Jennifer stood next to her father’s bed. His bionic systems had been shut down and an oval shaped gauze bandage covered his left eye. Electrodes on his bare chest displayed his heart rhythm on the black monitor.

Seeing him regaining consciousness she quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks. He slowly opened his eye to find Jennifer’s face next to him. He was still groggy from the anesthesia but he noticed her smile didn’t reach her eyes. His left hand grasped hers knowing he was probably pretty banged up. His brow furled as he spoke, “Jen?”

“Dad, are you in pain?”

He nodded negatively, “Did you shut down all my bionics?” Now realizing he had no depth perception with only one eye and couldn’t move his arm or legs.

“Yeah, your legs were pretty banged up.” She said softly. He just nodded as he drifted off to sleep. She sat and stared at his handsome face. He was a great father and such a special man. When the dam of tears threatened to break she exited the room quickly only to run into Oscar and Rudy in the hall. They held and comforted her as best they could before discussing the game plan.

The next day Steve regained consciousness with Rudy by his side and Jen leaning against the wall by the window. “Steve?” Rudy called.

“Rudy?” He rasped not recognizing his own voice.

“Take it slow you’ve been out a while.”

Steve looked at his long time friend, “You shut down my whole system didn’t you?”

Rudy nodded, “We had to Steve, the damage to your legs was…was severe.”

He rubbed his face with his only functioning limb, “What is it you’re not saying Rudy?” Steve noticed Jen immediately turn and face the window, her back rigid and her arms tightly folded across her stomach.

He looked back at Rudy’s strained face, “That bad huh?” He said calmly.

The doctor swallowed hard before answering, “Yeah, that bad. The nuclear cells in your legs fractured and radiation leaked into your system.”

“Radiation poisoning huh? I don’t feel very sick.” Jen couldn’t believe how easily her father was taking the news that he was dying.

Rudy just nodded. “The fractures were small but numerous and there was sufficient time for the radiation to slowly enter your system.”

“Never thought I’d go out like that.” He said matter-of-factly. “How long Rudy?”

“Less than a week would be my best guess.”

“What will happen?”

Rudy was not surprised at the direct questions. He had known Steve Austin for decades and knew he wanted all the facts straightforward, not wanting to be coddled, “Your vital organs, kidneys, liver, etc., will slowly shut down causing your body to retain fluid.”

“Then what?”

“Then your lungs will fill with fluid and stress your heart.”

“Will I be awake to the end?”

”Probably not. You’ll start fading in and out as the fluid builds up.” Rudy looked at Steve as he assimilated the information while staring at the ceiling.

Steve shocked him with a crooked grin, “Don’t look so glum Doc. I’m an old man. I’ve lived a full life…flew some of the fastest aircraft…walked on the moon several times…got married…had a child…I have very few regrets and believe it or not Rudy, becoming bionic isn’t one of them.”

Rudy smiled in surprise, “It’s not?”

“No. Thanks to you I had 30 years I shouldn’t have had and thinking back if I wasn’t bionic I wouldn’t have been leaving Oscar’s office that day I was broad sided by that truck, wouldn’t have met Jessica and in turn would not have had a wonderful daughter to raise.” The two men looked towards the young woman and saw her back tremble as she quietly sobbed.

“Is there anything you need?” The doctor asked as he stood to leave.

“Just some private time with my daughter.”

“Okay, I’ll check back in a little bit.” He made his exit and silence filled the room.

“Jen?”

Without turning she spoke softly, “I spent all night searching databanks, medical journals and textbooks…for any new studies on the treatment of radiation poisoning.” She turned and faced him, “I’m sorry I can’t solve the problem.”

“Jen, please come over here and sit down.” She wiped her face and amble across the room sitting on his bed. Taking her hand he tried to make her understand this wasn’t her fault.

“Jen I have achieved many things in my life, received many awards and citations but I want you to know they pale in comparison to you.” She returned his gaze. “You are by far my proudest achievement. Please don’t ever forget that.” She nodded not trusting her voice knowing he wanted to get through all of this before he ran out of time.

“Jen, there’s something else, I want you to remember if the OSI builds another cyborg. No matter what please always keep in mind that he or she is a human being, not a machine or lab rat. Promise me you will treat him or her as a person first. Okay?” She nodded the tears silently cascading down her face.

She smiled and leaned down to hug him. He held her close as he spoke, “I’m not afraid to die Jen. In fact I hope to see your mother again. It’s been a long time ya know? She was the love of my life and we only had a little less than a year to be together.” Jen nodded her understanding. “I really miss her Jen.”

