Second Chances: Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
A strange phone call to members of the Simon family and Steve Austin sets in motion an evil plot to revive the OSI Bionics program by a member of the government. To save their loved ones, Laurie Simon and Jaime Austin battle a traitor and their own family.
(The characters from Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman and Simon and Simon belong to Universal Studios. No money has been made off of them and all original characters are owned by me, you can't have them!)
"I didn't know his birthday was in May?"
"Neither did I, Rick. He's going to be so surprised when we spring this. Are you in?"
"Yeah, this'll be a kick to put together…Hey! How did you get that ace?"
Rick Simon smirked at his brother, "Clean living, A.J."
A.J. groaned, forking out a dollar and watching it disappear into his brother's pocket.
"Real original, Rick. Say," he paused, and Rick saw a hesitant look cross his face.
"Spill it, A.J., what is it?"
"Well, I got a weird phone call from an OSI Agent, or by someone calling himself one, asking I'd I heard from the Secretary. When I said no, this guy told me to forget the call and say nothing to anyone.
A light went on, quieting the two men.
"A.J……" Linda's voice groaned, and immediately the two Simons put their cards down and stood up.
"Sorry, Linny." A.J. Simon said apologetically as his wife entered their living room, a tousled Melly in hand.
"Daddy….you promised to read me a story." The sleepy little girl announced, then saw her Uncle Rick.
"Uncle Rick….you can tell me a story about Daddy, can't you?"
Rick grinned, then held out his arms and caught Melly up in a hug. "Sure, sweetie. I've got lots of stories about your Dad." He looked over at A.J.. "We'll talk later." He added to his sister-in-law. "I'll take her back to bed, honey. She'll be asleep before you know it."
"All right, Rick. Thanks. Night, Melly." Linda kissed her daughter, then watched Rick carry her to her room.
"I am sorry, honey. Rick and I got started and …" A.J. began, then Linda interrupted him by putting her arms around him.
"It's okay, A.J….If you two being a little loud is the worst thing you do…I'm a very lucky woman."
"Linny….." A.J. kissed her, then whispered, "I'm the lucky one. I have the sweetest wife…. Why don't you let me take you to bed and tell you a few stories too?"
"Why don't you do that…" Linda murmured with a smile, then took his hand as he led her out of the living room and down the hall. Just then the phone rang.
"Let the machine pick up, honey." A.J. said, then stopped as Rick came out of his daughter's room.
"I'll get that, little brother. Night."
As he picked up the portable, Rick noticed the caller ID had a local number, then was pleasantly surprised to hear Steve Austin on the other end.
"Hey, pal…how's it goin'?"
"We're okay, Laurie back yet?" Steve asked, and Rick chuckled.
"She should be home in about an hour…Good thing I love my daughter and son-in-law; the next time Ian takes Robin on a vacation, they are getting vaccinated for everything where they need them or not."
"I know, Rick…but what are the odds they both get the mumps, and with Laurie being the only one to have them?"
"I know, I know…but still….haven't been apart from her for more then a few hours in years. Two days is about all I can handle." Rick mock complained.
"Well….you're a better man then I am…I'd go nuts. Thing is…I'm wondering if you got a phone call from the OSI-regarding the Secretary?"
Rick sat down on the edge of the sofa. "No….I thought he turned in his resignation. You don't suppose they want Oscar to testify in a hearing or something?"
"No…it was weird though. Some agent named James called and asked if Jaime or I had heard from the Secretary. When I said no, he said he'd be in touch and for me not to say anything." Steve replied. Rick got a cold sensation in his stomach.
"Oh boy, here we go again, Steve. I don't trust the OSI any further then I can…we'd better call Oscar and see if he knows what's going on."
"I'm with you, call me when you get home. I'll call him and Rudy-see if they got the same phone call. Jaime's over at Chrystal's so I'll check with her too."
"Good enough…talk to you later." Rick said goodbye and hung up, then saw the clock.
"Only 50 minutes…better get home and straighten things up…" he thought, then chuckled to himself.
"Man, you've got it bad. Face it…you're married."
"You can say that again."
Startled, Rick looked up and found Laurie standing in the living room door way, a teasing smile on her face.