Hello! I'm back with chapter 38 - I can't believe it's almost two years since I've started writing it. At that time I haven't dreamed that it would grow so much but here we are. And now sit down comfortably and let yourself delve into this story, forgetting all the thoughts that cloud your mind and finally feel relaxed:) Enjoy!

Chapter 38

"Guys, have you seen that? I'm pretty sure something's going on there." Rick said as soon as they stepped out of Magnum's hospital room.

"You're right." TC murmured, walking down the corridor towards the exit, deeply lost in thought.

"Yeah." Kumu added. "It's evident he's so worried about Juliet."

When Rick heard that, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, making his friends look at him in astonishment.

"What?! What are you talking about?" He asked.

Kumu had no idea what's got into Rick but she replied. "I'm saying that Thomas worries about Juliet's medical condition which is very understandable in this situation."

"No, no, no. I didn't mean that."

Kumu and TC exchanged puzzled glances.

"So what did you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Rick asked but his friends remained clueless. "They're much closer now." He stated, lowering his voice.

"Of course they are, Rick. These past few days, they were together 24/7 so they were close." Kumu told him.

"It's not just that. Well, partly it is true but their words and body language tell me something's going on." When he noticed that they're still unconvinced, he added. "Don't tell me you don't see the sparkles between those two. I'm pretty sure they're together now."

"Since when you're so good at body language? And isn't it about our bet we had on TM and Higgy getting together?" TC asked suspiciously.

"What? No! I've been cheering for them for a long time now and I'm happy for them. As far as our bet is concerned, I can't deny the fact that since they got together around Christmas, it's me who won."

"Rick, how can you think about that right now? They just got back and they went through a lot. Now is not the time for matchmaking." Kumu scolded him. "Promise me, you'll let it go." She stated and when she noticed that he looked like a beaten dog, she quickly added. "At least until they're in a better shape."

"But I know they…"

"Rick." Kumu warned him. "Deal?"

He sighed deeply. He didn't want to admit it but maybe Kumu was right? Maybe he just wanted to see that there was something between TM and Higgy?

"Deal." He replied but he didn't sound very glad about it.

Then he went through the door and got into his car.

"Wasn't I too harsh for him?" Kumu asked and she seemed to be really worried.

"No, I don't think so. Rick's like a brother to me but he's very impulsive and sometimes he needs some down-to-earth advice." TC replied and they both followed their friend and drove away.

The next day came and it turned out that after examining Juliet's leg, the doctor wanted her to stay for a couple of hours longer. Therefore, late in the afternoon TC parked his car outside the hospital to pick her up and take her to Robin's Nest. Before going straight to her room, he thought that it would be a good idea to visit also another floor and see how Magnum was doing. But he certainly didn't expect the view that greeted him there.

"Hey, TM. How are you feeling today?" TC said and froze right after he entered the room.

The bed was empty. His first thought was that something bad had happened to his friend during the night and they moved him into ICU or even worse but he got such a preposterous idea out of his mind. Then he thought that he was in the wrong room but he looked around and it turned out that he chose the right one.

And then something caught his eye – there was a duffel bag on the floor right next to the bed. He wondered how Magnum got it since he was sure that none of them had brought it the other day. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a quiet noise coming from the bathroom. He turned that way and a few seconds later, his friend came out.

Seeing TC there surprised Thomas.

"Oh, hi TC. What are you doing here?" He asked nonchalantly.

TC didn't reply right away. He found it hard to process what he was seeing – first, it was that bag and now it was his friend standing there, wearing his normal clothes instead of a hospital gown.

"What am I doing? Don't you think I should ask what you are doing?" TC finally spoke.

"I'm putting on my favorite shirt, can't you see? Or… I'm rather trying to put it on. Would you mind giving me a helping hand with this?" Magnum asked, acting as if he hadn't noticed TC's bewilderment.

At first, the man didn't react, he just stood there, looking at his friend trying to button up his shirt using only one hand since his other arm had been immobilized.

"Here, let me help you." He finally said.

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you." Thomas said with a wry smile.

"Magnum, what's going on?" TC asked.

The PI knew his friend wouldn't let go so easily. He sighed and thought. It won't be easy.

