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Chapter 13: McGarrett + Weston = McWeston

A/N: WARNING: This chapter is total fluff! If you were just reading for the case, you might want to stop here, although this chapter is fun if I do say so myself. I've sewed up a few loose ends, but mostly I've concluded this story with pure McWeston fluff. For those of you diving in, I hope you enjoy!

She had finally moved upstairs, a big hurdle three weeks into her recovery. She wanted to go home, to spend the night in her own apartment, the place she had been taken from. The longer she stayed away, the harder it was going to be. Steve, however, had other ideas. It wasn't that she didn't want to be here. She just hated that he felt like he needed to take care of her. She had told him as much when he refused to let her leave even though the doctor had released her for light activity. "I know you don't need me to take care of you, but I want to. I like you being here. I like kissing you goodnight right before bed, and I like seeing you first thing in the morning."

"How could she refuse that?" she huffed. So there she was, a willing prisoner in the McGarrett home. At least she was no longer stuck on the couch with her bad foot bandaged and elevated. Light activity included stairs, so upstairs she went. She had been sleeping up there in his old room for one week now. Steve slept in the master bedroom down the hall. She had hoped her mandatory stay would include snuggling with Steve in his bed, but no such luck. She knew she was relegated to the room down the hall because he didn't want to push, and not because he had lost interest. She could feel him clinging to self control every time they kissed. Admittedly, she did very little to help as her self control was wavering as well.

Five weeks into her recovery, cabin fever had her clinched in its fist. She was dressed and ready for work when Steve returned from his run. He found her in the kitchen reading the news on her iPad. "Where are you going?" he asked as he placed a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Work," she said and took another sip of coffee, intentionally avoiding his eyes. Steve grabbed a water from the fridge and took a long drink. He watched her not watching him. "I thought you had another week, at least."

"I feel good. I think I'll go in for a bit. See what I've missed."

"Uh-huh."

She ignored his retort.

"Don't leave without me," he whispered on his way to the shower.

She rolled her eyes and kept reading the morning news.

She had to admit, she was exhausted by lunch time when Steve stopped in to check on her. He took her to eat and then home. She suspected that had been his plan all along when he insisted on driving her to work.

Eight weeks out, every doctor she had seen since her rescue including the FBI counselor released her for normal activity, no restrictions. She couldn't wait to give Steve the news, but he had been unreachable all day. He was the person she wanted to share all her news with, good and bad. She and Steve had grown close over the last three months. She knew it was fast by the usual standards, but she loved him. Their history, in fact, spanned two years now, even though the last three months had been on the fast track. She had loved him, she reckoned, nearly from the beginning. The fire behind those green eyes when she had declared herself not interested in the babysitting job the governor was offering had just about done her in. Walking away from him when she left Five-O had just about killed her. Somewhere along the way, he had become her touchstone. He kept her sane and safe when things were as bad as they could be, and grounded her when memories of the attacks threatened to carry her away. Rarely did they squabble. If and when they did, it was brief and light hearted. She was lost in promise when Steve called to check in. She breathed an inaudible sigh of relief at hearing his voice. He asked about her doctor's appointment and was happy to hear the good news, but he was obviously distracted. "What's happening?" she asked. She assumed it had something to do with the case Five-O had been submerged in as of late. He and the team had been working really hard for the last week or better.

"I think we got 'em this time. I'll be late, tonight. I'm sorry."

"Just be safe. You get home when you get home." With nothing to do but worry and pray, she went upstairs to organize and pack her things. Tomorrow she would tackle her apartment.

