Chapter 2

Michael released his hold on Jaime, gently easing her onto the pillows. Steve saw the frightened look in her eyes as he approached the bed. ''What just happened here?'' he demanded.

''I got...a little dizzy...'' Jaime told him.

Steve shot Michael a questioning glance, then moved between his wife and the doctor, taking Jaime's hand. ''Are you alright?'' he asked.

''I...think so.''

''Her x-rays were clear,'' Michael explained (shifting immediately back to his most professional bedside manner). ''But this dizziness concerns me. Jaime, I'd like to admit you for more tests and -''

''No...''

''I'd rather err on the side of caution,'' Michael insisted. ''Besides, I'll want to re-test tomorrow morning to see if anything has changed.''

''I could bring her back tomorrow,'' Steve offered. He was doing his best to set aside what he'd witnessed from the doorway...but it wasn't easy.

''How do you feel now?'' Michael asked. ''Any pain?''

''No. I...I'm okay now.'' Jaime could sense an undercurrent she didn't quite understand passing between the two men. It made her uncomfortable - and scared her even more than the dizzy spell. Steve's hand tightened almost possessively around hers as Michael moved to the other side of the bed and leaned in close once more.

''Follow my finger,'' he told her, moving his index finger slowly in front of Jaime's face as he'd done a few minutes earlier. This time, the results told him what Jaime had not. ''You're still light-headed,'' he surmised.

''It's almost gone...''

Steve noted with displeasure (bordering on anger) that the young doctor was still leaning in toward Jaime...a little too close for his tolerance level. ''Can I see you in the hallway?'' he requested, barely able to contain himself. He caressed his wife's cheek to reassure her. ''We'll be right back.''

''Please don't contradict me,'' Michael said quietly, when he and Steve had reached the other end of the hallway. ''Jaime needs to be here, under close supervision.''

''I'm not sure I like your brand of 'supervision','' Steve shot back.

''What the hell is that supposed to mean?'' Michael had stopped himself before anything inappropriate had happened...and it wasn't like Austin could read his thoughts.

''It means you sent me away for coffee - and I came back to find you holding my wife!''

''Would you prefer if I'd let her hit the ground?''

''Of course not. But from what I saw, she wasn't over 'the ground' - she was over the bed! And you were way out of line...Doctor!'' Steve's teeth (and fists) were clenched as he fought the urge to punch Michael into the next week.

''Look Steve, I don't know what you think you saw but -''

''I know what I saw!''

''You've been under a lot of stress - you both have - but please know that I'd never interfere in your marriage. And I need you to not interfere in your wife's medical care,'' Michael told him softly.

''Let me ask you a question,'' Steve said, forcing himself to calm down. ''Is Jaime in any danger?''

''At the moment? No. But I'd like to keep it that way.''

''Then let me take care of her at home. I'll follow any instructions you give me, but she'd be more comfortable.'' And so would I, he finished, to himself.

''I suppose there's no harm in it, if you agree to bring her back tomorrow and -''

''Steve! Michael!'' They heard Jaime's frightened voice even before they saw the red (emergency) call light flash on. Both men ran to return to her side. ''I...couldn't hear you!'' she told them. ''Yeah...was trying...to eavesdrop. But I couldn't hear you!''

Steve fluffed the pillows, helped Jaime into (their own) bed and tucked the quilt up to her shoulders, then softly kissed her forehead. After a phone consultation with Rudy, Michael had allowed that it would still be safe to let Jaime go home, provided she stay off her feet until the next round of tests. Rudy would also be flying out to re-examine her ear...and bringing Mark Conrad with him. It would prove to be a good thing.

''You were really upset today,'' Jaime noted, ''before you found out I got dizzy.''

''Jaime...''

''Did you - or did you not - promise never to lie to me?''

''The second half of that promise was that if I didn't feel you were up to hearing something, I'd at least tell you that,'' Steve reminded her. ''And Sweetheart, you're supposed to be resting now.''

''Was there ever...um...something between Michael and me?''

Where the hell did that come from? Steve wondered to himself. It struck exactly the right (or wrong) nerve. ''Why? Did you like the way he was holding you?'' The instant he'd said it, Steve wished he could call the words back. Jaime looked at him like he'd struck her.

''I didn't deserve that...and neither does Michael.''

''Don't defend him, Jaime; you just don't know -''

''Then tell me! What is it I don't know? Please feel free to fill me in...so I can stop thinking my husband is acting like an over-protective, paranoid, macho jerk!''

Mark Conrad couldn't get there soon enough.