Enemies

Chapter One-OSI Director's Office-Tues.,10:30am ET

Steve found Oscar puffing manically on a cigar, and braced himself; this was never a good sign. "What's up, Oscar?" Silence. "Your office called me, but ok - I'll start, 'cause I've got news. Jaime said yes - we're engaged!" Oscar frowned and lit another cigar off the stub of the last. Not the response Steve was expecting. "Congratulations, Pal," he said in his best Oscar imitation. "That's wonderful."

"I was hoping you might've waited," Oscar said in a grim monotone. "How much did you tell her?"

"About...?"

"About bionics, about your work here, and the OSI's purpose in general."

"All of it," Steve answered, bewildered. "I couldn't ask her to be my wife without letting her know what kind of life she'd be marrying into. Oscar, we talked about all of this before I went back to see her."

"I know."

"So, what the hell?"

"Steve, Kirk from the NSB was in the outer office when we had that discussion."

Steve flinched inwardly. When the NSB was involved, the results were seldom positive. "And?" he asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"In exactly one hour and 20 minutes, they will be taking Jaime into custody as a Threat to National Security."

"What? They can't do that!" Steve closed his eyes for a second as the realization hit him. "Of course they can," he said softly. "But Jaime's no threat to anyone! She plays tennis, for God's sake!"

"And doing that, she travels to dozens of foreign countries. In their eyes, that makes her even more dangerous. I'm sorry, Pal; my hands are tied. If we fight this, they can get a Presidential order."

"What'll they do to her?"

Oscar lit yet another cigar and turned toward the window. He couldn't bring himself to look at Steve. "You don't want me to answer that."

"What...lock her away somewhere, so I'll never be able to find her?" Steve asked. Then the true horror hit him. "Or is she just gonna - poof! - disappear? She hasn't done anything wrong!"

Oscar couldn't face him. "Steve...you're wasting time."

The lightbulb went on in Steve's head. His boss might soon be forced to act against Jaime, but his friend was giving him a chance to save her. "I've gotta go."

Ojai, CA-Jaime's Apt.-Tues.,7:45am PT

Jaime stepped out of the shower to the ringing of the phone. "Hello," she said happily.

"Sweetheart, it's me -"

"Steve! Wow - it's only been -"

He cut her off; there was so little time. "Jaime, do you trust me?"

"Of course. Why? What's going on?"

"Listen to me, very closely. I need you to do something for me and not ask why, for now."

"O...k..." Jaime stammered, suddenly frightened.

"Remember that old cabin by the lake, where we used to hang out?"

"Yes."

"I need you to pack a bag - don't take more than five minutes - then go straight there, as fast as you can without getting pulled over. Park your car at the bottom of the mountain and walk up the trail."

"Steve, what the -"

"I need you to do it now, do it fast, and don't tell anyone where you're going. No note, nothing. I'll meet you there tonight, and in the meantime, I want you to block the door the best you can and don't let anyone - anyone - in but me."

"I don't -"

"Jaime, please...for me...just do this. Now."

"I...I trust you...ok..." she agreed, scared to the point of tears.

"It'll be ok, Sweetheart. I'll see you tonight. I love you - now go."

Jaime hung up, stunned, and began to pack her bag. What'll be ok, Steve? she wondered. What is going on?