Chapter 21
Hey guys, thanks again for the reviews and suport. Here's another chapter, enjoy.
The sunlight streamed through the skylight in the commander's temporary quarters, it
started high up on the wall a little after dawn. By 0700, it was making the area around
the couch very bright. Junior was asleep on his back, deep in REM slumber. Even
sound asleep; the increasing brightness was invading his dreams.
He finally gave up trying to sleep and opened his eyes. Realizing it wasn't 0500; Junior
jumped up and went to the commander's door.
"Commander McGarrett, sir." He called through the door as he knocked. "Sir, I screwed
up, my watch didn't go off. I'm so sorry, it's…" He looked at his watch. ''…0815 sir. I'm
sorry but you're – we're – late for class!"
"Reigns!" Steve bellowed through the door crankily. "It's Sunday for fuck's sake. Now,
leave me the hell alone."
"Sir?"
"It's Sunday!'' Steve yelled even louder. For emphasis, he threw some nightstand
brick- a-brack at the door.
Finally, that fact penetrated Junior's sleepy brain. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
"As you were!" Go away!''
Junior went back to the couch after relieving himself. After getting comfortable, he
tried dozed off but couldn't reconnect with his dream of Tani. After a half hour, he
gave up and grabbed his kit and went to the shower as quietly as possible.
Steve awoke to a loud banging. What the hell? After the yelling exchange with his
assistant, he realized he wasn't in bed proper. He raised his head and saw he had fallen
asleep horizontal on the bed. He was shirtless so no wonder he felt a bit chilly. He
rolled on his back and realized he was stiff. He tried to sit up and ended up sliding off
the bed. His ass hit the floor with dull thud. Ignoring his sore backside, Steve took
stock: he was bare footed; his jeans were undone but not removed. His shirt was neatly
hanging over the chair in the corner and his watch and cell were on the nightstand.
Normally, a few beers didn't really faze him. He ran his hand through his hair. Lately,
things were anything but normal.
God, he missed Gordy. He liked Junior well enough but Gordy was family. He watched
the sunlight travel the wall as tears silently fell from his eyes. Some deaths were
inevitable; some were in the line of duty – for the greater good. Others die; sacrifice
themselves for team mates while others die due to their own foolishness. Still others
die senselessly at the hands of others. Gordy was a hero, he deserved a better death; a
death he saw coming; a death he could rage against; a death that had meaning.
The sound of shower bought him back to the present. He shifted his weight because
now out of his daydream, he realized his buns ached. He stood and stretched then laid
down properly on the bed and waited for the bathroom to become available.
Junior came out of the shower and put on knock around sweats with a sleeveless t-shirt.
He threw his kit on the couch and went to the kitchenette. He was making coffee when
he heard the commander's bedroom door open and the bathroom door close. He
smiled as he took stock of their groceries. He smiled; he had a plan for breakfast.
Meanwhile, Steve was shaving. Well, he had lathered up and then decided the hell with
it. He wasn't on duty today; he'll shave tomorrow. He started the shower and once he
got the temperature to his liking, he finished undressing and stepped into the warm
water.
He started his five minute internal countdown. After all his years in the navy, he had the
five minute shower down to a science. He started with rinsing his face, and then he
stood with the warm water beating down on his shoulders. Four minutes, thirty
seconds. He adjusted the water to be a bit hotter and turned his back on the shower
head. Four fifteen. He took several deep breaths, in through the nostrils and out
through his lips. Three forty five. He picked up the soap and rubbed it between his
hands. Three thirty. He soaped himself thoroughly. Two thirty, shampoo. Two
minutes, he rinsed his hair and body well. One minute: done. Water off.
He stepped out of the shower and took his towel and gave himself a vigorous toweling
off. He smelled coffee and something that reminded of home: loco moco! Steve
quickly combed his hair and gathered his toiletries and made a bee line for that smell.
Exiting the steamy bathroom, the cooler air felt wonderful, he threw his kit in his room.
"Is that loco moco I smell?"
"Yes sir. I picked up eggs, rice and spam yesterday when we were at the market."
Junior explained as he cooked. "I don't know about you, but in our house, Sunday
wasn't Sunday without some loco moco. How about your family, Steve? Any Sunday
traditions?"
McGarrett poured himself a cup of coffee. "Depended on who was cooking. My dad
made loco moco. My mom liked Eggs Benedict so twice a month." He sipped his
coffee. "If we were lucky."
"What's Eggs Benedict?" Junior asked as piled two fired eggs on the first plate, on top
of sliced spam and fried rice. He sprinkled chopped green onions on the top of the eggs.
"After you, Steve."
"You sure? I can fry my own eggs." Steve asked as his stomach growled loudly.
"I'm sure. My dad and l, we like our eggs scrambled." Junior smiled as Steve happily
grabbed the plate.
"Eggs Benedict is good, but not as good as this." McGarrett took his plate to the small
table, sat down and dug in. Three minutes later, Junior joined him.
