Not A Day Goes By
By Stephanie Lynn
Challenge 192)What if Mark has amnesia and disappears for twenty some years then wakes up one morning and returns with his memory only to find things have really changed. Up to the writer to decide how Mark gets amnesia and why he leaves, also how the lives of Jesse, Amanda and Steve have changed. - Vikki Lynn
Summary-Mark is headed to a conference in Seattle Washington when there's a bad accident and he gets injured. He's rushed to the nearest hospital, but his ID wasn't found, and he doesn't know who he is. Steve finds out that his father never made it to the conference three days later when he never gets a phone call from his father. He begins to search for his father, but by this time his father is in the ICU, with no clue who he is, and no one can tell Steve anything. Steve continues to work and try to find his father in his free time for nearly a month, Amanda and Jesse, although not wanting to admit it, believe he's probably dead by now. Amanda calls Jack to let him know. This is a story of the next twenty years. It mainly revolves around Steve, Jesse, Jack and Amanda; how they grow and develop. I tried to keep everything as factual as possible so work with me here if I'm off only a little.
Disclaimer-I don't own Steven Sloan, Mark Sloan, Jesse Travis, Jack Stewart, Cheryl Banks, Captain Newman or Alex Smith. I do not own any of the characters you know and love, if I did I would be famous, but I'm not and I don't. However I do own all the characters that you don't recognize and know well. They are mine, such as Mandy Stewart, Allie O'Connell, Jenny McDowell ect. Any songs in here, most likely I do not own. The ideas are mine and the challenge is mine. Yes I know it says Vikki Lynn, that was my pen name back then.
Author's Note-This story begins in 1992, CJ has just turned five, Dion is eight. Steve is about forty, Amanda and Jack are about thirty-eight and Jesse is about twenty-six. Mark is about sixty-five or sixty-six. I hope those all work out, I tried to keep it within a certain age level by 2012, which is when the story ended, so it didn't seem to strange. I know in 1992 that Jack was still there and such, but please work with me and we'll speed things up here a little bit.
Rated- This story is rated PG-13 at the current moment, for extreme violence, language, and some non-graphic sex.
Chapter One-Unsaid Goodbyes
November 21st, 1992
Steve sighed and loaded the back of the car up for his father. Steve's left arm still in a sling from the bullet wound he had received a week ago. Just as he was closing the trunk his father came out of the house. Steve smiled at the older man, Steve's father, Mark Sloan, was Head of Internal Medicine at Community General Hospital and a consultant for the Police Department. At sixty-six the man barely showed his age, he was a very active man.
"All right, you've got my cell phone number, do I have everything, I feel like I'm forgetting something," Mark said looking around as he patted his breast and pant pockets. Steve chuckled lightly.
"Dad, the only thing your forgetting is that you have a schedule to keep. Give me a phone call when you get there and take care of yourself okay," Steve said smiling lightly. Mark was going away to a Medical Conference in Seattle, Washington. Although he generally disliked these things, he had to go because he was in charge of the hospital.
Mark smiled and looked over at his son, "all right, I guess I'll see you in a week." Mark said calmly. Steve nodded and watched his father get into the car.
"Bye Son," Mark said waving out the window. Steve nodded and waved back, something nagging him at the back of his mind, whatever it was he quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to worry his father. Mark never liked leaving Steve alone, since he was a child, and especially when Steve had recently been injured.
"Bye dad," Steve said and watched the car drive away. He sighed and turned to head back into the house, something still was nagging him in the back of his mind, as though his mind were telling him to tell Mark something, because he wouldn't see him in a week.
Steve walked into the hospital a day later, smiling widely, he had received a call from his father, that he had arrived at a hotel for the night, and would reach Seattle in a day. Today Steve was supposed to be checked so he could get back to duty, and he was eager. Steve was a Lieutenant Detective of Homicide for the LAPD. He was good at his job, and rarely didn't crack a case. With the help of his father, and their two friends Amanda Bentley and Jesse Travis a case rarely crossed their paths that didn't get solved in the end, by some clever thought from Mark.
Amanda Bentley and Jesse Travis were both doctors at Community General as well. Amanda was a forensic pathologist for the police department as well as the hospital. Jesse was an ER doctor and you would think he was a cop to as often as he was around the department helping Steve and Mark out.
