Christmas Request

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Santa, please…

Author Notes: Steve runs into Kono while she's Christmas shopping. Another holiday short chapter story. I can't help it. I'm in the mood. Warning. This one is really fluffy. No action like in Cover me, just fluff and fun.

Steve grinned from ear to ear as he followed the cute backside of Kono Kalakaua while she wandered through the crowd at the booths in Waikiki. She had the little dog she adopted after the sex slave raid on a leash and had it dressed in a Christmas outfit. Steve wanted to throw his head back and roar. Who knew his Kono had a girlie side?

He became so lost in his thoughts that he didn't see Kono come to an abrupt halt and spin on her heel.

"What do you think you're doing Steve?"

Uh oh, she was mad. She always called him Boss unless she was really, really mad at him and then it was always Steve or Commander. He put an innocent expression on his face.

"Just following the cutest girl at Waikiki Beach."

"Uh huh."

"Well, can you blame me? You're fantastic on just about every level."

"Oh man are you laying it on thick. Does this usually work for you?"

"I don't know. How'm I doing?"

Kono rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.

"Dreadfully."

"I gotta admit Kono, you both fascinate and confuse me."

"How so?"

"Well, I always pictured you with a big dog like a German Shepherd or a Labrador, but a little yappy dog? It's confusing."

"The dog needed a home. It was a simple decision."

"That's not all. You act so tough all week and yet here you are with pink painted toe nails in flops with…is that fur on them?"

"Pushing…pushing."

"I'm just saying, I find you a contradiction in terms."

"So?"

"I actually like it. It keeps me always a little off track."

They had stopped at Kamekona's Shaved Ice stand and Steve offered to pay.

"I owe you at least this much for stalking you today."

You were stalking me?"

"Accidentally, but now that I know I can find out more about you by following you on your days off, I'm going to probably start stalking you on a regular basis."

"Oh brother."

They stood in line with everyone else.

"I like that I don't have you pegged. It's fun to have a little mystery. I like wondering about you and all the little secrets you hold."

"Like what?"

"Well, I wonder if you're ticklish."

"Uh huh. What else?"

"Are you afraid of bugs?"

Silence.

"Do you like to take bubble baths? If so, do you like to take them alone or with someone?"

"Steve!"

"I can't help it Kono. You fascinate me."

He snickered this time.

"I wonder if you like Pina Coladas and moonlit walks on the beach."

Kono stopped in the middle of a bite and rolled her eyes.

"Now you're just being silly."

He knew he was pushing it, but he loved every minute of this.

"Do you like short blonde guys with Jersey accents or tall dark haired guys with tattoos?"

They took their shaved ice over to a bench and sat together. Steve couldn't help but notice the smile on Kono's face had grown into a full dimpled grin. She was beautiful sitting there in the sun. He couldn't take his eyes off the long legs coming out of those short shorts.

"I also wonder what you got me for Christmas."

"Okay, so if I tell you these thing you'll be satisfied?"

"Somewhat."

She took a deep breath and turned towards him on the bench.

"Let's see. Yes, I'm ticklish, but I'm not telling you where. Bugs are no big deal except for those yucky silverfish you find in the shower sometimes. Yes, to bubble baths. I've never taken one with someone, but I…uh…I'm always open to new experiences. Pina Coladas are gross and too sweet. I love the beach and surfing or walking always clears my head."

She paused and looked shyly at Steve. Her cheeks went a little pink with a blush and Steve's heart started hammering in his chest.

"I like blonde guys and I like accents, but I like tall dark haired guys with curly hair and beautiful hazel eyes with long lashes better."

She looked down quickly and then right back up trying to read his eyes in some way. He could tell she was really nervous and he thought that was pretty cute given how tough she always came across on the team. He smiled softly back at her. His eyes searched her face before he spoke.

"And I…love island girls with dark hair and chocolate brown eyes and dimples that come out when she smiles and teases. If I could, I'd stalk her every day until she gave in and let me come along on a regular basis. I'd…like to be in her life outside the office."

Kono swallowed hard this time.

"You…you would?"

"Definitely."

"Um, this is not how I pictured this day going at all, but I like it. I like it a lot."

