Captivated – Story 2 in the Unbreakable series

Disclaimer: Characters belong to the writers & producers of Hawaii Five-0. My own characters belong to me :-)

Author's Note: Thank you for feedback - I realize with the holidays it has trickled down somewhat. Feedback means a great deal to me - it helps me be a better writer and produce stories you're interested in, and even if you just have a few comments, it helps me shape the story better! Please keep them coming - even anonymous feedback!

Steve watched Julia as she stepped gracefully up to the podium. As she spoke earnestly about the role of education and research in shaping modern society, he saw how impassioned she was about her work. The audience sat in rapt attention, enthralled by her magnetism. She joked, cajoled, and ultimately inspired the audience, and when she finished, nearly everyone stood in thunderous applause. Steve was intrigued. Not only was she a brilliant analyst, but she was also a gifted speaker. He'd never known anyone who was able to inspire a room full of people except for politicians, and he'd had little interest in their rhetoric. But Julia's speech, which he noticed she gave without notes, was heartfelt and convincing. How does she manage to do that? She's such a dichotomy, he thought, his own impressions jumbled with his emotions and his deepening attraction to her.

The band started to play as Julia wove her way through the congratulatory crowd back to Steve. He stood, kissing her chastely on her cheek before holding out her chair for her. The other table members continued to twitter about her speech while she drank her water and smiled slyly toward him. He is so damned handsome in his tux. Dark, dashing, and a little bit dangerous. Way too dangerous, and I should just walk away, but I can't. "What did you think?" she asked, sounding a little unsure of herself.

"It's true, then."

"What is?" She was rather confused. Maybe it was the after effects of the scotch, or more likely it was the heady feeling she had sitting so close to Steve, but the butterflies in her stomach were flitting all about as Steve continued to look intensely at her.

"You do impress everyone you meet."

Julia laughed uproariously. God, I love that sound, Steve thought, realizing that it was the first time he'd seen her let go and enjoy herself since they'd first met. He was entranced by her. It wasn't just her looks, or her wit. It was her modesty, her vulnerability, and her strength. She was puzzling, yes, and there was so much more about her he didn't know, and didn't understand. But in this moment, she was happy, and Steve wanted nothing more than to continue her joy.

He traced his fingers gently along her cheek, admiring her shining eyes. She's so beautiful, so alive. The way she makes me feel… it's like she sees something in me no one ever has before… I don't understand it. Hearing the music change, he stood, gallantly offered her his hand, and leaned down to her. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his eyes hopeful. She smiled happily, nodding politely to their table companions as they stepped to the dance floor. His left hand gently pressed against her lower back, as his right firmly held hers.

She leaned forward and whispered softly in his ear, "You never cease to surprise me, Steven."

He inhaled sharply as his eyes darkened, his mouth turning into a wry smile that left Julia breathless. He pulled her closer to him, his cheek gently pressed to hers, as they spun around the dance floor effortlessly in perfect time to the music. His lips brushed her cheek, his soft voice murmuring in her ear, "I cannot get you out of my mind." His hand stroked her back softly, his thumb carefully running along the top edge to her gown, as he continued, wickedly, "And more importantly, I cannot wait to get you out of this room."

Julia's mind reeled from the heady feelings that stirred something very deep inside of her. Her mouth went dry for a moment as she let herself get swept into the music, the sensation of Steve's arms holding her close, and the burning desire to be somewhere much more private with him at this very moment. Her need burned bright as her cheeks flushed with the dance and with her thoughts. She looked up at him, their eyes locked in an intense gaze that spoke far more than words.

As the song ended, Julia held onto Steve for a moment, reluctant to leave his arms. She reached up to brush her lips just barely across his smoothly shaven cheek, taking in the heady mix of his clean, outdoorsy scent. A shiver ran up Steve's back as he gripped Julia closer. His eyes looked down at hers intensely as he took a deep breath. Huskily, he whispered in her ear. "Shall we go?" His words were much more of a statement than a question.

Nodding, she let him escort her back out to the SUV, grateful for the cool night air that helped mask the flush on her cheeks. He gently lifted her into the passenger side, climbed in on the other side, and headed back toward her house. Julia thought about their dance, about how his body felt against hers. More than anything, she wanted him to take her home with him, but she couldn't find the voice to ask him. It's too soon, she thought. I can't rush this, as much as I wish to God I could. I'm not used to this… frustration. Breathe, Julia, just breathe. She looked out the window at the passing landscape, her cheeks still hot with desire. She felt him reach over and take her hand, running his thumb absently across her knuckles. Turning to him, she smiled and gripped his hand before laying her head softly against his shoulder.