A/N Thanks to Shergar for checking this story over for me.

Disclaimer

I do not profit from the characters from "The Streets of San Francisco" I am not the creator of the series, that is Quinn Martin.

Stuck In The Middle With You

Steve was pacing and there was no doubt he was angry and even felt a little afraid. He hated being put in the middle of his partner and his daughter. This time, he knew there was no way he could help either of them. He had to think of himself and get out of town since he refused to take sides. He arranged time off, pretty much behind Mike's back and left in the middle of the night.

Mike did not even know his partner was gone until the next morning, when he came by to drive him to work. He had seen his partner's Porsche gone from in front of his apartment. He saw Steve's door open and a lady stepped out of his apartment. Mike turned off the ignition and quickly exited the car calling to her.

"Excuse me, has Steve woken up yet?"

"Are you Lieutenant Stone? Mike Stone?"

Mike nodded and met her half way up the stairs. He saw her pull a folded over piece of paper from her pocket and hand it to him. He looked at it, then her curiously.

"Are you a friend of Steve's?"

"Oh, sorry forgive my manners I forgot to introduce myself. I am Nelda Anderson, Keith's wife. Steve spoke to us late yesterday evening, asked us to water his plants for him. He said he was getting out of town for a few days or so. He gave us that and asked for one of us to give it to you when you came by. Keith left for work, so I came over to water the plants before I had to leave."

"I didn't realize Anderson was married, when did that happen? And when did he leave; Steve that is?"

"Keith and I eloped a few days ago; just got back yesterday. Steve was the only one we told, besides our jobs that we would be out of town. I think it was in the middle of the night actually, because he was over at our place about ten or ten thirty. When I walked Keith to the door this morning at six thirty, his car was gone."

"Thank you very much."

Mike headed back to the car with the paper in his hand wondering why Steve had not informed him that he was going out of town. He also wondered what made him think he could just take off without getting time approved. He sat in the car reading the note from Steve.

"Mike

Sorry for leaving town this way without letting you know. I arranged time off with Captain Olsen yesterday. I know that is pretty much going behind your back, but I felt considering the circumstances it was best. I love both you and Jeannie equally and it has been killing me to see the two of you at odds like you are.

"I can see both sides, I know you just want the best for Jeannie and worry about her and her safety. You are a fantastic father and you have a right to be concerned but this time not a reason. I feel that Jeannie too has a point about this trip with her friends; she is young let her have this experience. She at least respected you enough to get your thoughts on it and I know from personal experience she will regret one day not going.

"I hope you two can work this out between you before I return, because honestly both of you trying to get me to say one is right bothered me.

"I will see you in a few days. Please talk to your daughter, but more importantly listen. Tell Jeannie I also make that same request of her where you are concerned.

Steve."

Mike sat staring at the words on the paper knowing that his buddy boy was right; in more ways than one. He made a vow with himself that he would work this out with Jeannie, and he felt regret that he and Jeannie were instrumental in running Steve out of town.

While Mike was finishing up at that work that day, Steve had made it halfway to his destination. He would have made it much sooner but had taken time along the way to stop in different places. He wanted to enjoy his time away from San Francisco and knew there was no rush. Skiing was not what he had in mind, as he was headed totally away from where the ones who knew him best would think to look for him. Besides that thought in his head, he had people who were expecting him and they were not in Tahoe. So his car was pointed northward.

Heading home, Mike hoped Jeannie would be there as he really felt the need and want to get the air between them cleared. As he walked in he smelled food cooking, so headed toward the kitchen with Steve's letter in his hand.

"Jeannie, we need to talk."

"You are right, Mike, we do. I have been thinking and I apologize for coming off sounding like I was being unreasonable. I feel bad about Steve as well; we were both basically pulling at him. That was not fair to him to act like we were trying to make him choose sides."

"You are right there; we were being very unfair to him. In fact, he left town over the matter. He arranged time off with Rudy yesterday without informing me."

"What?! Mike, he must really be upset to have done things that way."

"Here's his letter he left with his neighbor, when he asked them to water his plants. It was given to me this morning when I went by to pick him up for work. I feel bad about the boy and about how I have been with you."

Jeannie was reading the letter from Steve silently and hardly heard Mike. When she was finished she glanced up at Mike, feeling a mixture of shame and guilt and worry.

"Mike, we have to find him. He felt so awful; you can tell from his writing he was stressed writing this to you."

"I think the best thing to do is to let him have the time away right now. When his time off is up he will be back and we will apologize to him the best way we can. Steve is right though, you should have this opportunity, Jeannie. I am just sorry it took him having to leave to make me see it. So I want you to go with your friends to New Orleans and have a good time, but please be careful and stay safe."

"Are you sure, Mike? I mean, I really should not have talked to you the way I did. And I feel kind of funny going with Steve gone."

"Steve is probably at Tahoe having a ski weekend so to speak, just in the middle of the week. He will be fine, Jeannie. I know he would want you to go ahead with your trip. When you both are home we will all go out to dinner, my treat. I will even let you kids choose where we go that night but for now we will eat what looks like is going to burn, if you don't check it." Mike chuckled as Jeannie hurriedly checked on the food.

As they ate dinner that night, they talked things out in a much more calm way than they had two days prior. Jeannie got hold of her friends and arranged for them to pick her up the next morning for their flight to New Orleans. Mike knew he would worry until both of his kids were back home safe and sound, but he was willing to try to loosen the apron strings a tiny bit.