Disclaimer: ALL characters belong to Viacom, Paramount and CBS. No infringement is intended, as this story is written for fun only. The characters, Detectives Mike Rogers and Tom Larkin belong to Ofelia Reveles. The characters, Katherine Lena (Katie) Sloan and Lena's mom (I gave Lena's mom a name – Eunice Fournay) belong to Emma Gentz. I also borrowed some of Emma's story content regarding the events in Steve and Lena's marriage, Katie's birth, Lena's death, and Steve and Ellen's romance. I however added a new spin: Steve and Ellen have a devastating break-up.

Summary: Things start to get a little sticky as Mark and Steve are at odds with each other. Mark is upset at the way Steve is handling his affairs, and Steve feels like everyone is treating him like a child, especially his father and Captain Robert Hernandez.

THE CHRONICLES OF A TROUBLED MAN

Chapter Three – Steve Chronicles His Troubles

Carol went to Steve's bedroom door. She knocked on the door and when she realized Steve was fully dressed, she entered his room.

"Steve, we really need to talk," Carol began tentatively. "I realize that you're going through a rough time in your life, but you're going to have to get on with your life."

"Carol," Steve began, "what? Did Dad put you up to this?"

"No Steve," Carol began in a firm tone that shocked Steve. "Dad didn't put me up to this."

Okay, Carol," Steve began, knowing that his sister was one of the few people in his life that could unlock the 'little box' inside him. "We'll talk after breakfast."

"That's a deal, Steve." Carol replied.

Steve and Carol came into the dining room with the rest of the guests and their father.

"Hi, everybody," Steve greeted everyone at the dining room table. "I see Jesse's appetite is still in full gear."

"Hi, Steve," Dr. Jesse Travis began, smiling at his best friend and business partner. "Can't you see, I'm a growing boy."

"I think you've done all the growing your going to do," Dr. Amanda Bentley replied, laughing at the young ER doctor.

As the banter went back and forth among the younger people, Mark smiled slightly, realizing that Steve still had issues and that he was probably hiding his true feelings in his 'little box'.

After breakfast was over, Carol deposited all of the dishes into the dishwasher. Everyone moved into the living room and were talking about the plans they had for the rest of the day.

Carol silently reminded Steve of the need for both of them to talk. Steve and Carol excused themselves and went in his bedroom to have their talk.

"Steve, I realize you've had a rough time over the past year," Carol began, trying to get Steve to open up to her. "But it has been almost a year since Lena's death, and I think it's time for you to start living your life."

"Carol," Steve began in a pleading tone that nearly broke Carol's heart. "What do you think I've been doing all this time/"

"Wallowing in self pity," Carol replied sadly. "You've been just going through the motions, that's all you've been doing. Oh, and yes, snapping at us most of the time."

"I don't mean to snap at you guys," Steve began near tears. "But it's..." Steve's voice trailed off as he tried to swallow the lump in his throat.

"But it's what, Steve?" Carol asked, as she saw an opening to Steve's true feelings. "Steve, sooner or later you're going to have to come to terms with what happened in your life."

Steve Gives A Brief Chronicle Of His Troubles

"Well, Carol," Steve began, trying to get his thoughts in order without breaking down. "I was starting to come to grips with everything. Then the precinct got a call regarding a traffic accident. The Traffic Division was short handed, so Captain Hernandez sort of lent us out to the Traffic Division to investigate the accident..." Steve's voice once again trailed off and he didn't want to continue, but Carol encouraged him to go on.

"Steve," Carol began, encouraging Steve to go on. "Steve, you can't stop now, your healing depends upon this."

"Well, it was another hit and run accident," Steve began, unshed tears threatening to come cascading from eyes full of deep sorrow. "A man's wife and daughter were killed instantly and I had the job of informing the man of his wife and daughter's death and the fact that the driver didn't have the decency to stop and see if everyone was all right!!!"

Steve new he needed to calm himself down, because it was bad enough he allowed Carol a look into his 'little box', but he sure as heck wasn't going to allow Mark access to his 'little box'. Because Steve knew the first thing his Dad would do was to get him to see a shrink.

"Steve," Carol began once again to encourage Steve to continue his story.

"Well, Carol," Steve began, "everything went down hill after checking into the accident. I couldn't stop crying. I became so depressed, that I couldn't eat."

