Steve slowly opened his eyes, and suddenly guarded them from the sudden bright light that shone in them. He looked around and saw that he was tied to a chair tightly, and that he was in any place other than the hospital. From what he could see, it was a cold and damp basement of somewhere, and he was right in the center of it. Beyond that, he couldn't see a single thing from being blinded by this light that was in front of him. He tried to move and shield them, but the light kept moving no matter which way he went. He then heard a laugh and heard footsteps approaching him, the combination not sounding all that friendly.

"Well, well, detective Sloan. Looks like you're in the spotlight, this evening."

Steve managed to focus his eyes and saw the one person that he never wanted to see- Mike Pearson. He sighed and glared at him, not amused by his so- called wit. "You know, I have to give you credit for something, Pearson."

"Oh? And what would that be lieutenant?"

"It was awfully smart of you to tie me up, because if I weren't then I wouldn't hesitate to kill you with my bare hands."

Mike laughed. "Oh sure, I'd love to see that. But need I remind you that you have your friends, which I believe would be Dr. Jesse Travis, and Dr. Amanda Bentley, and also... Hm, whom am I forgetting? Oh yes, why that would be your dear old dad, wouldn't it? So tell me, how has daddy been since he put me in jail? Living the last ten years in fear, I hope?"

"Sorry to disappoint you, Pearson, but he wouldn't waist his time worrying about you."

"Aw, what a pity! Well, I'm sure he's worrying about me now, eh?"

Steve ignored his remark and spoke up. "So tell me, Pearson, why didn't you just kidnap me after you ran me over? Why wait?"

"Oh my dear detective, you know nothing, do you? I couldn't take you right away. I had to leave a sign to your father that I was here and that I'm waiting for him."

"Well, aren't you thoughtful. So what happened with me, Jesse, and Amanda were all signs, were they?"

"I guess you could say that. Isn't my handiwork, well, you know, to DIE for?"

He then laughed once more as Steve clenched his fists in anger. "Yeah, well you've had your fun, so leave them and my father alone!"

"Oh, but detective, why the fun is just beginning!" **

Mark paced furiously around Amanda's lab while cops were swarming the place, trying to find any clues. What if Steve was killed? He wouldn't be able to live with himself. He had done nothing but showed anger when he last saw him, and though it wasn't specifically directed at him, he still had a cringe of guilt lingering inside of him.

Jesse noticed how quite Mark was, and made his way over to him, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Mark, don't worry, we'll find him."

Mark stared ahead in a trance, and slightly shook his head. "I don't know, Jess. This Pearson guy is dangerous. He's not like anyone I've ever met. He very well could have kill-"

"Mark, Steve is fine. We'll find him before that happens."

"But he's already tried to kill Steve once. What makes you think he won't do it again?"

"Because, he- uh, well he could've killed me and Amanda, but he didn't. So why would-"

"-He kill Steve?" Mark finished. "Because, you guys didn't even know this guy. His revenge is solely on me. And since Steve is my son, and the officer who arrested him, well, that gives him a win-win situation. And I know he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. We need to find him."

Jesse sighed and nodded in agreement, hoping that they could find Steve. "I know. He's my best friend and like a brother to me. I would be lost without him, too. But that's why we're not going to rest until he's home safe and sound."

Mark nodded, when suddenly his phone rang, to which he franticly picked up and answered without hesitation. "Mark Sloan!"

"Ah, Dr. Sloan. Glad to know you're reachable."

Mark's hands suddenly clenched together, in a fit of rage, as he tried desperately not to let Mike hear his scariness. "Where is he, Pearson? What did you do with my son?"

"Why, Mark, I'm shocked! Why would you think I took him? I mean-"

"Cut the bull, Mike! You and I both know you took him! Now where is he?!"

"Right here, safe and sound. Oh, lieutenant, why don't you say hi to daddy?"

Mark then felt a sense of relief when he heard his son's voice, although weak. "Dad? It's okay. I'm fine. Don't let him get to you! He's trying to trick you!"

"Aw, now how can your son be so cruel? I thought maybe you raised him better than that, doctor."

Mark ignored his comments, fully committed to getting his Steve back safe and sound. "Where are you, Mike? What do you want?"

"Ah, now we're talking. What I want is- you."

"What do you want with me?"

"Doctor, doctor. So many questions! But I think you know the answers. So there's no need to waist my time, now is there?"

Mark finally let out a breath he'd been holding, and closed his eyes. "If I come to you, you have to let my son go."

"Fair enough. Meet me at Thomas Park at eight. And alone! Oh, and I should probably tell you that if you're one minute late, then your son is dead. Ta, ta for now, doc."

Mark cringed as he heard a dial tone, and quietly closed his phone. Jesse noticed the scared, worried expression on Mark's face, and quietly walked over to him, hoping that it wasn't terrible news.

"Mark?"

Mark stared ahead in a trance, barely able to comprehend what was just told to him. "He wants me to meet him at Thomas Park at eight."

"So you can give him ransom money?"

"No. So I can give him..." Mark hesitated, barely able to get the words to form. "...Me."

Jesse shook his head. "No. Mark he'll kill you!"

"I have no choice, Jess. If I don't do this, then they're going to kill Steve. And he's already in not the greatest condition. From what I could hear, his breathing sounded very shallow."

"But Mark, that's all the more reason we should call the police and-"

"No. He said no cops."

"But Mark-"

"Jesse, my mind is made up. I'm going to get my son back- if it's the last thing I do." **

Steve glared at Mike, hoping that his father would think of something. But he knew him, and knew that he would do anything for him. He just hoped that it wouldn't cost him his father's life.

"Well, looks like daddy is coming for a visit," Mike said, suddenly.

"Leave him alone," Steve stated angrily.

"Sorry. No can do. Well, I'm going to go prepare for my little visit this evening. Be back in an hour or so. You know, it takes awhile for a killer to look his best."

He then laughed as Steve clenched his fists harder with anger. "You won't get away with this, Pearson! I'll make sure you don't go anywhere near my father!"

"Oh? And how are you going to accomplish that lieutenant? Because it looks to me like you're all tied up," he replied, hitting him across the face. "See? I could beat on you all I want and you can't even lift a finger. So tell me how exactly are you going to protect dear old dad when you can't even protect yourself?"

"I'll find a way, trust me," he replied, angrily.

"Right. Well, like I said, I have to go get ready, so if you'll excuse me, detective."

As he walked off, he passed by one of his accomplices and pulled him near. "After we kill the doc, we kill his son, too. Got it?"

The man nodded without a blink of the eye. "Yes, sir."

TBC..