A/N: First off, big thank you to everyone who added me on author alerts after the last fic.
Initially, this wasn't the fic I was going to publish today, because it wasn't written. But I figured, hey, it's Valentine's Day, and so I wrote this in a couple of hours after I got back from school…enjoy.
Lori-lovers, you may want to steer clear. It's not that I hated the woman, more that I hated that she was eating into Danny's screen time, so this fic may reflect my…resentment.
Danny and Steve have been in the best period of their life for the past two months. The secrecy and sneaking around that has come with their new relationship has been frustrating but exciting, and despite keeping the development to themselves, Chin and Kono have made it clear on more than one occasion that they know exactly what is going on. Lori; not so much. Danny can't be sure whether it's her blatant feelings for Steve that have made her selectively oblivious, or if she really doesn't have a clue, but on Tuesday the 14th February, her ignorance reaches a new level of annoyance.
It's not that he's jealous, because Danny has every confidence in Steve's ability to stay faithful, and he's near certain that this thing they have will never actually end. But given that the woman prides herself on being a profiler, Lori's apparent inadequacy at the one thing she should be good at is really grating on his nerves.
Finally shoving paperwork to the edge of the desk as the clock strikes six, Danny grabs his phone off the surface and walks out into the bullpen. Yet again, Lori has his man cornered, and Danny settles for pausing at the door.
Steve sighs for what must be the third time in the minute-long conversation. Frankly, he's amazed that Lori hasn't gotten the hint yet. The woman is a psychologist, yet he and Danny's tactile tendencies and flirtatious banter don't seem to have registered on her radar. At all.
He shifts position, letting out yet another sigh as he predicts the question that's written all over her face. "So, it's Valentines Day then." Steve nods, feeling awkward, but the statement only reminds him of the one of the reasons he loves Danny so much. The detective may talk a lot, but never would he state something so obvious as that. Steve isn't a talkative guy, and whilst he often loves nothing more than to listen to his lover mid-rant, there's a line that he wishes for only Danny to cross.
He nods. "Yeah." She's waiting for something more, so only just noticing Danny's presence, he continues. "Doing anything nice?"
Lori smiles, with an expression far too innocent for his liking. "No." She glances at her watch, feigning nonchalance. "Actually, I was just gonna ask if you fancied going out...to dinner or something?"
Steve forces the most friendly expression he can manage, because he's feeling anything but cordial to this woman. But then, the smile turns into a genuine one. Because Steve looks away from his conversational partner, and over to his actual partner. Danny stands in the doorway to his office, propped up against the doorframe and looking sexier than anyone has the right to in a place of work. Danny makes eye contact, grins, and gestures for Steve to finish his conversation with light amusement playing in his eyes. Steve opens his mouth to speak, but the words are lost for a couple of seconds whilst he regains some composure.
"Thanks, but no can do. Sorry, hot date." He resists the urge to turn away from the conversation with a level of hostility usually reserved for criminals, and readjusts his smile to the change of scenery.
"Oh yeah?" The faked joy for her boss is evident in her tone, and Steve clenches his jaw. "What's she like?"
Steve laughs for a second, then rubs a hand over the light shadow of stubble at his chin. "Umm..." He debates whether to tell her straight off, quickly decides against it.
His gaze returns to Danny, and once again the smile transforms into a wider one. He locks eyes with the man who remains unmoved from the doorframe behind Lori, looking devilishly handsome as he runs a hand through his hair then shoves both into his pockets. "Uhh, blonde," Danny grins at him, "gorgeous...petite." Danny makes a face at that last one, and Steve lets out another short laugh. "In fact...he's pretty damn hot." Steve resists the urge to put a heavy emphasis on the gender, but Lori's eyes widen all the same. She says nothing, rooted to the spot for the time being, and Steve uses the short period of silence to make his escape.
The ex-SEAL steps around the newest addition to the team, and gaze still locked with Danny's, he strides over to where he still stands leaning against the doorframe of his office. Danny stands totally still, calm and unconcerned by Steve's advances, and then, in an unusual public display of affection and with a total disregard for the rules surrounding professionalism in the office, Steve drops his lips to Danny's, meeting him in a passionate kiss that lasts only a few seconds but leaves them both smiling softly at each other.
"You ready to go?" Steve's voice is low and seductive, and Danny finally removes his hands from his pockets and straightens up to standing as he nods and makes a hum of agreement. Steve casually slips a hand into Danny's and they both look back to Lori. She stands motionless, eyes wide and mouth agape having obviously watched the interaction. "Have a nice night." Steve gives a cheerful wave with his free hand and he and Danny make for the door in the quiet of the otherwise empty building.
"You were right," Steve says as they make it out into the warm Hawaiian night.
Danny looks to him, "I always am, but about what in particular?" Steve shakes his head in protest of the arrogance, and then smiles.
"She definitely likes me."