Steve leaned in to her and his voice came out in a deep treble.

"So one question remains."

They had never been this close before with their bodies almost touching. Steve's arm was across the back of the bench and he now stroked his hand across her shoulder and down her arm. She shivered in spite of the fact it was in the 80's. Kono could barely find her voice.

"What's that?"

Steve paused for dramatic effect.

"What did you get me for Christmas?"

That was not what she had expected to hear from him at all. He was playing with her. Kono was feeling stronger now and deliriously happy.

"Oh, now see, you're going to have to wait. I'm not telling you what I got you until you open it. Besides. I got all three of you the same thing this year. I got it for myself too."

"Now I'm really intrigued. I can't wait to find out what it is."

"Well, stalking will do you no good. Now I have to get busy and finish my shopping. This is the only day I have left. The party's tomorrow."

She hesitated and then went for broke.

"Want to come along with me or do you want to go back to stalking me?"

"I'd love to, if you let me carry the packages for you. I'll let you take care of Fifi."

Kono spoke before she thought about it.

"Love me. Love my dog. Uh…I mean."

"Relax Kono. I know it's just an expression."

Steve stood up and offered his hand to pull her off the bench. He surprised her when he wrapped his fingers around hers and held on as they made their way back into the booths.

The teasing continued and Kono realized she hadn't had this much fun in a really long time. After a couple of hours they stopped at one final booth. Steve was teasing her about one of the gifts she got, while the older Hawaiian woman that owned the booth smiled at them. Once Kono paid and they started to turn away, the old woman spoke.

"Look up."

They looked at each other and then up at the little roof of the booth. A sprig of fake mistletoe was hanging there. Kono's cheeks went bright red instantly. Steve smiled at the older woman.

"Well, can't break with tradition now can we?"

He slipped his arms around Kono's waist and pulled her close. He tilted her face up to his and placed an incredibly gentle and loving first kiss on her lips. It made Kono just a little bit light headed. Wow! He could really kiss and he didn't even try to deepen it. He pulled back and brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek and then cupped her chin, stroking his thumb across her very well kissed lips. She felt herself shudder again and smiled at him. He hugged her and then released her to take her hand.

"Bye and thank you."

"Take care of your Ipo."

Kono stumbled over her words.

"Oh, no we're not…"

"I will and thanks."

Kono's head jerked up to meet his smiling eyes. Steve looked down at her and then released her hand to put his arm around her shoulder. His next words whispered just to her made her heart do a complete flip.

"I hope so. I really hope so soon."

Kono snaked her arm around his waist and leaned into him. She spoke back over her shoulder to the woman.

"Mele Kalikimaka!"

They made their way back slowly to Kono's car. Neither one wanted the magic of the afternoon to end. Their relationship had gone from an unspoken desire on both their parts to acknowledgment and now anticipation. Kono opened her back door and put all the bags on the floorboard.

"Where's your vehicle?"

"Oh, I rode my bike."

"Your motorcycle?"

"No my bicycle."

"That's like 15 miles. Want a ride home instead?"

"Yeah, that'd be great."

That just meant he got another half hour or more with her. They drove to where his bike was chained up and loaded it in the back. It felt so normal to be together like this.

"I wouldn't want you to strain yourself after carrying all those heavy bags all afternoon."

"That's true. Who knew girlie stuff would weigh so much?"

"Watch it buddy or you'll be biking after all."

The banter continued for the rest of the ride and when Steve lifted his bike out of the back they stood amicably together in his driveway.

"So, Princess Fur Flop, I'll see you tomorrow night for Christmas Eve here on the beach."

"Well, Prince He Who Stalks, what are we having?"

"Steak of course. What are you bringing?"

"My mom's haupia."

"Oh, yeah!"

Steve tousled her hair.

"See ya island girl."

Kono shoved him playfully.

"See ya hazel eyes."

"Later Dimples."

"Back at ya Curly."

They both chuckled at their corny humor and Kono jumped in her car.

Steve stood watching her drive away and Kono giggled as she saw him jump up in the air in her rearview mirror. The wonderful feeling that came over her lasted the rest of the night.