As always, you are all amazing and I'm in awe that there have been over 200 reviews on this story (and that they're all positive)! I cannot thank you all enough for your support for this story. It has certainly helped make all the months I spent working on it absolutely worth it!

I hope you enjoyed last night's bonus chapter. We are going to be wrapping up the story soon, but it's not over yet - here's the next chapter...

Endgame
Chapter 21

McGarrett/Rollins Residence
Thursday, 1254 hours

Catherine pulled the truck up to the house and rolled to a stop. She knew Steve was happy to be going home. He'd gone a little stir crazy in his hospital bed until they'd finally let him get up and around and his mood had improved even more when they disconnected him from all the tubes and wires. The doctors had been happy with his progress and released him to Catherine's care with orders to take it easy for at least the next week and maybe longer depending on the results of the follow-up appointment. Danny had already handled the swapping out of Catherine's car for Steve's truck because he figured getting in and out of the Corvette would have been a Herculean feat due for Steve due to the thigh injury. He also lent Steve his cane so he could keep his weight off the injured leg or, as Danny put it, 'hobble around in style'.

Catherine exited the truck and walked around to the passenger side, holding out the cane for Steve.

"No thanks, I've got it," he told her.

"Steve," she looked at him. "I cannot carry you into the house but I need you to get there without further injury because I have no intention of taking you back to the hospital. So please use the cane. For me?"

He looked at her for a moment then took it without comment and hobbled toward the house while she followed behind with their bags.

"Would you like to be upstairs or downstairs?" she asked him as he made his way slowly up the steps on the front porch.

"I'm going to sit on the beach," he told her.

"I don't think walking on the sand is a good idea right now. You're supposed to be taking it easy and you can see the ocean from the lanai or the lawn."

"I know my limits, Catherine."

She placed her hand on his shoulder and he stopped but didn't turn.

"Steve," she said quietly from behind him. "I know you know your limits. But you just got out of the hospital and I'd like to take care of you, as much as you'll let me. So, will you please just let me fuss. At least for a little while?

He turned and used one arm to pull her to him, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not very good at being sidelined. I'll sit on the lanai, okay?"

"Thank you," she told him and stretched to kiss him gently. "I'll be right out with some water. You need anything else?"

"No, water would be good. Thank you."

She nodded and he turned and headed for the back door.

A few minutes later she joined him, put a bottle of water on the table and helped him arrange his leg so it was elevated slightly as directed in his discharge orders.

"Is that okay?" she asked when she straightened up.

"Yeah, it's fine," he replied, then admitted sheepishly, "It feels better, actually. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm sorry if I'm mother-henning you."

He smiled at her. "It's okay. I was actually just sitting here thinking and realized if it were you who had just been released from the hospital I wouldn't be handling it nearly as well as you are."

Catherine held his gaze for several seconds. "You scared me. I was terrified I was going to lose you," she said quietly. "When Danny called and told me you'd been shot, that it looked bad and I needed to get there… I was panicked, thinking the worst. The drive to the hospital and the waiting… You can't know—"

He placed his hand over hers. "I do know. Do you remember the night Billy died? The hospital called me, told me the two of you had been involved in a shooting and it was like my whole world dropped out from around me. My head started swimming, I could barely hear or focus on what they were telling me, the only thing that mattered to me in that moment was getting to where you were and making sure you were okay. And even when they told me you would be I didn't fully believe it until you regained consciousness and I saw it for myself."

She looked at him for a moment then nodded. "Yeah. When Major Ross came in with news and he wouldn't talk to me, to even tell me if you were-" she shook her head, not willing to say it aloud, "it took everything I had to hold it together."

Steve dropped his head for a moment. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Hey," she said, making sure she had his full attention. "It's not about that, you don't have to apologize anymore. I guess I just wanted to be honest about how I felt and why it's important to me that you follow doctor's orders. Because losing you is not an option for me," she said with a tremble in her voice. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she bit her lip.

He tried to reach her to comfort her but with his leg propped up he had very little freedom of movement so the best he could do was grasp her hand and squeeze it. They were both quiet for a few moments while Catherine got a handle on her emotions.

"You know," she told him quietly, "it's not easy knowing every time you go to work there's a chance you might not come home."

"I know," he responded, sincerely. "Believe me, Cath, I am very well acquainted with that feeling."

"We're kind of a mess, aren't we?" she said with a small smile.

