Archive of Our Own

// ROOM 1272, TRIPLER HOSPITAL, HAWAII // MONDAY; 0812 //

“We’re going to start weaning you off the good stuff, and see where your pain is at. I want to warn you and your wife that the next couple of days are going to be very difficult.” Dr. Roseland stood behind a woman in green scrubs and a white lab coat. This woman glanced back over at the surgeon. “I’ll be coordinating with Dr. Roseland on if and when additional surgeries are going to need to happen for the functionality of your arm. Right now, it seems the plate and screws are well placed and the nerves are grafting together nicely.” The woman smiled exasperatedly at Kate, glancing at Dr. Roseland. “I probably should have waited until Mrs. Whistler was here to go over everything, huh?”

“I got it, Dr. Green. You’re taking away my meds and my arm is part trashcan.” Kate Whistler blinked tiredly at the two doctors, her head fuzzy. Dr. Roseland grinned.

“Dr. Reynolds sure does know her timing. Agent Whistler, I look forward to seeing you later and going over all of this again when your girlfriend is here.” Dr. Roseland looked over Kate’s charts and nodded, impressed. “They pulled out the big guns today. Bad night?”

“Couldn’ sleep.” Kate slurred. 

“Yeah, they doped you up pretty good. If Dr. Reynolds read over the chart beforehand, she’d have noticed that your last rounds were an hour ago. And you, my friend, are feeling the full effects of a high dose, medical grade narcotic.” Dr. Reynolds snatched the chart from Roseland’s hands and closed her eyes in embarrassment. “Agent Whitler, do you know when Agent Tara will be back?”

“Hmm? Later.” Kate answered distractedly, her fuzzy mind slipping into a further fog. 

“My apologies, Agent Whistler. We’ll… come back later.” Dr. Reynolds set the chart back on the rack, wincing in further humiliation that she just apologized to her asleep patient. “Kain, shut up. Why did you let me look like a total idiot?”

“Mostly because Agent Whistler is too out of it to really mind, and because you needed to learn a valuable lesson.” Dr. Roseland grinned as the two stood at the end of the bed. “Expectations rarely survive reality. Now listen up, I worked really hard to keep Agent Whistler alive in emergency surgery. I might not be the primary in charge of her treatment plan now that she’s out of the ICU, but myself, and my resident Dr. Wu, will be very much involved. So… treat this patient as if I am the primary.” Roseland said with an edge to his smile. Dr. Reynolds winced, knowing her blunder wasn’t very well received by her superior. It was a mistake that she might’ve made in her first couple of years, but not as a new attending. “And since this is your only patient at the moment due to you just learning where the parking lot is at the hospital, I expect you to know every single thing in this chart by the time Agent Whistler wakes up. We are doctors. We don’t enter a patient’s room unprepared. Every patient gets excellent care. But, Kelsey, this patient is a damn hero and I expect impeccable care. Got it?” Dr. Roseland’s friendly grin dropped as he left the room. Kelsey Reynolds hung her head at the verbal lashing she just endured from her new peer. Picking up the chart, she took a seat in a chair nearby the slumbering blonde as she began to read it. 

“And all this time, I didn’t think heroes were still out there.” Kelsey muttered quietly as she began to read each line of the chart, pieces of her words seeping into Kate’s subconscious. 

Heroes…

     …heroes…

        …heroes are just a fantasy…

“Heroes are so overrated.” Cara hissed as she leaned into Kate’s embrace. 

“I don’t know. If anyone can will them into existence, it’d be my brother.” Kate smiled fondly as she looked across the room at her brother talking adamantly to one of his college friends. “He’s my best friend. I wish you’d get along.” Cara hummed from Kate’s side. 

“It’s not that I don’t like him, I just… I think he has too much control over your life. You’re going to be a lawyer, Kate. And he keeps warning you of losing your morals or telling you that money isn’t everything.” Cara sighed.

“That’s not a bad thing. I don’t want to lose myself just to play a game of politics, or forget why I’m becoming a lawyer in the first place. I want to help people.” Kate pulled away from her girlfriend. 

“Okay, yes, duh. That’s why I want to be a lawyer too.” Cara tried to soothe Kate, but the blonde put more distance between them. “You’re right. This is Noah’s going away party. I should give you two time together, anyways. I’m sorry, I just… I’m protective of you too.” Cara put her coat over her shoulders, leaning in and giving Kate a light kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in class Monday?”

“Yeah.” Kate confirmed, watching her girlfriend leave. 

“You could do better.” Noah whispered as he instantly appeared at Kate’s side. The door closed, and Cara was gone. 

“Noah…” Kate felt frustration build. Her brother smiled charmingly, bumping her shoulder with his muscled frame.

“Sorry. I just always pictured you being with someone… nice.” Noah shrugged. “Someone with a soul.”

“You don’t know Cara.”

“Neither do you.” Noah was suddenly serious. “Kate, I have a bad feeling about her. She’s too focused on your career.” 

“She wants me to succeed.” Kate defended weakly.

“She wants you to do whatever she says and not to ask questions.” Noah reiterated. 

“Can we not fight before you leave for a year?” Kate pleaded. Noah gave his charming smile again, patting her shoulder. 

“Sure thing, Katie. Besides, you owe me a whiskey shot.” Noah grinned, hearing his name over his shoulder. Kate took the moment to watch Cara disappear out the door. They’d only been at this party for an hour and Cara already had to leave because she couldn’t get along with Noah. “Hello, Star Command? It’s Buzz.” Noah grinned, holding the shot out to his little sister. Kate grimaced, but took the offered whiskey. 

“No chaser?” She asked, rolling her eyes at the disgruntled scoff from her brother. “Fine. But it’s your fault when you have to get on a plane tomorrow with a hangover.”

“Where I’m going, they don’t even allow alcohol in the country. Please? Let me have this?” Noah gave his best puppy dog eyes, getting a glare from Kate before she conceded as they both threw the shot back in a swift motion. The Whistler siblings stared at each other in an obvious battle of wills to see who would break first. After about thirty seconds of burn, Kate gagged and took a desperate drink of her beer. “I still got it.” Noah complimented himself.

“Did you buy the entire bottom shelf of a back alley bar? That wasn’t even whiskey. What the hell was that?” Kate winced as the junkyard liquor burned and melted inside her stomach. Noah nodded sheepishly. 

“Uh… think of it as Jack Daniel’s step-brother from a nuclear testing site.” They paused, laughing together with big grins. Noah got called over to a group of his friends by a beer pong table, and he gave Kate a playful push. “You ready for me to wipe the floor with you at beer pong?”

“Did you suddenly learn how to throw?” Kate teased her brother brutally, gaining some cheers from a few friends that overheard the sibling’s banter.

“Not my fault! It’s not like Dad ever took either of us out to play catch.” Noah defended himself weakly as they walked over to the table. 

“And yet, I still managed.” Kate pointed out, teaming up with a smiling brunette that was on her brother’s community soccer team. “It’s a miracle the Army took you, or do they just have to make sure they keep all the grenades hidden when you’re around?”

“Rude!”

// ROOM 1272, TRIPLER HOSPITAL, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1622 //

“Agent Tara, Agent Whistler. Is this a good time?” Dr. Reynolds smiled as she and Dr. Roseland stood outside the room. Lucy frowned, worry stretching over her features immediately.

“It’s just the plan until I’m released.” Kate reassured, far more lucid now than she’d been eight hours ago. “Nothing new.” Kate squeezed Lucy’s hand with her right hand, eyes trying to convey the nonchalance of the situation. Lucy’s worry dimmed, but there was frustration that replaced the emotion. “Good to see you again, Dr. Reynolds.”

“Again?” Lucy looked at the doctor suspiciously. She recognized Roseland. He was the one that did the surgery when Kate came into the hospital and his resident, Dr. Wu, came by often enough to check in on charts and progress, but the woman was new. 

“I… I apologize for earlier today, Agent Whistler. I was unprepared and it was unprofessional of me. I assure you, that will never happen again.” Dr. Reynolds promised, surprised that her patient recalled anything that happened in her drugged state, but also, relieved because now she had a proper chance to apologize. 

“What is she talking about?” Lucy asked Kate.

“Dr. Reynolds thought you were my wife.” Kate smirked, wincing when the motion pulled on the muscles in her left arm. Lucy rolled her eyes at Kate’s half answer.

“She isn’t wrong. I started explaining a treatment plan earlier today without realizing that Agent Whistler was recently administered drugs that had… inhibiting side-effects.” It was a very tactful way of explaining the situation. Lucy’s suspicion turned into amusement. “I’d like to start over, if it’s possible?” Lucy gave Kate a questioning glance and Kate nodded. 

“Sure. I don’t really know what happened the first time, but okay. I’m Agent Lucy Tara, I’m the girlfriend.” Lucy’s greeting smile was strained as she faced the doctor. The brunette looked exhausted, tension pulling her forced smile into a plastic sculpture of societal obligation. 

“I’m Dr. Kelsey Reynolds, the primary for developing and executing the recovery treatment plan for Agent Whistler. I recently transferred to Tripler, and I’m new to the island. But I can guarantee that I will provide your girlfriend with the very best care.” Dr. Reynolds held her hand out to Lucy, her shoulders relaxing as a weight lifted when Lucy accepted the gesture. Kate winced as she readjusted on the bed, the action not missed by Lucy’s perceptive hovering. 

“Are you okay?” Lucy asked, hands hovering over Kate, unsure and hesitant. 

“I’m fine.” Kate reassured, looking to Dr. Reynolds. “When can I get out of here? I have a perfectly working bed at my own home.”

“But do you have cough-syrup-cherry flavored jello cups at home?” Dr. Roseland teased with a charming smile that wasn’t reciprocated. “Dr. Reynolds, may I?” The primary doctor shrugged. “Thank you. Agent Whistler, the scans we took yesterday look good. No signs of bone fragments remaining in the area, which was a risk to your heart and lungs. The hasty nerve repair work seems to be holding well. The early signs of possible infection receded after a full gambit of antibiotics.” As Dr. Roseland gave his summary, Lucy winced and glared at Kate with a swirling expression of anger and worry. “Your left hand is healing slowly from being impaled, but that’s to be expected. Your concussion and broken ribs will take time. Everything will take time, Agent Whistler.”

“I just don’t understand why I can’t spend that time at home.” Kate grumbled in frustration. Dr. Roseland’s smile was really beginning to annoy the fuck out of Kate. 

