Chapter 28
Jaime nearly bounced out of bed the next morning, filled with energy and excitement. She'd almost forgotten how much she loved the very early mornings, before Steve or even Becca had awakened. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept so well. Perhaps the way she and Steve had chosen to 'make up' from their minor squabble about Oscar had made a difference. Maybe it was Michael's new treatment...but whatever it was, she hummed softly to herself as she set out the items she'd need to prepare breakfast and then readied a pot of coffee. Her melodic preparations stopped only for a second when (probably from an excess of energy and enthusiasm) she missed the mug as she poured her coffee. Even then, it took just a moment to run her fingers under cold water and clean up the counter. Then she took her coffee and a buttered croissant out onto the back porch swing, where she could watch the sun just beginning to rise over the flower beds.
Oscar was also (of course) already up and about, beginning his day. Going to see Jaime would have to wait a little longer, as he and Michael were going to start bringing in small, manageable groups from the day before, for follow-ups. It would take the majority of the day (and beyond), so Oscar was sending Rudy to check on Jaime's progress and her general condition, to report back to him.
Rudy was preparing for the day with his second cup of coffee, studying Jaime's MRIs - both past and present - and marveling at what appeared to have taken place. If nothing had changed since yesterday, if the dramatic improvements continued to hold, having her walk the length of the backyard would be far too simplistic. He'd give her a careful once-over and then they could head for the track. They'd be using the new track at the site where National Medical was being built and Rudy was quite eager to view the progress of his new building as well as the almost-unbelievable progress of his patient.
Rudy thought that both Jaime and National were exactly like the phoenix, rising to glory from the ashes of ruin. The new building was going up faster and more efficiently than he'd dared hope - and Jaime...it was hard to tell anything had ever been wrong with her (much less that she'd been shot in the head)! She'd put on her running shoes with such vigor and enthusiasm that one loop had missed the other several times as she was tying them, but no matter; she was on her way and raring to go. Steve grinned broadly at her as he took a spot on the bench next to Rudy and jiggled Becca's stroller, eliciting giggles of joy from the child.
''Take some time to ease back into things,'' Rudy instructed Jaime. ''Slow-walk the first half and then an easy jog. Then -''
''Walk? Jog?'' Jaime exulted. ''Rudy, I wanna run!''
Rudy smiled. ''And you will. Just stop back here after the first round so I can check your vitals and then off you can go, at whatever pace your body feels most comfortable. I won't be timing you; I'd just like to see what you can do.''
Jaime kissed Steve and Becca in turn, then kissed Rudy's cheek for good measure before starting off. She found it even harder than expected to rein in all of her pent-up energy from so many months of such limited activity...but she followed Rudy's orders.
''You're worried,'' Rudy noted, reading Steve like a book after Jaime was on her way.
''I...no, I'm happy. Really. I just wish I understood how this happened...what Michael did...and whether it was safe. We're talking about messing with her brain, Rudy...her brain!''
''Michael's the best in the country to do that,'' Rudy reminded him, ''and quite possibly in the world.''
''Yeah; I know. But...''
''We'll keep a very close eye,'' Rudy promised.
''You're persistent. I like that in men,'' Anna told Michael and Mark quietly. She still showed no signs of fury, cunning or a return to her 'former self'. ''What is it I can do for you gentlemen before I've even had breakfast?''
Mark stepped a little closer. ''Now that you've had some time to think about things - and to sleep on it - is there anything else you'd like to tell us voluntarily?''
Anna closed her eyes for a moment. ''You know what? Since you worked so hard to beat me, I'm gonna throw you a bone. You need to bring Mr. Hansen back to see me. With the skills I taught him, he could still bring others into his own control...any time he chooses. I will take care of it.''
Jaime reached the bench still at a slow, comfortable jog but her feet wanted to keep on moving as Rudy checked her over and she made a few googly-eye faces at Becca.
Finally... ''Green light!'' Rudy proclaimed. ''Go ahead - and let's see what you can do.''
Jaime pumped a happy fist into the air and took off at a (human) speed Steve had thought she might never reach again. He turned to Rudy. ''Thinking of tuning her up again, aren't you?''
''She does seem, ready - physically, anyhow.''
Jaime reached the far end of the track, waved happily and picked up her speed a little more. She was just rounding the last curve when she tripped on a branch that the breeze had blown into her path - and fell sprawling onto the ground. Steve was beside her in mere seconds.
''I'm okay,'' she insisted, ''I just...I was so excited that I never even saw it.''
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