As the two brothers headed for the ranch, dark clouds came over the mountains, and soon Rick was cutting his speed down to avoid skidding on the now wet pavement. Just as he pulled into their driveway, the light rain turned into a downpour. Racing out of the truck with all their packages in hand, Rick was grateful that Robbie was there holding the door open.

"Pop, Uncle A.J., am I glad you're home. We were afraid you'd get caught in this."

Hurriedly putting their presents in the coat closet, Rick gave a quick hug to his son, then saw Robbie's eyes were red. Behind him Ramona held a sobbing Andy as Linda wiped her eyes and clung to Rudy.

"What is it, Robbie, what happened?" Rick asked calmly, then his breath caught as he replied, "Pop, it's Mike, he's been bitten by a snake."

"Oh, no, son, no….is he?" Rick asked, feeling numb, then heard Laurie's voice.

"Rick? Oh, Rick, A.J., thank God you guys got here all right!"

As she came into the room, Rick turned and saw her sad face, then she was in his arms, whispering, "I'm sorry, darling, I'm so sorry."

"Sweetheart…." Rick was at a loss for words. "How …what happened, was he in the barn?"

"Yes, Andy and I were gathering eggs, then Mike started barking. I knew something was wrong, so I shooed Andy out of the barn then Dad and I looked in the stalls. Suddenly there was a hissing sound, and I looked to see a huge snake rear up at Dad. Just then Mike jumped in front of him, and kept barking at it. Before I knew it…the snake lunged at Mike. I thought he missed him, then Dad shot the snake. But…" Laurie swallowed, " Mike kind of staggered, then he fell. By the time Rudy came…" Laurie cleared her throat, "he was dead."

"Darlin', I'm sorry, too." ..he managed, holding her tight. "He was as much your dog as mine, and the children's, and he helped save your life for me. He was a wonderful dog, Laurie."

Laurie gave him a faint smile. "He was, love. Poor Dad, he was going to blame himself, but I reminded him that Mike wouldn't let anything happen to any of us."

"You're right, Laurie." Rick gave her a kiss, then quietly said, "Let me go see Mike, then we'll take care of him."

As he released his wife, Oscar came in from the barn and Rick hugged him. "Are you okay, Dad?"

"I've been better, son. I'm sorry I wasn't faster with my gun, Rick." The older man replied, a despairing look on his face.

"Dad, it's like Laurie said, you had no time to react, besides, Mike not only protected you, he was taking care of Laurie." Rick exclaimed, worried about Oscar's reaction.

Oscar let out a sigh, then reluctantly nodded. "I know, son. It was just…..well, I'm going to miss him, but we had so many wonderful years with him. I never knew what it was like to have a pet, but I'm glad I got to share him."

"Me, too." Rick found it hard to speak past the lump in his throat. As he followed the older man outside, he took Laurie's hand in his, grateful she had not been alone when it happened.

Entering the barn, he saw the golden brown fur sticking out from under the sheet Rudy had gently placed over the dog. Except the unnatural quiet of the animal, it looked just like Mike was asleep.

As Rick knelt down next to Mike, he reached out and petted him, then quietly whispered, "Thanks, Mike, Thanks for being a good friend."

After a moment, he got up, then Rudy took his place. "Mike, you are .. a great pal. I'll miss how you made me feel so welcome whenever I came here. God bless you, little guy, we'll miss you." Rudy's voice cracked, and Robbie put a hand on his surrogate uncle's shoulder.

"Thanks, Uncle Rudy, he loved you like the rest of us." The doctor looked up at the younger man's face, eyes full with unshed tears, then put his hand over Robbie's. "Thank you, son."

Rick had to clear his throat before he could say anything. "Laurie, we're going to bury Mike now, can you see after the kids?"

"Of course, darling." She replied, knowing he didn't want her there as they laid their pet to rest.

As she went into the house, Rudy and Oscar picked up shovels as Rick lifted the dog's body in his arms and carried him outside. After burying Mike, the four men wearily came into the kitchen, and were touched to find a pot of coffee and plate of sandwiches on the table. After having a bite to eat, Oscar and Rudy went home, with Robbie insisting on closing up the barn.

