Chapter Eleven

Chris wisely kept his distance for the next few days, while Steve and Rudy began to help Jaime fill in the blanks, one by one. She had to take what they told her on faith, though, since hearing about the missing three years did nothing to restore them in her memory. She was full of questions, and they did their best to answer each one as fully and honestly as possible. The only subject they hadn't touched on yet was her bionics, because she still hadn't been out of her bed, but her injuries were healing rapidly, and her strength was beginning to return. Steve and Rudy knew it was only a matter of time.

"So we were engaged but we never got married?" Jaime asked, still working on getting the details straight.

"That's right," Steve told her. "And Baltic with a hotel means you owe me $450.00."

"Slumlord," Jaime grumbled, handing over the phony cash. "What happened?" she persisted, passing him the dice. "Why did we split up? I mean...we seem...OK now."

Steve smiled at her, and the intensity of the spark that passed between them took them both a bit by surprise. The feelings that Steve had hidden for so long, and the ones Jaime had newly rediscovered were growing even deeper with each day they spent together.

"You got really sick," Steve explained, "and you were in the hospital for a long time."

"Maybe I should apply to be a professional patient," Jaime quipped. "So – what happened?"

"Well, actually, you developed amnesia -"

"Talk about deja vu...!"

"Yeah, I know. We never really 'split up', and we stayed close friends, but -"

"But no wedding."

"No wedding," Steve confirmed, moving his race car around the board and landing on Reading.

"Damn," Jaime mused. Sure wish that knot had gotten tied before I got sick..."And you owe me $200."

There was so much more Steve wanted to say. I've never stopped loving you, Jaime; I couldn't even if I'd tried. I'd still marry you in a heartbeat...But he refused to rush her, and simply handed over the $200.

- - - - - -

After a few more days of rest and healing, Jaime was growing stir crazy and Rudy finally agreed to let Steve take her outside for some fresh air. He found a quiet spot in the sun, surrounded by patches of winter wild flowers, parked her chair there and lifted her out onto the grass, where he could sit down beside her.

"It's so beautiful out here," Jaime exulted, tipping her face upward to feel the warmth of the California sunshine. Steve kissed her cheek and Jaime turned her head until – for the first time since she'd awakened in the ICU – their lips brushed against each other and then met fully for a sweet and tender reunion. Steve, ever mindful of her injuries, kept the kiss light but the fire re-igniting within them was undeniable. The rest of the world seemed to melt away and they saw only each other...

They didn't notice the approach of a visitor until he stood directly over them. "Get your hands off my fiancée, Austin."

Steve and Jaime's heads turned almost as one; Chris Williams' eyes were stone cold and Steve instinctively moved to place himself between Chris and Jaime – even before he saw the gun.

"They won't let me see you anymore," Chris told Jaime, "did you know that? He got me banned from the hospital so he could spoon-feed you his private version of the truth, and I see it's working."

"Williams, don't be stupid. This place is crawling with security. Put the gun down before you end up getting hurt," Steve said firmly.

"Jaime, he's taking advantage of you," Chris whined. "Can't you see that? We were so happy, and we'll be that happy again – I know we will – I love you!"

"I'm still not sure who you are," Jaime said in a calm, steady voice, "but I know you're the one who's lying. The way you've acted, the awful things you've said to Steve...and to me...I could never love you."

Chris bristled with blind fury. "You will, once he's outta the way!" He cocked the gun and pointed it at Steve.

"No!" Jaime cried. She picked up the only thing within reach – her wheelchair – and threw it with a strength she didn't yet know that she had, directly at Chris. Williams was knocked backwards with surprising force, straight in the direction of the security team that was running toward them. Steve pulled Jaime close, burying her face in his shoulder as Russ threw the handcuffs on Chris with more force than necessary and quickly led him away.

"That gun..." Jaime whispered, finally looking up into Steve's face.

"You're safe, Sweetheart. I guarantee he won't bother you again."

"Steve, I remember...he had that same gun...right after the car crash!"

- - - - - -