DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-0" or any of the characters. Emily Burns is my OC.
Author's Note: Much thanks to all who are reading this story. I'd love to hear what you think of it, so please leave a review.
msgemgem - Thanks again for your review. Let me try to answer a few of your questions. I don't think the stabbing is really related to when she left San Diego three years ago. It was just bad luck that her current clients assumed since she had been a drug prosecutor that she was in Hawaii because she was onto them. I agree, I don't want Emily to hang around and wait for Steve. And I also do want her to tell Jason how she feels, just not over the phone. Sorry, the I'm getting a gun bit didn't play how I intended it to. No worries she's not actually getting a gun. Kono's just offering to teach her to annoy Steve. Again, she's not really helping with the case, she's got a plane to catch. But also they're not investigating her stabbing at this point. They're investigating what happened to the drugs after they left Richardson's warehouse. Also, I'm not in any way familiar with police procedure in this area, so I readily confess that there may be errors in my story. Apologies in advance, they're not intentional.
Anyway, here's the next part of the story. Hope you like it.
Steve is seated in his office and is trying to concentrate on a phone call from investigators in L.A. The current subject of their conversation is the shutting down of Richardson Wine Importing's operations in California. Unfortunately he is having a hard time concentrating, as he hasn't been able to stop himself from checking the time every few minutes. It is rapidly approaching the point at which Emily will need to catch a ride to the airport.
He focuses back on the phone call. The ridiculous part of this investigation is that if William Lincoln hadn't panicked and ordered his nephew John to attack Emily and steal her files, the meth importation would probably not have been uncovered. Now in an attempt to protect their illegal activities, they've managed to pull law enforcement from both California and Hawaii onto their trail. Shutting down the importation has not proved difficult. Making the connections to the cartel that is supplying the product, that's a different story.
Steve is not thrilled about the L.A. authorities' obvious intentions to drag Emily back into the business of stopping, or more realistically slowing down, the cartel. Still though, he's pretty sure she's not going to give him a say in whether she decides to get involved.
With a couple of final assurances that he will pass along any information that would be relevant to their investigation, Steve finally succeeds in hanging up the phone.
He glances out into the main work area. Emily has maneuvered herself so that she is sitting with her back towards him. He couldn't catch her eye even if wanted to.
And does he want to? Exactly how much of a conversation is he going to have with her here in his office, with the rest of the team out there watching? He checks the time again. It is steadily ticking away.
He wants to tell her that she deserves a normal, stable life, something he can't give her right now. If Jason can…
But what if she doesn't love Jason? What if she loves you?
And how do you feel about her exactly?
Steve shuts his eyes and reaches up with one hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. It's an attempt to relieve the tension in his head. It's not working.
No, forget it. I'm just the road not taken, a what if. If he lets her go, she'll get over it. How he feels about her is irrelevant.
Steve looks out into the work area to see Kono and Danny huddled in conversation. They are each alternately shooting Steve furtive glances, darting their eyes quickly toward Steve and then away again.
With an inward groan he hopes they are talking about work and not his love life, but judging by the way they're acting, he doubts it.
Steve looks away from them and back toward Emily.
Stay away from her Steven. If you go out there, you're going to talk to her. If you talk to her, she's going to give you one of those looks that makes your resolution cave in on itself.
Without meaning to, he stares off into space and images flash through his mind. Emily in the hospital bed, small and fragile, blinking back at him. Emily sitting by the water back at his house, smiling. Emily in his lap, the feel of her mouth against his as they kissed.
His stomach tightens at the memory. Stay in this damn office, for the love of God, stay in this office.
But once his mind is going, it doesn't want to stop. Emily lying next to him in bed when he woke up this morning, staring at the curve of her neck, unable to stop himself from curling up against her back with his arm draped over her side, the flat of her stomach under his hand.
He remembers the warmth of her body against his. Yet he wasn't able to stop worrying that she'd be better off with someone else. He couldn't quiet the fear that he'd get attached to her again, and he'd eventually lose her. And if that was going to be the case, he'd be better off if he stopped now and didn't start anything.
Okay, forget staying in the office, he's wondering if maybe he'd be better off leaving the whole building right now.
Steve shakes his head to try and clear it, and then glances out into the work area. This time Danny looks up and catches his eye. Danny starts toward Steve's office, but Kono stops him with a hand on his arm. She leans in and says something, and he nods at her in return. Danny shoots a last look at Steve before turning away toward the work table. Kono continues the walk towards Steve's office.
