Chapter Twenty-Seven

Oscar stole away from the office early the next afternoon, but Jaime wasn't in her apartment. The guards had been instructed not to leave their posts because it had been expected that Jaime would be staying home recuperating. As a result, they had no idea where she might have gone.

"She said she'd be back in an hour or two," one of the Penguins told Oscar.

Maybe it was a medical issue; Oscar's next move was to call Rudy. "I haven't seen Jaime today," Rudy said anxiously. "And I told her to rest for at least 48 hours, so when she comes back, make sure and have her call me."

Oscar doubted that Jaime had gone off on a spur-of-the-moment shopping spree. She had a lot on her mind that she needed to sort through, and after confirming that she hadn't shown up at his office, Oscar followed his instincts and headed for the closest bank of the river. His anxious pace slowed when he spotted her. Jaime was sitting right at the water's edge (where he knew she would be), knees drawn up to her chest, staring out at the rippling water. He didn't know whether to hold her tightly in comfort...or throttle her for disobeying Rudy. She didn't seem to hear him approach.

"Feel like some company?" he asked gently. When Jaime lifted her head, he could see that she was crying. "Jaime...?" He sank down next to her on the shore line and tenderly wrapped her in his arms.

"Your suit...it's gonna get muddy -"

"It's dry-cleanable," he said firmly.

"I don't think I'm very good company right now, Oscar," she whispered, still staring at the water.

"You can talk to me about anything, you know," he reminded her. "I'm not Mr. Goldman anymore – at least, not to you."

"I know..."

"What is it, Babe? Did I do something that upset you?"

"Of course not..." Jaime allowed herself to lean into him, just a little. His arms felt so comfortable.

"Is it what happened with Steve?" Oscar probed.

"No. Well...maybe. Steve...and Michael and...I'm just so confused!" She looked at Oscar with tears still streaming down her face. "Every time I let myself care about someone, something terrible happens! And – and I'm scared."

"Of...?"

"I don't know."

"Jaime, if we're going too fast and that frightens you, we can slow things down or even take a break if -"

"No! No...that's not it. I love you,and I love where we're at right now. But...what if I'm jinxed or something?"

"I doubt that," Oscar said, kissing her cheek and trying to brush away her tears. "But something terrible IS going to happen if I don't get you back home. Rudy will have both of our heads on a platter."

"Oh...um...I'm sorry about that."

"I understand, Babe. Let's just hope Rudy does." Somehow, Oscar had the feeling Rudy would be like a gruff but loving father, reading her a small portion of the riot act but ultimately understanding completely.


"We need to make a decision about your arm," Jenn reminded Steve.

"What's the hurry?" he snapped. "Not like I'm going anywhere anytime soon."

"Someone's sure got the grumpies today," Jenn said as lightly as she could manage. "I think you'll feel a whole lot better once this isn't weighing on you anymore. Rudy said he can fix your hand – your whole arm – as good as new."

"If I let him take a part of my shoulder."

"Would you rather have a dead arm?" Steve didn't answer. "It wouldn't be a loss, Steve – look at it as a gain. A win."

Finally, Steve smiled, reaching his hand out for his wife. "How did I get so lucky, to have you? Besides, it's not like he wants to remove anything vital."

"You'll still have full use of all your vital organs," Jenn chuckled. Some things never changed.


Once again, Oscar tucked Jaime into bed, intending to bring her dinner on a tray, but when he returned with the food, she was sound asleep. As he sat quietly, just watching her, he was happy to note that this time, in her sleep, Jaime was smiling.