He called again three hours later. The intel was good. Everyone was safe. He wouldn't be much longer. He and the Five-O team had finally brought down the head of one of the largest drug cartels in Hawaii. He wanted to be sure that all the t's were crossed and all the i's dotted. She understood and told him not to rush. She relaxed a little, now that she knew he was safe, but she was still too wired to sleep. She instead wondered around the house breathing in the smells and soaking in the memories of her time there. Admittedly, the first few weeks were tough. Steve spent more than one night on the couch with her after flying down the steps half asleep when she awoke screaming. His touch calmed her, and his voice soothed her. With his help, she had gotten better. The nightmares were few and far between now. She wondered if they would return when she went back home to her apartment. She shuttered at the thought, but knew she had to face it and soon.

Steve walked through the door at 9:30 causing butterflies to flutter deep in her gut.

"Lori?" he called.

"In the kitchen," she called back.

"Hey," he said with a smile when he rounded the corner.

"Hey to you."

He walked straight to her and pulled her into a tight hug burying his face in the crook of her neck. "You okay?" she asked.

"Long day," he said and drew back to look at her. He brushed his lips against hers for a lingering moment.

"Are you hungry?"

"No, thanks. We ordered in at Five-O." They continued to hold each other, she with her hands locked behind his waist and he with his hands wrapped around her shoulders and back, rocking to and fro like a leaf caught in an easy breeze.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I don't want you to go."

She smiled warmly. "I have to. I have to know that I can be alone again and be okay."

Steve sighed. He understood, but he didn't like it. All the reasons he had for her to stay were purely selfish, however, and he knew it.

"You're already packed aren't you?"

"For the most part."

"Will you give me one more night?"

"Do you promise to let me go tomorrow?"

He scowled, unhappy with the condition, but he relented without a fight. "Promise."

"Good. Grab your shower and we'll have a beer by the water."

She knew him well and it made him happy. In the past, when a woman started anticipating his moves, it was a signal to let her go, but with Lori, it was comforting - like home. She followed him upstairs, stopping in her room to finish packing. She threw her blouse and skirt in the dirty clothes pile and stretched her neck and shoulders unaware that Steve had backtracked to her room. He was leaning against the doorframe watching her. Desires he had been so careful to keep in check were stirring, threatening to overtake him. She was wearing a black slip that hugged her petite frame accentuating every curve and swell perfectly. Using his super ninja skills, he backed silently out of her room and headed for a cold shower.

