AN: Well, here's chapter four and the end of the first episode! Ha, I can tell that this will be a long story. But, I've got most of it planned – especially the ending. Oh, and is anyone good at making banners? Or a trailer, perhaps?
YOU GOT SHOT?
III
While Steve and Danny were visiting Chin to ask him about Chinese smugglers, I was getting my weekly phone call from my mother, who was going on and on about my older half-brother, Zachariah, and his evil girlfriend.
"Mama…Yes, Mama, I heard you the first time...No, Mama, Steven can't just make her disappear…Because I just got him back...I know the horrid bitch is trying to ruin your baby boy, but Zack is capable of dumping her himself…Sex, Mama, that's what he sees in her." I said in a bored tone, as I wrapped pictures in bubble wrap and then placing them in a box.
"Charlene Mikhailovna Zukov, don't you take that tone with me," my mother scolded and I could just imagine her standing in her kitchen with her hands on her hips.
"Sorry, Mama," I apologized obediently. "How's Papa?"
"He misses his darling, little girl and wonders when he'll have grandchildren to bounce on his knee and spoil them rotten," she answered and I knew she was wondering the same thing.
I paused in what I was doing and walked over to my bedroom window, gazing out at the beautiful scenery, I answered, "I don't know when, Mama. Steven and I haven't had a chance to talk about that since he's gotten home. His father was murdered, you know."
"Of course I know that and my heart goes out to him, but you're not getting any younger, Charlene."
"I'm twenty seven, Mama," I reminded her.
"Well, I was twenty five when I had you; nineteen when I had Zachariah," she told me like she always does when we have this conversation. "If you don't want to have that conversation with Steven, I suggest you stop taking your birth control and let nature take its' course."
I gaped in silence before answering, "Mother, I'm not gonna trick my husband into having a baby. That isn't fair."
"What isn't fair is that he leaves you home alone for months without a little baby to look after," she seethed.
"Look, I have to go," I said wearily. Conversations with her were always taxing. "I have to finish packing; we're moving into Steve's childhood home."
"Alright, baby girl. I love you, Charley," she said, defeated. I wasn't one to be pushed.
"Love you too, Mama, and give Papa my love," I told her before hanging up the phone.
Tossing the phone onto our bed, I looked around at the boxes in our room and sighed. Would we ever stop moving? But, somehow, I think this move is permanent for us. I grabbed two tens from my wallet and left the apartment to get the Anderson boys' help; they were seventeen and strong enough to carry the boxes out in a few trips, while it would take me the majority of the afternoon. Thankfully, I had remembered to put a bra on under Steve's shirt and some cut off shorts as I knocked on their door. Their mother, Alana, opened the door and she looked at me warily; I'm pretty sure she thought I was hot for her boys. Ew. Has she seen my husband? I plastered a pretty smile on my face, as I greeted her, "Hi, Alana, I was wondering if your boys are home?"
She looked down her nose at me. "What for?"
"Steven and I are moving; he's not home right now and I need help carrying the boxes down to his truck," I told her, as I gestured back at my door. "There will be compensation for their time."
Before she could answer, the twins appeared behind her; they easily towered over their mother by nine inches. "We'll do it, Mrs. McGarrett."
"Thanks, boys," I said, happily.
III
"Here's ten for you and ten for you," I said, as I administrated the money to the boys, who both grinned at me and their identical dimples appeared.
"Thanks, Charley," Alex said, tucking his money into his pants pocket.
I opened the driver door and boosted myself up. "Oh, it's no problem; you saved me my afternoon. Now, be good and try not to go too crazy, alright?"
They looked at each other and then, laughed. I sighed, as I closed the door. "I tried, at least."
