We won't bore you with why this chapter is so darn late. Just know, that we have not abandoned this story. And we hope real-life will allow us to work more on what we love. But at the moment, it takes up most of our time, and we only can squeeze the one or other hour of writing in.
Sometimes life gets in the way of the fun part. Right now, it unfortunately does. So, please be patient, this story will continue.
A Wrinkle in Time
Chapter 17
McGarrett Residence
"So, are you going to tell me, or do I have to ask?" Catherine began, holding up the sling she had found in the glove box when she was looking for a pen.
Steve had made it to the house and stood in the living room, longingly eyeing the couch. "Uhm... do you mind if I sit down while you yell at me?" He melted into the soft leather and closed his eyes, not quite able to avoid a small grunt of pain. When he opened his eyes and could see the worry on her face he knew he had to come clean. "No, you don't have to ask. I'm tired, my back has never stopped hurting, and my arm is broken. And don't even ask about the hip."
She sat next to him on the couch, just watching him, not speaking.
"I wasn't hiding anything," he quickly told her. "The pain is just part of the deal, you know that," Steve said and carefully stretched out his hurting left leg. Hissing when the pain deep in his muscles flared up again. He looked at his girlfriend with a crooked smile. "Besides, it's not like you could do anything about it anyway," Steve added, trying to explain why he had kept quiet about the pain he was almost constantly in.
"Oh, you think I can't do anything? Well, Commander, you are wrong about that," Catherine told him with a soft smile. "Come on upstairs and I'll show you what I can do to help with the pain."
"Lieutenant, are you propositioning me?" Steve asked while slowly standing up and turning towards the stairs.
"Something like that," Cath replied grinning.
The doorbell halted their ascent toward the bedroom. Steve hung his head but glanced out the window to see the UPS truck in the drive. "Did you order something?" he asked, opening the door.
"Not me," she replied, watching as he took a large padded envelope from the driver and signed the receipt. "Who's it from?" she asked.
"Huh?" Steve mumbled. "It's from Dr. Floras."
"Did you leave something at the office this morning?"
"Not that I know of," he replied, pulling open the package. A pair of long camo-colored briefs fell out into his hand.
"The doctor wants to make sure you don't go "commando"?" she asked with a grin.
"Nah, these are something new he said might help my back and hip. I'll give them a try in the morning."
Catherine leaned around him and locked the door then took his hand. "Let's enjoy tonight first," she whispered, gently pulling him toward the stairs.
H50 – H50 – H50
Steve was glad he had made it up the stairs without incident. Walking was painful, but walking up stairs was downright agony. He couldn't quite keep the grunt of pain in when he sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I need a shower," he said, but made no move to do so. He wasn't even sure he could get back onto his feet to make the short trip to the bathroom.
"What you need is a massage," Cath said, smiling down at him. "And maybe a shower afterwards."
"Massage?" Steve looked up and grinned. "Like the one in Singapore?"
"You wish," Catherine laughed. "Come on, get up, out of your clothes…"
"Wow, Lieutenant," Steve interrupted her, still grinning. "A little eager, aren't we?"
Cath stepped behind her now standing friend and gently let her hand wander down his body. "Seems that I'm not the only eager part," Cath whispered in his ear and slid her hand down the front of his pants.
Steve's breath hitched when he felt the added pressure to his burgeoning arousal. "This is a good start," mumbled while turning around to face her. "Almost like Singapore."
Catherine chuckled at that, remembering the unforgettable night in the city. "I hope it doesn't end the same way," she said laughing.
"Ah, Cath, where is your sense of adventure?" Steve asked and couldn't keep the smile out of his voice. He grinned at her when he slowly took off his button down shirt.
"Let me help you," Cath said and opened his belt, and very slowly opened the buttons of his fly. Fumbling more with the task than necessary. Before she allowed the pants to drop she bent down and opened the laces of his boots. "Don't think this will be a service provided on a regular basis." She looked up at Steve, still smiling.
"Wouldn't dare think of it," Steve said and took off his tee shirt. Only slightly wincing when the move tore on his sore ribs.
"You OK?" Of course the slight grimace didn't go unnoticed.
"Fine. Just sore," Steve assured her.
"Uh huh. Now, drop them," Cath motioned to the pants still hanging low on his hips.
Steve didn't need to be told twice. Seconds later he was only clad in his dark blue boxer briefs. But they also had to go.
"Lay down on the bed on your belly, I'll be right back."
"Yes, ma'am."
