ACT 1

As he pored over the reports piled up on his desk, Mike's dark mood reached an all-time low when Steve's grinning face appeared at the doorway.

"Don't you ever answer your phone? I've been trying to reach you all morning!" Mike fumed.

Taken aback by his partner's surly attitude, Steve opened his mouth to explain but before any words were uttered he was shut down.

"No wait, don't tell me. You left your phone in the refrigerator. Buddy Boy, have I got you figured," Mike's sarcasm and dry laughter earned him a scowl from the young Inspector.

"No, as a matter of fact I haven't been home all morning. "

"Oh."

"Besides, didn't you tell me I could have the morning off? What was so urgent?"

"I was late! That's what was so urgent. Never mind that now. How did you go with Brennan last night? He's a little green but I think he's a good kid. Just needs a little direction."

"He was fine. Hey, listen, you look like you've got a lot on your plate, why don't I take Brennan with me today to interview those witnesses from the Walters homicide case?"

Mike sighed, secretly liking the idea but not wanting to admit that he was snowed in at the office. "I don't know, Steve."

"Come on, we'll even bring a chilli dog for you when we get back," Steve teased, his usual playfulness returning.

"Okay. Just make sure he remembers he's on a stake out from four."

"Will do." With a mock salute Steve left the office, leaving Mike to his paperwork.

…..

It was long before a knock on the door disrupted Mike once more.

"Sorry to disturb you Mike, but I was wondering if you've got a minute?" Inspector Bill Turner asked politely.

"What is it?" Mike responded with every attempt to hide the annoyance from his tone.

"I was wondering if you could get somebody else to cover me tomorrow. You see, I'm flying out first thing in the morning," Tanner said tentatively.

"What do you mean you're flying out?" Mike's asked incredulously.

"I've filled in the vacation forms and left them on your desk…"

Mike looked down at his desk which ordinarily was tidy but now even his cup of coffee was nowhere to be found. He began rummaging through the assortment of paperwork and succeeded in knocking over his invisible cup of coffee.

"I'll get something to wipe that up." Tanner dashed out of the office, feeling suddenly guilty for Mike's clumsiness.

Could this day get any worse? The flustered Lieutenant buried his face in his hands, his glasses askew over the bridge of his nose.

By the time the spill was cleaned up, Mike was called in to Olsen's office and Tanner had an urgent telephone call to answer which detracted the attention of all parties from Tanner's vacation papers.

As the afternoon wore on, Mike's stomach grumbled and still there was no sign of Steve and the chilli dog he promised to bring back. After a quick run to the cafeteria, he satisfied his hunger with a turkey sandwich. Settling back in his seat, he felt his eyes droop shut. With a jolt he shook himself to fight the fatigue but after several attempts, he finally conceded he was losing the battle. Succumbing to his body's needs of rest, Mike slid the papers to one side of his desk and rested his head on his arm. I suppose a little nap can't hurt.