Chapter 10

"Hey Myah!"

Myah turned around at the sound of her name. "Oh, hey Garrett. What's up?" Her dark haired, dark eyed friend smiled widely at her.

"Glad you're back. JRotC isn't the same without you."

"Well… I can't say I missed school… but I did miss you guys."

"Did you meet with Instructor Kuntz yet?"

"No." Myah grimaced. "I'm supposed to go by his office at 1:30."

"Gotcha." Garrett shifted back and forth awkwardly for a moment. "I actually wanted to ask you… I didn't know if you were planning on going to homecoming. And if so, maybe you wanted to go with me?"

Myah's lips parted in surprise. She had met Garrett when she'd joined Junior RotC at the beginning of the school year. He was about an inch shorter than she was and had a smile that could light up a room. He was kind and funny, and she was happy to be included in his circle of friends. "So I'm not allowed to date until I'm sixteen, but I'd love to go with you, as you know, friends."

Garrett's face lit up. "Great. It'll be a fun time, I promise."

The sound of static could be heard and they both glanced up in anticipation of a voice over the loudspeaker. "Myah McGarrett, please report to the principal's office. Myah McGarrett, please report to the principal's office."

Myah's face flushed as the eyes of everyone in the hallway immediately landed on her. She expected Garrett's expression to change to one of judgment and he proved his worth as a friend when his eyes filled only with sympathy.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's going to be okay." At least she hoped it was going to be okay. Steve had been on the phone the evening prior and she knew something was going to go down today. When he'd sent her to bed, she'd protested her lack of information regarding her first day back at school after being suspended.

"In this case, I think it's better you don't know. Besides, I can't predict exactly what a suspect will do."

"A suspect?"

"Yes. In this case, Rachel. You just tell the truth about anything you're asked about. No holding back this time. You got me?"

"Yes sir."

Myah took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She felt her stomach flip flop with the memory of the last time she'd been in the office. The secretary motioned for her to enter and Myah pushed through the frosted glass door. She paused taking in what seemed like a crowd in the room. Rachel was sitting next to a couple that Myah could only assume were her parents. An angry glare marred her normally pretty face. Steve was seated in the same chair he had been a week earlier, his arms folded across his chest and his face calm. Principal Hekekia had an unreadable expression.

"Please take a seat, Myah. Alright, Officer Kalakaua, I think we're all here."

Myah slowly sat down. Steve's face told her nothing and so she looked back at Kono, who she most certainly had not expected to see in the office.

"Thank you." Kono's voice rang with an authority that Myah wasn't used to hearing, and she sat back, feeling a little in awe of the woman.

"Thank you all for coming. It's a priority for the state of Hawaii that we facilitate an environment of safety, both in the physical and mental sense. While my job often includes the apprehension of criminals, it is certainly a goal to deter young people from the path that could lead to legal trouble or even incarceration."

Rachel looked like she was about to vomit right there in the principal's office.

Kono smiled. "Now, I bring this up because high school is a vulnerable time and students might not yet realize that there are very real consequences for their actions. And bullying, vandalism… these are stepping stones on a path that leads straight to a courtroom. Now, I know that we don't want anyone in this office to be in a situation like that, so that's why I have made it my personal responsibility to keep close tabs on what's going on here at Kukui High."

"We're calling in the police to deal with student matters?" Rache's mother's voice was strained.

Principal Hekekia spoke up. "When it involves safety and vandalism, yes."

Kono's eyes narrowed at Rachel. "So Rachel, I need to ask you-"

"What about assault and physical violence?!" Rachel interrupted.

"Both very serious issues. What about them?"

"I have a video of guys beating each other up, right here at school, after class. And her brother is part of it. So if you want to talk about criminals you can start there." Rachel sat back in her chair, the feeling of victory shining in her eyes.

"I need to see the video, please." Principal Hekekia held out her hand. She sounded far too calm after having received that kind of news. Rachel triumphantly handed her phone over and Myah found herself wishing she could see the screen. The sound of grunting and the occasional fist striking flesh could be heard, along with whispered cheering. The principal's jaw tightened. "Thank you, Rachel. You are correct that this is a very serious matter, but it is not news to this office. This was brought to my attention earlier this morning, and you can rest assured that all participants are being dealt with."

Rachel's jaw dropped.

"This is certainly a concerning matter." Kono said. "What is the time stamp on the video, may I ask?"

"It's last Tuesday, if I'm reading this correctly."

"I see." Kono pinned Rachel with a gaze that had the girl swallowing nervously. "So I must ask, if you had this video since last Tuesday, why are you only now coming forward with it?"

"I…I… Mom!"

Mrs. Coleman's face was bright red. "Listen, this is getting out of hand. Even if she had the video, my daughter would never participate in fighting like that!"