Steve watched her going into the bathroom and then lay down onto the bed as he was told. He sighed when he melted into the mattress. His battered body thankful to be in a horizontal position. A slight shiver ran over his exposed body and he grabbed the thin sheet and pulled it halfway over his back.
He couldn't help it when his eyes closed on their own accord. He fought valiantly, but as soon as he had lay down, he had lost the battle.
"Steve?" Cath looked down at her softly snoring friend. Smiling, she pulled a warm blanket over his body and slipped in bed next to him. "Massage in the morning, commander," she whispered in his ear.
H50 – H50 – H50
Sunday morning
McGarrett Household
Catherine lazily stretched in bed waiting for Steve to get out of the shower. The water had cut off a few minutes prior and she knew she needed to get up and get moving but the bed had been too tempting. She smiled while thinking back to their first wake up that morning. She had been awakened by feather light kisses along her shoulder blade and had grinned, rolling over to greet a wide-awake Steve. It had been a relief seeing that he was feeling better.
"Good morning, Lieutenant."
"Good morning, Commander," Catherine replied and gave in to the deepening kisses. "Seems that you slept well."
"Like a baby," Steve mumbled, but then stopped his advances and pulled back a little. "Sorry I fell asleep like that," he sheepishly said. "Didn't mean to ruin your plans."
"You obviously needed the rest, and there's still plenty of time to fulfill my plans," Catherine replied.
"Well, I guess it might come in handy that I'm not dressed," Steve told his girlfriend with a sly grin.
He had woken up half an hour ago, and after using the bathroom, slipped back into bed. Unable to fall back to sleep he was bored just minutes later and started his ministrations that ultimately woke Catherine.
"Are you suggesting that I should take advantage of that fact?"
"Absolutely," Steve replied and moved closer. "Take all you want," he whispered into her ear.
H50 – H50 – H50
They had both felt invigorated after her initial wake-up call but had ended up napping for almost another hour before Steve slowly got out of bed. She was concerned over his still-bruised body but he had assured her that he felt great. And looking into his eyes, she had believed him. Well, maybe she didn't believe the great, but she could tell he was doing OK. Or maybe it was their recent romp in bed, but whatever it was, he had looked much better.
Cath raised on her elbow when he opened the bathroom door. "Well, don't you look cute?" she said, eyeing him in the new camo compression shorts the doctor had had delivered.
"I thought I would have to be a contortionist to get into these things," he told her with a grin, turning in a circle for her to inspect every angle. "But I have to admit, I can already tell a difference in walking with them on."
"Then we will go online and order some more," Cath told him while sliding out of bed. "What time do you want to get to the hospital?" she asked.
"No special time," he replied. "Hey, why don't we get some take-out for Kelly and the Harts? We could stop by that shrimp place on the way to the hospital."
"That sounds good," she agreed. "I heard your dad leave while you were still in the shower, so if there isn't any coffee, why don't you start some?" she asked with a cheeky grin. "I'll cut up fruit for a quick breakfast."
"Got it," Steve told her while pulling on a shirt. "I want to call and see if we have updates on any lab work. Meet you downstairs."
H50 – H50 – H50
"Hey," Steve said to Freddie's parents when he and Cath entered the ICU waiting room. "You guys hungry?" He held up the plastic bags filled with food from the popular shrimp place down on the beach.
"Always," Mr. Hart replied, standing and shaking Steve's hand. "How're you doing, Steve? Freddie told us you were black and blue and he wasn't lying."
Steve grinned. "They're almost gone now. I'm a lot better this week. So, how are things?" he asked, giving Freddie's mom a hug.
"He's been amazing," she told them. "Kelly is in there with him now, so one of you can go on in. Freddie's alert and said he isn't in much pain, although he probably doesn't know how much pain meds he is on."
"As long as it keeps him comfortable," Cath told her. "Steve, I'll wait out here and you can go in if you want."
"Do you mind?" he asked. "Thanks. Which room?"
"He's in Cubicle 8," Mr. Hart said. "Here, I'll get you in." They walked to the door and he asked one of the aides to buzz Steve in.
Steve pushed aside the curtain over the doorway of Freddie's cubicle and smiled upon seeing the goofy look on his friend's face.
"Smooth Dog, my friend, come on in. Kelly, he's the smoothest Smooth Dog of them all," Freddie told his wife while he grinned at Steve. "Did I ever tell you how he got his name? It was—"
"OK, Hart, no need to bore your wife with details," Steve interrupted his friend with laughter in his voice. "How're you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm feelin' fine," Freddie assured him.
"I bet you do," Steve replied, noticing his friend's glassy eyes and sloppy smile. Steve looked to Kelly for confirmation of how her husband was doing.
