A Chance Meeting

Pt. 1

A/N *Blinks at date* Its been how long?! Wow guys I am incredible sorry! I really hope this update makes up for the unforgivably long wait. So I shall detour you no further, read on and enjoy!

Summary: First in a three part short story, that well, I don't want to give anything away...(takes place after episode 2x5)

The sun beat down almost pleasantly on Steve McGarrett's shoulders as he hiked upon a familiar path. It was one he was quite antiquated with as it was one he and his father had traversed often when he'd been younger.

It was rare to see other hikers out due to its more demanding qualities but Steve enjoyed the challenge. After the past few months he needed the time to clear his head and he relished in the fresh air and the separation from civilization.

His thoughts of course strayed to the past few months, all that had happened seeming to jumble together. Danny being poisoned, being accused of murdering the governor, prison, Wo Fat, Cathrine...It had been four months since she had broke it off with him. He recalled the meeting with vivid clarity...

It was her last day of leave and they met for drinks. She'd seemed distracted through it all and Steve finally had to question her about it.

Part of him had known what was coming, their long distance relationship had been strained lately, maybe it's limits had finally been reached...

She'd cried, explaining that with her work and his, the relationship just wasn't working. She was barely ever on the islands and when she was he was mostly to busy to spend even a couple of hours with her when she was there. She felt distant from him, in more then miles. That was it, he had listened said a few words, apologizing mostly. It was strange to realize that he'd been feeling the same way, for a while actually, he'd just hadn't wanted to acknowledge it.

Now that he had, did he regret it? For a while he had. Of course it hurt, they'd been dating for a while and Steve couldn't deny that he'd had feelings for her. But long distance relationships were hard and this one, just hadn't flourished for long.

He stopped, pulling a water bottle from his pack and taking a swig. It was the same day he'd gotten in the car accident. He remembered little of that night, although one thing was clear, Ross had been there. After that, well, he hadn't seen her at all, until Danny had been poisoned.

Seeing her standing outside his partners room had been a welcome sight, in more ways then one. He'd found he'd been glad to see her, relived. Unfortunately he'd been unable to talk to her, he'd tried of course but he'd gotten a call about the case and had had to step away.

After that well, Wo Fat, the death of the Governor, being blamed for said death, prison, escaping...Chin said that he'd asked Ross to keep them apprised of his condition, though she wasn't the doctor in charge of his care. He remembered little to nothing of his time there with her nor much of anything else, his fever-he'd been told-had been quite high.

Since then he'd been a tad out of sorts.'Sulking' as Danny had put it.

Somehow, his partner knew things, figures.

''She cares about you, you know, even an idiot can see that.'' His partners sudden words while driving to HQ had Steve taking his eyes off the road for a moment to look at him with confusion.

''What?''

"Well, obviously not all idiots."

"Danny who-"

"Ross, Andrea? You know the doctor who treated you all those times? And the one you're probably thinking about since you've got that look on your face again."

Steve frowned. "I don't have a look."

His partner smirked. "Yet you do not deny thinking about her."

Steve glared at him, but refused to say anything more on the subject and thankfully nether did Danny, though he wore an annoying smile for some time afterward.

His partner had been right though, he had been thinking about her. Frequently now that he was no longer dating Cathrine. He couldn't honestly say that he was completely over her and ready for another relationship, but he also couldn't say that he wasn't willing to try.

He wasn't actively seeking Ross out though and wouldn't, how could he? It wasn't as if he'd gotten her number or anything though he had suspicion that Danny had it. Coming to the hospital-uninjured-just to seek her out could be taken completely wrong, right?

Steve bit back a frustrated sigh continuing on up the trail. No, no he'd wait it out, and in the mean time he'd stop thinking about it, he had bigger things to worry about right? Somehow though that seemed easier thought then done.

