Here's the next chapter. Thanks for all of the reviews, advice has been duly noted. I've tried to lengthen the chapter. Let me know what you think.

It was Jesse's turn to pace up and down, he had noticed Steve parked outside about ten minutes ago, and he had been preparing himself for the accusation, the rejection ever since, but Steve was still sitting in his car, apparently waiting for something, or someone. A thought struck Jesse and he groaned, Steve must be waiting for Mark, they were going to confront him together, he couldn't do it. Couldn't handle the disappointed look that would surely appear on both men's faces. Steve, who just a few hours ago Jesse had been thinking about as a potential lover, and Mark, the man who had taken him under his wing, treated him better that he had been treated in a long time. Jesse walked away from the window and into his kitchen; he took out a beer from the refrigerator, took a huge swig from it then poured the rest down the sink, he couldn't be drunk, that would only add to the Sloan's disgust, he didn't want to disappoint them more than he already had.

Leaving the kitchen he went cautiously back over to the window, Steve was still sitting there; apparently unaware that Jesse knew of his presence. The detective glanced up at the window and Jesse jumped away, praying that he hadn't been seen. Going back over to the window was too risky, so Jesse went into his bedroom. He looked around; he hadn't had a chance to make the bed before he had left for the beach that morning and the bedcovers sprawled across the floor only added to the mess. Jesse frowned, he had always been a tidy person, but over the past few weeks he hadn't had time to put everything away, in fact, he reflected, he hadn't made time. He had been too busy settling into his new life, his job, and his new friends. Exasperated he kicked out, hitting his foot off the end of his bed, he ignored the pain. Bryan had once again ruined everything; he would never be able to escape him.

The phone began to ring and Jesse limped over to answer it.

"Yeah, this is Jesse Travis."

"Hey bro, what's up?" Jesse couldn't help but smile, ever since he had arrived in LA Chris had been ringing constantly to check up on him.

"Your phone bill is what's up, must be sky high the amount of times you've been ringing me." A small chuckle on the other end of the line followed that remark.

"Real funny Jesse, is everything okay your end?" Jesse paused, wondering what to say.

"Yeah, err, everything's fine, listen Chris I'm going to have to go, I'm due on a date right about now."

"Mmm, not sure I believe that."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Chris, speak later, bye." Jesse didn't give his brother a chance to reply, he just hung up, then nearly fell over as the doorbell rang. Steve.

Jesse took a deep, shaky breath; he would have to face him sooner or later, so maybe sooner was better than later. He silently closed the door to the bedroom and crossed the living room to his front door, he thought of the last time Steve had been in his home, then thought about the fact that this would probably be the last time he ever saw the detective. He took another deep breath, told himself to be calm and reached for the lock..

Meanwhile, Steve had been having a phone conversation of his own. His cell had rang just as he had noticed Jesse watching him. His friend from records had found out quite a lot about Bryan Conwell, including the fact that he was an ex of Jesse's mother, and that he had a history of violence, in fact he had been charged with stalking someone. As soon as he had hung up he had decided that whatever was going through Jesse's head couldn't be good, which was why Steve was standing waiting for Jesse to answer his ring at the door.

He didn't have long to wait. There was a small click of a lock, the sound of a chain being pulled back, and then the door swung open. Jesse was standing in the doorway biting his lower lip; Steve couldn't help thinking that it would be much better if he were the one biting it. He silently scolded himself, he couldn't afford selfish thoughts right now, Jesse needed a friend.

"Can I come in?" Jesse nodded then turned and headed inside, his limp did not go unnoticed, but Steve decided to ask about that later. Gesturing for Steve to sit in the comfy armchair Jesse took up a position on the sofa, Steve noticed that the younger mans hands were shaking and he was refusing to catch Steve's eyes.

"Jess, are you okay?" Steve surveyed Jesse, he certainly didn't look okay, the intern looked tired and pale, his eyes were shiny and he was still shaking. Jesse looked up at Steve, with a shocked and confused look on his face.

"You d do don't have to be n nice to m me, I I I'm the reason Amanda's in hospital, I und, understand." Realization dawned on Steve; Jesse thought that he was to blame, that he was going to blame him.

"Jess, listen to me, nobody blames you, it's not your fault, I'm not going to stop being your friend, I want to help you, if this Conwell did do this to Amanda then it's his fault not yours."

"B but I'm the reason Bry, he did it, I didn't warn anyone that he might be about or anything like that."

"Jesse you saved Amanda's life, if you hadn't of been there she would have died."

"She wouldn't have been stabbed in the first place if I wasn't there."

"Look, we don't know for certain that this guy did it, and even if he did, you didn't, you saved her life, you were amazing back there, the way you held it together. I was selfish, I forgot about how it would be affecting you, that was the first time you've done that wasn't it," Jesse nodded, "See, it was amazing, you're amazing."

At Steve's words silent tears began to fall from Jesse's eyes, at once Steve moved next to him and gathered him into his arms, rocking him gently, whispering what were hopefully comforting words.

Ten minutes later Jesse lifted his head from where it was buried in Steve's shoulder.

"Thank you, no-ones ever…, what I mean is…" Steve placed a gentle finger on Jesse's lips.

"You don't have to thank me Jesse; I care for you, a lot." Steve looked down into Jesse's eyes, and, hoping that he had read the younger mans emotions correctly, lowered his lips to Jesse's.