Finishing the last spoonful of apple pie, Steve sighed contentedly and leaned back in his chair. 

'That was great Dad.' He smiled at Mark warmly 'I really appreciate you cooking for me tonight'.

'My pleasure son' Mark beamed.  Holding up the dessert dish encouragingly he attempted to entice Steve into a second helping 'You know there's plenty more pie here if you want it' he coaxed encouragingly.

'No thanks' Steve replied firmly holding up his hand in protest 'Honestly Dad I couldn't eat another thing.'  He added a smile to reassure his father, but Mark wasn't fooled and Steve knew it.  With his usually healthy appetite, refusing second helpings of anything was far too extraordinary to escape his father's attention.

Whilst Mark for once kept his thoughts to himself, and Amanda tactfully pretended not to notice anything unusual, the subtle undertones of the father-son exchange had been lost on Jesse.  Eagerly he pounced on the anomaly.

'Hey Steve are you feeling alright?' He teased, grinning boyishly 'cause if you're refusing second helpings then there's gotta be ….' Suddenly noticing the dark look Amanda was sending his way he realised his mistake and tailed off lamely.

Sensing Jesse was now looking at her desperately and was in all likelihood about to dig himself an even deeper hole, Amanda rolled her eyes – she loved him dearly, but tact was definitely not Jesse's strong point.

'So who's for coffee?' she interjected brightly, coming to his rescue albeit rather clumsily.

'No thanks Amanda' Steve replied 'Think I'll stick with the beer'.  Keen to defuse the suddenly awkward atmosphere he looked at Mark and Amanda and winked 'Since Jesse actually managed to bring real beer for once, I guess I'd better make the most of it.'

'Hey!' Jesse retaliated.  Relieved to be off the hook, he played along with the friendly teasing and feigned hurt at this obvious affront to his manhood 'I brought light beer once okay, just once.'

Seizing the opportunity for revenge he comically raised his eyebrows and reached across to pat Steve's midriff with a look of mock disapproval 'And you know that was only because I was thinking of you'.

Steve grunted and Jesse smiled sweetly, before ducking the balled up table napkin that was now heading in his direction.  Mark's eyes met Amanda's, and he knew instinctively that she was as relieved as he was to see Steve indulging wholeheartedly in the adolescent bickering.  Although it couldn't be more than a week, it sure felt like a long time since he'd seen Steve enjoying himself, and that worried him.  He longed to raise the issue with Steve, but knew his son would not thank him for doing so in front of Amanda and Jesse.

Amanda squeezed his hand and imperceptibly nodded her head.  Not for the first time, he was grateful for her implicit understanding.  She grinned at him conspiratorially  'Coffee?'

'Thanks honey' he replied fondly 'That'd be great'.

With her back to Mark and Steve, Amanda turned to Jesse, signalling him with her eyes to accompany her to the kitchen, in order that Mark could have the privacy he so obviously required.   For once Jesse got the message.

'Er … why don't I give you a hand with that coffee' he offered hastily, treating her to an overly obvious wink that was not missed by either Mark or Steve.  Scrambling to his feet he attempted to adopt an air of casual nonchalance.

 'You know, those coffee filters can be pretty tricky if you don't get …' he  faltered searching for inspiration ' … exactly the right er … consistency?' he finished feebly, before practically running after Amanda.

 Left alone Steve and Mark sat in silence.  From the kitchen they could hear Amanda's voice, berating Jesse for his 'tricky coffee filters' excuse.  They looked at each other and exchanged smiles.

'Subtle!' Steve commented dryly.

Mark nodded 'As ever!'

Again silence.  Mark waited patiently and eventually Steve let out a long breath.

'Thanks for tonight Dad' he said finally 'Its been just what I needed'.

'I'm glad' Mark replied.  He looked at Steve carefully, before finally broaching the subject they'd all been avoiding 'You know I've been pretty worried about you these last few days.' He paused 'Amanda told me what happened in the path lab'.

'I thought she might' Steve sighed.

'You know its just because she cares about you son' Mark said gently 'We all do'.

Steve sighed, he'd been expecting this, but that didn't make it any easier.  He looked into his father's eyes and seeing the concern knew he had to at least try to justify his recent irrational behaviour.  And yet the words wouldn't come.  Taking another deep breath he looked down at the table and focused intently on the empty dessert dish before him.  As always he felt uncomfortable at the prospect of revealing his feelings. 

Looking at his son Mark knew how difficult this was.  Despite the closeness of their relationship Steve was a very private and self-contained man.  Resisting the urge to prompt, Mark forced himself to wait patiently until Steve was ready to talk.

 'I know that you care Dad' Steve began slowly, still not meeting Mark's gaze 'and you're right I have been pushing myself' he admitted quietly.

As he talked, he picked self-consciously at the fraying dinner mat and Mark had to strain to hear him. 'And I know I'm not getting enough rest and that I should slow down'.

Finally he looked up and Mark was surprised at the sudden vulnerability etched on his son's face.  'But the truth is, there's a murderer still out there and he's gonna keep on killing innocent people unless I can stop him'. He looked at Mark almost desperately 'and right now he's got a whole campus full of kids to choose from'.

So that was it, Mark thought with sudden understanding; that was why he was working himself into the ground.

 'Steve' he said gently, placing a hand on his son's arm 'You're not responsible for the actions of some lunatic'.

Irritably, Steve ran a hand through his hair 'I am responsible Dad, I'm in charge of this case'.  He shook his head angrily 'And so far' he continued bitterly  'I'm doing a swell job'. 

