***** Here is the final chapter. I hope you like where I've taken this and I hope you'll continue to check out my stories! *****
Two days later Chin took Gracie to the Zoo and Steve and Danny waited for Doris and Joe to arrive.
It was almost noon when the doorbell rang and opening the door Steve faced his Mother.
No words were spoken as Doris stepped forward and embraced her son.
"Hi Mom"
"Hi sweetheart. How are you?"
"Honestly, I've been better"
Pulling from him she asked, "What's the matter son? Everything's good, you've captured Wo-Fat right?"
"Yes, he's in custody"
Doris smiled, "Good, that's good" Seeing the distress on her son's face she asked, "Honey, what's wrong?"
"Come inside Mom"
As she moved into the room, Joe followed. Steve accepted his handshake and as the two sat on the couch they faced Steve.
Danny stood a few feet off to the side and Doris smiled at him, "Hello Danno"
"Hi Doris...Joe"
Joe nodded to Danny.
Steve then sighed and his voice shook with emotion as he said bluntly, "Tell me about Jimmy Puhihale"
The look of shock and horror on her face spoke volumes as she softly repeated the agents name, "Jimmy Puhihale?"
Joe glanced at Steve and then back at Doris before asking, "Who's Jimmy Puhihale?"
Steve smirked, "She didn't tell you about Jimmy? I have to say I'm a little surprised at that Joe, but then again this is Doris McGarrett and I don't think she's ever told ANYBODY the whole truth...have you Doris?"
Doris said shakily, "Steve...please"
All the anger that had built up in the SEAL came out in a fury and he turned and ran his arm across the shelf behind him. All the pictures that he had cherished...pictures of his family crashed to the floor...his Mother, his Father, his baby sister...his family...all gone...
Danny grabbed his forearm, "Steve stop, relax"
"NO DANNY, I'M NOT GOING TO RELAX!"
Danny clutched the front of Steve's t-shirt and said calmly, "Yes, you are going to relax. You're still sick do you hear me?...Now please, please calm down"
Doris stood, "Sick? What are you talking about? Steve...what's wrong with you?"
Pointing a finger at her he cried out "I'm fine Doris, now sit down"
"Don't talk to me like that young man! Now tell me...what's wrong with you?"
Steve's body was shaking and as he turned away from her Danny said, "You want to know what's happened to Steve? You really want to know what your deceptions have caused? Wo Fat kidnapped Catherine and Steve gave himself up to save her!"
Picking up Wo-Fat's letter from the coffee table he handed it to Doris. Her hands trembled as she and Joe read her tormentors words and then as Joe eased her back onto the couch she asked softly, "Oh my God Steve...what did he do to you?"
Steve replied coldly, "It doesn't matter Doris"
Tears were flowing down her face as she said emotionally, "It does matter Steve, oh God it matters"
Steve's voice trembled as he said, "He tried to kill me...but he didn't"
As Steve hesitated, Danny said "Tell her Steve. She wants to hear it all! Tell her what she's caused!"
"Danny..."
"What? You want me to tell her? This is it buddy, everything you've been through...it's time to lay it all out there"
Running a hand across his face Steve spoke, "He injected me with Ricin"
Doris' gasp was audible and Joe said softly, "Oh Christ"
Steve continued, "I'm okay...I beat it..."
Danny interjected, "Don't sugarcoat this Steven" He turned to Doris, "You weren't there Doris. Once again, you WEREN'T THERE!"
Steve said softly, "Danny..."
"No Steve she needs to hear about the pain you went through. She needs to understand that you were tortured and that you have a severe concussion. That you underwent three surgeries to stop internal bleeding and that you had to have your spleen and appendix removed. Damn it she needs to hear that you almost fucking died because you wouldn't give her up!"
The sobs in the room were audible and for several moments, no one spoke.
Doris finally broke the silence by saying, "I never meant for you to be hurt Steve. My God, I'm so sorry"
Several moments passed before Steve asked again, "Tell me about Jimmy Puhihale"
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"If you know Jimmy's name son, I'm sure you know what happened to him"
"I know that Wo-Fat told me, now I want to hear it from your mouth"
Doris was shaking and horribly pale as Joe took hold of her hand and asked, "What is he talking about Doris?"
Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she looked ill as she stated bluntly, "Jimmy Puhihale was a CIA Agent. We were working together undercover to bring down Wo-Fat..." She glanced nervously up at her son, "Steve...please"
Tears welled in his eyes, "It's over Doris...say it"
Closing her eyes, she confirmed Steve's worst fears, "I shot Jimmy in the chest with Wo-Fat's gun enabling him to evade capture. I killed Jimmy Puhihale"
Joe's grip on Doris' arm tightened and he asked, "My God Doris...why?"
"He recognized me as the agent who had killed his Father. He promised to leave me and my family in peace if I helped him escape. I had no choice"
Steve threw his hands up in the air, "YOU HAD NO CHOICE! YOU HAD NO CHOICE! Jimmy Puhihale was married and he had two kids. He had a seven year old boy and a four year old girl. Not only did you destroy Mary's life and my life but what about those kids Doris? What about James and Andrea? Do you ever think about them Doris?"
The woman was sobbing uncontrollably. Every time her beloved son referred to her by her name and not as Mom, a pain pierced her chest. Steve was right, it was over...she had lost him. She looked into his torture-filled eyes and she said softly, "I think about them every day. I did it save my children and I would do the same thing today"
"My God, I don't even know you! You took an oath to protect and serve and you killed one of your own...you murdered him in cold blood. Dad would have been appalled at your actions... you disgust me"
Steve clutched at his head and turned away. His body was shaking and Danny grabbed his elbow saying softly, "Relax buddy...take a deep breath...relax"
After several minutes Steve turned back towards her, "I want you to meet me at 5-0 headquarters at ten o'clock Monday morning. I will arrange for you to turn yourself in and face charges. I will stand by you Doris...I give you my word"
She stuttered nervously, "I can't do that Steve"
He looked at her and said calmly, "Do you remember Gibson's Market?"
"Yes...of course I do"
"I never forgot the words you told me that night. Now...those words apply to you Doris"
Standing up she looked Steve squarely in the eyes and said, "Please believe me when I say that I love you Steve...I'll be there Monday morning"
With no further words spoken, Doris and Joe left the home.
Danny asked, "Are you alright partner?"
"No 'D, I'm not" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Steve asked "You think I made a mistake don't you? You think she'll run again?"
"There is no way I'm judging you Steve. Whatever decision you make I will respect fully"
"Thank you"
"So what happened at Gibson's Market?"
"I was eleven years old and I went along with two of my buddies on a dare and shoplifted candy bars and sodas"
"And you got caught?"
"Actually no, we didn't. But I didn't know it but one of my friends, Dawson had told his Mother what we had done and she had called my parents"
Danny chuckled, "So Dawson squealed huh?"
Steve smiled, "Yeah and he's now a Federal Prosecutor in Miami"
Danny laughed, "So what did your parents do?"
"At dinner that night, Dad told us about a gang of young hoodlums that had been robbing local shops"
"They played on your guilty conscious huh?"
"Boy did they ever. I'll never forget that night. They really laid it on me" He grinned at the memory, "After dinner, Mom told me that due to my good grades we were going out to celebrate. They took me and Mary out for ice cream and then to a movie, 'The Princess Bride'"
Danny grinned, "Awesome flick brother, loved Andre The Giant"
"Well I can tell you that I sure didn't enjoy the show that night. When we got home, I told them I wasn't feeling well and I went straight up to bed. I couldn't sleep and in the middle of the night I went into their room. They were awake and waiting for me and I confessed everything"
"Guilt is a horrible thing at any age"
"I can still remember my feelings that night 'D. I was scared and so ashamed of myself"
"So what did your Mom say to you?"
"She taught me a valuable lesson that night Danny. She told me that being a man meant owning up to my mistakes and being responsible for my actions. It was lesson I would never forget. She was a good Mom Danny, she really was"
As tears slid from Steve's eyes, Danny said softly "I know she was brother"
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They had a nice relaxing weekend around the house spending time in the water and grilling.
Monday morning after dropping Gracie off at school the three men headed to 5-0 headquarters.
Steve was very quiet and Danny silently prayed that Doris would show up.
Governor Denning had drawn up an agreement at Steve's request and faxed it to him. Sergeant Duke Lukella would head up the interview with Doris and if she cooperated fully she would be offered a deal of seven years to be served in a maximum security facility on the mainland for her own protection.
