Deadly Dose by Laura Leone Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me. They belong to the people at Viacom. The story does belong to me. I am recieving no compensation for this story, save the letters I get from people who like it. BTW, you can write me at LL6330@aol.com On with the show, uh, story. *************************************************************** Steve reaches his father in record time. Mark and Steve tumble to the floor. The front door flies open. Jesse and Amanda race into the room. "Mark, No!" Amanda screams as the two men struggle for the gun. The gun goes off. Mark, who is on top of his son, stares into his son's eyes. Two days earlier ................................................... Mark Sloan is lazily strolling down the corridors of Community General hospital, taking notice to himself how quiet things had been for a few days. It was a pleasant change of pace. He enters the doctors lounge to find Jesse and Steve engaged in a friendly game of hoops. Mark stopped at the door for a moment to watch as the two friends scrambled for the piece of crumbled up paper. Having much longer arms, Steve easily scooped up the paper first and tossed it into the trash can. "Nothin' but net," shouts Steve. "No fair, you've got longer arms than I do," Jesse, out of breath, toppled onto the couch. Steve, victoriously eases into a chair. "It's not my fault. Besides what is it you always say, size isn't everything". Mark enters the room laughing. He pats his son's shoulder. "I see you're as busy as we are?" Steve watches as his father takes a seat. "I'm just waiting for Amanda to give me the report on the Reynolds case." "I thought that was your run-of-the-mill suicide case?" "It is and as soon as Amanda gives me the green light, I am out of here for three whole days. Three days of nothing but me, the beach and ....... Amanda strides in. "Steve Sloan, start packing your bags!" Steve jumps out of his chair. "Yes!" Amanda hands the file to Steve. "Classic suicide case". Steve gathers his papers together. "We'll it's been fun." As Steve is getting ready to exit, a nurse rushes into the room. "Dr. Sloan, come quick, it's an emergency!" The nurse rushes out of the room, followed by Mark, Steve, Jesse and Amanda. They rush into the ER. Mark's expression turns to horror when he see's his friend Dr. Robert Carr lying on a stretcher. The ambulance crew that brought him in is working side by side with the ER team to try and save his life. Dr. Carr spots Mark and starts to call his name. Mark rushes to his friend's side. "It's okay, Rob, your going to be okay." Carr grabs for Mark's hand. He tries to speak. "Mark...., please.....I" "Don't talk Robert." "Mark, be...careful...you'll be next....Mark.....he's going to kill you next....Mark....." Just then the monitor goes flatline. Carr goes into cardiac arrest. The team try in vain to save Carr. Steve grabs his father by the shoulders and pulls him to the sidelines. The team stops. "He's gone," Steve says. The nurse turns off the machine. Mark stands there in utter disbelief. "Come on dad." Steve takes his father by the shoulders and leads him out to the waiting room. Amanda and Jesse follow. Mark sits. Amanda takes the seat next to him. "I'm sorry Mark, I know he was a friend of yours." Mark looks to Steve. "Find out what happened." "I'm on it." Steve turns and joins two police officers that are standing by the nurses station. He talks for a few moments. The policemen follow Steve back to where his father and the others were. Steve bend's down next to his father. "Dad, Dr. Carr was shot twice as he was getting into his car to go home. This is detective Reilly. I know you're shaken up, but when you're ready he has a few questions for you." Mark doesn't respond. Steve stands and turns to Reilly. "Maybe a little later guys." "No." Mark takes a breath and sits up straight in his chair. "It's okay Steve. Whatever you need to know Detective." Reilly sits next to Mark. "Dr. Sloan when we reached Dr. Carr. He made it a point to tell us that you would be the next victim. Do you know why he would say that?" Mark thinks for a second. "Robert Carr and I have been friends for more than 30 years. He was a gifted doctor and a wonderful friend. More so than that he was one of the most honest people I know. That's why when he suspected his partner, William Connors was up to no good, he felt he had to tell someone. He told me." Steve bends down again next to his father looking puzzled. "Dad, you never told me this. When did this happen? What did Carr think Connors was into?" Mark puts his hand on Steve's knee. "He only came to me yesterday. I didn't say anything to you because there was nothing to tell. He had no proof." "Proof of what dad?" "Bob thought that Connors was experimenting with mind altering drugs. He was convinced that Connors was mixing medications and giving it to their patients. He was using them as guinea pigs. If only I had gone to the police I....." "What dad? You could have what? You said it yourself. He had no proof. You couldn't have prevented what happened. You don't even know if Connors had anything to do with Carr's