Hi there! I have a new chapter for you today. Actually, it was ready a week ago but I was sick for a few days and couldn't type or proofread it. But I'm glad I finally made it and this time it's been three weeks, not a whole month since the last update so it's a progress I guess;) As an interesting fact, I can tell you that the ending of this chapter was written a few months ago when I needed to take a break from the chapter I was working on at the time. Part of the next chapter (a scene with Kumu) was also created a while back. Although that's how I sometimes work, it's still surprising to me when those ideas, sometimes totally different, come to me.
Now, it's time to relax and enjoy the reading!

Chapter 39

Almost the whole way from the hospital to Robin's Nest was passed in silence. From the moment Thomas and Juliet got into the car, they didn't say a word. Sitting behind the wheel, TC kept glancing at the pair in the rear-view mirror, checking if his friends were okay. He had to admit that it was quite unusual for those two to act this way. However, bearing in mind the fact that they had been kidnapped, held against their will, badly injured and dead even, it wasn't really odd. It was probably a natural way of coping with this situation.

TC looked again. They still remained silent, there was no teasing or arguing but he could swear that when they glanced at each other it seemed different somehow. For a few seconds the man recalled Rick's words. Maybe he was right. Maybe they were really together now. But as fast as this thought entered his mind, another one appeared. No, they're just extremely tired. Who wouldn't be after such traumatic events?

Thomas and Juliet survived that and it was all that mattered, nothing else. Man, his mind must have been more tired than he thought. He was seeing things that weren't really there. Now that his friends were safe, he should rest as well, the search for them was very exhausting too and now it was finally time to take a break. He dreamed of going home and lying down in his bed. He planned on doing that right after dropping off TM and Higgy. Unfortunately, the likelihood of that diminished rapidly as suddenly his phone rang and after picking it up, he found out that there was an emergency at Island Hoppers and he had to go there ASAP.

He drove through the gate and parked the car on the driveway.

"Are you two going to be okay?" TC asked, turning towards his friends.

"Yes, we'll be fine. Don't worry about us." Juliet replied politely and reached for the side door.

"Wait, Higgy. I'll help you." TC offered but Magnum beat him to it – he quickly left the car, walked to the door and opened it for her.

"No need, TC. I can help her."

"Thomas, watch out for your arm." Higgins warned him.

"Yes, mom. C'mon, TC really needs to go." The PI said and gave her a disarming smile.

"Thomas, I'm not joking. You shouldn't strain your arm for a while."

"I'm not straining it, all I want to do is to help you get out of the car."

"I can do it myself, you know." She replied.

"I don't think so. Not with your leg in this state."

"Oh, I can assure you that if I wanted, I could easily stand and walk on it." She said and quickly tried to do that but as soon as she made an attempt at standing up, she felt a stabbing pain in her leg and she almost fell.

If it wasn't for Magnum's quick reaction, she would end up on the ground, hurting her leg even more. Luckily, the PI caught her in time. Although he felt a sudden pain in his arm, he held her steadily, making her feel safe.

"Yeah, you're both definitely fine." TC murmured with a wide smile on his face.

He could see they were back to their normal selves and then once again he got that feeling when he noticed that Magnum held Higgins a bit longer than necessary while she whispered 'thanks' and then her cheeks turned quite red. Was it really happening? Were those two starting to see things clearly and finally realized that what they really needed was right in front of them? Unfortunately, TC didn't have time to think about it, he had to go check that emergency. He drove away quickly but decided to observe his friends and find out if they actually got together.

When TC's car was out of sight, Thomas and Juliet were still standing on the driveway.

"Are you up for walking?" The man asked.

"Yeah, I think so." She replied and this time accepted her partner's assistance, leaning on him.

Although it wasn't very far to the front door, it took them much longer than usual to get there.

"You know what? TC forgot about our bags and drove away with them." Juliet said suddenly.

"Yeah but don't worry. He'll bring them back in the morning. I'm sure of it."

She nodded her head in agreement.

When they reached the door, they stopped in silence, neither wanting to part ways and say 'goodnight'. Finally, Magnum mustered his courage and made a suggestion.

