The Journey Home
part 4

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Early Early the following morning a petite blonde female petty officer enters the room "Steve!" She exclaims running towards the bed "Oh thank heavens you're allright" Noticing the bruising amd numerous wires and plastic tubes she stops abruptly. "If I hug you ...will I hurt you??" She asks apprehensively

"Carefully" He replies trying to sound casual and slowly raises his arm slightly.

She grabs him around the neck and kisses him as he tries to keep his head from spinning."I've been so worried about you"

Frank looks over at him and up at the 23 year old petty officer whose uniform fits her buxsom curevacous frame like a wetsuit. He's got a whole harem "Hey buddy...who's this?" Evershall asks as he unconciously sucks in his stomach and smooths down his brown hair.

"Oh sorry. Lauri Winters. My secretary. Lauri-Frank Evershall

"You lucky dog you. Oh you do really suffer don't you." Frank punches him playfully. "You know what I got for a secretary...a fifty year old bald guy"

"Steve, what's wrong?" Lauri asks as he starts to cry.

"Nothing honey...just when I laugh it hurts like hell. Please no blonde jokes OK?" He smiles at her. "I'm surprised you're here though. Heinrich'd have to fly over to find out about the nodongs but how'd you get to Tokyo?"

Lauri stares at him, a dozen horrible scenarios playing in her head 'He seems oriented OK..What's going on here? Not like Wally before he died. "Steve. What are..?" She bites the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. "I've never been to...Steve we're at Pearl. Are you sure you're allright?"

"WHAT!"He yells and looking up too quickly he grabs the rail "Frank???" He asks trying to adjust to the idea he's not in Japan.

"I thought you knew." Frank apologises for neglecting the obvious. "Steve-I'm sorry. You weren't in Tokyo probably 36 hours or so when they medivaced you over here. All that spy stuff I suppose. I don't know why."

"Then how did you..." He asks trying unsuccessfully to assimilate the new information.

"I rode over in the plane with you and Doc Sapriesten. They temporary transferred him and Drs Hadrian and Capelli here. The two nurses went back after a week. They flew over last weekend to check up on you. They call every day for an update as it is."

"You're kidding??"

"No. The tower controllers call me every day too. Steve you scared the living hell out of all of us. Those guys have never even seen you before and when I told PO Rabicki you were awake he started crying. Docs a celebrity back there now for saving you. From what I've seen he did a heck of a job. Before you ask ..I didn't much care what was said I just came over. A few days later your boss told me somebody was flying the MIG over here for 'security reasons' I've got the job of tearing it apart. Just started a few days ago. The pilots have all been flying it around. Didn't leave me much to do but hang around here. And sneek your girlfriend in."

"Kathy? Was here???" He asks incredously. "How did...

"Yeah. The night you came to. You don't remember that? Steve she was here for hours. You talked to both of us." Frank asks repeating the conversation in hopes of striking a memory

"NO. The tickets yeah. I had them for weeks. Stuff that happened years ago I can tell you. Things I hadn't thought about in forever.But what happened an hour ago no way."

"That's only a temporary thing. I'm sure." Frank reminds trying to sound reassuring and failing miserably at it."You heard what the doctors said."

"Did I? God I hope you're right." Steve sighs."Grandpa Fennedy stayed with us before he died. I must have been 8, 10 at the most. He helped me with my homework every night. I had to do a project about the civil war. He could name off every battle, who the generals were, which regiments fought which and where. He knew the dates for every Fennedy in the New York Volunteers but he didn't know what he had for lunch."

"Steve that's a whole different situation." Frank tries to explain but in the back of his mind wonders if it really is."He was old. Thats a normal thing."

"Yeah." He retorts. "If this is what old age is like. Then my 65th birthday I'm putting a gun to my head." Steve replies with mock seriousness then adds hastily."Well maybe 70th. I do want to retire someday."

"Never happen to you." Frank teases relieved that the melodramatics were over. He knew his friend could be very moody and with exagerated personalty traits he really wondered if he was going to be able to stand the temporary McGarrett. "You'll be having too much fun leaching after the widows in the old folks home."

"Me? A leach??" Steve replies pretending to be innocent.

"Yes you." Lauri teases back. "You and every other guy in the section. Every time I walk through there I feel a dozen sets of eyes leering at me."

"We aren't leering." He replies defensively knowing he had done his share of looking over the top of a folder when she walked past his desk.

No? Then what did you call it when you fell off your chair looking around the corner my first day."

"Appreciation of the aristic form." He grins and then returns to interrogating Frank about how he got Kathy past the guards.

"The SP's looked the other way when I told them who she was. Steve, everybody thought you weren't gonna pull through. They were being nice. Don't go quoting regs on them."

'I'll be I never thought anybody gived a damn about me'"Wow....I wish I remembered that."

"Yeah you should. She calls me two or three times a day. Shes a wonderful woman. You're a lucky guy there ..she really cares about you."

"Think you could get her in again?" Steve asks hopefully.

"I don't know. Probably be easier to get you out....Uh Oh I think I just gave him an idea. Better nip this in the bud. ...and we know that's not happening."

Lauri opens her briefcase and takes out a thermos container "I made your favorite punch last night"

He opens his eyes wide bites his lip and smiles "The guava passionfruit???"

"Yes."She answers reaching over and grabbing straw."Mangos from the trees up in Waimea. Larry and I went hiking again Saturday. I'm really starting to like him."

"Told you. Is he still on the DMZ?"

"No. He rotated back to Schoffield couple weeks ago."