She smiled while watching Freddie immediately fall asleep. "The doctor said he's doing amazingly well," she told Steve. "They just gave him something for pain, so he will be loopy for a couple of hours."
"You mean 'loopier'," Steve stated with a grin. "He's always about half baked."
"Yeah, that's Freddie," Kelly agreed. "It's good to see you," she said, moving to give him a hug. "Freddie said you and Catherine were living together. Congratulations. He also said you were going to pop the question any day now."
"Thanks," he replied. "And I never told him I was popping any question. Hey, Cath's in the waiting area, so don't go spreading any rumors, OK?"
"Your secret is safe with me," she told him smiling.
"We brought some shrimp plates if you're hungry," Steve told her.
Kelly laid her hand across her expanding belly. "We're always hungry," she assured him. "Thanks. Hey, I'll send Cath in while I eat. Do you mind staying for a little while?"
"Not at all," Steve assured her. "We're happy to stay."
"Before I go," Kelly began… "I want to thank you for agreeing to be guardian to this little girl," she told him. "It means so much to Freddie… to both of us."
"I'm happy to do it," Steve assured her. "But that's only on paper. Make sure you don't really need me."
"Will do my best, McGarrett. Now I can almost smell that shrimp. I'll be back in a bit."
"Take your time," Steve replied, looking back at his sleeping friend.
A few minutes later, Steve and Catherine were talking quietly when Freddie stirred. "Hey, Beautiful," he said with a smile. "And I wasn't talkin' to you, Dog."
"That's a relief," Steve deadpanned. "How're you doing?"
"I'm good," his friend said. "Well, probably still flying high, but I'm OK." He glanced around the room. "Where's my girl?"
"In the waiting room eating lunch," Cath told him. "She said she would be back in a few."
"So, Cath, do you have any questions about living with this schmuck? I mean, I've got experience. If you need to talk, just let me know."
"We're just fine, Freddie," she assured him with a smile. "But I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll be glad to straighten 'im out for you. Just sayin'."
"You can shut up now, Freddie," Steve said, turning when Kelly walked back into the room.
"Hey, visiting hours are almost over," she told her husband. "After that good lunch, I may have to find a corner to take a nap. Thanks for the shrimps plate."
"You're welcome," Catherine assured her. "We'll leave and let you two say goodbye."
"Call me if you need anything, Freddie," Steve told him.
"Yeah, man. And you call me if you need any, you know, advice on anything."
Steve rolled his eyes at his friend. "I think I'm good. Try to behave yourself."
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. You want me to shut up."
"That in itself would be a miracle," Steve replied, hugging Freddie's wife. "Kelly, call me if you need any help with this big lug."
"Absolutely. Thanks for coming by… and for the lunch. We both appreciate it," she said while patting her baby bump.
H50 – H50 – H50
"He seems to be doing really well," Cath said after they left the ICU wing.
"Hmm," Steve replied, obviously miles away.
"What's with the face?" Cath enquired.
"What?"
"You've been awfully quiet since we left ICU."
"It's nothing," he assured her.
"Something's bothering you. Are you in pain?" Cath asked and took a good look at her friend.
"No, I'm fine. I really do feel better. I just have a bad feeling about Freddie," Steve confessed his worry.
"His dad said the doc indicated everything should be back in working order and hopefully he won't need any more surgery."
"I know. I can't explain it… he really seems to be doing OK. I guess I'm just scared to lose him," Steve quietly said.
"You won't lose him," Catherine assured him.
Steve looked at her, wanting to believe her. "Those dreams were so real, Cath. When I wake up from them, it feels real. It feels wrong that Freddie is alive, or my dad. How horrible is it to say something like that?" Steve asked in distress, knowing that this was neither the time nor the place for talking about it. But it made him physically sick thinking about the dreams.
"Steve, listen to me," Catherine stepped closer, glad that they were alone waiting for the elevator. "I know how bad those dreams are. They are not like your usual nightmares. I can tell. But they are not real. Freddie is alive, and your dad is also doing fine."
"Yeah, I know."
"I'm not done. You know I'm here for you, I will listen if you need an ear. But maybe that is not enough this time?"
"What do you mean?" Steve asked, fully knowing what she was talking about.
"If these nightmares continue, you should see a professional."
"I know. And I will," Steve assured her. He had sought help before and was not ashamed to admit that sometimes an outside source was better than a well meaning friend.
"Good to hear." She paused when Steve hit the up button on the elevator. "Where we headed?"
