Bye Bye Baby

Chapter 24 : Epilogue : Part Four

The Chief entered first and seemed to make himself comfortable, sitting down in Mike's chair as Olsen allowed Mike and Steve to enter next before coming in himself and closing the door behind them. Mike stood against the small cabinet to his left where he could have a clear sideways view on the proceedings and watched as Olsen came around to perch himself on the outside edge of his desk as he gestured for Steve to take the visitor chair.

"Please ... Sit down Steve. Take the weight off that leg."

His tone was friendly and warm but Steve was still as nervous as hell. He sat as requested and clasped his hands together on his lap to keep anyone from noticing their slight trembling. He couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer as his voice broke the unnerving silence in the small confined office.

"So ... What's this all about? Am I ... in trouble of some kind?"

Olsen slapped a hand against his thigh and spoke in a humorous voice.

"No, no of course not Steve. Why is it that every time I ask to see someone they always assume they've done something wrong ... I'm not that much of an ogre, am I?"

The Chief chuckled at Olsen's comments but Steve felt too ill at ease to join in the laughter and Mike also remained with a serious face as he watched Steve's face darken considerably and knew he was struggling with the uncertainty of the whole thing. Again in full protective mode he spoke seriously to Olsen, his eyes clearly indicating to him that Steve needed clarification sooner rather than later.

"Perhaps Rudy it would be best to come straight to the point of this meeting, don't you think?"

Olsen saw Mike clearly nodding towards Steve as he spoke and knew what he meant as he flustered quickly in response.

"Yes, yes of course. Well Steve, the reason we need to speak to you is because I'm afraid we have some unfortunate news for you regarding the upcoming trial of Mikhail Balashov. You see ah ... there were a few complications ... "

At those words Steve looked across at Mike and then dropped his head onto his chest as relief flooded through him at the revelation ... Mike could see he was in no fit state to respond and spoke for him as Olsen stopped mid-sentence and looked puzzled by Steve's reaction.

"He already knows Rudy. We both do. The trial has been cancelled and Balashov is being extradited back to Moscow."

Rudy's jaw dropped open and he stared at Mike incredulously.

"How in God's name do you two know that? That news was top secret. Only a handful of people knew."

Mike could see the Chief looking in an annoyed fashion at Olsen and responded quickly, keeping a close eye on Steve all the time as well.

"Gerry O'Brien told us. We're just back from a meeting with him. And ... before you blame him and get up on your high horse ... He had no choice but to tell us. The witness Elena Roscoff requested to see Steve here before she went into Witness Protection."

Olsen's annoyance peaked and then visibly faded as Mike explained further and he then looked behind him surreptitiously at the Chief before addressing Steve who had seemingly recovered a little and had looked back up at his superior Officer in the meantime.

"I see ... Well I'm very sorry Steve. I was supposed to be the one to break that to you. You see we ... well ..."

"I'll take it from here Rudy ..." Reynolds intervened and leaned across the desk to address Steve personally.

"What Rudy here is trying to say is that we didn't want you to think that we took the decision lightly. Or ... that what happened to you wasn't important enough or serious enough for us to pursue him for. It was an awkward situation and for the safety of another individual we were forced to make that sacrifice."

Steve spoke up then abruptly, feeling an increasing need to conclude this meeting as quickly as possible and return to his desk as soon as he could for the sake of his rapidly, shattering nerves.

"I understand that Sir and you have my full agreement on it. I don't hold any reservations about what you did. I think it was the right thing to do under the circumstances ... Sir."

The Chief smiled amiably across at the younger Officer and then spoke again in a pleasing tone.

"Well that's very understanding of you Keller but we believe that what you did was selfless and went above and beyond the requirements of your duties as a Police Officer. You displayed courage and strength under intolerable circumstances and in doing so you saved not only a young child's life but also your partner's here despite being gravely wounded."

"I just did my job Sir ... It's what any other officer would have done in my place." Steve interrupted becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the lavish praise being heaped upon him.

"No ... No I don't believe that to be the case. You're a unique and very courageous young Officer Keller and the fact that you don't even seem to believe that fact yourself makes it even more important that ... if we can't get you the justice you deserve that we officially acknowledge that bravery. Here ... This is for you ..."

Steve swallowed hard as he heard the Chief's words and reached out to accept the letter that the Chief held out towards him.

"What's this? "

"Well open it and read for yourself what it is ..." he encouraged.

