The Tooth Hurts

A/N:This story is dedicated to Sylvia Elaine as a belated birthday present and as a thank you for her fantastic reviews which she generously gives to all writers here at the SOSF fandom. I know it's safe to say that we all appreciate her readership and her wonderful feedback. Enjoy Sylvia and know that you are treasured.

Chapter 1

Mike silenced the alarm that woke him up in such an annoying fashion and swung his legs out of bed. He stretched and yawned and sat there for several seconds until he could manage to shift the tired fog that seemed to hang around his brain confusing his thoughts. It had been a rough few days since Steve's Wisdom tooth extraction. The young man had been in a great deal of pain and discomfort and not being a good patient at the best of times, his partner had proved to be a very irritable and at times, hard to handle house guest for the past two days. The nights had been the worst as Steve had tossed and turned and failed to sleep due to the pain and Mike had found out much to his cost that getting him to take the strong painkillers he needed had been almost as painful a procedure as the extraction itself. With little to do around the Stone Household the last two days, Steve had had ample opportunity to feel sorry for himself and had balked at every suggestion of possible distractions that Mike could think up. He hadn't wanted to play their customary game of chess, had scowled at the mere suggestion of a board game and had ended up in front of the television for most of the time, sullen and quiet, holding his jaw and nursing his own self pity and suffering.

It hadn't been without reason Mike knew, as the jaw still remained quite swollen and was now a lovely shade of several colours as the bruising had seemed to fully develop. The inside didn't fare much better and while the swelling inside had come down a good lot, it was still more swollen than it should be and the sutures still looked angry and red. While Steve hadn't said it in so many words, Mike could tell by his young partner's irritability that he was still in a good bit of pain. Jeannie had tried as much as Mike had to comfort and console but Mike had noticed that even she had given up trying to make pleasant conversation and had settled for providing the best pureed, softened meals for the suffering patient that she could manage. While Steve had remained as polite as always and had thanked her profusely, Mike could also easily tell that the pureed food had soon become tiresome to the young man and each meal had taken longer for him to consume as he had sat and watched them dolefully eating what he considered to be normal looking meals compared to what he was stuck with having to settle for.

While Mike knew that deep down Steve hadn't meant to be difficult he was almost glad they were returning to work this morning if for no other reason than it would hopefully take Steve's mind off his afflicted jaw. He wasn't a hundred percent sure that Steve was up to returning to work and had tried during another long and tiring night of nursemaiding, to convince the young man that a couple more days off might be more advisable along with a return visit to the dentist Oliver Kline to check the sutures and the seemingly slow healing process but his suggestions had been met with severe resistance as Steve had told Mike in no uncertain terms what the effects of having to spend just one more day watching day time soap operas would have on him. So finally, out of pure exasperation in the end, Mike had agreed to allow the young man to return to work on condition that he take a more sedate role in Homicide for a day or two until the gum was fully healed and the bruising and swelling had gone down satisfactorily and that he take the necessary medications to control the more severe pain. At first Steve had balked at being confined to the mundane task of desk jobs but seeing Mike's stony glare and realizing that it was either that or day time soaps he had eventually agreed to the terms and conditions, including the taking of the pain meds reluctantly.

Getting up, Mike donned his dressing gown and tying it across his midsection, he padded out onto the landing and smiled appreciatively as the wonderful smell of frying bacon assaulted his nostrils. He sure was going to miss Jeannie now that she was heading back to Arizona after breakfast. The extra few days she had spent at home helping to nursemaid had in some ways only made her return all the more difficult for the older man. He sure missed her when she was off at college and cherished the weekends she made it home. As he headed for the stairs almost following the appetizing aroma, he heard the muttered expletives as he passed the bathroom door which was left very slightly ajar. With slight concern, Mike approached the door and knocked softly.

"Steve? You ok in there?"