Jen spent every waking moment with her father sharing thoughts on life in general, just quiet time. She impressed him with her advances for the next bionics project. She and Rudy had the components built and the money available, now they waited for the next opportunity to apply their work. Steve told her he was proud of her work with Rudy but made her promise that her work wouldn’t consume her life. He also told her how he thought she would be a great mother. She assured him that she and Scott wanted a family.

As the days passed quickly Oscar, Rudy and Jen noticed Steve tired more and more easily. Oscar spent some time alone with Steve when Jen ran home to change clothes. He sat watching his friend doze on and off bravely accepting the inevitable. Without a doubt Steve was the most courageous, honest and loyal human being he had ever met. His tired mind frequently played over the events that caused this tragedy.

Steve and Oscar were meeting with a former government employee, named Dan Tribble, who now owned a construction company. Dan had a friend at the NSB whom he till kept in contact with. The NSB agent, who was selling government secrets, offered to cut him in on a large payoff if he was interested. Dan knew only two people he could trust at the OSI so he contacted Steve and Oscar. They met secretly at a job site in the early morning to get information of the security breech.

When the meeting had concluded, Oscar and Steve watched Dan depart. As they turned to leave a crane suddenly released its load of steel beams. It all happened within seconds. When the two men looked up the beams were already falling. Steve bionically shoved Oscar out of harm’s way only to be struck by them. Oscar felt helpless waiting for medical help to arrive. He sat next to an unconscious Steve who was lying face down with his head towards Oscar sparks jumping from the exposed wires in his damaged legs. Oscar was relieved that only his legs were damaged, the human parts were unhurt, thinking they would just need repairs. Unfortunately his relief was short lived when he found out just how severe the damage was. Later evidence was found that the dropped load was intentional and it didn’t take the OSI long to trace the murder attempt back to the treasonous NSB agent.

Steve stirred in his bed and opened his eye, a weak smile graced his face, “What are you doing here? Don’t you have an organization to run?”

“Very funny pal.” There was an uncomfortable silence. Oscar had so many things to say but was too full of emotion to say them. He sadly reminded himself in a few days he wouldn’t get the chance so he forced himself to try.

“Steve I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life.” Steve smiled, “Just consider it payback for saving mine.” Oscar nodded.

“Oscar I was wondering if you would do me a favor?”

“Anything Steve.” Oscar was grateful to be able to help.

“Would you and Rudy look after Jennifer for me? I know she has Scott and all but I’d feel better if her uncles were around too.”

“Sure thing Steve. Anything else?”

“No, I think everything else is taken care of ya know? Just make sure she gets the money.

Oscar nodded knowing Steve was referring to his one million dollar federal life insurance policy that paid if he was killed in the line off duty. Oscar looked up to say something else but Steve had already fallen back to sleep.

Almost a full week had passed and a weary Oscar stood staring out the hazy second story window, the sun setting on the horizon. Behind him he could hear Jennifer’s melodic voice as she spoke softly to her father. Rudy stood close by occasionally checking the monitors. Both doctors noticed the patient’s breathing was becoming labored. All three knew there were only moments left. Oscar wondered what his friend was going through.

Steve found himself precariously perched on the side of a mountain. There was nowhere to go but up since the base was obscured and too far away. His eyes found a plateau just 100 yards above, something was urging him towards it.

After 10 feet of hand-over-hand climbing his heart was pounding in his chest and his lungs burned for more air. Breathing heavy Steve looked over his shoulder and estimated he was at least 20,000 feet above sea level, no wonder he was short of breath. Although he found it unusual since his bionics prevented hypoxia on high altitude climbs. Gasping for air he mis-stepped and slid along the sharp rocks. His hands instinctively reached out to find a solid handhold that prevented any further trek downward. Getting a foothold Steve eyes grew big as he turned his hands palm-side up, shocked at the sight. Both hands were bleeding from cuts incurred on the rocks. ‘How can that be?’ he thought. His mind raced with recent events, coming to a sudden realization. ‘Am I dead?’ That would explain the sudden resurrection of his arm and legs and absence of bionic limbs. Hearing someone calling him he focused his energies on his climb.

Jennifer looked at Rudy as Steve began struggling for each breath. With a slight nod the doctor reached over to the bedside table and retrieved a syringe of anti-anxiety medication given to patients in this situation. Steve’s body was retaining fluid since his kidneys and liver had shut down. The fluid collected in his lungs making it difficult to breathe, slowly drowning him. There were no treatments that could halt its progression after the radiation damage was done. The only thing left to do was make the patient as comfortable as possible until the end came. The doctor injected the calming drug into the intravenous line hoping to ease his friends suffering.

