Recovery
Diagnosis Murder
Steve Sloan/Mark Sloan
Family/Hurt Comfort
Spoilers: Retribution Parts One and Two
Carol updates Mark on Steve's progress.
Disclaimer: I don't own Diagnosis Murder and the characters. I only own my original characters and ideas.
A/N: This is my first Diagnosis Murder fanfiction story, please go easy on me!
The Updates
"So, Steve's making some progress in his physical therapy?" Mark asked Carol.
"Yes, he is," Carol sighed. "The problem is that he's in a rush to make a full recovery and he complains that he hasn't made enough progress."
"Can you tell me specifically on his recovery?"
"He started rehabilitation two days ago. At first he couldn't take two steps without feeling exhausted. There were some exercises that he gave up on after the second rep. Yesterday, he took a few more steps and he progress on the exercises. His favorite moment is the massage he gets at the end of the session."
"Did he speak with the psychotherapist?"
"Yes, the first session was yesterday. It was weird and emotional."
"Weird? How?"
"Steve was telling about the dreams he had while he was in a coma. The only way I could describe part it is like tripping on acid. It is too strange for me to describe. If he was here, I doubt he'd be able to go into specifics."
"Carol, is there anything else that I need to know about your brother's potential progress or relapse?"
"He said in his dreams, he saw Mom."
"Was she in the psychedelic scenes?"
"Daddy, he told the psychotherapist that he had to go through that psychedelic scene to get to a tranquil site and she was there."
"Oh, thank goodness!"
"However, he told me he saw Bruce."
Mark opened his mouth in a mix of anger and shock. It took him a whole minute to finally close his mouth. Growing up, his mother taught him and his siblings that if they kept their mouths open for long periods of time, a flying insect could get in there. Why was Steve thinking about his deceased brother-in-law (Mark's son-in-law) while in a coma? It could be that he had some unresolved conflicts with a dead man.
"Did Steve tell the therapist about this?"
"No, he only told me."
"Why?"
"He told me that information was for my ears only. The therapist didn't need to know that Bruce was in his unconscious dream state."
"Carol, I think Steve should have told her. She could have offered some insight as to why he was thinking about Bruce."
"I could cajole him to talk about it with her, but I don't think he'll discuss until he is ready."
"That's a good idea! You can't force him into talking about something that either he is uncomfortable or not ready to discuss."
Carol nodded in understanding. She remembered growing up that it sometimes took Steve some time before he would talk to their parents or her about anything that bothered him. She learned that the hard way. When the siblings were teenagers, Steve came home one day with a note from one of his teachers. His facial expression said it all and it wasn't good. Carol asked him what was the matter, he said nothing and she pushed until he yelled at her to stop. He immediately apologized. He had to deal with their parents, but there was no way to escape at the trouble he was about to get himself into.
"How is the house?" Mark asked breaking the very awkward silence.
"It's still is on its foundation," Carol replied. "I have been taking care of the plants, the garden and the housekeeping. Also, nobody has attempted to break in, but there have been some teenage punks that have been riding their dirt bikes, taunting dogs and beachgoers and throwing eggs at the neighbors' houses. Fortunately, they haven't done anything to your house."
"Call the police and tell them this situation."
"Can they do anything for the family after what had happened to you and Steve?"
"It wouldn't hurt to call and report them. Maybe there is a menace out there that could do some serious harm to another person. It's best to nip it in the bud as the cliché goes. First, call Steve to let him know what's going on and he'll connect you to the proper division."
"I'll call him when I get to the house."
"Excuse me, but your visiting time is up," a female guard told Carol and Mark. "You can meet again tomorrow."
"I hate when these visits come to an end," Carol whined.
"I know, honey," Mark sympathetically winced. "I wish the three of us were together at the beach house."
Carol nodded in agreement and sympathy and she exchanged 'good-byes' with Mark. She left the prison slightly more depressed and angry than before. As she got into Steve's truck, she resisted the urge to cry, but failed miserably. When she was able to calm herself, she drove back to the beach house. When she arrived there was someone near the gate leading to the house. Carol couldn't make out if was a man or woman at first, but as the subject slowly approached her.
"I don't know who you are!" Carol shouted. "My brother is a detective with the LAPD! I am calling 911! Consider yourself warned!"
TBC (Dun! Dun! DUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!)
So, who is attempting to approach Carol? Find out in the next chapter of 'Recovery' coming soon (I think)!