Lori felt a tingle in her spine and turned toward the door. It wasn't a feeling of foreboding, but it was a strong feeling none the less and it pulled her down the hall to Steve's room. She saw a discarded dress shirt draped over the chair in the corner. He had looked good enough to eat yesterday wearing that same lavender shirt on his way to meet the governor. Remembering the last time she had dawned a discarded dress shirt of his, she quickly shed the slip and buttoned the shirt around her. She loved the way he smelled. It wasn't his deodorant or his after shave. It was him. He smelled like the ocean and the earth. If nouns could be used to describe his scent, they would be words like honor, truth, strength, and desire, not to mention, man. He was definitely all man. She heard the water stop and the shower curtain slide across the bar. She shuttered involuntarily at the thought of a wet and naked Steve just beyond the door in front of her. She wrapped her arms around her chest and turned to the window, lost in daydreams. Steve opened the door and stopped short. She was breathtaking standing there in his shirt. She felt, more than heard, him enter the room and smiled. She turned slowly to face him. He was wearing a white towel around his waist and nothing else. Moonlight streamed in through the window highlighting his chiseled features. She studied him as beads of water streamed down his chest. She envied their course. Her feet carried her to him and her hands pulled his lips to hers. He lifted her against him and she opened her mouth to his. A soft moan escaped her throat, stealing what little control he had left. He carried her to the bed sweeping the covers back with one hand and laid her gently down on sheets that smelled like him. She breathed him in needing him like oxygen. He slid his body over hers graceful yet powerful like an ocean wave. He trailed his knuckles down the line of her jaw. She could feel the calluses rough against her skin. His kisses were painfully tender. They lingered on her lips, her cheek, and her neck leaving tiny sparks hot against her skin. She felt the lean muscles of his arms as her hands drifted up and around to his back. He rolled to one elbow and drug the palm of his free hand up her thigh and under her shirt. He gripped her tiny waist as she went to work on the buttons wanting desperately to feel his bare chest against her own. He swept his hand up her ribs, over her scar, and across her breast helping her free her arm. He lowered his chest to hers and she wiggled out of the other sleeve. She wrapped her legs around his waist locking her ankles for leverage and arched her back driving her hips into his. Their hands moved frantically over each other feeling and exploring hot skin, each tasting the other hungrily. He sat up on his knees and she immediately reached for him. He pulled the towel from his waist and threw it to the floor. Grabbing her outstretched arms her drug her to him so that they faced each other on their knees. He kissed her greedily, frantic with need. He nibbled at her neck leaving a trail of fire from her ear to her breast. She grabbed his biceps bracing herself against the fury of his explorations arching her back and leaning into him fueling his passion. His hands moved quickly over her and she melted into him. His frenzied kisses slowed becoming more deliberate and unhurried. Passion, kindled by love rather than lust, caused him to shutter. He eased her back onto the bed and nudged her legs apart with his knee. She stretched her arms over her head waiting and wanting. It was his turn to study her. He stared into her green cat-like eyes willing her to understand what she meant to him. His gazed dropped to her swollen lips and pert breasts finally landing on the fresh scar that ran across her last two ribs ending near her belly button. She watched as he bent and placed a soft kiss at the base of the scar. He pressed his body against hers and she again slid her legs around his waist. His touch was gentle and deliberate. Light exploded beneath her eyelids as he lifted her to the peak of passion. She buried her face in his chest and cried out when they united as one. He moved as gently as he could giving her time to relax into a rhythm they orchestrated together. She rocked beneath him feeling herself again being lifted to a precipice she hadn't previously known existed. She again cried out as heat spread from her toes to her eyes causing stars to explode beneath her lids. She tried to wiggle away sure she could stand no more, but he held her in place as powerful waves washed over her again and again. She felt weightless and dizzy as Steve shuttered and grunted before collapsing on top of her. His heart threatened to beat out of his chest. She could feel it racing against her own. He was slick with sweat. It felt thick and viscous as she ran her fingers up and down his back. She uncurled her toes and relaxed beneath him.

"Did I hurt you?" he whispered into the sheets.

"Not that I'm aware of," she said and kissed his shoulder.

He pulled himself up to his elbows and looked hard into her eyes. "You sure you're okay?"

"Way better than okay. I promise," she said and cupped his cheek in her hand. He leaned into her touch before kissing her palm. He pushed her hair behind her ear and ran his hand up and down her arm. "I love you," he whispered

"I know," she said as she ran her finger over the dimple in his chin. "I love you too."

"Are you really gonna' make me take you to your place tomorrow?"

"I need to spend a few days there at least. It's the last step. Then I can put everything that happened behind me."

"When will you be back home?"

"Home?" she asked, confused.

"Here... Home is here."

She blinked hard trying to hold back the sudden onslaught of tears. Steve kissed her forehead and rolled her so that her back was tucked into his chest. They drifted quickly into peaceful, dreamless sleep each content with the true meaning of home.

H5O

Prologue: May 18, 2014

"Hey," Steve called quietly to Danny as he passed by his office door. Danny turned around and answered him in kind. "Come here for a second. I want to show you something."

"Alright," Danny said curiously and stepped into Steve's office.

Steve removed a small black velvet box from his top drawer and handed it to Danny.

Danny looked at the box and grinned. "Is this what I think it is?"

Steve stood square with his arms crossed over his chest, the picture of confidence except for the fact that he was chewing on his thumb nail, just about to chew it off in fact. "Open it."

Danny did just that. "It's nice. Are you proposing?" he teased.

"Nice?" Steve said and grabbed it out of his hand. "What do you mean nice? It's more than nice."

"Hey, what's up," Kono said as she joined them in Steve's office. She immediately noticed the little box in Steve's hand. "What's that?" she sang.

