Chapter 8.

The first week at the Elgin ranch seemed to go by so quickly. By running together to push Jessie's speed to maximum the young bionic woman got to map out the ranch in her mind with Jaime and her family's help Jessie now knew every inch of the place and was becoming a very useful and accomplished ranch hand. Jim had called her a natural when it came to handling the horses. Jaime had found that she was yet to bump into any problems with Jessie in the short space of time they had spent together they became good friends. Jessie seemed to be open enough to go to Jaime with any issues or problems she was having bionic or otherwise. It seemed that it was just the enclosure of the OSI complex that was so frustrating to the young woman. They were yet to talk in full about the attack that caused Jessie to become bionic, they had both approached the subject but Jessie's memory of it all was sketchy at best. She could give all the facts of the incident but it was like reciting a report which Jessie also recognised and was frustrated by.

'Give it time' Jaime Sais as she cut a fresh loaf of bread the two women had stopped their daily routine for lunch 'it'll come back to you.'

'I know, and a part of me is scared of that fact. It's just sometimes I don't feel like I have the time. I mean won't the OSI and Oscar be wanting to send me out on missions soon and you?' Jessie said taking the slice of bread Jaime had cut and began spreading butter on them.

'You won't be going anywhere until we think you're ready to, that's Oscar included. They learnt that the hard way with me, don't worry we have plenty of time and as for me being called on mission, well, I already am on a mission, remember? You're my assignment and a very important one so I'm not going anywhere for a while just yet.' Jaime finished placing the bread knife on the cutting board. The two women finished preparing their lunch and promptly ate it whilst deciding what to do next.

'Well, we may have to hang on a while, we're expecting company today.' Jaime said taking their plates to the kitchen sink Jessie followed with their empty milk glasses.

'Oh, who are we expecting?' She asked placing the glasses in to the sink.

'Rudy' Jaime simply stated, Jessie's shoulders slumped a little at this news

'Oh, right.' Jessie said a note of sadness in her tone.

'It's nothing to worry about Jess, honestly. I've just noticed something that I think he should take a look at and we promised that anything that seems like a problem we would tell Rudy and Oscar.' Jaime explained as brightly as possible.

'And what is it you've noticed?' twisting her head around from side to side looking at her body trying to see any problems. Jaime walked up to her placing her hands on Jessie's shoulders to keep her still.

'Your legs.' She stated.

'Why thank you but I'm not that kind of girl' Jessie joked with a cheeky grin

'Cute. You seem to need to stretch out your legs a lot.'

'Yeah, true, but doesn't everyone?'

'Not everyone is bionic. I just think Rudy should check you over. Your bionics are newer than mine, different, it could be nothing but'

'It could be something.' Jessie finished 'fair enough I just hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I just put it down to being normal and nothing more.' Jessie sat on one of the stools at the kitchen bar.

'I'm sure it's fine but better to be safe than sorry.' Jaime said throwing the dish towel at Jessie.

'I'll dry then.' Jessie laughed as she got up from the stool joining Jaime at the sink who smiled and winked at her as she did.

With the washing and drying done the two friends headed out of the coach house down to the main yard where they were greeted by Rudy and another man Jaime vaguely remembered from some formal function.

'Jaime!' Rudy called as he came up to meet the bionic women 'good to see you, how's everything going?'

'Everything's fine Rudy'

'Where's Jessie?'

'She's coming she just wanted to check on the feed for the horses, she'll be right out.'

'She's here. Hi Dr. Wells, how are you?' Jessie half waved, half saluted Rudy as she approached. Rudy couldn't believe what was before him. Jessie just didn't look like the girl he had been caring for at the complex.

'Careful Rudy,' Jaime whispered 'you'll catch flies.' Rudy snapped out of his daze and finally responded to Jessie.

'Fine Jessie, thank you, I'm just fine. You look terrific, this country air and surroundings obviously agrees with you.'

'It certainly seems to' Jessie said smiling at the bumbling doctors reactions to her.

The man with Rudy then stepped forward clearing his throat, Rudy realised his lapse in memory.

'Oh, I'm sorry. Jaime, Jessie meet Malcolm Dennis he's one of our top men in charge at the OSI, he wanted to come on Oscar's behalf to err, well'

'Check on me?' Jessie finished and then promptly got an elbow nudge in the side from Jaime.

'Nice to meet you Mr. Dennis' Jaime spoke up realising the long dead air pause that was hanging between them all. She moved forward to shake his hand.

'The pleasure is all mine Miss Sommers. I've been an admirer of yours for a while now, all the good work you have done. Big shoes to follow isn't it Miss Jameson? Daunting some would say.' The tall man said as he took Jessie's hand to shake.

'Perhaps Mr Dennis, but when the time comes I'm sure I'll be ready and prepared especially with Jaime's help and training.' Just as Jessie was about to release the firm gripped handshake she shared with the man his hand slightly shifted in her grip the sunlight reflected off the class ring he was wearing. The glare of light flared into her eyes, surprised Jessie quickly flinched away from the man and his out stretched hand. Jaime quickly moved to her side holding her arm and placing a comforting hand on to her back.

'Jess, you OK?'

'I'm sorry Miss Jameson, I'

'It's all right Mr Dennis; there's no fault except for the afternoon sun. I guess my eyes are just a little sensitive is all.'

'Anyone's would be when sunlight flashes into them' Rudy said as he moved to Jessie looking at her eyes. Jessie gently brushed him aside.

'I'm fine really, but if you'll all excuse me I promised Jim that I'd help him in the paddocks. I'd best get going or he'll be looking for me.'

