Here is the next chapter for our story. We know it took a long time to get this out to you, but we promise we will never abandon a story and not finish it.

This one will be done before Christmas. So, we hope you will hang in there and enjoy the future chapters.

Thanks to everyone for reading, and even more so to everyone who took the time to leave review.

A Wrinkle in Time – Chapter 19

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific was vast. And somber. On the drive up the mountain through non-descript neighborhoods, one would never have guessed it was nestled in the crater at the top. Green grass with white stones dotted the landscape, and from the vantage point on top of the crater, the view of the city below was staggering.

He stood apart from the others, his back ramrod straight in his dress blues, his cover keeping his face in shadow. Taps had been played while the flag had been folded and presented to the family.

The service was over and he remained quiet and motionless; his only movement had been when he walked away from the rest of the mourners to stand alone. His friends were concerned for him. Losing a friend was hard enough, but they knew this pair had been more than friends. The team knew this was a hard blow. One they hoped he could move past.

She kept a close watch on him, knowing how much he was hurting. They had spoken to Kelly and Freddie's parents right after the funeral and now people were heading back to their cars lined along the service road. He must have realized this because he came to attention and saluted the freshly-dug grave before turning toward her, numbness still etched on his face.

Immediately she thought back to earlier that week when he had learned of his best friend's death…

The previous Monday, Tripler Army Medical Center

Cath had never seen such devastation clearly written on his face. She cautiously walked over and gently laid her hand on his arm.

He didn't even seem to notice her. He was standing in the hospital hallway, his gaze one of despair and deep pain.

"Steve?" she softly spoke to him, getting no immediate reaction; she tried again. "Steve?"

Finally he focused on her and she could see a merit of emotions washing over his face; shock, disbelief, and finally confusion. She could see how he slowly, ever so slowly emerged from the horrors of despair he had been trapped in.

"Cath?" she heard him whisper, as if speaking her name out loud would make her disappear.

"Steve, I am so sorry about Freddie."

"What? Freddie? I was just told you were dead," Steve replied in a choked-up voice.

Catherine watched tears pooling in his eyes; a second later she found herself in a hug that threatened to crush her.

"Catherine, I thought you were dead. He said…"

"I'm here. I'm OK. I swear," Catherine assured him. "The car is a wreck though," she added as an afterthought.

H50 – H50 – H50

Steve pulled into the drive and parked behind Grover's Escalade. He turned off the ignition and sat there, staring ahead.

"Steve, we should have cancelled tonight," Catherine told him. "This isn't time for a party."

"It isn't a real party," he argued. "And all that fish would have gone to waste."

He turned his head and gave her a lopsided smile. "After Dad and I worked at getting it, everyone at least needs to enjoy it. But," he added, turning sideways in his seat to check her out, "are you feeling up to this?" He reached out his fingers and lightly touched the bruise forming at her hairline where she had impacted the window in the car door.

"I'm fine," she assured him, reaching for his hand and kissing his fingers. "It's you I'm worried about."

Steve sighed and glanced away. "I'll be... OK. It was just a shock happening now," he explained. "I mean…" he hesitated once again. "I expected to get the call right after it happened. I had seen Freddie and knew… it was bad. But once he got here, I thought maybe things were looking up." He looked back at Cath. "But Freddie knew. He didn't come out and say it, but he knew."

"And you can't stop thinking about your dream either," she added.

Steve opened his door. "No, I can't," he admitted before slamming it shut and moving around the front of the car to help her out. He hugged her tightly to him when she stood beside him. "Do me a favor, huh?" he asked.

"Sure, anything."

"Let's not talk about Freddie tonight. I just need some time to… process."

"Yes, of course," Cath told him. "Now isn't the time."

H50 – H50 – H50

They hadn't reached the house before the door opened, Grover and Renee standing there waiting for them. Grover stepped out onto the porch, wrapping Cath in a bear hug.

"Hey, Girlfriend, are you OK?"

"Yeah, yeah, I am," she assured him, speaking into the larger man's chest.

"You sure know how to scare the beejeebies outta a man."

"And his wife," Renee added. "Now let her go so I can hug her."

Cath turned to Renee and teared up. "My car's a mess," she said.

"As long as you're OK, all is good," Renee told her. "Cars can be fixed."

Grover and Steve made eye contact. "That they can," Grover agreed. "And Duke is on it."

"Thanks," Steve said in a low voice as they entered the house. "Hey, everyone, sorry we're late."

John came and gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek. "I think you had good reason," he stated while looking her over.

"I'm OK," she whispered to him.

John nodded. "Good. Are you hungry? We were just about ready to eat."

