Chapter 39

Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience. Real Life has been quite challenging lately. Not

enough hours in the day, chapters may be slower in coming - but l promise: they are coming. Thanks (in

advance) for your understanding continued support. I truly appreciate it.

...

Junior hung up and set the tests he was grading aside. He was actually relieved he was 'called' to go to

the hospital. He now fully understood why Steve hated teaching now that it squarely fell on his

shoulders. The class itself wasn't to taxing but this after hour bullshit was just too much. He was only

too glad to leave all those tests to another time.

He went into the commander's room. He put one every day uniform in a garment bag as well as few

casual items. He put Steve's personal grooming kit and undergarments in a duffle bag along with his

phone charger, case notebook and Catherine's photo from the nightstand.

He was making a thermos of coffee for his impromptu road trip when he decided to call Tani.

"Hi Junes, what's up?" Tani sounded happy.

"Not much. The Commander called me and asked me to bring him a few things. It's a long drive to New

Brunswick and I won't be staying long. I'd love to have your company coming and going."

"I have the lunch/dinner shift so I got to be back by morning." Tani explained. "But I'd love to keep you

company on the drive."

"I'll have you back for your shift because I have to be back by 0600 for the class." Junior assured her.

"Ready in half an hour?"

"I will be ready and waiting."

Steve rang for his nurse.

Jenny appeared in moments. "Hungry, Mr. Steve?"

"Sssttarrvving."

"We have a new protein flavor: orange pineapple. Want to try it?"

"Yesss ppleasse. Mmay I have ttwo?"

"Of course. I'll be back. Anything for you, Miss Catherine? Ice water?"

"Yes please and a large coffee, straight up?"

"Of course." And she was gone just as quick as she arrived.

Steve turned his attention to his fiancée. "Yoou sshouldd eatt ssometthing. Yoou havven'tt eaten

sssincce lunch. Andd thhatt wass jusstt a ssmalll ssallad."

She waved him off. "I'm not hungry. My stomach has been in a tight knot ever since Danny told us

about the crooked lawyer."

Steve nodded in agreement and offered a hug to his distressed counterpart.

Catherine smiled and went to him and snuggled close. "Steve, I'm worried. Crooked lawyers, you

injured, that hotel owner intimidated, impersonations, bogus bail bonds…what in the hell is going on

here?"

"I'mmm nott sure but I ttthhinnkk tthis iss S.O.P. forr tthhe Russsssian annd hisss moutthhpppiece. I

gguess Ddannny's wassn'tt ovverr rreactting ttto tthhe sittuatttion affttter allll." Steve said as he rubbed

Catherine's back.

"Steve, I'm getting scared, for you. There's more going on here than meets the eye. Gordie's death is

just a detail in this, this …" Catherine gestured helplessly with her hand.

"Wwell, l gguesss wwhatt evvverr tthhis iss: a ddeccepttion, a ssswwinddlle, olldd Georgggie is

ddeffinittely ppplaying for kkeeppss. Nnowww, wwe knnow fforr ssurre hhiss llawwyerr ISS involved."

Steve managed.

"Oh, Gordie." Catherine said sadly. "What did you stumble into?"

Lynn kicked off her high heels and settled down on her sofa. She sipped her scotch and soda while

watching the darkening skyline out the big bay window. Kimba approached her human mommy and

waited.

"Hello pretty baby. Come." Lynn patted her lap and smiled as the fluffy cat joined her. She sipped her

drink absentmindedly. "The police thought I posted George's bail. Like I have money like that. Like I

would help him after all he's done to us, to Steve."

Kimba looked at the woman with her big, green eyes. "Meow?" Her tone sounded inquisitive.

"Never."

Kimba purred contentedly as her mommy stroked her luxurious fur. She put a concerned paw on Lynn's

face.

After kissing Kimba, Lynn turned her attention to her front door. She had asked Maintenance to change

her locks and looking over her shoulder, she verified she engaged the deadbolt on her door. Hugging

the cat, she tried to keep her anxiety under control.

