Jesse left Steve in Mark's capable hands while he headed home to get at least one nights rest. Having his best friend out of the ICU was relief enough but Mark insisted he take the rest of the night off and Jesse didn't need much persuasion. He was exhausted and a night at home sounded to good to be true.

Flicking on the lamp in his apartment, he whirled around in surprise and smiled when he heard a feminine yawn coming from his sofa.

"I wasn't sure if you were coming home tonight," Susan said getting to her feet. The young doctor smiled appreciatively when he saw that she was wearing one of his pajama tops.

"Sorry," Jesse replied sheepishly. "I wasn't sure myself or I would have called."

Susan smiled as Jesse wrapped his arms around her and took her lips in a passionate kiss. He broke the kiss long enough to grin when he realized the night shirt was the only thing she had on.

Mark glanced up from the book he was reading as Steve moved restlessly in his sleep. After the phone call from Chief Masters confirming the capture of the sniper, Steve had actually asked for a sedative to sleep.

It didn't bother Mark to give him the drug in fact he probably would have insisted on it but the fact that his son asked for it was a clear indication that something was wrong with his offspring.

Jesse awoke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon. Sliding from the bed, he padded naked into the bathroom and splashed some water on his face before grabbing a robe.

"Thought, I'd fix breakfast," Susan said when he made a disheveled appearance.

"You didn't have to," Jesse replied pulling her into his arms.

"If I'd known this was your only set of pajamas, I wouldn't have borrowed them," Susan said with a laugh when she realized he was naked save for the robe.

"It's not," Jesse said coyly. "I just figure, why bother to get dressed."

Mark awoke with a start and gingerly moved his head to work out the stiffness in his neck. He didn't intend to fall asleep in the chair next to Steve's bed and knew he'd pay for it later.

"Why didn't you go home, Dad," Steve said when Mark got up to stretch.

"I was planning on it but I guess my body had other plans," Mark replied with a grin. "How are you feeling, son?"

"Okay, I guess," Steve said sullenly. "I'm not in any pain if that's what your asking?"

"Is that all you want to tell me?" Mark prompted as Steve shrugged.

"What else is there?"

"Well, you've been a little quiet," Mark replied crossing his arms. "Any reason for it?"

"You mean other than the fact that I'm the only one to survive the attacks by the sniper...no there's no reason for it," Steve said angrily as Mark ran a weary hand over his eyes.

"I know it's hard Steve but they've got this guy and he's going to see the inside of a prison for a very long time and you're going to put him there so you can at least take some measure of comfort away from that, right?"

"I suppose," Steve whispered as the door open and an exuberant Jesse bounded into the room.

"Good morning!" he said all smiles as he looked from Mark to Steve. "How you feeling, buddy?"

"Why the hell are you so happy?" Steve snapped as Jesse stopped grinning. "I feel fine so now you both can stop asking me!"

Jesse exchanged a worried glance with Mark as he walked over to Steve's bedside. "Alright, Steve," he said with a nod. "I won't ask you how you're feeling if you don't want me to."

"That's a first," Steve replied harshly as Jesse pulled the stethoscope from around his neck.

"Let me have a quick look at you and then I'll leave you alone, okay?"

"Fine," Steve said as Jesse proceeded to listen to his chest.

"Sounds good," Jesse said before heading for the door. "Mark, can I see you outside."

"Sure," Mark said with a glance toward Steve. "I'll be right back."

Steve only sighed deeply as his father followed Jesse out the door. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were talking about him or rather his attitude but he couldn't help himself. He was angry and he didn't have any where or anyone to focus that anger toward but his father and his friends. It galled him that he was laid up in the hospital while the shooter was free to hurt someone else. At least he was captured before that could happen but it didn't make his situation any easier to accept.

"I don't know what to say, Mark," Jesse said once they were out of Steve's hearing range. "I've never seen him like this before."

"I know, Jess," Mark replied thoughtfully. "And, its starting to worry me."

"Me to," Jesse said with a sigh. "The holidays are coming, maybe that'll perk him up?"

"Maybe," Mark replied with a smile. "I just hope any court appearances will wait until after. If Steve is like this now, he'll be twice as bad over Christmas if he has to appear in court for the sniper case."