Steve found Jesse standing by a nurses station writing in a chart, and smiled at him. Jesse was a handsome young man, in his late twenties. He had sandy blond hair and blue green eyes. He was short, about 5'6, and skinny, trim but skinny. Jesse looked up from the file and smiled at his friend. Steve and Jesse were more like brothers than friends any more.
"Hey, coming to get your arm checked out?" Jesse asked smiling.
"Yeah, so can we make this quick, I told the Captain I would be in by noon if you gave me the go," Steve said. Jesse looked at him and shook his head.
"Knowing you, you would be in by noon whether I gave you go ahead or not."
"Well, you're probably right, however, since dad told Captain Newman to not let me back unless told by you, I won't be going back until you tell him I'm good to go. So can we get on with this?" Steve asked. Jesse nodded and led his friend towards a free exam room
"All right, have a seat," Jesse said.
"Jesse, have you ever had one of those feelings where you think something is wrong, but you don't know what?" Steve asked looking at his best friend. Jesse was checking the shoulder over, as well as the wound and looked at Steve for a second.
"Yeah, sure, hasn't everyone," Jesse said. Steve nodded.
"You all right?" Jesse asked looking at him.
"I don't know, I just have one of those feelings," Jesse nodded and began to move Steve's arm.
"Does this hurt?" He asked.
"No."
"A bad feeling about what?" Jesse asked.
"I don't know, I just have one," Jesse looked at him and wrote some things down in his chart.
"About work?" Jesse asked setting the chart down beside Steve on the exam table.
"No, I don't think so."
"Hmm, well you look good to go, you're wound healed up fine, ice it if it starts hurting, you know the routine."
"Yeah, I will, thanks Jess."
"Hey Steve, you sure you're okay?" Steve looked down for a second then nodded.
"Yeah, hey I'll see you and Amanda at Bob's for dinner tonight," he said.
"You buying?" Jesse asked.
"Sure, if you buy tomorrow," Jesse smiled.
"Sure, I'll see you later Steve," Steve nodded and walked out of the exam room. Jesse watched him go and sighed.
Ambulances rushed in as the doctors whizzed by, grabbing patients, one doctor with black hair and gray eyes gripped the gurney, where a older man in his sixties with gray hair and a gray mustache lay unconscious. The man had a white bandage around his head, a spot of blood showing through.
"What have we got?" The black haired doctor said.
"John Doe, bad head wound, possible pneumothorax," a nurse with graying brown hair and gray eyes said as she continued to bag the man.
"No ID?" The doctor asked.
"No doctor," the nurse responded.
"All right, let's get to work.
Steve sat in the chair next to Amanda as they ate dinner that night at Bar-B-Q Bobs, the diner Jesse and Steve owned. Amanda noticed first that Steve was just poking at his food more than eating it.
"Steve, are you all right?" She asked.
"Huh, oh yeah, I'm fine," he lied. Amanda looked at him and sighed.
"He could just be a little late you know," Amanda said.
"What," Steve said, then he realized she was talking about his father.
"Or he's busy Steve, I'm sure it's nothing serious, or else he would have called you by now," Jesse suggested.
"Unless he couldn't," Steve said lowly.
"Steve, he'll probably call you tomorrow morning, he was probably tired and need some rest," explained Amanda.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Steve admitted.
"Now, can we have a nice dinner, or are you going to worry your head off, eat," Jesse said, "you'll make this place look like we have bad food," he smiled. Steve snickered lightly.
"Sorry guys," he said.
"Don't be sorry Steve, we know you love your dad," Amanda said softly.
Nurse Margaret Donavan had been John Doe's nurse since he came in the day before, and was surprised to find him awake early the next morning when she came in to check over his vitals.
"Well, good morning," she said sweetly. She had been a nurse for forty years here, and had a bedside manner better than some doctors.
"Good morning, um, I don't want to sound rude, but where am I?" He asked.
"Salem, Oregon. You're in a hospital, do you remember what happened?"
"No, what happened?" He asked.
"There was a large car accident; you had a head injury and a collapsed lung. We couldn't find any identification on you; can you tell me your name?" She asked.
