Amanda's heart began racing wondering as to how he could not be here... She checked on him every minute it seemed like, and the one time she decided to take a break he was gone. God, what if something had happened to him? She knew Mark, but wondered if he would somehow blame her. She certainly blamed herself. She knew that Mark wasn't that type of person, but he wasn't like himself whenever he got caught up in something bad.

Mark's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and she cringed as he started sounding like anyone but Mark Sloan, a man whom she respected for countless years. It was almost if someone had switched personalities with him.

"Amanda!! Where is he?! I thought you were supposed to be keeping an eye on him till I got back? Dear god, can't I trust you with anything?"

Amanda felt like a car had hit her. In all the years she had known and loved Mark, he had never said anything to her as cruel as that. "Uh, Mark... I..."

Chief Masters noticed how shaky Amanda was, knowing that she must have felt hurt and confused at Mark's sudden outburst, and spoke up. "Mark, calm down, I'm sure he's here somewhere."

"Yup, right here!" Jesse's voice said coming in.

Mark turned around and a flood of relief and happiness took over him as he saw his once lifeless son smiling up at him from a gurney. "Hi, dad. Sorry, didn't mean to worry you."

Mark felt like about twenty pounds of weight was lifted off his chest and calmly walked over to his son, feeling nothing but relieved. "My god, I thought you were... I mean, uh... How... When...?"

Jesse smiled, having the answers already. "Well, about forty-five minutes ago, I came into his room and found him awake. So we took him for some tests, and he seems to be doing allright. He's still in no shape to take a ten mile run or anything, but within a few weeks to a month, he should be completely healed."

Mark breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Thank god. Well I'm glad that you're going to be allright and I'm glad that you weren't... Uh..."

Jesse grinned. "Kidnapped?"

Mark nodded. "Defiantly."

"Uh, well, glad to see you'll be doing allright, Lieutenant," Chief Masters stated.

"Thank you, Chief. So uh, what are those two here for?" Steve asked, referring to the two uniforms standing beside him.

"Oh, uh, security," Chief Masters replied.

"Security? For what, exactly?"

"Well you know, for..."

Steve shook his head. "Oh, no. Dad, I don't need protection. Not from Mike Pearson, not from anybody."

"Maybe not, but if this guy tries to do something to you, you're still far too weak to fight them off."

"Dad-"

"Sorry Steve, but as your doctor, I tend to agree with Mark," Jesse interrupted.

"Me, too," the Chief agreed.

"Me three," Amanda replied.

Mark smiled. "Four against one, my friend. Sorry, but they stay."

Steve groaned. "Fine."

"Good," Jesse said. "Now everyone get out of here so my patient get some rest."

Everyone did as was told, all thankful that Steve was okay. Mark took a deep breath. Even though it had been a misunderstanding, Mark still felt a little rattled. He had to do something about Mike; it was the only way that Mark could be relaxed and live his normal life once again.

Suddenly Amanda rushed past him, making Mark cringe with guilt. How could he have been so cruel to one of his closest friends? And someone who was almost like a second daughter to him. Not only was Mike making Mark worried with him hurting Steve, but he was also making him crazy- crazy enough that he would say such hurtful things to someone he would never even think of saying a harsh word to before. All he knew was that he had to fix it before it was too late.

"Amanda, wait!" Mark yelled trying to catch up with him.

But Amanda just kept walking forward. "Sorry, Dr. Sloan, but I'm busy."

Mark felt like he had been stung. He had never seen Amanda this upset before. "Amanda, please, I need to apologize to you."

Amanda sighed and turned around. "Look, Mark, I know that with what's happened here you've been a bit rattled for the past few days, but that gives you no right to yell at me like you did. Now Mark, I know that that wasn't you and that's what frightens me. This Mike guy has not only hurt you by hurting Steve, but now he's made you so crazy that you're not acting like yourself. In fact I think it's safe to say that you're about almost a shade away from totally losing it! Now if you want to get this guy, then you must calm down and try and stay clearheaded. Because he's trying to make you go crazy and he's doing a great job of it so far."

Mark sighed. "I know, Amanda, I know. And I can't believe what I said to you. I don't think I have the words to say how truly sorry I am. But I just want you to know that I love you and would never want to hurt you."

Amanda smiled. "Now there's my Mark. And it's okay. You're forgiven," she said, giving him a hug.

"Thank you, honey. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a few things to discuss with the Chief."

"Actually, if you would mind, doctor, I have a few things to tell you now," Chief Masters said, coming up behind them.

Mark suddenly frowned. "I don't like that look on your face, chief. What's wrong?"

Chief Masters hesitated, followed by a deep breath. "There's been another accident."

TBC...