"Good. But don't believe everything he says about me" Steve chuckles grabbing at the straw as Frank pushes his arm back down reminding him that anything more than ice cubes makes him nauseous.

"What difference does it make? If I turn my head too fast I puke so why not for something worth it??? Besides that's what the shots are for. If I'm going to be poked anyway I might as well get something for it. I had one mother. That's enough I don't need another one.

******

Late in the evening a deep tanned aviator arrives at the hospital only to be stopped by the security guards outside Steve's door. A loud arguement ensues which attracts the attention of a linebacker looking MD coming out of the elevator."What is the meaning of this? I will not have a disturbance in this hospital!"He yells assuming a blocking stance.

"And just who are you?" The aviator retorts still trying to get free of the two seamen restraining his arms.

"Dr Hadrian. Consulting neurologist. And this circus is liable to upset my patient if it gets any louder."

"If Steve's your patient then I assure you I won't be upsetting him. Call off your goons doctor." The pilot orders.

"They aren't my goons to call off." Hadrian replies with a glare at the two seamen."Unfortunately."

"Look I just flew in here from Crete. " The pilot states firmly. "I'm tired,I'm hungry,I have no idea what time zone I'm in or what day it is for that matter and right now you are standing between me and the remaining 73 hours I have to spend with the best friend I've ever had.I'm not in the mood to play games with any of you."

"Very well." Hadrian replies."Lt Evershall is down the hall. If he knows you."

"Frankie! Hike your tail down here Mister! Chop-chop!" The pilot yells at the top of his lungs as the two seamen let go of his arms and step aside from the doorway.Seeing his opportunity Reggis dives under the arm of the guard and into the darkened room.

"No." Hadrain orders pulling John's hand off the lightswitch as he explains the situation.

Staring down at his sleeping friend John sinks to the floor sitting on his helmet." My God! I can't....I've seen guys hit the carrier deck. They're either dead or worse...." Leaning forwards he runs his fingers through his black curly hair. "My first wingman....crashed outside of Kwangju. He's in a VA hospital in Florida. I saw him once..he doesn't even know his name....I..That happens to Steve I...."

"Relax. Unless he would by some rare chance throw a clot that's not going to happen here." Hadrian reassures "When he's awake he's perfectly alert. Aside from the vertigo his short term memory's off but that is to be expected for awhile. We had to sedate him for the EEG so I don''t think he'll be awake tonight."

"Where is Frank anyhow?" John asks looking around in distress.

"I'm sorry for the deception. But I wasn't sure what was going on. I saw him leaving half an hour ago. I think he's staying at the commander's apartment. Why don't you go get some sleep, talk to Lt Evershall. Things will look alot better in the morning."

" I don't..." Reggis answers shakily."This can't be happening...Like this.Yesterday my fiancee agreed to marry me. Crazy fool that I am I took off,unauthorized of course, for Crete to call and ask Steve to be my best man. Frank answered I... After the ass chewing Captain gave me 96 hours. Said he didn't have the heart to turn down my request. Didn't matter I would have been here if I had to UA."

"If he does wake up I'll have the nurses call you." The MD, wondering about the intensity of the friendships here, promises.

Early the following morning the two officers return. Saluting smartly the two seamen step away from the door smiling at Reggis.. Caught momentarily off guard by the degree of bruising John grabs Frank's arm. Pulling Reggis arm off his Frank slaps him on the back reassuringly.

"So who's the girl?" Steve asks quietly.

Reggis stares back in shock.

"I told him." Frank explains."So far its the only piece of new information that's made it inside that thick Irish skull."

"Not as thick as you think." Steve retorts

"Obviously." Reggis agrees heartened by the quick comeback. "Frank explained what happened. That's got to be frieghtening. I got lost in the fog over the North Atlantic once,completely upside down, I was diving and thinking I was climbing. Last thing I remember doing is hiting the autopilot. I tell you I learned the meaning of rule # 1 that night." At the pair of confused looks he adds ."You've got to believe the instruments."

"But what if its wrong?" Steve asks

"Thats rule #2. If you think its wrong see rule #1." Reggis laughs.

"Yeah. But what if its really wrong?"Steve insists.

"Then they call it pilot error and bury you quickly." He states seriously."Hey! FBI." John exclaims. "Steve it just might work for you."

"What do I want with the Bureau. They're a bunch of incompetent bozos."

"Not the FBI. Flying By Instruments. Thats just what we call it. Think about this. Physics 101, if your feet are on the floor then your heads got to be 180 up. Few degrees either way and you'd hit the deck."

"Sounds good. but doesn't mean a thing when the world's spinning." Steve replies.

"Exactly. Its simple. If you know where you are then all you need to do is keep track of the movements. We'll point you in the direction and you go."

"That's ridiculous." Frank dismisses.He gets turned around in the bed."

"If we point him enough times. He'll figure it out."

"Yeah and he'll puke for sure long before that.

"Now that could be bad." Reggis replies apprehensively, remembering the time he babysat his nephew and the infant spit up on his dress blue jacket. "Steve you eat anything yet?"

"This is dangerous." Frank protests."You could end up hurting him further."

"So's crossing the street." John retorts getting up in Frank's face. "Evershall you're always Mr Safe. Come on. All we have to deal with is the IV. He starts turning blue we'll put the oxygen back on for awhile."

"No Way!" Frank protests more intesely as he shoves Reggis back.

"I hope you guys aren't expecting me to break you up this time." Steve quips at the perpetually battling friends.

"Steve. You decide." Reggis states backing down. "Either way is OK by me."

