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: This chapter finds Lt. Steve Sloan attempting to leave the past behind and pushing forth towards the future.

THE CHRONICLES OF A TROUBLED MAN

Chapter Four – Leaving The Past/Pushing Forth Toward The Future

Four Months Ago – A Devastating Earthquake

As Dr. Mark Sloan sat in his living room sipping on a cup of hot chocolate, there a jolt that seemed to shake the entire beach house. All around his home, he could here the sound of things crashing to the floor.

"Oh, no, another earthquake!" Mark thought to himself.

As Mark began to go throughout his home, making sure that his home was still in one piece, he immediately thought about his son, Detective Lieutenant Steve Sloan. His son was currently doing some undercover work in a more ritzy part of LA. Mark turned on the evening news to see if there was any live reports regarding this current turn of events.

As Mark was watching Brent Newsworthy's live report, his phone began to ring. Mark was so into the news report that he picked up the phone on the fifth ring.

"Dr. Sloan here." Mark responded into the phone's receiver.

"Hi, Mark," Mr. Norman Briggs, the hospital administrator began nervously. "There's been an earthquake and I'm calling everyone to make sure we have enough medical staff to handle the possible rush of patients that we're expecting. The news guy said that this is probably the worse earthquake in a decade. So can I count on you, Amigo?"

"Sure thing, Norman," Mark began, nervously looking for Captain Robert Hernandez's cell number. "I'll be there as soon as I can, the are a lot of downed power lines."

"Thanks, Amigo," Norman began gratefully, "I'll be looking out for you. Dr. Jesse Travis is already here and Dr. Amanda Bentley is on her way."

After he hung up the phone, Mark began scurrying around the house, making sure the beach house was secure, while he was getting dress to go back to the hospital.

As he put the key in the ignition, Mark realized that midst of the all the chaos, he forgot to call Steve's cell to make sure he was all right. As he was about to call Steve's cell, Mark suddenly felt a little guilty about being over-protective when it came to Steve. Mark placed his cell phone back in his jacket pocket and decided to give Steve a little space. He told himself if Steve hadn't called him within the next hour or so, he would call Steve on his cell or call the precinct. With that decision being made, Mark was able to concentrate on the task at hand: getting to Community General Hospital safe and in one piece.

Three Hours Later: Community General Hospital

When the last patient was treated and released, Mark, Amanda and Jesse retreated to the doctors' lounge to sip on some much-needed cups of coffee. The hospital was so busy that the doctors hadn't realized that two hours had already past. Mark gasped as he looked at the clock on the wall.

"My God!" Mark exclaimed in disgust. "I hadn't heard anything from Steve or the precinct on his whereabouts. I said that I would call him if he hadn't called me within the hour. It's been three hours and I haven't heard anything from Steve.

Just then Norman entered the doctors' lounge looking like he had some sort of news to impart to the gang.

"Mark," Norman began, "I just got a call from Captain Hernandez. He called while you were working on patients. He said that Steve called in and said that he was all right. Steve should be on his way to the hospital to check on you. I'll be back, I'm going to try reach my mother again." With that, Norman went back to his office, leaving Mark, Amanda and Jesse in the doctors' lounge.

"Isn't that just like Steve...being more concerned for others than for himself?" Mark asked, clearly relieved that his son was okay. "I still plan to examine him just to be on the safe side, no matter how 'fine' he says he is and no matter how much he protests." Mark's comments regarding Steve's attitude about being in the hospital caused everyone to chuckle slightly.

"Hey, Mark," Jesse began laughing, "just promise Steve that you'll have the cafeteria cook send up the meatloaf he loves so much...that should stop any protests the Detective Lieutenant may have."

"Good idea, Jess." Mark replied.

"Hey, Dad, Jess and Amanda," Steve began, glad to be alive after such an ordeal. "How are you guys doing?"

"We're fine, Son," Mark replied on behalf of the rest of the group. "How are you doing? I know you're going to say that you're fine, but I still plan to check you out thoroughly no matter what."

"Dad," Steve began in exhausted exasperation, "if I wasn't so tired, I would let you examine me to you hearts content, but can it wait?"