He continued on silently for a while letting the feeling of being outdoors calm his nerves. Just when he was about to pause to take another swig of water a stick snapped loudly off to his right. He stiffened hand immediately going to his hip where his sidearm usually was, when he was on duty. Now it was currently resting in his back pack, along with a few other items should something happen. He was beginning to regret not putting it within reach.

McGarrett scanned the dense jungle with his eyes, remaining completely still. There was a long moment of silence broken suddenly by the sounds of someone approaching just up the trial from him. It wasn't entirely possible for someone to have switched places so suddenly, yet he watched apprehensively as the person came around the slight bend in the dirt path.

Steve blinked in surprise the tension in his muscles leaving him in one big whoosh, as the very person he'd been thinking about was now standing before him. He watched her wondering if he was seeing things, if he hadn't kept properly hydrated and was hallucinating.

It was in that instant that she looked up from the ground, eyes widening as they met his and she came to an abrupt halt. For a moment they just stared at each other, Steve as completely caught off guard as she seemed to be.

Finally the silence was broken and it wasn't by him.

"C-Comander, uh hi." She stammered only seeming to fuel the awkwardness of the moment.

For a second Steve was at a loss for words, he hadn't expected this meeting to happen so abruptly after his relationship with Cathrine had ended. It was a little voice that sounded suspiciously like Danny's in the back of his head that finally broke him out of his revery.

'Say something you Neanderthal!'

"Hi." It was a start.

*5-0*

Andrea Ross had had a pretty good morning. She'd requested a week off from work needing the time to try and clear her head. Work had been strangely hectic though void of a certain someone that she'd forced herself not to think about for the past couple of months, something Maria warned her against doing.

"You gotta go through it girl, go home eat an entire carton of ice cream, watch something stupid, cry laugh what ever it takes to help you cope."

She hadn't done anything, in fact she'd tired to 'fake it till she made it' as an old college friend of her's used to say. It seemed to have worked for a while, till one day when a wounded cop had come in. She hadn't known who it was but the mention of an officer coming in with a stab wound had sent her heart right into her throat. Memories of McGarrett laying in one of the hospital beds with an infected stab wound, had fought their way to the surface leaving her shaking and worried, worried that it was all going to re-play in front of her.

When it had turned out not to be him, but some rookie cop who she didn't even recognize she'd nearly collapsed with relief. It wasn't long after that that she'd taken the time off suddenly realizing that ignoring it all hadn't made it go away, in fact it just made things worse.

Now, on day three of her little vacation having in fact eaten an entire carton of ice cream and watched a b movie-though she hadn't cried, she still refused to shed any more tears over a relationship that hadn't even happened she'd decided the next morning that she needed to go for a hike. So after waking up early stuffing a bag full of essentials, she'd set out.

She picked a particularly grueling trail, wanting to feel the burn in her mussels and succeeding. Indeed it had been a good morning, that slowly turned into a not so good one as the removal from civilization allowed her mind to wander down paths she'd ignored for months.

She missed him. The reality of allowing the thought to manifest itself in her mind nearly sent her over an edge that had been slowly crumbling away. She'd paused in her trek knowing she was only halfway up the trail.

Andrea took a deep breath letting it out slowly trying to get her mind to focus on the heat of the sun and the burn in her mussels anything to distract her from those thoughts. It worked, but only for a moment. She cursed softly blinking rapidly as tears pricked at her eyes. This whole thing was stupid, she was acting like-like...

Frustration made her kick angrily at a rock as she couldn't even put a name to her emotions. Sighing heavily hands on her hips she looked up at the trail then back the way she'd come. Turning, shoulders slouching she started back suddenly loosing the heart to finish.

She took it a bit slower barely watching where she was going when she was struck with the feeling of being watched. Looking up her heart lurched into her throat. There Commander McGarrett stood staring right back at her.

This was-how was-what was he-

To Andrea's complete and utter surprise she found herself stammering.

"C-Commander, uh hi." Was she speaking? Were words actually coming out of her mouth? Was it English?

