A/N This story was inspired by a suggestion from Meixel to do a sequel to "Chaperone." As always noted you can read either one as a stand alone story if you wish. To better understand this story though you might want to read "Chaperone" first.

This story is for you Meixel.

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.

Rude Awakening

Chapter One

Time had passed since Jeannie's and Steve's experience with Doug Sanders. And while there had been various sightings of him around the city, he had tried no contact. They both were starting to feel a bit more relaxed and putting the trauma behind them. Well, at least the trauma they had suffered from Doug Sanders. They were thankful life was fairly uneventful from that point.

Steve was having trauma of a different nature though, in the form of the girl Meg who he had broken his date with to be able to take Jeannie to her class reunion. He was receiving phone calls and visits right and left from her. Normally he would have enjoyed the attentions that were being paid him, but their phone conversation that ended badly thanks to her unreasonableness left him with a very bitter taste in his mouth and a strong disdain where Meg Sawyer was concerned.

"You have stopped taking my calls completely so now I am resorted to coming to your job to try to speak with you!"

Steve glanced up at the angry and slightly familiar voice sounding from beside him unexpectedly. He could not hide his irritation that she dared to come here after he had made it clear he was not interested in renewing their acquaintance.

"Meg, I have already told you that when we ended things that was it. I have put up with your tantrums more than I should have it was the final straw," Steve informed her as calmly as he could.

Meg did not bother trying to stay calm or even pretend to be and Steve found himself facing a tirade as volatile as the fires of hell. His temper, already frayed, quickly exploded, and jumping to his feet at her onslaught he temporarily forgot where they were and started yelling back. Both were unaware in their fury that eyes were locked their way, not only in the form of Lieutenant Mike Stone but the others in the squad room as well. Mike hurried out toward his partner and quickly tried to salvage the quiet of their workplace.

"Both of you quiet down and I mean now!" Mike ordered taking no nonsense. Both looked at him, instantly quieter. "Steve, take your lady friend into my office and continue your conversation in there. And, young lady, from now on any business you have with my partner can wait until he is off duty. That is if he wishes any business with you, if he is of the mind-set that he wants business between you two terminated, you would be well advised to heed his wishes."

Steve herded Meg Sawyer into Mike's office, closing the door, and their fight continued. Steve did not know what he had to do or say to get it through to her that he truly was done as far as she was concerned. They had been in there having the same loud argument that had started out at Steve's desk and all it had accomplished was Steve felt like bashing his head against the wall. Mike was sitting at Steve's desk thinking about the best way to squelch this young lady's relentless chasing of his young partner when his daughter entered the squad room. She heard the angry voices and was surprised to see her father appearing to be calmly sitting while they continued. Yet coming up to him she could tell he was far from calm and she looked toward his office and saw Steve in there with a young woman that appeared to be a bit older than Steve and was dangerously angry.

"Mike, what is going on? It sounds like the fires of hell have been unleashed."

"Trust me, sweetheart that is a huge understatement I think. I am hoping this will stop soon so we can get back to some order around here or I may have to give Steve time off until he can get this matter settled with that young lady."

"Steve doesn't deserve to be punished just because someone does not want to listen to their own words." Jeannie spoke philosophically " So I guess lunch is out for the three of us."

Just then Meg Sawyer saw Jeannie out by Mike and Jeannie saw renewed fury in her face as she bored a hole through Jeannie. Jeannie refused to avert her eyes as she knew she had not done anything to deserve the daggers sent her way. She saw Steve glance to see what or who had the young woman looking out toward his desk.

"She is why you don't want to give us another chance! I always knew you had a thing for her, it is so obvious, Steve! You think you are fooling everyone with that 'she is one of your best friends' line, but there are more onto you two than you know."

"Look, I told you the way you have acted with me more than a few times, and especially when I had to break one date, was the reason I have come to the conclusion there is nothing more for us! You are the one that told me not to ever call you again, well I am letting that stand maybe you should listen to your own words! I have had it, Meg, this emotional rollercoaster you have kept us on had to come to a crash and I am not getting back on it!"

"Fine, have yourself a nice time with your new girlfriend and don't deny it not this time, I told you too many are onto you and little miss teenager!"

"Meg, get a grip you sound like a psychotic..."Steve started but the rest of his words were stopped by her hand as she slapped the hell out of him before darting from Mike's office.

"I know you and Steve are together and you can have him! I hope you two kill each other!" Meg Sawyer shouted at Jeannie before dashing from the squad room.

Mike saw the surprise on Jeannie's face as well as Steve's and all others trying to pretend they were not hearing any of this battle that was going on around them. Mike sat Jeannie down at Steve's desk and went into his office to speak with Steve. He tried to decide whether a lecture was in order or questions or advice and chose a question first, after closing the door.

"Are you alright, buddy boy?"

"Yeah, fine. Sorry, Mike I should have taken her out of the building to let her vent, but I didn't know she was going to keep pursuing after she said not to call anymore. When she did, I told her I was not interested in renewing anything with her and she was not hearing it."

"I know, Steve, you don't need to explain. I guess she just did not want to hear her own words. I think especially when they came from someone else. She tried to hang on again knowing she had screwed up tossing you aside. Steve, I think if she tries to contact you again after today, you need to get a restraining order."

"I will think about it, Mike. I better apologize to Jeannie for her outburst on her and to the guys for everything."

"The guys totally understand, don't let it bother you. And you don't owe Jeannie an apology either, you are not the one that blew up at her. Besides I think she kind of enjoyed the outburst that was hurled her way. Do you feel like lunch? Remember we told Jeannie we would take her to eat."

"Yeah I remember. Okay I will go with you two, Mike. "

They left Mike's office Jeannie stood as they approached. She watched Steve with concern as he got his jacket on. They left the squad room and went down to where the car was parked. Jeannie got in the front seat between Steve and Mike. Jeannie kept glancing Steve's way knowing by how quiet he was being he was a bit unsettled. Arriving at the restaurant where they were to eat, once they were all out of the car, Jeannie lightly touched Steve's face where a handprint remained visible, causing him to blush and lower his eyes.

As they stood there, they were all unaware that they were being watched from a little distance. They finally moved toward the restaurant as the eyes remained locked on the trio, but especially on Jeannie and Steve.