Bye Bye Baby
Chapter 23 : Epilogue : Part three
Mike watched proudly as without further hesitation Steve limped up the corridor and he only stopped for a brief second on reaching Gerry's door to take a deep steadying breath before knocking politely and then going inside. Mike kept right behind him and watched his every move closely for fear of what the next few minutes would hold and just in case he wasn't as ready for this meeting as he had stated he was. As they entered Gerry stepped forward and greeted them and Mike noted Steve's embarrassment as he merely nodded in Gerry's direction in reply.
"Steve and Mike, allow me to introduce Federal agents Dan Carson and Bob Brent. Gentlemen, this is Lieutenant Michael Stone and Inspector Steven Keller ..."
Two well built and well dressed men stood on the other side of the office, shoulder to shoulder, as they stepped forward and shook Mike and Steve's hands, their firearms and holsters visible as they stretched their hands out and as Gerry continued tentatively.
"Steve and Mike, I believe you already know ... Elena Roscoff."
At those words, both federal agents stood aside and Elena came between them. Her blonde cascading curls framed a much more relaxed and smiling face than the last time Steve had seen her. She wore a beautiful burgundy colored dress and an elegant beige cardigan was draped around her shoulders. Mike heard Steve inhale sharply as his partner set eyes on her and moved slightly closer to him, as Elena rushed forward, stopping in front of them and reaching up to cup Steve's cheek tenderly.
"Steve Keller ... You are ok. They said you were but I told them that I wanted to see for myself that you were. You look better than the last time I saw you ... "
Steve gave a nervous chuckle.
"Well that wouldn't have been hard ... "
"But you ARE ok?" she asked in a concerned tone as she continued to study where his split lip had recently healed.
"Yeah ... yeah, I'm doing fine ... It's good to see you again Elena ... You look terrific. Are ... you doing ok?"
She trailed her finger across Steve's lip, noting the slight scar where the stitches had been and then trailed her fingers across to reach behind his right ear but Steve's hand came up to stop her. Covering her hand with his, he brought it back down between him and spoke nervously.
"Are they treating you ok?"
"Yes ... They have been very nice. They have arranged for my sister to join me from Moscow ... We will start our new life together ..."
Steve felt her hand tremble within his and her eyes glistened with moisture.
"Steve, I'm sorry about Mikhail ... They used him in a trade for my sister ... I ... I had to get her safe ..."
Steve squeezed her hand gently and stopped her mid sentence.
"No, no that's OK. Forget it. I'm just glad that you both get a second chance to live your lives away from ... Damacov and his kind."
Mike noted his partner's hesitation as he spoke the leader's name and placed a concealed hand on Steve's back in support. Steve felt it and tensed momentarily.
"I don't think any of us were up to this trial anyway. It's probably for the best this way. We can all move on and put this behind us ... Look Elena I ... I want to thank you again for what you did. If you hadn't told Mike where we were I don't think we ... well ... I owe you for saving my life and Brigitte's ..."
Elena felt a tear roll down her cheek and she reached up to place a tender finger on Steve's lips to silence him, as she spoke in anguished sobs.
"No ... It is I who owe you my life and that of my sister's. I would never have had the courage to stand up to Grigori and do what I did without your example. You were so brave even in the face of death and throughout such despicable torture and yet you protected that baby through your pain and remained strong. You never gave up hope even when things seemed hopeless. You showed me that I could be that brave too if I really had faith in myself and showed me that my life didn't have to continue as it was. That it mustn't. You showed me that I didn't belong there. You believed in me and told me who I could trust. You told me Mike would help me and he did and it is I who will be forever grateful to you for what you taught me and for all Mike and his people have done for us. "
More tears fell down her cheeks and Mike could see by Steve's demeanor that the upset was having a bad effect on him too. Steve shifted uncomfortably on his bad leg and from where Mike's hand lay against the young man's back he felt the faint tremor of upset that threatened and the tension in his muscles as his leg most probably burned again in pain. Feeling Steve becoming a little more unsteady, he moved his hand from the middle of Steve's back to grab his right elbow and held him steady, allowing Steve to take a little extra weight from the bad leg. Reaching up to wipe her tears away with his hand, Steve spoke in a tone that held shared experience and understanding.
"Let's call it even then, ok? "
Elena saw a brief grimace as Steve flailed again on the leg as it throbbed again viciously and she became concerned.
"How is your ... leg?"
Steve breathed heavily and then spoke with a forced smile and an equally forced steadiness to his voice.
"It's coming along."
