Recovery

Diagnosis Murder

Steve Sloan/Mark Sloan

Family/Hurt Comfort

Spoilers: Retribution Parts One and Two

Carol visits her and Steve's father, Mark, in prison.

Disclaimer: I don't own Diagnosis Murder.

A/N: This is my first Diagnosis Murder fanfiction story, please go easy on me!

Carol Visits Dad

Mark and Carol were sitting across from each other. The only thing separating father and daughter was a plexi-glass window with a filter-like apparatus that facilitated communication between the inmate and visitor.

"Carol, it's great to see you again," Mark told her.

"Daddy, I can't believe you are stuck here," Carol said.

"When did you get back in town?"

"I got here about eight hours ago. I went to see Steve at the hospital."

"How is he doing?"

"He seems to be doing better, but we both know that he has a long road to recovery. Daddy, I am worried about him."

"You know that Steve is a tough guy, but I think sometimes he pushes his limit when he should take it easy. Once he officially gets out of the hospital, I want him to rest as much as possible and not do anything stupid that could kill him or earn him another trip to the hospital."

"I remember around the time of Christmas that I left that bastard Bruce. His colleagues followed me since he had alleged smuggled a videotape into my suitcase. A few places were ransacked."

"Steve was attacked by one of Andrea's accomplices and broke a few ribs. He had told me that you promised to get him a cup of coffee. When you failed to return with the coffee, he somehow knew that you disappeared against your will. He signed himself out against medical advice so he could find you."

"I am grateful that he did, but what he did was kind of insane. I know that ever since I was born, I became his responsibility."

"When he finally gets out of the hospital, you can return that favor and let him be your responsibility."

Mark's recent comment earned him a weak smile from his daughter. She also would be responsible for the care and maintaining of the beach house, both the main floor where Mark lived and the basement which Steve converted into his own place. Was Carol up for the responsibility of caring for her injured brother and a beach house? Only time will tell.

"Daddy, how are you coping in prison?" Carol asked. "You are in death row, scheduled to be executed at some point. You don't deserve to be here, somebody railroaded you. I know you couldn't have killed anyone!"

"Well, it's not fun being here," Mark was blunt. "There is a guy that I helped put away that is constantly taunting me. He was also gloating that without Steve's testimony in court, Gordon Ganza got off through a mistrial. It's just pure hell!"

"It sounds like this guy is a grade 'A' scumbag."

"I wouldn't be surprised that he knew somebody outside that pulled this whole shit off. "

"You mean to tell me that this son of a bitch tried to kill my brother, your son, framed you for two murders and whoever he is working with is still walking the streets committing more crimes. Daddy, this is a sham and a travesty!"

"Carol, I know what you are going to say, but I don't think tracking these fucking vermin and doing bodily harm isn't going help neither Steve nor myself. You could get into trouble."

"This hasn't been an easy time for any of us."

"Just stay strong, honey!"

"I think I should be the one telling you to stay strong!"

A moment later, a guard approach Carol and told her that her visiting time was up. She nodded and got up from her chair.

"Are you going back to the hospital to visit Steve again today?" Mark asked. "Or are you going straight to the beach house?"

"It all depends on what time I get off the complex," Carol replied. "Amanda told me when visiting hours end today."

"I think you have plenty of time to visit your brother before visiting hours are over today. If you cannot make it tonight, you could see him again tomorrow. Either way, tell him I said 'hello', hope he is doing better and I love him."

"I shall do just that. I hope to visit you tomorrow. Bye, Daddy!"

"Bye, honey!"

After she waved to Mark, Carol left the prison complex and contacted Jesse to come pick her up. She had also asked if there was still time for her to visit Steve again. He told her that by the time they got to Community General, there would be only about fifteen minutes that she could spend with her brother. It was all she needed before going to the Sloan beach house.

"I take it you had just visited dad in prison," Steve said as Carol sat on the chair. "How is he faring in this disgraceful miscarriage of justice?"

"He said 'hello' to you, hoped you are doing better and that he loves you! He is constantly being taunted by an inmate that he helped put away. There was something about a mistrial because you couldn't testify."

"That was the time that I got shot, had major surgery and spent time in the ICU. How convenient was that?"

"I think it was way too convenient. Anyway, let's get back to dad. He also told me that it's hell there."

"I don't blame him for saying that and especially if somebody in death row is taunting him. I just hope there is some evidence out there that could prove dad innocent and release him from that nightmare."

A nurse came by the room to let Carol know that visiting hours were over for the day and that she would more than welcome to visit Steve tomorrow.

"I will call you as soon as get to the beach house," Carol told Steve as she got up and kissed him in the cheek.

"How about you call me in about two hours," Steve smiled and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "I am assuming that Amanda or Jesse will give you a ride. You could use dad's car or my truck to get around."

"Thank you and don't sleep until I call you!"

"I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing!"

Amanda gave Carol a ride to the beach house and the two women talked about the weather in Portland, Oregon versus in Los Angeles on route. They talked about their childhood and anything else, but talking about Mark's unfortunate incarceration was off limits. Both women were angry over it: Carol, since he is her father and Amanda, he was a colleague and a father figure. Carol did tell Amanda of a very embarrassing story about Steve when he was a teenager. Amanda did promise not to tell Steve about what little sister Carol told her. Upon arriving at the Sloan beach house, Carol thanked Amanda for the ride and entered the house after seeing her riding companion drive away. She first entered Mark's place and inspected it and did the same for Steve's apartment. The house needed to be cleaned and she did it in enough time to call Steve to let him know that she arrived safe and the house is clean. He told her that it was nice to hear her voice and to rest. When the Sloan siblings hung up, Carol set up the guestroom as her temporary bedroom. She called in for a pizza and ate half of it before putting the rest in the freezer. She watched a little TV and went to bed.

TBC