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.

Just A Nobody

"How can I help? I am just a nobody!"

"I don't see it that way; I think you are somebody very important. Why don't you come up here and help me serve up the food? I heard you used to be a chef, I know you could give us some tips on how to make it more appetizing."

Steve finally got the man to agree and made sure that the man knew he was doing Steve a big favour, not the other way around. Steve had volunteered to help out at the soup kitchen for the homeless on his time off. He had been seeing this man sitting off in a corner all by himself the past couple of days and it gave him a great sadness. He knew what it was like to feel all alone and have nobody care whether you lived or died. At least he had until he met Mike and Jeannie Stone. Now that he had been part of their family all these years he found himself wanting to give back to others who were in a less fortunate situation. He felt very fortunate to have the love of two of the finest people that ever lived and wished the same for all others in the world, sometimes even his worst enemies.

There was not much time to even breathe, much less talk while on the serving line. Steve wanted time to sit and talk with this man though, so after they had finished the serving and Steve got the man to stay and help do clean up duty, he sat down with him at a nearby cafe with a cup of coffee and food for the man he had come to find out was named Neil Clark while Steve had a cup of tea, to talk to him about where he saw his life going.

"I have a friend who is looking for a cook in his restaurant; I think you would be perfect for the job. I can't promise anything mind you, but I would like to speak with him on your behalf and see about you getting an interview. That is if you think you might be interested. What do you say?"

"Are you serious? You would be willing to take that kind of risk putting in a word for me?" Neil inquired, astonished, and saw Steve's nod. "I would say yes definitely."

They visited with each other and Steve found out how to contact Neil again as well as giving Neil one of his cards with work number on it as well as his home. After they had been there about an hour Steve heard a horn honk and a car pull up and park. He smiled happily at the person who was coming their way. Neil watched the exchange of affection between Steve and the newcomer and was more than a little surprised when Steve introduced the young lady to him.

"Neil, this is Jeannie Stone. Jeannie, this is Neil Clark. He helped me out today with serving and clean up at the kitchen."

"It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Clark." Jeannie greeted him warmly and with a firm handshake.

"Very nice meeting you as well, Miss Stone. Steve sure has been very good to all of us down at the soup kitchen."

"Well, he thinks the world of all of you I can tell you that. Can we drop you anywhere?"

"Thanks, but I am staying not too far from here. I will enjoy the walk. I will look forward to hearing from you or your friend, Steve and thanks again more than you know."

Steve and Jeannie left Neil to finish his food and stopped by Steve's friend's restaurant where he talked to him of the chef he was seeking. By the time Steve had finished his spiel for Neil Clark his friend already seemed sold on the man. Steve left him with the contact information and he and Jeannie headed to Steve's place where he got a fast shower and changed clothes before they went out for their evening together.

Having a good time they didn't worry too much about getting in early and found Mike waiting up for them when they returned to his house a little before four a.m. They both felt like teenagers caught out after curfew when Mike flipped on the porch light as they got to the door. Jeannie felt worse when Mike opened the door while she and Steve were trying to kiss each other goodnight.

"Daddy, honestly, we are over seventeen." Jeannie teased her father.

"Yes, you both very well might be but it is almost four in the morning and I would think you would have called to let me know you might be this late. Both of you get inside and get some sleep." Mike's tone left no room for disagreement from either his daughter or his partner but leave it to Steve to try.

"Mike, I have a bed at my place. Sorry for getting her home so late we were just having a really good time," Steve explained.

"Steve, as late as it is, or I should say as early as it is, you are sleeping here. We have to be at work by ten a.m. There are some clothes of yours in the spare room from last time you stayed over. So as I said, children of mine, get to bed. You might be engaged to be married, but I am still the father."

"Yes, sir." Steve and Jeannie spoke in unison.

They both gave Mike a quick hug before they all headed to their beds. Mike called out in a teasing voice to the young couple, "And remember, you two, I am a light sleeper. So I don't want any prowling going on, sleep means sleep."

Steve and Jeannie both smiled at the good natured teasing and quickly assured Mike there would be no prowling between rooms. Mike checked to make sure the front door was locked securely as Jeannie and Steve went into separate rooms. Feeling tired, he went to bed himself.

The next day at work, late in the afternoon, Steve received a phone call from a very excited voice. When he finally was able to make out what they were saying he realized it was Neil Clark and the news he gave Steve left Steve with one of the broadest smiles he had since Jeannie agreed to marry him. Jeannie came in just then and knew something had made Steve happy. With her help he explained the circumstances to Mike concerning Neil Clark, who felt very proud of his soon to be son-in-law.

"You never cease to amaze me, buddy boy, always looking out for the other person if you can. That was highly commendable of you to help out someone less fortunate. Then again I guess I should not be amazed as you always have tried to watch out for others as long as I have known you. I know this Neil Clark will never forget what you did for him either." Mike could not stop smiling.

The next night being Neil Clark's first night on the job, Mike treated Steve and Jeannie to dinner at The Blue Moon so they could sample the new chef's fare. Steve was not surprised to find that Neil Clark's cooking was an instant hit with everyone dining at the restaurant and knew from that day on life would be good once again for the man he had met at the soup kitchen.