"Mark…" he stopped, he didn't remember his name.
"Mark, do you know what year it is?" She asked.
"No, I don't remember," he said quietly. The nurse nodded.
"Okay, I'm going to go get the doctor, my name is Nurse Maggie, just call me Maggie if you need anything," Mark nodded and watched her leave. He sat back and tried to remember something.
A few minutes later a younger doctor came in, he had a chart in his hands.
"I'm Doctor Thomas Cane, I was the one who took care of you in the ER, Maggie says you can't remember anything?" He said.
"Yes, that's correct."
"All right, well let's see, Maggie can you order a CT, MRI and head X-ray. Mark, I'm going to take some pictures of your brain. I have the feeling the reason for the amnesia is because you have swelling in the brain."
"Will I remember everything as soon as the swelling goes down?" Mark asked.
"I don't know, we'll have to wait and see. Some people recover and remember everything, others don't. It depends on the person too."
"All right," Mark said gently.
Steve sighed as he prowled the hospital's doctor lounge, Amanda and Jesse watched him nervously, he hadn't heard from his father in three days. Even they had to agree that this was very unlike Mark.
"Steve, just calm down, there has to be a logical reason he wouldn't call you," Amanda explained.
"Yeah, like something happened to him," Steve said.
"Steve, we don't know that, so why don't you just calm down and have a seat," Jesse said.
"No, I'm going to Seattle, to find my father," Steve said.
"Not without us you aren't," Amanda said. She was worried too.
"I can't go, I already wasted my vacation days," Jesse said.
"We'll call you as soon as we know anything Jess," Steve said calmly.
"All right, just be careful, I don't want to lose all of you," Jesse said. He and Amanda both saw Steve wince slightly, Amanda touched his arm.
"Don't worry Steve, we'll find him, and he'll be fine," she said, unsure if she was trying to convince him or herself.
The car drive had been silent for the past four hours, Amanda looked at Steve, he was edgy, nervous and hurting inside. She wondered what was going through his mind. As a mother, all she could think of sometimes was what would happen if her children were ever in trouble. Steve had to be imagining all types of horrible circumstances.
"Steve, are you all right?" Amanda asked quietly. He sighed and looked over at her slightly, his face down trodden.
"No, not really. I don't know what to think, it's not like dad to forget something like calling. I'm worried about him," Steve explained.
"Steve, try not to worry too much, I'm sure he's fine," Amanda said.
"Yeah, I guess, but I feel better as soon as I know for myself," he said calmly.
"Won't we all," Amanda agreed. Steve sighed, as he felt his head continue to pulse, he looked over at Amanda and smiled.
"Want some lunch?" He asked gently.
"I would love some," she replied. A few minutes later they were sitting at a table talking.
"I've been so worried about my father, I completely forgot that yesterday was Thanksgiving, course if I don't find him, there won't be much to be thankful for, will I?" Steve said. He felt Amanda place a hand on his, looking up he cocked a smile gently.
"Thanks Amanda," he whispered.
"Steve, I know you're worried, but I want you to know that no matter what we fine, we're here to help you."
"I know you are, and I'm glad dad has such good friends, and that I have such good friends," he said.
"Come on Steve, we should get back out on the road," She said.
"Where are we anyway?" Steve asked.
"Salem, Oregon," Amanda answered as the two got into the car.
"Amanda, could you call Jack when we get home, I'd like him to be here if we don't find dad. Even if we do, I'd like him here."
"Of course Steve," she said smiling. She found herself smiling inwardly. She had always liked Jack, and would be thrilled to see him again. Now one had heard from him in five years.
"Out with it Amanda," Steve said gently.
"What?" She said. Steve smiled.
"You're smiling, now I know when my name is said you don't smile like that. In fact you rarely smile like that when Colin's name is said, so why don't you tell me you're thinking?"
"Nothing…" he looked at her again.
"You like Jack don't you?" He said smiling. A grin split across her face.
"I thought he drove you nuts," Steve said chuckling.
"He did, at first, but eventually, he grew on me," she said smiling.
"You sound like a school girl. Are you in love with him?"
