In the following weeks Kevin’s condition improved dramatically, both physically and psychologically. The amazing progress was mostly due to Steve’s mental support and a beautiful physiotherapist named Katherine Simms with whom Kevin was smitten. Driven by passion for the woman Kevin would exceed all expectations of a speedy recovery. Rudy was impressed by the outstanding results that surpassed Steve’s, Jaime’s and Barney’s following their respective transformation.

“Steve, can I ask you a question?” Kevin asked as he stepped onto the treadmill for his 60 mile-per-hour run under his coach’s watchful eye.

“Go ahead?”

“I assume all of this apparatus doesn’t come for free. What’s the price?”

“What makes you think there is one?” Steve said, feigning indifference.

“Come on, Steve! This must have cost a pretty penny to the government and you know as well as I do that they don’t invest that kind of dough without expecting to get their money’s worth in the short run.”

“I don’t know what they have in mind, if anything.”

“Steve, look at me. Look at me square in the eyes.” He waited for Steve to acknowledge his request before continuing, “You wouldn’t be lying to your little brother, now would you?”

“It’s likely they’ll impel you to join the group.”

“The group.” Kevin echoed with an eyebrow raised in puzzlement.

“The bionic agents.”

“Agents? As in secret agents going on perilous missions? Those kind of agents?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t think I want that. You can get killed. I nearly died once I wouldn’t want to tempt the devil a second time.”

“You may not have any choice, now that you are what you are.”

“What you’re saying is that I belong to them? I’m their property, is that it?” There was a noticeable bitterness in Kevin’s voice.

“Something like that,” Steve replied embarrassingly. He could feel the fear creeping over Kevin as it did for him the first time he was made aware of his new occupation.

“Well how…” his question was cut short by an untimely entrance.

“Well I see you’re already hard at work?” Kate enthused, greeting both men with a nod of the head.

“It’s my coach here,” Kevin motioned to Steve. “He’s merciless.”

“Good! The more he pushes you, the fewer days you’ll have to remain at the hospital.”

“Given the circumstances I wonder if I wouldn’t prefer staying in here.” Kevin’s off-handed comment caught Kate by surprise, who turned to Steve with a bemused expression. “What’s he talking about?”

“We were just discussing duty calls, speaking of which,” he glanced down at his watch as a diversion to elude the question, “I’m late at answering one.” He reached out to tap Kevin’s hand. “Keep up the spirits. We’ll try to find a way out.”

“I sure hope so. You’ll be back later?”

“You can count on it. Don’t strain yourself.”

“Don’t worry. Kate is not a torturer like you are,” Kevin teased with an elfish wink.

“Then I’ll have a talk with her,” Steve reciprocated on the same bantering tone.

“Steve, wait up!” Katherine hailed, then turned to Kevin to excuse herself before hurrying after the departing Steve.

“Steve, are you mad at me for something? Did I say or do anything to offend you?”

“No, absolutely not. Why would you think that, Kate?”

“It seems that whenever I enter a room you flee it like the plague.” Steve cracked an amused smile at her observation. “What’s so funny?”

“Haven’t you heard? Kevin has it bad for you. I don’t wish to be in the way.”

“Steve, haven’t you heard? I’m attracted to you, not Kevin,” Kate blurted out in spite of her better judgement to hold off professing her love for the dashing astronaut until they got better acquainted.

“You can’t mean that.” Steve was shocked by her confession.

“I most certainly can. I’ve been attracted to you since the first day we met.”

“Kevin likes you a whole lot, you know that don’t you?”

“Maybe, but I suspect it’s more of a patient-doctor infatuation.”

“That’s one good reason not to hurt him. He’s highly vulnerable right now, both physically and emotionally. I know. I was there once.”

