Chapter 25
Hey guys, here's hoping you're all doing well. Here's another chapter for you, i hope you enjoy it.
The team smoothly transferred their patient to the CT scanner. His body was completely limp so Mac
used a modesty gown to keep his arms in place. The medic put the head guard across the Commander's
forehead and let the machine cycle taking Steve's broken body into the scanner.
Immediately images came to life on the technician's monitors. Dr. Charity leaned in, surveying the
damage to Steve's skull. "This is pretty straight forward. His jaw is more a concern. He is a nice looking
man; l would like him to keep his face. I'm sure someone loves it."
"I could." The CT tech agreed.
"Javier, behave." The doctor admonished. "I'll tell your husband on you."
"Just agreeing." Javier grinned. He loved teasing the straight laced doctor. "Will he need cosmetic
surgery?"
"I think I can spare him that."
"Leave him a sexy scar."
"Quit."
"I don't know why you entertain him." Mac said from the glass separating the CT scanner from the tech.
"You do realize Javier that Dr. C could sew your mouth shut."
Javier just grinned as he made slight adjustments to the scanner.
"Okay, I've got what I need. Get the films down to Trauma 1 so l can get started." Dr. Charity directed.
Catherine sat staring at her untouched lunch. Her hands were shaking as she fought the tears. She
glanced around the base cafeteria, hoping no one noticed. After dabbing the tears from her eyes, she
threw away her lunch and went back to her office.
No one noticed she was back so early. Everyone was busy or at least looking busy, trying to be
unnoticed by Admiral Paulson, who was in a rancorous mood and taking it out on everyone. Catherine
was his assistant and so far had been spared his nasty mood. She put her purse in her desk and decided
to chance his wrath.
She approached his door, squared her shoulders and knocked.
"Come."
She entered and saluted. "May l speak with you, sir?"
"Important?"
"Yes, and personal."
Admiral Paulson sighed heavily. "What's up Catherine?"
"Andy, you know my fiancé, Steve?"
"Oh sure. Commander McGarrett. What about him?"
"He is assigned to Camp May in New Jersey…"
"Who'd he piss off?"
"Blue water survival training."
Admiral Paulson made a sour face. "A great use of his time!"
"Yes sir. Jimmy, Steve's been hurt. He's unconscious in a New Brunswick, New Jersey. I'm waiting to
hear from a detective for an update. I think I have to go."
"What kind of injury?"
"Head injury." She said quietly.
"What the hell? Did he dive in the shallow end of the pool?"
Catherin shared what she knew and let her boss digest the information. She sat quietly and waited
while the Admiral paced.
Someone knocked at his door. "Not now!" The Admiral bellowed. He went to his water cooler and
poured a glass of water for himself and Catherine.
"I didn't personally know Lt. Wyler but I've heard good things."
"Yes sir, he was a squared away sailor; a good man and a good friend." Catherine said quietly, sadly.
She jumped when her cell phone rang. "Rollins. Just a sec, putting you on speaker." She hit a button
and set the phone on the Admiral's desk. "Okay Detective Williams, you are on with me and my boss,
Admiral Paulson. Tell me, us, some good news, please."
Danny sighed; he absolutely hated this. "Hi Catherine, Admiral." Another deep sigh then he jumped in.
Ten minutes later, he finished sharing everything he knew. "Dr. Charity took him up to surgery …" He
checked his watch. "…eighteen minutes ago. She said she expects surgery to take 5-7 hours."
Pleasantries were exchanged and the call ended. Catherine sat, staring at nothing in particular.
"Catherine, you need to go. See if you can tag along on a transport.'' He noticed Catherine didn't move,
didn't even blink!" Paulson raised his voice to snap Catherine out of her stunned silence. "Lt. Rollins!"
"Admiral …"
"I know, Catherine. Get going, I'll square it up." Paulson said quietly. "By the time you get there, he'll
probably be out of surgery and in recovery." He smiled encouragingly. "He will be glad to see you. And
don't worry; I won't take this time out of your honeymoon either."
Catherine smiled. "Thank you, sir."
By the time Lou and Lynn got to the outskirts of New Brunswick, she had told Grover everything. The
sun had completely set and the passing headlights illuminated the hotel manager's tear stained face.
With rapid glances, Lou could see that her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She looked
melancholic and worried.
"Ms. Downey?"
Lynn looked up from her lugubrious brooding.
"Consider yourself in protective custody. Don't worry about your safety; that Russian bear is going to
jail."
She nodded weakly.
"And Steve's going to be fine. He's tough. You know, he figured this out days ago. Ms. Downing, Lynn, I
gotta be straight with you…"
He talked until they pulled into the hospital.
Danny was pacing when Grover arrived with Lynn in tow.
"Any word yet?"