"I don't know, I mean, at first it was like he was my over protective brother, but after being around you for years and Jesse. All I know is the feelings I have when I was with Jack, and the feelings I have around you and Jesse, are two totally different things."
"He's a good catch Amanda. You and Jesse have become my younger siblings the past years, and I can tell you now, if Carol were dating a guy like Jack, I wouldn't have much of a problem," Steve said smiling.
"He doesn't know," Steve chuckled.
"Are you kidding me! You mean you don't know?" Amanda looked at Steve.
"Know what?"
"Jack loved you from the second he laid eyes on you. I mean, sure he had other girlfriends, but we used to sit and talk about you all the time. He had it for you bad Amanda," Steve replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked slightly hurt.
"We didn't know how you felt about him, and he didn't want to make you annoyed."
"Well Mark, we got the images back," Dr. Cane said, Maggie lagging behind him. Mark looked at them both.
"Well, how bad is it?" He asked.
"There isn't much swelling, but there is some scar tissue, which seems to causing the amnesia," Dr. Cane explained.
"So how long until I remember something," Mark asked.
"Hopefully not too long, but the brain is a complicated tool. For now we can give you a last name and help you try and start some type of life so that you don't spend every minute of this time sitting here." Mark nodded calmly.
"So basically I spend my life trying to act normal, not knowing if I'm married, have children, divorced, have friends, parents, or anything?" He said.
"Look Mark, I'm really sorry. I wish I could do something more, but the truth is amnesia is a problem that can only fix itself. You can't rush this kind of thing, believe me I wish I could."
"So what's my new name going to be?" He asked.
"That's why Maggie is here, she'll help you with that, get to know her, I think you'll like her a lot. Maggie I'll be back in a few hours," Dr. Cane said and left the room.
"Well, let's think of some names, there must be one that fits you." He nodded and sighed.
Steve hurried over to the counter in the hotel and looked at the man, pulling out a picture he showed it to the man.
"Have you seen this man, he's my father, his name is Marcus Sloan," Steve said.
"No sir, I haven't seen a man like that," Steve sighed and turned around. He and Amanda had been checking places all day. They had even stopped by several hospitals and asked around. No one knew anything, Steve slowly walked out of the hotel and sat on a near by bench, they had been looking for two days, and he was starting to lose hope.
"Steve, are you all right?" Amanda asked, coming up to him.
"No, my father could be anywhere, and for some reason he can't contact me," Steve explained quietly.
"Steve, you just have to wait and see, we don't know anything right now. You can't start thinking anything." Steve shook his head.
"No Amanda, I've worked on cases were people have been missing for years, and eventually no one cares anymore."
"Steve, that's not going to happen, he's your father. I know you won't let it happen."
"I want to stop at every police station on the way back to LA," he said.
"Steve, no. We're not going to do that, I know your worried, but that would be pointless and take time. I love you, but you need to get it together. Let's go home, make some calls and see if we can't find out anything else."
"I can't just sit around and do nothing Amanda!" Steve yelled.
"No, but you can't go around harassing every police station from here to Los Angeles. You're a cop Steve, a good one; I won't let you do that. Now let's go home, I'm driving." She said.
"All right," Steve said defeated. Amanda sighed as they slowly got into the car; she looked at Steve and shook her head.
Jesse looked up as the door to the doctor's lounge opened up, Steve and Amanda walking through, both looking depressed, and Jesse knew why. They hadn't found anything.
"Don't worry Steve, we'll keep looking," Jesse said calmly, wishing he could do something for his friend.
"I have a phone call to make, I'll be back in a little while," Amanda said calmly, she touched Steve's arm and looked into his crystal blue eyes.
"We'll find him," she said, then left. He shook his head.
"I'm going to work," Steve said, leaving Jesse alone in the doctor's lounge.
The ringing of his phone awoke Jack Stewart late afternoon of November 29th. He waited to see if the sound would continue, finally reaching over he picked the phone up off its cradle.
"What?" He said, his Brooklyn accent all to clear.
"Jack, its Amanda Bentley," at this name and voice Jack sat up in his bed, clad only in a pair of boxers and an undershirt.
