Chapter Four
-" Good morning, beautiful, and he grabbed her bag and said come in. She goes in, and he closes the door.
-" You had my boss send me here? You got some fucking nerve. Of all the low-down tricks, this one takes the case. Steve was standing there with that stupid grin on his face. I am sorry I tricked you, Cath, but I need to talk to you without distractions.
-"You thought having my boss lie to me to get me here was the solution. Wait you got that asshole Admiral Rhodes to do you a favor. I thought he hated your guts. He does, but I saved his ass on a case we had, and he owes me. I cash it in.
-"Well, I am calling an Uber to come back and pick me up. Don't go, Cath, I cooked breakfast for you. Your eggs are just the way you like them. She turned and saw the table set with many Plumeria flowers in a base. She was melting a little. I stay for breakfast, but that's it, and then I head back to Oahu.
-"He pulled the chair out for her. Who cabin is this anyway? You remember John. Yeah, your bunkmate on the Enterprise. Yeah, he was stationed here but got transferred overseas, and he asked me to check on the place so I could stay here when I wanted to. It was the first time I took him up on staying here. He wants her to know he didn't bring anyone else here.
-" The eggs are good, and she laughs. Why are you laughing? Remember when your mom broke in, and we thought it was a burglar? You pretend you didn't know how I like my eggs. I know, but back then, I didn't want her to know how much you meant to me, so she could start meddling. I know why you did it, Steve, and that's why I didn't call you out on it. You remember her telling you she hoped she didn't interrupt anything, and you were mortified.
-"Yeah, thank God she didn't come in that night because I had you yelling Oh God, all night and he winked. I see you are still full of yourself. They eat in silence, stealing glances at one another. Thank you, it was good. I miss, and she stops.
-"Will you help me with the dishes before you leave? Sure. They cleared the table; he washed, and she dried. Not saying a word. He took her hand and said, come to the sofa for just a minute. Catherine, I know why you join the CIA. I am so sorry you took the bullet for me.
-"How did you? Joe, I call him to ask him to find out. He flew in and told me. He didn't want to betray you but knew I wouldn't let up until I got to the truth.
-"Yeah, I know that about you. Steve, you should have left it alone. You move on and are happy. I move on she said real sad. What is done is done now.
-" I have not fucking moved on he yells. I have been leading a life of lies, fooling myself and others. You are leaving me to crush my soul. I became someone I am not, angry always, taking more risks at work, and mad at the world. If I had listened to my heart, I would have known you were lying to me. You see the Catherine Rollins I know would have never made me she was going to stay and leave again.
-"I blame you for everything when I should have blamed myself. I took you for granted. I am treating you like a team member instead of my girl. I should have put my foot down with Danno barging in all the time when we were trying to be alone.
-"I pushed myself into a relationship with Lynn; I don't love her. She was just a means to prove that I moved on from you. That stopped all the trying to set me up and poor Steve's pitiful look. At the same time, I was sleeping around Lynn.
What? Yeah, I was so broken after you left, I need to feel needed, and the streets gave it to me. It didn't work; all the drinking and sleeping around didn't make me forget you or stop loving you. If only I had told you about killing Doris old boss. We could have fought the CIA together, and with the proof I had, I would expose their rogue agent.
-"Catherine never thought Steve would become a player in a million years. Catherine I am so sorry I didn't fight harder for us and treat you like you were my girl. I know you are not ready to forgive me, but at least give me three days with you. I promise after I won't bother you, and Al and he frowns. She swats his arm, you know his name Alex, and she smiles.
-"Steve, I am sorry I didn't tell you about the CIA. It broke my heart to lie and leave you. When Joe told me, he would work on getting me out. I was so happy that maybe you could forgive me for lying. Then, a couple of months I saw the pics of you and Lynn on social media talking about true love and how happy you were. You took a day off work to spend with her, something you never did for me. I should have Catherine. The fancy Valentine's dinner and bragging about you deleting your ex-contact and what fun you all had in your bed.
-"I had to tell you that broke me. I knew then it was over for us, and even if Joe did get me out, I would not go back to you and interfere with your happiness. Tears are flowing through her eyes. I didn't intend to return to Oahu, but the perfect job was offered, and I couldn't resist. I had a feeling Joe was behind it.
-"He was said, Steve. He hoped we would find our way back to one another. I was hoping I had more time before I ran into you. I wanted to go to Kamie so bad but didn't because I didn't want you to know I was back. He told me to tell you hi. He dropped me off, and I told him my plans. He yelled at me several times and told me to go get you. She smiled; he always did like me better than you.
-"Steve, I don't know if we can return to where we were. There is hurt on both sides.
