Mark hung up the phone. "Jess" he said turning to his young protégé "Steve wasn't at work this morning. Can you go to the beach house, see if he's there, and why he wasn't at work?"
"Sure Mark" Jesse said, grabbed his bag just in case, and headed out the door to his car.
Beach House: Jesse Pulled into the driveway, seeing Steve's truck he was getting worried. It wasn't like Steve to do this. He pulled out a key and unlocked the door.
"Steve" he called. No answer. He went down to Steve's apartment and walked into his room. There he was, laying on his back, pillow over his face. Jesse shook him and was surprised to feel the intense heat of fever. Steve woke with a start.
"Whoa, take it easy now Steve, lay back down, your sick." Jesse said with concern. He gripped Steve's wrist, to take his pulse. He covered his eyes "Jesse turn off the light" he moaned. "Steve" Jesse said in concern "do you have back and neck pain" "Yeah what of it?" he said confused. "we need to get you to hospital, I think you may have Meningitis" Jesse said urgently. Steve argued and fought but Jesse wouldn't budge. Steve finally gave up.
Hospital: Steve was in the exam room with Amanda. Jesse had told him they were going to do some tests. A minute later his dad came in. "Steve we are going to do a lumbar puncture" "Huh?" Steve said confused. Mark was regretting having to tell him this. "we are going to stick a needle between 2 bones in your back." "WHAT!" Steve yelled. "calm down buddy" Jack said as he walked into the room "don't worry we are going to use regional anesthetic, but its still gonna be uncomfortable. Steve gaped at them. Jack walked over and put a comforting hand on his shoulder "Steve roll over" he said gently. Seeing he was outnumbered Steve reluctantly complied. He felt the anesthetic being administered into his back. Then Jesse walked into the room. Steve shut his eyes not wanting to be any part of this. "Jack" Jesse said quietly although he could still hear him. "Stabilize his shoulders" Steve felt the soft pressure of Jack's hands on his shoulders. Mark moved to sit by his son's head.
"Ready" Jesse asked gently. Steve nodded and felt the needle slip into his back. A hiss of pain escaped his lips and as Jesse removed the needle he moaned. Just as he opened his eyes Jesse injected a sedative into his IV and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
2 weeks later: The events of the past couple weeks were a blur. He did have meningitis and had recovered. Yesterday he had been discharged from the hospital. He was on the deck relaxing When Jesse came out. "aren't you going to help with lunch" he said. "I'm recovering remember" he said. Jesse mumbled darkly under his breath. Steve thought sometimes being sick could be a good thing.
FIN
A/N: I like to write stories with Jack and Jesse