“I won’t hurt him, but I won’t lead him on either.” Seeing how her admission embarrassed Steve, she didn’t insist. Instead she laid a friendly hand on his arm and smiled her understanding. “I won’t bother you anymore. I can see you’re not interested. I’m sorry. My friends always tell me I’m too outspoken. That’s the way I am.” She turned to walk back to the physiotherapy room when Steve hailed her back.

“Look, I’m sorry if I offended you in any way. That was not my attention. It’s just that you took me by surprise, that’s all.”

“I’m sorry Steve. I saw you leaving again and something inside me pushed me to run after you and tell you how I felt. You have that effect on me.”

Flattered by the compliment Steve cracked a light-hearted grin, one that was accompanied by a slight flush in the cheeks. “Don’t say anything to Kevin. It’ll be too devastating for him, especially now. He’s at a crucial period in his rehabilitation.”

“I won’t, but like I said I won’t kindle his feelings for me either.”

“Fair enough. I’ll see you later.”

“Later Steve.” She watched him walked down the corridor and exhaled the breath she’d been holding as he disappeared behind a corner. “Please God, let it be him. Please,” she beseeched, tears running down her cheeks. “I never felt so strongly about any man before. Tell me he’s the one. I wish to have the chance to find out.”

Steve sauntered down to his favourite place of meditation. Lost in his thoughts, he absently treaded the path leading to his good friend, the oak tree, under which he sat to withdraw with himself.

“Troubled, my friend?”

Steve looked up to see Rajin smiling at him. “Obvious, isn’t it?”

Rajin took a seat beside him on the cool grass and waited for Steve to unburden himself.

“I want to go back,” was Steve direct answer to Rajin’s inquisiting stare. “I should never have come here in the first place.”

“It is hard, isn’t it?”

Steve heaved out a long-drawn out sigh fraught with anguish and hopelessness. “I can’t seem to get it right anymore,” he lamented with dewy eyes. “I’m hurting everyone, including myself.”

“You are certain of that, are you?” Steve nodded and bowed his head. “You will not allow yourself to be happy. You believe you are intruding on people’s lives when on the contrary, you are helping them grow.” He placed a hand under Steve’s chin to tilt his head sideways. “Look at me.” Rajin waited for Steve’s to acknowledge his demand before continuing, “You like Katherine Simms, don’t you?”

Steve closed his eyes and gave a weak nod of the head. “And you are afraid to love her because of your brother’s infatuation for her, am I correct?”

“You already know that, don’t you?”

“True, but I want to hear it from you.”

“Yes I like her. I like her a lot. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better but…”

“Life works in mysterious ways. We are merely pawns in the giant chessboard of life. We do not have control over the moves we make; only our Superior Being has authority on each and everyone’s destiny. Katherine Simms was placed on both yours and Kevin’s path for a reason. To help him recover and to love you.”

“Was she? I mean is she the woman I’m destined to spend the rest of my life with?”

“You have to discover that on your own. If she is your soul mate then neither you nor the Kevin Finches of this world can hinder the path that was originally drawn for the both of you.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but will Kevin? He’s in love with her. If he sees that she’s interested in me he will lapse into a depression and let himself die, I know it. I can’t do that to him.”

“Trust Him,” he glanced skywards, “my friend. He will provide the answer for you.”

As the two friends exchanged warm smiles, a hysterical cry in the distance caught Steve’s attention. He frowned to establish focus on the figure running towards him. “Kate, what is it? What’s wrong?” He held her firmly by the shoulders to steady her balance.

“It’s Kevin. He’s gone,” she panted, trying to catch her breath.

“Gone? What do you mean gone?”

“Dr. Wells’s been looking all over for him.”

“What happened? Did you tell him about…”

“No, no,” she quickly interrupted, reading Steve’s thoughts before he could voice them. “I didn’t tell him about that. It was Spencer. He came in the physiotherapy room during his exercises and curtly explained about his duty as a new agent for the OSI. Kevin lashed out at him, saying he didn’t want to be bionic if it meant being ordered to kill people. He them took off and…” She paused to catch her breath.