"Amanda?" He asked, unsure why she would be calling him. They hadn't spoken in five years. He rubbed his face roughly; he had worked a night shift last night, and got home only about two hours ago, getting sleep was a major thought on his mind. He ran a hand through his dark hair and listened for a moment, he could hear his TV on in the living room, then he turned his mind back to the phone.
"Jack, I need… we need you here. Mark has disappeared, and Steve isn't coping well. I don't think he's dead, but truth is Steve could use all the friends he has right now," Jack nodded. Truth was he had been thinking about returning to LA for a long time now, he had no reason to stick around anymore, since the death of his wife Angela, he had found this place a continuous, hurting, bleeding memory of the beautiful woman.
"I'll be there as soon as I can," he said calmly.
"Jack, I'm sorry if this sounds abrupt, but we'd be thrilled if you decided to stay too," Amanda whispered. Jack smiled slightly, he could hear something different in her voice. He had changed since she had last seen him, then again being married and fatherhood could do that to someone.
"We'll see what I can do, bye Amanda," he said hanging up the phone. He smiled and shook his head. He reached out to a chair near by and grabbed a pair of jeans and hurriedly got them on.
"Mandie," he called, he entered the living room of the small one story house and smiled as he saw his beautiful daughter fast asleep in her play pen. At two years, the toddler had black hair and bright blue eyes, just like her mother. She was a beautiful baby. Reaching out Jack lifted the sleeping toddler into his arms and kissed her, then held her tightly.
"Well munchkin, it's time to go home," he said. He looked around and shook his head, he wouldn't miss this place much, he had remained her for his wife, and then after she died two years ago he had found odd reasons to remain in Colorado, but now he finally had a reason to return. He packed some clothes for himself, and then all of his daughter's toys, figuring he could just buy stuff once they got there.
"Marcus Jeremiah Johnson?" Maggie asked. Mark shook his head, he and Maggie had been going through names for hours by now. Not one did he really like, but he was quickly coming to enjoy the older woman's company.
"Marcus Jeremiah Sloan?" She asked, Mark had loved the name Jeremiah. He paused and thought about the last name.
"It sounds good, but no," he said.
"All right, let's see, Marcus Anderson," she said. His eyes lit up pleasantly.
"I like it," he said smiling.
"It's a good sturdy name, we'll stick with that until you get your memory back."
"Where am I going to live?" He said slightly.
"Well, you're welcome to stay with me for a while. I know I hardly know you, but I don't see you posing any threat to me. I could probably get you some job, I'm sure your good at something," Mark smiled.
"I can't ask you to do this for me," he said.
"Nonsense, Mark, you're alone right now, you don't remember anything, I'm not going to allow you to be released for you to wander the entire country trying to find yourself, that would take twenty years."
Jack watched the two year old girl sitting in the seat doodling all over the paper the stewardess had brought them. They had all found the girl adorable.
"She's so cute, and she has such a handsome daddy," one had said. Jack had simply smiled. At times he felt it was too soon to date again. He had loved Angela, although not like he had loved Amanda, but he had loved the woman. Amanda had been different. Jack had been so taken by her the first time he had met the woman. He could still remember the millions of emotions that had coursed through his body in those few moments. Now he would be returning and maybe feel all of those emotions again. They had never really gone away, he still loved her without reason, but this time, hopefully he could grow on that love, and some day maybe even marry her.
"This is your Captain speaking, we will be in LA momentarily, the weather is 74 degrees, and with a light rain. We hope you've enjoyed your trip on Continental," the captain's voice said. Jack sat back as the plane landed; the only thing running through his mind was Amanda. Several people waved goodbye to Mandie as they got off the plane, she was finding it amusing to wave back. He smiled gently as he continued to carry her. She instantly began to protest though, when he tried to put her in her carrier.
"Mandie, don't start this, you know I can't hold you when we're in a car, so please calm down," he said gently as he locked her into the seat. The tiny tot continued to fuss, but she lessened as she noticed Jack's face. Soon she gave up and fell asleep.
"Thank God," he whispered. Walking out with his bag on one arm and her diaper bag on the other, carrying her seat and her in his left hand he hailed a cab.
"Where to mister?" The cabbie asked as he looked back at the innocent child sleeping.
