The Journey Home

Part 5
***********************

ExChinese Airpilot Dak San Hee is living in a secure suite at 'The Farm' outside of Quantico Viginia while being further debriefed. Copies of the missile site photographs have been distributed to various NATO commands. Things are going quite well for the Pentagon command staff which has now focused all of its attention on the remaining prize,a MIG-21 which is currently residing in an unused hanger at Pearl Harbor. Record snowfalls blanketing the East Coast have brought numerous bureaucrats to Hawaii and record numbers of headaches for Lt.sg Franklin Delbert Evershall. He has been spending upwards of 10 hours a day working on the aircraft and 3 or 4 more briefing sunburned aloha shirted Pentagon staffers. The past several evenings when Frank had finally made it to the hospital Steve was allready asleep and knowing that by now his friend had to be going stir crazy Frank felt guilty about neglecting him in favor of the bureaucrats.
Something has to give Evershall thought as he enters the hospital parking lot early in the morning. Before we both go nuts. Arriving in the room and not seeing his friend Frank immediately thought something had happened and they hadn't notified him yet then regaining control he decided that some therapist had capitalized on Steve's annoying habit of getting up early in the morning which ruined Franks latest plan. Frustrated he turned to leave then saw Steve standing in the corner fighting his way back into his t-shirt, a towel around his neck and wet hair hanging in his eyes. "Hey! You're standing up!" Evershall utters in surprise.

"Yeah. Couple days now." Steve replies through his teeth as he gets his arm back in the sling then noting Frank's guilty expression decides to twist the knife a little. "You miss the good stuff."

"Don't start with me OK." Frank cautions.

"Who is she Frank?" He teases enjoying the growing frustration building in his friend.

"I wish it was a woman!" Frank answers dropping into his chair. " At least I'd be getting something more than high blood pressure." You know I don't think you're supposed get those wet." Frank reminds pointing to the cast on Steve's arm.

"STOP ACTING LIKE MY MOTHER!!!" Steve snaps back as the sentence bounces against his ear drums causing him to lean against the wall till the noise stops."They're going to cut it off in xray this morning anyway so what the heck..." He continues quietly slowly letting go of the wall. A cold shiver runs up his spine at the memory of diving into a cargohold full of ocean years before. "I got one alot wetter than this and survived."

"That's gotta be scary." Frank states at the freightening image in his head."Somebody coming at you with a buzz saw."

"Not really.Now" He answers sitting on the edge of the bed with his head down, grinning at the memory of his mother holding her 14 year old son down when the doctor came at his leg. Some football hero I turned out to be. If the team had known about that or worse the girls!. I'm not about to tell Frank that, I'd never hear the end of it. "Its set to only go so deep. But the noise goes right through me. Allright Frank. Whats going on?"

"Where?" Evershall asks confusedly.

"With you." Steve insists. "You look worse than I do. What gives?"

"You don't want to know. Believe me." Evershall dismisses.

"Don't make me drag it out of you." Steve encourages. "What ever it is there's got to be a logical solution."

"DAMN BUREAUCRATS!" Frank yells in frustration.

"What I thought." Steve replies waiting for his ears to stop ringing."Been up to the Pali yet?"

"No."

"I'll bet you haven't put 50 miles on my car.

"You're probably right." Frank admits reluctantly."They're on my back full force wanting answers about the plane. Hell it takes the factory 3 months to build a fighter jet and I'm supposed to have a foreign job torn down and analysed in a month!"

"How many of the staffer monkies are there?"

"You now about them!" Frank asks incredously

"Sure. Its winter on the mainland. Remember how we used to name off all the warm duty stations back in Annapolis. Same thing only these yoyos are in a position to do something about their freezing tails. Thats the one good thing about all of this; those 'fact finding tours' are somebody elses headache this time,probably Glen's I haven't seen him in a couple days either."

"If they'd just leave me alone it'd go a hell of alot faster. But when you get one of those dumdums wanting to tell you which wrench to use it takes ten times as long."

"Frankie." Steve asks exasperatedly. "Just whos project is this?"

"Its got my name on it."

"Exactly. That means you're in charge not them. Those people are hemerhoids that have to be dealt with sure, but at your say so not theirs. Starting in February every year Intelligence is under a congressional microscope. Relax. I've dealt with enough of those kind to tell you they're all alike. First off they want to feel important at your expense. Fine let them and they'll go away. The last thing they want to do is spend their fact finding tour actually finding facts. Let me guess:... the lobster red yoyo comes to you three sheets to the wind demanding information, that means he's just heard from his boss and needs to make a report. Now you can deal with the dozen yoyos indivdually or together at a yoyo conference. Which ones easier? They like paper, especially things with numbers and pictures on them. That should be easy enough for you to come up with. Schedule a meeting time every day and stick to it.They'll probably be just as relieved as you. Just don't make it the same time as Happy Hour at the officers club or too early in the morning."

