Missing You

Chapter Twenty-Two: Let the Games Begin

The next morning, when Nina woke up with a hangover, she downed the water with the Tylenol and went to take a shower. When she joined Hunter for coffee, she was dressed in a pair of black leggings with a grey and black sweater on with a cowl neck and her long hair was back up in a bun. He set a cup of coffee down in front of her, which she welcomed. Just as he went to sip his, his phone went off. Nina recognized the tune he had programed for missions as all her brothers had. It was “Fever Dream” from the 300 soundtrack. Hunter looked at Nina as he answered it. When he hung up, she looked at him, “Watch your six.”

“I will.”

“Come back with your shield or on it.”

“Sister,” touching his chest.

She touched hers, “Brother.”

She watched him go into his room to get ready. In the meantime, she went to hers and gathered her luggage. When he came out ready to report, she was ready to head to the airport. With one last hug, he got in his truck and headed out while she got in her Uber and headed to the airport.

When she got home to California, she had let the Pack know that Hunter had been called up. After a quick shower, Nina got in her bed and fell asleep. She dreamed that Draven was again laying next to her and warming her. She again was careful not to move as she was afraid that he would disappear.

The next day was Christmas Eve, and Misty drug her out for dinner for two. They went to the Melting Pot with just them two since their Paddle Boarding group had significant others and didn’t want to pain Nina any further. Especially after what Misty had told them about her seeking dangerous activities.

They sat in their booth enjoying their wine and their servings of fondue. Nina actually did have a great time with her best friend. After dinner, she had tried to get Nina to go back with her to her apartment so they could get warm and watch Christmas movies on repeat. But Nina, didn’t want to and instead waved at her as she pulled away for her condo. Quietly, she went up the stairs of her condo and let herself in. Leaning against the door, the let her tears fall that she had been holding in all night.

Slipping out of her heels, she went into her bedroom to change out of her dress and into a pair of leggings, a long sleeve Henley and socks, pulled her hair up into a messy bun and went to her freezer for a pint of sugar free ice cream and a glass of wine. She then curled up with a blanket on her couch and put on children’s Christmas movies that included the Santa Clause, a Charlie Brown Christmas and a few others that did not have couples. She didn’t need yet again, another reminder that she was alone on Christmas Eve and that Draven was gone. As the night went on, she finished her ice cream and fell asleep on the couch with a Christmas Story on.

Finally, a few days after Christmas, Draven dressed in his Navy officers’ uniform to attend his debriefing and testimony. He didn’t want to shave his beard or cut his hair, but since he was on official military business, he had to. After he shaved, it was weird as he looked at himself in the mirror to see his whole face. He noticed the small scar he had on his cheek from when they cut him cheek open and the small scar going across his nose from when he got headbutted. Squeezing his eyes shut, for one moment, he was back there, and he had to breathe and remember he wasn’t. Taking a deep breath, he put on some aftershave and pulled on the remainder of his uniform including his Peacoat and gloves for the Virginia winter. As he went to the door, he pulled on his hat, took a deep breath, and went to finish his last debriefing on the last mission he had as a SEAL.

Thirty minutes later, he pulled up to the military gate with his escort and they both showed their military IDs and went through the checkpoint. Upon entry, his escort took him directly to the court he would be testifying in. As he got out, he put his hat back on and walked inside with a renewed sense of purpose. As he opened the door, he stepped inside and once his eyes adjusted from the brightness of outside to the dullness of inside, he came face to face with his element.

Smiling, they each stood up dressed in their dungarees and Peacoats and went to greet him with a formal salute and then with a bro hug. When they pulled away, Draven smiled, “What are you guys doing here?”

Freak said, “They said we were needed so you could finish your debriefing.”

Radar whistled, “You clean up nice.”

Even Jinx clapped, “You look good, man! Big difference from the last time we saw you in Germany.”

“Thanks, guys. Glad you guys are here.”

They were then instructed to sit down and await their turn to be called in. Almost an hour later, they were called in and then sworn in. They each provided their debriefing and testimony as to what they witnessed, saw, and experienced. When it was Draven’s turn, he took a deep breath, took his oath, and sat down to debrief. His was longer than they anticipated and went on into the next day after an overnight break. Then as he got down, Blaine walked in with his team, and it was their turn to provide their information on their rescue mission and the things they had witnessed from the Navy SEAL element that they had rescued.

