Chapter 10

''You'll be making a big mistake, if you leave her,'' Mark told Steve. ''And not because she's sick; because you need each other.''

Steve shook his head with deep sadness. ''I already made the big mistake, Doc...and there's no way to fix it. I should've just packed my stuff and left - put some distance between us for a little while - then maybe we'd have stood a chance of patching things up eventually...''

''You still have that chance; let me help you.''

''It's too late. I drove Jaime straight into Michael's arms. And he'll certainly have no objection to that,'' Steve concluded. He stared at the glass cubicle with its curtains still drawn. ''What's happening to her in there?''

''See...you do still care,'' Mark pointed out.

''Of course I do. Please...tell me all of it.''

Mark told him what he knew - reiterating the part about the attempted use of the mind control device, adding that it had likely taken place while Jaime was alone with Kingsley in the kiosk, before Steve had reached the park - then explained that although they'd believed she was safe, the possibility of another blood clot had been mentioned and was probably what was happening now.

''I did this to her,'' Steve repeated with growing horror...and crushing guilt.

''We don't know that.''

''You said you thought Jaime would need me 'when she finds out'. How much does she know?''

''We told her that the frequency jammer had caused her bionic ear to send impulses into her brain - electrical impulses - but that's all we've told her so far.''

''And Kingsley's...device...did it affect her mind? Because she didn't have 'episodes' like Russ did. She seemed fine...''

''We think her ear absorbed the entire jolt. It didn't do any real damage but it left her vulnerable; the jammer on its own should've just scrambled the signal we were receiving from Jaime's transmitter. In a way, this was truly Kingsley's parting shot at the two of you. For Jaime's sake - and for yours - don't let him win, after all.''

''He didn't win...as long as she lives. And if anyone can save her, Michael can; I know that. But I lost, Doc, just like you tried to tell me I would.''

The curtains were still drawn when Michael emerged to give Mark an update. He looked over to Steve (who seemed much calmer now, but very bereft) then looked questioningly at Mark...who nodded. It was safe to talk with Steve there; the violent rage had once again subsided.

''Jaime's out of danger,'' Michael said softly. ''It appears there is a clot but it's very small. We caught it almost immediately. With blood thinners and rest, she should be alright. I'm hopeful that we can avoid surgery.''

Steve stepped toward Jaime's doctor and extended his hand to shake Michael's. ''Thank you,'' he said simply...then turned and left the hospital.

When Jaime woke up the next morning, Michael was at her bedside. ''Where's Steve?'' she asked in a weak voice.

''He's...not here,'' Michael told her reluctantly.

''Did something happen? Is he alright?''

Michael found himself at a loss for words. Jaime seemed more agitated and stressed with not knowing than if he simply told her the truth - but the words were proving hard to find. ''He was here,'' Michael explained, taking her hand. ''He waited until he knew you were okay...then he left. Jaime, I'm sorry...but we don't know where he is.''

Silent tears began streaming down Jaime's face. Steve had really left her...Michael longed to gather her into his arms and ease away her pain (or at least offer her some sort of comfort) but he knew it wouldn't be right; he couldn't take advantage of the situation when she was this vulnerable. The physician in him was once again taking note of her pulse as he held her hand. It had grown alarmingly fast - but thready and weak. The man in him fought back his urges...until Jaime reached up and buried her face in his shoulder. Michael's arms encircled her almost automatically and pulled her closer, gently rubbing her back as she sobbed her heart out.

''You'll be okay,'' Michael soothed. ''Whatever happens, we'll get you through it. Everything will be alright.'' He knew from what Mark had told him that Steve had left over guilt, not anger. Anger would have been better; he could've returned once he'd cooled down. Guilt was more likely to eat away at him and get worse instead of better. According to Mark, Steve planned to offer Jaime an annulment...but he couldn't tell her that. Not yet. Instead, he kept holding her close, knowing she needed someone...and he'd been elected. Truth be told, although his heart ached for Jaime at the possible dissolution of her marriage and the pain it would cause her, he didn't mind the role she seemed to have cast him in. And for the moment, holding her felt exactly right.

When it was over (when she had cried herself out) Jaime lifted her head, looked into Michael's eyes...and caught a glimpse of the man, tender and compassionate. His eyes were so kind! She found she was unable to look away.