“Did he say where he was going?”

“No, but Steve,” she clawed at his arms with a vice-like grip and with terror in her eyes she warned, “I fear he’s going to kill himself. You should have seen the look in his eyes when he dashed off. He was like a caged animal raring to break free. Steve, you have to find him.”

“Don’t worry, I will.” He unconsciously hugged her tight. His nose buried in her long brown hair, he found himself stealing a whiff of her intoxicating fragrance. Reluctantly he pulled back and holding her head with both hands, he dried her tears with his thumbs. “You go back to the hospital. I’ll bring him back. Don’t you worry. I’ll bring him back.”

“Thanks you Steve. I care for him you know.”

“I know you do.” For a brief moment time stood still as he felt himself drowning in the fetching brown pools gazing back at him. He wrapped her arm around her shoulder to turn her towards the path home. He glanced back to see that Rajin had vanished. ‘Is this His next move?’ he wondered to himself.

Steve decided to let his instincts dictate his actions. Like a lost rider trusting his faithful horse to lead him safely back home, Steve let his instincts guide him to Kevin. With the NSB team spreading their search one way, Steve was inexplicably drawn the opposite way. He found himself going down an unknown route with steep hills along the way. Then he stopped, driven by an urge to step out of the car to continue the journey on foot. There on top was Kevin teetering dangerously on the edge of a cliff.

“Kevin, you don’t want to do that,” Steve spoke calmly, though he had half of mind to grip the man and shake some sense into him. He inched towards the troubled soul dangerously contemplating the inviting abyss before him. “Kevin, take my hand. Please take my hand.”

“I can’t do this Steve. I won’t do what he’s asking,” Kevin cried without unfastening his eyes from the void.

“Who? Spencer? Kevin, don’t let him get to you. He’s a worthless piece of trash. I’ve dealt with him enough times to know.” He took one steady step forward, heedful not to startled the distraught man. “You jump, then he wins.”

“No he doesn’t. He’ll lose his precious investment.”

“Then he’ll wait for another poor soul to take your place. It’s never going to stop Kevin. You won’t hurt that spineless jellyfish by killing yourself. He’ll just say: too bad then go on with the business of the day. You’ll only hurt your friends and family.” Again Steve risked two baby steps forward. “Turn around and grabbed my hand,” he asked with his arm outstretched.

“It’s too late,” Kevin whimpered, shutting his eyes in utter despair as a powerful sense of hopeless overcame him. Steve lunged at him just as he swayed off the cliff. Startled by the arm that grabbed him, Kevin unconsciously gave it a good yank that sent Steve off balance.

“Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve!”

Kevin dove to his knees to search the ditch below for any sign of Steve. “Steve!” he cried out hysterically. “My God, what did I do?” He clawed at his head, squeezing his eyes shut to wish this nightmare away. “Please God, you were supposed to take me, not him.” Blinking open his eyes he noticed Steve’s inert body draped over a boulder a few feet down. “Hang on Steve, I’m coming.”

Kevin leapt to his feet and scrambled to find a way down the cliff. He had to resign to the fact that his only option was to jump down. He doubted his ability to make that leap, as he was still shaky on his legs. “I’ve got to do this,” he egged himself on, taking a deep cleansing breath to dispel any lingering fear that might disturb his concentration.

‘God I did it! I did it!” His inward jubilation was short-lived as he took in the bloody sight before him. He crawled over to Steve’s body, cringing at the blood trickling down his nose, mouth and ears. With trembling hands he groped Steve’s neck to feel a pulse. “Don’t you dare die on me now. You hear me?” he shouted angrily as his fingers failed to pick up the faintest beat. “Damn it! You hear me? Steve!” Finally a pulse. Kevin quickly removed his jacket and spread it on Steve’s body. He looked up at the edge of the cliff, wondering if he could repeat that leap up. “Somebody help! Help us!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, his cry occasionally broken by sobs. He glanced down at Steve and pressed his ear against his chest. “You keep breathing Steve. I’ll get us out of here.”

