Chapter 15.
Hey guy, here's a Merry Christmas chapter for you. Hope you enjoy. Have a Merry Christmas!
Steve woke up feeling optimistic and refreshed. He finally had a good night's rest since he left the ship, since Gordo died. He exited the bedroom and saw Junior sacked out on the sofa. He must have been dead tired because he didn't remember hearing him come in. He continued on to the bathroom and took a shower and shaved. After he combed his hair, he wrapped a towel around his waist and exited the bathroom.
He was greeted with cooler, dryer air and the smell of fresh coffee. He threw his kit into the bedroom and went in search of caffeine.
"Good morning, sir. Sleep well?"
"Slept like a stone. I didn't hear you come in last night. Did you have a good time with Tani?"
Junior was all smiles. "Yes sir. We drank coffee until 2300. Just talked and laughed. Best date I've had in a long time." He poured a cup of coffee and handed it to the commander.
Steve accepted the cup with one hand and held his towel securely with the other. "When it clicks, it's a beautiful thing, isn't it?"
"Oh, yes sir."
"Stop moving or tie this yourself." Rachel gave Danny's necktie a tug to make her point.
Danny sighed and shook perfectly still and allowed Rachel to do her magic without further interference.
Grace was sitting at the breakfast nook, finishing her cereal breakfast. "Don't you know how to tie a tie Danno?"
"Of course I do Monkey. I just like your mommy taking care of me."
"And he can't tie straight." Rachel added.
Grace giggled as she put her bowl in the sink. "Danno, you're silly."
His tie tied, Danny pretended to stalk the little girl. "Silly, am I? OK Monkey, you asked for it. Here comes the tickle monster."
Grace stood there giggling as her father pretend to sneak up on her. The closer he got, the more the giggles. By the time Danny reached his daughter, she was laughing.
Rachel watched with a happy indulgent 'mom smile' as she finished packing Grace's sack lunch. "Hurry along you two or you're both going to be late."
Danny got down on one knee. "Carry you to your carriage, my lady?"
Grace giggled as she maneuvered herself on her daddy's shoulder. "Bye mommy."
Rachel kissed the little girl. "I'll see you after school, ladybug. Be good in school."
"Yes mommy."
Danny kissed his wife's forehead. "See you tonight, Rach. Love you."
"Love you too, Daniel. Remember to ask your navy friend to come to your cook out."
"If I remember. And if he doesn't p.." He remembered his daughter on his shoulder. "...annoy me."
Rachel just smiled as she tidied up her kitchen.
Lynn looked at herself in the mirror as she toweled off. A bruise about the size of a man's boot was blossoming on his rib cage. George literally left his fingerprints on her hips. With a sad sighed she realized she would have to apply concealer on her face before going to work.
She selected her outfit for the day and sat down at her vanity. Kimba joined her. "Good morning sweet girl. Did you sleep well?"
"Mmmeeeoow!"
Lynn started applying makeup over her developing black eye/cheek bone. It was slow going since it was so tender to the touch. After covering up the evidence of George's brutality, she dressed in a stylish beige suit with a khaki blouse for contrast. She donned a simple pearl necklace with matching earrings. Giving herself the once over to make sure she looked proper and professional.
Satisfied, she kissed Kimba good bye and headed down to her office. The elevator ride was quiet; when the doors opened there stood George with his morning paper.
"Good morning, Ms. Downing. You are looking lovely this morning." George said with a leer.
Lynn stepped around him quickly. "Good morning, George. And thank you."
George chuckled as Lynn left the elevator area as quick as she could. She quick stepped all the way to her office. Unlocking it, she slipped inside and leaned against the closed door. She slowed her breathing and flipped the light switch on. Thankfully, the police didn't leave her office in too much disarray. She slipped behind her desk and started doing her usual routine.
After an hour, she made herself a k-cup of coffee. As she was retrieving her cup a knock at her door startled her. "Yes?"
Eric Russo opened the door. "Good morning, Ms. Downing. I have a delivery for you."
"A delivery? For me? Just take it to the supply room please, Eric."
"I think you'll want this." Eric grinned and bent over to pick up his 'delivery.'
Lynn turned and gasped in surprise.
A large basket of pink and yellow carnations, beautifully arranged. Eric presented her with the sealed card. Eric then set up a stand for the basket. After setting the flowers up, he left, closing the door behind him.
Lynn waited a count of 10 before she opened the card. A happy yellow background with a smiling black dog holding a pink balloon in its mouth, with a message in the balloon.
"Lynn, Here's the raincheck we discussed. Cash it in as you please. Steve."
Lynn broke into a big smile that aggravated her bruised cheek. She got out her cell phone and texted a thank you to the handsome naval officer.
George finished reading his paper and his breakfast. After his morning routine, he headed down to the lounge. Exiting the elevator he went to the lounge and unlocked the door.
Before entering, he caught movement at the front desk. Looking over, he saw Eric with a large arrangement of flowers heading toward the executive offices. No doubt courtship flowers from that annoying sailor. He made a mental shrug; the man was welcome to his sloppy and bruised seconds. The mental image made him laugh.
The class was almost over. The cadets were dragging. Steve kept pushing them. "Know your limits then push beyond it. Embrace the pain, as long as you feel pain: You. Are. Alive."