"Are you hungry, Higgy? How about eating something?" Her partner asked, hoping she wouldn't say 'no' to that.

"Actually, I'm starving. What are we going to eat? Are we ordering?" Juliet asked while opening the door and stepping inside.

"No, I'll make something." Magnum offered, following her inside.

"Are you sure you're up to this? You don't have to do it, you know? We can just order something." She asked glancing at him.

"No, I'll be fine. I need to get back to normal." He replied and she nodded her head. She really understood that.

Then she turned and looked around the living room area.

"Home sweet home. I have to admit that for a moment there, I had doubts whether we would come out of it alive and come back home in one piece."

"Yeah." Thomas agreed and then lowered his voice even more. "If it wasn't for you, I definitely wouldn't be here now."

Juliet swallowed hard having heard that. Her thoughts instantly went back to that day and all the feelings it evoked.

Magnum noticed how his words affected his partner and spoke quietly. "Higgy, I'm sorry for bringing that up. It surely upsets you."

She shook her head. "No, that's okay. Really. Although it's hard to think about it, I'm glad it ended well and you're here." She told him and gave him a gentle smile.

He smiled back. "All right, now let me prepare us a delicious meal and while I'll be doing it, you can change into something more comfortable and relax."

"Isn't it what you were told to do – lie down and relax?" She asked.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be relaxing in the kitchen."

When he noticed a doubtful look Juliet sent him, he added. "It's true. I really relax when I'm cooking."

"You never told me about that."

"You never asked." He shrugged his shoulders and then asked. "Would you like me to help you get to your bedroom?"

"No, I think I'll manage." She replied and started walking but as soon as she stood on her injured leg, she stumbled and would surely fall down if Magnum didn't catch her in time.

"Whoa, Higgy. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I guess… your help may come in handy." Juliet reluctantly told him.

Thomas wanted to ask her if it was hard to admit that but he stopped himself. Knowing his partner, it wasn't hard to guess.

"They should have given you some crutches, you know?" He said.

"They wanted to but I refused."

"What? Why?"

"I thought I'd be able to walk on my leg without any problem." She told him.

"Higgy, you have to realize that admitting that sometimes you need help is nothing wrong. I assure you that the world won't end then."

She sighed deeply, she knew her partner was right and he wanted the best for her.

"Yeah, I know but… I had to be tough my whole life – when my dad left us, when my mom sent me to that boarding school, when I worked for MI6 and…" She paused for a moment, "when Richard was killed." She finished quietly and lowered her eyes.

"Hey." Magnum spoke and gently lifted her chin. "You don't have to be tough anymore. You have Kumu, Rick, TC, Gordie, even Jin. And… you have me."

She smiled at that.

"You can always count on us. Whenever you need anything, you can just ask and we'll do everything we can to help you because you're not alone anymore, we're Ohana and we love you. I love you, Higgy." He stated and then took her in his arms and gently brushed her lips at first, and when she responded eagerly, he deepened the kiss, trying to put all his feelings into this gesture.

It took them a while before they parted, gasping for air. They both looked at each other and laughed out loud. They both felt like teenagers, this whole thing was still so fresh. Magnum couldn't take his eyes off her, his partner looked adorable when she was laughing, it was definitely something he could watch forever and never get bored with.

"I love you too, Thomas." She told him. "Now, will you help me?"

Wow, he didn't think Higgins would actually listen to him and follow his advice with asking for help so soon. He recovered from shock and replied quickly.

"Of course. Let's get you to your bedroom."

Juliet leaned on him and they walked there slowly.

"Thanks, I'll be all right now." She told him when they made it there.

"Okay but call me if you need anything." Magnum replied.

She smiled. "Will do." She stated and then added. "Thank you, Thomas. For everything."

A wide grin appeared on the man's face. Then he turned and went back to the kitchen.

Half an hour later the dinner was almost ready with the wonderful smell wafting around the entire house. Magnum was still in the kitchen, finishing the food and starting cleaning all the utensils he had used. He looked at his watch and when he noticed the time, he started getting worried about his partner. Usually a shower and a change of clothes didn't take her more than a quarter but now the situation was different and it was understandable that those things may have taken her more time. However, deep down he felt a kind of dread and fear for her that something might have happened to her.