Steve held the folded sheet and glanced across at Mike who nodded at him to do as he was requested. Unfolding it delicately, Steve began to silently read the page. Mike watched the young man's eyes dart back and forth across the words and watched his facial expression change to one of shock as his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. Fearing a bad reaction to whatever it was, Mike raced across behind Steve and grabbing his glasses from his desk he placed then on and started to read the letter over Steve's shoulder, that was now shaking slightly in Steve's grasp. He reached forward to hold the letter, stilling it and gasped as he read the words there on, his response spilling unchecked from his mouth as he finished reading.

"They're going to award you a Medal of Valor for services above and beyond the call of duty. That's FANTASTIC Steve. Well done."

"What do you think of that Keller, huh? Recognition from the highest level." Olsen beamed but Steve sat staring at the letter and not responding, his tremor increasing a little, much to Mike's concern.

"Steve?" Mike cajoled, trying to get a response from his young partner.

Mike heard him take an extra deep, steadying breath and then just as quickly he folded the letter back up and handed it back towards the Chief, trying valiantly to stop his tremor from showing.

"I really appreciate the gesture but I ... I can't accept this ... I'm sorry. I haven't done anything to deserve this ..."

Olsen's jaw dropped again and he spoke urgently and in an annoyed tone

"STEVE? This is the highest accolade an Officer can receive! Do you know how many officers would give their right arm for that medal ; how many Officers died in the course of their brave actions and had to be awarded it posthumously? Well do you?"

"Yes Sir, I do and I ... I realize what an honor it is but I ... I haven't earned that accolade. I was asleep when the Russians came to take us. I let them take us. I let them drive a ... a knife into my leg. I let them cut ... a piece of my scalp. I even left a bloodied trail right to where we were hiding on that roof in the dark! I ... I wasn't brave Sir, I was scared and for one brief moment up on that roof I ... I contemplated jumping off with her in my arms rather than face the worse fate of us both being hacked to pieces by that Russian Psychopath ... Does that sound like someone you want to pin a Medal Of Valor to ... Sir?"

As his rant ended, he dropped the letter back onto the desk and returned his gaze to his lap, not quite believing that he had just told the Captain, The Chief and Mike about that one dark moment he hadn't told anyone else up to now. Another lengthy silence grew oppressively in the small office and Steve felt Mike's hands suddenly grip and squeeze his shoulders. Mike glanced up at Rudy and the two men exchanged a worrying look and it was quite obvious to both men that neither one had known about that awful moment until then. Rudy went to speak but the Chief lifted a hand to allow him to deal with it himself. He leaned once more across Mike's desk and spoke to Steve compassionately.

"Do you really think that being scared disqualifies you from receiving this Medal? Every one who has ever received this medal was scared and those who claim they weren't are lying. I should know. I have one."

That statement drew Steve's attention and he looked sheepishly back up at the Chief.

"That's right. I wasn't on the force much longer than you are now when I saved two kids from a burning building. I still have the scars to show for it. See ..."

The Chief unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and there was a glaring burns scar over the back of his right hand that disappeared up his arm beneath the cuff. Steve gasped as he saw it and felt Mike's hands on his shoulders tighten again.

"I was scared Steve. At one point I didn't see a way out. My life flashed before my eyes and my heart was hammering so hard that I thought it would burst from my chest. But do you know what bravery is Keller? It's being afraid but rising above it to keep on fighting to LIVE. Of course you contemplated what you did. If anyone of us had been in your position then we would have probably considered the same thing but you didn't go through with it Keller. Somewhere up on that roof you made the conscious decision to keep fighting for your life and that child's. Do you know what these are?" he continued, grabbing a bunch of papers and holding them out on the desk in front of him.

"No Sir."

"They're testimonies and recommendations to support this award. You see we don't give this award lightly. There are criteria and we seek these. This one is from your partner there, Lieutenant Stone ..."

At those words, Steve looked up at Mike wide eyed and Mike merely whispered softly.

"You deserve it Buddy boy."

"And this one is from Captain Olsen and this one is signed by all your Homicide colleagues out there. They all think you deserve it for what you did and then these ... well these are eye witness accounts from Elena Roscoff."

At those words Steve's head dropped towards his chest again as he summoned up the strength to continue listening. The Chief noticed his reaction and spoke purposefully.

"Steve? ... Can I ... call you Steve?"

