He was tired, thirsty and irritable. Never had 2 miles felt longer, the road seeming to stretch out forever before him. He could have called – Jesse, Amanda, his Dad, any one of them would have driven out and picked him up, but his pride wouldn't let him. So instead he walked, trudging wearily through the heat and the dust. After the first mile, he paused for a moment to gather his strength, using his shirt sleeve to wipe away the sweat. Damn but it was hot! He was already carrying his jacket, but his shirt was still soaked, the turquoise material that Amanda had once teasingly told him matched his eyes, had turned a deep blue. What the hell was he thinking, getting out of a perfectly good cab in the middle of nowhere, to put himself through a punishing walk in the afternoon sun? It wouldn't have been an easy walk under normal circumstances, but when he was still coming off a concussion? He knew he was stubborn, but he wasn't usually stupid.
He sighed; it was time to start behaving like an adult. He reached for his cell and began to punch in the number, but was interrupted by the sound of a horn and a familiarly cheerful voice.
'Need a ride?' the voice shouted. Steve looked up. The man in the car looked cool and relaxed. His shades were hiding his eyes, but there was no mistaking the beaming smile, the spiky blonde hair or the open topped sports convertible. Jesse reached around in the back seat and held up a bag of ribs 'I've got your favourite!' he said enticingly 'I'm in charge of dinner tonight so I stopped off at Bob's'.
Steve felt weak with relief, but was desperate not to show it. Mustering some energy at last, he loped over to the car and tried to arrange his face into a neutral smile. Jesse popped the latch and Steve collapsed thankfully into the passenger seat beside him.
'Taking a walk, huh?' Jesse asked nonchalantly, as he eased his car back into the steady stream of traffic.
Steve nodded, avoiding Jesse's inquisitive gaze 'Figured I could use the exercise after spending all that time in bed.' Even to his own ears it sounded lame, but Jesse simply nodded.
'So how's the head?' he asked
Steve sighed, once a doctor always a doctor – he wouldn't get out of that one so easily. Looking at Jesse, he finally smiled sheepishly 'It feels like there's an axe in my skull' he admitted.
Immediately Jesse was all business 'There's pain killers in the glove box, but go steady okay'. He looked at Steve closely, reaching over in an attempt to examine him further 'You know you look a little dehydrated'.
Steve slapped his hand away 'Hey Jess, eyes on the road huh?' he said 'Don't make me book you for dangerous driving'.
Jesse grinned, glad to see a little of Steve's humour had returned, but he was worried. What exactly had Steve been doing out here? Getting a little exercise? It was possible, but not likely. Steve was inclined to view himself as indestructible, but surely even he wouldn't walk for miles in the LA heat, with no water and a concussion, through choice. And, 'little exercise' or not, the guy had been ready to drop. He was doing a good job covering, but Jesse knew exhaustion when he saw it. The final clincher was what Jesse had seen in his face, in those few moments before Steve had noticed him. He knew Steve and it was pretty obvious something was wrong. The guy was in a state about something; that was for sure.
Jesse glanced over at his companion, hoping to glean something more from his expression, but Steve's eyes were closed. From the sound of his breathing he was either asleep or pretending to be. Jesse sighed, but knew not to push. He'd been around Steve long enough to know when to keep his curiosity to himself. Steve had a short fuse, particularly when he was under the weather; pushing him to talk when he didn't want to would only lead to a loss of temper followed by stony silence.
Instinctively, Jesse knew that Steve knew that he was worried about him and that he'd be willing to help in any way he could. Their friendship had long ago evolved to the point where words were not always necessary. Jesse knew that if Steve needed to talk then he would, for now what he needed was a ride home and Jesse was happy to oblige. Helping himself to one of the ribs from the take out bag, he chewed thoughtfully and continued the drive in silence.
Steve, thankful for Jesse's silence, kept his eyes shut, breathing deeply. He knew he could talk to Jesse, that the young man would be only to eager to help in any way he could, but right now he didn't feel like talking. Besides where would he start? He didn't even know how to explain it to himself, never mind to anybody else. Right now all he wanted to do was sleep
***
Mark and Amanda had just finished laying the table outside on the veranda, when the glass doors opened and Jesse bounded through, weighed down with boxes of take-out. 'Dinner is served' he announced cheerily 'And look who I found ..' he paused before adding meaningfully '… out taking a walk'.
Steve came out more slowly, carrying the remainder of the boxes, which he deposited on the table.
'Steve, what …' Mark began, shocked at his son's dishevelled state. He cut off quickly on spotting Jesse, who now standing behind Steve, was shaking his head in warning.
'Why don't you go sit down inside for awhile' he said instead 'you look a little warm and it's still mighty hot out here'.
Steve sighed wearily 'I'm fine Dad, just over did it a little on the exercise is all'. But it was a token protest and they all knew it. Without further argument he walked back into the house and flopped down on the coach.
Still outside, the others exchanged glances.
'Jess?' Mark said questioningly.
The young man shrugged 'He's not talking' he said. 'I found him wandering along the freeway about a mile back. I don't know how far he'd walked, but by the time I got there he was ready to drop'.
