Mari & Ilna: What can I say? I'm enjoying this adventure every bit as much as I was on day one. Maybe more.

REAL Worlders-thanks for all the enthusiastic support. You guys are the best.

This story exists in the amazing Oblivious universe Mari created and as always, I thank her for allowing me to play in that sandbox.

Oblivious: Curve Ball (1/1)

"Commander McGarrett, so nice to get a chance to finally meet you in person."

A casually dressed woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties approached Steve with her hand out and a bright smile on her face as he manned the monthly clothing drive drop-off station at DJ's school.

"My name is Carina Frank. I believe our sons are the same age."

Steve shook the woman's hand and accepted the shopping bag full of clothes she offered.

"Nice to meet you." Steve smiled warmly. "Is your son in Ms. Lane's class too?"

"No." The woman adjusted her sunglasses. "Thad is in Mr. Khaini's class."

Carina stood back as another parent approached the table, exchanged a little small talk with Steve, then dropped off their donation and left. She scanned the area for any more potential donors and when she saw none she leaned casually against the table and spoke again.

"I read the article in Oahu Today about your adoption ceremony. I thought it was very sweet."

"Thanks." Steve added the recent donations to one of the waiting boxes that would be loaded into his truck later in the afternoon and delivered to a local shelter.

He and Catherine had been eager to get involved with activities at DJ's school and the monthly Day of Giving had quickly become a favorite. Various tables were set up in the school parking lot to accept donations of gently used clothes, toys, and books along with non-perishable food items. At the end of the day the donations were taken to local shelters and charities working to improve the lives of families in need. While the parent volunteers manned the tables, the children handed out information about local shelters to the arriving donors. Steve and Catherine saw it as both a very worthy cause and another way for them to reinforce the idea of helping the less fortunate with both of their kids. Angie had been accompanying her parents and grandparents on trips to local shelters and the VA since she was born but it was a new experience for DJ. One that he embraced wholeheartedly. He had gone door to door the previous day at the Rollins' condo complex collecting canned goods to donate. He'd smiled happily earlier in the day when he and Steve unloaded two full boxes from the truck.

"Having two kids is a lot more complicated then having one though, am I right?" The woman smiled knowingly. "It's like a whole different world. I remember when my second came along I felt a bit overwhelmed."

Steve smiled. "It's definitely different having two but Catherine and I are loving every minute of it. It's just a matter of finding our new rhythm."

"The two of you have quite a love story," Carina said sincerely. "Judging from the article you're a real team. I'm sure that makes things a lot easier."

"It does," Steve agreed.

Carina sighed heavily. "Don't get me wrong, I love my husband but sometimes I feel like he's just another kid I need to wrangle."

Steve wasn't sure what to say. He knew that a lot of women made comments like that, oftentimes as a joke, but he took pride in the fact that Catherine never had any reason to.

"I think it's really important that we parents stick together and help each other out," the pretty blonde continued. "Some of the other mothers in Thad's class and I have formed our own little support group. One mom hosts a playdate at her house and it gives the other moms a chance to have a little kid-free time."

Steve was again at a loss for words. He and Catherine loved their alone time, and the occasional date night or free afternoon that was possible because they were lucky to have so many friends and family who were not only willing but eager to babysit, but the truth was they both preferred spending time with their children as a family. They sought out private moments that worked around the kids' schedules. He'd never really experienced the desire to "get rid of the kids" for a day so he and Catherine could do something on their own.

Danny always told him how fast childhood goes by and he didn't want to miss a single minute.

Still, he knew he had to say something.

"I think it's great you've all found a way to work together."

"It works out really well," she said with a sly smile that caused red flags to pop up in Steve's head. "That way the adults can have play dates as well."

Steve swallowed hard. Carina's eyes had darkened and she'd moved a few steps closer.

"I think it's important for adults to have play dates, don't you, Commander?" she said in a voice that could have melted butter.

