******** THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MILD SEXUAL CONTENT *********

It was a beautiful Hawaiian evening and everyone was having a wonderful time. It had been a little more than an hour since he had been inside and suddenly Steve decided to go see how Chin and Kono were doing.

He excused himself and made his way into the house. Seeing the kitchen was spotless...and empty, he moved towards the living room. He did not see them as he rounded the corner moving towards the bathroom and he almost collided with the two as they were wrapped in each others arms, kissing passionately.

He could not help but notice that both of Tony's hands were grasping Kono's backside firmly.
"Oh, geez...excuse me" Steve turned in embarrassment and walked away ignoring both of them as they called out to him as he quickly made his way back outside.

Back in the house, Kono laid her head on Tony's shoulder, "Oh God that was embarrassing"
Tony chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll talk to him"
"And just what are you going to say to him?"
Tony sighed deeply, "I don't know"

They made their way outside and Kono took a seat as Tony moved over and grabbed them each a beer.
As Tony turned back to the group he noticed that Steve had walked down into the backyard. He handed Kono a beer and then he walked into the yard moving over to Steve's side.
"Hey boss, sorry about that"
"What do you have to be sorry about Tony?"
"Me and Kono..."

Steve grinned, "Well I will say that she didn't seem to be fighting you off too terribly hard. Listen Tony, you're my brother and I would do anything for you, you know that right?"
"Of course Steve, I feel the same way about you"

"Then please take this for how it is truly meant...you're my brother, and SHE'S my sister. I don't want to see her get hurt, that's all I'm saying. So please slow it down Romeo"

"What? Are you saying you think she really likes me?"
"Oh she likes you! You can be quite the charmer Anthony. I've seen you make your moves on several young ladies, but no games with Kono okay. I love you both very much. If you really like her and the feelings are mutual, it would make me very happy. But she's not a one-night stand Tony, she's not that kind of girl...don't hurt her because if you hurt her buddy, you'll answer to me" Steve smiled softly at the younger man.

"She's a wonderful girl. I won't hurt her Steve, I promise"
"Good, let's get back to everybody"
The men embraced and made their way back to the group.

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Chin had taken a nap and joined them a short time later on the deck. Everyone sat visiting for the next couple of hours and at one point Kono and Tony walked down the ocean's edge.

They kicked off their shoes and socks and began walking hand in hand down the beachfront. They talked about their families, their careers and then the topic turned to Steve.

"He hasn't changed a bit. I met him seven years ago. I was twenty one and fresh out of BUDS class"
"Tell me again, BUDS stands for ….Underwater Demolition?"

"Yeah, Basic Underwater Demolition SEALS training. Commander White was my instructor. He's the one who placed me with Steve's team. They had just lost a man, David Carpenter in a mission in Kosovo. I joined the team two days after they buried David. A couple of the men weren't very, shall I say…..welcoming. Steve took me out alone for beers one night after the guys had been giving me a really hard time and he told me to hang in there. He told me he had confidence in me and that I just needed to prove myself with the guys that everything would be alright. Two weeks later we received orders and Steve assigned me as second sniper with himself as number one. Steve took out three men with deadly accuracy and when it was over he celebrated 'my' success on the mission"

"That sounds like him. But why shouldn't he have done that?"
"Well he didn't lie, he never credited me directly for the kills but he let the men believe I had been the one who fired the shots"

"And you're sure you didn't"
"I know for a fact I didn't. I froze Kono. I didn't even fire one shot and he knew it. I pulled him aside later and asked him why he did it, why he let everyone think I had done it and you know what he said?"

"Tell me"
"He told me that I was an integral part of his team and that he had my back and he always would. He told me that I should never want credit for a kill, and that killing another human being no matter how vile and evil they were is never an easy thing to do. He explained that his men were in mourning for their friend and in their eyes I was an outsider trying to replace him. By Steve doing what he did...they accepted me. I have been a member of the team, a brother ever since that moment"

"He's brilliant"
"He's brilliant, he's compassionate, he's honest and he's the bravest man I've ever known. I love that man and I would die for him without question"
"As he would for you...or for any of us. We're all lucky to have him in our lives"
"Yes we are"

Kono stopped and reached up to kiss Tony.
As their kisses became more passionate Tony pulled away, "Kono...we need to stop"
"Why? Aren't you enjoying it?"
"The problem is, I'm enjoying it too much. I'm leaving in two days Kono, our lives are too different"
"Are they? You're a police officer now and I'm a detective. How are they different?"
"I live in California, it can never work out"

"Move to Hawaii Tony. It's paradise here. Granted we have scumbags here just like anywhere else but come on look at this place!"

"I can't Kono. I have a good life in San Diego. My parents and brothers are all there. My partner. I can't leave"
Kono looked into his eyes, "I understand"
She kissed him again and he pulled back, "Kono, please no"

She looked at him and smiled, "Okay, what's going on here? What did Steve say to you?"
"Well..."
"Come on, spill it! You were all over me a couple of hours ago!"

"I was not!"
"Hey, don't get defensive buddy. I didn't say I didn't like it! Now WHAT did McGarrett say to cool you down so much?"

"He just told me to respect you, which of course I do! And he told me not to hurt you"
She again kissed him even more passionately while breathlessly adding, "Be gentle then"
He groaned as her hands ran through his hair and her lips…ohhh her lips..."Oh my God, I shouldn't be doing this"
She chuckled, "Tony….relax. Do you want me to continue?"
Without hesitation he said, "Oh God yes…."

Kono and Tony made love slowly, passionately on the sandy beach. The sounds of the waves crashing to the shore, joined with their cries of ecstasy as they climaxed together and then they lay with their bodies entwined. Kono's head rested on his broad, hairy chest and she listened to his racing heart wishing they could have met under different circumstances but knowing that he was right. His place was on the mainland and Kono's was here, with her beloved Ohana.

They lay quietly as their bodies relaxed, enjoying the serenity of the moment when Tony quietly said, "He's going to kill me"
"Don't worry about Steve, I know how to handle him"
"You've figured that out in two years? I've known him seven and he still scares the hell out of me!"
"Truthfully Tony, he probably won't even say anything"
They both giggled gleefully as the dressed and then they shared a soft gentle kiss and headed back.

Steve had left to take Gracie home and by eleven o'clock, everyone was gone and Danny was sleeping soundly.

Kono had gone to sleep up in Steve's room giving him a verrrryyy suspicious grin as she headed up the stairs.
He was exhausted himself and in minutes he was sound asleep on the couch, snoring softly.