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.

I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!

"Mike, I have told you a thousand times! I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!" Steve shouted the frustration dripping from his tongue as they stood outside the main door of the building.

"Oh, come on buddy boy! It will be fine you will see, just humor your old partner for a minute or two more." Mike wheedled with a look on his face that told Steve this was actually not a request, grabbing Steve's coat sleeve he ushered him in ahead of him.

Steve sighed in anger and once inside the office they were seeking slumped down in a chair by the wall and refused to look at Mike. Mike walked over to the receptionist's desk where he could still keep an eye on Steve. He waited as patiently as possible for her to end her phone call. When she had hung up she turned to Mike with a smile.

"Yes sir, may I help you?" Miss Winslow inquired courteously.

"Yes, I called yesterday for an appointment for Steven Keller. I was told if we could come today we might be able to get worked in." Mike explained quietly. "I was wondering if you knew for sure if we would be able to see her today and also how long it might be?"

Miss Winslow checked the appointment book on her desk and found what she was seeking. She glanced back up with a nod in Mike's direction.

"Yes, we did manage to work you in today and it should only be a couple minutes more. She is with a patient now and is almost finished according to the time I am seeing. If you both will have a seat, I promise to get you as soon as her patient comes out." Miss Winslow answered politely.

Mike went and sat with Steve who was staring at the floor. Mike cuffed the back of Steve's neck in the familiar gesture of affection hoping to get a smile from the young man. When none was forthcoming Mike picked up a magazine and tried to read an article to take his mind off of this appointment. Steve was looking around gauging the area hoping to find a quick escape route that he could dart to before Mike could stop him.

Just then the office door opened and a young man and woman stepped out and stopping at the receptionist desk they spoke quietly with Miss Winslow. She checked her appointment book and wrote them out an appointment card after they had paid by check their fees. After making sure to mark down the young couple's next appointment in the book she rose and walked over to Mike. He looked up as she approached and knew it was time. He rose after replacing the magazine on the table by his chair. He looked at Steve without a word but the famous Stone glare on his face and Steve rose to his feet quickly.

Miss Winslow led them to the office and just as they were entering Mike turned to her gratefully.

"Thank you very much, Miss Winslow. I appreciate all your help." Mike stated respectfully.

"You are very welcome and the best of luck to both of you. I have a feeling you are going to need it with that young man." Miss Winslow quietly said before closing the door behind them.

Mike and Steve were greeted by a woman around Mike's age who pointed out two seats near her. Both sat down but Steve never lost his scowl as he stared once again at the floor.

"Young man, I am up here not on that floor. The sooner we establish that the better we will get along." Dr. Esther Markum exclaimed with authority. "Now, I was able to look over your paperwork and would like to hear from you."

Steve looked at her confused then at Mike and wondered how much he should tell this doctor.

"I really don't feel I have a problem but Mike felt we needed to talk to someone so I came under duress. Mike is the greatest boss and friend and father figure but sometimes he just needs to start thinking about himself a bit more than he does. He and I sort of had words this past week because I...well, basically I compromised an investigation we had ongoing. There was someone who I thought could be trusted so I told them some things that I admit I should not have. Anyway the information they were given caused us to lose a witness and a suspect. When Captain Olsen started to call me on the carpet for the leak of information, Mike took the heat for me. " Steve admitted feeling very ashamed.

"And you feel he should have just let this man you called Captain Olsen give you the scathing lecture your partner received, am I correct?" Dr. Markum asked and saw Steve nod. "When he started in on Mike why did you not speak up?"

Mike interrupted then placing a hand on Steve's arm to silence him. Steve glanced at Mike then the doctor then back to his partner.

"I need to answer that one if you don't mind Dr. Markum." Mike saw her nod. "I stopped Steve from speaking, he had admitted his mistake to me and apologized and I felt that was enough. The only problem was Rudy who is Captain Olsen did not see it that way. So I gave Steve a look I use with him when I want him to stay quiet and I told Rudy it was my fault, not Steve's."

"I see, do you always protect Steven this way?" Dr. Markum inquired professionally.

"Not always but I like to when I can. There are many details that I just am not sure Steve would feel comfortable sharing. But I will say this, I have regarded him as a son since shortly after we started working together and I would go to the ends of the earth if anyone tried to hurt him, just as I would for my daughter." Mike exclaimed emphatically.

"And I trust you feel the same way, Steven?" Dr. Markum asked genially.

"Very much so, I have to admit there are times I accuse Mike of smothering me by being so protective. If you want the truth though, I am thankful to him and Jeannie for always wanting to care for me as much as they do. Without them I would not know what a family was and I guess I feel just as protective of Mike and Jeannie as he is of both of us." Steve realized he had finally sorted out what had been troubling him all along.

The rest of the visit was spent with the doctor giving advice of how to ease the tempers of both men before they reached the boiling point again. She also arranged for them to have therapy individually as well as family starting in two weeks. Mike had informed her that was when Jeannie would be home from college for the semester break.

They finally left her office thanking her. Mike spoke with Miss Winslow and got the appontment made as well as paying the bill for this visit. He and Steve headed back to Bryant Street discussing the session on the way.

When they arrived though, instead of going to homicide squad room Mike steered him in the direction of Captain Olsen's office. Steve started to grow a bit apprehensive and was balking about this idea of Mike's. He knew Mike had not said exactly what it was but he did not have to be told to know, he knew Mike's thinking. When Steve pulled back abruptly as they were about to approach Captain Olsen's secretary, Mike jerked him forward again and held fast to his arm.

"Now, Steve stop acting like a child! We are going to see him I will be with you." Mike spoke reassuringly but he was not expecting Steve's answer.

"I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!" Steve shouted for the second time that day.

The look on Mike's face told all present and within hearing he was considering just decking the boy! I mean after all sometimes even Mike Stone knows his glare will not always get the message across like a hard right will.