A/N: That's the spirit, kittn!

2. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

"How's your magazine?"

Steve turned a page of the latest edition of Motocross without looking up. "Great. The right side, anyway." He smiled a bit in response to his father's appreciative chuckle, knowing he'd been testing the emotional waters and was pleased to find them less than icy. Well, it really was a beautiful day, and he had no intention on wasting it with being disgruntled.

"You know, I had planned to cook a steak for lunch, but now I think it might do more good on your eye."

"I thought that was a wive's tale - steak for a black eye."

"Well, they probably used to use them because they were cool and moist more than anything else - the ice pack is really better, though you'll want to replace it with moist heat tomorrow. Need the ice refreshed?"

Steve lowered the ice pack and tossed it aside. "No - it's fine. I don't really need it any more."

"How's the bite?"

"It's nothing. Don't think I've had one of those since Carol got old enough to stop that sort of thing." Mark tossed something lightly underhand and Steve automatically snatched it out of the air. "What's this?"

"Amoxycillin. Standard treatment for human bites. How's your tetanus inoculation? Up to date?"

"I don't know. I guess." Steve frowned, suddenly catching his meaning. "Dad, I'm not spending my day off at the hospital letting somebody stick me with a big needle."

Mark hovered uncertainly. "Well, I'll just make a quick call and have somebody peek at your file, then. Oh, and Steve - take those with water - " he groaned as Steve read the label and popped two into his mouth.

Steve looked innocent. "What? I don't have any water."

Mark made a face. "And make sure you take all of those -"

"I know about antibiotics, Dad."

"Hm." Mark looked unconvinced. "Let me make that call. Say, you feel like a nice walk before lunch? We can stroll along the ocean and catch up. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. Then when we get back, I'll fix that steak."

"Sounds like a plan."

0000

Steve didn't even have to look up to know that his father had returned and that he was not bearing good news – he'd recognize that guilty, hovering presence anywhere – even before he heard a throat clear tentatively.

"I'm sorry, Steve," Mark began apologetically. "But it looks like our walk is going to have to wait. I have to go in – one of Dr. Kessler's patients – "

Steve lowered his magazine. "That's too bad," he said sympathetically. "I'll see you later, then."

"Actually…" Mark's smile took on the forced enthusiasm of a used care salesman's. "Why don't you drive me? Then we can catch up on the way. We can even see what they're serving for lunch at the cafeteria."

Steve eyed him suspiciously. "You hate the food at the cafeteria."

Mark nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. But for you, son of mine…"

"Dad." Steve tried his most uncompromising police tone. "I said 'no'."

Mark widened his eyes innocently. "I just thought we could have lunch! And I could use the ride – my car's in the shop."

"Your car is in the garage. I saw it last night."

"Well," Mark brushed aside this pesky detail. "It should be in the shop. It would be much safer if you would drive me. Unless you don't mind me taking the truck…?" Mark's smile broadened slightly, indicating he knew exactly what the answer to that would be.

Steve stared at him for a moment, like a perp caught in his own gun sights, then he threw down his magazine with a sigh of resignation. "I'll get my wallet. But Dad – "

"Yes, son?" Mark's smiled benevolently, his expression imbued with the kind tolerance of one who knew he'd trumped every ace.

"I am NOT getting a shot."

Mark looked wounded. "Steve, I just need a ride."

"Yeah. Right." Steve started down the deck stairs. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm the one being taken for a ride?"

0000

"I can't believe you did that!"

"Now, Steve - " Mark had to hustle to keep up with his son's long strides. "It was absolutely necessary - "

"It was an ambush!" Steve hammered his finger into the elevator button, then reached up to cradle his biceps tenderly. "And now I have two bad arms!"

"Oh, now, it will only hurt for a bit. And tetanus is a very nasty disease! I'd hate to see you go through something like that!"

Steve scowled, stepping into the elevator as the doors opened. "I've been fine so far."

"You've been very lucky. You should never let your booster lapse, especially in your line of work! In fist fights, pawing through dumpsters, crawling through alleys…I intend to see that you stay up to date on it from now on!"

"Great." Steve glared at the carpeted floor of the elevator.

"And now that it's all over, we can have a nice lunch." Mark smiled coaxingly. "It's pigs in a blanket today."

Steve looked reluctantly mollified. "Really?"

"Would I lie to you about something like that?"

Steve fixed him with a glare. "Why should that be any different than the shot?"

