SURPRISE! Here's the final chapter of this story! I wanted to give you a surprise so this is the BIGGEST chapter I have ever written! I hope the end of this story is satisfying for you and I'd like to thank all of you who kept coming back to read it and review.
I would specially like to dedicate this final chapter to my dear friend AQUABABY58, without whom I would never have finished this story! Thank you so much for all your support and encouraging words. You more than anyone know what finishing this story has meant for me.
Anyway, I'll keep talking at the end of the chapter but, for now, I'll let you enjoy it! Remember to let me know what you think!
The ride to the hospital was really quiet. Expect for the occasional smart ass comment from Danny about SuperSEALs and their superhero complex, they mostly kept to their thoughts.
Annabeth was starting to come to terms with the fact that Sean and Paul were both really dead and that they wouldn't come back to hurt her or mess with her anymore. Not that she thought there was more they could do; they had already screwed up with her life royally. It was one thing that she had being attacked at the bar; yes, she was angry and ashamed about that, but it's not like it hadn't happened before. Sho Wun had done it in way worst conditions all those years ago and she wasn't stupid, she knew the dangers that being a woman… a girl… in her line of work could entail and she had learned to live with that. But being forced to have sex with her own brother was almost too much for her to handle.
When she had come to Hawaii she had been in a dark place emotionally. She believed she was alone in the whole world and agreeing to take on the most dangerous missions in hope that she wouldn't come back from them alive. She wasn't proud of thinking like that but she had accepted that as her fate. And that's why being found by the same person that had rescued her from Sho Wun had been a blessing. Steve had literally saved her life again. Being introduced to the team and being welcomed into their Ohana was more than she could have expected and finding out later that Steve was actually her brother had given her a real sense of belonging.
She didn't want to lose what had slowly become a good life. She had a great job with Five 0, she was part of an amazing Ohana and she had actually discovered family here. She was no longer in that dark emotional place but she was starting to feel trapped again.
Now that the hunt for the brothers is over, they were gonna have to face what had happened and, suddenly, she didn't want to do it. She didn't want Steve to tell her that he couldn't handle being close to her again; she didn't want him to tell her she couldn't live with him anymore. What would she do if she had to leave Five O because things got too awkward between them? Where would she go next?
Her eyes started to glass over and the knot inside her throat was becoming increasingly painful. She tried taking a few deep breaths without making noise because she didn't want the other two occupants of the car to notice her distress.
Not that they would have, because they were too busy with their own rolling emotions.
Danny's gaze traveled constantly between the road ahead of them and his partner sitting next to him with his head resting on the seat and his eyes clenched shut almost painfully. He was holding his left arm with such force that his arms were starting to tremble.
He was worried. He knew that a broken bone hurt like a bitch and Steve had endured much more than that in his life but another look at the limb in question told him again that this was much more serious. If the arm had been swollen before, he didn't know what to call the inflamed reaction now. You could barely distinguish the wrist from the rest of the forearm and the fingers were getting so big that they wouldn't be able to flex even with help. There were parts of the skin that were colored red, others were purple, others green, but the main color was simply black.
He knew his partner was hurting badly when he couldn't stifle the groan that escaped his lips when the car hit a bump in the road and he made a mental note to avoid those carefully from now on. They weren't that far away from the hospital and they would be there in less than five minutes.
Steve, on his end, just tried to concentrate on breathing and blocking out the pain but he was failing miserably at that. He remembered breaking bones before. An ankle some time when he was a kid, a few ribs on various occasions during his career and his left arm (as Danny had gladly reminded him) when he fell off that mountain; but he couldn't remember it hurting as much as it hurt now. He was honestly starting to prefer the pain of a gunshot wound than this constant throbbing, the pressure inside his arm, the heat that pulsed in compass with his rapid heart rate and the need to hold his forearm even harder with every passing second searching for some kind of relief from the pressure but just making it worse all the same. For once in his life he couldn't wait to get to the hospital so they could give him something for the pain. That's how much it hurt.
When they finally made it to the ER, Steve had trouble getting out of the car on his own. When he had tried the first time, the change in position brought an onslaught of pain to his injured arm and he had to drop back down into the seat gritting his teeth and hissing while trying to not pass out from the wave of dizziness that hit him. But he didn't have to wait too long before Danny and Annabeth came around and helped him get on his feet and walk towards the gates where a wheelchair was put behind his knees and he was forced to sit down.
They rushed him into one of the triage rooms and luckily they were able to go inside with him.
- Sir – said a nurse talking to Danny – we need you to remove the vehicle from the ER entrance – he looked towards his friend with doubt in his eyes but Annabeth put a hand on his shoulder.
- It's okay. I'm staying with him. Go park the car and then come back.