"Steve. It'll never work." Frank insists."The minute you sit up you'll pass out."

"Not like I haven't done that before." Steve sighs then asks resolutly."OK John. What do I do?"

"McGarrett one day that cavalier attitude is going to get you killed. What if he whacks his head again Reggis. You think of that.?"

"No. I didn't. "John admits reluctantly.Scanning the room he sees the helmet he'd left the night before. "Perfect." He grins picking it up off the cart.

"I still don't like this." Evershall states as he reluctantly takes down the IV.

As he begins to sit up Steve suddenly spirals forwards into a multicolored whirrling kalidoscope. "What the hell!" Reggis exclaims pinning him down. "Don't throw yourself on floor."

"See I told you. That's what happens."

"Shut up Frank." Steve snips.

"OK. That's what happens when you believe what you are seeing. I know its hard but you have to ignore all that. You know Frank and I would never do anything to hurt you. No matter what you think is happening listen to what we are telling you. Where are you right now?"

"UH.." Steve stalls trying to think logically and quickly gives up. "I...I don't know. I feel like I went down Alice's rabbitt hole."

"Always the comic." John chuckles. "OK We start over. 2nd and 10." the aviator orders as he slowly pulls Steve upright. "Woah." he says pushing him back against Frank. "Not so far. You're doing good, at least not screaming anyhow.."

"Reggis he can't scream" Frank snaps glaring into John's dark chocolate eyes. "He just passed out."

"WHAT!"

"Are you quite finished now?" Frank yells as he carefully lowers their friend back down.P>I didn't count on this" John replies as he attempts to shake Steve awake."Maybe I was wrong...." He admits reluctantly.

"Well?" Steve asks

"3rd and 10." Reggis answers hesitatingly

"OK. I can't drop back in my own endzone. Run the ball."

"Steve are you sure about this? Frank just might be right."

"What do I have to lose. Lets get on with it."

"Steve. Enough." Frank admonishes. "This was a stupid idea. You are liable to hurt yourself. Now come on, for once in your life be reasonable."

"Thats what we're talking about. My life. At this point I'll try just about anything. Reasonable or not." Steve states resolutly. "We go."

"OK." Reggis agrees. "Maybe if you keep your eyes closed."

"I can't spend the rest of my life in the dark."

"Steve. You're on the 99 yard line remember. Shut up and do what I tell you."

Reluctantly Frank pushes him back up against Reggis. "OK you're up straight tilt your head back down." John informs as Steve leans down and goes over forwards against the aviator."No. just your head. Forwards till you can't feel the back of the helmet anymore."

"Well?" Steve asks staring up at the two officers."

"You didn't scream."

"Big deal." Steve retorts.

"You did OK for a second or two." John replies more out of reassurance than fact."Automatic down but no yardage. Not too bad for a morning's workout....considering." Putting the nasal cannula back in place he playfully messes up Steve's hair."Frankie's promised to put the plane back together. You rest and when I get done in the MIG we'll go at it again."

"What is going on in here?!" Dr Hadrian teases. "Its loud enough to be a frat house in here." Seeing John grabbing ahold of his patient Hadrian shoves him against the wall."Just what in the hell do you think you are doing!!" The doctor demands.

"Hey Hey! Geez Doc" Reggis retorts slipping down and away from the neurologist."What were you fullback for Fordam U or something!"

"Actually left tackle, Texas A&M. But that is not the question."

"What year?" Steve asks suddenly intrigued.

"44-47. Missed the first season because of a torn ligament. Kept me out of the war though." Leaning against the bedside table the MD laughs."Or so I thought....till Korea came along."

"Really." Steve asks. "Varsity?? We played you guys. Trampled you in 47 if I remember correctly."

"Yeah that was a lousy year. We were 2 and 12 I think. Who did you play for?"

"Who else.." Steve chuckles. "Navy 45-49. quarterback."

Totally at a loss for words Hadrian drops into the chair next to the bed. "You're the fly!" He asks incrediously.

"Fly?" John laughs.

"That's what coach called him. Never landed in the same place twice or long enough to swat. But back to the original question Lieutenant. What do you think you are doing?"

"Just watch OK." John replies retrieving his helmet from the end of the bed. "Come on Fly." Reggis laughs at the new nickname which irritated his friend. Pulling Steve up and around to the edge of the bed holding onto him with one hand and fastening the helmet with the other. if you knew how ridiculous you look He grins still thinking about the Fly name."Keep your eyes closed."

"I can do it." Steve tries to protest.

"Most of the time." Reggis corrects. "You blow it, this guy'll be swatting me. Ready??"

After a few seconds Steve lets go of the edge of the bed and reluctantly gives a thumbs up signal.

"OK You are straight for takeoff. Go for launch." Reggis directs letting go of his arm "Steady on course?"

"So far." Steve answers.

"OK. 45 degrees." Reggis orders as Steve turns his head slightly to the right. "Good. Now 90. Back to 0 degrees." "270." Reggis directs noticing that the MD was watching intently. "Straight path Steve." John orders as Steve turns back from the left. "OK here comes the hard part. Pay attention Doc. Pull up, hard right."

"I'll be damned." Hadrian replies shaking his head in amazement as his patient stares up at the ceiling.

"Gear up." John reminds as Steve's hand heads toward the edge of the bed."You want to quit?"

"Yeah. Before I blow it."

"All right. Drop wheels. Where did you end up?"

"Uh....45 degrees. Nose up."

"Way to go!" John grins saluting. "Permission to land the craft. Sir."