"Junior, you are a damn fine cook!" Steve managed between mouthfuls.
Reigns grinned as he ate. "Why thank you."
"Any plans for today?"
"Not one. You sir?"
"Rest myself. I'm start playing a dangerous game tomorrow. I have to be well rested,
mentally clear."
"At least she's easy on the eyes."
"Yeah." Steve's voice sounded troubled.
"Problem?"
"I just have to watch myself. Truthfully, Lynn is someone I'd fool around with if I didn't
have my One already. I got to be careful not to give in to baser male instincts."
"I get it."
"Hi my love. How are you?"
Steve smiled and sighed as the tension left his body. "Hi Cat. How's my girl?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Nervous. I'm starting a deception tomorrow."
"I know, we talked about this."
"I know we did. Now, I'm having second thoughts."
"I thought we agreed you could handle this op without compromising us. A lot of guys
wouldn't give this a second thought, a freebie in the pursuit of justice." Catherine said
lightly.
A little too light. "Cat, l won't compromise what we have for anything, not even to catch
Gordy's murderer. You mean too much to me. I can't believe I agreed to do this, why
would I agree to do this? I'm I stupid? Crazy?"
"You want Gordy's murderer. Hey, you are a great flirter. How many times do you use
your 'male charms' to get what you want? Same thing, no different." Catherine argued.
"Big difference." Steve argued back. "I'm not trying to get a refill of coffee or an extra
vacuum when we go to the car wash. I'm going to be making out with a woman that has
already demonstrated her willingness."
"I told you, hall pass. If it gets out of control, maybe pillow talk will get the info you
need."
"Yeah, and every time …"
"Steve .."
"Hey, I wouldn't want you doing this!"
"Why not? Would you trust me to end it or if I went through with a bit more than I
planned …"
"That's easier for a female to turn it off, hell, all you have to do is keep your knees
together. Sometimes, for males, it just isn't that easy. I don't break sincere promises I
make, especially sincere promises I've made to the woman I love." Steve said
determinedly. "You mean the world to me!"
"This situation, well, is abnormal. You will be ok." Catherine reassured him. "Now,
whisper sweet nothings to me, you goof."
"Yes dear."
They talked for a couple of hours then said 'Good night.' Steve did his pre-bed ritual
exercises. After 100 sit-ups and 50 push-ups later, he fell into bed properly and fell
asleep.
Junior heard the commander's alarm at 0530. He dressed and started coffee. By 0615,
Commander McGarrett came out of the bathroom, in a khaki uniform, straight backed
and clean shaven.
"Morning, Junior. Sleep well?" Steve smiled as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Oh yes. Got cleaned up last night, just in case I overslept. You?"
"Slept sound. No complaints. Glad we didn't do a damn thing yesterday."
"Agreed. You ready to head over to the pool?"
"Let's get a jump on Monday morning."
After another grueling water survival lesson, Junior drove the Commander to pick up
lunch at the Dogtooth bar and grill then over to the Traveler's Oasis.
"Ready, sir?"
"Yup. Got your phone in case l send emergency text?"
"Affirmative."
"Let's do this."
Steve was dressed civilian casual: blue jeans and a blue shirt Cat bought him. She said it
made his eyes "pop". He wore to feel her arms around him as embarked on this
masquerade.
Lynn was waiting by the front desk; she saw him enter and waved. She walked toward
him in slacks and soft pink blouse. Her smile was bright and happy.
Steve noticed her face wasn't as he remembered. Even without Junior's heads up, he
could tell she was 'covering up' something. The makeup was no doubt top of the line
but it wasn't a perfect match.
"Steve! It is so good to see you. Lunch smells incredible! Let's go to our spot by the koi
pond.''
"Yes, let's." Steve said with more enthusiasm then he felt.
Within minutes, they were at their bench and enjoying the lush garden on a sunny day.
Lynn pulled a personal cooler from under the bench. "Water, soda?"
"Water please."
Lynn handed him a bottle of water with a big smile then she tore into the take out bag.
"Which is mine?"
Steve had downed half the water in the bottle before he answered her. "Both
sandwiches are the same. I ordered some onion rings and fries but then l saw a dessert
I had to try."
"Oh, banana chocolate cake?" Lynn asked hopefully.
"Yes, you know it? Steve was happy he selected something she knew and seemed to
love. He caught himself and reminded himself what his true objective was.
"Oh yes, it's freaking unbelievable." She was enjoying her sandwich immensely.
Steve tried his Panini and was pleasantly surprised. He snagged an onion ring.
Lynn smiled. "They make the onion rings with red onions. Aren't they great?"
He nodded as he chewed. "Lynn, are you very busy today?"
Lynn swallowed. "Typical Monday, so yes and no. Why?"
"I'd like to spend the afternoon with you."
Her heart skipped a beat. "I have nothing that can't wait until tomorrow." She said with
a very happy smile.
Steve returned the smile.
Phase one of his fact finding mission was complete.
On to phase two.
