Authours note: Some of the dialouge may seem familiar because I took it from the show. It does not belong to me and I take no credit for it. Also, thank you for all the kind reviews :)

Allison found herself sitting once again at Rachel's kitchen table around noon that day. She believed Steve when he told her that he wasn't going to run away again, but part of her was still uneasy and she decided that talking it over with someone might help her work through her issues. Since Rachel was really the only person in Hawaii that she knew, she was the obvious choice and after calling first to make sure she was home, Allison had rushed over.

"So what seems to be the issue?" Rachel asked, pouring them both something to drink. "You sounded upset on the phone."

"It's not really an issue, I guess," Allison said, not sure how to explain. "But I, uh, went on a date with Steve last night and we ended up sleeping together."

The last few words out of her mouth were so rushed that Rachel almost didn't catch them, but she managed to figure it out and smiled sympathetically at her new friend.

"And now you're scared he's going to disappear again." She guessed. Allison nodded.

"A little." She confessed. "But I kind of told him that I was and he promised me that he wouldn't and I believe him, but I don't at the same time."

"That's perfectly understandable," Rachel assured her. "But you have to give him chance to prove that you can trust him again."

"But if I do that, aren't I just giving him a chance to hurt me again?"

Rachel smiled at the younger woman sitting across from her.

"Of course, but that's the thing with love, isn't it? You have to just throw yourself into it and hope you come out alright."

Before Allison could reply there was a knock on the door. She was about to apologize for coming over with all her problems if Rachel had plans, but she noticed the confused look on the other woman's face and stayed quiet.

"I wonder who that could be," Rachel mumbled before going to answer the door.

Allison stayed in the kitchen for a few minutes until she heard Rachel raise her voice.

"No, absolutely not." Rachel said, grabbing Allison's attention. Her curious nature once again got the best of her and she snuck into the foyer to see what was going on.

"Fine, then I'll talk to Stanley," She heard Steve's partner and Rachel's ex-husband, Danny say as he walked into the house. "He's a goof, but at least he'll listen to reason."

"Stan is on a business trip to Indonesia," Rachel shouted over Danny, neither of them having noticed Allison yet. "And I knew that you would find a way to engage with me while he was gone."

"Okay, this has nothing to do with you and I," Danny argued. "You have potential murder suspects living next door and we just need access so we can do surveillance."

"Surveillance?" Rachel seemed skeptical.

"Yeah," A familiar voice piped up. "And then we'll be out of your hair. Trust me, they're bad people. You don't want them walking around your neighbourhood."

"Steve?" Allison said, stepping forward a bit more so she could see where he was standing by the door.

"Ally?" Steve's surprise evident in his voice. Danny turned around, obviously surprised as well.

"Oh well isn't this cute." Danny smirked. "Your girlfriend buddying up with my ex-wife."

Rachel rolled her eyes.

"What? Am I not allowed to have friends now, Danny?"

Allison, however, was more focused on what he'd called her and turned to Steve.

"Your girlfriend?" She asked, smiling slightly. "One date and you tell everyone I'm your girlfriend?"

Steve's eyebrows wrinkled together.

"Oh great, now she's giving him aneurysm face." Danny muttered. Steve quickly relaxed his face, glaring at Danny.

"I don't have an 'aneurysm face'," He said before turning to Allison. "And yeah, I mean, I thought after last night...and this morning, that we were...you know."

Steve tripped over his words, trying to find an explanation while painfully aware that everyone was looking at him. Allison smiled at his awkwardness and crossed her arms.

"Last time I checked, Steve, you're supposed to ask me first." She informed him.

Steve opened his mouth to reply, but Danny cut him off.

"This is great, real adorable, but not the time. Steve, we have work to do."

"Danny!" Rachel scolded, but Steve straightened up.

"No, he's right." He said, turning back to Rachel. "Have you noticed anything unusual with your neighbours?"

The two men asked Rachel a few more questions before she informed them she had to go pick Grace up from school. As she went into the kitchen to grab her purse, Allison followed.

"Well thanks for the advice," She said, grabbing her things as well. "I should probably go."

However, Rachel stopped her.

"Do you have work later?" Allison shook her head. "Would you mind staying? It would be nice to know there's someone to keep an eye on them while I'm gone and once I get back, having someone else here might help ease the tension between Danny and I."

