Emma was too restless to sleep even though she was exhausted, "Maybe a shower will help me relax," she thought. Emma sat at the small vanity drying her short auburn hair, "Damn you look tired," she muttered as she examined her face in the mirror. Emma stood up and removed her robe ready to get comfortable. "Here you are in paradise and you can't enjoy the sun." She ran her hand along a scar, "This is why you aren't," Emma hesitated, "I have got to stop talking to myself." She threw on a pair of jeans, short sleeved sweater and her cowboy boots. Dressing this way always made her feel comfortable as though she brought a little piece of Texas with her.
Emma finally felt relaxed. She knew she could run later but for now she settled in the oversized chair and flipped on the TV. Emma woke with a start realizing her cell phone was ringing. "Hello," she answered dazed.
"It's Steve," his voice seemed to reverberate throughout the room. "I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"I am Commander," Emma tried to focus her eyes; "I am surprised you are calling me so soon. We just spoke a while ago."
Steve let out a hearty laugh, "It's been four hours," He noted checking his watch.
"Four hours," Emma sat up, "Holy cow I must have fallen asleep."
"You needed it," Steve replied. "What is on your agenda?"
"Why," Emma asked.
"If you haven't eaten," Steve couldn't believe he was asking, "I could pick you up for dinner."
"Why Commander," Emma was surprised as his question, "Are you asking me out?"
There was silence on the phone. Steve realized it sounded like a date and he didn't need a relationship right now it was too soon. He ended it with Catherine after finding out she wasn't willing to choose him over her military career. "No," he sighed, "Do all of you women have to assume because a man invites you to dinner that it's a date."
Emma heard the frustration in his voice. "Look," she sighed, "I am going to eat at the restaurant downstairs in about a half hour." She fiddled with her watch, "If you want to meet me there great if not I understand, no date, no pressure." Emma didn't want to get involved either; and with what happened in her past she doubted a man would want her anyway. "Maybe I will see you there Steve." Before giving him a chance to respond Emma disconnected the call. She flipped the channel on the TV trying to waste time before leaving for the restaurant.
Steve was frustrated with himself for being so rude to Emma but he was only being truthful. He let out a small chuckle at the thought of being truthful. He leaned back in his chair and remembered what honesty got him before. "You said you wanted a relationship," Steve tried to keep his anger in check.
"I know," Catherine sighed, "But this promotion came along and well I couldn't pass it up."
"When were you going to tell me," Steve asked. "When we were together that night did you know about the promotion then?"
"Yes," Catherine replied softly, "Steve if you were in my shoes you would've done the same thing."
"No," Steve slammed the beer bottle on the table, "I would have told you and we would have come to a decision together."
"Really," Catherine remarked snidely, "You would have taken the promotion then made some excuse about how much it meant to you and forget everyone else." She paused, "You did it before."
"Yes," Steve interjected, "You are the one who encouraged me to go through SEAL training remember?" He did his best to keep calm, "I made that decision after consulting you because we were in a rela," before he could finish Catherine stopped him.
"Don't say relationship," She yelled, "You refused to commit to anything more than us together at shore leave. You were the one who was gone all the time. What kind of relationship is that?"
"Apparently," Steve growled, "Not a very good one." He looked at the small black box on the table. "It's too late but do you remember why I asked you over that night?"
"What night," Catherine knew which one but she was making him work for it.
"The night before we had that Tsunami warning," Steve answered.
"All I remember was that you had something important you want to," Catherine realized what he was going to do, "Oh Steve I didn't know." She knew she had lost her chance with him forever. "I'm so sorry please forgive me."
In a relationship, because of his past, Steve only gave people one chance to change to make things right and if they couldn't do that he didn't want them complicating his life. He knew that was why he was alone for most of his life because of the trust issue. It was safer for him to be alone then to be constantly drawn into chaos. He, for a long time, thought that Catherine was the steady amongst the storms in his life; that was until recently. "I know it is too late for us." He sighed heavily, "I will just wish you the best with your career and hope that you get everything you want." Before she could speak he disconnected the call, downed the rest of his beer then took a swim. He let the tears flow that night knowing no one would see him and he could blame it on the water should anyone from Five-O happen to stop by.
Steve heard Danny clear his throat, "Are you leaving soon Steven?"
"Yeah," Steve stood up feeling the weight of the week take its toll. "I'm going to grab a bite to eat."
"Great I will come with you," Danny smiled, "We need to discuss the current case."
"Danny I wasn't going alone." Steve sighed realizing he said too much.
"What you and Catherine are back together," Danny sounded excited.
"No," Steve growled, "I was going to join," He stopped knowing if he continued he wouldn't hear the end of it. "Let me make a call. I will meet you in the parking lot." Danny shot Steve an odd look but decided to leave it alone. Steve dialed Emma's number.
"Hello," Emma answered.
"It's Steve," He wasn't sure if Danny truly left so he kept his voice low, "I can't join you for dinner tonight but we will come by tomorrow and pick you up."
"Why." Emma asked as she boarded the elevator. "I told you I can take care of myself."
"Uh huh," Steve wasn't buying it. "I will see you at eight sharp. Wear something comfortable it will be a long day."
