Chapter 8

Michael made no pretense of sitting objectively in a chair. He sat directly on the edge of the bed, taking Jaime's hand in his own; she would need the support. ''Rudy just confirmed what I'd suspected,'' he explained. ''Your ear was badly damaged by the frequency jammer. It wasn't apparent with a more cursory examination in DC, but was immediately visible once we removed it. It's been misfiring, sending out a mild electrical impulse -''

''A shock? Into my brain?'' Jaime shuddered at the thought.

''The impulse was very, very mild,'' Rudy assured her. ''Enough to cause your dizzy spells and the pain...but there shouldn't be any permanent damage.''

''Shouldn't be?''

They were now shifting from Rudy's area of expertise into Michael's. ''I'll be keeping a very close eye on you to be certain - Rudy and I both will - but we firmly believe you'll be alright now,'' Michael told her. ''We'll keep you overnight; provided there are no more episodes, you could go home as soon as tomorrow.''

Mark couldn't help noticing that even when Rudy had been talking to her, Jaime's eyes had never left Michael's. And by the time the conversation had ended, she still had not asked a single question about Steve.

Steve had no one with him when his full consciousness returned...and he found he preferred it that way. He needed time to sort out his thoughts. Was he overreacting to what he'd seen from Michael. Possibly, he had to admit to himself. The fact that he'd linked Jaime's doctor with Grant Kingsley in his mind's eye made his own irrationality something he had to consider. And he couldn't stop picturing the way Jaime had ducked and cowered from him! Guilt at the knowledge that he'd evoked that reaction in his own wife tore at him...until it was replaced by a new emotion (at least where Jaime was concerned): anger. Maybe (in spite of his reassurances to the contrary) Michael really was trying to steal Jaime away from him but...it took two! Why was Jaime allowing it to happen?

Steve found that his left hand had been set (and bandaged) some time while he'd been medicated. His right had received only the most rudimentary repair for the time being but at least the fingers worked again. He reached for the call button but the person who answered wasn't a doctor; it was Russ. Oscar had sent his right-hand man to obtain a full report on what had happened at the hospital that day...and after speaking with Security, Russ's next interview would be with Steve. Steve answered his questions as fully and honestly as he could manage. There was a deep hurt and quiet fury behind his words but he was fully rational and coherent. He told Oscar's protege that he wanted to talk with Jaime...and with Michael.

Russ knew from speaking with Security that the meeting with Michael would be deemed too dangerous and would certainly be disallowed - and he broke that news to Steve as carefully as he could. Steve seemed to take it in stride. He intended to talk to Jaime (of course), either before they were both discharged or when they got home (before he did what it was clear to him now that he'd have to do). Steve knew that conversation would somehow find its way back to Michael.

Jaime woke only once in the night with a nightmare, and Mark was there by her side, able to quiet her fear enough that she went right back to sleep, waking in the morning with fresh resolve. Her team of doctors met in quiet conference in the hall outside her room (since Jaime was no longer able to eavesdrop) and decided it was safe to allow her to leave the hospital. Mark and Michael would escort her home and help her get settled comfortably. Rudy would follow, after he broke the news to Steve about Jaime's condition (including the part they'd thought it best not to tell her).

Steve had also been medically released but it was assumed Security would continue to hold him in his room for at least another 24 hours. When Rudy found out that this was not the case - and that Steve had been allowed to leave after all, since no charges were being pressed - it was too late; Steve was already gone. Rudy was furious, laying into the guards for not notifying him and threatening to fire each and every one of them. He immediately phoned the house but it rang almost mournfully...with no answer.

Jaime headed straight for the bedroom...and began to pack. From the back porch where he'd been sitting with his own suitcase, Steve heard her come in - and headed inside to intercept her. ''I should've known,'' he seethed when he saw Michael. (The fact that Mark was there too made absolutely no difference at this point.) ''You don't have to bother,'' Steve told his wife. ''I'm already packed.''

Jaime was beyond stunned. At Mark's suggestion, she'd been preparing a small bag to leave in the back of the closet that she could grab quickly if there was a need. The knowledge that it was there and instantly available would help her feel comfortable and safe enough to talk to Steve...to try and mend their rift. But he wasn't supposed to be here yet! And he was leaving her.

Michael stepped directly between Steve and Jaime, hoping to help repair the damage. ''Steve, listen...'' he began.

It was precisely the wrong move.