Laurie…it was stark fear….she was in danger! Immediately he brought his transmitter to his lips, and hit the send button. "A.J…..isn't Laurie with Oscar and Rudy?"

"No, Rick. …..They can't find her, she's missing!" the worry in his brother's voice told him his instincts were right. It was Laurie he felt, and instantly he "called" back to her.

"Sweetheart, I'm here. Where are you?"

A wave of terror struck him, and he felt rather then heard the words "Fogel….grabbed me".

"Hold your fire!" Rick barked, startling the others. As his son turned, puzzled, Rick mouthed "He's got your mother!"

At once a voice shouted; "Stand back, or the lady gets it!"

"Okay, we're holding our fire," Robbie returned, an anxious look on his face.

There was a pause, then the terrified face of Laurie came into view, as she was dragged out from behind the van. Her wrists were bound, and she struggled as Mitch Fogel positioned her so that any shots fired would strike her down immediately.

"Well, I think we have a stand off." He chuckled, waving his handgun. His voice hardened suddenly. "I want my son now, or I start killing people, beginning with her."

"Laurie, don't move, darlin'" Rick tried to reach her, pierce the shock and panic he felt from her. At once he heard a easing of her terror, then he heard and felt, so clearly, "I love you."

"I love you, too. " He managed, then saw a flash of anger in his wife's eyes as the murderous thief raised his weapon. "You don't believe me, well, I got too many guns in my face, let me take the sheriff out." He laughed as he cocked the hammer.

Suddenly Rick saw Laurie stiffen, then use her bound hands as a weapon, smashing them against her captor's hand and knocking his shot awry. Snarling, Fogel fought with her, then threw his wife to the ground. As he whirled around with his gun drawn, Steve Austin came out of nowhere, dropping as if from the ceiling down on him, and causing his gun to go flying. Before Fogel could get up, Robbie, A.J. and Rick aimed their weapons at him.

"Freeze, now!" Robbie barked.

Dazed, Fogel was swarmed by Andy and Rob, as Rick rushed towards his wife. "Laurie!" he yelled, then was relieved to see her trying to sit up.

"No, no, sweetheart, don't move." He scooped his wife up in his arms, then carried her over to Robbie's cruiser and sat down in the open back with her. He felt her shaking as he untied her wrists. To his astonishment her face was taut with shock and anger. "Is Robbie all right? He was going to kill him, like he tried to kill you before!"

She caught her breath as Steve came over. "Robbie's all right, honey. You were so brave…..did he hurt you?"

She shook her head, "No, thanks to you..but, I feel so stupid. I had to go to the bathroom, and when I walked in, he threw a blanket or something over me and pulled me through a door. I tried to fight him off, but he threatened he'd kill both Dad and Rudy if I made a sound. I couldn't breathe, then …I heard Rick…" she turned back to her husband. "Darling... I was so frightened that he'd kill you all…."

Letting go a deep breath, he cuddled her against his chest. "No, sweetheart. You stopped him, my Valkrie." He told her, stroking her hair until she calmed down. She raised her face to his, then gave him a kiss, murmuring, "I don't want anything to happen to my warrior."

"Mama, are you alright?" Robbie came over to them, his face relieved.

"Yes, Robbie, I'm okay….." Laurie smiled at her son, then reached out and hugged him, as Rick tousled his hair. "Good shooting, son. I'm proud of you."

"I love you both, thank God….." Robbie's voice cracked as he returned the hug, then embraced Steve. "Thanks, Uncle Steve, you're always here when we need you!"

"You're welcome, Robbie. But your mother's the one who let me know there was danger…." He explained, then accepted the other men's thanks.

As Robbie helped his father and mother up, Rick told him. "Son, I want to take your mother home, can you follow us to take her statement at the house?"

"No, no, Rick. I'm okay, let me give my information, then you can take me home. Please…" Laurie placed her head against his shoulder and smiled up at him.

Unable to resist, he nodded. "All right, Laurie…..Son, let's do it, then we'll go home so I can pamper my princess." At that she leaned up and gave him a kiss.

"Sure, Pop. I'll make sure Fogel is locked up, then I'll meet you in the conference room." Robbie smiled as Rick helped Laurie into his truck, then opened his radio. "Silver Rock 1 here, come in Uncle Oscar."

"Robbie, what happened? Is your mother all right?" the older man's voice was frantic.

"Yes, Uncle Oscar. Mom's safe, and thanks to her and Uncle Steve, they stopped Fogel from shooting us. Pop's taking her to the station then home, you and Uncle Rudy and Uncle A.J. can meet them there in a few minutes." Robbie laughed as Oscar responded in a relieved tone. "We'll be there, son. This I have to hear about!"

It was more then a few minutes by the time everyone arrived at the ranch, but with Robbie's description of "Uncle Steve dropping in", bringing much needed laughter, Rick was grateful for being able to wind down a bit. With Rudy's help, he was able to persuade Laurie to rest while Cecilia and Ramona and Linda put lunch together.

Getting the grandchildren to help decorate their Christmas Tree was a big help, with a week left to go until the holiday Rick got a charge out of reminding both Robin and Robbie's children where each ornament came from.

Of course he had to taste test the sandwiches and salads his mother was putting out, so he soon found himself banished to his easy chair with Lala and David ensconced in his lap.

"See what happens when you get underfoot, love?" Laurie giggled, relaxing in her own rocking chair, with Rex and a sleepy Melly in her lap.

"Grandma, Grandpa wasn't under Mama's feet, he was spoiling his lunch!" Lala corrected her, and immediately broke them all up.

"That's right, honey. But it's okay to spoil your lunch once in a while." Laurie assured her, glancing at her husband with amusement.

"I refuse to admit to "spoiling my appetite", darlin', I just wanted to make sure it would taste good!" he smirked, then tried not to laugh as Cecilia stuck her head out of the kitchen.

"Son, everything but lima beans taste good to you." She remarked, getting a good-natured groan from Rick. "Mom, don't forget the trick he used to play with broccoli!" A.J. turned from messing with the fireplace.

"Now, A.J., I don't need you telling the kids that, I want them to try everything once, then they can hate it!" he snickered.

As their "extended" family gathered in the dining room half an hour later, Robbie gazed at all the faces that had worked so hard to keep their family safe, and vice versa. With the addition of Steve and Jaime, everyone he loved was now present.

"Your turn to say the blessing, Robbie." Laurie told him as the plates of hoagies and open-faced sandwiches were handed around. Instantly Robbie took one of her hands as Rick took the other in his and said, "Thank you, God, for bringing us home safe and sound, and for the wonderful family we have here. Please watch over us and thank you for all the miracles of today. And," he stopped and wiped his eyes with a napkin Laurie handed him, "Thank you for my parents being safe. Amen."

Rick bowed his head so his emotions wouldn't overflow and added silently, "and Thank You for protecting our son." As he lifted his head he smiled, his fingers entwined in his wife's. Christmas was going to be rather anti-climatic this year, they'd already been given several presents early, the best being the safety of his family.

As if to echo his thoughts, Laurie squeezed his hand. "Merry Christmas, darling."

He put his arm around her, not noticing several pairs of eyes from the younger Simons on them.

"Merry Christmas, my elf." he whispered.

"Uh, Pop, look up."

Automatically Rick did so, and found Robbie grinning and holding a piece of mistletoe over their heads.

"Well, can't break tradition." Rick winked at his son, then surprised his wife with a kiss.

As they saw them kissing, Steve and Jaime exchanged grins, then Steve said, "If that's tradition, I'm ready to carry it on!" As their lips met, Rick laughed. "Welcome to the family!"

Fin