The Chief's first use of his first name did the trick and Steve looked back up again and nodded. Knowing he had the young man's attention again, the Chief continued his narrative.

"Steve, she states that you displayed unbelievable courage throughout your ordeal and showed great dignity at all times. She describes several selfless acts that you did in order to help the baby ... You broke the window where you were being held to access fresh air and although it then made the room very cold you selflessly wrapped the child in your jacket to keep her warm despite how cold you were yourself. You managed to escape from the room and made it up three flights of metal steps to the roof with a knife impaled in your leg in order to try and secure her safety. You allowed yourself to get cut to save her from the blow that would have surely killed her and the most compelling argument here is that during an earlier exchange with Stone's next door neighbor Mrs. Norma Donnelly, she says you stepped in front of the gun that Damacov intended to use on her and convinced her to return inside to safety and in doing so you saved her life as well. Now if that's not bravery above and beyond the call of duty then I don't know what is ..."

It was Mike who gasped at that revelation and he looked down at Steve who was now feeling even more uncomfortable in the three men's presence.

"You never told me that Steve?"

"I ... I had to ... It ... it was my fault. I gave her a clue and Damacov picked up on it. I couldn't let her pay for my carelessness ... with her life. " Steve mumbled contritely.

The Chief spoke once again pulling both men in front of him from their private conversation.

"Steve, this evidence and testimony is quite compelling reading ... "

He then stood up and he came around the desk to stand just at Steve's left hand side. He picked up the letter from earlier and grabbing Steve's left hand gently, he placed the letter in it and closed Steve's fingers around it as he continued.

"And that's why I shall look forward to presenting you with your medal the day after tomorrow at City Hall. Congratulations Steve. The force needs more like you. You feel better soon now ... Goodbye."

Steve merely stared at the older man and mumbled goodbye barely audibly. He listened as the Chief said goodbye to Mike and watched as Rudy called out after him that he would catch up with him shortly. As the Chief left the office, Rudy stepped forward towards Steve, his face showing clear annoyance.

"Steve! What in God's name were you thinking of ?"

Before he could advance or say another word Mike stood between them and with both hands against the Captain's chest he spoke loudly.

"NOT NOW RUDY! ... Not now ..."

Olsen seemed to realize that Mike was not going to allow Steve to have to deal with anymore than he already had that day and with a resigned tone he spoke over Mike's shoulder at the younger Inspector.

"Alright ... But we'll discuss the ceremony tomorrow Steve ... "

Mike watched him follow the Chief and closed the door behind him. He then paced slowly back to where Steve still sat staring at the letter in his hand. He eyed up Steve carefully trying to judge the best thing to say and finally deciding, he sat against his desk and addressed his partner.

"Well ... that wasn't quite what you expected now was it?"

Steve shook his head, still staring at the letter in his hand.

"I didn't do what I did for a Medal Mike ..."

"I know that ... But just for once why don't you just accept something that you've earned, ok? Think about your parents. About Harry ... Think of how proud they would be of you."

Steve looked up and stammered emotionally.

"They're NOT here to see it Mike!"

"That's what you think, huh? Well I think they will be. Maybe not in body but they'll be there in spirit. And they'll be PROUD and rightly so. Just like I am and all the guys out there and all the ones who showed up here the night you went missing. You didn't know about that, did you? They came here to Homicide in their droves to offer their help ... Even those that weren't even rostered. If you can't accept it for yourself because of some misguided belief that what you did wasn't heroic then do it for THEM! "

Steve stared at Mike and his green eyes glistened with moisture.

"Ok Mike ... Ok ...You made your point ..."

Mike's smile softened and he patted the young man's shoulder.

"Good man ... Hey, look at the bright side, you'll get to wear one of your fancy jackets, huh?" Mike added trying to bolster Steve's obviously flagging spirits

"Why does it have to be the day after tomorrow? I'll have to limp up to get the award ... It's gonna be awkward Mike. You know how I hate all that fuss ... " Steve ranted in a fed up tone.

"Oh, well if you think that's bad, you want to be pushed up in a wheelchair by your wife to receive it! See how awkward it is then Buddy Boy, let me tell you. At least you'll be getting there on your own steam."

Those words drew an amazed look from Steve and he stammered nervously.

"You ... got one?"

Mike smiled warmly and nodded his head.

