On Assignment
Chapter One
"Well, Young Lady, I'll sure miss seeing your bright, smiling face every few days, but you are the definition of perfect health." Rudy grinned broadly at Jaime. "I am officially releasing you from treatment - at least until your six-month check up." Rudy was still awed by the fact that Jaime was alive at all. She'd survived being shot, less than three months earlier, and as a result had battled a severe, life-threatening infection. Not to mention that, hours after being injured, she and Steve had been forced to leap over an electrified fence from the roof of a burning building that was crumbling beneath their feet. The fact that they'd both survived was nothing short of miraculous.
Jaime smiled back at her doctor. "I can always stop by and visit, right?"
"You'd better." Rudy's eyes grew serious. "Jaime, how has it been for you, dealing with all your new memories?"
"They're really old memories," she reminded him, "just new to me." Her face was wistful. "It was so much easier with Steve to help me. But even with the cast on his arm, they've kept him so busy, consulting for NASA and aiding the new Secretary of State. We talk on the phone a lot, and he's been great...so patient. I just wish I could see him."
Rudy eyed her carefully. "I've got good news and bad news, then. I took Steve's cast off this morning, and he told me he's done at NASA, and with his other duties, too."
Jaime's entire face lit up, then she remembered: "What's the bad news?"
Rudy looked down at the floor. "Oscar called right before you got here," he told her quietly. "He needs to see you in his office, as soon as you're done seeing me."
"No," she said flatly.
"I'm sorry."
"He couldn't - he wouldn't - send me on an assignment on my very first day of perfect health! Would he?"
Rudy patted her hand. "Might as well go find out."
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Jaime sailed into Oscar's office, having nodded 'hello' to Callahan as she flew by her desk. "Oscar, I just got released from treatment, less than half an hour ago! Can't I have a little time to enjoy it in peace? A day? A few hours?"
Oscar, at his desk, smiled tolerantly. The voice that greeted her, though, came from a chair by the window. "Hi, Jaime."
"Steve!" Once again, her whole face lit up brighter than the White House Christmas tree as she practically dove into his waiting arms. "It's so good to see you!" They kissed - a quick one, but very warm, then sat down together on the loveseat, looking expectantly at Oscar.
They really do look right together, Oscar thought. In spite of his own deep feelings for Jaime, he knew - the same way anyone who saw them together knew - she belonged with Steve.
"Gonna tell us why we're here?" Steve asked. "Or are we supposed to guess?"
"You're here because I have a job for you."
Jaime groaned. "Which one of us?"
"Both of you." Oscar smiled. "I'll be expecting the same teamwork you exhibited your last time out." They stared silently at him, with - at best - a grudging kind of interest. "The OSI has recently acquired a new safe house," he told them. "It's about two hours from Rudy's Colorado complex; the only structure in a little valley with mountains all around. I need the two of you to check it out thoroughly for us. Make sure it's up to all of our standards and codes."
"Isn't that usually done before you 'acquire' it?" Steve said pointedly.
Oscar sighed inwardly. Were they really not getting it? "Now, I should warn you that it's very quiet out there. Completely isolated." Still no reaction. "There are three bedrooms, so you can each take your pick." (Of course, they'll probably choose just one and share it, Oscar thought, but that's none of my business.) He wanted them to have time to regroup and to rediscover each other.
Oscar realized he'd have to be blunt. Aware that Steve and Jaime both knew this was only a one or two day job, he told them "The chopper that drops you off will be back exactly two weeks later, to pick you up." He saw their wide, happy smiles and knew that - finally! - they understood.
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Steve ran his fingers through Jaime's hair as she nestled against him in the rear seat of the chopper. They hadn't been together, physically, since she'd been made bionic, and Steve wanted her fiercely, but at the same time, he was in no hurry. He didn't want to rush her. If this wasn't the right time or place, well, he'd live with that. When she tilted her face toward his and they kissed, though, the need and desire in her eyes echoed as powerfully as his own.
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