A/N Thank you to all the readers that read this story. It was deeply appreciated that you took the time.

Epilogue

A few months after Steve's release from the hospital they are back home in San Francisco. Jeannie had come in to spend time with them as they were having a small party to welcome Steve back after he had recovered enough to feel up to it.

Thanks to their heart to heart talk in the hospital Mike and Steve are closer than ever before. Steve had seen Jeannie come out with another platter of sandwiches. He made his way to the band Mike hired to play the party and whispered a request to the leader who nodded. As the music started he went over to Jeannie.

"May I have this dance, Miss Stone?" Steve asked cheerfully, she nodded grinning and they started to dance to the music. "You sang this to me in the hospital, remember?"

"You did know!" Jeannie exclaimed happily as he nodded."I almost was thinking you didn't hear me as you had never said anything, until now."

"Timing is everything or so I have heard. Seemed like there never was a perfect time to let you know and then this seemed like the perfect time." Steve spoke mysteriously thinking of the ring in his jacket pocket he had for Jeannie.

"Hmm, this is true. You seem to have something up your sleeve, Steven Keller. Two or three can play that game." Jeannie spoke just as mysteriously.

He started wondering what she was up to, and as their dance ended he was about to find out. Mike waved at Jeannie, she grinned and led Steve over toward Mike. His words to Steve finally cleared up what Jeannie was up to.

"Steve, there is someone here we have been keeping in touch with so as to surprise you. Come on out." Mike called expectantly and Steve saw his friend and prison protector Red walk out.

"Red!" Steve exclaimed happily, they both shook hands and then hugged and slapped each other on the back. "It sure is good to see you again but how?"

"Thanks to letters from you and Lieutenant and Miss Stone here and Captain Olsen and the CDCR guys and Mr. DeLong I was approved for early release. I am going to go stay with my sister in Oregon but wanted to stop by and say hi and thank you." Red responded warmly.

"Nothing to thank me for, Red. I am the one to thank you for all you did. I wouldn't be alive if you had not got hold of Mike, besides how you watched out for me while I was in there." Steve spoke sincerely."Are you definitely decided about going to Oregon?"

"Very much so my friend, my sister already has a job lined up for me with the company she works for. I am looking forward to being there. They know about my record and are okay with it." Red said in a quieter tone.

"I'm happy for you, honestly. You have time to eat and have a drink though?" Steve asked hopefully.

Over food and sodas Red catches Steve up on the other guys that they hung out with while "inside" and Steve was happy to hear they were all being released fairly soon as well. When the party was over Mike, Jeannie and Steve drove Red to the airport to catch his plane.

"Red, Jeannie and I will never forget what you did for Steve. Thank you very much, we are grateful he had you looking out for him. I wish you all the best in your new life." Mike spoke without reservation.

"Same goes for me too, Red I am grateful we have Steve back alive thanks to you. I won't forget you." Jeannie said sincerely, giving Red a light kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, that means more than I can say. I am just glad he is okay. You had me worried kid, I mean that. Stay out of trouble and take care of yourself and your family" Red spoke fondly.

"I will, Red. You take care of yourself too and have a good life." Steve said emotionally as he and Red hugged once again before he left.

After Red had boarded his plane they all watched until it was gone, Steve puts his hands in his pockets and felt something in there. He remembered the ring he was going to give Jeannie and pulled it out thinking now is as good a time as any. Mike saw the ring box and smiled.

"What do you have there, buddy boy?" Mike asked teasingly sensing Steve was incredibly nervous now.

"It's not what you think, honest Mike. I would talk to you first on that subject." Steve answered nervously as he looked at Jeannie."Jeannie, this isn't an engagement ring, it's called a promise ring. Thought maybe you might wear it from me as a sign of my promise of love for you and of my promise to be faithful to you. Then someday maybe we could have what you said to me in the hospital, if you still want, that is when the time comes."

Jeannie is too overwhelmed to speak and has tears running down her cheeks and can only nod emphatically. Steve puts the ring on her finger and they hug extra tight, Mike watches for a minute than remembers his and Steve's conversation in the hospital as well.

"Seems to me, I am owed a hug if I remember right son." Mike said happily joking Steve gave him room to get in with him and Jeannie and did a group hug."You may be my son in law one day, but if you are or not, it doesn't matter you will always be my son."

The End