Chapter Thirteen.

Mark stood on the deck watching the stars twinkle in the night sky and sighed. The day had been long with twists and turn that he had not expected. Thankfully Rachel was safe now. Looking back into the main room he could see her sitting with Steve, his arm around her. He was thankful that he had another chance both with her and his son, he shuddered at how close he had come to loosing them both. His thoughts wandered to Brain Walton, he didn't really know him that well. But what he did remember didn't reassure him that much, he had seen his face several times when he and Steve had been present, there had been hatred in face that much he was sure of. But would the man act on it now.

"You okay Mark?" Jesse asked from behind him. Mark looked at the young doctor and gave a small smile.

"Yes Jes," He said to him turning his back to the beach and going inside with Jesse.

"Do really think that he will try anything?" Jesse asked concerned. He knew that a black and white was outside the house, but he also knew that the house had lots of ways in to it, which in the dark were hidden.

"I really don't know," Mark said. "All we can do is hope that he more interested in getting away than anything else," Jesse nodded.

Steve woke with a start, looking across at Rachel he saw that she was still asleep. Moving carefully as to avoid waking her he got out of bed and made his way upstairs. Thinking that a warm drink might help him sleep. He was about to walk across the room when he felt the cold barrel of a gun being placed at the back of his neck.

"Evening Sloan," A voice hissed. Steve gritted his teeth.

"Walton!" He hissed.

"Just had to interfere didn't you?" He said. "Just couldn't leave well alone,"

Steve heard a door open and knew that someone else was a wake. Turning his head he saw Jesse making his way out of the spare bedroom.

"Jesse!" He cried out in warning. The younger mans head came up sharply and saw the situation. Walton turns the gun and fired at him, Steve saw the younger man fall. Before he could make a move Walton had the gun back at his head. "Bastard!" Steve spat at him. Steve knew that the sound of the shot would have woken up the whole house and wasn't surprised when both his father and Jack appeared. Mark's face paled when he saw what had happened, and tried to make his way to where Jesse lay on the floor.

"Stay where you are doc," Walton told him. Mark looked at him and saw the gun pointed directly at his son's head. He heard Jack swear behind him. "Both of you over this way," He motioned towards the main part of the room.

"You'll not get away with this," Mark told him. Walton gave a laugh.

"Who says I intend to," He hissed. "But if I'm going down I'll take you with me,"

Rachel sat up. Something had woken her. Looking around she saw that Steve was not in bed with her. A sudden fear gripped at her, she swung her legs round and stood up pulling a robe tightly around her. She looked across at the bedside table and saw Steve's gun still there. She bit at her lip anxiously but slowly her hand closed over it; she released the safety catch and moved slowly out of the bedroom. She heard the sound of voices coming from upstairs. She inched her way forward and carefully up the stairs. She was near the top when she saw the scene unfold in front of her. To her horror she saw Jesse on the floor not moving, and then she saw who she assumed was Walton in front of her with a gun at Steve's neck. A knot in her stomach tightened. She moved up another stair that unfortunately creaked slightly under her weight, Walton turned his head and saw her. She knew that there was only one thing she could do, taking as careful aim that she could in the circumstances she pulled the trigger.

Jack had seen that something had made Walton start to turn and quickly shot forward, but Walton fell with a groan to the floor clutching at his shoulder, his gun fell to the floor. Steve acted quickly and kicked the gun away from his hand. There was also a banging on the front door, as the officers out side responded to the two shots. Mark once the danger had passed moved quickly to Jesse's side.

"Go and let them in Jack," He nodded and went past where Mark was on the floor opened the door and came back to Mark's side. The officers came in at a run and took control of Walton. Steve turned to his father and asked with concern.

"How is he?" Mark looked up at his son and gave a small smile.

"He'll be fine as soon as we can get him to hospital," He reassured his son. "I think it's missed anything major," Mark looked past Him and to the top of the stairs, concern suddenly clouded his face. Steve followed his fathers gaze and swore. Rachel still stood with the gun in much the same position, as it had been when she fired it, her face pale and hands shaking. Steve quickly crossed the room and gently took the gun from her grasp. He then wrapped his arms around her and slowly guided her to the couch there he cradled her close to him and gently rocked her and soothed her hair down; she started to cry and Steve's grip on her tightened.

Mark was seeing to Jesse's wounds when the ambulance arrived. He gave the paramedics instructions.

"Jack go with them," He said looking across at where Steve sat with Rachel. "We'll follow;" Jack nodded and followed the stretcher out. Mark walked over to his son and knelt down in front of Rachel and took hold of her hands.

"Honey," He said gently. He knew what was bothering her, it was her job to save lives not cause death or injure others. But he also knew that she didn't have much choice, if Walton had gotten a clear shot at her he wouldn't have thought twice the same as he hadn't with Jesse. "You did what you had to;" She looked at him tears still making tracks down her face.

"But I," She said tearfully.

"I know," He said. He was grateful that the shot had only injured the man. "I'm sure he will okay enough to stand trail for what he did," Her eyes widened and the tears stopped suddenly.

"Jesse?" She asked her voice suddenly concerned. Mark gave a smile.

"He'll be fine," He reassured her. "Jack went in the ambulance with him;" He smiled at her again. "Acting like you did saved his life,"

"Come on," Steve said gently. "We'll get dressed and get to the hospital;" She nodded and stood up. Mark slapped his hand to his head.

"I sent Jack off without his normal clothes," He said suddenly. Steve laughed softly.

"Don't worry dad we'll think about taking them to him," He said it with a grin. Mark to smiled.