Steve now knows details of what happened to Catherine at the hands of Barkov. She is understandably traumatized by the experience and he is feeling the rage that comes from knowing someone you love has been violated in such a violent and sadistic way.
The question is can they both help heal one another. Can he calm her fears…and can she calm his rage…or will it consume them and keep them apart?
I, for one, believe in the power of their connection and the love they have for one another. This chapter will begin the healing process for them as they start to face it head on.
Also, this chapter is rated "M" for a shower scene we have coming up. Be forewarned if you don't like reading anything erotic. It's difficult to write scenes like this which is why it has taken me so long for this installment. I want to stay true to the characters and their story without being 'over the top'. Let me know what you think.
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Steve turned on the water and checked the temperature before holding out a hand to help Catherine in. He turned her so the water could cascade down her back. She leaned her head back to get her hair wet and lifted her hands to brush the water droplets out of her eyes as the water washed over her. When she opened her eyes again, she found Steve watching her.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.
She smiled and reached for a bottle of shampoo, but before she could pour some into her hands, he reached for it. "Please let me," he implored.
Catherine obliged and turned around so Steve could begin lathering up her hair. The feeling of his hands gently massaging her scalp was blissful and she let herself enjoy every second of it. She turned back around to rinse as Steve grabbed the bottle of her favorite body wash and put a small amount onto her loofah. He held it out and she realized he didn't want to cross any uncomfortable boundaries for her by touching her body without permission. Despite their intimate history together, Steve was trying to protect her and let her set the boundaries.
Rather than taking the loofah from him, her eyes lifted to meet his. The azure blue tint had darkened; A sure sign of the emotion he was feeling and trying to control.
"Will you wash me?" she asked.
When his brows furrowed in doubt, she reached a hand up to grasp his hand still holding the soap bottle and assure him. "Please, Steve. I need for you to help me forget."
She turned around so her back was too his front and waited to see if he could comply. Steve swallowed the lump in his throat before slowly reaching up to touch Catherine's shoulder with the loofah. He worked slowly…..gently…almost reverently…..as he soaped up her shoulders and started moving down her back. When he reached the gentle swell of her hips, he stopped.
"Cath, I can't….."
Catherine reached around to grab one of his hands as it hovered just above her hip. Then…with their hands intwined, she pulled his hands around her waist and leaned back into him. Then, she moved his hands so that they were washing her stomach before moving upwards. Steve held his breath as Cath moved their hands to wash her stomach…up to cup her breasts…and eventually moving to her front shoulders and neck. When Catherine tilted her head to the side exposing her neck, Steve couldn't resist the temptation. He knew it was one of her 'sweet spots' so he accepted the invitation, leaned down and gently kissed her. When she released a soft sigh, he did it again. Catherine turned to face him and put her arms around his neck. Going up on her tiptoes, she kissed him. There was no hesitation. No fear. No worries of where it might lead; She trusted Steve completely to take care of her but also knew she couldn't take advantage of the strength he was undoubtedly using to hold back.
Meeting his gaze, she started lowering herself in front of him. She ran her palms down his impressive chest and abs. When she was on her knees in front of him, he gently grabbed her hands, "Cath, you don't have to…"
"I know," she interrupted, "But I want to. Let me do this for you."
Steve seemed to understand what Catherine was asking: She may not be ready to go back to complete intimacy with him, but she was willing to take steps until they could get there. And while he normally would never dream of letting her take care of 'his needs' without reciprocating multiple times for her, he understood her need to take control.
So he let go.
It wasn't long before he felt her lips close around him, his hands fisted into her hair, and his head fell back in bliss.
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Sometime later, Steve turned off the water and reached out for one of his plush towels. He wrapped it around Catherine, picked her up in his arms, and carried her back to bed. He laid her down gently before crawling in behind her. Knowing that he may only have a couple of hours before getting called in, he fell into an exhausted sleep with Catherine in his arms where she belonged.
6:47 a.m.
Steve's phone began ringing on his bedside table. He quickly retrieved it hoping to not wake Catherine. Looking at caller ID, he saw Lou's name.
"Lou…..what's up?"
"We've got him."
He glanced back at a sleeping Catherine. "Where?" he whispered.
"HPD called us when two SUV's left the compound…..They confirmed that Barkov is in one of them."
Steve was already up getting dressed while trying to hold the phone to his ear. "I'm on my way…Tell HPD not to lose them, no matter what. I want them surrounded and we'll take them by force if we have to. NO ONE exits those vehicles until we're on scene! Understand?"
"Got it. I've already told Duke…..Also have SWAT heading that way."
Steve grabbed his gun and his badge before looking at Catherine sleeping so peacefully.
Now what to about her?
He looked towards Eddie. "Stay with her, buddy. I'll have someone come over soon…but you watch over her, okay?"
Eddie wagged his tail in response and hopped up on the bed beside Cath. Steve smiled and reached down to pet his head. "Good boy. Watch after our girl and I'll be back soon."
He exited the bedroom and went downstairs to make his next call. Kamekona was soon on his way to stay with Catherine which was a relief to Steve since she wouldn't have to be without human company. Although Eddie was great, Steve still felt better having another member of his ohana there considering Catherine's current emotional state.