Just as he was about to go check on Juliet, she appeared. She tried walking on her own but it was evident it was causing her a lot of pain and she finally had to lean on the wall to remain standing.

So much for asking for help. Magnum thought and rushed to her side at once. "Higgy, what are you doing? I thought we agreed on something here."

"I guess old habits die hard." She replied and when they reached the sofa, she sat down heavily.

Thomas noticed that but didn't comment on it. He was a bit angry that she didn't call him to help her get back to the living room but deep down he knew that since Juliet was an independent woman for so long, it wouldn't be easy for her now to count not only on herself but also on someone else. He knew that it would take time but eventually she'd succeed in this matter.

"Now, wait a moment. I've almost finished the dinner and soon we can eat." He told her and moved back to the kitchen.

"Okay." The woman said quietly and as soon as she spoke those words, she felt extreme fatigue overcoming her entire body so she lay down. She tried so hard to fight this feeling but her eyelids became unbelievably heavy and it was just so overwhelming that she finally gave in and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Magnum busied himself with putting the dinner on the plates. He tried to do his best for his partner. One last touch and he was ready to serve the food. He picked it up and since the lights were dimmed, he moved cautiously to the sofa he had left Juliet on.

"Dinner's ready. Sorry it took me so long." He stated and stopped at the sight he saw there.

Higgins was lying on the sofa, fast asleep. She must have been so exhausted. He knew she should eat something but sleep was also important and it was probably what her body needed. The PI came closer and gazed at her. She looked so peaceful. She couldn't stay here, she needed a proper night sleep in a comfortable bed not on this sofa.

Without much thinking, he put down the plates he was holding, picked her up and went to Juliet's bedroom.

"Thomas? What are you doing?" Came out her voice heavy with sleep.

"I'm carrying you to your bedroom, you need your sleep." He replied.

"What? No, Thomas, put me down. Your arm, you'll hurt it."

"Don't worry about it. I'll be all right. I can regenerate quickly."

"No…" She protested but her eyelids together with her body felt so heavy that try as she might, she couldn't do anything to fight it.

"Shh." Magnum murmured, trying to calm her down. "Go back to sleep."

Finally, he reached her bedroom, gently placed her on the bed and tucked her in.

"Sweet dreams." He whispered and kissed her on the forehead, admiring how calm she was.

Then he backed from the room. He closed the door as quietly as he could and tiptoed downstairs. For a moment there, he considered going back to his place, now that Juliet was safe sleeping in her bedroom but then something told him it would be better if he spent the night here in the main building. It wasn't that he feared that she would get kidnapped again – he knew very well that those men weren't a threat anymore. He just couldn't leave her and had a nagging feeling he should stay the night.

So he took a blanket from the closet and lay down on the couch. He tried to get comfortable, tossing and turning, then ending up sprawled on his back but sleep still wasn't coming. He wondered why. Was it because he was too exhausted after everything that happened? Or maybe it was caused by the fact that something was missing? Or rather someone?

Yes, it was definitely that. During the last few days he and Juliet were almost inseparable, they spent time, ate and slept together and it was evident that he missed that a lot. Thomas chuckled quietly at that. Who would have thought that he would miss the incarceration and that it would happen so soon? Ironically, he slept better in the bunker, on that uncomfortable mattress with Higgins by his side than here at Robin's Nest but alone.

Different thoughts kept clouding his mind, bringing back all the events of the last days. Most of them were painful of course but there were some that Magnum recalled as surprising and very pleasant. If it wasn't for their kidnapping, they probably still wouldn't know about their feelings for each other and who knows, maybe they would never reveal them, thus letting something incredible pass them by and making the biggest mistake of their lives.

Thomas didn't know how much time all of this took him but finally inch by inch, his eyes started to close and he fell into a much needed sleep.

How was this chapter? You can always tell me about it, you know it, right? See you next time. Bye!