Chapter 2
“56, 57, 58, 59… 60!” Lucy counted, panting. She had just finished doing the plank for the third time this morning, it was the last exercise of her workout routine. She rolled her mat, tied a string around and took a few gulps from her water bottle. She checked the time on her watch, it was nearly seven in the morning. She had the time to take a quick shower and then head into work.
She heard her phone buzz and she excitedly rushed towards it.
Unknown number [06:47]: Hi Lucy, I hope you’re doing well. Sorry for not texting earlier, things got a bit intense at work. Would you be free sometime this week? I’d love to take you out. Kate Whistler (from Surf & Glide and Tripler Hospital).
A smile took over Lucy’s features immediately. Before she could type out a response, two more texts came through.
Kate [06:48]: I just realise now it’s still pretty early. I hope I didn’t wake you up.
Kate [06:48]: If that’s the case, I apologize.
The Texan chuckled and quickly shot out a response.
Lucy [06:50]: Hey Kate. Don’t worry I was already awake and even if that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t mind being awakened by a text from you 😉. I’d love to go out with you, just tell me when.
Kate [06:53]: Great! Would Wednesday at 8 p.m. work for you?
Lucy [06:53]: It’s perfect. I’ll meet you wherever you want.
Kate [06:54]: Nonsense. I’ll come pick you up.
Lucy blushed and texted the doctor her home address. After a few more texts, she headed towards the showers and washed up before getting ready and heading to work.
*
“Morning, y’all!” Lucy exclaimed as she passed the doors to the bullpen. Jesse and Kai were already sitting at their desk, Ernie was blending a smoothie and Jane was looking over some documents in her office. The brunette carried over each of her colleague’s coffee orders – dark coffees for the four investigators and a bubble tea for Ernie and took her sit behind her desk.
“I hate starting the week by filling in paperwork.” Jesse said, his chin propped up against his hand.
Kai sighed and dropped the pen he was holding on his desk. “I agree, bwah. I don’t wish anyone any harm, but I’d rather be working on a case.”
Lucy was completely oblivious to the complaining of her coworkers. She was humming as she was filling her paperwork without the usual protest.
Ernie approached the brunette silently and remained observing her for a few minutes before getting her attention. “Luce, why are you so extra chirpy today?”
The Junior NCIS agent jumped in her sit, startled, and turned her chair to face the tech wizard. “Wha-I’m not.”
Ernie rolled his eyes and crossed his arms on his chest. “You’re basically jumping up and down in your seat and you have a goofy grin that won’t erase itself.” He argued. “Not that I’m complaining, it’s refreshing.”
As Ernie was finishing his sentence, Jane got out from her office, and on her way to the elevator, she said: “Lucy, thank you again for this weekend. I’m lucky you were there to help me with the kids.”
“Really Luce? Playing house with the boss?” Jesse smirked; an eyebrow raised.
“Jesse! How can you think that! I would never mix work and pleasure.” Lucy defended herself, blushing at the innuendo. “If y’all must know everything, Alex injured himself and Tennant asked me to bring Julie to her surfing lesson.”
“That’s cool Luce, but it still doesn’t explain why you’re so…” Jesse squinted his eyes, noticeably searching for the word that would best describe the cheerful state in which the brunette is.
Lucy huffed. They weren’t going to let her be. “So what?”
“Buoyant!” The former U.S. Navy soldier exclaimed excitedly.
Ernie scoffed and Jesse nearly spilled the sip of coffee he just had taken.
“Buoyant? Really Kai?” The tiny woman said, perplexed. “Is it because I took Julie to the beach that you’re making water puns?”
It was at that moment that Kai had an epiphany. First, a sheepish smile covered his lips. Then, his eyes went wide with realisation. Finally, he closed his fist and threw it in the air with delight.
Jane, who had just reappeared in the bull pen, more files in her hands when she left, eyed him suspiciously.
“Alright team, I want your reports submitted by noon. Is that going to work?”
A chorus of yesses echoed in the office and the investigators returned to their task. Ernie retreated as well to his lair and the subject of Lucy’s jaunty attitude remained unbothered for the rest of the day. But the following morning, as she arrived by her desk and dropped her backpack on her chair, she noticed a white envelope set against her computer screen.
The junior NCIS agent grabbed the envelope and opened it. Inside, a greeting card on which she read in a typewriter typography style “What did one ocean say to another?”. Then, she flipped the card to see if anything was written on the back. She read to herself, out loud: “Nothing, it just waved.” And in the bottom on the right, she discerned the initials “K. H.”