"NO ... I'm NOT! " the angry retort followed and so with increased caution Mike had pushed the door slowly open and peered even more cautiously around it, to see his partner bare chested but fully dressed from the waist down, his hair still damp from his recently taken shower, standing at the bathroom sink with his manual razor in one hand and the other hand curved protectively against his sore jaw. Even in spite of his shower and freshen up, he still looked like hell and Mike stepped into the small room and risked advancing further into the lion's den.

"What's the matter? Face still sore?"

Mike knew immediately that he had said the wrong thing as Steve's expression darkened and his response became even more hostile. Dropping his hand from his face and turning his head so that his afflicted jaw was directly visible to the older man, he ranted in frustration.

"What do you THINK? I mean look at it Mike. Is it supposed to still be that swollen and just look at that coloring Mike. I look like I just did five rounds with a professional boxer. Can you even BEGIN to imagine the amount of ribbing I'm going to get over this from Haseejian and the other guys and it's even too sore to shave it Mike. Now I have one side shaved and one side not. Why did I ever let you talk me into this Mike?" he grumbled for the umpteenth time in the last forty-eight hours as he flung the razor unceremoniously with a splash into the sink and held his jaw again, his breathing labored after his angry rant.

Mike stood still just listening until the rant finally ended and the young man seemed to have gotten his latest frustrations out before finally asking calmly and softly.

"Are you finished?"

Realizing he had just thrown another embarrassing tantrum to add to all the others these last few days he blushed suitably and sent an apologetic look in Mike's direction.

"Oh God, I'm sorry Mike. Look, I ... I know I've been a right pain in the rear end since Monday ... I think maybe it's best if I go back to my apartment tonight ... You shouldn't have to put up with this ..."

Feeling sorry for him, Mike stepped forward and grabbed the back of the young man's neck and shook it playfully.

"Hey, hey come on now. Don't talk like that. There may have been well ... maybe more than a few times since Monday when I've felt like stuffing your head into your pocket. But well ... I know it wasn't you talking. It was the pain and you make almost as good a patient as I do! You ah ... haven't taken your pain meds yet this morning either, have you?"

Steve had smiled at the first part of Mike's speech but that quickly turned into further embarrassment at the last question. He shook his head reluctantly.

"STEVE!"

"I was going to take them with breakfast." Steve answered the Stone glare defensively.

"Steve they were due an hour and a half ago. No WONDER you're in such pain!"

"They ... they make me feel sick if I don't eat with them Mike ..." he continued, still trying to defend his actions.

Mike's glare softened and he sighed heavily in frustration.

"ALRIGHT, alright ... Sit down for a minute will you?"

"What?"

Steve looked blankly at the older man as Mike then grasped his shoulders and moved him backwards and then pushed him down to sit on the edge of the tub.

"Stay there and don't move. You got that?"

"Aw MIKE, Come on! ..."

"DON'T MOVE " Mike warned a second time as he then turned and disappeared out of the bathroom at speed only to return about five minutes later with an ice pack, a glass of water and a large chalky looking pill in his hands.

"Here, take this and DON'T argue Steve. You'll be having breakfast in a few minutes. "

Frowning petulantly, Steve took the pill from the older man and the glass but he hesitated too long for Mike's liking.

"Whats the matter? Are you waiting for a written instruction?"

Steve scowled even more and then threw the pill in his mouth in one exasperated move and swallowed it down with the water. He made a face as the chalky pill went down his throat but then looked back at the older man and asked sulkily.

"THERE. You happy now?"

"Yes. VERY. Now here put this on your jaw for five minutes and it should numb it sufficiently for you to be able to shave it. "

Without any further response, Steve took the ice pack and placed it against his jaw, wincing involuntarily as he did. He looked at the floor and seemed utterly miserable. Placing a sympathetic hand on Steve's bare shoulder he spoke more compassionately.

"Look Steve. I know this has been a rough few days for you and I'm really not convinced that you're ready to go back to work yet but well ... it might at least take your mind off things, ok? And don't worry about Haseejian. You know what he's like. He'll have his few minutes of fun at your expense and then you'll be old news and he'll go on to torment someone else. Just ignore it as best you can, ok? If he gets really out of hand I'll send him out canvassing the neighborhood somewhere for something or other to get him off your back, alright?"

