Cover Me

Chapter Seven

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. No fair.

Author Notes: Time for action. Steve and Kono are going in.

Steve continued to talk in code with Danny and Chin, letting them know tonight they were going to check out Vitoni's yacht. Danny tried to let Steve know it wasn't a good idea, but Steve would not relent. Danny made one last attempt to change their minds.

"I still think diving that wreck is a bad idea, but you two have fun tomorrow."

Steve grinned at Kono.

"Oh we will. We will."

"Just remember we expect to hear from you before bedtime or we are coming out there to find you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but remember it's us. You won't have to come out here. We'll be in and out. It'll be a piece of cake. We'll show you all the pictures we take later."

Chin looked into the camera.

"Hey, where's my cousin?"

"I'm here Chin."

"You be careful and don't let this one take any undo chances."

"I'll try, but you know me."

"I do and that's what makes me nervous."

The four friends just looked at each other through their cameras for a minute and then they signed off.

Steve swept Kono up in his arms and carried her up the stairs to catch some sun.

They spent the rest of the day up on deck where they knew there were no cameras. It was possible there was sound, so they talked about their dive the next day. Steve cuddled Kono to him. It would be a long time before they could just be together like this again. The operation they were going on was dangerous and there were no guarantees about anything. As law enforcement officers they both understood that.

Each of them whispered softly to the other one as the music they were playing masked their conversation. Steve pulled a sheet over them and made love to Kono on the quilt they had spread out on the deck. It was slow and sweet and passionate, but it was most of all loving. They tried to express everything they both felt in that one moment when they became one. If they came out of this alive and in one piece, Steve knew he was going to propose to Kono.

Even though they hadn't been going out on actual dates the last year and a half. It was like dating. The two of them spent almost every waking hour together. Between work and goofing off with the team after hours, the only time they were apart was when they were sleeping or on weekends when the team didn't choose to hang out together. They often went camping and fishing or took hopper flights to other islands to surf or explore. They probably knew more about each other and how they functioned than any couple that had been seriously dating. They had the rare opportunity in their line of work to see each other at their best and at their worst. They saw each other in tense situations and in crisis situations. If they were going to be incompatible, it would certainly be obvious by now. Instead they were so in sync with each other that Danny once asked if they were dating.

Steve looked down into Kono's beautiful eyes and got lost for a moment in them. She was running her hand through his hair and he couldn't make a single coherent thought come out of his mouth at the moment. In that post haze all he could think about was one thing.

"I love you Kono."

Her eyes softened as she gazed back at him.

"I love you too, Steve."

"You ready for tonight?"

"Of course I am."

"Let's go over it again."

"Steve! We've already been over this like five times."

Steve leaned down and captured her lips in a slow languid kiss. He pulled back and brushed his knuckles across her cheek.

"I just don't want you to get hurt. I know you're strong. I know that Kono in my head, but my heart is in protective mode. I hope I can make you understand that I so respect you and your skills, but it's different for me now. You are the most important person in my life now and I can't lose you. Does that make sense?"

"I feel the same way about you. I'd do anything for you Steve. I can feel your love in a palpable way. It means so much that you want to protect me. I'm not mad at you. I promise. Instead, I feel really special when you say I'm the most important person in your life. If we're going to do this though and be together at work, then we're going to have to figure out a way to deal with these kinds of contingencies. This isn't the first time this is going to happen."

"I know. Believe me, I do. Can you just let me have my moment right now and hold you and worry about you. Then I can deal with tonight."

Kono slipped her arms back around his neck.

"You know what would make me feel really safe?"

"What?"

"Having you make love to me one more time."

"I think I can manage that."

Steve pulled her up in his arms and kissed his way down her neck and back up again. The rest of the afternoon was a journey of discovery for them as they explored each other and loved each other with emotions that were deeper than if they weren't about to walk into a dangerous situation.

They eventually got up and made grilled chicken for dinner, opting to star gaze at the back of the boat once they had cleared the dishes away. Hours went by before they saw lights go off over at the yacht, Steve checked his watch. It was late, almost 1:00 in the morning. Vitoni sure liked to party. Hopefully he was passed out and so were most of his men.

They checked their tanks and slipped quietly into the water. Once they reached the boat, they checked on the homing device they had planted on the underside of the yacht. It was still there and Steve gave thumbs up before they made their way to the back of the boat and climbed quietly onboard. Kono started to head into the main room when Steve pulled her back into his arms and cupped both of her cheeks with his large hands.

"Be careful. I love you."

He kissed her fiercely and released her. She stroked her hand once down his face looking into his eyes.

"Love you too."

They split up and Kono made her way to the room with the diamonds and artwork, prepared to take extensive pictures of them, while Steve made his way to the one other door they hadn't opened. He picked the lock quickly and found himself standing dazed as his flashlight roamed the walls of the room. Oh God. What had they gotten themselves into?

Just as he was about to exit and find Kono, Steve felt the jerking sensation of several arms pulling him out of the room. Blows were hitting him from all sides. He fought back as best he could, but it was six on one and he felt himself starting to lose consciousness as blow after blow rained down on his face, back and chest. He was knocked to the ground and kicked over and over as blackness descended on him. His last thoughts were for Kono. She was alone against these scums. He prayed she wasn't raped or worse. He could feel hot tears burning his eyelids and then nothing.

Kono heard noises and grunting. She turned back quickly only to hear the sound of a safety being removed and the click of a gun being cocked. Cold metal connected with the back of her head and she froze. Vitoni's voice spoke softly in her ear.

"Well, well, well detective. Who has the upper hand now?"

"If you hurt Steve, I will kill you."

"Brave talk from a slip of a girl."

In one swift movement Kono swept her elbow back into Vitoni's nose, knocking the gun away from her head. The gun went off and she staggered forward running through the main room into the upper deck galley. She could hear curses and the sound of feet following. She saw a doorway and headed for it out towards the deck. If she jumped, she could try to swim to their boat or hide out under the yacht until they gave up. She was a strong surfer and could hold her breath for a long time as well as swim long distances. She hoped if she escaped, she could come back for Steve with reinforcements. Just as she cleared the door she was clothes lined by a huge arm and went flying backwards into the galley. The man attached to that strong arm lifted her off the floor with one hand and held her in the air by her throat. He shook her like a rag doll and Kono could feel herself starting to pass out. It was then that she heard Vitoni's voice ordering the man to bring her into the main room.

He swung Kono under his arm and carried her into the room, dumping her on the floor next to Steve. Kono gasped when she saw his condition. She leaned down gently running her hands over his battered body. When she felt his breath on her cheek, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God he was still alive. Two men drug her off Steve and brought her to stand in front of Vitoni. Blood was running down his face from his broken nose and his face was so angry it had turned purple with rage. He swung his arm across and punched her full in the face. She slumped down and the two men held her up while Vitoni punched her again. Kono tried to shake her head free from the dizziness that was overcoming her. Before Sal could take a third swipe at her the room went silent and every man turned to look towards the door. Kono's breath caught in her throat when she saw who was standing there.

Steve woke up to a pounding sensation in his head. He opened his eyes and what he saw made him sick to his stomach. Kono was on her knees with a collar around her neck and a leash attached. Sal Vitoni was holding the lease and jerking her head back. Her face was bruised and puffy. She had obviously been hit more than once. Her eyes met Steve's and they said everything he needed to know. She was okay so far. Her eyes flicked over to her right and Steve rolled over following her gaze as he spit blood out of his mouth.

"So, we meet again Commander McGarrett."

Wo Fat.