"No, perhaps not." Kono conceded. "But we do have a video of her participating in a clear act of vandalism and we know that she attempted to blame another student, just last week." She motioned to the principal, who turned her computer screen so they could all watch the awkwardly made video of Rachel sneaking through the parking lot and emptying several bottles of soda into a van.

There was an awkward silence in the office and then Rachel burst into tears. "It's not my fault!" she wailed. "You guys have no idea how mean Aunt Cheryl is to me in class! She's always picking on me and nitpicking the stupidest stuff."

"Rachel, that's enough!" Mr. Coleman snapped. "This is ridiculous! I can't believe you would do something so stupid!"

At his words the waterworks turned on full force, from both Rachel and her mother. "Is she going to jail?!"

"Mrs. Coleman, we are looking at an act of vandalism, as well as withholding evidence of another crime, but while she is certainly someone we will be keeping our eye on in the future, the school will be handling discipline at this time."

"Rachel…" Principal Hekekia looked forward. "You're receiving a week's suspension for the deliberate destruction of property. As your actions also caused another student to miss out on a week's worth of her attendance, you will also not be allowed to participate in homecoming festivities."

"What?!" Rachel gasped as though she'd just received a life sentence.

"Isn't that a little harsh?" Mrs. Coleman asked softly.

"Both of you, be quiet!" Mr. Coleman glared at them. "Rachel, you're grounded for a month! There's no way you'd be going to Homecoming anyway."

"Alright. I do have some forms for you to sign and then you can be on your way. Thank you for your assistance, officer Kalakaua."

There was a blur of activity as the Colemans signed several forms and then led a still weeping Rachel out of the office. Kono gave Myah a quick wink and then followed the family out, keeping an auspicious distance behind them, no doubt playing on their already frayed nerves.

Myah glanced at Steve, wondering if they were excused but he was sitting quietly. Principal Hekekia sat down with a sigh, her posture breaking a little.

"Well, Mr. … Commander McGarrett," she said dryly. "You didn't say a word, and you still made me more nervous than anyone else in the room."

Steve gave her a small smile. "No need. You handled it well."

Myah was amused to see her principal take his compliment almost in the same way a child would take a prize lollipop.

"Well, Myah… I feel I owe you an apology. I do wish you had been upfront with me last week."

"Oh…" Myah sat up straight and noted Steve giving her a pointedly raised eyebrow. "I do too. I wish I had just told the truth. Next time I will."

"Next time?"

"Not that I'm planning on a next time." Myah said hastily. "I'm planning on there not being a next time."

"I'm glad to hear that. You're excused back to class."

"Thank you. Bye dad."

"See you at home kid."

H50 H50 H50

The waves crashed against the shoreline in a calming rhythm and as usual Myah felt her spirit calming as she gazed out to the horizon. No matter how many times she sat on the sand, knees pulled up underneath her chin, she was still in awe of the view. She hoped that would never change. She recalled Steve telling her that he loved the ocean for its sheer raw power. She loved how every wave was different, crashing in its own way over the sand, just far enough away to avoid lapping over her feet. Someone called her name from behind and recognizing the signal that other people had arrived for dinner, Myah stood and hastily brushed the sand from her shorts.

Grace Williams met her midway and the two linked arms to walk back to the house, sharing a companionably silence. As other people joined them on the patio, the silence gave way to the sound of various conversations. Steve and Danny had found something they agreed on and were trying to one up each other in their mutually shared conviction of charcoal versus gas grilling. Kono was showing Nahele and J a video of what she clearly thought was a particularly impressive wave ride. Kamekona was setting up a huge platter of shrimp on the patio table and Uncle Joe had settled himself strategically close to the food. Grace offered to retrieve a fruit salad from the fridge and Myah found her wrist caught up in Joe's grip. He gently tugged her towards him and she allowed herself to perch on his knees and shoot him a bashful grin.

"You behaving yourself today, young lady?"

"I'm trying." Myah said dryly. "You have no idea how hard it is some days though."

Joe chuckled in response. "You do keep life exciting for your old man over there."

The back door opened and Chin and Malia walked out onto the patio, hand in hand, waving in response to a round of greetings. Chin pulled a chair out for Malia and accepted a beer from Nahele. "So Kono… how did it feel going back to high school today?"

"Yeah," Myah spoke up. "I had no idea you were going to be there today. You were a badass, seriously."

"Ah, it's nothing." Kono smiled.

"It's not nothing." Steve countered. "We decided it would be best if the person laying down the law wasn't me… as in, wasn't your dad. It'd be too easy for them to come after you with complaints of favoritism or a conflict of interest. And for you…" he looked over at Nahele and then widened his gaze to include J. "You two… hopefully your lives won't be made completely miserable. At least anymore than they should be."