death." Mark looks at Steve. "But I'm gonna find out!" Steve stands and takes out his cell phone. Mark looks at his son. "Who you calling?" Steve takes a deep breath. "Allison. I guess my beach romping weekend with her will have to wait." Bright sunshine filled the sky over LA. Steve sqwints as he and his father climb out of his truck in front of Dr. Carr's medical office building. Steve waits at the front door, having arrived there a few steps in front of his father. He begins to worry about his dad as he watches him slowly make his way. Steve knows his father would never forgive himself for what happened to Carr. The only thing they can do for Carr now is find the person responsible for killing him. The two men enter the large complex and stop at the receptionist's desk. The reception area is filled with floral baskets. Steve takes out his badge. "Excuse me, I'm Lt. Sloan LAPD." The woman, who had been crying, lifts her head. "You're here about Dr. Carr's death arent't you?" Steve nods his head. "All these flowers, they're for him, you know. Everyone loved Dr. Carr. He was a wonderful man." Mark turns to the receptionist. "What about his partner, Mr. Connors?" The receptionist makes a face. "That man has ice in his veins. I wouldn't trust him as far as you could throw him." "Is Mr. Connors here?" "Yes, Lt. Sloan, he's here." The receptionist points to a man who is standing down the corridor talking to a crowd of people. The two men walk over to him. "Mr. Connors, I'm Lt. Sloan, this is my father, Dr. Mark Sloan. Connors turns to face the pair. He extends his hand to Steve and Mark. "Dr. Sloan, you were a friend of Bob's." "Yes, a good, good, friend." Mark says. "Can we talk in private Mr. Connors?" Steve asks. "Of course, Lt." The three men move into Connors ofice. Mark immedietly starts. "Mr. Connors, Robert Carr came to me yesterday with aligations that you were dabling in illiegal prescription drugs. Now he's dead." Steve, turns in astonishment. "Dad, I'll handle this!" Mark ignores his son. "Care to answer the question Mr. Connors?" "Dad!" Steve turns to Connors. "You'll how to excuse my father Mr. Connors, he's still very upset by Dr. Carr's death." Connors sits behind his desk. He lights a cigar. "We are all upset over Bob's death." Mark walks over to Connor's desk. "Yes, I can see how broken up you are. It's just so convienient Bob dying now, so sudden, especially after he just got done accusing you of these alligations." Steve grabs his father by the arm. "That's enough Dad!" Connors stands. "Yes, Lt. that is enough. I have tried to be patient with your father, I understand he's upset, But I will not stand here and be accused of something. If you have proof, fine but if not get out of my office!" Steve takes his father by the shoulder. Mark breaks free and stands inches from Connors. "I swear, I will get to the bottem of this and if I find you had anything to do with Bob's death, God help you!" Steve grabs his father and drags him out of the office. Mark barely heard the knock at the door. Jesse and Amanda walk in to find Mark staring out the window at the ocean. The two exchange a glance. Amanda walks over to Mark. "Mark, are you alright?" Mark shoots Amanda a slight smile and walks over and sits in a chair. He rubs his eyes as Amanda takes a seat next to Jesse on the couch. "I should have done something." Jesse sits up straight in his seat. "Mark, you didn't know this would happen. You said it yourself, Carr had no proof." Amanda opens a file. "Now we have proof." She hands Mark a piece of paper. His eyes open wide. "I found traces of antphetimines in Dr. Carr's body and something else. A drug I can't trace. I've never seen it before, but apparently mix these two together and they could have an overwelming effect on a person. Carr probably didn't even know he was shot." Steve climbs the stairs and strides into the room. "You're lucky dad. Connors isn't going to press charges, but you're off this case." Mark jumps up. "You can't, not now! Look, Steve we have proof!" Mark hands Steve Amanda's notes. He sits on the edge of the desk and scans over the papers. Amanda interputs. "I found traces of drugs in Carr's body. I think he was injected with some sort of concoction before he was shot." "Okay, now we have something to work with," Steve says. Mark smiles. "Now we can get a search warrant....." Steve cuts his father off in mid sentence. "No. Now _I_ can get a search warrant. You're staying here. Amanda meet me in one hour outside of Carr's office. I want you to be there when we search Connors' office." Amanda nods her head yes and stands to leave. She turns to Mark. "Steve's right Mark. You're too emotionally involved." Mark touches her hand and Amanda and Jesse leave. Steve kneels next to his dad. "Dad do you remember when I was shot last year?" Mark's face turns pale. "That is something I will never forget!" "I know. But you were so hell-bent on getting the person responsible, that you let it overtake your better judgement. I don't want that to happen again. I worry about you, you know that." Mark puts his hand on Steve's knee. "I understand and you're right. You're the