"You did all this in 3 days Lieutenant." Hadrian praises as he replaces the nasal cannula. "I'm impressed."

"Steve's the one who did it. I just direct the flight. We had him up to 15 movements yesterday. And about 6 with his eyes open. I have to leave in." Reggis looks at his watch. "2 hours and 27 minutes. But Frankie'll keep up the flight schedule."

"I know we got off to a bad start." Hadrian states extending his hand. "But its been nice meeting you."

"Thanks. "John replies. "It was partly my fault. Too many time zones makes me cranky."

"You don't know the half of it." Steve teases. "First day we can hardly stand him."

"Oh very funny Commander Fly." John retorts. "At least I'm not running across the tarmac at the last second."

"Yeah. Because you're the pilot. The plane waits for you. Milkdud."

Incensed at the plebe nickname he hated and thought everyone had forgotten. "Just don't you be late for the wedding!"

Several days pass by and Steve becomes less disoriented enough to sit up by himself. One morning he is sitting in the corner of the xray unit when a SP enters. "Sir" He salutes and hands him his sunglasses"Come with me"

Steve looks at him questioningly.

"Just out the back door Sir. Come on. The sun'll do you good" The teenage slender Hispanic seaman pushes him out to a secluded,and according to his reconnisence of the the area unused, garden behind the doctors parking lot and helps him into one of the deck chairs "Just sit there and don't move OK" Steve grabs the back of the seaman's shirt as the he turns to leave

"Riveras what the hell's going on?" He demands.

Smiling the seaman salutes his watch supervisor. "Its a surprise Sir. You gonna be OK out here?? You're not sick or nuthin???

Steve leans back in the chair "No. I'm just...incredibly tired...its good to be outdoors though...thank you..."'Oh great.A suprise.Now what? I hate surprises..They have a way of going off'

"I'll be back in a little while. Gotta tell the nurses you're tied up. Don't go anywhere Sir" Riveras reminds as he heads back through the hedge towards the building.

The midmorning sun felt relaxing as it slowly warms his muscles lulling him into a light trance as a soft breeze blows in from the harbor carrying with it the familiar salty scent of the ocean combined with the acrid odor of diesel smoke. One of the ships must be heading out tonight He rationalizes. Remembering his year aboard the destroyer Steve looks around at the plants and up at the fluffy white clouds as the scents combine with the fragarant flowers around him nearly overloading him with almost forgotten sensations. A flock of seagulls flies low over the parking lot on the other side of the bouganvillia bringing him back to reality with their screaching. 'Some MD's car just got bombarded He laughs to himself. Fresh air! Never mind what Riveras is up to. Whatever it is..its worth it just to be outside. I can actually breathe out here. Wow! This is allright! If I'm lucky maybe he'll forget where he left me. A ground squirrel scurries by with a macademia nut in its teeth. "Hey little guy. Where'd.." The only nut trees on base are in the Fleet Admiral's backyard. "You're a long ways from home. Yarddog." He muses at the midshipman term for squirrels. We shoveled snow up to our beltbuckles back there. Wonder how many of the creatures wouldn't have made it if we hadn't of put out leftovers. This little guy lives in paradise and still buries his nuts like there's a blizzard coming. Strange As he is contemplating the wonders of nature a gecko falls off the palm tree and lands on the grass next to him. Cute little things actually. And the government spends thousands of dollars every year on DDT to get rid of them. Somebody ought to market them on t-shirts or something. A whole new tourist thing He laughs Deco Gecko maybe...People will buy anything if you sell it right.

Minutes later a jeep pulls up beside the hedge distracting him from the relative merits of pests as an economic commodity

"Hey. You look good out here." Frank smiles as he drops into the chair beside his pale friend. "I can't stay too long. Some DC suits want to have a meeting with us." "Again!" He adds exasperatedly.

OK. Here it comes. Whatever it is " Frank. What's going on?" Steve asks suspiciously. "I think I've been Shanghaied. well not exactly Shanghai but you were almost Guongdonged He half grins. "So to speak."

"Go with the flow." Evershall laughs. "These SP guys sure like you for some reason. The whole thing was their idea. I just came along to point out who...."

Oh...I thought..I.. I'd never see you again.. Steve's thoughts fly rapidly as Kathy enters through the bouganvillia hedge. Excited he starts to stand up.

"Don't be an idiot." Frank admonishes pulling him back down by the left arm. "Stand up and you'll pass out.. Women don't like that. Trust me she didn't come out here to watch you sleep. Just sit there till the guy comes back to get you." Getting up to leave Evershall slaps his friends leg teasingly. I gotta go.Good luck buddy. But I doubt you're gonna need it." Winking at Kathy as he passes her in the hedge the scent of her cologne mixed with the flowers fills his nasal passages. The way her hormones are raging. I hope she doesn't kill him. But man what a way to go! Frank thinks enviously as he climbs into the jeep. Probably take the undertaker all day to get the smile off his face.

Kathy runs the last 100 yards dropping her briefcase in the grass and leaping into his lap she wraps her arms around his neck. Steve bites his lip to keep from screaming as 140 pounds of excited female crashes into his shoulder. Letting go she stares at him with her deep turquoise eyes wide open despite the sun. "I've missed you so much!" She exclaims He looks OK. A little rough around the edges maybe. But a thousand times better than the last time.... She thinks as a siren goes off in her head. He's going to make it Kathy. You've got to decide if you want to keep him or not. NOW! Before this gets started

"Come here." He whispers softly as he pulls her towards him kissing her gently once."I can't even begin to tell you all the little ways I've missed you." Forcing down his emotions as he lets her go Steve casually asks how she got past the extra security he knew had to be posted during an alert exercise.