Steve walked through the people, greeting them on his way to the back lanai. "I need to check this fish," he commented.

Danny turned toward Cath and gave her a once-over. "You know, you need to be careful, Cath. Steve's last partner is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries."

Cath gave him a shocked, half smile and didn't reply, instead searched for Steve to see if he had heard. Watching as his back stiffened, she knew that he had.

"Hey, Dad," he said, quickly seeking out his father and touching his arm. "You guys go on and eat… I think I'll go upstairs and clean up a bit. Be back down in a couple."

Cath watched as Steve retraced his steps back to the staircase, trying to decide whether she should follow or give him space.

John caught her eye and she could see the questions in his when he slightly shook his head. He then motioned everyone toward the back of the house. "You heard him, let's eat. The fish is better hot."

When she reached John's side, she whispered, "Freddie died this afternoon."

He sighed and put his arm around her. "Aw, shit." He glanced up the steps and added, "Let's give him a few."

"Right."

Grover followed the team toward the back yard before being stopped by his wife. "Something's wrong with Steve," she told him. "Maybe you should go make sure he's OK."

"What? Woman, he's fine. Had a bit of a scare with Catherine. I'm sure that's all it is."

Renee shook her head. "Uh unh, it's more than that. His look would be relief if that was all it was." She glanced up the stairs. "He's sad. I still think something else is going on."

"What I'm hearing is that I'm not eating until I go check on him, right?"

Renee leaned into him for a quick hug. "I think you're hearing right. Go on; check on Steve. I'll make a plate of food for you." Renee continued to the back yard and stopped when she reached Catherine and John.

"I'm not sure what's going on," Renee told them, "But I sent my man up to make sure Steve's OK."

"Thank you," Cath told her. "It's been a rough day."

"Yeah," John agreed. "And Steve could use a friend right now."

H50 – H50 – H50

Grover started to tap on the open bedroom door, feeling like a trespasser. But he then saw Steve leaning against the window, staring into the distance. And in that one glance, he knew that Renee had been right.

"Hey, man, you OK?"

"Huh, what?" Steve turned around, startled. He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, uh, sure. Just trying to unwind."

"Well, you know, my wife has a real good eye for people. She wanted me to check up on you. And I think she's damn right. What's going on? Are you OK?"

Steve nodded, then looked at his new friend. And knew he couldn't keep up the lie. He sighed. Rubbed his eyes with both palms. Sighed again and looked back out the window. "No, things aren't OK. When… when I got to the hospital, I learned Cath was gonna be OK, but then I found out that Freddie had just died. He-ah-he had a blood clot in his brain and… he had a massive stroke."

"Aw, man, I'm so sorry," Lou said, knowing that 'sorry' didn't mean a thing in a situation such as this.

"Yeah... me, too," Steve quietly said. "Did I tell you that Kelly – Freddie's wife – is gonna have a baby? He was so looking forward to being a dad."

"Yes, you did. This is rough, man. Anything we can do to help?"

Steve glanced back at his friend. "No, not right now. But thanks. I almost lost it over Danny's comment down there."

"Yeah...without even knowing it, he manages to insert foot in mouth quite frequently. Maybe someday he will learn to think before he speaks."

Steve snorted. "I doubt that. Come on, let's go get some fish before it's all gone."

"You gonna be OK?"

Steve thought for a moment. "Yeah, I will be."

H50 – H50 – H50

The two friends joined the others on the lanai where Cath nearly attached herself to Steve's side, in protective mode. She watched as Grover nodded to Renee and whispered something in her ear and was thankful to know that Steve had confided in his friend.

"How's the fish?" Steve asked, accepting his plate from Catherine.

"Fantastic," Chin assured him. "You guys did well for this impromptu trip."

"Yeah, fishing in more ways than one," John added. "It was a good morning."

"I knew I smelled fish after you got to the office," Danny told them.

"Gee, maybe you should be a detective or something," Steve teased.

"Very funny."

"Why didn't Rachel come tonight?" John asked. "You did invite her, right?"

"Yeah, of course I did," Danny replied. "But Grace had homework and Rachel wanted to make sure it was done before bedtime. One of us needed to be there."

"Chin, is Malia working tonight?" Steve asked.

"She was," Chin said with a nod. "I got a text about ten minutes ago and she is on her way." His phone buzzed and he checked the message, heading toward the front of the house. "Save some fish fellas, here she is now."

After everyone had their fill of fish, they migrated to the beach, seated in chairs or on beach blankets, watching the moonbeams dance over the water.

The friends were talking and laughing while exploring their newly-found friendships.