After the attack on Steve, she couldn't sleep in her bedroom. She decided to redecorate it, new colors

and new furniture - no reminders. She had been sleeping on her sofa in her front room with large

kitchen knife within her reach. With Officer Kelley's visit today, her already frayed nerves were back to

the raw state they were in the night Steve almost died.

Cuddling the cat, she settled in for another restless night.

Tani came bouncing out of her building to Junior's navy car. In a grey oversized sweater, charcoal

colored leggings with black ankle boots, her hair danced around her face, that infectious, bright smile

made Junior's heart skipped a beat. She was a vision of feminine loveliness. Stopping the car, Junior put

it in 'park' and quickly got out to get the door for her. He caught a hint of her perfume.

Tani noticed his reaction. "I wore it with you in mind." She said with an alluring smile.

Hearing that, Junior grinned and hurried back behind the wheel. As he pulled into traffic, he glanced

over at Tani who was giving him her best and brightest smile. His heart skipped another beat as he

quickly returned his attention to the road.

"Do you know any shortcuts? Or where the best fast food is?" Tani asked in a teasing tone.

"Nope."

"Good thing I came along." She said in mock seriousness. "Without me you'd be lost and you'd starve."

"Most definitely."

"Jjjuniorr wwill bbe hherre ssooon." Steve announced. He had been watching the cafeteria's clock.

Catherine smiled as she chewed. She was SO sick of salad but she felt bad eating – and enjoying – 'real'

food. The smell of the day's special – Salisbury steak – was driving her crazy.

"I ddidd'ntt mmeann tto russshh yyou." Steve shrugged. He slurped his orange pineapple protein drink.

He was hoping his 'murder notebook' would make something click and he could see George's end game.

Danny had told him the drive from Fort May took a couple of hours, give or take. Yet, it seemed to be

taking forever. He tried to calm himself. Since the start of physical therapy, Steve felt like a

thoroughbred horse chomping at the bit to run.

Catherine finished her salad. "Don't worry, mustang." Catherine could read his mind. "You will be back

on your feet in no time, if you do as you are told."

Steve rolled his eyes as he tilted his cup back.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me in that tone, Mister." Catherine smiled.

In spite of himself, he started laugh. His protein shake spilled down his chin. He kept his head tilted

while his hands searched for napkins.

Catherine didn't see any napkin so she got up to get more. Instead she stopped next to Steve and

cleaned up the spilt protein shake with her tongue.

Steve pushed his wheelchair away from the table at an angle so he could wrap his arms around

Catherine's body and pulled her into his lap while enjoying her attentions.

"Is that therapy?" Junior managed before two state troopers accosted both him and Tani Rey.

Catherine pulled away, wanting to know who dared to spoil her moment as Steve chortled.

"Hhelllo Jjjunior." Steve sighed. He looked at the security detail. "I fforrggott tto ttelll MccTtavissh,

mmea ccullppa. Ccan you pplleassse llett himm knnoww wwe'lll need mmorre blluue ddottsss."

Both officers released the two newcomers. "You know them, Commander McGarrett?"

"Yyess. Thhisss isss mmy aidde-dde-ccammpp, Ppetttty Offficcer Jjunnior Rreignnss andd hiss ffriendd

Ttanni. I ccann vvouchh for bbotth off thhemm."

"Our apologies sir." The senior state trooper saluted Junior. He turned back to McGarrett. "I'll clear

them with McTavish, commander sir."

"Hello Sir." He grinned as he saluted his commanding officer. "How are you sir?"

"I wwass ddoing ggrreatt, unnttill yyou sshowedd up." Steve winked at Junior. "Junior, mmay I

innttrodduce fiancée Lt. Ccattherine Rolllinnss? Ccathherine, Pettty Offficer jJunior Rrneigns." He

paused while the two exchanged salutes. He looked at Tani. "I'mm ssorrry, Tttanni bbut I ddon'tt know

yyourr llasst nnamme."