"What happened with fight club?" Grace asked curiously.

"A lot…" J groaned softly. He sat upright when he realized everyone's attention was on him, and being a relatively new member to the group, shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Kono took pity on him and took over the story. "The owner of the MMA gym was extremely upset about the whole thing and the coach who brought students over to the school has been fired. The owner wanted to make sure the principal knew he had no knowledge of it and volunteered to confess the whole thing to her. So our boys won't be labeled as rats. Rachel might though… if what happened this morning gets out." Kono raised an eyebrow at Myah.

Myah snorted. "If it does, it won't be from me. I don't want anything more to do with her."

Joe tousled her hair. "That's a good call. People like that don't need any help getting into trouble. Though it's not like you'd be telling anything other than the truth if…" He chuckled and trailed off at a look from Steve.

"Nice, Joe." Steve said, his voice sarcastic but a smile on his face.

"Are you guys in big trouble?" Grace asked.

Nahele and J shared long suffering glances. "Suspended for a week and community service until we're dead." Nahele said.

"Football players have the option of community service or being kicked off the team." J added. "Oh, and no homecoming dance. Which, who cares anyway?" He shrugged.

"I'm sure a lot of young ladies are going to be devastated." Malia spoke up teasingly.

"Yeah, well…" Nahele made an attempt at looking like he didn't care, but started to blush at the subsequent laughter.

Myah met Grace's eyes and smiled. She had texted her friends the first chance she'd gotten about Garrett asking her to go to the dance with him.

"Hey what's that smile about?" Joe asked suspiciously, proving once again that he missed absolutely nothing.

"Oh!" Myah sat up straight from her perch on his knees. "Nothing."

"What's nothing?" Danny said skeptically.

"I just… uh… have a date. Since I actually do get to go to homecoming." She made a valiant attempt to keep her comment lighthearted, but she might as well have announced that she had gotten engaged judging from the response.

"With who?" growled Nahele.

"That's wonderful, sweetie!" Malia exclaimed.

Danny frowned at Grace. "You knew?"

Joe had tightened his grip on Myah's neck. "Steve, is this allowed?"

"No." J's response was actually the most surprising to Myah. Why should he care?

"Yes…" Steve's answer came through gritted teeth.

"Oh, my gosh guys!" Kono exclaimed and she, Malia and Grace all surrounded Myah like a protective herd of mother elephants. "It's not like it should be a surprise she has a date!"

Myah actually had to give Steve credit. He looked like he'd rather be surrounded by criminals, but was clearly attempting to stay calm. "Lliam?" he asked.

"No… he did ask, but I'd already told my other friend yes. He's from JRotC. I was going to have some of them over later this week so you could meet him… in a non-awkward way. Hopefully." She included the rest of the group in her grimace.

"From JRotC…" Nahele was clearly considering the possibilities. "Who is it?"

"Garrett." she couldn't help but feel like she was ratting out a friend, instead of simply sharing the name of her date. She was surprised when Nahele laughed.

"What?!"

"Garrett? Myah, you can't date him."

"She's not dating him." Steve corrected and then paused. "Wait, why?"

"Yeah, why?" Myah pushed, suddenly feeling defensive not only of herself, but of her friend.

"His name's Garret Myles. You'll be Myah McGarrett and Garrett Myles. That's ridiculous and if you get married you'll be Myah Myles."

For as ridiculous as his words were, they did serve to lighten the mood as everyone burst out laughing. Myah rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous. Garrett is just a friend and is super nice."

"He better be." Nahele said firmly.

Later that evening, Myah had just finished loading the dishwasher when Steve entered the kitchen. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall, eyeing her. Myah looked up at him questioningly.

"So is Garrett your type?" he asked softly.

Myah exhaled loudly. "I don't know. He's just a friend. We're just going as friends. You'll like him, I promise."

"Okay." Steve smiled at her and her heart warmed at the tenderness in his look. "It doesn't surprise me. You're beautiful, you know."

Startled at his words, Myah almost choked up. "Thank you." she managed awkwardly. Uncomfortable with sitting with the compliment for too long, she closed the dishwasher and spoke. "So are you going to take me dress shopping? Uncle Danny takes Grace."

Steve seemed to recognize her attempt to change the mood and snorted. "Don't you have perfectly good dress blues for JRotC?"

Myah's jaw dropped. "You know one thing I have gotten a little better at during the past couple of weeks is ignoring you…"

This time Steve's jaw dropped and in retrospect Myah thought it might have been a little too soon for that kind of comment.

"Get over here, you little…"

Myah didn't wait for him to finish his sentence as he was already moving towards her, and darted out of the kitchen, a mixture of laughter and panic starting to bubble from her throat. She ran almost directly into Nahele, and immediately squeezed between him and J, who had just stepped off the staircase. "Protect me!"