“Thank you, gentlemen. Your service has been proven to be invaluable. We sincerely apologize for the misinformation on your mission and the delay you have experienced in returning to your every day lives. Unfortunately, as our committee convenes and discusses what happened, we are going to ask that you continue until our conclusion. Including you Lieutenant Commander McGarrett. You are confined to this base until our report has been concluded.”

“Permission to speak, sir,” Draven asked.

“Granted.”

“Can I ask how long that will be?”

The head officer in charge looked at the committee and then back at Draven, “A few months. Maybe longer. I am sorry.”

Draven gritted his teeth, “Sir.”

They were dismissed and went back to Draven’s quarters which consisted of a twin bed, a dresser, a couch, a table with two chairs, and a tv. They each took off their jackets and sat down. “What the f**k am I supposed to do for, at minimum, two months?” Draven asked, “Stuck in one place without privileges? How am I supposed to go check on Nina? Or see my family?”

Blaine took the other chair at the table with him, as Freak, Radar and Jinx took his couch. He looked at Draven, “I got you, Dude. I know a few people that can help us.”

Around New Year’s Eve, Misty made Nina get dressed up in a black mini dress with some black heels, curled her hair and even did her makeup. “Why are you doing this, Miss?” Nina asked.

“Because I am taking your moping ass out to a New Year’s Eve party. You didn’t do anything for Christmas, so we are going to go do this party. Where you can let loose and have some fun. For once.”

Nina looked at her best friend with purple hair, dressed in a hot pink mini dress. “Fine. But I want to be home just after midnight. I am not rolling in at four in the morning.”

Misty nodded, “I can do that. Come on. Let’s go.”

Together, they grabbed their small clutches and shawls for the cool California winter evening and went to Misty’s Jeep Liberty. Nina then realized that she was driving them out up into the Hills to the big mansions. “Whose house are we going to?”

Misty smiled, “A director friend of mine. He really knows how to throw a bitchin’ party.”

Several winding roads later, they pulled up to a house that was more glass than house. The party was already going on with valet and lots of people. Nina was helped out of the Jeep by a valet and waited for Misty to come around. Putting her arm through hers, she guided Nina inside and introduced her to several Hollywood people including actors and actresses that were of the A-list variety. Some of them Misty recognized as the actors that came out in the movies that were based on her books.

Nina hated to say it, but she was not impressed. She just wanted to go back home, put on her leggings and Draven’s SEAL shirt and put on one of the episodes of Star Wars with some popcorn and pizza. Instead, she plastered a fake smile on her face and let Misty introduce her to all sorts of people. Eventually, Nina found herself having a minute to herself and went out onto an empty balcony. Taking in a deep breath, she pressed her hand to her abdomen and moved to the railing that overlooked the city and to the beach.

She then heard, “Sorry, is this balcony taken?”

Nina turned to see a man with brown hair dressed in a tuxedo. She smiled, “No. The more the merrier.”

He smiled, “Thank god,” and pulled a cigarette out from his jacket with a lighter, “Oh, do you mind? Apparently, smoking is considered taboo in California these days.”

Nina smiled, “I get it. And no, please.”

“Thanks,” and as he walked, lit his cigarette. When he got to her side, he put his cigarette in his left hand and held out his right hand, “I’m Doctor Gregory Patrick.”

Nina was polite and shook his hand, “Doctor Rowena Moreno.”

“And what kind of doctor are you?”

She smiled, “Clinical psychologist. You?”

He let her hand go, “Plastic surgeon.”

“Oh, yeah. Is anyone here your patient?”

He smirked, “Yeah, several,” and inhaled his cigarette.

“Awesome.”

“That is how I get invited to these shindigs. I fix their perfect noses to something else. Or give their wives enormous breasts that are going to eventually give them all sorts of shoulder and backpain. But they love my work. You?”

“My friend drug me here. She’s a screenwriter and has worked with some of these people, including the guy that owns this house.”

He looked at her, “Awesome. Has she done anything I’ve seen?”

“I’m sure.”

“So, Doctor Moreno, are you currently attached to anyone?”

“Please call me, Nina. And no.”

