Chapter Five

Jaime was given oxygen to help her system metabolize the pentothal faster. Her vital signs quickly returned to normal and she fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up, all three doctors were in the adjoining room, keeping a close eye on the remote monitors. The first thing Jaime saw when her eyes fluttered open was Steve smiling down at her.

"Hi there."

"We did it, huh?" she said in a proud but still groggy voice.

"You did it. And I'm so proud of you."

"Steve...I - I was willing to let you suffer, instead of coming back where I belong. I'm so sorry."

"Choosing to leave a beautiful place like that - and your parents - to go back to a life full of pain? I don't think any human being could've made that choice." His hand softly caressed her cheek. "Jaime, please don't torture yourself over that anymore - ever. Anyone would've wanted exactly what you did. Do you understand that?"

"Yes," she whispered through tears of gratitude. Jaime was quiet for a few moments, intently searching Steve's face.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah. I think so. There was something else I thought I saw, but I wasn't sure..."

"What is it?"

"It looked...like I was wearing an engagement ring. Were we gonna get married?"

Her hazel eyes locked with his blue ones, and Steve found there was nothing he could do except tell her the truth. "Yes."

"Are we married?"

"No." Steve found that her eyes wouldn't let him go. "After your accident, there were some complications, then your amnesia -"

"And I woke up and didn't remember you! Oh, how awful! Steve, I...I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault; you need to understand that."

"I'm still sorry for everything you must've gone through and for what you're still going through."

"I don't want you to worry about that. If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't be here. Ok?"

"Ok. Thank you." Jaime smiled back at him, her eyes still magnetically drawn to his. "Steve -?"

Steve grinned. "You've got that ' I need a hug' look."

"How'd you know what I was gonna say?"

Steve gathered her into his arms and, as he pulled her close, he caught a fleeting glimpse of the old, pre-amnesia Jaime. He longed to kiss her and try to urge that part of her back to the surface, but knew it was better to wait and just let it happen. He'd seen that the spark still existed inside her. It hadn't been snuffed out and thus still had the potential to burst into flame. That knowledge was more than enough to give Steve hope.

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Rudy had insisted on keeping Jaime in bed for the remainder of the day, to give her system a rest and to make sure there was nothing wrong with her heart.

"Why do I have to stay in bed, Rudy?" she asked crossly. "I'm not an invalid."

"No, but you are my patient, and your doctor insists you stay in bed until tomorrow morning for the good of your health. And that, young lady, is exactly what you will do. Understand?"

"Aye-aye, Captain!"

"Besides," Rudy continued, checking Jaime's vital signs as they talked, "I understand you've got a big day tomorrow."

"Memory tests. And a picnic."

"With Steve?"

"Yeah."

"Just don't push yourself too hard, Honey," Rudy told her, patting her shoulder as he finished the check-up. "I've got a feeling you'll be just fine before you know it.

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