I am really sorry about how long this has taken. I took a sort of unofficial hiatus from my regular stories while I was in Mexico. But I'm back (I hope) and I intend to finish this story before the new season. Thanks again to all the readers and especially those who review. I hope this chapter has been worth the wait.

Chapter Twenty-One "Faith"

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."~Emmanuel Teney

Steve had tried to plan a covert operation to make dinner, but he didn't get any back up and in the end, his mission failed. Julia Williams occupied the kitchen and Steve was forced to relocate.

With nothing to do and company arriving, Steve was put in the awkward position of socializing. Well, it was awkward to him anyway.

Danny, Rachel, and Grace were monopolizing each other's time and Steve felt it only polite to try to entertain Michael. He wasn't sure how to have a conversation with the father of the man who felt like his brother. And Steve knew he was at least part of the reason Danny had decided to stay in Hawaii. So, Steve was indirectly responsible for tearing Danny away from his family.

But Michael broke the ice for him, though not in the way Steve might have expected.

"So, how long have you two been dating?" he asked and for a second, Steve didn't know what he was talking about. That is, until Kono, who was sitting next to him answered.

"We're not," she said.

Steve was a little too surprised to pay attention to the way Kono said those words. "Uh, yeah," he said, looking at her confused.

Michael only nodded and didn't say anything else and Steve got the distinct feeling that he was being quietly laughed at.

Across the room, Danny didn't seem to be paying any attention, but Steve was sure he was behind all this. And at this point, he didn't know exactly how he felt about that.

Kono stood up suddenly. "I'm gonna see if Julia needs any help," she said.

Michael smirked. "Good luck with that," he said.

As Kono left the room, Steve looked over at Danny, who was still oblivious-looking. Michael shook his head.

"He didn't have to say anything," he said. "Anyone can see..."

"Can see what exactly?" Steve asked.

Michael gave him a curious look. "You really don't see it? I mean, how obvious it is?"

"No, I want to know what 'it' is."

"Well... The two of you seem... different."

"That's not vague."

"I'm sorry. And I don't mean to pry or anything. It's just unusual, is all. And if you want some advice, you'd better get your story straight before my wife is the one asking the questions. I can only imagine what Kono's dealing with right now."

H-5-O

It didn't start out bad for Kono. Julia was very friendly and let Kono help however she wanted. The conversation started out light with getting-to-know-you sort of stuff. And then Julia asked if Kono had a boyfriend.

"No." Kono shook her head as she sliced zucchini. "Ever since I started this job, it's been difficult to have a social life."

"Oh, I can understand that, dear," Julia said. "But I'd think you'd have that problem solved by now."

"What do you mean."

"Well, it seems as though you and Commander McGarrett have a lot in common."

"Um... I suppose you're right."

"Don't tell me you've never considered it."

"It's not that. It's just the fact that we work so well together, and we're great friends."

Julia nodded thoughtfully as she stirred the pasta. "I suppose that could present difficulties to lesser individuals. And, of course, I know nothing about it, but in this case it seems to me that 'great friends' isn't enough."

Kono stared at Julia for a second not sure whether to be amazed or upset. Either way, she was surprised at how much the woman seemed to know.

"Are you some kind of expert on all this?" Kono asked.

"Well..." Julia looked shy for a split second. "I wouldn't say that. I suppose I just have a sixth sense about these things. I can tell you both have strong feelings for each other. Think about it; would either of you be happy with anyone else?"

Kono did think about it. Every spare moment, she thought about it. Because she now knew that she wouldn't be happy with anyone but Steve. The thought terrified and excited her at the same time.

Before, she never would have dreamed of him thinking of her that way, but what Danny had said earlier gave her some hope. She just wasn't sure if this was the opportunity she should take or not. And she wouldn't know until she tried.

H-5-O

Dinner was loud, delicious, and, altogether, a lovely experience. Having such a population of Williams' made things interesting as well as giving Steve some perspective on things. He could tolerate living with Danny. Rachel was fine. Grace, he loved. But he was very glad the entire family wouldn't always be in his house.

Because the McGarrett house was a peaceful place in spite of previous occurrences there. And Steve wanted it to stay that way. Having Kono there had been so natural because she fit. She understood the way of thinking that made Steve live the way he did. The early morning swims and sleeping on the beach. It all made sense to the two of them.

And this other form of life made sense too, if only from a distance. The way everyone talked over each other was irritating at first, but became fascinating after a very short time. Steve understood more and more of why Danny was who he was. He loved seeing all this. And he loved being the one that made this reunion possible.

When dinner was over, everyone moved out into the living room. Julia enlisted Danny's help with the dishes and Michael was playing cards with Grace. Steve began to see where Grace got her poker skills. Rachel had decided to lie down for a while and Steve found himself standing out on the deck, looking at the stars and listening to the waves.

He felt an incredible sense of peace he had only experienced in the last week or so with Kono. Like the times they talked on the couch or the morning they woke up on the beach. Steve never wanted those times to end, but he wasn't sure what would happen now. He knew things were changing between himself and Kono. He wasn't sorry for that, but he didn't like the uncertainty. He wished he could know how she felt.

As if in answer to his wishful thinking, the door behind him opened and closed and Kono came to stand beside him.

"Worst night ever," she said with a laugh.

Steve turned to look at her and smiled. "I'd agree with you, but I've had much worse," he said.

Kono nodded to the side. "Yeah, you're right. But it's up there."

"Depends," Steve said.

"The worst part is, they mean well," Kono went on as if Steve hadn't said anything. "You know?"

"Yeah, I know. You'd think we we're really oblivious the way they go on."

"Maybe we are..." Kono looked for confirmation in Steve's eyes, but it was too dark to see. "Danny said I had to talk to you or he would."

"He talks to me anyway."

"I mean, he would tell you what I said."

"Are you gonna tell me what you said?"

"Well, I have to because Danny told me what you said."

Kono noticed the small movement that signaled Steve's reaction to that statement. He was uncomfortable.

"It seems," Kono said. "That we are—were—both operating under the misconception that the other didn't feel the same way we did."

"Misconception?" Steve said. "Was I wrong?"

"Very. But there was something else Danny said. Something that does concern me now."

"What?"

"He wanted me to promise not to hurt you. It didn't make sense at first, but now it does. Because we all know you deserve someone who will never let you down. I'm not sure I can do that, but I know I would always try."

Steve moved so that he was facing Kono straight on, even though they couldn't see each other's faces very well.

"I've told you how much I trust you," Steve said. "I'm not going to forget that you were the only person I had for a while, even though that's not the case anymore. I understand that you aren't sure if you can do this. I'm not sure either. But because I trust you, I know I want to try."

Kono didn't say anything for a moment and Steve thought that maybe he had said too much.

"Well," she finally said, exhaling deeply. "That's good to know."

Steve let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. "Is that all?"

"No." Kono took his hand, suddenly. "I think we should keep everyone in the dark about this for a little while because of how obnoxious they were. You know, payback."

Steve smiled and squeezed her hand. "Would you like to go for a walk then?"