Catherine smiled at Steve's sister and knew the younger woman had stories she could tell her about her brother. She wanted to know what he was like as a child and now seemed like as good a time as any as they shared the morning meal on the back deck of the McGarrett home.

"What are you thinking about, Catherine?" Mary asked.

"Steve."

"Ah, my brother does seem to have that effect on women."

"Oh, really, does he bring them home?"

"That's something you'll have to ask him...but I don't think he's ever had anyone quite so...let;s just say spirited before."

"Well, I didn't realize we had company," Catherine told her with a grin.

"Yes, I remember you saying that," Mary said.

"What was he like when he was younger?"

"Smart assed and stubborn and always trying to look out for his baby sister."

"I'm intrigued...how did he look out for you?"

"Well, when dad sent us to the mainland Steve decided it was his job to make sure I stayed out of trouble. That's a hard job when you consider he wasn't that much older than me," Mary said.

"What happened?"

"I met this guy named Peter and Steve took an instant dislike to him. I figured it was because he didn't think he wanted me dating anyone. When he told me, or should I say he forbid me from seeing him, I showed him I could curse with the best of them."

"And?"

"Well, Peter and I found ways to meet up and I was sure I was in love with him so when he asked me to a party on campus I said yes."

"How old were you?"

"I was a very well proportioned 15 year old and rebelled against anything Steve said. I didn't tell him or our aunt where I was going...told them I was babysitting for the Johnsons," Mary said and took a sip of coffee before continuing. "So, I leave home while Steve is off doing whatever he wanted and met Peter at the mall. The party was at his friend's house and he'd borrowed a motorcycle."

"A bad boy?" Catherine asked.

"More than you know. He was heavily into drugs," Mary said sadly before continuing. "We arrived at the party there was beer and alcohol and drugs. The last part was in the open and I told Peter I wanted to go home and he laughed and told me to relax and enjoy myself. I told him to go to hell and I decked him."

"Did you leave?"

"I tried to, but he grabbed my arm and told me he'd invested too much time and energy to let me leave. He took me to a room at the back of the house and I screamed, but no one would help me and that's when I knew I was in real trouble."

"How did you get out of it?" Mary asked, angered at the thought of anyone being forced to do something they didn't want to do.

"I screamed and fought like my life depended on it and later realized that's exactly what was happening. That's when big brother showed up and came to my rescue."

"How did he find you?"

"Well, the Johnsons actually called the house and asked if I could babysit for them. Steve told her I had already left and that's when she told him I wasn't there and she hadn't called. He was pissed and let me tell you if you haven't seen my brother pissed it's really something, but that came later" Mary said and refilled her cup before continuing. "I remember hearing raised voices and then Peter tried to take off...I was crying and saw Steve deck Peter and then there were cops everywhere and my heroic brother wrapped me in a blanket, picked me up, and carried me out of the room. He took me to the hospital and had me checked out. Aside from a few bruises and scraped knuckles I was fine and went home the same day. Steve didn't say a word, but I could see how angry he was and I tried to talk to him."

"Steve can be stubborn," Catherine observed.

"Really, I hadn't noticed," Mary said with a grin. "It took a couple of weeks before he finally spoke to me. Oh, don't get me wrong he was civil and he said hello and goodbye, but that was the extent of it until I cornered him and found out he was going into the services. That was a sobering admission and cried because I didn't want him to go and that's when I told him he'd always be my hero. He said that was dad's job and I said dad wasn't man enough for it, but my brother was. We talked for hours that day and I told him how angry I was at dad for sending us away. He said he'd always be there if I needed him and he's never gone back on that promise."

"He's proud of you, Mary."

"What's to be proud of?" the younger woman asked softly.

"Have you looked at yourself lately. You've showed Steve you've changed. He told me about your job with the airline and what happened. He said it took a lot for you to go to him, but that you did was a turning point in how he looked at his kid sister. He said you'd grown up and could stand on your own two feet, but he'd always be there for you."

"He said that?"

"Yes, he did," Catherine told her, and saw a hint of a smile on her face.

"Did he ever tell you about the time he had tonsillitis and couldn't talk?"

"No, he didn't," Catherine said.

"He hated being sick and wouldn't tell anyone just how bad he felt. He worked part time while he went to school and I guess that's when I first realized my big brother wasn't Superman after all. I was home alone...school finished early because of some meeting or another and I figured I'd help my aunt and make dinner. When Steve walked in he looked like hell..."

"I didn't think that was possible," Catherine whispered, unaware she'd spoken loud enough that the other woman heard.

"You've got it bad," Mary said.