"Tani Rey. Good to meet you, lieutenant." Tani shook Catherine's hand with her bright smile. She

turned to Steve with concern. "Commander, what happened?"

"The Rrusssiann bbarrttendder and I had a ddisaggrreemenntt." Steve quipped with twinkle in his eye.

"So that's why George is in jail?" Tani asked.

"He should be. Some half-witted judge granted him bail." Catherine complained.

"Sir?! Is that true?" Junior was surprised.

"That's why there is heightened security." Catherine sat down next to Steve.

"Ssshe'ss rrightt." Steve confirmed in a tired sounding voice. "Gggrrabbb a ccupp of ccoffee and we'll

catch you up, Rrreignnss."

Dinner smelled great. Danny was happy to be home. Despite the many twists and turns of the day, he

managed to get home 'on time.'

"Danno!" Gracie squeaked with excitement as she ran into the kitchen. She jumped into her daddy's

waiting arms.

"Monkey!" Danny hugged his daughter tightly as he watched Rachel enter the kitchen carrying a sleepy

Charlie.

"Hey Rach."

"Daniel, my love. What a nice surprise to have you home for dinner. You must have had quiet day."

Rachel gave her husband a soft peck on the cheek welcoming him home.

"Not really. But I'm home anyway." Danny smiled as he lowered his daughter and loving smacked her

bottom as she ran toward the living room. "Dinner smells fantastic."

"Pot roast, I made your favorite. I was sure I'd have to re-warm it. I'm so glad you're home. Come my

love, sit. After dinner, we'll get the kids to bed early. I'll give your shoulders a fine rub down." She let

Charlie down.

Once on his feet, the toddler set off chasing his sister into the front room.

"You're too good to me. How'd I get so lucky to have you as my wife?" He smiled as he took her into his

arms with the children giggles as 'music,' he dipped her and kissed her playfully. "I adore you."

"Your blue eyes were spell-binding. You enchanted me." Rachel said, playfully breathless.

Husband and wife were sharing a smile when the sound of breaking glass shattered the moment. Danny

quickly set his wife on her feet. "Kiddos, what are we gonna do?"

"Let's go see what they broke this time." Rachel said with big sigh. "Hopefully, it's that absolutely vile

vase your sister gave us as wedding present."

Danny rolled his eyes as he led the way to their front room. "It's a hand blown free form glass art piece.

She got it on her trip to Venice."

"Yes, of course." She lowered her voice. "Still as ugly as sin."

Steve was getting fatigued enough to admit it. "Can we please adjourn this com-fab to my room?"

"Mustang, you OK?" Catherine was on her feet, unlocking the wheelchair. "Junior, would you please ask

the kitchen for a couple of nutritional shakes for the Commander. One of the troopers will escort you

up to Steve's room." She started out toward the room.

"Will do." Junior saluted the lieutenant and turned towards Tani. "I didn't think we'd be here so long.

I'm sorry."

"No worries. I'm seeing that the commander has a sense of humor." Tani grinned "And I didn't take

him as a flirt."

Junior nodded. "He is taken with his fiancée. I see why he missed her so. Frankly, I like the loose

commander."

"I was starting to get worried about you, Mr. Steve." Jenny helped Catherine support the recuperating

man as he got up out of his wheelchair. He turned and shuffled slowly towards the bed.

Catherine was alarmed at just how much Steve was leaning on her. She looked at Jenny across Steve's

shoulders and saw the same concern in the nurse's face.

They maneuvered the sailor to the bed's edge and helped him make a 180 degree turn. After securing

Steve's rump on the mattress, Catherine helped him swing his legs into the bed.

"Pajama bottoms' on or off? Speak now or …"

"I dddo." Steve said without hesitation. Seeing both women smile, he realized he missed a beat. "Ah,

wwhatt nnoww?" His face flushed involuntarily.

"Pajama bottoms on or off?" Jenny managed without too big a smile.

