28

Chrissy trembled, "W-what do you mean, they can't find Steve?"

Danny ran a hand through his hair, "The police have searched the area around the warehouse and can't find him. They think his body might be buried in the debris."

Chrissy quaked, "Wait a minute, Danny. Are you trying to tell me Steve is dead?"

Danny answered, his voice shaky, "Most likely, yes. There's little chance he got out before the explosion."

"They haven't found a body yet, though?"

"No, but the police are anticipating that it will be found soon. They believe that there is a ninety-nine percent chance that he's dead."

"Steve can't be dead! There's no way!"

Kono and Adam both came running at the exclamation. Once they stood beside Danny, Adam inquired, "What's up?"

Danny responded, "Steve is nowhere to be found and the police told me they think he will be among the debris from the explosion."

Adam lamented, "In other words, Steve's dead?"

Danny nodded, "I think so."

Tears streamed down Chrissy's face. Steve can't be dead. There's just no way. I saw him just a couple of minutes before the explosion. He's too young to die. Not only that, but I'm in love with him. How can the only guy I've ever fallen in love with be dead, especially when he's Steve McGarrett? He's like some kind of ninja who can survive anything and has. Until now.

Sarah glanced up from Chrissy's phone, which Steve had retrieved from the house when he found Sarah and gave to her, and inquired, "Where's Steve, Mommy?"

All eyes were on Chrissy as she wept, "Well, Sarah, it sounds like Steve's in heaven."

Sarah's face fell, "Steve's in heaven?"

Chrissy swallowed tears back, "Yeah, I think he is, Sarah."

"Is heaven far away? Can we go and visit him?"

"Yes, heaven is far away, and I don't think we can visit him."

"Oohhh! I'm sad now. I loved Steve a lot."

Chrissy pulled Sarah into a hug. She kissed her hair and whispered, "So did I, sweetie. So did I."

As Sarah pulled away, Danny and Kono exchanged glances. They knew there was something between Steve and Chrissy, but no one had known it was this serious. Chrissy had just admitted she loved him, for God's sake. For this to happen to the two people who deserved happiness the most was devastating. Danny knew what he had to do now.

Sitting beside Chrissy, Danny pulled the piece of paper Steve had handed him less than an hour before. He handed it to Chrissy and stated, "Steve wanted me to give this to you if something happened."

Chrissy took the piece of paper from Danny and accepted, "Thanks, Danny. I know this has to be hard on you, too."

Danny sighed, "Yeah. I mean, I've worked with him for three years. Sure, we fought most of the time, but he was my best friend, and I loved him like a brother. Anyway, I'm going to let you read that and the rest of us are going to discuss our next move."

Chrissy mourned, "Okay. Thanks, Danny."

As Adam picked Sarah up and walked away with Danny and Kono, Chrissy overcame her worst fear and unfolded the piece of paper. It read:

Chrissy,

If you're reading this, then, well, you know what happened in the warehouse. As long as Wo Fat and Michael are dead and you are safe as a result, I've died a happy man. Don't even think about blaming yourself for this. I know you would start thinking that, and I don't want you to. I knew what I was walking into tonight, and I always said I would get Wo Fat if it killed me. I hope I did.

I'll just warn you now that I'm not very good at this stuff, so I'll just do the best I can. The last two weeks have been the best of my life. You walked into my life a victim, but you turned out to be one of the strongest people I've ever met. You've been through so much, and yet you've remained tough. Not many people could do that, but you have. It's one of the many things I admire about you, and that's a list. You're one of the only people who has ever really understood me, Chrissy. Because of you, I learned things about myself that I probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't met you, like the fact that I hate sleeping alone. Before, it never really bothered me. However, once you slept beside me after you told me you'd been raped, everything changed. After that night, I never wanted to sleep alone again. I've never felt that way about anybody. It's so weird for me to write this, but I love you, Chrissy. I wish we'd had more time to see where this would take us, but I guess that wasn't in the cards, so we'll have to settle for the conversations we had and our two almost-kisses, which were pretty amazing, I might add.

Not only did you touch me, but your daughter did, too. I hadn't spent a lot of time around kids before I met Sarah, and I was pretty uncomfortable around them. Sarah made me see that kids aren't aliens. They're just smaller, younger versions of us. Spending the time I did with her while you were gone taught me a little of what it's like to be a parent, and I think that's something I would have liked. You've done an amazing job of raising her, and I know she'll grow up to be a fine young lady.

I don't want you to spend your time crying over me, Chrissy. You should move on with your life as best you can. Someday, you'll meet someone you'll fall in love with and who will be a good father to Sarah. Don't let me stand in the way of any of that. More than anything, I want you and Sarah to be happy and live long, healthy lives. I love the two of you more than anything, and I hope to see you again someday (if I make it to the right place).

Steve

P.S.: Keep an eye on Five-0 and my sister, Mary Ann, for me.

Chrissy's tears wet the page. She couldn't believe what she'd just read. Steve loved her. He'd said it twice in the letter. Oh, God, how she wished he could have said it to her in person. Then, she could have kissed him, something she regretted not doing, among other things. Eventually, they might have worked up to marriage and maybe more children. However, none of that was possible now. All that left Chrissy with was this letter and countless memories.

Suddenly, Chrissy's cell phone, which Sarah held, rang. Adam let Sarah down and she ran to Chrissy. Chrissy glanced at the caller ID and froze. The call was coming from Steve's cell phone.