As he teetered to his feet, a voice from above startled him. “Are you okay down there?” the man shouted from above.

“I’m fine, but my brother is hurt bad. Please call an ambulance.”

“I will. You just stay with him. Keep him warm.”

“Hurry please,” he implored with a dread he never experienced before, making him realize just how desperately he needed this man in his life.

Rajin was at the hospital in split second. He knocked on Rudy’s office door and entered.

“May I help you?” Rudy asked, eyeing warily the imposing figure before him.

“There has been an accident over at Miller’s Bluff.”

“Miller’s Bluff,” Oscar reacted to the name that sounded his inner alarm.

“It’s Steve. He is hurt bad. If you do not hurry, I will not be the one to take him this time.”

“Rajin?” Oscar ventured. A single nod of the head confirmed his suspicion. “You want him back, don’t you?” Oscar asked on an accusatory tone.

“I never wanted him as you say. He was free to do as he pleased.”

“Excuse me gentlemen,” Rudy interrupted, “but could you postpone this argument till later until we find Steve?” He turned to Rajin. “Sir, could you bring us to him?”

“By all means I can.”

Both Oscar and Rudy followed the Master out of the hospital and hopped in an ambulance that sped to the scene of the accident.

Hours later, Kevin and Oscar were both pacing the waiting room when Kate rushed in all in a tizzy over Steve’s accident. “I just heard. How is he?”

Kevin took her hand and led her to the sofa where he beckoned her to take a seat by his side. “It’s bad. He has internal bleeding and we don’t know yet if his spine isn’t broken.

“Oh God!” Kate sobbed, burying her head in her hands.

“It’s all my fault.”

He head shot up and tears stopped gushing out at the disturbing statement. She glared at Kevin. “What do you mean, your fault?”

“He came to save me from jumping off that cliff. Instead he’s the one that fell.”

“I don’t see why this is your fault.”

“If I hadn’t been up there, he would never have found me and…” his voice faltered as the reality of the moment hit him.

Katherine wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders and pulled him close to her. He leaned his head against her shoulder and closed his eyes. “He’ll be all right. You just wait. He’s seen worse. You ought to know.”

Hours passed before a weary Rudy dragged is weary bones out of the operating room. No sooner had he passed the swinging doors that three anguished friends rushed to him.

“Rudy, how is he?” Oscar asked, bracing himself for the worse possible news.

With a strain smile Rudy lazily lifted his hand to rest upon Oscar’s shoulder. “Surgery went well. No broken bones; his spine is intact. No damaged organ. We managed to stem the internal bleeding. He’s critical but stable. We set him up in the ICU, but I don’t foresee any complications arising from the surgery. He should bounce back just fine.”

A collective sigh of relief ran through the emotionally-charged atmosphere.

“Can I see him?” Kevin asked imploringly.

“Sure,” Rudy smiled, putting a hand on the young man’s shoulder to lead him down the corridor. “Try not to make a noise. I don’t want him to be disturbed. He needs plenty of rest.”

“I will Dr. Wells. Thank you,” he whispered as he padded up to the slumbering patient’s bed. He shrunk back at the pallor of Steve’s face. “He looks awfully pale,” he observed, cringing at the sunken features staring back at him.

“That’s to be expected. Don’t worry, he’s strong and stubborn. He’ll bounce back in no time.” Rudy’s words of encouragement gave a much-needed boost to Kevin’s wilting hopes for a full recovery. “Only five minutes, Kevin. I’ll be back in a while.”

“Thank you.”

Rudy beckoned the attending nurse to follow him out of the room to leave the brothers alone.

“Is he gone?” a feeble whisper wafted from the bed.

“Steve?”

