First of all: I started writing this story around the middle of the season 7. I followed the change in the team in season 8, just as Eddie now belongs to Steve's family. Only the restaurant storyline, which I found to be ridiculous, is completely off this story. The protagonists will certainly not get bored, even if they don't shoot and bang as often as on screen. But even law enforcement officers in Hawaii have a private life.

Enjoy reading.

This story is my own work and has been published first in German on fanfiktion-de. Please overlook little mistakes in grammar, as I'm no native speaker. :)

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"No chance, they won't give us anything." Danny shrugged.
"What exactly didn't you understand on 'let me call them'? The man has been a Vice Admiral in the Navy, no wonder they don't talk to you", Steve said. "What was the name of the person you spoke to?"
"Some Lieutenant Junior Grade Green. He said he would pass on my inquiry and someone would get in touch when the time came. Sounded like 'when it's heavy snowfall on Waikiki Beach'."
"I can roughly imagine how this conversation went," groaned Steve. "And in the end, that's going to be the result of your 'diplomatic efforts'. So now we are doomed to go through the material we have for the thousandth time and to pray that we have missed something so far that will give us a new lead. I manage to keep the NCIS off our backs and you upset Norfolk. Congratulations." They sat with the team until midnight, but even then they were still as smart as before.

When Steve came to the headquarters the next afternoon after a court appointment, Danny caught him right behind the door. "I don't think we have to wait for snow."
"What are you talking about garbage there?", he answered gruffly.
"You have a visitor. There's someone from the Navy in your office."
"And you leave him alone there ?!" He cursed. "Why didn't you call me?"
"The medals on the uniform were really impressive. And I thought you were coming soon anyway", Danny justified behind him as he hurried to his office and opened the door.
"Sir ..." He paused after the first word when he realized what has been not clearly visible from distance, in particular the person in the white navy uniform in his office was female and, moreover, equal-ranking to him. She stood at the side, turned her back on him and looked at the medals in the picture frame on the wall. She wore her brown hair in a tight knot at the back of the head in accordance with Navy regulations. Her headgear was on the edge of his desk. "Sorry, ma'am. I haven't been informed about your presence."
"I've only been here for ten minutes. It's along way from Norfolk to Hawaii." She turned around.

He looked into bright brown eyes. He knew them. Could that be possible? For a moment, Steve was nearly frozen. "Sara? Sara Anderson? … Lieutenant Commander Anderson?", he finally said, looking at the name tag and badges on her uniform.
"Everything correct, Steve", Sara confirmed, putting down her briefcase and taking a step towards him. "It's been a long time. Nice to see you". She held out her hand. He took it in greeting.
"S... sorry I'm a little overwhelmed right now. Take a seat. Norfolk? Why are you here?"
"Detective Williams has been a little rude to Lieutenant Green, but from what I've been told, I thought it was right to provide you with the information you requested. Rather, you in person, the Vice Admiral's file is subject to a certain level of confidentiality." She pulled a folder with a big stamp on the front out of her briefcase and held it out to him. Then she took a seat in the visitor's chair in front of his desk. He took the file, went around the table and dropped into his armchair. He put the folder on the table unopened and looked at her. He tried to catch an inconspicuous glimpse of her left hand, but as before, her sharp eye missed nothing.
"I'm a widow", she said calmly.
"Excuse me. I am terribly rude. I had just wondered briefly why your name is still Anderson. Although that is completely irrelevant. My condolences."
"Not necessary. It was a long time ago and I was about to file for divorce when it happened. I reverted to my maiden name." She changed the subject seamlessly: "I cannot leave the file here for you, but I will stay on the island for as long as you need the information. I am also available if you need to know more or I can help."
"The Vice Admiral seems to have something in his file that could be a motive for murder if you even have to guard the file. Do you already have an accommodation?"
Sara shook her head. "I was assigned for a room at the base. They tried to find a hotel room so that I could be closer to your headquarters, but there is a festival on the island. Even with the Navy it was impossible to book something on such short notice."
"I have a guest room. Of course, only if you want to. But that's definitely more convenient than on the base. I could cook ... "
"I don't want to be a burden for you and your family ..."
"There is nobody to whom you are a burden or who you could disturb."
He felt her eye him up and down and he understood. They hadn't seen each other for more than fifteen years, after parting without a goodbye, overnight. Finally Sara nodded. "Thanks for the offer. But only..."
"Don't worry. It's really okay. Come on, let's introduce you to my team." She took the file back, he held the door open and she followed him back to the group around the computer table. The conversation died when they arrived there. "Guys, this is Lieutenant Commander Sara Anderson, United States Navy. She's here to support us in the Ponders case. Sara, that's Officer Kono Kalakaua and Detective Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly", Steve introduced the two on one side of the table, who were obviously local. "The man on the sofa is Jerry and this is my partner, whom you have already met. Detective Sergeant Danny Williams. Captain Grover, who is also part of the team, is on vacation."
Sara shook hands, beckoned to Jerry, who worked his way up from the sofa, then nodded to the detective, who obviously didn't care about a handshake because he was standing in front of her with his arms crossed. Had he been overly friendly when she arrived, she'd noticed he was watching her conversation with Steve, and whatever he didn't like about it, his behavior had changed. Steve frowned, but she didn't let herself be provoked. "Thank you for welcoming me so kindly. I hope I can help you."
"There's only way forward, we're hanging on the spot", Detective Kelly nodded.
"For sure. But it works best when we are all fresh. Tomorrow morning we'll all have a clear head. Back here at eight. "
Sara followed Steve outside, surprised. "Shouldn't we go straight to the Vice Admiral? It's a homicide case after all."
"A few hours don't make a difference anymore, but you look like you could use a little sleep. How long have you been traveling?"
"Sixteen hours, with stops in Dallas and San Diego. They sent me on from Coronado on a cargo plane in the lock seat."
"Cozy is something different. Didn't you get a place in one of the shuttles? That would have been faster, wouldn't it?"
"Tell me about it. It was just too short-noticed. No free space for Norfolk-San Diego. So I had to go commercial. Then the start in Dallas was delayed due to a big thunderstorm and I missed the connection. The next shuttle with a passenger plane would have left tomorrow."