Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Streets of San Francisco and make no profit on anything related to the series or characters. All is done for enjoyment and writing skill development.

Inspired by a practical joke someone played at my office one time.

Earthquake Drill - 1970

Twenty-five-year old Steve Keller let out a very deep and frustrated sigh. As part of the Homicide team for the past four months, the young detective was the brunt of teasing and practical jokes. Indeed, the behavior of his colleagues reminded him of some fraternal initiation.

The latest humiliation was being named the wing's 'Safety Officer'. While he didn't dispute safety being important, he was now forced to where a bright orange helmet and vest during drills or safety activities the department had. The whole exercise made him feel ridiculous and his coworkers knew it.

Captain Olsen heard the young man had been the subject of light-hearted teasing and one day asked him about it as the pair walked down the hallway. While the captain didn't have a problem with his men having a little fun at the young man's expense, he didn't want it to get out of control.

"How are the men treating you, Steve?" Rudy asked directly.

"Oh, it's okay, I guess. I'm sure I'd be the same way if someone new started."

"Someone new who was a dozen or more years younger than the next fellow…" Rudy added.

Steve chuckled. "I know that has a lot to do with it. Believe me."

"Did you ever figure out who put the pacifier on your desk?"

"No..."

"Or who left that copy of "Fun with Dick and Jane" on top of your files?"

"No…"

"Or put the crayons in your pencil holder?"

"No…"

"Swapped your coffee for Ovaltine?"

Steve sighed. "No, but I think they've all had a hand it in."

"You know, I haven't shaken things up in the department in a while, let's you and I talk…" Rudy led the young man back to his office.

It was early the next morning. Mike was in a briefing with Rudy. With no new cases, the squadroom was empty except for the four policemen who were knee deep in paperwork. Lessing and Sekulovich were typing away, while Healey and Haseejian were chatting near the coffee maker.

All eyes shifted to the door as Steve walked in, fully attired in his orange safety gear with clipboard in hand.

"Didn't you hear the announcement? Earthquake drill!" the young man informed.

"What are you talking about? There was no announcement." Haseejian countered.

"There must be something wrong with the intercom. I need to report that," Steve wrote the note on his clipboard. "But right now, you need to get under your desks for the drill. Hurry! The captains are doing the inspections this time."

"Damn drills," Healey grumbled. "A guy can't get a decent cup of coffee around here without having to hide under his desk."

The other men followed suit and crawled into the small space under their respective desks. Haseejian, in particular, had a difficult time fitting his large body into the space which normally occupied his legs.

Steve smiled as he saw the sight. "Thanks, guys. This should all be over with in a couple of minutes." He turned around and exited the squadroom, forcing himself not to laugh or even smile. He walked past Rudy's office as he doffed the safety vest and hat. He loudly cleared his throat as he past the door.

"Mike, I have another meeting to go to," Rudy abruptly looked at his watch.

"Okay, Rudy. I'll catch up with you later." The older detective rose from his chair and began walking back to his squad room.

Mike stood in the middle of the seemingly empty Bureau of Inspectors. What had happened to his men? Cups of coffee sat on the desks. Papers were left in typewriters. Yet, now everyone was gone. Had something happened to where they had to respond to a case? Surely someone would have called him.

Mike placed his hands on his hips while surveying the room. "Where are you guys?" the man uttered to himself. Suddenly, he heard a sneeze.

"What the…" Mike said as he walked over to where he heard the sound. "Anybody here?"

Rudy and Steve slipped through the door and watched the scene unfold quietly from the corner, while Mike tried to figure out the mystery.

"Earthquake drill, boss," Healey said as he remained under his desk.

Steve turned his head to hide his smirk.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Mike bellowed. "There is no earthquake drill. What are you idiots doing?"

"Mike, the intercom system isn't working. But yes, there's an earthquake drill. Steve was just here and…" an obedient voice uttered under Lessing's desk.

With Mike's back to them, Rudy choked back a laugh as he saw how exasperated his second-in-command was. Steve held his breath until his eyes began to water.

"I just came back from Rudy's office. Let me assure you that no one is hiding under their desks in his area." Mike countered. "Get out from under those desks now!"

Rudy snorted and Mike turned around. Steve couldn't suppress the giggle that slipped out. The two men broke out into laughter.

"What the…" Mike said again for the second time that morning. He glared at the two men laughing but then became distracted by the grunts and cracking sounds he was hearing as the men crawled out from under their desks.

Rudy looked at the young man. "I told you I wanted to shake things up here. What better way than an earthquake drill?"

A smile broke across Mike's face. It'd been a while since he'd seen that side of his captain. As the other men stood, they too saw the humor in the situation.

Except for Haseejian who hadn't quite made it out from the desk. Steve and Mike walked over to help the larger man up.

"Michael, carry on. The rest of you guys, have a great day." Rudy turned to exit still chuckling. "Oh, and before you think of retaliating against the kid here, let's just leave it be. That's an order. I deem the initiation to be over."

After the captain left, Lessing spoke up. "Steve, we're sorry. I guess we did get a little out of hand with the baby jokes."

"It's all right. I hadn't complained, by the way. I think Captain Olsen was just looking for a way to liven things up a bit," Steve was showing what a good sport he could be. "I do wonder how he'd heard about some of the pranks you pulled on me. He knew quite a bit of it."

Mike cleared his throat. "Okay, enough fooling around. Get back to work. All of you!"

As the Lieutenant watched his men return to their desks, he saw Rudy still watching through the door. Rudy flashed a quick thumbs up and Mike nodded his head. Rudy's not the only one that likes to shake things up, Mike thought to himself as he returned to his office and smiled.