"Pplleasse, lleavve tthemmm onnn."

"Our friends are coming up. They drove from Camp May. Please allow them to stay." Catherine asked.

"For a bit. He needs his rest. He's had a full day of therapies AND he' been downstairs for three hours."

Jenny noted as she consulted her watch. "One more hour. Don't ask for more."

'Wwe wwonn't. Tthannkk yyou,"

"I'm timing you, Mr. Steve." She made the 'eyes watching you' gesture.

Catherine chuckled as she covered Steve's legs and helped him get comfortable and situated.

"Ccatttty ccatt, I'mm hunngrry." Steve complained.

"No sweat. I thought you might be so I asked Junior to bring a couple of your protein shakes up."

Catherine kissed his head. "Why don't you take a little power nap while I write a few things down in

your case book."

Steve stroked Catherine's hair and closed his eyes while Catherine wrote vigorously.

Meanwhile, downstairs….

Junior stood by the counter in the cafeteria, busying himself putting cups in a cup holder. After situating

cups of ice, water and two protein shakes, they were good to go.

Tani carried two large coffees for herself and Junior. "That head injury must've really threw him for a

loop. Sitting there, I could see him just wilting like a plant needing water."

"Yeah, if you told me the guy I've been running and swimming with would get so tired sitting and

talking-no way I'd believe it. The Commander is an ironman. I guess that's what brain surgery does to

you."

"He had brain surgery?" Tani asked with wide eyes.

"I saw the back of his head when we walked up." Junior said. "Danny told me he had two surgeries."

"I thought just his jaw got broken." She shook her head as the trooper joined them and they waited for

the elevator car. "I heard stories at the lounge that George tried to kill Steve but I really thought Lynn

and Jen were exaggerating."

"Well, they weren't. He is lucky to be alive."

The elevator doors opened and the state trooper made an 'after you' gesture to the couple. The trio

rode the lift in silence. When the doors opened, McTavish was waiting for them. He saluted his man

who remained on the elevator after delivering Junior and Tani, back to his patrol now that McGarrett

was back in his room for the night.

"Good evening. I'm Graham McTavish, supervisory trooper. I am in command of Commander

McGarrett's security detail. May I see your official IDs please?"

Junior produced his navy issued ID card while Tani handed her drivers' license and junior college student

ID card. McTavish scanned the ID cards into his tablet and placed a blue dot on Junior's ID only.

"I don't get to be in the blue dot club." Tani asked as she put her ID cards back in her wallet.

"No, miss, I'm sorry. As I was about to say to Officer Reigns here, please wear your ID at all times. Since

he can clip his ID on, he gets the security dot." He turned to Junior. "She has to stay in the

Commander's room or with you at all times." McTavish explained.

"OK, I wasn't planning on leaving his side anyway." Tani said, smiling, as she took Junior's hand.

Junior stood just a wee bit taller and grinned at the trooper.

McTavish winked at the young sailor. "Carry on, Mr. Reigns."

"Affirm sir." Junior saluted the trooper.

The trio approached Steve's room. "I'll be out here if any of you need me."

Junior held the door open for Tani.

"Hi guys." Catherine greeted them with a smile. She was sitting on the bed next to the Commander,

who looked like he'd fall asleep any second.

Junior moved two chairs to the foot of the bed. After holding the chair for Tani, he seated himself.

Lynn sat bolt upright from her restless sleep: someone was trying to unlock her door! She covered her

mouth to prevent herself from making any noise. Heaven knew she wanted to scream, she knew who

was at her door. She could hear George's growing frustration.

Kimba had been cuddled up to her mommy when she got dumped on the floor without warning.

Hearing the voice on the other side of the door, she hissed as she ran to hide.

"Go baby." She whispered as she searched for her cell phone. She smiled as her beloved cat

disappeared in the darkened penthouse, safe in the darkness.