Steve was relieved to reach the ledge. He saw a lush green meadow, which seemed out of place for such altitude. He swung his legs up and came to a stand. Looking down the cuts and blood were gone from his hands. He took a deep breath finding air intake much easier. Dressed in white cotton pants and an opened white shirt he walked onto the grassy field taking in his surroundings on all sides and that’s when he saw her. She stood there, 50 feet away, wearing a loose white dress, her beautiful long black hair hanging past her shoulders, her body so familiar to him. He tried not to blink afraid she would disappear.

She turned and smiled at him and his heart raced, oh how he ached to hold her again. He took slow tentative steps towards the beautiful woman hoping she would not fade away.

At this point the heart monitor beeped a warning that the patient’s heart rate had increased. Oscar and Rudy had offered to give Jennifer private time with her father during these last moments but she requested they stay there for her and for Steve. So the trio stood around the bed holding their breaths waiting for their loved one to slip away.

He stopped in front of her. She looked exactly as she did when they were married almost 30 years ago. He reached out to touch her youthful face, “You are really here.” He said feeling her soft skin. She smiled her familiar smile and chuckled, “Yes Steve I’m really here.” She stared at his handsome face seeing him as the 34 year-old she knew on earth. “I’ve missed you.” She slid her arms around his neck, kissing him warmly before burying her face in his chest, knowing this time their visit wouldn’t be limited. He wrapped his strong arms around her feeling all the longing and sadness of the past 25 years disappear. Their strong feelings of love and friendship flowed easily between them. She asked him to sit beside her on the grass and he did as the sun shone down on the couple. He continued to stare at her pretty face waiting to be rudely pulled from his dream. He kept his arm around her shoulder and as if she read his mind she commented, “Steve you’re not dreaming.”

He just looked into her dark eyes. “I’ve waited for you to come home for a long time. Now you are here.”

“Are you saying I am dead?”

“Not yet. You’re still struggling to hang on but it’s time Steve, time to let go.” He closed his eyes a moment to concentrate and she watched his expression turn to one of deep sadness.

“I can’t stand to hear her cry. If I leave her she will be so sad.” Jessica placed a gentle hand on his cheek and he opened his eyes.

“I know Steve. That’s how I felt watching you suffer all those months I was in a coma. It was hard to see you so distraught but I knew with the love and support of your family and friends you would heal in time. So will she. She has good friends and a good husband. She’ll have a good life Steve.”

“So you’ve seen Jennifer grow up?”

Jessica nodded with a proud smile, “Yes and I knew you’d be a great father.”

Steve recalled, “Sometimes it was like having you there with me, she’s so much like you in a lot of ways.” He thought for a while, “Did you ever intervene in her life when she was in physical danger?”

“Oh, I may have done a small thing here and there.” She confessed. Steve gave her a lopsided grin, “I thought so!” They shared a laugh and hugged tighter.

“I was also there with you.” She smiled at his cocked eyebrow. “When your parents and Rudy took you home from the hospital after the shooting, you lay on our bed and hugged my pillow I was lying next to you holding you close.” He shook his head. “When you sat with me after Jennifer was born and they turned off the machines, you said good bye. I was behind you with my arms wrapped around you.” He hugged her tight knowing she was there.

Steve was suddenly very tired and he lay back on the soft grass with Jessica at his side, her head in the crook of his arm just like they did on earth.

Jennifer’s heart couldn’t take hearing her father struggle, “Rudy was doesn’t he just stop fighting and pass on?”

“I think because he’s worried what it will do to you. You need to tell him it’s okay to go.” The doctor explained.

Steve sighed heavily, “So I can’t help her can I.” “No. I’m sorry Steve.” He closed his eyes and strained to hear Jennifer’s voice one last time. ‘It okay dad you can let go. I’ll miss you. I love you.’ One tear found its way down his cheek. He took a deep breath before surrendering. Instantly Steve felt reborn and full of energy. He stood and assisted his wife to her feet. His strong arms held her tight as he whispered, “Jessica”. The soul mates walked hand-in-hand reveling in the knowledge that they would never be apart again.

The heart monitor signaled with a flat line. The three observers could hear the name he whispered with a small smile on his lips as he slipped away, ‘Jessica’. Hearing her name the three knew he was happily reunited with her for all eternity.

Epilogue:

Scott Yeager stood off to the side with Oscar and Rudy; none of the men had much to say on this solemn occasion. The three watched as Jennifer, dressed in a fitted black dress, her dark hair pulled into a loose knot and wearing dark sunglasses, stood next to her father’s casket adorn with flowers.