"I guess so," he agreed, mirroring her smile. "But maybe that's proof we're perfect for each other."

Her smile widened and she leaned over to kiss him gently. "Maybe it is," she agreed.

"And, just to set the record straight. I'd rather have you mother-henning me than Danny."

"Thank you. But I kind of like knowing he's here to take care of you if I can't be."

"Don't get me wrong," Steve said, genuinely. "I love the guy, but sometimes…"

"Yeah… I know." She chewed on her lip for a moment. "I think maybe you should talk to him."

He cocked his head. "What about? The engagement?"

"Well, yes, but no. When he was telling me about what happened at the scene, he said you lost consciousness and commented about all the blood and I just… got a feeling, I guess? I don't know – it was like he was thinking about something else." She shook her head. "Or maybe I'm just crazy and it was nothing, I don't know."

"No, if it stuck with you then it was probably something." Steve was thoughtful for a moment then said somberly, "The last time I was shot was the transplant." He sighed. "I was unconscious and lost a lot of blood on that plane. It's probably nothing, but I'll talk to him."

"Good," Catherine agreed. "How about I go get you more water and make us some lunch?"

"That would be great," he told her. "Thank you."

She headed in the house and he sat quietly, enjoying being outdoors again after spending more than 48 hours in a hospital bed. He thought about Catherine, how lucky he was to have her in his life and how much he regretted what he'd just put her through, even though he recognized it was completely out of his control. He regretted forgetting to file the papers to make her his next of kin and realized, with a smile, that it wouldn't matter for long because soon she would be his wife.

McGarrett/Rollins Residence
Three Days Later / Sunday, 1513 hours

Doctor's orders placed Steve on forced home convalescence for the first week after he returned home, with more and more low-key activities permitted as the week went on and since Catherine didn't technically work for Five-0 she stayed home with him. For the most part, other than his frustration at being sidelined, he enjoyed being home spending 24 hours a day with her.

Sunday afternoon Danny and Charlie had stopped by and ended up staying for lunch so they grilled some chicken and hot dogs and found some leftover pasta salad to serve alongside. Following lunch, they'd played a rousing game of Go Fish! and then settled into the board game Sorry!. Because of Steve and Catherine's competitive natures they mostly tried to one-up each other and didn't mind when Charlie ended up winning.

Steve had just sent one of Catherine's pawns back to 'home' and she was laughing and threatening retribution when her cell rang. As she fished it out of her pocket and checked the screen her mood immediately fell and she excused herself to the kitchen.

Steve, who was seated on the sofa, reached for the cane and said "Danny, help me up." As he moved toward the kitchen he heard Danny say, "Hey, Charlie. Uncle Steve and Aunt Catherine need to take a little break but we'll finish our game in a little bit. How about if we see if there's a movie you'd like to watch? I'm pretty sure I know where Uncle Steve keeps a few."

He entered the kitchen as Catherine seemed to have just disconnected her call.

"Cath?"

She looked up at him, her eyes wet. "I'm sorry. They're sending a car in forty minutes. I tried to delay, to tell them I wasn't available right now but…" She swiped at her eyes in frustration. "I don't want to leave. And even if I wanted to, you were shot less than a week ago and you have a follow up with Major Ross tomorrow. I need to be here."

Steve was less than thrilled she'd been called up again, but seeing her so upset, his instinct was to be comforting rather than confrontational.

He moved to her and pulled her into a one-armed embrace. "I can manage here and I'm sure Danny will drive—"

He was interrupted by a quick knock on the door jamb as Danny stuck his head in. "Everything okay in here?"

Steve turned to look over his shoulder. "Yeah, we'll be right out."

He turned his attention back to Catherine. "I hate that you have to go, but I need you to keep your mind on the mission. I will be fine here and I know you'll get back as soon as you can.

She nodded into his chest. "Yeah, I know. I just… I was hoping…" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

"You can't think that way," Steve told her softly. "Promise me. You need to have your head in the game because I can manage short-term but I need you in my life for as long as possible, so you have to come home to me in one piece."

Catherine pulled back enough to look at him. "I know. You're right." She smiled sadly. "I'll do my best, I promise."

"We should get you packed. I'll talk to Danny real quick and meet you upstairs."

"It's okay, I've got it. It will be easier for you if you stay down here."

"I'll be up in a minute," He said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

She gave him a quick peck on the lips before they left the kitchen.

