Chapter 18

For the first time since being shot (and while back in sedated slumber), Jaime began to dream...

Michael and Russ were both grinning maniacally as they approached her bed from opposite sides. Jaime was trapped with nowhere to go, even if she could get up...which she couldn't. Michael held a scalpel and Russ a gun...and they both clearly intended to finish her off. She flailed helplessly, swinging her left arm at both of them, since the right one couldn't seem to move. Her legs were useless, too - her bionic limbs were all completely dead! - and she knew she was trapped. Both would-be killers advanced slowly, as though to prolong her terror...and it worked. Michael reached her first and she braced herself to be stabbed...but instead he began to remove her gown...

Before her conscious mind could register what she was doing (or even that she was awake), Jaime suddenly flung herself up into a sitting position - and grasped desperately at her head. Steve caught her immediately and whispered soft, soothing words as he eased her back onto her pillow. Corinth rushed in - and Steve saw Michael standing in the hallway, so he knew this time the monitor readings were serious.

Jaime saw the syringe out of the corner of her eye. ''Wait...'' she pleaded. She tried to move her legs and right arm - and only confirmed what the dream had been telling her. She couldn't move! ''Please. The surgery...Michael's surgery...will I be able to move my...bionics...again?''

Corinth and Steve looked out to the hallway where Michael was hearing everything; he nodded confirmation.

''We believe so, Sweetheart,'' Steve told her.

''Then...don't...put it...off. Want to...be able to...move again!''

Steve's only answer was to brush the hair from her eyes; he knew he couldn't make that promise...and he'd have to allow Michael in to see her again. He nodded to Corinth, who quickly checked her vitals and then administered the drug. Steve held Jaime's hand until her fingers loosened from his and then waited a little longer before calling his assent softly to the surgeon in the hallway.

''You can come in; I know you need to.''

Michael motioned him into the hallway instead. ''Are you sure about this?'' he queried.

''Yeah. Jaime needs you - and she needs this surgery. I could see in her eyes how helpless she feels. And...'' Steve had to swallow hard before continuing. ''I know you really need to see her and assess her when she's awake, too.''

''It would be a lot more helpful in making a decision,'' Michael acknowledged, grateful for Steve's new-found sense of calm, wherever it had come from. ''I can only tell so much from someone else's notes.''

''I know. Just let me...ease her into it...okay? It's not gonna be easy for her.''

''I know it isn't easy for you, either,'' Michael said softly. ''And I appreciate it.''

''Jaime needs you,'' Steve repeated. He was reminding himself as much as telling Michael. It was only his love for his wife and his desire to see her live the life she wanted and deserved that spurred him on - and kept him calm with her surgeon.

''I'll make certain to keep you informed, every step of the way,'' Michael promised, finally stepping into the cubicle and up to the bed. There wasn't a lot he could tell while Jaime was sleeping but he read the monitors carefully then made mental note of her coloring (poor) and the fact that she appeared to be trembling slightly. They'd had to hold off on her coumadin to reduce the risk of bleeding but for now he was more worried about bionic rejection (which would definitely postpone her surgery even more quickly than her erratic vitals might). He sent the nurse for a dose and stayed with his patient until it arrived, then injected it into the IV line himself, watching her body's reaction carefully. When he was satisfied that there were no immediate signs of bleeding, he felt safe to leave her - and give Steve some time alone in the cubicle.

''I really need to speak with you,'' he told Mark.

Mark got up to follow Michael out - and once again the discussion was thwarted, this time by Oscar's arrival (with impeccable timing). ''I need both of you in my office - now, if possible,'' he told them. His tone meant it was not an optional request.

Oscar waited until they got to the office before speaking again. ''Close the door,'' he told Mark...then he shifted his steely gaze to Michael. ''Tell me everything you told me before - and anything else you can add about Kingley's devices...Russ' behavior...and mind control.''

Anja finally heard from her contact and the news was not encouraging. Her Plan B to get rid of the Sommers woman (and move on to her next target) had been thwarted. It was fortunate that she had Plan C already in place. The subject had been activated, although his cooperation would remain unclear for at least another day or two. My dumb brothers might've failed me, she thought to herself, but I always was the real genius in the family!