'He was out walking in this heat with a concussion?' Mark said incredulously. He shook his head angrily 'He knows better than that'.
'Go easy on him Mark' Jesse said gently 'He's upset about something. I don't know what, but something's going on'.
Mark squeezed Jesse's arm on his way past 'Thanks Jess'.
***
As he entered the cool darkness of the living room, Mark looked worriedly at his son. Steve was slumped on the couch, eyes closed. Walking quietly to the kitchen, Mark filled a tumbler with cold water and brought it back with him. Sitting down next to Steve he patted him on the knee 'Drink this' he instructed 'It'll make you feel better'.
Steve opened his eyes 'Dad I already told you I'm fine' he said, but he took the water just the same.
They sat in silence for awhile and then Mark spoke 'So you wanna talk about it?'
Briefly Steve shut his eyes again 'No, I don't wanna talk about it'.
'Okay' Mark said 'Then we won't talk about it'.
There was silence again. Steve sipped his water, whilst Mark stared contemplatively into space. Eventually Steve spoke 'I really blew it' he said quietly.
Mark paused and then 'Are we talking about the case here or Tanis?' he said with a slight smile.
Steve looked at him incredulously – boy his father didn't miss a trick. And here he'd been thinking he'd kept his problem with Tanis hidden. He should have known he'd never conceal anything from his father. He sighed and then smiled ruefully 'Both' he said.
Mark smiled back 'So which do you wanna tell me about first?'
Steve groaned 'I feel like such an idiot' he said.
Gently Mark patted him on the shoulder 'Happens to us all son' he said
Steve grunted 'Well I seem to be making a career out of it'.
'Now that's not true' Mark said 'You know you've been under a lot of pressure lately and ..'
'And I've cracked' Steve finished miserably 'you might as well say it Dad, that's what everyone's thinking'. He sighed 'I've blown this case. Because of me there's still a killer on the loose and we're no closer to catching him than we were three weeks ago'.
'Oh I wouldn't say that' Mark replied. He had a twinkle in his eye, but Steve didn't see it.
'Oh yeah?' Steve said bitterly 'Dad, what exactly have I achieved in these last couple of weeks, besides arresting an innocent girl, getting a concussion and shooting my own partner?'
'First off' Mark said 'By arresting Vicky Harris, you not only eliminated a prime suspect, but found out some key information that's gonna help solve this case'. Steve opened his mouth to interrupt, but Mark held up a hand 'secondly' he continued purposefully 'although you got a concussion, it could have been a lot worse and thirdly, by shooting your partner, you saved her life'.
'But Dad' Steve pointed out 'If I hadn't gone charging off like that with no back-up then she wouldn't have been in danger in the first place'.
'But you don't know that' Mark said in surprise 'Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't gone to check it out'. He paused and looked at his son closely 'Steve' he said gently 'what's the real issue here?'
Steve took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Looking down at the now empty water glass in his hands he said 'I really like her Dad'.
'Oooh' Mark said meaningfully.
Still looking down Steve continued awkwardly 'At the hospital, right before you and Jesse came in, we .. er … ' he paused and looked up 'we almost kissed, okay'.
Mark raised his eyebrows, so he had been right; he and Jesse had interrupted something. He looked at his son slightly puzzled 'But almost kissing is good right?' he said.
Steve shook his head sadly 'She doesn't think so'.
'She said that?' Mark asked in surprise. He couldn't believe it; he'd been so sure there was a mutual attraction between the pair of them.
'She didn't have to' Steve replied gloomily 'You saw her Dad, she couldn't get out that hospital fast enough'.
'But Steve …' Mark said
'Look Dad, don't try and make me feel better' Steve continued bitterly 'I know she's not interested. You should have seen her today; she was acting as if nothing had happened, like it was just another day in the office. Meanwhile I'm all tied up in knots just because she's in the room'. He sighed 'I didn't mean to snap, but it just got me so angry'.
'What happened?' Mark asked
Steve shifted guiltily 'I told her I thought we should work on our own for a while. She didn't take it too well. In fact she got real upset'.
Mark smiled 'Steve, I'm not so sure you've got this right'.
Steve looked pained 'Dad, that's what happened' he protested 'I know I've had a bump on the head but my memory still works fine'.
Mark smiled again cryptically 'I'm sure that is what happened, but I also think you're wrong about Tanis. Son, I think she may be a little more interested than you think'.
Steve frowned 'Why would you think that?'
Mark winked and placed a hand on his son's arm 'Experience' he said with a grin 'Talk to her'.
Steve frowned 'I don't know Dad; I think I'm the last person she'd wanna talk to right now.'
Mark just chuckled 'Trust me' he said.
'Dinner's up!' Jesse shouted through from outside.
Mark stood up with a smile 'Whaddaya say; you feel up to some food?'
Finally Steve grinned 'Sure' he said with a spark of humour 'all that walking I kinda built up an appetite.
Mark put his arm around his son as they strolled companionably out to the veranada 'And after we eat you're gonna get some rest, you've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow'.
Steve looked puzzled 'Why what am I gonna do tomorrow?' he asked
Mark grinned 'Solve this case' he said
To be continued ……..