Chapter Two

One week after his visit to Ojai, Oscar faced a dilemma. Jaime wanted to work and Rudy had released her to do so, saying she was in the best shape of her life. (Oscar had no argument there!) Objectively, he knew she could be one of his best operatives. Her intelligence and her bionic abilities, combined with an outward look of fragility that would cause an enemy to underestimate her, made an unbeatable combination. Oscar wasn't sure why, but the thought of sending Jaime into dangerous situations suddenly made his heart cringe.

The kidnapping of three United States diplomats in the jungles of Paraguay left no more time for him to wonder or worry. It would take every special skill bionics provided to find the hostages quickly and extract them without incident. Jaime's hearing would be a necessary tool; so would Steve's sight. Oscar was sending them both, and his worry about his friends' safety was tempered by the thought that – just maybe – Steve and Jaime could find a way to re-ignite their spark once the mission was completed.

Steve had already been briefed and was conferring with their pilot when Jaime got to Oscar's office. Oscar quickly detailed the assignment for her, and they sat quietly, waiting for Steve to return. Several times, their eyes met in what would've been meaningful glances if they'd allowed themselves to acknowledge that, but – of course – nothing was happening between them. It was out of the question. Impossible.

"You know," Jaime said, as a way to break the silence, "I was worried you were gonna tell me we were parachuting in."

Oscar got up and walked around the desk, then pulled a chair next to Jaime's, seating himself at her level. "Babe, I'd never do that to you: not yet. It's too soon to even consider -" Her eyes grabbed his own, holding the gaze with a force that made them both shudder.

"I know it'll have to happen someday," Jaime said nervously. She was talking about jumping from a plane, but another inevitability was beginning to occur to both of them, although they didn't dare voice their thoughts to anyone, especially each other.

"When you're ready," Oscar told her gently, "and not one minute before then." He knew he should be back at his desk and not gazing into his operative's eyes, but the pull was nearly irresistible. Jaime started to say something, but found herself breathless.

"Pilot's all set, whenever you're ready to go," Steve said, striding brisking into the office. He froze mid-step when he saw Oscar and Jaime jump slightly in their chairs, startled out of a look that Steve could only describe as moonstruck. Oscar returned to his desk as Jaime turned to smile at Steve. "How've you been?" he asked, finally venturing the rest of the way into the room.

"Great. It's good to see you again...Partner." Jaime rose to her feet. "And I'm all set to go. Oscar, we'll see you when we get back."

"Be careful," Oscar cautioned. Jaime headed toward the elevator, and Oscar called Steve back. "Watch out for her, Pal," he requested, his worry plainly visible on his face.

- - - - - -

Jaime and Steve sat in the back of the plane, working out every detail of their planned strategy, then found themselves with some time to kill. The two former lovers relaxed together with a thermos of coffee, each one trying to picture what was going on in the other's mind.

Steve finally had to ask. "So...what's up with you and Oscar?"

"Huh?"

Steve grinned broadly at her. "Hey, it's ok. I'm just curious."

"Curious...about what?" Jaime seemed genuinely puzzled.

"You can tell me it's none of my business, but we are friends, if you wanna talk about it..."

"Talk about what?"

"Jaime," Steve chuckled, "I didn't need bionic vision to see what was going on in there this morning."

"Austin, have you lost your mind?" While Jaime's voice was lightly indignant, inside she froze. Oh, God...if he says he saw something, maybe I wasn't imagining things...!

"You don't have to be embarrassed; just be careful – for your sake, and his."

"Let's look at the map again, just to be sure," Jaime hedged, opening the map and closing the subject.

- - - - - -

The mission was brief, intense and ultimately successful. After Steve and Jaime saw their three newly-rescued charges onto a separate Federal transport plane, they collapsed in two exhausted heaps for their own flight back to DC. "Nice work, Partner," Steve told Jaime. She'd kept up with him every step of the way, proving herself to be an up-and-coming match for his own abilities.

"Thanks. We make a good team."

"Always did," Steve added lightly. "You're weren't uncomfortable working with me, were you?"

"Of course not. You helped train me for this; I know how good you are. But...are you ok?"

"Yeah – just really tired."

"Me, too, but you know that's not what I meant."

"Jaime, what happened between us...yeah, it hurt - a lot...but it isn't anyone's fault, and there isn't anything we can do to change it. If I can be in your life as a friend, close enough to know that you're safe and happy...then I'm happy, too." If it can't be me in your heart, Steve thought, you could do a lot worse than Oscar. He definitely cares about you. He could tell she was nowhere near ready to talk about that yet.

Jaime turned to look at him, and they exchanged warm, comfortable smiles before they both fell asleep.

- - - - - -