Steve pushed away from his desk and went to Kono's office. He leaned against the door frame, "Hey, guess what tomorrow is?"

Kono shrugged, "Ahhh Friday?"

"Yes. Do you know what else?"

Kono looked uneasy, "Is it the day you are going to pay me back for that tampon incident? Because that was over a month ago and I've anticipated it ever since."

Steve raised one eyebrow, "Oh Yea, thanks for reminding me. I forgot about that, but no. I was just going over some paperwork for Kari and noticed that tomorrows her birthday."

Kono sat up straight, "Really? We have to do something!"

"I was thinking the same thing. Who knows when the last time was she celebrated."

"We should go to JJ's." Kono blurted out excitedly, "Invite everyone we can," she stood up. "We should make it a surprise! Could you get her there? I'll do everything else."

He was thinking about dinner or a BBQ but Kono's idea was much better. "That's a great idea. I think she'd love that. Thanks Kono."


The minute he walked in the house he called for her. The same as he had done every day over the last seven weeks. It had become a habit, except of course on nights that he got home late because of a case. She would usually spend the night at Maggie's on those nights, both for her peace of mind and his as well. He set his gun down and went straight for the kitchen.

"Kari!" he called out again and heard a faint reply out back.

He spotted the fresh-baked cookies on the counter, scooping up two before heading out back. She had become an exceptional cook in his opinion, only because she had learned to prepare his favorite foods in all sorts of different dishes, with the help of Maggie, and some just on her own from online recipes. The only downside was that he had to add another half hour a week to his swim routine to make up for it. But it was worth every stroke, he had never ate so well in his life. It was helping her too. She was gaining weight steadily.

"Hi," he stood next to her as she sat looking out toward the dark water. "What are you doing?"

She looked up at him with bright eyes, "Hi!" she pointed up, "It's supposed to be a full moon. I'm waiting for it."

He chuckled, "You're waiting for it? Did it say what time it was stopping by?"

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Ok," he agreed, "not one of my better one liners." He looked up and turned around toward the house. "Are you sure it's coming up over here? I don't think I've ever seen one on this side of the island, usually its over by Waimanalo or Lanikai."

She looked up at him disappointed, "Really? I just heard on the news it was a full moon, it didn't say where it was coming up. I was just hoping."

He shrugged, "Sorry, but I'm not sure you'll be able to see it from here. I could drive you somewhere to see it."

"No," she quickly shut that idea down, "it's already late and you just got home. I just think it's so pretty, especially when its one of those really big ones."

Steve loved how she could get so excited over the littlest things, it was charming and sometimes reminded him that he needed to stop and look around once in a while. He smiled to himself knowing her surprise party was going to be fun to watch. She had come so far since that first day he had met her. He credited most of it to Maggie and Kono not knowing that Kari considered him her biggest influence. Maggie and she had developed a close relationship, developing a bond of trust. Once she learned of Kari's ordeal in Russia she encouraged her to seek individual counseling through a local organization that helped victims of violent crimes. She declined at first but with Steve and Kono's support she eventually decided to try it once. Steve went with her to the first appointment and then Maggie took over from there, driving her twice a week. It had only been three weeks but he could see a change in her already. He attributed it to her strong spirit. Sometimes he could just see her mind fighting her old self over a simple question he would ask. She would hesitate and work it out before giving him the answer she really wanted to instead of the one that had been programmed inside of her. He loved those moments and never rushed her.

Kari sighed, "Oh well, there'll be other full moons."

Steve held his hand out to her as she went to get up, but she smiled and declined as usual. He didn't even think about whether she would accept it, which she never did, it was a habit he had whenever anyone was getting up off the ground, you just put your hand out. If she ever did take it, he thought he might have a stroke right there from shock. She avoided physical contact with him at every cost, which was fine, he understood, she was very guarded with her personal space. He hoped in time that she could eventually let her guard down. He knew how hard it could be in a relationship and having walls could make it even more difficult. Eventually she'd find someone, there was no doubt in his mind, he only hoped that the help she was getting now would allow her the freedom to allow that someone else into her space.

