Chapter Five
Steve focused his eye on Jaime, on the barn roof. She was crying so hard that he just knew she couldn't see well. He stood poised to jump up and catch her at any moment, if she started to fall. It didn't take long for three cars to pull in, one almost right after the other, all with headlights off so they wouldn't startle or frighten Jaime. Doctor Conrad, Oscar and Rudy joined Steve, just out of Jaime's view, but where Steve could still see her.
"I called them," Conrad said, very quietly. "I hope that's ok."
"Of course. Should I just jump from behind and grab her?" Steve suggested.
"No," Conrad told him. "That would be dangerous - for both of you. If she heard you, or just happened to turn around, she could take a swing and knock you off the roof, then fall after you, when she'd lose her balance. The adrenaline coursing through her right now probably makes her a whole lot stronger than normal; stronger than you are, Steve. And we've got to remember that, in her mind, Jaime isn't up on the roof of a barn. She's back in that compound where you both nearly died, and she's fighting for her life."
"So what do we do?"
Conrad thought for a moment. "She also has exceptional hearing, right?"
"Yes," Oscar answered.
"Steve, try talking to her, very softly, from right here. See if she can hear you, or if she's too far gone..."
Steve kept his eye fully focused on Jaime as he began to speak in a very low, soothing tone. "Sweetheart, it's me. Can you hear me?" There didn't appear to be any reaction. "Jaime? I'm right here with you, Sweetheart, and everything's ok." Jaime stopped teetering and seemed to be listening. "It's all over with, and we made it. You saved my life, Jaime, and I'm so grateful for that."
"Go ahead," Conrad whispered, "you can move a little closer. Your instincts are right on; do what your gut and your heart tell you to do, Steve."
"I know you jumped up there to get away," Steve continued, moving a few cautious steps toward the barn. "If you're stuck up there now, I can help you get down, if you'll let me." To his great relief, Steve saw Jaime nod. "Good; thank you, Sweetheart. First, I need you to stay very, very still. Can you do that?" Another nod. "Ok. Now...is it alright if I come up there, to help you get down?" She looked very frightened, but didn't seem to object. "When you hear someone come up there beside you, don't be afraid. It'll be me, coming to help you. I love you, Jaime, and we'll get you off of there together, ok? Just stay very, very still for me."
Steve decided to jump from the direction Jaime was facing, so she could see that, yes, it was him and not a guard or executioner coming after her. Her eyes were wary, watchful, and didn't leave his face for a single moment as he was coming toward the barn. When he made the jump, Jaime began to flinch, but stood her ground. Her face reminded Steve of a lost, frightened little child.
Suddenly - Steve could tell the moment it happened - Jaime snapped from wherever her mind had taken her back to the present, and the reality of being up on the roof. "Steve?" she said in a cross between a whisper and a cry.
Steve put his arms securely around her body, and looked directly into her eyes, finally seeing Jaime there again. "Let's get you down from here," he said softly. Holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her, Steve jumped from the barn roof, landed on his feet and took a deep breath, then placed Jaime on her feet, on solid ground, as well.
For a minute or two, she was too stunned to move, then she walked slowly but resolutely to where Oscar and the two doctors stood. She looked directly at Doctor Conrad, fresh tears in her eyes. "Please...help me." All four men smiled warmly at her, looking forward to doing just that.
END