The day started out like any other day. Mark Sloan, head of internal medicine at Community General Hospital said, goodbye to his son, a Detective on the police force, before heading to the hospital as Steve headed to the station. But, what neither man knew when they parted that day, was that it wasn't going to be just any other day for either of them.

Steve nodded to the officers he encountered as he made his way to his desk. His partner, Cheryl was already waiting for him which was never a good sign. "Don't tell me," Steve said as the woman held up a case file. "Another sniper attack?"

"So perceptive," Cheryl replied mischievously. "You should be a detective."

Steve snorted as he snatched the file from her hand and opened it to read the notes inside. "Alright," he said closing the file before looking up. "Let's head over to the hospital and collect the bullet casings from Amanda to compare to the last ones before we try to make a connection between the two."

Amanda let out an exasperated sigh as she jotted down some notes on the two latest shooting victims to come though her office. "This is the only part of my job I hate," she muttered before handing an evidence bag with two bullet casings inside to Steve.

"I assume they're a match to the last two?" he asked knowingly.

"An exact match, I'm afraid," Amanda replied chillingly.

"Great," Steve said holding up the bag. "It looks like we may have a serial sniper on our hands."

Chief Masters stepped up to the podium in front of the hospital later that afternoon and looked grimly out over the assembled pool of reporters. "I've called this press conference to inform all of you about a threat to the public's safety. It's no secret that we've had four shootings in the last four days. However, what I'm going to reveal to you now is that the LAPD believes the shootings are connected. They are from the same gun and the shooter is showing skills comparable to that of a sniper! We are asking the public to stay vigilant and to always be aware of your surroundings. If you do encounter someone suspicious or you see anything out of the ordinary, do not be afraid to pick up the phone and call us! It could just save a life!" he said with a sigh. "I'll take some questions now."

Mark, Jesse and Amanda watched from the atrium of the hospital along with several other members of the staff as Chief Masters, Steve and Cheryl participated in the press conference outside.

"Man," Jesse said running a hand though his hair. "To think that someone would just be running around LA randomly shooting innocent people is beyond crazy."

"That's just it," Mark replied thoughtfully. "Is the shooter suffering from some kind of mental illness?"

"You'd think, he'd have to be in order to do that," Jesse said shaking his head. "Who does that?"

"That's what Steve and Cheryl have to find out," Mark said watching his son answer questions from the press. "Lets go, we got patients to see."

Jesse and Amanda followed Mark back into the hospital where all three went their respective ways. After making his rounds, Mark went to his office where Steve was waiting on the sofa when he walked in.

"I didn't expect to find you here," Mark said as Steve got to his feet.

"I was just getting ready to go follow up a few leads on this sniper," Steve replied before meeting Mark's eyes. "I wanted to stop by first and ask if you'd think about waiting until I came back before you went home tonight."

"Why?" Mark asked in surprise. "Are you that worried about this shooter?"

"Worried enough to wear a bullet proof vest," Steve said with a grin. "It's in my car. C'mon Dad, humor me just this once."

"Alright," Mark said with a nod. "I'll wait until you come back."

"Thanks Dad," Steve replied turning to look back at his father one last time before he left the office.

Mark shook his head after his son left. It wasn't unheard of for Steve to show this level of concern for his safety but Mark felt confident the danger wasn't aimed at him. The shootings were completely random. Or that's what the public had been led to believe.

Steve headed down to the parking garage with a feeling of relief that he was able to convince his father to not take off for home later tonight without him. The press conference had been called to alert the public of the danger without trying to cause a panic but the truth of the matter was, they were no closer to discovering who the shooter was since not a single victim had been left alive that could help them identify the assailant.

Reaching his car, Steve unlocked the door before the sound of screeching wheels behind him made him turn sharply around. His eyes widened in surprise as he barely caught the glimpse of steel protruding from the window of the car before he felt hot fire slice though him as the bullet from the snipers rifle found its mark.

Jesse enter the doctors lounge and grabbed a cup before going to fill it at the coffee pot. Stifling a yawn as he poured the coffee, he looked at the time on the wall and sighed. This day is dragging on, he thought as he brought the cup to his lips.

"Jesse!" Amanda yelled from the door way. "There's been a shooting in the parking garage. The hospital is on lock down!"

"The sniper!" Jesse voiced as the thought came to his mind. "Any victims?"

"Just one," Amanda said following him to the elevator. "Mark's waiting for the paramedics in the ER!"

Mark looked up as Jesse and Amanda stepped off the elevator together and made their way to where he waited with a team of nurses.

"What have we got?" Jesse asked as Mark shrugged.

"I don't know yet!" Mark replied quickly before he and Jesse headed toward the doors. The paramedics raced toward them, a prone form covered with a sheet rested atop the gurney.

"Bullet wound to the chest, massive blood loss, blood pressure is eighty five over forty and dropping," the paramedic yelled as he pulled the gurney though the door. "Heart rate is irregular!"

Mark stepped forward and pulled the sheet back in order to get a better look at the victim. Jesse heard his mentor gasp just before he recoiled as if he'd just touched fire.