"Community General Hospital please, don't worry I'll pay you extra, I know it's a bit of a drive," Jack said.
"Yes sir, cute baby," the cabbie said. Jack smiled as he got seated and slowly began to relax.
"So, if you don't mind my asking, are you new to LA? Because I'm not sure a hospital is the best tourist place to go for your first time," the cab driver said jokingly. Jack chuckled lightly.
"No, I've lived in LA since I was a teenager, I moved away when I was twenty nine, and I just got called back by an old friend," he explained lightly.
"You gonna to stay?" He asked.
"I don't know yet, probably, I loved LA," Jack replied.
"You must love the woman too," the driver said. Jack smiled.
"Yeah, I do," he whispered.
"She the mother?"
"No, my wife died two years ago, and I've been thinking about returning to LA, my friends are all here anyway," Jack explained.
"Well, here we are, good luck mister, in whatever," the driver said. Jack smiled and paid the man and grabbed the luggage and his daughter. He looked down and smiled as the toddler was staring up at him.
"What's that look for?" He asked, the baby smiled and pointed towards him.
"Dadda," she said.
"Yeah, don't remind me. I suppose you want out don't you?" He asked.
"Yah!" The baby gurgled. Jack shook his head.
"All right, come here you," he said, lifting the baby into his arms she smiled and instantly latched onto his neck.
"What did I do to deserve this," he said. With everything in his arms, he walked into the hospital. Many women stopped to talk to the baby.
"Where were you six years ago?" He asked Mandie. The baby giggled as Jack made his way to a nurse's station. A young nurse, with blond hair looked up and smiled at him.
"Can I help you?"
"I hope so, I'm looking for Amanda Bentley, she called me," he said as he sat his daughter one the counter top. The nurse instantly began to tickle her.
"She should be in the doctor's lounge with Dr. Travis and Lt. Sloan," Jack nodded.
"Where's the Doctor's lounge, I haven't been here in awhile and this place seems pretty new to me," he said smiling his perfect smile at her. The nurse blushed as Jack gazed at her.
"Down that hallway, last door to your left," the nurse said. Jack smiled and lifted his daughter back into his arms.
"Thank you," Jack walked off towards the doctor's lounge.
Steve sighed angrily as he drank the coffee, his mind solely on his father and finding him. Amanda was watching him, as Jesse was trying to eat his lunch. Suddenly a small toddler walked through the open door and gurgled.
"Well hello there, who do you belong to?" Amanda asked as she smiled down at the beautiful little girl with big bright eyes and brown black hair.
"Dadda," the baby said. Amanda smiled.
"What's your name?"
"Mandie," Jack's voice came from the door. Amanda looked up and smiled at him, Steve turned his head towards his old friend.
"Jack!" Amanda gave him a large breath taking, bone crushing hug, causing him to smile. He pulled away slightly and looked into her chocolate eyes.
"I've missed you," he whispered. He looked over at Steve and smiled, Jack reached out a hand to shake, but Steve pulled him into a hug.
"I've missed you both," Jack said quietly. Stepping back he smiled and sat the luggage down, then he knelt down and lifted his daughter into his arms.
"Steve, Amanda meet my two year old daughter, Amanda Marie. My angel," he whispered touching the baby's cheek and getting a giggle from her. Jack looked at Amanda, who was stunned by the name.
"You're married?"
"No, well yes, but my wife died two years ago, just after this little one was born, so I've been raising her ever since. I named her Amanda after you," Jack said looking into Amanda's eyes again. Steve smiled and lifted the baby from Jack's arms. Amanda watched Steve as he played with the two year old.
"I call her Mandie for short," he said as Steve tickled the little girl, who wiggled and giggled.
"Oh, Jack, this is our friend Jesse Travis. Jesse, this is Jack Stewart," Amanda said. Jesse rose from his spot and shook Jack's hand.
"I've heard a lot about you," he said calmly.
"Ditto, so someone want to fill me in on what's going on. I know you wouldn't call me unless it was an emergency," Jack said as Steve continued to hold the small girl.
"Mark has disappeared," Amanda explained.
"How?" Jack asked, looking at Steve, whose face had become downcast.
"We don't know, I've been looking for him since I found out. There's no trace of him," Steve said somberly.