Steve groans, please let her want to discuss something work related. He turns his attention back to his desk, shuffling around papers to appear as if he is actually been doing something.
His office door opens and Kono enters, giving him a small smile. He looks up at her and tries to sound casual. "Hey, what's up?"
Her eyes fix on his and she shakes her head slightly. "Not too much to report. Was that L.A. on the phone?"
He nods back at her. "Yes it was. The DEA is moving in to take over this whole thing. They just want assurances that we'll share any information we find relating to the Baja cartel."
"And they want to talk to Emily?" Kono asks him.
"Yes, of course. I've tried explaining that we think her stabbing was because Lincoln thought she was investigating their operations. Not that she actually was investigating anything. But unsurprisingly they want to verify that for themselves. The DEA's office knows Emily from her work in San Diego so…" his voice trails off.
"And you'd be happier if they kept her out of it." Kono gives him a pointed look.
Steve chuckles a little and looks back at her. "Yeah, something like that, but that's impossible unfortunately."
There is silence in the room for a moment. "So are you going to talk to her?"
Steve stares at the desk. "About?"
Kono doesn't say anything but waits for Steve to lift his head and meet her eyes. She raises her eyebrows and cocks her head to the side.
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "What? Did you and Danny toss a coin or something?"
She laughs, "Look, we're not trying to pry."
Yeah right. This time it's Steve's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Okay, we're not trying to pry too much." Kono's mouth is turned up slightly at the corner. "Well, I'm not. I can't speak for Danny though."
Steve watches Kono's face. Her expression reads concerned, not harassing. "So you're hiding?" she asks him.
Steve's eyes dart away from Kono. "I'm not hiding." Even he isn't convinced by the tone in his voice.
"Really?" Her tone is disbelieving.
He laughs, "Maybe a little."
She just stares at Steve, still giving him a slight smile.
After a moment he responds quietly. "Maybe I should just let her go."
"What? Without saying anything?" She gives Steve a quizzical look.
He looks back at her. "What would I say?"
Kono doesn't respond, but she gives him a look that clearly says, oh come on.
"She'll be better off," he tells her.
"Without you? Why?"
Steve lets out a grunt of exasperation. "You know what my life is like. Hell, I can barely keep Danny speaking to me half the time." He waves his hand around and gestures out toward Danny in the work area for emphasis.
Kono laughs, "You have a point there." She looks out the window then back at Steve. "But Steve, you don't have to decide what she should do or if she'd be better off. That's up to her. You only have to figure what you want and tell her. It's not the same thing you know."
He stares back at Kono without speaking. It feels like his throat has closed up and he nods at her. With a last smile, Kono turns and leaves his office. After she's gone his eyes sweep over to check the time. Almost gone.
He looks back out of his office and Danny is watching him with his arms folded across his chest, clearly not happy. When Danny realizes that he has garnered Steve's attention he juts his neck forward and throws his hands up in the universal, what the hell, gesture. His eyes are bulging as he does this.
Steve's eyes shift from Danny back to Emily. With a start he notices that she's gotten up from her chair and is simultaneously packing away her lap top with one hand, while using her other hand to hold her cell phone to her ear.
Damn it, he would bet money she's on the phone with a taxi company. Out of time. Swearing under his breath, Steve rises from his chair and exits his office. He's just in time to hear Emily speaking to Kono who has approached her.
"No, no. I'm fine. You guys are busy and I don't want to interrupt." Emily is telling Kono while shaking her head back and forth. "I've called a cab already."
Steve's chest tightens and he's lost for words. Kono has looked up over Emily's shoulder and catches Steve's eyes. Emily must have noticed Kono's attention change, because she turns her head quickly over her shoulder. Her attention lands on Steve. She gives him a weak smile.
"Looks like it's time for me to get going," she tells him, her eyes on his face.
The pain is his chest is suddenly worse. "Oh, right yeah. Guess I didn't notice the time," he lies. "I'm sorry I can't get away to drive you."
Emily has gone back to packing up her lap top bag. She shoots a quick look at Steve before turning back to what she's doing. "No big deal. It's been quite a day I know. I'm sure I can make it to the airport without a problem."