"I'm discharging myself from hospital."

"What? Why?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does. You went through a lot and you were badly injured. Right now you should be in bed, getting your well-deserved rest. And instead you're walking around, moving that arm of yours while I'm sure your doctor told you not to."

"TC, you know I hate being in the hospital. Besides, I don't want to spend the holiday season in this place. And I can assure you that I'll heal much faster when I'm at home. I promise I'll go easy with my arm and have a lot of rest."

Yeah, right. TC thought. He had a feeling Thomas' words weren't entirely true and he must have had something on his mind but obviously he wasn't ready to share that.

"All right, TM. But don't come whining if something bad happens and you're brought here again." The man stated.

"Okay so then you can say 'I told you so.'" Magnum replied and then quickly added. "Not that I'm planning something like that."

TC chuckled at that. "Anyway, how did you get your bag?" He asked, pointing at the item. "Did Kumu bring it to you? Did she know about your plans of discharging yourself?"

Thomas shook his head. "No, it wasn't Kumu. I asked Jin to do that. I didn't want to ask any of you."

"You knew we would try to talk you out of this." TC said.

"Yeah." The PI confirmed quietly and sent him a sad smile.

"Cause we're your friends and we really care about you."

"I know. Even Jin protested when he found out but I had already made up my mind."

"It's your decision, Magnum. You'll do as you want. Now let's take your bag and go pick up Higgy."

"Wait. Did you bring my phone?"

"Yeah." TC said, handing it to him.

"What about that phone number I asked you to find?"

"Here."

"Thank you for everything. You're a good friend." Magnum stated.

TC smiled at that. "I'll give you some time. See you in Higgins' room." TC told him and left.

"Yeah, see you there." Thomas whispered. He knew full well what awaited him in that room. To put it mildly, his partner wouldn't be very pleased seeing him out of bed or what's even worse – leaving the hospital before fully recovering. He would try to give her a suitable reason justifying his actions, a reason she would accept but definitely he wouldn't reveal the main reason he was doing this. He sighed deeply. He decided to put his worries aside, at least for the time being as he had something more important on his mind right now – a phone call to make. He had a strong feeling that he should do this so he sat on the bed and then dialed the number he got from his friend.

A few minutes later TC reached the third floor where Juliet's room was. The whole way there he was dragging his feet in order to postpone the inevitable. Finally, he knocked on the door before entering it.

"Oh, hi, TC. You're just right on time." Higgins greeted him with a bright smile. It was evident she was ecstatic about going home. "Did you visit Magnum?"

"Yeah." TC replied.

Luckily, she didn't notice his face as she was busy with finishing packing her bag.

"How is he today? I really feel for him that he needs to stay here for a couple of days. It must be hard for him."

"You have no idea." The man murmured.

"You know what? Let's go see him before you take me back to Robin's Nest."

TC looked at her, his eyes as wide as saucers. He had no idea how he should react to such words. Luckily, he didn't have a chance to reply to that because at that moment the door opened.

"No need to do that, Higgy. I'm already here."

TC had to admit that Magnum made quite an entrance. He then looked at Juliet who seemed to be completely stunned, surely the PI was the last person she expected to appear in this room.

"Thomas? What…? What are you doing here?" She asked. It looked like she was having trouble finding words which was quite odd.

Here we go. TC thought, anticipating the events.

"I'm visiting you. I wondered if you packed and were ready to leave so here I am." He told her, wearing a wide smile on his face, as if nothing unusual happened.

However, Juliet wasn't someone who would be easily fooled and she didn't believe a word of it. She squinted her eyes at him. Now that the initial shock had worn off, she began to interrogate him.

"Magnum, stop lying." She warned him.

"Higgy, is it so hard to believe that I worried about you and wanted to see how you were doing?" The PI asked, pretending to be hurt by her words.

However, it was evident that she didn't fall for it.

"Magnum, tell me what you are up to." She stated and then it dawned on her that he wasn't wearing the hospital gown, he was fully clothed. That could mean only one thing. "You're discharging yourself from hospital, aren't you?"

"You know you're a great PI, right?" He said with deep appreciation in his voice.

"But why? The doctor said you lost a lot of blood and you should rest now."

