Stormy State of Mind IX

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Chapter 9

Steve stared at the opposite wall silently for a moment, considering Danny's question and then met the man's concerned gaze.

"It's been several weeks," he admitted quietly. "She hasn't even returned my texts."

"I'm sorry babe. Maybe she is somewhere where she can't get a signal. It might not be safe for her to use the SAT phone," Danny suggested.

"I realize that but I'm still worried. This is the longest she has been out of touch," Steve answered. His fingers were unconsciously stroking the face of the phone. "She was getting close, the last I heard she felt she had a good lead to Najib."

"Then she's probably really busy, maybe even in hiding," Danny stated. "Catherine is a smart lady, she can take care of herself. Besides…wouldn't we hear….uh…..you know….from the Taliban?" he stumbled over words he didn't want to say out loud.

"Yes, the Taliban likes to brag, I keep telling myself that. They would release a video. When they were holding me they kept demanding to know where she and the boys were," Steve said in a low voice. "If they had her they would broadcast it."

"So there you go," Danny said confidently, his hand covering Steve's and the phone. "They don't have her. She'll call when she's able." He gave Steve's hand a small squeeze. "From now on don't bottle things up, share with us if you're worried. I really do care even when I shoot off my mouth. You had me worried when you were missing and I just can't afford to lose years off my life with that stress. I'm sorry I yelled when you were hurting," he confessed.

Eyes widening in surprise, Steve didn't speak for a moment. As he processed Danny's words a small smile graced his lips.

"So you do love me Danno."

"Yes I do you big jerk," Danny grunted. "You're my partner and my friend. I promise to listen better from now on. It's time to lean on your ohana my friend and trust us."

"I do trust you."

"Then prove it babe," Danny challenged. He squeezed Steve's hand one more time and then stepped away, running his hands through his hair. "Look Steve, I don't understand your military training, I was trained as a cop. From what I know of your Navy career, at least the non-classified parts…..I'm in awe. But you aren't in the Navy anymore babe so you can share with us. You don't need to go it alone."

Steve stared at Danny for a couple of seconds and then grinned.

"Wow."

"That's all you can say….wow? I bare my soul to you and you just say wow?" Danny sputtered.

McGarrett's grin grew wider.

"I love you too Danno."

"But were you listening to me?" Williams demanded.

"Yes Danny," Steve replied, his expression sobering. "I've heard every word. I'm so used to being alone but I do understand being part of the team. I promise I will try to share more personal things if it's important. I will talk to you about Cath from now on."

Danny nodded and gave Steve a weak smile.

"I tried to reach out to Joe White but I think he's avoiding me," he told him. "I was hoping he'd help put me in contact with Catherine."

"Joe can't help Cath, he's pulled all the strings he can there," Steve said resignedly.

"He knows more about your mother than he's letting on," Danny said bitterly.

"He may but he can't make Doris talk to me if she doesn't want to. It appears that my mother can make time to visit the man who wants me dead but she can't bother to call me or Mary," Steve said in disgust.

"I'm really sorry about that," Danny said sincerely. "I can't imagine how betrayed you feel."

"Thanks," Steve said gratefully. "I'm not sure what I'd ask her first and if I even want to hear her answers."

"Then we need to find Wo Fat and get our answers there," Danny stated grimly. "Why should we wait for him to find you? Let's go get the bastard and make him talk."

"I've tried to find him…..I've called in favors but no luck. The man's like smoke," Steve sighed. "Unless we catch a break we'll have to wait for him to make contact."

Danny grabbed a chair and shoved it closer to Steve. He sat down as Steve raised the head of his bed a bit more.

"I really need to get out of here," McGarrett declared.

"What did the doctors say?" Williams enquired.

"They want to keep me for a few more days but I don't know why. My temp is almost back to normal, the ankle is better and staying in the hospital isn't going to make my collarbone heal any faster," Steve pointed out.

"You still can't put your full weight on that ankle. How will you manage crutches with a bum shoulder?" Danny asked. "I can't see you staying in a wheelchair for very long."

"Whose side are you on?" groused Steve.

"Mine. I'm not up to carrying you on my back if you face plant while on crutches. Please be patient and wait for the doctors to give you the green light. Do it for your own good," Danny pleaded.

"It's just so difficult to sit around."

"You might as well, your truck isn't fixed yet."

"My truck? What happened to my truck?"

"So you remember me yelling at you on the trail but you totally missed the news on how we knew where to search for you?" laughed Williams. "We would not have known you were missing if two meathead kids hadn't boosted your truck, went joyriding and then rolled it. They're lucky to be alive and happen to be right here in this hospital."

"How badly were they hurt?" McGarrett asked seriously.

