Chapter Text
Juliet Higgins was alerted to the FED-Ex Driver at the main gate seeking entrance by an alert to her phone. Robin's Nest, one of the largest estates on the Island, with it's multiple employees and numerous charitable dealings generated a vast quantity of mail. Deliveries were almost a daily chore and after all this time it seemed she knew all the drivers working in the Honolulu area by name. She used her phone to view the front gate. Recognizing the driver she allowed the remote access to the gate.
This morning a letter for Thomas required his signature. She sent a text message and a few moments later Thomas walked out from the guest house into the glorious morning sunshine. He waved and grinned broadly at her before saying 'Hi' to the driver, providing ID and his signature and accepting his letter.
Today had been an agreed upon day off. Their work was wasn't a usual 9 – 5 one and lately they'd had so many cases back to back. Days ago she had to put her hands up in surrender, she needed a day. Juliet had pay-roll and bills to deal with and a date with Ethan in the evening that she was looking forward to. She was eager to find out if the 'new and exciting' aspect of their new relationship would morph to the 'trust, love and home' feeling that she secretly craved.
Thomas had planned to do something with the guys before that had fallen through. TC had picked up a charter, everyone knew business was a priority for him. For Rick there was always something to do at La Mariana.
Thomas told her last evening he planned to just 'laze about'.
After their last two weeks of non-stop work and at least two near death experiences, Juliet couldn't begrudge him that. Thomas Magnum may be Laissez-Faire and laconic at times, but he was certainly not lazy. How she had ever thought that all those years ago was a mystery to her.
“Well I guess you've got something there to take care of.” Juliet suggested, pointing to the letter.
“Yeah.” Thomas grinned widely and opened the outer protective envelope sleeve and removed the inner envelope it contained.
Juliet watched him as his focus went to what must be the senders address, she saw how his easy grin fell to a frown. The deep breath he took before his shoulders slumped as he exhaled.
“Thomas?” She asked, worriedly at the change in his demeanor. “Is everything, alright?”
Thomas' grimace changed to a slight smile. Looking down at the front of the letter, he closed his eyes a moment before he raised his head and focused on her. “I, …I uh certainly hope so.” He said. Then apologized, turned around and went back inside the guest house.
Juliet stood, forehead furrowed, watching him walk away. Something was happening she wasn't privy to.
Juliet adjusted her own package under her arm. The eagerly awaited box containing the next month's supply of coffee pods. After the last two weeks, her supplies were getting low, at this rate next month's would be needed next week! She carried her own few delivered documents into the main house and placed them onto the large wooden dining table.
She tapped her index finger against the box, weighing up her decision of following Thomas and asking what made him seem upset, or staying here and minding her own business. She looked around the empty room before nodding and making the decision to go to him. It had looked like he knew what that letter was about and needed a friend.
Years ago, they had both taken to the habit of 'locking' their respective front doors when company was over or privacy was wanted. Otherwise they were virtually room mates moving into and out of each other's space to talk about work or to chat. The front door to the guest house was unlocked. She took it as the invitation meant and let herself in.
Thomas was sitting on a chair in the main living room, legs casually crossed. His left arm propped on the arm of the chair, pages from the letter in his hand tapping against his chin. Thomas was staring into the middle distance. He was so deep in thought he hadn't heard her enter the room. Only looking to her when she moved to sit down on the couch in front of him. He brought the hand holding the letter down and looked at it a moment before folding it back into thirds.
When he looked back up to Juliet she saw that his eyes were shining with unshed tears. The feeling of her stomach dropping away and sinking overcame her and she knew whatever was happening, it wasn't good.
Thomas smiled at her. “It's not bad news...” He said to reassure her.
It never ceased to surprise her how he was able to read her so easily. “It doesn't look like that to me.” She refuted. “Can I help?”
Thomas took a deep breath. “Yes?” He replied, his answer inflected as a question. He closed his eyes again and threaded his fingers through his hair with his right hand. He looked back to her. “I, ...I thought I could do this alone, but... But now that it's here I don't think I can anymore...”
“I'll help however I can, you know...”
“I know, Higgy.” Thomas said smiling. “I know you would. It's just that there are some things I haven't told you. Things I can't talk about.”
Juliet rolled her eyes. “You don't have to tell me everything. If it's classified...?” The implication left unsaid. They both knew about 'classified'.
Thomas chuckled. “No, it's not that I can't talk about it, I just can't talk about it.” At her confused look, he elaborated. “Things that hurt to talk about, ...to even think about. About my Mom, when she died, what happened after.”
Juliet saw how his left hand was now gripped, holding the letter in a white knuckled hand. “Please Thomas, let me help. I'm worried...”
He looked up at her again, eyes shiny with tears. “Please don't be. It really is good news.” His voice sounded thick and he gave a hitched sob. “I just wasn't expecting this today.” He breathed in to clear his nose and rubbed his eyes with his fingers. “Robin,” He coughed to clear his throat. “Robin has had Lawyers dealing with this for me, ...for the last few years.” He raised the letter. “Finally going to court.” He sighed. “I need to go back to Virginia.” Thomas looked up at her. “Will, you... will you come with me?” He asked.