"He's still in surgery." Williams neither looked up nor stopped pacing.
Lou steered the despondent hotel manager to a chair and sat her down. "Do I have to cuff you to the
chair or will you stay here where you're safe?"
"I'll sit right here." She said so quietly Lou had to lean in to hear her.
"He looks like he could use a cup of coffee." Grover raised his chin in Danny's direction where the
detective continued his pacing. "How about you?"
"Water please." Her voice was barely above a mouse squeak.
Lou nodded and went to Danny. "I took her into protective custody, boss. I'll be right back." Lou
started off when a thought hit him. "She knows about Steve's fiancé."
Danny looked up. "Good. She's on her way here." He looked at his watch. "If she is determined like
McGarrett, I'll bet she's starting over the Midwest about now."
"How'd she take the news?" Grover asked quietly.
"I think she's numb. I'm sure she's prepared herself for a much worse phone call."
"I bet."
"How's his blood pressure?" Dr. Candace Charity asked when she worked.
"He's doing well, Doc. Every vital signs are strong, no sign of any distress." The anesthesiologist replied.
"This guy's heart is incredibly strong."
"Good." She looked down at her patient's face. The Commander's eyes were moving as if he was
actively dreaming. "Don't you give up on me. I know someone must love you so hold on to her image. I
think he might be coming out, can you make sure he doesn't wake while I'm working to put his skull
back together, please Jack."
"Yes doctor." Jack
Catherine woke up from a fitful dream to find the young seaman grinning at her. "Got something to say,
seaman?" She snapped.
"No ma'am. I was wondering if that hard landing would wake you." He spoke with a slow, annoying
southern drawl which made him even more annoying to Catherine's raw nerves.
"Where the hell are we?" She asked looking out a window; the land surrounding the airstrip didn't look
like New York.
"We're in Little Rock, Arkansas, ma'am." There was the annoying accent again.
"But l need to be in New Jersey!"
"Our next stop is McGuire Air Base in New Jersey." The navigator announced from the cockpit. "We
have to refuel and then we're off."
Catherine nodded. "Sorry Chief. I just really need to get to New Jersey."
"For Steve?" The young seaman asked.
Catherine gave him a sharp look, eyes flashing.
"Sorry ma'am, but you've been saying that name in your sleep. You must be really worried."
Catherine softened her face. "Sorry I bit your head off, seaman. I am really worried about him."
"That's okay ma'am. My pa says I don't have control over my mouth. I just say whatever pops in my
head."
"The Navy will train you not to do that. Good luck, seaman."
The green seaman already had his rucksack over his shoulder and was ready to disembark. "It was nice
meeting you, ma'am. Don't you worry none; I'm sure your Steve will be right as rain." He smiled,
nodded and was gone.
Catherine was glad the goofy seaman was gone. She looked up to see the navigator. Smiling she said,
"Were we ever that green?"
"Doubt it. I'm 3 rd generation military, 1 st in the navy. We got a few minutes if you want to stretch your
legs, get a drink, hit the head..." The navigator shrugged.
Catherine undid her safety harness, stood and stretched. "Don't leave without me, please."
"We won't. Be back in 15."
"Copy."
"Thank you." Lynn took the water bottle Lou handed her.
Danny took his coffee and sat across from the hotel owner.
Lou handed the detective a donut.
"No thanks." Danny declined. "My stomach's in knots."
"Did you let your wife know where you are? I let mine know when I went for coffee."
Danny drank some of his coffee. "Yeah, you're right. I'm going to talk a walk and do that. Keep an eye
out for a lady in a Navy uniform. She's due any moment."
"Gotcha."
Danny walked away. He headed down the hall and into the trauma center's chapel. Seeing no one, he
crossed himself and genuflected and set in the last pew.
"Lord, I know I've missed a few Masses, but You know why. Please, please help my friend. He is an
annoying giant but he's a good guy. Please, Lord." Danny pleaded. His cell phone rang. Feeling like a
child caught doing something he shouldn't; he quickly dug in his pocket. "Williams."
"Are you coming home son? I can reheat your dinner, yes?" Rachel asked softly.
"Oh babe. I'm sorry. I'm in New Brunswick at the Trauma Center…"
"Daniel…"
"Steve was attacked by our prime suspect and seriously hurt."
"Oh, Daniel. Will he be okay?"
"He is hurt pretty bad. We took a life flight over. He's got the best surgeon. I'm worried."
"Is he still in surgery?"
"Yeah. It's been about five going on six hours now."
"Did you call his fiancé?"
"I did; one of the hardest calls I've ever made. She's on her way here."
"Good. I know that was difficult, my love. It was the right thing to do. She has a right to know."
"I know. Hey babe, I'm getting a text for Grover. I gotta go. Give the monkeys my love . I'm sorry I
forgot to call."
