At 11:00 when Jaime dismissed the children for their lunch break Steve followed her to the kitchen.

“Is everything alright Steve?” She wanted to know

“Yea everything is fine, why?”

“Well I just wondered why you were hanging around here?”

“I don’t know.” He told her, “Just bored I guess. Maybe I should ask Oscar for an assignment. Maybe that would cure the ho hums “ Jaime looked up and saw Oscar in the door way.

“Uh oh you just might get your wish.” She pointed to the door where Oscar stood with a grim look on his face.

“I thought I would find you here. “I’m glad to here you would welcome an assignment.”

Steve looked toward Oscar. “What’s up?

“I have an assignment for you.” Oscar related.

“But you don’t usually look so glum when you’re ready to send me away.” Steve pointed out.

“This is serious. I need all of you on this one.” He said.

“Why do you use the term all of us” Steve eyed him with suspicion “Shouldn’t you say ‘I need both of you’ on this mission.” He pointed to himself and Jaime.

Slowly Oscar shook his head “No I need all of you as in all three of you.”

“Oscar you better be careful. Or that dream you had is libel to come true. For god sake Marc just got out of the hospital. You heard what Rudy said about his needing to be careful for the next few weeks, he said weeks not hours. Oscar how could you even consider it.”

“I don’t need a lecture from you!! I feel horrible enough about it as is!! I don’t want to send Marc any more than you do!! But I have no choice. Do you hear me? I have no choice!!” Oscar thundered. And besides, Marc’s role is minimal at most.” Oscar was calmer now.

Matt, Marc and Joey came running into the kitchen to see what all the yelling was about, they had never heard their father so angry before.

“Minnie Russell, Russ’ wife is on her way in, she’ll stay here with Joey and Matt I need the two of you and Marc to come with me.”

“Did you tell Rudy you want to use Marc on an assignment only two hours after he was released from the hospital? Oscar he just had major surgery Monday. I don’t think Rudy would approve, do you.”

“I don’t need to tell Rudy everything. And Marc is my son. I decide what’s best for him. Look if I didn’t truly need him, I wouldn’t even consider it.”

“What’s going on dad?” Marc asked.

“I need you to come with me son.” Oscar tried to sound cheerful.

“You need me to do something with Steve and Jaime?” Marc questioned, “Is that right dad?”

‘Yea Marc, is that ok with you?” Oscar asked.

‘Sounds fine to me, what’s the plan.” Marc asked.

“Well the three of you need to come with me, and I’ll tell you.”

“Ok” Marc said grabbing his coat from the hall closet. “Let’s go.”

“I wish you two shared his enthusiasm.” Oscar said as they went out to the car.

When they arrived at OSI headquarters they all started up for Oscar’s office.

Steve stopped “I’ll be right with you, I need to use the little boys room. I’ll see you down in your office Oscar” Steve headed in the direction of the restrooms.

“Just hurry ok?” Oscar called after him.

Steve gave a slight wave of his hand and disappeared down the corridor. When he was sure no one was looking, he went in the direction of Rudy’s office. Rudy was sitting at his desk when Steve walked in.

“Steve you look upset, what’s wrong.” Rudy asked

“Do you know that Oscar is planning on sending Marc out on a mission?”

“No he’s not. Come on Steve you must be mistaken. The boy had surgery only Monday.”

“Well He has Jaime and Marc down in his office right now telling them what they are supposed to do. I am supposed to go to. I made up an excuse to come and get you.”

“I’ll be down there in five minutes.” Rudy stood up to finish what he was working on. “You go on down, don’t tell them you came to me.”

“Ok Rudy, just hurry. I don’t know how long he’ll keep us here before we leave.”

“I’m on my way.” Rudy assured him

“Steve, glad you could join us.” Oscar looked up from the file that lay on his desk. Jaime and Marc were bent over it as well.

“Sorry it took longer than I thought.” Steve sounded nervous. ‘Come on Rudy, hurry.’

Rudy stepped into Oscar’s office. “Oscar can I see you a minute. It’s about Marc…”

He saw Marc standing in front of Oscar’s desk “Oh hi Marc, I didn’t know you were here. Hi Jaime, hi Steve.

