Dear readers, thank you all so much for patiently waiting for the final chapter. I won't bore you with any excuses. I'm truly sorry it took so long to post this chapter. Please know that even if this might happen again with one of the next stories, I will never abandon a story.

A huge thanks to Cokie for her help and encouragement. Thank you my friend.

This was an incredible journey and this story is very dear to my heart. It has a great personal meaning for me and I like to thank all of you for embracing this very different story in such a positive way. You have no idea what that means to me.

Purple Heart – Chapter 16

Pentagon – Washington D.C. – Late Spring 2006

In the last week, they had witnessed countless raids, OPs and just plain marching on the dusty roads. But after spending endless hours in front of their computer screens... a task which still gave Steve a headache after a long day, they were finally sure where the insurgence's headquarters was located.

"Cath, I'm telling you this is it," Steve said and pointed to the house on the screen. The same house he had pointed out two days ago.

But back then their CO had wanted more facts before they would send in a team. Now Steve was certain they had enough proof to convince their CO to green-light a raid.

"Are you sure, Steve?"

"Positive. Yes, I'm sure." Steve had had enough skepticism from everyone by now.

"Steve, we just need to make sure that the Intel is correct. We can't send anyone in with bogus Intel."

"Don't you think I know that? I went in often enough with sketchy Intel on the target." Steve knew it didn't make sense to go off on Catherine like that, so he took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Listen, Catherine, every person we followed has, at some point, ended up at this house. They always leave well equipped. I'm telling you, this is their headquarters."

"Okay. We will present this to Commander Brennan, and I'm sure he will make the necessary arrangements."

"You don't sound convinced." Steve shook his head and simply didn't know how to change her mind.

She had seen the same footage he had, and still their opinions about what they had witnessed differed greatly. Steve knew, or at least suspected, it was because of their different backgrounds. Steve didn't stop to think about the political hurdles they would have to overcome.

He hated bureaucracy with a passion, and his most important goal was to take the threat away from his fellow men. He was sure no one in D.C. wanted to see their forces in danger, but their approach to changing something was very different.

And one thing was very clear for Steve; he could never work in Washington on a permanent basis.

Steve had nothing against paperwork; it was necessary for a unit or team to work efficiently. Therefore they had to always keep their paperwork up to date. But he simply had to be out in the field with his men. He was not a desk jockey; he would go stir crazy.

Leading by example and from the front was not just a phrase hammered into him during his training as an Officer and while becoming a SEAL. For Steve it was how he wanted; how he needed to lead his team.

It took him a lot of willpower to sit in his office and watch others having all the action.

"Hey, Steve. Come on, it will work out in the end." Cath smiled at him, obviously knowing that he was a bit frustrated at the moment.

"I know. I just wish it would go a bit faster—"

"Faster? Steve, you've got to be kidding me," Catherine interrupted her friend. "To be at this point after just one week is unheard of. You have any idea how long it normally takes to just get access to the material?"

"Eh…"

"Right. To have results now, and probably organizing a raid in the next 48 hours is a huge accomplishment," Cath told Steve with conviction. "And it was all your doing."

"No, it wasn't. Don't say that. You worked just as hard."

"Yeah, but you pushed for results, and saw details I would never have paid attention to. Guess 'attention to detail' did pay off," Cath told him smiling.

"It was drilled into us. They always said 'attention to detail' in every situation saves lives. Guess they were right."

"Let's go see Commander Brennan."

"Okay," Steve said and got up from his chair.

For a few weeks now he had not used any aids to walk around. He had given back his wheelchair two weeks ago, and his crutches were gathering dust in his office. The only concession he still made due to his still hurting leg was that he didn't take the Metro but came into work either with Ty or Catherine, who picked him up on her way.

Last week's ear infection had cleared up rather quickly, and the lingering vertigo left him after just two days.

Steve now felt almost back to normal. The only problem he still had was that he couldn't run. His leg started to hurt in earnest when he tried running on the treadmill or on the track. He could handle the lingering nerve pain during normal activities, but while running, it was just unbearable.

In one more week he was supposed to report to Coronado for evaluation and training. If everything went according to plan, he would be back to full duty in a month.

But before that could happen, Steve wanted to finish his job here in Washington.

