AN: Thanks to all my readers for your patience. To those who had time to leave reviews, THANK YOU :) Many thanks goes to my beta!

ACT IV: Part 2

Mike was astounded, disappointed and at a loss for words. He didn't know what to make of the tableau in front of him as he placed one foot over the threshold followed by the other; his grey eyes never leaving the two most important people in his life – his daughter and the young man who, over the years, had become the closest thing he had to a son.

"Mike, I didn't…" Steve was first to speak but the older man cut him off.

"I think you and I need to talk, Buddy Boy." Mike's stern voice was spoken with a calmness that belied his true feelings. He stowed his pistol away in his holster and gestured for Steve to follow him out of the hotel room.

"It's not what you think…"

"Outside!" Mike's harsh tone left no room for further arguments. He turned around and started for the doorway, when Jeannie's voice stopped him.

"Mike, whatever you have to say, you can say it here! I'm not a child anymore!"

"Of course you're not," Mike sighed then continued, his back still facing the room, "but what I have to say to my partner doesn't concern you." The hurt behind his words caused his voice to crack and without looking to see if Steve was following him, Mike headed out into the hall. He removed his hat and held it by the rim, between trembling fingers. This can't be happening. Not now! As a father, the sole responsibility to protect his daughter weighed heavily on his shoulders. As a cop, he felt duty-bound to keep Jeannie and Steve both safe.

"Mike, I'm so sorry," Steve struggled to voice his apology as he closed the door behind him and stood facing his partner. What made him feel most guilty was not what actually transpired in the hotel room prior to Mike's arrival, but what Mike had seen and the conclusions he appeared to now be drawing.

"Steve, it could have been anyone to bust into that room and neither of you would have noticed a damn thing because you were too busy…" Mike stopped as he realized his voice was rising to a crescendo. "The point is, I trusted you to keep her safe because I didn't trust myself to not let my personal feelings get in the way of my duty as a cop!" Mike continued as he finally looked up and locked eyes with Steve.

"I understand. I screwed up," Steve replied quietly as Mike's words sunk in and the full impact behind them hit him like a punch in the gut. Mike had placed his daughter in the protection of the only person in the world he could trust and he blew it.

"I'm taking you off the case, as of now. I'll see you back at the office once I get Rudy to send someone to cover for me here."

All Steve could do was nod his head in resignation and defeat. He could no longer defend himself against something that he was guilty of in the eyes of his mentor. With his head hung low, the young cop trudged down the hall and only when he was out of sight, did Mike bend down, pick up the travel bag off the floor and re-enter the hotel room.

Jeannie stood with her arms folded across her chest facing the window. She could feel her face burning with shame and anger at herself for what she allowed to happen. She could hear the rise and fall of voices followed by footsteps then silence before someone opened the door to the room and entered. Turning around, she had half hoped to see Steve. She wanted to explain her behavior and apologize for placing him in an awkward position. Seeing her father with exhaustion written all over his face and concern in his pale blue eyes, caused Jeannie to look away. She couldn't bear to see him like this and knew if she kept her gaze locked on her father's, she would fall apart. She was not going to let that happen. Though her father was always a strong man in his younger years, after her mother died, she became his pillar of strength. If he saw her break down now, the pillar would begin to crumble.

"Jeannie, I'm disappointed in you, you know that," Mike cut to the chase. He stood with his back to the door and waited for his daughter to stubbornly tell him he was way out of line.

"I know, Mike. It wasn't his fault. He was just trying to help me from worrying about you," Jeannie replied huskily, her gaze shifted to Mike's feet.

I'm sure he was. Mike bit his tongue from saying out loud the first thing that entered his mind, for he knew he would only be saying it out of anger. Sighing he replied, "I'm assigning someone else to watch over you."

"I don't need some stranger to babysit me, Mike! Why can't you stay here? Or is your job more important? At least Steve doesn't treat me like a case waiting to be solved! He doesn't molly coddle me like I'm a child!" Jeannie didn't know what possessed her to react the way she did but the moment the words left her mouth, she instantly wished she could take them back. Her eyes finally found Mike's. Tears ran freely down her face like molten lava.

"Do you want him to get hurt or worse, killed?" Mike countered, his temper flaring. He placed the bag on the ground by the bed and tossed his hat on the mattress.

"Of course not! Why are you asking me this?"

"Because that is exactly what's going to happen when a cop gets himself emotionally involved with his charge. He will lose focus and become careless. I just proved it before when I came barging in on you two! What would have happened if it was Larson who burst through that door?" Without waiting for Jeannie to respond, he continued, "I'll tell you what would've happened, because I've seen it before! The first thing he will do is take out the one thing that would stop him from getting to you. Steve won't be expecting it, until it's too late!" Realizing he was raising his voice in exasperation and worry, Mike took several deep breaths to calm himself. He noted that Jeannie's anger seemed to stem from his protectiveness and Mike decided to approach the matter from another angle. If she was too stubborn to see the danger she was putting her own life in, then maybe he could make her realize the danger she was putting Steve in. He knew Steve would give his life to save his daughter without hesitation and he had no doubt, she knew that too.

