First Chapter = Disclaimers

Janet: In response to your question, yes Carol was rather quick at figuring out the connection. I had originally planned an additional scene which would have taken place before dinner. I forgot to put it in as I was writing at about 2 am. *frowns* I may go back and fix that when I have time.

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Carol took a deep breath as she disembarked from her plane. Deviousness was not usually a part of her character, but there was very little she could do about it. She had a friend that was in pain. She had a brother in even more pain. She had to do something about it.

Fortunately, Jesse Travis had more deviousness in his character. He also had experience in plotting. Unfortunately, he also had the unenviable task of working on Steve. As much as Carol loved her brother, she also knew how frustrating he could be at times. Mules had been known to point at Steve and call him stubborn.

Together Carol and Jesse had come up with a list of objectives. First and foremost was to get Ellen and Steve talking again. After that, they had the small matter of getting them back together and getting Ellen a respectable job in L.A.

This all had to be accomplished without the main parties suspecting the interference of their friends.

Carol shook her head. Maybe she should just run off and ignore her family again. It would probably be much less stressful.

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Jesse smiled as he approached Steve. The detective's eyes narrowed and he turned his mouth into a grim line.

"No. No more dates Jess. I told you that the last one was just that. The Last."

"Hey, relax. I've done some thinking, and I think you're right."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I've been pushing you way too hard. You need to do things at your own pace. I mean, you guys had something special going on. It takes time to recoup."

"Well, I'm glad to here it. Now do you think you could get Dad to see that?"

"Mark has been pushing you to date?"

"Ever since I turned thirty, but that isn't what I was talking about. He keeps trying to cheer me up. I think that that was why Carol was here. Apparently, Dad doesn't think she did too great of a job. He's back to asking if I need to talk every ten minutes."

"Steve, your dad is just worried about you. You know how he gets. But, I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks Jess. I'm glad I can count on someone. I have the feeling Dad's plotting behind my back. It'll be nice to have someone on my side for a change."

Jesse's grin faltered for a second before he walked away. He felt a touch guilty about plotting behind Steve's back and a touch more about Steve suspecting Mark of plotting. On the other hand, Steve would be spending his time watching Mark. Which was a good thing as far as Jesse's plan went.

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Mark hesitated for the fifth time as he reached for the phone. He hated sneaking around behind Steve' back but there were just some things that a father had to do for his kids. He needed to get Steve and Ellen talking again. The two of them had never been especially good at communicating their deeper emotions. So, Mark figured that it would have to be up to him to get them to at least talk once and a while.

The problem was, he just plain felt guilty about leading Ellen on like he was about to do.

His plan was simple. Call Ellen and ask her to do some occasional research on a doctor in her area that Mark had some suspicions about. She would have to make contact with Mark occasionally. That would mean that Steve would probably answer the phone. Ideally, they'd learn to be civil to each other by the end of about eight years or so.

Maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all.

Mark put down the receiver again.

Still…

With a vengeance, Mark grabbed the phone and started dialing before his brain caught up with him again.

"Hello?" Ellen's voice came over the line.

"Hi, Ellen, this is Mark Sloan from Community General."

"I know where you work, Mark. You're sort of hard to forget."

Mark laughed, "Ah, yes. I suppose I'm a touch nervous about this."

Ellen cleared her throat and chose to avoid the implications of his nervousness, "So, what can I do for you?"

"Actually, I was hoping to ask a favor of you. Community General is considering adding a new heart surgeon to our staff. One of the applicants is a Doctor Alvin Tremble that works at a hospital near you. His credentials are the best, but I had a feeling about his attitude when we interviewed him. He didn't seem to be very forthcoming. Could you check him out a bit for me?"

"Of course! I mean, sure I will when I have time away from my job," Ellen cringed at the excited tone in her voice."

"Well, that is just great. Thank you so much for your help. I'll buy you dinner the next time I see you."

"I'm sure you will. I'll give you a call when I get some information."

"Bye, Ellen."

"Goodbye, Mark."

Mark smiled as he hung up the phone. That was not so hard after all.

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Ellen looked in her mirror in disgust. Ever since Mark had called, she had been wearing a stupid smile. It was silly and something an adolescent girl would do. An adult did not get excited about calling someone's house just because she was hoping for her ex-boyfriend to answer.

 Glaring at her reflection, she stuck out her tongue. The instant she released the expression, her face returned to its happy glow. With a sigh, she headed out the door. She did not want to be late for her lunch with Carol. Hopefully, her friend would be too busy telling stories about her family to notice the dopey expression.

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Carol eyed her friend warily as she approached. Ellen was beaming. She looked like someone who had just been out on a highly successful date. Carol swallowed her drink. What if Ellen had found another guy while she had been visiting her father?

Ellen plopped down in the seat next to her friend, "So, how was the trip?"

"Good. Why do I have the feeling that I should be asking you what you did while I was gone?"

"What do you mean? I just did my normal job. Whined about my unfair boss, the usual."

"And?"

"And what?" Ellen replied innocently.

"You look like a light bulb."

"Oh," Ellen stalled not wanting to admit her stupidity, "well, I got a phone call from a guy I know."

"A guy?" Carol absently echoed as she watched her brother's love life go up in flames.

"Yeah, I knew him when I was in L.A. He asked me to do some research for him."

"Really?"

"Don't give me that look, Carol. He's old enough to be my father. Or should I say, my father-in-law."

"Mr. Wonderful's father?" Carol fought the incredulity from crossing her face.

"Yes, he wants me to do a little reporting for him. Look, I know it's stupid, but is it such a bad thing to want to here his voice?"

"Mr. Wonderful's voice or his father's?"

"Carol!"

"It isn't a bad thing. In fact, I think it is a good thing. Maybe you'll get back together."

"I doubt it. He'll probably be angry with me."

"I'm sure he'll get over it."

Ellen sighed, "Well, enough about me. How was your trip?"