That last statement brought a faint but satisfied smile back to Steve's face and he nodded agreeably.

"Ok ... Thanks Mike. "

Mike grinned and then reached behind him to retrieve the razor from the sink as he turned and then lifted Steve's hand that held the ice pack away from his cheek.

"Ok, let's see if we can at least get both sides of your face to match at least in the shaved department, ok?"

That brought a small chuckle from the younger man which heartened Mike a little more but as soon as the razor hit his cheek, Steve tensed and spoke urgently.

"Easy Mike ..."

Mike frowned and looked back down at his partner in concern.

"Is it really that sore to the touch still?"

"Yeah ..."

"Steve, I don't really think it should be. I hope you're not getting an infection in it. I really think we should get another opinion from your dentist."

"Absolutely NOT. I TOLD you. I'm never going back there again. No chance!"

Mike scowled at the stubborn reply but then decided to leave the subject for now with the full intention of broaching it again later.

"OK, ok, I hear you, alright? Calm down. No need to get your holster in a flap! Now stay still and I'll try not to hurt you, ok?"

Steve chuckled again at Mike's strange saying and then leaning his face sideways he tensed as Mike drew the razor several times across the bruised skin. He bit back the moans of pain bravely until the last stroke that ran along his jawbone when he couldn't help the protest that escaped from his lips before he could stop it.

"OW!"

Mike startled and then put the razor back down as he apologized profusely.

"Sorry ... Look that should do for now. It's better than it was, ok?"

Grabbing the ice pack to quell the ache that Mike's actions had caused he nodded politely, not trusting his voice to sound anything but pained.

"I'll leave you to finish getting dressed and then come down for breakfast. And try not to be too long so those pills don't make you sick, alright?"

Again a halfhearted nod was the only reply as Mike smiled sympathetically and then left Steve nursing his jaw where he still sat on the side of the bathroom tub. He had crossed the landing and descended halfway down the stairs when he felt worry again prickling at his conscience. He stopped and listened and was just about to go back up to see if he needed any more help when he heard Steve's footsteps leave the bathroom and head across the landing towards the spare room. Satisfied that he was ok, he continued on down to the kitchen.

Following the heavenly aroma, he entered the small kitchen and saw Jeannie over at the stove, moving bacon around the pan. She greeted him with a huge smile and a breezy good morning and it warmed his heart like it always did. It also evoked a certain amount of sadness that her greeting would be sorely missed the following day.

"Morning Sweetheart. Breakfast smells heavenly."

"Why thank you kind Sir" she teased playfully before giggling and speaking more seriously.

"It's almost ready. Is Steve up?"

At the mention of the young man upstairs, Mike's smile faded and the worry visibly returned.

"Yes ... yes he's up. He ah ... he should be down in a minute ."

Jeannie noticed the distinct downturn in her father's tone and turned from her work to look at him in concern.

"Mike? What is it? Is something wrong?"

"I don't know Jeannie. I really don't but well ... I don't think his jaw is healing like it's supposed to. It's still very sore and well ... it's still very swollen."

Jeannie frowned.

"Well then he needs to go back and see the dentist, Mike."

Mike snorted.

"Jeannie, YOU know that and I know that but try to tell HIM that! I swear I've never met anyone as stubborn as that young man can be ... "

Jeannie chuckled at that statement.

"Oh no? Well I wonder who he could have learned that trait from?" she joked as she finished her task and laid the crispy cooked bacon out on a separate plate on the counter ready to serve alongside a dish of freshly fried eggs sunny side up and a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

"Ha ha! Very funny. I just hope he's well enough to go back to work today. I'm really not convinced."

Mike wandered from the doorway over towards where Jeannie was standing and sniffed at the bacon on the plate.

"Hmmmm ... That smells great Jeannie. But what have you got for Steve to eat?"