“Agent Whistler, the concern for your treatment is contingent on whether you will give the recovery process time. You have your first physical therapy session tomorrow, if I read the charts correctly, Dr. Reynolds?” Kain gave his colleague the floor. 

“Yes. After the first three sessions, we’ll look into discharging you. But, we were able to monitor those potential complications because you were under constant medical supervision. The aftercare plan is strenuous and will require a strong support system.” 

“She has that.” Lucy interrupted, squeezing Kate’s right hand. “I know how stubborn she is, and so does her family. Whatever appointments, medications, exercises Kate needs to do, she will do them. No argument, right?” The fire in Lucy’s promise was turned to Kate with a challenging lilt. Feeling all eyes on her as Kate maintained eye contact with her girlfriend, the blonde sighed with a wince and nodded. “Kate?”

“Yes, fine. No arguments.” 

// RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION CENTER, TRIPLER HOSPITAL, HAWAII // TUESDAY; 0900 // 

“So, you kicked Lucy out?” Jane Tennant stood with a non-judgemental smile and a tupperware of fruit kabobs. Kate was sweating, slumped in her wheelchair as her physical therapist, Sara, put away her instruments of torture. “Think I can break her out for a little while?” Jane asked Sara, and the physical therapist gave a bright, cheery smile.

“Superwoman is a stubborn one! Just make sure she drinks water, doesn’t do any heavyweight lifting competitions, and have her back to her room by eleven. If the lunch wardens don’t see her in her cell, I’ll be put into solitary.” Sara teased, giving Kate a water bottle to hold in her right hand. The blonde begrudgingly took the offered water source, wincing as her body hurt all over. “See you Thursday, Superwoman.” Sara waved goodbye while Jane took control of the wheelchair. 

“So, you’re giving everybody the silent treatment, huh?” Jane said as they took a stroll through the doors and into the refreshing morning air. It was before the heat really began to start, and the humidity was low enough not to add to Kate’s already sweating body. “You told Lucy to go to work.”

“I don’t need to bother her with this.” Kate muttered. “I don’t need you seeing me like this either.” The thundercloud that hung over the blonde was heavy and brewing. They parked by a bench under a tree, able to look out to the manicured garden of the hospital courtyard. Jane opened the water bottle and held it to Kate without a word. “Can you please just go?”

“No.” Jane shrugged, holding the water bottle with a steady, uncompromising stare. With a huff, Kate took the water bottle with her good hand and drank. She didn’t realize how thirsty she was after PT, the water catching in her throat, sending waves of pain shuttering through her body. Jane didn’t move, simply waiting patiently until Kate regained her composure and held the bottle out to the NCIS SAC. “You want some fruit?” Jane asked as she set the water aside and opened the treat. To Kate’s relief and unspoken gratitude, the fruit kabob was perfect for one handed eating. 

“Is Lucy mad?” Kate finally asked, worry starting to wash over her now that her own emotions were beginning to cool. 

“She is, but not at you. She’s mad at herself.” Jane clarified, seeing the worry grow on the blonde features. The worry mixed with guilt. “I think you two talking would go a long way.” 

“I don’t have anything to say.” Kate responded instantly, stubbornly looking away from her friend. 

“Curtis said that the FBI, HPD, and DIA have been getting statements from you since you’ve woken up. Conveniently, Lucy is never around when they have questions.” Jane hummed to herself, giving Kate a side eye and an eyebrow quirk. “Is that your doing or theirs?” 

“...” Kate looked down at her fruit kabob, her shoulders seemingly shrinking and still bruised face brooding. “Both, I guess.” The silence hung between them as birds chirped and wild chickens mingled, eating bugs in the courtyard. “I’m under investigation.” Kate stated stiffly. A wave of irrational, protective anger swelled within Jane and she took a moment to compose herself at Kate’s information. “... It is what it is.” Kate’s tightened, rage-set jaw ended any opening at a conversation. Jane was a skillful interrogator, and that stemmed from her ability to read people. This wasn’t the time to push Kate, or force the situation. Instead, Jane gave a wry smirk and tapped Kate’s good arm to get her attention.

“So, Sara seems chipper.” The mention of the physical therapist brought a lively expression of dread and annoyance to Kate’s face.

“Surviving literal torture was better than physical therapy.” Kate deadpanned, the humor catching Jane off guard. The SAC laughed, a real heartfelt laugh. The mask Kate was trying to maintain and the walls she reinforced since being kidnapped, beaten, and shot were seemingly impenetrable. But, this rare glimpse at unbridled dramatic humor gave Jane hope. It seemed even Kate couldn’t completely shut her family out despite her best efforts.

“But Sara seems so sweet.” Jane saw the physical therapist as an outlet for Kate to say something. Anything was better than the blonde remaining silent. Even the impression of Grumpy Cat that settled on the blonde’s features. 

“Don’t let her fool you, Tennant.”

// NCIS BULLPEN, HAWAII // THURSDAY; 1030 // 

“Hey Lucy, how’s Whistler?” Jesse asked as Lucy came into work. He winced at the glare he received, looking to Kai for backup but only got a glare from him as well. “Yeesh… Kate still isn’t letting you go to PT?”

“She let me go and bring her back to her room, but no, Jesse. She didn’t want me there.” Lucy grumbled, hurt by the rejection. Jane came out of her office, nodding to the team.

“We’ve got a case. Two bodies found at the Honolulu Zoo.” Jane told the team, having just gotten off the phone. “Marine and his girlfriend found in the tiger exhibit.” 

“What?” Jesse and Kai said at the same time. 

“Nobody knows how they got inside. Especially since they were seen entering the zoo yesterday, and no footage shows them leaving.” Jane told her team. “Let’s go to the scene and I’ll let Ernie know to comb through the footage. Maybe the park security team missed something.” 

“Kai, you and I will meet with Commander Chase before heading to the scene. Jesse and Lucy, we’ll see you there.” After SAC Tennant gave assignments, her team dispersed in a rehearsed action. It was quiet and almost autopilot as Jesse and Lucy got into Jesse’s car. The silence became heavier as the minutes passed. Luckily for the NCIS agents, they were stuck in traffic and Jesse took the opportunity to clear the air.

“Sorry, Lucy. I really didn’t think this morning.” Jesse tried, glancing at the junior agent.

“It’s not your fault. I just… I just…” Lucy rubbed her temples as frustration was threatening to force the tears to fall. “I don’t know how to fix this, but Kate won’t even let me try. It’s like she doesn’t want me there at all.” Lucy growled in anger and annoyance. Jesse saw the desperation clear as day as the tears clung to Lucy’s eyes. He took a deep breath.

“I don’t know much about Whistler’s past. I do know that she loves you, and she needs you. When you were gone, she didn’t want anyone to see her struggling with it. But Kai and I saw it when we’d practice in the gym, or go surfing. It was obvious how much she missed you. It’s not fair to either of you that you didn’t get a chance to have that reunion I know you both were looking forward to.” Jesse apologized for the hardship they were facing. It wasn’t his fault, but he wanted someone to acknowledge that there was an expectation everyone had of Lucy’s return, and none of those expectations involved Kate nearly dying. Lucy calmed down as she allowed herself to imagine the reunion she had planned with her girlfriend. “It sucks.”

“This sucks!” Lucy stormed through the house, picking up her sweater and a pair of shoes she left by the backdoor. “I just wanted to spend one day with my family without someone trying to guilt me into coming back home.” 

“Sweetheart.” Her father chastised, his frustration barely contained as he looked to his wife. “You belong here. There’s no reason for you to get involved in that dangerous career field. What will you do? Live paycheck to paycheck pretending you don’t want more?” 

“I do want more, Dad! But it isn’t money. I want to help people.” Lucy told her father, the patriarch of the family. Her brother couldn’t lift his gaze, and her mother and sister shared a refill of their wine. “Why can’t you just support that I don’t want to be part of the family business? I want to do something for myself.”

“You don’t know what you want. You have this ridiculous view of the world, and you’re acting like a child! Now, Lucilla, put your things back where they belong and listen to Gregory’s proposition about heading the expansion.” A stern, gruff tone left zero room for debate. But Lucy didn’t budge. She took the keys to her used Honda Civic that she paid monthly payments for because it was her car. Lucy was the only one that rebelled against her parents. She was the only Tara sibling that couldn’t be controlled by Daddy’s money. Storming out of the extravagant two story sprawling mansion of a home, Lucy got into her beat up car. “Lucilla, you get back here right now, young lady!” Her father screamed from the house, his face red as he watched his college-aged daughter take no head of his demand. Wiping her tears, Lucy threw the car into drive and sped away from her parents’ home. 

// ROOM 1272, TRIPLER HOSPITAL, HAWAII // SUNDAY; 1028 // 

“Your physical therapy is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sara says you’re pushing too hard, so please, do the exercises and rest while you are home.” Dr. Reynolds hands the papers to Lucy, the NCIS agent already placing them in the backpack she brought with her. “Nothing strenuous. Stay away from the four S’s until your restriction on activity has been lifted.” The doctor smiled at the two, seeing a genuine eagerness from Agent Whistler that had been subdued since Kate had been admitted. It was amusing how thrilled the blonde was to leave the hospital, but the doctor didn’t blame her patient. It’d been three weeks stuck. 

“The four S’s?” Lucy asked with a smile, glancing at her girlfriend. Dr. Reynold’s grinned. She loved this portion.

“No sports, silence, surfing, or sex.” Lucy and Kate flush, looking anywhere but at the doctor. “I’m serious about the silence: speak up and take your pain medication when you need it. You’re already a hero, there’s really nothing you need to prove.” Dr. Reynolds walked with Lucy as the wheelchair was pushed to the pickup zone. Neither noticed Kate clench her right hand into a tight fist at Reynold’s words. Jane Tennant stood leaning against her car. “Personal escort and everything. Nice to see you, Jane.” 

“Dr. Reynolds.” Jane nodded in greeting, already opening the passenger door for Kate. The sling jostled slightly as Kate sat into the seat and Lucy leaned over to buckle the seatbelt. 

“I still have a working arm. And two working legs.” Kate reminded everyone, rolling her eyes as Sara pulled the empty wheelchair back.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Superwoman.” Sara teased. The physical therapist requested Dr. Reynolds to send her a page when Kate was being released. Sara wanted her patient to know that she was there to celebrate the failures and victories. There was still a long road to recovery ahead, but this was a victory. It was a good moment and deserved congratulations. “No crime fighting before tomorrow, Superwoman.” With a smirk, Sara left to get to her next appointment on time.