"Miss Roscoff ... It's time to go now. Your sister is waiting ..." Brent piped up behind them as Elena shed another tear.
"I ... I will not see you again ... Will I?"
Steve shook his head and then smiled encouragingly.
"No, no but it's for your safety ... You take this second chance and grab it with both hands, ok? And you keep out of trouble, you hear?"
Elena smiled sadly.
"I will ... but you promise me you will too, Keller?"
Steve chuckled nervously.
"I always try ... Good luck Elena ... You take care "
"Good luck to you too. I will never forget you Steve Keller."
As she spoke she reached across and planted a simple and grateful kiss on Steve's lips, before also planting a similar one on Mike's cheek.
"Thank you Lieutenant Stone for everything."
"You're very welcome Elena and thank you for helping to save my partner and the baby. Good luck."
Elena smiled and then taking a deep steadying breath she looked back briefly and met Steve's eye before announcing bravely.
"Alright ... I am ready to go. Good bye."
She then walked purposefully towards the door followed closely by the two agents who said their goodbyes as they went to the three men assembled and the door clicked shut behind them. Steve remained rooted to where he stood precariously and Mike looked behind Steve at Gerry, sensing that Steve was rapidly becoming increasingly uncomfortable standing on the bad leg and gestured for a chair to be brought over. Gerry grabbed a chair and brought it forwards behind them as Mike then gave Steve no chance to protest before lowering his partner into it. Another loud hiss of pain escaped from Steve's lips as he finally sat down and he spoke in a pained and distressed voice.
"Gerry, could I ... have a drink of water please?"
Gerry shot a worried look at Mike who mirrored it before racing off out of the office to fetch for the young man what he had asked for. When he left, Mike bent down beside Steve's chair.
"Steve? You alright?"
"What time is it Mike?" Steve asked as he held the afflicted leg with both hands on each side of his left thigh.
"It's just coming up to four. Why?"
"I'm due some painkillers ..."
Realizing why the pain was suddenly so bad, he asked anxiously.
"Have you got them here with you or are they still upstairs?"
"No, I have them here in my jacket pocket."
Mike rifled in Steve's nearest pocket and heard the familiar sound of the rattling pill bottle. Taking it out and opening the cap, he asked again.
"How many do you need? It says one or two depending on the severity."
Sheepishly turning slightly away, knowing Mike had played that question to his advantage, Steve mumbled reluctantly.
"Two please ..."
Mike frowned and shook two into his hand just as Gerry arrived back into the office with the glass of water in his hand. Rushing towards his two colleagues, he handed the glass to Steve who took the offered pills from Mike and quickly swallowed them down, chased by the water in the glass. Gerry continued to look worried at Mike who then smiled and reassured him.
"He just needs his painkillers ... That's all."
Gerry's shoulders visibly slumped in relief and he nodded gratefully for Mike's explanation. Allowing Steve a few minutes respite after the emotional and possibly traumatic reunion, neither man spoke until Steve's voice finally broke the silence.
"What will happen to the other two Russians? The ones that left the warehouse still alive?"
Mike looked up at Gerry, interested in knowing the answer to that question himself. Gerry leaned back to half sit against the edge of his desk before shrugging his shoulders awkwardly before replying.
"Well, one of them is still on life support at Franklin. They don't hold out much hope of him surviving and the other ... well truthfully he was just a minnow compared to the other big fish in the pond. If you want my honest opinion, he'll probably be extradited back to Moscow too."
"Will he be traded?"
Gerry raised an eyebrow at Steve's question.
"What do you mean, Steve?"
"I mean will another American get to come home in his place?"
Gerry smiled at Steve's explanation and marveled at how such a wise head rested on such young shoulders, as he had many other times before, in his dealings with this particular young Inspector.
"I would imagine so ... yes ...They'll get nothing without having to give something in return and I would imagine there are many of our own that we could bargain for."
Steve took a deep audible breath and then spoke clearly.
"Well then that's good enough for me."
Steve then gripped both arms of the chair and lifted himself gingerly back up onto his feet, being extra careful before finally putting weight on his left leg. Mike rushed forward and seemed anxious.
"Steve, why don't you give yourself another minute, huh? I'm sure Gerry wouldn't mind. Would you Gerry?"
"Not at all ...Take your time." Gerry stated, hovering on Steve's other side.
Steve looked from one to the other and smiled at the two men now fussing over him unnecessarily before limping forward regardless.
"I'm ALRIGHT Mike ... It's ok ... Let's go ..."
Mike frowned and grabbed his elbow.