Steve handed it to her. She drew in a sharp breath. "Oh, Boss, it's gorgeous."

"See, Danny. Gorgeous!"

"Does this mean what I think it does?"

"I hope so," Steve said a bit shyly.

"When are you gonna' ask her?"

"Tomorrow night. We're going hiking in the morning up Kaiwa Ridge. We'll be there for the weekend."

"That's smart," Danny teased. "Ask her at the top of a mountain so she can't run away."

"Funny," Steve scowled.

H5O

Kiawa Ridge Trail

"How you making it?" Steve asked as he gave Lori a hand up.

"Good," she said. "Just a bit winded. I guess I'm more out of shape than I thought."

"This is a good place to rest. There's a great look out point just over there," he said pointing west. "We can even camp here if you'd rather."

"No, I want to go to the top," she said and planted a quick kiss on his lips. She headed west toward the lookout, Steve in tow.

They soon hit the trail again, rested and hydrated making it to the top just before sunset. "It's beautiful," she said as she looked out across the ocean. "Why haven't we taken this trail before?"

"I was saving it," he said as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

She covered his hands with hers. "For what?"

He stepped to her side and pulled her around to face him. "For this," he said taking her hand and turning it, palm up. He placed the little black box in her hand and covered it with his. "I want you to have this. It's a promise, from me to you." She started to shake as the reality of the moment set in. "I promise to spend the rest of my life doing whatever I can to make you happy. My whole world begins and ends with you. I promise to take care of you and to give you the space you need, when you need it, to take care of yourself. I promise to love you through thick and thin and when love isn't enough, I promise to give you more. I want to be your husband, Lori and I want you to be my wife... Will you marry me?"

Tears bathed their joined hands where they fell from Lori's chin. She nodded her answer unable to speak. Steve opened the delicate little box perched in her open palm. A nervous giggle escaped her throat at the sight of the modest solitary diamond held firmly in place by a simple silver setting. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She handed the open box to Steve and flipped her hand over. He slid his promise deftly onto her ring finger. She admired it in the setting sun before launching herself into his arms. He caught her and swung her up into his embrace burying his head in the crook of her neck.

H5O

Looks like you're gonna need a new journal," Steve commented as he settled in next to her by the fire he had built.

"No, this is the last entry. I don't need it anymore."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," she said on a sigh. "Would you mind of I read a few entries to you?"

"Are you sure?" he asked. He knew how private her journal had to be. Her therapist had encouraged her to keep a diary of sorts of her recovery. He would see her sometimes writing in it furiously, tears streaming down her face. That was especially true in the beginning. Other times he would catch her smiling and relaxed as she wrote often lifting her head and peaking at him with a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin.

When she nodded, he leaned back against the rock behind them. She did the same and cleared her throat before sharing her written words.

November 20, 2013

Where to start? Dr. Olivet insists that a journal will aid in my recovery, my mental recovery that is, but I didn't even write in a diary when I was little. I understand the theory behind writing everything down, and I really like Olivet, so I promised her that I would give it a try. Poor Steve, he's been amazing. My parents left yesterday. They stayed here at the house for a week, sleeping upstairs in the spare bedroom. They told Steve they would be fine at a hotel, but he insisted. I'm stuck down here on the couch for now. My foot is healing where Bull sliced it open. It was infected so they had to debride it and let it heal by second intent. Steve insists on doing the bandage changes because it still hurts too badly to bend and reach for my foot. My left hand is useless right now anyway. My wrist was badly sprained from the strain of my weight when I was hanging on that hook. The big cut across my stomach is healing well too. The stitches pull and my ribs hurt worse than anything, but I'm alive. Nine days in the hospital. I thought I would lose my mind after the first four.

She hugged her knees to her chest and flipped to the next dog eared page.

