Steve released the hug and looked at his daughter seriously.
"I think you understand by now that I didn't approve of your actions, right?"
"Yes, and I'm really sorry. I just wanted to make progress on the case and was eager to help. I didn't realize how foolish it all was."
"It was more than foolish; it was extremely dangerous! If Danny and I hadn't searched for you immediately, you could have ended up somewhere on the mainland or dead!"
Steve had intended to stay calm, but he couldn't help expressing his fear and disappointment.
"Anyway, I believe you see why I'm so angry. So, I'll spare you another lecture. But from now on, there's a new rule for you. Until further notice, you're only going to school and then straight home."
"But Dad, I…"
"No arguments. This is your own doing, and you know it. What disappoints me the most is that you promised me you'd never lie to me again, and now you've betrayed me like this."
Before Helen could say anything else, Steve's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and answered.
"McGarrett... Okay... Yes, I'm on my way."
Steve immediately rushed into the house and told Catherine what was going on. The two quickly ran to the Silverado and drove off. On the way, Catherine informed Danny, Kono, Chin, and Lou, who also headed out immediately. She then sent Helen a quick message explaining why they had to leave so abruptly.
Within minutes, the team arrived at their destination, a house in the middle of Waikiki. About 15 minutes earlier, an HPD patrol had been sent there for a noise complaint. As soon as the officers arrived, they were shot at. One officer was killed, and the other managed to take cover behind the car and call for backup.
When Five-0 arrived, they were immediately fired upon. The shots were coming from inside the house, and Steve estimated there were at least two shooters. A wild shootout ensued, and within two more minutes, a SWAT team joined the fray.
The ammunition was running low, but the gunfire from the house didn't stop. Steve decided to try something different.
"Cover me!"
He dashed past the cars and around to the back of the house. He found a window slightly open and threw in a canister of tear gas. It wasn't long before the two men inside came coughing out of the house, unable to withstand the gas. As soon as they were outside, the SWAT team arrested them. Steve rejoined his team, receiving a critical look from Danny.
"What?"
"I'm starting to wonder if you've only got a screw loose or if it's more than that."
"Why would you say that? I completed the mission, and this way, both guys are alive so we can question them."
"You're still crazy."
Steve just shook his head and waited a few more minutes with the others until the gas cleared from the house. Then Five-0 went inside and searched the premises. What they found was completely unexpected. In the basement, they discovered a massive drug lab. They also found small bags with a unicorn logo, indicating they had finally found the source of the drugs. A thorough search revealed a small notebook with the names of all the clients and dealers. This would allow them to finally arrest everyone involved. It was definitely a major success.
HPD took over the crime scene investigation while Five-0 focused on questioning the two gunmen, reporting to the governor, and tracking down the dealers.
Around 8 PM, Steve sent his team home for some well-deserved rest. They had accomplished a lot that day, including arresting several dealers with the help of HPD. The next morning, they would continue their work.
As Steve drove home with Catherine, he was deep in thought, and Catherine could tell it had nothing to do with the case.
"Are you thinking about Helen?"
"Yeah, I am. I just don't understand what happened. Everything was going so well at first, and I thought we were adjusting well to our new roles as parents, and Helen seemed to accept us too. But in the last few days, everything's gone downhill, and I keep wondering what I did wrong, or what we did wrong, for it to come to this."
"I know what you mean. At first, I thought Helen might accept you as her father but push me away since she had just lost her mother. But then things turned out differently, and we got along well and I don't think you've done anything wrong. You've taken good care of Helen, but she does take after you, and that includes being stubborn. So maybe she doesn't always think twice before acting."
"Maybe you're right about the stubbornness, but she promised me she wouldn't lie to me again, and then she goes behind my back like this. I trusted her."
"She probably didn't do it to upset or disappoint you. Aliya's death must have affected her deeply, and she was determined to find the person responsible. Because of that, she didn't consider the circumstances and didn't realize how dangerous the situation was. Besides, I would have run away too if I were in a house under constant surveillance."
"That's only for her protection."
"Yes, we know that. But for someone her age, it's different. She's frustrated by it and might not understand it because she doesn't see the danger. It might help if you tell her about Wo Fat. At least enough for her to understand why you're so concerned about her safety."
They had arrived home by now but remained sitting in the car.
"You might be right. I'll talk to her in a bit. But first, I want to apologize to you."
"For what?"
"I feel like I've neglected you over the past few weeks. After our attempted vacation on the island, so much has happened, and the little free time I've had, I've spent entirely with Helen. And we're married, and I haven't treated you that way. I'm really sorry. I want you to know that I love you with all my heart, even if I haven't shown it recently."
"I understand. Besides, it was and is important for you to spend a lot of time with her so you can build a strong relationship. After all, you only have two more years, and then she'll be an adult and go her own way. You need to make the most of this time. And look at it this way: You'll have me around for the rest of your life. Because I love you too, more than anything."
