Chapter Two
Jaime was released from the hospital in a mere four days, but Rudy had only agreed to let her go because she wasn't going home. She was leaving with her care entrusted to the only person who'd keep an even closer eye on Jaime than her doctors: Steve. He'd equipped his guest room with extra pillows, a soft, cushy quilt and even Jaime's childhood teddy bear, fresh from Jim and Helen's attic, for extra-special comfort.
There were no clues yet to the identity of the mystery shooter; the bullet had been badly damaged as it tore through bionic circuitry and had been rendered untraceable. They didn't even know if the target had been Jaime, Steve or both of them, but Steve felt he could keep her safer at home than in a hospital with dozens of people milling around them. While he was chomping at the bit to work with Oscar, and with Chris and Russ, to bring the shooter to his own personal brand of justice, Steve knew he belonged where his heart was firmly committed: at Jaime's side. If their assailant even attempted to come after them again, he would protect her with his very life, if necessary, and there would be no one on Earth who would be able to protect that trigger man.
Jaime sank gratefully into the cushions of the big, over-stuffed sofa, giving Steve a weary but happy smile.
"Do you need anything, Sweetheart?" he asked.
"Yeah – there is something...I need you to stop hovering, sit down and relax with me. Please?"
Steve grinned and honored her request, softly enveloping Jaime in his arms. He was careful not to jostle the sling she wore – not because her arm needed it, but to keep her shoulder at least somewhat immobile. He ran his fingertips gently through her hair and leaned closer for a warm, tender kiss.
- - - - - -
Anger boiled through his every vein. It was bad enough that Austin had been at Jaime's side throughout her hospital stay – he was worse than a damn guard dog! - but now she was moving in with him, and that was unacceptable! Poor Jaime; he's got you so confused you don't know where you belong anymore! I'll take care of that, and then...I'll take care of you. I love you.
- - - - - -
"Sam – great to see you!" Oscar said, warmly embracing his nephew. "What brings you to Los Angeles?"
"I had a little time off, and wanted to pay my favorite uncle a visit. Callahan told me where to find you."
"Favorite uncle? Last time I checked, I was your only uncle," Oscar said, grinning.
"Still my favorite. How are you?" Sam asked.
"Same as always; overworked but keeping on -"
"And Jaime?"
Oscar frowned. "Wasn't that a topic you were letting go of?" Sam's prior interest in Jaime had nearly caused a split between Jaime and Steve, and Sam had promised his uncle he'd keep a proper distance. So far, he had.
"Doesn't mean I can't ask about her." He looked expectantly at his uncle.
"She's fine. So is Steve."
"Great." Sam paused for a moment, staring into space. "So – how about lunch?"
- - - - - -
"We should've kept Jaime here, at least a few more days," Michael told Rudy.
"She'll be fine. Steve's keeping a closer watch on her than either of us – or even both of us – could."
"I know, but some lunatic already took one shot at them. Who knows what might happen next?"
- - - - - -
Chris paced nervously in Oscar's outer office, waiting with Russ for Oscar to return from lunch with his nephew. "Why would he take off now, with Jaime in danger?" Chris sputtered angrily.
"We don't know anyone is in danger," Russ said reasonably. He tried unsuccessfully to show Chris to a chair. "Besides, he hasn't left the country, Chris – he went to lunch."
"Ok, so Steve and Jaime just happened to be in the same place when someone just happened to fire a shot that accidentally happened to hit her." Chris shook his head. "You don't believe that, do you? We've got a lot of work ahead of us, you know."
Russ shrugged. "Maybe Sam could help. If someone is really after Steve or Jaime, Sam Argus might have valuable insight. I mean, look what he does for a living." Sam was the founder of an elite mental hospital. "If there's really a crazy person lurking in the shadows, maybe we could use his help."
- - - - - -
Steve was more than keeping his promise to Rudy. He was not only taking care of Jaime, he was anticipating her every need, sometimes before she knew she needed something.
"Steve," Jaime protested that evening, from the sofa, "I like to cook. It's relaxing for me. You really don't have to make dinner."
Steve smiled as he handed her a plate. "It wasn't hard; Helen left my freezer well-stocked, last time she visited. But I did add parsley. And a kiss." He bent down and gently brushed her lips with his own.
As they shared a meal of Helen's pot roast, well-seasoned with each other's company, neither one of them noticed the shadow that moved several times past the window.
- - - - - -