"That does sound like a plan!" Evershall laughs.

"I could loan you Lauri if it'd help. She did all the research for my presentation this year. I wonder who got stuck with that..."

"I don't know." He laughs pulling a paper sack out of his hat. "If my waistline can stand that. She's been baking again."

"Really?!" He replies excitedly grabbing at the bananna macademia muffins. "Exercise Frank, I've been telling you that for years. If its any consolation I hear some Missile Tech from Cheyanne Mountain's coming by to see me today. I can hardly wait for that. Just what I need." Steve says disgustedly. "A NORAD missile yoyo raking me over the coals." Heinriche has been making good on his promise to keep the vultures at bay but if I hear 'what kind of warhead was it?' one more time I'm going to go over the edge. Steve thinks sarcasticly. "DF1's, DF2's...to me one Nodong looks the same as another and they all look just like Pershings."

"I've met the Yoyo." Frank grins

"And...." Steve asks anxiously.

"Got in yesterday afternoon. Wanted to see the MIG. You know.." Evershall muses. "Many people that's come by I should sell tickets. Hell I could retire in a month on $5 a head."

"What about me??" Steve laughs.

"Oh I suppose you deserve a little something. A finder's fee maybe. Tell ya what. Since I like you...I'll cut you in for oh...30%"

"You're all heart." Steve teases throwing the towel at him and missing. "What about the Yoyo?"

"You might want to dress up a little bit." Evershall answers cryptically.

"DAMN! Not one of those rulebookers. Rats!" Steve comments not relishing the idea of spending at least a day with the pencil necked geek in his mind. "Wait a minute....do I outrank him???"

"Hey. Everbody salutes you now buddy. Even Eisenhower." Frank reminds.

"Huh? Oh ..the Medal thing... I forgot." He states leaning his head down. "And I'm not above using it to get rid of this jerk."

"Good morning Frank." A tall blonde female Air Force captain whispers quietly as she enters the room.

"This jerk gets on my back...he can just go salute himself!" Steve retorts.

"Uh Steve..." Frank responds hesitantly.

"Captain Marylin Swanson Sir." The blonde steps forwards saluting. "NORAD Missile Yoyo."

Anxious to avoid the coming confrontation Frank slips quietly out of the room.

"Oh Lord..." Steve salutes left handed as he lays back against the bed knowing he had just screwed up. OOPS! How can I get out of this gracefully. Things were much simpler when the military was a mens club. Truman you really are an SOB Slowly opening his eyes he looks over the woman standing at attention in front of himBut she looks better in the same uniform than any guy I know..."OK. Lets get it overwith." He states resolutly.

Glaring at the 'fine specimen of manhood' in front of her Marylin sets her briefcase on the table. "Very well Sir." She replies acidly and begins to ask a few general questions before a corpsman from radiology interupts them.

"Very well." She states matter of factly as she shoves the papers back into her briefcase."I'll see you tomorrow Commander."

"I won't be gone that long." Steve smiles hoping to save at least the professional part of their relationship.

Staring into the eyes she had heard so much about Marylin finds herself reluctantly smiling back."It snowed 8 inches in Colorado yesterday. This report is going to take me a LONG time to complete." Then remembering how she has to work twice as hard for half the recognition she continues causticlly."And you. You chauvanistic jerk, are going to put up with me till you ralize that a woman is as capable as any man! I've heard alot of stories about you. And quite frankly I don't see what it is all these women are drooling over you for.You are an egotistical selfrightous pompous line jerk. I'll bet you've even got one of those macho call signs like the rest of the hotshot superstud pilots. But your friend...now there's a man I could fall for. Wait a second there you can be of use to me.

"Excuse me Captain." Steve snaps back as the orderly quickly looks for an escape. "But I don't think I've said anything to warrant all of that. It doesn't matter to me what gender you are I just want to get this experience overwith. In case you hadn't read the report thoroughly I was in the right seat not the left therefore I doubt very much if I qualify as a hotshot superstud pilot. As for my callsign, you don't know me well enough for that. Now then if you want to start over." He smiles slightly at her sticking out his hand. "My name's Commander Steve McGarrett. I prefer Steve but I answer to all three."

