A/N: I love these characters. I love the way they interact with one another, the many facets of their personalities and the potential for making them so much more.

I also love angst. If you read any of my other stuff you know that I'm heavily into angst and hurt/comfort. Too heavily into it sometimes and I'm afraid that is what has happened to this story. Please, I'm begging you, please tell me if this isover the top with angst, tell me if it sucks, tell me if you think the characters are so far off that it should be labled AU ... I'm afraid it sucks and that is making it so hard to continue and I hate to leave it unfinished.

Long ago and far away

Chapter 10 – Hearts of stone

The ride to the hospital in Honolulu was a blur. He brushed off the officer that followed him, making sure that he told the doctor exactly what Rick had told him about the medications he'd been given. TC paced outside the treatment room where Magnum had been taken, Rick had been whisked upstairs, no one had told him anything about what was going on and it made him nervous.

Finding himself the center of attention from half the Honolulu police force, TC told them everything he knew, which wasn't much. After Thomas had been treated, he filled in Lieutenant Tanaka on the rest.

Magnum fussed with the sling, grimacing when he shifted his wounded shoulder. "The short story is this: Brooke and Harrison conspired to kill Mia in order to get the estate. Dr. Harrison was drugging Rick to make it look like he was dangerous enough to be blamed for Mia's murder. Rick killed Harrison and Marcus in self-defense."

After what seemed like an eternity of questioning, Higgins showed up with a change of clothes for Thomas. "Really Magnum," he said arching an eyebrow, "You do get into the most dire and dirty situations."

"Have you heard anything about Rick?" Magnum asked, trying to figure out how to get into his shirt with the sling still on.

"He's upstairs." Higgins unbuckled the sling and helped Magnum pull the shirt on. "He's stable and that's all they're saying at the moment."

TC grinned as Thomas managed to get the straps on the sling tangled. "Here." He straightened the straps and fastened it securely.

After questioning three doctors and five nurses they finally found out where Rick was. Dr. Collins led them to the room where Rick was. The room was plexiglass on three side, the fourth being the brick wall of the building and windowless. There was no furniture in the small room. "It's an observation room, we use it for drunks and drug addicts." He explained.

"Do you have to put him in that thing?" Magnum asked, not liking the fact that Rick had been encased in a straight jacket.

"He's going to be combative for the next several hours, I'd rather that he didn't hurt any of the staff or himself."

"It's just not right, TM. We can't leave Orville like that." Said TC

"Is there not someplace safe you could place Mr. Wright, someplace he'd be less likely to injure himself or others?" Higgins asked.

"The hospital has a private room upstairs but it's reserved for the use of visiting dignitaries and such. Even if you could get it, it's expensive."

"We shall see." Higgins replied coldly, then left.

"Can we go in with him?" TC asked, "Talk to him?"

"He's in a highly agitated state, even restrained in the straight jacket he's attacked the nursing staff."

"Please?" TC asked.

"He knows us," Thomas added, "maybe we can help him."

Dr. Collins watched Rick for a few moments before agreeing. "But if he becomes violent towards you, I insist that you leave."

"Can't you give him something to calm him down?" Magnum shifted his arm in the sling and winced.

"The drug that was administered to him that caused this state also drops the blood pressure, anything we give him to calm him would only decrease his blood pressure further and could result in brain damage or death."

"Oh." Thomas smiled slightly as he watched TC crabwalk to where Rick sat on the floor. He couldn't hear the words but he knew that TC must be telling Rick not to be afraid. TC sat down in front of Rick, reaching out slowly, palms up, to touch his friend.

Rick flinched away fearfully and TC didn't pursue him, just sat back speaking calmly.

"Thanks Doc." Magnum entered and heard the door lock behind him. He stood for a moment at the door while TC explained to Rick that neither of them were going to hurt him.

"Hey Rick." Magnum approached slowly, hands out, "It's Thomas."

"Where is Gary?" Rick asked.

"Gary?"

"Captain Hargis, what have you done with him?" Rick demanded.

Magnum exchanged glances with TC, "Umm, I'm not sure where he is right now but I'm sure he's safe."

Rick laughed harshly, "Safe, yeah."

"Is there anything we can do for you?"

"I ain't tellin' you nothin'." Rick growled. "Do your worst."

"We're not going to hurt you, Rick."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" he shouted.

Thomas looked confused, "It's your name."

"Wright, Orville W., 529-56-90, U.S.M.C."

TC nodded, motioning Thomas to look behind him. Higgins stood outside in the hallway beckoning to them.

"Hey Orville, we'll be right back, okay." TC tried to pat Rick on the shoulder but the other man twisted away from the touch.

Higgins had a satisfied smirk on his face as they joined him in the hallway. "Dr. Collins is having the private room upstairs prepared. Rick will be moved up there shortly." He spared a glance at Rick, "Perhaps Magnum, you could go to Rick's and pack him some more … suitable garments to wear while he is here."

"You got the room? How did you do that?"

"I called Master Robin, he is not without connections here."

"But what about the cost?"

"Master Robin has insisted on covering all the bills incurred."

TC sighed in relief. "You think they'll take that monkey suit off him?"

"Provided we can keep him calm, I believe that the doctor will find it reasonable to remove the restraints." Higgins nodded.

"TM, you want me to go to Rick's with you?"

"I can accompany Magnum, TC it might be easier on Rick if you were to be with him while they transfer him upstairs."

"Yeah, Higgybaby, I suppose you're right, I'll stay with Orville."

Higgins drove to Rick's house. It was a quiet trip except for Magnum's occasional gasps of pain when he inadvertently jostled his arm. "Are you aiming for every pothole or is it just an accident?" he complained.

Higgins grumbling something Magnum couldn't understand as they pulled into the driveway.

"I suppose you have a key?" Higgins asked.

"Nope." Magnum pulled a small leather case out of his pocket, "I have this." Even one handed, Thomas could pick the lock easily.

"Wouldn't it be easier to get a key?"

"Easier, yes," Magnum opened the door and stepped in. "Just not as much fun."

Higgins followed Thomas to the bedroom, "There's probably an overnight case in the closet." Thomas pointed to one of the other doors.

Higgins found a case, set it on the dresser and began filling it with the attire he thought Rick might need. "Magnum, what are you snooping into?"

"It's pictures from 'Nam." He was looking at them and dropping them into a box. "And I'm not snooping, they're all over the bed."

Higgins joined Magnum, he picked up a picture, "AHC." Higgins squinted at the photo. "The Crimson Angels."

"Let me see." Magnum said, "This looks kinda like Rick." Magnum pointed to a dark haired man sprawled across the seat of one of the choppers.

Higgins flipped the picture over and read aloud the words on the back. 'Orvi 270, Shan Lo 1967.'

"Orvi? Orville?" Thomas took the picture from Higgins, "Rick was a Crimson Angel? Those guys were the best gunners in 'Nam; the NVC used to think that just saying their name would bring them down on them."

Magnum opened up a flat black box, inside were medals and ribbons. He bit his lip and closed the box with a snap. "I met TC during my second tour, it was before Rick was assigned to his HU. The first time I met Rick I thought he was the craziest guy I'd ever seen." Magnum sat on the bed spreading the pictures out idly, "He was so damn jumpy, I couldn't figure out how a kid like him had gotten into the corps. TC said he was the best damn gunner ever, Rick could pick the bars off a VC officer at 400 yards." Magnum laughed, "But if you took him to a bar and a fight started Rick was the first one to duck and cover."

"We should take these back to the hospital with us," Higgins gathered up the pictures and papers and placed them carefully back in the box. "It might help us to understand what Rick is going through."