- Yes, all right – he said heaving a deep sigh and then went out of the room and towards the exit.
They had placed Steve on an examination gurney but they were told they needed to wait for a while because the ER was actually pretty full that day and Steve's injury wasn't exactly life threatening. So they just made him lay on the gurney, gave him a slight blanket and just a couple of oral painkillers before leaving them alone in the room to wait for a doctor.
At first the silence was a bit uncomfortable until she couldn't take it anymore and broke it with a simple question.
- How are you holding up? Are the painkillers working? – he opened his eyes to look at her.
- I'll live – he said slowly – I think…
- So… the painkillers helped?
- Not really – he grunted.
A few minutes later a nurse came in to take his vitals and start writing the patient chart but she left without further explanations or without saying when a doctor would be by.
- Annabeth listen – Steve started and she knew he wanted to talk to her right then but she wasn't ready. She hadn't even figured out a plan of action if the worst came to happen. So she interrupted him quickly but gently.
- Steve, we can talk about it later okay? You're hurting, you should rest a bit before the doctor comes in – then she avoided looking at his eyes and that's why she missed the pained gaze he sent her way, a pain that had absolutely nothing to do with his broken arm.
His thoughts were a little confused by the pain coming from his arm, but he couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be it for them. Would she push him away disgusted by what he'd done? Would she leave their home saying that she couldn't stand being near him? He would never blame her if she did, but the thought scared him to death. He didn't want her to leave. So many people in his have had left that he didn't know if he could handle another loss. He was desperate to talk to her, to apologize again for not being strong enough to protect her and for letting them get caught in that situation, but she had made it clear she didn't want to talk now, and so he took a deep breath to keep his emotions in check and closed his eyes, turning his head towards the ceiling.
They were both glad when Danny came back into the room, breaking the silence by ranting about the fact that Steve had to wait for so long to get checked out by a doctor. He was even considering flashing his badge around to get some movement out there but just before reaching the door, a doctor stepped into the room with heavy eyes and a tired face.
- I'm sorry that you have waited so long Commander McGarrett, but the Emergency Room is totally hectic today and we are short on staff – he said – my name is Doctor Kaiko.
- It's okay – Steve replied calmly.
- Now, let's take a look here.
He examined his left arm and what he found was definitely not good. He didn't need x-rays to tell that the fracture was bad, but either way he ordered them to be sure of the extent of the damage. Annabeth and Danny had to step outside and go to the waiting room while Steve was ushered somewhere else to have the x-rays taken.
In the meantime, Danny had offered Annabeth something to eat but she had refused. She knew if she ate anything now, she would get nauseated. She knew Danny was worried about her so she tried to put on a brave face saying that she really wasn't hungry and that also she appreciated his concern but that she wasn't in the mood to talk now.
- You should get that checked out – he said.
- What? – she asked in confusion. Danny pointed at her neck.
- You have some bruises there. They're looking darker and darker by the second – she brought a hand to her neck and pressed gently. It hurt, but it was nothing she couldn't handle.
- I'm fine. It doesn't hurt too much and there's nothing they can do here about it. It's just some bruising, it'll fade.
- I would feel more comfortable if someone took a look. Come on – he insisted.
- And I would be more comfortable if we stopped talking about it – she suddenly snapped regretting it instantly. It wasn't Danny's fault that she was feeling angry. He had been nothing but supportive since this whole thing started. It wasn't his fault that she was starting to feel trapped inside her own dark thoughts. So she took a big breath and turned to him – I'm sorry. I know you're concerned but really I'm fine – she said in a more gentle tone – besides, the place is full. I don't want to add to the hectic ER room by complaining for some bruising – he put an arm around her and held her close.
- Okay. But you should put some ice in it when you get home – he came closer and kissed her temple and she leaned into the embrace, glad for the comfort it provided.
Half an hour later, Steve was brought back and the lines of pain that had decorated his face for the past two hours had decreased somewhat. Now he had an IV line going directly into the back of his hand and he was finally getting some of the good stuff. Danny and Annabeth were allowed in again and the doctor started explaining the results.
- You were extremely lucky Commander – he began.
- Yeah, I didn't feel so lucky before – he retorted back.
- I can imagine. You did sustain quite an ugly injury but, despite the seriousness of the break, I'm confident that you do not require surgery. From what you told me, the man that you fought jerked your arm around a few times after breaking it but, as I've said before, luckily for you, all he did was increase the swelling around the limb and not create more damage to the bone itself. So after setting it straight, all we need to do is put a cast on it and you'll be able to go home. Don't get me wrong, it will hurt a lot especially during the first few days but I'll prescribe some strong painkillers to help you with that. Do you have any questions? – the doctor finished.
- How long do I have to wear it?
