Disclaimer: I do not own anything Hawaii 5.0 that is all CBS and whatever is not in the show I made up so yeah.
Authors Note:Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. I had a most wonderful vacation. I wish I could go back. The Bahamas and Florida were beautiful. Today I am actually moving into my apartment. This chapter was suppose to go up last night but. I fell asleep after packing all day! So happy Sunday! Let me know what you think!
Also if you get an alert about chapter 1 later tonight. I have to upload a new version. I missed some things that I have added. Just a heads up!
"ʻOhana" "Family"
She was going over reports when Steve walked in the bedroom soaking wet from his morning swim.
"Anything interesting there?" He asked grabbing a towel.
She sighed and ran a tired hand over her face, "Nope. Just work stuff."
"Ok, I'm gonna take a quick shower then take out the tool box. See if anything comes to light."
She nodded again and just went back to looking at the papers. She thought about the contents of the toolbox. She had found the box a couple nights ago. Knowing it was taking up a lot of his time. Steve confessed about what his father had left him. John McGarrett had secrets and if anyone could figure it out it would be Steve. Although inside there was a recorder. Something he hadn't investigated yet. She suspected because the most likely scenario it was his fathers voice on that recorder and he didn't know if he was ready to handle that.
She must've been in her own world because a few minutes later Steve's voice startled her.
"Are you nervous?" Steve yelled mouth full of toothpaste from the bathroom. She looked up for half a second before shaking her head. Mind not completely there.
"No," She finally answered, "Not really. I just wasn't expecting NOAA to contact me so quickly. The wave center isn't exactly a huge fan to change. I'm still a bit shocked they picked me."
Steve walked in with a towel wiping his face. He leaned over on the bed and put his finger under her chin to raise hr gaze to his.
"You are one hot commodity babe." Then kissed her. Pulling away he traced her cheek, "What's wrong. I can see the gears working in your brain."
He pushed himself away and walked over to his dresser and pulled out a shirt before tossing it over his head.
She watched him with silence. Finding the courage to bring up the subject so close to him right now, "It's nothing. But..Steve?"
"Yeah?" he responded sliding his belt through his loopholes.
"I think you should listen to the recorder." She bit her tongue as soon as she spoke the words.
He stopped ,"Really? Why?"
She shrugged, "Personal experience maybe. I don't know." He watched as she rubbed her neck and collar through her shirt. Knowing what mark laid under there. He swallowed a breath and nodded.
"Will you listen with me?"
She motioned for him to come and sit on the bed. She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him close.
"Whatever happens, we do this together ok?"
He searched her gaze and found a sense of relief. Thankful for her.
"I love you."
"I know. Now go get up, I am going to get dressed."
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She held the newspaper in her hand but hadn't read a single word. Steve had his fathers tool box on the table. He reached inside and took out a recorder. He looked at Lia one last time before he pressed play, then set it down in front of him. She sipped her coffee while she watched Steve focus on his father's words. The last remaining source really that he had left of him.
He looked frustrated, briefly connecting eyes with her and just shaking his head. His jaw was clenched. He was scratching his chin. She could tell it was tough to hear the words spoken by his father. Suddenly the door of the house opened. Steve's head snapped to the figure walking through the door. It was no one other than Detective Danny Williams. Steve's recent partner.
"What is it with you," He clicked the recorder off, "And walking into peoples houses."
Lia smiled and continued with her coffee and reading the paper.
"Well," Danny turned and pointed. "I knocked."
Steve shook his head," I didn't hear you knock." He turned to Lia, "Did you hear him knock?"
She shook her head and went back to her paper she wasn't reading.
Danny pointed to the door, "I saw you through the window and thought you nodded."
Steve shook his head, "Didn't nod."
Danny looked a bit irritated, "Do you want me to leave?"
Steve paused, "Depends. Whats in the bag?"
"These Doughnut looking things they sell around the block."
"Malasadas?" Both Steve and Lia answered simultaneously.
Danny looked between the two and nodded, "Yeah. Whatever they are." He held the bag out, "They're fried and they taste good. Want one?" He offered Steve.
