Chapter 2
''So much for slow, careful training,'' Michael muttered (more to himself than to Oscar).
''I'm sorry; whatdid you say?'' Oscar snapped. He didn't like the situation either - but didn't take well to having his judgment questioned.
''Just looking out for my patient. I signed off to let her begin training - not to send her back into the field!''
''Oscar,'' Rudy added quietly, ''I have to agree with Michael; she's just not ready.''
''That's why I'm not sending her into the field; I'm sending her out of it,'' Oscar told them. ''When Steve and Jaime get back, I'll tell you the whole story.''
The three men waited, one staring out the window, one glowering and one sinking into a chair and trying to relax (for the good of his heart). Maybe this won't be as bad as it sounded from this end, Rudy told himself.
Steve knew that Security wouldn't have been sent to summon them just so Oscar could wish them a productive and happy day...so while Jaime was filled with curiosity, Steve's arm was protectively around her waist - guarding her from whatever they might be about to hear and almost daring Oscar to try and separate them.
''We have a problem,'' Oscar began.
Steve pulled Jaime a little closer. ''I gathered that much,'' he shot back.
''Is it my test results?'' Jaime asked, seeing the doctors' grim faces. ''I...don't have to be back in the hospital...do I?''
''No. I just got a phone call from Jack Hansen. His Intel sources have indicated that a splinter group from the terror cell that took over the hospital last month has reactivated...and they're looking for Jaime.''
''For me? Why?''
''They must have had men patrolling the perimeter, who got away before Hansen's men went in,'' Oscar theorized. ''They saw you throw that bomb.''
''But...it was pitch black out there!'' Jaime protested.
''Night goggles,'' Oscar guessed, ''or - more likely - the night scope of a rifle.''
''And now we're going after them?'' Jaime asked.
''I'm going after them!'' Steve insisted.
Oscar shook his head. ''I'm sending you underground -''
Jaime was confused. ''To the basement?''
''No, Sweetheart,'' Steve explained. ''He means to an OSI Safe House, where hopefully you'll be out of their reach until I can find them and bring them in.''
''You're half right, Pal; you're going with her. You'll be a bionic bodyguard - and that way you can continue her training, just in case...''
Jaime frowned. ''Wait a minute; you want me to hide? Wouldn't it be a lot easier finding these people if you can catch them coming after me?''
Steve didn't like the sound of that! ''Forget it, Jaime.''
''Absolutely not!'' Michael added.
Jaime turned to Oscar, ignoring the naysayers. ''The way I see it, we have two choices. I can run away and hide - and be hunted- or I can lure them right to Hansen's men. And our men, of course. I'd so much rather be a hunter than one of the hunted!''
''Sweetheart...'our' men? You haven't been reinstated yet,'' Steve pointed out. ''Besides, do you have any idea what those men might do to you, if they find you?'' Steve felt her shiver in his arms and instantly regretted his harsh tone...but not his words. Jaime didn't seem to understand she was placing herself squarely in the line of fire.
''Well, I'm not gonna think about that,'' Jaime retorted. ''I can't! I don't want to run away with my tail between my legs while other people bail me outta trouble! You wouldn't,'' she concluded, looking stubbornly at Steve. ''Would you?''
''That's different.''
''Cut the macho crap, Steve! What good is it for me to have these millions of dollars worth of circuits if I can't even use them to help when I'm really needed?''
Oscar cleared his throat with an emphasis that let them both know that the decision was his...and his alone.
As the car (with Russ at the wheel) sped out of DC, in the backseat Jaime moved closer to Steve, refusing to give in to her own fear. Steve was in full 'instructor' mode, trying to cram everything he could think of into a drive that would take just over an hour.
''Remember that - as fast as we are - we still can't outrun a bullet,'' he told her. ''So try to never be in a position where you can be cornered; stay between them and a door whenever possible.''
''Well, that's just common sense.''
''Work with me here, would ya?'' Steve said, with a lightness he didn't feel. He eyed Jaime closely. She was finally back in his arms, after three years spent apart when he longed for her every single day. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her now! ''You can still change your mind, you know. Just lie down across the seat, I'll cover you with a blanket and -''
''Too late for that,'' Russ announced. ''We've got a tail.''