“Is she flirting with Kate?” Lucy asked as soon as she was in the backseat and Jane was in the driver’s side.

“No, she wasn’t.” Kate scoffed, but a smile couldn’t help teasing her lips at the disgruntled frown from her girlfriend. 

“I’m agreeing with Kate. I think everyone at the hospital values their lives too much to flirt with Kate right in front of you.” Jane Tennant teased, thoroughly entertained by the eye roll from Kate and the indignant but smug smile from Lucy. “The guys are going to bring food over after you’ve had a chance to shower.” Kate gave a tiny smile, leaning against the seat as she closed her eyes. She had her pain medication kicking in at the perfect time as each small imperfection on the highway sent shocks of pain through her body. Sara had warned her of the car ride home, advising that Kate take advantage of her last chance with hospital strength drugs. ‘Unless you’re a big fan of crying or throwing up in the car, you better ask for the good stuff, Superhero.’ Sara winked, but the sharp edge was just below the surface. Despite the blonde’s stubborn streak, she never was so grateful to have lost a battle of wills. 

“Thanks for the ride.” Kate mumbled, losing her battle with consciousness. Jane glanced at her friend, and then in the rearview mirror at Lucy. 

“I wouldn’t miss it.” 

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Noah laughed, hugging his sister tightly. “I only get to see my baby sister graduate from high school once, you know.” He grinned with his boyish face. He had more muscle than the last time Kate saw him. Her brother’s warm hug spun her around as her cap and tassel fell off her head. “I’m so proud of you, Katie.”

“I didn’t really do anything.” Kate scoffed sheepishly, still feeling her chest burst with pride. Her brother always knew how to make her feel special. 

“You graduated top of your class with a full ride to an Ivy League school! My baby sister is a genius!” Noah cheered randomly, and Kate blushed as a few of her classmates laughed at Noah Whistler’s antics. He’d been known as a bit of a class clown a few years ago. “Mom and Dad?” Noah looked around discreetly, his tone dropping a couple octaves. Their parents were busy with some other parents and administrators. 

“They’ll be so excited to see you.” Kate’s smile dimmed, but she knew her parents would really be missing Noah since he’d been gone for pre deployment training. They approached, and could already hear the topic of the conversation.

“Noah graduated on the Commandant's List. Huge washout rate because of the difficulty. Most couldn’t even hack the course.” Their dad boasted in a gruff, expectant manner. 

“He looks so handsome in his uniform.” Their mother responded, injecting a distracted hum as her thoughts were drifting. 

“Speak of the devil.” One of the other parents interrupted, looking relieved that the Whistler siblings were in eyesight. This caught their father and mother’s attention, the two sputtering in bafflement. “It’s good to see you, Noah. Made it back for your sister’s graduation? Good brother.” The parent cheered, giving Kate an outstretched handshake. “Congratulations, Kate. Victoria says you got a full ride scholarship to college. That’s quite an accomplishment.” Kate blushed at the compliment, leaning into her brother’s presence. 

“Thank you, Mr. Jones. Tori is going to be so great in engineering. She’s amazing with numbers.” Mr. Jones smiled brightly, appreciative of the compliment of his daughter. He opened his mouth to continue the conversation, but Mr. Whistler regained his bearings. 

“Noah, what are you doing here? Aren’t you too busy training? You’re leaving soon. You should be focusing on that, not this.” Mr. Whistler scolded his son, his proud demeanor dimming in the presence of the topic of conversation. 

“I had no idea you were going to be home! Honey, it’s so good to see you. I’m going to go pick up your favorites and we’ll have a big dinner.” Mrs. Whistler ignored her husband, giving Noah a squeeze to his wrist. 

“You have obligations, Son. This isn’t the time to take a vacation and leave your team–” As Mr. Whistler prattled on and on, Mrs. Whistler pulled his attention. 

“We need to go to the store. We’ll see him at home. Let’s go.” 

“This conversation isn’t over, Noah Wilder Whistler.” Mr. Whistler frowned, complaining to his wife as they walked back to the car. Kate wanted to disappear as Tori’s parents gave the siblings sympathetic looks. 

“Let’s go catch up, Katie.” Noah shook off his father’s complicated emotions, picking up Kate’s cap off the ground. “Burgers and milkshakes?” 

“It was nice talking with you, Mr. Jones.” Kate told the man, following her brother to his rental car. “That was so embarrassing.”

“I should’ve just stayed hidden.” Noah sighed, glancing over his shoulder sorrowfully at his sister. Kate scowled, snapping her fingers and pointing to the back zipper when they were at his car. Noah began to unzip the gown.

“That wouldn’t have been fair, because the only one I really wanted here was you.” Kate told him. When Kate stepped out of the gown, Noah laughed at the athleisure wear his sister always wore. 

“You know they don’t let lawyers wear sweatpants in the courtroom, right?” He teased. Kate glanced at her black jogger sweatpants and navy running shoes, rolling her eyes. “And rolled short sleeves on a pocket t-shirt? How gay are you, Katie?” Noah groaned as he was hit by a graduation cap that was thrown like a frisbee. “Ow!”

“Kate!” Tori ran up to them, smiling goofily at the younger Whistler sibling. “My mom and dad said they talked to you. I um… I wanted to say ‘hi’ before you took off.” Tori blushed, looking down nervously. “Nice shoes.”

“Oh, thanks! My brother was just making fun of my fashion sense.” Kate glared at Noah, thoroughly smug by the compliment. 

“Really? But you look so good.” Tori squeaked, blushing even harder. “There’s a party tomorrow night by the river. See you there?” Tori glanced hopefully up at Kate. The blonde shrugged. 

“Yeah. Might be nice to finally let loose.” Kate looked to her brother. Noah had a brow raised, smirking at his sister’s obliviousness. 

“Noah, you are totally invited.” Tori blurted out.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m flying out tomorrow. Just in for today, really.” Noah tossed Kate’s gown and cap into the car. “But, Kate is completely free. She should drive you in my old car. Maybe get some dinner beforehand?” He suggested, seeing realization start to dawn on Kate’s features. “Have fun tomorrow, Tori.”

“Oh, uh, y-yeah! S-See you tomorrow, Kate. Bye!” Tori ran away. Kate gaped at her brother, stunned.

“Ready for dinner?”

“Are you ready for dinner? Kate?” Kate had zoned out, blinking back as she noticed she was still in the car. Tennant wasn’t there, but Lucy was standing beside the passenger’s seat, waking Kate up gently.

“What?”

“I was wondering if you’re sure you’re ready for dinner? Should we postpone it until another day? You’re probably exhausted.” Lucy smiled, seeing the comprehension return to Kate’s eyes. 

“Oh, no. It’ll be nice. Everyone already put so much work into it.” Kate winced as Lucy helped pull her to her feet. “Thank you.” The blonde whispered tightly, the muscles on her left side screaming despite their restful state in a sling. Lucy opened her mouth to protest, closing it with a clack of her teeth before looking away to their apartment. 

“We should head up.” Lucy offered, waiting for Kate to take the lead. The FBI agent paused, her gaze falling onto her car still parked in her space, her neighbor’s parking spot vacant. “Oh, I didn’t even think–” Lucy blanched as she remembered what happened in this exact parking lot almost a month ago. 

“I love you.” Kate said with an air of finality. Lucy didn’t understand where Kate’s mind was sitting, or what the sudden flash of emotion in Kate’s eyes meant. “Let’s go inside.” The FBI agent began to walk towards the apartment building without looking back, leaving Lucy to trail after her breathlessly. Lucy remembered the first few times she had to go to the apartment after seeing the video of Kate being captured. Lucy would fight the urge to vomit, to go out to the parking lot with a toothbrush to clean every speck of red from the asphalt, to scream or cry as she smelled a sweatshirt or blazer of Kate’s. “ASAC Curtis didn’t… say anything about the apartment, did he?” Kate asked nervously, glancing at her girlfriend when they road the elevator up to their floor. Lucy blinked, the tension of Kate’s return replaced with confusion.

“What?”

“I mean, I didn’t exactly have a chance to clean the place. We were just so busy with that case for weeks, and I had planned on getting everything cleaned and put away before you got home. I just… don’t want him to think I’m a slob or something.” Kate explained in a chaotic word vomit. Lucy’s confusion melted into adoration, a dopey smile on her face.

“I love you so much.” Lucy’s tension cracked like an egg shell, and she stepped into her girlfriend to give a longing kiss. Kate pulled back, a confused smile that was quickly replaced by Lucy’s lips once more. The elevator dinged all too soon, leaving the couple to end their first moment of carefree passion. “Thank you for being you.”

// WHISTLER-TARA CONDO, HAWAII // SUNDAY; 1655 // 

“It’s good to see you back on your feet, Whistler.” Jesse smiled warmly as he leaned back on the bar stool. Heather had a glass of wine in her hand as she leaned into her husband, a smile teasing as she gave Jesse a pat on his shoulder. Dinner was delicious since it was potluck style and Heather, Tennant, and Kai’s dad catered most of it. 

“We are so going on a double date soon. And Lucy and I are at least going to sunbathe while you two and Kai go surfing. ” Heather declared warmly, all the while giving Kate and Lucy a wink. Lucy laughed, looking to see her tired girlfriend nodding with a charming grin. 

“We should really get going. I still need to balance the books for the restaurant.” Kai’s dad gave his son a pat on the shoulder. “I better see you all around the restaurant more. We will bring you food this week, Kate. You need something special after putting up with that hospital food for so long.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Holeman.” Kate told him gratefully, and everyone laughed when Wally scoffed and waved off the response. The rest of the guests started to take the hint as they began to say goodbyes and give well-wishes. It was only Tennant, Lucy, and Kate left in the condo after Kai, Jesse, Heather, Ernie, Wally, Commander Chase, and Pike departed in drawn out farewells. It felt late and exhaustion was settled in every joint in Kate’s body. As the blonde began to pick up a dirty plate, Jane swooped in with an easy swap of the plate for a glass of water as the NCIS SAC began cleaning up the condo. “Jane, you don’t need to do that.” Kate tiredly argued.

“I want to, Kate. Besides, Lucy is getting out your meds because I know you should’ve taken them an hour ago.” Jane quirked a brow as she waited for a rebuttal from the blonde, but Kate shrugged. She knew Jane was right, despite the maternal kindness feeling uncomfortable in its genuineness. 

