Jaime Sommers strolled toward the hospital wing of the OSI facility. It was time for her quarterly physical – a full week of testing and maintenance of her bionics. She headed for her room with a small suitcase in hand. Like Steve, she didn't need to bring much since she always kept exercise clothes, pajamas, a robe, and a few basic personal care products here in her room at the lab.
Jaime turned the corner and stopped in her tracks when she saw the guard posted outside of Steve's room. Her heart skipped a beat. The only time they had guards assigned to protect them was when they were incapacitated. Was Steve sick? Was he injured?
She listened for sounds coming from Steve's room and heard a heartbeat and steady breathing.
"Excuse me," she asked as she walked up to the guard. "Is Steve Austin in there?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, this area is restricted," answered the guard. "You'll need Oscar…"
"…Oscar Goldman's or Rudy Wells' permission to enter," she finished for him.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well, do know where Rudy Wells is?"
"You might try his office, ma'am."
"Thank you."
Jaime headed for her room and placed her suitcase on the bed. Normally, she would unpack first and get settled in her room but she was too worried about Steve. She left the suitcase and started straight for Rudy's office.
Rudy Wells was sitting at his desk filling out paperwork. He smiled widely when Jaime walked through the door.
"Jaime, good to see you!" He got up and gave her a hug. "How's my favorite bionic woman?"
"Well, unless there is something you've been keeping from me, Rudy, I'm your only bionic woman."
Rudy laughed. "I've got some paperwork to finish up here but why don't you get settled and then grab some lunch in the cafeteria. We'll start bionic testing this afternoon."
Jaime came straight to the point. "Rudy, what's wrong with Steve?"
Rudy couldn't help but notice the concerned look on Jaime's face. "He's recovering from surgery."
"What?"
"Now don't worry," he assured her. "It was minor surgery…just had to remove a lesion near his ear that was giving him some problems. He'll be fine."
"I want to see him," she demanded.
Rudy sighed. "He's asleep. He won't even know you're there."
"I still want to see him."
Rudy knew he wouldn't be able to win this argument. "Okay, I'll take you to him."
Outside of Steve's room Rudy stopped to speak to the guard. "Carter, Ms. Sommers here gets unlimited access to Colonel Austin's room."
"Yes, sir."
Rudy turned to Jaime. "Happy?"
Jaime smiled. "Thank you."
They entered the quiet room and Jaime's breath caught when she saw Steve. His naked frame was covered by a sheet up to the middle of his torso. He was lying very still. Only his broad chest moved up and down with each breath, assisted by oxygen flowing into a nasal cannula in his nostrils. An IV bag was dripping fluid into his left arm and electrodes with wires leading to the electro-sleep machine were attached to his forehead. A large bandage covered his neck below his left ear and a half-filled urinary drainage bag hung low on the side of the bed.
Jaime crossed the room to the bed and took Steve's hand. "Steve? Steve? It's me, Jaime. Steve?"
"He's in electro-sleep, Jaime. He can't hear you."
"Electro-sleep? I thought you said this was minor surgery."
"It is minor surgery. But because of its location near the inner ear, recovery can often be challenging. In Steve's case, normal post-surgical swelling brought on severe vertigo. He was in a great deal of distress so I'm keeping him asleep until the swelling goes down."
Jaime frowned. "How long has he been out?"
"Three days. I'm going to wake him up this evening to assess if there is any improvement in his condition."
"Rudy, if you don't mind, I'd like to sit with him awhile."
"That's fine. But don't forget that your bionic testing starts at 1 p.m. Be sure to get some lunch into you. I don't want you fainting from hunger on me." Rudy smiled and left the room.
Jaime sat on the bed next to this man she had shared so much with... childhood friendship, high school sweethearts, his parents, bionics, an engagement and, even though she couldn't remember the feelings, being in love. She placed her hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. It was strong and steady. Bending over, she kissed him gently on the lips.