Steve shook his head and got up from the table, "No. Not without bypass surgery."
Danny shrugged and held the bag out to Lia, "What about you?" He held the bag getting a good look at Lia, slightly pausing when he noticed a mark showing through her sleeveless blouse around her neck.
Steve was about to say something but like a pro she ignored the pause and walked over to Danny bypassing the entire situation, "Unlike my boyfriend, I appreciate good food." She reached into the back and brought out one the treats before taking a bite.
Steve huffed, "You are going to have to do about 3000 crunches just today to burn that off. You know Roy doesn't like that crap."
Lia waved him off., "My trainer and I have a bond so deep that he doesn't care what crap I eat. Besides, he is on his honeymoon. I have the week off so-"
She took a big bite and Danny smiled before biting his as well.
"Can I have a napkin," He asked mouth full of food.
Steve was already walking towards grabbing one.
Danny gave him a look.
"What, they teach you this in the army. Not to spill."
Lia choked on her food and Steve grabbed a napkin frustrated.
"It's the Navy. The NAVY." He walked over to hand Danny a napkin, "It's not the spill. It's the tie. No one in Hawaii wears a tie, right babe?"
She shrugged before going back to sipping her coffee, "I think he looks professional."
"Thank you!" Danny clapped, "See. Lia thinks I look professional."
Lia got up from her seat and gave Steve a peck on the cheek, "I'll see you later boys. Have fun discussing ties."
Before she could leave he grabbed her wrist and took a bite of her snack. She narrowed her eyes, "You know you are going to have to do 3000 crunches just today to burn that off. That piece. That piece of my food you just took."
He nodded, "Worth it."
She could only shake her head as she left the room. Leaving all arguments of weather and shoes behind her.
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The tension was so thick in the car. Steve couldn't even handle it right now. He knew Danny was beyond pissed about what happened. But Danny needed to realize sometimes unconventional is the only way to get answers.
"Let it go Danny. Let. It. Go."
Danny held up a hand, "Please do not speak to me right now."
Steve wanted to argue but his partner cut him off. But not before going into a rant about how they don't torture and kill their suspects. Which was a bit of exaggerating. He was very tame with this guy. He wasn't going to tell that to Danny though. He explained that fear of death was the only way to get information from their guy. After reassuring Danny that he wasn't going to kill the guy the subject seemed to be dropped. He respected his partner for admitting that he thought their partnership was a bit hostile. They could work through.
"How does Lia do this all the time, you are exhausting?" Danny questioned.
Steve couldn't help but smile, "Years of practice."
"Yeah well she deserves come kind of medal."
"I'll be sure to let her know."
They were silent again. Steve knew Danny wanted to ask about this morning. As soon as Lia's name was brought up he was reminded of the encounter.
"You can ask Danny, it's ok. I know you want answers after this morning."
Danny looked out the window before turning his sight back to Steve.
"That was something personal. Wasn't it? You don't have a scar like that and it's an accident," He whispered.
Steve gripped the steering wheel. Memories of their past blasting into his mind. He nodded before looking at his partner.
"Sometimes people aren't too kind, Lia had first hand encounter."
"Was it taken care of?" Danny spoke, with a small fury Steve hadn't really seen before.
"They won't be seeing daylight anything soon." Steve assured him, "We both made sure of that."
Danny accepted the answer. Satisfied.
Steve couldn't help but smile, a twinge of pride settling in for this man. Maybe they could work together after all.
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Speaking of Doctor Ophelia Reynolds. Her day was turning into complete shit. She forgot how much of a hassle it was to try and train people who felt she was not needed. Or wanted. As it may seem so at the Wave Center.
Lia followed around the head researcher Norman Russell as he took her through the main hub. "As you can see Doctor Reynolds, our staff is the best of the best" He started, "But we have minds from all over the world working together making sure these waters are safe. I know the USGS is concerned about our technology but I am not. I could care less about updating."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, "NOAA and USGS are partners Russell." She waved her arms around the center, "You know as well as I do if this earth moves both of our jobs get called. So why not have it get up to speed. It's not like we are reprogramming equipment. I am just here to make sure that in case of emergencies people don't get killed."
