PART 12:

Gaines pulled his car across the street from the safe house. He watched Jesse get out of his car and walk to the front door. Once he saw Amanda open the door, he knew he had the right house and he drove off.

"What took you so long? Did you get everything we need?" Amanda asked as Jesse walked into the living room.

"Had a hard time finding some of the things Mark wanted. So I didn't get to the store," Jesse explained as he placed box on the coffee table. "Where is Mark?"

"He's sitting with Steve."

"Amanda, what's wrong?" Jesse asked as he walked over to her.

"Torres was let out of jail today," she told him.

"What?! How did this happen?" Jesse asked in disbelief.

"I don't know," Amanda replied.

"How's Mark taking the news?" Jesse asked.

"How do you think he's taking it?" Amanda answered.

"Well at least Torres has no idea where Steve is."

Amanda walked over to the window and looked out. "I just hope it stays that way."

--------------------------------------------------

"That's right," Gaines said. He sat facing Goodwin and Torres. "That's the address to the safe house they have Sloan at."

"You did good there, Gaines," Torres said.

"When do I get my money?"

"Oh yes, your money. It's right here." Torres got up and walked over to his desk. He opened the drawer, pulled out an envelope, and threw it at Gaines.

Gaines began counting the money; he looked up at Torres. "This isn't all of it."

"Once we get to the safe house and see that it's the right one," Torres said, "you'll get the rest of your money."

Gaines stood and pointed at Torres. "I was told I was going to get all the money now, and more."

"You will get it, I just want to make sure the information you gave us warrants the rest of the money," Torres said.

Gaines looked at Goodwin and then Torres. "I'll be waiting for the rest of my money." He glanced back at Goodwin. "You know where to get in touch with me. And if I don't get it by tomorrow, I'll make sure my captain knows of your little plan."

With that Gaines turned and walked out of the room.

No sooner did Gaines leave the room, then Franklin and Jackson walked in.

"Follow him and take care of him," Torres said.

"What do you want us to do with the body?" Jackson asked.

"I don't care what you do with the body. Just get rid of him."

"Yes, sir."

The two men walked out of the office. Torres sat down in his chair and grabbed a cigar.

"You don't have to kill him," Goodwin said.

"You heard him, Michael," Torres said. "He'll go to his captain and tell him what we have planned."

"That's if he doesn't get the money."

"Look, from now on we're going to do things my way. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah."

Torres took the cigar and placed it in his mouth, sitting back in his chair and lighting it. "And by tomorrow Lieutenant Steve Sloan will be dead." He took a puff of the cigar and started to laugh.

--------------------------------------------------

Steve awoke with a start, quickly sitting up in his bed and immediately regretting that he did as his whole body screamed out in pain. He looked around the dark room and noticed that he was alone, but where he was he didn't know.

Was he still in that house, with those men?

No the room looked different from the other one. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs away and try and remember what happened. The last thing he remembered was being sick and hearing his father's voice.

Steve threw back the covers that were covering him. Too hot.

Getting up from the bed he walked over to the door. He turned the doorknob. This is definitely not the same room. The other door was always locked.

Opening the door slowly, Steve peered into the hallway, still not knowing where he was. He didn't want to take any chances. Wiping the sweat from his eyes, he stepped out into the hallway. He heard a voice coming from the other room. Looking around to make sure that no one was around, he made his way to the end of the hallway. Stopping and slowly looking around the corner, he spotted his father standing in the middle of the living room on the phone.

"No, Carol…Stay there…there's nothing you can do here," Mark said. "He's doing as well as can be excepted for what he's been through…No, not at all…I know, honey…I wish this whole thing never happened."

I wish this never happened either, Steve thought to himself.

Suddenly a wave of dizziness came over him, his stomach started to hurt and he felt as if he was going to be sick again. Hitting the wall with a loud thud, Steve moaned in pain. "Steve?" he heard his father's voice calling out to him.

"Carol, I'll call you back; I think Steve is awake….Love you too."

Mark walked into the hallway just in time to see Steve slide down the wall to the floor. He rushed over to his son's side. "Steve, what's wrong?"

"I…I think I…I'm going to be…be sick again," Steve managed to get out between clenched teeth.

"Come on," Mark said, trying to help Steve to a standing position. "Let's get you back into the bedroom."

"No…no I do…don't want to go…go back there," Steve pleaded.

"Steve."

"I…I said no!" He closed his eyes as the waves of dizziness and nausea continued to assault him. He didn't notice his father had gone and returned with a glass of water.

"Here you go, Steve," he offered. "Here's some water."

"I…I don't want…want any."

"Just try and drink a little."

Steve felt his anger begin to build. Before he could stop himself, he knocked the glass out of his father's hand. "I…I told you…you I did…didn't want any."

Steve opened his eyes to see the shocked look on his father's face from his sudden outburst. "I…I'm sorry," he whispered.

"No, that's okay," Mark said.

"No…no it's not…not okay," Steve said with tears in his eyes. "I…I shouldn't have…have gotten angry with…with you." He buried his face in his arms, and began to cry.

"Oh, Steve." Mark reached for his son to take him into his embrace.

"No…no just…just leave me alone," Steve pleaded, moving away from his father. "Go…go home you…you should…shouldn't be here."

"I want to be here," Mark said.

"No…no I…I don't want…want you seeing me…me like this," Steve said still not looking at his father. "Please…please just go…go away."

Mark grabbed Steve and pulled him into his arms.

Trying to pull away from his father's embrace, he said, "I…I said leave…leave me alone."

"No, I'm not going to leave you," Mark said, firmly tightening his embrace around his son. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Don't push me away, Steve, please don't push me away."

Steve stopped fighting his father; he wrapped his arms around him as he burst into tears.

"I'm here for you, Steve," Mark whispered. "I'm always here for you."