He seemed to be in sort of a shocked trance and part of her was glad to know that he was just as surprised to see her. Oh hell, what were they going to talk about, they were practically out in the middle of no where...

"Hi." She blinked as he spoke.

Well, it was a start.

*5-0*

Damn if he didn't miss those eyes. Deep aqua marine and full of fire, and they still were except...there was something else, she looked almost, lost?

"How've you been?" It was a good way to further the conversation right?

"Uh good...you?" She replied giving a sort of half smile seeming nervous.

Steve resisted the urge to awkwardly clear his throat."Fine, fine." There was a moments pause where he could practically hear Danny yelling at him to say something else...which was really starting to annoy him. Since when did his subconscious start to sound like his partner? And what else could he say...thank her maybe? It couldn't hurt, he really did appreciate everything she'd done for him.

"I'm glad we ran into each other," A look of surprise and confusion flashed across her face and he quickly continued."I've been meaning to thank you, I don't really remember much but Chin told me what you did the last time I was in the hospital."

"Your welcome." She said after a pause smiling softly which Steve returned. "Do you uh-"He glanced around spotting a downed log on the side of the path in the shade, he gestured at it."do you want to sit down?"

He could practically see the hesitation come over her, shifting her weight and glancing away for a moment.

Just when he thought she was going to decline she nodded unshouldering her pack and sitting down. He joined her without hesitation an eagerness coming over him.

Steve found that he'd wanted this for a long time, just to sit down and talk to her coherently not sick, or injured, or in a hospital, it seemed almost to good to be true.

"Its good to know that you're still in one piece, I thought maybe you'd quit Five-0 since I haven't seen you in the hospital for a while." She said another smile gracing her face, he liked her smile though it still seemed tentative, as if she were unsure.

Chuckling he nodded."Yeah well, I don't get hurt on every case we have."

"You forget I've read your file." She added a bit cheekily.

He laughed again glad to know that he didn't have to keep the conversation afloat. There was a short pause and then she spoke softly.

"I heard about everything that happened with the Governor, I'm sorry." Steve bulked slightly as she spoke. He knew she was just trying to be nice, compassionate, but he really didn't want to talk about any of that."Thanks." He managed to say, hoping she'd drop it. To his relief she did asking how Danny was doing.

"Good, he's good, whole teams great, no injuries to report unless you want to count Chin's bruised toe after he stubbed it on his desk last week." She laughed and he was glad to see some of the obvious tension leave her shoulders, he still wondered why she seemed so uptight. It wasn't like he wasn't a tad nervous too though.

He watched her for a moment. Her long red hair was pulled back into a high ponytail accentuating her soft features and fare skin, she was slender obviously fit and when she looked over at him he noticed just how much her eyes reminded him of the ocean. They were quite expressive too as he could see she seemed to be fighting some sort of internal battle and it was just waiting to burst forth.

He didn't want to press but there was obviously something going on. Maybe-suddenly he was struck with an all to familiar feeling of danger and he was reminded as to why he'd stopped in the first place. It was something he'd started getting in his SEAL days, a sort of six sense that sent the hairs on the back of his neck on end. Years of service had taught him to trust his instincts and he looked off into the trees on the other side of the path with apprehension.

"What's wrong?" Ross' voice sent a thrill of fear through his gut, something he hadn't felt since he'd been on the phone with Hesse when his father died, sharp and real. It was fear for her life.

Without further contemplation he grabbed onto her arm and pulled her back behind the log just as gunfire broke out. He gritted his teeth covering her as she hunkered down. Bullet after bullet plowed into the old wood and he prayed it would hold out till their attackers either gave up or had to reload.

The moment the gunfire stopped Steve took the chance and hauled Ross to her feet pulling her further into the thick foliage behind the log, away from the gunmen.

