Author's Note

Sorry for the delay in posting, I've not been intentionally keeping you waiting, I've been having problems with my internet connection and I couldn't get on line!

Underneath the harsh light bulb a man sat alone. Despite his lack of company, his lips twitched as he muttered to himself and his face contorted into a frown of displeasure.

'Come on now Doctor' the man said irritably; his voice echoing hollowly in the empty room. There was no one to hear, he was quite alone, but it felt good to say it out loud. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the top of the small table behind which he was seated. Today the chess board in front of him only fuelled his frustration. He wanted to play, he'd thought he'd picked a worthy opponent, but so far he'd been disappointed. He'd expected more of Doctor Sloan, after all the man had certainly proved himself in the past. But so far, nothing, this battle of wits had been all one –sided – his side.

The man sighed heavily, there was nothing for it, he'd have to make another move, stir up a little action and hope that eventually the doctor would reciprocate and prove his worth. Really it was all rather tedious, but needs must. He closed his eyes and a sweet smile played across his face as he imagined his next move. Yes, yes, that should do it.

'Come out to play Doctor' he said, as he moved the chess piece. 'Come and show me what you've got'.

The hospital cafeteria at Community General was busy, despite the lateness of the hour. 9pm was a little late for dinner, but it had proved to be the only time Mark and Steve both had a window in their schedules. Since failing to tempt his son out to lunch days earlier, Mark had been determined that they would take some time out together. Tonight he'd finally persuaded Steve to take a night off from the case. There was a price to pay though – Steve had insisted on picking the venue. His choice had been just as Mark had expected.

Still, Mark thought philosophically, at least the cafeteria was warm and welcoming and the buzz of conversation from the surrounding tables was a comforting distraction from the rain outside. Although the Christmas decorations had now been removed, the brightly coloured raincoats and umbrellas of tonight's patrons maintained a faux festive touch. Mark looked down at his menu and sighed resignedly, the food wasn't exactly what he'd have chosen, but at least it might cheer Steve up.

'This is nice isn't it?' Mark said, peering at his son over his menu 'The two of us spending some time together. You know I feel like I've hardly seen you these last few days'. He smiled fondly 'I've missed you, you know'.

'Yeah me too' Steve said guiltily, meeting his father's eyes and offering a rueful smile, before returning his attention back to tonight's specials.

It was true; the case had kept him pretty busy. Since they'd made the discovery about Marcus Swift, or rather 'Sam Wallis', he'd been working all hours. When he hadn't been trawling through files and forensic reports late into the night, he and Ron had been re-interviewing potential eye witnesses and suspects and re-checking the crime scene for anything on Ross Cainen. So far they had squat. Cainen had been seen at the diner that night, but being at your own joint was hardly a crime.

True to her word, Tanis had left him to work the case his way and she was working it hers. Sure he'd told her about Sam Wallis, had told her about his father's vigilante theory, but she wasn't ready to hear it. She'd looked at him, eyes flashing angrily and then she'd shaken her head.

'You're unbelievable' she'd said.

And then she'd left the office to go who knew where? She'd stopped talking to him. Now she was flying solo, communicating only with the Chief. The thought that she might be spending time with Cainen made Steve's insides churn with fear. Involuntarily he winced.

'Steve, is everything alright?'

His father's voice snapped him out of his reverie

'Huh?'

'You look like you're in pain, can I get you something?' Mark asked; the concern showing in his clear blue eyes 'Is it your side?'

Steve scratched absently at his side – the stitches were beginning to itch. 'I'm fine Dad' he said offering his father a weak smile 'Just tired is all'

'Well in that case, there's steak on the menu today, I think you should give it a try'. Mark smiled encouragingly 'Some red meat will do you good, help you fight off that cold.'

'Dad, honestly I'm fine' Steve said 'and even you've gotta admit that my cold has pretty much gone now'.

Mark smiled at the predictability of the reply, but he wasn't reassured. If Steve's suffering wasn't physical, then it had to be psychological. His son had something on his mind and Mark was pretty sure he knew what.

Over Steve's left shoulder Mark could see Amanda Bentley seated at one of the other tables. She was alone and reading a magazine. He knew Amanda sometimes came in at this time of night, when she was working late in the pathology lab. On occasion he'd join her, and they'd grab a quick coffee and a bite to eat and they'd talk over the day's events. Mark smiled, he enjoyed the down time, it always helped to unwind with friends after a tough day.

