Steve sat for a long time with his head resting against the tree and his eyes closed.
He was tired, so tired….

He sensed Danny's presence and without opening his eyes he said, "Danno please…I need to be alone"
"You've been out here for over an hour. Are you okay?"
Steve smirked and opened his eyes, "No buddy….I'm not okay. But I don't want to talk about it….not now. How's Kono?"
"She's good, they both are. We got her out of her bed and she was able to see Adam for a few minutes"
"Was he awake?"
"No….but it was good for her. She's sleeping now too. Why don't you come inside?" Reaching out his hand, Steve grasped it and Danny helped him to his feet. The two men walked side by side in silence until they reached Steve's room.

Steve looked at Danny, "Did you read the letter?"
"Yeah, I did"
"She's really something isn't she?"
"Steve, I'm so sorry"
"You know what Danno…..I'm not…I agree with her. I wish she'd never come back. She's dead in my eyes"
His words were cold, but his voice and eyes were wrought with emotion.

Danny spoke softly, "You don't mean that buddy"
"Oh you're wrong partner, I DO mean that...…God Danno...I'm so fucking tired. I'm so tired of it all"
"Do you want me to come in?"
Steve hesitated slightly, "No, I need some time to think"
"Get some sleep, okay. Chin and I will take care of Kono"
"Yeah…..thanks man"
Danny then added, "Can I offer a suggestion?"
"Can I stop you?"
"No, no you can't, so just listen please...…call Catherine"
"There's nothing she can do about this. She's half-way around the world"
"I know…but I think you should call her. I guarantee you, she'd want to know what's happening"
"She needs to focus on her work, I don't need her to be worrying about me"
"Well I can worry about you enough for all of us"
Steve grinned, "You don't need to worry about me Danno…..I'll be fine"
"Well, I think it will do you a lot of good to talk to her….at least think about it, okay?"
"I'll think about it...…..and hey…...thanks partner"
"No problem …..call me if you want to talk"
"I will, good night"
"Good Night" Danny lingered at the closed door for several seconds before turning and heading back to the infirmary.

Both patients were sleeping and he and Chin moved to the table with cups of strong, black coffee.
Chin inquired, "So how's he doing?"
"He's angry…and although he's not ready to admit it, he's hurt. He's not saying much yet Chin but this is tearing him apart"
"She's abandoned him again"
"Yeah, that's certainly how he sees it"
"Well it's only how he sees it, it's how it is Danny. Do you think she'll ever come back?"
"I don't know but I sure as hell hope she doesn't. It's going to take him a long time to get over this Chin. He's mad now but that anger is going to turn to pain soon"
"We'll be there for him brother"
"Yes we will be…I just hope it's enough"

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Steve took another shower, letting the hot water beat down onto his neck. He had a horrible headache and just wanted to forget about Doris and sleep. He knew that sleep wouldn't come easily though. He had so many questions that now he would never get the answers to. The biggest one being what is Doris' connection with Wo Fat? Her last words to him in Hawaii again echoed in his mind, 'to be continued…' Well not anymore. He would never have that answer now. As much as he loved his Mother, he hated her too and he felt utterly disgusted with himself about that. She was his Mother for God's sake and she deserved his unconditional love…...his mind drifted back to the time he was ten years old…..

Mary had taken his baseball glove and was using it to scoop flower buds and seeds that had fallen from an Indian Corel Tree from her wading pool. Doris had gone into the house to fix them lunch and he was supposed to be watching his little sister. His best friend Jeff Friedman had stopped by and was showing him the new issue of Sports Illustrated. He had taken his eyes off Mary and by the time he realized what she was doing, his prized baseball glove was destroyed. He had spent weeks softening and forming the leather just the way he liked it. He was planning on using it for the first time later that day at Brian Johnson's birthday party. He had become so irate that he had raced over to four year old Mary screaming and shoving her. She fell backwards striking her head on the bottom of the pool and as she was falling backwards, Doris had come from the kitchen.