"Are you coming?" Cath called from the door, interrupting his thoughts.

"Yeah," Steve said and hurried out the door to catch up with her.

H50 – H50 – H50

The meeting with Commander Brennan went better than they expected and he promised to get the operation underway.

It still took two more days of waiting until it finally was time to watch the raid over the live feed. Steve was a bit anxious to watch from a distance. That was a completely new experience for him, to see his team but being unable to help them.

Of course he knew they were under the command of a capable lieutenant at the moment, one who would do a good job. But Steve still wished he was there, although, of course, he knew that was impossible. He wasn't fit for duty yet, but hoped to be back in action shortly.

"You okay?" Catherine whispered into the semi-darkness of the control room. The night vision cameras immersed everything in an eerie green light.

"Fine," Steve whispered back equally soft voiced.

"We're ready when you are." They heard Lieutenant Mason Wright's voice. He was the temporary team leader as long as Steve was out of commission.

"It's a GO," the unknown voice from the command center was heard over the line.

The live feed from the action cams mounted to their helmets, delivered a clear picture of what was going on thousands of miles away.

Outskirts of Erbil, Northern Iraq – Late Spring 2006 – 0200 hours local time – 1900 hours D.C.

Lieutenant Wright looked at his men and knew they were extra motivated tonight. They had the chance to not only eliminate a threat to the troops but to get payback for their injured CO.

For their friend, who was still suffering as a result from the explosion several weeks ago. Officially this, of course was not to avenge what had happened to their friend, but no one expected them not to think about Lieutenant McGarrett. They knew he had fought so hard to get back to his men, but didn't manage to do so in time to be part of this raid. So, in a way, they were all fighting for him tonight.

Mason was sure that he had the team's full cooperation and support, but he was no dummy and knew they missed their CO. To be honest, so did he and he hoped McGarrett would be able to come back to them soon.

Of course it was also a possibility that he would get a different post after his recovery…

"LT, we're ready," Chief Myers, a good friend of McGarrett, interrupted Mason's thoughts.

"Alright. Let's take them out."

Mason motioned for his men to spread out and move towards their target.

It was a more or less abandoned house on the outskirts of Erbil; a city with a population of a little over a million. But out here slightly south of the town, it was mostly deserted although according to their Intel, the house and the region was far more populated than they liked to make it look like.

A minute later they blew in the door and the team stormed into the house from the front, while the second team secured the back.

H50 – H50 – H50

Steve's gaze was locked on the scenes in front of him. He watched with satisfaction how 'his' team entered the house.

It only took a moment before the first shots were fired. No one had expected the insurgents to surrender without a fight, but they were hoping there wouldn't be any casualties tonight. At least not on their side.

Steve longed to be with his men; he hated to be condemned to watch his fellow men from afar. All logic he used before to tell himself that he simply couldn't be with them due to his injuries, that he would be a liability, flew out the window the second he saw his team storm the house.

Despite his inner turmoil Steve kept absolutely calm on the outside. His training dictated his behavior, and keeping calm even under the most stressful situations was ingrained in him. But he was sure Catherine knew that he was practically vibrating with contained energy.

"Lieutenants, that was excellent Intel," their CO addressed them into the quiet of the room, after the firefight came to an end and they heard the all clear from Lieutenant Wright.

"Thank you, Sir," Catherine voiced both their thanks.

"Outstanding work. It's a shame that you're going to leave us so soon, Lieutenant McGarrett."

Steve wasn't sure what to say to that, so he simply acknowledged the praise. "Yes, Sir."

He had no desire to stay any longer than absolutely necessary, but it would not be a good idea to voice that opinion in front of his direct superior. He had talked to Catherine the other day about his feelings of staying in Washington, and she thankfully understood his need to go back to his 'real' job.

They all watched the short aftermath of the raid before the feed was cut and they were left with a black screen.

"We will get a sit rep in the next hour, Sir," Catherine told her CO of the scheduled conference call that hopefully would go according to plan after the raid went without a hitch.

"Good. Keep me informed. Lieutenant McGarrett, I like to see you in my office tomorrow at ten hundred." Commander Brennan didn't even wait for Steve's acknowledgment but left the command center rather quickly.

