As dawn neared, Oscar paced outside the Secretary's office. He felt sick to his stomach, and wanted nothing more than to give in to the overwhelming exhaustion closing in on him. He also had no idea what Steve Austin was saying to the Secretary of State, but whatever it was, Oscar knew he should probably be thankful that he was on this side of the door.

He wondered how Rudy would comment on all of it. A slight smile lit his lips for the first time in weeks, because in his heart, he knew it would be something incredibly witty, and terribly snide. The door to the office suddenly opened, and Steve motioned Oscar inside.

To Goldman's slight surprise, the Secretary stood, and walked around his desk to shake Oscar's hand.

"I know that the stress of the past year, coupled with the abduction of Dr. Wells has been very hard on you." He looked over at Steve, who merely raised an eyebrow, so he continued, "I think, given your past record, how valuable an ally you have been to me personally, and of course, your service to your country, we can overlook this little.....episode." The man walked to stand behind his desk once again. "I'm not accepting your resignation, Oscar, and furthermore, I'm calling Jack Hansen right now to tell him to give you and Colonel Austin complete access to the NSB tracking computers to aid in your search for Dr. Wells."

Goldman was so stunned, he couldn't speak.

Steve gently elbowed him, and whispered under his breath, "Thank the man, Oscar."

"Uh, Mr. Secretary, I can't thank you enough."

The Secretary glared slightly over his glasses as he sat down. "I'm sure you can't. Well gentlemen, if there is nothing further...."

"Of course, sir. Thank you again."

Steve smiled. "A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Secretary."

Oscar and Steve walked out, closing the door behind them.

Goldman stared at Austin. "What did you say to him?"

"I told him that I'd make his army of cyborgs public knowledge...."

Oscar grabbed his friend's arm. "Steve....."

Austin looked into Goldman's eyes. "I told him if he didn't reinstate you, I'd present evidence to the Attorney General that we aren't the only ones who've been involved in a friendly little intergovernmental break-in."

Oscar looked at Steve with incredulity. "You don't have anything of the kind...."

"Yeah, but he doesn't know that."

Steve walked out the door, leaving Oscar standing there dumbstruck for a moment. Austin looked back in at him.

"Are you comin' or what?"

Oscar shook his head and followed Colonel Austin out the door and over to the NSB. It was long past time to bring Rudy home.

--------------------

Hansen stood nearby, seething. Oscar paced in front of the large window overlooking the Mall, although he hadn't noticed any of the people walking quickly below him, and Steve hadn't moved from the computer terminal he was working on for close to two hours. A young woman brought Oscar a cup of coffee, causing Hansen to growl at her.

"Don't you have anything better to do, Wolinski?"

"Yes sir."

Oscar took a sip of his coffee as the young woman walked away. "Agent Wolinski?"

"Yes?"

"If you are as talented at security work as you are at making coffee, and you ever become bored with the NSB," Oscar glanced over at Hansen, then back to the girl, "give me a call. I'm sure we could find a place for you at the OSI."

Wolnski smiled at him, "Yes sir!"

Hansen walked over to Oscar. "Look, Goldman, the Secretary said I had to share my computers with you, but keep your hands off my young agents."

"Worried, Jack?"

"No. Just anxious to get the use of my equipment back."

Oscar looked over at Austin. "How's it coming, Steve?"

"I've got it. Let's go get him."