This is my annual attempt at a Valentine's Day story. My goal is to upload one chapter each day, but that may change depending on my schedule.

This story is slightly AU because it doesn't fit into the show's timeline, so some events may occur out of sequence.

I don't own Hawaii Five-0 or any of the characters.

Steve McGarrett was hiding.

Not from an enemy soldier or something that posed an immediate threat to his physical wellbeing. No, he was hiding from something much worse. Valentine's Day.

Steve hated Valentine's Day. It wasn't even a real holiday. Cards and flowers and candy could be given any day of the year. All designating a specific day did was make the people who weren't in relationships feel like crap.

And that was where Steve currently stood. Since he and Catherine had broken up, his love life had been a little lacking. Or, rather, completely nonexistent. He had been coping decently well on his own until Lori had surprised the team by coming in early and decorating this morning. The baby Cupid sitting on her desk was enough to send him packing for the rest of the day.

He had faced terrorists and chased down drug dealers without fear, but now McGarrett was holed up in his office avoiding the pink and red paper hearts that now decorated the Five-0 squadroom.

He was a Navy SEAL for crying out loud. This was embarrassing, to say the least.

McGarrett's door swung open and his partner, Danny Williams, strode in and flopped down on the nearest chair. "What's up, Babe? I haven't seen you all day."

"I've been in here, working. You know, that thing that we get paid to come here and do," Steve replied, gesturing to his desk.

"Right…" Danny said, raising an eyebrow. "Because you, the sun-loving-sex-god-who-thinks-it's-ok-that-there's-no-snow-in-February, is voluntarily sitting at his desk. Spill."

"There's nothing to spill. I'm catching up on some paperwork."

Danny glanced over at the mountain of un-done paper on Steve's desk. "Uh-huh. 'Cause you're getting so much work done."

"I was just about to start," Steve replied defensively. "So if you don't have a reason for interrupting me, I'll get back to work."

Danny stretched out on the chair and grinned at McGarrett's annoyance. "As a matter of fact, I do have a reason for being here. I wanted to run my Valentine's Day plans past you."

Steve's heart sunk. He had holed himself up in his office on a beautiful Hawaii day to get away from that topic. Of course Danny would be the one to bring it to him.

"I was thinking I'd leave work a little early so we could eat and early dinner and maybe have some time to see a movie or watch a band play near the beach," Danny continued.

Steve blinked, confused. "Wait. Who's exactly is in this 'we' that you're voluntarily going to the beach with."

"Her name is Elizabeth. And I said near the beach, not on the beach," Danny corrected. "So, do you mind if I take off a little early next week?"

"No, that's fine."

Danny's eyes narrowed. "'That's fine?' You don't want to know anything about her, or hear the details on my plans for the night, or give me advice that I'm not going to follow because I really don't need it?"

"Nope. I just want to get my paperwork done," Steve lied, hoping Danny would leave so he didn't have to think about dating anymore.

Danny rolled his eyes and straightened himself in the chair. "You know, I'm surprised that you lasted in the army for so long considering what a bad liar you are. Now spill."

"The Navy, Danny. I was in the Navy. And I already told you that I don't have anything to say," Steve said, fidgeting at his desk.

"Wait a minute…does this have anything to do with you taking off this morning? You ran in here like Cupid shot you in the ass."

Steve groaned. "I just wanted to get away from the little Cupids. Naked babies with wings kind of freak me out."

"Understandable," Danny nodded, "but you're deflecting. You just don't like Valentine's Day in general, do you? Does this have anything to do with you and Catherine?"

"Valentine's Day is dumb. It's not even a real holiday. And the candy hearts suck."

"And Catherine?"

Steve frowned and looked down at his desk. "We broke up a couple of weeks ago."

"Ha! I knew this went deeper than the Cupids," Danny grinned triumphantly, throwing his hands behind his head.

"What, no 'I'm sorry, I know you must be hurting'?" Steve replied defensively.

"Naw," Danny said, tilting his head back to rest on his hands. "She was never the right girl for you. I think you knew that, or you would have made things work."

"Yeah, well, things didn't exactly work out in the end, did they?" Steve snapped.

Danny sat up and held up his hands in a placating manner. "I didn't mean it like that. What I meant is that there's someone out there who's a better match for you."

"Well I haven't found her," Steve said bitterly. Despite his dedication to his work, even SEALs found being alone during the month of love lonely.

"Don't worry; that's what I'm here for," Danny said, standing up.

"Wait, what?"

Danny smiled gleefully and headed for the door. "I'm not letting Hawaii's most eligible SEAL bachelor be alone in Valentine's Day. I'll find you a date in a week. Don't you worry about it."

"Danny", no, I don't want…" Steve began to reply as Danny strode out and shut the door. He knew it was too late. Danny was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop him.

McGarret sighed and reached for a pen. He might not have a date, but at least he had paperwork to keep him company.