'Of course' Rudy said, understanding Jessie's want to make a quick exit. 'I'll be back later to check on you' he said quietly as he walked with her towards the pickup truck she was aiming for.

'It was nice to meet you Miss Jameson' Dennis called out; Jessie smiled and nodded towards him, as she got into the truck and drove off.

'Jessie looks great Jaime. You're obviously having a great effect on her.' Rudy said as he rejoined Jaime and Malcolm.

'She's a great kid Rudy, she just needed the space to run and breathe and, well, there's an abundance of that here.'

'There certainly is' Malcolm said as he watched the dust trail fall back to the ground after Jessie's departure. 'She seems twitchy, nervous. Is she always like that?' he asked.

'You make her sound like a nervous animal' Jaime noted

'Well in some respect, but she's far stronger and more dangerous if unpredictable, far more dangerous.'

Jaime looked at Rudy a confused and annoyed look on her face; Rudy shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

'Mr. Dennis' Jaime started

'Malcolm, please'

'Mr Dennis, Jessie is a perfectly healthy and stable young woman. She's not a wild unpredictable animal as you have described.' The intolerance for this man became noticeable in her tone.

'I assure you Jaime'

'Miss Sommers'

'Miss Sommers, I meant no offence to you or to Miss Jameson. I am more than certain with your guidance she will be an excellent addition to the OSI bionic team.'

'Perhaps Malcolm, we should be leaving if you are to make it back in time for your meeting.' Rudy interrupted stopping the heated conversation before it went any further.

'Yes, good point Rudy. Mustn't keep the President on hold. Thank you Miss Sommers, good day.' Malcolm shook Jaime's hand and headed back toward the car. Jaime turned to block Rudy's path.

'I'm sorry Jaime. I had no choice but to bring him along. I'll talk to you both about it later tonight I promise but right now I'd best get his lordship back to HQ, bye.' Rudy hurried round Jaime waving back as he did. Jaime gave a false smile and waved back continuing to watch them as they drove away.

'There's something very strange here' she said to herself as the car disappeared from view. 'Better go and catch up with the other two.' Jaime pivoted on her foot and began to run to the paddock where Jim and Jessie would be working. After a few strides Jaime was running at top bionic speed.

Jim was loading bags of feed into the back of the pickup truck when Jaime reached him she couldn't spot Jessie.

'Hey dad.'

'Hi Jaime, what's going on?' Jaime could tell from Jim's tone that he was unhappy about something.

'Where's Jessie?'

'Just over the rise checking the fences, she can get to them quicker and easier than I can with the truck. What's going on?'

No diverting it this time Jaime thought.

'Rudy was here with another man from the OSI'

'Who was he? Do you know him?'

'His name is Malcolm Dennis, no I don't know him, I recognised him. I'm pretty sure I've seen him at one of the social functions the OSI hold from time to time. He seemed very interested in Jessie.'

'She didn't return the favour?'

'How did you guess?'

'She was muttering something about a stuffed shirt and rubbing her eyes, she said nothing of it to me, in fact, she seemed to relax a little once here and working with me.'

'Maybe I'll go find her, make sure everything's OK?'

'Good idea.' Jaime moved on to find Jessie; it didn't take long as Jim had told her she was just over the rise. Jaime slowed and continued her way over to Jessie walking so not to spook the horse that was being so lovingly stroked and softly spoken to by Jessie.

'Looks like you're not the only one spooked today.' Jaime gently said as she offered the back of her hand to the horse to show was a friend with no cause to harm.

'Not spooked just restless. They're gone then?' The horse walked on as if sensing that the two women needed the space and privacy to talk.

'They're gone but Rudy will be back later, maybe have dinner with us, talk progress and things.'

'Such as?'

'Such as, what was Mr Malcolm Dennis doing here today and what the sudden interest is. Are you sure you've never seen or met with him before?'

'As far as I can tell Jaime, I know my memory is patchy in places but no, I don't know him.'

'He seemed to know you.'

'Well, I have a file and for all we know he may have been on the far sidelines watching over everything Rudy and Michael were doing at the complex. With me off the complex I'm a little harder to observe.'

'True. Are you sure you're OK? That was quite a shine in the eyes.' Jaime looked directly into Jessie's eyes gently dotting her thumb across Jessie's cheekbone

'I'm fine really, it just startled me is all.'

'Well, Rudy will want to check you over later. Come on we better get back to helping dad with these fences.'

'I've done the first half, I was just heading on to the next section but I got sidetracked by him.' Jessie explained pointing to the Chesnutt horse that was now grazing a few feet away from them.

'Yeah, I noticed. That's Chester, he's usually more standoffish and arrogant but he likes you. You're obviously just special.'

'So I'm told!'

'Right, that's it' Jaime said a wide smile across her face 'a race to the furthest fence.'

'OK, what does the winner get?'

'Bragging rights and their choice of dinner for the next two nights.'

'Deal. You set?'

'Set and ready.'

'GO!' Both women yelled as they started off. They ran across the fields past Jim and the horses some of which spooked and tried to run with them. The end was in sight and both women were running their hardest then Jessie edged ahead of Jaime ever so slightly then the gap became a little wider until she stopped at the designated finish line. Jaime coming in second, only a few strides behind her.

'What took you?' Jessie laughed as they both flaked out sitting down on the ground.

'I can't believe I'm getting too old for this already!' Jaime laughed falling backwards laying on the ground.

'You're old Jaime, I'm just special.'

'Shut up.' Jaime chuckled playfully kicking Jessie in the leg.


Apologies for the long delay in updating! More to type up and come, hope you enjoy this chpt though?! AJ5.