"That's right. Oh it was quite a while ago now but yes ... I have one. How is a long story but I received a nasty bullet wound in my leg in the process. Helen pushed me up to get it ... Can you imagine how embarrassing that was?"

Steve finally allowed himself a smile as he knew Mike hated such fuss even more than he did. Then he asked tentatively.

"Will you tell me about it over dinner?"

"Sure Buddy boy ... I'll tell you the whole sorry tale but then we're going to talk through any misgivings you have about the day after tomorrow, alright?"

Steve frowned and then nodded resignedly.

"There's always a catch with you, isn't there?"

Mike belly laughed.

"Well how else am I going to get you to talk about things with that stubborn attitude of yours?"

Steve allowed himself to finally join in on Mike's amusement. With Mike in his corner maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

Five weeks Later : Bryant Street : Homicide Department : 7:30 PM

The outer door to the bullpen opened and the two detectives present looked up as they heard raucous activity and looked up to see Mike and Steve entering with Steve in front and Mike grasping him about the shoulders as he jostled the young man playfully.

"Well how does it feel Buddy boy? That was out of this world ... I mean you were on fire out there Buddy boy ... I KNEW you had it in you ... How's the leg? Any after effects?"

"No, no it's ok ...but Mike, will you STOP! It wasn't THAT impressive, really?"

"What are you talking about? Not impressive. That was the old Steve back on form and even better still."

"Mike ... please ..." Steve pleaded as his cheeks reddened on seeing they were being watched and listened closely to.

Norm and Lee exchanged a curious look between them as Norm couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.

"What's going on you two? What are we missing out on?"

"Nothing Norm. You're not missing anything ..." Steve stammered in mortification but Mike rounded on him just as quick.

"Nothing indeed. Don't listen to him boys. The boy wonder here is back on top form. Our chief suspect in our latest case did a runner when we called to interview him and this fellow here took after him like old times without a second's hesitation. You should have seen him go ... Boy it was a thing of beauty. SIX blocks he chased him. Why I couldn't keep up with them on foot and had to follow in the car and then ... right when he thought he was getting away ... BAM! Steve took the legs from under him and sent him sprawling. When I got to them he already had him cuffed and was reading him his rights. What do you think of that, huh? And not even a muscle cramp to show for it. I tell you, he's back on form just like I told him he would be. Give it time I said ... Well I DID, didn't I boys?" Mike added in query to Norm and Lee as he saw Steve roll his eyes and shake his head in disbelief at Mike's soliloquy.

"You sure did Mike ... That's fantastic kid ... Nice to see you back to being your usual speedy self ... " Norm answered, grinning like a Cheshire cat and seemingly enjoying Steve's discomfort at Mike's well meant but embarrassing enthusiasm.

"Don't encourage him Norm for heaven's sake. He's told everybody we met on the way back including the cleaner down in the lobby!" Steve said dropping into his desk chair and chuckling all the same.

Mike rushed forward wagging an accusing finger towards his partner.

"Don't give me that IT was nothing routine. You don't fool me, you know? You've been grinning yourself since it happened just like the cat that got the cream. Go on admit it ... It felt good to be able to run like that without consequence again. Go on!" Mike cajoled and Steve chuckled loudly in response.

"Ok, ok ... It was ah ... nice ..." Steve answered nonchalantly, his smile the widest it had been in a very long time.

Having gleaned the admission he was looking for from his young partner he clapped his hands together triumphantly.

"Ah Ha ... I KNEW IT! Well you know what this calls for, don't you?"

"What?" Steve asked nervously.

"A celebration that's what. Who's up for a few beers down in Joe's bar? First round's on me."

"Well you don't have to ask me twice. If you're buying ... I'm drinking." Norm piped up eagerly as he stood and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and started putting it on. Lee too said he would come for one or two and also put on his jacket just as Steve's phone began to ring loudly on his desk.

"Ok I'm in too" Steve answered smiling. " Just let me answer this first, ok?"

"Hello, Keller, Homicide ..." he spoke into the receiver as Mike gestured to Norm and Lee.

"You two go and grab us a table. We'll follow you in a few minutes. Tell Joe to put the first round on my tab, will you?"

"Sure Mike. See you over there."

"Oh and Norm ... The first round only! You got that?"

Norm belly laughed and nodded agreeably as Mike watched the two men leave the bullpen just as Steve's voice raised in volume behind him.

