"Just what in the world are you doing here?! The doctor told you that you're not supposed to be driving with that leg!"

The loud reprimand caused several of the other Inspector's heads to snap up, as Mike quickly bridged the last of the distance to his desk, shutting his door with an earthshaking clout.

"Well, it's nice to see you too after I fought my way through rush-hour traffic to say Hi!", Steve snarled impatiently, only adding gasoline to the fire, his injured leg resting on the corner of Mike's desk and the dreaded crutches leaning up against the second guest chair. Wearing his black dress pants and lilac shirt with light gray tie, he looked stunning as usual and ready for work.

Except that he wasn't due back for at least three more days.

"You're lucky you didn't get picked up by a black and white for endangering other motorists! I ought to clean your clock after everything that's been going on these past few days.", Mike yelled, his irritation mixing with the still persistent frustration of his morning in court.

"Aw, come on now. That's ridiculous.", Steve fumed, his cheeks flushing as they continued to argue back and forth, "Maybe I ought to let you drive more often, you'd see that you don't use your left leg while driving. I am perfectly capable of operating my car in this condition!"

"Twenty-six stitches in your left calf say otherwise, Smarty! Those bull medications still messing with your system? Because you're full of it this morning…"

"Oh yeah, that's funny coming from the guy who had the nice cozy office while I was out chucking manure around for days and breaking my hips riding horses! Do you even realize I haven't had a decent meal the entire time I was there?! You want to try living off dehydrated meat sticks and Mexican leftovers for a week, all the time wondering if your hands are even clean enough to eat that sort of garbage because everything you touch smells of excrement and oily leather?!"

"Okay…okay…", Mike interjected soothingly and raised his hand, before both of their tempers could get out of control, then leaned up against his desk to take a deep breath "I am sorry. It's been a hell of a morning. It's nice to see you, Buddyboy. Next time call me, I'd be happy to pick you up."

Accepting the silent truce, Steve nodded faintly and ran a hand across the almost healed bruise on his cheek.

"No, you're right. I was out of line and this wasn't the day for it. I am sorry about that. I talked to Tanner. He said by the sound of it, things didn't go too well with the case discussion at the DA's office?"

"You can say that again…you want any coffee?"

"Sure, I'll take a cup."

Taking off his overcoat and fedora, Mike walked back into the bullpen and dropped a nickel into the change jar before returning with two fresh cups. Putting one right in front of his partner for easy reach, Mike used his empty hand to close his office door again, before sliding into his chair with a resigned grunt.

"I'd hate to even say this, but if it hadn't been for your run-in with McAllister, he would have been out in six years or less. They've dropped all charges except the assault against you and then they turned our murder charge for Sally Howard into manslaughter. Oh, and Aldarez supposedly killed himself. The good news is that Judge Nichols will oversee the trial. He's a fair man and he cannot stand it when cops get hurt in the line of duty. Hopefully that means maximum sentencing on both counts."

Furrowing his brows, Steve let out a deep breath before leaning his head against the back of his chair.

"I heard he'd hired some New York law firm to represent him.", the young Inspector said and looked at the ceiling in defeat, "Turns out that money trumps over justice once again. Weren't we just talking about social injustice and overpaid football players? Now you've got people getting off a multiple murder charge with a slap on the wrist just because of their influence and money."

"Don't you dare let a case like this discourage you from seeking justice.", Mike lectured, his sharp voice causing Steve to raise his head again, "Many different issues affected the outcome of this case. And not all of them were in our control. Sometimes that happens. And it's frustrating. Especially when I have to explain to Mitch Howard that the man who murdered his daughter in cold blood will likely walk the streets again in less than a decade. It's infuriating…but we can never, ever let that deter us from fighting for justice. The day we do, we might as well hand in that badge."

Steve nodded in quiet acknowledgement and took a sip of coffee, seemingly waiting for the warm liquid to enter his stomach before answering.

"You're right…I guess, I was just frustrated. That was a lot of work seemingly for nothing."

As a tense silence befell the four walls of the Lieutenant's office once again, Steve nervously tapped his fingers against his cup, then drew in a deep breath.

"While I was waiting for you, I…eh…I tried to call the Cow Palace. Seems like there are some chairmen of sorts that are jumping in and trying to get everything organized with McAllister being gone. They cancelled a bunch of events for the next month, most of it being rodeos."

Mike pursed his lips, suddenly becoming painfully aware of how much he'd missed his partner by his side. More than a week without their give-and-take discussions; and he'd learned to sorely appreciate that bright soul by his side, even on the occasional days things didn't go their way.

"By the sounds of it, you better hurry down there to say goodbye to the Misses."

The sparkle in Mike's eye wasn't lost on his partner, when Steve grinned and shook his head.

"What…are you trying out to be the new department psychologist or something? I leave you with the guys and Lenny for a few days and come back to this?"

"You're an open book when it comes to women, Buddyboy.", Mike countered and chuckled, enjoying the relentless teasing that brightened his day in so many ways.

He could see Steve smile for a moment longer, but then a foreboding worry overshadowed his careless features and he leaned his head back again. Mike fell quiet, letting his eyes drift over the outline of a large bandage over his partner's left calf, only visible against the expensive fabric of his dress pants when he elevated his leg.

Waiting several long moments, he watched Steve ponder and clench his strong jaw, fighting an internal battle of emotions.

And Mike had a pretty good idea of what those entailed.

"How about I'll drive us there? I…eh…I could use a little break before this afternoon and I would feel a lot better knowing that you're not driving around town peg-legged. What do you say, Cowboy?"