Jesse sat with his feet up channel hopping.  It wasn't often he got control of the TV remote at the beach house, but today Steve was at the station and Amanda was in the kitchen brewing coffee.  He helped himself to another handful of popcorn from the large bowl in front of him.

'Nice to see you're making yourself at home Jess' Steve drawled as he entered the living room.

Jesse smiled sheepishly 'Case all tied up?' he asked.

Dropping his keys on the table, Steve nodded and sighed wearily 'Yep, forensics came back with a positive i.d. on the blood samples.  Tanis is finishing up the paper work right now'. 

Jesse didn't fail to notice the way Steve's eyes lit up at the mention of her name, but he resisted the urge to tease.  He knew Steve had fallen hard for his partner.  So far they'd been on one date and Steve hadn't said much, but Jesse could tell things were going well – slowly but well.  Whether they continued to go well remained to be seen - Steve wasn't exactly known for his luck with women.  Jesse smiled to himself and crossed his fingers that this time things would work out.

'You know' Steve continued feelingly 'If I never see another Egyptian artefact or curse again, it'll definitely be too soon!'

'Right!' Jesse agreed shifting nervously.

Steve yawned widely 'I just wanna kick back and relax and forget about this whole Egyptology thing'.

'Erm … sure you do' Jesse replied, watching as Steve gingerly lowered himself down on to the sofa and shifted awkwardly, trying to get comfortable.

'Ribs still giving you pain?' Jesse asked concerned

'You know' he continued looking at Steve more closely, 'may be you should come back into the hospital, we might need to take another look at you'.

Steve pulled a face 'Not a chance.  I have three days off and I'm spending them right here' he patted the couch with a smile and leant back carefully, propping his feet up on the table.

Taking the remote off Jesse, Steve helped himself to a large handful of popcorn. 'I've got my viewing schedule all planned out' he stated firmly 'The Play Offs start tomorrow and I don't intend to miss a minute of it'.

'Hey Steve' Amanda greeted him cheerily, as she entered the room carrying a tray with four cups of coffee.  'I thought I heard your voice.' 

She looked at him suspiciously 'How are you feeling?'

Steve rolled his eyes 'Don't you start' he sighed 'Like I told Jesse, I just need some time to relax and that's exactly what I intend to do'.

'Glad to hear it' she applauded.  Placing the cups in front of the guys she turned to Jesse.

'Mark not back yet?'

Jesse shook his head.

'Back from where?' Steve asked intrigued 'I thought he wasn't working today'.

'He went to rent a movie' Jesse replied shiftily.

'Great' Steve replied 'I'm just in the mood for a movie'

He picked up his steaming mug of coffee, added cream and sugar and settled contentedly back in his seat.  Massaging his ribs with a rueful smile he continued

 'I could do with something to take my mind off everything that's happened in the last few days.  What's he getting?  Comedy? Action? Romance?'

Amanda and Jesse exchanged looks, but neither answered.  Jesse squirmed uncomfortably.  Steve immediately picked up.

'Okay Jess, spill it'.

'Er …' Jesse hesitated.

'Amanda?' Steve looked at her questioningly

'Oh no' she replied 'Leave me out of this'.

'Okay, okay' Jesse surrendered 'But you're not gonna like it'.

 'Jess?' Steve was getting suspicious now.

'Now Steve' Jesse began, 'you know what you were saying about Egyptian artefacts and curses?' He paused taking a deep breath 'well the thing is that …'

'Oh, don't tell me' Steve groaned as realisation dawned.

Mark entered the room smiling enthusiastically

'I got the last copy' he proclaimed proudly.

Turning to Steve he held up the tape beaming 'The Mummy Returns!'

Amanda and Jesse burst out laughing, as Steve dropped his head into his hands.

'What did I say?' Mark asked in confusion 'Guys? C'mon!   Guys ….'

The End!

Nothing much to say really except thanks ever so much for the reviews and 'I'll be back!'