"I want to check to see how Ms. Inoka is doing. She's on the third floor."
H50 – H50 – H50
Steve pulled out his badge for the guard on duty at Ms. Inoka's door. "Everything all right, Sergeant?"
"Yes, sir. Nothing suspicious at all."
"That's good. We will be a few minutes if you'd like to take a break."
"I'm fine, but thanks. My replacement will be here in half an hour."
Steve nodded and knocked on the door. After a weak "come in", he pushed open the door.
"Ms. Inoka, I'm Commander Steve McGarrett of the governor's task force and this is Lieutenant Catherine Rollins. If you feel up to it, we'd like to ask a couple of questions."
"Hi, of course," the young woman said, using the bedside button to increase lighting in the room. "But please call me Michelle." She winced in the glare from the lights.
"Oh, turn those back down," Cath told her. "No need to make yourself uncomfortable. Or at least more uncomfortable."
The young woman had a white patch at her hairline along with cuts and bruises on her face. Her left arm was in a sling held tightly to her body and her left leg was in a cast and propped on a pillow. "I'm OK," she assured them. "I consider myself very lucky, in fact."
Catherine took a seat near the bed and Steve chose to stand at the foot of it. "How long will you be in here?" Cath asked her.
"They said I had bruising around my heart and they want to make sure there's no permanent damage. But I have to stay until after they pull out that tube where they inflated my lung. There's still a chance I'll need another surgery."
"Please take it easy," Steve told her. "Your doctor Ok'd a short interview, but do you feel up to answering a few quick questions?"
"Yes, of course," she replied. "I still can't believe Ms. Jameson is really gone."
"What can you tell us about her trip?" Steve asked.
"Well, she now lives, I mean lived in Arizona, so my work is… well, it was part time. Johnny – that's the driver," she paused, "we-ah met her at the airport. She took the red-eye and arrived at six a.m. A park was being named for her and she was here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony."
"I know this is difficult, and I apologize," Steve began, "but could you please walk us through the morning? Anything stand out as odd?"
"No, not really," she replied, thinking about the beginning of her day. "The flight was on time and we were headed for Ms. Jameson's condo when we were rear-ended. Well, the car hit us on the left side. How's the lady in the other car? Is she all right?"
"You saw the driver of the other car?" Cath asked, glancing at Steve.
"Yes, I just got a glimpse when we hit. I mean…," she shivered at the memory. "Before we went through the railing. Is she in the hospital, too?"
"No," Steve replied. "Unfortunately the accident was a hit and run. We don't know who she was."
"It's strange," Michelle said. "I feel like I recognized her from somewhere. But probably not, I just got a glimpse."
"Could she have been anyone the governor knew?"
"I don't think so," the aide replied. "Why? You… you don't think this was deliberate, do you?"
"Michelle, we are still investigating, but yes, there is a good possibility this was no accident," Steve told her.
"But… why?"
"Do you know anyone who might want to hurt the governor?" Cath asked.
"No, well, I mean, she does still occasionally get hate mail, but I can't believe anyone would want to do her harm. She, well, I guess all politicians make enemies. But… I don't know. I wasn't working with her when she was in office, so I really can't answer anything."
"How about files? Are any of those still here on the island or did she take them with her?"
"Oh, we have files in the office. I work out of an office in her condo. But I don't know what they could tell you."
"Would you mind if I had someone take a look at them?"
"No, of course not," she told them. "In fact, I think my purse is in the closet. I can give you the key."
Cath went to the closet and found the purse.
"You can look for the keys," the aide said, wiggling the fingers of her broken arm. "This is gonna be a royal pain."
Steve held up his casted arm and grinned. "Tell me about it. Thank you, Michelle. You've been a great help. As a precaution, we have an off-duty officer by your door. Do you have anyone at home who can assist you?"
"I'm going to my sister's house when I get out of here. I'll be fine."
Catherine set her business card down on the bedside table. "If you think of anything else, or need us for anything, please give me a call."
"Yes, thanks. Oh, you will need the access code to turn off the alarm. It is 05225." She paused then asked, "Could you let me know if you find out anything?"
"Of course," Steve assured her. "Please take care. We'll get your key back to you."
H50 – H50 – H50
"Do you think we will find anything in the office?" Cath asked when they exited the hospital.
Steve shrugged. "I'm not sure. We don't even know what we're looking for." They paused on the sidewalk to allow a car to pass before heading to the truck, but both reacted when they saw the driver.
"Hey!" Steve said when the female turned to glance at them. She immediately sped off and turned, heading out of the parking lot.
