Second Chances: What's Right Is Not Always Fair

In the midst of preparing for a new baby, A.J. is forced into accepting Jury Duty for a murder trial. When he and Rick suspect the wrong man is on trial, hard choices must be made.

(This is a fictional story, and no money is being made from it. The characters from Simon & Simon and Six Million Dollar Man are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while, I promise to put them back when I'm done.)

"Mom, you still make the best chicken, bar none!" A.J. Simon looked at his mother, then laughed as his wife pretended to pout.

"Serve you right if I let you live on baloney sandwiches for the next week!" Linda teased, then turned to Cecilia. "Good thing I agree, I just can't get my chicken to taste like that."

"It's the rice flour, honey. I'm leaving the rest of the bag with you, the kids chicken nuggets will taste better with it!" Cecilia promised, then shook her finger at her older son as he snuck another drumstick.

"Richard Simon, it would serve you right if Linda didn't give you dessert! I'm going to tell Rudy on you!"

"Aw, Mom, can I help it Simon women are good cooks!" he leaned over then dropped a kiss on her cheek.

"Where's Laurie, I thought she was leaving Robin and Ian's an hour ago." Linda said, a slight frown on her face. Just then the doorbell rang, and Rick went for the door, "I've got it!"

A.J. shook his head. "You'd think she's been gone a few days, instead of a few hours, Mom."

Just then his beaming brother returned holding his wife's hand, and A.J. promptly got up to give her a hug.

"Here's my wandering lamb, just in time for dinner." Rick grinned, as Laurie embraced her mother-in-law and Linda.

"Sorry I'm late, but Ian was showing me what he wants to get Robin for Christmas. Oh, Mom, this tastes so good.." she took a bite of the drumstick Rick held out for her to sample.

"You're lucky, if I hadn't stopped him, Rick would have eaten every piece." Cecilia laughed.

"Oh, A.J., I almost forgot, you got a letter from the Grand Jury today." Linda remembered, then handed the white envelope to her husband.

Snickering as he watched Rick filling Laurie's glass with soda, then getting a kiss for his thoughtfulness, A.J. opened the oversized envelope.

At first he thought it was the usual questionnaire, ready for his "unable to serve because" answer.

Then the younger Simon blinked, biting back a swear word.

"Oh, for crying out loud."

"What's the matter, A.J., you forgot to send back your form I bet." Rick needled him, then dropped his ragging as he saw the worried expression on his brother's face.

"I've been picked for Jury Duty; in two weeks." A.J. replied. Immediately his mood was matched by Linda's.

"A.J., that's the time I'm due, they'll have to let you reschedule." She said, upset.

Quickly he tried to reassure her. "Of course, I'll have them postpone my service until after Christmas, Linny. Don't worry, I haven't missed one of our children's births yet!" he promised.

Doubtfully his pregnant wife shook her head. "A.J., you know how they've cracked down on Jury service, you can't use financial hardship or …"

A.J. got up and put his arms around her as he winked at his mother. "I have the best excuse, my wife is bringing another life into the world, and I have to be there."

All three women started to tear up, to the brothers' dismay.

"Way to go, A.J., now you've got them crying." Rick groused, then Laurie pretended to swat him as Linda wiped her eyes, then kissed her husband.

"I know you'll be there, honey, you've never let me down, ever. Just for that you can have the last piece of chicken, I hid it with the biscuits."

Snickering, A.J. kissed Linda back as Cecilia teased her older son, "And you thought you'd get the last one."

Rick shrugged. "There's always dessert." He replied with a grin.