Nahele's dark eyes flicked between Myah and Steve and he smiled. "Sorry, little sister. Against anyone else…" he moved to the side, removing himself as a protective barrier and also stepping closer to Steve and clearly indicating his loyalties.

Myah had time to briefly rejoice at seeing her brother and father as they should be, before resigning herself to her fate. However, J surprised her by stepping in front of her. "I'll protect you."

Myah knew he had picked up on the order of operations in the McGarrett household enough to know that Steve was not truly angry with her, but she was still a little stunned at that kind of bravery. Looking up at him, she saw him meeting the challenge in Steve and Nahele's eyes without fear.

Steve's eyes narrowed. "Alright then son…"

The wrestling match that followed had Myah scrambling to move a wayward coffee mug and couple of plants to safety, before Steve grabbed her. She had no illusions about her ability to match any of them in wrestling capability, but did her best not to become a liability and shouted encouragement to J, who was putting up a valiant effort against Nahele and Steve. The two McGarrett men had just twisted him up like a pretzel and collapsed on top of him, when Danny walked in. Myah felt like she'd been caught by a boa constrictor as she was held tightly under one of Steve's arms.

"What is… I leave for an hour… you're all brutes!" Danny said in exasperation, and in usual form, was unable to finish a sentence.

Steve stood up with Myah still held tightly in one arm. "Danno. We're just discussing dress shopping."

Danny rolled his eyes. "I'm making coffee." He started walking towards the kitchen. "And Myah, if Kono… or Mary can't take you dress shopping, Grace and I will. This neanderthal will have you in a camo dress or something."

Steve sat down on the couch and Myah collapsed next to him, still tucked under his arm but now able to breathe and unable to control her laughter at how on target Danny was.

"Hey… Steve protested. "I don't see what would be wrong with that. A camo dress would be nice…"

"Yeah, for a foxhole." Danny shot back.

H50 H50 H50

Nahele relaxed against the back of the couch as he opened his laptop. The previously clear evening had turned overcast and the comforting sound of rain could be heard tapping against the window behind him. J had taken off to Nahele's room, saying he needed to get some solo practice in on the keyboard before Nahele joined him on the guitar a little later. Nahele also ventured a guess that his best friend was still trying to catch his breath from the friendly beating he'd taken shortly before. The smell of coffee wafted from the kitchen where Steve and Danny had taken their mugs. Myah was sitting on the lower stairwell landing clearly engaged in some vitally important text conversation. Judging from her expression, it wasn't with her fellow Charlie's Angels, and Nahele guessed it was with her JRotC friends. Maybe Garrett. Nahele shook his head. Garrett wasn't a bad guy. However, Nahele was already forming a mental plan on how he was going to keep them under surveillance to and from the dance.

Exhaling, Nahele tried to focus on his computer screen. He and Steve had had a meeting with Ms. Mahoe that day. Steve had told him he'd be there to support him, but it was up to Nahele to tell his teacher how he was feeling and what he wanted. It had not been easy, but the more Nahele talked, the easier the words came. He also had been surprised to find that a lot of his initial anger about the project had dissipated, now that his fears had been addressed. Mrs. Mahoe had agreed to grant him an extension on the original project or to allow him to complete a different project. He'd asked Steve that evening which project he thought he should complete.

"That's your choice, son. Either one is probably good, but do what you think is right."

"I think… uh…" Nahele hesitated. "I think I don't want to run away from hard things."

"Okay." Steve didn't say anything else, but he was smiling.

Nahele took a deep breath and typed the date onto his page. If this was his family tree, he had to be honest with the names. With his adoption, the branches were going to look a little odd. His eyes flicked over to the wall where various friend and family pictures were framed and hung. His gaze paused on Myah's face and then Joanie's. At some point, each of them was likely going to have to do a similar project. It occurred to Nahele that he didn't know anything about Myah's biological father or his family. He knew that the man had died in a car crash before she was born, but did she have any family from that side? Nahele frowned. Joan's grandparents were in communication with her, but her biological mother was not. Both girls were going to have family trees just as complicated if not more so than his. Determined, he typed the title Family Tree across the top of the page. He would get it done, and when his sister and cousin were faced with a similar task, he would be able to tell them that they weren't the first and that they would get through it just as he had. At the end of the day, they were family.

H50 H50 H50

Author's Note: Oh my goodness, we finally have the concluding chapter to this story. I know it's the worst when you're left hanging with a story and believe me, I think about the McGarretts and their little world on an almost daily basis. Thank you SO much for all the reviews and the check-ins. I'm good, October was just incredibly busy, but all with good, soul stirring stuff. I hope this chapter was a satisfying conclusion and I'm hoping to have more time to write moving forward (don't we all). Anyway, hoping everyone is well and warm.