Chapter 12

It was too much to ask...but Steve knew he really had no choice. He would have to return to National. Perhaps he could have Rudy patch his arm and release him without his ever having to see Jaime. As much as Steve ached to be with her, to see if their love was still strong enough to salvage their broken relationship, he was terrified at the thought that she'd thrown a blood clot at least partially because of his actions. She could have died! Even if Jaime was somehow able to forgive him for the rage he'd shown toward her (and toward Michael), Steve didn't know how to even begin to seek her forgiveness for causing her illness. He wasn't sure he could even forgive himself. But Rudy was right; he needed to see his wife.

Jaime laid back in the bed, still staring thoughtfully into Michael's eyes. ''Can I ask you something?'' she requested.

''Sure.''

''When we were together...before...'' (she wasn't quite sure how to say it).

''You know about that?''

''Yeah. Well...they told me a little. But...well...''

''What is it?'' he asked gently.

''How...um...close were we?''

''Not as close as we could have been...but closer than we should have been,'' he admitted. ''Does that answer your question?''

''I think so. And the rest...I can still see in your eyes.'' Jaime said softly.

Michael reached out and touched her face, then shifted from the chair to the edge of the bed as she leaned into his caress. ''We can't do this,'' he told her (gathering her into his arms anyway).

''No...we can't,'' Jaime agreed. She fell into his embrace and tilted her head up to kiss him. Instead of simply being held, Jaime wrapped her arms around Michael too, pulling him closer. This time, their gentle, searching kiss quickly grew passionate. Michael's fingers entwined in her hair and Jaime's hands were on the small of his back and his neck, pulling him to her.

Neither one of them noticed the figure standing quietly in the hallway, with the stricken look on his face...until they heard the commotion.

''I need to talk to her - to both of them!'' Steve was insisting, in a voice choked with emotion.

Rudy had caught just a glimpse inside the room...but it was more than enough. ''Be in my office in an hour - with all of your files,'' he told Michael, before he and Mark led Steve away. He'd had no idea Steve would stop off at Jaime's room before coming to the lab. From what he'd said over the phone, he had no intention of seeing his wife at all. Rudy knew Steve had already been standing there, just watching before they'd stumbled upon him (while on their own way up to check on Jaime). But there was no rage this time. Steve followed them mutely down to the lab, his shoulders slumped with a deep sense of hurt.

Jaime and Michael pulled apart with shock at what they'd just done...and horror at having been witnessed. ''Oh my God...no...'' Jaime whispered.

''I'll go talk to Steve...if you want me to,'' Michael offered.

Jaime shook her head. ''That'll just make things worse. I...I have to talk to him myself...but I don't know how. I don't think...I can fix this. And Rudy - he's gonna fire you...isn't he?''

''He can't really fire me - but he can transfer me to a different facility...away from you.''

''No...''

''That was an awful thing to see,'' Mark empathized while Rudy started working on Steve's arm. ''I'm so sorry.''

''I'm the one who's sorry. I drove her...to that.''

''He's off her case, effective immediately,'' Rudy announced.

''Please...don't do that. He's still the best around...to treat her,'' Steve pleaded.

''I can't allow it; not anymore. Not in my hospital - and not with my patient.''

''I need to talk to Jaime,'' Steve stated, looking over toward Mark. ''Will you help me?''

"Steve...your other hand needs to be re-set," Rudy told him.

"It can wait; I promise not to punch any more walls. Please, Rudy...?"

Rudy nodded his assent and headed off to deal with Michael.

Michael was already waiting in Rudy's office when the work on Steve's arm was completed. He'd come down early to give himself time to gather his thoughts. The mere sight of him infuriated his mentor. Rudy closed the door...and immediately laid into him with both barrels. ''Michael, what the hell were you thinking?'' he demanded.

''I...wasn't thinking,'' Michael admitted.

''Obviously!''

''Rudy...I'm sorry. And I'll save you the trouble; I'm taking myself off of Jaime's case.''

''That's the first intelligent move you've made today,'' Rudy fumed. ''How could you? Just...how could you?''

''Please don't transfer me out of here,'' Michael requested. ''I'd really like to stay and consult with whoever you get to take over Jaime's care. I want to help in any way I can to make the transition as smooth as possible...for everyone.''

Rudy would have to think about that.

Meanwhile, Mark had taken Michael's place in Jaime's room. Jaime was staring out the window, crying quietly, too distraught to even speak. Steve was waiting in the hallway, out of Jaime's line of vision, hoping that Mark could pave the way for him to finally be able to talk with his wife, although he had absolutely no idea what he was going to say, beyond 'I love you'.

Mark hadn't witnessed what happened but he knew from Steve's reaction (and now, from Jaime's) that it had been serious. ''Jaime,'' he began carefully, ''you have some decisions to make.'' Did she want to save her marriage - was she willing to at least try? ''Steve is outside. You need to talk with him.''

''I...can't.''

''You have to - and the longer you wait, the harder it's going to be. You and Steve need to decide togetherwhere you're going to go from here.''

''I don't know...what to do...''

''I can't answer that for you; but I think your hearts can - yours and Steve's. I'll stay and help you both if you want me to, but you need to do this.''

Jaime took a deep, shuddering breath...and nodded.

''Okay, Steve,'' Mark said a little louder, calling into the hallway.

''Hi Sweetheart,'' Steve said tentatively from the doorway (still not sure if he'd actually be welcome).

Jaime took one look at him...and her eyes rolled back in her head, her body quaking in a full seizure.

''Get Michael up here!'' Steve told Mark urgently, rushing to his wife's side.