2

I'm so sorry about the extended break between chapters. Life hasn't been very kind lately in allowing me to have writing time. I hope chapter 2 was worth the wait and I will do my best to make sure chapter 3 is up as soon as possible.

That afternoon, Chrissy, Catherine, and Kono began preparing for their exciting evening out. None of them were sure they'd ever seen as much makeup as they gathered together. Besides that, they'd never seen so many dark, dramatic colors or so much slinky clothing. Chrissy was glad Catherine volunteered her house as the getting-ready spot. If she'd been at home, Steve would have likely guarded the door and never let her out. He wasn't going to like what she planned on wearing. Catherine actually picked out the short black skirt, the red tank top that she would likely spill out of, and the black high heels. She was too shy a woman to ever pick out something that revealing.

By five o'clock, the three women were ready to go. Chrissy repeatedly pulled up the top, trying to eliminate the excess amount of cleavage the top showed. Catherine couldn't help but laugh. "You know, it's okay to show a little cleavage, Chrissy."

Chrissy swallowed hard. "I don't know, it just makes me uncomfortable, Catherine. Ever since I was a teenager and started developing, I never felt at ease with excessive cleavage. I have no clue why."

Catherine inquired, "Are you afraid it would make you look slutty? It won't; I promise. It would be nearly impossible for you to look like a slut. You have the sweetest disposition of anyone I've ever met. Or is it about Steve?"

Chrissy gave a shrug as her only answer.

"So that's what this is all about? It's partially because you've never been comfortable with cleavage, but it's also because you're afraid of what Steve will think of you. God, Chrissy you and Steve have made it through more than my parents have ever been and they've been married almost forty years. You wearing a slightly Pretty Woman-esque costume is not going to send him running."

"I just…don't want him to think that's the real me."

"He won't. He knows the real you probably more than anyone, just like you know the real him. Okay, let's give you an example. Say your roles were reversed and Steve had to go undercover as a potential male prostitute. Would you trust him?"

"Of course. I know Steve would never do anything to hurt me. Besides, he always stresses that he's not interested in any woman but me. I don't think I would have anything to worry about."

"That's exactly my point. Steve trusts you just like you trust him. He knows that even though you're pretending to be a prostitute, it's just that: pretending. Besides, once you see the pimps that will try to hire us, all of his worries will be erased."

"Are they that bad?"

"You have no idea."

Forty-five minutes later, Chrissy found out exactly why Catherine made the comment about the men who would hire them. They were bottom-of-the-barrel scumbags who wore their pants down to their ankles and wife-beaters on top. God, if Steve seriously thought she would ever go for these guys, she would ensure that he had his head examined as soon as possible. She couldn't wait to just trap these guys so Five-0 could catch them and she could go back to her normal life with Steve rather than a shady job pretending to be a hooker.

Billy, a twenty-something white guy who did everything to look and act like he was black, ran his finger over her bare shoulder. She'd been alone with him in the alley for a few minutes now. He didn't quite fit the description of the second guy Steve talked about being involved in the prostitution ring, but she supposed that didn't mean anything. Steve would already be mad once he figured out her wire had come loose and likely wouldn't work.

Billy whispered, "So, you been with a lot of men?"

Chrissy giggled, "Oh, yeah. I'm an expert in them."

Billy's gaze took a dark turn. "Would one of those men happen to be Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett?"

Chrissy replied, "No. Who is that?"

Billy laughed bitterly, "You really think I'm that stupid? Your picture was in the paper a few months ago when you and your boyfriend killed Wo Fat. Did you think no one would recognize you?"

"I really have no idea what you're talking about."

Billy bit his nails into her upper arm, "You lying little bitch! You killed one of the most powerful arms dealers in cold blood and get away scot-free? Not in this world. His death will be avenged."

"Wo Fat murdered my father and took me hostage. I did not murder him in cold blood."

Billy shook her. "No, but you are a little liar, aren't you? You lied about your brother raping and impregnating you, getting Wo Fat killed in the process. You will experience the wrath of a world you've never been exposed to. And don't worry. Your boyfriend won't be coming for you."

Steve's stomach began churning when he hadn't heard anything in five minutes. They'd tested the wire before they left, and it had been working. It couldn't have gone out that easy. Even if it had, he was sure Danny would have been able to catch up to her. Something was definitely wrong. He was going out to look for her, even if it blew the entire investigation. He wasn't going to risk losing her.

However, before Steve could even hop out of the van, Danny bolted toward him, almost hyperventilating, "Steve! Steve! You have to come quick!"

Steve asked, "What's going on?"

Danny panted, "It's Chrissy. She's unconscious and we can't wake her up."