Steve had been accused by many people of being oblivious to the intentions of women but this time even he got the message.

There was absolutely no doubt as to what she was saying.

He cleared his throat. "Catherine and I are very busy," he said. "We don't have time for play dates."

Carina tilted her head. "Work hard, play hard. That's what they say, right?" Her voice deepened. "Do you like to play hard, Commander McGarrett?"

The last thing Steve wanted to do was have an issue with another parent at DJ's school, but he saw where this was going, and he wanted to cut it off fast. He wasn't naive. He knew not everyone was as committed to their partner as he was to Catherine, and she was to him, but he still couldn't get over the brazenness of some people.

"I love my wife very much," he said adamantly. "I have no interest in playdates with other women."

He wasn't sure what kind of reaction he was expecting but it definitely wasn't the one he got.

Carina chuckled and the look in her eyes grew predatory. "I think you misunderstand. I've seen pictures of your beautiful wife. I have no interest in leaving her out. I'd like to have a three person play date."

Steve blushed bright red.

The woman was direct, he'd give her that.

He looked up and saw Catherine coming across the parking lot. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or try to wave her away. He had very little doubt that the very bold Carina would be happy to make the same offer to his wife she'd just made to him.

He watched as the woman eyed Catherine appreciatively and immediately felt like he needed a shower.

"Lieutenant Rollins." Carina stuck out her hand. "Very nice to meet you. I was just talking to your husband about setting up a playdate."

Catherine's eyes flicked to Steve and everything about his silent demeanor let her know she needed to proceed very cautiously.

Carina took note of how the couple was communicating non-verbally and decided to excuse herself with the fervent hope they would consider her offer. "I'll let him fill you in on the details." She smiled brightly and handed Steve her business card. "I hope to hear from you soon."

As she walked off across the parking lot Catherine stepped up beside Steve and kissed his cheek. "Spill, Commander. Is she the latest island resident to come down with McGarrettitis?"

"Not exactly." Steve dropped an arm across her shoulders. "She wanted to set up a playdate with both of us."

Catherine barked a laugh. "Both of us." It only took a split second for her to realize he was completely serious. She turned to look at him and her mouth dropped open. "Really?"

"Yes, really. And I want it to be noted that I was not oblivious this time. I knew exactly what she was suggesting right from the start."

Catherine arched an eyebrow.

"Well, maybe not right from the start but I caught on fast. Though admittedly I thought she was just talking about me at first. When she made it clear she wanted both of us to be involved it was a bit of shock."

Catherine shook her head. "She just propositioned you … us, I guess … right here in the middle of the school parking lot?"

Steve nodded. "Like there was nothing odd about it at all."

They watched as Carina reached her car, a shiny silver Lexus, then turned and gave them a smile and a wave before getting in and driving away. Steve tossed the business card in the nearby trash.

"I'll just never understand some people," he said.

"Not everyone is as lucky as us," Catherine replied. "They don't feel fulfilled in their relationships so they go looking for something they think will be exciting with other people."

"I guess so." He ran his hand over his face and through his hair. "I don't have my head buried in the sand. I know stuff like that goes on. I just didn't expect to get invited to a threesome in the parking lot of the school during a charity drive."

"She saw her opportunity, so she took her shot," Catherine said with a wry smile.

"Well, she wasted her time." Steve waggled his eyebrows. "You are the only person I want to have a grown-up playdate with."

Catherine beamed. "Right back at ya. Speaking oooooof… Mom and Dad are taking the kids out for pizza and said not to pick them up before 7:00. Which means after we drop this stuff at the shelter, we'll still have some time to kill," she purred.

His voice grew gravelly. "Any ideas on how we can fill that time?"

She stepped closer and rubbed her foot up his calf behind the table where no one could see. "I just bought a new bikini and we're stocked up on chocolate sauce."

Steve bit his lip then checked his watch. "We have another half an hour here then a stop at the shelter then we head home and let the games begin."

THE END

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