Falling

Chapter Two

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. It's true.

Author Notes: How does one survive the night in Steve McGarrett's arms? Hmm…

Steve didn't have to worry about falling asleep. Kono was having a rough night. She couldn't get comfortable and when she woke up for the third time in a row he made her take more medicine.

"Isn't it too soon?"

Steve sat her up, turned the flashlight on and looked into her face, the pain was evident even in the shadows cast by the flashlight.

"It's okay. It's actually been almost three hours, so I'm not worried about it. I'd rather see you in less pain than keep waiting for the "right" time to take the meds."

He reached in the pack and handed her two more. As she drank and swallowed he reached up and stroked her hair. Kono's eyes slipped shut and she tried to contain her pleasure at his gentle touch.

"I'm worried about you Kono. You're awfully pale."

He reached down and gently cradled her broken arm in his big hand.

"Can you wiggle your fingers?"

Kono did, but the pain it caused made an unbidden tear slip down her cheek. Steve reached up and brushed it away.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart, but we have to make sure no nerves are being crushed. It feels a little warm, but I think that's from the swelling. I wish this damn rain would stop. I could try and get up to the top of the mountain and maybe get a cell phone signal. I might have to chance it anyway."

Kono's eyes went wild and she grabbed Steve's shirt with her uninjured hand.

"Steve McGarrett, you take one step out of this cave into that wind and lightning and I will kill you myself. It's just a broken arm and it hurts like hell, but I am going to be fine. I can't stand the idea that something could happen to you out there."

"But…"

"No Steve. I don't want to take a chance on losing you."

Steve wanted to tease her, but the look in her eyes told him she was really afraid for him and it hit him right in the heart. He reached up and covered the hand that was twisted in his shirt with his own.

"Okay. Okay, I won't go play hero…for you."

"Sometimes you scare me Steve."

Her honesty surprised him and his voice was tender.

"You going soft on me Kalakaua?"

"I…maybe…"

He knew they were traveling into dangerous waters. He needed to give her an out.

"Boy, you can be bossy sometimes. There for a minute I thought you were channeling Danny."

"Very funny. Now can we try to sleep again?"

Steve smiled at her.

"Think you can?"

Kono rolled her eyes and slipped her hand out from under his. Steve scooted back against the wall and reached for her. She settled in between his legs again, turned into him and rested her head on his chest. She kept shifting her arm, trying to find a comfortable position until Steve reached his arm around her cradling her so she could put her broken arm on his chest as well, elevating it to help with the swelling.

"Cold?"

"A little, but you're warm."

Steve smiled to himself and pulled the space blanket back over their legs. He slipped his free hand up and gently held her broken arm in place. She felt so perfect there in his arms. The storm was hitting its full fury, but the nook they were in was back around a curve from the cave entrance and provided a comfortable dry space, blocking the wind and rain from entering from the cave opening. He knew the trail was going to be a mess when they were able to leave. It would be slow going, but he would take care of her and get her down as quickly as he could. As he switched the flashlight off again, he wished he had the nerve to tell her how he felt, but he couldn't chance it. If she didn't feel the same way, he could ruin their friendship and their working relationship. He wasn't willing to give up seeing her every day if things didn't work out between them. He was a difficult guy to get along with and he knew it. She deserved better. His resolve immediately crumbled as Kono nuzzled her face into his neck and cuddled closer to him. Her soft breath across his neck made him shiver.

"Cold?"

Steve swallowed hard before he answered.

"A little, but you're warm."

Kono chuckled.

"Hey, that's my line."

"Go to sleep woman."

"Don't boss me around Steve McGarrett. I'm off duty."

Steve stroked his fingers gently across the back of her hand.

"Kono? I'm sorry this happened to you. If I hadn't yelled at you, you wouldn't have turned back, or tripped or…"

"Steve."

"I just…"

"Stop already. It was an accident. You got me out of there and you've taken really good care of me."

Steve couldn't answer. Kono leaned back and looked up at him. When he finally looked down at her, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. Steve leaned into the kiss and closed his eyes.

"Thanks Kono."

"Now be quiet. Invalid resting here."

Steve ran his hand up and down her arm and then settled it on her hip. He listened to the storm raging outside and smiled down at Kono safe in his arms. He gently held her broken hand and closed his eyes. This night had been one of the most intimate ones of his life. He drifted off forgetting that he needed to wake Kono.

Some time during the night the storm passed and Steve woke up to light filtering into the cave. He realized instantly that he had slept through the rest of the night without waking Kono. He panicked as he looked down at her lying still in his arms.

"Kono. Kono, Honey?"

