Winds of Change
Pairing: McRoll
Chapter 13:
The funeral was small, it consisted of Steve, Catherine, Danny, Lou, Junior, Tani, Adam, Jerry, Max even joined in. He happened to be back on the island visiting his and Sabrina's family, and had heard about the news. Wade Gutches was there as well, there were a few others from the Navy in Pearl that knew him and other than that, a few members of HPD showing their respects for a decorated Naval officer.
Though both Steve and Catherine tried to find Doris, neither of them could track her down.. They both thought she would have wanted to be there, but she must have gone to ground again because even Catherine's contacts in the CIA couldn't find her. Steve had all but given up on finding her again, his mother popped up when she wanted to be found.
Steve had phoned Mary to let her know, and Mary had wanted to come in for it.. She didn't spend a lot of time with Joe White, but she appreciated everything he had done for her brother, and she wanted to be there for him, but at the same time, Steve knew that it was all going to happen quickly and she wouldn't be here in time, plus he was not willing to risk her or Joan's safety until he had caught the man behind this attack.
Before the service started, Steve had managed to express his wishes to have Joe's body cremated so that he could scattered half in the ocean and then half in Montana in his ranch. It was tough to get through and throughout it, Catherine sat by his side, they were on the the USS Missouri.. It brought back memories for her, it was where Billy Harrington had his own service, and she struggled with the emotion and the pain it brought back..
"You can do this Steve", she whispered, taking his hand in hers to squeeze as he stood up to say a few words.. Wearing his service dress white uniform, compete with gloves and his cover, Catherine wearing a black dress, he smiled softly, squeezing back gently before he took his place at the microphone.
"I first met Joe White as a young impressionable man, I was only around eight when I met him for the first time.. He served with my father in the Navy and then he quickly became known to Mary and I as Uncle Joe.. As most of you here know, I went to the Naval academy after my father sent myself and Mary to the mainland, and I went onto join the Navy myself. Joe White became my Commanding officer and more then that, he became a mentor, and a second father.. He got me through military training and pushed me hard through my BUD/S training".
Sighing softly, he lowered his head for a moment, bracing himself and then taking a breath, and lifting his head up once more.. "I owe that man my life many times over.. and he died protecting me.. Joe White impacted my life in ways that I'll never truly understand, he helped to shape me into the man I am today, and his death won't be in vain.. I'll see to it that justice is served.. I just hope that both the most important men in my life are up there having a beer for us now.. I know they will be sit there and hope I don't do anything stupid or crazy, but then again, it's nothing neither of them wouldn't have done".
Walking over to the coffin, he put his hand on it, feeling how crisp the wooden box felt, the texture of the paint, closing his eyes, taking in the scent of the flowers and wreaths that sat on top of the coffin.. "You once told me that you wanted your ashes scattered in the ocean and on your ranch.. I'll make sure your wish is granted buddy, one last ride, you and I.. Hooyah".
With that, he walked back over to his seat next to Catherine and sat down, listening to the rest of the service.. He was given a full military service, and as the guns on the USS Missouri went off, both Steve and Catherine stood up, Steve slowly raising his arm in a final salute to his father figure, holding back tears.. He knew if he cried now, there would be no stopping it, so he had to remain focused.. He could grieve later on.
After the service, the man officiating the proceedings, Peter Garcia, whom would be used later on for Doris's service, came and spoke to Steve, letting him and Catherine know when Lieutenant Commander White's remains would be ready.. "You can come pick them up around five this evening.. Again, Commander, Lieutenant, I am very sorry for your loss". Steve nodded, and thanked the man, shaking his hand, saying they would be there at five.
Walking off the ship, he smiled when the rest of the team were waiting for them.. All hugging him and offering their condolences, "Max, buddy, I'm touched you are here". Steve had always had so much time for the former HPD medical examiner, and it was nice to see him here.. "Sabrina and I are here visiting family, I stopped in to see how Noelani was doing and she made me aware of Commander White's death.. He was very kind to me when I was shot and had to undergo surgery, I believe he stayed at the hospital the entire time, so I owe him a great deal of gratitude.. Sabrina would have come to offer her condolences but alas she is a little under the weather".