"HEY! Robbie ... my man. How are ya? Great to hear from you ... Oh no, I'm doing great. Yeah really. I'm back in good shape. What's going on?"

Mike passed Steve's desk and smiled at the happy sounding conversation, glad also that it had been a personal call and not a call-out that would have put their celebration plans on hold indefinitely. He entered his Office and grabbed his overcoat before slipping his arms into the sleeves just as he watched Steve's jaw drop visibly and his face slowly lit up.

"WHAT? Man, that's FANTASTIC ... but ... wait a second, she wasn't due yet was she? I thought she had another month left. Oh ... ok but ... they're both ok? Aw that's great Robbie. Congratulations."

Mike had come out of his office and was now leaning against the door frame with his eyebrow raised in curiosity. Steve put his hand over the mouth piece and addressed Mike quietly.

"Robbie and Carol just had a baby girl ... just under six pounds."

"Oh that's great news. Tell him I said congratulations."

Steve smiled at Mike and took his hand off the mouth piece and spoke to the man on the other end of the line.

"Sorry Robbie. I was just telling Mike the good news. He sends his congratulations too. Yeah. So have you named her yet? Aw ... that's a really sweet name. I love it. It's got a nice ring to it. "

Seeing Mike still looking curious he spoke sideways to his partner again.

"They called her Mia ... Cute huh?"

"Very ... " Mike answered.

Mike watched as Steve's mood then suddenly took a downturn and his young partner frowned at whatever Robbie had said.

"Oh Robbie, I don't know ... I'm afraid I don't know when I'll be able to get up to see you guys ... It's been kind of busy here these days and I think we may have to work this weekend. "

Hearing Steve's audible disappointment and feeling that after the traumatic few months that he had endured, he deserved a break, he gestured to Steve once more. Steve told Robbie to hang on a minute and covering the mouth piece a second time he shrugged his shoulders at Mike.

"What? What's the matter?"

"Tell them you'll go see them on Saturday."

Steve's jaw dropped once more as he stared incredulously at his partner.

"What? You're giving me Saturday off?"

"Yeah ... You've earned it. Well go on ... Tell him ... "

"But Mike ... Our caseload is pretty hectic ... I mean ah ... are you sure?"

"Steve, do me a favor, will you? Go and see your friends and that new little baby and enjoy yourself, ok? I think I can handle the caseload by myself for one day, don't you think?"

Steve's face lit up and a grateful smile crossed his face as he spoke emotionally.

"Ok ... I will ... Thanks Mike ..."

"Well TELL him, will you?"

Almost forgetting he was still on the phone in the sincerity of the moment, Steve quickly dropped his hand and spoke back into the mouth piece.

"Yeah, sorry Robbie ... I'm still here. Look, Mike says I can have Saturday off so I'll come up and meet the new arrival then ok?"

Mike smiled as he heard Steve's happiness at being able to see his friends and their new baby and knew that giving Steve the day off despite the heavy workload they had, had been the right thing to do. Leaving Steve to his continuing conversation in private he went back into his office to fetch his hat and his gun from his desk drawer. As he gathered his belongings he glanced up and saw Steve's face almost drain of colour and quickly headed back to the doorway to see if everything was ok. As he reached it he heard just the last snippet of the conversation .

"Thanks Robbie. I ah ... don't know what to say ... Sure ... Of course, I'd be honored. Thanks for asking me ... Ok, listen ... I'll see you Saturday, alright? You give them both a kiss from me, ok? Ok, Bye ..."

Steve held the receiver for what seemed like several seconds in his hand and looked shocked. Mike walked tentatively towards Steve's desk, worrying about what had caused the distinct change in his demeanor from mere moments before. As Steve finally noticed Mike, he flustered and placed the receiver back on the hook as Mike asked nervously.

"Steve? Is ... something wrong?"

Looking up, still in an unusual trance like mood, Steve flustered and spoke in an incredulous tone.

"Ah ... no ... Nothing's wrong Mike but ... Robbie just asked me to ... be Mia's Godfather."

On hearing those words, Mike audibly sighed with relief as he realized the strange demeanor merely was Steve's reaction to having been asked and nothing more sinister. He smiled and patted Steve's shoulder proudly.

"STEVE, that's FANTASTIC. What an honor. What did you answer?"

Steve looked up, his face still looking a little dazed as the news fully sunk in but there was a wry smile bubbling visibly beneath the surface of his shock.

