A/N: This chapter marks the start of a multi-chapter story, which is my first foray into this fandom. The story is completely written and goes AU after episode 1.15. Hope you enjoy.

He moved slowly and methodically, each shift of his body carefully considered before it was enacted. He'd been fortunate; that's what the doctor had told him, stating that getting shot and falling from a moving vehicle could have resulted in a much graver ending. He didn't dispute the doctor's claim, but the tenderness in almost every part of his body belied the other man's assertion. He was pretty sure that even his bruises had bruises.

Stabilizing himself by propping a hip against his dresser, he carefully bent at the waist, leaning forward just enough to snag the duffle bag that sat at the bottom of his closet. The bag was already partially packed, a habit he could blame on his days in the Navy when he might have to leave with very little notice.

Raising his upper body awakened the bruising along his ribs and a dull burn emanated from the slash on his side. He resolutely ignored the discomfort as he dropped the duffle onto the adjoining bed. Despite his slow movements, it took only a minute to add a comfortable pair of sweatpants, an old, favorite shirt, and the meds and bandages that had been pressed on him when he'd been discharged from the hospital.

Contrary to his friends' opinions, he didn't enjoy pain and wasn't nearly as self-destructive as they believed him to be. The events that had led to being shot had been mostly outside of his control, and he'd had no interest in ending up in the hospital at their conclusion. That had made the worried looks on Rick and TC's faces that much harder to bear, as their expressions silently asked, "Why did you let yourself get hurt…again?"

He knew that it was a testament to their strong bond that his friends felt his hurts as keenly as if they'd been injured themselves, but Thomas found it hard to look past the guilt he felt each time he met their concerned expressions. So, he resolved to do everything in his power to ease the lines around their eyes, to smooth their brows and unfurl their hunched shoulders by graciously allowing every bit of help they selflessly offered. It was for them that he was a model patient, refusing to add to his friends' worry by going against medical advice.

When Rick and TC had settled at his hospital bedside, insisting they'd stay the night, he'd acquiesced without argument, simply nodding in gratitude at the thoughtful gesture. He would never tell them that their doting was almost suffocating him, their every thoughtful act oppressive instead of kind. Each time they asked if he was alright, adjusted his covers, or helped him take a drink was just another reminder that he'd failed them again by bringing fear and stress back into their lives.

He'd stayed overnight at the hospital even though he'd chafed at being stuck in a sterile room that smelled of disinfectant and hints of the industrial detergent that kept the bedsheets pristinely white.

He'd dutifully closed his eyes when instructed to rest and stopped himself from fidgeting when sleep refused to come, unwilling to give the men another reason to fret.

He'd 'woken' tired but resolute, having used the sleepless hours to decide his next course of action. While his friends, his brothers, meant well, it was all too much to deal with right now, so he nodded at his doctor's instructions, got into Rick's car for the drive back to Robin's Nest, and allowed himself to be guided inside and fussed over until his friend felt comfortable enough to leave him alone. The man's exit had prompted Thomas into action, recognizing he had only a small window of time before Higgins came to check on him, or TC arrived after his mid-morning helicopter tour.

Leaning against the bed, he lifted one leg to place his knee onto the end of the duffle, holding it in place while he zipped it up with his good arm. The action once more pulled at his sore side and he bit his lip against the pain, refusing to give voice to it. He glanced down at his left arm, momentarily considering discarding the sling that held it tight to his body, but decided against it. He'd forgone his morning pain medication so he'd be clear-headed enough to drive, and removing the sling would make his shoulder throb even more painfully than it already was.

Grabbing the duffle, he took a last look around his room, confirming he had everything he'd need for the next few days. With slow, careful strides, he made his way out of the guest house, glancing in the direction of the main house to confirm he was still alone. He threw his bag into the back of the car, and then carefully slid into the front, grimacing as abused muscles were forced to flex and contract.

He exhaled in relief once he was seated, taking a moment before reaching across his body to pull the car door closed. As his aching body protested, he considered abandoning his plan and simply heading back inside where a soft bed awaited. Shaking his head, he turned the engine over. His reasons for leaving hadn't changed, and he knew it was the right course of action, regardless of how it would upset his friends.

