Ka Hahai,'imi XIV

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I do so hope that the creators of this show don't mind that I like to play with their characters.

Thank you so much for the lovely things you have said about this story. Thanks for your support.

Chapter 14

A week after the events on the Big Island, a private jet touched down at Hickman Air Force base. As the plane rolled to a stop near a hanger, Steve McGarrett smiled at the lovely brunette sitting next to him by the window.

"Looks like we're home," he announced to Catherine.

"And I brought you home alive," Catherine laughed lightly. "Do you think I can relax now?"

"I was never in danger of dying," Steve reminded her, conveniently forgetting about the brief setback he had three days after being admitted to the hospital at Hilo.

"You forget that I was in contact with your doctors the whole time," she pointed out as she unbuckled her safety belt. "I am relieved I did not lose you."

Steve had been sitting on the aisle and after getting to his feet, he held out his hand to her. Once on her feet he drew her out into the aisle and into his arms. He inhaled, loving her scent and enjoying the feel of her in his embrace. Cath carefully hugged him in return, mindful of Steve's ribs.

"Come on Sailor, time to greet your ohana," she said stepping away.

When they got to the open hatch, Steve paused at the top of the stairs. Walking towards them was his team along with Doris McGarrett.

"I didn't tell Mom what time we'd arrive," Steve said looking at Catherine in surprise.

"I think she checked with the Governor," Catherine laughed. "We flipped a coin to see who would get to go to the Big Island to escort you home," she added with a wicked grin.

"And you used your double tails coin, didn't you?" Steve said having trouble keeping a serious face.

"Guilty," Catherine admitted smugly. "I did not wish to get into a smack down with Doris but I wanted to be the one to bring you home."

"That's my girl," Steve declared and quickly kissed her. "Let's go face the troops." They headed down the stairs.

Doris had hurried ahead of the group and quickly threw her arms around his neck, avoiding his ribs.

"It is so good to see you. I was worried," she breathed.

"I'm okay Mom," Steve assured her. He disengaged her grip and smiled at her. "Honest, I feel fine." He looked from her to the members of his team and grinned at Danny. "Hey Danno, you look pretty good buddy. How do you feel?" he asked his partner. Danny had just been cleared for limited active duty two days earlier. He quickly gathered Danny close into a brief, brotherly hug.

"I'm great," Danny responded. "It's good to be back on duty. And how are you?"

"Ready to get back to work," Steve declared.

"Desk duty only," Catherine said from behind him. "Don't' let him tell you anything different."

Cath….." Steve protested.

"You listen to her Steven, desk duty," Doris spoke up as she moved back to his side. "And not until tomorrow. Today you are going home so Catherine and I can take care of you."

"I don't need nursing Mom," Steve grumbled.

"Maybe not but humor us," Doris insisted.

Steve looked at Catherine helplessly but she only shrugged and smiled sweetly.

"The doctor did advise that you rest after the flight. Your ribs are still healing," she replied. "I'm sure your team can handle one more day without you."

"Besides, they're all coming over to dinner after work," Doris added. "They'll brief you on everything then."

"Looks like you are outnumbered babe," Danny chuckled. "I suggest you go with the flow for now and just enjoy the attention."

"Okay…I give up," Steve surrendered.

"Enjoy it Boss, we promise you will have lots to do tomorrow. We have all kinds of paperwork set aside in anticipation of your return," Kono announced with a grin. She came forward to give him a quick, light hug. "Welcome back."

Steve laughed as he hugged her back.

"Thanks a lot," he responded. He then took Chin's outstretched hand and shook it. "So you've been holding down the fort, is everything quiet?"

"No shop talk right now," Chin scolded. "But it is quiet. The bad guys must be waiting for your return. I guess there is no prestige in being arrested unless McGarrett is there to snap on the cuffs."

"Yea, why bother unless you can hear Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett say…"Book em Danno"," Danny said rolling his eyes.

"It's a term of endearment, I keep telling you that," Steve smirked.

