A Shocking Business

AN : I would like to dedicate this story to keller12917 who has been very supportive of me since joining this fandom and has been very patient waiting for me to complete and post this story...Hope you feel it was worth the wait and thank you for your kindness and support. It is much appreciated. I'd also like to thank all those who read and reviewed my other stories. Your encouragement and support inspires me to write more. I hope you all enjoy this latest offering.

Most of the characters I have borrowed from the creators of the SOSF but others I have made up to enhance my story.

Chapter 1

It had been a hectic week in the Bureau of Inspectors and Inspector Steve Keller sat buried behind a tower of paperwork that was sitting on his desk. There had been six homicides that week alone and all the detectives in the bullpen were flat-out trying to solve them. The sound of incessant typing filled the air and the phones were ringing off the hook.

Steve had been working hard on the paperwork since seven am and by ten o'clock he had managed to reduce the pile on his desk down to half what it was. His fingers felt like they were going to fall off and his back was starting to stiffen from being hunched over his typewriter all morning. Staring at the small type also had his eyes sore and if he wasn't mistaken he could feel a headache building deep within his skull. The young detective leaned back in his chair and rubbed the aching muscles in the back of his neck. He then rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms up in the air and behind him trying to ease out the protesting muscles in his back. Steve didn't actually mind doing the paperwork and he was a fairly quick typist thanks to his college days. Just today the paperwork seemed never-ending and Steve was feeling the strain. Perhaps, he thought, a cup of coffee would perk him up so he fumbled in his jacket pocket for a dime and headed over to the coffee table for some much-needed caffeine refreshment.

As he dropped the dime in the tin and poured himself a coffee he glanced up into Mike Stone's office. Mike had been in a meeting with Captain Rudy Olsen for the past hour and a half and he looked frazzled and dejected. He had hoped to secure some extra men to take the pressure off his currently overworked detectives but things did not look as though they were going well. Steve couldn't hear what was being said but every now and then he could make out Mike's raised voice and he looked fit to explode. At that moment Steve almost felt sorry for the Captain. When Mike was in that frame of mind Steve had learned it was best to run for cover and let the older detective calm down before eventually producing Mike's favourite sugared doughnuts at just the right moment which usually dispelled the last of Mike's anger. Yes, if the Captain knew Mike as well as Steve thought he did , he'd hightail it out of there while he still could. Steve laughed at that thought but just at that moment Mike saw Steve laughing and glared so intently that Steve looked away embarrassed and taking his cup of coffee returned to his desk and to his diminishing pile of paperwork.

It was as if Captain Olsen had read Steve's mind because less than five minutes later Steve heard the door to Mike's office open and heard the Captain's last words to Mike.

" I'm sorry Mike. You know my hands are tied. The money just isn't there. Leave it with me and I'll do the best I can. I'll get back to you Mike. In the meantime just do the best you can with what we've got. "

With those words,Rudy Olsen walked quickly past Steve's desk and out of the bullpen. Steve was still at his typewriter with his back to Mike's office and as it wasn't the outcome he knew Mike was hoping for, he casually glanced over his shoulder to see how Mike was taking the news. Mike was still sitting at his desk. He looked mad as hell and was rearranging his desk files with murderous intent. Steve was trying to decide whether he should go see if he was ok or if he should stay the hell away until he had calmed down a little but while his gut instinct told him to stay put, Steve decided to be brave and he crossed the floor and poked his head around Mike's door frame.

" You ok Mike? Can I get you anything? A coffee maybe? " Steve bravely offered.

" Can you believe that guy ? Bureaucratic red tape. Don' t have the money! You know as well as I do Steve they find the money when they need to. Do the best with what you have ! All I have is a room full of hard-working detectives who are worked to the bone. Look out there Steve. They're exhausted, overworked and fed up and I don't blame them ! "

Steve walked into the office and over to Mike's desk and the movement brought Mike out of his tirade and as if remembering earlier he yelled at Steve.

" And what were you laughing at earlier? You think this is a laughing matter hotshot? Huh?

" Now what are you yelling at ME for?" Steve retaliated " Hey, I'm on your side remember? What are you going to do now?"

Mike looked past Steve out at the bullpen and at all the other detectives who were frantically taking calls and working hard and then took his glasses off and rubbed his tired eyes. Still looking down at this desk he answered Steve dejectedly.

" I don't know Steve. I really don't know. We'll just have to rework the shift rosters and try to let some of these guys home for some well-earned rest. In the meantime I'll have to pull some guys back off leave . And I HATE having to do that Steve! I just don't see any other way."

In that moment Steve felt sorry for Mike. Mike was one of the good guys. He was a good boss to have. Oh, he could work you hard alright but he looked after your best interests and treated all his men fairly and with respect. But most of all Mike cared...Yeah that was what it came down to in everything Mike did. He cared...That was the one thing that made Mike the great cop he was. However sometimes that took its toll . Mike looked tired and dejected and Steve hated to see him like that.

" Tell you what, Mike. Why don't I get us both a cup of coffee and I'll go through the rosters with you. Maybe we can come up with a solution together. My paperwork is almost done. What do you say?"

Mike looked up at Steve. The boy never ceased to amaze him. The one thing that always endeared the young detective to Mike was his thoughtfulness. Yes, Steve had a big heart. He very rarely complained about anything and he had a marvellous ability to read people. He nearly always knew the right thing to say and over the last three years that he had worked with Steve he had witnessed him talking people out of killing themselves and on occasion out of pulling a trigger. Yes ,they were Steve's strong points alright, his big heart, his perception and his silver tongue. Looking at Steve now Mike began to feel guilty. Despite Steve's habitual wide smile that could melt the coldest of hearts, Steve looked as exhausted as he felt himself. He had been worrying about the whole department and almost overlooked his own partner. They had both been at work now for over twenty hours with no sleep. And then Steve had mentioned the paperwork! Steve always did more than his fair share of that knowing that Mike detested it. It was only now that Mike remembered how big the pile of files had been on his desk and if he had it almost finished he must be fit to drop! Yet still he managed to smile and offer to get him coffee and help him with the rosters... You are really something buddy boy! Mike hadn't realized he had zoned out until he suddenly saw Steve's hand wave in front of his face.

" Hey Mike..you still with me... You ok ? "

"Oh yeah, sorry I was miles away. It's been a long shift hasn't it buddy boy? You know coffee sounds nice and I'd appreciate your help with the rosters. Thanks Steve. "

" You're welcome Mike. I'll go get the coffees and we'll get started " Steve said smiling and turned to leave the office, fumbling in his pocket for two dimes as he went. But just as he reached the door...

" Steve..."

" Yeah ? "

" Do you think you could get some of those doughnuts too? You know the little sugar ones I like? If it's not too much trouble...that is "

"Sure Mike, no problem. It'll just take me ten minutes." Steve replied and as he left Mike's office his smile was wider than ever. As he went to his desk and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair he almost looked forward to the walk to the doughnut shop. Although the shop was only down the block a ways the fresh air would do him good and the walk would help him ease out his sore muscles. And he reckoned those doughnuts were the best pick me up that Mike could get right now. With that thought he headed out the door, down the stairs and out into the refreshing morning air.