Chapter 13

Jaime and Steve's eyes met and locked together. They needed the comfort of each other's arms desperately but had no idea where to start. They stood with uncomfortable awkwardness, each hoping the other would make the first move. Contact had never been more essential...and yet neither Austin moved until Jaime flashed a smile full of bright, loving reassurance without needing to say a word.

''I'm sorry,'' Steve finally managed, running his fingers through Jaime's hair as he took her in his arms ''I never meant to hurt you.''

Jaime leaned into him. ''I know.''

''I just needed to get away,'' he explained. ''Or I thought I did,''

''I know that too.''

Steve could barely breathe as he looked at her. Her gaze offered the forgiveness he'd scarcely dared to hope for. ''God, I love you...'' he whispered.

Jaime's smile held a warmth that a woman like Anna could never offer and she reached up with both hands to caress her husband's face with a tenderness Anna had never known. ''Colonel, when are you gonna tell me something I don't know?'' Her lips sought his and their arms snaked hungrily around each other's bodies. ''Becca's gone on a long walk with the nurse, so we can talk...then we can all have supper together.''

Steve grinned. ''Talk? There's plenty of time for that.'' He lifted Jaime off her feet with his one good arm. ''I can think of a better way to spend some private time.''

An hour later, as Jaime and Steve lay satiated and thoroughly contented in each other's arms, there were even a few minutes to talk before peace was shattered by the only sound that could break their bliss with the Austins not minding a bit.

''Daddy! Mama! Daaadeee!''

''We're back,'' the nurse called, holding Becca's hand to keep the child from rushing down the hall toward her parents.

''Do you think she knows?'' Jaime whispered with a happy giggle as they hurriedly threw on their clothes.

''Who?'' Steve teased. ''Jess...or Becca?''

You goofball!'' Jaime slugged her husband's good arm.

Still in his lab, Michael made another pot of coffee and prepared to work through the night. He estimated he could finish in about 36 hours - by sunrise the day after next - and he planned to batten down the hatches and get it done! Rudy would be released in the morning and had left no doubt that his first 'free' act would be to visit (and examine) his 'kids', which meant Michael could work straight through. He'd told no one about his 'lightbulb moment' or what he was working on. With his usual self-confidence, he knew he'd be able to help Jaime (his primary goal, of course) but there was so much more he was about to accomplish!

''YUM!'' Becca enthused, as her mother fed her a spoonful of baked potato with butter an sour cream. With her healthy appetite, she'd already devoured her hamburger (no bun) and her (adored) glazed carrots before her parent were halfway through their steaks. For what seemed like the 10th time (or more), Steve caught the child's chubby fist as she'd reached for the flickering candle flame.

''Maybe we should just blow it out,'' Jaime suggested.

Steve smiled and shook his head. ''Not the way it makes my two favorite ladies' eyes sparkle,'' he said smoothly.

''Steve Austin,'' Jaime scolded, ''if I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to seduce me!''

Steve's own glance grew more mischievous. ''Don't need to,'' he pointed out...offering his good arm for another well-earned slug. He carved into his steak and savored a few more bites.

''How much longer do you think Oscar will keep Mark locked up?'' Jaime asked, growing suddenly wistful.

''Well, that was a 180,'' Steve said softly.

''I'm kinda gonna miss our coffee and donuts.''

Steve shrugged. ''If you ask me - and I think you just did - that so-called doctor deserves every charge Oscar can throw at him.''

''Steve! How can you say that, after he's done so much for us?''

''Well,'' Steve told her, ''if we're gonna talk about what he's done, let's talk about the time he held you in a locked room for treatment without your consent - and even without my knowledge - and go from there!''

''It almost sounds like you think that power-hungry cretin is right in what he's doing to Mark!'' Jaime snapped?

''Power...hungry...cretin,'' Steve repeated slowly with quiet anger. ''Jaime Lyn, you did not call my boss - and the man who saved your life, I might add - a 'power hungry cretin'!''

''If the shoe fits, bash him in the head with it for all I care!'' Jaime snapped back. ''Are you aware that he was interrogating me with an eye toward putting you away?''

''Well, he had to investigate; that's his job!''

''So his job is to...lock up...innocent people without even...charging them?'' Jaime's words began to break up under the intensity of her emotion. ''He was gonna...do...to you...what he's doing...to Mark!''

''Oh please!'' Steve snapped, his voice rising. ''That quack is far from innocent!''

''Mama? Daddy?'' Becca chirped from her high chair.

The discussion halted immediately; they'd almost forgotten she was there. Steve and Jaime argued only rarely and they could count the number of real fights they'd had on two hands, with a few fingers left over...but it seemed clear that once they'd put their daughter to bed, they were about to have a doozy...

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