My Fan Fic from Spring 2011- time to revisit?

Melanie Monaghan had been working in the CSI department of the
 Honululu Police Department since her husband’s job had relocated
 them to the island 4 years earlier. Reluctant to move from her
 position in Vegas, she knew the move would be beneficial for her
 now estranged ex-husband’s career with the Hilton, and it would
be a better place for her now 8 year old son Jake to grow up.

Now that Charlie and she were in the process of getting a
 divorce, she wasn’t so sure the move was the best thing. Jake
 was not being shuttled back and forth between her ex’s suite at
 the Hilton and their home that they had so carefully selected
together all those years earlier when they had been happy.
What time she had left outside of the lab was spent with Jake
 between his school activities and gynmastics. Jake had also
started to take an interest in surfing, something Mel had now
 knowledge of having grown up in a New York City Suburb. Yes,
she had spend her summers going down the shore, but that was a
time more spent tanning and listening to the radio, while trying
 to pick up boys, than surfing.

 When Mel had first met Charlie, she was actually a full fledged
 New York City police officer, walking the beat. But, after
 9/11, she had lost the taste for delivering bad news to people,
and had found herself fascinated with the idea of studying the
 facts and bringing closure to people. So, she had gone to
 through the motions of moving over the the CSI division of the
police force instead and never regretted it. Until now. There
 were days Mel hated being cooped up inside most days instead of
out in the Hawaiin sun. Now that her son was older, she was
itching to get back out in the field and do more legwork again.
 She did get out to crime scenes, like she was today, but often
 spent hours back in the lab, studying fibers and liquids to
 determine origins. Known for a photographic memory, she was
 often called upon to relay a crime scene in detail. But, her
 best skills were never used. She was a damned good shot and
hadn’t had a chance to yield her gun in years.
 
 On this particular day, Mel had been asked to investigate a
 murder at one of the country legislators houses. She knew it was
 a sensitive case, because those guys from 5-0 were on the scene.
She actually recognized one of them as Rachel Williams ex-
 husband Danny. Rachel and she were on the PTA together at their
 kids’ school. She had spent many a meeting listening to how
 terrible Danny was and how great her new hubby Stan was in
 comparision. It was a shame, because Danny was really cute. He
 had the type of marble blue eyes that could make a girl walk
 into walls if she wasn’t careful. He also had a compact,
 athletic body and amazing arms. The hair on his arms actually
 glissened in the sun. Mel closed her eyes and shook her head.
Time to concentrate.
 
 A minute later, she realized that she was not alone. Looking
 up, Steve McGarrett was shadowing over her. For some reason,
 this made Mel very nervous. Although he had a pleasant (who was
 she kidding- adorable) face, McGarrett gave off the air of
 someone who could break your neck in one fast move. She was
 equally intrigued and intimidated…….
 
************************
part 2 

 ”Don’t I know you?”
 
 Steve looked down at the pretty CSI kneeling over the bikini
 clad victim at Rep.Masuri’s estate. He was trained to remember
 details, and he knew this face.

 Mel sighed internally. “Yeah, probably from HQ. I’m the one
 going downstairs each morning while your partner and you stride
 upstairs.” She didn’t know why he made her so testy.
 
“Yeah, no, that’s not it,” he said with a halfcrooked smile.

 
 Mel took off her sunglasses and looked up at Steve.
Hmmm….kinda charming when he smiled. Much less ominious
 looking.
 
 ”In fact,” he continued, ” I am recalling a certain bar in DC
 and a very short kilt right now….”
 
Mel closed her eyes and silently swore. It had been many years
 since she had worn short skirts, and she hadn’t been in DC for -
 what - 12 years- when he father was first elected a State
 Senator to New York. She spent a summer down there right out of
 college, and had even considered the FBI, before deciding she
couldn’t abide by some of their practices.

 ”Hey, sailor boy…..” was all it had taken back then for her to
 pick up guys. She had been much younger then- in the best shape
 of her life. Her hair had been darker- naturally darker that it-
 and the years hadn’t taken a toll on her mentally and
 physically yet.
 
 In fact…..
 
“Ohhhh….” she said out loud.

