********* Please be forewarned as THIS CHAPTER BEGINS WITH A SEXUAL SCENCE *********
****** WARNING ****** this chapter includes the death of a character (NOT CORE 4) *******
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They made love slowly, as Catherine was still very worried about his injured ribs. It was beautiful, as their hands and mouths explored each other's bodies softly, tenderly. Steve had never felt love like this before and the sensations overwhelmed him.
The feel of Cath, as his lips, tongue and hands moved from her mouth to the bruised flesh of her neck. He then moved to her breasts and eventually down to the warm, welcoming spot between her legs.
The taste and smell of their lovemaking, mixed with the aromas of their sweat-drenched bodies.
The sights of Cath, her eyes staring deeply into his soul. He admired her beautiful body. Her perfect breasts, the curves of her toned and sculpted midsection, and the soft, moist womanhood ready to envelope him.
The sounds of Cath, as she moaned lustfully, pleading with Steve to enter her. And when he finally surrendered to both their desires they moaned in ecstasy, moving together, ultimately leading to them climaxing together and falling back onto the bed in total exhaustion.
Steve was gasping for air, saying breathlessly over and over again "Cath…oh God Cath…..oh my God"
Worried, she helped roll him off of her, "Steve, Steve are you okay?"
"What? Yes, yes. My God Cath….that was unbelievable…I love you baby"
She leaned over and kissed his lips tenderly, "Yes it was….…..it always is. I love you with all my heart Steve"
As tears slipped from her eyes he pushed himself up onto his elbows. He touched her bruised cheek, saying softly "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong Steve, nothing" She paused before adding, "You risked your life for Danny's brother. Why?"
"Why? Cath…..I had no choice. Danny's my brother and his family is my family. I would do the same thing again without hesitation. I would do the same for you, for Chin or Kono… you know that"
She kissed him again, "Yes, I know that. You are such a special man Steve"
"No I'm not special. I'm just a man…..a weak man"
"You are not weak Steve. You are the bravest, strongest man I've ever known and I'm so proud of you. I haven't told you that, and I'm sorry"
"You have nothing to be sorry for. You and Danny….your love for me. You've given me the strength to fight this, thank you"
Cath smiled,"I've told you before, I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you….always"
Their attention turned to the ringing cell phone on the nightstand and looking at each other they said in unison "Danny"
Giggling, Cath grabbed the phone and handed it to Steve whose facial expression suddenly turned serious "Governor"
Catherine watched Steve intently, listening to their short conversation, "He's not here right now Governor, what's the problem?... Yeah, okay I'll see you in a few minutes"
As he hung up Catherine asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure. He wants to talk to me without Danny here. He's on his way over"
The two quickly dressed and headed downstairs.
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Steve had a gut feeling that something was wrong and when Governor Denning arrived a short time later, the look on his faced told Steve that his worst fears were soon to be confirmed.
"Come in Governor"
He entered the living room and shook hands with both Steve and Catherine before saying, "Steve, have a seat"
"No Governor, I'm fine…just tell me…"
Sam Denning sighed deeply before saying bluntly, "Matthew Willliams is dead"
Steve turned his back on the Governor and placing his arms out in front of him he leaned against a cabinet, bowing his head, "How Sam? How in the hell did this happen?"
Catherine moved to his side and taking hold of his arm she said softly, "Come on Steve, come sit down"
He followed as she guided him to the couch. He was shaking with fear and anger as the Governor continued, "The car transporting Matt and three WitSec agents to the airport was ambushed soon after it left the hospital. All four men in the car were struck with multiple bullets and declared dead at the scene"
"Three agents? Three fucking agents Sam! This is the Ocinco/Corboda cartel for Gods' sake and they had only THREE agents protecting him!"
"Steve I don't have all the details yet but there were two squad cars with four Washington troopers escorting them. One of the troopers in the lead car survived the ambush as did the two in the trailing car"
"What about the hitters?"
"There were three of them. They all got away but witnesses say one was hit. Police are scouring the hospitals searching for him. Steve, there's something you need to know. When the police processed the crime scene where you were held….they never found the money. The 500k is gone"
"The money…God I forgot all about the money. I was so concerned about getting Matt out of there…..Governor, this was an inside job"
"We don't know that Steve. There could have been other cartel members involved that you never saw"
"No, no way…no way. Sebastian Cordoba would not have let that amount of cash out of his sight. Governor, I need you to let my team run this investigation"
"McGarrett, your team is on leave"
"Not anymore we aren't Sir"
"You're not in any condition to be back on the job Steve, it's too soon"
Catherine reached over and took hold of Steve's hand squeezing it tightly as he responded, "Okay, I'm not but the others are fine. Put Danny in charge"
"Of his own brother's murder investigation? Are you crazy?"
"Danny's a professional. I'll work with him as a consultant, unpaid if you need me to be. Sam, please….don't give this case to anyone else"
Sam Denning turned away and sighed deeply. Turning back to face Steve he pointed a finger at him stating, "This has to be by-the-book McGarrett. No shortcuts and you keep Williams clean, no vengeance….you hear me"
"Yes Sir. I hear you loud and clear"
"The CIA is running the official investigation. You and your team are on medical leave for the next four weeks. What you choose to do with your time off is none of my business"
Steve stood and shook the man's hand, "Thank you Sir"
As Governor Denning left the house he said "Please give Danny my condolences and McGarrett, remember….no vengeance"
"Yes Sir"
After Denning left, Steve and Cath embraced and cried for Matthew and for Danny.
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Steve called Chin and Kono, asking them to come over right away. Once they arrived, he filled them in on everything and then he called Danny requesting that he return.
When Danny arrived he was pleasantly surprised to see everyone there. "Hey guys, I didn't expect to see you this morning"
Chin looked to him, "Good Morning Danny. Steve needs to talk to you. He's out on the deck"
Giving a look of confusion he said, "Uhhmmm okay" and moving through the kitchen, he went outside to join Steve.
Danny pulled a chair over and sat down facing his partner.
"Steve…..what's wrong?"
Danny saw the pain in Steve's eyes as the SEAL struggled to compose himself, "Danny…"
As Steve hesitated Danny asked again, "Steve please…..just say it man"
Steve looked his friend squarely in the eyes, "Danny…I'm sorry…Matty's dead"
The breath was instantly sucked from the Jersey detective's lungs as the words sunk in…Matty, his Matty…dead?
Steve watched as the blood drained from Danny's face. He reached out and placed a hand on Danny's forearm, "I'm so sorry buddy"
"Matty…how Steve?"
Steve relayed the information that Governor Denning had given them as Danny remained silent, listening intently as tears of sorrow streaked his cheeks.
Steve told him everything and then let him know that Kono had already booked their flight to Washington for later that day.
"Danny, we're going to find who did this and make them pay. I promise you, we will"
The men sat silently for several minutes before Danny spoke softly, "More than three years ago when Matt boarded that plane, it was like he died. I never thought I'd see him again. Then last year when he returned and you saved his life…even though he had to go into witness protection…..he was back in my life, you gave him back to me. Steve, oh God when I saw him in that hospital in Washington….it felt so damn good. To see him, to talk to him….to hug him…..you gave him back to me again. He made some horrible mistakes in his life buddy but I loved him…God knows, I loved him"
"I know Danny…..I'm so sorry"
Following Danny's lead, the men stood and embraced. Danny sobbed into his friends shoulder, mourning the loss of his beloved little brother.
******** I hope I haven't angered any readers. I had three different endings floating in my head for this story and I literally made the decision to go this way with it at the last minute. I hope you'll give it a chance and hope you like how it plays out - feedback welcomed ! *********