"A.J., will you hurry up, I've only got fifteen minutes before I pick up Nick at the airport." Rick growled at his brother, who seemingly was taking forever locking up the office.
"I'm coming, I just want to stop at Brim and Stone and leave their mail, Pat dropped it off with ours by mistake." The younger Simon clicked the lock behind him then went down the stairs ahead of his brother, veering to the left hand hallway as he added, "I'll meet you in the lobby, Laurie should be there by now."
As Rick watched his brother disappear, he heard raised voices, then realized they were coming from the direction of the law office. With a bad feeling in his stomach he went towards the sounds, then heard the distinctive report of a handgun. Pulling his weapon he ran quickly down the corridor, then nearly crashed into his brother.
"Rick, run!" he gasped, and immediately Rick turned tail and raced down the last flight of stairs to the lobby below. Just as they came to a halt at the guard desk, the security guard came through the doors with Chief Ron Johnson and Laurie in tow.
"Down, you two! Freeze, Mister!" Johnson yelled, as the two Simons dropped to the floor.
Instantly Rick realized the shooter had chased after them and was preparing to fire at the brothers until their friend showed up. Waiting to get up until he heard the all clear, he felt a pair of hands on his and looked up to see his wife leaning over him.
"Rick, are you all right? I saw it, I saw you and A.J. running." she said breathlessly.
"I'm fine, darlin'. A.J.?" he looked over and saw his winded brother look up, then grin.
"Talk about the cavalry. Sis, did you call ..." she nodded, then gave a hand to both men as they climbed off the carpet.
"There's my sweetheart." Rick took her in his arms and she gratefully hugged him. "Hmm, this feels so good." She told him, as he kissed her.
"That's what you are, my Laurie, good." He whispered, then examined her face worriedly.
"Darlin', did you have a premonition?" she shook her head.
"No, Rick, it was just a flash. I was parking the car when I had a cold feeling, then I saw the stairway and you and A.J. being chased by a man with a gun. I immediately called Ron, he was leaving headquarters and was here in 30 seconds." She told him, then felt his relief.
"Good girl." A.J. planted a kiss on her cheek then told Johnson as he called for back up, "This guy just shot one of the lawyers at Brim and Stone, I walked in on it, I'm afraid."
"Geez, A.J., you and Rick can't catch a break." Ron shook his head as the gunman was led away by one of his officers. As they passed the three Simons, the shooter gave a smirk at A.J. then said, "you'll be sorry you interfered."
"Keep movin'." Ron snarled, then as they went out the door, sighed.
"I want your statements, then I'm escorting you all home. Laurie says Father Nick is expecting you to pick him up, Rick?"
"Yeah, in about five minutes. Laurie, can you go get Father and meet us at headquarters?" Rick saw her smile.
"Yes, dear." She kissed his cheek then giggled as he pulled her in for another embrace.
"Rick.........""All right, geez, see you later, darlin'." Rick groused, letting his wife go then following the detective to his cruiser.
After a couple of hours, Rick was almost coffeed out by the time Phoenix PD had finished with him and A.J.. Coming into the visitor's area, he was relieved to see Father Nick sitting with Laurie, then he felt a pang of sadness at the reason for his friend's visit.
"Hey, Father, I'm sorry it took so long.." the silver haired man held up his hand.
"No trouble, Rick, our girl filled me in. I'm glad to see you two are all right." He stood up and hugged both brothers, then put an arm around Ron, who had trailed after them.
"How are you, Ron, I imagine it's been a long day."
Seeing the misty eyes of their friend, Rick was grateful Laurie had gone with her instincts on having the most supportive man they knew come to help Ron and Abby.
"It has, Nick. Thank you for coming all this way, I know it'll mean a lot to Abby." Ron managed, clearly exhausted.
"I would have come anyway, Ron, besides, Rick promised to take me fishing out behind Oscar's cabin. I haven't had fresh trout in ages." Father Nick said, then snickered as Laurie teased, "If I know my fishermen, you probably'll get real tired of them."
"Spoken like a true Simon." Ron deadpanned, dodging an elbow from Rick. "By the way, that guy, Pearson? He's a nasty piece of work with a record of just missing getting convicted. I want you two to watch yourselves." Laurie looked at the brothers, then nodded. "I'll stay with Linda when they have to go to court."