Just then, her door shattered and she screamed…

…and screamed herself awake. She was hugging Kimba tightly against her chest; her heart was beating

so fast and hard that she felt her heart would jump out of her chest if she let go of the cat. She quickly

turned and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her door was intact in the dim twilight.

Yet another nightmare, sleep was becoming an enemy.

She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. She looked down at beautiful, concerned, green eyes.

Kimba put her paw on the woman's face and voiced a concerned meow.

"I'm ok, baby."

"Yyou know, I forrggott alll about tthat mmaintttenance ordder." As tired as Steve was, his language

was continuing to improve. Catherine noticed but said nothing in fear of making him even more self-

conscientious than he already was.

"I can follow up on that tomorrow, sir." Junior volunteered. "I'll work with Detective Williams, don't

worry. I'll respect civil laws."

"I'll help anyway l can." Tani offered.

"I'll be in for lunch." Junior grinned.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that after tomorrow I won't be in the coffee shop anymore."

"Oh?" Steve and Junior both reacted.

Catherine spoke in an unfazed tone. "Better job?"

"I'm going to be the head of the wait staff for the lounge." Tani stated proudly.

"Wwwhattt happpenned to Jjen? I llikked herr." Steve asked, ignoring Catherine's upraised eye brow.

"She's the bar manager now. Lynn, Ms. Downing, promoted her after George got arrested."

"Cconggrattulattionssss" Steve offered.

"Yes, Tani, Great. Good for you. I can always come in for sliders when you work nights." Junior was

grinning wide.

Tani turned serious as she met Steve's eyes. "Ms. Downing said George tried to murder you. Is that

true"

"He did." Catherine confirmed.

"Yeah, welll…tthannkks tto a bbrave wwhitte catt, I'mm ssttilll herre. Andd I innttendd tto ppay

Ggeorrgge bbackk, withh intterresstt." Steve vowed.

"Heal first, mustang. You are not doing any such thing UNTIL you are 100% and the doctor says you're

good to go." Catherine said sternly. "You heard Danny. And I will strap you to this bed…"

Steve grinned, in spite of the pain it caused. His eyes danced. "I'vve ddrreammttt of tthhatt…"

"… in a way you will NOT enjoy." Catherine finished with her arms crossed and a raised eyebrow.

Steve pouted like a naughty child caught being naughty.

Junior and Tani exchanged amused glances.

Steve groaned in pain as he suppressed a powerful yawn. His face paled.

Catherine was instantly concerned. "Mustang, should I call Nurse Jenny?"

McGarrett nodded as the color drained from his face. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he

closed his eyes and leaned back on his pillows. After caressing his face and adjusting his pillows,

Catherine left the room to talk to Nurse Jenny personally.

Junior and Tani exchanged looks: it was time to go home.

Catherine returned with Jenny in tow. The nurse looked at her patient with a no-nonsense face. "OK,

Mr. Steve, that's enough for today. If you get to bed in the next 45 minutes or so, you'll barely get a

solid eight hours of sleep."

"I cann funnctionn jusst finne witth tthree orr ffourr hourrss." The Naval Operator protested half-

heartedly, his words slurred together sloppily.

Catherine playfully punched the Commander's arm. "Yeah, when you're healthy. Right now, three or

four hours are not going to cut it."

Steve opened his mouth to protest but Catherine cut him off before he could even formulate a word.

"Fight me on this and I leave. I will not watch you kill yourself."

The Commander nodded and gave up with no further dissent.

Nurse Jenny smiled as she started taking his vital signs. "So, now l know how to make you follow

doctor's orders. I was going to ask Dr. Charity for help but I'm sure Miss Catherine will help me, when I

need her."

"Absolutely." Catherine said determinedly. "He will cooperate – without complaint – won't he?" She

pointedly glared at Steve.

McGarrett knew when to cut his losses. Last thing he wanted was for Catherine to leave him; he knew

she was acting with his best interest in mind. A lesser man would have felt betrayed but Steve was

grateful. Catherine was saving him from himself.