He went back upstairs to give her a quick kiss. "Cath," he whispered. "I have to go…..but Kame's on his way, okay?"
She opened her eyes sleepily and he grinned. He loved how she looked when she first woke up, make-up free, and hair a mess.
She started to sit up but he stopped her. "Eddie's right here…and Kame should be here in thirty minutes or so. He has a key, so go back to sleep. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"But where are you going? Did something happen?"
He kissed her again, "Everything's fine, babe. Just got a call and I need to go in now."
No need to tell her that Barkov was involved. The less she knew, the better.
Catherine thankfully took his explanation and closed her eyes again. He equated that with the fact that she was still tired and probably too sleep deprived to focus on much of what he was saying. "Okay," she said before starting to doze off again. "Call me when you can."
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Steve had barely rolled out of his driveway with wheels spinning before he turned on his blue tooth to call Lou back.
"On my way…Where are they headed?" he growled.
Lou gave him the coordinates as Steve drove his truck in the direction where they would hopefully have a show down free of gunfire. Ultimately, he wanted to bring Barkov in 'peacefully'…After that, things would be anything but peaceful if he had his way.
His next calls were to Joe and Marty letting them know what was going on. If they wanted in on the action, he was all for it. The more help he could have to do a military style interrogation, the better. Especially since it would save his other team members from any liability should things turn dirty.
Ten minutes later, Steve pulled up on the scene where HPD, SWAT and his Five-0 team had the SUV's surrounded. Guns were drawn but no one had moved as they awaited his arrival and further instructions.
Steve exited his truck, .45 in hand as he made his way towards the front of the line.
"So how do you wanna do this?" Danny asked as Steve approached and acknowledged the SWAT Team Leader and Duke.
"We take them all in for questioning," Steve began. "Except Barkov."
When no one answered, he looked at them sternly. Everyone silently understood that Barkov's 'interrogation' would be off the record.
"I'm not asking any of you to say anything. Whoever is in these vehicles? We take them all in…and we do it by the book.. But Barkov….. is….. mine."
"Okay…what aren't you telling me?" Danny asked.
"Joe and Marty are on their way. That's all I'm going to say, Danny."
Danny grimaced but shook his head. "Okay…once again…I'm out of the loop…..but whatever. You know I've got your back."
Steve gave Danny a 'bro hug', "Thanks, man. I know you do."
Then he looked towards the SWAT Commander. "Do your thing, Lt. Matthews.
Lt. Travis Matthews grabbed his megaphone and put it to his mouth, "EXIT the vehicles NOW….SLOWLY…with your hands up!"
For a few tense moments no one moved and no one exited the vehicles.
"Last warning," Lt. Matthews said again. "Everyone out! Thirty seconds or we move in!"
Twenty three long seconds later, the doors of both SUV's began to open. Everyone was poised and ready to take down anyone who threatened them or the safety of fellow officers. After several men had exited and got on their knees with hands behind their heads, SWAT moved in to secure the vehicles and take away and weapons they had on their person.
Lt. Matthews gave a nod towards Steve, held one finger up and pointed towards the rear SUV. Steve understood the meaning: One person left to exit and it was Barkov. Steve approached and held his gun towards the vehicle as he approached slowly. When he was close enough to peer inside, he saw Sergi Barkov sitting calmly in a passenger seat looking as if he had not a care in the world.
Assured that every one of Barkov's men were secured in handcuffs and being closely watched by HPD, SWAT and Five-0, Steve moved closer so that he was mere feet away. Danny was on his heels offering back up should he need it even though they were completely surrounded by half a dozen HPD officers and the SWAT team.
"Barkov!" Steve barked. "Exit the vehicle, you son of a bitch. We have some things to discuss."
Barkov turned towards Steve and a slow, mirthless smile crossed his mouth. "Hello again, Commander McGarrett. Tell me, how is our sweet Catherine doing? Does she miss me yet?"
Danny's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Either this guy was incredibly stupid or he did indeed have a death wish. He could feel the rage rolling off of Steve and knew it took every amount of strength he possessed not to put a bullet in the man and end it right there.
"This is the last time I ask nicely," Steve spat. "I have no problem doing this the hard way…but one way or another you're getting your ass out of this vehicle and we're going to have a chat."
Barkov gave him another sneer before calmly exiting the vehicle. Steve was on him in seconds and pushed him up against the side hard enough to push the air out of his lungs before pulling his arms back and getting his wrists in a zip tie.
As if on cue, he looked up to see Joe's truck pulling up with Marty riding along. Danny saw them getting out of the truck and looked towards Steve.
"Right…..so we'll just get the rest of these guys out of here. You gonna tell me what your plan is?"
"It's better for you not to know right now, Danno. Okay?"
No it wasn't 'ok'…..not with Danny…but he knew that Steve would call him if he needed it. He just hoped that Joe wouldn't let things get too out of control.
He almost felt sorry for Barkov. Almost. The guy deserved an ass kicking and he most assuredly was getting ready to have one.