-" I ended whatever I had with Lynn. You shouldn't have done that, Steve. Catherine, whether you come back to me or not, I should have done it long ago. She was never the girl for me. Yeah, I was an asshole to her and did lead her own. Like I said, I wasn't the same. She seems like she was crazy about you based on what I saw her posting; she tried too hard to get me to like her and did things that I didn't like. I will not talk about her anymore because she is out of my life. It's you, Cath, and it has always been you.
-"Catherine's heart was melting; she knew part of her would always love him. Was It enough to try and make it work for them? Alex had been there to help her heal and try to heal her broken heart. No, they hadn't slept together; she was not ready to go there yet. If there was anybody but Steve, he would be the perfect guy. She wasn't ready to give in to Steve either; he had hurt her, even if it was her fault. She thought she could at least give him three days.
-"Steve, we can't resolve anything in three days. Without Alex, I wouldn't have made it through my heartbreak. He deserves better. I will stay with you for three days but make no promise after that.
-"Steve didn't like it but said I take it. He wants to ask her if she slept with Alex. He thought he better not because he was already on thin ice. I put your things in the master bedroom. Mine is already in the guest.
-"He takes her bags to the master bedroom. She texted Alex and said I made it safe. She hates to lie to him. I will be in a meeting and after-hours function, so I might not be reachable. She texts him when she is home. He said okay and to be careful. He misses her and loves her.
-"Steve came back; let me show you around. The cabin was huge. This is my room across the hall from yours. Here is your room; you can see it bigger; she walks in. It is. Nice view of the lake out back. She peeks in the bathroom with a large jacuzzi and a walk-in shower. Big screen over the wall. This is the game room with a poker table and pool table. He had a lot of books and old paintings on the wall.
-"Damn, John paid a lot for this place. He inherited some money from his mother. Let's go out back. Out back was a big deck that overlooks the lake. A big grill and small frig and patio furniture. Fire pit and bench. Wow, it is so beautiful and peaceful out here. There is a canoe if you want to get in the lake and fish. He looked at Catherine and couldn't help but smile at her beauty. I wish I had known I was coming on vacation instead of working; I would have brought my bathing suit. She smirks.
-"Uh, I might have brought some you left behind at the house. You kept my clothes? I did, and your toothbrush, lotion, and shampoo. You goof you, but she was touched he kept her stuff. She thought he would have burned everything up. Damn, he wants to kiss her so bad, but he wants to do things right this time. So Commander, what is your plan for the rest of our stay? I miss that so much. What, me calling you Commander? Yeah, and he smirked. Uh, I didn't really have anything planned besides getting you here.
-"Let's start by catching up on other things we miss. She said it sounded good, and I would go unpack and be back shortly. Okay, and I grab a couple of beers.
-"Danny, call Steve. How is it going? Look, Danno, she is here, but please don't call me again. I promise I fill you in when I get back. Okay, I hear you, man; I just want to make sure she didn't shoot you or something. Funny and bye, Danno.
-"Catherine unpacked, returned, and sat opposite him on the deck. Steve told her how Mary and Joan were doing. Some of the cases they worked on. Catherine was sad to hear about Aunt Deb's passing. I hate I didn't keep my promise to her. What promise? That day you had me pick up from jail. I took her to my favorite spot. She asks to make sure you and Mary stay close. You did, Cath. All the time, you told me Mary needed me to celebrate birthdays and holidays as a family. We talk more now, and she drives me crazy sometimes, but I am glad she and Joanie are in my life.
-" I'm sure she hates my guts. No, she doesn't; she hates that I was so sad when you left. If it is okay with you, I like to call her and apologize. Sure, she loves to hear from you. She tilted her head with a question mark on her face. She told him as much as she was good on the cases, she had been on with the CIA. WOW, Cath, you had some difficult cases. I did, but I got my man in everyone. I have no doubt you would. Before they knew it was just like old times, talking about things and hours had passed. It was effortless with them.
-"You want to have lunch out in the lake. The canoe is big enough, and I can fish. That sounds great. You got two rods because I want to fish too. Whoever catches the most gets to clean and cook dinner. You are on Rollins. I go get the rods out of storage if you want to rustle us some sandwiches and beers to drink and snacks. Sure, everything you need to be in the kitchen or the pantry. Okay.
-"She changed into his seal tank top and shorts. She always carried it wherever she went. She fixed some sandwiches, chips, water, and some beer. She saw a picnic basket in the pantry and put everything in there. She threw in some grapes, too; she remembered he loved them. He had pulled off his shirt, took his sweat off, and only had board shorts on. He looked at her and just stared for a minute. I didn't know you were a thief, Rollins, and he smirked. He was mesmerized by her beauty. She had forgotten how hot he was without the shirt off. His body was impeccable.
