Chapter Sixteen

Hiller's gun hit the tarmac and Steve was instantly out of the dumpster. He gave no thought to Hansen, who had to struggle up and out on his own without the help of a bionic leap. Steve's eyes - and his every thought - were on Jaime. "Step away from her, Barney," he called in a voice that was much calmer and steadier than he actually felt. Surprisingly, Hiller complied.

"Now get on your knees," Hansen instructed. "Keep both hands in plain sight."

Steve knelt on the tarmac for his first close look at Jaime. He didn't see any blood or obvious broken bones but her face was covered with bruises and she appeared to be in shock. He immediately got on his datacom and called Rudy. "Bring the chopper in - she needs you." Jaime's eyes were wide open, but she stared vacantly at nothing. Now that the danger had passed and her adrenaline level had dropped, the trauma of the last eight hours had abruptly set in. Steve gathered her carefully into his arms and at first Jaime flinched at the contact, but then she looked up at him and relaxed into his embrace.

"Is it…over?" she whispered, finally realizing that the hands reaching for her were gentle, loving ones with no intent to harm her.

"It's over, Sweetheart," Steve confirmed, watching with profound satisfaction as Hansen led Hiller away. "You're safe now."

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Hiller was deactivated and returned to the NSB Hole the same evening. No one felt he deserved the comfort of a hospital bed for even one night. Jaime refused any further sedation and within hours was pleading to go home. Steve slipped out quietly, on a little secret 'mission' of his own, letting Rudy deal with his willful patient.

"Not a chance, Honey," Rudy explained. "We still need to watch you for signs of rejection. It hasn't even been 48 hours since I tuned you up again."

"Feels like a lot longer," Jaime said wearily.

"And you were injured on top of it, so I'd say another 48 hours in this bed and -"

"Rudy! I can't stay here that long!" She sat up too quickly in her protest….and winced in pain. Sighing, she lowered her head back onto the pillow.

"Now will you let me give you that shot?" Rudy asked gently. "Just something for the pain." He knew her head was hurting a lot worse than she was letting on.

"Yeah…" Jaime reluctantly held out her arm - her right arm.

"Very funny," Rudy chuckled. He smiled reassuringly and reached for her other arm.

"I'm not trying to be difficult," Jaime told him. "I just wanna see my babies…."

"I think that can be arranged," Steve announced, grinning as he pushed two portable bassinets into the room.

The effect on Jaime was more healing than any drug or doctor could ever hope to be. Her eyes welled with joy as she reached into the first bassinet. "Annie - hello, Baby. Mommy sure missed you!" She laid back on the bed with the baby cradled in the crook of her arm, then looked pointedly at her other arm, the other bassinet…and Steve. Getting the message, Steve nestled Rose next to her mother as well, and Jaime cooed happily at her girls. "You don't know it," she told them, "but you saved Mommy's life today. Yes, you did!"

"I'd love to hear that story," Steve interjected. "What'd you say to him, anyway?"

"Not right now," Jaime scolded, still cooing and making googly eyes at the babies. "Mommy and daddy can talk about that later, can't they?" she asked the girls, nuzzling the tops of their heads. Jaime beamed as Rosie's tiny hand reached out and grazed her chin.

Steve noticed that Jaime's eyelids were beginning to grow heavy. "I think Mommy and her girls could all use some rest," he suggested. Jaime reluctantly allowed him to place the babies back in their bassinets, kissing each once more for good measure first. Satisfied, happy and safe, Jaime drifted off to sleep.

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