“Anyway Oscar I needed to talk to you about Marc. I need to run some more tests on him. I thought I would test his eye today rather than on Monday. I want to make sure it is functioning the way it is supposed to. Since you’re here Marc, why don’t you come with me. Ok?”

“I can’t “ Marc argued, “Dad has an assignment for me. Right dad?” Marc turned to Oscar.

“That’s right. You can wait till Monday to test his eye, I need him on this one.” Oscar stated

“You’re not serious are you Oscar, I only let him out of the hospital today. In fact if you hadn’t said how lonely it was at home, I would have kept him over the weekend. You told me you would have him take it easy. I don’t think this is taking it easy do you?”

“Look Rudy really it’s not that big a deal Marc’s role is minimal at best. I only need him to finish the picture so to speak.

Rudy calmed a bit. “What do you mean, ‘finish the picture’? I really don’t want Marc running around. If he has to use his bionics it could mean trouble.”

“Rudy I wish I didn’t have to use him. But he’ll be fine with Steve and Jaime along.” Oscar told him.

“So you’re not going to take my advice?” Rudy protested. “You’re going to send him anyway.”

“I don’t have a choice Rudy.” Oscar said.

“What do you mean you don’t have a choice? The decision is yours.” Rudy scolded. “I just don’t understand why you would even consider sending a child who only three days ago had a near life threatening injury, on a dangerous mission. Could you please explain that one to me?”

“Rudy he’s going to be with Jaime and Steve. He hardly has to do anything. The assignment calls for a couple with a young boy. Marc is more or less a prop. But he is needed nonetheless.” Oscar went on. “If you would just listen to what the mission entails I don’t think you will be to upset.”

“He’s right Steve, Rudy If you would just listen to what the assignment is all about. Really all Marc has to do is sit back and look cute.” Jaime told them

Marc interrupted “It’s ok guys, I want to go.” he announced. “I’ll be fine, I want to help my dad out.”

“Marc it could be dangerous.” Steve explained.

“I’ll be fine. You and Jaime will be with me.” Marc pointed out. “I think we can do it.”

“The assignment is very simple. I want you to pose as foster parents. By the way you two are married. You’re Mr. and Mrs. Kenwood. You can reside in your own home…”

“Oscar, since when is the OSI interested in the DCFS?” Steve was perplexed.

“Since they kidnapped the infant son of one of our agents.” Oscar informed him. “They claim the child was abused. After what I went through with the kids, I tend to believe my own people.”

Oscar continued. “Only this time I can’t tell the FBI where to look. The only reason I want Marc on this assignment is it may look better if you have your own child.”

Oscar handed them a folder. These are your identities. Your marriage license your son’s birth certificate, his name is Brian by the way. And you’re David and Gina Kenwood.”

Rudy left figuring that the assignment wouldn’t be to hard on Marc.

Oscar continued. “Here is what I want you to do. You need to go to the DCFS and tell them you would like to be foster parents. With your house you should have no trouble qualifying.

They will see if you qualify. Once you are inside the building we need you to look up a certain file.” He handed them the name of the agent with the missing child.

“Find out where his foster home is then let us know. We will take it from there. It couldn’t be any easier.”

“Oscar why can’t we just do that the first time we go, why do we have to have them come to our house?” Jaime wanted to know. “It really needs to be cleaned up.”

“There are two sets of forms you have to fill out. One saying you want to be a foster parent, and the second is the paperwork to become one that comes after they do the home evaluation.”

“I see.” Jaime indicated

“The final stage takes quite some time. I thought that while the two of you are filling it out, Marc could sneak away and look through the files.”

“As long as I have the name with me I can.” Marc said.

“Why is that Marc?” Oscar wanted to know.

“I can’t read yet, but I can match the names.”

“You can to read.” Jaime corrected.

“I can read some things” Marc finished, “But some things I have trouble like with other peoples names.”

“I’ll make sure you have what you need Marc.” Oscar assured him.

“Oscar have you given any thought to the possibility that maybe this child was abused?” Jaime asked

“Like I said Jaime, They tried this with me remember? That woman went as far as to break into my house and just grab the kids. Thank goodness she mentioned they were stopping by her office. I was able to inform the FBI where to pick her up.”

