Second Chances: Saving Christmas

When Rick and A.J. Simon and their friends organize a local "Christmas Fair", unknown forces try to stop them with threats and even kidnapping. How can the brothers save their friends and avoid a tragedy?

(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters from Simon & Simon/Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. Story elements inspired by the "Witch Hunt" episode of NCIS, which is owned by Bellisarius Productions.)

"Our Mega Forecast calls for cold temps today, with rain and sleet on and off tomorrow. Highs will be in the 30's and low's in the 'teens. Outlying areas could be flooded, so make sure you stay on the road and carry bad-weather gear at all times. Now for the traffic report…"

"That's enough of that." Rick Simon switched off his portable TV, then grinned as his brother A.J. kidded, "Don't blame the messenger for this nasty weather….how were they to know we have a Christmas fair to plan?"

"Well, with all this new tech stuff, they should at least be able to tell us if it's going to snow or rain in two weeks…okay, Ron, don't give me that look!" Rick grumbled, as their friend Ron Johnson rolled his eyes. The three men were squeezed into the older Simon's home office, listening to the pounding rain outside while planning the area's annual "Christmas Fair".

"Well, for all your complaining, holding it at the new outdoor park should help us with crowd control, besides, it was getting too big to manage in Phoenix anyway." Ron answered, then chuckled as A.J. added, "Yeah, imagine wanting to cut Santa out for that "Christmas Treeman" business, just to sell stuffed toys! I can think of worse reasons for being fired then saying no to that! If the malls want to sponsor it and turn it into an extravaganza, let them."

"Well, we're going to be more fun this year, with the kids carnival, and the candy kitchen, and…" Rick smirked as Ron went down the list of all their favorites.

"Don't forget the "cowgirl" segment…I dared Abby and she accepted, she's supposed to dress up for Laurie's appearance." He reminded the others, then wondered why Ron and A.J. laughed. Suddenly he felt two hands on his shoulders.

"And why is my husband daring my buddy to "dress up", hmmm?" Laurie's voice was teasing, and Rick tilted his head up to kiss her nose as she bent over.

"There's my girl." He snickered, then held onto one of her hands as she came around him and sat in his lap while offering a plate of cookies.

"Sis, you did save some of Robin's chocolate chip….you're the best!" A.J. crowed, snatching a handful. Ron followed suit, saying, "Thanks, honey…Robin could make a fortune off these, you don't suppose…?"

"That the Heritage would donate her services? Why not, she'd love it." Laurie leaned forward and placed the depleted dish on her husband's desk.

"Can you ask her who I should contact, honey, I'll do the calling if she'll do the baking." Ron promised, making a note on his clipboard.

"Sure, Ron…now, what story do you guys think I should tell?" she asked, then held up her hands, laughing, as the three men all spoke at once.

"Kasey's first Christmas in Silver Rock is good."

"No…for kids it would be Kasey and Rainbird and the bear."

"How about Kasey and Gene's saving Santa's sleigh?"

"Whoa, one at a time…but that's an idea…how about all three?" Laurie offered. "I usually do 3 "story times", why not a different story at each?"

"You are amazing, sweetheart….that would be great." Rick told her admiringly, as Ron gleefully wrote down her idea.

"Yeah, thanks, honey….that just about does it. We've got our part done, now let's see if Glen's committees are this far along. I have a bet with him who's more organized at this!"

"Ron, you just want to one up your former partner 'cause he still calls you Rookie." A.J. teased, then snickered as their friend stuck his nose up at them.

"Can I help it I've got a better committee then him?"

"Daaaaad….Daaaaad!" Ron shook his head as A.J. grinned then stood up. "Yes, Robin…what is it?"

The young owner of the voice appeared in the doorway. "Joey and Ceci say I'm too young to go riding, I am old enough, aren't I?"

"Yes you are, son….but only with your Aunt Laurie. Sis, would you?" A.J. asked, then sighed with relief as she got off Rick's lap.

"Sure, come on, Robin….I have a bone to pick with those two, they forgot to clean up Bally and Tommy's stalls last week."

"Go get 'em, my valkrie." Rick got up to let her out of the office, then kissed his wife's cheek as she went by.

"Thanks, love." She smiled, then took her nephew's hand as they left the room.

As the door closed, A.J. lowered his voice. "Okay, Rick, what are you giving sis for Christmas? I need an idea on what to give Linda…"

Rick just smiled. "I know what to give Linny….same as what I bought Laurie..a new handbag. Those two wear out purses in nothing flat and there's a nice one on sale at the mall….I got Laurie a navy one to go with her new boots and coat."