"OK." Marylin replies hesitantly as she switches her briefcase to her right hand."Marylin Swanson." she answers shaking hands. "I don't know about being friends. But I don't need an enemy."

"Works for me." He replies."Am I going to find you here when I get back?" Steve asks wondering who the drooling women were and just what stories she had heard about him and from whom had she heard them."

"I don't think so Sir." She says picking up her hat as he leaves the room with the corpsman. "But there is just one question though.If you don't mind." Marylin replies following him out into the hall. Seeing him wave she asks confidently. "What do you know about Frank?"

"What!" Surprised by the question Steve jerks his head up quickly and passes out as the seaman quickly pulls him back into the chair by the back of the shirt."Wake up Sir." He orders shaking the commander slightly.

"I'm sorry Commander."Marylin says softly puting her hand on his shoulder."I didn't mean to..."

"Forget it." Steve answers. I've got a real low sensory overload point right now. I was expecting nodong and got Evershall...heck a difference. What about Frank?"

"I'm going to ask him out to dinner tonight. I want it to be just right."

"Don't worry. Frankie's an omnivore. He'll eat anything and the plate it comes on. Woah! This woman's a live torpedo.She's already launched in Frank's direction I'd better warn him to change course before she acquires a lock on him. Geez! She's enough to blow a guy out of the water for good.

"Good. What does he like? Rock & Roll? I hope you're not going to say Country & Western. Where's a good nightclub??"

Laughing at the thought of Frank trapped in a club with this woman dragging him across the floor Steve suddenly doubles over forwards as his chest explodes sending tears rolling dwn his face.

"Commander?"Marylin asks in concern as she bends down in front of him. "Whats wrong?"

"Please....." Steve replies through clenched teeth. "Breathing hurts bad enough....don't make me laugh....Damn!.."

"Sir?" The corpsman asks stopping the elevator.

"I think I just broke 22." He gasps.

"Its OK Sir." The freckle faced seaman responds pulling him carefully back upright. "We'll find out in a few minutes for certain. I'll get them to put you in first."

"Whats going on?" Marylin demands as she sees Steve's head fall to one side.

"Its OK Mam." The orderly replies. "He just passed out again."

"What do you mean again!?" Marylin demands standing up to her full 5'9''height.

The young corpsman shrugs his shoulders not really liking the idea of being trapped in a confined space with this woman."He does it a dozen times a day. Give him a minute; he'll come around."

"MyGod!" She says slowly shaking her head. "I had no idea..." Staring down at him she runs her long fingers through Steve's hair carefully combing it out of his eyes. "What'd he mean by 22?" she asks quietly.

"I don't know all of it Mam." The seaman responds realizing that he can't escape the hellcat officer."They think he got thrown out of the plane before it crashed and landed on a rock or something. All his ribs are cracked and if he's right then another one just broke. He's determined not to break all of them but one by one..."P>"Boy did I read him wrong." Marylin whispers as she leans against the elevator wall

"Yes Mam you did." The seaman glares at her intensely suddenly not caring what she did to him."Hes the bravest guy I've ever met. And probably the nicest officer on base although I've heard he can rip a GI to ribbons if need be. His friends alot like him I don't think the Commander would have made it without him.

"Corporal!" The captain shrieks. "He's turning blue!"

"Come on Sir!" The seaman commands."Wake up. Breathe deeply!"

"Martins..you breathe deep!" Steve snaps back then finally opens his eyes to see the blonde tornado standing over him asking if he was allright.

"I guess so." He replies blinking a few times trying to clear the double image of Marylin out of his vision. God! one of her's bad enough Steve thinks as the sharp pain of the edges of his rib grating on each other reminds him nothing is THAT funny. "I don't know about the Air Force but the Naval Academy holds a couple of balls each year. Frank's a nice guy and a hell of an engineer but he can't dance for beans. A basic waltz he might be able to handle but the Twist and Mashed Potato are way out of his league. I've tried to teach him hundreds of times but he just can't get the hang of it. Unless you are planning on wearing combat boots I suggest you avoid anything that will bring you in close proximity with his feet. Hey Martins. What's at the Shell?"

"Uh...Jazz Festival 22:00" The seaman responds caught by surprise. "Bunch of us went last night.I've never seen nuthin like that before."

"Like jazz Captain?" Steve asks hoping to get rid of the pest.

"I was raised in Chicago. Love it." She responds eagerly.