"What's that about, Steve?" Catherine looked at her friend.

"I don't know," Steve answered honestly. He had no idea what his CO could want from him in the morning. He already had his marching orders, so it couldn't be about that. At least Steve hoped it wasn't about that.

"Well, whatever it is, I think we should celebrate the success tonight. I have something special planned," Cath told him low voiced, so that none of the others in the room could hear them.

"Something special?"

"You'll see," Cath said with a smile.

It took another four hours before they could leave. The conference call took a lot longer than they thought, but when they were finally able to establish a link to Wright's group they were happy to learn that there had been no casualties or injuries.

All insurgents had been arrested and were already en route to the next bigger base. They also found detailed plans for their next activities along with weapons and explosives. The raid was a full success all around.

Since it was almost midnight when Steve and Cath left the Pentagon they postponed their celebration to the next evening. Unfortunately for the both of them and for Catherine's surprise, they never came to celebrate the next night.

When Steve met his CO the next morning he was informed that he would leave for Coronado that same evening. He had barely time to pack and meet with his doctors for the last time before he had to board a plane out of Washington.

He hadn't even had the chance to say good bye to Catherine in person since she had been in a meeting almost all day. He had called her from the airport and explained the situation. Naturally they were both disappointed about that outcome, but were powerless to change anything about it. Or about their luck.

H50 – H50 – H50

Steve McGarrett's home, Hawaii, present time

"So, you just left for Coronado? Just like that?" Danny asked his friend after Steve had finished his story.

"What do you mean 'just like that'?" Steve looked at Danny for an explanation.

"You spent a lot of time with Catherine in Washington, and then you just packed your bags and left?"

"I was ordered back to Coronado, Danny. It's not like I had a choice. Besides, no matter how much I enjoyed the time with Cath, I wanted to go back. I had to go back," Steve said and looked at Catherine, already knowing that she understood. She knew what it had meant for him to be sidelined like he had been for so many weeks. "That is a downside being in the Military, you go where you're ordered to. And it's not like I had a desk job anyway."

"Yeah, I get that. But you make it sound like it was easy to—"

"It certainly wasn't easy, Danny," Steve interrupted. "But it was something we both knew would happen from the beginning, and maybe it was even easier that way. And we saw each other again sooner than we both thought," Steve said grinning.

"How?" Chin asked curiously.

"That is a story for another day," Catherine chimed in. It was clear that she didn't want to talk about it right now. "So, Danny, Steve told me you have a special session tomorrow with your therapist?"

"He is not my therapist," Danny made his point clear. "It's the department's shrink," Danny said with distain.

"Oh, Danny, come on, you know it's standard protocol after you fire your weapon," Steve told him for probably the tenth time since Danny got the invitation.

"It's not about that, and you know it," Danny exclaimed and glared at Steve. He had been able to field the visit for the last three weeks, but now the shrink threatened to report him to the Governor if he refused to come to the session.

"Danny, we all have had to see the department's psychiatrist after we shot someone—"

"I didn't shoot just anyone, I shot you," Danny almost yelled. Realizing what he was doing he took a calming breath. "I know what this will be about, okay?"

"Danny! It. Was. Not. Your. Fault. How often do I have to tell you that? It was just friendly fire, it happens." Steve simply didn't know how to make Danny see that he was not to blame for what happened down at the harbor.

"I bet it never happened to you. So, don't tell me it is fine, it's not."

"No, it's not. And believe me I could have done without the bullet in my shoulder. Really, that was no fun. It hurt like hell, it still does. And maybe I won't get full range of motion back, or the shoulder will always hurt. But not for one minute have I thought that any of this is your fault, Danny." Steve looked at his friend, and he hoped Danny would see the sincerity behind his words. "I wish it didn't happen, Danny. But it did. I don't blame you for any of it, so please stop blaming yourself. Instead, put it behind you. Move on."

"I'll try. No promises," Danny said after a moment.

"That's all I'm asking."

H50 – H50 – H50

Twenty minutes later their little 'get-together' found a rather quick end. A thunderstorm could be seen on the horizon making its way towards the island. The wind picked up and they knew that a torrential downpour would follow soon.