"Sweetheart?" Rick called, leaving the kitchen, then saw Laurie coming out of the guest room.

"Shh, I just got Andy and Ceci to go take a nap before dinner." She quietly said, then smiled as Rick apologetically whispered, "Sorry, Laurie. I forgot."

"Saying you're sorry earns you a kiss, my love." Laurie crooked her finger at her husband who eagerly leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. "Always, my angel." He murmured, his sorrow eased by her comforting arms encircling him.

A loud whimper broke the quiet, and Rick looked down to see little Rex at his feet.

He sighed, they'd forgotten Mike's son in all the sadness.

"Oh, Rick, poor little guy. How do we have him understand? Here, Rexy…" Laurie called him softly and the terrier mix jumped into her arms, then leaned over and licked Rick's face.

"Good boy." Rick choked, then took the small dog from her. "Darlin', I'll take him outside while you fix dinner. Come on Rex, looks like I'm the storyteller tonight."

During the next couple of days, Rick was glad of being talked into helping with the annual Phoenix PD Christmas Bonanza. He needed to keep busy, and not dwell on the fact that Christmas has suddenly lost its spark for him.

"Okay, Ron, I think that covers it." Rick handed over the list of activities for the three-day event.

The Chief of Detectives scanned the clipboard, then grinned at the "Story Time for Cowboys and Cowgirls". "I knew you guys would rope Laurie into this-lazybones!" Ron teased.

Rick just laughed. "Nothing lazy about it, she loves reading to kids, and I can finish getting her Christmas gifts. The jeweler should have her pendant and earrings ready to pick up today."

"Good thinking, Rick. A.J., what's this "Rope the Christmas Cow"?" Ron puzzled, then let out a laugh as A.J. told him "That fake reindeer you had last year lost its antlers, so we dressed it as a cow and the kids can try to snare it with a rope."

"That's priceless. Boy I'm glad you guys are helping out with this thing." the detective admitted, knowing that planning the Christmas festival had been a welcome respite to the Simons.

Just then a phone call interrupted him. "Chief Johnson."

The two brothers started to leave, only for Ron to beckon them back with a puzzled look.

"Yes, I know Rick Simon, matter of fact he's here in the office."

Rick halted, curious about the other half of the phone conversation.

"Okay, send him in." Ron told the caller, then hung up.

"Rick, do you know a Tim Michaels?" he asked. Rick started to shake his head, then suddenly remembered the boy and his mother from their vacation hotel.

"Yeah, sorta of. Laurie and I met his mother when we went to Disneyland, I gave the kid my card in case there was anything I could do to help him." The older Simon frowned, then told Ron and A.J. how he and Laurie witnessed the mistreatment of Mrs. Michaels and her son.

"Well, Tim Michaels is coming upstairs, apparently he was found at the Greyhound station, seems someone stole his wallet and belongings. All he had on him was your card and his identification. He's refusing to talk to anyone else about what happened." Ron explained.

"Damn, I wonder where his mother is….poor kid." Rick started, then there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Ron stood up as a police officer brought in the disheveled boy. His eyes were downcast until he saw Rick, then he gave him a faint smile. "Hello Mr. Simon."

"Tim, hi…" Rick was hard put not to show his anger at whatever had happened to the kid. "This is my brother, A.J., and my friend, Chief Ron Johnson."

The boy shook hands politely with the two men. "Have a seat, son. Do you want some water or something?" Ron inquired.

"Yes, some water would be good, I'm really thirsty." Again a faint smile appeared on Tim's face.

Waiting until he had had a drink of water, Rick said, "Tim, how did you get to Phoenix, where's your parents?"

"My father and my mother left me.. last week, after we went home. Mom…she said if anything happened to her, I was to get a hold of you. Something's wrong, she wouldn't have left me alone. So I got my stuff and bought a bus ticket for here. I'd have been okay, but this guy followed me off the bus then threatened me with a knife and stole my wallet and my backpack. All my money and clothes were in it…" The boy swallowed hard. "I told the police at the station, that's when they brought me here."

"Son, isn't there any family or friends you could have contacted?" Ron looked at Rick, seeing the emotions running loose in his friend. Something just didn't click.

