I Believe in You

Chapter Six

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Sigh…

Author Notes: The reunion continues and then a final parting is bittersweet.

Steve and Kono made their way back up the beach with their arms wrapped around each other's waists. Steve's mother met them before they reached the house.

"Your dad and Joe want to talk to you Steve. Kono would you walk with me a bit?"

Kono looked up into Steve's eyes to be sure he was okay. They had this way of silently communicating with each other.

"Sure."

Steve watched as the two women started down the beach. He liked the fact that they would know each other. Running his hand through his hair and squaring his shoulders he headed back to the Lanai.

Kono walked silently beside Steve's mother and waited for her to speak.

"Your good for him. I shamelessly watched you two when you were on the beach. He's softer with you. It's nice. How is he doing really?"

"I've known him for two years now, but when he first came he was hard to get to know. He didn't open up much, but now he and Danny are like brothers from another mother. Chin is like the older brother to both of them. Steve respects his opinion. Chin is my cousin and brought me to the team. Steve and I have been good friends and this last year we became even closer friends. It's just been in the last couple of days that we admitted we felt more for each other."

"You love him don't you?"

"Yeah, I do, very much. Crazy huh? He's just so complicated."

"I'm sorry Kono. We made him that way…his father and I. I know he doesn't trust easily. His whole life he's had the rug pulled out from under him by the people he loves. I know this isn't fair of me to ask, but I have to. Promise me you'll stay with him no matter what?"

Kono stopped and turned the woman to face her.

"That goes without saying. He's family to me. I will be right there with him all the way. You know every time he talked about you it was fondly. He has only positive memories."

"Until now."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Steve understands the need to protect a witness or an informant. He's in law enforcement. After he gets over the shock of seeing you both alive, he'll be supportive. I am worried about one thing though."

"What?"

"I don't think he's going to want to give up until you two can come home. He'll be driven to put an end to the organization and maybe get himself killed. He'll do it for you and he'll do it for Mary. I just…I don't want to lose him. He's my life now."

"I'll talk to him. I promise Kono. I want him safe as well. This is why we hid this from him for so long. Don't sell yourself short Sweetheart. He will listen to you just as much as me. Have the hard talk. Now how about we work on some dinner for everyone? I know you must be hungry and tired. Last night must have been awful."

The older woman wrapped her arm around Kono's waist and they walked back towards the house and the men.

Steve approached the Lanai and was met by his father. He embraced his son.

"I'm so sorry Steven. You didn't ask for any of this and I know I hurt you. Please forgive me."

Steve pulled his father close and buried his face in his neck. Just to hold him again was beyond anything he could have hoped for.

"I love you Dad. I love you so much."

Dinner was full of stories about Steve from the team and from his parents about him as a young boy. Kono loved hearing them as much as she loved telling ones on him. It became very emotional, however, when Steve's mother asked about Mary. It was hard to tell his mother some of the things that had gone on with Mary.

Steve could tell his mother was devastated and his father felt really bad that Mary saw him the way she did. He wished he could do something to fix that relationship. Now he would never get the chance.

It was getting late, but no one wanted to go to bed since this would all end the next morning. It was a beautiful night so they all spread out on lounge chairs on the Lanai. Kono sat between Steve's legs and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.

The conversation turned back to the investigation by Steve's dad of the Yakuza. Joe told him that Wo Fat had killed Hiro. His brother Koji, who had attempted to kill Steve's mother was still out there though as was Wo Fat. They would not be able to come out of hiding until both men had been captured.

Steve's dad saw the look in his son's eyes. This was not over for him and he knew it.

Kono felt Steve's body tense around her. She sent up a silent prayer that he didn't do something stupid. They had already been through enough of an ordeal as it was. She would have nightmares about that place for a long time, even though she knew the police had raided it and rescued the women.

As the night came down over them the talk went to what life was like for Steve's parents and about Steve's time in the SEALs. Kono felt her eyes getting heavy as she listened to the sound of Steve's timbre speaking softly with his parents and Joe. She was physically and emotionally exhausted and even though she fought it, with Steve stroking his hand through her hair and down her arm, sleep claimed her. Danny and Chin had checked out too and were sound asleep as well.

Steve's mother put a light blanket over the two of them when they finally became too tired to stay awake any longer and she kissed her son's temple softly.

"I like your girl Steven. Promise me you'll make her a priority. Don't lose her to your need for vengeance. Your dad and I don't want you giving your life up for us. We're happy and we're together. Do you understand how precious what you have is?"

Steve felt a lump in his throat as he looked down at the woman he loved. His mother was right. If he continued to investigate it would only be with Kono's blessing or not at all.

His father took his mother's hand and he watched as they disappeared into the house.

He fell asleep cradling Kono in his arms.

The next morning Steve woke to the smell of pancakes and eggs. His mom remembered his favorite breakfast as a kid. He smiled and lifted Kono's face up to his, waking her with a kiss.

"Hey sleepy head. Time to go home."

Kono's soft brown eyes looked up into his.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I am. I'm better than I've been in a long time I think."

Kono slipped her arms around Steve and hugged him, nuzzling his neck with her lips.

Steve shivered.

"Okay. You are going to have to stop that or we're going to be late to breakfast."

"I'd take you up on that if I wasn't so hungry."

The sound of Danny's voice alerted them that they weren't alone.

"I can hear you guys. I hope you know that."

Chin spoke next.

"Me too and I don't want to know these things about my cousin."

The sound of Joe groaning sent Kono into a fit of giggles and Steve laughed out loud.

An hour later the team stood saying good-bye to Steve's parents. Danny and Chin headed to the Jeep and Joe clasped Jack's hand.

"Thanks for watching over my kids Joe."

"It doesn't end here Jack. I promise you that."

Joe kissed Steve's mom on the cheek and left Steve and Kono to finish their good-byes.

Steve's mom grabbed Kono in another hug.

"I'm so glad I got to meet you and I'm happy for Steve. He found a truly wonderful person to love Kono. I know you're good for him. Take care of him."

"I will. I promise."

Jack hugged Kono as well and then Steve stood looking at both of them.

"I don't want to say good-bye. I want you to know that I refuse to believe I won't ever get to see you again. Some day those two will be captured or end up dead. It's inevitable and then you're coming home to Hawaii."

Steve's mom was crying hard now and his dad wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Steve stepped into them and the three of them stayed locked together for several minutes.

As he climbed in the jeep he turned to look at them. As the jeep started off down the road his heart hurt so much. He had them back, but he didn't. It had to be enough for now that they were alive. The only thought he had though was how to get them home. He prayed Kono would agree to help him. He couldn't leave things like this. If Kono knew him at all she would know that and so would Joe.

Sitting beside him in the jeep Kono slipped her hand into his. She knew he would never be truly happy until he could bring them home. She made a decision to help him even though it might mean putting their relationship on hold, but they could never be happy together until Steve was whole again. He wouldn't be until his family was reunited permanently.

As they turned the corner and the house disappeared from sight the two of them looked at each other. No words had to be spoken.