“Me neither. And call me Greg.”

They had a nice conversation there on the balcony. It still felt foreign to Nina to speak to another man that appeared to be attracted to her. He flirted with her, and she was polite back, but she wasn’t feeling the butterflies that she had gotten from Draven. Once he finished his cigarette, “Care for a twirl on the dance floor?”

She looked over the balcony to those that were dancing, and then, “No. Thanks. I am wearing stilettos that don’t allow for elegant dancing.”

He smiled, “I understand. Perhaps another time.”

“Sure.”

At that moment, Misty appeared, “There you are! Come on, it’s almost midnight. You wanted to get home before then.”

Nina nodded and then turned to Greg, “It was a pleasure speaking to you, Greg.”

He looked at her, “Would you mind if I got your number so I could call and ask you out sometime?”

Nina kept telling herself that that is what she was supposed to do. She nodded, “Okay.” He handed her his phone and she put her number in. He then leaned in and kissed her cheek, “I’ll call you. Happy New Year.”

She nodded, “Talk to you then. And Happy New Year.”

Misty then took her hand and led her back to the front of the house where her Jeep Liberty was running and waiting. Getting in, they both buckled up and made their way down the hill. “Did you have a good time, Nina?”

Nina felt like she had just betrayed Draven by agreeing to a date with Greg, “Yeah.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

Nina looked at Misty, “I just feel like I am betraying him.”

Misty pulled over and grabbed her hand, “Mamas, we have talked about this. Why are you continuing to put your life on hold for him? You deserve a life. You deserve to be happy.”

Nina looked at her best friend, “Because I love him. Because I was happy with him.”

“I know you were but mamas, he isn’t coming back. He is still listed as MIA. There are men from the Vietnam War that are still listed as MIA. I just don’t want to see you wither away. You know, alone and miserable. You deserve everything good that this world has to give you. Just give this Greg guy a chance. Give him one date. Just one. For me.”

Nina wiped at her tears, “Okay.”

“Okay.” Misty put her Jeep into gear, and they finished the ride back to Nina’s condo. They then spent the rest of the evening in comfortable pajamas watching Star Wars and eating popcorn and pizza. The next day, Greg called Nina for a coffee date. She showed up and when she ordered black coffee, it surprised him, and he ordered a chai coffee. Sitting down outside under the umbrella, he looked at Nina, “Why black coffee?”

“Why not?” she asked.

“Sorry, I just mean, why not one of those frou-frou iced drinks?”

She looked at him, “I am a type one diabetic. Black coffee is what I drink.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Yup.”

“How long have you been a diabetic?”

Nina cupped her mug between her hands, “Since I was in high school. I wear an insulin pump because of it,” and lifted the hem of her shirt to show him and then lowered it and fixed her sweater as she did so. A few tables behind them, Greg took notice of a guy in a baseball had and sunglasses, dressed in black pants, a Green Day t-shirt with a black zipper hoodie reading the paper.

Nina took notice, “Is something wrong?”

“Uh, no. Sorry, just a weird vibe. Like someone is watching,” and then waved, “Anyway, continue.”

“Yeah, so it came on in high school. Not surprising, I was about two-fifty. Since then, I have been very careful with my diet and exercise without fail. And according to my doctor I am at a healthy weight of one twenty-six, And I make sure that I have my pump on me at all times.”

“Wow. That must be tough.”

She shrugged, “Sometimes. But I do it so I can be here for my brothers.”

“Brothers?” he asked, “As in multiple?”

She smirked, “Yeah. Multiple.”

“Older? Younger?”

“Both.”

“What about your parents?”

“Both are gone.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head, “It’s okay. You? Where are yours?”

He smiled, “They are both alive and well. They have been married for oh, thirty-eight years. I came along about four years after they got married. Dad works as a manager for the phone company and mom is a photographer.”

Nina nodded, “Nice. Siblings?”

He shook his head, “Only child. My mom had a lot of complications when she was delivering me, and they had to take everything else out to save her.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Yeah.”

They talked a little bit longer and eventually departed ways with a hug as Greg had a surgery scheduled later that day. Nina hugged him and started the walk back to her Land Rover. When she got home, she slowly walked inside and after removing her shoes, opened her balcony to let the cool breeze in, curled up under the blankets and took a nap. She had a dream that Draven was there with her and was holding her as she slept. Only when she woke, she was alone. As always.

