Chapter Two

That afternoon, under protest, Steve was seated beside Jaime in the NSB conference room. He scowled when Jack Hansen joined them.

"Miss Sommers, Colonel, thank you for agreeing to see me." Jack Hansen extended his hand to each of them in turn.

Jaime shook his hand with a tentative, peace-making smile. "'Jaime' is fine."

Steve ignored the hand extended to him and stared sullenly at the table. He was there strictly to protect Jaime from what, at best, was a really bad idea and, at worst, a possible NSB trap. Jaime had been determined to do this, with or without him. Steve couldn't let go of the fact that, two months earlier, Hansen had pushed to have Jaime, and, later both of them, executed.

"So," Hansen said after he taken a seat, "off the tops of your heads, what do you see that needs to be changed in this agency?"

"For starters," Steve spat out, "you might try that novel new concept of 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty'. You were ready to be judge, jury and executioner without so much as a shred of real evidence."

"We had the video, and she was still there, files in hand...but I don't want to debate that right now, Colonel. I've already apologized, repeatedly, and I'm doing the best I can to make peace."

"It wouldn't hurt you to try and do the same," Jaime pointed out gently. "Being bitter only eats away at you inside, where it does the most damage." She smiled at Steve and took his hand. "Forgiving doesn't mean we forget; it just makes it all a little easier to live with."

"The lady speaks the truth," Steve admitted, smiling humbly, and he finally extended his hand to the NSB director. The two men shared a sincere handshake. "How 'bout we start this whole thing over?" Steve suggested.

"All I'm asking for is a fair shake," Hansen replied.

Jaime and Steve spent several hours that afternoon making comments and suggestions, most of them quite helpful. For the next two days, they shadowed Hansen as he went about his NSB business. The second night, they had one last consultants' meeting.

"The main thing I have to tell you," Jaime began, looking Hansen directly in the eyes, "is always be aware of your people: their actions, their thoughts and their feelings. Ask questions - lots of them - and really hear the answers. Listen for what they don't say, too. If you don't know what they're thinking or how they'll react in any situation, you haven't spent enough time with them." Jaime smiled. "End of speech."

Hansen nodded. "Point well taken. Thank you. Steve?"

"Train your people even better than you think you need to," Steve told him, "to where you would trust them with your life. If you don't feel that level of trust in someone, in this line of work, they shouldn't be with you. You have to be thoroughly confident in their abilities and their knowledge, but also make sure you check up on them - unannounced - once in awhile. That's how you catch someone like Kirk. Respect your people, trust their abilities, and you will have their loyalty and respect."

Hansen nodded again and smiled. "Thank you again, both of you. I've learned - and re-learned - even more than I thought I would. I know it wasn't easy for either of you to come here, and I want you to know I truly appreciate your time and effort."

"I take it things went well, then? Great!" Oscar, with his usual impeccable timing, had appeared in the doorway with Rudy right behind him. "Jaime, Rudy'd like to give you a quick once-over."

"Ok," she replied. "Jack, we're not done yet, remember? Tomorrow it's my turn."

"I'll see you bright and early," Hansen confirmed.

When Jaime was gone, Oscar turned to Hansen. "Jack, is it ok if Steve and I borrow your office for a little while?"

"Of course."

Steve shook Hansen's hand and followed Oscar down the hall to the big corner office. A video playback machine with a large color screen was set up off to one side.

"Close the door, please," Oscar requested. "Thank you." He motioned for Steve to take a seat near the video screen. "You know Jaime is demanding to see the Pentagon security tape, right?"

"Yup."

"Have you actually seen it yourself yet?" Steve shook his head. "Well I have. You need to see it, too, before Jaime has access to it." He put the tape in the machine and turned it on.

The images on the screen were crystal clear and in color; the Pentagon's security system was one of the best in the world. The segment began with Jaime walking down the tunnelled hallway toward the War Room as though she were in a trance, but also with a fierce look of determination in her eyes.

Two large, burly guards interrupted her before she could reach the doorway. When she simply pushed past them, they drew their guns and each grabbed one of her arms. Steve was grateful the tape had no sound because although what came next took mere seconds, it was nearly unbearable to watch, even in silence.

Jaime used the strength of her right arm to swing the guard on that side around, slamming him head-to-head with the guard on her left. While they were momentarily stunned, she systematically snapped one neck, then the other.

"Oh, dear God..." Steve whispered. He had to keep reminding himself It's not really Jaime. She was used like a puppet, but he suddenly felt like he'd been punched in the stomach: sick and unable to breathe.

Oscar turned the machine off. "There's more, but that was by far the worst of it."

"Oscar," Steve said once he'd regained his composure, "there is no way we can let Jaime see that tape..."