“Yea you’re right.” Jaime agreed. I just don’t want to use our house. Why can’t we use another house? I mean if we are approved they may want us to actually take children in.”

“Ok you can use the house the OSI owns on Ninth Street. That will also qualify you.”

“Ok, we’ll get started right away.” She turned to Steve, “Ok Mr. Kenwood, let’s take Brian and go home.”

“Yes dear.” Steve smiled and followed her out of the directors office.”

They almost missed Rudy. He was just coming down the hall toward Oscar’s office. “Just the people I wanted to see. Before you leave, come down to my office.”

“We were just leaving, so we will come right now.” Steve said.

“Do you think Marc is up to this?” Rudy asked as they walked down the hall.

“I think he can handle it.” Jaime assured him. “As long as he is with us, he’ll do fine.” Jaime continued.

“Come on in I think I have an idea. Just sit down. I’m going to fix it so that you signatures are altered. If they try to match it to Col. Austin, and Jaime Sommers they will have a very hard time.”

Steve and Jaime looked at Rudy as if he were nuts.

“Come on you two. If they match it up to you might get into trouble, you can’t lie on those forms. Steve if they match your signature to the one you’re going to use. You could be in trouble.”

“That’s really a clever idea. I understand what you are saying. If I sign the legal papers David Kenwood and they match the signature to me. I could be prosecuted for falsifying a document.” Steve stated.

“Well it’s not actually my idea, it’s Danny’s.” Rudy blushed.

“Well it doesn’t matter lets just get it done. So we can get this underway.” Jaime added.

Rudy implanted a small devise in the right arms of both Jaime and Steve. Rudy tested it before the left. Their signatures were altered. They didn’t even look remotely the same.”

“I’ll remove them when the assignment is finished.

At 3:00 pm ‘David and Gina Kenwood’ along with their son Brian moved into the house on Ninth Street.

They went straight down town to the DCFS headquarters to apply to become foster parents.

They were assigned a caseworker Maggie Jones, who helped them fill out the paperwork.

“How old of a child do you prefer.” She asked

Steve and Jaime looked at one another. “Well I guess who ever needs the most help.” Jaime indicated.

”Very well, I’ll visit your home tomorrow and see if it is suitable for a foster child. Then if you are approved. You can come in on Friday and sign the rest of the forms.”

“Ok that sounds great.” Steve stood up and they left the caseworkers cubicle.

“I’ll be there at 10:00 am” She stood to show them out.

“Thanks “ Jaime said taking Marc’s hand “We’ll see you then.”

They stopped by Oscar’s on the way home so that Marc and Matt could see each other for a while

“She said she would be at our place at around 10:00,” Steve told Oscar as they sat in the dining room.

Since the kids were occupied else where Oscar was trying to wrap Christmas presents for the younger kids. He was having a pretty rough time to. The tape kept sticking to him.

“Here” Jaime walked over to him. “Let me do that for you.”

“Thanks” Oscar handed her the roll of tape and sat down next to Steve. “I’m all thumbs when it comes to something like that.”

“Maybe you better talk to Rudy and see if he can help.” Steve laughed.

“She said she would be there around 10:00?” Danny asked. “Well you better count on them being there at 9:00” Danny warned.

“What are you talking about, she said 10:00’ Jaime argued.

“It’s a game they play. They come an hour earlier than the say, that way they can catch you off guard.” Danny explained.

“I get it. We better go home and get that house spic and span. “We’ll stop and by and pick up the paint we were talking about for that extra room. We’ll have it all set up.” Jaime grabbed Steve’s arm “Well David, let’s go. Come on Brian.” She called to Marc.

Steve turned to Oscar. “It is ok if we paint one of the rooms isn’t it?”

“Sure, I bet some of them need a good paint job.”

Marc and Matt were in their room playing checkers. Steve and Jaime walked upstairs to get Marc.

“Come ‘Brian’ we need to get home.” Jaime said.

Marc and Matt looked at each other and giggled. “I’m coming mother,” Marc continued to laugh.

Jaime and Steve were up most of the getting the spare room prepared for inspection.