"You sure know your son, Mark," Amanda replied with a broad grin. "He's protesting just like you predicted."

"No, Amanda," Mark began, "he's not protesting, he's merely stating a true fact. He's tired and I'll cut him a little slack...this time."

Mark was shaken from his reverie when Steve came upstairs. Steve's voice was quiet as he spoke.

"Dad," Steve began, but then decided against proceeding forward in his conversation.

"Steve, is there anything you need to discuss with me?" Mark asked with a voice full of concern.

"No, Dad," Steve lied, "everything's fine."

"Are you sure, Son?" Mark asked. "I know it's hard for you to be back at the beach house with me, with you having a daughter to take care of. I know you wanted to get your own place. Son, this is just a temporary set up. Besides, it gives you a chance to put the money the insurance company paid you in the bank. Now cheer up. Do you want some lunch?"

"Yeah," Steve began, "I'll go pick up a lunch special from BBQ Bob's."

"No, Son," Mark began firmly, "I'll go pick up the food, while you clean up the boxes. You thought you would escape cleaning up the mess you made when you moved back. That tactic didn't work when you were a teenager, and it won't work now, young man."

"Oh, all right, Dad," Steve began with a sigh, "you win."

Mark went to pick up the food from BBQ Bob's, leaving Steve to his many thoughts of the past events of his life. Steve also wondered what his future would hold, as he so desperately wanted to find true love. His thoughts immediately went to the many women he flirted with on separate occasions, realizing that there was only a physical attraction. The women were only interested in him as a sex object, which would have been fine with him a few years ago. He would have jumped in the sack with many of the women. But now, he had a daughter that he was raising and he realized that he could no longer play the carefree bachelor. He had to grow up.

While Steve was thinking about his life and his future, Ms. Ellen Sharp stood outside the beach house taken in the beauty of her surroundings.

"This is Malibu, one of the most exclusive areas in LA County," Ellen thought. "How can a police lieutenant afford such a fancy home on a meager salary? I may be sitting on top of a gold mine of a story. Just wait till I call Mr. Whitaker with a possible police corruption story. He'll be pleased."

Ellen rang the doorbell. When Steve answered the door, Ms. Sharp pushed her way past Steve and entered the beach house without being invited in. Steve responded sarcastically to Ellen's home crashing:

"Why don't you come in?" Steve asked sarcastically, as Ellen was half up the stairs to Mark's unit.

"You're only too kind." Ellen replied taking in the interior of the beach house. Ellen thought within herself, "What a story this will be. The Golden Boy of the Central Division, being part of a police corruption ring. I'll get that journalism job."

"What brings you hear, Ms. Sharp?" Steve asked testily, not being in the mood for a fight with Ellen.

"I came to see Dr. Sloan," Ellen began smugly. "You may call me Ellen, you don't have to be so formal. "I'm here to do a story on Dr. Sloan concerning the role of senior citizens in our modern society."

"What's the catch?" Steve asked suspiciously. "Are you using my father to further your career?"

"How dare you!" Ellen exclaimed angrily. "You're just jealous because I don't give a rap about your sorry life?"

"I wouldn't want a reporter for the National Scoop writing about my life," Steve began, hurt by Ellen's cold response. "You might jump to the wrong conclusion."

Just then, Mark arrived back at the beach house, with lunch from BBQ Bob's. He came just in time to hear the arguing between Steve and Ellen. Mark was a bit confused about Ellen's visit, as he thought their story was to be done the next day.

"Ellen, what brings you here on this beautiful day?" Mark asked, trying to diffuse whatever fireworks Steve and Ellen started. "Aren't we meeting tomorrow to discuss the role of the senior citizen in today's modern society?"

"Dr. Sloan," Ellen began, smiling at the delightful doctor. "It's for today."

"I'm sure it was for tomorrow," Mark began, "but, let me check my day planner." Mark checked his day planner, and sure enough, he circled the date in red marker. Mark then apologized.

"Ellen," Mark began in an apologetic tone, "I am so sorry. I was so sure that we were working on that story tomorrow, I planned to just take it easy today."

"Dr. Sloan," Ellen began, "we can do it some other time."