It didn't look like she'd noticed them and Mark hesitated, uncertain as to whether to invite her to join them. It seemed rude not to, but then he had kinda hoped for some one on one time with Steve. He carried on watching, caught in a rare moment of indecision, but then Amanda checked her wrist watch and then looked over at the main entrance. Mark relaxed; problem solved, she was obviously expecting someone, probably Ron. That relationship seemed to be going from strength to strength; he'd never seen Amanda so happy.

Shifting back in his seat, satisfied that Amanda would be fine, Mark turned his attention back to his son, who was apparently still perusing the menu. Mark had a feeling that he wasn't taking much of it in.

'So Steve; the steak?' Mark prompted encouragingly.

'Erm sure, sounds great' Steve said, fixing a smile on his face.

Mark beamed 'And you really should have some soup too'.

'Soup it is' Steve said, a little too brightly.

'You know' Mark said cheerfully 'one of these days when we go out for dinner, we really should try going a little further than the hospital cafeteria'.

'Whaddya mean?' Steve said in surprise 'The food here is great and it's cheap too'.

He gazed around the cafeteria, which was about ¾'s full tonight. With the increased number of patients, there had been a concomitant increase in visitors. Added to this, now that the weather had finally begun to pick up, people had little by little been drawn out of the safe cocoons of their homes and life was slowly but surely getting back to normal. The sunshine couldn't come quick enough for Steve, he longed for the warm touch of the sun on his face, in fact even the LA smog would be a welcome sight right now.

But so far the sun was still absent. Although the eye of the storm seemed to have passed over LA, the rain and chill wind were unrelenting. New arrivals to the cafeteria were shaking the water from their coats, jackets and umbrellas, before sitting down to grab a bite to eat with family and friends. The buzz of a multitude of conversations rattled in Steve's ears like a nest of angry hornets, but at least it was better than silence, silence gave him too much time to think.

Looking at his son thoughtfully, Mark gave Steve a tentative smile 'Wouldn't you like to try something a little more exotic sometime?' he said encouragingly. 'You know I hear 'Pierre's' is very good'. Mark paused as if not sure whether to continue and then took a deep breath and released it 'I'm sure Tanis would like 'Pierre's' he said gently 'you should take her there some time'.

Steve's head snapped up and his eyes met the concerned gaze of his father. He groaned 'You know don't you?'

'Know what?' Mark said with mock innocence.

'C'mon Dad' Steve said eyeing his father knowingly 'don't pretend, just to make me feel better. We both know that I can never get anything past you. Never have been able to'.

Mark smiled sheepishly and looked down at his hands on the table before him.

'Well you know son' he said ruefully, 'this time it wasn't too hard. You're miserable; I haven't seen Tanis round at the house and …' he paused and raised his eyes to look at Steve 'I'm down a bottle of scotch.'

Steve sighed, his father was right, it didn't exactly take a genius to figure it out and it was certainly well within the mental capabilities of Mark Sloan.

'I'll replace the scotch' he said in a small voice, feeling a flush of embarrassment warming his face.

Mark leaned over and placed a reassuring hand on Steve's arm 'Forget the scotch' he said 'that is unless there's something I should know about it'.

'Don't worry Dad, I won't be making a habit of it' Steve said. A rueful smile turned up the corners of his lips and he looked at his father 'I don't ever want another hangover like that one' he admitted grudgingly.

Mark smiled 'Rough huh?'

Steve nodded 'Oh yeah'.

'You know' Mark said with a twinkle in his eye, 'the body's ability to handle alcohol deteriorates with age'. He grinned 'Gotta face it son, you're getting old'.

Steve rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his face 'Thanks Dad' he said 'I feel so much better now'.

Mark patted Steve's hand 'That's what fathers are for' he said with a grin and then he turned serious 'So d'you wanna talk about it?' he said gently.

'Yes … no … I don't know'.

Steve shifted uncomfortably and began picking at his table mat. Mark waited, sensing more was coming. Eventually Steve looked up

'We had a fight, a big one' he said, letting out a breath.

'About?' Mark prompted gently.

Steve sighed, 'The Task Force' he said.

'Oh' Mark said gravely.

Steve looked at his father and finally let down the remainder of his defences.

'It's a mess Dad' he said sadly 'and I don't know how to fix it'.

Mark let out a breath and chewed his lip thoughtfully 'Well then' he said finally 'how's about we order ourselves up some food and see what we can come up with?'

