Chapter Two

"I'd still like to know how he could tell so easily which files were missing," Steve told Jaime on the way to Rudy's lab. "The whole thing seems pretty suspicious to me."

Jaime glared at him before answering. She was still angry and a little bewildered about her new husband's behavior in Oscar's office. "You heard him. He looked for my file, and when it wasn't there he looked for yours, and then Rudy's."

"Jaime, why are you so quick to defend him?"

"Because he was trying to help find Oscar while you were busy playing Rock-m-Sock-m-Robots."

"Then it wasn't because you liked the way he kissed you?"

"That's way out of line, Austin, and you know it!"

Steve sighed. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart, but when I saw him put his hands on you today, it made me sick to my stomach."

"He didn't know we got married."

"Doesn't matter. He knew we were together, and it wasn't just a friendly arm around your shoulder, either."

"Steve, I love you, not Sam. I married you." She looked at him anxiously. "Are you regretting that already?"

"Not a chance. And I am sorry. You know I don't normally act olike that. He just pushes every single one of my buttons..."

"Let's not fight," Jaime suggested. "Please? Oscar needs our help, and for all we know, so does Rudy."

Steve's voice was grim. "He needs our help even more than you know." Jaime looked at him quizzically. "He's in as much danger from the NSB as he is from whoever's got him. Maybe more."
"I don't understand -"

"Jaime, if someone at Oscar's security level is abducted, the NSB doesn't plan a rescue. They move in to neutralize the threat."

"Neutralize?"

"When they pinpoint a location, they bomb the hell out of it," Steve told her softly.

"But that wouldn't just get the kidnappers! Oscar would be killed."

"Exactly."

"Why...?"

"In their eyes, it's a kinder death than his enemies have planned for him."

"How do we stop them?"

"Find Oscar before they do. In essence, working against our own government. Which is why I'm dropping you off at home."

"Not a chance."

"Sweetheart, this could get really ugly."

"I'm going."

"Jaime -"

"For better or worse, remember?"

"I don't think those vows were written with kidnappings in mind."

"We're partners," Jaime pointed out. "Besides, there's one little thing you've overlooked."

"What's that?"

"If Rudy is gone, we're probably next. Our files are missing, too."