"I wouldn't dream of doing that to you." Mark replied smiling at the young woman. "Just let me put away the food and we can start. By the way, Ellen, you can call me Mark. Why don't you have some ribs and coleslaw, I bought enough to feed an army."

"Okay, Mark it is." Ellen replied happy to be working with such an intelligent man. "I'd love to try some ribs. I heard so much about the ribs at BBQ Bob's from some of my coworkers."

Steve offered to put away the ribs, so that Mark and Ellen can get started on their story. Steve also wanted to get Ellen out of his sight...or did he?

Five Hours Later

Ellen and Mark completed the story concerning the role of senior citizens in today's modern society. According to Ellen, it was a success. She thoroughly enjoyed the stimulating conversation with Dr. Mark Sloan. Mark invited Ellen to stay with them for dinner. Ellen declined, as she had a previous engagement, but she took a rain check.

As Ellen pulled off, Steve was watching through the window of his apartment. Mark called Steve to let him know that dinner was ready.

The Sloan men ate their dinner in silence at the table in the dining rook. As they ate, Mark looked glanced over at Steve. He wondered why Steve and Ellen seemed to be having a hard time getting along. Granted, Ellen had a somewhat arrogant attitude, but once Mark got to know her, he felt that she could be a good match for Steve. Mark knew that it was high time for Steve to leave the past and push forward to the future. Mark also knew that Steve was still grieving over the loss of his wife, Lena. Mark wanted to help Steve cope with his loss. One day, Mark would have a man to man talk with Steve regarding him going out socially and living his life to the fullest. Steve was still relatively young, and had his whole life ahead of him.

"Steve," Mark began tentatively, knowing that he had to use kid gloves when dealing with his son. "How would you like to go to see a movie and then go to Santucchi's Restaurant tomorrow night?"

"Are you treating?" Steve asked laughing.

"Yeah, smart Alec, your old man is treating." Mark replied in mock disgust, sharing a laugh with his son. He truly missed hearing Steve's laughter and hoped that this was a sign of things to come. "You're so spoiled, Son!"

"And who spoiled me, Dad?" Steve asked in mock exasperation.

"Your Mom, of course!" Mark replied, knowing all too well that he was the culprit. "Okay, Son, you got me. By the way, Steve, when is Katie coming home?"

"Eunice said she'll have Katie back by the end of next week." Steve replied.

"You mean to tell me I'll to wait another whole week before I get to see my Little Princess?" Mark asked, disappointment spreading across his handsome face. "I thought for sure that I would have my Little Princess back this Saturday."

"Dad," Steve began, smiling affectionately at his dad. "Eunice is having such fun showing Katie off. Besides, she thinks I should have some time to myself. She keeps bugging me about going out socially. She seems to think that I'm drowning in self-pity. She wants me to go on with my life. Who does she sound like, Dad?"

"I guess she sounded like me, Amanda, Jess and Carol, huh?" Mark asked his beloved son.

"Well, Dad, yeah." Steve replied. "I'm just taking it one day at a time."

"Steve, Son," Mark began, concerned, "in taking care of me and Katie, please don't forget about yourself. Okay, Son?"

"Okay," Steve began, knowing that his father had such great love for him, "I'll be sure to take care of myself."

At Dusty's Bar & Grill

Cynthia Stallone-Hubing (C.S. Hubing) was enjoying a scotch tonic at the bar when her friend, Ellen Sharp tapped her on her shoulder. As C.S. Hubing looked at Ellen with a scrutinizing eye, she knew that Ellen had some kind of news to impart. "Perhaps it's a new boyfriend," C.S. thought full of hope.

"Hey, C.S.," Ellen began, jarring C.S. from her reverie. "Been waiting long?"

"Only forever," C.S. Hubing began laughing. "Just kidding, Ellen. I've only been here for about fifteen minutes. You look like you got some great news to tell me."

"Well," Ellen began, smiling like a Cheshire cat. "You know that cop that works in homicide?"

"Only about a dozen of them," C.S. began sarcastically. "Which one of LA's Finest are your referring to?"

"Lt. Steve Sloan," Ellen began.

"Steve?" C.S. Hubing asked incredulously. "You are kidding, aren't you?"

"No," Ellen began confidently. "I'm currently in the process of gathering all I need to expose police corruption in the LAPD."