“Shuuuuuu, we don’t want Rudy to know or he’ll kick you out for thinking you woke me up,” Steve droned out feverishly with his last ounce of energy. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m all right,” Kevin answered gravely, hanging his head in shame. “You saved my life out there and I nearly killed you in return.”

“You were startled. You reacted. That’s only natural. Roles could have easily been reversed,” Steve breathed out with his eyes closed. “Luckily my legs broke the fall,” he jested, a flicker of a smile dancing on his lips.

“I hate what I’ve become, Steve.”

“And you think I didn’t?” He pried open his leaden eyelids to fasten his vacuous stare on Kevin. “It will fade away in time. It did for me. I told you before,” he paused to draw in a breath, “I am here all the way, kiddoh. You’re not alone in this.”

“You mean it?”

“Yes, I do. Now stop worrying and start working those limbs into shape for I have a hunch Spencer is raring to send you on your first mission. And I’ll be there to teach you the ropes. ”

“Thanks,” Kevin smiled warmly. “Am I to understand that you decided to stay in Washington?”

Steve cracked a lopsided grin. “Guess you’re stuck with big brother.”

“Big brother,” Kevin mused. “I like that. I like it even more knowing you’re not holding a grudge against me.”

“Why should I?”

“Well your father did have an affair with my mother.”

“I admit I was…” Steve voice faltered as a prickling sensation coursed down his spine, prompting Kevin to move closer to the bed. “ I was quite upset. I wanted to deny everything but then I had a discussion with my mother over the affair. Apparently she knew her husband had been seeing a young Army nurse while stationed in Britain.”

“She knew?”

Steve nodded weakly. “She begged of me not to blame the son for the sins of his father.”

“Your mother seems like a compassionate woman. I am anxious to meet her.”

“And she you,” Steve reciprocated, closing his strained eyes briefly to focus on garnering the necessary strength to pursue this conversation in spite of a constant pain shooting down his spine.

“Brothers don’t keep secrets from each other, right?”

“Right.”

“Then you answer me this and be truthful, now or I’ll know if you’re lying.”

“What?”

“It’s about Katherine. You like her don’t you?” Steve’s silence was evidence enough for Kevin who instead of a giving Steve the evil eye, broke into a meaningful smile. “I gathered this much. I couldn’t figure out why she never gave me a second look and Lord knows I tried to get her attention.”

“I never encouraged her, you have to believe me,” Steve defended, his weakened condition prohibiting any kind of argument.

“I know that. I’ve been observing you two for the past few weeks. The glances; the smiles; the body language. I might be short of a few body parts but I’m not blind.

Steve cracked open his eyes a slit to read Kevin’s. “You okay with it?” he asked somewhat worriedly.

“Yeah. I’ve accepted the fact that it wasn’t meant to be between us. Though I won’t say I’m not a bit jealous,” he ended on a bantering tone.

“We might not be compatible, you know.”

“True, but there’s only one way to find out,” Kevin hinted with a wink.

“Are you teaching me how to handle women? Because I’ll have you know I’m known as a dynamite lady-killer.”

“That may have been so, brother, but now you’ve got competition.”

“Indeed I do.” Steve smiled weakly, a sign that prompted Kevin to cut their conversation short.

“Well I’d better go or Dr. Wells is going to have my hide if he sees I’ve been keeping you awake.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll feign sleep so he won’t know.”

“Thanks big brother. I’ll be back later.”

Steve gave a feeble nod of the head and closed his eyes. Kevin slipped out of the room quietly to make his way to the waiting room.

“How is he?” Asked an anxious Katherine.

Kevin gently took her by the shoulder and smiled his answer. “A little weak but otherwise he’s fine. Don’t tell Dr. Wells but he and I had a lengthy conversation about you.”

“Me?”

“That’s right.” He led her to the sofa where he beckoned her to sit. He then took a seat by her side and cradled her hand in his. “Katherine, you must know that I’m very much taken with you.”