Draven had watched Nina on her date and didn’t like it. He had followed her home from Seattle and then had to head back to Virginia for his debriefing. But thanks to Blaine, he was able to skip out of being confined to base and went to check on Nina. He watched as she had laid down for her nap, and he had let himself in to watch her sleep. When that wasn’t enough, he climbed in to spoon her. When she woke up, he had to quickly put himself under her bed and cursed at himself for being stupid and nearly found out. She had gotten up and went into her bathroom. He had then quickly let himself out on the balcony since he couldn’t go out through the front door. Her waking that fast had scared him but he knew he had f****d up and lost track of how long he was laying there with her.

Later on that week, Draven watched Nina join her paddle boarding group try their hand at surfing the winter waves on the California coast. One afternoon while one of the girls sat out because she hurt her ankle playing Gladiator Paddle Boarding, she set up their lunch and put some music on. Draven raised an eyebrow as she put on Motley Crue “Kickstart My Heart”, and watched as the group of four girls ran out in wet suits with their surfboards yelling and screaming when they got to the water.

He was utterly surprised to find that they were actually good at surfing. They did tricks and wiped out more times than he could count, but they had fun doing it. He held his breath as he watched Nina stand up on a wave and proceeded to move into a handstand on her board and then as she fell headfirst into the water. When she emerged, she was all smiles yelling as the girls cheered her on.

He muttered to himself, “She’s gone mad.”

For the next two weeks, all Nina allowed Greg were coffee dates. Draven was pleased with that. Nina eventually did tell Greg why they weren’t progressing as they dated, as she was still mourning her MIA Navy SEAL fiancé and she just needed time to work up to more. He was patient and nodded, “I understand.”

After her last date with Greg, she got a call from Zeke and asked her to go see him there in Arizona. Since she had nothing else to do since she had indeed severed her contract with UCLA, she packed a bag and canceled her date with Greg. A few hours later, she was on a plane and headed to Arizona. She actually hated Arizona as the times she had been, it was just hot. No breeze, no humidity, just heat. Like if you had opened your oven and let it just heat up your house in the dead of summer. She figured, more power to those that love living there. But going in January, she knew it was a little cooler and could stand it.

When she landed, Zeke was there at the airport to greet her and immediately picked her up in a hug and spun her around. When he put her down, she smiled, “What a welcome. What was that for?”

He took her bag, “It is just good to see you. Especially after your near-death experience that you and Omega told us all about. I am just glad that he was there for you.”

She put her arm around his waist, “You have no idea,” and he led them out to his truck. Once at his apartment, he set her up in his guest bedroom and then took her to eat at a nearby steakhouse. When they were sat down, he said, “This is no Outlander steakhouse, but it is pretty close.”

They ordered a steak with baked potatoes and broccolini with a bottle of red wine. They had pleasant conversation as they ate. Zeke then asked, “How are you doing, Alpha?”

She put her hands in her lap, “Well, I am not where I want to be, but I am slowly getting there.”

“Do you plan on seeing any of the Pack here any time soon?

She shrugged, “I might. I could use the distraction.”

“Well, how about, while you are here, I take you to one of my favorite spots. I know that Omega had said that you wanted to go when you saw him in Seattle, but their wet winter prevented you from being able to do so.”

She nodded, “Yeah.”

“I will take you.”

“Thanks.”

“What else is on the dare devil list of yours?”

She smirked and bite into a piece of steak.

“Oh, come on, Sissy! Tell me!”

She shook her head and swallowed her bite as she sipped her wine. He looked at her, “Fine. I’ll let you have your secret.”

She bit into a roll and smiled, “Thank you.”

After dinner, he took them to a nearby yogurt shop that Nina loved because they offered sugar-free options. After, they sat down to eat it before heading back to his apartment for the night. As they sat, Nina could feel the air shift and a girl walked up to them. “I thought you said you were busy, Zeke! But no, here I find you f*****g cheating on me!” she shouted.

Nina couldn’t help but laugh as Zeke stood up and stop a woman with black hair from approaching Nina because he knew what would happen if Nina had to get involved. “Babe, I am not cheating on you.”

