Winds of Change
FaThendom: Hawaii Five-O

Chapter 11: Laweʻia maiʻo Joe i ka home
(Bringing Joe Home)

"Present Arms", The Navy Lieutenant Colonel from the Joint Mortuary Affairs division called out, The Lieutenant, as well as Steve and Catherine standing to attention and saluting the coffin as it was moved onto the aircraft carrier, staying in that position till the casket was placed onto the carrier when they heard the Lieutenant Colonel call out another order, "Order arms", all three putting their arms back down to their sides, the Lieutenant Colonel shaking both their hands and once more offering her own condolences, knowing that they both knew Commander Joe White personally.

It was going to be a long six hour flight for the both of them.. However the moment that he was to step foot back onto Hawaiian soil, he felt like he could rest a little easier for a while.. This was his home and he was damned if anyone was going to make him feel uncomfortable in his own home.. This was exactly where he belonged.. Once a upon a time, he wasn't sure if Hawaii would ever feel like home again to him, but ever since he came home after his father was killed by Hesse, he felt home..

It wasn't going to be a long stay though.. They were there to say goodbye to Joe, brief the team and then head back to Montana.. They still had a lot of work ahead of them and he needed to talk to Harry Langford.. He had already decided to loop Harry in on this mission, He was one of the best MI6 Agents he had ever seen so there was no chance he was passing up the opportunity to have him by his side when the time came to kick some ass.

"So, have you talked to Danny again Steve?", Catherine interrupted his thoughts, looking to her left to catch his eye.. Steve sighed softly, and shook his head.. "No, I haven't had a chance to talk to him, let him know we were coming home just yet.. I was just too busy getting everything squared up and ready to go in Montana". Truth was, Steve wasn't sure he could deal with the sympathy gazes he knew he would be getting from them all, but he also knew he had to do it..

Nodding her head, she took his hand and squeezed gently, lacing their fingers together.. "It's going to be late when we get in, I know for a fact the Navy are organizing for Joe to be taken to the funeral home and all we need to do is go to the service in two days time, so when we get home, we should both get some proper sleep, and then we can meet the team up at HQ tomorrow.. I am sure they will all be there". She was good at guessing his emotions and how he felt, she knew him as well as, if not better then he knew himself.

Though Catherine had retired from the Navy, she had returned to the reserves and since both were in the reserves, both always carried a set of their Navy uniforms in their go bags in case they ever needed them.. Both were dressed in their respective uniforms, Steve in his dress blues, and Catherine in her dress whites.. Looking back over at the coffin that was in the middle of the cargo hold, the flag draped over it, it made her a little sad herself.. She may not have been as close to Joe as Steve had been all those years, but it made her think of all those that they had lost..

Staring blankly over at the coffin himself, Steve nodded his head.. His head was pounding, his heart aching, his stab wounds where he was stabbed in his own kitchen still taking their time to heal up properly and he was just unsure of himself and feeling a little lost.. His mother was god knows where doing god knows what, his father had been killed, his surrogate father now killed and he felt like everything was falling apart.. The only ray of light that Steve could see right now was that Catherine was referring to his place as home..

Squeezing her hand back softly, he smiled sadly and looked back over at her for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing a little.. "Have I told you how much I appreciate you being here Cath?". Leaning into him a little, she smiled back and nodded her head, pressing her lips chastely on his cheek, then moved back to her original position. Even though it was only them in the cargo hold, she still wanted to be as professional as she could whilst they were still in uniform. "Steve, there is no place else I'd rather be then here with you.. Come on.. I wasn't about to let you do this alone".

Smiling at her words, his heart melted, his body relaxing a little, How was it that she always managed to make him feel so much better with just simple words.. "I know".. It was still a few hours left of flight time left, and as tired as he was, he knew he would never be able to fall asleep.. He had slept in some weird places before, it was't the uncomfortable seats, it was more the situation that they found themselves in as to why he wasn't able to sleep on the plane.. He took the duty of taking Joe home seriously and with honor..

"Did you know Cath that when I was asked the question of who would I want to escort my body home.. I choose you". He needed her to know.. All these years and it wasn't something either of them discussed but each and every time they lost someone in combat, they both unknowingly to each other privately thought of the day they were asked that question.. The words never had to be said out loud, but Steve wanted Catherine to know that it had always been here, no matter where they stood, or if they were together or not, it had been her he requested.