Thursday December 18, 1975

Since it was a school day, Steve drove Marc over to Oscar’s house so he could see Matt and Russ’ wife could baby-sit

When Steve arrived back ‘home’ at 8:50 the social worker pulled in right behind him. He showed her into the house and they all sat at the kitchen table.

“This won’t take long” the social worked informed them “Before I begin the inspection, I need to ask, where does your son go to school?”

“My wife is a teacher, we home school him. I don’t like public education. My son is well beyond any child his age.”

“I see, now if we give you a foster child, will he/she be home schooled as well.”

“We feel it is best, however we are willing to do what ever your agency feels is best.” Steve lied.

“Where is he now?” She asked looking around the room

“He’s staying with a friend we thought it would be better if he were not present at this interview. We really weren’t sure what to do. Is it ok if we bring him when and if we come to sign the papers?”

“That would be just fine, we love to have children in the office. May I see the room the child will have should we approve you and place a child with you.”

“Of course, right this way.” Jaime led the way upstairs Steve followed behind. “We do have a crib if the need should arise.” Jaime continued as she opened the door. “This is the only room we have ready so far. We have plenty of rooms that could be ready just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

“What a wonderful room.” She beamed.

“We did it ourselves.” Steve pointed out.

“Very nicely done” She proclaimed. “I’ve seen all I need to see. I feel you will have no trouble being approved. Why don’t you plan on stopping by tomorrow around 10:00 and we will finish the paperwork. And feel free to bring Brian with you.”

“Wonderful!” Jaime exclaimed feigning jubilation. With that the social worker turned and left the house. Once she was gone Steve turned to Jaime

“Well let’s go tell Oscar we were approved.” Steve grabbed his coat. Jaime followed him to the car and they drove the few blocks to the OSI building.

Oscar was sitting in his office. “I thought you two were expecting the social worker at this time, what are you doing here.” Oscar barked.

“Danny was right, she was there at a little before 9:00, in fact she was just getting there as I got home from dropping Marc off at your house.

“Really, what did she say?” Oscar spoke softer now.

“We are approved, we sign the official papers tomorrow.” Steve told him

“That’s wonderful.” Oscar rubbed his hands together. “I just hope Marc can find the file we need. All we need is an address and we can retrieve the Johnston’s child. Oscar was saying.

“Ok we’ll do the best we can.” Steve said.

“Why don’t you guys plan on dinner at the house. Matt really misses his brother. That way they can spend some time together. I’d just have Marc stay at home, but they might be watching you, you never know.”

“Ok we’ll do that.” Steve agreed.

<

That night they drove out to Oscar’s, the twins had spent most of the day together. Steve was feeling more and more that Oscar wasn’t such a bad guy after all. He only hoped nothing would go wrong tomorrow. It would be so nice if Marc were able to get the file they needed and they got out of the DCFS headquarters with out a hitch.

They sat around the dinning room table talking while the children played. “My biggest fear” Steve spoke “Is that that Gretchen Winters will recognize Marc. Steve sounded concerned.

“You don’t have to worry pal. Gretchen Winters is in prison for kidnapping my kids. Remember? Don’t worry.”

“Ok then I won’t. Worry about her that is. I just get this feeling that it’s not going to be as cut and dry as we think it might be. I can’t shake this feeling that something is going to go wrong.”

“Come on Steve what could go wrong? You’re in, all you and Jaime have to do is fill out the forms and Marc has to get the file. Its 'cut and dry' don’t worry.” Oscar tried to calm everyone’s nerves.

“Oscar how many times do I need to tell you, nothing in any of your assignments is ever 'cut and dry' so I will worry.” Steve sounded annoyed.

“Well so far it’s gone without any problems. You guys were approved as foster parents. Everything seems to be running right on track. You go in tomorrow to fill out the final paper work.” Oscar explained

And as far as Marc is concerned, I mean as for him being on an assignment. He has spent more time here than with you guys.”

Well I guess you’re right but you know me. I love to worry.” Steve continued.

‘There is nothing to worry about, tomorrow you go to DCFS and Marc removes the file. That’s all there is to it.” Oscar explained.

