Steve stalked across his living room and wrenched open the front door. He really wasn't in the mood for company tonight but the persistent person knocking on the front door was refusing to take the hint and go away. "What?" he demanded grumpily.

To his surprise it was Kono. She offered him a gentle smile. "Hey boss. Can I come in?"

Steve wanted to say no. It wasn't Kono's fault but he'd had it with 5-0 this week. He wanted to spend the weekend feeling sorry for himself and trying to forget that the stupid team even existed. Having her around would not make that easy. Against his better judgement, though he found himself stepping back and opening the door a little wider so she could come in. Steve had a feeling that Kono wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Though I should probably warn you I don't think I'm going to be very good company right now," he warned.

"Understandable," Kono said. She didn't think that Danny even realised how hurtful what he'd said was but she knew that the detective's words had hurt their friend and boss. "You're allowed to be angry with him, you know."

Usually Steve could roll with the punches. He knew that Danny didn't mean anything truly malicious by it so most of the time he let Danny's many insults about his personality, his work ethic, his appearance and nearly every other facet of his existence roll off his shoulders. Today, though Danny had gone a step too far. Steve's first instinct was to punch the detective and he'd only just managed to hold himself in check.

That was when he'd realised that he needed to get out of the office before he really blew his top. His temper, combined with his SEAL training would mean that Danny wouldn't stand a chance if it came down to a fight. Steve sighed despondently. "I'm not angry," he said. "Well, not really. Sometimes, though I really wish that Danny would just shut up!"

"I think we've all wished that at times, boss," Kono said with a laugh.

Outwardly Kono was totally relaxed but inwardly she was worried. They were just finishing up a nightmare of a case so all their tempers were frayed. Surprisingly, though all this hadn't started with an argument. It had been just another one of Danny's endless rants about why he hated Hawaii. When Steve had stormed out of the office Danny had brushed it off as another one of 'McGarrett's stupid SEAL traits' and Chin had tried to stay out of the conflict like he always did. Only Kono had realised that this was bad.

She had seen the brief flicker of hurt in Steve's hazel eyes before he masked it with the stoic SEAL mask he had only just started letting them see past. That was why Kono was here tonight. Steve may not realize it but he was the heart of their team. The four of them were misfits in a job where most people wished they weren't there and Steve had done something pretty special when he'd brought them all together and started 5-0.

Steve himself was a highly experienced, highly decorated Navy SEAL but had no real experience in civilian law enforcement. Danny was a detective from the mainland who most people doubted was cut out for island life. Chin was distrusted and disgraced, having lost everything when he'd been accused of a horrible crime. Kono was a rookie who would never have gotten her chance at HPD because she was Chin Ho Kelly's cousin. Steve, though had brought them all together and given them a second chance in a world they might otherwise have not survived in.

They were a strong team and they always got results. Kono believed that was partly because of how close they were. In that one instant this afternoon, though Kono had seen Steve's emotional walls go back up. He was protecting himself from the people who he should have been able to trust the most.

It was Steve who held them all together and Kono was worried that if he reverted back to the way he had been at the start of 5-0: afraid to get close to anyone and show his vulnerable side, not only would it kill their friendship it would kill their team. She needed to get Steve to show his human side again. She needed to remind Steve that he wasn't alone in the world.

"Well we don't always get what we wish for," Steve said, sounding slightly bitter.

Kono rubbed his arm comfortingly. "I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?"

Steve shook his head and gestured to the television. "I'm just waiting for the game to start."

Kono wasn't fond of football. She preferred water sports but if it brought Steve out of his self imposed shell…"Do you mind if I watch it with you?"

Steve's first inclination was to say no and to ask her to leave but the thought of Kono's company wasn't wholly unappealing. He didn't regret his decision to transfer into the Reserves and he was happy with the work he was doing at 5-0 but he did miss the constant companionship of his SEAL team. Ever since his father died and he moved back to Hawaii Steve had spent most of his time working. He hadn't had time to go out and meet new people. Occasionally he, Danny, Chin and Kono went out for dinner or drinks after work but he spent most of his down time alone.

Usually Steve was okay with that. Working at 5-0 was so hectic that he welcomed the peace and quiet. There was also always something to do around the house or on the Marquis. Failing that he could always go for an extra long run, swim or hike. Sometimes, though he did miss having his friends around. Maybe tonight was one night he didn't have to be alone. He handed Kono a beer. "That would be good."

With a small smile Kono toed off her shoes and sat down next to Steve on the couch. This was by no means the first time she had visited the McGarrett home so it wasn't hard for her to make herself comfortable. She was glad that Steve hadn't tried to stop her from staying.

Maybe the job she'd come here tonight to do wouldn't be so hard after all.