“Kate, here you go.” Lucy smiled as she exited the bedroom with a handful of pills. A knock on the door was accompanied by a buzzing from Kate’s phone. One glance at the screen and the blonde tensed, jaw tightening. Lucy took a step towards the door only for Kate to reach out and grab her wrist.

“Let me get it.” Kate insisted, wincing as her body retaliated the movement. Opening the door just enough to see the figure, Whistler waited.

“You look terrible, Agent Whistler.” 

“Director Blake.” Whistler greeted coldly, her expression stone. The Director held similar features, but he eventually relented enough to show his discomfort and a hint of remorse. “I am sorry.” Kate knew whatever conversation they were required to have would need to be without the haze of drugs and not in a public hallway. Kate opened the door and allowed the man to enter, not looking at Tennant or Lucy. “Always a pleasure.” Director Blake greeted dryly, his deadpanned words falling just short of rude. 

“Director, what could possibly bring a house visit?” NCIS SAC Jane Tennant crossed her arms, a similar protectiveness exuding her posture as it did in the War Room when the Director dared interfere with their investigation of Kate’s disappearance. 

“Kate?” Lucy looked to her girlfriend in confusion. Lucy had heard from Jane about the Director’s brief visit with Kate at the hospital immediately following Kate’s return to consciousness, but since then, Lucy hadn’t heard anything about the Director. In Lucy’s defense, she’d been far more focused on Kate’s recovery and trying to balance work and worry. 

“Don’t worry, Lucy. We’ll just talk on the balcony.” Kate reassured poorly, her exhaustion taking its toll. Lucy still had the pills in her hand, but the blonde waved them off. “I’ll take them after this conversation. I promise.” Kate ignored Tennant’s judgemental glare towards the DIA Director. As soon as the balcony door closed, Blake crossed his arms and stared out at the crashing waves. 

“It was out of my hands.”

“It’s out of my hands.” Director Blake states with a cold, unreadable expression. Kate Whistler clenches her jaw as a wave of nausea washes over her body. The monitor shows a boost in heart rate. When the Director nods to the other two men in the room, they share the same uninterested frowns before beginning their questions.

“Agent Whistler, describe your relationship with Cara Hill.” The senior agent asks with a sharp scrutiny. Kate glances at the closed door before forcing her expression to remain as impassive as possible as her pain flared. The agents had shooed away the nurse as she was on rounds, and the medication keeping the nauseating pain at bay was fading. 

“Ex-girlfriend.” Kate states plainly.

“Have you ever shared sensitive intelligence with her?” Agent Korsak demands as his partner is taking notes.

“No.”

“At any point during your relationship, did Cara Hill have access to intelligence, whether supervised or unsupervised?” As emotionless as the question was delivered, Kate felt the implied accusation like a festering wound. 

“No.” The other agent snorts at her answer. 

“Agent Whistler, you do understand why you’re under investigation, correct? Your girlfriend is an enemy of this country, and she left you alive before fleeing.” Agent Korsak didn’t mince words in his investigation. He didn’t explain why or who exactly he was investigating on behalf of nor did Kate ask him directly. 

“I don’t believe Cara had any intention of leaving me alive.” Kate reminds him with an exhausted sigh. Her chest ached worse than when she had a broken heart. “My ex-girlfriend didn’t shoot me in the head because that would’ve been a mercy.”

“So she left you alive as punishment?” Agent Korsak challenges as his body posture shifts. 

“She left me bleeding out slowly after being tortured for several days.” Kate reiternates, chancing a glance at the Director. He didn’t look in their direction, merely staring at the corner of the ceiling. Loneliness and anger swelled within Kate, the feelings amplified by the pain. “I’ve spent years investigating this conspiracy with Attorney Glavin, who was murdered, and I never spoke to anyone about this besides him and the Director. I don’t trust people, and Cara never needed information from me because her father was the Deputy Director of the DIA. I have kept all my files and information locked in a controlled environment that only could be accessed by Glavin, Director Blake, and myself. That security measure was obviously effective since the traitors were arrested without being tipped off.” Her heart rate climbs.

“Why did Cara fly out to Hawaii last year?” Agent Korsak doubled down on his questions. “Let me start with what I know: she was here to visit you . Why?”

“She said she was here for work. I was already seeing someone else. I don’t–”

“NCIS Junior Special Agent Lucy Tara. Is she the reason you switched to the FBI, or was it pressure from Hill to have access to a different Agency’s resources?” His interruption threw Kate’s focus.

“What?”

“I’m not here investigating to see if you were potentially compromised by Cara Hill to knowingly or unknowingly give intelligence. I’m investigating whether you were part of the entire operation, Agent Whistler.” Agent Korsak loomed over the bed, his older face wrinkled and frozen like stone. “And until I’m satisfied with the results of my investigation, you are going to answer every single one of my questions.”

The heart rate monitor beeps. 

Agent Korsak smirks.

“Relax, Whistler.” He narrows his eyes, his smirk still present. “Now tell me, while you were allegedly held against your will, what did you tell Hill and Lewis?”

“Nothing.” Kate’s vision swam. “They wanted names… Names related to the Maggie Shaw case.” Absentmindedly, Kate itched at the bandage on her left arm. The fresh memory of the blade breaking her skin reigniting the pain in the limb. “I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” Agent Korsak agrees placatingly. “What do you think Cara Hill is going to do to you when she finds out you’re alive?” The question confused Kate. It was phrased almost like a threat. 

“I doubt I even matter to her.” Kate answers honestly. She couldn’t fathom what Cara ever got out of their relationship. 

“Then you won’t mind us going through your storage locker in DC.” Kate paused as his threat registered. “I wasn’t asking for permission. Also, we’re taking your cellphone. Once all this is cleared up, I’m sure you’ll get everything back.” Her heart rate raised again, blood pressure rising enough to draw a consistent beeping from the machine.

“I didn’t know.” Kate tried to keep her words composed. Director Blake didn’t move or speak.

“Right.” Korsak scoffs, glancing over his shoulder at the sound of the door opening. A nurse frowns, uneasily remaining in the doorway. “Ma’am, we’re in the middle–”

“I believe we are done here. My patient needs her medication, and you’re interfering with her receiving health care.” Dr. Roseland opens the door wider, the nurse bustling inside to begin administering drugs that quickly flood Kate’s bloodstream. The pain began to ease, and the stress and anxiety fades into the background. 

“Very well.” Agent Korsak glances at the Director with a pout. “Agent Whistler.” He addresses the inebriated agent. “Someone will remain posted here at all times. For your safety, of course.” The sneer and mocking were lost as Kate allows herself to close her eyes. One of the last visions her eyes are able to focus on had been Director Blake’s remorseful stare.

“I was investigated as well. We had to be ruled out as being involved.” Director Blake’s explanation fell on deaf ears as Kate remembered and still felt that resonating loneliness. After sacrificing so much to bring these traitors to the light, the betrayal of Korsak’s relentless interrogations started to whittle away at her psyche. Being stuck in that bed, reminded about how she should’ve realized she was a pawn in whatever fucked up chess game Cara had been playing, either labeled as a villain alongside Cara or a fool for being oblivious, Kate couldn’t ignore how she had no love lost for the DIA. “I sent a formal letter to Korsak’s superiors demanding reprimand for how he treated you. You deserved better.”

“I’m tired.” Kate stated coldly. “I think you should leave.” Director Blake paused, examining the exhausted, recovering FBI Agent before him.

“Very well.” He nodded, feeling the implied direction to see himself out. “Ex-Deputy Director Adam Hill won’t speak to anyone, not even me. He said he’ll only speak with you. If you’re up for it, I can arrange the meeting.” Director Blake watched Kate sigh, leaning against the railing and staring blankly at the ocean view. “He might be our only hope to catch a lead on Cara before the trail goes cold. Think it over and give me a call.” Director Blake exited the balcony, closing the door behind himself as he prickled under the scrutiny of Jane and Lucy sharing some wine in the kitchen. “Have a good week, ladies.” He made his exit as quickly and confidently as he could through the icy atmosphere of the condo. As the door closed, Lucy promptly locked it behind the Director. 

“Why would he just show up here?” Lucy hissed, anger and protectiveness flaring as she went back to the kitchen with Jane. She longingly stared after Whistler who was still staring off at the ocean from the balcony. “I just wish she’d talk to me. I feel like I have no idea what’s going on.”

“Whistler was under investigation.” Jane sighed, putting her hand on Lucy’s shoulder to stop the short agent from spiraling into a rant. “She was cleared. It's just… I understand how that betrayal feels. Do you know much about their relationship?”

“Not really. We didn’t talk about Cara after she showed up here. Since that was a catalyst to everything, I just… I never brought it up again.” Lucy sighed, wondering more about the enigmatic relationship that ended. “She needs her medicine. I’ll be back.” Lucy walked out onto the balcony, a glass of water in one hand and a variety pack of drugs in the other. 

“I’m sorry.” Kate whispered, tears welling up in her eyes as she leaned against the railing and glared angrily out at the ocean. Lucy trusted the structural integrity of the building, and Kate’s excellent attention to detail, but it made her uncomfortable watching her girlfriend leaning against the railing. “How many people died because of me? I was with her for years, and I just… I didn’t care enough to pay attention after Noah died. He tried to warn me, but I didn’t even listen then.” Kate held her head down on the railing in exhaustion, left arm in a useless sling. Lucy set the water down on the side table between the two chairs, walking up to Kate and pulling her into a hug.

“You didn’t know. You couldn’t have known. Nobody else knew either. It wasn’t your fault.” Lucy reassured, holding her girlfriend loosely so as not to aggravate her injuries. Kate didn’t wrap her arms around Lucy, just leaned into her comforting embrace. Despite the closeness and the first breakthrough between them since Kate woke up, Lucy still felt so distant from her girlfriend. “I love you so much, and I am so sorry this is happening.”

“...” Silence hung numbly between them. After another few seconds, Kate pulled away and her tears were gone. Her expression blank and distant, an exhaustion clinging to her body like a skinsuit. “I am pretty tired.”

“Of course. Here, take your medicine.” Lucy felt whiplash at the sudden absence of emotion, knowing it was still brewing beneath the surface somewhere. Kate took the pills, and then the glass of water after Lucy handed it over. Going back inside, Kate seemed to just realize that Tennant was still in the apartment. Shifting awkwardly on her feet, Kate couldn’t bring herself to meet the SAC’s gaze. Lucy couldn’t imagine why her girlfriend was so awkward around her boss. They were friends… they were family. 