"Perfect. Frank can find his way to the Shell. There's a nice restaurant at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Its right on the pier you can't miss it." And it was a great show last year too....Damn Chinese! "Martins" He snips taking out a tiny bit of frustraion on the seaman."We going to hang around in the elevator all day?"

"No Sir!" He responds quickly pushing the button and thinking that the tales of ripped seamen were probably true.

***********

With the new yoyo conference scheduled from 11:00 to 13:00 every day Frank found himself with only 3 or 4 barely awake staff monkies who were more interested in the coffee and jelly doughnuts than listening to him talk about the tensile strength of aluminum alloys and usually left way before 13:00. With Lauri's planning he was able to come up with enough data to compare the various US aicraft components with the Chinese one which she turned into 2 weeks worth of what he was now calling 'happy paper' to be delivered by a seaman every day to the individual's quarters. Having finished the latest spectrometer reports on the wing struts after the last sunburned yoyo left the room at 12:30 Frank decides to pay his friend a surprise afternoon visit to show him how well the new plan was working out. Seeing him laying on the bed staring at the wall with an odd far away look Frank had seen once before when he had accidentally run into him and Glen Anderson in Tokyo shortly after the pair had gotten back from North Korea all the worries he had then came flooding back."Steve? You all right??" He asks hesitantly, hoping that maybe it was just the medication catching up with him.

"Yeah. I guess so." Steve replies flatly which confirms Franks suspicions.

"All right what's happening" Frank demands

"Nothing." Steve replies still looking at the wall."I can't run,TV makes me sick to watch, the stuff I'm drawing left handed..a two year old could do better,I read anything much smaller than the headlines I get a headache. Hell I can barely think straight. And if that snide little jerk downstairs explains rotator cuff physiology to me one more time he's going to get his 90 degrees of abduction in the form of a right cross. Ah hell whats the use."

Not this time buddy. "Snap out of it before they get the shrinks in here after you."

"Been tried before. If the NKs couldn't do it what makes you think some Sigmund Freud wannabe is going to make me crack?"

" That does it! I was going to ask if you were up to this, now you don't have a choice in the matter you're getting out of here. Get dressed I can't wait all day." Frank orders.

Wondering what his friend has in store he slowly gets up and walks into the closet door."

"Ouch." Frank winces in sympathy. "So you're not OK yet. At least you know where up is."

"Satisfied?" Steve asks returning in a tan duty uniform.

"It'll do." Frank replies pinning the valor ribbon on the top of Steve's other decorations. "Don't forget this. I guess the jewelry can wait...you'll have to be a lieutenant commander one more time. You're going to look good with scrambled eggs." He states handing Steve his hat."

"Yeah." Steve half grins."They'll match my brain."

As the elevator begins to descend Steve slides down the wall and sits with his head between his knees alarming Frank who threatens to call off the whole thing, take him back and page Dr Hadrian. It takes Steve the entire 4 floor journey to reassure his friend he is fine and everyone is aware he gets dizzy in elevators.

"Geez I'm sorry." Evershall apologizes as the car stops. "I didn't think about that. And you're gonna have to go back up too. Nuts!"

"Forget it." Steve replies as Frank pulls him to his feet. "Up doesn't bother me at all. Wierd huh?" He half smiles thinking there has to be something humorous in this situation but he still hadn't found it yet.

"Uh Steve" Evershall stops abruptly in the doorway as Steve nearly rams into the back of him. "You gonna be OK in the car?"

"If it kills me." Steve replies confidently thinking a few days ago he and Frank probably would have collided so maybe some balance was finally coming back. Putting on his sunglasses he nudges Evershall through the door. "Where are we going?"

"No place special. Its only 14:00." He replies wishing that he'd tried to find a closer parking place. "Some of us still have to work you know." Frank teases.

"Man I didn't think I'd ever see this car again." Steve states excidedly as he polishes a spot on the rear fin.

"Duck your head." Frank reminds as he settles Steve in the passenger seat."Marylin loves it. Its a great car but you should have waited and bought a 57..bigger fins."

"Size isn't everything. You better be taking care of it." Steve warns knowing his friends knack for scratching and denting staff cars. Funny Steve mused staring out the widow Glen, Kathy, Hennessey last year, dozens of people have driven it; Odd feeling though, riding in your own car...

Despite Franks reminder about the bright sun Steve insists on putting the top down during the trip. Noting that his friend was looking around excitedly despite the headache he knew had to be raging Evershall impulsively decides to drive around the base, avoiding the housing area lest Steve bolt at the stop sign across the street from his building.

"OK where are we going?" MCGarrett finally asks when Frank turns into the air wing section.