Putting the Ferrari into gear, he slowly navigated the driveway, letting out another sigh of relief once he'd exited through the main gate and put Robin's Nest into his rearview mirror. Pressing down on the gas pedal, he accelerated smoothly, pointing the vehicle toward the highway and his escape.

Foregoing knocking, Higgins simply used her master key to quietly let herself into the guest house. Rick had called her after he'd dropped Magnum off earlier, and then she'd waited another forty-five minutes before checking on him, thinking he might want to freshen up before heading to bed.

She was surprised to find his bedroom empty, and the bed showing no signs of recent occupancy. A frown graced her face as she returned to the main room, confirming that the couch didn't show any signs it had been used, either. Exiting the guest house, she moved towards the beach, knowing Magnum's love of being outside. The lines on her brow deepened as her gaze took in the empty expanse of sand ahead of her, and she automatically pulled her cellphone from her pocket.

Dialing quickly, she tapped one foot as she impatiently waited for Rick to answer.

"Hello," the man barely managed to say, before Higgins was interrupting him.

"Is Thomas with you?" she asked, her tone sharpened by worry for the absent man.

"Juliet?" Rick began.

"Is he with you?" she repeated insistently, growing irritated with the man's lack of response.

"No," he replied. "I called you after I dropped him off, remember?" Higgins hummed noncommittally in response, her mind already turning over the problem of the missing man. After a short pause, Rick continued, "Are you saying he's not in the guest house?"

She bit her lip for a moment, considering whether it was best to be honest or offer a more general answer to avoid worrying the other man. "Juliet, what's going on?" Rick asked, concern now coloring his words.

Deciding on the direct approach, she said, "I've just been to check on him and he's not there."

She could hear Rick's deliberately slow exhale as he struggled to remain calm. "Have you checked…"

"Yes," she interrupted. "He's not at the beach, either. I'd hoped that you or TC had returned and picked him up for some reason."

"Please tell me the car's still there," Rick pleaded. Higgins was already in motion before he'd finished speaking, silently berating herself for not checking earlier.

When she arrived at the side of the house where the Ferrari normally sat, she let out a long exhale, her stomach dropping at the sight of the empty space. "It's gone, isn't it?" Rick asked, his tone now resigned.

Higgins pulled a hand through her curls in frustration, annoyance overwhelming her earlier concern. "I can't believe he'd risk driving in his condition," she replied, exasperation clear in her voice. "What was he thinking?" she said, mostly to herself. "No, he wasn't thinking," she rambled on, only stopping when Rick interjected.

"He's not reckless and this isn't about the car. This is his way of coping," he stated with a resigned sigh.

"Coping?" Juliet repeated, her mind slow to comprehend the meaning of the man's words.

"Tommy did the same thing after Afghanistan, and after every other incident he considered his fault. I just thought…" Rick trailed off, wondering if he'd said too much.

"Thought what?" Higgins prompted, her concern for Magnum's wellbeing once more surging to the forefront.

"I thought with you there and TC and I staying with him last night…I thought it'd be enough to keep him here," Rick replied.

Juliet swallowed thickly, regretting her decision to give Thomas some time alone. "I see," she responded, trying to infuse some level of confidence into her words. "Surely we can simply go get him and bring him back. I mean, a man in his condition…"

"No, we can't," Rick interrupted. "We've tried to track him down before, but he always manages to disappear somehow and won't be found until he wants to be." He chuckled mirthlessly for a moment as he continued, "I swear his ability to vanish is why he's so good at finding things for other people."

Grudgingly accepting the man's answer, Higgins asked, "So what do we do now?"

Several seconds passed before Rick replied. "We wait and hope he's not stupid enough to hurt himself any more than he is already." Juliet nodded, unsure of how to respond.

"Look, I've got to let TC know. If he happens to get in touch or shows up, let us know right away," Rick ordered.

"Of course," Higgins replied, the call disconnecting a moment later as Rick hurried to contact TC. Juliet lowered the phone from her ear, her eyes scanning the grounds of the estate, while her mind planned her next steps. "Where are you, Magnum?" she muttered softly, before turning on her heel to stride back to the main house.

To be continued...

A/N: Many thanks to AZGirl for proofing; all remaining mistakes are mine.

Given real life's demands, chapters will be posted twice weekly, on Sundays and Wednesdays. Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts if you're so inclined.