“Ohhhh….” Steve echoed. Yes, he remembered her alright. And,
 he remembered her well. This was the girl that stood him up the
 night before he shipped out.
 *********************************************
part 3 

Melanie was embarassed by this revelation. Both because, as someone with a photographic memory should have remembered the guy standing above her right now, and also by the memory of that night floading back at her. In her defense, the memory was made sketchy by a day of shopping and drinking 180 proof grain alcohol drinks with her friend Julie at Fat Tuesday’s. They had driven down from NY together to blow off steam before going back to real life. Julie was going to law school in the Fall and Mel had to decide which path to take. Her father, a lawyer by trade, had entered politics early in his career, and would have prefered his daughter to follow suit. But, since her parents had divorced when she was young, she didn’t think he really had much say in what she did. Even so, they decided that DC was as good a place as anywhere to visit, since her father was down there at the same time. Much to her father’s chagrim, it also gave her a chance to check out the FBI and see if that was the direction she wanted to go.

Ironically, as it would turn out, they were staying at a Hilton near Embassy Row. There were a lot of great bars and clubs around, they decided to head to the one across the street for a few more drinks and some dancing that night. And, if there were some cute guys around, that wouldn’t hurt either.

The minute they walked in, they realized they had hit pay dirt. The place was crowded and, sigh, filled with guys in uniform. Mel always had a thing for sailors, probably because she grew up going into the city for Fleet Week. It was surprising to see so many guys from the Navy here though. She had thought they would all be down in Annapolis, but she didn’t complain.

Julie and she had headed for the bar and immediately ordered Woo Woo shots. They went down smooth and were very effective at taking to edge off early. Liquid courage.

They always made a habit of hitting the dance floor right away. This way, they had a good time either way. Mel loved to dance. All these years later, she realized she didn’t get 1/2 enough chances to do it. That’s what happened after 9 years of marriage and a child.

Honestly, she didn’t remember much about the beginning of the night. She was sure that there were probably a lot of guys out on the dance floor. But, it wasn’t until later in the night that she remembered seeing two sailors sitting by the side of the bar watching Julie and her. So, making the excuse of being hot and needing water to get away from her latest dance partner, she had made her way back to the bar with Julie in tow.

In truth, Julie was the more forward of them, and luckily she did not disappoint that night. She had seen the guys watching them too. She went right for the punch and the blonde guy. In truth, they both had a thing for blondes, but Julie was faster.

“Hey, guys, conserving your energy for something?” she asked them.

The blonde replied “yeah, you..”

Mel had to stiffle a laugh…this was like bad 90210 dialogue.

“Well, glad you waited..” Julie replied.

“C’mon….” Blondie said and the two of them hit the dance floor.

That left Mel alone at the bar with the tall, mysterious looking one. In this light, it was hard to tell his eye color. Black, blue, grey, what was that color? Did she dare move closer and check?

Feeling awkward, she opted for taking another sip of her water.

“Good drink?” sailor boy asked

“Water”, she replied.

Great. Julie was on the dance floor with the fun blondie and she was here with tall, dark and stoic. Tall, dark, cute and stoic, if you didn’t mind the short shone hair and eyes that changed color 5 times in just the time they were talking.

“They’re blue”, he replied.

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve been staring at my eyes like you are trying to memorize every pixel. They’re blue.”

“Ohhh….”

“You can come closer and take a look if you don’t believe me. I won’t bite. At least not yet.”

Mel took a few steps closer to where sailor boy was leaning against the wall at end of the bar.

“Closer….” he requested.

At this point, any closer and Mel would be between his legs and face to face with her requestor.
What the hell, she thought, you only live once.

Taking that final step that seperated them, she was rewarded by a smile that almost had her swooning backwards again.

“I’m Steve,” he said, “and you are just about the cutest thing I have seen in a really long time….”

***************************************************

Last Edited By: lmk66, 4/7/2011, 10:36 am

Danny couldn’t believe his eyes. He had just finished questioning the vic’s friend, Amber, about what had gone down the night before, when he turned to see Jacob Monaghan’s mom blushing, actually blushing, by something his partner had said. He ****ed his head to the side and shrugged his shoulders.

Now, he had seen Super Seal make women fawn, flirt, wave, and virtually throw themselves at him, but never blush.

And, it was Grace’s little friends mom. Yeah, Danny knew exactly who Melanie was- she was that fun, involved mom who he had seen at every event at Grace’s school Rachel had deemed to let him attend. Jacob’s mom was the one all the kids gravitated to, because she wasn’t afraid to get on the dance floor, or play the games, or yell out during Bingo. In fact, if he remembered correctly, she sat on the PTA with Rachel. Oh, great.