“Oh, really! Because it looks like you are,” and then turned to Nina, “Who the f**k are you? What’s your f*****g name you slut!”

“Zeke,” Nina said with a warning tone.

He pulled her back again, “Dammit, Karina! I am not cheating on you!”

“You said you were busy! I thought it was for work, not to be having an ice cream date with some cheap b***h!”

Nina had enough and stood up unnoticed. She went over to the tall five-foot eight woman and on a pressure point, had her kneeling. Nina held her there, “You should really listen to what Zeke has to say. You continuing to call me names without knowing who I am really just pisses me off.”

“Well, I am calling it how I am seeing it, you w***e!”

Zeke tried to intervene, but it was too late. Nina gave him a look and then made sure that this woman, Karina, was looking at her, “I am his sister, Nina, you dumb b***h”. As she was shocked into silence, Nina turned to look at Zeke and said, “This ends today.” He bowed his head. Nina let her go and sat down to finish her yogurt. Zeke then escorted Karina back to her car and Nina watched as he then proceeded to break up with her. She watched, almost laughing when Karina tried to plead with Zeke that it was an honest mistake, and she was sorry and would never do it again. He shook his head and Nina read his lips that this was something she could not come back from, not with his sister. She tried to apologize and beg for him to let her go see Nina to apologize, but he shook his head and told her, she couldn’t. Nina watched as he closed her in her car and walked back to her.

When he sat down, he apologized to Nina. She drank a sip of her water, “Just don’t see her again and we will be good.”

He nodded and started eating his own yogurt. After, they went back to his apartment and called Deacon to clear his phone of Karina and be sure that she was blocked from locating him and any other photos and contacts were deleted. Nina took a shower and got in to bed.

The next morning, Nina woke and dressed in black leggings, a black sports bra, a black Henley and tennis after putting her long hair in a braid over her shoulder. Zeke joined her dressed similarly as they were going to go rock climbing with a group he was comfortable with. When they arrived at the park with their coffees to go, Zeke introduced her to the other seven members and after outfitting her with a harness, the proper rock-climbing shoes, and rope, they were off to their location.

Nina loved to look at the rock formations to see that so many of the rocks were literally just stacked on top of each other, completely defying the laws of physics and gravity. Nina smiled when one of them put on his small Bluetooth speaker, Billy Idol “Rebel Yell”, as they started their climb. Nina was highly impressed at what they did.

Each of them gave her pointers and instructions on what to do. They were each nicely surprised and shocked to see how fast she picked up the rocking climbing and the techniques for it. On one move, they realized that she was going to have to jump to get to the next level. Since there were four men on the line above her and the rope was secured, Nina took a deep breath and started to swing herself with her hands and her legs.

When she let go, they all watched as she flew the air easily and held their breath until she grabbed onto the rock ledge and was able to stop herself from swinging too much. Everyone cheered her on as she pulled herself to the ledge of the rock to allow for the next person to climb. Zeke went and hugged Nina causing her helmet to go askew, “That was amazing! I thought, for sure, you were not going to make it. But f**k, that was amazing!”

She smiled and laughed and held onto him. They made their way up to the next level where Zeke took her photo as she stood at the tip of the cliff with her arms out in a “T” and let the wind blow her loose hair she had released from her braid for the photo. After, they sat down for a small lunch. As she was enjoying the view one of his friends, Lawson, whom was also a fellow Ranger, sat down next to her.

“So, you are Warrior’s sister?”

She nodded and swallowed her bite of cheese and cracker, “I am.”

“You are not what I pictured in my head.”

She eyed him with an eyebrow raised, “And what’s that?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but tall,” which had her laughing, “I know, I am pleasantly surprised that for a small woman, you don’t let that get in your way.”

She looked at him, “I don’t let anything, or anyone get in my way.”

He nodded, “I like that. I like that a lot.”

She sipped on her Gatorade and looked back out at their view.

“I am not usually this forward, but can I get your number? I’d like to take you out sometime.”

She looked at him, “I’m sorry. I don’t live here, and I am not into long distance things.”

“Fair enough. Then can I just take you?”

She burst out laughing and got up to walk away from him. He said after her, “What did I say?” Zeke just stood laughing at him.