"Now that's why I catch such grief from Abby…you guys have it sewn up everytime!" Ron groused at his friends. "She's not a purse freak…what should I get her?"

"Trust me on this, Ron…she will like this purse, and you can put other gifts inside, does she need a new wallet? How about jewelry?" Rick started, then A.J. whispered, "Someone's coming."

"Rick….Robbie's looking for you." Abby poked her head in the office, then spotted the last chocolate chip cookie on the desk and reached in and snatched it.

"You three…..how you can make two dozen cookies disappear…. I ought to tell Santa." She snickered as Ron shot back, "Says the woman who polished off the last 3 gingerbread men for dessert."

"Not my fault I beat you and Joey to them. Speaking of which, we'd better get a move on if we're going to take him shopping." Abby quipped, then turned and left. Ron just sighed.

"She needs a new food processor, I accidentally dropped ours yesterday. I think she gets that and a new purse." He laughed as Rick stood up, brushing crumbs off his shirt.

"And a new wallet…believe me….if only to start the New Year with "something new" to hold money in." he smirked. Ron threw up his hands. "That I believe! See you guys later."

As he left, the brothers chuckled hearing the chief of police greet Robbie, then the younger Simon stuck his head in the doorway.

"Come on in , son." Rick greeted Robbie, who was beaming and holding a small stack of mail. As he handed it to Rick to look at, he explained "Sophie was nursing a sore leg and I volunteered to bring you and Mom your mail, thought I'd save the post office some gas!"

Ripping open the first letter, Rick let out a whistle. "You're kidding, we won a fishing trip?" "What?" A.J. took the letter from his brother, then scanned it quickly. "Yes, apparently you and I submitted an entry each at that new outdoors shop, and they drew our names for a three day trip." A.J. explained cheerfully. "We can go to Lake Mead or to Tahoe or Baja!"

"Well, let's plan on a trip after the first of the year…." The older Simon glanced at the information A.J. handed him, then groaned.

"Darn…it says here the trip must be taken before December 24th of this year.." Rick shook his head. "That's not going to happen."

"What's not going to happen, Rick?" Linda came into the room, holding two cups of coffee. "Sis thought you could use this, sure you don't want any, Robbie?"

"No thanks, Aunt Linda…I'd better get to the office. See you later."

"Linny, hmmm, thanks for the coffee…." A.J. took the mugs from his wife as Rick told her, "A.J. and I won a fishing trip but you have to take it before Christmas Eve. With the Christmas Carnival and all…"

"Oh, no…that's too bad." Linda sighed, then smiled as a thought hit her. "A.J., you and Rick can still go fishing…if you can take the trip mid-week. The carnival isn't until the 18th, so try booking it for the 12th through the 14th."

"What a wife!" A.J. put his coffee down and got up to give Linda a hug. "If you're sure you don't mind…"

"Of course not, you and Rick usually set up all the lights and decorations on the 15th anyway. And if you and Ron and Robbie have the schedules all set up for the fair…"

"Linny, you are one in a…well, three in a million!" Rick spotted his sister-in-law's grin and edited his compliment. Linda playfully nodded at him. "That's better, don't you dare leave out my sis or Mom!"

"Wouldn't dream of it!" Rick gave her an innocent look, then snickered as she moved from A.J.'s embrace to give him a quick squeeze. "You'd better make sure first this contest is on the up and up…I never heard of fishing trips being given away during the winter."

"Well, this is Arizona…but just in case…" A.J. picked up the letter from the contest, then dialed the number of the sporting goods store they'd "won" at. Just then the doorbell rang, and Linda excused herself, calling "Sis, I'll get the door.".

"Yes, may I speak with the manager please, it's A.J. Simon." Rick heard the pleasant tone his brother took turn slightly irritated within minutes of reaching the sales desk.

"The letter is from Worldwide Dream Makers, Inc. and they list your store as where my winning ticket was drawn." For a few minutes A.J. seemed to get nowhere, then finally a smile appeared just as Linda called, "Rick….it's Rob…"

"Coming, honey." Rick called out, then got up from his chair just as A.J. finished his conversation on the phone and hung up. "Boy, talk about dumb! I just went through 3 people before I found one who'd heard of this contest! The manager has to call me back, he wants to verify the company providing the trip and also about the date."

"Well, there's one born every minute, so come on. Rob wants to talk to us." Rick replied, a funny feeling in his stomach.