Both Mark and Carol had noticed Steve's drastic weight loss. Mark would have asked Steve about it, but Carol had talked him out of coming down on Steve, as she knew Mark would upset Steve.

"Carol, I knew I should talk to someone," Steve began sadly, "but I didn't want anyone putting me on medical leave for months at a time. I would go stir crazy. Being out of work a mere two weeks was hard enough for me."

"Steve," Carol began, "you should go back to see Dr. Prescott. He really liked you and counted you more like a son than a patient."

"Yeah," Steve replied wryly, "he treated me like a helpless child just like the rest of you." With that, Steve got up and abruptly ended his conversation with Carol.

"Steve, what's wrong with you?" Carol asked concern about Steve's true mental state. "Here we are trying to help you cope with the loss of your wife, and all you can do is think of your own feelings. Have you forgotten that we love you more than anything and we wouldn't let anything happen to you or Katie?"

"I do know that you all love me," Steve opened up to Carol just a little bit. He wasn't quite ready to let Carol fully in his 'little box'. Although he divulged many of his secret thoughts, Carol knew that Steve was holding back a lot more secrets than he gave out.

Carol realized they hit a dead end and she decided not to push Steve any further, seeing he was beginning to get a little agitated with her pursuit of his secrets.

Just then, Mark came in Steve's bedroom and noticed Steve looked as though he had been crying. Mark's heart broke as he looked in the face of his stoic son and saw such sadness. As Mark was about to ask Steve sixty-four questions, Carol stopped him.

"Dad," Carol began as she gently touched his arm, "I really think Steve needs to be alone to sort things out."

"Carol," Mark began in a pleading tone, "I'm his father and I need to be with my son. I hadn't been of much help to him lately. I want him to know that I love him and that I'm sorry that I had been harsh with him of late."

"Dad," Carol began in a soothing tone, "Steve told me that he knows we love him, so there's no need to worry. Steve really needs to get himself together, if he is to overcome his deep sadness. I am confident that he will be able to do it with our help."

"Thanks for telling me that, Carol," Mark began smiling, relief flowing through him. "It's great to know that Steve realizes that we're here for him."

With that, Mark gave Carol an affectionate peck on her cheek and a squeeze on her shoulder. Mark was so grateful to Carol for taking a leave of absence from her real estate job in Seattle, Washington.

Mark also wondered what they would do after Carol left. Mark knew that Carol's love and patience helped Steve somewhat. Mark also knew that Steve was still holding back his feelings, which would be detrimental to Steve's mental health.

Carol rejoined the guests in the living, while Mark went out on Steve's balcony and sat the rattan wicker chair he gave Steve and Lena as a housewarming gift. He quickly saw why Steve and Lena were drawn to this condominium community. The ocean views were enchanting. He was reminded of the time he and his wife, Katherine, were in Rome, Italy. Katherine Meehan-Sloan was invited to play the violin with the Roman Pops. The maestro, Vittorio Vespucci, was well known worldwide, and it was deemed an honor to play with his orchestra. Mark remembered the trip; not only because of the fact that his lovely and highly talented wife was hand picked to play for Maestro Vittorio, but also because of the surprising news Katherine shared with him on this trip.

A Pleasant Surprise For Mark In Rome, Italy

Dr. Mark Sloan, and his wife, Katherine, were enjoying a relaxing trip browsing in the quaint shops in Rome, Italy. Their guide was a young man by the name of Salvatore. Mark was surprised by the fact that Sal, as he had asked them to call him, was highly knowledgeable of the ancient history of Rome. Upon further investigation, Sal was an ancient history buff.

After their relaxing trip, Mark and Katherine decided to dine in. Mark noticed Katherine was extremely tired. They ordered a meal of Veal Parmigiana and Fettucini Alfredo.

As they were eating, Mark noticed that Katherine's appetite had taken a quantum leap. He couldn't believe she was able to eat so much food, after all of the snacking they did.

They enjoyed their meal in companionable silence. They were extremely pleased that the concert was over and they had an extra week in Rome to what they pleased, when they pleased.

As they retreated to the sofa in the living room of their beachside villa, they enjoyed a dessert of orange sorbet and champagne, Katherine decided to break the silence and spring a beautiful surprise upon her loving husband.