"What?"

"My aunt used to call it the love bug and you've got it bad."

"I..."

"It's okay, Catherine, you and Steve are good for each other," Mary said. "Anyway, he came in and didn't realize I was there and he leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. He was shaking and I moved to help him and he said he was good...that's when i knew he was really sick. When Steve says he's good it's a sure bet he feels as bad as he looks, maybe even worse. So I got him to his room and he was burning up. I helped him get undressed and he said he was cold. Mom used to say you needed to bring a fever down as fast as you could and so I got cold water and started wiping him down. I forgot all about dinner until the smoke detector went off. Steve nearly came off the bed and I guess he thought it was someone breaking into the house because he went all SEAL and started pushing me toward his closet. His voice was so weak and he seemed to think I needed protecting...he always thinks I need protecting."

"That's because he cares what happens to you, Mary."

"I know, and believe me I wouldn't want him to change. I just need him to understand that I'm not a little girl anymore."

"Oh, believe me he knows that," Catherine said. "So what happened with the sick SEAL?"

"My uncle and aunt came home and Steve was still trying to lock me in the closet. There was smoke everywhere and I was fighting to get Steve to focus on me when I heard my uncle curse. I called out and warned them something was wrong with Steve, but told them I was okay and that he was sick. It would have been funny except Steve seemed to have no idea where he was or what he was doing. All that seemed to matter was that he had to protect me."

"Can't blame him for that," Catherine said.

"No, I can't and believe me that's hard for me to admit. Anyway it took me another half hour to convince him that everything was okay and that only happened because my uncle got the smoke cleared and the detector shut off. So Steve wound up with a fever of 103 and we took him to the hospital. Turns out he had a bad case of tonsillitis and it was decided that they needed to be removed. Steve woke up with me and our aunt in the room and when she gave him a drink of water I thought someone must have shot him. He cried out and grabbed his throat and moaned and I knew my brother was normal after all. He tries to hide when he's in pain, but there are signs even he doesn't know he shows," Mary explained.

"Like when he says he's good," Catherine asked.

"Exactly. I have seen him cry, Catherine, but that's something he rarely lets anyone see. He didn't know I was watching him the day mom died, but I saw him...saw how much pain he was in and wanted to go to him, but I didn't know how to approach him. Seeing Steve cry is not something I ever want to see again," Mary told her and glanced at the clock. "We should get moving."

"Thanks for telling me about your brother, Mary."

"You're good for him...I've seen the way he looks at you and I hope things work out for you. If it does I expect an invitation to the wedding."

"You'll be the first to know," Catherine said and started cleaning the table.

5050505050

Joe White had called in several favors and knew he was rapidly depleting the ones he'd held in check. It would all be worth it if he could make sure Wo Fat would never hurt anyone he cared about again. Steve and Mary McGarrett had no idea just how dangerous the bastard was. Now that he knew the truth, Wo Fat would stop at nothing to make sure he got his vengeance against his father.

Joe looked at the man walking toward him and knew he was scraping the bottom of the barrel with this one. Lee Chung Wong was head of an underground organization that could rival The Yakuza in terms of drugs and money. The difference was, they also had a reputation of paying their debts and Joe had saved Wong's son from an irate Mexican warlord. That had been 18 years ago and Lee's son was now a doctor with a family of his own. He motioned to the chair opposite him and shook hands with the older man.

"It is good to see you, Joseph, but I am unsure what it is you want of me?" Wong said as his guards surrounded them and watched for any sign of trouble.

"I know you dislike The Yakuza as much as I do, Lee, and that's why I asked you here."

"This has something to do with Wo Fat and Steve McGarrett does it not?"

"Yes, it does. I know you're not a fan of either man, but Steve's always been like a son to me and I want him protected. Wo Fat blames him for their father not being there for him."

"Does McGarrett know about his mother?"

"No, and for now that remains between us. I appreciate what you've done to help keep the truth about Shelburne a secret."

"Only the partial truth. It seems that village holds more than just the truth about John McGarrett's bastard son."

"I know, but Min had nothing to do with what's happening now and I want her kept safe. If Wo Fat ever finds out she helped me then he would have her killed."

"Wo Fat is in a maximum security prison is he not?"

"Yes, he is, but that didn't hold him before and he managed to get past security and kill Victor Hesse. I want him taken out for good."

"If I do this my debt to you is finished."

"Yes, it is," Joe told him. The man may be a criminal but he admired Wong for having the good sense to know when he should back off. Years ago they'd been mortal enemies, but that had changed and could easily change again once this was finished. "Will you do it?"