- Initially the cast must stay on for at least six weeks. After that we need to evaluate again – he smiled a little when he heard his patient complain – just consider this better than the alternative, which would have been surgery and a recovery of almost six months.
- Great – was all he said.
- Good. Now I'll cast your arm briefly and then you can go home.
The process didn't last more than another hour and soon after the saline drip was finished, they discharged him. They got into the car again and stopped at a pharmacy to fill the prescript medication.
Danny drove a very quiet Annabeth and a pretty high Steve back home and stayed with them for a while. He stood long enough to ensure that Annabeth put some ice on her neck and to help them make something light to eat for dinner. The three of them ate together making small talk about the news Steve had gotten from HPD concerning the scene at the port. All the bodies had been accounted for and the two workers had been released since their stories checked out, they had nothing to do with what had went down at the facility.
They would have to file a report the next day but, for now, everything was settled and they could concentrate on resting and finally putting the nightmare that was the Brown brothers behind them.
A littler after nine, Annabeth excused herself saying she was too tired and retired to her room. She thanked Danny for helping them again and waved a timid goodbye in Steve's direction.
Once she was out of sight, Steve and Danny stayed at the table for a few more minutes.
- Are you sure you don't want me to stay? – asked Danny. Having to repeat himself again because Steve's mind was so far away that he hadn't heard him.
- What?... no, it's okay. You can go home. You've done enough Danny. Really, thank you – he said. His partner eyed him suspiciously.
- Are you still high? – Danny asked.
- What are you talking about? – Steve asked confused.
- Oh it's just that normally signs of gratitude don't come so easily out of you. I usually have to yell at you and make you see the wrong of your ways before you actually agree to either apologize for something or just say thank you – Steve smiled at him.
- I'm not high. That stuff wore out hours ago.
- Oh then I guess you're just tired – Danny replied. He was glad he could get a smile out of his friend – now, make sure you take those painkillers. No need to play superhero tonight and you call me if you need anything at all.
- Okay – Steve said.
- I mean it Steve – Danny replied, looking at his partner in the eyes while they both stood up from the chairs – whatever you need you call me, okay?
- Yes Danno – he said with a tight voice because emotions suddenly got stuck on his throat. He embraced his partner and best friend, careful not to press to hard with his broken and recently casted arm – thank you for everything man. I wouldn't have made it through today without you – Danny patted his back and then stepped back.
- Any time partner. Now, I know it's too early still but you gotta talk to her. Don't let her push away. Let her know we'll all be there for her.
Steve nodded, unable to actually verbally reply and accompanied his partner to the door.
After Danny left he walked around the kitchen putting everything back to its place and then he too called it a night and went to his room.
A little after midnight, Steve was still awake. Every time he tried to fall asleep, images of what had happened last night assaulted him and he was restless. A few minutes later and he heard the TV down stairs being turned on and he knew Annabeth couldn't sleep either. If he knew his sister at all, he supposed they both wouldn't be able to sleep unless they talked about what had happened between them, so he got up and put a shirt on. He made his way downstairs.
He found Annabeth sitting on the middle of the couch hugging her legs to her chest and with her eyes fixed on the TV. It had no volume though; she was just staring at the images.
- Hey… - he said, coming closer to the couch – mind if I sit? – he asked.
She just shrugged and made room for him, never once taking her eyes from the television. She knew what was coming and she started to put up her defense wall, trying to get her emotions in check and lock them away. She needed to face this conversation with professionalism. She wasn't ready yet for him to tell her that nothing would ever be the same, but if this was happening now, she needed to keep calm.
- Couldn't sleep? – she shook her head – want to talk about it? – he tried.
- Not really – her voice was low but fortunately it didn't waver.
- We're gonna have to talk about what happened sooner or later, you know that right? – his voice wasn't exactly hard, but it wasn't gentle either. She thought he sounded like that because what he was going to say next would be exactly what she feared and so she could feel her defenses starting to crumble. The truth was, his voice sounded that way because he was struggling to keep his emotions in check too – what are you think about? – he asked, trying to start the conversation lightly. She then resigned herself that this was happening no matter what, so she just talked.
- I'm scared – she said softly.
- He can't hurt you anymore. He's dead. They're both dead and they're never coming back.
- I'm not scared of them – she said but realized her mistake when Steve went quiet – I'm not scared of you either – she quickly added. Steve swallowed.
- Then what? – he asked.
- I'm scared of what this means for us. I don't want things to change between us but I'm scared of how I felt being with you – she ended up whispering, hiding her face between her knees. Steve closed his eyes too and took a deep breath before answering.
- Listen Annabeth, whatever you felt last night it wasn't your fault. We were put on an impossible situation and it was either that or getting killed. We were both violated last night Anna – he finished, keeping his voice low and calm for her sake. This was a difficult subject for him too, but he needed to be strong for her. She tilted her head to the right and he could see tears pooling at her eyes.