"Commander," Emma started to protest but realized he had hung up. She figured she would go enjoy her dinner and then speak to her Publisher and tell him that she didn't need protection. Emma debarked from the elevator and walked towards the restaurant thinking that all of these death threats and her stalker were just a way for the publishing house to get attention. She knew a few writers who had been involved in something similar before and all it did was backfire on them. Emma reached the lobby when she felt as though someone was watching her; being so sensitive she stopped and began looking around. She could feel the hair on her arms stand up as she met his gaze. His eyes were a steel gray and they were cold, evil and they actually frightened her. She did her best to keep moving hoping that he was either a figment of her imagination or that he was the security guard hired to protect her.
Each step that Emma took the man seemed to take. She just stepped inside the restaurant thinking she was in public that she was safe; not at all. She could see the glint of silver out of the corner of her eye and knew he wasn't there to protect her. She wanted to ask for help but the hosts were busy seating other guests, "Stay calm," she told herself; "He won't be so brazen with all these people around." She was wrong. Emma felt the impact of something hit her shoulder and she fell to the ground hearing people scream around her;. yelling out "Call the police". She felt someone kneeling beside her. She held her breath and kept her eyes closed, just in case. "Miss, are you okay," the young voice asked, "Help is on their way."
Steve and Danny had pulled into a local diner and just placed their order when Steve's phone rang, "Yeah McGarrett." His eyes grew big and Danny could see by his expression it wasn't good news. "When," he stood up, "Is she alright?"
"What," Danny asked knowing they were heading out to a crime scene, "Is it our author?"
"Yes," Steve sounded very concerned more than usual, "She's been shot." He and Danny drove to the Hilton and spoke to Sgt. Duke Lukela. "What happened?"
"We have one male shooter," Duke noted, "Just fired on a Miss Maguire and then fled the scene. Witnesses say he was aiming for her directly."
"Where is she," Steve asked feeling a twinge of panic and guilt.
"She's in the ambulance," Duke chuckled, "She refuses to go to the hospital."
"She was shot," Danny interjected, "Why wouldn't she go?"
"It was through and through," Duke remarked, "Her left shoulder."
Before Duke could finish Steve was at the ambulance. "Thought you said you could take care of yourself," Steve was being sarcastic trying to deflect the guilt he felt for leaving her alone without protection.
"I'm fine aren't I," Emma asked. Steve could tell, that despite her tough exterior, she was shaken. Emma was a tomboy in most sense of the word. She was athletic and had a figure to prove it but she also had the right curves definitely stating she was a woman. He could see that the fighter inside her wouldn't allow her to breakdown but the shaking in her hands let him know she wasn't so tough after all. "I am not going to the hospital."
"The doctors need to make sure you're okay," Steve stated firm yet gentle.
"No," Emma wanted to jump out of the ambulance but she knew better. She could see Steve wasn't going to give up either. "Fine," she looked away, "You're going with me."
"Of course," Steve noted. He removed his cell and made the call to Chin and Kono that they were needed on the case. He told them that Danny would brief them while he accompanied their victim to the hospital.
Danny didn't think much about Steve's concern for the victim; he knew Steve was always willing to fight for the underdog. He knew that Steve felt guilty for not assigning protection of his own to watch Emma. But what Danny didn't know was that Steve and Emma had an unspoken connection that neither one quite knew about. Danny watched as his partner jumped in the ambulance and drive away; he was now in charge and he liked it.
An hour had passed when Steve stood up looking at the doctor, "How is she?"
"She's fine," He replied, "She will have some pain as the wound heals. We have given her some antibiotics and pain meds to help her." He handed Steve a piece of paper, "Here is a prescription should she need it." Just as the doctor handed the paper to Steve Emma emerged.
Steve could see she was a little frailer then what he had seen earlier that day. "Thanks Doctor," he walked towards Emma, "How are you?"
"Fine," She tried to regain her inner courage. "Just take me back to my hotel."
"No," Steve replied firmly, "You are staying at my place," he gently grabbed her arm, "This way I can keep an eye on you."
"No please. I'm fine," Emma tried to protest but finally gave up. "Are you at least going to ask me what happened?"
"Yes," he noted as they approached the patrol car waiting for them, "But first we are going by the hotel and gathering your things." Steve helped her into the car. He hated what he was feeling, after all his gut told him she was in danger.
"Steve," Emma's voice was soft. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," He replied even though he really wasn't feeling as though he did anything. They arrived at the hotel. Steve escorted Emma up to her room. He was expecting the worst but to his surprise the room was untouched. He unlocked the door and escorted Emma inside after making sure the room was clear. He was about to say something when he found her asleep on the bed. He laughed as her legs dangled over the side and she lay crooked on the bed. Steve knew he wasn't going to be able to wake her so he undid the covers, moved Emma into a laying position, and covered her.
Emma was out cold and Steve watched her sleep for a moment. He secured the room, removed his badge and gun then lay next to her on the bed. He didn't realize just how exhausted he was until his head hit the pillow. Steve knew she was safe for the night because he was there to protect her so he was able to close his eyes and get a little sleep himself. Several hours later Emma woke up realizing someone laid next to her, she slowly sat up and when she saw it was Steve she smiled and fell back to sleep knowing she was safe.