He starts speaking in a rush. "Someone will be in touch to discuss when you'll need to come back. If you even need to. Depends on what the prosecution decides in handling your case." He's trying to keep his voice even but it's proving difficult.
"Okay." She nods at Steve with a quick glance then crosses the room to collect her suitcase from a corner. When she comes back she turns toward Kono. Danny and Chin have moved to stand nearby as well.
"I can't begin to thank you guys enough, really," she tells them with a wavering voice.
Kono gives her a warm smile back. "Hey, no problem. We're just happy you're okay. It was nice to meet you." Kono steps forward to give Emily a hug, which Emily returns. "Come back some time, even if they don't need you here in person to prosecute John Lincoln. My offer to teach you to shoot still stands." Steve notices how Kono's eyes flick briefly to Steve, her eyes narrowed, as she says this. Steve exhales a breath and looks away from Kono, clenching his jaw.
"Yeah, what she said. Don't be a stranger." Danny chimes in, giving Emily a smile. Danny's eyes also shift from Emily's face back to Steve. As Danny's gaze moves to Steve a clear look of irritation has settled in. Emily appears not to notice as she's gathering her stuff and turning away.
Steve looks away from Danny over to Chin. Chin only raises his eyebrows slightly and gives him a sympathetic smile. Steve tries to smile back, but between the pain in his chest and the lump in his throat it isn't easy.
Emily has all of her things together, and is now standing facing Steve. "I guess this is it." She's looking at him and her eyes are sad. He can't help it, he feels like garbage right now.
He notices that the rest of his team have moved away to the work table, in attempt to give them some space. Steve nods his head at Emily and swallows, trying to clear his throat enough to talk. His eyes dart away from her face then back again. "Let me walk you out, okay?"
Her eyes start to shine a bit and she bites her lip. "No, if it's all the same to you. I'd rather not, okay? I can find my way out."
His heart feels like it has just cracked in half. He keeps his eyes on her face, silent. There it is Steve, she's hurt, you're hurt, fantastic.
He nods at her. "Okay," he answers quietly.
She looks up at him and tries to give him a smile. Her bottom lip trembles a bit as she does so. Steve's eyes widen and he steps forward to give her a hug. As he embraces her, she keeps her body stiff under his arms and only squeezes him briefly before pulling away. With a last look at his face, she grabs her bags, turns toward the exit and starts walking.
Steve's eyes stay on her retreating form. Out of the corner of his eye he catches movement. He looks over to see Kono. She gives Steve a quick look as she jogs after Emily toward the exit. Steve gives Kono a quick nod of gratitude.
"Emily, wait up. Let me at least carry your suitcase, alright?" Kono catches up with Emily just at the doors to exit 5-0 headquarters. Steve doesn't get a look at Emily's face. She doesn't turn around. But he can see her give Kono a nod, and lets her grab the bag. They both exit through the doors.
Steve stands frozen for a moment, still staring at the empty doorway. Finally he turns back toward his office. Without meeting either Chin or Danny's eyes, even though he can feel them watching him, he escapes into his office letting the door close behind him.
Emily has successfully made her way out of the building where 5-0's headquarters is housed. Kono is following close behind. Waiting at the curb is a taxi. Emily's heart is pounding heavily, leaving a thudding sound in her ears. She keeps telling herself that she will not break down under any circumstances, but particularly not in front of a member of Steve's team. It doesn't matter how much she likes Kono, she doesn't want there to be any way her current state could get back to him.
Emily walks up to the driver's side window of the taxi and the driver looks up at her. "Airport?" she asks him.
The driver nods at her and opens his door to get out. He takes Emily's bag from where Kono has placed it on the pavement and walks to the back of the car to load it in the trunk. Emily watches him complete this task, before turning back toward Kono. She tries to give her a smile that is relaxed and unaffected.
Just keep thinking of how good it will feel to be home, she tells herself. Back to her apartment, turning off the phone and crawling into bed, pulling the covers up over her head, and sleeping for days. Screw everything else.
Nope, not working. She still feels lousy.
Kono is watching her but her expression is hard to read.
"Well," Emily smiles at her. "Looks like this time it's actually goodbye." She lets out a nervous laugh. As she speaks, she opens the taxi's back door. "Thanks for being my chauffer. Now you can get back to your actual job."
Kono nods at her. "Anytime. We'll see you soon, okay?"