"Mmm?"

"Thank God you're okay."

"Steve. Shh. Headache of epic proportions."

"Oh, right. How about some more meds and then lets get you out of here and get that arm fixed."

"Good idea. The pain is really bad now that I'm awake."

Steve slipped his hands down to her waist and helped her sit up again. He handed her the pills and water.

"How about a granola bar? I'll buy you a real breakfast after we hit the hospital. Deal?"

"Deal."

Steve packed everything up and then swung the pack on. He reached down and pulled Kono up. She swayed for a minute as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Steve wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"You okay to walk?"

Kono closed her eyes for a minute and when she opened them the world had stopped spinning. Steve was looking down at her with concern and she smiled at his scruffy face.

"You need a shave."

"Yeah, you're okay. Let's go young lady. I want to be down this mountain in the next couple of hours. Since it's the weekend, no one will even miss us until Monday. Now march."

Steve released her and started out of the cave.

"Now look who's bossy."

When they made it outside, they were amazed at the debris from the storm. Tree branches were everywhere. They would have to slowly make their way back down the path. Steve looked at his cell phone and saw five missed messages from Danny. He must have gotten worried when the storm came up as he knew Steve was taking Kono with him.

About an hour into the walk back Steve could see Kono slowing down. The path had widened and leveled out, so he knew they were getting close to the jeep. He stepped beside her and looked over at her. She looked so pale and her eyes were barely open.

"Hey, you, we can stop and rest. You don't have to be superwoman you know."

She surprised him by agreeing to sit for a minute. He brought out the last bottled water he had and they shared it as Kono sat on a huge rock. Steve stood in front of her searching her face.

"Tell me the truth. On a scale of one to ten, how much pain are you in?"

She refused to look at him and he could barely hear her answer.

"About…an eight."

Steve reached down and lifted her face. Her eyes were red rimmed and tears were threatening to spill over and down her cheeks. Steve dropped down in front of her and pulled her into his arms.

"Kono."

"I'm sorry. I don't want to be a big crybaby about this. Let's just go. I know we have to be getting close to the trailhead."

"First off, you're very strong and you've been nursing a broken arm for almost 16 hours now. You may have a concussion and you are covered with bruises and cuts from the fall. Who knows what other damage has been done? It's okay to be in pain."

"Then dammit, it hurts like hell and I don't think I can go much further."

Steve cupped her face in his hands. That was it. His emotions got the better of him. He lightly brushed his lips over hers.

"You let me worry about that."

The next thing she knew, Steve had slipped one arm around her back and one under her legs, lifting her into his arms.

"Steve, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? Don't even try to argue with me about this Kono. You hardly weigh anything so shut up and enjoy the ride."

He flashed her a dimply smile and took off down the path. Her good arm was around his neck and her bad arm was cradled in her lap. Twenty minute later they reached the jeep. Steve sat her carefully in the passenger seat and buckled her in. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand as he pulled back and went around to the other side. He cranked the engine and pulled out on the road breaking any one of a dozen traffic laws getting her down to the hospital emergency room. He called Danny on the way and told him what happened. Danny said he would call Chin and meet them at the hospital.

Kono leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She couldn't wait for the strong painkillers they would be able to give her at the hospital. She could feel every muscle in her body and they were all screaming in pain. It was at that point she realized how lucky she had been falling from so high. What if the ledge hadn't been there? What if she had landed on her head or broken her neck? She turned her head to look at Steve and once again her pounding head ached. Steve could see how much it hurt just to do that much. He reached across and caressed her cheek again and then squeezed her shoulder.

"Almost there, Sweetheart,"

He had used that pet name with her several times. She liked it. She actually smiled to herself when she thought about how everything had happened. Not only had she fallen down a cliff, but she now found herself falling for one tall brooding Navy SEAL. She just hoped he felt the same way. His actions seemed to suggest that he did, but she was going to have to figure out a way to draw him out.

At that moment they reached the emergency room doors and Steve was out of the jeep in an instant, unbuckling her and scooping her back up in his arms. He carried her into the ER and reluctantly placed her in a wheelchair before the staff took over and she was whisked away.

Steve was told to move his jeep and he reluctantly lost sight of her being wheeled around a corner. He ran to his jeep so he could get back to Kono as soon as possible. Thank God she would get the medical care she needed. After he parked the jeep, he sat there for a minute as the emotions of the last 20 hours washed over him. He felt tears slip down his cheeks when he thought about what could have happened to her out on that mountain. He kept telling himself she was going to be okay. He wouldn't be able to believe that until he saw her again. He leaped out of the jeep and ran back to the ER.