Lost

Chapter Seven

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Gee Whiz!

Author Notes: Steve takes care of Kono and confessions are made. Plans are afoot to take down the dealers. Hooray!

Several hours later Steve woke up to soft cries. He got up and went to his bedroom. Kono was thrashing around in her sleep. She was going to hurt herself. He went to her and gently shook her. She sat straight upright and threw her good arm around his neck sobbing into his chest.

Steve wrapped his arms around her shaking body and cuddled her close.

"You're all right. It's over. I'm here now, Sweetheart. I'm going to take care of you."

He felt her relax and tuck her face into his neck. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back. When she spoke her voice trembled.

"I...I'm sorry. I feel stupid having nightmares like a little kid."

"What were they of?"

"I was back there in the bathroom and they were punching me and it wouldn't stop. I tried to fight them as best as I could, but they were strong and with three of them I couldn't dodge them all. Some protection I was for the governor. I feel useless."

"That same governor couldn't stop talking about you and how you had protected her with no thought for yourself. You're like her super hero now. Really, Kono."

"If I can't do my job effectively, I don't belong on the team, Steve."

"Kono, it could just as easily have been Danny or Chin or myself in that situation. Three against one? Don't be so hard on yourself. Now how about getting some more sleep? Do you need another pain pill?"

"No. I hate those things. They make me feel weird."

Steve carefully laid her back down and sat on the edge of the bed. He caressed her cheek and held her hand while she settled. They sat in the dark looking at each other. He rubbed his thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. Finally Steve stood up to leave and Kono wouldn't let go of his hand.

"Will you…stay with me, Steve?"

"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you Kono."

"You won't. I just want you to hold me."

Steve walked around to the other side of his bed and helped her move over. He went back on the other side and lay down on his back so that she could turn on her good side and lay on his chest. Her arm was out of the sling at night and she laid it across his waist and put her head up on his shoulder, nuzzling her nose into his neck. She breathed him in. A sigh slipped out and she cuddled closer to him. He ran his fingers through her hair and decided this was the way he could spend the rest of his life. His other hand stroked her upper arm where it was exposed above the cast. They lay there in the dark for a while.

"Kono, I need to tell you something. It's something I realized when you got hurt. I realized I've never felt this way about anyone before. The truth of the matter is that I…I love you Kono. I love you so much. I haven't told you that yet and I should have."

Her answer was soft breathing. She had fallen asleep again. Steve chuckled to himself. He would just have to wait for the right time to confess his love. He brushed his hand down her arm and closed his eyes. Nothing felt better than to hold her like this.

The next week went really fast as far as Steve was concerned. Each day Kono got a little stronger. By the middle of the week she could get dressed herself except for the buttons and of course she couldn't manage a bra yet. Sigh. She made a comment about looking forward to the day when she could lift her hands over her head and go back to wearing T-shirts. Steve hoped that day never came. They snuggled on the couch and watched movies. They sat on his porch and watched the sunset. He cooked them amazing meals and Kono taught him some traditional Hawaiian dishes. That was his favorite part of the week. There was something so domestic about cooking together. He wished the week would never end, but a part of him wanted to get back and catch the bad guys. He missed his job. He loved his job, but if push came to shove, Kono would always come first. He still hadn't told her he loved her and tomorrow it was back to work. He made her a special meal while she watched him. She was sitting on one of his bar stools next to the island in the middle of his kitchen. She was wearing a pair of shorts. She was barefoot and had her legs crossed. He was having a hard time focusing on the task. When he was finally done, they took their food out onto the porch and set it on a table Steve had adorned with a tablecloth and candles. It was very romantic and Kono smiled as he held her chair for her.

"You're spoiling me."

"Darn right I am. You deserve it."

The food was delicious and the company was even better. They talked for hours and Kono could feel herself wearing down from the day. Steve knew she was tired. He grabbed her pills and insisted she take one.

"This is the last pill I'm taking Steve McGarrett. I mean it."

"Agreed."

He reached down and scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He helped her into her pajamas and put her to bed. She watched him move around in the dark as he stripped off his shirt and shorts and climbed into the bed in his boxers. They nestled in each other's arms and looked deeply into each other's eyes.

"Kono?"

"Hmm?"

"I…I love you."

"I love you too."

And that was it. It was a simple statement, but they had said it…to each other. Steve carefully pulled her close and kissed her deeply. They both sighed into the kiss. Steve was worried about hurting her and pulled back. Showing her how much he loved her would have to wait until she was completely healed.

"What now?"

Steve's voice was husky. "Sleep I think."

Kono stood on the porch the next morning and watched him load his jeep with his go bag. It was hard to think of the team going after these guys without her, but she knew she wasn't ready yet. The tender care Steve had given her had made a world of difference from that first night. When he was ready, he came to stand at the bottom of the stairs smiling up at her.

"Now don't do too much. Leave the dishes and the bed and the bathroom for me."

"Yes sir."

"And don't watch too much day time television. It rots your brain."

Kono giggled.

"I have never watched a soap opera in my life."

"Yeah, I never saw you as the General Hospital type."

He smiled and took the four stairs in two strides. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her close. She slipped her arms around his neck and laid her head over his heart.

"Steve… these last two weeks have been incredible. I couldn't have done this without you. In a couple of weeks my ribs will be pretty much healed and I can't wait to come back to work."

"I know. I'll miss spending all day with you. I'm glad we'll be able to do that again when you come back. I'm so glad you're doing better. I only have one regret."

He looked down with mischief in his eyes.

"What?"

"I don't get to undress and dress you anymore."

Kono smacked him on the back of the head.

"And there it is."

Steve rocked her gently in his arms and sighed.

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. You know without you around I will probably climb the walls."

"I'll try to get away early. I just want to follow up on any leads the guys got while I was gone. We're going to get those guys Kono. I promise you that."

He looked down into her upturned face and planted a soft kiss to her lips. Time was suspended for a minute as they explored each other tenderly. Kono had never had a man kiss her the way Steve did. She couldn't even put into words what it felt like, but she was ruined for anyone else. She never wanted him to stop, but eventually he pulled back and looked at her flushed face and grinned.

"And that's enough exercise for you right now young lady."

He released her and started down the stairs only to run back up and give her one more. When he started back down again she held onto his hand until she had to let go. She wrapped her good arm around her waist and fought to keep control of her tears. She didn't want Steve to feel bad about going back to work, but she was going to miss him so much. She gave him an encouraging smile and watched him hop in his jeep and drive off. Just as she thought she was going to lose it, the jeep stopped and Steve stood up and turned around to look back at her. He called to her.

"I love you, Kono Kalakaua!"

She laughed and yelled back.

"I love you too, Steve McGarrett."

Steve sighed, put his hand over his heart for a second and smiled back at her before he dropped down and drove off.

Kono smiled for the entire day.

Steve looked over the various contacts the guys had made while he was home with Kono. Derek Chambers was an ex special ops guy that Steve had met years ago when he was a Seal. The guy was a rock and his special forces training gave him an in when it came to anything where men were hired for money. The difference with Derek was he had an ethic and a moral code. He only worked projects that he thought would legitimately help someone. Steve used to laugh at him and call him the mercenary with a heart. He and Steve had become friends during his time in the Seals. They had kept in contact over the years and he was surprised to learn he had settled in Honolulu. He had left a message for Steve to call him the day before Steve got back.

Steve, Chin, and Danny met him at Kua Aina's for lunch. Derek lined everything out for him. The dealer's had used him once before. He thought they were legitimate until he saw them kill one of their own. He had looked into their operations and when he heard through another mercenary that Steve was looking for them, he called Five-O. Over lunch the four of them devised a plan.