Jeannie flustered a little.

"Well I thought ... he could maybe try the bacon and eggs with us today Mike. It's been almost two days now and he really is sick of the blended stuff."

Mike shook his head dramatically.

"No, no absolutely NOT! His mouth and jaw are still way too sore. He's better to stick with the soft stuff for now. "

Footsteps on the stairs followed before Jeannie could plead his case any further and both Stones looked anxiously towards the door as the pale young man entered.

"Morning Steve ..." Jeannie called out warmly.

"Morning Jeannie." came the subdued reply as he seemed to follow the aroma like Mike had early and stopping next to the bacon he smiled and went to pick a piece up to eat. Swatting Steve's hand away, Mike scolded purposefully.

"Ah ah! Not yet. If that gum of yours is still that sore then crispy bacon certainly won't do it any favors. Better to stick with the soft stuff again today Buddy boy. Mark my words."

Steve groaned and pleaded.

"Aw Mike. Come on. Just one piece. I'll chew it on the other side, I promise. PLEASE?"

Steve's green eyes held a desperate longing for something to cheer him up and before he could protest further, Jeannie's head came to peer around Steve's shoulder as she joined in on the pleading stare on Steve's behalf.

"Oh I see. Ganging up on me now huh? Two against one ..."

Both Steve and Jeannie smiled and Mike threw his hands up in mock surrender.

"Ok ... ok eat the bacon but if it hurts your mouth DON'T come complaining to me! You can take it up with your partner in crime there ..."

Steve's eyes lit up and he grabbed a piece of bacon before Mike could change his mind and biting a large piece off it and making sure to chew it and keep it on the right side of his mouth, he proceeded to emit small guttural sounds of satisfaction.

"Hmmmm ... Oh that's really good Jeannie. That's the best thing that's happened to me in two days. You are a great cook, you know that? "

Jeannie blushed and then doled out the breakfasts and poured the coffee as the three of them sat down and began to eat.

"Ooh ... that still looks very sore Steve. Is it very bad? Jeannie asked as she sat down on Steve's left and saw his swollen jaw line more clearly from that angle.

" No, no it's not too bad. Besides the painkillers are starting to kick in now. "

Mike placed another piece of bacon in his mouth as he scowled across at Steve as he heard the young man's words and doubted their veracity.

Their meal passed quietly. Jeannie regaled them both about her plans for the rest of the week back in Arizona and the two men seemed to relish the last meal in her company for another few weeks until her return again. Steve remained very quiet but Mike noticed he seemed to be concentrating on keeping the hard food away from the sore side of his mouth. On one or two occasions Mike had seen him wince as he seemed to let a piece roam farther that it should and he seemed to suffer as a consequence but it was no surprise to the older man that Steve purposefully made sure not to draw any attention to that fact.

As the meal was almost finished, Jeannie decided to have one last bit of fun with the two very serious looking men at the table. Remembering the cruel prank that Mike had played on his partner just two days previous, she couldn't resist a small jibe at the pair of them.

"Well ... I bet you two are chomping at the bit to get back to work, huh? Let's hope there are no phone messages there for either of you on your return from that Traffic Warden you conned out of giving you a ticket the other day ..."

Both men's faces darkened as her words sunk in and they both looked up at each other in trepidation. Mike was the first one to speak.

"Very funny Sweetheart but whatever number he gave her that day I doubt it was a legitimate one so I wouldn't worry. I'm certainly not worried ..."

Steve though looked more worried than his partner.

"I wish I could feel that confident. If only I could remember what I said to her and what I wrote down on that piece of paper for her."

"Oh don't worry. I told you Buddy boy. You were really out of it that morning. You couldn't possibly have given her a real number."

As they drank the last dregs of their coffee, Steve hoped Mike was right.

After breakfast was finished, Mike had a shower and quickly dressed and Jeannie finished getting her cases ready. By eight thirty, all three had left De Haro Street and drove Jeannie to the Greyhound Bus depot. As they walked to the bus with her to say their goodbyes, she turned to Steve first and gave him a friendly hug.