“Kevin I…”

“Let me finish,” he cut in, waiting for a sign of acquiescence on her part before continuing. “I know you fancy my brother and that’s okay. I’m fine with it, honest.”

“He told you?”

“No he didn’t say anything. I figured it out by myself from all the hints you’ve been throwing my way.”

“Kevin,” she leaned forward to stare into his lying eyes. “I know it’s not okay. I can read it in your eyes. The last thing I want to do is come between you and Steve.”

“And you won’t. I’ve made my peace with your choice. You and me just weren’t meant to be. My brother’s a great guy. Don’t pass up the chance to get better acquainted with him or you’ll hate me for it and I wouldn’t want that. I like you and I wish to remain good friends.”

Overcome with a bubbling joy, Kate planted a firm kiss on Kevin’s cheek and smiled her gratitude. “Thanks Kevin. You are indeed a special man.”

Back in Steve’s room, a figure padded up to the bed and stood over the sleeping form, patiently waiting for the patient to sense his presence.

“You have made a wise decision, my friend.”

“Did I?” Steve muttered as he slowly opened his eyes. “I wonder.”

“We each are assigned a mission in life. Yours is here where you are much needed by your peers.”

“Am I doing them a favour by staying or will I serve them better gone?”

“Search your heart. You know the answer.”

“Will I…”

“Yes you will always be welcomed in our community,” Rajin finished Steve’s thought. He then flattened the palm of his hand against Steve forehead and leaned forward to murmur in his ear. “Be happy Steve Austin. Remember that you are among the chosen ones, which means that you have the inner potential to achieve great things in life. Do not waste them. I wish you the best. Live long and prosper with your darling Katherine.”

“Aren’t you way ahead of yourself here? We haven’t dated yet.”

Rajin fashioned a knowing smile. “Good bye Steve.”

“Not goodbye. See ya later,” he winked.

Rajin winked back before crossing to the door.

EPILOGUE

Ten days later Steve was released from the hospital. The first item on his agenda was to fly to Ojai and introduce Kevin to his parents. Helen took to him instantly and Jim followed suit. Basking in the invigorating quiescence that the country offered, the young man felt a sense of serenity he never experienced before, not even with his own mother. At Helen’s delight, Steve and Kevin lodged at the family farm for four weeks, during which time they learned to appreciate what was bestowed upon them: a second chance.

Oscar put a damper on the quietude when he called both his agents back to base. He explained that Spencer had been a pain in the butt for the past two weeks, leaving no stones unturned to find Lieutenant Finch and his mentor. Twice, agents had made impromptu visits to the Elgins’ farm but Helen and Jim would fool the scavengers into thinking the boys had gone South for a well-deserved vacation. When the search for the disappearing duo grew to alarming proportions, Oscar deemed it necessary to call his boys back home for fear of repercussions on the people harbouring the fugitives, namely Helen and Jim.

Steve and Kevin met with Oscar and Spencer at OSI Headquarters. Filled to the rim with energy and resilience, the brothers offered no argument as to the mission involved, much to Spencer’s surprise who had prepared a counter argument in the event the boys would object. One condition applied: Steve was to accompany Kevin on this perilous assignment. Spencer was more than pleased at the request, knowing that once the athletic Austin got a taste of the field he’d be raring to return to active duty.

As Spencer predicted, Steve’s old root began to flourish. As weeks wore on he consented to an increasing number of assignments, home and abroad, either flying solo or with Kevin. Although he felt the intoxicating sense of duty return to him in these special assignments, his little inner voice was urging him to come down his cloud and consider his pretty girlfriend’s feelings. Katherine was bearing and grinning her beau’s renewed passion, striving to love what he was doing but down inside she loathed it. Many were the closed calls that made her heart skip beats. She didn’t think she could handle being the wife of a daredevil jeopardizing his life on a daily basis.

