Epilogue

Elle decided to wear the little bikini happy in the knowledge that space had eventually been found for it. She was up to her neck in the bluest ocean treading water and thinking that life was improving every day. Her new job was going well, and she had found a house to rent and was just waiting to finalise. Yes she was confident, that at this moment in time things were definitely looking up. She sighed.

Elle turned her head to have her open mouth filled with salt water and trying to recover from what entity had splashed her; a wave then wash over her disorientating her completely. A strong arm came around her waist, bringing her back to the water's surface spluttering and with her hair plastered to her face unable to visualise her rescuer. Two sets of arms were grabbing at her along with her own flapping apendages; she must have looked like that Hindu God; you know the one... with the flailing arms. Elle wasn'tl completely out of her depth and could stand perfectly well, although the crew she was with had other ideas. Picking her up and carrying her to the beach, they laid her down on her towel.

"You think she needs CPR?" A voice said

"Nah" said another "she's breathing fine look at her chest"

"I'm looking, I'm looking" replied one to the other "but best I check her airways anyway" said the male voice

"You come anywhere near me Danny Williams and I will undertake a medical procedure I am not yet qualified for" said Elle.

"That's a little harsh don't you think?" said Danny

"I think she's serious brah" Chin replied.

"You know" said Elle getting up from the sand, "I just want to enjoy this beautiful day, without any stresses and strains of rescues and any further trauma's. I want to centre myself and be at one with nature"

Danny smirking held his hand out to her, and raised her to her feet. Looking out on the water, while brushing the sand from her bottom; her wet hair had plastered itself to her face. She brushed it aside; the waves called so quietly to her at the water's edge she headed back in with a determined look on her face, and her head held high.

In the distance, she could see the man and the woman looking at her from their surf boards. Knowing that the waves they were catching were a different kettle of fish to those which now lapped at her thighs. They were out playing with the 'big boys.'

"Careful there sistah" shouted Chin from the shoreline, Elle looked back to see the two guys watching her carefully. She continued to wade out and spoke politely to a guy who was on his vacation from California. Seeing Danny in her periphery, she moved away from the holiday maker wishing him a very nice day. Turning, Elle waded further into the water breathing in a deep cleansing breath. Suddenly a whoosh in front of Elle startled her, knocking her a little off balance once more. "What the..."

Steve caught her around the waist and threw her into the air, she landed none to gracefully. Once more regaining her balance, she gave him a stare which would make Godzilla whimper.

"What?" he asked. "We're just letting off steam" he said.

"I am leaving" said Elle,

"What?" he asked "leaving? Where are you going?"

"Home" she said turning and wading back towards the shore clearly miffed.

"But I thought we were all going out to celebrate you finding a house" he said following so that his knees were now visible against her thighs which remained underwater.

Elle stood with her hands on her hips and looked at him through half closed eyes.

"McGarrett you..." she couldn't finish as his lips covered her mouth stifling any words that were caught in transit. She responded (as he knew she would) by putting her arm around his waist. Her lips curling for a minute as he asked "what?" she pulled on the string of his boardies and tugged slightly while she watched his horror as they fell revealing all his wedding tackle. There was a cheer from the shoreline as Steve sat down trying to redeem his composure and pull his pants up at the same time.

Elle tried to move as fast as she could; but because she was laughing so hard it took longer. She claimed after landing on the beach it was like running through custard. Eventually she managed to get out before he could grab her.

With her feet planted on the sand she picked up her towel bringing it up to hide her face. He ran up behind her and brought her down to his lap. "What should I do guys?" he asked the other members of the team.

"Spank! Spank! Spank!" shouted Danny,

Elle struggled but he turned her so her bottom faced him. Raising is hand he brought it down on her behind; and it stung her.

"Ow!" she said but this was because her skin was wet still, and not because of any force behind his action.

"Enough" she shouted "I have had enough" he pulled her up so that she was sitting with her back to his chest and she leaned against him.

"Sorry" she said looking up at him a smile breaking through.

"Oh man" said Danny bent double laughing "I think I've been traumatized enough, but that display surely topped the bill, I'm scarred for life."

"You know Elle, you have broken public decency laws" said Chin. "We could have you in a cell in less than ten minutes."

"Oh yeah?" she said threateningly.

"I have to admit though you had the boss sweating a bit there" he said smiling

Kono stood behind Chin and said "I can't believe I just saw the boss' ass! A full moon on display and in daylight too!"

"Believe it girl" said Elle high fiving her friend.

Steve shook his head, "I'm never going to live this down am I?"

"You'll never forget it that's for sure" said Kono "I have it captured for posterity" she said shaking her cell at him.

"Kono, seriously?" said Chin

"Oh I'm afraid so cuz" she said laughing.