"Mark, Honey," Katherine began, smiling with tears of joy in her eyes. "I have a surprise for you."

"You decided to join the Roman Pops and move to Rome?" Mark asked, ribbing his Katerina, the name the Maestro gave her. "I'm ready, Baby Doll. I'd do anything for my Katerina."

"Oh, Mark!" Katherine exclaimed, laughing at Mark. "No, silly."

"Okay, Baby Doll, what is it?" Mark asked. "I'm all ears, Sweetie."

"Well, we're going to have a baby!" Katherine replied happily.

"What?" Mark replied, barely able to get that one word out. "We're what?"

"Mark, I'm pregnant." Katherine replied.

"How long? I mean, how many?" Mark began as he stumbled over his words. "How, I, uh, I."

"I've known for about two weeks," Katherine began, smiling lovingly at her husband. "I'm almost six weeks along in my pregnancy."

"When's the baby due?" Mark asked anxiously. "Were they able to pinpoint it?"

"Sometime in March of next year?" Katherine replied smiling affectionately at her anxious young husband.

With that, Mark being extremely happy about the news that he and Katherine were about to be parents, he swept Katherine off her feet and retreated to the bedroom.

"Isn't this the reason I'm with child?" Katherine asked Mark laughing hysterically.

"Ha, ha, ha, Mrs. Sloan," Mark began, also laughing. "I just wanted to seal the deal."

They thoroughly enjoyed their time together in Rome, something that was missing when they were in California, as they had very busy lives.

Six And One-Half Months later (February 27, 1 AM)

Mark was on call at Community General Hospital when he got the call that Katherine had gone into labor. Katherine's mother, Abigail Meehan, left a message for Mark to meet them in the ER of Community General. Mark rushed to the ER to meet his wife, mother-in-law, Abigail and his father-in-law, Army General, Lewis Meehan. Mark was baffled, as he remembered that Katherine stated that the baby wasn't due until late March, and here it was only late February.

"This definitely has false labor written all over it," Mark thought as he stood near the entrance of the ER.

As Mark was lost in his thoughts, Katherine came in on a stretcher, with her mother, Abigail close behind. The ambulance attendants transferred Katherine from the stretcher to a waiting gurney. The hospital staff rushed Katherine to the Labor and Delivery department.

Dr. Mark Sloan and Abigail Meehan went in the room with Katherine and Dr. Caesar Briggs, who was the head of the OB-GYN department.

Dr. Briggs, who pinpointed Katherine's due date in late March, was sure that this was false labor. But, the baby wasn't informed of that date, as he made an early appearance.

Within a half-hour, on February 27th, at 1:30am, a healthy, six pound, four ounce, bouncing baby boy was introduced to the world.

Upon finding out that she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Katherine wanted to name him Mark Sloan, Jr. But, Mark insisted on picking another name, as he wanted his son to have his own identity. They decided on the name of Steven Michael Sloan. After that, the nurse took the baby to clean him up and present him to the proud new parents.

When Mark held little Steven Michael in his arms for the first time, he smiled proudly at him. He just could take his eyes of the beautiful blue-eyed baby boy. He was so full of pride, as he tearfully held his new baby boy. He had tears of joy in his eyes.

Present Time – Steve's Balcony Overlooking The Venice Pier

As Mark sat reminiscing of the past, Steve walked out onto the patio, shaking Mark from his reverie. As Steve attempted to beat a hasty retreat back into his apartment, he noticed that Mark was smiling affectionately at him. He also noticed that Mark's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Dad?" Steve questioned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Son," Mark began, smiling affectionately. "Just reminiscing."

"Oh, okay," Steve began, "I'll just go back inside.

Mark noticed that Steve seemed sort of nervous. Mark gathered that he and Steve's previous encounters had bordered on heated. Mark knew he just had to tell his son how he truly felt. He needed to teach Steve that it's okay for men to show their emotions. Heck, it's even okay for a stoic man like him to cry. Mark got up to gently and affectionately touch Steve's arm.

"Steve, Son, don't leave," Mark began; his voice was full of emotion. "Son, I just wanted to let you know that I am so very proud of you. I know I haven't told you enough how much I love you. Well, I love you and Carol very much. You've both made me very proud. Son, I also want you to know that I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Dad," Steve began, swallowing the lump in his throat that threatened to choke him. "I guess I needed to hear that. I needed to know that you were on my side. I love you and Carol, too, Dad. And, by the way, Dad, I'm proud of you and proud to call you Dad."