"You said you never saw the MIG. Doesn't seem fair..everyone else in the Navy and half the Air Force's been in it. I want you to meet some of the guys who are tearing it down. Its got a whole dfferent navigation setup. I'm having a heck of a time with it. The wing chords totally change the whole aerodynamic flow. All the pilots say its way more maneuverable than anything we've got. If they were chasing you down in these you didn't stand a snowball's chance in Tahiti. We're way behind schedule. At this rate I'm going to be here at least another month." Frank replies pulling into the hanger. Steve carefully gets out of the car and leans against the door surveying the area.

"Who the hell want's what now." An overweight masterchief states disgustedly as he recognizes Frank's car but not the officer with him. The group of men gathers in the corner, around the complaining chief, waiting to see how the bureaucracy was going to complicate their lives now.

"You OK?" Frank asks breaking Steve's concentration on the bright red star painted on the tailrudder looming in front of him.

"Yeah." He replies getting off the car. "Certainly is a big bugger isn't it."

"51feet 8.5 inches long 13 feet 6.2 inches high. Wingspan 23 feet 5.5 inches" Frank informs as he leads Steve into the building."About average for a twinseater;a B-17 would dwarf it,just looks big in here is all.

"Any idea what it says?" Frank teases pointing to a sign painted on the bottom of the tailcone

"Sure. Thats easy.Its on the bottom of all their stuff." Steve quips back. "Made in China."

The group of sailors watch in confusion as overcontrolled Frank appears to be very relaxed around the mystery officer peering into the arrestor hook port. Halfway around the plane Steve's knees buckle as Frank quickly grabs him and shoves him against the plane. "Holy! The chief exclaims in sudden revalation as he turns to the group."The boss's friend....That's the guy who.....ATTENTION ON DECK!" He orders as the men line up by rank.

Distracted by the noise Steve looks up as the group of men salute. "What the hell...?"

"Don't look at me." Frank replies. "I didn't plan it. You're a hero pal...get used to it."

"Not really. I didn't do anything..."

"Yeah. You are." Evershall reminds."What you went..are..going through. I could never have done it. Steve you've always been an over the top kind of guy. Just I've known you so long I forget about it most of the time." Carefully grabbing his friends left shoulder Frank continues. " You deserve this. Come on."

Unconvinced Steve reluctantly returns the salute as Frank introduces his crew. After a couple of hours and fielding quite a few questions about China Steve falls asleep in his chair watching Frank study a graphic printout.

"Sir. Is he OK?" The freckled young seaman who was intrigued by the Great Wall asks as he stares intently at the unconcious commander.

"Yeah. He's fine." Frank replies glancing up from the strip of paper."He's only awake a few hours at a time still. I might have overworked him a bit today. But it'll be worth it. I've known Steve 15 years,he'll be OK. Getting him to realize it. That is going to be the hard part."

"Hey LT. We're ready to rev the engine." The graying masterchief yells tossing his screwdriver into the toolbox. Getting no response, and knowing Evershall's intense concentration, he crosses the hanger towards Franks desk in the corner of the building."LT Are you ready?" He asks briefly shaking him to get his attention. Looking down at the sleeping guest he asks sympthetically. "What's the noise going to do to him?"

Looking up at the moderately overweight man in the grease covered fatigues Frank suddenly realized that the chief was asking permission to use the jets own power instead of the relatively quiet generator currently in operation. "Oh God! It'd send him through the roof." Frank shudders at the thought of what, even with earprotectors, the turbine engine would do to his friend. "Tell you what Chief. Why don't we knock off on time today. Call it a holiday or something. If its set up we can start first thing in the morning."

"That bad huh." The old man shakes his head.

"Worse. Steve says its like having a dozen hangovers all at the same time during a mariachi festival." Glancing at Steve Frank suddenly laughs. "That gives me an idea. Spread the word to each of our houseguests. Big demonstration at tomorrows yoyo conference. Payback those drunken bozos for all the 'assistance' they've given us."

"LT. You're an inspiration." The man laughs as he pulls up the belt on his pants. "I'll send the extra earphones for inspection tonight."

After the group of enlisted men departs Frank shakes his friend awake informing him that it was time to go back. Nodding acknowledgement Steve stands up slowly and walks towards the nose of the aircraft staring intently at the cockpit windows.

"You OK?" Evershall inquires asssuming that seeing the MIG had opened a floodgate of emotions .

"Yeah fine." Steve replies quietly."I don't know what I expected. But this is just another airplane."

" Must have brought back something. All that stuff you were describing."