"That's okay. Please call me when you know something."
"I will, I love you Rach."
"I love you too, Danny."
He got up, genuflected and crossed himself again. He hustled back to the waiting area. From a distance
he saw a dark haired woman in a naval uniform. He quickened his pace. "Lt. Rollins?"
"Yes. Are you Detective Williams?" She asked.
"I'm Detective Sergeant Danny Williams." He offered his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm very sorry it's
under these circumstances."
"Lt. Catherine Rollins. Call me Catherine, please." She shook Danny's hand with both of hers. "Is there
any news? Where is Steve?"
Danny looked from Lynn to Lou, who shook his head ever so slightly. "We're still waiting, Steve's still in
surgery. Can I get you some water, coffee, something to eat?"
"Ice water please; I need to hydrate after that long flight."
"I'll be right back." Lou left in the direction of the Center's cafeteria.
Lynn sat quietly, trying to become invisible. She watched the lady naval officer. Now she understood
why Steve didn't seize on the opportunity she was offering.
Danny gestured for Catherine to sit down. "You travel light."
"My kit bag is in my car."
"I wish you didn't waste money on a car. I would have arranged for someone to bring you from the
airport."
"Navy car; Rank has its privileges." She shrugged with a small smile. "How long has he been in
surgery?"
"Over six hours now." Danny said, looking at his watch. "We should hear something soon. Please, try
to relax, it shouldn't be much longer." He forced a smile. "No news is good news, right?"
"Oh, this isn't the first time I've waited for news." She crossed her legs and stretched her neck.
"Somehow, I'm sure it won't be the last."
Danny nodded. He considered pacing again but decided against it. It probably would annoy Catherine's
frayed nerves. He decided to do what he did best: talk. "So Catherine, are you from Hawaii?"
Smiling, Catherine recognized that Danny was trying to soothe her frayed nerves. "Just stationed there."
"Did you meet Steve there?"
"No, we met through naval deployments."
"Lot of years in the navy?"
She sighed. "A lifetime or maybe it just feels that way."
"I understand the feeling. Some days l look seriously at my retirement. Other days, I feel like I could do
this job forever. Days like today make me seriously consider just tossing pizza in my uncle's restaurant.
When I think about it seriously my wife points out I'd be bored in month. I'll give her the benefit of the
doubt because I don't think I'd last a week." He laughed. "I don't think I'm cut out to be a chef."
"You cook well?"
"I love to cook, I find it calming. I know it's weird but I like to bake too. Rachel lets me cook breakfast
on the weekends. I know more ways to cook pancakes then anyone should but I love surprising my
daughter."
"Don't tell Steve because he loves pancakes. He'll eat faster than you can cook. There's this place in
O'ahu…" Her voice trailed off as she thought of 'their' favorite breakfast place. Pushing dark thoughts
out of her mind, she asked after the detective's children. "You have a daughter, how nice. How old is
she?"
Danny got up and took out his cell phone. He sat down next to Catherine. He opened his photo app.
"This is Grace, she's eleven; and this is my son, Charlie, he's two and a half. This is my wife, Rachel."
"She's a doll. Your children are adorable." She took the phone Danny proffered. Your daughter is a
little angel, such a sweetie! Look at those dimples! Your son is most definitely your son, mischievous
eyes. You must be so proud."
"I am. My family is my pride and joy." Danny said with a huge smile. "Are you two planning a family?"
Catherine chuckled. "We have to be in the same place together first. This is the first time we've been in
the same country at the same time for months. I'm hoping after this the navy will send him home.
Maybe after he recovers we can finally get married." She bit her lip, hoping she didn't divulge too
much.
Danny caught her concern and shook his head. "No worries."
Both looked up as Grover returned with a tray of drinks. "A bottle of water with a big cup ice for Miss
Catherine and a fresh cup of coffee for the boss man." He took his coffee and sat down next to Lynn.
"How you holding up, Miss Lynn? If you changed your mind, I'll go get you something."
Shaking her head, Lynn held up a half full bottle of water but remained quiet.
Hearing the name 'Lynn', Catherine turned towards the hotel manager.
Danny and Lou exchanged concerned looks as the women sized each other up. Their concern was
unwarranted as Catherine turned back toward Danny and opened her bottled water and poured it in the
cup of ice.
Feeling dismissed, Lynn sipped her water and wished she had stayed at the hotel.
Thankfully, Dr. Charity exited the surgical suited in sweat stained scrubs. She used her masked to wipe
her face as she scanned the waiting room for Danny. Finding him, she smiled a bright smile and nodded.
"Hello again Detective. Commander McGarrett is out of surgery and headed to recovery."
Danny released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank God."
"There is good news and bad news."