"I can rest at Robin's Nest too." He replied.

"But your arm. You have all the medical help needed here. Why risk your health?" Juliet asked with growing concern.

Thomas noticed that and came closer to her.

"I know that what I'm doing may not seem very reasonable to you but it's very important to me to come back home. I can assure you that I'll feel much better and heal much faster when I'm at Robin's Nest and not here. And just to calm you down – I'll be careful and take all the pills they want me to take."

"Oh, really?" Juliet looked at him doubtingly. Knowing her partner, it was quite hard to believe he would do that.

"Yeah. Don't you believe me? I'm sure TC does." The PI stated, pointing to the man standing near the window, who was listening with great interest to his two friends that seemed to completely forgot about him and the whole world around them.

"Hey, don't bring me into this, TM." TC protested.

"And I thought you were my friend." Thomas replied, pretending to be hurt.

"I am but you know Higgy's right. You should listen to her."

"Hey, whose side are you on?"

"Yours and your well-being." TC told him.

"Magnum, you'll do as you want, you're a grown-up man, although some of your actions show otherwise, just know that by leaving the hospital so soon, you put your health at risk." Juliet stated.

He nodded his head. "I'm aware of that." He said quietly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Oh, hi doctor Hoffen." Juliet greeted the man with a smile.

"Hi. Ready to go home, Miss Higgins?" He asked.

"I've never been more ready for that." She replied.

"Good. Here's something for you." The man replied pointing to a wheelchair a nurse pushed in. "And you, Mr. Magnum," he addressed the PI, "I see you didn't change your mind, did you?"

"No, I'm going home as I told you."

The doctor let out a deep breath. He knew he couldn't make his patient change his mind but at least he could try and remind him of a few things.

"All right. I just want you to remember that you should mind your arm and not strain it in any way so no swimming, paddling or canoeing until it's better. And don't forget to take the painkillers whenever the pain becomes unbearable."

"Of course." Thomas replied. Higgins could swear there was a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"Don't worry, doctor Hoffen. I'll take care of that." She said, giving her partner an innocent smile.

"Great. I'll see you both in a week's time. In case anything happens, feel free to contact me."

"Okay. Thank you, doctor." She smiled gratefully before the man left.

"Come on, Higgy. Let's hop on this wheelchair and let's get you home." Magnum stated.

"How about I take care of that, TM." TC spoke. "You promised you'll be careful and not strain that arm of yours."

"Okay, I just wanted to help." The PI stated.

"If it were up to me, I would just walk out of here and you guys wouldn't have a problem with who's going to push me in this thing."

Both men laughed at that and she continued.

"Anyway, Magnum, why aren't you in a wheelchair? You're leaving the hospital as well but I don't see it around."

"That's because I don't need it. Besides, I've got a better vehicle waiting for me at Robin's Nest."

"All right, kids. Stop this thing you're doing." TC said and when he noticed that the couple started to protest, he quickly added. "Higgy, would you finally get on this wheelchair? And you, TM, I think it's not very wise for you to refuse the help you were getting and you should stay here." He had to try one last time.

"No, thank you." The PI replied.

TC sighed deeply. His friend could be so stubborn at times but he knew that he couldn't do anything about that.

"Okay, as you wish. But promise me that in case you feel worse or something bad happens to your arm, you'll give me a call."

"I promise." Magnum told him with a grin.

TC didn't feel very reassured but he didn't comment on it. Juliet finally sat down and he could wheel her safely out of her room with Thomas walking right by her side.

While going through the long corridor, TC quickly got lost in thought and wondered what the real reason for his friend risking his health was. Those thoughts didn't even leave him when they reached the exit and when he helped Higgy get into his car. They still clouded his mind when he sat behind the wheel, started the car and drove to Robin's Nest.

I hope you liked these scenes in the hospital. I wouldn't be me if I didn't give you something to ponder on and today there are two such things - whose phone number Magnum needed and why he decided to discharge himself from hospital. Have a nice time solving those mysteries:) See you next time!

P.S. Thank you all for keep reading my story. MickeyMouse427, Dsnygal - thanks for your reviews, I'm so happy I have such great readers:)