Second Chances: Family Secrets
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)
Being the daughter of a popular family brings nothing but trouble to Ceci Simon, when she is accused of cheating on a test. Although she is cleared, someone tries to burn down the Simon's home. Wanting to find out the truth, she teams with her brother and cousin Andy and finds out a few of her family's secrets along the way.
A/N: For any new readers, "Second Chances" is my "what if?" for Rick and A.J. Simon...What if they didn't end the partnership or A.J. didn't marry Janet or Liz... What if Rick had a long-lost sweetheart who needed protection from a crazed stalker? And...what if Rick and his girl fell in love, adopted her niece and nephew, and made a new home in Arizona? These "what if''s" are the basis for my continuing "Simon & Simon" as if they never went off the air. This series also includes crossovers from Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman and Dark Shadows...so feel free to read my other stories for the whys and wherefores of these three worlds meeting!
"All right, what was the backbone of New England's economy until the 1950's." Chrystal Austin looked at her Advanced Placement class, then nodded. "Ceci?"
"It was in shipping, until the turn of the century, then it was fishing. Maine was originally the center of ship building, then canneries after the Civil War."
"Very good, thank you. Anyone else?"
As other students came to life, sparking a discussion about the lobster industry and "lobster pots", Ceci Simon groaned. It was normally a favorite topic of hers, but today history class with her older "cousin" was just plain blah.
"All right, class, that's all for today. We'll change to the economy of the West on Monday. Have a good weekend." Chrystal smiled as the twenty-five students immediately rushed for the door.
As Ceci gathered her textbook and papers, the young teacher signaled for her to come over to the desk.
"Just for a moment, Ceci…I just wanted to thank you for being the first one to answer…I didn't know this class would be so shy in answering this far into the year."
"Oh, Chrissy, you're welcome." Ceci beamed at her, the boredom she had felt in class dissolving. "I kind of had an unfair advantage…I was in Maine visiting Cousin Barnabas year before last…and he and Cousin David really taught us a lot."
"That's right, Mom and Dad told me about Aunt Laurie's cousins, at least it stuck with you." Chrystal smiled as Ceci replied, joking, "well, at least some of it did!"
"I'm glad, I was beginning to think five days of studying the East Coast and its economy was four days too many." At that Ceci blushed, realizing her teacher had picked up her boredom."
"I'm sorry, Chrissy….I love history, but I guess with the holidays and all…."
"It's easy to get distracted, I know. And, I had a hard time too getting into the economy of the US and its place in history, but business is what makes this country survive in the world market." Chrystal explained. "Uncle Oscar is the one who got me interested in American History, so I just want to link the two together so you guys'll get it, too."
"We will, just as soon as we get through Christmas!" Ceci grinned. Just then the bell rang for her next class, and she impulsively hugged her teacher.
"Thanks, Chrissy…I really appreciate it….see you at Auntie's December kickoff?"
"Wouldn't miss it…I think Dad wants to race Uncle Rick to who finishes decorating the house first this year!"
Giggling, Ceci swung her backpack over her shoulder. "I think Dad wants to beat your Dad and Uncle Rick both…see you later!"
Waving good-bye to her young friend, Chrystal sighed. Seeing a look of boredom on Ceci's face during class had almost thrown her off her lesson plan. If she lost a bright student like Ceci..who else was she losing?
"I'll go home and brainstorm with Mom….she'll give me some fresh ideas." Chrissy decided, then heard a commotion and looked out the window of her classroom to see two girls and a guy confronting Ceci. Reacting immediately, the youngest Austin hit her direct link to the school office and said, "We need security in the north yard, a female senior student is being threatened by 3 other students."
Not waiting for a reply, Chrystal grabbed her walkie-talkie and bolted out the door. As she reached the main courtyard, students were already congregating to watch. Seeing a teacher approaching, one boy hurriedly said, "Uh, Ms. Austin….they're trying to dare Ceci Simon into doing something…."
"Thanks, Mitch, now you and your friends head to the lunch shelter." She told him, then was relieved to see the majority of students start to follow his lead.
"What's going on here?" she said, sternly as she reached the four students. As the boy looked up, startled at Chrystal's voice, one of the two girls facing Ceci rudely said, "It's none of your business, teach…."
"Excuse me, Rochelle, but it is my business. Go to the Principal's office right now." She ordered angrily. At the icy tone of her voice, the rude senior paled, then tried to backtrack. "I'm sorry, Ms. Austin…I didn't mean it…."
"Yes you did, you just don't want to be punished. You are to stay after school and I'll call your mother about this."
Finally obeying Chrystal, the girl picked up her own backpack, then slunk off towards the administration building. Turning to face the others, she calmly said, "And you, Amy, Brian, what did you and Rochelle have to say to Ceci?"
"Uh….we were just messing around, Ms. Austin, "the pale-faced boy muttered, then elbowed the scowling girl next to him. "Amy…tell her!"
"No, you weasel….get yourself in trouble.. Ms. Austin, we were just , well having fun..weren't we, Cecilia?" At the sneering way Ceci's full name was uttered, she snapped her head furiously toward Amy, then subsided as Chrystal focused on the blond.
"Oh? Since when does fun involve cornering another student? You and Brian, get to Mr. Dawson's office right now…you too can have the pleasure of telling your parents why you want to violate the "no-bullying" rule.
"Uh, Ms. Austin…" Ceci suddenly interrupted, a pleading look in her eyes. "They…Amy and Brian and Roch…they weren't bullying me…"
"If they weren't bullying you, then I think daring another student to do something against the rules is almost as bad." By the guilty look on the two seniors faces, Chrystal knew she had hit the nail on the head.
"As I said, I expect to see the two of you in Mr. Dawson's office in 5 minutes." Waiting until the two students were on their way, Chrystal looked around at the remaining students, then quietly told them. "Show's over, people…go along to class."
Just as fast as they had gathered, the students made themselves scarce, leaving Ceci shaking with dread.
"Come along, Ceci…I want to call Uncle A.J. and tell him I'm bringing you home…then you can tell me what those three were daring you to do." Chrystal put a gentle arm around her, and led her towards the administration office.