Twenty minutes later, I was pulling up to the McGarrett house with millions of thoughts racing through my mind; all of which that led back to Steve and I. Quietly, I remained in the truck, looking up at the house and I was suddenly struck by the memory of Steve introducing me to his father for the first time. It was nerve-wracking to meet my father-in-law, especially seeing how I've been married to his son for six years; I was silent the whole drive to his house – a feat that worried Steve, seeing how I always talk. We had just flown into Honolulu and Steve was so anxious to see his father again that we didn't get a chance to freshen up from our flight and I was not happy about that…
Six months ago…
"Steven, I'm tired and I'm frumpy!" I protested, as he drove to his father's house from the airport. "Can't we just freshen up at the hotel and then, head over to your father's for dinner? I look disgusting and I probably smell."
He glanced over at me with a smile. "Charley, you're gorgeous; that will never change. Besides, if we go to the hotel first – where there is a bed – we wouldn't leave for a looooong time."
I blushed at the implication in his words. "Well, can we at least pull into a store with a bathroom, so I can wash my face?"
Steve flicked the turn signal on to pull into a grocery store parking lot. "Ten minutes, Charley."
"I'll come out when I'm good and ready to, mister," I told him, haughtily, as I grabbed my purse.
As I hopped out of the car, he leaned across the seats to say, "I will come in there after you."
"Oooh, how scandalous," I murmured huskily, winking at him before shutting the door.
Ten minutes and thirty seconds later, I left the building with a light coat of foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and a light sheen of lip gloss; I had also brushed my hair and pulled it up into a neat ponytail. Luckily, my navy blue tank top and khaki shorts were only slightly wrinkled. I grinned hugely at Steve, as I climbed into the car. "What's happening, hot stuff?"
Steve cocked an eyebrow, as he cranked the car on. "Feel better, Charles?"
I leaned across the glove department to kiss his cheek. "Yes, honey. Thank you."
As we headed once more to his father's house, Steve was pointing out the things from his childhood while I looked on quietly; it was very easy to see Steve as child, riding his bike down the streets with unlaced shoelaces. Maybe his face smudged with dirt. According to him, he was always coming home with dirt on his clothes and under his fingernails. He quieted down when we turned onto the street; I reached across and slipped my hand into his. My husband was tough and hard as nails, but there was still the little boy in him that yearned for his father's affection. He never said anything, but whenever he'd see me with my father – I was a major daddy's girl – Steve's eyes would shine with envy to be that close to his father, although my father had taken to him enthusiastically. We pulled into the driveway and looked out at the house; it was white and inviting, but partly hidden from plants that surrounded the house. Steve sighed heavily and turned the car off, he turned to me with unreadable eyes. I cupped his jaw, my thumb stroking his cheek. "Steven, he's your father. He's gonna be thrilled to see you. Now, let's go introduce me to my elusive father-in-law."
I tucked my arm in his as we walked up to the front door, which opened to reveal an older, handsome man and I saw Steve in him immediately. Well, at least my husband will age well. Steve drew up short, his breath catching as his father stepped onto the porch. His father was puzzled, as he stared down at his son. "Steven? What are you doing here?"
"Charley and I moved to Hawaii," Steve started; his body tense. "I missed the island and decided it was time to come home."
Jack McGarrett slowly walked down the porch steps to embrace his son. "Well, welcome home, Steve."
"Thank you," he said, blankly. Steve turned to me with a small smile. "Dad, this is Charlene McGarrett, your daughter-in-law."
"You're a pretty, little thing," Jack commented, his blue eyes on me.
Steve grinned at my huff. I didn't like to be reminded of my height. "Yeah, she is, but she makes up for it in personality."
I elbowed Steve in the ribs before sticking out my right hand. "It's nice to meet you, Jack. And, please, call me Charley."
He surprised me by pulling me into a hug, albeit slightly awkward. "You keepin' my boy in line?"
"I've got him jumping hoops and everything," I revealed with an evil grin.
Jack laughed a booming laugh. "That's what I like to hear. Come on inside. Any girl that could be married to a SEAL and still be happily married to him deserves a beer."
"I like the way you think, Jack," I laughed, following him up to the house.
