PART 15

Goodwin turned on the light in Torres' office. Looking around, he picked up the phone and began to dial a number. Bringing the receiver up to his ear, he said, "Yes, I would like to speak to Lieutenant Cheryl Banks. What do you mean she isn't there?" Goodwin asked. "I need to speak with her. This is very important."

The door to the office opened. He quickly hung up the phone and looked up to see Torres standing in the doorway.

"I thought you went to bed," Goodwin said nervously.

"Who were you on the phone with?"

"I was just calling my office."

Torres walked farther into the room and over to the desk where Goodwin stood.

"A little late to be calling the office, isn't it?"

"I haven't checked in all day, I do have other clients you know."

"Ahuh."

"Look, I'm turning in for the night," Goodwin said, walking out of the office.

Torres picked up the phone and hit the re-dial button. He waited while the phone rang.

"Los Angeles Police Department," he heard the voice at the other end say.

Torres hung up the phone and looked up at the door. "Calling your office, huh?" he said.

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

Mark walked into the living room; he saw that Jesse was asleep in the chair once again. Looking over at the couch, he saw Amanda sitting with Steve's head in her lap. He was shaking violently. "Steve?" Mark said, walking over to the couch and kneeling down to gaze at this son. "Steve?"

Steve opened his eyes and looked at his father; without saying a word he closed them again. The shaking continued to tear through his body.

"How long has he been like this?" Mark asked, looking up at Amanda.

"For about," Amanda looked at her watch, "twenty minutes."

Steve tried to sit up, but Mark pushed him back down.

"No…no, going to be…be sick," Steve protested.

Mark helped his son up. As they headed toward the bathroom, Steve collapsed in the hallway. He began throwing up violently where he had fallen.

"Oh God," Steve cried out between retching. He emptied his stomach until once again dry heaves racked his already shaking body. "I…I'm so…so sorry," Steve said as he began to cry.

"There's no need for you to be sorry, son," Mark said. "This isn't your fault, you didn't do this."

Steve sat up; using the wall for support, he leaned against it.

"You…you must be…be so disappointed in…in me," Steve sobbed and turned away from his father.

Mark's heart broke for his son.

"My God, Son. Did I say I was disappointed in you?" Mark asked, looking at Steve. "Look at me, Steve."

Steve opened his eyes and looked at his father.

"Did I ever tell you that I was disappointed in you?"

Steve shook his head no.

"And I never will. You know I am always here to help you no matter what happens."

Steve swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. Not trusting his voice, he continued to stare at his father.

"That's what parents do, Steve, help their children."

"Even if…if that child is…is an adu…adult and can…can't help himself?" Steve asked quietly.

Mark put his hand on Steve's cheek and smiled. "Even if that child is an adult. That is, of course if that child wants the father's help."

Steve smiled a little. "Yeah, he does."

Mark hugged Steve and Steve returned the gesture, leaning back against the wall. "You want to help this child of yours into bed?" Steve asked. "I'm wiped and would like to try and get some sleep."

"You got it," Mark said. He got to his feet and helped Steve off the floor.

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

Amanda stared out the window as Mark walked into the living room. She turned to face him.

"How's Steve?"

"He's sleeping."

"Why don't you get some sleep yourself," Amanda suggested. "You look like you can use it."

"Speak for yourself," Mark said with a laugh. "I'll be fine. I want to be awake in case Steve needs me."

"I'm not tired. I'll stay up and watch Steve for you."

"No, that's okay. I'm not tired either."

"You're just as stubborn as your son."

Mark smiled. "Where do you think he gets it from?"

"Why don't you both get some sleep and I'll watch Steve," Jesse's voice came from the chair.

Amanda and Mark looked over at Jesse getting out of the chair.

"I'll be fine, Jesse," Amanda said.

"I didn't ask if you were fine, Amanda," Jesse said, walking over to them. "You look exhausted."

Amanda opened her mouth to protest.

