Chapter 3.
Rachel sat with Jesse in the doctor's lounge having a break.
"He'll be back in a few days you know," He told her when she had fell silent for a few minutes.
"Who said I was thinking about Steve," She said a little indignantly. Jesse raised an eyebrow and gave a who do you think that your trying to kid look. Rachel soon looked a bit sheepishly at him. "Okay, okay," She laughed. Out side they could hear Mark's and Jack's voices discussing something excitedly, as they walked in.
"What's got you so worked up?" Jesse asked them. Mark turned to them a grin on his face that did fade slightly when he saw Rachel.
"Come on then don't keep us in suspense?" She told them. Mark sat down at the table and handed her a letter that he just received, reading aloud. "Dear Dr Sloan, you have been invited to a small conference at which Dr Richard Baker will present," Jesse gave a grin knowing how much Mark had wanted to meet the famous surgeon. "We apologise for the short notice and find in closed a ticket for your flight and details of reservations," Rachel looked at the ticket that had been with the letter. "Lord it is short notice,"
"When's it for?" Jesse asked.
"Tomorrow," She said. She knew that Mark was looking at her a mixture of emotions on his face. Looking at him she smiled. "You'll have a lot to do when you get in," Mark's face broke into a broad grin and he leaned forward and kissed her.
"Thanks," He said. Rachel smiled again.
"Yes we'll manage just fine," Jack laughed. Mark gave a look of consternation when he realised that he hadn't even thought of the hospital, only what Rachel's reaction would be to the news. "Don't worry Mark we'll keep an eye on things," Jack let his gaze rest briefly on Rachel. Mark got the message.
"Thank you Jack,"
"Go on you've got packing to do at home," Rachel told him. With a smile he stood and left the room.
When Rachel arrived home a few hours later as she entered the house she saw Mark's packed case near the door and she smiled.
"Mark!" She called.
"In the kitchen," The answer came, as she walked in "Coffee?" Mark asked.
"I'd love one;" She said with some relief and sat down at the counter.
"Rachel are you sure that you don't mind me going?" He asked her concern in his voice.
"Of course I don't," She told him straight. "If you don't go you'll only end up regretting it, " Mark gave a smile reassured by what she had said. The phone ringing interrupted them; Rachel leaned across to pick it up.
"Sloan residence, " She said. Then a smile appeared on her face, and Mark knew that it was Steve on the other end. "Good flight then?" Mark passed her a pen and paper so that she could write down the phone number, which she wrote down. "You ought to try medical conventions they have a habit of sending first class tickets;" She laughed as she handed the phone over to Mark. Mark proceeded to tell his son about the letter that had arrived that afternoon.
Steve on the other end of the phone tried to hide his concern while he talked to his father. He knew full well that Mark had wanted to meet the man concerned. His father handed the phone back to Rachel.
"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" He asked her softly.
" Steve I'll be fine," She told him. "So don't worry," Steve nearly told her that was easier said than done, the prickling sensation on the back of his neck grew worse, despite her reassurances Steve felt that something was very wrong.
The next day Rachel was again at the airport this time dropping Mark off.
"I'll ring you when I get there," Mark told her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek when his flight was announced.
"Have a good time," She told him and waved him good bye.
Now Mark thought as he settled down into his seat this is the way to travel. The airhostess came and offered him a drink, which he decided to accept for a change and settled down for an enjoyable flight.
He arrived at the hotel feeling refreshed; travelling first class did make a difference. He went up to reception and told them his name.
"Yes Dr Sloan we have a room booked for you," He signed the book and said to the young girl.
" Where about is the conference taking place?"
"Sorry sir!" She said puzzled. "What conference?" Mark showed her the letter he had received. "I'm sorry sir, you've been booked in with us," and Mark began to feel his heart sink. " But there's no conference here;" A sympathetic look came on her face, "do you want me to check with some other hotels to see if they have one?"
"Would you," Mark said gratefully.
"If you go up to your room and I'll let you know what I come up with," Mark went up to his room, trying to work out why somebody would go to all this trouble. It was fifteen minutes later that the receptionist got back to him.
"I'm sorry doctor Sloan," She said. "But I've checked all the major hotels but none of them have any conventions,"
"Thank you for trying for me," He hung up the phone and sat down with a thump on the bed. "Why?" He asked aloud. Why would someone go to all the trouble of getting me out here? A cold shuddered ran down his back, what if it wasn't me, what if all they had wanted was him out of the way? With a growing sense of panic he reached for the phone and tried to reach Rachel.
Rachel reached home she had to admit that it did seem a little odd to be alone, but she shrugged it of and made herself something to eat and then the phone rang with a smile she picked it up not sure which Sloan man it would be, It was Steve. They chatted for what must have been an hour or more.
"I'm going to have to go," Steve said sadly. "The captain has arranged a big meal,"
"Oh dear," She said with sympathy knowing how uncomfortable such occasions made him. "I love you," She told him.
"I love you to;" He told her and hung up the phone.
Rachel sat for a moment with a heavy heart, then she quickly berated herself and stood and went into the kitchen, and she felt a cool breeze and turn and noticed the door was open, she gave a frown and moved forward to close it. Just as she reached it a hand came and covered her mouth, she tried to struggle but the man managed to carry her backwards into the main room. Then another man appeared with a syringe in his hand. Taking hold of her struggling arm Rachel felt the stinging sensation as the needle entered her arm then with in seconds the world turned black.