Realizing how right her father was, Jeannie swallowed down her pride and replied in a choked voice, "I'm sorry, Mike. I should've thought about that. But you gotta know that nothing happened between Steve and me!"

Seeing his daughter's shoulders slumped in defeat and the tears continually spilling over her eye-lashes, Mike took several paces toward her and enveloped her in his arms. "Sweet heart, I believe you and I trust Steve, but my decision still stands. I'm calling Rudy to send someone over." He lowered his voice to a whisper and said, almost to himself, "please don't cry, honey. You and Steve mean the world to me and I just don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you." Mike released Jeannie slowly and wiped the tears off her cheeks.

Jeannie stepped back and took several deep breaths to compose herself. After several moments of silence, she cleared her throat and asked softly, "Did you bring my things? I'd like to take a shower and get changed."

Nodding, Mike walked over to the bedside and picked up the travel bag then passed it into Jeannie's outstretched hand. "I'll be on the phone," He said quietly as he shrugged out of his coat and draped it over a chair. A hand rested on his arm, squeezing it gently. He turned and gave Jeannie a half-smile.

"I love you, Mike," Jeannie smiled back weakly. She walked away before Mike could find his voice to respond. I love you too, sweet heart.

SFPD, Bureau of Inspectors, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, 1973

Steve sat behind his desk, fidgeting with a pen, his mind too preoccupied over what happened at the hotel. His head was beginning to pound fiercely and his case notes were becoming blurred. Rubbing at the stiffness in the back of his neck, he pushed himself away from his desk and got up. He picked up his empty cup and decided to get a coffee refill and something to ease the pounding in his skull.

Abandoned Building, Townsend Street, San Francisco, 1973

Cain Larson rubbed his eyes to clear the fuzziness as he continued to watch the hotel room across the street. He had found himself an old wooden chair and had placed it in front of the window. He sat perched on the edge of his seat. I'd kill for some coffee or maybe a beer. After an eventful morning, he saw a tan car arriving and an older man hurrying into the hotel. Shortly after that, the young man who he'd seen arrive with the girl, left the building and drove off in the Porsche. So daddy is here and it's lover boy's que to scram.

Hotel on Townsend and 3rd, San Francisco, 1973

Holding the receiver in one hand, Mike loosened his tie as he waited for Olsen to return to the phone on the other line.

"Mike?"

"Yeah, Rudy, I'm still here."

"I'm sending Graham over to relieve you and watch over Jeannie. He's on his way now," Olsen explained.

"Thanks. Is Steve there?" Mike asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"Yeah, did you want to talk to him? He seemed a little upset. Is everything okay?"

"No, no, everything's fine. We're just all a little on edge, that's all. Can you tell him that I'm going to head over to 19th Street as soon as Graham gets here. I thought I'd question the residents in case they heard or seen anything peculiar last night. Then I'll cruise around and see if I can find the car. If Larson followed Steve and Jeannie last night, there's a good chance he's hiding out someplace close, but maybe not too close that we'll find him," Mike replied off-handedly, dismissing the notion that he was indeed concerned for Steve. He couldn't deny he was still upset over what he had walked into at the hotel. Of all the girls Steve had been involved with, why Jeannie? Why now, of all times? He knew in his heart that Steve would never intentionally hurt Jeannie and he wondered if he felt the way he did because of his fear. Fear of what? Mike questioned his soul. The answer was obvious and it caused a knot to form in his gut. It's the fear of one day facing her with the news that her husband, the father of their children and my son in-law – my partner- would not be coming home. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to force the thought from his already troubled mind. He ended the call with Olsen and sighed heavily. He knew he was going to have to talk with Steve and Jeannie about any romantic feelings they may have for another, but today was not the day. Not with a murderer intent on hunting down his daughter, still on the loose.

Not long after Jeannie was dressed, Mike opened the door to Inspector Scott Graham. The normally serious face broke into a rare smile as Mike greeted him.

"Good to see you, Mike," Graham shook the older man's hand.

"Like-wise, Scott. How's Christine and the baby?" Mike asked, smiling broadly as he closed the door after the Inspector.

"They're doing just fine. Little Scotty is growing bigger every day," the tall lanky cop replied, fondly.

"Good to hear. Kids grow up way too fast, if you ask me. I remember Jeannie when she could barely reach up to hold my hand. Let me introduce her to you," Mike beckoned for Jeannie to his side as he made the formal introductions. "Scott has been working with our witness protection program at SFPD for the last couple of years and is one of the best men we have," Mike elaborated proudly.

"And Mike is among the finest Lieutenants I know," Graham returned the compliment as he shook Jeannie's hand.

"Has Rudy briefed you on the case?" Mike inquired.

"Not in great detail. It sounded urgent and I came straight here after his call."

"Alright, we better sit down and I'll fill you in. You too, sweet heart." Mike led the way to the small table and the three of them took their seats.