"Go," Jesse interrupted her. He pointed to the hallway. "There's another bedroom back there. I suggest you use it."

"Okay, okay I'll go," Amanda protested. "If anything happens."

"I know. I'll come get you."

Amanda walked over of the living room and toward the hallway.

"That goes for you, too," Jesse told Mark. "Steve's going to need you in the morning and I don't think you're going to be doing him any good without any sleep. I'll get you if he wakes up."

"Thanks, Jesse," Mark said and walked out of the room.

Jesse walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back, checking to see that the unmarked car was still out front. Rubbing his weary eyes, he took another look out the window, he finally walked away, sat down in the chair, and relaxed enough to begin reading a magazine.

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

"You'll feel a little pin prick and then the most wonderful feeling of euphoria you will ever experience," he heard the voice say.

The needle moved closer to his arm; Steve cried out in pain as it stuck into his arm. "Oh God, please make them stop. No more. I can't take it; please help me."

Laughter came from the darkness. Steve turned around unable to see the person who laughed at him.

"Where are you?" The laughter crew louder and louder. Steve covered his ears to block out the sound, but it continued to get louder.

"This won't hurt a bit," he heard the voice say over and over again. Needles seemed to be coming in and out of his vision.

"No!" Steve tried to get away from the voice and the needles, but he just kept running into walls. Everywhere he turned there was another wall. Turning to face the sound of the voice, he leaned against one of the walls, covering his ears.

"It won't hurt, it won't hurt, it won't hurt," the voice kept repeating over and over again. Needles continued to come at Steve as he covered his head and sank to the floor.

"You're going to die, Sloan," the voice said. "You're going to die…"

Steve saw thousands of needles coming toward him from out of the darkness. He buried his head in his arms and waited.

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

"NO!!" Steve cried out, sitting up in his bed. Gasping for breath and covered in sweat, he looked around the room.

Jesse was the first one to reach him. Amanda wasn't for behind, and Mark was right behind her.

Jesse rushed over to the bed.

"Steve, what's wrong?" Jesse asked, a concerned look on his face.

Steve looked wildly around the room. He was completely disoriented, his eyes wide with fear. Seeing Jesse reach out for him, Steve saw what he thought was a needle in Jesse's hand.

"NO!!!" Steve yelled. "Get…get away from…from me."

"Steve," Jesse said, reaching out to calm him.

Steve's response was quick and immediate. He punched Jesse in the face, sending him falling to the floor. Amanda was at Jesse's side in an instant. Steve fell out of the bed and stumbled over to the nearest wall.

Making his way over to his son, Mark said. "Steve."

"No! Stay…stay away from…from me," Steve yelled. "I…I don't want…want anymore, please…please don't hurt…hurt me anymore."

"We're not here to hurt you son."

"I…I said stay…stay away," Steve pleaded.

"Steve, you were dreaming," Mark said, inching his way toward his son. "It was only a dream; no one here wants to hurt you."

Mark reached his son. Steve struck out with his right hand and made contact with Mark's jaw.

Taken off balance, Mark landed on the floor. He looked up at his son with tears in his eyes.

"I…I'm not going to…to let you…you kill me!" Steve shrieked.

"Come on, Steve," Amanda said gently. "You had a dream, that's all. We aren't going to kill you."

Steve looked around the room; he started to recognize where he was. "Amanda?"

"I'm right here," she said with a smile.

Looking at his father and Jesse, he saw them both wiping blood away from their lips. "Oh God, did…did I do…do that?"

"You were dreaming," Mark said, walking up to him. "You didn't know what was going on."

"Come on, Steve," Jesse said. "Let's get you back into bed."

"No…no I can…can't go back…back to sleep. I…I don't want…want to dream again."

"How about I stay with you until you fall asleep," Mark suggested.

Steve nodded. "Thanks, Dad."

Mark helped Steve back over to his bed. Jesse and Amanda left the room. Closing the door, Amanda watched Mark pull the covers over Steve and then sit on the edge of the bed.