"Ok, what the hell was that?!" Ross yelled but Steve was more concerned with whether or not she'd been hurt. Taking quick cover behind a tree he held her at arms length and scanned her for injuries.

*5-0*

Andrea didn't know how she was managing this, conversation, could she call it that yet? She gave herself credit for the bit about him quitting Five-0, honestly she had wondered though, the man attracted trouble like a magnet and each time it seemed to slam right into him.

Could she really pursue a man who was currently in a relationship and possible ruin all of that? She firmly reminded herself that this was just a friendly conversation nothing more.

"I heard about everything that happened with the Governor, I'm sorry." See friendly, she could do friendly.

McGarrett nodded looking away."Thanks." He seemed to tense up at the question so she immediately went for a quick change of subject.

"So hows Danny been?" In all honesty she hadn't spoken to the detective since the last time McGarrett had been in the hospital and she was curious.

"Good, he's good, whole teams great, no injuries to report unless you want to count Chin's bruised toe after he stubbed it on his desk last week." He said with a smirk. She laughed, and she could feel some of the tension leave her with it.

"I wouldn't." She managed to say and smiled, looking over at him. Their eyes met and all at once Andrea wanted to blurt it all out, how she felt, what she'd been going through these past few months, how much it hurt...

Swallowing thickly, she was about to speak when the Commander tensed, looking off into the trees on the other side of the path, a frown creasing his forehead.

"What's wrong?" She asked apprehensively, following his gaze but seeing nothing. Without warning he grabbed onto her arm yanking her back behind the log just as gunfire broke out.

Instinct taking over, she hunkered down biting her lip to keep from crying out as bullet after bullet hit the log. It seemed to go on forever when silence finally fell.

"Come on." McGarrett urged grabbing onto her arm again and she realized he'd laid over her to protect her. He pulled her further into the thick foliage on the other side of the log.

"Ok, what the hell was that?!" She demanded as they ran.

McGarrett didn't reply but instead pulled her behind a tree and looked intently at her as if searching for something.

"What are-"

"Are you hurt?" He demanded and Andrea paused breathing heavily as she contemplated the answer.

"N-no I'm fine but what was-"

"Good, we need to keep moving." As he turned Ross spotted something that had her heart leaping into her throat.

"Wait!" She grabbed onto his arm looking at the dark stain that was slowly marring the front lower right side of his shirt. "You were hit!" She said with alarm concern engulfing her like a tidal wave.

McGarrett frowned following her gaze. He blinked and Andrea realized that he hadn't even noticed he had been. "Let me take a look." She demanded.

The Commander shook his head."No, we need to keep moving, I don't know who was shooting at us, but they had to know they didn't get us."

"They got you." She pointed out.

He opened his mouth to obviously protest but An quickly continued.

"Commander, please." She said meeting his gaze conveying her concern.

"Fine," He said after a moments pause and she blinked in surprise."But, we need to find a safe place first." He added. It was then that she noticed how pale he'd become and that his hands were shaking. Though he was right she doubted if he would even make it.

"There's a cave around here, not many people know about it, we'll go there."

"Ok," She nodded."Ok, which way?"

*5-0*

They moved as quickly as they could and the further they went the more weight of McGarretts Andrea had to bare. She was strong but the Commander was solid mussel and she soon started to struggle to keep them both on their feet.

"Over there." He said suddenly pointing off into some thick underbrush. An frowned wondering if blood lose was getting to him, there didn't seem to be anything but trees and bushes. Her fear however had her moving towards it. As they drew closer Andrea could just make out the small cave beyond. Anyone would miss it if they didn't already know it was there.

"Hope these guys aren't expert trackers." She panted as they struggled through the thick foliage. There was enough space for a couple people but you had to hunch over a little.

She eased McGarrette to the ground both panting heavily from the exertion. He winced gasping slightly at the obvious pain.

"Sorry." She breathed before looking down at the dark stain on his shirt. "You still with me Commander?" She asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm good." He said voice strained and Andrea shook her head with a morbid smirk.