"Are you sure?"
"YES ... I'm sure Mike. Come on ..."
Then as he hobbled around the chair, he turned to address Gerry with a nod of his head.
"Gerry, thanks for everything and for the glass of water ... I'll see you."
"Sure ... You're welcome. Bye."
Gerry watched Steve head for the door and saw Mike follow him closely behind. He stood in the middle of the office and shifted uncomfortably where he stood. As Steve grabbed the door handle, he called out awkwardly.
"STEVE? I ... I did the best I could, you know?"
Steve turned and sent a warm, understanding smile Gerry's way
"I know you did. You did good Gerry. "
Gerry seemed to settle at those words and he added genuinely.
"I'm glad to see you back at work Steve. You get well soon."
Steve chuckled and tilted his head.
"Yeah, that's the plan ... Bye." he said as he then opened the door and headed outside.
As Mike went to follow, Gerry rushed forward and grabbed Mike's arm unexpectedly.
"Mike? Is he really alright with how things have worked out?"
Mike beamed from ear to ear and clasped Gerry's shoulder, noting how worried Gerry seemed to be that he had done wrong by a fellow colleague and he reassured him softly.
"You know Gerry, I actually believe he is! Don't worry. He's going to be fine. Thanks again."
Mike's words finally helped Gerry relax and he watched Mike leave before heading back to his desk. Mike rushed out after Steve and saw the young man hobbling at a faster speed than he would have liked him to, up the corridor. He jogged to catch up and reached him just as he reached the elevator and pushed the button.
"Hey, slow down will you? It's not a race you know?"
Steve smiled at Mike's words just as the doors opened and they stepped inside. As the elevator ascended, Mike spoke tentatively.
"Say Steve, it's been quite a first day back and well ... quite frankly you look done in. Why don't we call it a day, huh? What do you say?"
"I TOLD you Mike, I'm ALRIGHT. You don't have to hover now. It's over ... OH MAN! You don't how good it is to able to actually say that now. "
Steve let out a long deep sigh and in that moment Mike realized how much the threatened trial had been impacting his ability to move forward. For the first time since he woke up in the Hospital, he actually saw a light at the end of Steve's long, dark tunnel. There was nothing tethering him to his ordeal now. Laura and Brigitte were well and safe in New York, Elena and her sister were going to their new life Damacov free and the case was over and done with. Steve just had to physically heal now and he would be back to the partner he knew and cared about. Of that, Mike had no longer any doubts.
Mike had gone very quiet and was staring at him unnervingly so Steve turned to stare at him and then with an extra broad grin, he spoke.
"I'll tell you what Mike. Just let me finish the report I was typing and then I'm going to treat you to a slap up meal, how does that sound? I mean it's the least I can do after all you've done for me these last three weeks. Putting me up in your spare room and putting up with my dark moods and my complaining."
"STEVE! You don't have to keep thanking me. I told you it was no trouble and besides it ... well it was nice to have company around the place for a while. De Haro Street gets a little lonely sometimes with Jeannie off at college most of the time."
"No Mike. I do have to thank you. I know you're trying to gloss over it and be nice but those first few days at your place after I left the Hospital were ... pretty grim ..."
Steve blushed and looked down at his feet at the memory and Mike inhaled sharply and clasped his shoulder compassionately.
"Well ok ... I have to admit it was a little chilling seeing you staring at that spot on my living room floor looking haunted for the first few days and I know you were embarrassed by the nightmares in those early nights too but ... it got better, didn't it?"
Steve nodded as the doors of the elevator opened on their floor and the two men stepped out to walk the long corridor down to Homicide.
"Yeah ... it got better but that was down to you too Mike. You were right to insist that I stay with you to get over my reservations about what happened ... You ah ... never stop believing in me and I just want to thank you with a nice meal, that's all, ok?"
Mike threw an arm around his partner's shoulders as they walked companionably.
"Alright hotshot. Where do you want to go to eat? What about Al's? We haven't eaten there for a while ..."
Steve's face scrunched up in disgust.
"Mike? Have you forgotten already that the reason we haven't eaten there for a while is because the last time we ate there, I found a hair in my burger!"
Mike stopped them both and looked thoughtful. A huge and mischievous grin crossed his face as he replied.
"Oh that's right! I seem to remember it was quite a hair raising experience actually."
Steve belly laughed and held his ribs that while much better were still a little tender at times and he wagged an accusing finger at his partner as he kept moving or rather limping down the corridor as he spoke.
"Oh ... Mike. That was bad."
