Second Chances: Trading Today For Yesterday
A Simon & Simon/Six Millon Dollar Man/Dark Shadows Crossover Story.
When a horrifying premonition about Rick Simon causes his wife to lose part of her memory, the Simons must work together to bring her memory back before tragedy strikes.
Simon & Simon and the Six Million Dollar Man are owned by Universal and Dark Shadows is owned by Dan Curtis Productions, and are only being borrowed. I promise to put everyone back when I'm done. This story is dedicated to Gerald MacRaney-Get Well Soon!
Chapter 1
"Mom, I'm serious, this is too romantic for words, you've got to do this!" Robin Simon grinned at her mother, then sat next to her on the sofa.
"I know, I just hope he likes it, sweet." Laurie took a deep breath, then smiled back at her youngest.
It had been a very stressful day, and she was so tired. Rudy and the Chief had ordered her home when they noticed her weariness as she signed a stack of her latest book.
At least she was home and could relax planning her anniversary gift to Rick.
"Buck sent me over the pattern for his dress suit on the show, and I got Margaret over at the Wedding Store to make it up for me from your father's measurements. She's also making me a dress, but your father gave her the design. I hope it's from that picture of your Great-Grandmother."
"Well, Mom, I hope you and Pop behave yourselves after the service, 'cause I would like to use it for my wedding, I mean, if that's okay with you." Robin turned red suddenly, then Laurie drew her into her arms.
"Of course, honey. You're going to have to forgive me for getting sentimental, I'm having all my dreams come true and your getting married is just the topper." She wiped her eyes, then dabbed at the tears on her daughters' face. "I love you, Mom. You've always been there for us, I know Pop is looking forward to your anniversary big time!" Robin sniffed, then laughed as her mother got a naughty look on her face.
"I have a feeling I'd better have a back up outfit just in case your father forgets himself!" Laurie grinned, then let out a squeal as Rick snuck up on her and kissed her neck.
"Rick! You sneak! Where did you come from?" she giggled, seeing him drop a kiss on Robin's cheek, then plop next to them.
"Oh, like most kids, from the stork!" he snickered, then ducked her effort to tickle him.
"You're terrible, Pop. I have remember that one for work!" Robin hugged his neck, then got up off the sofa. "I'm going to the hotel now, but do you and Uncle A.J. want to come for lunch tomorrow? We're going to have a cold sandwich bar to see how it works for the next convention."
"Sure, honey. You know how much your uncle and I looove sandwiches." he teased, pulling Laurie into his embrace. "Yes, like the Simon Special." Laurie smiled, then leaned up and kissed her daughter.
"I remember, Mom, I'll see if we can put those ingredients on the bar for Pop!" Robin added, then called her goodbyes as she grabbed her keys and headed out the door.
As the door closed, Rick grinned at his wife. "So, what did you like about the Simon Special?"
"Well," Laurie put her arms around his neck, "the best thing about it was, "she kissed him long and deeply, "it's namesake, for starters."
"Hmm, for starters, huh?" he paused, then drawing her in for another kiss, left her breathlessly saying "Yes, darling. And it's flavor, and it's character and ...." she buried her face in his neck as he finished, "the one who makes him special."
"Always, my love." she whispered, then sighed as the phone rang.
"If it's not the kids or A.J., we're not home." Rick groaned as Laurie reached for the extension.
"Simon residence."
"Hey sis, is Rick there?" she grinned as A.J.'s voice carried out of the receiver.
"Yes, your partner's here, how's my little brother?" she asked, as Rick got up, placing a kiss on her cheek as he went to the kitchen. Picking up the extension, he heard Laurie teasing A.J. "Okay, darlin'" he told her , expecting her to drop off the line.
Suddenly Laurie gasped, "Rick! No, I don't want to lose you!" Rick dropped the phone then raced back to the living room to find Laurie collapsed on the sofa, trying to catch her breath.
"Sweetheart, what is it? I'm here, just breathe, Laurie!" he took her in his arms and tried to comfort her, thinking she was having a premonition.
"Rick, No! Don't shoot him!, oh, Rick, it hurts! Don't let go!" she cried, then fainted.
"Laurie, Laurie!" Rick yelled, trying to revive her. Just he then heard a car come screeching in the driveway. Picking his wife up off the couch, he raced toward the front door, only have Robbie come running in.
"Pop, what's wrong with Mom! Uncle A.J. called me, he heard you calling her." His son frantically told him, grabbing his mother's hand and calling to her. "Mom, Mama, please wake up." For a minute she was still, then her eyelids fluttered.
"Rob, need Rudy." She whispered, and heartened by her response, the two men carried her to Robbie's patrol car and put her in the back seat, where Rick held her in his embrace, talking to her and trying to keep her conscious. Almost immediately Oscar and Rudy drove up, and Rudy took one look at Laurie, then climbed in with them and directed Rob to the hospital.
