Epilogue

Steve finally left the ICU on the same day that Jaime was released from the hospital. While the kisses they shared were just for show, the sentiments they whispered back and forth were from their hearts and very real.

"Steve," Jaime whispered, "I -"

"If you thank me one more time, I might have to take drastic measures."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Like...standing out on the ledge so you have to rescue me. Then, we'd be even."

"Very funny, Austin." She kissed him again. "I'll be back tomorrow to see you."

"No, you won't. You and Oscar deserve some time to yourselves."

"But -"

"He's got three more days of leave time, and I don't wanna see you back here until he goes back to work."

"Steve -"

"Anybody asks, I'll tell them you needed some de-hospitalization time. Non-negotiable. Spend three days with no one but your husband. That is an order."

Jaime grinned. "I like how you think."

Oscar waited in the hallway between the two hospital rooms while Steve and Jaime said their goodbyes, and that was where Russ found him. "Waiting for someone?" he asked.

"I'm giving Jaime a ride home."

Russ glanced into Steve's room, smiling at the sight of the very happily occupied couple. "Looks like life is back to normal. I can't believe that a few days ago, I actually thought..." his voice trailed off as he laughed.

"What?"

"I thought you and Jaime were having an affair – a fling – something like that."

Oscar rolled his eyes, sighing to himself at their narrow escape. "If I so much as thought about touching her, the Secretary would have my head on a silver platter."

"Yeah I know," Russ agreed. "Then I'd never get rid of this damned briefcase. Matter of fact, you can have it back right now, if you want."

"No deal, my friend. I've got three more days of freedom first." And I plan to spend every minute of it with my wife in my arms!

"Two days, twenty-two hours and..." Russ looked at his watch, "seventeen minutes. And I'm holding you to it."

Oscar smiled, thinking how much re-acquainting he and Jaime could do in that amount of time. "Friend, you've got yourself a deal."

END