Kari pushed herself off the ground, feeling that jolt of guilt for not accepting his gesture. She just couldn't do it. She already teetered on the edge of looking at him too often and for too long when he wasn't aware of it. She just couldn't help herself sometimes. The more she got to know him the more difficult it became to fight her feelings for him. She knew he was out of her reach and that he didn't see her in that way, but still it was hard. She almost confessed it to Maggie, but decided that she might be playing with fire and didn't want to take a chance of spoiling the friendship she shared with him, it was by far the most important relationship she had ever had. She didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it. She told herself over and over that it was just because he was being good to her, that her feelings for him weren't real in the sense of true love. How could they be, it had to be mutual feelings, and that it wasn't.


Sergius held the paperwork in his hand, feeling victorious. "Finally!" He shook hands with his contact from the Ministry of Justice. "You will be rewarded my friend."

The man could hardly stand his excitement.

Molly sighed, "I don't know why I have to go. Why can't we just let them put her on a plane?"

"I want her watched." Sergius said sternly. He kissed the papers, "Soon she will be right back where she belongs."

"What about this McGarrett person? By the threats he made to you, he's not going to just let her go."

"Nonsense! The Visa is revoked, she must leave the country immediately, it will take time for him to fix this problem; in the meantime, she will be punished for not contacting me and then she will get what she has wanted for a year," he smiled ruthlessly at Molly. "To be with Ally." He looked at the man, nodding his head, giving him the news that it would be his reward to dispose of her. "By the time this man can get her papers to bring her back to Hawaii, there will be nothing left of her."


JJ's was a local bar away from the tourist section of Waikiki, with a casual atmosphere that had pool, darts and a dance floor, compete with a jukebox. Steve and the rest would hangout there after a long week or sometimes even close it down after a long day. He had managed to get Kari there by telling her it was the best pizza on the island and that he hadn't had it since she had arrived. He felt kind of bad guilt tripping her into coming, but it worked.

Kari glanced inside as they passed the window from the sidewalk, "Look, balloons. I think someone is having a party."

"Hmm," Steve responded, "Maybe."

He opened the door and let her enter first, seeing Kono, Danny, Chin and Malia and about ten other people who Kari had met or briefly met. He assumed it wouldn't be hard getting people together, after all, it was Friday night. It was a good excuse to meet up with everyone.

Kari walked in and started to smile at the sight of Kono when a loud, "Surprise!" echoed through the bar. She stumbled backward into Steve, shaken by the commotion.

Kono came up to her, all smiles and took her hand, "Happy Birthday, Kari!"

She looked back over her shoulder at Steve.

He smiled, holding his hands out, "Happy Birthday, Kari. The parties for you."

The stunned look on her face was priceless. She was shaking and didn't know what to make of everyone being there just for her. She followed Kono's lead to a table that was set up with balloons and presents on it. Her hands went to her mouth still in shock as she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that it was actually a surprise party for her. "This is all for me?" Her hands went from her mouth over the rest of her face as she started to cry, overcome by all the attention being lavished on her.

"No, don't cry!" Kono laughed, hugging her.

"Hey," Danny said, holding out a Margarita to her, "knock that off, it's a party!" he joked.

Kari wiped her fingers under her eyes and laughed, "OK,"

Steve backed up as everyone gave her a hug and wished her happy birthday. She took a sip of the drink and smiled even brighter, "That's so good!"

"Drink up," Danny cheered, "there's plenty more where that came from."

Maggie walked in and Kari almost spilled her drink she was so excited. Steve took it from her as she ran over and threw her arms around her neck, "I'm so glad you're here!"

"I'm sorry I missed the surprise, but better late than never." She handed Kari a wrapped present. "Happy Birthday, honey."

Kari took it and smiled at her, "Can I open it now?"

"Sure."

She tore off the wrapping and ogled at the book in her hand. It was the same cookbook that she and Maggie had used at her house. "Oh Maggie, thank you!" she held it up for Steve to see.

"Nice!" he smiled, "There goes another half mile added to my swim."

Danny walked up to Steve handing him a beer. "By the way, birthday girl, when am I going got get invited back over for another one of your dinners?" he put his hand on his chest, "I'm feeling neglected and hungry."

Kari held the book up to him, "I'll make something this week and invite you over."