"No, Chief. Neither of my Grandparents are alive and my folks never mentioned any other family. I was hoping…" Tim stopped, then almost whispered, "You'd help me find my mom." Rick looked at his brother, then saw agreement in his eyes.

"Sure, Tim. I'm going to need all the background you can give me on her, and…I know this is hard, son, but where your dad may have gone to." he explained, then Ron added, "I'll have to let Social Services know that you're here, Tim. They'll find you a place…."

"No, I mean, I'm sorry, Chief, but I don't want to go to a foster home or something. I'll just go back to California then…..." Rick saw Tim draw his sleeve across his eyes, and impulsively spoke.

"You can stay with my wife and I, Tim. At least until we find your mom… and dad."

Silence greeted his words, then Ron met his gaze. "I'll have to get permission, Rick, but if it's okay with Laurie…."

"You mean it?" An unbelieving look was on the boy's face, then he seemed to catch himself.

"Uh, I can do chores and stuff, earn my way." Tim added stiffly.

Rick wanted to swear, how the hell did this kid end up like that? No way he deserved to be put in the system.

"We'll talk about chores later, Tim, but right now I want you to fill us in on the last time you saw your mom and dad, and where you lived, etc." Rick told him. He looked at A.J., who said "Go call Laurie while Tim and I talk. Are you hungry, son?"

As Rick left the room, he could hear Tim eagerly responding to his brother.

Ron was right behind him, showing him a desk he could call from. "Rick, are you sure about having the boy stay with you, this might get messy." The younger man's face was an open book to Rick, and at first he wanted to snap at his friend not to be so pessimistic.

But he knew better, so he took a breath. "Yeah, I am. He deserves better then to be abandoned. I think Laurie'll be fine about this."

Ron started to open his mouth, as if to say something, then a rueful smile appeared.

"All right, Rick, but, please be careful. I don't want to see more then the kid's heart broken here."

Rick grinned back. "Thanks, tough guy. I wasn't born yesterday, you know."

A snort was the only reply he got as he picked up a phone and dialed the ranch.

"Simon residence".

Rick's heart did it's usual flip-flop at the sound of his wife's voice. "Hey, sweetheart, how's it going?"

"Rick, oh I'm glad you called, did you get a call from the little boy we met at the hotel, you know, the one.." Laurie started enthusiastically, then stopped as Rick answered "Yes, Laurie, did he call the house?"

"Yes, he did. I, say, how did you know?" she laughed, then caught her breath as Rick said, "Darlin', I've got something to tell you."

A couple of hours later, A.J. and Rick were driving an exhausted boy through the outskirts of Silver Rock. Already a couple of leads had surfaced on Sharon Michaels, she had used her credit card to rent a car in Los Angeles, then her ATM card was used at a grocery store in Barstow.

From there her trail had gone cold, but Ron had sent out a missing persons report on both Mrs. Michaels and her husband, Jeff.

Jeff, Rick thought, didn't fit the unpleasant man he'd seen in Anaheim. Tim had been closed-mouthed about his relationship with his father. Something didn't fit, tho'.

"Rick?"

Laurie's voice filled his thoughts, and he gratefully "called" back to her. "Almost home, sweetheart."

"Mr. Simon, is that your ranch?"

Rick's reverie was broken by the weary boy's voice. "Uh, yeah, Tim. That's our ranch." Rick drove through the gate and pulled into the driveway.

A.J. got out, then helped steady Tim as he stiffly got out of the truck. Laurie was waiting on the porch, and Rick felt his heart quicken at her welcoming smile.

"There you are. Hey there, Tim." She came down the walk, then pulled the boy into a hug.

Rick saw him stiffen at the motherly contact. "Hi, Mrs. Simon. Thank you for having me."

"Well, you're welcome, son. I'm glad you came. Don't worry, Rick and A.J. will find your folks." Laurie released him, then insisted on him coming into the kitchen, where he sat at the table and devoured a club sandwich.

A.J. watched the boy eat, then Rick's grumbling stomach broke the three adults up.

"Good thing I made extras." She teased, pulling a plate of sandwiches out of the fridge.

"That's my sis!" A.J. smirked, then Rick picked up a sandwich corner with one hand and pulled his wife close for a kiss with the other.