"Liko got off easy with only some broken bones. His buddy who did the driving has some spinal damage and we don't know if Micha will ever walk again," Danny explained.

Shaking his head, Steve felt sorry for the young men whose mistake had hurt them but most likely saved his life. Stealing cars was a stupid move but he hoped the boy would not be paralyzed for life because of it.

"I may see if I can check on them," he said in a low voice.

A knock on the door interrupted them and Lou stuck his head inside. Sensing that the two men had worked things out, he came inside smiling.

"I could not face the woeful food that the cafeteria produces any longer and the coffee is not much better. You two clear the air?" he asked.

"We talked," Steve acknowledged. "Now I'd like to get out of here."

"Explain to SuperSEAL how he can't handle crutches with an arm in a sling," Danny quickly added.

"So you think you can just hobble out of here on one leg?" Lou asked in amusement. "Why can't you just relax until they say you can leave? We'll hold down the fort for you at headquarters."

"I don't doubt you can carry on without me, I just am ready to leave this place. I'm bored," Steve grumbled.

"Get that ankle right and we'll got to bat for you," Danny told him.

"Patience Commander," Lou grinned.

"Okay," Steve gave in with frustration. "I will wait." His eyes darted between the two men.

"Can we believe him?" Lou asked Danny.

"Doesn't matter," Danny grinned. "I know these nurses, they won't be letting our fearless leader out of here unless he can stand on his own two feet."

Rolling his eyes, Steve began lowering the head of his bed.

"Get out of here. You two are giving me a headache," he growled.

"Steve, I'm sure they'll spring you soon," Lou told him. "I'm going to check in with Chin and Kono before heading home for some real food."

"Sounds good Lou," Steve replied as the big man waved and left the room. He looked at Danny who was hovering at his bedside. "You don't have to hang around and keep me company. I promise I'll stay put. Have you worked things out with Amber?"

A guilty look crossed Danny's face.

"We talked." He paused and ran a hand down his face. "We're not sure where we're going so we've agreed to slow down a bit. I worry about Grace getting hurt by becoming attached like she did with Gabby," Danny confessed. "We aren't breaking up, just easing back a bit."

Steve nodded, knowing Danny's fears, especially when it came to his daughter's feelings. He did envy the fact that Danny's lady was at least on the same land mass with him. He felt the absence Catherine left in his life even more sharply.

"Take that shot at happiness Danny, you deserve it," Steve encouraged.

"You'll hear from Catherine really soon, I'm sure of it," Danny assured him. "I'd like to stay and keep you company but I have to pick Grace up. She'll be thrilled to know you are feeling better and I'll have to bring her by to visit before you head home," Danny promised.

"I'd like that," Steve smiled.

"Okay. Be good, obey the nurses. Let the ankle heal," Danny admonished. He rose, tapped Steve on the shoulder and left.

Steve relaxed, his eyes closing and feeling more peaceful than he had in some time. All his ghosts and worries weren't gone but he felt secure with his ohana. Moments later he was startled out of his thoughts as his phone rang. Not recognizing the number, he answered.

"McGarrett."

"Hello Sailor," a familiar voice replied.

"Catherine? Is it really you, are you okay?"

"I'm fine Steve. And yes, it's really me. I'm so sorry I've been out of touch. I have a crazy few weeks, constantly dodging the Taliban. But I now know where Najib is. I'm sure I can rescue him," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

"That is great Cath. You had me worried."

"I'm so sorry," she said softly. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Steve said quickly. He had no wish to burden her with concerns about him when she was so close to her goal. "Please be careful."

"I will be. I know I can do this Steve. These children….it is horrible what they've experienced. I'm doing something important, not just for Najib," she insisted.

"I'm proud of you."

"I miss you," she said just above a whisper.

"Then come home soon, I miss you too," he replied.

"I will when I can. I have to make sure Najib and the others are safe," she answered.

"Okay, take care of yourself."

"I promise. I've got to go Steve, Amir is ready to leave. I'll be in touch as soon as we've freed the boys. I love you," she said breathlessly.

"I love you too Cath. Aloha."

"Aloha Steve," she said and then the connection was broken.

Sadly Steve stared at the phone, torn between relief at knowing she was alive but disappointed that the conversation was so short. He was now forced to wait, praying she would safely complete her mission and come home to him. But he could wait and he trusted that she would rescue those boys.

As he placed the phone back on the bedside tray, a sense of peace settled over him. His friends were here with him and his team had his back. He needed to be open with them and they would see him over the rough patches in his life. Ohana was not always tied to blood and the storm that had raged in his mind was now calmed.

End story.

So we finish another story. Thank you for sticking with me all the way. I always appreciate the comments you give me, they keep me writing. I hope that you enjoyed it.