He rolled his eyes, "I assure you Doctor, we are up to speed."
She bit the inside of her cheek, "Then let me see the data and make that decision for myself. If you have any questions I could call Kathryn myself and let you explain to her why the researcher she sent to check her most valuable station is refusing an order."
Russell grumbled under his breath and shook his head, "Bob was right. you hold nothing back." He handed her over his tablet. She smiled and took it with glee.
"It's one of my better qualities I can assure you."
Walking her down a corridor he showed her a small computer room. The three stations were occupied. Dr. Russell called for one of the techs to leave.
"Here," He pointed out, "You will have full access to all programming data and contact to our buoys."
She nodded, "Ok, and what if I find discrepancies?"
The doctor only laughed, "Well unless you have the means to fly out and check the things in the middle of the ocean."
She smiled and pulled the strap of her bag over her shoulder, "You underestimate my ability to be a complete ass Dr. Russell. Let me assure you."
That got a laugh out of him, "I have no doubt about that Dr. Reynolds. Well, you let me know if you have any questions. I'll be in my office grumbling to my bosses." He left her to do her job.
Lia walked over to the empty research station and cracked her knuckles, "Ok Dr. Reynolds. Lets see what we have here."
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Lia walked through the door of Steve's house and dropped her side bag to the ground is exhaustion. She was tired, cranky, and could feel a migraine coming on. Not surprising after spending the majority of her day decoding data and going through reports. she laid on the couch and put a arm over her eyes concealing the lights around her. she vaguely remembered Kapua jumping up to her feet and curling up. resting his head on her legs. she took calm and collected breaths. hoping the pain would pass but nothing. She groaned into the pillow and tried to focus on anything but the pain.
An hour later she still hadn't moved, she couldn't tell if she was asleep or just dying. The door opened and Kapua shot his head up. Tail thumping as he watched Steve walk into the house.
"Hey Buddy what- Lia? Hey you okay?" He dropped his hat and keys on the side table and knelt in front of her on the couch.
"Mm Fine. Just a migraine."
Without speaking Steve got up and walked into the kitchen. Returning seconds later with a wet cloth and ice pack. He turned off all the lights and lifted Lia up so he could sit behind her and lay her in his lap. He pressed the ice pack to her head. She shivered.
"I know, I know," He whispered, "but you'll feel better soon." He massaged her temples. "I see why now you didn't get my message about drinks for Kona's graduation."
"Oh no," She moaned, "That was tonight? God that makes this worse."
"Well, feel worse about it tomorrow. Now why the migraine?"
She released a collected breath, "Let's just say sometimes people can't deal with change. I should've stayed on the mountain. She's a lot nicer than people."
Steve chuckled and continued to soothe her pain, "It's also farther away."
"Things we do for love."
He stopped his massage and leaned down to give her a firm but quick kiss.
"You can always just quit." He whispered against her lips, "Do nothing for once in your life."
She let out an aggravated sigh, "No. Now please return to massaging my temples."
He smiled and continued, "Yes Ma'am."
His hands moved and he began to trace the scar.
"I told Danny. Not any detail. But he was worried about you."
She smiled, "Detective Williams is a good man. I'm not ashamed Steve. I survived. This shows that. Now" she moved his hands back to her temple."Talk to me more about the toolbox."
He paused for a second before clearing his throat. "I can't. I now we said we would do this together but- I'm still piecing together what I have gone through so far and nothing makes sense."
"He never mentioned anything to me if you were wondering. He somehow managed to be the most open yet secretive person I knew."
Steve ran his hand to her hair, "You miss him, don't you."
She nodded, "John was my family. More so he was my lifeline to you. All those missions you were away. I don't know how I would've managed without John. He kept me grounded and kept me focused."
Steve was glad to hear that, "Sounds like a pretty decent guy."
She smiled and nodded, "That he was," Pushing herself up she settled into Steve's arms. "You aren't so bad yourself Commander. I'm a lucky girl." He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, incredibly grateful for the woman resting his arms.