- But I got close – she sobbed, thinking about the way she almost reached climax with him – how can that mean I didn't want what was happening? What if I did?
Right along with the thoughts and fears of their changing relationship, once she had gotten to bed earlier she had started to analyze the events of the night before. She couldn't help it as image after image came rushing to her mind and she started to remember everything she felt. She was scared of what that could mean and that's why she was voicing her fears now.
Steve sighted, how was he going to explain this? It was so embarrassing.
- Look, the body is a complicated system. Sometimes it has reactions, natural reactions that are beyond our control. When is touched and pressed on the right spots, it stars to react and that doesn't mean that you agree with what is happening. I… I was feeling things that I didn't want to feel – he confessed – but I couldn't help it.
- Yeah but you were drugged. I wasn't.
- That doesn't change the fact that you were made to do something you didn't want to – she suddenly put her head into her knees again as her tears started to fall.
- This is all my fault – she said.
- What? How can this be your fault?
- If I hadn't gone to that bar, or if I had been more alert, he never would have gotten to me and he wouldn't have come back – the tears kept falling.
- We've talked about this. You're not invincible, you can make mistakes too and no one else is to blame but him. He's the one who was sick enough to do something like this – after that they stayed in silence for a while until he started talking again – Anna I need you to forgive me – he begged because he couldn't hold it back anymore. Hearing the pain in his voice she looked up at him, confused by his words.
- What are you talking about? – she asked.
- I'm your big brother and I let this happen. They overpowered me and I couldn't stop them from doing this to us. I just… I need… can you forgive me? – she kept looking at him perplexed.
- There's nothing to forgive – she said somewhat angrily, and that's what he had feared all along. She wouldn't forgive him for what he had let happen. He swallowed painfully.
- Look, I understand. If you don't want to be around me anymore it's okay – he prepared himself to say the most painful words that had ever left his mouth – if you want to leave, I… I understand. I won't stop you – she couldn't even begin to form a coherent response now. Her heart was hammering in her chest. This was really happening, her worst fear coming true.
- You… - she gasped – you want me to leave? – she asked sobbing again – listen I'm sorry about what happened but I just don't want things to change between us. I get it if you don't want to be near me anymore but… - and she couldn't finish talking because her sobs were becoming more agitated and talking was proving to be more and more difficult.
- What? – Steve asked surprised. They were definitely on different pages of the conversation. Their emotions were getting the best of them and the talk was slowly but surely spiraling out of control. Obviously she had misunderstood him so he needed to make his point clear.
- Annabeth I don't want you to leave. God! I don't want things to change between us either but I thought you'd be disgusted with me… - he trailed off, giving her a moment to gather her thoughts.
- I'm not. How could you say that? And I don't want to leave – she said softly crying still – I don't want to leave.
After that Steve took a big breath a tried to slow down his heart rate. She didn't want to leave. She actually didn't want to leave! He felt relif hearing her words and he knew he needed to reassure her too because his heart was breaking for the hundredth time that week seeing the desperate look on her tear-filled eyes.
- Listen Anna, I don't want you to go and I don't want things to change between us either. What we have is good. You're my sister and I love you and I'm not gonna let that idiot ruin what we have. We're family and it might take time, but we're gonna get through this together – he put a hand on her shoulder, resisting his fears that she might flinch away from him but, when she didn't, he invited her into his embrace – don't push me out, please.
She looked at him in the eyes and could see the truth behind his words. After everything she had gone through in her life, she had finally found a home and a family and she didn't want to lose that. She knew it would be hard, uncomfortable and awkward at times but if he was willing to not let this come between them, then so would she.
Eventually she let go of her legs and buried herself within his arms. Tears were still falling from her eyes and Steve's cheeks soon became damped by the trail of his own tears but she knew that they would be okay. He leaned back on the couch and brought her with him. They rested there until they both calmed down and their breathing evened out.
They both fell asleep. That night there were no nightmares. It was a peaceful one.
THE END
SO? What do you think? Did you like it?
Please don't forget to leave a review with your comments about this chapter and maybe the story in general.
Again I would like to thank everybody for waiting patiently while I figured out a way to write this story from top to bottom.
Special thanks to Aquababy58 and Stephanie who were always willing to leave a truthful review at the end of every chapter!
Now, I'm so excited about all the new projects that I have! I would really like for you to read them as well when I write and post them. There are still quite a few mysteries to solve like:
1) How did Steve and Annabeth meet?
2) How did she meet the team and became a part of it?
3) How did they find out they were brother and sister?
And the list goes on… I will try my best to write really interesting stories!
Well… I guess that's left to say is THANK YOU and see you on the next story!
REMEMBER:….. REVIEW!