“Thank you for being here.” Kate finally whispered, her voice tired and wafty. Jane smiled, walking up to give Kate a quick hug.

“Always. Even when you don’t want me to be.” Jane assured softly. “I’ll see you soon. Get some rest, Kate.” 

// WHISTLER-TARA CONDO, HAWAII // SATURDAY; 1130 //

“I got it.” Lucy called out to Kate, heading to the door. Kate was reviewing a packet of documents Curtis had brought over regarding her leave and short-term disability paperwork. He was adamant about Kate getting the paperwork filled out sooner than later. Something had been bothering the blonde, but Kate wouldn’t tell Lucy yet. It was tearing Lucy apart seeing her girlfriend so despondent and cold. It was like DIA Officer Whistler mixed with a kicked puppy. “Hello? Can I help you?” An older woman with sun-kissed skin and shoulder length blonde hair stared at Lucy, her glasses magenta and round, dipping down her nose as she inspected Lucy up and down. “Excuse me? I think you have the wrong door.”

“You’re prettier in person.” The woman offered a terse smile, her words completely unwarranted as Lucy wracked her brain for a way to respond. “Is Kate here? I’m assuming it was you that sent me the invitation.” 

“What?” Lucy was completely lost. The woman frowned, digging into her purse before pulling out a three-inch by five-inch piece of cardstock with a beach themed design and a picture of Lucy and Kate from the FBI BBQ. Lucy was speechless as she read her and Kate’s engagement announcement. Flipping the engagement announcement over to the other side, Lucy saw handwriting she didn’t recognize inviting Mr. and Mrs. Whistler to Hawaii to reconnect since they hadn’t talked with Kate in so long. It was signed with a loopy, cursive Kate & Lucy. “Kate!” 

“What’s wrong?” At the panic in Lucy’s tone, Kate jolted up to her feet and hastily grabbed the gun she’d been keeping in a hideaway since she was released from the hospital. As Kate approached, she caught sight of the woman on the other side of the doorway. “Mom?”

“Kate, what happened to you?” Mrs. Whistler asked in alarm, horror on her face as she started to shake. Lucy’s mind was still trying to catch up, but she gently guided the woman inside the house. “Why do you have a gun? What happened to your arm? Oh my god.” Mrs. Whistler kept asking questions, her shaking getting worse.

“Shit.” Kate whispered in frustration, putting the gun in the waistband of her pants. “Mom, what’re you doing here?”

“No. No. No.” Mrs. Whistler was still in shock, and Lucy shot Kate a glare. 

“Get her some water.” Lucy hissed, guiding Mrs. Whistler to the sofa. Kate paused for only a second, brow furrowed before she turned and locked the door before doing as Lucy said. It was easy enough to get Mrs. Whistler to sit down and to comfort the woman. “Kate’s fine. She’s okay. And she has plenty of time off work, so she’s going to heal and be okay.” Lucy reassured. 

“How did that happen? She’s a lawyer for Christ’s sake!” Mrs. Whistler exclaimed, surprising Lucy. The NCIS Agent frowned, looking to Kate for answers as the blonde held out a glass of water. 

“Mom, I… I work for the FBI now.” Kate muttered, unable to meet her girlfriend’s gaze. Lucy took the water numbly, helping Mrs. Whistler take calming sips of the beverage. As Kate avoided looking at either woman, she caught sight of the engagement announcement on the coffee table. Picking it up, she hid her dismay and shock with a cold, steely mask. Flipping it over, Kate read the handwritten note, seeing the stamp was from the local post office. This invitation definitely left from Hawaii. “When did you get this?”

“Kate, what the hell is going on–”

“Mom.” Kate held up the card, drawing the older woman’s focus to the invitation. “When did you get this?”

“Last week. It went to the old house and your father was going to throw it out, but when I came by to pick up any mail for me, he asked if I wanted it.” Kate got the answer to her question, but she also got a whole slew of other questions. 

“Pick up mail?” Kate asked. She looked at her mom’s left hand, and saw it empty. Even the ring line was tanned and now invisible. “You and Dad don’t live together anymore.”

“We divorced after N-N…” She couldn’t say his name. “You went back to DC and we never heard from you again. Your father and I lasted… a few months before we couldn’t stand to be in the same house together. Eventually, I asked for a divorce, and now, it’s been years but sometimes my mail still goes to the old house.” Ex-Mrs. Whistler explained calmly. 

“I’m Lucy Tara. I’m Kate’s girlfriend.” Lucy introduced.

“Juliette Hollis. I go by my maiden name now. Please, call me JJ.” JJ introduced herself properly to her daughter’s girlfriend. Lucy smiled, seeing a lot of Kate reflected in the earnest kindness. “Thank you for reaching out. I didn’t even know Kate moved to Hawaii, let alone joined the FBI, and apparently got engaged.”

“Oh, I didn’t…” Lucy trailed off as she glanced at Kate. The FBI agent stepped away. 

“I need to call Curtis. This is Cara’s handwriting.” Kate didn’t leave say anything else as she excused herself to the balcony. 

“Cara?” JJ looked warily at Lucy. “Kate was dating a ‘Cara’ when she was in college. I never liked her.” The older blonde frowned as she took Lucy’s hand and turned it over with scrutiny. “My daughter didn’t pop the question, did she?”

“No.” Lucy confirmed awkwardly. There was such an edge of regret in JJ’s expression and reactions, but the woman also didn’t do anything to close the emotional canyon that stretched between her and Kate. Lucy can’t remember Kate ever mentioning her parents besides passing comments about how she didn’t have anyone left after Noah died, or how when she came to Hawaii she didn’t leave anyone important behind. “We think Cara sent that to you two, but we don’t know why.”

“She looks really happy in that picture.” JJ smiled with watery eyes. “It’s just so beautiful here.” JJ wiped her eyes, shifting the focus to the island itself instead of the happiness it seemed to have brought her youngest child.

“We were at the FBI BBQ. Kate had just transferred to them and it was the first time she was introducing me to her team. It went pretty well, but she was nervous.” Lucy explained, smiling fondly at the memory. “I work for the NCIS team that she is a liaison to, so we kind of work together too.”

“I can’t believe Kate is an FBI agent. She was such a promising lawyer.” JJ reminisced offhandedly.

“Kate is such an amazing agent. She has always been so good at her job. I never knew her as a lawyer but when she worked for DIA, I know she was offered a promotion in DC because of how amazing she is at her job.” Lucy defended her girlfriend’s career and success, not noticing that Kate had come back inside from the balcony. Kate shifted uncomfortably, both because she wasn’t so sure that the offer for DC was as genuine as it’d been presented and because her mother had no idea that Kate ever worked for the DIA. “DIA protects intelligence to protect the country and its citizens from national security threats.” Lucy simplified, seeing JJ’s eyes turn guarded.

“Protecting intelligence?” JJ asked Kate, her expression swiftly cooling off into a blank stare. 

“Couldn’t exactly expect me to do nothing after what happened with Noah.” Kate told her mother, the woman flinching at the sound of her late son’s name. 

“How could you possibly do that to your father and I? What do you think dying would accomplish? How dare you put us through that.” JJ stood abruptly, mood switching and startling Lucy. Kate seemed to have expected the outburst, holding the invitation back to her mother.

“You’re the one that told me to leave.” Kate reminded.

“Kate, we need to talk.” Mr. Whistler was still in his black suit from the funeral, his gruff face never shifting from its permanent expression of anger. Ever since Noah died, he’d been angry. “It’s about your mother.” Kate had changed into her sweatshirt (an old ‘My Brother is Airborne’ hoodie that Noah gave her) and jeans after the wake, cleaning up her parents house as her parents had disappeared into their bedroom. “I think you should go back to DC.”

“What?” Kate stared in shock at her father. They just buried Noah. Theo looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “Why? Does Mom want me to leave, or do you?”

“Both!” Theo shouted. “All you remind me of is the son I lost!” 

“Theo, enough!” Juliette screamed at her husband, but Theo didn’t care.

“You asked me to send her away because you are too much of a goddamn coward, JJ!” He turned his screams onto his wife. Kate was used to their needling and passive aggressive fights all her childhood, but rarely did they scream and argue so openly. “She doesn’t even want to be here! She’s just going to go back to her bigshot life as a lawyer in DC, adding to the cesspool of corruption that’s plaguing this country.” Theo never openly opposed Kate becoming a lawyer, but he certainly dropped hints of the low moral standings of the profession, completely ignoring Kate’s dreams of justice. “While your brother was protecting this country, you were too busy worrying about winning an argument for the highest bidder!” Kate flinched. Theo’s eyes widened for a second, but he never retracted his words. Instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the house into the rain. 

“Kate…” Juliette whispered, unable to look at her daughter. Kate felt the tears filling her eyes, her chest hollow and stomach twisted. 

“Why can’t you look at me, Mom?” Kate asked. As painful as her father’s words were, he wasn’t a man to lie. Even in a fit of rage, he honestly believed his words. “My whole life, you and Dad only ever wanted me to be the girl version of Noah.” JJ flinched at her son’s name, unable to argue or meet Kate’s pained eyes. “I’ve only ever been his shadow. You’d really rather lose both of us, than look me in the eyes?” Kate’s heart was broken and she just wanted her brother back. If he was here, he’d have stopped her from letting the next words tumble off her lips. He’d have brought them all together as a family. “You really think I don’t know that you’d give anything to have me and Noah trade places right now? Well don’t worry, Mom. You can’t bury a shadow.”

“Get out.” Juliette whispered, tears falling from her eyes. “Get out of my house! Get out and don’t come back!” She screamed, hastily gathering Kate’s coat and keys, opening the front door and throwing them into the rain. Kate’s shoes by the door were flung off the steps and into the muddy yard. Kate went to her bedroom, grabbing her suitcase and shoving clothes into it as she heard glass breaking in the living room. When she came back down the stairs to leave, she saw her mom surrounded by broken picture frames. Kate didn’t say goodbye as she left the house, bare feet against the cold, wet ground as she picked up her shoes and walked to her car. She stepped on the framed picture from high school graduation. The drenched clothes and items that JJ threw into the yard were abandoned. Kate grabbed her car keys and loaded her suitcase. An hour later, she was at the airport booking the earliest flight back to DC. 

“I… I…” JJ couldn’t respond, her voice breaking. 