one whose supposed to catch the bad guys, anyhow." The two men share a laugh. Steve leaves. Connors is pacing his office. A man is seated in a chair in the far corner of the room. "This is nuts. Sloan knows something and he's not going to stop until he ruins everything!" The man in the chair lights up a cigarette. "That's the problem with you William. You're too impulsive. If I hadn't killed Carr, you would have ruined everything." Connors continues to pace. "What are we going to do about Sloan?" "Everyone knows that Dr. Sloan is under an extreme amount of pressure, plus he's carrying around the weight of knowing he let his friend down. I think the pressure is going to get to be too much for the poor doctor." Connors stops and looks at the man. "No, not another killing. I won't allow it!" The man stands and faces Connors. "You're in this too deep William. You think the medical community, or the police for that matter, are going to let you get away with trying experimental drugs on unwilling patients. You're already a murderer William. You want to call it a death for advancement in medicine, I call it old fashioned murder." Connors sits behind his desk. He takes out a tissue and wipes his forhead. The man leans over Connors desk. "You're sweating William. Very unbecoming for a man of your stature." The man crushes out his cigarette. He walks over to a file cabinet, unlocks the drawer and takes out a vile. "Don't worry about Sloan. I'll take care of him." Mark walks into the kitchen. He fills the coffee canister and slowly empties it into the machine. Between the music playing in the background and the sound of running water Mark did not hear the man slowly breaking into his back door. Just then Mark stops. He thinks he hears something coming from the other room. He enters the living room and looks around. Seeing nothing, he shakes his head and starts to walk back toward the kithen. A hand comes around from the doorway and grabs Mark by the neck. The man plunges a needle into Mark's arm. As Mark tries to break free, the effects of the drugs start to take over and he feels himself getting lighter and lighter until the room goes black. Steve pulls up in front of Carr's office followed by three police cars. Steve gets out of his car in time to meet Amanda and Jesse. Steve reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a search warrant. "Let's do it." Steve enters the building followed by Amanda, Jesse and the rest of the group. He turns to the receptionist. "Is Mr. Connor's here?" "Yes, he's in his office, I'll show......" "I know the way." Steve strides down the hall followed by the group. Connors, who is just leaving his office for the evening, looks at the group heading his way and starts to fumble with his keys. "Going somewhere Mr. Connors?" "I was going home for the evening Lt." Steve takes him by the arm. "I'm afraid your not going anywhere Mr. Connors. Now kindly open your office." Connors starts to sweat. "Now really, Lt. didn't you do enough damage earlier with your father." "Now I have a search warrant, so either you open the door or I'll break it down!" Steve tells him. Connors turns to open the door. He turns and lunges at Steve. He throws his briefcase at the police and runs. Steve and the officers pursue him. Steve grabs Connors by the jacket and throws him to the ground. He takes the man's arms behind his back and handcuffs him. "Let me go Sloan, or I won't help you save your father!" Steve grabs the arm and in one swift move turns him over to face him. "What are you talking about! What's my father got to do with this?" "Cut me a deal and I'll tell you!" Steve grabs Connors by the jacket. "Tell me or you won't need a deal because I'll kill you right now!" Amanda and Jesse race up the hall behind Steve. Amanda grabs Steve's arm. "Look what I found in his office. Notes on all types of illegal drugs. All experimental stuff." Steve turns to Connors again. "You better tell me what you know Connors." Connors takes a deep breath. "I didn't kill Carr. Patterson did that. I won't take the fall for that one." Jesse looks puzzled. "Who's Patterson?" "I needed money to continue my research. Carr cut me off when he suspected me of drugging some of his patients. Patterson fronted me the money and now, now he plans on killing anyone who gets in his way." Steve's eye's widen. "You mean like my father?" Connors swallows. "Yes, he's on his way there now." Steve throws Connors against the wall. He turns to Amanda. "I'm going to the house. Get the antidote from him and meet me there." Steve races out of the building. Mark is sitting in a chair. Across the room is Patterson. He slowly stands and circles to where Mark is. "You're very upset about your friend's death aren't you Mark?" Slowly, Mark nods his head yes. "You can't live with yourself knowing that you could have prevented this tragedy. You know what you have to do don't you Mark?" Mark turns to face Patterson. "Do you know where your son keeps his spare gun?" Mark nods his head yes again. He gets up and goes downstairs into Steve's apartment. He goes into a box and takes out a set of keys. He walks to Steve's nightstand