“I sure hope so. Now that my fear of Gretchen Winters is out my biggest fear is that Marc will get caught. How do we explain why he’s going through the files?" Steve wondered

“He won’t get caught Steve, first of all. And this is the main reason I wanted Marc on this assignment. No one would suspect a seven year old. I don’t even think they will pay any attention to him.” Oscar tried to reassure Steve.

Well I just hope you are right. I still don’t like it.” Steve stood to leave “I guess we better get going, we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.” He turned to Jaime “Well come on ‘family,’ we better get for home” Steve called out.

Marc and Matt came running downstairs. “I’ll see you tomorrow Matt.” Marc called to his brother.

“Yea, s see you t tomorrow ‘B Brian’” Matt giggled “I w wish I c could come t too.” Matt said as they left.

Steve Jaime and Marc left Oscar’s house and headed back to the house on Ninth Street and let themselves in.

“We better go to bed early” Steve suggested. “We have a big day tomorrow.”

They all turned in

Friday December 19, 1975

They were up early the next morning. At breakfast Jaime filled Marc in on what they had talked about with the social worker the day before in case she asked any questions.

“We told her you were home schooled by me which isn’t a lie.” Jaime said. “So if she asks you where you go to school, be sure and tell her that.”

“Ok Jaime I just hope I can find the file I need to find.”

Marc wore a light jacket under his coat, one he could leave on. When he got the file he would be able to slip it inside the jacket.

“Ready to go son?” Steve asked “I got the car warming up so it should be nice and warm when we get in.”

“It was nice of you to think about warming this up.” Jaime said as they all got into the warm car. “The temperature is only about 7 above”

“Marc, are you nervous about the assignment or your role in it.” Steve asked glancing in the back seat where Marc sat. “Hey, get that seat belt on right now.” He demanded.

“Ok.” Marc fastened his seat belt. “No ‘dad’ I’m fine really. I’m not worried at all. I’ve been practicing.”

“Practicing? What do you mean practicing?” Steve wanted to know.

“When I was at home I sneaked into Danny’s room and took his homework, he didn’t even know I was there.”

“Well that sounds like a good practice run to me.” Jaime said.

“I thought it was ‘mom’. “ Matt started to giggle again.

“I wonder if he’s not a bit immature for the job?” Steve wondered aloud.

“He could be” Jaime stated. “When he talked about doing the practice run I was beginning to think the opposite but now I’m not so sure. But after all He is only seven.”

“Sometimes I think Oscar tends to forget that.” Steve complained.

“Me too.” Jaime agreed.

When they arrived at DCFS Steve and Jaime began the long process of paper work. Acting board Marc began to wander around.

“Brian, honey sit down,” Jaime warned

“That’s alright Mrs. Kenwood, Brian is fine. This takes a while, if he wants to wander around that’s fine. He can’t leave the room without you.”

“Well if you sure it’s ok?” Jaime said.

“It’s fine. Really.” The social worker assured. “This is a very boring procedure for children.”

Marc began to look around. He saw many different filing cabinets ‘I wonder which one I need to look in’ He thought to himself.

As he continued to wander around he noticed that each cabinet was labeled with a letter of the alphabet. He quickly went to the cabinet with ‘j’ on it. Actually there were two of them.

Marc thought quickly, He tried real hard to remember his letters The first letter of the last name was easy, but when it came to the rest of the letters he was a little lost.

Steve and Jaime were almost finished with the paperwork they were filling out. Steve was getting a little concerned as to why Marc hadn’t showed up yet. ‘I knew it I just knew it’ he thought to himself. ‘He’s either lost or they caught him. No if they would have caught him, they would have brought him to us.’

Marc finally figured out that he needed the second file cabinet, JO-JU He looked around, no one was paying any attention to him. He opened the middle drawer of the cabinet. He leafed threw all the folders finally he came to Ben Johnston. He plucked the file out. He gave another quick look again no one was looking. He unzipped his jacket and slipped the file in and zipped it back up again.

He walked over to where Steve and Jaime had just finished the final form. “We will contact you at your home number in a few days Mr. and Mrs. Kenwood. You may possibly have a foster child by Christmas. That is if you meant what you said and would take a hard to place child.”

“That would be fine.” Jaime lied. “Brian where did you disappear to?”

“Nowhere mom. This is a very interesting place.”