“I didn’t stop being a lawyer because of Dad. I didn’t join the DIA, or the FBI because I wanted to die. I did all this because I needed to find a reason to live. Don’t you get that?” Kate tiredly sat in the chair across the room, and Lucy hated being so far away from her girlfriend. Every instinct told her to wrap Kate into a hug and never let go. But, knowing the blonde’s methods of processing, Lucy remained in her spot on the couch. “Why did you come here?”

“...” JJ closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I really did want to reconnect.”

“This isn’t a good time.” Kate stated flatly, catching Lucy off guard. JJ nodded, grabbing her purse and heading to the door. 

“Wait! JJ, you’re just leaving?” Lucy asked, looking from Kate to JJ. 

“This was a bad idea.” JJ admitted. “I am so sorry, Kate. You were right.” JJ walked to the door. “I just keep seeing a shadow. But I am working on it. When I can finally stop comparing you to… to Noah, I hope it’s not too late.” JJ left the condo, not turning around once on her way to the elevator. Lucy closed the door, locking it and leaning against the surface. 

“What did she mean by ‘seeing a shadow’?” Lucy asked Kate gently, seeing how distant the blonde was as she stared across the room. 

“Some parents have favorites, Lucy. If the golden child dies, they have nothing left.” Kate spoke softly, remembering that excruciating pain and loneliness from that rainy mournful day. 

“They had you, Kate.”

“But they didn’t want me.”

// NCIS WAR ROOM, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1650 //

“I got something off the engagement announcement.” Ernie brought up the postage stamp onto the screen. “It was stamped three days after Cara shot Kate.” Ernie pointed out, which was old news by now. Jane waited for him to bring in the ‘wow’ factor. Curtis had his hands on his hips, listening intently. “The card was printed locally from this account using a cellphone app.” 

“I don’t think Lucy and Whistler are looking for recommendations for their actual engagement announcement, Ernie.” Jesse prodded, ignoring the gobsmacked expression Lucy had as she was suddenly the subject of their teasing. Ernie glared at Jesse, making a face at him and Kai before continuing. 

“The account was just active again yesterday. And the signal was from a nearby island.” The room went silent, everyone holding a collective breath. “I think this app was one of the methods Cara is using to communicate and sell intelligence.”

“How?” Jane demanded.

“Wedding invitations, baby announcements, holiday newsletters…” He rolled his eyes, examples from the account were on the screen. “Dates, times, descriptions, pictures… I’ve started decoding, and some are matching suspected assassinations and even other events that I do not have access to.” Ernie glared, hating the red tape keeping him from completely deciphering and confirming his suspicions. 

“It’d be a non-assuming way to leak intelligence.” Curtis confirmed.

“Yeah, and with a USB drive and a local print shop, they can get printed and mailed anywhere in the world.” Ernie paused for dramatic effect. “Or, the invitation can be created as a ‘template’ and ‘sold’ via a shared link method. This specific Bridal Shower announcement was sold to 30 accounts from the exact same location in Russia for $42,000 each.” 

“How didn’t we realize this?” Curtis’ jaw dropped at the numbers.

“It’s not a US based company, it's categorized as a fine-art and independent collector’s e-commerce website, and there’s plenty of non-assuming transactions occurring simultaneously.” Ernie answered smoothly. “Looks like for our letter to the Whistler parents, Cara made it special, printed it out, and hand wrote her message. It’s impossible for me to tell if she’s done the same with any other ‘projects’ from the account.”

“What was the activity from yesterday?” Jane asked, knowing she’d have to make a very unpleasant phone call to the DIA Director. 

“It’s inviting guests to a hoʻolauleʻa ma ke ola, which translates to–”

“A healing through the celebration of life.” Kai jolted, alarm in his eyes. “It’s basically a Hawaiian funeral.” Kai looked to Ernie. “Who’s the invitation for?”

“There’s no name, but there’s a date and time. Today at 6PM. It’s inviting friends and family to spread the ashes into the wind at sea on the North Shore… Sharks Cove.” 

“Ernie! A little bit of warning would’ve been nice.” Jesse rolled his eyes since it was already 5PM. The tech genius dead eyed him.

“Do you realize how impossible it was to find this account? We’re not talking a needle in a haystack. We’re talking an invisible needle in the middle of an invisible stack of needles!” Ernie scowled. “And the only help I’ve had from DIA and the FBI was the DIA Director telling me to ‘find answers’ this morning. Not a lot to go on, Jesse.” Boone winced at Ernie’s admonishment, berating himself for letting his frustration get the better of him. 

“Lucy, where is Whistler right now?” Jane asked, knowing that whatever timetable they had left was only an hour. 

“She’s here at Pearl. I drove her in because she said she had a meeting with Director Blake. Apparently, it couldn’t wait.” Lucy knew that there was still a lot of secrecy that Kate owed in this case, so Lucy was doing her best to not hold the secrets against Kate. “I’ll give her a call.”

// SUBLEVEL [REDACTED], DIA, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1250 //

“Thank you for doing this, Whistler.” Director Blake and Agent Whistler stood across from each other in the flickering fluorescent light of a sublevel of the DIA offices. “I’m sure you have your own questions, but…” Blake clenched his jaw tightly, eyes flittering towards the heavy steel door. “Remember why you’re here.” Kate grimaced as she lifted her left hand, frowning as she tried to clench it into a fist and the digits couldn’t curl into her palm because of the nerves being damaged by the knife wound. Physical therapy over the last three weeks had been excruciating, but she no longer used the sling. The realization that her full strength wouldn’t return to her hand was slowly starting to sink in as well as a constant aching accompanying the tingling and sharp pain shooting through the limb.

“I know why I’m here.” Kate told him coldly.

“Right.” Blake nodded, opening the door and nodding to the two security officers inside the room. They left, and Kate walked inside to sit at the one empty chair across from a haggard looking ex-deputy director. 

“It's been quite some time hasn’t it?” Adam Hill allowed his face to smile softly, his wrists handcuffed being the only way to tell that he wasn’t here of his own free will. His suit was dirty and lacking a tie, but it was still designer. 

“This is the last card you have to play before they throw you away into a dark hole with jumpsuits and the only conversations you’ll have are the rats around your cell.” Kate deadpanned. Adam smirked, his shoulders releasing their guarded composure. 

“I always did like you. The others didn’t see it, they didn’t realize the bite you had wasn’t just a feisty blonde looking to make a name for herself. No… No, your bite has always been closer to a wolf. I wished Cara was more like that… she was always so much more like a cat. She had to play with her prey before getting to the point.” He sounded genuinely disappointed. “You might be the only one in the world that will believe me: I had no idea Cara was doing this until a few years ago. By that time, I got in a situation where I either joined her or turned her in, and… I couldn’t turn her in. No matter what, she’s still my daughter.” 

“Why me?” Kate believed him. There was always a fine line between manipulation for political gain and corruption for personal gain. It was easy for that line to blur, and Adam was a connoisseur of political gain. He was a master manipulator–Cara didn’t learn it all on her own–and he built a career on being ahead of everyone else. “You convinced me to join the DIA. You are the one that said it was the best way to stop what happened to my brother from happening to anyone else. How did I fit into any of this?”

“I liked you.” Adam shrugged. It was that simple. “You reminded me of me when I started out.”

“No. It’s more than that. After you got arrested, you made it clear to everyone that you would only talk to me. I want to know why .” Kate didn’t back down, her right hand curling into a tight fist as her left could only clench about forty percent of its usual motion. Adam looked Kate over, seeing blood still in her eye and blown pupil, the way her left hand struggled, the painful wince that happened every other breath. Adam leaned back.

“Fine. I don’t like to lose. Not even to my own daughter.” Adam Hill shrugged apathetically, pointing to Kate’s general appearance. “I ended up here because my daughter was too obsessed with you to walk away. She spent years trying to position you to where you could provide her something, where she could rope you into her inner circle somehow, and you never took the bait. She even came back here to try to prove a point that she could get you ensnared in her schemes and it failed… again. Then, you went and made yourself the face of the Maggie Shaw case, which was a case I wasn’t even privy to. You had something she wanted, and she couldn’t get it. I warned her that this would happen. But she assured me she knew what was going on. Look at me now. She had no idea what was going on… what you were really up to.”

“She lied to you. Big deal.” Kate wasn’t impressed by his spiteful complaining. Adam smirked.

“You were supposed to die. If she can’t get what she wants from you, she will kill you.” Adam leaned back in his seat, his arms taunt from the handcuffs. “The interrogators said that Cara left after she shot you. You don’t actually think that’s true, do you?”

“You overestimate how she felt about me.” Kate told him flatly, but that only drew out a laugh from Adam.

“You underestimate the impulses of a psychopath.” He looked around the room that had no cameras or windows. There was no observation window. It was just him and Agent Whistler. “This room is the safest place in the world for me and you. I love my daughter, but she can’t feel the same way for me. It’s not her fault.”

“She sent my parents a fabricated engagement announcement between me and my girlfriend. Why would she do that?” Kate demanded, her heart rate climbing. The walls no longer felt impenetrable, but suffocating. They didn’t feel like protection… they felt like a tomb. 

“I don’t know.” Adam shrugged disinterestedly. “I don’t really care either.”

“Fine. Let’s go for a walk.” Kate stood up. Adam leaned forwards, his expression morphing into confusion. “You think she’s pissed at me? Cara resents you, she always has. Now you’re here spilling all these family secrets, taunting her with the one person she couldn’t turn into a traitor, and thinking you’re somehow important. Don’t you get it, Adam? The best way to defend intelligence would be for you to have an accident. And you’re right. Cara won’t be able to help her impulses.” Kate walked to the door, opening it and telling Blake with an impassive expression. “Let’s go for a drive.” 

“I suppose we can’t ignore a request for dinner. Let’s grab a bite.” Blake nodded to the two security agents who promptly uncuffed and placed the handcuffs behind Hill’s back. “Let’s go, Adam.” 

“You have a death wish, Ian?” Adam Hill hissed as Blake led him down the hallway with a hand against his neck. 

“I’m just thinking of the odds. Who do you think your daughter will kill first?” Blake shrugged, keeping their march at Kate’s pace. The two guards silently waited at the elevator, turning around as the trio entered the box.  “You wanted to talk with Whistler so you could antagonize Cara. You wanted to be petty and show that you can still get close to someone that Cara can’t. I’m going to bet that your plan is working, and Cara is pissed.” Ian smirked as they exited the elevator onto the main floor of the DIA. A few officers that recognized the Director and ex-Deputy Director took note, but nobody approached. It was only as they entered the bright, warm daylight did Adam’s panic become more apparent. 