"Consider it done," Wong said and stood up. "It was good to see you again, Joe, but the next time we will not meet as friends."

"That is your choice, Lee, but I will honor it," White said and shook the man's hand. "I will expect proof that the deed is done."

"Of course," Wong said and was surrounded by his men before he left the establishment.

White sat back and nursed the drink he'd ordered before Wong's arrival. The man would do what he asked, but over the years he'd learned not to trust anyone who had their own agenda. Wong would arrange for Wo Fat's death, but would he carry through with it was another matter. That was the reason Joe asked for proof and he'd seen anger flare in the other man's eyes. It was an admission that the trust was no longer there, if it ever had been. Joe took a deep breath before finishing his drink and heading for the hospital.

5050505050

Steve slowly opened his eyes and frowned when he tasted blood on his lips. He reached out and pressed the button to raise the head of his bed and looked around. The blinds on the window were closed and the door to his room was only partially open. His right hand covered the wound to his abdomen as he forced his mind to ignore what his body was screaming and sat up. He closed his eyes and fought to stay where he was, while waves of nausea churned through his gut.

"Going somewhere, Commander?" Harriet Wilson asked and shook her head when the stubborn man opened his eyes and looked at her.

"I need to go," McGarrett said.

"Go where?"

"To the...look, I just need to go," the SEAL told her.

"Ah, yes, I see, but for now you should just lay back and I'll get you a urinal," the big woman ordered and gently lifted his legs back on the bed before raising the rail. "You stay where you are and I'll be right back."

McGarrett knew there was no point in arguing with the woman Danny had nicknamed Beulah and closed his eyes until she returned. He smiled and told her he was good when she asked if he need help.

"I'll wait outside. Just give me a holler when you're done," Wilson ordered. She walked out of the room and listened for any sound that would signal her patient was in trouble and smiled when he called her name. She took the urinal, handed him a wet facecloth and towel before leaving the room.

Steve leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes, but opened them when he heard footsteps approaching his room. He smiled as the two women entered and approached the bed.

"You know I've read some fan fiction..."

"Fan fiction?" McGarrett asked with a frown.

"Remember when I was a kid and we watched the TV shows about cops and robbers?"

"How could I forget? You'd spend the next hour upset with the writers for not showing how the hero walked away after he was shot or knocked out," the injured man said.

"Well, fan fiction wasn't around so much then, but it is now and a lot of those amateur writers should have written the show. The comfort matched the hurt and right now you look like one of the heroes in one of my favorite stories. I just wish it wasn't real this time," Mary told him.

"I was the same way, Mary," Catherine said and leaned in conspiratorially. "I probably still am, but I don't get much chance to read so if you could recommend some good ones I'd love to check them out."

"Sure, any particular fandom?" Mary asked.

"Bones or Criminal Minds...Booth or Hotch and Morgan are just so damn hot..."

"Excuse me, but I am still here," McGarrett told them and wasn't sure he should have interrupted when the two women decided they should fix his blankets and plumped his pillow.

"So, should we take his pulse and temperature while we're at it?" Mary asked.

"I'd love to take his temperature, but I'm afraid for my version I'd have to ask you to leave," Catherine said mischievously.

"Well, I guess I don't have to worry about going back to work and leaving Steve on his own with Nurse Rollins on the job," Mary said with a grin.

"Are you going back to work already?" McGarrett asked.

"I'd love to stay, Big Brother, but I'm afraid they won't give me any more time off," Mary said and took his hand. "I'm just a phone call away if you need me, Steve."

"Thanks, Mary, you have no idea how much that means to me," Steve told her. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow. I have a flight to France at noon...and yes, it's work related and I'll be taking a second flight back to New York. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but I really do love my job."

"That's good to hear," McGarrett said and sighed tiredly.

"Steve you should press that button or I'll go find your nurse and tell her you're being stubborn again," Catherine said.

"I'm good," McGarrett said and stared at his sister when she started to laugh and hold her arms against her stomach. "What's so funny?"

"That's usually what the hero says when the doctor or nurse asks him how he feels...either that or 'I'm fine'," Mary answered. "Push the button, Steve, we'll be right here."

Steve nodded and pressed the button, shaking his head as the two women began talking softly. He picked up several words here and there and filed away the issue of fan fiction for a later day when he could use the ammunition to tease them both.

TBC!

Author's note- Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who continues to leave reviews and for putting this on their favorites and alerts list. I'd also like to thank the readers who leave reviews and don't hear back from me. I try to reply to everyone, but sometimes I am unable to do so...Winnie