Meanwhile, her husband, when he showed up, was the guy in the corner with the Blackberry, who only came out and participated when his son dragged him to do so. Danny hated guys like that- who took for granted the time he got to spend with his child and wasted it. Danny would have given anything for more time with Grace.

As he approached Mel and Steve, he could sense the awkwardness of the moment.

“Hey, if you guys are done with this staring match, can you tell me if there is anything new you can share about our victim here?” he asked putting his hands out to stress his point.

“Melanie and I were just taking a trip down memory lane”, Steve replied with a half smile and a twinkle in his eye. Really, a twinkle?

“Not a very long trip,” Mel added.

“But, a memorable one”.

Danny had enough. “Wait, so you guys know each other?”

“Not really”, Mel answered.

“Yeah, we do,” Steve said at the same time.

Hmmm…Danny’s interest was peeked. But, time was ticking and he knew the Governor wanted answers fast. Plus, he was feeling a little something…annoyed? Jealous? Frustrated, that once again McNavy was getting all the interest from the pretty girl in the room. Well, a married woman really, he had to remind himself.

“How are you doing, Jacob’s mom?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.

Now, it was Steve’s turn to make a face and turn towards Danny. “Jacob’s mom? Do you both know each other?”

“Grace and her son go to school together,” Danny explained.

“Hm,” Steve said with a perplexed look, “so your a mom?”

“Yep?” Melanie replied matter of factly.

“And, your married?” Steve asked/said in a disappointed manner.

Danny started to answer yes, but Mel interjected “well,sorta. Its complicated”.

Now, it was Danny’s turn to perk up, “Really? But, what about that husband of yours that shows up for events at school with you?”

“Not with me. At the same time. And he’s only technically my husband.”

“Technically?” Danny said with a half smirk.

Now was Steve’s turn to chime in. He was starting to feel left out and little something else as well, “Ok, as much as the CSI’s marital status interests me as well, we really need to get on with this case. Any info you can share with us right now?”

Mel was happy to be back on safe ground, “I can tell you that the blunt force trauma to the back of her head was not what killed her. Perhaps Max will also be able to find something out after the autopsy. I really need to get back to the lab and run some tests on these particulars to see what is going on here.”

“Ok, well when do you think you will have answers for us?” Steve asked, placing his hands on his hips.

“I’ll have answers when I have answers. I’ll get in touch when I find something out”,
Mel explained. She didn’t like to feel rushed.

Danny liked this- she wasn’t backing down and she wasn’t intimidated by Steve. By contrast, she seemed to have some effect on his partner. He was equally amused and bit turned on.

“So, that would be….” Steve tried again.

“When I have an answer”, Mel said again with emphasis.

“Ok, well just don’t make me wait 12 years again,” Steve replied, as he turned and strode away.

Danny was left shaking his head and facing Melanie, who had since risen from where she had been kneeling.

“12 years?” he asked.

“Really, I need to get back to the lab”, Mel stated, as she turned and headed back the other way. Cute tush, he noticed. Married tush, he reminded him self. Well, technically.

Danny headed around the house to where his partner was leaning against the car waiting for him.

“You drive,” Steve said.

Danny got into the driver’s seat and turned to Steve.

“12 years?”

“It’s a long story. Or, should I say it was a long night…..”

Danny would have pushed, but he could tell Steve was deep in thought. No wonder why he was letting him drive for a change. Clearly, his buddy had a lot on his mind.

They had been in the car for 20 minutes and Steve hadn’t said a thing. Steve knew his partner was most likely both pleased and concerned. But, seeing Mel has transported him close to 5000 miles and 12 years into the past.

Steve was feeling restless that night. He had been deciding whether to tell his best buddy Drake that he had decided to try out for the Seals when they got back from their next tour of duty out at sea. His superior officer had suggested this when he had noticed how physical and agile he was in the water. The thought of getting off the ship, and kicking some a** appealed to him. Steve often felt aggitated and like he needed to work off some steam. That’s what came from feeling angry at the world sometimes.

But, tonight, here in a club in DC, he suddenly only had one thought: teasing the sweet girl standing in front of him by the corner of the bar.