“Ian, I am serious. I don’t know where she is. She wouldn’t have just left Hawaii with Kate still alive, but that’s all I know.” Adam explained, but Blake had talked with Whistler before she even entered that room. They needed to bring Cara to down, dead or alive. She was too dangerous to let escape. Too many innocent people could be hurt. “I can help, but not like this. Not as bait.” Adam squirmed before he was shoved into the backseat of an unmarked car. 

“You don’t have to do this. Using Adam as bait is a good idea. It should be enough to draw her out.” Blake and Whistler were huddled into an office on the sublevel of DIA, reviewing all the facts before Kate would go talk with Ex-Deputy Director Hill. 

“Cara resents her father, but she can’t help herself. The only thing she would want more than to remove him from her life would be to keep him alive knowing that she is better than him. We have Adam in custody, and he isn’t getting out. She beat him. It might be enough validation.” Kate explained her ex-girlfriend’s motives. “But having me out in the open? Me, her father, you… people that she would give anything to have control over. It’s too tempting. And we can’t risk her escaping.”

“We still don’t know how she’s selling the intelligence. Maybe Adam knows–”

“Him? The only thing he knows is that his daughter will kill him without thinking twice. She used him, just like she uses everyone else around her.” The bitterness leaked into Kate’s voice, and it reminded Blake that this was personal to both of them. Cara wasn’t just someone that kidnapped and shot Kate because she was investigating her crimes. Cara was the FBI agent’s ex-girlfriend. Cara sabotaged Kate’s current relationship once, and made it incredibly obvious she was willing to stir up trouble with Whistler’s estranged parents too. Family, relationships, career… they were all at stake for the young blonde. Blake took a deep breath. 

“This is a terrible plan.”

“Agent Whistler, I wasn’t aware you were back to work.” Commander Chase tilted her head at the sight of the FBI Agent. Kate’s eyes went wide and she forced a greeting.

“C-Commander Chase, what’re you doing outside?” Kate was once thought to be a prodigy in the early lawyer circuit, but right now, she couldn’t think passed the need to get into the car. 

“I do occasionally leave the morgue. This is Hawaii.” It was stated so matter-of-factly that Kate blanked on any follow up. “If you’re looking for ASAC Curtis, I think he’s actually with NCIS right now.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Kate muttered. “Okay. I need to go.” Kate opened the car door and slammed it behind her as she glanced at Blake. 

“That was strange.” Commander Chase scoffed. 

“How long do you think it’ll take for Cara to find us?” Blake asked Adam conversationally, but the man shut his mouth and glared. “I did rent this car under my own name.” 

“That’s not going to work.” Adam muttered.

“And why is that, Adam?” Blake took a right outside of the base, following the signs to enter the highway. “Keep an eye out.” Blake told Whistler, and tensions began to rise. The sun was starting its downward trajectory. Still a couple hours from sunset, but the hottest part of the day was long since past. Kate felt her phone vibrate. 

“Lucy’s calling.” Kate muttered, answering the phone and expecting her girlfriend to rake her over the coals for leaving the base. “Lucy, I’m sorry. I’m busy right now.”

“Oh darling, it is really good to hear your voice.” Kate froze, pulling the phone away from her ear and still seeing Lucy’s name on the screen a cold wave went through every blood vessel in Kate’s body. “Relax. Your little girlfriend is fine… for now.”

“Cara.” Kate growled, catching Blake’s attention and getting a scoff from Adam in the backseat. “Where is Lucy?”

“She’s not the one you need to worry about. Do you know how easy it is to get an app that will spoof my phone number? I can be just about anyone.” Kate shifted uneasily, jaw clenching tighter and tighter as uncertainty started to take hold. “Or, I kidnapped your girlfriend, stole her phone, and decided to call you just for the fun of it.”

“No. No, if you had Lucy, you would’ve proven it by now.” Kate Whistler channeled as much apathy and control as she possessed. There was a pause on the line. Finally, Cara responded.

“Ok. Sure.” Neither a confirmation or a denial. The placating, condescending word echoed in Whistler’s ears like a siren’s sweet poison. “So, are you, Uncle Ian, and my dad busy right now? Or just out for a leisurely drive?” 

“Just talking about how most psychopaths are a lot smarter. Their plans don’t fall apart so easily.” Kate had an older brother, and they were best friends… but on occasion, she would do just what all younger siblings did and taunt him until she got what she wanted. Taunting was a skill she really didn’t use often anymore, but psychopaths have a fragile ego. Cara had a fragile ego. “But I guess, without your dad to protect you and come up with this whole thing, it’s a lot harder to make it on your own.” Cara laughed.

“I know what you’re doing.” Cara deadpanned.

“But it’s still working.” Kate’s response was met with the sound of rustling and the rattling of metal. 

“And this whole time, I thought I’d be nice and we could settle this just between us. But you really want to get others involved, fine. I’m going to text you an address, and you are going to rush over here. And when you get here, I’m going to let you make the choice.” Cara’s tone of voice lost its taunting, playful sadistic joy. It was calculated. It was curious. Kate subconsciously rubbed her chest, the muscles that were still weakened from a bullet ripping through skin and flesh ached. “Come right here, or I’ll start the fun without you. And believe me, Kate. I will know.”

“Are you tracking the car?” Kate fished, getting a response that she couldn’t believe but also couldn’t rule out.

“You think I didn’t chip you while you were in the hospital? You were unconscious for days. And the security really just lets anyone in scrubs into your room. Room 1272, if I recall.” Cara mused. “I’ve been literally under your skin this whole time.”

“...” Kate looked to Blake. He mouthed ‘what ?’ to her as he tried to figure out the probability that Cara was telling the truth. She was a pathological liar, but there was an opportunity. 

“I’d start driving to North Shore if you want there to even be a chance.” 

“I will catch you.” Kate seethed, her skin crawling and anger beginning to leak into her words. Blake frowned. This was what Cara had wanted. 

“No. You’re going to let me go. You’re going to sacrifice all the intelligence in the world. You are going to be the reason someone else’s Noah Whistler gets murdered as a sad story of collateral damage.” Cara laughed, joy in her voice. “You either do that, or…” Cara couldn’t help herself. The phone call switched to a video request. Kate answered, ready to face this psychopath. “Or, your mother gets cremated.” The video showed a small viewing hole on the door of a cremation machine. Feet were frantically kicking, muffled screams barely audible. “I’ll be waiting, but… if you take too long, your mother will probably run out of air.” The call ended, and a location pin was texted to Kate. The blonde stared at the screen numbly. It was the address to a crematorium that was closed for renovations, located on the North Shore two blocks from Banzai Beach where Kate would surf to change up the weekends, and near Sharks Cove, where she’d watched many sunsets alone when she first moved to the island. 

// NCIS WAR ROOM, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1710 //

“It keeps going to voicemail.” Lucy told the others. “Dammit, Kate.” Lucy growled. There was a knock on the door and Commander Chase waited until Jesse opened the door for her to enter. 

“I have the ME reports my contacts sent me from DC. You still wanted these?” Commander Chase held out the files to Tennant and she smiled.

“Thank you. Sorry you had to come back to work for this.” Jane didn’t want to call the woman on her day off, but Commander Chase had better luck coordinating with the DC coroner's office than the rest of the team did. 

“Not at all. I was getting bored anyways.” Chase waved off the apology. “Whistler looks good. Physical therapy must be working if she’s back to work already.”

“What?” It was impossible to determine if it was Curtis, Tennant, or Lucy that asked the question loudest. 

“Her and a tall, older man were transporting a suspect.” Chase explained. “Well, at least they were transporting someone that was in handcuffs.” 

“What the hell?” Lucy whispered.

“When?” Tennant asked, drowning out Lucy’s mutterings. 

“Forty minutes ago.” 

“Shit.” Curtis slammed a file down on the desk, worry fueling his outburst. 

“Ernie–”

“Trace her phone. Got it.” He finished, already pulling up the program. Commander Chase tilted her head as she looked at the screen. There were photos separated into two groups.

“She was with him.” Chase pointed to Director Blake. “And they were putting him into the back of a car.” When Commander Chase pointed at Ex-Deputy Director Adam Hill, Jane and Curtis shared a frown. 

“Are you sure?” Curtis asked. Jesse stated in the background ‘We didn’t even know Adam Hill was on the island’ to Kai and Lucy.

“Yes. He was complaining about it the whole time. Seemed worried.” It wasn’t out of the norm for people who committed crimes to be worried about being arrested. Commander Chase did note one oddity. “They were using a rental car.” 

“I can’t track her phone.” Ernie said. 

“What do you mean you can’t? You did it last time.” Jesse pointed out, but Ernie pointed at the screen.

“There’s nothing to track. The last location of her phone that I have is at Pearl five weeks ago. But Kate was still in the hospital when her phone was here.” Ernie looked to Lucy, but the young special agent shook her head. 

“Kate has had her phone the whole time. I texted her this morning when I went out to pick up groceries.” Lucy argued.

“No. The cell phone that is registered to Kate Whistler was last used at Tripler two days after Kate woke up, and was brought here shortly after. The last location was pinged here. There’s no activity since then.” Ernie showed the cold hard facts on the screen. Kai stepped in when the argument looked like it was about to turn heated. 

“Okay, so what does that mean?” Kai tried to focus on the problem. 

“It means the phone Kate has isn’t hers.” Jane answered for the team. 

“And there’s no chance this is a coincidence.” Curtis stated firmly. “We can’t track her phone, but someone else probably can.” 

“And it’s easy to setup remote access to turn it off or block incoming calls.” Ernie glared at the screen, trying to determine a way to beat this scheme. “Blake!” Ernie realized. “If Kate is with him, we don’t need to find Kate. We can find him.”

“He was the one driving the rental car.” Commander Chase chimed in before giving Tennant a nod. “I’m going, but call me if I can help.” 

“Thank you, Commander Chase.” Jane smiled at the woman. She had a knack for being the right person in the right place with the right information. “Jesse and Kai, start driving towards North Shore while Ernie tracks them.” 

“You got it, boss.” Jesse and Kai peeled off, leaving a fuming Lucy in the War Room. 

“What’re you doing?” Curtis asked Tennant as the NCIS SAC pulled her cellphone out. 

“I’m calling Blake.” She told them as she pressed the call button on his contact page. 

