"Would you quit treating me like I'm totally useless or something?"

"Well you practically are! You can barely move!"

"Yeah, but I don't need you to spoon feed me and-"

Mark grinned as he heard his son and Jesse fighting. He had to admit that it was a wave of relief- for it was better hearing Steve fighting with someone rather than the alternative. He shuddered and pushed that thought away. Steve was okay now. He didn't need to worry quite as much as before. Although he still wouldn't quit worrying until Mike was in jail for sure.

Mark sighed and made his way into Steve's room, towards the sound of Steve and Jesse fighting with each other. "Now boys, what seems to be the problem here?"

Steve sat up in bed as much as he could and pointed at Jesse. "He's driving me nuts, dad, that's what the problem is! He acts like I'm totally useless or something!"

Jesse shook his head and darted in front of Steve. "Hey, I'm just trying to help! He can barely move!"

Steve reached out and pushed Jesse aside. "Yeah, we HE can talk for himself! And I'm just sore, that's all. And if I want anybody spoon feeding me my jello, it's going to be a nurse!"

"Why? You can have sex for at least-"

Mark held up his hand. "Whoa, whoa! Now that's enough you two. Now what has gotten in to both of you?"

Steve sighed. "I don't know. I guess we're both just upset about what happened to both of us."

Jesse nodded. "Sally..."

"Would you cut out this Sally business already, Jess?!"

"Oh, you know what-"

"Boys!! Enough!!" Mark interrupted. "Now I know what you mean. I'm scared, too. But right now we can't be biting each other's heads off. We have to stay calm in order to catch this guy."

"Yeah, well as soon as I feel well enough I'm going to track this guy down no matter what," Steve stated.

Mark shook his head. "Sorry, son. But it'll be at least another couple of weeks before you're out of here. Then you need to spend a couple weeks recovering."

"Dad! You know how I hate-"

"To rest, I know. But you are going to whether you like it or not, young man, and that's final."

"See, I told ya," Jesse agreed.

Steve shot a glare his way. "Yeah, well I don't listen to people who are annoying the hell out of me."

"Yeah? Well me neither!!"

"Well, good!"

"Fine!"

Mark sighed. "Boys, if you can't get along, then I'm going to have to work on this case alone."

"Sorry, dad."

"Yeah, sorry, Mark."

"Sorry about what?" Amanda said, entering the room.

"Uh, nothing," Mark replied. "Any news?"

Amanda hesitated. "No. Nothing yet."

"Oh. Well I guess we'll have to find some then."

Steve sighed and looked up at his father. He wished that none of this was happening- for he hated to see his father scared all the time. Of course he tried to hide it, but no matter how hard he tried, Steve could always read through the lines. And like any son he knew his father, but with a stronger relationship like theirs he could look beyond the act his father was putting on. He knew that he was scared, on edge, and furious- a combination that could not be healthy on his father. In the past years he knew that he's probably felt like that before, and how he could overcome it and still be so healthy, he'll never understand. He didn't want him to feel that way for long though, and he knew that the sooner he got out of there the better.

"Dad, look, we have people already investigating. I don't want you to-"

Mark interrupted with a look of vengeance in his eyes. "Steve, I'm a consultant for the police department. Not to mention that this guy hurt you, and could have hurt Jesse. I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing."

Steve sighed. "And I'm not asking you to. I'm just saying to not get in over you head with this."

"I know, son. I won't. But right now you need to get some rest and quit worrying about me."

"Well maybe I will when I have some piece and quite!" he responded, giving a look Jesse's way.

"Fine. But I suggest you try dreaming about the beach and work, because you won't be doing it for awhile!"

"Yeah, well-"

Mark carefully guided Amanda out of the room and they began to slowly walk down the hall side by side. "Mark, what's wrong with those two?" she asked.

Mark shook his head. "Who knows, Amanda. I guess everyone is a little on edge nowadays. I just hope it doesn't last long." **

Mark rubbed his eyes as he sat in his office, going over everything he knew and could find on Mike Pearson. Mike Pearson. He was getting sick of that name. However he managed to put that aside and focus on what was important. Mark knew that Mike would know that what happened with Steve and Jesse was a sign from him. Even though they both were completely different people, their minds acted the same in one way- they were both smart. They both tended to look outside the lines, and see the small things that could give big results. But with two minds alike in that way, Mark for the first time had hope that he would be able to get the big results he needed in order to catch this guy.

Mark took a sip of coffee and got back to thinking, when he suddenly heard a scream. He darted outside and looked to see where it was coming from, then froze with tenseness. For the shrieking sound he heard was from none other than Amanda's lab.

TBC...