Calming the conflicting emotions charging her brain Kathy laughs."Some security! No wonder the Japs got in here. Frank called me yesterday and told me what your friends planned." Picking up her attache off the ground and setting it on the table beside them. "I came in with a bunch of tourists to see the Arizona and they arrested me and brought me over here for questioning." She grins at the thought of being locked in a windowless room with him interrogating her."

"Well that's an origional idea." Steve grins running his fingers up and down her arm making a mental note to position a few more sentries in that section then hoped he remembered to do it.

"I've been hearing rumors." She states opening the briefcase and pulling out a small white takeout container. "That some committiee is going to put up a memorial. And you know how committiees are,they seem to take on a life of their own. Some guy was at the Bar Associaton meeting last month talking about it. Sounds to me like they plan on turning the entire island into a monument. Course we civilians who pay for it won't get in to see it but hey..." Carefully positioning the Chinese dumpling between her teeth she leans forwards coaxing him to bite the other end.

"Yeah. I guess so." He answers swallowing the sausage. "So many people flocking out there to see it they almost have to do something. Light aircraft start circling at sunup. Unfortuntely my building's right on the flightpath. At least over here I'm getting to sleep past 04:30, Private charter boats run through the barracades all day. The brave ones like you drive right through the old gates. Its been getting out of hand lately. Most of them are very solemn but there's been quite a few jerks who just want to gawk. Those are the ones we've been detaining and making an example out of. Nobody would refuse families. Admiral Winters lets us use his barge to take them out. A couple from Iowa stopped me downtown last year, their son was a gunners mate.They were so nice about it Glen and I sailed them in from the yacht harbor then drove them around the base. I think Glen said he got a letter last month from them.

"What are they going to do?" She asks getting out another dumpling.

"What are you some kind of a red agent?" He teases biting her along with the sausage.

"Steve you're paranoid. Its been in the Star that the lands been declassified." She chides back biting at his neck.

"Demiliterzed." He corrects."I don't know. There's probably 6 dozen ideas. We ran clearence on a couple of architects right before...Hey!" He reminds, pulling her off his neck. "You make a mark I'm going to have to explain it." He grins wolfishly then starts chewing on her earlobes tenderly probing her ear eroticaly with his tongue knowing it was the one thing that she couldn't resist."There's even a group that wants to raise it. Weird thing of it is half of the Utah's out there too and nobody pays any attention to it

"Can that be done?" She asks incredously "So far down??"

"Sure easily. Its only a few hundred feet deep there. Part of her's still sticking up. All it takes is money. Look. I was almost a statistic once. Can we please change the subject?" He asks pulling one of the combs out of her hair. Annoyed that she is still curious he scoots up in the chair away from her and points over his right shoulder. "Quarter of a mile that way; you can't miss it. Just which one of us did you come out here to see me or the ship?"

"Now that's a silly question." She states laying her had carefully on his shoulder and runing her fingers through his hair. "A little long isn't it Sailor?"

"That's more like it." He whispers reaching under her blouse walking his fingers up and down her spine.

Alarm bells go off in Kathy's head again as the fingers move down one vertabrae on each pass causing the hair on her shoulders to stand up, her skin tingling with excitement. Seeing her lover barely concious had brought back all the painful memories of the last time she had seen her husband alive. Feelings she thought were buried as deep as Mike and just as cold ,suddenly erupting with the force of Kileua. Crying all night and bitching at Brenda all day, even a trip to Mike's grave, had brought her no closer to a decision. It is zero moment She thinks as she stares at the aviator glasses and knowing the intensity the steel eyes behind them had to be displaying. She was grateful to be spared that but could feel him looking through her.

"We're probably being watched you know." He reminds,oblivious to her dilema, as he carefully unhooks her bra.

Kathy looks up at the palm trees and the dense foilage surrounding them. I don't see how in this jungle but..."So what. You're the only horny sailor I care about."

Smiling he grabs her by the wrists flipping her onto her back effectively pinning her."Horny sailor!" He grins wolifishly. "Who started this."

Forget it I can't wait She thinks as her nipples stand up in anticipation of the coming ectasy. Suddenly Kathy felt she was in some kind of a weird comic strip as the angel and cute little devil duked it out in the baloons over her head frame by frame. You said you were going to go slow.What if you hurt him The angel admonishes.
He looks Ok. He'll say something if. No he won't Rats!" The devil replies giving the angel her due.
Just pay closer attention The little devil continues.
Angel's turn: If you end up dumping him sex is just going to complicate things. If you're not sure its best to back off here till you make up your mind. The little angel retorted sticking her tiny tongue out at the devil
But its been 2 months. And he's good! The devil reminds jabbing her tiny pitchfork in Kathy's libido

"What's wrong?" Steve asks finally noticing her tenseness

" I..." Kathy stutters. "I'm not sure this is such a good idea. I don't want to hurt you."

"Hey. Its just my arm thats broken. The other parts are Ok." He responds hoping in the back of his mind that he is correct.

Another thrust of the tiny pitchfork. Kathy straddles across him and runs her hands up the back of his T-shirt and down the back of his shorts grinning back seductively at him she grabs a handful of gluteal muscle. "Maybe I had better make sure." She almost looses her balance as he moves her right knee over slightly."Honey. What's wrong? " She asks suddenly concerned that she had indeed done something to him.

"Your knee was in the wrong place. I got shot in the back."