"Those kids weren't giving up till I told them something." Steve replies nonchalantly

"Steve. Come off it. There was too much detail. The grass fields, hell you described the Great Wall down to the moss on the rocks. If that was BS for Seaman Harris's benefit then you should be in Hollywood because I bought the whole act too."

"No act." Steve replies grinning slyly. "Its an accurate description of the topography. But did I say when I saw it?"

"No...you didn't....Christ!...that little gray rock next to your football trophy...Steve how the hell many times have you been there!?"

"One too many." Steve replies indicating end of discussion.

"Here." Frank picks up Steve's helmet off of a nearby workbench and tosses it to him."You want another souviner?"

"Good thing I wasn't a wide reciever." Steve laughs nearly fumbling the catch. Staring at the crack runnning across the front and right side of the white plastic helmet he starts to fall backwards as his knees bend, quickly sitting on the nose landing gear, he leans forwards slowly rotating the helmet several times. "My God" He uttters involuntarily. "How in the world did I survive this..."Breathing as deeply as he can in an attempt to calm the sudden explosion of emotions Steve finally looks up and smiles slightly. "No wonder my head's not on straight."

"Your head was never on straight to begin with." Evershall quips back. "Probably all that stubborn Irish blood in your veins."

"I think I left most of that somewhere in Red China. Steve replies flatly. Getting off the tire he slowly walks towards the doorway and hanging on to the right wing trailing edge stares up at the cockpit trying to remember what had transpired there.

"There's still alot of it all over up there. You want to get in? I can pop the canopy if.."

"Nah." He replies leaning against the side of the airframe."Wouldn't do any good. All I remember is waking up in the frozen mud with my arm on fire. The rest is just a bunch of fuzzy disjointed flashes I've been trying to put together into some semblence of a story." Turning around he leans face down on his left arm against the wing edge every muscle in his body shaking from 3 months of pent up frustration. Slowly coming unglued his breathing becomes slightly irratic as he tries to maintain control over the torrent of emotions flowing through his mind. Blnking back the hot tears starting to flow Steve swallows several times trying to calm the hopeless hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. God I can't take this anymore!!

Looking around the immediate area and seeing no throwable objects Evershall knew McGarretts next stress reducer would be to punch the aircraft. Probably break his other hand too Frank thought ruefully."Look Steve." Frank responds quietly, knowing that he and maybe the Lt Hennessey he had met in Tokyo years ago were probably the only ones who could get through to McGarrett. "Either you were damn lucky or you've got a squadron of guardian angels watching over you. And it would take at least that many to follow you around; believe you me, I don't envy them their job. Which ever it was I'm just glad its working out." Carefully putting his arm around Steve's shoulder Evershall continues. "While we were still in Tokyo Doc told me he saw something in your eyes that made him believe you would make it. Steve this is going to take time. You are going to have to learn how to sit still for longer than ten seconds. Thats all there is to it. Time. And the rest of your dumb Irish luck. You OK?"

"Yeah. I guess.... Its been one hell of a journey home." Steve replies hesitantly as he leans up off the cold metal and turns towards his best friend. "Frank? Thanks..." Carefully holding his ribs and breathing deeply to try and slow his pounding heartbeat back to its usual 60 beats Steve slumps against the plane.

"For what." Evershall dismisses.

"For..being here...I" Swallowing hard he continues. "This has been a hell ride...I don't know...if I could have made it if we'd landed in Seoul....."

"Yeah you would have." Frank acknowledges with renewed confidence then smiles. " Only I wouldn't have a tan and Doc wouldn't be getting writers cramp. Lets go OK, before I have to face the Hatchet Lady."

"Who?" Steve wonders

"Nurse Parker. Technically you're MIA again."

Remembering who he was referring to Steve rolls his eyes back in his head. "Oh Lord. Not again!"

*******

Later that evening,after her final rounds, Nurse Parker quietly enters the room inquiring if Steve was asleep.

"No." He replies thinking that along with 'this will only sting a little' and the euphamistic 'as well as can be expected', 'are you sleeping' has to be one of the most ludicrous phrases in any hospital. "What are you going to do to me this time?"

Ignoring the question she calmly sits in the chair beside him."This has been driving me nuts. I know you from someplace."

"Its a small Navy sometimes." He replies. "Korea maybe?" Then grinning he teases that maybe she was one of his conquests in the Jade Dragon although he usually had better taste in women.

"I doubt that. She replies punching him playfully."I was involved with someone back then...I reread your medical history. You've got quite a few Purple Hearts.