Steve took Elle by the waist and whispered into her ear "please don't think you got away with that. I have my revenge so sweetly planned"

"Stephen McGarrett" she said "it's time to quit. Do me one favour? and keep all that pent up energy you have for a dance with me later."

As they were all out that evening celebrating, they shared transport. Elle travelled with Kono and Chin; while Steve drove and Danny rode shotgun. Again. They had made reservations to dine and then enjoy a little dancing afterwards at the Hilton.

Kono had chosen a short black dress which accentuated her figure and her lean legs as it hugged her beautiful body tightly. Elle wore a pale lemon coloured sleeveless dress that wrapped around her curves and swayed as her hips moved. A low neckline was preferred by both ladies. Elle however was very well endowed in the boob department, which was enhanced greatly by the low "v". She wore her necklace with the rings swung lightly as she moved her upper body. Both ladies had their heels on and were ready for some action.

Dashing the as the men appeared, they couldn't help but whistle as they ladies approached them. In their respective designer jeans or dress pants topped by smart crisp dress shirts and cloaked in fitted jackets; they certainly turned the ladies heads as they waited at the bar. Elle hugged and kissed, as Europeans do when they greet. Kono just nudged the guys because underneath all the glamour she was really one of them.

Stomachs now full Kono and Elle decided that cocktails were the drink of choice, "what shall we have Kono?" asked Elle.

"Let's go with Lava Flows" said Kono.

"Hmm sounds good for starters."

"Bartender!" shouted Elle "we need two Lava flows here stat" she giggled

Danny and Steve looked at Chin who said "I think it's going to be carnage." They laughed while clinking their bottles.

Elle and Kono left their empty glasses, and started to move with the music. They were approached by a couple of older gents who guided them on to the dance floor, the tempo was quite fast and although the girls kept time, the guys were sweating and were looking for an easy escape. As the music finished the men almost ran to their tables looking for refreshment. Elle failed to let go of the arm of her dance partner and tried to drag him back. Steve came to his rescue, by taking her by the waist to the music and sweeping her around the floor. He pulled her in closely and held her to him.

"You ok down there?" he asked

"Immm kay" she replied talking into his chest. "You done with the dance floor?" He asked

"Are you kidding?" she replied pulling away and calling to Kono "SISTAH!"

Again they began to sway their hips against each other Steve moved well out of the way to let them continue their version of dirty dancing which raised a few eyebrows and a few smiles. When they finished they had another cocktail and sat down to recover, they were laughing hysterically and Elle said that she wanted to dance with Chin and Danny before the night was through.

As the music slowed, people began to dissipate; Steve took Elle by the hand and led her to dance the last dance before they left. "I think someone is going to have a headache in the morning" he said quietly into her ear.

"I don't have hangovers" said Elle "I stick to one or two drinks" she finished

"You've had a lot more than one or two tonight baby" he said

"No" she said "I stuck to cocktails and beer"

"Yeah? well I beg to differ" he said "four different cocktails on top of the beer does not qualify as a couple in my book I'm afraid."

She held him close and with her heels she could rest her head on his shoulder, his arms were around her waist with one hand resting on the top of her bottom. "This is nice" she said quietly. Chin and Danny were in deep conversation about something and Kono was hanging on their every word. "Steve?" she asked "can we go home?"

"I think that can be arranged" he replied.

Leading her off the dance floor Elle turned to Kono and apologised for being a light-weight but she was so tired and a little drunk and thought that it would be a good idea to get some sleep.

"You going home to get some rest?" asked Danny

"Eventually" replied Elle smiling before Steve could open his mouth. "Don't forget you guys are coming to lunch tomorrow"

While they travelled in the cab, Elle was on best behaviour; she could smell his cologne along with his own musky smell which she loved. He held her hand pulling her closer and she buried her face into his neck taking him in. She turned her head and he pulled his arm over her shoulder to her chest, resting his entwined hand in hers. He kissed the top of her head and asked how she was feeling.

"Kind of fuzzy at the moment" she said "some coffee should do the trick."

She could hear a soft low chuckle emit from somewhere in his chest, as he held her tightly. Her hand was on his thigh and she scraped her nails across his leg knowing it would drive him wild. He shifted in his seat. As soon as the cabbie dropped them off at the door, Steve picked her up "I can walk you know" she said.

"I know" he replied "it just takes too long"

He put the key in the lock and pressed the code, gathering her once more in his arms and placing her back on her feet once inside, he closed the door behind them using his foot while keeping a hand around Elle's waist.