"You take care of that jaw Steve and if it's not improving PROMISE me you'll go back to the Dentist with it."

Steve flustered where he stood.

"It will be fine Jeannie ... Don't worry ..."

"STEVE KELLER! Promise me ... " she persisted and realizing that he was talking to another equally determined member of the Stone family, he smiled and spoke sweetly.

"Alright, if it makes you feel better, I promise, ok? "

Mike shook his head incredulously as he saw the blatant crossed fingers behind Steve's back and knew the chances of him ever going back to the Montgomery and Kline Dental Clinic lay somewhere between Bob hope and his brother No!

"Listen Jeannie, thanks a lot for staying over and well ... you know blending all that food and ah ... well all that stuff. I ah ... I'm sorry I haven't been exactly pleasant company the last few days ..."

Jeannie smiled at her Father's handsome young partner and beamed sweetly.

"You're welcome and don't worry. Compared to Mike when he's sick you were a model patient ... " she added humorously which earned her a playful swat across her backside from Mike.

"Hey, hey come on now. Don't give the boy ideas above his station. I am not THAT bad."

All three chuckled and then Steve said his goodbyes and wandered back to the car to let Father and daughter say their goodbyes in peace. Leaning against the bonnet, he watched as the two hugged and talked and he knew that afterwards Mike would be very quiet and subdued. He always was, every time he put her back onto that bus. He watched as Jeannie hopped on and waved and smiled to himself as he saw Mike stand next to her window and continue to wave until the bus finally pulled out and drove off. Steve watched as Mike spent the customary few moments watching the bus drive out of sight and then the slow stand as he seemed to collect his thoughts before returning back to the car at a brisk pace. On cue, Steve got back in behind the driver's wheel and watched as Mike sat in quietly and didn't speak. The first few times he had experienced this same ritual he had asked the older man if he was alright but now he knew better. He sighed heavily before turning the car's engine on and heading off in the direction of Bryant Street.

Neither man spoke on the journey to work. Mike sat on the passenger seat lost in his own thoughts as Steve watched him surreptitiously every now and then whenever they were stopped in traffic. The painkillers had finally kicked in but he wasn't looking forward to his first walk through the bullpen. With any luck Haseejian would be out on a call. When he pulled into the car parking space at Bryant Street, Steve saw that Mike hadn't even noticed and so he reached over reluctantly and tapped Mike's upper arm.

"Hey! ... We're here ..."

Mike seemed to snap back to the present and then looked embarrassed.

"OH! ...Sorry. I guess I was a million miles away. "

A vivid memory came flooding back to the young Inspector of something Mike had told him in the early days of their partnership. During one of their earlier cases, Mike had told him that he was a bright boy and advised him to be bright enough to read him well enough to know when he needed to stay out of his partner's way. These times coming back from leaving Jeannie to the bus depot always felt like those times. Steve stayed staring at him nervously and Mike read the sympathy in his eyes.

"It doesn't get any easier Buddy Boy no matter how many times she gets on that bus."

"I know Mike ... "

Mike seemed to pull himself together and straightened up visibly.

"Anyway ... what about you? You ok?"

Steve smiled and cupped his jaw subconsciously.

"Yeah, the painkillers are working now. As long as no-one touches my jaw I should be ok."

"Ok, come on so. Let's go get up to speed with what's been going on up there."

Mike and Steve exited the car and made their way up to Homicide. Mike noticed that Steve hung back a little as they approached the outer door of the Department and he purposefully opened the door for Mike and gestured for the older man to go ahead. Mike went on in and Steve took up the rear. As soon as they appeared Norm Haseejian's smile widened and Steve cringed inwardly when he saw the tell tale smirk that meant his misery was about to begin. Mike headed into his office and started removing his coat and hat and placing them on his coat rack but he kept a close eye on the younger man as he went to his own desk and removing his jacket he placed it on the back of his chair. Haseejian got up and looked towards Steve, whistling as he did.