"Ellen," C.S. Hubing began, "what are you trying to nail Lt. Sloan on, for taking the last cookie out of the cookie jar, huh?"

"There's some serious things going on with our Lt. Sloan." Ellen replied. "Have you've ever visited Lt. Sloan in Malibu, C.S.?"

"Why on earth would I visit Steve in Malibu?" C.S. Hubing asked, rolling her eyes. "He lives in Venice Beach."

"Oh, on the contrary," Ellen began, "Lt. Sloan lives in a huge, and might I add a very expensive beach house in Malibu. That's makes for a wonderful career boosting story, doesn't, C.S.?"

"Ellen," C.S. Hubing began, crestfallen. "Here I was, thinking you were going to tell me about some new love in your life, and this is what you feed me."

C.S. Hubing was a good friend to Ellen, and it pained her to see Ms. Sharp working so hard on her career. She really thought that Ellen should go out socially, rather than working so hard her career. Ellen cut through C.S.'s reverie.

"Look," Ellen began, "I don't have much time to lose, I have a story to work on."

"Look, Ellen," C.S. began, "you've been working entirely too hard, why don't you take some time out for yourself?"

"What are you trying to say. C.S.?" Ellen asked, not liking the turn this conversation is turning out. "I do take time out for myself."

"Ellen, Honey," C.S. Hubing in a motherly tone. "You need to go out socially. Ellen, I'm not talking about going out with Mr. Whitaker. That doesn't count, because that's a working dinner. You need to treat yourself to a night on the town."

"I don't know." Ellen replied.

"Ellen," C.S. Hubing began, smiling affectionately at Ellen. "You should slow down and enjoy life. Yes, we all have jobs to do, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our lives at the same time."

"I'll think about it." Ellen replied.

"I hope you take my advice," C.S. Hubing began, "it's the same advice I gave to my son, Ronald Hubing II, years ago. That's how he met his wife, Emmylou Wright."

"The playwright?" Ellen asked, as she was an avid reader of Ms. Wright's work. "When I was in high school, I wanted to follow in her footsteps."

"You still can follow in her footsteps, Ellen," C.S. Hubing began, "but you don't have to work until you drop. My daughter-in-law manages her time between being a wife, mother and a playwright. She's very careful to spend as much time with my son and their four children as possible."

"Okay," Ellen began, "C.S., you win. I'll be sure to take time out for myself."

C.S. changed the subject to discuss the immensely handsome Lt. Steve Sloan, as she thought that he and Ellen would be perfect for each other.

"Ellen, what do you think about Lt. Steve Sloan?" C.S. Hubing asked.

"He's seems so mysterious, like he's trying to hide something." Ellen replied.

"What ever gave you that idea?" C.S. Hubing asked, curious as to where Ms. Sharp got information.

"I went to the beach house, his dad, Dr. Mark Sloan, is working on a story with me." Ellen began. "Did you know that he's divorced and his wife has custody of their daughter?"

"Did Lt. Sloan tell you that?" C.S. Hubing asked.

"He didn't have to," Ellen began, "it was written all over his face when he realized that I saw his baby's stroller in the living room of his home."

"That doesn't really prove a thing, now does it, Ellen?" C.S. Hubing asked. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe his daughter was visiting some relatives or something?"

"I still think he's hiding something, and I'm going to get to the bottom of whatever that is." Ellen replied intent on getting that late-breaking story to boost her career. "C.S., I'm going to call it a night. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Are we still on for lunch tomorrow, Ellen?" C.S. Hubing asked.

"Yes." Ellen replied with a smile on her face. "You, see, C.S., I am taking time out for myself."

"That's not the same thing, Ellen." C.S. Hubing replied sighing in exasperation. "What I'm talking about is taking time out with a handsome man and going out on the town."

"Well, I'm going to take my time with that," Ellen began, "I have a career path that I'm embarking on, and it doesn't include me getting tied up with a relationship right now."

"Okay, Ellen," C.S. Hubing began, "don't overdo it. Ease up on the career path and stop to smell the roses some time. Okay?"

"Okay, C.S., I'll try." Ellen replied, realizing how difficult it was for her to slow down, because she was somewhat of a workaholic.

