Second Chances: Believing Will Make It So

Rick and AJ Simon are presumed dead after a crash, but Laurie Simon and their friend Jaime Austin believe they're alive. When the two women find out that Oscar Goldman and Rudy Wells kept them in the dark about the brothers being undercover, they also discover that someone else is in danger!

(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters from Simon & Simon, Bionic Woman and Six Million Dollar Man are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)

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!

The day was cloudy, with an icy wind whipping across the desert and down into the sage and sand-dusted valley. In front of the little mission church, dozens of people stood outside, waiting to enter the vestibule to pay their respects.

Just inside the door, an old priest stood giving support to a gray-haired woman, as a couple, one in a policeman's uniform, stopped to hug the pair.

"Cecelia, I'm so sorry we weren't here.." Chief of Police Ron Johnson told her, as his wife Abby put an arm around the priest's shoulders.

"Father Nick, thank God you came…have you spoken to Laurie today?"

He nodded, and a reluctant smile tugged at his mouth. "She still says they're alive…but since Oscar and Rudy say there's no proof…"

"We are only doing this as a memorial…" Cecilia interrupted, her eyes suddenly blazing with emotion. "Linda agreed me about this…since none of us can quite believe they're gone."

"Of course, but…what do the kids say?" Ron asked, peering inside the church. Already half full with friends, family and clients, he saw Chief Rob Gamez with Linda Simon, helping seat her distressed children.

"Robbie and Robin both know how Laurie senses things….and after the couple of times she and Rick…" Cecilia's throat closed up with tears, and Ron hugged her.

"It's all right, Cecilia….I know it's too much to ask for another miracle…but until then.."

"Until then we are doing as my father and Rudy tell us."

Abby Johnson turned, and saw Laurie Simon in the sacristy doorway, her face pale but calm.

"Buddy, I'm so sorry..what did Oscar and Rudy say happened?" she asked, letting go of her husband's hand and crossing to her friend. The line of people continued as Laurie spoke.

"That Rick and A.J. were forced off the highway by an out-of control big rig. The trucker survived, but Rick's truck.." she closed her eyes, then opened them as Abby put her arms around her.

"Rick's truck supposedly rolled down the slope and caught fire. He and A.J. …they don't think they got out on time." She finished, her voice steady.

"God, no…honey…" Ron started, then Laurie shook her head.

"I know they're not dead, but since I have no proof….Dad said we have to face facts. I don't know why he and Rudy are so adamant we have this service..but ."

"But we need to say goodbye to the guys, honey." Father Nick stepped forward, then firmly put his hands on her shoulders. "It's been a week, Laurie…"

"Yes, I know…and I'm doing what everyone tells me…but I know…" she began, then Robbie came in the door. "Mama, Andy and Lala and Davey don't want to come in; can they stay in the Sunday School room?"

"Of course, I've never believed in making children attend …services if they didn't want to." Laurie replied, smiling at her son. He in turn embraced her, then stood next to his grandmother and said hello to as the mourners streamed in.

"I'm going to find your sister, just in case she wants Petey and Katey with their cousins." Laurie told him, then Cecilia fixed her with a stern look.

"We're going to start the service as soon as the seats are filled, honey, so please meet me back here with Linda."

"Yes, Mom." Laurie said reluctantly, then leaned over and kissed her cheek, before quickly making her exit.

As she ducked out the back of the sacristy and through the rear door, a hopeless feeling filled her heart, and Laurie ran to the small graveyard, where her great-grandmothers' grave stood.

"Dear God…Grandmother, please….tell me I'm not wrong…please…." She fell to her knees, then covered her face with her hands. "Please….Rick's not dead…I'd know if he was….please…help me convince them to find my love, and my little brother.."

"Laurie!"

Startled, she looked up at the sound of her name, then hurriedly got to her feet, forgetting her arthritic legs. "Jaime?"

A tall, blonde woman stood at the edge of the cemetery, and Laurie rushed to her.

"Sis! Oh my God….I got here as soon as I could…."

"Thank God…oh thank you for getting here so fast…where's Steve?" Laurie embraced her, then looked around.

"He's still undercover….I don't know where he is…but I'm never going to let him be talked into an assignment again. Now, what is going on? Who says Rick and A.J. are dead?" Jaime Austin demanded.

"Dad…and Rudy…they told us that Rick and A.J. died in when Rick's truck crashed.." Laurie explained, taking her arm and walking with her back to the church.

"Oh, no…I'm sorry, honey…" Jaime's eyes filled with tears, and immediately Laurie's welled up.

"It was a week ago, and I don't believe it…I'd know…I'd sense if Rick was dead…and he'd never leave A.J. behind….Wait a minute…" she stopped at the rear of the chapel, then grasped Jaime's hand.

"Help me, Jaime…close your eyes, and concentrate, I'm going to try to reach Rick…and if I can't…Steve."

"Of course…" At once the two women held hands and focused as Laurie "called" out…

"Rick? Darling…where are you? Please answer me…let me know you're alive…please…"

At first neither one felt anything, then a faint voice, almost a feeling came to Laurie..

"Hold on……….Don't give up on me….."

Suddenly it vanished, only for Jaime to gasp "Steve?"

"Laurie, we're waiting for you…oh Jaime…" Cecilia stood at the door, then drew in a breath sharply as Jaime turned to her.

"Cecilia, go through with the service…but …Rick and A.J. are alive…!"