"Steve!" Mark looked shocked. "It's one thing to use a little sleight of hand involving your physical well being, I would never mislead you about something like this."

"I guess not." Steve stepped out of the elevator as the doors slid open, his pace more moderate. "Is it really pigs in a blanket?"

"Oh, yes. And I'm buying."

"Good." Steve led the way to the cafeteria. "I thought you had a patient you had to check on?"

"I have some x-rays I need to look at, but they won't be ready for another half hour. Plenty of time for a nice lunch with my son."

Steve handed him a tray from the stack and looked a little more cheerful as he picked up a plate of steaming pigs in a blanket. He added a glass of juice and smiled a little more. "You want some?"

Mark made a face. "Uh - no…I think I'll make do with a sandwich."

"Don't know what you're missing."

"Actually, I do."

Steve shook his head, sliding his tray onto the nearest table.

Mark picked up a tuna sandwich and got comfortable next to him. "So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

Steve took a mouthful of juice, then forked a couple of the biscuit-wrapped dogs. "Well, I'd like to finish my magazine - maybe squeeze in a little surfing or check out the batting cages."

"Just see that you keep that bite wound clean."

Steve grunted non-committally. "How long you plan on being here?"

"Maybe another hour. We could still have that walk, if you like."

Steve nodded, swallowing another pig in a blanket.

Mark winced. "Steve, I wish you'd chew just a little…"

Steve opened his eyes innocently. "I do. More or less."

"More would be better."

Steve slowed his chewing, his expression pensive.

Mark smiled. "How about dinner out tonight? We could check out that new Pakistani restaurant."

Steve's chewing slowed further. "Huh? Oh. Yeah. That would be nice."

"Maybe take in a movie? There's a new James Bond out." He watched Steve swallow carefully. "Steve?"

"Hm?" Steve squinted at him. "Oh. Sure. Sounds good, Dad."

"Good. We could even stop for ice cream after - just like old times. Oh, and Steve - "

"Dad?" Steve broke in abruptly, his expression so peculiar that Mark paused, perplexed. "Are there any - side effects - to tetanus shots?"

Mark looked thoughtful. "Oh, no, not really. A little soreness and stiffness in the arm for a couple of days, maybe. Of course, in some very rare cases, people experience hives. Or sometimes a low grade fever. Some even develop a little nausea - "

"That's the one - " Steve stood hastily. He made it as far as the hall before his pigs in a blanket made a return trip.

0000

"Go away." Steve didn't even lift the damp washcloth to look - he didn't have to. He'd know those footsteps anywhere.

He felt a hand gently press the cloth more firmly over his eyes, then another cloth dab at the lower part of his face. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. How's the stomach?"

"Check the floor outside the cafeteria. I think I left it there."

A faint chuckle in response. "Sounds like you're feeling better."

Better. Better than what? First he didn't get to finish his breakfast and now he'd lost his lunch. And his beautiful free day was sliding away, right before his…he pulled the cloth away from his face and blinked. "What time is it?"

"Almost 12:30. Why?"

"Are you almost done here?"

"Oh, in another hour or so, I'd say. I'm waiting on some tests, and then - "

"Do you think you could find a ride home?"

"I'm sure I could, but - "

Steve nodded. "I've got to go."

He could hear the frown in his father's voice. "I'm not sure you should be driving until you're a little steadier. Why don't you lie here a little longer, then - "

"I'm fine." Steve sat up swiftly, then grabbed for the sides of the examining table. Whoa. Mostly fine, anyway. But his day was disappearing, and it could still be salvaged, if he could only get back to the beach and his lounge chair and his magazine. "I feel much better," he added firmly, trying to convince both of them. "I really want to go home, Dad."

"Well…all right…" Mark didn't sound happy. "I'm going to give you something for your stomach, so be sure you take it. And don't stop at Burger Boy on the way home."

Steve's feet had just hit the floor, and he had to stop and grip the examining table again, swallowing decidedly. "Dad," His voice was a little faint. "Please don't even mention Burger Boy right now?"

"Yes, all right…see that you take it nice and easy, though, okay?"

"I promise, that's exactly what I have in mind." His stomach gave a warning lift and he closed his eyes for a second to let it pass. One thing was for sure - surfing was definitely out. Just the thought of riding a swell…he had to stop and swallow again. He opened his eyes and brushed ineffectually at the drying stain on his shirtfront. "Looks like I need a clean t-shirt anyway."

TBC