Jesse McGarrett

Staying

We all got into our cars and drove to the location. I called the Navy and the Air Force at Hickam to come down there, too, because of the Taliban men. When I got there, the small building was overrun with military personnel and government officials. Jesse was talking to 2 commanders, 1 from the Navy and the other from the Air Force. They got all the info they could from her and then told her she was free to go. Then they picked our brains, too. When we were all cleared to leave, we Jesse was nowhere to be found. We assumed she'd walked somewhere and decided that if she needed us, she'd come get us and there was no need to look for her. We got back into our cars and went back to HQ. I decided to take the long way so I could run by the house to put back the weapons Danny had borrowed before going back to work. I was driving along the Kamehameha highway when I saw a figure sitting on the concrete of the bridge. I took another look. I was Jesse! I pulled the truck into the emergency lane and got out. I walked over and sat down beside her. She looked over.
Me: What's wrong?
Jesse wiped a tear from her face.
Jesse: What if I had died back there?
Me: But you didn't Jesse. You're strong. Heck you were in the Navy for 6 years! What if you'd died then?
Jesse: that's different!
Me: How so?
Jesse: Well for one, I was surrounded by other men and women that would protect me! And I had a weapon to defend myself with!
Me: You still made it out alive.
Jesse: I guess you're right. I just can't believe this. My second day here and I already have the Taliban in my back. I need to go back. I can't do this. I have to go back to Kapul. Back to somewhere! I need to get away from here! If word travels that fast, all the creatures that want revenge on me will come crawling out of the woodwork. Think about it. They won't stop til I'm dead.
Me: Jesse you're not leaving. You can come work at Five-0 and I'll have someone with you at all times. Plus, I'm sure Danny wouldn't mind if you stayed at his house and I know I don't mind a bit if you stay with me and Catherine!
Jesse: You don't understand! They'll just kill you too! I can't risk that. That's why I talked to some of my contacts. I'm flying back into Texas off the radar. Plus, with this incident, if my enemies didn't know I was here before, they know now. And plus there's no room to stay with you or Danny. He has Grace and you have Catherine. There's just not room for me and that's ok. I don't belong here. I belong in the Navy. And if I can't go back to that, then I'm sure I can go back to Texas and volunteer at the disaster relief center in Tornado Alley.
She stands up.
Me: Jesse wait.
She turns around to face me.
Me: If you leave, I come with you.
Jesse: No! Okay! No! This is my life! I'm 27 years old. I think I can handle myself.
Me: You need protection and as your brother, I'm going to provide that protection.
Jesse: Geez if you really feel like I need to be protected that much, I'll just stay here and be miserable. But the second I hear word from the Navy that I can come back, I'm gone.
I heaved a sigh of relief and wrapped her in my arms.