He took one look at her face and slammed his lips onto hers; his hands were on her back sweeping over her skin which was warm to the touch. She moaned softly as he slid his hands from her waist to her neck briefly skirting her breast on the way. Her nipples reacted immediately to his touch. His hand cupped her face as he continued to kiss her; his tongue reaching into her mouth and dancing with hers. She broke away briefly to catch her breath before resuming.

His hands reached down to under the hem of her dress dragging it slowly up to her hip revealing her soft thigh to the night air. Goosebumps on her flesh making her aware that her flesh was exposed. His hand lingered briefly over her underwear and she thought she heard a low growl from his chest. He fingered the tie on her wrap around dress and tugged.

"Double knot" she said "I will show you how to make one for your boardies" she said grinning into him.

He picked her up and carried her to the stairwell; she had her legs wrapped around him as he made his way up the few steps to his room. Planting her feet once more on the ground he undid the knot on her dress and carefully unwrapped her. Elle twirled as the material peeled away uncovering her body. She stood before him in her bra and panties and put her thumb nail into her mouth. She had that look of innocence which he adored and he enveloped her.

Steve's hands found the fastening of her bra which he unhooked and pulled away from her body. He quickly stepped in to the bathroom, when he returned Elle had found her way into his bed she was naked. He took no time in slipping between the sheets pulling her against his body. They lay side by side. He pulled her by the waist as he rolled onto his back. Elle now straddled him.

She leaned down and kissed his scruff rubbing her cheek against the rough shadow which grew around his face. She made a trail with her tongue down from his lips to his neck. Her lips came to a halt at his sternum as she reached over and licked his nipple taking the pebbled bud into her mouth; he moaned as she began to suckle him gently. He placed his hands under her arms and threw her down on the bed and on to her back.

"My turn" he said in a low almost whisper of a voice, he pulled the sheet that lay across them down towards they're feet. "I want to see all of you" he said as she wriggled under his touch.

His kisses left her breathless, he covered every part of her body which lay open before him, and Elle pulled him to her lips. "Take me now Steve" she said pleading "please?"

They made love slowly and sweetly to begin with, she called out his name as he pleasured her over and yet again until finally sated, she lay in his arms.

Her head rested on his chest a shimmer of perspiration visible on her body; as a fragment of light which had pried into the room fell upon her skin. His large hand rubbed her back soothing her with a fluid motion as she caught her breath; and her heart rate returned to normal.

"Wow" she said the words catching in her throat as her mouth had become dry. "We need to try that again"

Steve laughed, and held her tighter, kissing her head "I haven't finished with you yet" he said as his hand stroked her inner thigh once more.

Strong sunlight strayed through the gap in the blinds forcing Elle to open at least one eye. She had curled herself around Steve wrapping one leg over his thigh and her arm was thrown across his chest. She moved her head to look up at him, continuing to keep the one eye closed. He was awake and staring down at her.

"You'll get cramp" she said trying to move. He held her firmly.

"I love holding you in my arms Elle, I have told you before" he replied. She snuggled up to him further and kissed his bare chest.

"Who would have thought it McGarrett? That we would have experienced such adventures six months ago, meeting on that aeroplane like we did."

"Fate brought us together" he said "although I had noticed you in the airport so there was no way I was losing you. I made sure of that. I asked to be seated near you on that flight" he said

"You did?" she asked "and there was I, I thought you were irritated by me" she said

"I was to begin with" he said "when you began to get flustered around me, I could only smile. I knew then I'd get you in the end" he said "It was fate"

"Bullshit!" she said "How can you look me in the eye and tell me logically, that fate brought us together?"

"Well I call it fate? Call it what you want." He said "All I know is that people come into our lives every day. It's up to us to chose who we want to stay and be a part of it"

"Do you want me to stay?" asked Elle surprised "It's been such a short time and a rollercoaster ride so far. Meeting, the dinner, the kidnapping, my Mother, the shooting, going home, Jeremy Urgh!" she recalled in horror.

"I know" he said burying his nose in her hair "It's been a real journey. But I think we are good together, plus, I kinda like having you around the place"

"I don't know if I like being compared to a favourite pair of slippers" she said "I enjoy your company too Mister. But knowing you, has certainly had led to some serious ups and downs between us over the past few months don't you think?" she asked

He smiled as he drew his finger down over her cheek to her throat as she swallowed. His hand traced its way down to her breast, and skirted her nipple. Elle could hear herself moaning softly.

"Talking of serious ups and downs he said..." He threw himself on top of her covering her body with his. His lips met hers for a deep and searching kiss. He placed her hands either side of her head and held her firmly; unable to move she arched her back towards him trying to find some release against his body.

As Elle responded to his touch, she knew her fate (or call it what you want) was sealed. Well for that morning at least. How long it would last wasn't in their hands. Only time would tell, but so far, it looked so very, very good.