With that, both women went off in different directions. Ellen left for her apartment in West LA, while C.S. Hubing left for Monterey Park.

Monday – At The Precinct

There was a spring in Steve's step as he walked through the precinct doors. Officer Jim Weller, who never missed a beat, took notice.

"Hey, Sloan, what gives?" Officer Weller asked ribbing Steve in a good-natured fashion. "A new girlfriend?"

"No, Jim," Steve began with a mock glare. "My baby girl's back home. After work, Dad and me are going to take Katie out on town. Since I'm only working a half day today, I'd thought we'd take her to a matinee at the Beach Cinema."

"What's playing at the Beach Cinema?" Officer Weller asked.

"They're having a Disney Marathon." Sgt. Jerry Brooks replied cheerfully. "Me and Janice took the children on Saturday. It was such a great family outing."

"Oh, man, don't get mushy on me." Officer Weller replied, directing his comment to Sgt. Brooks. "Years ago, you were quite the party animal. What's happened to you, Sarge?"

"I got married and I realized that I had to grow up." Sgt. Brooks replied glaring at Officer Weller, totally not amused. "Maybe you should try it sometime."

"Get married, me?" Officer Weller asked incredulously. "You can't be serious, can you?"

"No, Jim," Sgt. Brooks began, "I meant you should try growing up. No woman in her right mind would even consider marrying a nut like you."

Steve was thoroughly enjoying the banter between Jerry and Jim. It was a welcomed vacation from his times of loneliness and depression.

"I really need to do what Dad advised," Steve began in thought, "I need to leave the past and get on with my life."

As Steve was lost in his thoughts, Captain Robert Hernandez called his name, shaking him from his reverie.

"Lt. Sloan," Captain Hernandez began, "in my office please."

As Steve obeyed his superior officer's request, he couldn't help wondering what hid did wrong this time.

In Captain Hernandez's Office

"Yeah, Cap?" Steve asked, curious to know what he had done.

"Lighten up, Sloan," Captain Hernandez began, "we may have a break on our celebrity murders."

"Oh, yeah?" Steve asked, thinking that they may have to put this case on the back burner.

"It seems as though criminals aren't the smartest people." Captain Hernandez began, "we're going to need you to go under cover again."

"Will I be back working as Clint Eastwood's gardener?" Steve asked.

"Not this time, Sloan," Captain Hernandez began, "you'll be working as Ms. Helen Wright's gardener."

"Ms. Helen Wright?" Steve asked puzzled. "Who is she?"

"She's an interior decorator for many of Hollywood's most affluent people." Captain Hernandez replied. "She's very a wealthy widow. Her husband left her well taken care of. She informed us that she received a phone call from someone threatening to murder her."

"Okay," Steve began, taking out his chart. Captain Hernandez gave Steve all of the information he needed.

"Oh, Steve, before I forget," Captain Hernandez began, "Ms. Ellen Sharp will also be going undercover. She'll be Ms. Wright's personal assistant. I already called her and gave her all information that's important to this case. She should be on the scene by the time you arrive."

"Okay, Cap." Steve replied, a tad bit miffed at the fact that he still had to deal with that pain-in-the-neck Ellen Sharp. With that Steve left Captain Hernandez's office. Since it was a slow morning, Steve decided it was time to catch up on some paperwork, as tomorrow he would be undercover for God only knows how long.

Later That Evening At The Sloan Beach House

Steve, Mark and Katie were back from their wonderful family outing. As Katie lay sleeping in her bed, Steve sat by her bedside, watching his little Angel sleep. Katie sort of conned Steve into reading her three bedtime stories, though she was sound asleep before Steve finished the last story. Although Steve was very happy that Katie was back at home, there was still an emptiness, which he was unable to fill. He knew he had to somehow get over the sadness of the loss of his beloved wife, Lena. It was time for him to the past and push forward to the future.

While Steve thought on these things, Mark came down to Steve's apartment to check on his son. Steve was so lost in his thoughts that he jumped when Mark tapped him lightly on his shoulder.

"Steve," Mark began with concern, "is everything all right?"

