Chapter 4: Invasion

As they neared the weathered building, Jaime motioned for Oscar to wait as she crept around by the main door. Seeing no guard, they entered. Bother were puzzled that no one was out in the hallways, but they silently pressed on.

2 hours had passed since Alfredo's offer. Rudy couldn't believe that Steve was still hanging on. Rudy knew that the pain must've been incredible, but Steve bore it all, quietly, without fighting it. The toxin had taken its toll on his body. His entire body was whitely pale and his limbs, even the human ones, had become paralyzed. He was incredibly fevered and his hair was soaked through with sweat. His breathing steadily got more shallow and shaky. His pulse was weak and thready.

As promised, Tucelli and all of the goons came back; exactly 3 hours after the deal had been made.

"Dr. Wells, how is our patient doing?"

"Not…not well…please Tucelli! He's going to die! Just let him die in peace!" Rudy tried to buy more time.

"Oh…that's too bad…but you're right: He IS going to die…but not slowly…he's going to die right now…"

Steve's eyes cracked open and he looked to Rudy. He parted his lips, with difficulty to speak. With his mobility quickly declining, he couldn't shape his words very well, but he tried and spit out the words. "Ru-dy…s'ok…did y'er bess…te-tell…os…Oscar I don't mind be'in the guinea…p-ig…had…had a blast…R-ru…." Steve struggled with his last statement, but couldn't form the words. Tears flashed in his sore eyes as he tried and tried to shape his mouth into the words with no success.

Alfredo finally lost his temper and snatched his gun from his belt. "Enough! That's it from you! Now….goodnight…Colonel…' Alfredo raised his gun.

Rudy reached to stop him, "Tucelli! NO!"

Suddenly, Steve found his voice. "R-rudy!?"

Rudy pushed Alfredo out of the way and bent his ear close to Steve's face. "Yes Steve? Go on, I'm listening!"

"R-rudy….wh…when the time is r-right…you…t-tell J-j...aime…tell…tell her that….that I love her…"

"Oh come off of it! That's it for deathbed confession! You've been a pain for me a long time, Colonel Austin, but not anymore! No…not anymore!"

Steve closed his eyes and braced himself as Tucelli firmly pressed the gun against his temple. He heard the "click" of the gun being readied, and waited for the final darkness.

It didn't come. Instead, suddenly a large crash shook the room and a shower of glass flooded the pristine room. 2 bodies rolled in with the glass. Tucelli was too stunned to move. "What the…" He shouted, shocked as a woman and the man he knew as Oscar Goldman expertly rolled to their feet and took out one of the guards. He watched in shock as the woman sent fast, powerful kicks and punches that sent his guards to the ground. "GET THEM!"

Another guard charged, and was quickly sent to the ground. Yamo caught Jaime by surprise and for an instant pinned her against a wall, but 2 strong pairs of arms yanked him off, and with several punches, he too fell to the ground. Rudy and Oscar shared a smile as they offered hands to Jaime. The 3 agents stood together, facing the Tucelli brothers. Julio made a move to bolt, but Jaime caught his sleeve.

Oscar smiled. 'Don't bother….you see…my agents will be flooding the place in…3…2…1…" as his watch beeped, several heavily armed officers filled the room.

While being led away, Alfredo turned to Rudy and shook his head with an evil smile. "A bionic woman! I should've known….very good, doctor…very good…"

Now left alone, the 3 concerned agents turned to Steve.

"Steve? It's gonna be alright now. We're gonna get you to the hospital, and you're going to be as good as new." Rudy tried to find a spot on Steve's body on which he could place a comforting hand…but he could find no undamaged area. "Jaime, can you take care of those straps for me?"

Jaime glared at the heavy buckles, holding Steve tightly down and with a nod; she easily snapped them, with a quick tug.

"Alright now, Oscar, go around to his right side, and when I say, we're going to pull him up., sitting, but make sure to not put any pressure on him. Take the weight for him, and lean him back on your arm."

"Alright Rudy…What Happened to him!? He looks awful!" Oscar stepped around and put a firm arm under Steve's back.

"I know…I can't tell you about it all now…just…we've got to get him into that hospital…fast."

"hey…Ossscar….." Steve slurred in a whisper.

"Hey pal…you know if bad things keep happening every time I give you a vacation, I'm never going to let you out of my sight!" Oscar joked.

"You…would…" Steve gave a tired chuckle.

"Alright, pal…we're gonna hoist you up now…ready?" With a quick heave, the doctor and director pulled Steve up, into their arms. When Steve sounded a groan of pain, Jaime comfortingly latched on to his hand.

Relaxing at her touch, he made a small smile, "Jaime…" He happily whispered, then fell back into the men's arms.

"Steve!?" Jaime was startled as he slumped back, and the lines of pain and tension left his body.

Rudy made a quick check. "He's unconscious."

END OF CHAPTER 4