"Missy, come on, just keep awake, you're going to be okay." Rudy spoke to her, uncapping a small oxygen canister and mask from his bag, then covering her nose and mouth. Almost at once Laurie started to breathe easier.
In a minute they were pulling into the emergency entrance, and Rick carefully lifted his wife out and carried her to Doc who had a gurney waiting at the door.
As soon as they got to the treatment room, Rudy told Rick, "Son, I need you to wait outside, as soon as I know she's stable you can come in, okay?" Suddenly Laurie pushed the mask off her face, then whispered, "Rick?" He came and took her hand and squeezed it. "I'm just outside, sweetheart, you're going to be okay."
"I know, but, Caparelli, is he....?" she responded.
Puzzled, Rick looked at Rudy, then said, "Yes, sweetheart, they're both dead, they'll never hurt us again." She sighed, "Thank God."
Rudy glanced up at him, then told him, "I'll call you in as soon as I can."
Reluctantly he nodded, then sat down just outside the door as Robbie and Oscar came in, fear in their expressions.
"Son, what happened, did she have a premonition?" the older man sat down heavily, his arm around Rick's shoulder.
Rick took a deep breath then started to explain how Laurie cried out, saying something about someone being shot then that it hurt as she passed out. Both Oscar and Robbie were nearly in tears as Rick finished.
"Pop, it isn't fair, damm it, not now. She's got to be all right!" Robbie burst out angrily, then calmed down as his sister ran in the door, followed by A.J. and Cecilia. Doc came in and immediately went to assist Rudy.
Rick hugged all three Simons, then told them briefly what had happened. When he had trouble continuing, Robin put her arm around him. "Pop, she was so tired when she got home, I should have known she was sick. You know how much energy she normally has."
"No, honey, she was being so cute, and we were, well she was all right when she picked up the phone and talked to A.J.. It was so sudden." Rick reassured her, grasping at whatever comfort he could offer.
As they waited, more of their friends came, Sheriff Rob and Chief Joseph, then Ron Johnson. A.J. had dropped Linda and the children with Ramona and Andy, and both men fielded calls asking about Laurie's condition. When Rick called Laurie's cousin Barnabas, he was upset and immediately booked a flight to Phoenix.
After an hour, Rudy finally came out, then beckoned Rick over.
"I think she's going to be all right, son. We got her here in time." he explained, putting a hand on Rick's shoulder.
"Thank God." He breathed, then caught the look of uncertainty in Rudy's eyes.
"What happened to her, Rudy? Was it a premonition?" he asked.
"I believe so, Rick. From what you told me, she had a really bad one, and the only way her body could handle it was to start shutting down. If you hadn't been with her, well, you were and you and Robbie kept her going. I did an emergency angioplasty, and I managed to correct the damage to her heart. I think in four or five days she'll be able to go home." Rudy answered.
"However," he added, holding up a hand to Rick's next question. "There is a problem, she's had some kind of shock to her system that's caused either a neurological problem or just a temporary lapse, but her memory is not normal right now." He paused. "When she asked about Caparelli, she was referring to what happened before your first anniversary. She doesn't have any recall of the last 14 years."
Rick gaped at the doctor, "Rudy, she has amnesia?"
"No, and I don't think it's brain damage, but what ever she saw has caused her to blank out a large portion of her memory. It may only last a little while, or we may be able to restore all but the traumatic event. I want you to be patient with her, son. She's going to need some time and some help to remember. The encouraging thing is once you remind her of something, everything to do with that memory comes back, but I don't want her overloaded." Rudy told him emphatically.
"I promise, Rudy, just as long as it takes for her to be all right, I can wait, just let me see my girl." Rick pleaded.
His friend nodded, then led him into the emergency room, where Doc was quietly talking to Laurie, who was hooked up to several monitors. Rick saw the bandages on her chest, then saw the upset look on her face.
"Sweetheart." he called softly, and saw her look at him, then hold her arms out to him. At once he was at her side, holding her hand and kissing her.
"Laurie, I love you, It's all right, you're going to be just fine now. I'm here." He choked, trying to smile at her. "I love you, Rick. I know we'll be okay, it's just a little scary." She sniffed, clinging to his hand.
"The last thing I remember is being held in a cave, and Caparelli trying to blow both of us up. Rudy says, that was fourteen years ago? It doesn't seem real."
"He's long gone, Laurie. I'm here, darlin', and I'll be with you for whatever it takes to get you better." He assured her.
"One thing I have to tell you, Rick." She looked at him, then caressed his cheek.
"What's that, sweetheart." He kissed her hand.
"I remember loving you, very, very much. I hope I don't smother you, darling. I just," she sighed, putting her head against his shoulder, "want you with me, then I won't be afraid."
"I won't leave you, my angel, I promise." He kissed her tenderly, then scooted onto her bed and pulled her against him. "Now, where do you want to start? How about that I love you?"
A faint smile crossed her face. "That's a good place to begin."