'Steve' Mark said reasonably 'I'm sure you're doing the best you can.'

'Well lets see' Steve said sourly, counting off on his fingers 'First off, the only evidence we've got would never stand up in court'. 

'But it's only been a week' Mark said in surprise 'Don't be so hard on yourself.'

But Steve refused to be pacified, his growing frustration palpable 'Secondly' he groused 'I have Tannis working so hard she's sleeping at her desk.' He shook his head incredulously 'and what do I do?'

Mark shrugged his shoulders questioningly. 

'Today' Steve groaned  'I practically bit her head off over something that was completely my fault'.

'Oh dear' Mark tutted thoughtfully, pulling a face in sympathy.

'Thirdly' Steve went on sinking ever deeper into a black gloom 'Amanda's got two substances she can't identify and the Egyptian Embassy seem to be going out of their way to make things difficult for us.  And then there's the logistics of Peterson's murder' he groaned again  'don't even get me started on that one!'

'Whaddaya mean?' Mark asked intrigued.

Steve sighed wearily 'Peterson was in a locked lab with no sign of forced entry.  The only possible way in was through a small window on the side'.  He shrugged his shoulders 'But that wasn't big enough for a human to get through'.  Finally Steve cracked a smile 'That window was so small even Jesse couldn't have gotten through it'.

'What couldn't I have gotten through?' Jesse demanded eagerly, as he entered with a tray ladened with cups, saucers, cream and sugar.

'The window of Peterson's lab' Steve explained 'And yet' he massaged the bridge of his nose tiredly 'for someone to insert a needle into the back of his neck they'd have to be within at least arms reach of him'.

'Hey!' Jesse interrupted, spilling the contents of the tray in his excitement 'What about one of those contortionists?'

'What?' Steve looked at him utterly bemused.

'You know' Jesse began eagerly 'those people that can fold themselves into amazing positions – you see them in the circus sometimes.  In fact when I took CJ …'

'Yeah I know what they are Jess.' Steve sighed rolling his eyes 'So what are you saying?' he continued grouchily, 'You think I should put out an APB for all registered contortionists in the California state area?  I can really see the Chief going for that idea.'

'Or it could have been a chimp' Jesse continued unperturbed.

'A chimp?' Steve said incredulously; even for Jesse this was a bit much.

'Absolutely' Jesse replied with complete conviction 'It's amazing what they can train them to do.  I read about it ..'

'On the internet – yeah we know' Steve interrupted, his tone making it clear he doubted the credibility of Jesse's sources.

 'You know that's not a bad idea Jesse' Mark said stroking his chin thoughtfully.

'Oh come on Dad' Steve groaned 'Don't tell me you actually agree with him?'

'I just don't think we can rule out any possibilities at this stage Steve' Mark replied.

'A chimp trained to inject a man with a deadly poison?' Steve asked, by his tone it was evident he thought the whole idea ridiculous.

'It could work' Mark persisted.

'You know Dad' Steve said with a wry smile 'I've got no choice, I'm gonna have to let you get involved in this case'.

'How's that?' Mark took the bait, as Steve knew he would.

'Well' Steve continued reeling him in 'it's clear you're in dire need of something to keep you busy'.

Mark was surprised  'How'd ya guess?'

Steve grinned 'Because' he waited a beat before continuing drolly 'you've obviously been spending way too much time with Mr. Internet over there.'

Mark chuckled as Steve continued 'He suggests a deadly chimp and you're actually considering it?!'

Feigning seriousness Steve placed a hand on his father's arm and adopted a grave voice 'As your son' he said solemnly, 'I think it's my duty to save you from yourself'.  If we don't catch this in time …' he pointed at Jesse with a grin 'you could end up as nuts as he is!'

'All right Mark!' Jesse crowed triumphantly.  Totally unfazed by Steve's rather less than flattering comments on his sanity, he proudly slapped his hand against Mark's in a congratulatory high five.

 Steve snorted with laughter and pretty soon the others joined in.

'What's so funny?' Amanda, who had missed the conversation, was intrigued by so much merriment.  Putting down the coffee-pot, she placed her hands on her hips 'Come on guys' she pleaded 'What's going on?'

Finally regaining his composure, Mark wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled at her weakly.  Steve inclined his head towards a grinning Jesse, and rolling his eyes reassured her that she really didn't wanna know.

Obviously Jesse in his own inimitable way had managed to snap Steve out of his funk.  Amanda smiled; no wonder CJ was so enamoured with the young Dr. Travis – he was a very special guy.  Discretely she shot Jesse a 'thumbs up', before bending to collect up the dirty dishes.

'Here let me help' Steve immediately started to get to his feet.

'No need' she insisted firmly 'You just sit there and take it easy'.

'Aww come on Amanda' he complained 'I'm not an invalid ya know'

'I know' she replied sweetly 'And I intend to make sure that you stay that way'.

Mark smiled, getting up himself to give her a hand 'No point arguing son, you know what she's like once she's made up her mind'.

'Now I know how CJ feels' Steve complained good-naturedly, settling back in his chair and cracking open another beer.

'And you can sit down too Mark' Amanda instructed equally firmly 'You cooked.' She looked pointedly at Jesse.

'Hey' he protested 'I brought the beer!'

'Come on' she ordered, giving him a friendly push.  Privately she grinned – he might be a special guy, but with her even special guys didn't escape the washing up!