"Hey Danny," Catherine said on her way toward the stairs, "I have to go to work so I need to go pack but I'll be back down to say goodbye okay?"

Danny nodded then looked to Steve who indicated with a sideways nod of his head they should talk in the kitchen. After ensuring Charlie was thoroughly engrossed in Despicable Me 2 Danny followed his partner.

"Catherine's leaving?" Danny asked without preamble.

"Yeah," Steve said quietly. "They're sending a car in about half an hour."

"Anything I can do?"

"Not now, thanks. I'm going to head up to help her and then maybe we can talk after?"

"Sure, babe, I'll watch Gru and the minions with Charlie."

It didn't occur to Steve to question that he knew exactly who 'Gru and the minions' were as he headed for the stairs. Danny took a seat next to his son and tried not to think too hard about what was happening with his two friends upstairs.

When Steve arrived in the bedroom Catherine had already changed her clothes and was adding a few last items to her bag.

"You need any help?" he asked her.

"No, I think I'm all set," she replied as she zipped the bag and then checked her watch.

"I'm sorry about this," she told him, quietly. "Not knowing when I'll be back makes it kind of hard to keep planning the wedding."

"You don't owe me any apologies, Cath. We'll get married when you get back."

She came around the bed and stood in front of him before gently taking the cane. "Hold on to me," she ordered softly and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders while hers encircled his waist. "I don't deserve you," she told him before slanting her mouth across his in a deep, meaningful kiss.

They both got caught up in the sensations coursing through them and forgot about Steve's injury until he put too much weight on the leg and hissed; Catherine pulled back abruptly. "Oh God, Steve. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he whispered, seeking out her lips again. "Totally worth it," he told her between kisses.

When they broke apart for air she commented, "Are you okay?"

He smirked at her. "You have to ask?"

She pecked his lips again and said, "Rest up, because when I get back I plan to make up for lost time."

He moaned. "We have a few minutes now, maybe-"

She put her finger to his lips. "I'd love that. But we have to watch your heart rate, remember?"

He groaned in response and she placed a few more gentle kisses on his lips to take away some of the sting.

She turned, retrieved the cane and handed it to Steve before moving to the foot of the bed and picking up her bag.

"After you, sailor," she told him with a smile.

She followed him as he descended the stairs slowly and Danny rose to meet them. Catherine put her bag down and moved into the room.

"So, do you, uh, know how long you'll be gone?" Danny asked.

"I'm not sure. But I hope not more than a couple weeks."

Danny nodded. "Well, take care of yourself out there," he told her before pulling her in for a farewell hug.

"Thanks, Danny," she said then whispered in his ear, "You'll look out for him?" and he nodded minutely in response.

They pulled apart and Catherine moved to the sofa, paused the movie and knelt to address Charlie. "Hey Charlie, I have to go to work and I'll be gone for a little while. Can I have a hug?"

Charlie was happy to comply and told her "Bye, Auntie Catherine."

"Bye, Charlie." She stood again and restarted the movie. She placed a hand on Danny's arm as she passed then turned to Steve. "Walk me out?" she asked him, picking up her bag.

"Bye, Cath," Danny said, "see you soon."

She nodded and replied, "Hopefully."

They walked out to the porch and Steve pulled the door shut behind him.

"Why don't you sit," she suggested, wanting him to get the weight off his leg, and then perched on his right knee, facing him. "Promise me you'll follow doctor's orders."

"Yeah, 'course," he replied easily.

She held his gaze. "I mean it, Steve," she said. "Please?"

He sighed, she knew him too well. "Yes, I will follow doctor's orders, as much as I can, all right? And Danny will be all over me if I don't."

"Okay. Good."

"Promise me you won't worry about this while you're over there."

"I promise. As much as I can, all right?" she said, echoing Steve's words.

He nodded, "Okay."

The both heard a vehicle approaching and looked to confirm it was Catherine's ride. She stood and offered him a hand before kissing him and reaching down for her bag.

She cradled his cheek. "I love you," she whispered. "Aloha."

"I love you, too," he replied and kissed her again. "See you soon."

She nodded before turning and heading to the car. Steve watched as it pulled away before turning and sitting heavily in the chair.

He noticed a spider web under the small table and poked at it with the cane until the door opened and Danny came out, holding two bottles of water.

"Hey babe, you thirsty?"

