I was recently asked to write a story of how Jesse and Steve met. For fans of DM, I have to confess I only started watching it after Jesse was already an established character and never saw how the series introduced him or how he and Steve first met. However I think there is a great chemistry between the characters and that they make a great couple. So this is my take on how they came to be lovers.
*
The sun was a bright gold in the cloudless turquoise sky. The sea was a shimmering azure with enough waves to make surfing enjoyable without being too challenging. However, the small, slim blond sat on his towel, his board at his side, unable to take pleasure in any of it.
He knew he should be happy. The move to Community General had been the best he had ever made. His learning had shot up in leaps and bounds thanks to the mentorship of Dr Mark Sloan. Mark was more than just his teacher. He had become the father he had never known and Mark's approval was important to him. Mark was also one of his best friends, one he turned to again and again and yet, at this moment, Jesse felt more alone and isolated than ever before in his life. As open-minded, intelligent and sharp-witted as Mark was, this was one problem Jesse did not feel able to share.
Nor was it one he could share with Amanda, nor with Steve. Jesse knew it was eating at him and he had to do something, but there was no one in whom he felt he could confide.
He was in love.
He had been struck by the stunning blond from the moment they had first met. Each and every one of Jesse's buttons had been pressed and pressed hard. They had become friends, good friends, but nothing more. There was no indication Jesse's awkward advances would be appreciated and the slim, blond medic knew they would be awkward. He had never approached anyone for a date that he had fallen in love with before. He had simply selected someone who seemed receptive, gone out once or twice and then called a halt before things could get serious.
This time, there was so much to lose if he said or did the wrong thing. So many people's friendships he valued were at stake. He was beginning to debate leaving the hospital, finding another internship, although he knew that was just running away. The more he had got to know the other blond, the deeper his feelings had become. Not just attractive on the outside, they were intelligent, compassionate, courageous and a trusted friend.
They were also a cop, male and the son of Mark Sloan.
Steve Sloan, the object of Jesse's unrequited love. No one at Community General knew he was gay. He knew it did not always go down well and the blond wanted to build his reputation before his private life came under scrutiny. That was why he felt so isolated, so unable to go to any of the people he trusted most. As open-minded as Mark was, Jesse did not feel he could reveal his sexuality, much less that he was in love with the older man's son.
He pressed the heels of his hands into sky blue eyes that filled with tears. He did not know how to move on. How to keep spending time in Steve's company watching everything he said or did so as not to embarrass himself. It sometimes made him seem clumsier than he was and he knew it could only get worse. He scrubbed roughly at the tears before they could fall. He had to find a way of excising his feelings for Steve as anything more than just a friend, or move on from the hospital. He could see no other options.
"Hey, Jess, surf's up, man."
Jesse started as the object of his dreams came to stand before him. Where the slender medic wore baggy Bermudas, Steve had a pair of black 'Speedos' that hugged every contour of the impressive package Jesse desperately wanted to examine with all the skill and care of his doctor's training. Instead, however, he immediately jumped to his feet, his trademark smile on his face, not letting Steve see his sadness.
"Just enjoying the rays, man," he countered. "Day off?"
"Rescheduled one they owed me. Dad said you were here, so let's get to it, surfer boy."
****
Steve stared with confusion and affection at the small blond bundle curled trustingly beside him to lie with his head on Steve's thigh.
"Something wrong, son?" Mark asked, watching with hidden amusement as Steve's fingers played with Jesse's hair.
"I think there is, Dad," Steve replied. "Something's bothering Jess, but he hasn't confided in me or Amanda." Unconsciously still stroking Jesse's hair, Steve looked up at his father to see a sympathetic look on the older Sloan's face.
"I've noticed, too," Mark admitted. "But he hasn't spoken to me either."
"Did another nurse dump him?" Steve asked with a frown. Protectiveness washing over him for the small blond as always when he thought Jess could be hurt.
"I think you need to put those detective skills to better use if you think he is always dumped," Mark said enigmatically. "I may be your father, and a tad biased, but I think you're a good detective. Put the clues together. Now why don't you take sleeping beauty to bed?"
"What?" Steve gulped, his hand flying from its comfortable niche on Jesse's shoulder where it had been gently massaging the younger man.
"Spare bedroom?" Mark said, hiding his laughter. "Put Jess in there as he won't be going home tonight."
"Oh, sure," Steve nodded. He carefully scooped the slight body into his arms, an unconscious smile playing about his lips as Jesse nestled close. He was so engrossed in ensuring he did not bump his precious bundle, he did not see the look of fond exasperation on his father's face.
Steve put Jesse in the guest bed and knelt alongside the smaller man.
"I wish you'd talk to me, Jess," he murmured softly. He suppressed a gasp as sleepy, turquoise orbs briefly opened and a warm smile spread across Jesse's face.
"Love you, Steve," he muttered, before his eyes closed again.