December 11, 2013

Went in to work today. It was awkward to say the least. Jenkins even held his snide remarks to a minimum. Came home after lunch exhausted, but I feel like writing. Seeing Jenkins today forced me to think about Markus's death. I have forgiven myself for wanting him to die, wanting a part of him to die anyway. I wanted Bull to die. I wanted him to die a slow and painful death full of unimaginable suffering. I wanted him to feel what I had felt. The paralyzing fear and overwhelming helplessness that I and the twenty-two other women who suffered at his hands felt. Twenty-two women. That's such a small number when you apply it to most things, but when you are referencing death; twenty-two at the hand of one man is huge. The thing I struggle with most is that in wishing for Bull's death, I was also damning Markus, Markus who remained innocent right to the end. He was weak and insignificant, abandoned at three, barely a blip on anyone's radar. He was forced to create within himself someone who cared. It is because of that, at least in part, that I did not die. Nana kept me alive physically. Steve kept me alive emotionally. God used them both to carry me through. Add Markus to the list of victims and the number grows to twenty-three. That's unfathomable. I will carry that number in my heart, but I will not let it destroy me.

She stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned her head on Steve's shoulder. He saw her swipe at her eyes without a sound and placed his hand lightly on her thigh waiting patiently for her to continue.

December 18, 2013

Steve told me he loved me tonight. It wasn't dramatic or even romantic. It was real and honest and unrehearsed. We had just finished watching a movie, the second Aliens. I made him watch it with me. The last three nights have been nightmare rough. Ripley was a strong woman and she kicked a lot of ass in that movie. I needed to see that. Throw in Corporal Hicks, soft spoken yet tough, man enough to work with a woman instead of around her, and you've got arguably, the best movie of all time. Steve was amused when I told him it was one of my favorites, right up there with Footloose and Gladiator. He didn't believe me until he caught me mouthing the lines with the actors. I know every word by heart.

Back to the "I love you." When the movie was over, I grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. Steve stretched his legs and leaned forward turning to look at me over his shoulder. I was leaning back on the couch with my blanket thrown across me. "You need anything?" he asked me. I shook my head. "No I'm good." He stood up and leaned down to kiss me goodnight, same as every night. It was a quick kiss, not one of those tempting hell fire kisses like he sometimes lays on me. We were both tired having not had much sleep as of late; thanks to me. When he pulled back, I stroked his cheek and flashed him a sincere smile, wordlessly thanking him once again for putting up with me. That's when he said it. "I love you." It was as if he had said it to me a hundred times before. I stared after him like an idiot and watched him ascend the steps two at a time. No nightmares last night.

Steve kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I do love you." Lori lifted her chin and kissed him softly on the lips. "I know," she smiled. "I love you too."

January 6, 2014

We went out with the team last night. It was Kono's birthday. She's still dating Detective Young. He seems sincere, but Chin and Steve are protective and they haven't completely warmed to the idea yet. We went to LuLu's for dinner and drinks. Nothing says happy birthday like bar food. It was delicious! Mel and the Party Hats were playing. Best cover band ever. I've seen them play three or four times here on the island. They played "Free" by the Zac Brown Band and Steve and I danced. I did feel free wrapped in Steve's arms. Makes no sense, I know. How can you feel so utterly free being held close and tight by strong arms? I don't know, but I did. I do. I rose to my tippy toes and whispered "I love you too" in his ear. Better late than never, I suppose. My feet left the ground as he lifted me into a quick bear hug before whispering, "I know." I think I snorted in his ear. That's our thing now. One says, "I love you," and the other says, "I know." It's good to have a thing. His dry, unexpected humor is just one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him. I had hoped that he might stay with me tonight, but no such luck. When he kissed me goodnight, I did my best to make it difficult for him to walk away, but his resolve is unwavering. He won't lay a hand on me until I've had my medical release. Thank goodness I see my surgeon in three days.

Steve chuckled. "I took a lot of cold showers in January."