"Tell me about it..." He retorts hoping to get her off that subject.

"You were never in my unit far as I can tell or even the Evac Hospital in Seoul at the same time I was."

"Where were you after the war?" He inquires wondering what this woman wanted.

"All over. USS Solace, Guam, Chicago, San Diego then here."

"I've been to all of those places except Guam. But only on business. I've got a friend in San Diego. Ron Nicholson. I doubt you know him though."

"Leaning back in the chair she crosses her arms and pulls at her chin in concentration. "No. It has to be Korea. Its wierd. Like I know you, but more by name than anything else....."

"We know some of the same people then." Steve replies still wondering why she was interested in him. In order to take care of him he knew she had to have a fairly high security clearance which is why I get the battleaxes instead of the cute young blondes. Who ever said intelligence was a glamour job didn't know a thing about it McGarrett thought sarcastically. "Most of my acquaintences are intelligence officers. A few from the USS Excalibur but they are all enlisted men. A couple of guys I was stationed with in Tokyo still talk to me. A couple of scientists. A few guys from the academy. The only doctor I ever had as a friend was killed in Korea, Paul Compton. A Jag lawyer or two..."

"Oh my God! Paul..." In shock she jumps out of the chair but quickly sits back down as her knees begin to collapse. "You were at the funeral...both of you...I told you I was involved with someone...thats who. Paul and I were lovers."

"WHAT!" Steve yells as his world suddenly starts spinning again certainly not this shrew...Paul wasn't that desperate....... A few seconds later as he returns to conciousness Nurse Parker is droning on oblivious to what had happened. Geez. Probably got himself killed just to get away from her.Rationalizing the new situation in his mind Steve realized that prior to North Korea he had been more of an open person than he was now. Losing a lover has to be almost as traumatic of an experience. Who knows what she was like back then Steve decided.

"We were going to try and get stationed together after the truce. He wanted to try for Tokyo because he said a friend of his was going to probably get sent there. I said I didn't care where we ended up as long as it was together. Our orders had just been posted that day. Paul was so happy he started singing that annoying showtune he always whistled......then he got sent up to the front........." She suddenly starts sobbing uncontrollably

"Hey. You're ruining your image." He teases touching her lightly."I never knew he..was serious about anybody. But yeah a couple of weeks before I had told him I was going to get assigned to Tokyo station. The orders for most us were cut right after Panmoonjohn. I hung around till after Operation Big Switch was over but our official intelligence presence North of the DMZ ended with the treaty. I remember seeing a couple of women at the funeral but I had no idea. Why didn't you say something to one of us?"

"So many people...I didn't know any of his friends. Its all still a blur really." She explains wiping her eyes."He only had a half sister and a group of guys from the Naval Academy that he was close to."

"That's Frank and I, you met John Reggis, and Dave Wilson. Listen we have a reunion every year,well you probably know that. Its in Naples this year why don't you come?"

"I don't know...I'd ..You're the only one who knows...."

"Thats going to change as soon as I get to a phone. Come on. They'll be glad to know he was happy before....."

"I've never been to Italy..." She ventures thinking even an emotional experience like this would beat spending the holiday alone.

"Its nice. Warm like here. The beaches aren't as nice but there are some really quaint places. Come on." He explains then teasingly adds. "I'll sic Frank on you..."

"That little mouse!...." She chuckles. "I could have him as a snack..."

"Hey there's more to him than you think!" Steve replies defensively. "What have you got to loose besides a little vacation time? I'll bet you've got it stacked up in the corners."

"Right next to yours." She adds in rebuttal

"Touche`" Steve grins.

"OK. What the heck."

"Good. That's settled."He replies laying back. "You can fly with Frank and I. When I get everything arranged I'll let you know the times. Nuts! John's wedding I almost forgot. This year we have to stop off in Annapolis. Ever been to Maryland?"

"No. But Paul always talked about it. I..think..I'd like to see where he'd been."

"OK. We'll leave a couple days early. Honolulu- San Diego- Paux River."

"You're the travel agent Paul talked about!"

"Unfortunately" Steve groans. "My clearence gives me opportunity to courier around." He explains. "While I'm at the embassy I can make reservations, get us a boat, find the good restaurants. I hate schlepping documents around the globe. Its a junior officer job but when I need to get someplace for a couple of days..rank hath its privileges."

*******

Two days later Frank returns to the apartment after work and finds Steve sitting on the lanai. "What are you doing here!?"

Turning around in his chair Steve smiles broadly. "I live here remember."