Steve was seated next to Cath on one of the blankets, leaning back on his elbows on the sand. He was quiet, listening to the others laughing and ribbing each other as friends do. With a glance at Cath, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his bent knees.

Catherine reached out and circled his wrist with her hand, knowing what he was about to do and offering her support.

"Hey, guys," Steve began. "I-uh, I need to tell you something."

The group quieted down and turned toward him.

"Yeah, what's up?" Danny asked.

"I don't have any details yet, but I may be taking off a few hours later in the week. My… Freddie had a stroke earlier today. He didn't make it."

"I'm sorry, Son," John said. "I know you two were great friends."

"Yeah," Steve said with a nod.

"We're so sorry, Steve," Chin commented. "Why didn't you cancel this? You don't need all of us here tonight."

Steve shook his head. "No, I think this is just what I did need," he admitted. "Thanks for coming."

Catherine watched the expressions play across Danny's face, knowing that he wished he could kick himself. And she would like to help him.

Danny leaned forward in his chair. "Hey, man, sorry for the stupid-ass comment earlier. I'm so sorry your friend died."

Steve nodded his thanks. Before he could speak, "Aloha!" was heard from the side of the house. "What's going on back here?"

The team turned at the sound of the familiar voice. "Uh, oh," Danny called out. "Neighbors must have called the cops for a noise disturbance on the beach."

"Nah, I just smelled the fish," Duke said with a smile, looking at the table full of covered food as he walked past.

"Help yourself," John told his friend, meeting him on the grass and shaking his hand. "There's plenty to go around."

Duke looked at the group of friends on the beach. "I might just do that. But first, Steve, could I talk to you for a minute?"

Steve nodded and got ready to stand, looking up at Lou's outstretched arm to help hoist him up.

"Thanks's man."

"Any time, my friend," Grover said in a low voice. "You good?"

Steve nodded, slapping the older man on the back. He headed toward the house, motioning Duke to follow him.

Cath, John, Chin, Lou and Danny followed them. When Duke reached the porch, he turned around only to see the group surrounding him.

John explained, "We're a team. Fill us all in at the same time."

Steve nodded and Duke began, looking first at Cath and then at Steve. "You were right, Steve, the brake line was cut."

"What?" Catherine exclaimed. "I thought the new car just had faulty brakes."

"That's highly unlikely," John explained. "That's why we had the car towed to our lot and checked."

"So, it was deliberate," Steve said quietly, reaching for Cath's hand. "We are stepping on some toes. And you took the brunt of it."

"Hey, I'm OK," she reminded him.

"My bet is that Noshimuri is running scared," John told the group.

"Which means he won't stop," Steve added.

"Until we stop him," Chin said with conviction.

H50 – H50 – H50

Wednesday Afternoon

After the funeral the team members were back at work, waiting on Steve and Catherine who had stopped at home to change out of their uniforms. Their afternoon plan was to go over the entire case piece by piece to try and fill in some gaps. On the screens above their heads were head shots of Jenna Kaye, Adam Noshimori and Kono.

"So, you solved this yet?" Steve asked, seeing his team hard at work.

"We just fill in the pieces," Lou replied. "It's the head honcho's job to solve the damn thing."

Chin shook his head. "And good luck with that."

Steve set down one of the drink carriers they brought with them. "We just brought you some brain food, maybe that will help."

He and Cath began passing out coffee from one of their local shops. "Maybe this will help us get more creative."

"You're the man," Grover said with a smile, accepting a cup from Catherine.

"What brought this on?" Danny asked, taking a beverage from Steve.

Steve shrugged. "Just a thank you for all your help this week. I-," he glanced at Cath, "we really appreciate all of what you have done. You kept the ball rolling around here, and," he paused once again, "you came to Freddie's funeral. That meant a lot."

"Of course we came," Chin told him. "That's what Ohana does."

"Well, I appreciate it," Steve said with a toast of his cup. He glanced up at the screen. "So, any progress at all?"

"Well, I had a very interesting call from Michelle Inoka when I got here," Chin told him. "She was watching TV… by the way she said she was feeling much better and appreciated the police cruiser out front… anyway, on TV she saw Cousin Kono's lipstick commercial."

"Lip gloss," Danny interjected.

"Whatever," Chin said with a sigh. "Michelle realized Kono is one of the people she saw in the car before they were pushed off the road. She knew she had seen her someplace, but couldn't remember where until she was watching TV."

"So, Kono lied about the car being stolen," Catherine said.

"Apparently," Chin agreed. "Now we need to figure out who the driver was."

"I might be able to help with that," a voice said from the doorway. They turned in unison to see who was there.

A split second later, Steve, Catherine and Lou all had their weapons trained on the intruder.

H50 – H50 – H50