"I ... I said yes ... Mike I ... I'm going to be a Godfather!"

Mike grinned as he saw Steve's smile finally break out across his face and with it heard the emotional tone behind it. Stepping forward and sitting on the edge of Steve's desk, Mike beamed proudly.

"Well good for you Buddy boy. You'll be a great Godfather. Mark my words ... but ... why did you look so shocked? Didn't you expect him to ask you?"

Steve shook his head and Mike heard his breathing quicken.

"No I ... I thought he'd ask Sonny. I mean he has a kid already and ... well after what was said in jest at the trip to Lake Tahoe, I ... I didn't expect it at all but ... Mike, he ah ... he said that after hearing how I looked after Brigitte and how I kept her safe against all the odds he ... he couldn't think of anyone who would be better qualified to entrust the job of Godfather to than ... than me ..."

Steve's voice broke on those last two words as he got used to the new idea of him as a young baby's advocate, a previously unthinkable and frightening prospect.

"You know Mike, the funny thing is, before what happened with me and Brigitte, I think I would have said no ... but after that experience I feel ok about it. I think I can do it. Isn't that crazy?"

Mike smiled warmly, a lump threatening to form in his own throat out of happiness for Steve's happy ever after ending to his traumatic ordeal. He clasped Steve's shoulder briefly as he spoke.

"No Buddy boy. That's not crazy. God knows, you suffered a lot during that time but you also learned just as much. You learned how it felt to be a child's sole protector and how it felt to have someone so small and helpless totally dependent on you for all their needs and whether you care to admit it or not, it felt good, didn't it Buddy boy? That's fatherhood Buddy boy and for what it's worth I think Robbie showed great judgement in picking you for the honor. You'll be a great Godfather Steve and I'm proud and happy for you. It will be a great experience and ... nothing to be worried about, you hear me? I saw you with Brigitte and as someone with experience in that regard I think you're a natural. "

Steve blushed and nodded gratefully, a warm glow filling him at the prospect, along with a hint of nervousness that he knew Mike had picked up on with his last few sentences. He nervously chuckled.

"Ok ... Thanks Mike."

Feeling the need to bolster the young man out of an emotional slump, Mike stood up and clapped his hands together enthusiastically.

"Well? What are you still sitting there for? Now we have TWO things to celebrate. Come on. Let's not keep the boys waiting ..."

"Alright ... I'm ready" Steve announced playfully as he stood up.

Grabbing his fedora and turning off his office overhead light he headed towards the inner door to the bullpen, waiting for Steve as he got to it.

Steve started to head towards him but stopped midway patting his jacket pockets.

"Oh wait ... Sorry, I forgot my wallet."

Mike watched him head back to his desk and turn back on the lamp as he pulled open his top drawer to retrieve the said wallet. What he didn't see was as he pulled out the wallet, Brigitte's picture was revealed beneath it, smiling up at him, right beside the decorative case that held his Medal of Valor. Steve inhaled sharply and lingered for a few seconds, allowing Brigitte's captivating smile to warm him as it did every time he looked at it. Trailing a finger across the smiling face in the picture, Steve whispered emotionally.

"Thanks Brigitte ... "

Knowing that Mike was waiting, he then pushed the drawer back in and turned off the lamp, plunging his desk into darkness as he pocketed his wallet and headed towards the older man. Mike had seen a mere hesitation but wasn't sure what it had been about. Anxious none the less, he asked as Steve approached.

"You ok?"

To his relief a huge smile crossed Steve's lips and he answered in a voice that told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

"I'm more than ok Mike. I feel great."

That made Mike smile just as wide as he clasped Steve around the shoulders and spoke animatedly.

"Welcome back Buddy boy. Hey, tell me though. What was it exactly that made you say yes?"

A sly, mischievous grin replaced the previous one as he stopped walking briefly and turned to face Mike and in his best Marlon Brando "The Godfather " voice he spoke humorously.

"Hey ... He made me an offer I couldn't refuse!"

Both men laughed at Steve's accurate impression as Mike pushed Steve playfully ahead of him out into the corridor and closed the bullpen door behind them, their laughter still echoing as it faded softly into the distance.

A/N: And so it ends ... I have enjoyed having a fully complete story to post after so long, so I will work on completing my unfinished stories in my absence and will return to complete them as my time and health allows.

"Don't cry because it's over ... Smile because it happened " - Quote by Dr. Seuss