"Whoa Keller. That's one hell of a bruise. So? Seeing as you got a wisdom tooth removed are you feeling less wise now college kid?"

Steve groaned and shot a distasteful look at his Armenian colleague.

"Well if that was the case then maybe you should try to grow a few instead Norm" he shot back just as quick as the bullpen erupted in laughter.

"Ha! He got you good with that one Norm." Bill teased his disgruntled partner as the laughter rang out around him.

Steve turned around and sat down and casting a quick glance into Mike's Office he caught his partner's eye and saw Mike's look of approval at how he handled the situation. However then Mike saw Haseejian's look of displeasure and got a bad feeling about how things were going to play out. Seeing Norm head purposefully towards his partner's desk, Mike stood up and remained at the ready in case he had to intervene.

As Steve took out his notebook and started sorting the files on his desk Haseejian's voice boomed from right behind him.

"Let me see that jaw kid." he persisted, putting a hand out to touch it as Steve ducked and effectively swatted the Armenian detective's hand away.

"Lay off Norm will ya?"

"What's the matter kid? Does Mike's Buddy boy have a little boo boo, huh? All I want to do is look at it, that's all!"

The hand went to touch him again and this time, Steve stood up before the hand could make contact and from where Mike stood he could tell by Steve's annoyed expression that the young man's patience was dwindling rapidly. Mike came around to the side of his desk and watched the situation closely as all eyes in the bullpen came to rest on the two detectives as you could now easily hear a pin drop in the room. Aware that they had an audience, Steve cooled his temper and spoke calmly.

"Look Norm. You want to look, then look but lay off with the touching, ok? "

Norm didn't take the hint though and spoke even more purposefully.

"You don't have to get all defensive about it kid. For all we know you didn't get a tooth out at all. Maybe one of your many girlfriends got fed up with your womanizing and clocked you one, huh?"

That was the final straw and as Steve's face darkened, Mike read the look and raced out in time to get between the two detectives, effectively pushing Steve back as he started to rush forward to make a grab for Haseejian, shouting back at Norm as he did without taking his eyes off Steve all the while.

"Haseejian, seeing as you have time for horseplay I presume you have the Ballistics report on the Harris Case ready for me to look at, huh?"

Haseejian backed away and looked embarrassed.

"Ah no Mike. I was just about to ah ... ring up and get that for you now."

"Then do it!" Mike yelled again as he then put a hand on Steve's back and pushed him gently towards his office. As Steve entered and Mike came behind, Mike pulled the blinds and shut the door and glared at Steve.

"What happened to the plan to ignore him?"

"You heard what he said. He was baiting me? What did you expect me to do? "

"I EXPECTED you to be the better man and IGNORE him! He baits you because he knows he can get a rise out of you. If you don't rise to it, he'll soon get bored of it. Trust me. I've know Norm a lot longer than you. That's how he operates. "

Steve paced furiously back and forth.

"Ok, I'll ignore him Mike ... But if he goes to touch my face again I'm gonna shove his hand ..."

"OK ... ok I get the picture." Mike interrupted the sentence purposefully, not really feeling he needed to know what Steve's plans for Norm's hand were under their circumstances.

"Now are you going to be ok out there dealing with Norm or do I have to supervise you for the rest of the day?"

Steve took a deep steadying breath and shook his head.

"No, no you don't ... I'll try not to let him get to me, ok?"

"Good man."

Mike went over and opened the door and the blinds as Steve went back to his desk. He felt thirsty. He always felt thirsty after eating bacon, so he headed over to the water cooler to fetch a cold drink of water. Drinking the first cup over at the cooler, he refilled it a second time and passing Norm's desk on his way back to his own, Haseejian pushed his chair back as Steve passed and caught him in the hip as the cup jolted and spilled a little down onto his trouser leg.

"Oh sorry kid. I ah ... I didn't see you there." Norm spoke in a feigned, apologetic voice.