With that, Mark took a tentative move towards his stoic son and enveloped him in a great big hug. Steve fell into his arms and cried on Mark's shoulder. Mark comforted his grown up 'baby boy', as he still liked to refer to his 32 year old son.

"Cry on, my Son," Mark whispered in comforting tone. "It will make you feel a whole lot better. As a matter of fact, crying is the first stage in the healing process."

Later That Day

The Sloan family enjoy a late afternoon birthday get together for little Katie Sloan, who turned 1 year old. Steve and Carol had the 'affair' catered. The chef brought two birthday cakes. There was a large cake that was to be eaten by the guests, and there was a smaller cake for Katie to play in, which she found pleasure in doing just that.

And though Steve felt much lighter than he felt in nearly a year, there were still a few more hurdles he had to jump. One being the fact that he had to investigate suspicious deaths in a ritzy area of Los Angeles called Paulus Park. But that wasn't that bad part, because, as a homicide detective, investigating a murder was second nature to him. The bad part was that his captain informed him that an Ellen Sharp, a reporter with the National Scoop, would be in on the investigation. Steve sighed to himself, as he remembered his phone conversation with Captain Hernandez.

Yesterday -- A New Partner?

As Steve was preparing a light mid afternoon snack for himself and Katie, his cell phone broke the silence.

"Lt. Sloan here?" Steve replied into the receiver of his cell phone.

"He there, Steve," Captain Hernandez began, "We've got another lead on the murders in the Paulus Park section of LA."

"Yeah?" Steve asked.

"I have Sgt. Jerry Brooks and Officer Jim Weller on the case," Captain Hernandez began. "They'll be handling the investigation, along with Lt. Frank Wallace."

"Okay, Cap, it seems that everything is covered, what do you need me for?" Steve asked, almost afraid of the answer. "Why am I needed?"

"Well, Steve," Captain Hernandez began, knowing just how much Steve hated the dreaded National Scoop tabloid. "We were tipped off by an informant that a Ms. Ellen Sharp may have some information on the case."

"Oh, no!" Steve exclaimed, barely suppressing an expletive. "Cap, you know just how I feel about that rag of a paper. I wouldn't even let a dog use it to poop on. Cap, just how could do that?"

"Son," Captain Hernandez replied, knowing just how to push Steve's buttons, with him being old enough to be Steve's father. "It's very important that we get the culprits who did this. Certain celebrities received several threatening phone calls, promising bodily harm to them if they didn't give them money. Son, I need your help on this case."

"Okay, Cap," Steve relented. "What do you want me to do?"

"Well, Steve," Captain Hernandez began, "We'll need you to go undercover as a gardener to the celebrities. We already set you up to be Clint Eastwood's gardener. He agreed, saying that he felt it was his duty to get involved. One of his best friend's was murdered. It didn't take to much convincing."

"Where does the rag queen, Ellen Sharp, come in?" Steve asked, not so sure he wanted to hear the answer. "What will she be doing while I'm playing Mr. Green Thumb?"

"Well, er, um," Captain Hernandez began, stumbling over his words, not sure how Steve would take his next tidbit of information. "She'll be undercover as his maid."

"What?" Steve asked incredulously. "You mean I'll be undercover with a National Scoop reporter? I can't believe it!"

"Steve," Captain Hernandez began in exasperated frustration. "It has to be this way. Ms. Sharp may have a tip, and the only way she would help us nab the culprits was if we allowed to tag along and help with investigation."

"There could've been a better way, Cap," Steve began, equally frustrated, if not more than his captain. "I don't want to work with a tabloid reporter. What if she prints the story, causing us to lose the perps?"

"Sloan," Captain Hernandez replied in a tone that didn't bode too well with Steve. "When are you going to start focusing on being a cop, than on your personal gripe with a woman you don't even know? We have a job to do, and we're gonna get it done and see it to the end. You will be where I need you to be and when I need you to be there. Do I make myself clear, Sloan?"

"Yes, sir," Steve replied, knowing that this was a battle that he knew wouldn't be won by him. "Just tell me the time, place and instructions I need to pull this off."