Steve's first thought was to give chase but even on a good day, he was no match for a speeding car. He quickly reached for his phone and hit speed dial. "This is McGarrett with Five-0. I need an APB on a silver Jetta, partial license plate ENH. I didn't catch the last—"
"The last number was a seven," Cath said.
"ENH-blank, blank seven. Driver is female, Caucasian and a person of interest in an active murder case. She was just seen heading east on Lusitania leaving King's Hospital." He listened for a moment and then added, "Yes, thanks. Keep me apprised."
Steve put his phone back in his pocket and sighed while they headed toward the truck. "Damn it," he muttered.
"Yeah, I know," Cath agreed. "She's quite slippery, isn't she?"
"Not for long. We're gonna get her."
H50 – H50 – H50
"Wow," Cath said when she got out of the truck and looked at the ocean view from the cliff in front of Governor Jameson's condo and office. "Wonder if your Dad and Kilani looked at these when they were searching for a place to live?"
"Dad's pension is pretty good, but I'm guessing he would need a few more zeros on that pension check to justify this," Steve said while walking toward the door. "You have the key?"
She held it up before opening the front door which led into a light and open foyer. "Do you remember the alarm code?"
Steve was studying the alarm box and held up his hand for her to be quiet. "Yeah," he whispered, "but we don't need it. The alarm has already been disengaged."
He glanced around the open space while listening for any sounds in the house. A scrape of furniture upstairs got their attention and they both silently pulled their weapons.
Steve took the lead as they headed toward the stairs. They reached the second floor without incident and headed down the short hallway. The first room was what looked to be a guest bedroom and appeared empty. The second room was an empty bathroom, leaving only the last room on the right.
Steve stood outside the door with his weapon held in both hands; Catherine right behind him. He shoved the door back and they both entered the spacious bedroom. The room was empty but Steve saw someone headed over the balcony and he raced toward the open French doors.
"Steve, don't you dare. I'm on him," Cath shouted as she turned and raced toward the steps.
Just jogging toward the doorway caused Steve to realize he wasn't in any shape to run after a suspect. Although knowing that fact didn't help. He was frustrated at not being able to do his job and more than angry at himself for his limitations.
"Fuck!" Steve cursed under his breath and hit the balcony railing in frustration and pain from his injured leg muscles.
The intruder had jumped onto the attached garage roof and then jumped to the adjacent garage. Steve spotted him cutting through the back of the neighboring condo and shouted to Catherine which direction to pursue when she reached street level. He watched when she ran between the buildings and out of his line of sight.
Unfortunately, the person she was following had disappeared as well.
Steve limped back into the bedroom and glanced around. Boxes from the top of the walk-in closet were now on the floor, their contents scattered. The drawer in the bedside table had been turned upside down onto the bed and contents of drawers in the adjoining bathroom had been upturned. Steve holstered his weapon and pulled out his phone to call Duke before walking through the remainder of the house.
The downstairs office and the kitchen had been ransacked but Steve felt the intruder hadn't found what he was looking for. But, he had no clue what that might be.
He stepped outside to find Catherine walking back down the road between the condo and the ocean. She looked at him and shook her head.
"Sorry, Steve. I lost him."
He huffed and limped to the truck to wait for Duke's back up. "You shouldn't have had to give chase. It was my—"
"Stop it! I'm a part of this team, too, so it is also my responsibility. Steve, you can't do everything."
"I'm gettin' tired of not being able to function. I left you without back-up."
"Don't be ridiculous. I had no chance of catching him, I was in no danger. You know that." She reached over and squeezed his arm. "Hey, look at me." She waited a beat until she had his attention. "As much as I know you don't want to hear it, you've got to be patient."
"You're right," he replied. "I don't want to hear it." He turned away, but then glanced back at her and shook his head. "You don't deserve that. I'm sorry, Cath. I'll try to deal with it better."
"You're doing fine," she assured him. "Now what?"
"Duke's sending a team to check the house, but I'm guessing the guy had on gloves." He glanced down the street. "There are a couple random cars down the street. Let's run the tags. Maybe we'll get a hit."
She glanced behind her. "Good idea. I'll get that going now."
"You do that," he told her with a grin as he leaned against the truck. "I'll just stay here and pout until the team shows up."
Catherine smiled and glanced around. Seeing no one, she leaned toward him and gave him a quick kiss and a smile. "You're kinda cute when you pout, Commander."
"Go check the cars, Lieutenant," Steve told her with a stern voice, but with a smile on his face.
"Aye-aye, Sir."
H50 – H50 – H50