"Come on Mr. Warmth," Catherine stated linking an arm through Steve's left arm. Doris did likewise on the other side of her son. "Your mother and I are going to take you home now."

Without further protest McGarrett let the two women escort him to his truck that Doris had driven to the airfield. The rest of the team got back into the Camaro with Danny finally driving his own car.

Once at the McGarrett home, Steve let the women talk him into relaxing in the leather recliner while his mom and girlfriend…yes he did think that…..went to work on preparing the meal for later on. He tried to listen in on the conversation in the kitchen but quickly dozed off. An hour later, Catherine came out to check on him and lightly stroked one hand across his forehead. With one quick motion, Steve reached up and captured her hand, smiling up at her.

"Dinner almost ready?" he enquired softly.

"Almost Sailor," she answered huskily and sat on the arm of the chair. Steve pulled her into his lap and she carefully balanced herself, not wanting to put any pressure on his damaged ribs. "Steve, be careful," she admonished.

"Holding you is not going to hurt me," Steve argued. He tugged her close to kiss her.

"Your mother is just in the kitchen," she whispered fiercely, her hands propped on either side of his head.

"So what? Do you seriously think she isn't aware of what we do?" he whispered back.

"Oh she knows," Catherine groaned and blushed. "But we don't need to provide visual confirmation, do we?"

"Why does that frighten you?" Steve laughed and refused to release her. She didn't fight him further.

"Okay Sailor, it wouldn't frighten me so much if you would admit I'm your girlfriend," she stated firmly, completely enjoying the look of panic in his eyes. "Does that scare you?"

"Uh….no…" Steve stammered, then drew a deep breath and smiled at her. He brought one hand up and cupped the back of her head. "Yes…..yes, you are my girlfriend," he said firmly before drawing her into another kiss.

"Good to know," Catherine said with a twinkle in her eye. She ran one hand along his cheek. "It can be our secret. Now I should go help your mother."

"No need, everything is ready. And I have known all along you two were more serious than you cared to admit," Doris announced form near the kitchen door. She laughed at the expression on the couple's faces. "Relax you two, I approve. And I promise not to take out an announcement in the papers."

"Gee thanks Mom," Steve said dryly.

"Doris…..uh…..I…"Catherine stuttered as she pushed herself out of the chair.

"Oh please Catherine, I'm not going to interfere in your lives. I really do like you, you're good for Steve," Doris said quickly. "Now Steven, I could use some assistance with lighting the grill. I never could get that thing to work for me."

"Of course Mom," Steve laughed. He put the foot rest down and got to his feet. "I can handle that." He headed out to the kitchen after kissing Catherine lightly on the cheek.

"He really is a good boy," Doris said to Catherine. "If you can get him to admit to his feelings I know you will both be happy," she added once Steve was out of earshot.

"We will be fine Doris," Catherine answered, still not sure what Doris' motives were and uncomfortable with what she knew about her.

The three team members arrived shortly after five and quickly accepted beers while gathering out on the lanai. Danny saw Steve sitting in one of the beach chairs, staring out at the ocean. Leaving the others to their discussion of how to best cook kabobs, he wandered over to join his partner by the water's edge.

"How are you doing?" Danny asked sinking down in to the empty chair next to Steve.

"I'm good, really good," Steve replied.

"It's good to have you home. I hate to admit it but I've missed you," the blonde detective confessed.

"I missed you too," Steve grinned and sipped his beer. "So you are now 100 percent? No trouble with your gunshot wound?"

"I'm perfect," Danny bragged. "No pain what-so-ever. Are your ribs still pretty tender?"

"They're okay," Steve reassured him. "It looks like we're both ready to get back to normal."

"You two need to quit discussing injuries and come join the rest of us," Catherine said coming up behind them. She leaned over the back of Steve's chair and kissed his cheek. "Dinner is almost ready, come join the party."

"You heard the lady Danny, our team needs us," Steve laughed as he pushed to his feet. The three of them headed back to the lanai.

End story.

I thank all of you for reading my story. I hope my muse grabs onto some inspiration soon. I will see you again if she gets an itch to make me write.