"Whoa," Steve held his hand up, "let's not get carried away, the more people eating the less for me."

"Who said you're invited, Steven." Danny said, nudging Kari, "You throw him in a TV dinner and come over to my house."

Kari looked over at Steve and giggled at the two of them. She had never met friends that liked each other as much as those two, and still could insult each other every chance they got. It was so entertaining to her.

"Hey," Steve threatened with a finger in his face as he walked by him, "don't be trying to muscle in on my Julia Childs. I'll feed ya to the sharks," he looked him over, "it won't be much of a meal for them."

Danny pretended a fake laugh, "Give me back that beer!" he smiled at Kari, "He's an animal. I don't know how you stand living with him."

She followed them to the table but no one stayed put for more than a couple of minutes, instead they were off playing games. Kari stayed by Steve's side for most of the evening until Kono or Danny would steal her away for another game of pool or darts. She had never played either one, so it was entertaining for all to watch her.

Steve sat at the table next to Maggie and laughed as Kari threw a dart that landed almost directly in the middle of the board. Her hands flew up in the air, releasing the other darts she was holding, she was so excited. Danny and Chin both ducked as they came down in their direction. She clapped her hands as if it was the greatest accomplishment she had ever had.

Maggie leaned over to Steve, "She is something isn't she?"

"Yes she is." He looked over at her, "Thank you for all that you've done for her Maggie. You've been an incredible influence, more than anyone else."

She patted his arm, "Thank you Steven, but I think you are the biggest influence on her."

He laughed, "No, I think she just tolerates me. I see her looking at me sometimes and I can just imagine what's going through her mind."

Maggie shook her head at him, he really had no idea the way that Kari felt about him. She wasn't about to tell him either. Kari had never told her directly, but as a woman, she could see it plain as day just by the way that she talked about him and the look in her eyes when she did. She looked back over at Kari, smiling and laughing so carefree. She glanced back at Steve and couldn't help but wonder if he felt at all the same about her, then she saw the look on his face as he watched her. She almost laughed out loud, it was there. She was sixty-four years old and never saw a man look at a woman in that way and not feel something for them. "She sure looks pretty tonight," she said, feeding the fire, waiting for his reaction.

Steve nodded not really taking into consideration her comment, it was just Kari, the same girl he saw every single day for the last seven weeks, but at that very moment Kari looked over in their direction and smiled at him, pointing toward the board to see if he saw the shot she had made. He wasn't sure if it was the lighting in the bar or that he'd never seen her having so much fun before, but Maggie's words suddenly took on new meaning to him. She was pretty. The weight she had gained showed on her face, the sunken cheeks were replaced with dimples that he had never even noticed before. He remembered the dark circles under her eyes that were now gone. Her hair even seemed healthier, the long blond locks now had a slight wave to them. He scanned down her body and noticed the tan legs that no longer looked skinny, but shapely. "She really is pretty, isn't she?"

Maggie sat back and shook her head at him, 'Men are so naïve to their own feelings.' she thought to herself, 'he'll figure it out.'

By ten o'clock the bar was in full force for a friday night. Maggie had gone home and only the ones closest to Kari had remained. The music from the jukebox was on a constant stream of songs which filled the dance floor. Kono and Malia pulled Kari out to dance when a good song came on. She tried to resist, but to no avail.

Danny breezed past Chin and Steve, setting his beer down on the table, "I'm dancing with the ladies," he said in a Jersey accent, "you two losers can watch and weep."

Chin yelled out to him, "Don't pull a muscle."

Danny ignored the comment and centered himself in the middle of Kari, Kono and Malia. He took Malia's hand first and pulled her against his body and began to dance with her. She followed his lead as they moved rhythmically to the beat of the Bon Jovi song, while the other two danced around them. In a very sly but equally clever move, he switched to Kono before she even had a chance to pick up on it. He danced the same with her as Malia.

Steve and Chin looked at each other surprised.

"You get a couple of beers in him and he turns into Michael Jackson." Chin laughed, "Where did he get moves like that?" he yelled above the music to Steve.

Steve shrugged, "That must be the Jersey in him."