“Well we are finished. Are we forgetting anything?” Steve looked around where they were sitting.

“Hand me my coat, and we’ll have everything” Marc winked.

“That’s great, here you go son. Let’s go home ok.” Steve handed him his coat.

They got into the car “Give me the file Marc.” Jaime reached into the back seat.

Marc took off his coat, and unzipped his jacket. He handed Jaime the file. “I’ll run it into Oscar then Steve can drop us off at your house. We can get started on your schoolwork then.”

“I was hoping you would forget about that.” Marc sighed.

“Oh I never forget about children and schoolwork.” She teased him.

They arrived at the OSI building at 11:20. It had taken over an hour to fill out the useless paperwork, but if they got Ben Johnston’s baby back it would be worth it.

“You two wait here. I’ll run these up to Oscar’s office.” She left Steve and Marc in the car. “You didn’t have any trouble Marc?” Steve asked.

“None at all. I kind of liked it.” Marc replied

“Good, no one saw you remove the file?” Steve wondered

“No one paid any attention to me.”

“That’s good.” Steve whispered.

Jaime handed Oscar the file revealing where DCFS had placed Ben Johnston’s infant son.

Oscar took it from her. He began to look through the file. He held it open and dialed the number of the FBI

He gave them the whereabouts as to where they could pick up the baby.

“Thanks Jaime, tell Steve and Marc thank you as well. The bureau will handle it from here.”

“Ok where is Matt?” Jaime asked as he headed for the door.

“He’s down in Rudy’s office. Rudy is busy. He says he is just about finished with Danny’s present. I tell you I’ll be glad when he is done. Anyway he gave Linda the morning so she could watch him for me. Why?

“Well Marc is waiting in the car and I thought if neither one had anything better to do. We would get in a little book learning since it’s still early.”

“Good idea. Joey is here for that Christmas party. I have to go down in just a bit. I guess the kids are going to sing for us.” Oscar was smiling. “Joey is a pretty good singer. The kids have been working with him since Thanksgiving to teach him all the classic Christmas songs.”

“Oh that is so sweet.” Jaime commented.

“Would you tell Steve to please drive back into town to pick him up. I can’t believe it is the last shopping weekend before Christmas. I still have to get one more thing for Rudy. I bought him that pen and pencil set he wanted, but I want to get him something else. He has really come through for this family in the past few months. I just don’t know what to get him. Can you suggest something?”

“I don’t know he is hard to buy for. Steve and I were going to get him one of those new things, I think they call them a VCR but he went out and bought one for himself.” Jaime sounded disappointed.

“Yea I know that was my idea too. I guess he only needs one.” Oscar related. Well I’ll think of something. You better get going if Marc and Steve are in the car.”

“Yea, I’ll see you later.” Jaime started to leave as Rudy was coming in. “Hi Jaime did you locate the Johnston’s baby. You know, I delivered that baby. The Johnston’s would never hurt him.”

“The bureau is on their way Rudy. The Johnston’s should have him back in a matter of hours.” Oscar told him.

“That’s great, I’ll see you later Jaime.” He turned to Oscar. “Where’s the fire?”

“Steve and Marc are waiting for her in the car. She is picking up Matt and taking him home. She thought since it’s early, they could get some schoolwork done.”

“Sounds like a winner. I finished Danny’s present. It works great. Do you know where I could find a big box? Actually I’ll probably need two.” Rudy asked

“I don’t know did you try shipping?” Oscar suggested.

“No but I will, you said Jaime is picking up Matt?” Rudy wanted to know.

“Probably has by now. What are you making my son for Christmas?” Oscar demanded.

“Aw, I said, that’s top secret. Trust me he’ll love it.” Rudy left the room and went down to shipping.

Oscar glanced down at his watch. ‘Time to get downstairs’ he thought. As he got up from his desk, the phone started to ring. ‘Let it ring’ He left his office. “Callahan I’ll be downstairs. But that’s classified information, if anyone asks, I stepped out and you don’t know where I am.

Callahan smiled “Yes Mr. Goldman.”

The concert was wonderful. Joey got to sing the first verse of jingle bells as a solo.

“Steve arrived right on time to escort Joey back to the house. He met Oscar on the main level of the OSI building. The party had just gotten over.

