Memories

19. Nightmare

Another nightmare woke Bailey up, sweating, frightened and this time screaming. Her screams woke her husband who sat bolt upright. Steve looked around for signs of an intruder. Only to discover it was his wife screaming from a nightmare.

"Vi, baby it's okay. It was just a dream. I'm here, everything is alright." Steve soothed his wife.

"Steve?" Bailey asked with a whimper.

"Yeah baby, it's me. I'm right here." Steve said softly.

"Oh thank god. It was so real. I thought..." Bailey started to say, then choked on a sob.

"No, babe whatever you think happened didn't. You've been right here with me the entire time." Steve said wrapping Bailey up in his arms.

"Oh my god, it was terrifying. I can barely remember it now, but I was so scared. I was so sure I lost you." Bailey cried.

"Never. I'm always gonna be here. You're never going to lose me." Steve asserted gently.

"I'm so sorry I woke you, honey. Why don't you go back to sleep? I'm going to go downstairs and get something to drink. I'll be back up shortly." Bailey said trying to pull herself together.

"Yeah, that's not happening. C'mon, I'll come with you downstairs. We both are up so I'll make breakfast and you make coffee." Steve suggested.

"No, Steve you don't have to do that. I'm okay." Bailey gabbled still noticeably shaken up.

"Vi, it's okay. I'm up now and I'd rather be with you. Okay?" Steve assured his wife.

"Alright." Bailey agreed.

The McGarretts got out of bed and went downstairs together. In the kitchen, Bailey started the coffee, and Steve their breakfast. When the coffee was done Bailey poured two cups, adding butter and sugar to Steve's. For her own, she only added her favorite creamer. She took a seat on a bar stool at the island and watched her husband cook.

"Unless we need to go out today, do you mind hanging out with Lou and working in his office today, Vi?" Steve asked while he cooked.

"No, not at all. Any particular reason?" Bailey asked in return confused.

"Not really. I just think it would be a good idea." Steve said evasively.

"Uh-huh. What's going on, Mac?" Bailey asked not buying his explanation.

"It's just last time you were upset Lou was able to calm you down." Steve hedged rubbing the back of his neck.

"That was from an anxiety attack, not a nightmare," Bailey stated, suspicious that her husband was not telling her something.

"I know, maybe Tani would be better you two haven't had much girl time." Steve tried.

Bailey narrowed her eyes and looked at her husband. Something was going on. Mac was definitely trying to hide something from her and she didn't like it. Why was he acting so evasive and odd?

"I have physio today. I was thinking about asking Rachael to go with me. So how about I come into work late today?" Bailey suggested.

"Why not come in to work for a little bit and take Tani. I know she would go with you." Steve countered suggested.

"Is there any particular reason you want me to spend time with Tani?" Bailey questioned with a frown.

"No, just thought it would be nice. I know she has been worried about you and it would give you guys a chance to catch up." Steve said quickly.

Bailey took a deep breath and let out a sigh. Her husband was clearly keeping something from her. It was obvious that she wasn't going to get it out of him, not at that moment at least. She decided to let it go for the moment and just go with what he wanted. She loved Tani and Mac was right, they really hadn't spent too much time together without everyone else since the accident.

Steve finished cooking and plated their food.

"Here you go, babe." He said putting Bailey's plate down.

"Thank you," Bailey replied.

Steve smiled and stood on the opposite side of the island digging into his own breakfast. He had decided to skip his morning exercise routine that morning, something he rarely did but felt was necessary that morning. The rest of the morning passed smoothly and the pair took their separate vehicles to work. The McGarretts walked into work together, once in headquarters Steve went to his office, and Bailey made her way to Tani's.

"Hey, Tani" Bailey greeted opening the office door.

"Hey Bailey, c'mon in. Is everything okay?" Tani asked.

"Everything's good. I was wondering if you minded if I worked in here with you today?" Bailey requested.

"Really? Of course, I don't mind. Usually, you work in Steve's or Danny's office." Tani agreed.

"I have a physio appointment today. Any chance you'd be willing to come along?" Bailey asked.

"Sure Bailey. I'd love to come to keep you company." Tani replied happily.

"Great. My appointment around lunchtime." Bailey informed her with a smile.

"Okay," Tani replied.

The two women worked quietly until it was nearly time for Bailey's physio appointment.

"I need to talk to Mac before we head out. Do you mind waiting a few minutes?" Bailey requested.

"No problem. I can wait by the car if you want." Tani suggested.

"Whatever works for you is good, Tan," Bailey replied agreeably.

"Okay," Tani said.

Bailey saved her work, put her files away, got up, and left Tani's office. Bailey walked across the main area and to her husband's office. She pushed open the door and realized that Steve was on the phone so she decided to wait quietly.

"You sure you're good to meet?" Steve asked.

...........

"No, no. Bailey will be at her physio appointment with Tani, so it's no problem on my end." Steve replied.

..........

"Yeah she was going to ask you but I talked her out of it," Steve informed the other person.

.........

"Nah, I'm pretty sure she doesn't suspect a thing," Steve reassured.

..........

"Alright, thanks a lot Rachael. I'll see you then, aloha." Steve ended the call.

As Bailey had been listening to the call the bottom dropped out of her stomach. Her mind raced ninety miles a minute. Was her husband having an affair with Danny's ex-wife? No, that was impossible! There was no way he'd ever do that to her? But then why was it necessary for them to sneak around behind her back? Bailey started to feel her face grow hot and hot tears threatening. She turned on her heel and stormed out of her husband's office.

Steve turned around to notice his wife quickly walking away from his office and wondered what that was all about. Was it possible that she had overheard his conversation with Rachael?

Bailey met Tani at her car visibly upset.

"Hey is everything okay?" Tani asked.

"Do you mind driving, Tani? I don't think I can right now." Bailey requested holding out her keys.

Tani took the keys and the two women got into the car. After they had been driving for a few minutes Tani was worried at Bailey's silence.

As they parked at the hospital Tani asked, "Can I ask what happened?"

"A nightmare," Bailey replied.