BETRAYAL

by bionic4ever

STEVE & JAIME'S HOUSE, WASH. D.C.-Friday, 10:30am

Steve threw his clothes and most important possessions into two suitcases and a trunk. He was moving at bionic speed, intending to be out the door of the house he'd shared with Jaime for over a year before she walked in. He also hoped that such quick actions would leave no time to reconsider what he was doing or to feel the deep, caustic sting of betrayal caused by the two people who'd been closer to him than anyone else on Earth.

He'd gotten out of bed that morning looking forward to what he was sure would be one of the happiest days of his life. He and Jaime were about to become engaged. Of course, he had to ask her first, but he was certain she'd say yes. They'd been together for so long, through so much. Sure, she'd been a little distant in the last few weeks, but Steve assumed she was daydreaming about the same things he was: a wedding, picket fence, dog, 2.4 kids and bliss.

Jaime had already left the house, probably for a morning run, he'd thought at the time. That would work out fine; he needed to visit Oscar, his best friend and former boss, first, to share his plans and his happiness. Then he'd return home and ask Jaime to be his wife.

Steve laughed bitterly to himself. Had he really been that starry-eyed and naive, only two hours ago? The world can change so much in two hours - in one heartbeat really. He realized Jaime had never really been the same after her bout with amnesia - hell, death can change anyone - but Oscar? In one unbelievably ugly moment Steve had lost his best friend, his girlfriend and his entire future. He had never even seen it coming.

OSI HEADQUARTERS, DIRECTOR'S OFFICE-Friday, 8:30am

Jaime had, in fact, gone for a run that morning: across town to Oscar Goldman's office and straight into his arms. They were starved for each other's touch and embraced with all the passion of a love too long supressed.

Oscar stepped back to look at her after a long, intimate kiss. "You really need to tell Steve..." he began.

"I know." Jaime was blissfully happy with this new life she'd found, a life with Oscar at its center, but she ached at the thought of hurting the man who had been so good to her, so loving, for the majority of her life. "I know I have to do it, " she continued. ""I really should've told him weeks ago, but I don't know what to say or even how to start."

They both longed to feel the ultimate closeness that would only come from making love, but they'd agreed to wait until she'd completely separated herself from Steve. It was the only right and fair way to do it. They both regretted what this would do to Steve and had resisted what was happening between them as long as they could, until it became too strong to fight anymore.

"I'll tell him, if you want me to," Oscar said quietly. He felt a soft tenderness for this woman that, in his all his 50+ years, he'd been unaware he was capable of. Before he'd kissed her for the first time, he'd existed: work, home, work - period. Now he truly lived, and loved.

Jaime shook her head and smiled at him. "I have to do it." She looked into the eyes of the man she'd known for so long. When his arms encircled her, she felt something brand-new that she hadn't known she lacked: she was home.

"I'll tell him tonight," she promised, reaching up to kiss him. Oscar pulled her as close as was physically possible and kissed her deeply, hungrily. At precisely that instant, without a knock or any warning, the office door opened.

Steve's face flushed deep crimson and his soul went white-hot with rage. Why was she in another man's arms (doing that!), this woman he loved more than life itself? Not just any 'other man' either - his best friend and mentor. He'd planned to ask Oscar to be his best man at the wedding which, in this one awful moment, was gone forever.

"What the hell?" Steve said involuntarily, his voice tinged with grief and anger. The two lovers-to-be jerked apart, neither one able to look at him. He was gone before they turned around.

"Oh my God..." Jaime whispered. She buried her head in Oscar's shoulder and began to cry. He smoothed her hair and rubbed her back in an attempt to comfort her.

"I'm so sorry, Babe," he told her softly. "At least now, he knows."