Catherine leaned over to Steve, and they kissed. That was the moment their relationship returned to where it was before the rough times. The mutual trust was back, and their marriage was saved. Both felt like nothing could separate them now.
When they pulled apart, they got out of the car and briefly embraced. Then they went inside, and Steve headed upstairs to talk to his daughter.
When Steve opened her bedroom door, she was sitting on her bed with a book in her hand.
"Hey, sweetheart, I'm sorry Cath and I had to leave so quickly earlier."
"Did you manage to achieve anything?"
Steve sighed and then sat down on the edge of her bed.
"Well, an officer unfortunately died. He was already gone when we arrived. But there's also good news. We searched the house and found the place where the drugs in the unicorn bags were coming from. We've already tracked down some of the dealers, so this epidemic is over."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something. It's about the protection service outside our house."
"You already know how I feel about that."
"Yes, and I want you to understand why I made that decision. When it started, I only told you it was for safety until we found the person behind all of this. What I didn't tell you is that I actually know who it is, but I can't find him. His name is Wo Fat. I've been trying to arrest him for five years now, and I did manage to once, but he kept escaping from prison. This man is ruthless, devious, and extremely dangerous, and unfortunately, he's been after me for a long time, which means you and Cath are also in danger."
"Why is he after you?"
"It's a long story, but to sum it up, he's behind my father's murder, and my mother took care of Wo Fat for a while when he was young. So, unfortunately, I've had a lot to do with this man and have been trying to arrest him ever since Five-0 was formed. And he's been trying to get information out of me or kill me. He's already used you as leverage once, and I won't let him do that again. That's why the protection detail is so important to me, and I hope you understand that now."
"Yeah, it makes more sense now. I'm really sorry I betrayed you like that. I did it all for Aliya. But now that you've solved the case, I'm relieved, and I really do promise this time that I won't lie to you or go behind your back again."
"I'm glad you understand now. But your house arrest still stands for the time being."
"Okay, I kind of deserve that."
Steve pulled Helen into his arms.
"I love you, Dad," she whispered.
"I love you too, sweetheart."
With that, Steve left her room and went downstairs to Catherine. The two sat on the couch and watched a movie.
At some point, Catherine fell asleep, snuggled up against Steve. Steve watched the movie until the end, then turned off the TV, typed a quick message on his phone, carried Catherine upstairs to their bedroom, and gently laid her in bed. He then changed and lay down beside her.
The next morning, Steve was up by six o'clock to go for a swim. When he returned to the house after about 40 minutes, Catherine was in the kitchen brewing coffee. Steve approached her from behind and hugged her.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, sailor."
"I have a surprise for you."
"And what would that be?"
"We both have the day off today. I told Danny last night, but he'll call us if there's an emergency. I've arranged for us to have a free day so we can finally make up for our vacation. At least a few relaxing hours."
"That sounds lovely. Where will we be spending these relaxing hours?"
"That's a secret."
"Why am I not surprised? You and your 'top secret' plans."
At that moment, Helen came into the kitchen.
"Morning."
"Good morning, Helen. By the way, after school today, you're going over to Grace's. Danny will pick you both up."
"I thought I was grounded?"
"You still are, but today there's a little exception because Cath and I have the day off and are going on a small trip to make up for our vacation. We'll be back in the late afternoon and will pick you up at Danny's."
"Sounds good."
The three of them had breakfast together and then headed out. Helen was dropped off at school, and Steve drove to the place he wanted to take Catherine: Lanikai Beach. It was a beautiful spot that Catherine had known since her parents moved to Hawaii.
"I love this place."
"I know, you've told me how often you came here with your parents. That's why we're here now."
"Thank you for doing this, Steve. It means a lot to be here."
Her gaze drifted over the ocean and settled on the nearby Mokulua Islands. Her eyes began to sparkle.
"You know, we once took a kayak tour to the Mokes, and I swam with the turtles."
"Hmm, then come on." Steve pulled her up, and soon they were both standing next to a kayak. Catherine beamed and threw her arms around his neck. Then they got in and paddled over to the islands. At a specific spot, Steve stopped the kayak, and if you looked closely, hundreds of green sea turtles were swimming beneath them.
"What are you waiting for?" Catherine didn't need to be told twice. She pulled off her shirt and shorts, revealing her bikini, and jumped into the water. Then Steve watched as she practically danced underwater with the turtles. He looked at her with love in his eyes. She came up to the surface, gasping for breath.
"Come on, sailor," she grabbed his hand and simply pulled him overboard.
As promised, they arrived at Danny's in the late afternoon, the couple looking more relaxed than they had in a long time. Even Danny noticed a change in his partner. He grinned to himself but said nothing. He was happy for his friend, who had finally found his happiness with two wonderful women.