She needed not voice her concerns to Steve. Although he was yet an expert in the art of mind reading, his training in Tibet did however provide him with a sixth sense that, when in repose, would numb his mind of the outside influences and channel all of his focus on the problem at hand.

“I love her deeply, Oscar. I wish to make her my wife but for her to accept I need to curtail my activities. It’s too hard on her.” Steve confided in his boss whose heart was once full of hate and anger toward the man pacing the room before him. A flickering bittersweet smile graced his lips at the thought of the past eventful year and how everything worked out for the best.

“I’ll talk to Spencer. I’m sure he won’t have a quarrel with your decision knowing you trained Kevin well to take over. He’s doing brilliantly on his own.”

“That should make Barney’s day,” Steve scoffed.

“Haven’t you heard? He was deactivated. Spencer’s orders. Guess he couldn’t put up with his belligerence any longer. Plus which his success rate was appalling.” Oscar rounded the corner of his desk to come stand by Steve. “So, we’re going to a wedding?”

Steve huffed out a breath thick with dread. “I sure hope so, Oscar. It’s up to her. Will she have me to love and to hold from this day forward?”

“You doubt it? Especially after you inform her of your intention to take it slow?”

“I’ll call you tonight after our dinner date to let you know how it went.”

“I’ll be waiting by the phone.” Oscar laid his hand on Steve’s shoulder and with a caring smile, he spoke with an emotional choke, “I’m really happy for you, Pal. You’ve come a long way and bounced back fine. I’m also glad you chose to stay with us. It was a morgue without you here. In fact I was seriously considering tendering my resignation. But now…”

“That means I’ll have to put up with you for another couple of years?” Steve bantered, flashing a devilish smile at his boss.

“Aren’t you pleased?” Oscar offered on the same mocking tone.

Steve’s answer came in a teasing wink as he made his way to the door. With a hand on the doorknob he turned to Oscar. “Wish me luck!”

One look at the engagement ring and Katherine was bewitched. Her voice held no trace of hesitation when she squealed, ‘Yes, I’ll marry you!” She bounced out of her chair and fell into his arms. Their public kiss elicited a wave of awwwwwwwwwwwwwww in the audience shortly followed by a round of applauses for the happy couple.

“Steve, will you stop squirming!” Oscar chided as he made another attempt at tying the bridegroom’s tie.

“I’m sorry, I’m just…”

“Nervous? Could have fooled me.” One last twist and he was home free. “There! All done. Now don’t you go fiddling with it.”

“How’s Rudy doing?”

“I dare not go investigate. He threw me out of the room when I made a comment on his bathroom trips.”

“Speaking of bathroom.” Steve made a dash for the door.

Ten minutes later he came back wearing a diffident smile. “False alarm.”

“It took you all this time to figure that out?” Oscar asked incredulously.

“I stopped by Rudy’s room and peeked inside. The man was crying.”

“What? Did you ask him why?”

“You think I’m nervous. He’s a basket case the poor man. He’s starting to have second thoughts about marrying Monica. I told him he was being silly just like I was. Then we laughed, patted each other on the backs for good luck. Now comes the real test. Trying to remain upright when the brides walk up the aisle.”

Oscar broke into a hearty guffaw. “Don’t worry. I’ll be standing next to you both. If I see a knee bend, I’ll slap you in the face,” Oscar joshed.

“Gee, thanks, you’re a real pal,” Steve cringed at the thought of a stinging cheek. As if he needed more blood rushing to his cheeks as he suspected they’d be red as beet.

“Guys!” Rudy hailed from the ajar door. “Are you ready?”

“Only ten more minutes.” Oscar beckoned Rudy all the way in and checked his tie. “Double wedding, guys. You be sure not to marry the wrong woman.”

“I was going to say the same,” Kevin echoed as he entered. “I just peeked in on the future Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Wells. Exquisite. True visions of loveliness. Word to the wise: you so much make one faux pas and I’m running away with them.”

