Roger also volunteered to get back in the pilot's seat of a Huey. It had been over a month since he last flew a chopper, and he was getting restless. The last time wasn't any picnic either, as he was sent on special assignment to assist in the evacuation of the US embassy in Saigon. He was flying off the deck of the Enterprise, and there were so many choppers in the air that the aircraft carrier's aviation boatswains mate's were actually tossing helicopters overboard to make room. Roger had more than a few close calls. He never would have made it back if it wasn't for this maniac Cobra pilot that laid down some excellent cover fire while doing some of the most amazing flying Healey had ever seen. Rumor was that the Army sprung the young Air Cavalry captain from the mental ward of Walter Reed due to the shortage of pilots, and Healey could believe it. After all, they sprung him from NASA.

Roger turned to the Air Force Colonel in the co-pilot seat, "So, Steve, what have you been doing besides chauffering the Commander-in-Chief?"

Austin laughed and laid down a cover story, "Actually that was just a special assignment. The Air Force has had me flying a desk in the Pentagon ever since I cracked up the HL-10. Then a couple weeks ago they needed somebody at the last minute to sit in the right seat of Air Force One after the Major who normally has that billet caught a 24 hour bug. I guess they figured I'd do, being an astronaut and all. The incident in Spain brought a little attention my way from some higher ups, and they asked me where I'd like to go next. I told them I wanted to go back to NASA."

"Well, for one, I'm glad you're back. Hang on." Roger said.

Before Steve could thank him, Roger dropped the chopper so where it was just above the waves. He was also flying pretty close to shore.

"Roger, what gives, I didn't bring my water skis!" Steve exclaimed.

Roger instructed, "Get out the binoculars and look at the beach."

Steve, of course, didn't need the binoculars thanks to his bionic eye. But he couldn't tell Roger that, so he got out the binoculars and took a look at the beach.

"Oh, my…" Steve said. There, waving at the chopper, were several young women wearing nothing but a smile.

Roger laughed, "Local nude beach. Most of the time not much to see, but today we got lucky."

No, Florida might not be bad at all, Colonel Steve Austin thought.

In a few minutes, they were touching down at the Kennedy Space Center. Roger escorted Steve over to the Air Force wing, and showed him an office.

"That will be your office," Roger said, "I'll let you get unpacked and settled. You want to meet Tony Nelson and I at the Officer's Club for happy hour?"

Steve jumped at the invitation "Sounds good—it's been a long day. See you there in an hour or so?"

"See you then," Roger replied.

Steve made his way over to the flight surgeons office.

The young doctor told him, "Sick call is over, Colonel. Emergencies only."

Steve replied, "Dr. Richardson, I'm Steve Austin. Oscar Goldman sent me."

The Navy officer looked surprised, "Oh. I'm surprised he sent someone at all, especially so quickly."

"You're not the only one to file a report on Colonel Nelson," Austin explained.

Sheila looked suspiciously at Austin, "I notice you're wearing astronaut wings. If that's just a cover, these guys will sense a fake a mile away."

Austin said somewhat indignantly, "No, I earned these."

Richardson was embarrassed, "Of course, Steve Austin. It never registered that you were THAT Steve Austin, the astronaut who…."

Steve finished her sentence "crashed and almost died. It's OK, Doctor I'm OK with talking about it. Can I have what you've got on Tony Nelson?"

"Sure, here's his medical file." The Doctor offered.

Steve was given a stack of papers almost as think as the ones Oscar had waiting for him at Rota. Steve had spent most of the red-eye transport flight reading those documents. Looking at this file, he realized he may be losing more sleep on this.

Steve told the doctor, "Thanks."

Steve headed off to the O-Club. Roger and Tony were there waiting for him.

Tony greeted the visiting officer with, "Steve Austin, how are you!"

"Great Tony, How are things going with you?" Steve asked.

"Excellent," Tony replied, "I've been married for five years now, and I'm up for full colonel."

"Congratulations, I'm glad married life agrees with you," Steve said.

Tony smiled, "It does, speaking of which my wife Jeannie is making dinner and would really appreciate if you and Roger could join us."

Steve accepted, "A home cooked meal sounds great."

Colonel Austin showed up at the Nelson's with a bottle of wine. Roger was already there. Steve noticed a lifelike painting of Tony in his dress whites with an extremely attractive woman who must be Jeannie.

Steve told his host, "Tony, that's a fantastic painting!"

"Thanks," Replied Tony, "come meet Jeannie."

Tony then called, "Jeannie!" and the stunning blond from the painting emerged from the kitchen.

"Yes, Anthony?" Jeannie replied.

Anthony introduced his guest, "Colonel Steve Austin, this is my wife, Jeannie."

"Pleased to meet you Colonel Austin," Jeannie said.

"The pleasure is mine, and please call me Steve." Austin replied.

Jeannie graciously said, "Very well, Steve, please join us for dinner."

Steve complimented, "Everything smells great."

This wasn't entirely a social visit for Steve. He was looking for things out of place in the Nelson household, but everything looked normal. Well almost everything. He noticed the large painting of Tony and Jeannie, but all the photographs were of Tony, none including Jeannie. Steve also read from the preliminary investigation on Nelson that there are no known photographs of Jeannie in the media. Nelson had gained a reputation of the 'quiet astronaut.' There may be several reasons why there are no photos. My Jeannie is just camera shy or phobic. Who knows, maybe she had a religious thing about having her picture taken.