Buttoning the botom couple of buttons on her blouse Kathy sits up. "This isn't going to work." Flying overhead the angel pulls up the devils tail giving her a wedgie.

"Steve tries to pull her back Oh boy I hope I'm up to this"Honey its not a big deal. Couple months I won't even notice it.

"Yeah it is." She continues. I drain all the blood out of your head and you'll pass out on me."

"Come on." Steve leans forwards to pull her back down and suddenly spins backwards knocking his head on the back of the chair.

"Steve!" Kathy yells as he starts to turn white. The tiny angel flies around waving her arms in victory

"I'll be OK in a minute." He assures her holding his head down with his eyes closed. "That statements truer than you realize.

Frustrated at the angels unfair use of the injured lover as a tool the little devil jabs her pitchfork deep into Kathy's memories and twists it. Immediatey all of her emotions come to the surface crashing like waves against her conciousness. Sitting on the end of the chair her head begins to swim with thoughts as the angel and devil yell at each other over the bells and sirens."How could I even think of giving him up. Such a dichotomy! He chased the guy who stole that little old ladies purse for 12 blocks and kicked the crap out of him all the way to the police station. I'd hate to think what he would have done to him if it'd been me that was attacked. And that makes him all the more exciting. He taught my womens law group karate..sorry tae kyon. It's all the same thing I don't know why calling it karate annoys him. Yet he swims with dolphins and taught me to scuba so we could go down together. The coral reefs..there's got to be a way to do it underwater. Tiger. He rescued him when the mother cat was killed. A bunch of sailors raising kittens in a Navy office..if the general had of known he'd flip! He said Tiger was named after him so he got to decide who got him. Mike would never have been sensitive enough to give me a kitten. He would have walked right past with his nose buried in a brief and never even saw them. But Mike was safe. He didn't fly off to China or jump out of a plane for 'fun' He didn't even drive over the speed limit. Steve never goes under it! I suppose danger and sensitivity are connected in some way. He's like a diamond-so many facets. Each way you turn it it's different somehow. I can spend the rest of our life together and still not know all the sides of him.
"Shut up both of you!" she screams.

"Kathy who are you yelling at?" Steve wonders.

Looking up she realizes that her statement wasn't silent and he is staring at her quite concerned."Stupid squirrels." She replies sheepishly."All that chattering drives me nuts."

"Oh." Steve replies thinking he hadn't heard them but not sure if A: He had indeed passed out and there were 2 squirrels. Or far worse. B: there was something going on here that he wasn't emotionally ready for. Secretly he hoped it was the squirrels."I suppose they can be sometimes."

"I'm ... You're still not well you sure you don't mind my being here?"

it wasn't the squirrels....."Mind?" He replies a bit insulted. "Why would I mind. You're the best medicine I can think of." Steve jumps at a sudden jab in his right upper arm."

"Steve?"

"I'm Ok." He replies banging a mosquito."He must have drilled deep. Felt like a pitchfork." Laughing he pulls her back down." Too bad his last meal was surgical steel." Stroking her thick hair he states quietly. "Kathy what evers going on we can deal with it."

"Unfair use of injured lover!" The little angel accuses seeing the advantage suddenly shift to the devil Kathy that lifetime could be two weeks! After the weeks of confusion her thoughts were suddenly clear. Letting him go and knowing he was still here..so close...I couldn't stand that. It'd hurt more than losing him. As much as it hurt before I guess I can be a widow again. I've still got the black dress. Now there's a sick thought. You're burning that thing tonight!

Ripping off her blouse and hurling it at the table she throws herself on top of him kissing him passionatly, her tongue disappearing down his throat."Best medicine huh? "She kneels across him wary of where she places her knees and leans over so that her brests are suspended just barely within his reach."Its therapy time! Take it like a man." She whispers enticingly.

Grabbing ahold of one with his right hand he tugs he down on top of him.Oh boy those range of motion exercises are never going to be the same now. Rolling off she lays sideways against him. "How longs....it is a temporary thing...isn't it?"

He turns over cautiously onto his right side facing her and pulls her towards him "God I hope so. Hell I couldn't even make it up to the bridge to jump off"

She grabs his arm. "Steve! Don't talk like that! EVER!!!" She pleads

"What?" He replies then realizes how serious the casual statement sounded. "I didn't mean...I'd never. I didn't survive all this to do something stupid like blow my brains out." He wipes a tear out of the corner of her eye "Why're you...oh geez...your father...I forgot..." He runs his fingers through her long brown hair "Don't worry I'm not going anyplace" He playfully bites her earlobe "Besides with my coordination the way it is I'd miss for sure and take out a parakeet and those 2 squirrels that annoy you so much instead. Relax."

She reaches down and grabs the zipper on his shorts " I think....its going to be a little weird but...I think we found a way...you ready sailor...

"ANCHORS AWEIGH!" He replies confidently I hope

The crunching sound of tires on gravel startles Kathy awake.Still euphoric from the afternoon's love making,happily tucked under Steve's left arm she is content to stay still enjoying the moment until he wakes up. Noticing that the sun has moved to the other side she looks at her watch and lifting his arm off her she sits up. "Oh my God. Its 5:30!" Looking around for where her clothes ended up she shakes Steve awake.

"What" Exhausted from the days activity his subconcious replies "....honey not....maybe later..."

"Wake up!"She slaps him lightly "The SPs are coming!"She states in a panic looking for her nylons.

"So..."He replies almost awake."I'm their superior...officer..."He explains drifting back to sleep. "Tell them....I said.... to go salute themselves...."

"STEVE!" She shouts ripping off his sunglasses. "Wake up!"