“And you would, too,” Steve concurred.

“You betcha!” He stepped up to Steve and gave him a hearty slap in the back. “You ready big brother?”

Steve sucked in a deep breath to quell his qualms. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Kevin took Steve by the arm and led him out of the room while Oscar did the same with Rudy.

All four men took a stand under the flowery arch built especially for the occasion in Helen’s flower garden. Only family and intimate friends were in attendance for the wedding celebration, whereas a hundred or so guests were expected at the banquet hall.

Standing stiff as ice cycles on either side of the arch with their respective best men, Steve and Rudy’s nerves began to fray as the wedding match began. One glance at their pretty brides walking up the aisle and they were gone. Their senses numbed by the heavenly sight before them. Their beatific smiles frozen in time were signs of a panic attack waiting to happen. While all eyes were on the brides, Oscar and Kevin each pinched their man on the back of the neck, eliciting small yelps.

“Behave, Steve,” Kevin chided in hushed tones.

The fathers of the brides each gave their respective daughter’s hand to their future mate, nodding in acquiescence to the preacher’s question as to who gives this woman in marriage.

Steve was relieved to see Oscar standing on the other side of the altar with Rudy for he knew he would get a slap for the knee that was about to give out. To his surprise it was Kevin who inflicted him another painful pinch in the arm to bring him back on solid ground.

Following the ‘I do’s’ and first kiss as husband and wife, the proud couples strolled their way down the aisle under a storm of confetti’s. Then they were escorted to the banquet hall where a hundred of guests awaited the cortege before gorging themselves on the sumptuous buffet.

While waltzing in the arms of her new husband, starry-eyed Katherine briefly pried her gaze away from Steve’s mesmerizing blues to steal a glance over his shoulder at Kevin dancing with her young sister. “Look,” she whispered to Steve who craned his neck back, “I think we may be attending another wedding soon.”

“That’s my boy! Charm runs in the family.”

“They look great together, don’t they?” Steve nodded in agreement. “I’m glad they hit it off so well. You know I kind of felt guilty when I turned him down, but he was very mature about it. He understood that it wasn’t meant between us.”

“He’s a great kid.” Steve said proudly, though Katherine could detect a hint of melancholia in his voice.

“Something wrong?”

“I experience a sharp, annoying pain in the pit of my stomach whenever he’s called on missions. It’s that sixth sense kicking in from time to time. I can’t shake it loose. I don’t want to think that I’m sensing that a tragedy is about to occur.”

“You’re not thinking of joining forces with him, are you? I know Spencer would be tinkled pink at the prospect.”

“I don’t care one doggy doodle bit about Spencer. It’s Kevin I’m worried about. He’s still a bit reckless and foolhardy.”

“Sounds familiar,” Katherine mocked, biting her upper lip to stifle a giggle.

“Mrs. Austin, are you making fun of your Mr. Austin?”

“I guess I am. I know he can take it.”

Steve leaned in for a tender kiss, oblivious of the many prying pair of eyes homing in on them.

Rudy and Monica chose to cruise the Mediterranean Sea while Steve and Katherine opted for the Caribbean’s. Halfway through their honeymoon, an urgent call from Oscar came through. Although annoyed at this interruption, Steve quickly realized that the boss would not be calling him on his special vacation had the news not been of crucial importance.

“Oscar, this had better be important,” Steve warned, though he knew better than to ask that question.

“Yes it is. Kevin is missing.”

“Missing? What do you mean missing?”

“Last week he was assigned to spy on an enemy organization suspected of trafficking arms to Europe and we lost touch with him two days later. That was seven days ago. We’re listing him as missing in action. I thought you should know.”

The wave of anguish that rose within was quickly dispelled by the knowledge that his little brother may have found a hospitable shelter.

“I wouldn’t’ worry about him, Oscar,” Steve said confidently. “I’m sure he’s in good hands.”