III
Present time…
Using the key that Jack had given me a while back, I let myself into the house quietly. I half expected Jack to greet me with a loud welcome and shove a beer in my hand, but the house was deadly quiet. I placed my purse on the floor and looked around; it looked the same as it did yesterday when Steve and I were here. Spotting the blood still splattered across childhood pictures of Steve and his little sister, Mary Ann; I went to the kitchen to wet a paper towel to wipe the blood off. It took longer than I had expected it to, because the blood had stained the glass and soaked into the wall. After that was done, I investigated to see if there was anything else that needed to be cleaned before Steve came home; seeing this again wouldn't be easy on him. I dusted a little bit before stretching out on the couch in the living room, pulling my phone out to see if I had any messages. I sent Steve a text saying that I was over here and there had been no sign of creepers.
Five minutes later, my phone buzzed. Good. I'll be at the house in an hour or so. Love you.
I typed back, Love you too.
Curling up on the couch, I drifted off to sleep. It seems like I was only asleep for five minutes when I felt something warm and soft against my forehead; I mumbled incoherently while stirring but it wasn't enough. The smell of the ocean mixed with sweat and Steve's soap tickled my nose when I felt lips press against mine. I opened my eyes to see Steve crouched over me, his face inches from mine; a smile stretched across his face when he realized I was awake. "Hey, sleepy. Why are you sleeping? You hate naps."
"Because my husband couldn't keep his hands off of me," I mumbled sleepily; sitting up sluggishly. This is why I hate naps; they make you feel even more tired and groggy.
"Me," Steve protested with a chuckle; he pulled me into his chest. "There were times when I was convinced that you had eight arms; you were all over the place."
I nuzzled his neck. "You know me; giving it my all."
Steve laughed, as he scooped me up into his arms and plopped down in the armchair. I curled up in his lap with my head resting against his chest and his beating heart in my ear. This was my favorite sound in the world; it let me know that he was alive and in my arms. "So, how was your day, dear?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure that Danny Williams hates me," Steve started; I pulled back with a frown.
"And, why would he hate you? Steven, what did you do?" I demanded, tiredly.
Steve made a face. "I had him transferred over to my task force. He's a good detective and I needed him for information on a suspect."
"Why would he hate you for that?" I asked, confused. That sounded like a good opportunity to me.
"Well…" Steve began, slowly.
I leaned my head against his chest. "Why do I have a feeling that I'm not gonna like what comes out of your mouth next?"
Steve proceeded to tell me the rest of his day, but I was pretty sure that he was leaving some stuff out. I still didn't find the connection of why he would hate Steve, but knowing my husband and how his mind works, Steve most likely said something insensitively to the detective. I listened carefully, as he told me about finding Chen Chi and about how he suspected that Hesse was using Chinese smugglers to get on and off the island, because he couldn't just walk up to the airport and buy a ticket. He told me about meeting Chin's cousin, Kono, and how she was going to go undercover to see if a suspect was the smuggler.
"Sounds dangerous," I commented.
"Chin thinks she can handle herself, so I trust his judgment." Steve said, leaning down to nuzzle my ear. "Mmm, you smell good…How was packing?"
My eyes fluttered shut at the touch of his lips on my skin. "Umm, it was good. I found my album with our pictures in it and had a trip down memory lane. Ugh. My mother called."
"What did she want," Steve asked, rubbing the nip of his nose along my skin.
"The usual. 'Charlene, dear, where are my grandkids? You're not getting any younger, you know.' Ugh, the woman drives me crazy." I complained. "She makes it out like I'm already old and all dried up."
"So, don't answer the phone when she calls." Steve suggested, distracted with his lips on my skin.
Aghast, I stared at my husband with wide eyes. "You want me to ignore my mother? Are you crazy? Then, I'll hear her bitch about that…The woman actually told me to stop taking my pills and let nature do its' thing."
"Next time she calls and asks about grandchildren; just tell her that we're trying. That'll get her off your back," Steve proposed, planting a kiss on my forehead.