Steve felt his temper flare again but looking up at Mike he saw the older man watching the incident closely and so smiled in a forced kind of way and answered politely albeit reluctantly as he brushed the water from his trouser leg.

"That's ok Norm. These things happen ..."

He looked back up at Mike and saw the older man smiling and then headed back to his desk, taking more deep, calming breaths as he did. On seeing Mike standing at the doorway to his Office, Norm looked up and smiled his widest grin ever.

"Ah Mike, did you get the phone message I left for you a couple of days ago?"

Mike shook his head blankly.

"No ... who was it from?"

Steve took another drink of his water as Norm took great pleasure in telling the Lieutenant.

"It was from the voluptuous Corrine from the Traffic Department. Apparently she says you owe her a date in exchange for a parking ticket, Mike, you sly old dog."

Steve nearly choked on the mouthful of water he took as he coughed and spluttered on hearing the message and looked at Mike worriedly. The color had drained from Mike's face and he turned to scowl incredulously at Steve. Steve coughed once more and then shrugged his shoulders innocently not sure exactly what to say.

"She ... rang here? Looking for ME? " Mike uttered in a very uneasy tone.

"Yeah, you know she has quite the reputation from what I hear. You're one lucky man Mike. Why I didn't think you had it in you. I would have thought that was more my style than yours. "

Steve could see Mike's temper starting to fray at Norm's jibes now and stood ready to intercede for him in the same way as he had for him earlier

"Now look here Norm! ... I ... I NEVER ... I didn't promise her anything Haseejian, do you hear me? It was all just ... just a misunderstanding, that's all ..."

"Sure ... Sure it was ..." Norm said with a purposeful wink in Mike's direction and Steve jumped up in front of the older man as he saw Mike about to overreact, pressing a firm hand on Mike's chest and keeping his tone low so only Mike could hear him he whispered.

"Whatever happened to just ignore him, huh? He's getting a reaction from you remember? You said that's why he does it ..."

Steve's words that mirrored his own from earlier pulled him back and he nodded gratefully for the reminder. Seeing Mike calm down, he released his hand from Mike's chest just as Haseejian piped up in a teasing voice behind them.

"Oh by the way, Corrine rang again yesterday asking about you again. So I told her you were back in today. She ah ... actually said she'd pop in this morning. "

Both men looked behind them at the smirking Sergeant and saw him glance at his watch, then looking back up at them he added.

"Actually she should be here any minute ..."

As the words left Haseejian's mouth, the outer door opened and a lady appeared. Steve felt the back of his elbow being squeezed and Mike's panicked voice whispered in his ear.

"Oh my God, it's HER! Steve, tell her I'm in my office and I can't be disturbed ... I'm ah ... on an important call with the Captain ... You caused this Steve, now SORT it. You hear me?"

"Alright, alright. I'll handle it Mike ..." Steve responded but Mike had already fled from behind him into his office without waiting for a response. The door was shut and Mike was already behind his desk with the phone up to his ear, ready to have a pretend one sided conversation if necessary.

Steve shook his head and then as the lady seemed to recognize him, she smiled and waved excitedly and came towards him. He swallowed hard. He didn't even recognize her at all but he went forward to meet her as he heard Norm giggling quietly as he passed his desk at their dilemma. As he reached her, she smiled and spoke politely.

"Hello again. Is Lieutenant Stone here? "

Recognizing the traffic warden attire Steve politely asked.

"Excuse me for asking Ma'am but ... are you Corrine?"

"Yes ... Corrine Barnes. Nice to see you again. "

"Yeah ... Could I have a quick word with you please?" Steve pleaded quietly but hearing more subdued laughter coming from the Armenian detective behind him, he added politely " ... outside?"