Jesse Travis yawned widely and pushed his blonde hair out of his eyes. Frowning with concentration, he tapped tiredly at the calculator in front of him, as he tried in vain to balance the books. Next time he'd stick Steve with the accounts! Barbeque Bob's was deserted, except for Jesse and Nikki Ellis, the youngest member of the wait staff. The lights had been turned down low, but the juke box still thumped out a song requested by a customer who had long since headed for home. As Jesse sat at a table near the bar, steadily working his way through the figures for December, Nikki worked around him, clearing the few tables that had been used tonight. With her jet black shoulder length hair tied in a pony tail and her long slim legs showing off her waitress uniform to perfection, Nikki was always a hit with the customers – when they had customers, that is!

Stacking the crockery over her arm, Nikki methodically carried each load to the kitchen and then returned to give each table a thorough wipe down with a clean dish cloth. They had been by no means busy tonight, but at least they were open again. Sensing that the storm was abating, people were starting to brave the weather, to go out for dinner, to socialise with their friends. Nikki was relieved; she needed the money these shifts would bring. 'Bob's' had been shut for almost 3 weeks, but then they weren't the only ones, most of the other fast food joints had been shut too. And it wasn't just the weather that had been keeping people away. Nikki shivered; the explosion at Susie's diner had been a little too close to home for everyone.

Upon hearing Jesse yawning, a sound which had become increasingly frequent over the last half hour, Nikki cast a glance at her boss and smiled. He sure was cute, especially when he ruffled up his hair that way. He was so boyish looking it was hard to believe that he was old enough to own this joint, never mind be an experienced ER surgeon.

If she was honest with herself, and she usually tried to be, it had been Jesse's boyish good looks that had persuaded her to take this job. In the first instance she'd been a little hesitant. Working for a cop was not the norm in her neighbourhood. She respected Lieutenant Sloan a great deal and yet even after all this time, she found herself a little uncomfortable around him. If hadn't been for Dr Travis' warm smile, she would have walked right out the door once she'd found out that Steve Sloan was a cop. But Jesse had smiled at her and so she'd taken the job and now here she was clearing tables. By now she knew Jesse wasn't interested in her, knew he had a pretty blonde girlfriend, but she still got a buzz out of being around him.

Jesse yawned again and Nikki put down her dish cloth and headed over to where he was working. Jesse heard her approaching and looked up.

'Hey Nikki' he said 'You know if you're finished then you can head on home, I don't think we're gonna get any more customers tonight'. He shrugged 'the weather's getting better, but I guess it's gonna take a while for things to get back to normal'. Jesse yawned again, belatedly covering his mouth with his hand when he saw her watching him 'Sorry about that' he said offering her a sheepish smile 'heavy shift at the hospital'.

Nikki's heart did the usual little flip that it did whenever Jesse smiled at her, and she smiled back.

'May be you should head home too' she said a little shyly 'You sure look like you could use some sleep'.

Jesse grinned 'Hey I thought I was the doctor around here' he teased 'And here's you giving me the medical advice!'

Nikki blushed and Jesse found himself noticing how attractive the added colour in her cheeks was. He'd never really noticed Nikki before, being far too hung up on Susan Hilliard, plus he'd always kinda suspected that Nikki had a crush on Steve; she was always so awkward around him.

Nikki, enjoying the teasing, grinned back 'Well you know they always say that doctors make the worst patients' she said, folding her arms across her chest and raising her eyebrows at him.

'Actually I think Police Lieutenants make the worst patients' Jesse said with a wry smile, then seeing her puzzled look added 'well Steve Sloan at any rate'.

Nikki nodded her head, understanding, but at the mention of Steve, she had lost her relaxed manner of a few moments earlier. Hastening to put her at her ease again, Jesse stretched languorously and through another yawn told Nikki that she was completely right and that he did indeed need to get some sleep.

Nikki smiled 'I just have to put out the trash and then I'm done' she said. Then she looked at him tentatively 'If you wanna go I could lock up, I don't mind.'

'How about this' Jesse said getting to his feet, and leaving the books behind 'I'll help you take out the trash, then we'll both lock up and then I'll give you a ride home'.

Nikki's heart flipped again, but this time in fear, she didn't want Jesse to see the kind of neighbourhood she lived in 'That's okay' she stuttered 'really it's only a five minute walk'.

But Jesse was not to be dissuaded' C'mon Nikki give me a break' he pleaded. 'I can't let you walk home in this rain, what kind of a guy d'you think I am?' Then he grinned mischievously 'besides, who would clean the tables if you went down with pneumonia?'