"Oh God! He screams jolting awake in the bright sunlight. "What!"He yells putting his arm over his eyes.

"Finally!" Kathy retorts back."Sorry." She says picking up his T-shirt off a hosta and giving back the glasses. "But its 5:30."

"Morning? How the..."

"17:30 for you." She informs zipping her skirt. Come on."

"So?" He replies jokingly as he pulls her towards him. "Do you turn into a pumpkin or something?"

" Steve! Will you hurry up. Those guys'll be here any minute!" She orders searching franticlly for her right shoe.

"Huh?" He stares at her blankly for several seconds .Oh yeah.."Crap Riveras! OK" He zips his shorts and sticking his right arm in the sleeve quickly pulls his t-shirt over his head. Gritting his teeth he gets his arm back in the sling as the seaman comes around the corner saluting. "Afternoon Watkins" He manages to say through clenched teeth.

"Sir." He acknowledges and picking up Kathys blazer and briefcase off the table. Winking he kicks the empty Chinese take out boxes under a bush. "Time to go Mam." He reminds.

"I know." She replies reluctantly as she stands up."Bye Steve"She says kissing him quickly then pulls down the neck of his shirt and sucks a huge mark on his left clavicle. "Explain that one Sailor." She whispers. Heading towards the hedge Kathy turns her head back and leers at him. "You better get over this. I can't wait another 2 months!"

"Stay put Sir." Watkins informs. Alex'll be along in a little bit. He had to book a gilly-juiced submariner at the last minute. Couldn't get out of it. The guy plowed into the South guard post. Almost killed a Marine. Chef Morgan knew what we was up to he'd have our stripes."

Steve Starts to tell the seaman a humorous story about the Chiefs exploits in Korea then decides it would be better to leave the man's seaman intimidating facade intact. "Probably." He says finally then warns. "You don't get her out of here by 18:00 he's going to find out about it."

Overhead the tiny angel smiles at the devil. "Well. Another job well done. Blink you up a drink?"
"Sure. Why not." The little devil replies polishing the blood off her pitchfork.
Sipping her martini the angel laments "Why do I always have to play the practical hardass one?"
"Because Betty Jean you're so good at it." The devil giggles blinking the duo out of Kathy's subconcious.

*********

When 17 year old seaman 3rd class Rieras arrives in the garden Steve is sitting on the end of the deckchair with his head down "How'd it go Sir?" He grins,thinking about his only trip to Hotel Street, saluting. "Sir?"He asks tapping Steve on the back."You allright?"

"Huh?" Lost in trying to process the afternoon Steve jumps not expecting him so soon. "I'm fine. He answers, forgetting that he's not supposed to stand up, he gets up off the chair and promptly falls backwards as his head starts spinning. Seaman Riveras quickly shoves the wheelchair up behind him and unceremoniously pushes him down into it as he passes out. A moment later Steve wakes up wondering why the tiny seaman is staring intently at him through his coal black eyes. Assured that the commander is OK Riveras pushes him back into the building. By the time they arrive at the bank of elevators Steve is sitting up completely straight and aware of what's going on around him. "Riveras..." He states as the doors close. "Thanks.."

"De nada jeffe'". The Puerto Rican grins still wondering if this academy officer was BSing him about growing up 10 blocks from his parents house."You got to get over this Sir. Just remember." He reminds again."There was a screw up down in xray. You had to wait all day for them to fix it. My compadre has been telling the nurses that today. Don't forget OK."

As soon as they get in the room Steve carefully climbs onto the spinnning bed and collapses. Watkins and Riveras look at each other worriedly. He looks like hell." The Hispanic seaman observes."You think we did the right thing??"

"Oh yeah!" Watkins laughs dismissing the commanders current exhausted state. "He'll be OK in the morning. Got his board waxed good. Thats one fine woman he's got." Seeing the teenager blush Watkins quickly changes the subject. "The 2 lieutenants are sparring tonight. You coming?"

"Yeah I guess." Riveras replies glad to be off the topic of women. A subject he knew very little about compared to the older sailors. That ought to be something to see."

"You never seen Lt Anderson fight? He gives the commander a good workout." Then remembering an altercation with the sometimes hypercritical JG in which Watkins was right. The seaman grins with anticipation. "Jenkins is going to get his butt whipped."

"That'd be good. I just don't wanna forget so much." Riveras replies.

"You forget and saubunim over there'll kick your butt good." He laughs pointing towards the bed. "Soon as he can stand up to do it."

"Oh yeah." Riveras retorts grabbng the taller man from behind in a choke hold. "Slow as you are. He could whip you now."

Amused by the antics of his newest students Steve opens one eye and grins at the pair. Don't count on it." He waves at them. "Go on. Get outta here."

A large framed slightly balding nurse enters the room behind the exiting sailors."Uh hum" She clears her throat alerting him to her presence. "Commander what is going on?"She asks glaring at him intensely

"Mam?"Steve asks waking up reluctantly to her impatient foot tapping and constant unblinking stare. "...what are you.....My God I've met KGB who were less scary

"You have been MIA for 6 hours!" She barks in her best imitation of a drill sargeant."What do you have to say for yourself."

Before you pronounce sentence Steve thinks as he sits up and grabs the rail. Now I'm in for it. So. What ever she does to me its worth it "I haven't been any place but here" He replies trying to sound innocent

She takes a carefully measured step closer towards him "And just what is your definition of the word here Commander?"

"Same as everyone elses." He responds

"There was no SNAFU in x-ray." She gives him a laser like glare which he felt burning into his retinas. "Not that took 6 hours to fix. With you being so kind as to hold the flashlight for some petty officer."