Kai Holman.
Great. Now she had just become one of the recipients of Kai’s shenanigans. Too bad it wasn’t her day to bring coffee, she would have ordered the worst drink on the menu for him.
Just as she was placing down the greeting card, her phone buzzed.
Ernie [07:56]: Can you come see me when you can?
Lucy frowned at the text. Since when was Ernie so polite? He usually texted her single words signalling her to come up, join him or bring him sweets to keep his concentration flowing. Nevertheless, she obliged and climbed the staircase until his office, biped her badge to open the secured door and went into his office.
“Hey Ernie, what’s up?”
Ernie was standing behind his two computers’ screens, holding his keyboard, a grave look took over his features.
“Is everything okay?” Lucy asked, growing concerned.
“I should be the one asking you this, Lucy.” He started, taking a few steps towards her slowly, “Why were you at Tripler Saturday for 2 hours and 36 minutes? Are you okay? Did you get hurt over the weekend?”
The brunette gave him a half-crooked smile and let out a chuckle. “I can’t believe you went and checked what I was doing this weekend!” She put a hand on Ernie’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I am perfectly fine. I brought Julie to Jane and Alex after her surfing lesson, and I stayed with Jane until Alex was able to get out from the hospital.”
Ernie let out a shaky breath and hugged her. “I am so relieved.” He took a few steps back and grimaced. “Do you forgive me for snooping around?”
“Of course, I do.” Lucy rolled her eyes. “Now, if I tell you why I was so happy yesterday, you promise you won’t tell the boys? I want to torture them a little bit more.”
The tech genius held one arm up and made the scout’s promise sign.
Although Lucy knew perfectly well that Ernie had never been a scout nor been near one in his entire life, she carried on: “I met someone.”
“I’m all ears.”
“She’s blonde, she’s gorgeous, so fit, funny and charming.” Lucy started telling him, daydreaming about Kate in a bathing suit. “She’s Julie’s surfing instructor, but that’s not all, she’s also a surgeon – Alex’s surgeon. And she invited me out on a date, it’s happening tomorrow.”
“That’s great Lucy.” Ernie smiled. They spent the following twenty minutes talking about Lucy’s love life before finally pouring themselves into their respective work. The day went by in no time and the following as well. Date night was just around the corner and really, Lucy was looking forward to spending time with Kate and getting to know her better.
By 6:30 in the afternoon she forced herself to go home and prepare herself. She had texted back and forth with the doctor all throughout the day to try to figure out where they were going and how to dress accordingly.
Kate had told her to dress up casual and most importantly comfortable. So, the NCIS agent put on a light brown flannel on top of a white shirt which was tucked into washed out skinny jeans. She had also picked out white sneakers in case Kate had opted for an activity that required sporting shoes.
It was a few minutes before eight and she passed a hand through her hair, letting it flow freely on top of her shoulders.
Heart beating fast, she finally heard her bell ring. She opened the door, smiling to find the blonde: she was wearing a green blouse and grey pants.
“Hi Lucy, this is for you.” Kate said, cheeks already covered in shades of pink. She stretched her arms and put a bouquet in front of the brunette.
Lucy grabbed the bouquet. “Kate. Hi. Thank you so much.” She said before pulling her into a quick hug. “I’ll go put these in water, would you like to come in?”
Lucy brought the blonde to her living room where she offered her a glass of water while she took care of the flowers. Once she was done, she turned towards the doctor so to face her. “They are beautiful, Kate, and so are you.”
The doctor shot her a wide smile. “I’m glad you like them. Shall we go?”
“Yep!”
Both women exited the apartment and made their way down to the blonde’s car.
“So, are you finally going to tell me what we are doing tonight?” Lucy asked with pleading eyes as she was buckling her seating belt.
“I, uh, I was thinking I could take you to my favourite burger, we could order and then go to a spot that offers great sightseeing – don’t worry, it’s nowhere near water.” Kate reassured her. “We could watch the sunset and stargaze.”
Lucy could see that Kate was stressed out and needed to be reassured according to her plans: the doctor was making little to no eye contact; she was biting her bottom lip and her hands were fiddling with the car keys. No need to be an excellent investigator to notice.
The brunette put one hand on top of Kate’s. “It sounds perfect. I can’t wait to try out those burgers.”
Kate let out a shaky laugh and smiled. “Great, let’s go then.”
