Epilogue
Rick sat outside Oscar's office with A.J., impatiently waiting for his meeting with the Secretary to end so they could leave. They had ended up changing their flight times due to the near kidnapping and the cabinet member had requested a last meeting with the OSI Chief and Rudy.
Laurie and Linda were seated on each side, each clinging to one of the brothers arms. Linda had already told them how Stevens had knocked on her door, asking to say goodbye, then catching her off guard and forcing her into the van. Fortunately she was unhurt, but A.J. had refused to let go of her even for a moment. He sat holding her close; grateful Linda was going home with him to Arizona. She had no intentions of living in her apartment again after the damage done by the explosion, she said, so A.J. helped pack what possessions were undamaged and she was coming to stay with Rick and Laurie until the two of them were married.
Rick looked at the newly engaged couple. As happy as he was for his brother to be finding someone, he realized this was a change in their lives that might spell the end of their partnership. Lost in thought, he felt a squeeze on his hand, and looked down at Laurie's upturned face. "Rick, are you all right, you looked so sad." she whispered, stroking his cheek. Moved, he kissed her hand, then replied, "I was just thinking about A.J., if he and Linda have half the love we share, they'll be very happy."
Her eyes were bright with tears as she said, "and if Linda has half the caring husband I have, she'll be a very," she kissed him, "very, happy bride."
Just then the door opened to Oscar's office, and both Rudy and the OSI Chief came out, smiling politely. Rick helped Laurie stand as she greeted both men. "What did the Secretary say, Rudy?" Linda asked from the other side of A.J. "We've both been asked to change our minds, of course, but Oscar and I have tendered our resignations effective immediately. Steve and Jaime resigned too, he's trying to talk them out of it now."
As on cue, Steve stalked out of the chief's office, followed by Jaime. Steve paused to kiss Laurie on the cheek, then say, "Jaime and I gave two weeks notice, so how's about two more at Casa De Simon next month?" Laurie clapped her hands with glee, "Oh, this will be great, are you bringing Crystal?" "Yes, it's time she met a real horse, instead of a wooden one, " Jaime replied, to a burst of laughter.
The joking about the "OSI House Party", lasted until they reached the airport, then it hit Rick that Oscar and Rudy didn't stop to drop them off, but continued with them to the gate. "Uh, Oscar, are you guys coming with us?" he asked, as they climbed out of his car.
"Yes, Rudy and I are free men, going to take you up on that fishing you promised us." he teased, seeing the expression on Laurie's face light up. "Oh, you, you knew I was going to get teary at having to say goodbye," she laughed, hugging both men. Steve and Jaime took turns saying goodbye to their friends, with Steve reluctant to say farewell until Oscar reminded him that he would see them in a couple of weeks. As they made their departure, Rick saw his wife look wisfully back at the bionic duo, then turn to him, saying, "This is like the end of high school, only we won't be going back for any reunion." Helping her up the stairs of the airplane, he squeezed her arm. "Yeah, but for a change the Principal is graduating, too." he grinned, getting a laugh from Oscar.
"Yeah, and this principal can probably give you two Simons some pointers on your business, he added, deadpan, eliciting a groan from A.J. and muffled laughs from Rudy and Linda.
Rick made a face, "Are you sure you want to retire, Oscar?" he asked solicitously, as they took their seats. The big man shook his head, then broke into chuckles at the older Simon's reaction. "I'm sure going to have fun this vacation, Rudy," Oscar teased, to which Rick retorted, "Yeah, and I have the feeling I'm going to need a vacation from your vacation!" As they continued back and forth, Laurie looked over at Linda, winked and said, "Welcome to the family, sis!"
Rick sat outside Oscar's office with A.J., impatiently waiting for his meeting with the Secretary to end so they could leave. They had ended up changing their flight times due to the near kidnapping and the cabinet member had requested a last meeting with the OSI Chief and Rudy.
Laurie and Linda were seated on each side, each clinging to one of the brothers arms. Linda had already told them how Stevens had knocked on her door, asking to say goodbye, then catching her off guard and forcing her into the van. Fortunately she was unhurt, but A.J. had refused to let go of her even for a moment. He sat holding her close; grateful Linda was going home with him to Arizona. She had no intentions of living in her apartment again after the damage done by the explosion, she said, so A.J. helped pack what possessions were undamaged and she was coming to stay with Rick and Laurie until the two of them were married.
Rick looked at the newly engaged couple. As happy as he was for his brother to be finding someone, he realized this was a change in their lives that might spell the end of their partnership. Lost in thought, he felt a squeeze on his hand, and looked down at Laurie's upturned face. "Rick, are you all right, you looked so sad." she whispered, stroking his cheek. Moved, he kissed her hand, then replied, "I was just thinking about A.J., if he and Linda have half the love we share, they'll be very happy."
Her eyes were bright with tears as she said, "and if Linda has half the caring husband I have, she'll be a very," she kissed him, "very, happy bride."
Just then the door opened to Oscar's office, and both Rudy and the OSI Chief came out, smiling politely. Rick helped Laurie stand as she greeted both men. "What did the Secretary say, Rudy?" Linda asked from the other side of A.J. "We've both been asked to change our minds, of course, but Oscar and I have tendered our resignations effective immediately. Steve and Jaime resigned too, he's trying to talk them out of it now."
As on cue, Steve stalked out of the chief's office, followed by Jaime. Steve paused to kiss Laurie on the cheek, then say, "Jaime and I gave two weeks notice, so how's about two more at Casa De Simon next month?" Laurie clapped her hands with glee, "Oh, this will be great, are you bringing Crystal?" "Yes, it's time she met a real horse, instead of a wooden one, " Jaime replied, to a burst of laughter.
The joking about the "OSI House Party", lasted until they reached the airport, then it hit Rick that Oscar and Rudy didn't stop to drop them off, but continued with them to the gate. "Uh, Oscar, are you guys coming with us?" he asked, as they climbed out of his car.
"Yes, Rudy and I are free men, going to take you up on that fishing you promised us." he teased, seeing the expression on Laurie's face light up. "Oh, you, you knew I was going to get teary at having to say goodbye," she laughed, hugging both men. Steve and Jaime took turns saying goodbye to their friends, with Steve reluctant to say farewell until Oscar reminded him that he would see them in a couple of weeks. As they made their departure, Rick saw his wife look wisfully back at the bionic duo, then turn to him, saying, "This is like the end of high school, only we won't be going back for any reunion." Helping her up the stairs of the airplane, he squeezed her arm. "Yeah, but for a change the Principal is graduating, too." he grinned, getting a laugh from Oscar.
"Yeah, and this principal can probably give you two Simons some pointers on your business, he added, deadpan, eliciting a groan from A.J. and muffled laughs from Rudy and Linda.
Rick made a face, "Are you sure you want to retire, Oscar?" he asked solicitously, as they took their seats. The big man shook his head, then broke into chuckles at the older Simon's reaction. "I'm sure going to have fun this vacation, Rudy," Oscar teased, to which Rick retorted, "Yeah, and I have the feeling I'm going to need a vacation from your vacation!" As they continued back and forth, Laurie looked over at Linda, winked and said, "Welcome to the family, sis!"