and opens it and takes out the gun. He climbs the stairs back to his apartment and sits back down. "Very good Mark. Now you will need to write a note to your son telling him why you have to kill yourself." Mark walks to his desk. Takes out pen and paper and writes. He puts the pen down. He looks at Patterson. Patterson lights a cigarette. "Now Mark, you know what you must do." Patterson leaves the house. Steve races up to the house, jumps out of his car and spots Patterson. Patterson tries to make a run for it but Steve bolts and grabs him. Steve punches Patterson for what seems like an eternity. Another officer pulls Steve off Patterson. "If my father dies, you die!" Steve yells at him. The officer grabs Patterson and drags him to the police car. Steve races into the house. Steve Sloan slowly opens the front door and looks carefully around the room. "Dad?" he asks tentatively. There is no answer. Steve moves away from the door into the room and lets his eyes adjust to the gloom. Then he sees his dad's shaggy thatch of white hair, bent over something he holds in his hands. "Dad are you okay?" he asks. Mark slowly raises his head and looks at his son. As his face tilts upwards, so does the barrel of his gun, until it was pointing directly at Mark's throat. "Dad," Steve began in disbelief. "What's..." The empty look in his father's eyes stops him in mid-question. "Dad, don't," Steve gasps. "You can't..." With an agonizing clarity of vision, Steve sees the fine muscles in his father's forefinger begin to contract, putting pressure on the luger's trigger. Knowing that there is no way he could possibly beat that finger on the trigger, he nevertheless hurls himself in desperation at his father. Steve reaches his father in record time. The gun goes off and Mark and Steve tumble to the floor. The front door flies open. Jesse and Amanda race into the room. Amanda screams. "No!" Jesse runs over and flips Mark off Steve. As he rolls off Mark, Jesse sees blood on his shirt, unaware of who's blood it is. Jesse sees Mark go for the gun again. He grabs Mark and holds him down. "Amanda get the needle!" Amanda quickly grabs the needle full of antidote and plunges it into Mark's arm. Jesse holds Mark down as he fights with Jesse. "Let me go Jesse, I have to do this!" Amanda races to Steve's side. Steve, who hasn't moved, let's out a slight moan. Amanda quickly opens his shirt. She removes her jacket and slips it under Steve's head. Steve grabs Amanda's arm. "Is he okay?" Amanda slips a handkerchief under Steve's shirt. "He's fine, he's going to be fine. Don't move Steve. A police officer enters the house. "Get an ambulance!" Amanda turns to see Mark still struggling under Jesse's grip. "Hold on to him Jesse, the drug should take affect any minute." Slowly Mark stops struggling. He goes limp in Jesse's arms. Jesse rests Mark's head in his lap. Mark opens his eyes. "Jesse, what happened?" Jesse wipes Mark's forhead. "Don't worry Mark, everything is going to be alright." Mark slips in and out. "Jesse, I had the strangest dream...." "Shhhhh, Mark, it's okay, go to sleep." Jesse says as Mark closes his eyes. The first thing Steve notices when he opens his eyes is that everything is cloudy. He blinks his eyes a few times before everything starts to come into focus. The first person he spots is Jesse. He is sleeping in a chair next to the hospital bed. Turning to the left he sees his father and Amanda sleeping on a couch, Amanda having her head on Mark's shoulder. The room is full of sunshine, so Steve knows he must have been out at least all night. He slowly kicks his right leg into Jesse's feet as they are propped up on his bed. Jesse, startled, jumps up in the chair. "What's the big idea?" Jesse says drowsily. Steve turns and faces his friend. Jesse smiles. "Oh, I get it, you want the whole bed to yourself." Mark and Amanda wake and Mark goes to his son's side. Steve smiles, seeing his father is alright. Steve extends his right hand to his father as his left arm is in a sling. Mark circles the bed and takes his son's hand. "I am so, so sorry Steve. Can you ever forgive me?" "Dad, it wasn't your fault." Steve says. Amanda turns to Jesse. "Come on Jess, let's go get some coffee." The two leave and Mark puts his head on Steve's lap and starts to cry. "Dad, don't do this to yourself, I'm fine." Steve says. Mark sits up. "I have worried for years that you would be killed and now _I_ almost kill you." "You know it's gonna take more than a bullet in the shoulder to kill me. It may however, get me some sick leave." Mark lets out a slight laugh. "I guess your gonna have that beach weekend with Allison after all?" "Beach weekend? No, this is gonna rate some strong TLC from her. At least a week." Steve says, then the two share a laugh before Steve turns serious. "When I ran into the house and I saw you with that gun, I never felt so helpless. If I didn't get to you in time, I don't know what I would have done." Mark takes his son's hand. "I'm glad you got there when you did. My hero, again. You saved my life. I'll never forget that." Steve smiles. "Well you gave me life, you and mom. It's the least I could do."