"No you're not." She muttered before carefully pulling his shirt up and away from the wound. "Ok, looks like the bullets still in." She said as she examined the still weeping wound. Damn, all her supplies were with her pack, back at the log. She needed to get the bleeding under control, not to mention call for help.

Hands shaking with fear and adrenalin, she slipped off her tank top leaving her in only a black sports bra. She hesitated before pressing it against the wound.

McGarrett grunted, full body flinching.

"Easy," She said glancing at the cave opening as she put pressure on the wound. "Wouldn't happen to have a phone on you would you?"

"Yeah, but you won't get service out here." He muttered swallowing thickly. "Satellite phones in my pack, back at the log."

Andrea cursed. Their situation was steadily sinking in and she was beginning to feel helpless. They were in the middle of no where with no phones, no means of contacting help.

"Hey, hey?" McGarrett said and she blinked looking over at him. "You'll be fine, Danny knows where I am, when I don't come back, he'll coming looking."

"But how long will we have to wait?" She asked knowing that with a wound like this he wouldn't last long, even less without her supplies.

His hesitation was answer enough for her. "You won't last that long." She said voice suddenly thick with emotion. Damn it this whole day had gone to hell.

"Listen to me, everything's gonna be fine ok." He said firmly and Andrea really wanted to believe him.

"Do you have any idea who shot at us?" She asked, unable to keep the slight quiver out of her voice.

"No, they're more then likely after me though, unless you've been dealing in some shady business lately." He replied smirking towards the end.

Andrea huffed at the vain attempt at humor. "No." She said looking back down at her shirt that was quickly being stained with his blood. She had to do something, she was the only one capable at the moment.

Ok, first she needed to get a hold of herself. She took a deep breath a technique she'd adopted when she started working in the ER, it calmed her steadied her hands and cleared her mind. She needed that now and it helped.

Her first priority as a doctor was her patient, but in order to help him she needed her supplies. She always carried around a well stocked first aid kit, and though it didn't exactly have all the things for a gunshot wound having it definitely wouldn't hurt.

"Whats that look, what are you thinking?" McGarrett asked suddenly.

She looked at him their eyes meeting. Her emotions suddenly rose again and she grabbed one of his hands placing it over her now blood soaked shirt. "Keep pressure on this, I'll be back." She stood to leave.

"Whoa whoa wha-ah." McGarrett tried to sit up an Andrea turned putting her hands on his shoulders.

"I need my supplies or I can't help you." She insisted. "If I don't get the things I need you could-" She looked away swallowing back tears.

"You can't go out there, they'll kill you." He said almost pleadingly.

Andrea bit her lower lip and sighed looking him right in the eyes."I have to."

"Then I'm coming with you." He said jaw set as he started to sit up.

"No, no you'll only make it worse, just stay here I'll be fine." She said pushing him back down gently and turned again however a hand on her wrist stopped her.

"I can't let you do this." He said and the very tone of his voice stilled her tears pricking her eyes as she looked back at him. Her heart raced in her chest taking in how pale he'd become. The world needed Steve McGarrette, and she would never forgive herself if he died, and if she was never able to tell him...

"And I can't let you die." She said voice thick with emotion.

He watched her for a moment before smiling slightly."Stubborn."

Andrea smiled back."Look whose talking."

His smile broadened and for a moment she could forget about the dire situation.

"Look I uh, I need to tell you something-" He said smile falling away blue eyes growing serious with emotion.

She quickly put a hand on his shoulder."It can wait I'll be back, I promise." And it was a promise she had every intention to keep. With that she stood took a shaky breath and stepped out of the cave.

A/N uh review? Also, my work schedule is crazy but I'll try to post the next chapter soon but honestly it may take a while, thanks to everyone whose stuck with me!

P S Title is a work in progress, it may change as well I hate it, suggestions?

~Fire