"I saw the staff car outside but...I thought the captain next door was going have another late night Wagner fest."

"Chief Morgan dropped it off. You can keep the T-Bird for a while....its safer with you driving it than me."

"How did...You aren't MIA again?" Evershall continues the interrogation.

"Hey. I just got 1A'd." He responds dejectedly."Aren't you even gonna say welcome home?"

"Yeah sure." Frank answers confusedly. "Welcome home. Kathy know about this??"

"Far as I got." Steve replies gesturing to the deck.

"How...You're not that OK."

"Well thanks a whole lot buddy. According to the orders I go back to work tomorrow morning."

"What! That's ridiculous." Evershall states heading back inside. "Got to be a mistake. I'm going to call Doc. He'll get this straightened out."

"Don't." Steve asks. "I just got an hour long lecture from him on dizziness double vision and what he thinks of the intelligence service. I don't want another one, Ok?"

"Its not about you Steve." Frank reassures as he sits in the other deck chair."He can't stand your boss. You missed the fight, Doc judoed him." Frank laughs

"You're kidding!" Steve starts to laugh then holding his ribcage bites his tongue. "Please...don't make me laugh. Did he get him down??"

"Oh yeah." Frank answers with delight at the memory. "He fell right on top of you,pulling one of the needles out of your feet. Knocked all his maps on the floor. IV fluid was dripping all over the place. His lip was bleeding. Doc had such a fire in his eyes. Too bad I didn't have a camera,it was a moment to remember. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing."

"Oh boy, I bet I'll hear about that." Steve groans. "What started it.?"

"He grabbed ahold of Doc but it had been building since practically day one. You ever hear of something called pentathiol?"

"Sodium Pentathol?" Steve asks insurprise. "Frank thats an eye-only thing,big time, where'd you hear about that?"

Leaning back in the chair Evershall rolls his head to one side and his eyes back in his head. "Oh good Lord! Here we go with natonal security again! Steve its a drug not a damned state secret. Appearently he was giving it to you and it wasn't working."

"I'll bet it wasn't." Steve nods his head carefully. "Maybe if he used the whole bottle or something."

"Steve its a drug just like penicillin. Not some kind of Flash Gordon wonder weapon. Any pharmacy can get it." Evershall continues to press.

"But it has other uses." Steve replies scooting up in the chair."Believe me on this, you're better off not knowing. What happened with Heinriche?"

"According to Doc Heinriche was in the room when you first started seizing and didn't say a word about it not working. He found out a few mnutes later what was going on from Glen Anderson. I honestly thought Doc was going to tear the old man's head off."

"Well Hinney always one for the book." Steve rationalizes. "Damn, I hope he doesn't find out Glen said something. He'll have him up on charges. What's up with you and Marylin?" Steve asks changing the subject. "She's been coming by every day and asking me one question about the missiles and ten about you. At this rate the nodongs'll rust away before she ever finishes that report."

"I like her." Frank admits. "She's funny and smart."

"Really?" Steve asks enjoying the intrrogation."Is there something to this or just a wild night in the backseat of my car."

"Steve!" Frank defends." I don't know yet. I think maybe. Its nothing like you and Kathy though." Evershall states. "If you let her get away you're an idiot."

"I know. Its getting serious." Steve agrees.

"I don't believe my ears!" Frank stares in surprise. "Steve McGarrett the Navy's most desireable bachelor. The Korean Tiger's been caged!"

"Pretty close too it anyhow." Steve admits as he scoots down in the chair. "You might have to come back here and be best man."

"WHAT! Are we talking wedding?!" Frank exclaims in amazement.

"I don't know, maybe. Keep your dress whites pressed just in case."

"WOW!" Frank shakes his head in disbelief."I never thought I'd live long enough to hear this."

"I wasn't sure I'd live period. I tell you it scares the hell out of me. I'd rather deal with the entire Soviet Bloc any day than this" Steve replies very subdued as he stares at the sunset."If I'm supposed to be happy then how come every time I think about it I break out in a cold sweat?"

"I don't know. But all the married guys say the same thing. More importantly right now, what are we going to do about your orders?"

"They came through the Pentagon. What am I supposed to do, buck the Navy? You've been around long enough to know how that goes."

"Steve. You can't..." Frank insists

"Why not. I'm OK." Steve replies confidently.

"Sure you are. Sitting here. You move around too much and you'll pass out. This is ridiculous. Somebody has to be behind this.."

Actually I'm looking forward to it. If I sit around much longer I'm going to go nuts."

continued in "One Of Our Own?"

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