Epilogue
One month later, her injuries and her psyche almost fully healed, Jaime left the hospital on Steve's arm. They weren't exactly where they'd been before Jaime's 'death', but they were comfortable and easy together, with a warm relationship that had already begun to evolve into something even deeper than they'd had before. Rudy would never know for certain, but he theorized that the electric shock had rewired and reconnected the damaged nerves in Jaime's brain. Things could've ended tragically, but thanks to determination, love and teamwork (and a touch of stubbornness), Jaime was well on her way to a full recovery.
Steve drove out of Los Angeles and headed for the little park on the outskirts of Ojai. They walked arm-in-arm to 'their' tree, where they sat quietly, thoroughly absorbed in simply being together.
"Oscar said Silva and the others will never be out in the daylight again," Jaime said, sighing contentedly as she nestled closer against Steve's chest. His arms fully enveloped her, holding her gently as he comtemplated the meaning of the second chance they'd somehow been granted.
"If it were up to me," he finally responded, "they wouldn't be allowed to keep on breathing our air, after what they did to you."
Jaime tilted her head up and kissed him, smiling into his deep, blue eyes. "Which is exactly why it isn't up to you." She kissed him again, deeper and longer, and they stayed there, enjoying the sunset and each other, knowing the sun was rising once again for their relationship. There was nothing in the universe that could ever part the couple that even death couldn't separate.
END