"Danny, you sure you want to drive home? You and Grace could stay in the guestroom," Steve told his friend. "The storm will hit any minute," Steve said as he leaned against the doorframe watching his friends bringing in all the 'stuff' from the lanai.

He would help, but since he couldn't use his left arm to carry anything and needed his right one to hold on to the crutch, he wasn't of much help and more in the way than anything else. Besides, it looked like Max and Doris had it covered. They got along really well and were chatting animatedly while carrying in the last of the food into the kitchen.

Steve shook his head at the odd pair and looked at his friend and Gracie, who also looked at her dad, probably in the hope of staying a little longer.

"Nah, we'll be alright. It's only a five minute drive," Danny answered and motioned for Grace to move. "I'll call you when we're home, if that makes you happy."

"Just be careful, okay?" Steve knew that Danny could drive with just one good leg, but he also knew that it was not the best of circumstances.

"Isn't that normally my line?"

Steve only smiled at that and ushered them out the door. Of course not before he got a really good hug from Grace.

"Uncle Steve, I'm sorry I snooped around without asking you," she again apologized.

"That's okay, Gracie. Don't worry about it. If you have any more questions you come to me, okay? And when I'm better we can go to the 'Arizona' with your dad if you want to." Danny had mentioned before that his daughter wanted to go and Steve was happy that they wanted to include him on their trip.

"When will you be okay, Uncle Steve?"

"I'm not sure. In a couple of weeks or so," Steve told her.

He hoped to lose the brace in the next two weeks. That thing was really annoying and hurt after a while. He had a really hard time seeing the benefit of it, but his doctor insisted that he still needed to wear it. Steve had to grudgingly admit that his knee was a lot more stable with the brace on, but he did strengthening PT every day for his knee and hoped that it would also be okay in a couple of weeks.

"Come on, Monkey, we need to go now," her dad called from the car.

"Bye, Uncle Steve," Grace said and turned to join her dad who was waiting for her.

Steve waited until they left the driveway and then turned back into his living room where the rest of his Ohana was gathered and in the progress of saying good bye.

"Steve, I'll take Doris home," Chin told him on his way to the door. "Thanks for having me."

"Thanks, Chin." Steve was glad that his mom didn't want to stay for the night, but was happy that his friend took her home.

"Don't worry, Honey, Chin will make sure I'll get home safely." His mother smiled at him as she walked out the door.

"Good night, Steve. And thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed it very much."

Max was the last to leave and Steve sighed a breath of relief.

He didn't think that he could have kept it up for much longer. He was hurting, he was exhausted, and most of all he wanted to spend time alone with his girlfriend.

When he turned around from the door, said girlfriend stood right in front of him. Steve discarded his crutch against the door and leaned into her. He put both arms around her and breathed in the smell of her shampoo. Which caused him to chuckle.

"What?"

"You smell like grilled salmon," Steve told her still laughing.

"Guess I shouldn't have manned the grill," Catherine answered smiling. "How about we get rid of the smell with a shower?"

"We?" Steve asked.

"Yeah. I think you could use a very thorough cleaning… of course if you're tired…"

"I'm not that tired," Steve interrupted her grinning.

"Yeah, I can feel that," Cath said laughing and pressed her body against his growing interest.

Steve enjoyed their little play and had no reason to hold back anymore. He had restrained himself for a couple of hours now, ever since he thought about the very special dessert. That image woke all kinds of feelings in him, in one part of his anatomy in particular. And if nothing happened soon, he was sure he would simply implode. Or explode. Which was much more likely.

"That's what you're doing to me," he whispered while kissing his way from her neck to her mouth.

Catherine pushed back a little, which elicited a frustrated groan from Steve, and motioned to the stairs, "We should take this upstairs."

"Hmmm." Steve's answer was not very coherent, but he moved to the stairs and a minute later they were standing on the second floor.

"Bedroom or bathroom?" Cath asked.

"Bed." As much as Steve wanted to 'play' with Cath in the shower, he knew that his leg wouldn't allow that. He was in too much pain and had been on his feet for too many hours to keep going.

"Good Choice."

And it sure was. The 'special dessert' they had in Washington had nothing on what Catherine had planned for Steve that night.

H50 – H50 – H50

Thank you all for reading.

A new adventure will start soon. Stay tuned.