"That's what I was told. And its only a UA...MIA takes 72 hours for pencil and 30 days for ink." Steve counters "Punishment for that is a reprimand and confinement to quarters. You're allready yelling" Steve continues,thinking that he has her on the ropes. "Now then I will certainly be more than happy to go home and stay there for 48 hours. I'll even be a gentleman about it and drive. That is if you don't mind my being on both sides of the road.Your car or mine?" He adds as a coup de gras.

Unphased by the 'knockout blow' she continues. "Why didn't they send you back up here then? Surely your leadership skills must have been tested fetching screwdrivers for some bozo from base maintainence." She quips

"How should I know." He replies frustrated that he isn't winning with this woman. I'm just the patient here. I do what everybody tells me to do."

"And I'm Tinkerbelle." She laughs. You've been a ..

"Pain in the butt?" Smiling Steve finishes her sentence.

"Since you woke up!!" She replies exasperatedly then continues. "So far you've missed 2 pain pills

"I'm Ok really" He replies convincingly.

"And 1 antibiotic not to mention the Scopalamine"

"The what??" He asks trying to remember the names of all the medications and thinking he was doing pretty well to know his own name.

"Scopalamine. Its a tranquilizer." She explains

"Oh. Well I definately don't want that." He teases

"In its regular dosage." She informs moving in for the kill." We were using it each time you had to go to another department to sedate you enough that you weren't aware of the movement. Somebody noticed that after you came around from that you weren't sick for a couple of hours. So Dr Hadrian cut the doseage to a quarter and thats whats keeping you from being dizzy. One of the nurses who gets seasick on her boyfriends boat tried it and it worked for her too. We might be on to something. If I were you Commander I'd buy some stock now...before word gets out. Burroughs Pharmacuticals."

Tightening his grip on the rail he looks up at her with his best interrogating the enemy agent icy glare. "I'm OK"

"I can see that Commander." She replies unphased. "Let go of the rail." She orders taking another step towards him and crossing her arms. " I'm guessing." She continues. "But right now I'll bet there's at least 2 of me and we're moving in different directions"

I'm not going to BS my way out of this very easy Steve swallows hard wishing he didn't see exactly that.

"Let go if you're OK" She challenges.

Orienting himself one last time Steve carefully lets loose of the rail. "See, I'm fine." He grins triumphantly.

Ceding him this tiny victory she smiles back. He's tough allright She thinks.This one's not going to crack easily. But I like a challenge. "Hey Commander." She asks casually. Weren't you in Korea?"

"In and out. Mostly in. Why?" He asks curiously.

" Oh just curious." She replies then remembered some of the Korean phrases he'd yelled while he was disoriented. "One of the lucky guests of Kim Il Sung? "

Steve blinks several times as a couple of images from Lang Bak enter his mind then forcing the memory back down he answers "For 3 months...till I escaped. Just where are you headed with this?"

Recrossing her arms she steps back slightly. Too many defenses built up there "Ever make it to a place called the Jade Dragon?"

"In Inchon? Sure. Everybody was in that place at one time or another." A couple of pleasant memories of the nightclub creep up to his conciousness. "Lousy band......and the food was worse..fights every night..."

Seeing him preoccupied with the thoughts she steps towards him quickly. The sudden movement totally disorients him as he falls backwards onto the bed. Seeing his head about to whack the opposite rail she quickly slides the pillow over and leaning down next to his ear she yells "Gotcha!" victoriously knowing that the word would eho in his head many times. "That is why you can't skip these" She instructs as she pulls a syringe out of her pocket. Ordering him to roll over she jabs him forcefully with the scopalamine causing him to jump, further disorienting himself. She waits a few minutes until the patient has regained a moderate concept of reality then continues the lecture.. "Thats it.OK." She reassures. "Now then I'm not going to ask about the sunburn on your back. I think you'll look far better bronze. Nor am I going to inquire about the 'bruise' on your collarbone.The soy sauce on your shirt and the Cherry passion, I believe is the shade, of lipstick on the neckline. And those claw marks on your backside I don't even want to know how that happened. And unless I'm wrong that's 'Jasmine Night' perfume." "Its not the scent for a Congressional Star winner. Trust me." She teases. "And....if this is one of yours Commander." She pulls a long brown hair off his shirt. "Then you're about 20 inches past regulation hair length."

Swallowing hard he looks up at her. "What was all that about Korea??"

"Commander." She laughs "You were so determined to prove me wrong that you were concentrating on staying upright. I just distracted you for a few seconds and, Boom!, You lost all orientation"

Gritting his teeth and hoping not to throw up Steve whispers "You missed your calling Lieutenant....you should have been in intelligence"

"Who says I'm not" She winks "Look Commander missing an antibiotic at this point isn't going to harm you that much. And I'm sure whomever she was, was keeping your mind off the pain in your arm. But you can't skip the scopalamine yet or you'll be right back where you were,throwing up every 20 minutes. Get the picture?" She reminds sitting on the bed next to him. "Considering" She says affectionately. "I'm the one who admitted you..and the shape you were in, I'm happy you've got the energy to pull a stunt like this .But.you're not half as well as you think you are." Standing up she slaps him playfully on the butt taking care to hit the spot where she had jabbed earlier. "So behave and eventually you'll be allright. And keep your hands off my nurses. Good night Commander." Pausing in the doorway she turns back and smiles "Oh, by the way I loved the bulgogi and sticky rice there but you're right about the band."

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