"Trouble In Paradise. Again."

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Title: "Trouble In Paradise. Again."

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult language and situations

Summary: Even paradise has its ups and downs. The Hawaii Five-0 family is about to discover more of each.

Date Written: February 27, 2011

Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately!

(The next morning by 0815, Sam, Steve, Kono, Tony, and Chin are at the McGarrett's and Steve is starting breakfast. Kono brought Tony not only a uniform, but jeans and a tee shirt to change into once they got to Sams'and Steve's and he is in one of the guest rooms changing while Sam is in her and Steve's bedroom changing out of her uniform and into a pair of jeans and a sleeveless tee shirt. By the time she goes back down to the kitchen, Tony is already there and his SEALS are unloading and setting up computer equipment. Caroline and Danny arrive about five minutes later, and Mike Thrasher shows up shortly thereafter. Sam and Caroline take over the cooking duties and in no time everyone is being fed bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes. Of course, they're all multi-tasking and there are several people working at computers gathering information from other agencies, several more talking on their cellular phones confirming data, and the rest of them are reviewing evidence as it comes in. When Libby Thrasher arrives shortly before lunchtime, she looks around and watches in amazement as everyone is working together like a finely oiled machine. However, she hasn't been a military wife for thirty-five years for nothing. Tapping her husband on the shoulder, she calmly asks him what she can do to help and is quickly put to work comparing names on several different lists. Libby also announces that she will take over the coffee making and cooking duties. Most of the day is spent in quiet conversations, and the occasional swear word when something proves fruitless, but everyone is working diligently and progress, though it is small, is being made. When the mother in her can't stand it any longer, Libby gets everyone's immediate attention by yelling a fairly decent "Attention on deck!" and receives numerous wide-eyed stares for her efforts.)

"Now hear this, I am declaring that since all of you worked through breakfast and lunch, you will be eating dinner sitting at a table like normal people. There will be no computers, no cellular phones, and no pagers present, and none of you will leave the table until I am satisfied that you have eaten a sufficient amount of food so that you continue to work at this insane pace you have set for yourselves. Is that clear?"

(For a moment, it is so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. All of the military personnel are having a really, really hard time keeping straight faces, and Kono, Danny, and Chin just look stunned. Finally, Sam, trying her damnedest not to flat out snort, coughs a couple of times before answering for them all.)

"Aye, aye, Aunt Libby."

(And that's all it takes for everyone to dissolve into unrestrained laughter. Libby, however, maintains a straight face and narrows her eyes on the group. The expression on her face has Sam, Caroline, and Mike sobering up and heading for the dining room rather quickly. Obviously, these three have seen this particular look before and know that Libby means business and they'd better cooperate. The others immediately scramble to get themselves to the table mere seconds later. Satisfied that she finally has control of things, even if it is only for a very brief period of time, Libby allows herself a little smile as she follows the last of the group to the dining room. She is not the least bit surprised that Sam and Caroline have already organized the large group of people into a single-file line, plates in hand, and are directing them into the kitchen to serve themselves from the several different platters or bowls of food Libby left sitting on the counter. She is also not surprised that Mike made sure he was the first person in line and filled not only a plate for himself, but one for Libby, as well. Once everyone has filled their plates and returned to the table, Libby has relaxed her expression and actually has a small smile on her face. Instantly, there are murmurs of enjoyment all around the table, and everyone, ladies included, are digging in like they haven't eaten in a week. Danny makes this mistake of asking one of the SEALs a question regarding some information they received from Homeland Security and, before the young man can reply, Libby reaches over to pat Danny's hand. She's smiling and her touch is gentle, but there is a thread of steel in her voice.)

"This is entirely my fault as I was not more specific a few minutes ago. I should have said, no computers, no cellular phones, no pagers, and no discussing this case at the table. I realize that what you're all doing is very important, but you will put it aside long enough to enjoy your dinner. Now, there's chocolate fudge cake and ice cream for dessert so be good boys and girls and eat up."

"And now we know who's really in command in the Thrasher household."

"Absolutely, Chin, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Libby's always run a tight ship and allowed me to do my job without distractions. I hope all you gentlemen are as blessed with the women you chose to spend the rest of your lives with as I am."

"Well, I most assuredly am. Sam's my other half, and I'm thankful every, single day that she's in my life."

"Really, Steve, you're going to get all 'mushy' now?"

"Leave him alone, Danny, I like it when he gets all 'mushy'!"

"Well, duh, Sam."

"Allow me to point out to both of you that SEALs do not get 'mushy'."

"Yeah, Sailor, they do; at least, you do and you're so adorable when you do it."

"Again, Sam, I do not get 'mushy', and 'adorable' is not a word you use in relation to SEALs."

"Again, Steve, you most definitely get 'mushy', you are most definitely adorable, and since you're my SEAL . . ."

"This is about that comment I made at the base hospital the other day, isn't it, Sam?"