A/N This short one shot could be read as a stand alone story, but it would help readers understand it better if they have seen the episode "Beyond Vengeance." It is in the first season of "The Streets Of San Francisco." I have always been bothered that after Mike found Steve in the phone booth where Cord had put him after knocking him out that there were never any words of thanks for Steve for what he tried to do. That is keeping a watch on Leonard Cord basically to make sure that Jeannie and Mike were safe. This is my interpretation of a missing piece of that episode.

Also my last line concerning Leonard Cord leads me to recommend readers to read a story written by Shergar titled "A Dish Served Very Cold" it involves Leonard Cord. I can assure you or at least most of you that you would not be disappointed reading that story.

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.

Words Of Thanks

Steve was at Mike's house recuperating. Mike and Jeannie had given him no choice in the matter. After Cord had knocked him out when Steve tailed him to The Legion Of Honor, he had been unconscious for more than a few minutes. Both were keeping a close watch on him as they knew there was no way Steve Keller would usually admit to any pain or other issues.

He knew they meant well and he loved them both very much so he accepted his fate of being under their eagle eyes without complaint. Well, at least he did his best to not complain, he knew Jeannie especially felt the need to take care of him. He finally was able to sit up for longer than half an hour at a time without his head killing him. She seemed to have something on her mind. He kept seeing her dart glances his way while she was doing other things around the house.

"Jeannie, why don't you tell me what is on your mind? I can see your wheels spinning like crazy." Steve teased hoping to draw her out.

Jeannie stared at him another minute before she finally came and sat with him on the couch. It took her a little bit to be able to form the words together that she wanted to say. Steve waited very patiently for her to speak. Finally looking his way again she knew what to say to him.

"Steve, you took a big risk keeping Leonard Cord under surveillance as you did. I know you did it for me and for Mike and I wanted you to know I deeply appreciate it more than I could ever say. When Mike told me the extent to which you went to make sure we were both safe it spoke volumes even more of your love for us. I will never forget the danger you put yourself in and I am happy you are here alive to be able to tell you so. You mean so very much to me."

"Jeannie, I would do it again in a second. You and Mike are pretty much my whole world. I want you both safe and will do anything I can to make sure you stay that way. I hope now that Cord is back in prison you can relax a bit more and enjoy life. Is that what has had you nervous all morning and part of yesterday was wanting to talk to me about what went on with Cord?"

"Yes, I was trying to piece my words together so they did not come out sounding too dumb to you. Another thing though Steve I am counting on you coming with Mike when I graduate college so hopefully that is the last time you will give us a scare like that. You could have been killed if he had hit you just a bit harder. So hear me good Inspector Keller, never again! Next time I will bean you myself if you take another risk like that." Jeannie spoke with a teasing smile but he knew she was serious. "You know you really are irreplaceable as far as Mike and I are concerned don't you? We love you very much, Steve."

"I feel the same way about the two of you, Jeannie. And I love you both too. I will do my best to be more careful, but this job is always full of risks but I will do my best to stay alive for you and him, you have my word. And another thing no matter how you might say something it could never sound dumb to me so don't worry always about making sure it is perfect."

Steve grinned and pulled her into a hug that she did not hesitate to return. Mike chose that moment to come home and reluctantly they released each other.

"You two doing alright? Has he been behaving himself today, Jeannie?"

"Mike, I am right here why don't you ask me if I have behaved?"

"Because buddy boy, sometimes you tend to sugarcoat how you are really doing." Mike grinned

"Yes, we are both doing okay. And yes he has behaved and taken his medicine without complaint. I was just expressing our thanks to Steve for what he tried to do by following Leonard Cord."

"Yes, buddy boy that was something I wanted to say to you as well was how much I appreciate the lengths you went to making sure someone knew where he was pretty much all of the time. I will tell you though that was a big risk you took and if ever..."

"Mike, could I skip your lecture please? Jeannie already gave me one after thanking me and I promise she did it in true Stone style she is a chip off the old block." Steve eyed Jeannie quietly and Mike and Jeannie both wondered what he had on his mind.

"Out with it, buddy boy what is inside that head of yours?"

"If I say you might finish the job Leonard Cord started, Mike." Steve grinned

Jeannie smiled at the way Steve could wisecrack even when he was not feeling at his best. She knew Mike was standing there not ready to let up on what Steve was thinking. She waited to see what was coming next.

"If you don't say, I might just cuff you to us for life then where would you be, hotshot?"

"Okay okay that threat worked as much as I love both of you, it worked. I was just thinking she is a better looking chip so she must take after her mom."

Jeannie blushed at the compliment and Mike cuffed the back of Steve's neck gently with an affectionate smile.

Three days later Mike and Steve drove Jeannie to the bus station to catch the bus back to school. Both were a bit sad seeing the young woman leave home again. All knew though that while they might be physically apart they were always together through connections of the heart. All were thankful that the chapter of Leonard Cord was one more time behind Mike Stone. Yet, they were not always going to have the peace in their lives from this vile creature that they had at this moment. Only time would tell if and when Leonard Cord might once again rear his ugly head.