Chapter 5
''You can't...keep me from...my husband!'' Jaime shouted. Her words may have been breaking up but the force and determination behind them was strong...and stubborn.
The two guards outside Steve's door saw it differently. They had their orders and while Jaime might have been able to convince her own two guards that she was walking to the nurses' station and back for exercise (she could still pour on the charm and innocence when she needed to), Steve's guards were not so easily snowed. ''I'm sorry, Mrs. Austin,'' the larger, burlier one said, stepping directly into the doorway and blocking her way (as well as her view). ''I can't let you do that.''
''Oscar...he did this...didn't he?'' Jaime demanded.
''You will be escorted back to your room if you don't go voluntarily.''
''Let her in! I'll face 'the wrath of Oscar'; you can blame it on me. Just let her in!'' From inside the room, Steve would have jumped from the bed and given the guard a bionic 'escort' to the moon if he could've, just to see Jaime...but he was still too weak, only partially recovered from his own ordeal and they'd have had to pick him up off the floor. Then again...
Steve swung his legs over the side of the bed and began walking toward the door, swaying more with each and every step...until he felt himself going down and instead of grabbing the chair and sinking into it, when his legs wobbled (and his head spun) too much for him to remain upright, he let himself hit the floor. The guard turned and on reflex stepped inside to help his fallen charge...allowing Jaime to rush in.
''I'm sorry -'' Steve managed to get out just before a groan escaped his lips. ''Didn't mean to hurt you.''
Jaime brushed a hand tenderly across her husband's cheek. ''Steve, I...I love you...'' was all she could say before her own guards appeared. They each took her by one of her arms and gently pulled/carried her all the way back to her own room...where Elmira Gultch was waiting for her. Jaime's eyes glared with rage...and glistened with tears. ''You'll wanna...call Oscar and tell him...I committed...a Federal offense...'' Jaime cried bitterly, waving the guards away and getting into the bed herself because she really had no other choice. ''God forbid...I get to see Steve...for even five or ten minutes! That...that's the crime!''
''You weren't supposed to leave that bed until your release tomorrow morning,'' the therapist reminded her.
''So lock me up...throw the key away...damn! I...I don't even...work for...him! He can't do this...to me! Don't hafta...listen...to him! Not...my boss!''
''And look where not listening got you. You endangered your own health - and Steve's. Things would go much more smoothly for you if you'd just learn to -''
''To go with...the program?'' Jaime could barely speak and yet she had plenty to say! ''I'm not...a gov...government...robot! Don't work for...Oscar...and never will! Won't take orders from...someone with...a God-Complex!''
''You're not God, Oscar!'' Mark stormed. He was already in custody; what more could they do to him? He was going to speak his mind! ''You're playing with people's lives here, in keeping Jaime and Steve apart - and you're twisting the facts about me to suit the made-up scenario in your head! If the pieces don't fit, you need to work the puzzle differently, not jam it all together and force it into the picture you're expecting to see! You are not the Be-All and End-All, no matter how much you think you are or how much you want to be!''
''Are you trying to get thrown in The Hole?'' Oscar threatened. ''You're very, very close to overstepping your bounds, Doctor!''
''You want to make the pieces fit?'' Mark went on, unfazed by Oscar's words. ''Let me help you.''
''You're not in a position to help anyone right now.''
''You're wrong. Again,'' Mark argued.
''And you're dangerously close to something you'll never work your way out of.''
''If you want this all to make sense, if you want the madness to finally END, you need to let me tend to my patients so we can get to the bottom of whatever happened! Maybe Steve had something to do with this; the way he ran, anything is possible - but I'm probably the only one who can get them both to give me the information you're looking for. The complete picture - and it's one that I know would clear me, as well. Don't I have the right to my own defense?''
''You're not under arrest; right now you don't need - or get - a defense. We investigate and you wait. Then a judge decides.''
''But that's after you decide, right?'' Mark said bitterly. ''Shed that damn bureaucratic skin for two seconds, Oscar and just try to look at this from one human being to another. You have two other human hearts that you're breaking - on purpose - with your actions. Don't you see that? Yes, I understand 'For the good of the country' and 'In the interest of public safety'...but what about what's best for two people who not only work for you -''
''Jaime doesn't work for me and you'd better -''
''Two people who are not only under your command, then - but that you also profess are your friends. Or they used to be your friends! Where did your heart go, Oscar? Are you so blinded by your own importance that you've stopped caring about your people? Let me see Steve and Jaime and we'll work this all out in a way that's best for everyone. If you still think I'm guilty after that, well then I guess I'll have to deal with it. But at least give what I've said some thought! Please!''
''Okay,'' Oscar said, very quietly.
''Okay...what?''
''Alright. You can talk to Jaime, but I'll need to be in the room. You won't be alone with her at any time. And you'll be returning here when we're done.''
''I understand; thank you. And Oscar? I'd really like to end this for everyone. I think I should go and see Anna.''
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