The drive to the burger was comfortable, both women talked a bit about their days, what missions kept them occupied during work. The burger shop was cosy and familial. They ordered a cocktail while waiting for their order to be ready and headed to the Keiawa mountains which was only a twenty-five minutes’ drive. Lucy was learning that Kate was a planer: she had called ahead the burger to get a table outside to get a drink, that would be in the sun; knowing the drive would cool down their diner, she brought an insulated bag.
“So anyway, why’d you come to Hawai’i?” Lucy asked, as they neared the parking space.
Kate smiled; her eyes still focused on the road. “I needed a change from my DC life and one day I saw an ad in a medicinal newspaper that the Honolulu hospital was looking for a paediatric surgeon. Although, to be honest, it doesn’t really matter that much that I specialised in medicine for children as we are always in the rush, and I operate on every age category there is.”
“Huh, I didn’t know newspapers were still a thing.” The brunette joked. “So, when did you get here?”
“Two years and a half. In the beginning I just wanted to give it a try, but I fell in love with Hawai’i.”
“What did it? The amazing weather – though sometimes it feels pretty much like the end of the world –or the surfin’?”
“I just love how I live my life, freely. But I’ll never complain about the surfing. That’s for sure.”
As the girls reached their destination, Kate parked the car and they walked into the forest that covered the Keiawa mountains. After a few minutes, they halted, the blonde installed a sheet, and they sat down. Kate handed Lucy her burger.
“Let’s dig in, I hope they are still warm.”
After a few bites, Lucy spoke: “You didn’t lie, they really are that good.”
The doctor answered with a wide smile, and they continued chatting about everything and nothing. In no time, the sun had set, and the brunette was resting her head on Kate’s shoulder.
“And right there, is Ke Ka o Makali’i.” Kate pointed to a constellation, composed of five stars curving across the sky.
“It’s so beautiful.” Lucy said in awe before turning to face Kate. “I’m having such a great time, Kate.”
“Me too.”
Lucy observed, delighted, as Kate’s gaze flickered from her eyes to her mouth until she felt a soft and tentative kiss on her lips.
The brunette let her hands grab Kate’s jaw to bring her closer and deepen the kiss. Just as the doctor’s hands were grasping at Lucy’s side to adjust their position, Lucy broke away and groaned.
“Sorry, not groaning because of anything you did.” Lucy said quickly upon seeing Kate’s disappointed and worried expression, “My phone buzzed. I just have to check it’s not work, and we can carry on.”
“Oh, sure.”
Jane [22:36]: We got a case.
“Shit, I’m sorry Kate but I got a case.” Lucy apologized.
“It’s okay.” Kate said, as she started folding and putting everything away.
“I need to call my boss, be back in a sec’.” Lucy dialed Jane’s number. “Hey boss.”
“Lucy, sorry to disturb you. We got a case. Dead sailor in a back alley. I’m driving to the scene. Do you want me to come get you at your place?”
“Hum, I’m out.” Lucy said, wincing. She could swear she heard Tennant chuckle. “Can you text me the address, I’ll be there as fast as I can.” She added quickly, not letting her boss have time to comment on anything.
“Take your time. Well, not too much time but drive safely. I’m sending you the location now.”
Lucy hung up and turned towards the blonde. “I’m sorry Kate but I have to cut our date short.”
“It’s fine. If anyone gets it, it’s me.” The doctor reassured her, “Do you want me to drop you off somewhere?”
“Yes please, it’s in Honolulu, twenty minutes from here.”
“Alright, let’s go then.” Kate grabbed the NCIS agent’s hand. “Is that okay?”
“More than okay.” Lucy smiled.
*
Kate parked near the alley, not too close but not too far.
The blonde leaned towards Lucy who noticed her cheeks were flushed, and she had a hard time keeping her gaze locked with her. “I’m not used to saying it or dating really, but I really like you, Lucy and I would like to see you again.”
Lucy can’t help but beam in response and drop a quick kiss on her date’s lips. “I had an amazing time tonight too, Kate, I’m sorry we got interrupted. I’ll call you in a few days, before that I’ll be swamped.”
“It’s perfect.”
Just as they were about to kiss one last time, they heard a knock. Upon looking outside the window, Lucy saw her colleagues – Jane, Jesse, and Kai – waving happily. “Oh crap. I’m never going to live it down.” She muttered under her breath.
After having said goodbye, Lucy exited the car and found her team.
“Hot date?” Jesse asked with a grin.
“I figure you had a better night than our dead sailor, Lucy.” Jane commented with her eyebrow raised.
Lucy sighed; it was going to be a long night.