"Yeah," Steve began, but then told Mark a little bit of what was on his heart. He wasn't fully ready to let Mark look into his 'little box' just yet. "Well, Dad, I called Dr. Prescott today. I'm scheduled for an appointment Wednesday at 10am in the morning."

"Okay, Son," Mark began, "I'm really glad you decided to continue your session with Eugene. I hope you stick for more than a month this time."

"Dad," Steve began, exhausted from his afternoon outing with Mark and Katie. "I'm just going to take counseling one day at a time. I won't know anything until my session with Dr. Prescott on Wednesday. Dad, please promise me that you won't ask me questions about my counseling session."

"It's a deal, Son," Mark began, then asked, "just don't make me wait a long time to know what's going on with you. I'm not too young, you know that, right, Sonny." When making his last comments to Steve, Mark put on his famous 'old timer' act, causing Steve to laugh. Mark was pleased to his son's mood lightening up.

"Dad," Steve began, smiling affectionately at his dad, "you might as well drop the 'old guy' act, I'm not falling for it."

"Oh, darn!" Mark replied in a mock pout. "Looks like you got me, Son."

"By Jove, Dad, I think you're right." Steve replied with fake British accent.

"Steve," Mark began, "that was the worst British accent I've ever heard. Whenever we go to the UK, and you pull out that terrible accent, I'll deny knowing you."

"Dad, you wouldn't do that to your dear son, would you?" Steve asked in a mock hurt tone.

"You bet your sweet bippy I would, Son." Mark replied laughing as he ducked under the pillow Steve had thrown at him.

"Dad," Steve began, as he attempted to throw another pillow at his dad, "I'm kinda tired, so I'm gonna hit the sack. Night, Dad."

"Goodnight, Son." Mark replied. "I'll see you and Katie tomorrow."

With that, Steve went downstairs to his apartment carrying his sleeping daughter. Mark locked down the beach house and went into his bedroom. Since he was off duty the next day, Mark decided to stay up and watch one of his old Humphrey Bogart movies.

A Wednesday Morning Surprise For Steve

At 9:50am on Wednesday morning, Lt. Steve Sloan arrived at the office of Dr. Eugene Prescott. The receptionist, Nurse Rhonda Parrot greeted Steve with a smile.

"Good morning, Lt. Sloan," Nurse Parrot began, "it's so good to see you. We missed you. I hope everything is fine with you and Katie. I know Dr. Sloan is doing great, I just saw him and Jesse in the ER."

"Hi, Nurse Parrot," Steve began fidgeting nervously, "Katie is doing great. She'll be starting daycare here at Community General."

"Oh, Lt. Sloan," Nurse Parrot began, "that's great. Now, how are you doing, Lt. Sloan?"

"I'm fine," Steve lied, fidgeting nervously. "Is Dr. Prescott in yet?"

"Yes, he's finishing up with a patient." Nurse Parrot replied. "Would you like some coffee or tea?"

"No, thanks." Steve replied, taking a seat in the waiting area of Dr. Prescott's office.

Just then, Dr. Eugene Prescott came out of his office and waved Steve into his office. Dr. Prescott was a jolly 'Santa' type older man, who never had a cross word to say to anyone. He treated Steve with respect, even when Steve was at his worse.

"Hi, Lieutenant," Dr. Prescott began quite subdued, which caught Steve off-guard, "just go right in and have a seat. I'll be right in. I have to make a quick phone call."

As Steve took a seat in Dr. Prescott's office, he couldn't help but notice that the doctor wasn't his normal jolly self. He was nice enough, but still, there seemed to be something wrong. Steve could feel it in his bones.

Dr. Eugene Prescott entered his office and greeted Steve.

"Hello, Steve," Dr. Prescott began, "I'm glad you decided to come back for counseling."

"Whoa, Dr. Prescott," Steve began, "as I told my father, I'm just taking it one day at a time. I'm really not sure why I'm here today."

"Steve," Dr. Prescott began, "Son, the devastating loss you experienced would make even the most seasoned psychiatrist lose their minds. Your wife was left brain dead by a hit and run driver. Mark told me he didn't know whether you would live or die. You should stay in counseling for at least three months. But, as I told you last year, you're an adult and capable of making your own decisions."