Emily stops and stares, half in, half out of the car. Her eyes land on Kono's face. Finally she manages a nod, "Yeah, maybe." She pulls her eyes away and sinks down into the seat of the car, shutting the door. She gives Kono a small wave as the car pulls out, trying to ignore that she can now read Kono's expression, and it isn't happy.
The taxi reaches the edge of the property and turns out onto the street. Emily inhales and exhales a breath. It shudders and rattles painfully in her chest. As the car picks up steam and moves away, she closes her eyes, tips her head back against the seat, and releases her tears, letting them run down her face.
Danny Williams is standing in front of the work table in the center of 5-0 headquarters. He and Chin are currently trying to gather information on the two gang members that were seen leaving Richardson's warehouse earlier in the day. Trying being the operative word, there isn't much to go on. It isn't helping that he keeps shooting glances over to Steve, seated at his desk in his office.
"Stubborn idiot," he mutters under his breath.
Chin laughs and Danny looks up at him. "Give him five more minutes," Chin tells Danny.
Danny looks back at him. His eyes narrow in confusion. "Five minutes and then what? I'm not going in there." He taps his own chest with his forefinger. "I want to live."
Chin shakes his head and glances over at Steve, who is still seated at his desk and staring at some paperwork in his hand. "He'll get to her before she gets on the plane." Chin looks back at Danny.
Danny cocks his head to the side and smirks back at Chin. "Really?"
Chin nods at him confidently. "He will."
Danny leans back and folds his arms across chest. "Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Danny raises his eyebrows.
Chin stares back at Danny for a beat before his smile widens. He shoots another quick look over at Steve. He doesn't appear to be paying them any attention. Chin reaches into his pocket, and retrieves his wallet. He pulls out a five dollar bill and places it on the table. He taps his watch with his finger. "Five minutes."
Danny lets out a snort and tosses his head. He reaches into his own wallet and pulls out a bill as well. He places it on the table over Chin's. He looks Chin in the eye and shakes his head. "Too stubborn."
Danny looks up and realizes that Kono has come back into headquarters and has approached the work table. She shifts her eyes from Danny to Chin with suspicion. "What are you two doing?"
Chin has the good grace to look down at the table, embarrassed. Danny, however, has no such compunction. He smiles back at Kono. "Chin here thinks McGarrett will be out the door and going after Emily in," he checks his watch, "oh, four minutes now. I however have maintained that Captain America in there" he gestures toward Steve with one hand, "is too stubborn and is not going to leave his office."
Kono watches Danny. She turns her head to one side slightly and looks over at Steve, then turns back to Chin and Danny. The corner of her mouth quirks up. Finally she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a crumpled five dollar bill which she places on the table. "Less than four minutes."
Chin laughs, still watching the work table and Danny nods his head. "Uh-huh, alright. We'll see. I hope one of you is right," Danny tells them.
Kono is back to punching information into the work table. "Yeah, me too," she says without looking up.
The group continues to work in silence.
Three minutes later the door to Steve's office flies open, and he rushes out. Danny's head jerks up to stare at him in surprise. Chin and Kono have abruptly stopped working and are watching him as well. Chin smiles.
Steve freezes and looks back at them. "I, uh…" he stumbles for words. His eyes roam across each of their faces. "I have to go out for a few minutes," he manages to say.
"Umm, okay." Danny tosses a look at Chin who glances back at him sideways out of the corner of his eye. "We'll be here."
Steve is still standing stock still, looking back at them. Eventually he nods, "Okay, good." He pauses a beat longer without moving, then nods again and turns to walk to the doors.
"Do you have your keys?" Danny calls after him.
Steve stops and turns around to look at Danny. "Huh? What?"
"You seem a bit flustered." Danny smirks at him. "Just making sure you didn't forget anything."
"I am not…." Steve exhales a breath with a growl and rolls his eyes at Danny. "Good bye Danny." He turns and continues toward the exit.
"Good luck." Danny calls after him in a sing song voice.
Once the doors have closed behind Steve, Danny looks up at Chin and Kono who are watching him. "What?"
Chin just shakes his head. "You are not nice, man. Really."
Danny laughs, "Me, I'm very nice. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Danny looks down at the money then pointedly up at Kono. She grins at him, before reaching for the cash and stuffing it into the pocket of her jeans. Danny just shakes his head at her in return.
"And you guys are accusing me of not being nice," he says under his breath.