"Okay," Captain Hernandez replied, not wanting to be hard on Steve, but he needed his Lieutenant on the same wavelength with him, if they were to solve this case. "Oh, and thanks, Sloan."

"You're welcome, Cap." Steve replied. Steve got his pad and pen out and wrote down the instructions his captain gave him regarding his next case. Steve had been starting to enjoy the last two days of his four-day weekend after him and Mark ironed out their differences. But now he had another thing to worry about: Ms. Ellen Sharp, National Scoop reporter.

Early Sunday Morning

Mark walked into the living room and noticed Steve sitting on the sofa, staring intently at a piece of paper that he held in his hand. Mark tried to lighten Steve's mood a bit when he broke the silence.

"No matter how long you stare at it, Son, it won't change," Mark began, trying to cheer Steve up. "I have an idea, why don't you blink your eyes or twitch your nose and see if that won't change it."

"Ha, ha, ha, Dad," Steve began in mock sarcasm. "If I could do that, I'd blink or twitch you a better sense of humor."

"Son, it wasn't that bad?" Mark asked. He would have continued, but Steve interrupted him.

"Dad," Steve began, "there's no real problem, it's just that I got a new partner of sorts."

"What do you mean?" Mark asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

"I'll be on a new case, doing undercover work," Steve began, wearily. "I'll be working as a gardener for Clint Eastwood."

"That doesn't sound that too bad, Son," Mark began, trying to hide his smile. "In fact, maybe you can give some tips on making my petunias grow better."

"Ha, ha, ha, Dad," Steve began in mock disgust, that brought Mark to his knees in laughter. "You don't even have a garden, let alone petunias."

"Son, I still don't see anything bad about the case," Mark began, puzzled. "What's the problem?"

"Well, my new partner is a reporter from the National Scoop, a Ms. Ellen Sharp." Steve replied thoroughly disgusted with his captain. "Captain Hernandez thought this would be a good idea. Frankly, I think it stinks.."

"The National Scoop?" Mark asked. "Aren't they the same people that said a Martian was running for the governor of Utah?"

"Yep," Steve began, laughing as he remembered Officer Jim Weller stating that his sister actually swore by the stories in the Scoop as being true. "They're the one and the same, Dad."

Just then, the doorbell rang and Steve sprang up to answer it. When opened the door, he saw the most beautiful young woman standing before him. She stood about five feet, nine inches. Her blond hair was done in a beautiful style. She extended her beautiful hand toward him and Steve took hold of it as she introduced herself.

"Hello, my name is Ms. Ellen Sharp and I'm here to see a Lt. Steve Sloan, is that you?" Ellen asked, knowing full well that she was speaking with Lt. Sloan. She had a photo from one of the many newspaper clippings she collected on her quest to work for a real newspaper, doing real journalism work. As she studied the tall, dark and handsome man, she thought that the photos did him no justice. "I was told by Captain Hernandez that I needed to be briefed by you regarding our case."

"Oh, do come in," Steve replied. He then thought to himself, "What does she mean 'our case'? She's only tagging along so that we could get the information we need to break this case."

As she walked in through the beautiful beachfront condo, she took in her surroundings. She wasn't surprised at all. Lieutenant Sloan's condo, though it was beautiful, was clearly a man's domain. She wondered if he was married, because she couldn't see someone as handsome as Lt. Sloan still on the market. She also wondered if he hand any children (she didn't get to meet Katie, as she and Carol spent the night over Amanda, CJ and Dion's house).

Ellen did notice an expensive crystal vase among other things, which she knew this Lieutenant Sloan wouldn't be able to afford on a cop's meager salary. She thought that she would do an investigative report on police corruption in the LAPD after their undercover rendezvous, with the handsome police lieutenant being one of her first targets. She knew that if she were to get an exclusive story like this one, she was well on her way to the real journalism career she has long sought after. She wasn't above climbing up that ladder of success, even if it meant stepping on a few people on the way up.

But little did Ms. Sharp know that her plans were about to take a drastic turn. The best-laid plans don't always work out the way we want them to....

A/N—This chapter is a tad bit longer than the previous two chapters. Please bear with me, as I will be pulling this story together shortly. By the way, thanx so much for your kind reviews and words of encouragement. They're greatly appreciated.