"Thank you, darlin'. You're the best sandwich maker in town!" he joked, then laughed as Laurie replied, "Flattery will get you everywhere, love. A.J., Linda's feeding Melly in Rick's office."

"Thanks, Sis." A.J. swiped a sandwich and swaggered out of the room.

"More soda, Tim?" Laurie offered, then was startled by the boy's suddenly cold expression.

"No. I really should go back to Phoenix, help Chief Ron find my mom."

Rick glanced with surprise at Tim, then firmly told him, "You've helped all you could for the day, the Chief will call here if he needs any more information."

Anger seemed to flare in the boy's eyes, then a fake-looking smile played on his face.

"Sure, Mr. Simon. Well, can you show me where I'm to sleep?" he yawned.

Rick mentally shook his head. What was up with this kid?

"This way, son." Rick got up from the table, then led Tim to the guest bedroom.

"Do you have the bag of clothes, the Chief gave you?" he asked, then the boy seemed to think better of his manners.

"Yes, Mr. Simon. Thank the Chief for the stuff when you talk to him." Tim held out his hand, and Rick shook it. Abruptly Tim turned and went into the room, closing the door behind him.

Lost in thought, Rick came into the living room, then realized his wife had set out some hot coffee and cookies next to his chair. Smiling at the aroma, he came around to sit down and found his seat already occupied by Laurie, a Cheshire grin on her face.

"Well, look what Santa left for me, an early Christmas present." He snickered, then scooped her up and settled her in his lap.

"Well, you've been such a help to Santa today, I thought you deserved a special treat." Laurie giggled, then fed him a warm cookie.

While they were relaxing, A.J. and Linda came out of the office. "Hmmm, I thought I smelled Christmas cookies." Linda smiled, then A.J. quirked an eyebrow at his brother.

"That kid has a problem, Rick."

Rick felt like he had to defend Tim. "I know his manners are a little rough, but I figure he's been through a rough patch. He'll be okay. Ron's got an APB out on his folks, they're bound to show up sooner or later."

"Well, I hope you're right." A.J. replied, then realized how late it was. "Oh boy, Mom'll be nodding over her cards if we don't make tracks. She has a bridge game tomorrow."

"Well, you get a move on, I'll see you at the park tomorrow for set up, around ten?" Rick reminded him, then smiled as Laurie added, "Don't forget, Sis, I've got some tokens for the rides already."

"I won't, thanks, Laurie." Linda and A.J embraced their sister-in-law then Rick as they left.

As he closed the door behind them, Rick gave a sigh, then felt a kiss on his neck.

"Laurie…" he murmured, turning and catching his wife up in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too, Rick. Don't worry, I think Tim will settle down, we just need to be patient." Laurie told him, then laughed as he carried her back to his chair, then settled the two of them down.

"Right now, I'm impatient for some more cookies, and you ." he whispered, biting into a chocolate chip cooking then taking her lips in his.

"Mmmm, you can have me anytime you want..cookie boy." Laurie replied, kissing Rick back.

"Uh, Mr. Simon?"

Startled, Rick and Laurie both turned, and saw Tim Michaels standing behind them, clad in a wrinkled nightshirt.

"Tim, are you okay?" Rick tried not to let on his annoyance at being interrupted.

"Yeah, only I couldn't sleep, too much noise." The kid said. Laurie got off Rick's lap self-consciously, not missing the smirk on Tim's face. Rick stood up, then offered, "Do you think you can sleep now, how about a drink of water?"

"No, I'm all right. Thanks. Night." Tim turned to Rick and gave him a grateful smile, then went into the guest room.

"I'm sorry, darlin', let me put the cookies away and then you and I can go to our room." Rick said, not liking how their "guest" was acting.

It was Laurie's turn to sigh. "Yes, Rick. I think we all need a good night's sleep." She replied, then caught the unhappy look in his face.

"Last one in bed gets coal." Laurie teased, then ran into their room. Rick grinned then wasted no time in running after her.

Minutes after their door closed, a figure crept out of the guest room, then went into the kitchen. There was silence for a while, then a quiet voice was heard.

"Hey, I'm here, what next?"