Chapter 21

Rudy was groggy but awake, the result of fighting off a mild sedative his doctor had given him to help him rest (meaning sleep) but Rudy intended for it to only take the edge off his nerves and allow him to think more clearly. (So neither doctor had gotten exactly the results they'd been looking for.) As for Michael, he'd expected to find his former mentor asleep - but he wasn't thwarted.

''I'll get you a sedative,'' he offered smoothly.

''Already had one,'' Rudy told him. ''But there's work to be done - and while Oscar's an...efficient...administrator, he doesn't know the people and this facility the way I do. If I can't use my office, I can at least...help him for now.''

''Mind if I take a look at this?'' Michael asked, removing and opening Rudy's chart before the older doctor had given his consent. ''Your vitals were calmer and not so all over the place following sedation. But what he gave you was too mild...and you need some good, solid sleep.''

''I'll sleep when I'm dead,'' Rudy said stubbornly (not realizing that was exactly what Michael had been programmed to make happen). ''I'm getting up, Michael. I know my staff; there's more going on here than they're telling me. And I've heard TWO Security alarms today! Even if I'm not the one in charge, Oscar needs my help.'' He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rose weakly (but stubbornly) to his feet, swaying slightly.

''Look at you - you can't even stand up! Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack?'' Michael (in his 'programmed' state) realized this could work to his advantage. The older man would substantially weaken his own heart - no assistance from him necessary. Rudy put on a robe then took a few determined steps around Michael and toward the door. ''Well, I see I cannot stop you. So maybe you're right. Maybe you can help Oscar, after all.'' He didn't attempt any further intervention and smiled as Rudy disappeared down the hallway.

Another headache coursed straight through him - one he seemed to feel all the way to his toes - and Michael sat down on Rudy's bed, suddenly aware of himself as he struggled to fight it off. Where had Rudy gone? he wondered when full awareness returned. There was no time to try and find out; Jaime would be awakened soon and Steve had promised to try and ease her into letting Michael examine her while she was fully conscious. He needed his own full awareness and focus for that...and when he stood up, he had successfully fought off the rage and the urges...at least for now.

Corinth stood by Jaime's bed and Mark (newly returned from the NSB) sat in his usual corner nearby. As she roused from the effects of the sedative, Corinth noted that her vital signs remained stable and she seemed more 'in the moment', more present than the previous times they'd awakened her. He nodded his assent to Steve, who leaned in even closer than usual.

''Sweetheart, tomorrow you'll have your first surgery to regenerate and restore some of the cells damaged by the bullet. You...know...who'll be your surgeon...don't you?''

Jaime thought for a moment and then closed eyes that had begun to brim over with tears as she figured it out. She nodded, then opened her eyes and looked over at Corinth. ''You'll be there too...right?'' she asked tremulously.

''Of course; I'll be assisting.'' He'd also be watching every move Michael made...but there would likely be many parts - most of it, really - that he was unfamiliar with. That was why Michael was there, of course - because he was the only one qualified to perform the procedure. ''And it's my understanding that Rudy has requested to be seated up in the theater.''

Jaime blinked away her tears...and managed a smile. She would be as safe as her other doctors could make her. And since she'd be under anesthesia, she'd never have to see him. ''Just...keep him away...'' she requested, ''until I'm all the way...asleep. Then I don't have to see his face...and remember.''

Steve swallowed hard. ''Jaime, there's something else we need to talk to you about. Since Michael is performing the procedure, it would be best if he could come in and examine you now - while you're awake, instead -''

''Noooo...''

''Instead of having to rely on reading notes in a file about your condition,'' Steve finished.

''Steve, no...please? I...can't.'' Fresh tears, hot and frightened, spilled down her cheeks.

''It would help ensure that your surgery goes smoothly tomorrow,'' he said, trying to sound firm when her reaction was really breaking his heart. ''I'll be here the whole time..and so will Mark and Doctor Corinth. You'll be safe...and it'll help Michael in doing his very best work tomorrow.'' He saw the young surgeon waiting in the hallway. ''Can we let him come in now?'' Steve asked softly.

Jaime managed only a slight nod. Steve wiped the tears from her face and Corinth called quietly into the hallway. ''Alright, Michael.'' He stepped to the foot of Jaime's bed to allow her primary surgeon access to his patient.

Michael moved into the room and approached Jaime with his very best, most professional bedside manner. ''Talking about it would make you uncomfortable,'' he acknowledged, ''and I certainly don't want that. But I know you're afraid of me now - I can't blame you in the least - and I am beyond sorry about the circumstances and especially my behavior in making you feel that way. Now, only if you're alright with it and if you're ready, I'll examine your reflexes and reactions. Okay?''

It was a surreal experience, looking into the eyes of her attacker and placing herself in his hands again...and for a brief moment, Jaime flashed back to an image of lying on another bed - the one in the cabin - and what had happened there. Then she looked into Steve's loving face, found reassurance and strength there and the image passed successfully.

''I'm...ready,'' she announced.

Michael leaned over her and held out his index finger, moving it slowly to her nose, then to either side of her line of vision. Reactions slow but present, he noted to himself. ''Can you move your left arm?'' he queried.

''Yes.''

''Good; I want you to touch your nose with just your index finger.'' She missed, but only slightly, he noted. ''Alright - that's very good. Now I'm going to raise the head of your bed until you're in a more upright position and I need you to try and let me know what you're feeling. If you have any discomfort, pain or dizziness and find you can't voice it, raise your arm off the bed and I'll know to stop. I'll go slowly,'' Michael told her before he began.

Jaime focused on Steve's face as the bed began to raise. Steve could see her already too-pale skin grow even more porcelain-white. ''Dizzy...but not...too bad,'' she told them. A little further, then her head began to swim. Her vision blurred and there was pain she suddenly couldn't find the words for. Steve saw her eyes grow panicked...and then she remembered Michael's instruction and raised her arm off the bed a few inches. She was shaking terribly from the effort and lowered it again but Michael had seen it.

Vertigo at 45 degrees and pain at 75, he told himself (to be noted in her file as soon as they'd finished). ''You did a great job,'' he told Jaime, meaning it. Slowly, he lowered her back to prone again and took a look at the monitor. Her vitals had briefly jumped but not to alarming levels - and they were already stabilizing. An excellent sign. When Jaime finally brought herself to be able to look at him, he smiled warmly. ''I'm done here,'' he told her. ''Thank you so much for allowing me to come in. If you have no further problems, it looks like we can go ahead as scheduled. Do you have any questions for me - either of you?'' he asked both Austins.

''What will the initial surgical therapy allow her to do?'' Steve wondered.

''It's impossible to tell for sure, but my hope is that I can restore movement to your bionics, Jaime. Your thought processes should become clearer and speech will be easier for you. After the first day or two - depending on your condition - we'll try to get you out of the bed and see what you're able to do. A little at a time, naturally...and we'll go from there.''

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