By the time Steve returned to work at the OSI early the next morning, news of Rudy's resignation had reached the security guards who worked the gate of the farthest parking lot. Steve shook his head at Rudy's longtime assistant, Linda.

"This doesn't make any sense..... I've never known Rudy to make rash decisions."

"Me either, Steve, but I was sitting out here when it happened, and believe me, the two of them were yelling so loudly at each other, I couldn't help but overhear the argument. Mr. Goldman actually accused Rudy of taking classified files with him."

Colonel Steve Austin had known both Oscar Goldman and Rudy Wells long enough to know that this was all wrong. The more he thought about it, he realized that his own disagreement with Oscar yesterday had been forced; Goldman knew exactly which buttons to push to anger Steve, and the argument had been calculated. It was then that the nickel dropped: Oscar had wanted him out of the way.

"Steve? Are you all right?"

"I'm sorry Linda, what were you saying?"

"What do you think is wrong with Mr. Goldman? He hasn't been himself for a long time...."

"No, he hasn't, and I think it's long past time that I find out why."

Callahan's voice was friendly, but it lacked her normal warmth, "Good morning, Steve, how are you?"

"Hi Peggy," Austin's tone was all business, "Oscar in there?"

"Yes, but he's on a confidential call."

"All the better...."

Peggy started to say something to Steve as he walked past her toward the door, but gave up in mid-sentence, realizing he was neither listening nor intending to stop. The slamming of the large wooden door caused Oscar to look up from his desk. Steve stood near the door, his hands on his hips, an angry glower in his eyes. Goldman wrapped up the call, and stood as he hung up the phone.

"Do you always interrupt people's confidential phone calls, Colonel Austin?"

"Only when warranted."

"I see." Oscar paused, and when Steve said nothing, he nervously continued. "I'd offer you a drink, but it's a little early in the day." Goldman walked over to the bar, giving Steve a wide berth. "Early or not though, I think I'm going to have one. Something tells me I'm going to need it."

"Linda told me what happened with Rudy yesterday."

Oscar shrugged. "So?"

"That's all you can say?" Steve didn't wait for an answer. "You think we can pick-up scientists like Rudy Wells off the street? We can't afford to lose someone with his brilliance, and you know it." Steve moved closer to Goldman, causing Oscar to back away slightly. "You have been irritable, disagreeable, and unforgiving with everyone around you for months, and now you have a blow-out with Rudy; something's going on Oscar, and I want to know what it is."

Goldman walked back to his desk, and sat down, his mind moving quickly in its thought. He drained the amber liquid in his glass, and then looked into the intense blue eyes staring at him.

Oscar's voice was soft, "I don't know what you're talking about, Steve. There's nothing 'going on'...."

Steve moved quickly to stand in front of Goldman's desk, leaning his fists down on top of it, bringing his face inches from the man he'd known and admired for so long. Oscar could feel the heat of anger from Steve, and for a moment, felt his chest tighten with panic.

"I'd suggest that you stop lying to me, Oscar, because I'm just about two seconds from breaking this desk in half: and it's the only thing between you and me."

All the color drained from Goldman's face as he looked into the furious blue eyes burning into him. Before he could answer, the intercom buzzed. Steve held Oscar's gaze a moment longer, then Goldman looked down and pressed a button.

"Yes Callahan?"

"Sorry Mr. Goldman, but the Director of the NSB is out here, he says it's an emergency."

Oscar's eyes flicked up to Steve's momentarily, and then he pressed the intercom button once more. "Send him in."

The wooden doors opened, and Jack Hansen walked into Oscar's office, followed by four NSB security agents. Steve noticed that their demeanor was consistent with that of agents on high alert.

"Hansen?"

"Sorry, Goldman, but we couldn't take any chances...."

Steve's voice did not disguise his irritation, "Chances with what?"

"OSI security breach."

Oscar stood up. "What are you talking about?"

"You haven't heard?" Hansen could see by the looks on both faces that neither Austin nor Goldman was privy to what he knew. "Rudy Wells has been taken."

Steve glared at the smaller man. "What do you mean by 'taken?'"

"We received notification this morning that Wells resigned from the OSI. Per standard policy, if an OSI employee with a Security Four clearance or higher quits unexpectedly, that employee must be vetted by the NSB. We went to his townhouse this morning to pick him up, but he wasn't there."

Oscar's voice was calm, "So maybe he went out for a cup of coffee....."

Steve frowned in response to Goldman's cavalier tone, but said nothing.

Hansen looked at Oscar. "As per procedure in this situation, we let ourselves in to wait for his return, only to find that his townhouse was in shambles."

Steve continued to observe Goldman, and noticed that Oscar showed no particular emotion at the news that a close friend of his was apparently in enemy hands.

Goldman kept his voice even, "Maybe Rudy's not as neat at home as he is here--"

"--Dammit Goldman, there were clear signs of a struggle. Wherever Wells went, he didn't go willingly."

Steve turned to Hansen, "What is the NSB implementing?"

"Standard procedure when anyone of an S9 clearance is kidnapped......"

Steve's eyes lit up with alarm. "You're going to assassinate him?"

Goldman piped up, "Assassination's a strong word, pal...."

"No, it's not." He turned again to Hansen. "Killing Rudy is the plan, right?"

Hansen looked down, then back up at Steve. "We will locate him, and then sanitize the area, yes."

"'Sanitize the area'......that has a nice ring to it."

"Colonel Austin," Hansen's voice rose in anxiety, "We have few options here. To an opposing government, Rudy Wells is a fount of information--"

Goldman broke in, "--Don't you understand Steve? We can't allow that kind of knowledge to fall into enemy hands."

While Hansen was surprised at Goldman's allied stance, he chose not to question a gift from on high. He looked back at Steve.

"I am sorry, Colonel Austin, I know you're very......fond of Dr. Wells, but it's out of our hands." He turned to Oscar. "I'm glad you understand our predicament, Goldman."

"If you need the OSI's help, Hansen, let me know."

Steve stared at Oscar, not believing his own ears. Hansen thanked the OSI Director, and walked out, taking his entourage of agents with him. Austin turned in anger toward Oscar.

"'If you need the OSI's help, let me know?' What the hell is that about? You want to help them kill Rudy?"

Oscar put a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "I know how hard this is for you, Steve, but it might be the kindest thing we could do for him."

Steve grabbed Goldman by the front of his shirt, shoving him hard into the nearest wall, knocking the wind out of him.

"There was a time when I thought you were a trusted friend, Oscar, but now...... I wish it had been you they'd taken instead of Rudy."

Steve slammed Oscar's body into the wall once more, the man's head connecting painfully with it. As soon as Austin let go, Oscar slid to the floor, gasping for air for his empty lungs. Steve stared at him a moment longer before heading for the door. As he opened it, he looked back at Goldman.

"You know, even Jaime, who has always been your biggest fan, said the other day that she can't stand being in the same room with you anymore. And you know what Oscar? Neither can I."

Austin quietly closed the door behind him, leaving Goldman alone to nurse the bruises Steve had inflicted. But the tears that slowly filled Oscar's eyes had nothing to do with the physical pain visited upon him by his bionic man.