She had raced to the pool as her tiny blonde-headed little girl popped up from under the water choking and spitting up water.
As his Mom had grabbed Mary from the pool, he had panicked and turned to run.
"STEVEN JOHN, STOP THIS MINUTE!" He had never heard his Mother talk with such force and anger before.
He turned around as Jeff said, "See you later buddy" and ran from the yard.
His Mom was cradling Mary in her arms, bouncing her in her arms to comfort her, "Ssshhhhh you're okay baby, ssshhhh"
As Mary's coughing subsided she began to sob, saying through her tears "Stevie pushed me"
As any ten year old would do, he cried out "SHE RUINED MY GLOVE MOM!" Instantly, he knew that he should have kept his mouth shut as Doris glared at him saying, "Up to your room young man….now!"

Picking his baseball glove up from the ground he had walked into the house not showing any anger until he was out of his Mother's earshot, then slamming his bedroom door closed behind him.
He had spent the next three hours in his room, curled up on his bed, holding his destroyed glove in his hands and fuming with anger towards MaryAnn but also towards his Mom for not understanding.

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His Dad eventually came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Sit up Steve"
"Dad…."
"Steve, I want you to listen to me first. Then if you have any questions or comments, I will listen to you"
"Okay" He had sat on the bed next to his Father, prepared to be yelled at and grounded for life.
"Let me see you glove son" His Dad had taken the glove and confirmed what he already knew, it was ruined.
"Steve I'm going to tell you something and I expect to never have to say it again. Mary is your sister and as her big brother, you are her protector. You are old enough now to understand this and I have always told you to never strike a girl"

"But Dad, I didn't HIT her"
"You pushed her and you hurt her Steve, that is not acceptable. I understand that you were angry about her you damaging your glove"
"Damaging it! She destroyed it!"
"Do you think she meant to destroy it? Buddy, she's four years old. She didn't know any better. And weren't you supposed to be watching her? How did she get your glove? Where were you?"

"Jeff brought over his Sports Illustrated and we were looking at it"
"So you weren't doing your job and she did something she shouldn't do. So whose fault do you think this is?"
"But Dad…she put it in the WATER!"
"She's four years old Steven…..whose fault do you think this is?"
Steve hesitated briefly before saying dejectedly, "Mine"
"That's right son. You were wrong to not be watching Mary and you were wrong to have pushed her. She ruined your glove but we are all very lucky that she didn't get hurt when you pushed her. Everyone makes mistakes in life but in order be a good man, you need to take responsibility for you wrong actions Steve, do you understand?"

He had smiled up at his Father and said, "I understand Dad, I'm sorry"
"You need to tell your sister you're sorry as well"
" I will…and Dad, I'll always protect Mary from now on, I promise"
His Father had embraced him and then added, "You also need to be punished Steve. Your Mother and I have discussed it and you cannot attend Brian's birthday party or sleep over tonight"
He was very disappointed as he responded, "I understand Dad"

"Tomorrow when I get home from work, we'll run down to the Sporting Goods Store and buy you another glove. I'll pay for it, put you'll need to do yard work and pay me back"
"Okay Dad….Thank You, I love you"
"I love you too Steven. Are you ready to go apologize to your sister and your Mother?"
"Yes"

Moments later he stood in the living room before his Mom and Mary. He looked into his little sister's eyes and he felt shame as he saw the hurt in her usually trusting eyes.
And then Mary even made things worse as she spoke first, "'M sorry I got your mitt wet Stevie and broke it"
Steve dropped to his knees and opened his arms. Without speaking, Mary moved to her beloved brother and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. Steve spoke softly, "It's not your fault Mar. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I promise I'll never hurt you again"

Still hugging his sister, he looked up "I'm sorry Mom"
Doris nodded and blew him a kiss as Mary asked, "Will you play with me Steve?"
"I'll do anything you want Mary"
John and Doris held hands and grinned at their sons reaction as Mary said excitedly, "TEA PARTY!"
Taking her brother's hand she had pulled him towards the stairs. Steve was a very good sport but he was VERY relieved when his Dad peeked into the room an hour later to tell them that dinner was ready.

Steve's self-redemption didn't stop there as he agreed to 'Mary's Movie Night'. Not only did he let her cuddle in his lap but he watched without complaint, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty AND Cinderella!

At a little before ten o'clock as the Duke was slipping the glass slipper onto Cinderella's foot, John received the call to report to work. He kissed Doris and the kids and leaving the house none of them had any idea how their lives were about to change...

******* More to follow…..hope you're liking, I'd love to hear from you! *******