Steve and Amanda had been seeing each other, as more than friends, for a couple of months whenever their schedules would permit. They hadn't seen each other, except at the hospital for a couple of days. Steve had a couple of days off coming up and suggested to Amanda they take C.J. to the beach for a picnic on one of those days. Jessie, Steve's best friend, overheard them and wanted to come along, when Mark heard he didn't want to be left out either. Not exactly what Steve had hoped for, but still wasn't too bothered by it, since Jessie was like a brother and he and his dad were close. This entire group was his family. At that thought, he thought how he and Amanda had developed a deep respect, turning to friendship over the years and now maybe something even more.
When the day of the picnic arrived, Steve and Mark had gotten all the food ready and as soon as Jessie, Amanda and C.J. arrived they walked to the beach, set up blankets and chairs. Soon C. J. had Steve and Jessie building a sand castle with him. Amanda looked on the scene and sighed contentedly. How could she have been so lucky, Steve was becoming more than a friend and Jessie was like a little brother to her.
After the sand castle and picnic lunch was done C.J. wanted to wade in the ocean, so Steve and Jessie took him to the edge. As the water lapped up to his feet he'd shriek with delight and run back to his mom, on to return again for the next wave. As a bigger wave came in Steve notices something floating in the water, when recognition dawned on him he hollered at Jessie to take C.J. to his mom. Noting the tone of Steve's voice he didn't question he just scooped C.J. up and ran with him back to Amanda. This got the attention of all the adults in the group.
Mark rushed to see what was going on; as he approached he could see it as a body, but Steve was on his knees, starting CPR. Mark ran and started breathing while Steve continued CPR. Steve said he felt a heart beat at first, but it had stopped. He was still alive, although it was obvious whoever it was had been shot in the leg and who knew how long he had been in the water. He was barely hanging on. Steve yelled for Amanda to call 911. Amanda took off with C.J. to the beach house to make the phone call, not having brought her phone to the beach.
After the EMT's defibrillated the man his heart started pumping on his own again. They rushed him off to the hospital. Mark followed while Steve and Jessie searched the any clues to the identity of the man. Of course, the didn't find anything. They headed back to the beach house.
Steve apologize to Amanda, as he took her into a bear hug, about the ruined picnic. She said the morning was great, thanked him for protecting C.J. form the sight and told him it wasn't his fault. Steve needed to get to the hospital to see if the victim survived and was awake and could tell him anything. He gave Amanda a kiss and said he'd make it up to her. Amanda decided she'd drop C.J. at the sitters and go to the hospital to see if she could find any information that would help Steve.