With a smile she relented, promising herself she'd get him to drop her a block away. With that settled, the two of them headed into the back kitchen to gather up the black bags of trash, then grabbing their rain jackets they hauled the bags out into the alley.

When Steve had turned down the opportunity to become a full time member of the Task Force, choosing instead to stay with homicide, he hadn't said much about his decision. At that point Mark had been vaguely curious, wondering why his son had turned down what had seemed to be a promotion. Since this case had started, Mark had, had his suspicions that Steve had a problem with the Task Force, but now it was all becoming a little clearer.

'I know it's her job, but it's too dangerous' Steve was saying, his forehead creased into a frown. He shoved a forkful of steak into his mouth and chewed it angrily 'She's in way over her head with Cainen'.

'But Steve' Mark said reasonably, inwardly wincing at the speed at which Steve was eating 'She's an experienced detective; surely she knows what she's doing?' He took a sip of juice and looked at his son thoughtfully 'Anyway, I thought you hadn't found anything on Cainen.'

'Yet' Steve said stubbornly, swallowing his mouthful of food 'We haven't found anything yet'.

He put his fork down and looked at his father, his eyes serious 'It all fits Dad' he said shaking his head 'I mean come on, you were the one who said that perhaps the bomber was someone people expected to see, you were the one who said the bomber sees himself as a hero'.

'That's true I was' Mark said popping a piece of steak into his mouth – actually it wasn't too bad, 'But Steve' he said chewing slowly 'Ross Cainen is a cop, do you really think he's a cold blooded killer?'

Steve sighed heavily, picking up his knife and fork and attacking his steak again 'Cops can go bad' he said. 'You don't know what the Task Force is like Dad. They don't play by normal rules. I mean I've been under cover, but nothing like what they do. When they go under cover it's not just for a few weeks, it's for years. When they put on the disguise, it's not just clothes; it's a completely new identity'.

Steve swallowed another mouthful and looked at his father, his eyes serious 'When agents work for the Task Force, a lot of the time they work outside of the law. They bend the rules. They become like the criminals they chase'.

'And you think that's what's happened to Cainen?' Mark said, putting down his fork, his eyes scanning his son's face intently 'He's become the killer he's pretending to be?'

Steve took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his next piece of steak still on his fork, halfway to his mouth 'I think he's gone over the edge' he said finally 'I think he's been under cover for so long that he doesn't know where the fiction ends and the fact begins'.

'Okay' Mark said slowly, leaning forward, his eyes were narrowed with concentration 'so say that Cainen has become a killer, but somehow in his mixed up mind he still thinks he's working on behalf of the law, what or who is his next target likely to be?'

Steve swallowed down his mouthful of steak and then opened his mouth to respond, but was distracted by the sound of a cork popping – must have been one of the fathers straight from the maternity ward, celebrating a new arrival. He looked around, but couldn't see anything, still it was good to know that a least someone had something to celebrate tonight. Steve turned back to his father, but Mark was looking past him, to a table beyond and a little to his left.

'No' Mark said, his eyes wide with horror 'Please God no'.

'How much longer are we gonna have to put up with this rain?' Jesse complained, hooking the hood of his jacket over his head with one hand, whilst dragging two black bags of garbage with the other.

Nikki shrugged 'Maybe we'd better start building an ark!' she said, hoisting her one garbage bag up on to her shoulder.

Jesse grinned 'Well it'd sure beat swimming!' he said.

Finally reaching the row of trash cans they dumped the bags. 'Aw damit! Jesse groaned, as he looked at the rubbish at his feet. One of his bags had split and there was now a trail of rubbish all the way down the sidewalk behind him.

Nikki giggled 'Litter lout' she admonished him 'That's what you get for trying to drag two bags instead of carrying one!'

'I know, I know' Jesse said, raising his hands in admission 'You know you sound just like Amanda' he said.

'Who's Amanda?' Nikki asked.

'A very wise woman' Jesse said, nodding his head gravely. Then he let out a breath 'Okay, so d'you think you can manage putting these in the trash can whilst I sort this out?'

Nikki nodded 'Sure thing'.

As Jesse turned around to head back to the restaurant for another bag, Nikki lifted the lid off the trash can.

'What the?' she began and then she froze, her insides feeling as though she'd swallowed a bucket of ice.

Jesse turned and saw what she'd seen 'Oh God No' he said.

TO BE CONTINUED …….