Dr. Wells broke the silence, “You know you are going to have to physically pull her away.” Scott nodded and said quietly, “I just wanted her to have a few more minutes before we go back to the house with all those people.”

Staring at the pink headstone that now displayed both her parents name she hardly noticed the trio approach, one coming to her side, her hand resting on the mahogany box with brass accents. Scott laid one hand on the small of her back and the other tenderly touched her dry cheek turning her face towards him. He knew she had no more tears left to shed. “Jen we should go.”

She nodded in agreement and let him walk her to the car with Oscar and Rudy close behind lost in their thoughts. Oscar was still having difficulty believing Steve was gone. Rudy, on the other hand, was well aware of the finality, as he was responsible for disassembling Steve before turning his body over for burial.

As the group reached the car Jen’s steps faltered and Scott quickly caught her, holding her for several seconds until she steadied herself. Kissing his cheek in gratitude she slid smoothly into the car. The episode was not lost on the experienced doctor.

A steady stream of friends and colleagues flowed through Steve’s house after the graveside service. Jen thought having it there would give everyone one last chance to view her father’s photographs around the house and citations that hung in his private office giving them some peace as they celebrated Steve’s life.

Jen was weary from all that transpired over the past 10 days. During the night she would toss and turn fighting down an incredible need to call her dad….sadly she couldn’t. In her overwhelming grief she had difficulty eating and just getting through her day. It was difficult for Oscar and Rudy to watch. But Scott was her anchor, he instinctively knew when to give the physical support she needed and when to step back to provide her with the space she required to deal with her loss.

Rudy and Oscar stayed until the last guest made their exit. They began helping Jennifer clean up the food and trash that was throughout the house. Watching from the kitchen doorway Rudy could tell she didn’t look well. Standing from the couch she started to sway and as if out of nowhere Scott was quickly at her side once again catching her as she rubbed her head. Rudy and Oscar entered the room together and both heard Jen’s half-joking words, “At least I didn’t fall on the floor this time.” She gave her husband a weak grin.

Scott knew she was exhausted and smoothly picked his wife up in his strong arms and carried her to Steve’s bedroom. He stayed with her a few minutes assuring her the men could handle the cleanup. She smiled and dozed off. He covered her with a blanket, placed a tender kiss on her lips and exited the room to continue the chore as promised.

As the doctor watched Scott grab a trash bag and move through the room he couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. “Scott how long has that been happening?”

Without looking up he answered, “About a week and a half.” He sounded only mildly concerned as he continued with the task at hand.

“Maybe I should go have a look at her,” Rudy offered.

“No Rudy it’s okay. She’s been so depressed lately that she hasn’t been eating or sleeping well at night

“Maybe I should give her something to help her sleep.” The doctor watched Scott seat himself on the couch. “She won’t take it Rudy.”

“Scott, are you aware of Jen’s mother’s medical history?” Rudy was trying to tread lightly. Oscar suddenly realized where Rudy was going with the conversation.

The young man nodded, “Yeah, she had a brain tumor when she was around Jen’s age.” There was a long silence as Scott mentally struggled with what to do. Deciding to go against his wife’s wishes and belay the concern of these men he explained, “She has already seen a doctor.” He sighed heavily, his sadness evident in his slumped shoulders and lowered head. The older men became gravely concerned over the health of their adopted niece.

Oscar asked, “What did he say?”

Scott looked at them with tired eyes and said softly, “That many women go through this in the first trimester.” Oscar and Rudy’s eyes grew wide at the unexpected news that was both heart warming and heart wrenching. “That’s why she’s having so much trouble letting Steve go.”

“Did he know?” Rudy inquired with a low tone.

Scott nodded negatively, “She found out the day he died. It’s a shame the baby won’t get to meet its grandfather. I mean we can share the newspaper clippings and magazine articles, photographs and videos about his extraordinary life but that won’t begin to define what a great man he was.” Steve’s longtime friends nodded silently in agreement. The two men could tell Scott Yeager had a lot of respect and admiration for Steve, which was evident in his face.

Nine long months of watching Jennifer’s belly grow to a disproportional size to her narrow frame and Rudy still couldn’t believe it. Finally on September 9 at 6:03 am Jennifer Austin–Yeager gave birth to a perfect 7 lb. 2 oz. baby boy. Oscar and Rudy arrived at the maternity ward a few hours later to see Steve’s grandchild. Jennifer and Scott were anxious to introduce the newest member of the family…Steven Austin Yeager.