“Blake.” He answered stiffly. “Just so you know, I’m in the car with Whistler and a suspect.” Blake said through the car’s audio system.

“I’m well aware that you and Whistler have Adam Hill with you.” Tennant was not in the mood for unnecessary coyness. “I had to call you since Kate didn’t answer any of Lucy’s calls.”

“What calls?” Kate sounded exhausted. 

“That’s not your cellphone, Kate.” Tennant informed. There was a pause where only the sound of the car ambiance rattled through the speaker. “Someone switched your phone.”

“At least you probably don’t have a tracker chip somewhere inside your body.” An unfamiliar voice went through the phone. 

“What? That was an option?” Lucy couldn’t remain silent any longer. She was furious at Kate’s recklessness, but relieved to know her girlfriend was alive at the moment. “What is going on?”

“We’re on our way to a crematorium near North Shore.” Whistler told them. 

“Why?” Tennant demanded, concern rising in her throat. 

“...” The car didn’t respond. 

“Kate, it is a set up. You’re walking into a trap.” Curtis informed. 

“DIA habits are hard to break, aren’t they? Always needing to withhold intelligence eventually just becomes ingrained in your bones.” Adam piped up unhelpfully. Blake and Whistler didn’t respond. 

“Fuck.” Blake muttered. “Whistler, the smoke–”

“I see it.” Kate’s words were harsh, accompanied by the sound of screeching tires. “I have to go–” The sound of gunfire erupted over the phone. Ernie had patched the call into the audio system in the War Room, and the unexpected eruption of noise caught everyone off guard. 

“Kate?! Kate!?” Lucy cried. Tennant felt her heart clench, knowing that Jesse and Kai were heading in the direction, but they’d still be at least twenty minutes out. 

“What’s going on?” Curtis demanded calmly into the speaker. 

“Whist–Whistler?” Blake sounded disoriented. 

“Adam is dead. Director?” Kate struggled to unbuckle with her left hand while holding her gun in her right hand. “Shots came from behind. Director?” 

“Go. G-Get your mother.” Director Blake coughed as red blossomed through his shirt. “Go.” They heard a car door open and the sound of another clip of bullets. “Y-You still there, Jane?”

“We’re here.” Jane answered, her voice softening. 

“Banzai Funeral Home.” He coughed. Curtis began dialing Jesse’s phone to give him the location. “C-Cara started a fire. But Kate’s m-mom is inside. Threatened… Cara put her in the… c-cremation… thing.” He was struggling. Blake’s fight was ending. “Kate’s goin’ af… after her.”

“Ernie, keep this feed live for as long as you can.” Tennant told him, turning to Curtis and Lucy. “Let’s go.” Lucy half expected Tennant to make her stay on base with Ernie again. Somehow, this made Lucy more nervous. Even with the lights and sirens, it’d take them a half hour to get to the funeral home. “Director Blake, do you know where Cara is?”

“She’ll n-need to leave soon. I c-can hear sirens.” Blake muttered. 

“Hey, Uncle Ian. You really put yourself in this position.” Cara’s voice could be heard through the speaker. “Looks like your big idea to catch me backfired.”

“It was n-never about catchin’ you.” Ian responded. Two gunshots went off within a fraction of a second of another. 

“Dammit!” Cara screamed, and then there were six more gunshots before she could be heard panting heavily. “Bye Ian, bye Daddy… goodbye, Kate.” 

// BANZAI FUNERAL HOME, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1801 //

“Kai, check the car.” Jesse pointed towards the rental car that was numerous bullet holes and every window was broken. They were on the phone with Tennant during the drive, being the first to pull up to the blaze. The entrance seemed engulfed in fire. “Kai, I’m going to check the back. There should be a delivery entrance. I’m going to find Whistler!” Jesse ran to the back, her gun drawn in case Cara was still around the scene. They could hear a fire engine coming closer. Kai found a blood trail leaving the car, frowning at the direction. A fire engine pulled in and firefighters started pouring out. 

“Lieutenant Lotter. And you are?” Lt. Lotter was a greying man that looked far too young for how weathered his face was. 

“NCIS Special Agent Kai Holeman. This is a crime scene and I have reason to believe that an agent and a civilian are inside that building. My partner ran to the back to find an entrance. They should be in the basement.” Kai pointed to the funeral home that was mostly in flames with thick, black smoke billowing out the top. 

“This building is in the middle of renovations, and there’s a lot of materials inside feeding this fire.” Lt. Lotter informed, pointing to his crews that he had strategically placed to tackle the fire and stop risk of it spreading. “Do you know how the fire started?”

“Arson, but I don’t know the accelerant used.” Kai answered, looking longingly in the direction of the entrance. Pulling out his phone, Kai dialed Tennant’s number. 

“Kai, what’s going on? We’re thirty minutes out still.” Tennant immediately responded. 

“There’s blood leading away from the car. Looks like Blake got a shot off, but… It’s pretty gruesome.” Kai told her. Looking off southwest, Kai frowned. “Sharks Cove is only half a mile from here. Cara’s taunt was a calling card: ‘spreading ashes into the wind at Sharks Cove.’ She gave us a damn invite to her escape plan.” 

“My team is ready to go.” Lt. Lotter pointed to Search & Rescue. “It looks like the fire was set on the main level. The delivery entrance is clear right now, but we need to hurry. The building is becoming unstable.” 

“Kai, take a team and go after Cara.” Jane informed him. Kai looked around as he heard more sirens approaching. “Where’s Jesse?”

“He went in after Whistler.”

// BANZAI FUNERAL HOME, HAWAII // MONDAY; 1804 //

“Kate!” Jesse shouted as he ran through the back entrance. “Kate!” He looked up at the signs, coughing at the smoke that was hanging in the air. The cremator would be the most logical. He took the stairwell down to the basement. “Kate!” There was a banging sound down the hallway, and Jesse saw a soot covered Whistler carrying an older woman on her back. Kate looked ragged and he could see a large bookcase that was destroyed by a blunt object and medical books scattered across the hallway. “Shit, Whistler. Let me help.” Jesse took the older woman off of Kate’s shoulders, sending the blonde stumbling. 

“I… I’m o-okay.” Kate coughed, regaining her balance. “She’s breathing now. Do you have a better escape route?” By the looks of Kate, the front entrance was literal hell to run through. 

“Yes. Delivery entrance. Come on.” The relief in Kate’s eyes was one that Jesse would never forget. It was complete gratitude and genuine shock. “Let’s go.” They made their way to the staircase, Kate following slowly as her ribs burned and hands blistered. 

“HFD!” They could hear. “Hawaii Fire Department!” They heard again, the smoke thicker as they reached the main level. 

“Here!” Jesse shouted, his eyes burning from the smoke. “We’re here!” 

“Jesse!” Kate pulled him to the side just as part of the drop tiled ceiling collapsed in a burning heap. The material burned slowly, but the fire was spreading. 

“That was close.” He coughed, as they pushed further towards the entrance. The firefighters met them at the end of a hallway, and it was the blinding Hawaii sunlight that sent Kate spiraling into a dizzy stumble. 

“Get them to the ambulances. Now.” Lt. Lotter sighed in relief as everyone made it outside. “Agent Holeman left with some police officers to Sharks Cove.” Lotter told Jesse and Kate. “I have to do my job now.” Lt. Lotter returned to his engine to give orders and assess the fire and building stability. 

When Tennant, Curtis, and Lucy pulled up to the scene, they saw one ambulance leaving. Looking around, Lucy spotted Kate and Jesse at the back of another ambulance, wearing oxygen masks. Lucy jumped out of the car before Curtis could stop fully, sprinting to Kate and engulfing her into a tight hug. Kate groaned, wincing as pain flared. A paramedic was wrapping Kate’s hands, glaring at Lucy for the intrusion. 

“Never do that again. Dammit, Kate. I was terrified.” Lucy cried, wrapping her arms around Kate’s neck as she buried her head into a soot-laden shoulder. 

“I…” Kate had pulled her mask down but immediately began coughing. 

“Shh. Later. Just breathe.” Lucy instructed, putting the mask back into place. Turning to Jesse, she smiled at her friend. “Thank you.” 

“Any time.” Jesse pulled his mask down but was promptly admonished by Lucy. 

“Kai just called. Cara was killed when they tried to take her into custody. She had a small boat that we think she was going to use to get to another island.” Jane informed as she and Curtis walked up to the group. Kai is heading back here. He says he’s glad you’re both okay.” Jane smiled. “How’s your mother?”

“They took her to the hospital.” Kate muttered behind the mask, but nobody could understand.

“Ms. Hollis was taken to Tripler. She has severe smoke inhalation and was unconscious. Besides some burns and smoke inhalation, these two should be fine.” The paramedic answered, hopping back into the truck to organize some supplies. 

“You are on real Leave after this. I mean it, Whistler. No cases, no work, no stress. That is a goddamn order.” Curtis ran a hand through his short hair, worry and anxiety taking years from his life. “And I don’t care who the hell wants a statement, they’re contacting me first. I swear I’ve gained ten-pounds stress-eating over this.”

“Sorry, Sir.” Kate apologized behind her mask, but it was unintelligible. Curtis sighed, shoulders sagging.

“I’m just grateful that you’re okay.” Curtis finally smiled. “I’ll check in with you in a bit.” Curtis left to go make his own phone calls. Tennant was talking with Jesse while he listened, his own mask still hindering most of his responses beside the occasional head nod. 

“Kate?” Lucy asked softly, her voice having the slightest quiver to it. This caught the blonde’s immediate, undivided attention. “I love you. Promise me that we’ll do this next part together? No more lone wolf, no more being an island. I’m in this for the good and the bad. I’m here for it all. I love you. I just… I need to know you’re in this too.” The fear was clear in Lucy’s tone. There wasn’t judgment or anger at Kate for her secrets. It was just genuine concern that this would be their dynamic forever. Fear that they would never grow together and learn to communicate better. It was fear that Kate was holding back because she didn’t want Lucy to see the vulnerable parts, the parts that hurt the most. Kate took her mask off, allowing for the loneliness that seemed to engulf her constantly the last two months to fade. 

“W-Would you mind explaining this to Sara at my next physical therapy appointment? She might be nicer to you.” Kate offered as an answer, her voice raspy and coughed at times. But Lucy perked up. Lucy recognized this moment for exactly what it was: an invitation. This was an invitation to be part of the recovery process, not just on the outside. 

“I’ll do my best.” Lucy promised.