Second Chances: Sometimes Believing Is The Only Thing To Do

A Simon & Simon/Six Million Dollar Man/Dark Shadows Crossover Story

When a libelous rumor is printed about his wife, Rick Simon must get to the bottom of it before a deadly enemy can take revenge on him and his family.

(The characters from Simon & Simon, Six Million Dollar Man and Dark Shadows are all the property of Universal and Dan Curtis Productions, and are only being borrowed. I promise to put them back when I am done)

Chapter 1

"And what do you want for Christmas, Ricky?" The suspiciously familiar Santa smiled down at the eager boy.

"I want a doll for Ceci, and a new car for Papa and shoes for Mama and a dog for me!" Ricky Simon rattled off his Christmas list, catching his father and mother off guard.

"Uh, Ricky, thank you for asking Santa for me and Mama, but, you want a dog?" A.J. didn't dare look at his wife for fear of bursting into laughter and/or tears.

"Yeah, Santa, you know Uncle Rick's dog, well, I want one just like Mike, so he can play with me and keep an eye on Ceci." Ricky said firmly, as "Santa" tried to keep from busting up.

"Well, Ricky, you're a good boy, to think of others. I'll see what I can do for you and your folks." "And Ceci, she needs her own Cowboy doll, cause she broke mine!" the little boy interrupted, causing his aunt and uncle to nearly lose it.

"All right, a cowboy doll for Ceci, that's very thoughtful! Here's a candy for you, Ricky, and I'll see you at Christmas." Santa handed him a candy cane, then lifted the beaming child off his lap. "Thanks, Santa, I love you!" Ricky threw his arms around Santa's neck, bringing all those watching nearly to tears.

"I love you too, little guy." "Santa" choked, then cleared his throat and hugging him, put him down to go to his parents. As Laurie and Rick Simon, holding an excited Ceci, watched the rest of the children in line pay a visit to Santa Claus, A.J. and Linda took pictures with Ricky at a nearby kiosk.

"Rick, he's almost as good a Santa as dad, it was nice of him to do this for the kids!" Laurie beamed as the Phoenix Christmas Fair buzzed with happy noise around them. Rick made faces at Ceci, who pointed at Rick and crowed "Unc!"

"Did you hear that, Laurie, she called me "Unc!" he said, surprised.

"Yes, darling, she and Ricky were playing a game with pictures, he was trying to have her say your name, but it came out as "ick"!" his wife replied, delighted at his reaction.

"Ick, huh, Miss Ceci! You've got a sense of humor just like your Grandma!" Rick chuckled.

Just then they noticed the weary Santa get up from his throne, then as he came toward them, Ceci pointed and yelled, "Santa!"

"Whoa, that's better then "Unc", Rick laughed then, took the wriggling little girl as Laurie gave the perspiring "old gent" a hug. "Thank you, "Santa", for posing with the kids, they loved it!" she told him.

Just then a flash went off, and turning, Rick saw a smirking Ben Nash turning away from the North Pole set. Frowning, he nudged A.J., who had reappeared to take his daughter from her uncle.

"Wonder what Nash was doing here, I thought he was supposed to stop bugging Ron after the gag order on the trial went into effect."

His brother shook his head. "Don't know Rick, he was hanging around Linda and I when we were waiting in line. Ricky says he smells bad, I guess my son can tell a jerk when he sees one!"

"Well, let's forget about it, poor Ron looks like he could use some dinner, why don't we go over to the Heritage and surprise Robin." Rick urged.

"Best idea you've had all day, brother." A.J. teased, then ducked as Rick swiped at him.

"There you are, Ron, we're taking you out for dinner, how does the Heritage Room sound?" Rick asked as the Chief of Detectives came out of his makeshift dressing room.

"Uh, great. Rick, you and Laurie don't have to do this, I loved every minute with the kids, hey, Ricky!" he stopped and greeted the small namesake.

"Uncle Ron, were you helping Santa today?" Ricky questioned him, his bright eyes having seen his friend come out of the changing area.

"Yes, Ricky, and he told me you made him very happy, being so unselfish and asking for things for your family instead of just for you!" he answered, picking up the little boy.

"Really! Cause I love Santa." Ricky told him. "And he loves you very much, partner." Ron hugged him, his eyes very bright. "Now, we're going to get some supper with your Aunt Robin, would you like that?"

The enthusiastic "yeah!" made the assembled adults laugh, so the Simon party made their way to their cars, parked around the corner from Phoenix P.D..

Laurie had called ahead, so Robin was downstairs and waiting as her family and Chief Ron arrived.

"Good thing you called, Mom, I've got the buffet station open for you. We're trying a couple of new things, tell what you think!" she grinned, her fresh white jacket bearing her nephew's fingerprints from his enthusiastic greeting.

"Thanks, honey. I hope they didn't give you any grief about us coming last minute." she replied, giving her daughter a hug.

"Course not, Mom, I'm the test chef, I just told them you were my guinea pigs!" Robin giggled, then taking Ricky's hand, walked him through the dining room to a private area.

After a very enjoyable dinner, Rick turned to the chief and teased him. "You know you have a future, Ron, with the junior set. I can see it now, "Captain Ron and his Junior Mod Squad!"

"Very funny, Rick. Just for that I'm going to let you and A.J. help me with the Holiday Toy Drive; you two can put a collection bin in the lobby of your building and make sure it's full, got it?" Ron groused at the brothers, then smirked at the expression on their faces.

Laurie laughed at her husband's frown. "Never make fun of Santa, darling, he's always needs helpers!"

"Yes, Mrs. Elf!" Rick groaned.