"Yeah, sure." Allison said with a shrug.

Rachel quickly thanked her before rushing out the door, leaving Allison to babysit the two cops upstairs.

She went upstairs a few minutes later and found them setting up as Danny complained about the size of Rachel and Stan's bed.

"Jealousy's not a good colour on your, Dectective Williams." She spoke up, alerting them to her presence.

"Jealous? Who's jealous? I'm just saying it's not necessary for anyone to have a bed big enough to be its own country!" He criticized.

"No need to get defensive," Allison teased. Danny stared at her before turning to his partner.

"She's as bad as you are," He said. "Maybe even worse."

Steve chuckled as he set up their cameras.

"She's worse." He agreed. "Definitely worse."

"Hey, I'd watch it if I were you, Sailor," She warned. "You're still on probation."

"Sorry, Al." Steve smiled. "I'll be nice."

Danny shook his head at the two of them, sitting in a chair near Steve.

"So how'd you and my charming ex-wife become such good friends?" He asked.

"We just got talking after I dropped Grace off last week," Allison shrugged. "And I came over today to talk a few things over with her, get some advice."

Steve looked up, intrigued by her comment.

"Advice on what?"

"Private and confidential matters," Allison replied, not willing to spill all her secrets.

"See," Danny said, looking up at Steve. "This relationship is toxic. I forbid you to be friends with my ex."

Allison raised an eyebrow.

"That's really none of your business, Detective, but I'll pass it on to Rachel." She informed him before turning to leave the room.

"You're in trouble now, Danno." Steve teased. Allison heard a thud that sounded like it came from someone being hit with a pillow, but figured it would be safer not go to back and investigate.

Once Rachel was back from taking Grace to her friend's house, she and Allison spent the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening chatting in the kitchen. Allison learnt all about Danny and Rachel's relationship and also decided there were still a few unresolved feelings between them and Rachel was fairly confident that she had convinced Allison to give the Commander another chance instead of cutting him off completely at the risk of being hurt.

It was getting late when Danny finally came downstairs and informed the two women that the suspects were out of the house and that he was going in to look for evidence. He disappeared before they could even wish him luck and the now intrigued women headed upstairs to see Steve.

"You don't have to worry," Steve assured them. "Danny's a great cop. He knows what he's doing."

"Yeah," Rachel agreed. "I used to tell myself that every day before he went to work."

"Did it help?" Steve asked.

"Not really," Rachel confessed as Allison noticed movement on one of the screens.

"Steve, look." She pointed to it and Steve turned back to the window.

"Danny, Danny, you gotta move man, I've got the other two suspects coming in through the garage." He sounded nervous and that put both the women on edge as he turned towards them. "Have you got any flammables in the garage? Any kerosene, any gasoline?"

"What?!" Rachel asked as she began to panic.

"Danny's in trouble," He informed them. "I've gotta create a diversion."

"I-I have a thought," Rachel mumbled before running off. Steve nodded and went back to monitoring Danny as Allison curled up on the chair, biting her lip anxiously.

"I'm just glad it's not you in there," She confessed.

"Yeah, not this time." Steve said, causing her to sigh.

"Why couldn't I have fallen for a librarian?"

As she spoke there was a rather large bang outside and the suspects ran to investigate. Rachel's diversion had obviously worked. Seizing the opportunity, Danny ran out the door and hoped over the fence.

Once he was certain his partner was safe, Steve turned to Allison.

"A librarian?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, something where the worst occupational hazard is a paper cut."

Steve smiled and perched on the arm of her chair.

"Well if you don't mind the dangerous life of the leader of the governor's task force too much, I have something I'd like to ask you," Steve said, looking down at her.

"And what would that be?" She asked, knowing the answer already.

"Allison Jace, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

"Even though we both know you don't deserve it?" She asked, unable to resist one more little shot at him. He nodded and she smiled. "Then I would love to."

He grinned and leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips. As much as she wanted to hold him there forever, movement on the screens drew her attention away.

"Steve, I think those people are doing something again." She told him causing him to turn around and investigate. He radioed to Danny as Allison watched him closely, silently praying that she'd made the right choice.