Smiling softly, he appreciated the fact that Max had taken time out from his family visit to be there for him, and for Joe.. "I really appreciate you being here, he was concerned about you that day, I do believe he took a liking to you, so it's nice to see you here.. I'm sorry I can't visit with Sabrina as well, but Catherine and I have a plane to catch tomorrow morning, we need to be back in Montana.. I'm sure the team has briefed you.. I can't let this one go, I need to get justice for Joe".
Nodding his head, Max nodded, "I understand Commander", at the look Steve gave him, he corrected himself, "I mean Steve.. If you need anything, please, let me know.. I need to take my leave now, Sabrina wanted me to pick up a few things for her at the store on my way home". After saying goodbye to Max, Steve began to walk back to the car, Catherine walking beside him, the rest of the team following.. "I want answers, and I want to get my man..".
Danny whom was walking now far behind, tugged on the back of his shirt which caused Steve to stop and turn around, "Woah, you are going back to Montana? What the hell Steve, I mean what's the matter with you? We can get him from here, the resources five-o has, we can get the bastard.. You and Rambo-ette there don't have to gun ho this yourself.. You have a full team to back you up".
He sighed and took a breath, "I know Danny, but this bastard whoever he is, he knows where I live.. What's to say he won't try again if he finds out there is still a member of the team left". Looking at him with a dumbfounded face, "They know where Joe's ranch is, what are you kidding me? Whats to say they won't try again there you maniac".
It was hard to get Danny to understand but he needed this to be on the down low… What he was going to be doing was using his military training to get the answers he needed and he couldn't do that here as five-o.. As much immunity and means they had, he couldn't take it that far.. "They will be far away from you and the rest of the team.. I am trying to keep the team safe.. I just lost my whole SEAL team Danny, I can't lose my Ohana.. I can't lose you guys.. plus what Catherine and I are going to be doing is using her CIA resources, and both of our military training to do this.. We can do this, and when we need you Danny, we will bring you aboard.. You just gotta trust Cath and I".
Starting to walk ahead of Steve, he muttered as he walked past him, "You better not get yourself killed or I'll kill you myself". He knew that statement didn't make sense but he couldn't help himself.. "Yeah, love you too Danno". The rest of the team had to get back to work, and so said their goodbyes, and good lucks and call if you need anything, anything at all speech and then took off..
It was just the three of them, Steve driving the camaro back to his house and jumping out, Danny letting Catherine whom insisted on the backseat out turned to her and hugged her tight.. "Keep him safe for me". Catherine smiled and nodded, hugging back, "I will Danny, I promise… and we'll keep you in the loop". Walking into the house, she left Danny and Steve to talk for a moment.. "So, if you need a ride in the morning, let me know.. I'll come pick you up so you don't need to take the truck".
Leaning into Danny, Steve hugged him tight, "That would be nice actually, we have to leave at eight to be at the airport for a nine am take off.. Listen buddy, thanks for everything you did today.. It meant a lot that you had this all done and organised". He sighed against his shoulder and then pulled away, "I might find you a pain in the neck, but I do love you Steve, you are my best friend and I know Joe was important to you.. I gotta head off, picking Gracie up soon from her mothers, you take care and call me for anything, and I don't care what time it is here alright".
After Danny left, Steve headed inside and changed his clothes.. He didn't often wear his Naval uniforms much anymore, he was still a reservist technically but the Navy knew how high priority Steve was needed on the island with five-o, so they tended not to bother him with call ups unless they absolutely had to.
Later that afternoon, after the sun was beginning to set on the island, they were outside in the back yard, shoes off and toes and feet being wet as they walked into the water.. Wading out to about their knees, the crematorium had remembered Steve's wishes and had measured out the ashes, putting half in one urn and the other half in another urn. Taking the lid off, Catherine standing by his side, and her arm wrapped around his back, her head on his shoulder, she watched as he tipped the urn inside down and watched the ashes float into the water.. "Godspeed Joe, and Rest In Peace.. We'll miss you".
Continuing to watch the ashes as they settled into the water, Steve put the lid back on and held it in one hand, his other snaking around Catherine's side, leaning in and kissing her head as they watched in silence, no other words needed to be said, they continued to watch till it appeared the ashes had all began to float away with the current, and they tuning around, they began to walk back into the house, one more nights rest before they needed to focus on catching the bastards that did this.