“I’m going to try and be early tonight. I hope to leave here in about an hour or so. I have to see if I had any calls while I was down here. If not, I have one last thing to pick up. I’ll see you at the house.”

“That’s fine Oscar” Steve took Joey by the hand and led him down the hall.

At 3:00 Russ picked Danny up in front of his school. “Rudy said if you wanted to go on home that was fine, but if you wanted to come to work, that would be great.” Russ informed Dan as he tossed his books into the back seat. “Your dad left early to finish up some Christmas shopping, so Rudy or I will give you a ride home if you choose to stay.”

‘I’m in the middle of something, I would like to stay if it’s not to much trouble.” Danny wondered.

‘No, no trouble at all” Russ assured, him.

When Danny got to the lab he knocked on the door as he had done for the past couple of weeks, Rudy had told him he was working on a level seven project, and since Dan, Matt and Marc were only a level six Danny had to knock. Rudy told him that would give him time to put things away.

“Come on in Danny” Rudy called “I’m glad you decided to come in today. I have some things I need you to do. If that’s ok.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Danny told him.

“You don’t need to knock anymore. I’m done with the level seven project.” Rudy informed him.

“I’m glad of that.” Danny sighed.

“Anyway first half hour…”

“I know homework.” Danny sighed again.

Danny sat down at his desk and began his trigonometry homework.

“What are you working on Dan?” Rudy asked after seeing the pile of books in front of his young new assistant.

“Advanced trig” Dan answered.

“Aw my favorite subject. Let me know if I can help. He ruffled the twelve-year olds hair. Danny gave him a sharp look. “I’m sorry, I forget. You don’t need help, right?

“Right.” Danny was already absorbed in what he was doing.

‘Like father like son’ Rudy thought. ‘Oscar is the exact same way.’

At 4:30 Russ came through the door. “Rudy is Danny ready to go. I need to get home.”

“Don’t worry Russ I’ll give him a ride.” Rudy assured him.

“Great. See you Monday then.” Russ turned to leave.

“Yea, see you Monday.” Rudy called after him.

Danny sat bent over Rudy’s computer. Rudy had given him more data to program. “You don’t know how much this helps me Dan.” Rudy told. Him

“Glad I can help. I love this kind of work. They want to get computers for us at school, but they are so big, we really don’t have the space for them. We have one terminal and that’s it.” Danny explained.

“You really like computer huh?” Rudy asked.

“I sure do. I bet someday just about everybody will have one. Maybe 25-30 years from now.”

“Have what Dan?” Rudy asked

“A computer.” Danny told him.

“Well we will see they are pretty expensive I doubt the general public will be able to afford one. But I’m sure many business’ will have them.” He grabbed his coat. “Are you finished?”

“Yea, just about.” He punched a few more keys. “There, done.”

“And that’s the last of it till after the first of the year.” Rudy informed him.

Danny breathed a sigh of relief.

They walked out to the car. “How is school going by the way?” Rudy asked as the drove through the streets.

“It’s great. I love it. I just found out yesterday that when I graduate from the Richmond School. My diploma will actually say I graduated from Harvard.”

“That’s right Dan. The Richmond School is a sub division of Harvard.” Rudy told him.

“I wasn’t aware of that, that will be wonderful. A Harvard medical degree will come in handy when I start looking for a job.” Danny assumed

“Dan, you have a job already. I thought you were going to work here. I need someone with knowledge in bionics to take over for me. As soon as you graduate and complete everything you need. I’m retiring I can actually plan for it now. To be real honest, I didn’t know what was going to happen to Steve and Jaime and now Marc.”

“You want me to take over for you. Is that what you’re trying to say?” Danny looked at Rudy

“That’s the plan my man.” Rudy gave Danny’s knee a slight slap. “By the way, you haven’t had much trouble with your asthma for a while not since I believe it was right after Thanksgiving.”

“Yea well the nebulizer really helps. I use it every morning and again at night.” Danny said.

“That’s good, I’m glad to see we finally have it under control.”

“Me too.” Danny agreed.

They drove through the security gate that still surrounded the house. Oscar decided that for the protection of the children as well as their privacy it would be a good idea to keep it. He paid the security guard himself though.