"All right, let's get this show on the road." He continued, seriously, "A.J., I'll take you back to your car, then I'll follow you home. Rick, is Nick staying with you or A.J.?"
"A.J. ,Ricky especially asked if he could help Father say Mass, and Linda promised him a nice thick steak." The older Simon laughed at the hungry expression on Father Nick's face.
"Can I help it, guys, if your wives' are the best cooks in town!" he replied.
Later that night, Rick was very glad Ron had brought Abby for dinner, they were very comfortable with their friend's presence. When Father said a special blessing on the two Johnsons , smiles were visible on their faces for the first time since Abby's illness.
"Thank you, Nick, you really helped us tonight. I know Laurie spoke to you about, well, how much we wanted a baby." Abby told him as they prepared to go home.
"And I know any child would find a loving home with you two. Had you and Ron thought about planting a flower in your baby's honor?" Father gently offered.
"Yes, I wanted to plant a flowering tree of some kind, like a jaracanda. I miss seeing them from California, and I was so happy to find one at the nursery today. Could you say some prayers after we plant it?" Abby asked, as Ron put her coat on.
"I would be happy to, would you like to do it tomorrow morning?" Father Nick looked at the others, who nodded that they would be available.
"That would be great." Ron answered for both of them, then glanced at their friends. "Would the rest of our family come too?" he smiled tentatively.
"Of course, how's ten?" Rick suggested, then hugged Abby as she teared up. "Oh you guys...""Sure we'll come." A.J. added, putting an arm around Linda.
As the April morning dawned cool and clear, Rick and A.J. dug a hole in the tiny garden in front of their friend's home, then Ron and Abby carefully placed the small tree in the prepared soil.
Listening to Father Nick's words of comfort and promise that their child would be remembered, both Johnson's wept, then Abby stepped forward with a few words about the baby they had lost.
"Little one, you would have been cherished and loved here on earth, but you will always be remembered in heaven. God bless you, I hope someday you'll have a little brother or sister to watch over.." All Ron could do was whisper, "Amen."
Father Nick blessed them all, then Ricky came over to Ron and quietly said "Captain Ron, I'm sorry, would you like me and Ceci to come over and play with you and Aunt Abby?"
"That would be nice, pardner." Ron managed a smile, then hugged the little boy as everyone sniffed over his thoughtfulness.
As they drove home, Laurie put her head on Rick's shoulder. "Darling, I'm so proud of Ron and Abby, they must hurt so much, but they're really trying to be there for each other."
"I know, I can't imagine what it must be like for them." he replied, then kissed her cheek.
"I'm just glad they're not rushing to try to have another baby, Abby really needs to get strong again." Laurie sighed. Just then a beep from Rick's portable transmitter went off, then he turned it up and they heard A.J.'s voice.
"Rick, we have a problem, I just got a call not to show up for court on Monday, or I'm history."
"We're on our way." Rick made a u-turn and immediately headed back to Phoenix.
When they arrived at A.J. and Linda's condo, Cecilia was in the kitchen making some coffee as the younger Simon was on the phone with Ron about the phone call. Scarcely had Rick been filled in about the disturbing phone call when a surveillance car from Ron's division pulled up in front and checked in, followed by their son Robbie.
"It's probably just a scare tactic by one of Arnold Pearson's goons," the young deputy told them after greeting his family. He had been briefed by Ron's assistant about the alleged murderer and verified for his father and uncle that Pearson had been refused bail.
"I know, but this sounds like it could get nasty, Robbie." Rick warned, then played the answering machine tape for him while Laurie and Linda fixed lunch.
A gravely voice came on. "Simon, don't come to court Monday, or you're dead, you're history."
Rick scowled as he saw the worry on both his son and brother's faces.
"It's like you said, son, just trying to intimidate me, but still, I'll be glad when the preliminary hearing is held." A.J. told his nephew.
"Uncle A.J., why don't you and Aunt Linda and the kids come to the ranch with Pop and Mom?"
Rick's eyes brightened and he grinned.
"That's my boy, good thinking. How about it, A.J., you wanted to go fishing with Father, didn't you?"
"Yes, son, I think that's a great idea." Father Nick came out of the kitchen with Laurie and Linda, bearing a plate of sandwiches.
"Okay, it's settled, Simon party time starts now." A.J. smiled and picked up his oldest son.
"Hear that, Ricky, we're going to Uncle Rick and Auntie Laurie's!"
"Yeaah!" came