As Steve sat at his desk staring blankly at the letter, Danny and Chin paced nervously back and forth.
Eventually Steve said "You guys are more nervous than I am"
Danny ran a hand through his hair, "What are you going to do if she doesn't show up?"
Steve replied "She'll be here Danny"
"Okay buddy, okay"
A short time later Duke arrived and as Chin handed him a cup of coffee he gave them an update on Wo-Fat.
"His condition has stabilized and once I'm done here I'll be transferring him to the Halawa Medical Facility"
Steve nodded, "Good Duke. I want Chin to go with you"
"Fine. We'll be holding him in solitary confinement at all times"
"You know how elusive he is Duke. We CANNOT let him escape"
"And we won't Steve. We have a permanent residence in maximum security waiting for him"
Steve grinned, "Good, thank you Duke"
Steve then stood as he saw his Mother and Joe approaching his office and motioning to them, they entered.
Steve moved to their side and after shaking hands with Joe, he kissed his Mother's cheek and embraced her.
The two then sat and Duke Lukella read Doris McGarrett her rights.
Steve then explained the deal that the Governor had agreed to in exchange for her full confession.
"Seven years..."
Steve knelt in front of his Mother and took hold of her hands, "Mom, you need to do the right thing. I remember the day you brought Mary home from the hospital. You had me sit on the couch and you helped me hold her. She was squirming and I remember giggling and you telling me how important it was for me to always love and protect her. Even at six years old, you were instilling in me a sense of duty and responsibility. You were instilling in me, your beliefs and your values. You did a horrible thing Mom and the reasons why don't matter. You need to pay for you actions"
Tears were streaming down both their faces as she lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it, "My dear sweet boy. No Mother could be more proud of her son. You have grown to be a man of great honor and distinction and I love you with all of my heart...and I always have" Turning to Lukella, she said "I, Doris McGarrett confess that on September 22nd 1977 I shot and killed CIA Agent James Puhihale in order to allow international drug and arms dealer Wo-Fat to escape U.S. custody..."
Steve remained at her side, holding her hand as she emotionally recounted the events of that day. He had heard the same things from Wo-Fat but now hearing the admission from his Mother herself cut to his very core.
When she was done Steve smiled at her and said softly, "It'll be okay Mom. I'm here for you and I always will be, I love you" Leaning forward in her chair, she fell into his strong arms and sobbed.
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A lot happened that week.
Chin had fully recovered from his gunshot wound and Steve's recovery was moving along well.
Doris was flown to Illinois to serve her sentence and Joe returned to Montana.
Wo-Fat was now incarcerated and in isolation at Halawa Prison awaiting his upcoming trial for the kidnapping of Catherine Rollins and the attempted murder of Lieutenant Commander Steven McGarrett.
Even though hearing the whole truth from Doris had been painful for Steve, it had also been extremely cathartic. He hated the things Doris had done and the fact that her actions had led to his beloved Father's death hurt deeply but he had no doubt in his mind that she never meant for any of that to happen, Steve knew that her husbands death and the separation from her children had, and still did, torment her daily...as did the death of Jimmy Puhihale.
Danny watched Steve carefully that week and although he saw pain in his friend, he also saw peace. A peace he had never seen in the SEAL before. Steve's body was healing and now thankfully so was his soul.
That Friday, Danny was delayed at work so Steve drove to Gracie's school to pick her up from play practice. A couple of hours later as the three of them sat in a restaurant eating dinner, Gracie shared some exciting news with her Daddy.
"Uncle Steve likes my teacher"
Steve choked on his soda, and Danny grinned asking, "What? Miss Overton?"
As Steve blushed and brought a napkin to his mouth Gracie said, "Uh huh, he asked her out on a date"
Danny chuckled, "Oh yeah? What's up Superman?"
"She's a nice lady. I just asked her out for a cup of coffee that's all?"
They all smiled and Danny replied coyly, "Yeah, that's all..."
******* SO ? What do you think? I want to give a final THANK YOU to SHIRIK40, thank you Shiri for the idea and I hope you're happy with where I took the story. I really hope you all enjoyed the story and please take a moment to give me a final thought...reviews mean so much and give great motivation for writers to continue, so THANK YOU ALL for reading, reviewing and supporting my work *********