He watched with amusement as he moved to Kari. Her smile lit up the dance floor. She threw her head back and laughed like she was having the time of her life. One of her hands went over his shoulder and the other gripped his arm that was around her waist. They moved in perfect sync with the music. Steve smiled as he watched them, but as her hands moved positions and she held on to his shoulders he couldn't help but stare at the grip she had on Danny. He blocked out everything else and just stared at her hands as she moved to different places on his body with no concern. His arm, his hand, his shoulder, his neck. She seemed so at ease with him.

'Holy shit,' he said to himself as her hand rested on his chest. She was all over him. It irked him that she could be so comfortable with Danny and that she had lived with him for almost two months and had never touched him, not one time. Hell, she had gone out of her way not to. What was it about him that was so repulsive to her? She moved positions again and held onto both of his biceps as the song ended. All three of the women laughed and hugged Danny as they made their way back to the table.

Steve stared at Kari's hands as they approached. He didn't even realize that void between them had bothered him so much, until he saw the way that she had touched Danny. He wasn't mad at Danny, but he couldn't help but feel jealous of the way she held onto him with such contentment. He couldn't remember feeling angry at her about anything, ever, until now. He wasn't even sure why. What right did he have to demand such a thing from her, but nonetheless, it pissed him off.


Kari opened the refrigerator and took out a bowl of pineapple. She set it on the counter and picked one up with her thumb and index finger, tilting her head back letting the juice drip into her mouth before she dropped it in. "Hmmm, this is so good. Do you want one?" She pushed the bowl over to Steve, as he took a drink of water over the sink.

"No," he pushed the container back to her.

She had sensed something was wrong, at first she thought maybe he was just tired, but the silence in the car on the way home was odd. She hoped she hadn't done anything wrong. The last thing she ever wanted was to hurt him. "I had fun tonight, thank you."

He turned and leaned against the counter, looking at her, "I'm glad. You seemed to have fun," he crossed his arms, "Danny's a pretty good dancer. I never knew that."

She smiled remembering the moment, "Yes. That was fun."

"You seem very comfortable with him."

Kari tilted her head, questionably, "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, "I don't know, just watching you two dance it seems that maybe there's something there between you."

Her eyes burst open, "Between me and Danny?" she mumbled incoherently stunned by his suggestion, "I mean, Danny's nice, but I don't think of him in that way."

He shrugged again, "Hmm, you seemed like it. Your body language..." he began and then stopped, wondering where he was going with this, not sure why he had even started it.

"We were dancing," she tried to recall if she had touched him inappropriately, her body suddenly stiffened, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. If he saw it, then others saw it too. What had she done?

Steve noticed the change in her instantly and tried to take back what he said, "You didn't do anything wrong. I was just surprised by the way that you touched him."

She shook her head, still not sure, "I don't know what you mean."

The tables turned on him and he felt like an idiot for bringing it up. But he was in too deep now to turn back so he thought he would just come clean. "I guess it was the fact that you just touched him, period. I've lived with you for two months and, I've never seen you do that before." He looked down and fumbled with the glass he had drunk from that was sitting on the counter, wishing he would have just kept his mouth shut and gone straight to bed.

Kari understood now. She didn't know what to say. How could she explain that she was afraid to touch him, not because she was afraid of him, but because she was afraid that she would like it too much. He was so far beyond the realm of her existence that she knew it would hurt. She couldn't understand why he cared so much about it. "I didn't mean anything by it," she said apologetically. "I didn't ."

"I know," he said regretfully, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was just that you've never..." he cut himself off, "never mind. I'm going to bed. Happy Birthday, Kari." he forced a smile.

She wanted to reach out and touch him then, but he turned away too quickly and headed for the stairs. She watched him until he disappeared. She just couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that he needed this thing from her. He was so perfect to her in every way. She saw the way women reacted to him when they were out, or the look in their eyes when they talked to him. Why then would he feel so compelled to need this from her? She was nothing compared to other women. Whatever the reason was it didn't matter, if he needed it then she would give it to him. He deserved everything.