January 13, 2014

I hesitated before entering the apartment. I tried so hard not to, but my feet felt like lead. Steve went in ahead of me flipping on lights and clearing each room. I had made it into the living room by the time he returned. There were no signs of a struggle, no evidence that anyone uninvited had been in the apartment. I didn't realize I was crying until Steve wiped a tear away with his thumb and pulled me protectively to him. He said he would stay either in my bed or on my couch, whichever I preferred, but he wasn't leaving, not tonight. I think I argued, but only half heartedly. To be honest, the thought of being alone was terrifying. I closed the bathroom door and locked it, a new habit I've developed. It used to be that I never even closed the door. When I opened it, Steve was setting on the floor across the hall. He stood and waited for me to take the lead. I know that wasn't easy for him. I held my hand out and let him pull me to him. I gave him a quick kiss and patted his chest trying to reassure us both. I slept in my bed and he started on the couch, but my nightmare had him hurrying back down the hall to my room. He held me and I slept, his strength keeping the nightmares at bay. I tried again the next night, but I saw Bull in my dreams yet again. I woke this time before I felt the searing pain that always seemed so real. Neither did I see my own blood pooling at my feet, as was usual. Most importantly, I didn't wake screaming.

January 16, 2014

No nightmares, not since the second night back in my apartment. Steve and I had dinner out tonight. He asked me to come home with him, to stay the night with him in his bed. I agreed, quite willingly. We made love for the second time. It was as wonderful as the first. We took our time, touching, feeling, and learning each other. He fell asleep quickly, wrapped tightly around me. I moved and he rolled to his back. I took the opportunity to watch him sleep. He's beautiful, no one could argue that point, but he's so much more than that. I kissed his hair and snuggled into his side. I am not well yet. I still have scary dreams, but they are just that, scary dreams, not the gripping nightmares that plagued my sleep in the months that followed the attack. I am, however whole and complete and that is the greatest blessing that love affords.

Lori flipped through the journal, skipping nearly to the end.

April 22, 2014

Last appointment with Olivet today. She has declared me sane. It's nice to have that reassurance! We've mostly talked about Markus for the last month or so, anyway. He would have been a fascinating study. Schizophrenia complicated by multiple personality disorder is extremely rare. I still hurt for Markus, but feel nothing but relief that Bull is dead. Markus is finally at peace and that gives me comfort as well. To say that my life is good would be the understatement of the year. It's not easy, but it's better than I deserve. I worry about Steve and the things he does at work, but I can't protect him, and I would never ask him to change. His work ethic and his fearless pursuit of what is right first drew me to him. His gentleness and his incredible capacity to love sealed the deal. But still I worry. I suppose I always will.

May 18, 2014

This will be my last entry and boy what a doozey. Steve just asked me to marry him and I, of course, said yes. Turns out he and my family have been skypeing. He asked for my Dad's permission weeks ago and showed my mom the ring. I will call them as soon as we get back. So much has happened since last fall. I have been blessed with two second chances, two more than most folks are granted. I have my life and I have Steve. I will thank God everyday for his blessings and I will do my best to make Steve as happy as he makes me.

She closed the journal and rubbed the front of it fondly before tossing it into the fire. Steve jumped and dove for it. She grabbed his arm. "Let it go."

"What?" he said, alarmed.

"I don't need it anymore. I have you and I have your promise. I have the memories I need in my head. The rest is just baggage. Let it burn."

Steve stood and pulled her with him. "I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

"Did I mention that I want to marry you soon?"

"How soon?"

"As soon as possible."

"Then I guess I have some planning to do, huh? Something simple and intimate. What if we..."

A/N: You can take it from there! Thank you so much for reading. This was a great deal of fun to write. Hope it did not disappoint. I don't like goodbyes, therefore conclusions are extremely difficult for me to write. I prefer to leave things open for further imagination. Would love to read your parting thoughts, so how about one last review?

God Bless,

Rennie