Peters nodded. "Take a seat, Commanders. We'll put you out of your misery. You are probably both wondering why you are here."
Next to him, Sara nodded. "Sir."
After all sat down, Peters cleared his throat. "Well, it will be best if I follow the suggestion you made to Admiral Brown a few weeks ago and use your first names. You will certainly not have forgotten the context in which this happened. You will surely be pleased that Chief Masterson is still on the mend and will be able to return to work in the foreseeable future. Several Taliban were shot in the course of his rescue, and Awar is again in captivity. You already knew that, I know. What you cannot know is that your analysis, Sara, has brought us to a real gold mine in the second possible location that you brought into play."
Peters nodded to Brown, who took the floor: "What appeared to be a harmless village with a few goatherds and a small Taliban hiding place at first glance, was kind of a Taliban Fort Meade in the area if you took a more closer look. We were able to reduce the list of wanted terrorists by a few and smoke out a network. The Pentagon has now ordered me two things I would like to take care of here, given certain circumstances." The rear admiral nodded towards Saras body center, the baby belly could no longer be missed when she was sitting. "Unfortunately, I was not able to fly to Pearl due to lack of time. But I could save you at least half of the distance, the flight to Norfolk."
"Thank you."
"Well, on the one hand, Steve, I was asked to thank you personally and to give a commendation ..."
"But ..." Steve tried to interrupt him.
"Let me finish. Giving you a commendation, on the one hand, for your support with the analysis and, on the other hand, no, this is not a joke, for the support for Lieutenant Commander Sara McGarrett. I don't have to tell you how difficult this job is, and we are very happy she's finding such support in you. With your background in particular, you have a better idea of what she's doing than others could ever have. The only thing I want to hear from you is 'thank you, sir'."
"Thank you, sir," Steve answered obediently, even if it was sticking in his craw. He was praised to the skies while Sara sat silently next to him.
"Now to you, Sara. First of all, I would like to tell you all of the following will not change anything on your work situation. You will remain stationed in Pearl Harbor and continue to work as before until your maternity break and afterwards. Officially, you will continue to work part-time in personnel management. "
Steve noticed Sara was sitting upright, trying to hide her confusion. He felt the same and was curious to see what Brown would say next.
"I was instructed to hand this over to you. I think it's long overdue, but certain institutions are working a little ... slower." Brown held out a folder to Sara. She took it and opened it. A little gasp escaped her mouth.
Steve leaned over to her, but he couldn't see what she was holding. She seemed to be reading again and handed him the folder. It contained a letter about the promotion of Lieutenant Commander Sara McGarrett to U.S. Navy Commander.
He spotted another piece of paper underneath and continued reading. "Look at this." It was a letter of recommendation.
She read, then closed the folder and cleared her throat. "Sirs, I am very grateful. I have your promise that none of this will change my situation? Otherwise I would be forced to ..."
Captain Duncan interrupted her. "Nothing's gonna change. This is the only way we, more specifically, the government is having access to you whenever we need you. Assignments continue to be coordinated by Admiral Brown of Norfolk. Officially, I will remain your supervisor and contact in Pearl. Keahi will also remain on your command. We're working on expanding his skills to increase his support for you, including upcoming events. The hand control license was just the beginning, so accept it for what it is: long overdue recognition of your work. We are well aware you are not doing your work for awards, Sara, especially because of it's nature. But you're doing extraordinary work and we owe you thanks for that. - Lieutenant Hattori will give you the necessary uniform components afterwards, there were a few small complications, otherwise I would have done it. Congratulations, Commander."
Sara pushed out of the chair and saluted. Steve did the same. The officers around the table returned the salute.
"Your return flight leaves tomorrow morning, Hattori has all the details," Peters explained before ordering: "You're dismissed."
The office door had just closed behind them when Steve pulled Sara into his arms and kissed her. "Congratulations. But don't think you're going to be the CO at home now. "
Sara laughed. "Only when necessary. Let's go as long as I'm able to. I'm feeling a little woozy right now. I had expected nearly everything, but not this. There has probably never been a promotion for someone in a situation like mine."
"So what. The amiral is absolutely right: You deserved it."
Behind them at his desk, Peters' adjutant cleared his throat. "Commanders. You are in uniform."
"We're already gone," Steve said, raising his hand apologetically before leaving the hall. Hattori was leaning against his jeep in front of the house. When he saw her coming, he straightened and greeted. "Congratulations, Commander. I have a special delivery for you."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Sara smiled. "Do you have any other surprises for us?"
"No, ma'am. You are free until tomorrow's plane. Where can I take you? "
"First back to the accommodation. I have to digest that first."
"All right, Commander."
When he dropped them off, Steve told him they would get in touch when they needed him and then they went inside.
Sara felt knocked out. When Steve asked, "Are you okay? You are so quiet," she couldn't prevent a few tears from running down her cheeks.
"Hey. Everything is fine." He came to her and hugged her.
"Sorry. It has been a little bit tense the past few days. Plus the crappy flight. I absolutely didn't expect anything like that."
"Don't be sorry. Just let it get off." He gently stroked her back.
"I think I'm going to lie down a bit. And later we'll think about where we're going to eat tonight. It wasn't so stupid packing a set of civilian clothes for each of us. "
"Both good ideas. Do you mind if I go for a run in the meantime? Take a breath and say hello to some old buddies?"
"Sure, take your time."
He wiped the tears from her cheek with his thumb. "Really?"
"Yes. I'm fine. I usually never cry, these are the hormones from our little package." Since they still didn't know the sex of the child, they still called it that.
"Alright."
Steve helped her out of her shoes, then he changed. He got into his running clothes, she slipped a wide T-shirt over her head. "Let's go," she said, patting him on the shoulder. He kissed her, then left the apartment.
Sara began the tedious task of loosening her hair bun, when she finally did it and brushed the hairspray out, she fell on the bed and fell asleep immediately. She neither heard Steve come back nor him taking a shower, only when he sat next to her and put his hand on her shoulder she did wake up. When she opened her eyes, she looked straight into his face.
"How long have you been out?"
"Almost three hours, it will soon be half past three. You must have been pretty done, you didn't even twitch when I lost the bathroom door."
"I didn't notice anything. - Naughty boy, "she added and caught his hand, which he ran through her hair spread out on the pillow.
"They are so wavy, you look like a Christmas angel."
"That's because yesterday I tied them up right after the shower and used about a ton of hairspray."
Steve wrinkled his nose. "The cloud from the garden was unmistakable."
"Mhm. To prevent my hair from coming loose on the flight. I know you don't like the smell, so I went outside with it. "
"Eddie gets crazy too. What is it?" He looked at her worriedly. She took his hand and put it on her belly.
"Feel it."
After a moment, his face brightened. "Is this...?"
"I think it's a foot. It has become increasingly stronger in the past few days."
Steve stroked her round belly and kissed her.
"Have you thought about where we want to celebrate your promotion? I mean, for the first time. Because our Ohana will hardly pass."
Sara sat up. "I fear evil. What do you think of Giordanos? Pasta for me and something from the grill for the protein needs of our Super SEAL Dad? "
The term made Steve groan. "Where did you get that from?"
"Your partner is extremely inventive about nicknames for you, I have to admit. Do you have another idea?"
"No, Giordanos is good."
"Then I'll get dressed and call Hattori to pick us up. Just maybe with another vehicle than his beige rattling box. "
"Good idea."
They hugged and kissed, then got ready to go out. Hattori waited for them in civilian clothes with a closed white pickup.
"Sir, ma'am, I'm ready."