She slowly made her way up the steps, not sure how she would confirm to him her appreciation, but the intentions were there. His bedroom light was off but the door was ajar as it was every night just so she would feel safer and he could hear her if she had a bad dream. Sometimes he would just sit in her room in a chair until she fell back asleep. This alone made her more willing to fulfill what he needed. She pushed the door open and he was already in bed, under the blankets. He sat up on his elbows, the concerned look on his face for her well-being was another credit to his ability to see her as more than just a charity case he had to solve.

She approached the bed and knelt on it, sitting back on her heels, blocking the light from the hallway; it didn't matter, she could see him. She reached her hand out and gently glided it across his face, feeling his five o'clock shadow that tickled her palm. He didn't move but just stared at her. She let her hand slowly drift down over his chin and to his throat, she felt him swallow and take in a deep breath. She followed the path of her hand with her eyes as it came to rest on his shoulder, feeling his muscles through the shirt he had on. She had seen him shirtless many times but to touch them was something else. She pushed him back down on the bed and laid out next to him above the covers, draping her arm across him, still holding on to his shoulder. She rested her head on the bed, snuggling in against the shape of him, breathing in his familiar scent. She felt his one hand touch her arm that was over his chest and the other moved down her back, holding her in place. For the first time since she could remember, she didn't feel dirty or ashamed, all she felt was his warmth. She closed her eyes and couldn't imagine a safer place on earth.

Steve was still reeling over the fact that she was kneeling on his bed when she reached her hand out. The way she touched him was unlike anything he had ever felt. She wasn't trying to be seductive which made her purpose even more charming. She was just trying to fulfilling his sudden whim that took them both by surprise. But he never considered the fact that it would feel like this. He had to remind himself to breathe and even then it was so deep he felt a little light-headed from it, or was it the way she glided her hand over his throat that made him dizzy. Her touch was filled with an energy that made his body respond like it had been shocked. He felt paralyzed until she pushed him back on the bed, lying down next to him. He didn't feel she was making herself available to him in any way sexually, but instead he felt like she was showing him that she wasn't afraid of him. He wasn't even sure how he felt about it, it was probably one of the most erotic moments of his life but he had no thought of wanting to be with her in that way. It was confusing, she was so sweet and innocent to him, regardless of the life she'd forced into in Russia. He put his arms around her, hoping she knew that he would protect her from anything.

The next morning he woke up and she was gone from his room. He came downstairs and she was already in the kitchen with her new cookbook open.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, "Good Morning, I found this really good recipe for stew. I thought I would try it for dinner tonight." She was hoping the night before would not change things between them, it worried her. She stared back at the book, but was looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

He didn't know what to say at first, but her obvious lack of concern was a relief. "That sounds good. Do you need to go to the store?"

"Yes, we need carrots and onions."

They both pretended as if it had never happened, but each one couldn't help but feel a shift in their relationship.

"Hey, I forgot to give you your present last night." He went to the closet by the front door and pulled out a square, thin present wrapped in pink and white paper.

Kari stared at it not expecting anything from him. He'd already done so much. "You didn't have to get me anything," she said, still staring at the gift, not caring what it was. She knew she would love it beyond words. She took it and set it on the table, peeling off the pink and white paper. When she realized what it was she knew without a doubt it was the nicest gift she had ever received, not because it was an expensive one, but because he knew her. She gently pulled back the remaining strands, gliding her hand over the professional graphite and colored pencils. There must have been a hundred different colors. Beneath the pencils were two different types of drawing paper, one for the graphite drawings and one that would enhance the color drawings. She took the collar of her shirt, pulling it up, wiping her eyes, not knowing exactly how she could thank him for something so incredibly wonderful, so she did the one thing that she knew he would appreciate. She wrapped her hands around his arm that was next to her and laid her head on his shoulder, "Thank you, Steve. It's wonderful."

"You're welcome." He was surprised the words even made it past his lips. Her gesture was so unexpected he almost stumbled. He was glad to know that her visit to his room wasn't just her trying to appease his crazy outburst. He still wasn't even sure why he needed this from her, but as she held on to him, all the regret he had for demanding it the night before, vanished. He liked it.

They had come such a long way together in the past seven weeks. The relationship was shifting, both of them were on a different path, but heading in the same direction, and neither one of them was aware of the pending impact they would have on each other, when those paths crossed.