He was amused by how she had blushed when he had said he wouldn’t bite. From how she had looked out on the dance floor, more interested in having a good time than impressing the crowd, he would have taken her for a confident, even ****y woman.
But, now, close up, he could see every freckle across her nose, and how her eyes had turned green when her face turned red, and he realized she was just a girl.

“You like to dance”, he said.

She reacted with a coy shrug, “Its a great way to pass the time.”

“Til what?”

“Something better comes along?” she answered, slightly smiling and suddenly looking down at her feet.

Steve was charmed. Didn’t happen often. He was used to more forward girls. And this one had seemed no different until he had spoken to her. “Do I make you nervous?” he asked, folding his arms in front of him.

This seemed to send up her shackles.

“No,” she said increduously, “I’m just starting to feel very hot”.

Now, that he had heard before.

“No, seriously,” she said, as if reading his thoughts, or the sparkle of recognition in his eyes. “I think my sugar level just dropped and I suddenly don’t feel so good.”

Steve looked at her again. The color had slightly drained from her face.

“Ok”, he said, talking her arm,”lets get you out of here and get you some air”

With a nod to Drake, who was still dancing with Freckles friend, he started to lead her to the front of the club. He saw her friend’s worry, and reassured “don’t worry, we’re just going outside to get some air”.

For her part, she said “I just need to go outside for a bit. I’ll be ok. Are you alright?”

Her friend seemed more than alright and Steve was sure Drake would have stories for him in the morning, “I’ll meet you back at the hotel”, and turned back to put her arms around her dance partner.

*****************************************

Mel had wanted to react and tell Julie that wasn’t a good idea. You left with the person you came with and you never left a girl behind. But, when her sugar level dropped like it just did, she had to get cooled down. And, she needed to eat. So far, she was just feeling irritate and flush. But, she knew that she would be getting the ringing in her ears and start to see shooting stars if she didn’t eat fast. She had been dumb to run around all day and knew she should have had more to eat before them came to the club.

Once outside, she quickly slumped to the side of the building and let herself breathe for a few seconds.

Talk, dark and worried- aka Steve- was suddenly crouching in front of her. “You ok?” he asked.

“I just need to eat,” she replied. “Too much drink and dance makes Mel a dull girl.”

“Mel?”

“Well, Melanie. But, I go by Mel. Comes from being a tomgirl I guess.”

Mel was started to feel a bit better. The claminess had passed, but she knew it would come back if she didn’t get something in her soon. She started to try and get up, but was still feeling weak. Sailor boy came to her rescue and placed his hand under her elbow to help. “Slow”, he cautioned.

“Thanks”, she said, suddenly very embarassed.

“Support and defend”, he replied.

“Sorry?”

“I took an oath to support and defend. Doesn’t just apply to my time aboard ship.”

Standing against the wall, Mel took another look at her companion. Suddenly, he looked more earnest and less mysterious.

“Well, thank you. Any chance I can thank you by buying you a plate of cheese fries and a coke?”

“Not a chance,” he quickly answered with a laugh. But, maybe responding to her face dropping, he added,”do you know what that stuff can do to your arteries? But, I’ll let you buy me a cup of coffee if it means I can spend more time with you.”

Mel smiled. “Deal”.

*******************************************

So, they had walked. They ended up at a diner a few blocks from the club, and had quickly fallen into small talk that lead to a more intense discussion about politics and foreign policy. She was for spending money domestically to improve security on homeland. He of course believed in protecting our interests overseas. She loved baseball. He had never seen a game. He used to play high school football. She had never attended a school game. He loved the ocean. She loved the mountains. The literally had almost nothing in common. But, they both were thoroughly enjoying their disagreements. Steve had even deemed to try the cheese fries and had to admit they were great. And Mel had promised to visit Hawaii before she died, once Steve had sold her on his home state.

After they knew they couldn’t sit any longer without ordering something else, and with Mel’s reassurance that she was feeling fine, they left and started to walk. After a time, they feel into the silent side by side companionship that usually only came from knowing someone a long time. It was a warm night, so they both had on short sleeves. At times, their arms would bump and it almost seemed like an eletric shock went through them both. It was that chemical reaction and excitement that came from meeting someone new, and not knowing what would come next. Somehow, they had walked past so far that they had ended up in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

“C’mon”, Mel said, laughing as she ran up the steps.