-"She saw the scar from the liver transplant. When she discovered it, she was worried sick for him and wanted to call but knew it wasn't her place anymore. Kono kept her updated. She hands him the basket, and he helps her in the canoe. I didn't steal it; it was my shirt. You gave it to me, remember? I remember, and she smiles.
-"Hope you ready to clean fish and cook Rollins because you going down. Don't count your fish before you catch them, sailor. I fish in one corner and you in the other. Sounds good. Catherine said a few minutes later. Wow, I got a bite already. She pulled it out, and it was a big one too. I think this should count for two. Nice try, Rollins, but it's only one, and he smirks. Let me get a pic. He took the pic with her holding it up and smiling.
-"She bent over to put on some more bait, and Steve snapped a pic of her ass which had all sorts of thoughts going through his mind. Catherine said what was that? Steve looking sheepish; what was what? I didn't hear anything. She titled her head with a look I know you were up to something.
-"So they fish for another hour and stop for lunch. Catherine gave him some Purell and wet wipes to wash his hands. He said thank you. He bites into a turkey sandwich and stops. You remember how I like my sandwich. Something you don't forget.
-"He begins to devour it with his usual way of eating. Catherine looked at him. Something never changed. He said what and winked at her. He popped a grape in their mouth and threw one at her, and she caught it in her mouth. God, he has missed being with her so much. Okay, Rollins, let fish one more hour, and then we call it quit. Deal, and she gets up. She knew he had caught quite a few from sneaking peat at him every now and then. She also had caught a lot.
-"She turned to ask him something, and he was bent over, and his shorts had ridden down his butt, and you could see the crack. Before she knew it, she gasped really loud. He was on alert and said you okay. She hardly gets the words out, and uh, yeah. Then he realized she must have been staring at his ass, which she had loved from day one. If you say so, Rollins, but let me know if you want to bend over for you, and he waggles his eyebrow at her. You are so full of yourself, and she giggles. She hated to admit it, but she was truly enjoying herself. Let's wait till we get back to the shore before we count. Okay. He helps her out of the canoe. He first put the rods back in the storage.
-" Ready to count. Yes, you go first. She counted and had eight. Now my turn. Steve had nine. I won, and he did a victory dance. I think you cheated. How could I cheat, Cath? You were with me the whole time. I didn't take any fish with me. Fine, you won this time. I go start cleaning fish for dinner. Don't be a sore loser, Rollins. She stuck her tongue out at him, and he couldn't help but laugh.
-"Steve helped her clean the fish and prepare them to pan-fry. I am going to grab a shower before I get started on dinner said Cath. I need one, too, said Steve, and they both left to take a shower. Steve went into his bathroom but didn't see any soap. He went to Catherine's room and said Cath, do you have any extra soap? She screams. She was buck naked and quickly grabbed her robe. Next time knock. He smirked and said it was nothing I hadn't seen before, Lieutenant. She gave him the evil eye, entered the bathroom, and handed him the soap.
-"Thank you, " he left, saying down, boy. I know you miss her, and I do too, but we got to wait to make sure we do it right and get her back home. She was still the hottest and most beautiful woman he had ever known,
-"Steve said he wanted to help her cook even though he won the bet. They cooked side by side like in the old days. They enjoyed dinner and moved to the sofa with a glass of wine to watch a movie. What movie do you want to watch? I let you pick since you lost the bet. She was going to say the notebook, but that would bring up too many memories of all the time and fun they had together making out on the sofa. She needs to stay away from those memories right now, or she might be unable to resist him. She wasn't ready to go there with him just yet and unsure if she ever would. So much had changed between them, yet nothing seemed to have changed.
-"How about Rambo? He gave her a dubious look. I am surprised. I thought you would have said notebook. I thought about it, but I don't think we could make it through that movie without bringing up emotions, and we both know we are not ready for that. Yeah, you are right. He hates to admit she was right. Rambo, it is.
-" Halfway through the movie, her head was on Steve's shoulder before she knew it. The wine had made her tipsy and drowsy. He thought he should wake her up, but it felt so good to have her close, and he let her stay that way. She finally woke up and realized she was on Steve's shoulder with his hand around her shoulder.
-"She immediately says sorry I fell asleep on you. It's okay, and I will be your pillow anytime, and he smiles. Uh, I am going to head to bed now. Good night. He got up and said good night, Cath.