Nodding her head, her eyes getting a little teary, she smiled.. "I always thought that it would be my father that I would ask... I couldn't think of anyone more suited.. then I met you and everything in my world changed.. I even discussed it with my parents and both of them agreed that there was no one else that should have that role besides you.. I always knew that if something should happen to me, it would be you", she accentuated, "that I would want to escort me home.. To be honest with you Sailor.. If the CIA had a similar policy, it would still be you".

A few short hours later, the aircraft had touched down onto Hickam Air Force Base airstrip and Steve and Catherine had exited the aircraft, once again rendering honors to Joe White by standing to attention and saluting the casket as it made it's way off the aircraft and into a hearse where it would be driven to the funeral home for final preparations for Commander White to finally be laid to rest, Steve and Catherine only letting their arms down once the casket had been fully loaded into the black hearse.

Standing not far away, leaning against his black camero was Danny Williams.. Catherine had let Danny know that they were on their way back to Oahu and the Detective had insisted on driving Steve and Catherine home knowing that when they got back to Hawaii, it would be late and they would need to catch a taxi or an uber. "Let's go home, get some sleep Sailor", Steve nodding at Catherine's words, picking up their bags that had been placed behind them and began to walk, Catherine walking close enough to him to let him know she was there but not break protocols.

As he walked towards the parking lot, he spotted Danny standing still on the airstrip near the camero and he turned his head towards Catherine, "You are just full of surprises aren't you Rollins", She smiled and chuckled softly, "I aim to please". Waiting till they were near the car, and Danny opened the boot of the camero, but before Steve had a chance to put their go bags in the boot, Danny pulled him into a tight hug, patting his back, offering his condolences, "I'm so sorry buddy.. We'll catch the son of a bitch". Hugging back tightly, he smiled softly, "Thanks Danno, and thanks for doing this.. It's late, but we really appreciate it".

Pulling away from Steve, he nodded, giving him a small smile, "Of course.. You know I'd do anything for you babe". The two might bicker and argue from time to time, but when all was said and done, these two would lay down their lives for each other. They had started out as strangers, but now.. Now they were best of friends, and Danny trusted Steve with his, and his kids lives, as Steve did with Danny.. Moving over to Catherine, he smiled as he opened his arms to her and hugged her tight, "It's good to see you Cath".

Smiling as she pulled back, she patted his shoulder, "Good to see you too Danny.. Steve had put the bags in the boot and closed it, "Keys?, he asked holding out his hand to Danny... Danny sighing softly and letting out a soft laugh, "I should have known a six hour plane ride wouldn't deter you from wanting to take over my car.. I'll let you drive.. only because I know you probably miss driving the camero". Catherine smiled at the exchanged and went to get in the back of the car, "Nope, you my friend can sit up front with Steve.. I gotta get out anyway when I get to your place to drive back home".

It did make Danny wonder how and when Catherine had gotten to Steve so quickly after Joe's death, though to be honest.. He didn't mind it at all.. He always said that being with Catherine made Steve a better version of himself and he still felt that sentiment was true even now. He was still a little hesitant in Catherine's motivations and how long she might be around, not wanting Steve to be hurt anymore then he already was right now, but he did have to admit that he seemed a little more relaxed with her around.

At some point he would want more information but for now, he didn't want to pester his friends with too many questions, both looked like they had gone through the wringer the last several days so he decided to leave it, though he knew that neither of them would get away with being on the island for the short time he had them here without a talk of some kind with them one on one. He had already texted Grace and let her know Steve was home for a short time so she would want to come and see him as well.. He hadn't let her know about Catherine though, deciding to surprise her with that one, knowing that Grace really missed having her Aunt in her life.

Author Notes:

Thank you all for the follows, favorites and comments.. I appreciate it all and it really makes the difference when it comes to writing.. You always want to write more when people are excited to read your words.. This chapter, I took some of the inspiration from the episode where Junior escorted an airman back to Oahu for this one. I'll be getting my other two stories updated this week at some stage as well if anyone is wondering.

Shout outs:

SteveMcGarrettLover:

Awe thank you so much for your support.. I do believe a lot of them have meddled, even Danny when he asked if she was staying before she left in season 6. I think they all know that Steve and Catherine are the real deal.