"Steve, I'm really sorry, I'll do anything I can," Jack said.
"Well, right now, it's getting late, you just got in, and you need a place to stay. Let's go to my house and eat some dinner and get you into the guest room at my house," Steve said smiling.
"All right," Jack said.
Mark sighed as he sat in the bed, wishing he could think, Maggie opened the door and smiled at him.
"Hi Mark, how are you today?"
"Bored, I wish there was something I could think about, but every time I want to think about something, I don't remember it. It's like everything since now has been a big blank. Can that be possible? I have to have a life right, I'm probably in my sixties, there's no way I can't have kids, a wife and friends," he said.
"Mark, give it time, amnesia is a tough thing to beat, you can't fight it, you have to accept it and try to move on until you do remember something.
"How can I move on, what if I'm some type of convict, or drug dealer?" He asked. Maggie chuckled softly.
"You don't strike me as either of those. You strike me as someone who loves kids, wants the best for everyone, and would do anything for someone close to you."
"You're just guessing, we have no way of knowing any of that. All we know is that I came in here with no memory."
"Time Mark, it needs time. So just relax and give yourself the time to heal. You will probably remember something eventually."
"Until then, what do I do?"
"You live, you go one and try to find ways to live the best you have."
"I don't even have anything that would say I'm good at something."
"Well, I'm sure you're good at something."
"Maybe," Mark whispered.
"I'm sure you are," she said.
Jack sat at the table and watched his daughter play with the food, he smiled trying to persuade her to get anything into her mouth wasn't as easy as it looked. Meanwhile Steve and Amanda were filling him in on some of the latest adventures Mark and them had.
"Sounds like Mark didn't change since I left," Steve shook his head.
"No, if anything he's worse, although I must admit, I love having him around," Steve explained.
"He loved being around Steve," Jesse said. Steve nodded, and sighed.
"I'm going for a walk," he whispered. Jesse watched him get up, as did Amanda and Jack. Jesse watched him head down to the spot he and Mark used to share.
"I'll be back," Jesse whispered.
Jesse slowly descended the beach, towards Steve, who was seated on a small sand dune, he didn't say anything at first, just sat down beside him and joined him in listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
"Dad loves the ocean," Steve whispered, "So did mom," he added. Jesse said nothing, trying to find the right words that would express what he felt. Then he sighed.
"Your dad, he could make anyone feel like just another one of the guys. He was good at making people comfortable; I believe that's why he became a doctor. One thing I know about your dad is the fact he loved you. I'm sure you've heard this, so I want dredge on it too much, but there were so many little things he did, said and thought. He would always talk about you when I first met him. I thought you were a king or something. Then came the time for me to meet you, I was terrified. Here I was, this new kid, after a friend just left, I was afraid you would hate me. Here was this guy, who was so smart, so strong, so persuasive and so…loving. I remember one time Amanda said 'Jesse your always telling me how you wish you could have the kind of relationship Steve has with Mark, well here's your chance.' Do you know what my response was?" He waited. Steve looked at him and shook his head no.
"I looked at her and said with annoyance 'I don't want that with my dad, I want it with Steve's dad'. I wanted to be Mark's son. Eventually I think I did almost become his son, in the process I made the best friend I could ask for. I know how I'm feeling sucks, I want to cry because I'm afraid I've lost the best father I ever had. So if that's how I feel I can only imagine how you feel," Jesse said. Steve looked at Jesse, and gently slung an arm around the younger man's shoulders.
"Best little brother I've ever had," Steve said smiling. Jesse chuckled.
"You've never had a little brother," Jesse said.
"Are you kidding me, I have the best little brother ever. He's short, and annoying, he's a great doctor and an even better friend," Jesse looked at Steve and smiled.
"I love you big brother," Jesse whispered.
"Thanks Jess, I love you too little bro," Steve said looking at him.
"We'll find him Steve, and if we don't, we won't forget him."
"I know Jess, and for that I'm thankful," The two sat there for a moment longer, staring at the ocean.
"So, are you going to finish dinner?" Jesse asked.
"Yes, and back off the ice cream in the freezer," Steve said smiling.
"What kind," Steve shook his head.