The mumbling among the cadets was audible but Steve ignored it. "Four laps and then we'll do again." He blew his whistle and the swimming commenced.
Junior brought Steve a cup of coffee which the older man accepted with a smile. "Riding them kinda rough, aren't you, sir?"
"If you think this is rough, you won't last a week at Coronado. There's an instructor there that would laugh at this exercise. He'd say his dog could do this and his dog has been dead for a year." Steve chuckled them sipped his coffee. "He is the most feared instructor; he has the highest wash out rate. But of those who pass survive. All his grads are still operating."
"What's his name?"
Steve grinned. "I'm not telling. He handpicks his recruits. If he chooses you, consider yourself lucky. And pay attention to everything. He was one our best in the field. Survived injuries that would have killed a lesser man. Today, he's married, living quietly anonymous. He is retiring in a few months. If he selects you, you'll be one his last students."
"Why is he retiring now?"
"Done his time, starting his life's third act."
"Which is?"
"Husband and father." Steve smiled, he so wanted his next act to begin with Cat. "Junior, after class, turn the pool heater off. These guys are going tread water tomorrow too, but in cooler waters. In fact, don't restart the heater until I tell you."
"Copy that sir."
Danny checked his watch: 12:30. Steve would be calling in a half hour. He was hungry so might as well make it a lunch meeting. "Okay, let's have Steve and Junior meet us for lunch. Somewhere we can sit and discuss. What do we want? And nowhere that serves rare meat! I don't feel like being front and center to that ever again."
"How about a buffet?" Kono suggested.
"OK. Chinese, Pizza or American?" Danny was game.
"Asian." Chin voted. "They have Chinese, Japanese, Thai and l think Polynesian."
"Can Steve order a steak or burger?" Danny asked.
"I doubt it. Buffet style."
"Alright. Text them the address before he calls." Danny said. "Let's go."
"100 yards on the right is your destination." The GPS directed.
"I see it." Junior assured Steve.
Steve stretched and looked around. He'd had been texting Catherine, who received his roses. She showed her appreciation with an X-rated emoji thank you. Of course he had to reply.
They parked and entered. Steve saw Chin first and led the way to the out of the way table.
"Hello everyone. How did you get the meeting room?" Steve asked.
"I just asked. I don't want any eavesdropping." Danny explained. "Let's get lunch and meet back here."
After a few minutes, the gang was eating lunch and cutting up. Danny was sitting across from Steve again. He looked up from his lunch and looked at Steve's plate.
"What are you? A giant rabbit?"
Steve looked up. "Now what's your problem?"
"You can't get a dinner salad like normal people. You have to eat a mountain of salad?" Danny shook his head. "Moderation my friend. Have you never heard of it?"
"I spent my morning swimming. I am merely replenishing my vitamin A, B, C, K, iron, potassium and water. So?"
"Just saying, you giant rabbit."
Junior exchanged smiles with Chin and Kono. The smiles turn into soft chuckles.
Lou and Jerry returned to the table with their plates.
"What are we laughing at?" Lou asked.
"Steve, the giant rabbit." Kono said straight faced.
Jerry almost choked laughing.
Lou frowned. "What is wrong with you? All that delicious food and you're grazing in the garden? Who double downs on salad?"
Steve stabbed at his lettuce with a small smile on his lips.
"Anyways, how did last night go?"
Steve swallowed before answering. "The evening went well. She is definitely scared of something. My money is on the bartender. Last night went 'normally' until the end."
Junior backed up his commander. "Yeah, l went to get Commander McGarrett and he and Ms. Downing were in the garden behind the hotel. There's a circular path and when l came down the path, she looked terrified."
Danny couldn't resist. "Maybe she was just bored."
Lou and Jerry chuckled while Chin and Kono smiled.
Steve endured the ribbing with a smile. Finished with his salad, he got up to get his main course.
Once Steve was gone, Junior explained fully. "That woman was scared. She was hanging on to the commander for dear life."
Lou swallowed. "Supports the commander's assumption." He accented his words with a chicken leg. "That woman may be in danger. Maybe we should get some UCs in there to make sure she's safe."
"Maybe. I'll check availability." Danny said thoughtfully. "Unless McGarrett wants the job."
"I doubt that." Junior volunteered.
Danny smiled. "Think I should ask him?"
"Ask me what?" Steve returned with a plate of chicken, fish and spare ribs along with side dishes. He sat down and dug in with relish.
"Want to babysit Ms. Downing?" Danny asked with a smile tugging at his lips.
"I thought I was." Steve good naturedly answered between bites.
Danny thought to pursue the topic but decided not to push too far. They were on good terms, friendly terms. Why spoil it? "Think of anything overnight?"
"No. Slept like a stone. You?"
"No."
A waitress approached with a plate. "If you want more sir, just let me know."
"Thank you so much." Steve took the plate and set it aside.
"What is that?" Danny asked suspiciously.
"A fresh filet and some tuna rolls, California rolls and some tempura. Why?"
"Let me guess: rare and sushi. Even your seafood is raw?"
"Sushi. Have you never tried it?"
"Animal." Danny said annoyed. "l was going to invite you to my bar-be-que this weekend but l don't serve raw food."
"I am nothing if not adaptable." Steve popped a tuna roll in his mouth and chewed with a smile.
"You are nothing but annoying."