“How do you still have any energy?” Steve had laughed, chasing to keep up with her.

At the top of the stairs, Steve looked around. Mel wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

“Boo,” Mel said, peeking out from behind the base.

Steve smiled and quickly bridged the distance between them. “Boo yourself”.

In an instant, Steve had pushed Mel up against the base of the memorial and had her pinned against it. The stone felt cold, and yet inviting. Their lips had met and it was as if they could not get enough of each other. It was exciting, out there in public, but yet hidden and so private at that late hour of the night. He had wanted to suck her in, inhale her, take in all her sweetness and goodness. She had felt dangerous and crazy, and not at all in control. Mel was always so careful, but tonight she wanted this so bad, she couldn’t think. “He’s leaving in two days,”she had thought. “It’s tonight or never”. But, that was the last cognetive thought she had. After that, she let her body talk over. She thought she would die if he didn’t touch her all over. The tingling down her arms traveled down her back and to the back of her thighs. The glow and heat she was experiencing what so different from anything she had felt before.

***********************************

part 6:

For his part, Steve had felt crazy and out of control at that moment himself. He needed to eat her up, to devour her, to totally absorb her in that moment. All the years of longing and frustration and sorrow he had felt since losing his mother and being sent away from his father melted away and he had to have this girl. He knew it was crazy, and totally unbecoming of a member of the Navy. Here, under a national landmark, outside, with a girl he had just met. Well, that part was not so new for him. But, it was different. He wanted to protect this girl, but wanted to tear her apart and make her scream at the same time.
After they had totally destroyed each other’s mouths, faces and necks, they had somehow found themselves at that moment where they had to either step away or move forward. He literally felt like a weapon, ready to explode at that moment. Steve looked at the lovely face in front of him, her eyes imploring him. “yeah?” he asked, afraid she would say no.

“ok,” she had replied breathlessly,”its ok”.

Quickly, she had pulled down her tights and he unbuttoned and pulls down his pants just enough. It was exciting this way, dangerous and a bit messy. Crazy, but exciting. When he had finally entered her, the electric shocks they had felt earlier when their arms had momentarily touched exploded and it felt like they were both light up. Every nerve was on fire, and Steve suddenly felt like there was no where else in the world he was meant to be but inside of Mel.

He got his wish, in the form of a stiffled “awwwww” when he had entered Mel. Her eyes had gone wide, as if registering something for the first time. But now, she was moving with him in a fluid, heated motion, and her eyes were half slits of concentrated passion.

He couldn’t take it anymore. When he let out his own “ooohh”, he stopped and took her hair in his hands and kissed her forehead. “are you ok?” he asked.

“fine” she replied,out of breathe. And he had to believe her.

***********************

‘So, this is what it feels like’, Mel was thinking to herself. Now, she could check this night off her list.

It was almost morning by now, and she knew she had to get back before Julie got worried.

There was no way either one of them would be able to walk back to the hotel at this point, so they had walked up to the other side of the mall and hailed a cab. She had leaned in his arms the entire way back and he had continued to kiss her head and rub her arm like she was a child he was afraid to let go.

When the got back to the hotel, he had gone to get out, and she had stopped him.

“Don’t you need to get back before they miss you?” she had asked. She wanted to moment to end, pure and complete.

“Not until tomorrow,” he assured her.

“I need to get some rest”, she explained.

“Meet me tonight,” he had requested,”back at the memorial”.

And, she had promised she would…….

Mel entered the holding area where a stunned Steve McGarrett sat in black pants and a black shirt. Her first thought- this man was trying to blend into the night. Not looking good for him.

In the corner, a uniformed officer stood with his arms folded and at ready.

Steve gave her a look of shock and understanding.

“Hey,” she said to him, “you look like Hell. Looks like you’ve been getting yourself in a little trouble today.”

“Not been my best day,” he replied, clearly in shock and exhausted. “Been a lot of absorb. But, I’m innocent, Mel. You have to believe me.”

“Not me you have to prove it to” she responded. “I’m just here to collect the evidence. Up to HPD to decide on your guilt or innocence.”

Mel was feeling awkward about what she had to do next.

“Mind if you give us some privacy,Keoloha?”

“Can’t leave the room, ma’am”.

“Can you turn around?”

“Nope.”

“Hmmmm.”