“Dad’s home!” Danny cried as Rudy pulled into the drive.

Danny grabbed his books and headed through the garage that would lead him into the kitchen. Rudy followed him inside.

Danny felt a little dejected. “I wonder where everybody is. They are usually in the kitchen when I get home.”

They could hear laughter coming from the living room. Danny and Rudy headed that direction.

“Hi Rudy “ Marc called “Danny come see what dad got us”

“He g got us a p puppy!!” Matt cried. “He’s s so c cute you h have to c come see h him.” Matt continued.

“It’s a poodle, I got him from the same place I bought the first one.” Oscar whispered to Rudy. “So far there has been no sneezing. I think he’ll work out just fine. The kids want to call him Wiggles.”

“Sounds like a good name.” Rudy commented. “Just watch the twins for the next few days, make sure they don’t show any signs of being allergic.”

“I will.” Oscar told him.

“By the way, how did Marc do on the assignment today?” Rudy asked.

“He did quite well. I don’t think they could have done it without him. Marc said no one paid any attention to a seven-year-old boy hanging around the file cabinets. Which is exactly what I had hoped.”

“Well then maybe it was worth it. I just don’t like to see him off on assignments yet.” Rudy said.

I don't like to use him either, but sometimes my hands are tied. I have no choice. And Marc is on the payroll. Some in the top brass don't realize he's only seven.”

“Believe me Rudy I will never use Marc unless it is absolutely necessary. That is until he is at least 18.”

“By then Matt will probably have your job.” Steve teased.

“No” Jaime said. “I see Joey in that position.” Everybody laughed at the possibility.

"Imagine." Jaime continued. "Marc taking orders from his little brother."

They all laughed again.

“Anyway, how did everything turn out, I mean after I gave you the file did the bureau get the Johnston’s baby back to them?”

“I’m sorry I meant to tell you about that. Yes Ben and his wife have the child as we speak.” Oscar informed them. “They may need you two to testify later on. The social who removed the baby is going to go to jail for kidnapping.”

“That’s good, maybe she can have the cell next to Gretchen Winters.” Jaime interjected.

The bureau is going to investigate the agency. They think it is front for a kidnapping ring.” Oscar continued.

“Really?” Steve asked.

“They are sure of it. You guys helped break it.” Oscar told them.

“Wow that is interesting news.” Jaime added.

“I know. What they think happened is the director became corrupt She was offered big bucks to sell babies in a black market baby ring. We were lucky to find Ben's baby. I’m anxious to see how it turns out.” Oscar concluded.

“Not to change the subject, but how was the program Oscar, the one Joey was in?” Rudy asked. “I wanted to get down to it but I got way to busy.”

“It was great Joey got to sing the first verse of jingle bells as a solo.”

“How did he do?” Steve asked

“Wonderful of course.” Oscar beamed. “He had to try out for it you know?”

“No, I wasn’t aware of that.” Steve said.

“What’s for dinner?” Joey asked.

“I don’t know I do smell something cooking. Jaime. You didn’t make dinner again did you? You don’t need to do that.”

“I know, but I like to do it. I thought Steve and I would just stay if that were ok." She turned to Rudy there is plenty if you want to stay too.”

“I would love to. Is that all right with you Oscar?”

“My house is your house.” Oscar laughed.

Jaime had fixed everyone’s favorite, Chicken with mashed potatoes. They all enjoyed it. After dinner everyone decided they needed to retire to their own homes for the night.

“You three are spending Christmas with us?” Oscar said as they headed for the back door.

“Of course.” Steve and Jaime said together.

“Just waiting for the invitation.” Rudy sad “Steve I need your help tomorrow I have two boxes in my office. I need you to load them into my car for me.” He continued.

“Yea, sure no problem. What’s in them?” Steve was curious.

“Top Secret.” Rudy told him.

“Boy, I can’t wait for the Christmas season to be over, to many secrets.” Steve complained.

“Your worse than the twins." Rudy teased, "Will you still help me?” Rudy asked

“Of course I will, are you going to need help unloading them as well?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. I need to bring them here.” Rudy explained

“Ok I’ll just unload them for you here then.” Steve agreed.

...Continued