Chapter 7

Steve was discharged after breakfast, and Mark announced he would drive him to pick up Sammy.

"That's not necessary, Dad." Steve protested.

"Yes it is. You have a concussion and I don't want you driving today. Besides, I'm quite anxious to meet our new house guest."

Steve looked at Mark, searching for signs of sarcasm. There was none. Just the usual fatherly concerned expression that both frustrated and warmed Steve at the same time. He was honest enough to admit to himself how much he valued and relied on his father's concern and love, although he thought sometimes that his father forgot he was a grown adult.

"Let's go then," Steve grinned happily.

Jane Landon had arranged to pick up Sammy while Steve was in the hospital and he was sitting there sullenly in her office when the Sloans arrived. He smirked as he recognized Steve.

"I guess you got the message, pig, and decided to let me go." Sammy's voice had a hard edge to it, and seemed incongruous for such a young boy. But the expression on his face matched his voice. Jane sighed, feeling very strongly that this was going to end in disaster.

"You're coming home to stay with us. This is my father, Dr. Sloan." Steve spoke firmly, ignoring the misgivings he was already feeling. The kid might only be twelve, but he sure was a tough one.

"Yeah, whatever. I bet you decided you wanted to live. Bye, lady." He sauntered out, leaving the three adults staring after him.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Steve?" Jane asked with some anxiety. She cared about her clients a great deal, but she cared about Steve as well. She'd worked with him over the years and had found him to be always compassionate and caring for those less fortunate. She'd never seen him quite like this though, and she was feeling very uneasy.

"You're the social worker, Jane, I thought you would support me." Steve said impatiently.

"Oh I do support you, Steve, it's just this kid has trouble written all over him. Some kids don't, but this one does." Jane replied hastily.

Mark just watched the interchange. The moment he saw Sammy he knew why Steve was so determined to help him, whether the boy wanted it or not, and it chilled him to the bone and he felt his heart sink. In fact he couldn't ever recall feeling such a strong sense of dread. Sammy was a dead ringer for Steve's childhood friend, Robby. It was strange that Steve hadn't mentioned the resemblance, and Mark wondered if Steve really didn't see it. In any case, he knew they were in for a very difficult time. He shook his head mentally and tried to pull himself together.

"Well I'm going to try to help him, Jane. Thanks for your help," Steve said firmly. He then turned to follow Sammy out of the room.

Mark flashed a small grin at Jane and she grinned back. They'd all been friends for too many years to fall out over a slight disagreement.

"Good luck", she mouthed. Mark grimaced, knowing they were going to need it, especially if Sammy brought back unfortunate memories from a time long past. Steve hadn't shown any signs of this, but Mark knew he'd have his own demons, and those of Steve's to fight. He sighed deeply at the thought. It was time to start the process.

Sammy had remained silent in the car, ignoring the efforts of Steve and Mark to get him to talk. They exchanged glances and fell silent. When they drove up the driveway of the beach house, Sammy whistled.

"So this is my new prison, eh?"

"It's not your prison, Sammy. It's a place for you to stay and we want you to be happy here." Steve stumbled a little as he spoke. He wasn't sure what he should say or do and he fully realized how difficult this situation was going to be.

"Yeah, whatever. Have many problems with break-ins round here?" Sammy's eyes were deliberately innocent as he looked at Steve who just grimaced quickly.

"Not really. Most places are well secured." Steve got out of the car too quickly and felt slightly dizzy. Fortunately his dad didn't notice for Mark was sitting in the car still watching as Sammy got out. The resemblance was uncanny and unnerving, and he found himself reflecting on a time that was much better forgotten. The only thing that worried him was Steve's apparent complete lack of recognition. Steve seemed to know subconsciously that he wanted to help Sammy, but nothing else. Mark sighed. All he could do was be there for Steve to try to make this work, but every instinct in him told him they were doomed to fail.