"Yeah, thanks Danny."

Danny sat in the second chair and placed the waters on the table. They were both quiet for a moment before Danny broke the silence.

"Is it always like that?" he asked.

"Like what?"

"They call and she leaves a few minutes later."

"Well, it's usually more than a few minutes but, yeah, pretty much. We knew ahead of time on one of them."

Danny evaluated his friend. "Seems like you've got a pretty good handle on it," he said. "I don't think I could do that."

"Do what? Let her leave? It's not like I have a choice," Steve said bitterly.

"No, uh… I don't think I could deal with my girlfriend leaving all the time."

"Well, your situation's different, Danny. You've got kids. Although they're pretty resilient – they'd probably handle it fine."

"Yeah, maybe. But for me… I dunno."

"What other choice do I have, Danny? She's… everything. Not having her in my life at all just… well, that's not an option for me."

"You sound pretty sure about this."

"I am, Danny. I know it hasn't been easy but it won't be forever. She's working on wrapping this up, so hopefully within a year—"

"A year?" Danny exclaimed, surprised. "That long?"

Steve sighed, "I don't really know. I hope it won't be that long, but I'm trying to be realistic."

"Yeah. I get that," his partner told him. "Still. A year?"

"Yeah, but we're going to get married as soon as she gets back from this one," Steve said quietly.

"Buddy!" A huge smile practically split Danny's face. He reached out a hand to pat Steve's arm. "Congratulations! When did you propose?"

"Monday night," Steve told him, happily.

"You mean you got engaged a few hours before you got shot? It's a goddamn Greek tragedy," Danny commented with a roll of his eyes.

"I think you mean Shakespearean tragedy, Danno," Steve corrected him with a smirk.

"Eh, Romeo and Juliet, whatever," Danny said with a dismissive wave. "Wait, she's not wearing a ring."

Steve sighed. "I know. I haven't given it to her yet."

"Huh? Why the hell not?"

"Honestly? I didn't give it to her when I proposed because I hadn't planned it and didn't have the ring on me. And then I had… other things," he smirked at his partner's grimace, "to keep me occupied. I was going to give it to her the next morning, make a big deal with breakfast in bed, but then we got called out so early. And I want to be able to get down on one knee, and well…" he waved his hand over his injured leg.

"Right," Danny said. "So, what happened to all the methodical, obsessive, operational planning from last time? You what? Just threw it out the window?" he asked with far too much glee.

Steve smiled. "Pretty much, yeah. I'd been thinking about it but didn't have anything in the works. Then we were out on the beach and I just knew I wanted to do it then."

"Good for you!" Danny clapped his hands. "However you did it, let me just say that it's about damn time." Steve nodded in agreement. "So, you gonna use the same ring?"

"Yeah. I thought about it and it took me a long time to choose it and I really want her to wear it. She's never seen it, so…."

"Right, right," Danny agreed. "You got it here somewhere? You want to show me?"

Steve was surprised. "Uh, yeah. It's in the uh, garage. In my dad's toolbox." He nodded slowly, considering something. "Actually… yeah… that works," he said.

"You wanna clue me in?" Danny asked.

Steve returned his gaze to his partner. "You mind grabbing it for me? On the workbench. It's in the, uh, top compartment."

"Yeah, sure." Danny stood. "I'll be right back."

He entered the house and Steve heard him speaking to Charlie before the door closed behind him. A few minutes later he was back, the small box in his hand. He handed it to Steve who held it reverently for a moment before opening it and handing it back to Danny.

Danny whistled under his breath. "Nice, buddy. Very nice."

Steve nodded. "I hope she'll like it."

"You kidding me?" Danny huffed. "She's gonna love this. No question."

He closed the lid and held it out to Steve but his partner didn't take it. "Actually, why don't you hang on to that. I was hoping you could do me a favor."

"Sure babe, what do you need?"

"Can you, uh, take it to get checked out and cleaned up?"

"Yeah, of course. You have somewhere particular you want me to go?"

Steve nodded. "Kamaka's, downtown. Tell him it's for me, I'm sure he'll remember it."

"You got it, man." Danny told him. "I get to be the best man, right?"

Steve laughed, "Yeah, Danno. You do."

A/N: They just can't catch a break, can they? I feel like Steve is more at peace with this departure, though, maybe because knowing Catherine will be his wife as soon as possible calms and centers him.