"Are we?" I asked, hesitantly.
Steve stared deep into my eyes for a couple of minutes. "I think we're at a good place to have one." His hand cupped my lower abdomen. "I want to see your belly get big with my baby."
"Really," I breathed, a huge smile on my face. At Steve's nod, I grabbed his face and kissed him deeply. He started to return the kiss, but before it could get too heated; the front door opened and we heard someone call out, "Yo."
Steve moved me aside, so he could get up and I frowned after him. Just two seconds of kissing and that man can get me hotter than a freakin' sauna. I straightened myself out before I ventured out into the room to see Steve and Danny looking at a picture on Steve's heavy duty laptop. They both turned to me when they heard my footsteps. I smiled at Danny. "Hi, Danny. How are you? Sorry my husband can be a douche."
"Thanks, babe," Steve interjected, turning to his laptop. "Charley, you ever hear of Jovan Eteinne?"
I stepped up beside him to peer at the picture, as Danny asked, "Why would she know him?"
"Her father used to work for the SVR."
"No, I've never heard of him. And, that was almost twenty years ago, Steven, Eteinne started after my father." I told him, after reading the information on Jovan.
"You're Russian," Danny asked, curiously.
"Russian-American," I said absentmindedly, as I studied Jovan's picture. He didn't seem familiar.
I turned to the guys. "Well, I'll leave you two to your work."
It wasn't but five minutes that I went out to the small beach outside that Danny joined me with two beers in hand. I smiled gratefully at him when he offered me one. "Thanks."
He took the seat opposite me, asking, "So, you and Steve?"
"What about us?" I asked, after taking a drink.
"How long have you been married?"
I looked out at the water with a smile. "About six years."
"Wow," Danny said, shocked. "That's longer than I thought…How can you stand it?"
"Hmmm?" I looked over at him.
He looked serious, as he rolled the bottle between his hands. "The leaving. How did you get over that?"
"Get over it," I scoffed. "I never got over it. The first time he left, we had been married for about two months and I cried like a baby for weeks. Steve was my first love, first guy I slept with, so our bond was all the more powerful and all the more weakening for me. I didn't think I could ever get used to him not sleeping next to me. I had my job to keep my mind from going stark mad from missing him; when summer came and he wasn't here, now that was hell. But, somehow it worked. I loved him, but he was in the Navy before me; I wasn't going to change him…But, that didn't stop me from wishing he'd come up with that decision on his own."
Danny chuckled, but it didn't have any humor behind it. I realized what his problem was. "How long have you been divorced?"
He looked up at me; his eyes so blue. "A couple of years now. I just don't understand. I may have not been home a lot, but I was still in the same country – let alone the same city – and my wife couldn't handle that. But, here's you, married to a SEAL for six years and no hard feelings between each other. Then, she goes and remarries and moves my daughter to this stinkin' island."
I reached over to place a hand on his forearm. "Danny, people handle things differently. Plus, you had a child together; that makes absence harder when there's a child involved. That's why Steve didn't want to have kids yet. He knew I would become bitter."
He grunted in acknowledgement before taking a long pull from his beer.
"So, you have a daughter?" I asked, softly, smiling in envy. Also, wanting to change the topic. "What's her name?"
Danny reached for his wallet, as he answered, "Grace."
I studied the adorable, little girl with long dark hair and her father's eyes. "She's gorgeous, Danny. So, you followed Grace to Hawaii."
He nodded, as he put the picture back in his wallet. "She's all I got."
"You're a good father, Danny, not many fathers would do that."
Danny and I glanced behind us to see Steve making his way across his yard; Danny looked at me. "How were you able to stay married to him for so long?"
I grinned at him. "You forget, he's gone for eighty percent of the year. Not enough time for me to want to strangle him yet, just sleep with him."
I laughed loudly at Danny's expression; Steve stopped between our chairs. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, just watching Danny squirm," I told him, as he perched himself on the armrest of my chair.