Sammy remained quiet as he was shown around the house, and to his bedroom. Unknown to Mark and Steve, he had already checked out the security system and was making plans. He had no idea why he'd been brought here. Never before had any adult tried to help him and he couldn't believe Steve didn't have an ulterior motive, especially as he was a pig. He'd also noticed the older man watching him and knew out of the two, he was the one to beware of. For whatever reason, the pig claimed to want to help him but Sammy hadn't sensed that from the older man. He seemed a little fixated on him but it didn't seem to stem from concern.

It wouldn't matter for long. He'd settle in and then go back to where he belonged. Of course, there was no reason why he shouldn't benefit from this unexpected assistance. There were lots of nice things in the house and he could bring Snake and the guys back one evening. He'd have to be careful for he didn't want to be put back in the detention center, but he saw no reason why he and his friends shouldn't take advantage of the situation and benefit.

Steve was happily unaware of Sammy's thoughts, but Mark had a strong idea. He'd watched Sammy observe Steve disarming the security system and he had to hold back from saying something. Even the fact that Steve did that in Sammy's presence was completely out of character for the policeman side of his son, but there was no question that Steve was not his usual self.

There was no point in revealing to Sammy or Steve that he didn't trust Sammy - not yet anyway. He wanted to have a chance to talk to Steve properly but feared it was going to be difficult now Sammy was there. He fervently wished he'd seen Sammy before agreeing to this trial.

Sammy had decided on a plan of action. He decided he wouldn't cause too much trouble to start with so he even went to bed without too much protest. He needed time to think anyway, time away from the far too perceptive blue eyes of the older Sloan. Steve and Mark sat outside so they could talk, but now the opportunity had come, Mark didn't find it easy.

"He's going to be difficult. He's so full of hatred and anger and can't seem to trust anyone." Steve spoke first.

"Yes, he is, but nothing worthwhile happens quickly. It's going to take some time and patience." Mark paused.

"You still willing to go along with this?" Steve asked his dad. He was very aware of his father's tension and he didn't want to cause him any further anxiety.

"Yes, Steve, I am. But I want to ask you something." Mark hesitated again.

"Anything, Dad. What's up?"

"I know you really feel you want to help this kid, but do you know why?" Mark waited, not sure what answer he wanted.

Steve shrugged. "No, not really. In fact at first all I could remember was the look in his eyes as he held the gun on me. But somehow I couldn't forget him and I just felt bad that someone so young seemed so hard. Is it wrong to want to try to help?"

"Of course not, son." But there are times you cannot help Mark thought, but he kept the thoughts to himself. "Does he not remind you of someone?" Mark just blurted out the question but Steve just looked at him blankly.

"No, I don't think so." Steve's expression couldn't be faked and Mark was very disturbed. He knew much of the Robby days had been blanked from Steve's mind, but he also felt that Steve's connection to Sammy may have reawakened the memories. It seemed not. The human mind was an amazing thing sometimes. Obviously something was triggered in Steve to make him want to help, but not enough for the full memory to return. For the first time, Mark felt completely at a loss as to what was best to do. He decided to take a plunge.

"Not even Robby Waters?"

Steve looked stunned at the reference. "Nnno, why should he remind me of Robby?" He stammered slightly.

Mark was growing more concerned by the minute. Steve obviously remembered Robby but there were obviously some issues.

"You don't think Sammy looks like Robby?" Mark knew he had to persist now.

Steve frowned in thought. "I hadn't thought about it, but then I haven't thought about Robby for many years." It was true, he hadn't, but unbidden thoughts came flashing into his mind and he turned away from his father as he grappled with them. An angry young boy at school, picking fights even with him, a bruised young boy with tears in his eyes as he spoke of his brutal stepfather, and worst of all….Steve literally staggered as the full force of the memory hit him. The day he died… Steve stumbled away from the house, needing some time to think. Mark followed, but at a distance, his concern increasing tenfold as Steve walked towards his car.

"Steve…" He spoke firmly. "We need to talk."

Steve turned his stricken face to his dad. "I know, dad, and I will, but I just need to…I haven't…." He couldn't continue. "Can you watch Sammy? I need to think…"

Mark bit down on his lip. He didn't want Steve driving in this condition, apart from the emotional state, he could still be a little concussed. But before he could say another word, Steve had jumped in his car and reversed out. Mark could only watch helplessly as his son drove away.