-"Steve was in his bed thinking about Catherine and how hard it was not to be in her bed. Today was the best day he had since she left. Everything was so easy. Not a constant effort to pretend like he did with Lynn. He hoped she could forgive him and come back because she was his everything
-"Catherine was also in her bed thinking about Steve. She had so much fun today and missed their funny banter and competitive ways. He always could make her laugh with his antics. Then it was his impeccable hot body; the sun glistened off his rock-solid abs, and damn his six-pack. Oh, and that hot ass she had loved since day one, in and out of clothes. She was so torn with her feelings. He had hurt her by going with Lynn so soon. Then there was Alex and how nice and caring he had been there for her. She felt guilty for not telling him the truth where she was. She would never intentionally hurt his feelings.
-"Steve gets up the next morning to cook her breakfast. She walked into the kitchen, and he was standing in his boxers only. He heard her before she got there and decided to tease her. He drops his fork on purpose, and when he bends over, he shakes his booty. Catherine said lord have mercy real low, but Steve heard her and turned around. Like what you see, Rollins. She walked over to him and swatted his ass, and said, nobody likes a show-off. Come on, Cath, you know you love my ass and smirk. Maybe and she give him a wink.
-"What are you cooking? I thought I would do pancakes today with some fruits; you want to grab the strawberries, canopies, and apples. Yeah, I get it. After breakfast, she said thank you. You Welcome. Do you want to go into town today? They have a place to rent a boat and tour the island. They have a lot of old antique shops that I know you love. Okay, that sounds good. I will go get dressed, and I will request an Uber.
-"He requested an Uber and got dressed also. He was wearing his jeans and a blue button-down shirt. He knows this is one of Catherine's favorite outfits on him. She was waiting for him and wore black jeans, a green flower shirt, and boots. He loves her in that outfit and says you look beautiful. The Uber pulled up, and they headed to town.
-"She said if you mind if we don't do the boat ride today? It is beautiful out, and I just want to walk around and enjoy the fresh air. He said no, and that was fine. Catherine stops at one of the antique shops. She loves buying old knock-knock items. While she was looking, Steve noticed an old necklace with a blue anchor with a gold chain. It was handmade, and he thought it would look beautiful on her. He got it and paid for it without her seeing him. They went to a couple more shops, and Catherine purchased some items.
-"They had lunch outside on one of the patio restaurants. They chit-chat about nothing. Catherine went to the bathroom and checked her phone. Alex had texted her and said she was thinking about her and couldn't wait till she came home tomorrow. Sarah texted and said, girlfriend, I hope you are not doing anything with Steve. Alex said you were out of town at a conference, but I think not. You know, I always know. I just want to see you happy, and I will always be there for you. Catherin's quilt kicks in again. She calls Sarah.
-" Hello, Bestie, where are you? Listen, Sarah, don't go off the deep end, but Steve tricked me into spending three days with him. McGarrett, I am going to kick his ass. He said I could leave if I wanted to but pleaded just to give him three days. I agreed, and he been nothing but the perfect gentleman. Did you sleep with him? No, I am nowhere near to doing that. Come on, I know you two; you are like bunnies whenever you are together. Sarah, it is not like that. I have to admit it has been hard. I couldn't do that to Alex without talking to him first. Are you saying you are going back to Steve? No, I am not saying that. I am just saying I would tell Alex before something like that happened.
-"Okay, girlfriend, just make sure you don't let him off the hook so soon and be careful. I will, and thanks, Sarah. Steve checked his phone and got 10 messages from Lynn; he just hit delete.
-"You want to stay and have dinner in town. Yeah, we can do that. There is a musical festival in the park. Let's go check it out. They asked the manager if they could leave her bags there, and he said sure. They took a seat on the lawn chairs they had out there. They had different bands, and one was playing the Beatles song. Steve said now that real music. When they played all you need is love, he couldn't help but to reach out and take her hand. He smiles at her, and she smiles back. On the way back, there was one of those photo booths to take an instant pic. He didn't give her a chance to say no and pulled her in and on to his lap. They took pics of sticking out their tongue, of fake kisses with their mouth, and Steve even got one of kissing her on the cheek. She felt so good in his lap.
-"He said you hungry? She said yes. How about Italian tonight? Yeah, that would be great. It has been a minute since I had Italian. You remember the restaurant we went to while we were on leave in Italy. Uh, not really. I remember us not leaving the room for three days, and he grinned. It was the fourth day that we ventured out to get fuel up. Oh yeah, it was a genuine old-school Italian joint. They made everything from scratch and had a violinist playing from table to table. Right, he was good. It was the best Italian I have ever eaten. Yeah, it was, and they were staring into each other eyes.
AN: It's time for drama in Chapter Five. Can you guess the bad guy from the past who has it out for McGarrett and Rollins? I hope you are enjoying it so far.
