Disclaminer: DM doesn't belong to me, neither does any of the characters. Thanks for letting me borrow.

A/N: I'm still in college right now so it may take me awhile to upload. I'll try to do my best.

Murder in the Mid-West

Far out in the mid-west, the winter air seemed to freeze her nose hairs. As she stepped out of her ranch house she couldn't help but looked out over her small piece of property.

The sight made her shake slightly. Everything was covered in white ice, a foot of gathered snowflakes--with more on order, still slowly falling to its melting doom. People in town would say it was beautiful, just in time for making the perfect winter wonderland for Christmas. But Amilie would never feel that way about snow again. Not since he had left. All she felt was emptiness and the snow had only revealed to her how barren and vast the land was. There was nothing here for her, nothing without him.

He had loved his ranch, this Amilie knew. He loved it so much that she had almost left him because of it. The land had claimed him and it was her fault. She couldn't get rid of the guilt. Everyone in town didn't blame her for what happened. It was an accident but it still hurt and the winter came all the same, reminding her of the awful tragedy.

Hesitantly, Amilie turned back into the house. In her hand she clutched the heavy paper letter and envelope. It was from a friend of her husband who had written her a year ago. One year ago from Robert's funeral.

Dear Mrs. Dowell,

I know we haven't formally met but I wanted to give my condolences to your recent loss. Robert's father was a good friend of mine and I knew Robert since he was twelve years old. If you need anything, anything at all, someone to talk to, help around the ranch, financial needs, or just a place to get away. Let me know. I owe it to Robert and to your father in-law.

Sincerely,

Mark Sloan

The older man lived in Las Angeles and Amilie treasured the thought for a little while. Sunny California seemed so far away from Iowa and a lot warmer. It would be just perfect for her. The chance she needed to forget what happened a year ago. That is, if Mark Sloan still didn't mind offering his help.

ooooooooo

Mark Sloan's house was not shabby during the holidays. In fact Mark was very proud of the way he and Steve, his son, had decorated the tree this year. It was a 9 foot artificial tree, first artificial tree that Steve had actually liked when they had looked for one a long time ago. It took several days and many stores before Steve had finally let him buy that one. Mark smiled remember how Steve would stare at a tree for a couple of seconds and then shake no, before moving on. He had only been ten, but he was very specific about the tree he wanted. Mark didn't mind, anything to make Steve feel like Christmas was good, even without his mother around. The tree had stayed in the family since. It was a good reminder of fun times where father and son strung the tinsel and put the star on.

Conversations from the living room filled Mark's home as he finished making the hot chocolate. Steve, Amanda Bentley, and Jesse Travis were over and celebrating Christmas together before the holidays made things busy for them all. They were a very close group of doctors, plus Steve, who was a detective for the LAPD. Getting together for the Christmas gift exchange was important, if not the highlight of Christmas traditions for them.

"It feels funny having Christmas so soon. I mean it's not even the 15th." Jesse commented as Amanda handed him a small package from the tree. Mark laughed coming into the room and setting the cocoa on the coffee table.

"Well, Amanda is heading out of town for family this Christmas, and you are working double shifts, remember?" Mark pointed out to the short, blonde haired doctor.

"Double shifts, Jesse? Don't you have family to visit?" Amanda looked at him accusingly.

"Well that is the whole idea, if I have double shifts I have a reason not to visit family." Jesse smiled at them both. But Mark knew he was telling the truth. Jesse didn't exactly get along with his parents.

"At least you can avoid them some how. I don't get that option." Steve teased biting into a gingerbread cookie.

"I can still take your Christmas gift back to the store." Mark threatened and handed Amanda her gift from him. They had all decided this year to do a white elephant gift exchange instead of real gifts. All they really wanted for Christmas was to laugh together and so they had made the agreement early on that month.

"Amanda, why don't you open yours first, from me?" Steve smiled slyly. Amanda looked at him funny.

"It doesn't breathe, right?"

"Scout's honor."

Amanda slowly opened the large box and pulled away the wrapping and tissue paper. She laughed out loud as she pulled out a 'singing bass'. "Oh great… its motion censored too. C.J. and Dion will just love that."

"What is this, Jesse?" Mark asked holding up the gift Jess gave him.

"Oh!" Jesse jumped from his seat and came over. "It's called the impossible puzzle; it has no sides and five extra pieces that don't go anywhere. See, it's a picture of the beach. They had another one with dogs and umbrellas but I thought you'd like this one more."

"How very thoughtful…" Mark smiled and shook his head. He would probably actually take the time to do the puzzle just for fun. The phone rang and Steve jumped. Mark frowned. His son was a little more jumpy lately for some reason and he didn't know why, it could be a case he was working on but Steve wouldn't tell him what his latest case was. Amanda grabbed the phone sitting on the table next to her.

"Sloan residence… just one moment please." Amanda handed the cordless phone to Mark. "It's for you, Mark."

"Thanks, Amanda." Mark answered. "Hello…"

"Hello? Dr. Sloan?" A young female voice came over the phone. "I don't mean to bother you. Perhaps you don't even remember my name. This is Amilie Dowell, Robert Dowell's wife."

"Oh, Amilie… just one moment." Mark excused himself from his house guests and moved into the dining room. "How are you? I'm really glad you called, I was worried you never received my letter."

"Actually, Dr. Sloan, your letter is why I called."

oooooooo

Steve couldn't help but chuckle at the look on Jesse's face when he opened his gift. Jesse pulled out a pair of blue hand gloves that were made of a sponge. "What in the world, Steve?" Jesse laughed.

"They are shower gloves. I saw them at Target and I couldn't help myself. You'll see I also gave you soap."

"What are you trying to say?" Jesse looked at him accusingly.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean…"

"What do you mean I know what you mean?"

"Just open your present Steve… " Jesse stuck his tongue out at him. Steve opened his gift and smiled.

"First season of Lost in Space. Yes!" Steve laughed. "You're watching this with me."

"I don't know if I can handle the corniness…"

"Well, we put up with you." Amanda giggled and threw a ball of rolled up paper at Jesse.

"Haa haa haa guys." Jesse turned to smirk at Amanda and Steve hit him in the back of his head with another ball of rolled up wrapping paper. Steve looked up as he heard his father's steps coming back into the room. Everyone got silent.

"Who was on the phone?" Steve asked.

"An old friend's wife. You remember George Dowell? His son Robert Dowell?" His dad took a seat in his chair.

"Yea, your old army friend. His son was about my age right?"

"Yes." His father ran a hand over his face. Steve could tell he was a little sad. "Robert died last year from an accident that happened on their ranch in Iowa. I told his wife she could call me if she needed anything. It seems she needs to get away from the ranch for awhile. I invited her to come stay with us as long as she needs."

"When is she coming down?"

"A week. She'll be here before Christmas. I've never met her before, but she sounded really sweet on the phone. I'll need to clear some things from the guest bedroom if you have time Steve."

"I wish I could say I did. But I'll see what I can do." Steve commented. He was thinking about all the paper work that came with the holiday crimes he was working on.

"I can help Mark if you need something." Jesse offered.

"Me too Mark." Amanda smiled. "Well, at least until I have to head out to meet my family. Besides… it would be really nice to have another girl around here. I get lonely, you know."

"Thank you, everyone. I don't know what I would do without you guys."