"Look, Doctor Prescott," Steve began, "I'll think about it. As I said, I want to take it one day at a time."

"Okay, Steve," Doctor Prescott began, "It's your call."

"Thanks, Doctor Prescott, I needed to hear that." Steve replied.

Doctor Prescott then decided to impart his news to his patient that he was resigning and would refer Steve to a competent psychiatrist. Doctor Prescott was sad about leaving the job he so loved, as he got great pleasure out of helping his patients get their lives back on track.

"Steve," Dr. Prescott began looking quite sad, "I'll be resigning with in a month, or so..." Doctor Prescott would have continued, but Steve interrupted him.

"You're resigning?" Steve asked incredulously. "Just when I decided to continue with my counseling sessions, then this happens." Steve was livid, but Doctor Prescott smiled affectionately at Steve, as he went on to explain to Steve the reason for his sudden resignation.

"Well, Steve," Doctor Prescott began, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "About a year ago, my wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had surgery, and then the cancer went in to remission. We thought everything was fine and that she would live a nice long life. But, about a two months ago, the cancer came back with a vengeance. The doctors at the San Diego Cancer Institute said that there's nothing further that they can. They basically sent my wife home to die. She may only have weeks to live."

Suddenly Steve felt his heart drop to his feet. Steve wondered how Doctor Prescott was able to counsel his patient with such a heavy burden.

"I'm really so very sorry about my attitude," Steve began sadly, "I'm sorry about your wife, too. Doctor Prescott, if there's anything I or my father can do for you, let us know."

"Thank you, Steve," Dr. Prescott began, "Mark helped me and Clara more than he can imagine. Enough about me, let's talk about you."

"Dr. Prescott," Steve began hesitatingly, "since you're retiring soon, which doctor will you refer me to? I hope it's not that troublesome Doctor Harold Kempler. He has the bedside manner of an porcupine."

"Dr. Kempler moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming," Dr. Prescott began, "he has a private practice there. The doctor I have in mind is Dr. Agnes Aames. She'll be replacing me as the head of Community General's Psychology Department. In fact, she'll be here before you leave the office. She really wanted to meet you. She wanted you to feel her out to see if she was the doctor for you."

"Okay," Steve began, nervous about seeing a woman doctor. "I'll be glad to meet her." With that, Dr. Prescott proceeded with Steve's counseling session. Although they made some progress, Dr. Prescott still felt that Steve was still holding back a lot.

"I hope that Dr. Aames will be able to penetrate that armour of Lt. Sloan's." Dr. Prescott thought. "He really needs to learn how to let go of his feelings if he is to go on with his life. I'll go over his chart with Agnes."

As they were nearing the end of Steve's counseling session, there was a soft knock on Dr. Prescott's door.

"Come in," Dr. Prescott replied. Upon seeing Dr. Agnes Aames, Doctor Prescott replied: "Oh, hi, Agnes."

"Hi yourself, Gene." Dr. Aames replied cheerfully. "Who do we have here?"

"A possible new patient for you, Agnes," Doctor Prescott replied. "That's if he decides that you're the doctor for him."

"Dr. Agnes Aames, Lt. Steve Sloan. Lt. Steve Sloan, Dr. Agnes Aames." Dr. Prescott began the introductions.

"Pleased to meet you, Lt. Sloan," Dr. Aames replied.

"I'm pleased to meet you as well," Steve replied.

"Sloan?" Dr. Aames asked. "Are you related to Dr. Mark Sloan?"

"Yes," Steve began with pride in his voice, "he's my dad."

"I should have seen the resemblance," Dr. Aames began, "you look so much like Mark."

Steve looked Dr. Agnes Aames over. She was a very attractive older woman with salt and pepper colored hair. She had a slim physique and she was about five feet, five inches tall.

Dr. Agnes Aames also gave the tall and immensely handsome Lt. Steve Sloan the once over. She noticed his trim abs through the shirt he was wearing. She hoped that Steve would allow her to counsel him, as she felt she would be able to penetrate the armour that Steve had in place to protect his feelings.

After Steve left Dr. Prescott's office, he went over Lt. Sloan's chart with Dr. Aames.