"Bad, huh? I thought it was pretty good, no?"
"No ... VERY bad ..."
Following hot on his heels but taking pleasure from the fact that he had lightened Steve's mood considerably, he continued.
"Ok then ... Where do YOU want to eat?"
Steve seemed thoughtful too as he finally seemed to make up his mind.
"I don't really mind but no greasy diners, ok? I don't think my stomach could stand it. Let's go somewhere nice, ok? Somewhere with a crisp, clean white tablecloth, huh?"
"Oh you want somewhere fancy? Well can you afford it? "
"Yeah I think so ... Just about anyway ... Got any ideas?"
Mike's face lit up.
"Actually I do and it just so happens the manageress owes me a favor. We'll get a table with no bother. How does that sound?"
It was Steve's turn to stop as his jaw dropped and he looked impressed but curious all at the same time.
"Sounds good. The manageress huh? Owes you a favor? You want to tell me more?"
Realizing what Steve's mind was wrongly conjuring up, he swatted at Steve's arm and spoke in a scolding manner.
"NO! As a matter of fact I don't! But I can see your overactive imagination is already working out a theory of your own. "
Steve laughed as they continued on a little ways and reached the outer door of the bullpen. Mike stopped Steve entering by gently grabbing his arm.
"Hey, are you going to be up for a meal ... well you know after the restroom ah ... incident there a while ago?'"
Steve smiled and rubbed his stomach.
"Yeah, yeah I think so. Just do me one favor will ya?"
"What's that?"
"Don't let me order chocolate cake for dessert, ok?"
Mike belly laughed and Steve joined in.
"Ok. You've got yourself a deal." Mike chimed in as he watched Steve grab the door handle in front of him and marveled at how more at ease Steve seemed to be with the trial no longer hanging over him. Suddenly things felt a whole lot more positive and it did Mike's heart good to see the old Steve finally getting his old spark back but his thoughts were changed abruptly as Steve opened the outer door and as Mike went to follow, Steve quickly barrelled backwards, pulling the door closed again behind him and colliding with Mike heavily in the process, as an anguished tone left his lips.
"Oh my God! ..."
"STEVE? What are you doing?"
Steve turned around and Mike didn't like the wide eyed panic he saw in his eyes.
"Mike ... Rudy's in there ..."
Mike stared incredulously at his visibly frazzled partner and answered plainly.
"Well he DOES work here, Steve ...What's the problem?"
"He's got the Chief with him ..." Steve answered, his breathing audibly faster.
"The Chief ... What? Reynolds?"
Steve nodded and added with an extra degree of discomfort.
"Mike, they're hovering around my desk!"
Reaching out to place a steadying hand on Steve's now visibly shaking arm, Mike spoke as reassuringly as he could.
"Ok, ok relax will you? You don't even know if they're here to see you yet."
"They're at my desk!"
"Which is ... outside MY office. Maybe they're here to see ME, huh? Steve, I think you're panicking unnecessarily ... Let's just go in and see what they want ..."
He grabbed Steve's elbow firmly in an effort to propel Steve reluctantly if necessary into the bullpen but Steve refused to budge, struggling against Mike's hold in a disturbing fashion, the rising tension palpable in the younger man as he pleaded for more time.
"No wait! Mike ... If they are here to see me, why would the Chief be here? You don't think I'm in trouble do you? I mean ... it was self defense Mike ... They were trying to kill us ... I did what I had to do ... I ... I couldn't have done anything differently Mike ... He was going to throw us off that roof ... And Damacov was going to shoot you ... I ... I had no choice!"
Steve was ranting in a breathless fashion and Mike changed plans in that instant and bustled him in the opposite direction, a little further down the corridor. Leaning him against the wall for support he spoke firmly.
"Steve, just breathe will you? You remember what Lenny said Steve, don't you?"
At those words, Steve blushed in mortification and he nodded and turned his face away.
"Steve? What did he say?"
Knowing Mike was going to force him to say it, he groaned and spoke in a more subdued fashion.
"He ... said that post traumatic stress could cause anxiety attacks and I needed to be aware of them when they happen ..."
Mike smiled warmly and proudly, still keeping a firm hold on Steve's arms as he continued.
"That's right. And he also told you what to do when they happen, didn't he?"
Again Steve merely nodded but knew by Mike's waiting stare that he was going to have to verbalize his answer again.
"He said to control my breathing and acknowledge that it's just the trauma making me feel this way."
Again another warm smile lit up Mike's face and this time as he noticed Steve's breathing starting to ease up, he loosened his hold and patted Steve's shoulder gently.
