. He then tied his feet together with more rope. Finally he moved Steve into a sitting position and plied a couple of pieces of duct tape over his lips. "You're not going anywhere anytime soon pal." He said standing up.
Sara walked back into the room to examine the work her hired hand had done.
"My my what efficient work you do." She said testing the bonds that held Steve. "Here go load the car." She tossed him the keys and gestured to the waiting bags.
"Can't this thing go any faster?" complained Jade as they drove up the dirt road towards the cabin.
"Well I could have rented the Porsche instead. What do you the Director would have said to that." He said sarcastically. "Don't worry we'll get there in time."
"Yeah in time for what?" she asked quietly.
Shane didn't answer just pushed the car further into the night.
Steve started to stir. He tried to move but found himself unable. He opened his eyes all the way and realized the situation he was in. He was still in the cabin, but he was tied up and Sara was not around. What happened? Someone hit him from behind. Was Sara okay? Just then he heard her come into the room. He tried to call out, but all that came out were muffled cries. He motioned with his head for her to come and untie him. At least she's all right, he sighed.
"Ah good, your finally awake." She said kneeling down beside him. "Look at that, all tied up and no where to go." She laughed. Steve tried to struggle again, but it was useless as whomever had tied him did a master job of it. "Sorry darlin' you're not going anywhere. At least not yet." She smiled.
Just then the guy who had hit Steve walked back into the cabin. Steve tried to struggle but that only enlisted a smile from Sara and laugh from the guy. Sara got up and went to talk to him. Steve tried to remain calm and relax his muscles to loosen the ropes, but it was not to be. The only way he was going to be freed, was if they let him go.
"What do you mean you want more money?" Sara demanded.
"You heard me."
"Okay I'll give you your payment." With that she pulled out a gun and shot the guy point blank in the chest. Steve could only look on in horror as he realized that this girl whom he thought he loved, was not as she seemed. He hung his head in sadness.
"Don't look so sad. I wasn't all that bad was I? I mean we did have some fun didn't we?" she said laughing and waving the gun in the air.
Steve could see that she was clearly not in full control right now. How could he have been so wrong? How could he not have listened to his dad? His dad would never have tried to interfere with his happiness for no reason. He sure regretted not listening now.
"How much farther?" complained Jade.
"Just a bit more. Don't worry we'll make it." Said Shane.
"Want to have some more fun?" she said kneeling down beside him with the gun in her hand. She stroked the gun on his face. Steve could only look at her helplessly and await his fate. Would this be the end? It would appear so. He just closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.