Steve stopped by BBQ Bob's to pick up a rib dinner for him and Mark. He also picked up a kid's meal for Katie.

At The Beach House

As Steve walked through the door of the beach house he now shared with his dad and his daughter, Katie, his dad greeted him.

"Hi, Son," Mark began smiling affectionately at Steve, "how was your day?"

"Oh, it was fine," Steve began, attempting to hide his true feelings from his dad. "Just like any other day."

Mark, not being fooled, decided to tread the unknown territory of his son's mental state.

"Steve, Son, is something wrong?" Mark asked with concern in his voice. "You seem to be preoccupied."

Mark's comment caught Steve totally off guard, as he thought for sure that he pulled one over on his father.

"Am I an open book, ready for you to read?" Steve asked, curious to know how Mark seemed able to see right through him. "It's like you can see right through me!"

"Steve," Mark began thoughtfully, "Steve no one but the Lord God can see through you. But God in His infinite wisdom has blessed we parents with the ability to be in tuned with our children." Mark would have continued, but Steve interrupted him.

"Well, Dad," Steve began, deciding to let Mark know about Dr. Prescott's decision to retire. "Dr. Prescott is retiring soon." A shocked Dr. Sloan interrupted his son's comment.

"What? Gene is retiring? Why?" Mark asked sadly, knowing that Steve had begun to start opening up to Dr. Prescott, if just a little bit.

"Dad, his wife is terminally ill with cancer," Steve began sadly. "She may only have but a few weeks to live."

"I'm very sorry to hear that," Mark began full of sadness for his friend and colleague. "Son, I'll give him a call and see what I can do for him and Clara."

"Dad, I asked him to call us if he needed us to help him with anything." Steve replied, as he knew his dad would want to help a friend in need.

"Good thinking, Son," Mark began, "let me clear the dishes, while you put Little Miss Katie to bed. She's totally knocked out on the couch."

"Will do, Dad," Steve began, smiling at his precious daughter. "Dad, can I let Katie sleep up here tonight?"

"Sure, Son," Mark began, alarm bells going off. "Steve, Son, is everything all right with you? Why do you want Katie to sleep up here and not downstairs with you?"

Steve, wanting to get back at his father for the many times he tricked him, replied with a mock sad expression on his face.

"Dad, it's been a bad day," Steve began with a mock sigh, "I just thought I'd do a little thinking, is all."

Silence engulfed the Sloan men for a brief moment. Then all of the sudden, unable to keep a straight face, Steve broke out with hearty laughter. Mark was so glad to hear Steve's laughter, as he hadn't heard much mirth from his son since the death of his beloved wife, Lena.

"Oh, Dad, I am so sorry," a laughing Steve began, "I bought you a Humphrey Bogart video. And since it's still relatively early, I thought we could have a father and son movie night, complete with popcorn, soda and chocolate bars. I know shouldn't have tricked you like that, but I just couldn't resist the temptation to get back at you for all of the times you tricked me, Carol and Mom."

"Ha, ha, ha, Son," Mark began in mock disgust. Mark then continued, using his mock 'old timer' voice. "You young whippersnappers have no respect for your elders."

Steve was unable to top his dad's last comment, as he dissolved in a hale of uncontrollable laughter, which made his dad's spirits soar.

Steve and Mark enjoyed the Humphrey Bogart film and each other's company. Steve clearly missed hanging out with his dad, as he had been so consumed with work and the fact that he hadn't fully gotten over the death of Lena.

After the video ended, Mark retired for the night, leaving Steve to his many thoughts. Since Steve didn't have to go to work over the next few days, he stayed up watching TV until midnight.

As he watched TV in his dad's living room, Steve thought about Dr. Agnes Aames. He wondered what a session with the beautiful older psychiatrist would be like. With that last thought, Steve drifted off to sleep on his father's couch.

A/N – I apologize for taking so long in updating this story. Things have come up, but I'll try to update in a more timely fashion. I'd also like to mention that there may be some continuity problems, but please bear with me, as this is only my second fanfic. I promise I'll get better with time and lots of practice. God bless you and thanx so much for your patience and the kind reviews. It's greatly appreciated. Also, please excuse any typographical errors.