Chapter 17

For the next few days, it seemed that everyone was being very, very cautious. Rudy watched Michael closely, sometimes observing from the hallway as Michael cared for his patient and sometimes going in with him to see Jaime. He was allowing Michael to remain at National (and specifically to care for Jaime) for the present; the future - Michael's future - was still somewhat up in the air, the strongest decision lying directly in Rudy's lap. He would have to look at what he considered a serious breech of medical ethics...but also performance as a physician with a very specific area of expertise, one that Jaime needed and deserved.

Michael himself was still having those dreams at night...but he was being careful to keep his interactions with Jaime solely on a professional, objective level. It was proving to be very difficult, as he occasionally caught a glimpse of a question in her eyes about what might have been. Mark had requested a one-on-one meeting with him and Michael was dreading it but determined to be honest and hopefully rid himself of thoughts he knew he shouldn't have.

Jaime was slowly working her way back, trying to come to terms with her physically weakened condition and overcome it so she could begin to deal with what she knew was truly important. She was careful to listen to Michael and to Rudy, resting and sleeping as instructed and (this time) not trying to get out of bed unaided to force things along. It would have been hard anyway, since she was rarely alone - and usually only when she was sound asleep. For the most part, Steve remained by her side, leaving only when the doctors (or more specifically, Michael) came in. Steve was still taking his pain pills regularly (with only the occasional reminder) but he found he had to carefully force down his rage at the sight of Jaime's doctor, reminding himself that the man who had tried to take his wife away (and most likely still wanted her) had also saved her life - more than once. He and Jaime weren't speaking yet of what had happened between them, knowing without consultation that she needed to get stronger before tackling what was on both of their minds. Steve remained silent (for now) about the annulment papers he'd had drawn up, waiting for the right time (if it came) to offer them to Jaime. In these first days following her surgery, he was simply therefor her, allowing her to draw strength from his loving support.

Mark was careful too - working hard to remain neutral on the issue of what had happened between Jaime and Michael, and whether her marriage to Steve had been irreparably damaged. He would meet with all three members of this painful triangle when the right time presented itself, and objectivity was as important for him as it was for Michael. He had his own opinion, of course, but his job was to help all three of his friends as they wrestled with their opinions, their feelings...and their decisions.

Oscar found Steve in the hallway outside Jaime's room (while Michael was inside) on the third day following her surgery. ''We haven't had a chance to really talk since I've been here,'' Oscar told him. ''I apologize for that. How are you holding up?''

''She's doing a little better every day,'' was Steve's answer.

''I know that from talking to Jaime's doctors. I was asking about you, Pal. How are you doing?'' Oscar saw his friend glance in the door and tense up all over. ''Say the word and I'll personally have him removed,'' Oscar promised quietly.

''I know.''

Mark had been right when he'd told Oscar that Steve was being too stoic for his own good. Steve's fist was tightly clenched when he saw Michael touch Jaime's hand as he prepared to leave the room...and Steve walked partway down the hall, his back to the door as the doctors came out, forcing himself to un-tense and un-clench before returning to take his own place beside his wife.

Jaime seemed stronger now than she had even that morning, meeting his eyes with her own level, steady gaze. Her body was still very weak but her mind was sharp and she was fully 'present'. Steve knew it was time. He chose the chair by the bed instead of perching directly beside her, gathered his courage (and shielded his heart) and dove in. ''I think we need to talk about something,'' he began slowly. ''I've seen the way you look at Michael. And you know I've seen...other things.''

''Steve...I -''

''Please let me say this. Jaime...you know how much I love you...how much I'll always love you. And that means I want more than anything for you to be happy. If Michael makes you happy -''

''No...''

''Then I'm prepared to give you an annulment. I've already got the papers drawn up.'' A single tear dotted the corner of his eye...and rivers of them poured down Jaime's face.

''Please don't do this...'' she whispered.

''It seems like he may be the one you really want, after all. If you need time to explore that, then I won't stand in your way. I love you enough to -''

Suddenly, the hospital's security alarm began to wail. Jaime's eyes grew wild with fear. Steve got up and reached for the phone to call Rudy's office. ''I'll find out,'' he told his wife.

''Don't bother,'' a voice said from the doorway. Graham Kingsley advanced into the room, brandishing a very large handgun. ''I've come for the person who killed my brother.''

With Steve by the phone, Graham had clear aim at Jaime. Steve dove desperately at him, directly toward the line of fire, just as a shot rang out.

Jaime screamed.