"Right again. Steve you've become very cynical since this incident and well ... who could blame you? You went through quite an ordeal and it's only natural that you think the worst about every situation you're faced with for a while but you have to make a conscious effort to stop yourself. Steve, they're probably just here to welcome you back."
This time Steve tilted his head and the cynical look returned much to Mike's disappointment.
"Oh come on Mike ... When was the last time the Chief welcomed someone back off sick leave personally, huh? More to the point, when was the last time you saw the Chief come down here to Homicide? Well?"
Mike flustered a little at that question.
"Well ... It can't have been that long. Let me see ... ah ..."
Mike tried to wrack his brain to remember a time to ease Steve's growing insecurity but to his dismay he couldn't think of a single time and Steve's facial expression changed to one of smug self vindication.
"See! See you can't name one ... Can you? I'm telling you Mike, this ISN'T a good sign ..."
"Ok. I admit it. I can't. And I'll admit too that the Chief coming here is unusual but the situation you found yourself in was unusual too. You can't deny THAT. But I am ninety nine percent certain that whatever they're here for it ... well it isn't something for you to have to worry about. You did NOTHING wrong and even though for some strange reason you are loathe to admit it, you did A LOT right! So let's just go in there and find out what they want, ok?"
Steve looked down at his feet and regulated his breathing a little more but a final, softly uttered admission escaped from his lips as he did.
"Mike ... I have a bad feeling about this ..."
Mike reached up and patted his cheek in a fatherly fashion and spoke just as soothingly as he did.
"I know you do but it's the trauma and stress making you feel that way. Now we're going to go in there and you're going to keep your head held high when we do because you have nothing to be ashamed of and a lot to be proud of. Do you hear me? Now we'll deal with whatever they're here for together, ok? I have your back Steve. You know that, don't you?"
Steve finally smiled albeit a tad nervously and he nodded agreeably.
"Yeah, yeah I know that. Ok ... ok ... You're right. I ah ... can't exactly hide out here all day anyway, huh?" he added humorously to try and dispel his own nervousness.
Sensing Steve's discomfort, Mike joined in the playful banter.
"Well there's always the cleaner's closet."
That seemed to work as a small laugh erupted from the young man.
"No, that's too claustrophobic ... Besides I think I'm ready now ... Ok, let's go ..."
"Steve, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about ..."
Steve didn't answer but merely nodded unconvincingly.
Mike followed Steve as he limped back to the outer door and pushed it in bravely, and watched as he continued into the bullpen and towards his desk without further hesitation as Olsen's voice boomed loudly as he reached them.
"Ah Steve. There you are! We were waiting for you. "
Steve shot an apprehensive look back at Mike just as Olsen stepped forward then and grabbed Steve's hand warmly and shook it profusely.
"Welcome back Steve. You look good! How are you feeling?"
"I'm coming along thanks. "
"I see you're still favoring the leg a bit ... Still giving you trouble, huh?"
"Just a little. It'll be fine in another week or two though."
"Sure ... sure of course it will. Steve, I don't think you've ever officially met Chief Reynolds have you? Chief, this is the Officer we spoke about, Inspector Steve Keller."
Olsen stood aside as the taller, grey haired man, immaculately dressed, stepped forward and held out his hand towards Steve.
Steve felt his heart start to hammer away inside his chest but he kept his nerves to himself valiantly and shook the man's proffered hand. The older man's handshake was firm and very strong and lingered a tad longer than Steve would have liked it to.
"Nice to finally meet you Keller. Your name has cropped up more than once at our monthly meetings, you know?"
Steve's stomach started churning in tune with his fast heart rate and Steve stumbled out his reply through suddenly bone dry lips.
"All good I hope ..."
The Chief chuckled but didn't ease Steve's mind with an answer as Olsen then spoke towards Mike.
"Mike, do you mind if we use your office for a few minutes while we talk to Steve here, please?"
At those words, Steve looked across at Mike and Mike could see the panic starting to manifest itself again in the haunted green eyes now staring at him helplessly. He wanted to reassure the young man but Olsen was waiting for an answer, so cleverly he replied with purpose.
"No, of course not ... as long as I get to go in there too. After all it is MY office, he is one of MY men and on top of all that he is MY partner. I don't think you could have much to say to him that I shouldn't be privy to, now is there?"
Olsen smiled at Mike's protective answer and hadn't expected anything less. He also noted the grateful look that passed between Steve and his Lieutenant just after.
"Of course Mike. Come on in you two."