Awkward indeed. She was trying to be tough. But, it was hard. He looked like a little boy lost. His eyes were a stormy blue grey and bloodshot. His hair was disheveled, as if he had been running his fingers through it over and over.

“I’m gonna need to take some trace,”she explained,”And, your clothes. But, I have this lovely jumpsuit for you to hang out in. Very roomy and goes with everything. Didn’t you hear orange is the latest neutral?”

Not even a laugh. He just kept looking at her and then said “She was in on everything.”

“Ooook, so I’m gonna have to process your shirt first”, she said as she began to use tape to take particles from his shirt. She was checking for gun residue, but couldn’t find anything.

“Was he wearing gloves? Were you wearing gloves?” she asked Steve. Where were his gloves? And his overshirt?

” I just went to talk to her. I just wanted answers”

“Ok. Its ok.” she said to calm him down. He was so distraught.”Now, I have to take your shirt. Is that ok?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” he said distracted.

Mel began to remove Steve’s shirt. Below it, she could feel his muscles spasming. He was in such a state of aggitation. She could feel the stress coursing though his body. His chest and arms were covered in tattoos and she could see that he had them down his back as well.

“A tattoo in every port,” she said under her breathe and to try and lighten the mood.

“Excuse me?” Steve said and finally really looked at her.

“Nothing,”Mel said,”Just admiring your art work.” Breathe, she told herself.

And, the muscles below them. She swabbed his hands and picked up any particles she thought might be suspect. The veins on his arms were pronounced, as they were on his neck. That was when she noticed the bandage. “Ok if I remove this?” she asked. There was a taser mark on his neck.
Where had that come from?

“Hey,” she yelled over to the uniform, ” Kealoha? What happened to his neck? Where did this taser mark come from?”

“Dunno,” he replied. “It was on him when he came in. Kelly might know. He’s the one that brought him in.”

“Steve, do you know what happened?” she asked.

“It was Wo Fat,” he said.”He knocked me out with a taser and then shot the governor. You have to believe me.” Just then, Steve grabbed her arm,”talk to Danny, he knows. Get to Kaye…she needs to know. Wo Fat is going to want to clean up. You need to tell them!”

“Let her go, Steve”, this from the doorway. Chin Ho Kelly stood there in with an HPD badge attached to his hip. When had that happened? Hang out too long in the lab in the basement and you miss everything.

Mel looked from one man to the other. What had happened tonight? Had the world been turned upside down. McGarrett in jail, arrested for murdering the Governor, Kelly back on the force, what the hell was going on?

“You got everything you need?” Chin Ho asked her.

Mel decided Steve was overwrought and neeed to rest. She doubted he would sleep, but didn’t think sitting up in a holding room like this was any good for him.

“Just about. I need his pants too, but will let him do the honors himself, with your permission.” She didn’t know why, but Kelly was pissing her off.

“Very well,” he said. “Steve, can you remove your pants?”

Steve stood up at that moment, and undid his pants. When he dropped them, Mel saw that he wore traditional boxer shorts underneath. The type with the peek flap in the peek flat in the front.

Mel cleared her throat and averted her eyes.

When she looked up, she thought she saw a hint of the boy from 12 years ago peering out at her.

With a half-smile, he said “Need anything else?” He had his hands on the waist of his shorts, and she wasn’t sure if he would go thru with removing them. Was he being silly or was he so far gone, he was acting irrationally.

“Um, no, just your pants are fine,” she answered. “It would help if you stepped out of them”, she explained, nodding at the pile on the floor at his ankles.

Steve complied and Mel stepped over to pick them up and bag them.

As she did, he whispered again “get to Danny and don’t talk to anyone else”.

She straightened up and looked towards the door. Had Chin heard? She couldn’t tell.

“Ok”,she said with purpose. “I think I have what I need here. This is a good start”.

She handed Steve the jumpsuit. “You take care of yourself, Steve. Remember, the evidence speaks for itself. If you are innocent, I will prove it. Trust me.”

She was staring at his eyes now and trying hard to make him believe her. It was important to her that he did. Because, she believed him.

“We need to get him to interrogation”, Chin stated.

“Ok,” Mel said, turning to him.

Turning back to Steve, she said again “Trust me”.

Steve looked at her blankly again. “Trust?” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think I know how to do that anymore.”
***********************