Corinne nodded and Steve directed her to the small glass entrance way to the bullpen, closing both doors so they were in their own cocooned enclosure away from listening ears. As nicely as he could under the circumstances, Steve then relayed the whole story of his tooth and honestly told the woman what had happened, apologizing profusely and explaining that Lieutenant Stone hadn't requested her number and really wasn't interested in a relationship at the present time and he even offered to gladly pay the parking ticket they would have received had the whole sorry incident not occurred in the first place. Having let down many a woman gently in his short lifetime, Steve had hoped that the conversation would prove easy but the deflated and upset look that crossed the older lady's face as the explanation ended did not. Dropping her head, she muttered awkwardly.

"Oh my! I am embarrassed ... Please tell the Lieutenant I won't disturb him again ... "

Steve felt really bad and spoke again both apologetically and awkwardly.

"Ma'am I'm really sorry. This was all my fault but I ... I honestly don't even remember our conversation ..."

Corrine smiled.

"Well you were drugged at the time. I should have seen that, however I do appreciate your honesty Steve. At least I didn't make an even bigger fool of myself. Thank you for that. Goodbye."

Steve nodded and watched as the dejected woman left the Homicide Department and glanced behind him and saw all eyes in the bullpen trained on them including Mike's. He felt awful but at least he had been honest. I mean the truth hurts, right? And on this occasion it did in more ways than one. He stood there feeling like the worst person in the world when suddenly Norm got up and rushed past him, opened the outer door and disappeared out into the corridor much to everyone's surprise. Steve opened the door and peered out into the corridor in time to see Haseejian bolting down the corridor after Corrine, calling out her name. He watched as Norm talked quietly to her and after a few minutes her face lit up in a smile and as she took a piece of paper from him, her smile widened and she seemed to thank him and then headed away.

Lee Lessing and Dan Healy came behind them up the corridor at that moment with a suspect in hand cuffs between them and Steve stepped further out into the corridor to let them enter the bullpen.

Steve then stood and watched Norm slowly amble back towards him. As he came near, Steve asked curiously.

"What did you say to her?"

Norm seemed to fluster uncharacteristically.

"I told her I'd take her to a show on Saturday night ... She's just lonely and maybe a little misunderstood ... That's all ... I ah ... kind of know that feeling ..."

Steve shook his head in admiration.

"That was a nice thing to do Norm ..."

"Well I'm not ALL bad you know? Underneath this clown exterior, I'm actually quite a nice guy as it happens ... Look kid ... I didn't mean to sneer at your face ... Sometimes I ah ... just can't help myself but ... well my last remark was out of line ... Sorry kid ... Oh and for bumping you with the water ... No hard feelings, huh?" Norm apologized holding out his hand towards the young Inspector.

Steve went to shake it and then pulled his hand back suddenly, grinning.

"Wait a second. You don't have an electric shock gadget in that hand, do ya?"

Norm laughed.

"NO ... but that is an EXCELLENT idea. I must get myself one of those." he added cheekily which made Steve smile as he clasped the Sergeant's hand and shook it warmly.

"Forget it Norm ... "

"What? Earlier or the electric shock gadget? " he added, highly amused.

Slapping the Armenian on the back in a friendly manner, Steve responded forcefully.

"BOTH!"

Still chuckling, Steve gestured with his hand for Norm to go first.

"After you, after all it is age before beauty ..."

"That's funny. We used to say the cart before the horse. Go ahead ... I INSIST!"

Steve belly laughed and went on in just as a melee broke out in front of the interview room as the suspect head butted Healy and sent him flying into Lessing and made a dash for the door. Mike ran from his Office in time to see the suspect barging straight at Steve. Knowing how Steve's face wasn't ready for any impact yet, Mike yelled at Steve.

"STEVE. WATCH OUT!"

Steve side stepped, avoiding the initial impact but then dived forward grappling the suspect to the ground as he grabbed his legs. The suspect went down flailing angrily as Norm rushed forward to help, just as to everyone's horror, the suspect's foot shot out and dealt a glancing blow to the afflicted side of Steve's face.

A/N: As this story is a gift I didn't think it would be fair to leave a cliffhanger so have posted the second and final chapter at the same time... ;-)