"You shouldn't do that, Charley, Danny's sensitive," Steve teased and we watched as Danny turned a brilliant shade of red.
"What did I tell you about that? Just because I was pissed at getting shot, doesn't mean I'm sensitive!" Danny exploded; I looked at Steve angrily.
"You got him shot?"
Now, it was Danny's turn to watch Steve squirm. "Charley, he's fine. It was just a flesh wound."
"Steven, you can't just get people shot!" I stated, narrowing my eyes at him. I turned to Danny, concerned. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's fine," he said, waving it off.
Steve noticed that he didn't bitch about it "tearing through his flesh" to his wife, who stood up suddenly. "Well, I hope he apologized correctly. Steven has a habit of insulting people instead when he tries to make apologies."
"No kidding," Danny muttered, sipping his beer.
I knew Steve was annoyed with all the bashing towards him, but it made Danny happier seeing him get berated by his wife. I gave Steve a quick peck before venturing to the house. Before I went into the house, I looked back to see them deep in discussion. They're gonna be friends, I was sure of that. Although, who knew how long that'd take before either admitted to it. I grabbed my cell phone and ordered two pizzas; pineapple (yuck!) and meat lover's pizza. Just as the pizza was arriving, Danny came into the house.
"Hey, I ordered pizza if you want some." I told him, flipping open the lids.
The scent pulled him into the kitchen. "Ahh, the mouthwatering smell of a meat lover's pizza. What the hell? Is that pineapple on this pizza?"
I nodded grimly. "It's Steve's. Disgusting, I know. The only thing that belongs on a pizza is sauce, cheese, and meat. No fruit!"
"Marry me," Danny suggested through a mouthful of steamy pizza.
Before I could retort, Steve stated, "Get your own woman."
I smiled up at my husband, as he wrapped a possessive arm around my waist; he kissed my neck lightly. "Thank you for the pizza; I know it hurts you to order it."
"Oh, don't worry; you'll pay me back…later." I winked at the last part, Steve looked intrigued, and Danny looked sick.
It wasn't before long that Danny left, wishing us a goodnight, and it wasn't long before Steve swept me off my feet and carried me towards the bedrooms. Realizing something, I wiggled in his arms. "Um, Steven, where are we sleeping? I'd feel really weird doing it in your parents' bed, let alone sleeping in it."
He laughed. "We're sleeping in my old room until everything is situated. I hope you don't mind a cramped bed."
I pondered, "This should be interesting."
Steven kicked his bedroom door closed behind him; I attacked his lips with fervor. We didn't do much talking after that unless moans of encouragements counted.
III
The next morning, or should I say afternoon, I woke up in Steve's childhood bed and looked around sleepily. I was exhausted after last night. We didn't fall asleep until two in the morning and knowing my husband, he probably still woke up at five for his morning swim and run. The SEAL freak. After a shower, I made a sandwich and settle down on the couch to grade much overdue papers. Between munches, I read essays about the play, Death of a Salesman, and graded them fairly and nicely, though some of those papers deserved lower grades than they got, but I was in a forgiving mood. It wasn't my favorite play in high school either. Hours passed by quickly, I had finished grading papers, and changed into my red bikini to go for a little swim. But, on my way to the back door, my phone rang.
It was Steve. "Hey, honey."
"Hey," Steve panted out. "I need a favor, Charley."
"Okay, what's up?" I asked, heading towards the bedroom.
"I need you to come get me from the hospital," Steve said, hesitantly.
Pausing in pulling on my white maxi dress, I pursed my lips. "And, why are you at the hospital, mister?"
"Okay, look, Charley, it's just a small graze. Nothing serious," Steve assured me, quickly.
I gripped the phone tightly, as I snatched up the keys. "YOU GOT SHOT?"
III
AN: Okay, there's the fourth chapter and the end of episode one! From what you read in this chapter, Charley won't be getting preggers anytime soon, because can ruin stories! And, I feel like I'm already pushing it with Steve being married. So, tell me what you think, loves!
