One Thing

AvalonReeseFanFics

A/N: It's another update! I'm so proud of myself for getting these out in time. In this episode a certain someone's going to run again and it's going to open up the drama for the next chapter! I'm actually really excited for the next couple of chapters, they're going to be fun! As always don't forget to drop a fav, a follow or leave a review and I'll see you guys next week!

Chapter 27

Joe was spending more and more time at the McGarrett place.

At first Steve was sure it was because Joe just wanted to spend more time with John. Then, after a series of weird interrogation like conversation, Steve became convinced that Joe was hanging out that much because he didn't trust Rowan, who also didn't trust Joe.

Neither said that they didn't like one another, or that they didn't trust one another, but Steve could tell by the way the two would look at one another. It was clear as day, in Joe's eyes and on Rowan's face, because she couldn't hide her emotions.

But after a while, even Steve could tell that Joe wasn't hanging around the McGarrett place because he was trying to buddy up to John, or keep Rowan from ruining Steve. No he was there for Shelburne. Joe was looking for Shelburne too.

Except he was running a completely separate investigation from the one Steve and John were doing. He was just hanging out with John to get more information about what the two of them knew while not sharing anything from his own investigation.

Yeah well Steve didn't like that.

So he waited for his dad to be out for the night and then called Joe over.

Rowan had gone to bed, which was great, because, as much as he liked things with her, it was becoming more and more clear that she was hiding something from him.

He just didn't know what it was and it was getting harder and harder to ignore.

When Joe showed up, he offered him a beer, and the two of them exchanged pleasantries and then Joe pinned him with a knowing stare and a: "So what did you really call me over here for?"

"What do you mean?'

"I know you didn't call me to shoo the shit, boy. So why don't you just ask me what it is you want to ask me already?"

Steve nodded, right, he had a point. "Fine. I want to know everything you have on Shelburne."

"You know what I know."

"No I don't. Because you're running your own investigation without me or dad. Don't you think I deserve to know what's going on?"

Joe looked him up and down for a moment before saying: "Yes, I do."

Steve nodded, alright, well, they were getting somewhere after all. "Okay… so…"

"Alright son, let's go sit down."

They had been standing in the kitchen, but at that they moved towards couches to sit on. Steve picked his La-Z Boy while Joe sat on the couch.

"You know, you're dad is like a brother to me… he's the closet thing to it… did you know that?"

"Yeah… he feels the same way about you…"

"Yeah, well I never really told him that before. Never really told anyone. And after this business with Hesse… and Wo Fat…"

"Right so, you want to be more sentimental. What does this have to do with Shelburne?"

"Do… do you remember the day he told you he was sending you away?"

"Like it was yesterday, Joe," Steve said right away, because he did. He now knew that was because his mom had been murdered. But what did that have to do with Shelburne?

"On that day, he made me promise that if anything ever happened to him, I would look after you as if you were my own son."

Well that explained why Joe had been there for him through everything, but again… what did this have to do with Shelburne?

"Well… I broke that promise."

That made no sense. Because nothing had happened to his dad. So… why would he have to keep that promise? And he better not say Rowan. He did not need protection from Rowan… he didn't think.

"What are you talking about, Joe?"

"When your father started his investigation into the Yakuza he had no idea how far it would go or how dangerous it would get. It got so that he was so paranoid, that he didn't trust the people he was working with. So he came to me, asked for my help."

"Oka, so you've been helping him with the case. But… you're doing your own investigation Joe… I thought... I mean it was pretty clear that I was asking you to share your findings… I don't know…"

"Steve… your father asking me for help… that's how Shelburne was born."

Steve stood there for a moment taking that all in. "Wait a minute. You telling me Shelburne isn't a person?"

"It's an alias, a code name we created, to draw attention and fire away from your father's investigation, to protect you and your sister."

"That's not true," came Rowan's sing-song-ie voice.

Steve turned and Rowan, in one of his sweaters and a pair of matching grey sweat-shorts, was making her way down the stairs.

"Ro…" Steve started but she didn't stop. Not coming down the stairs or talking.

"He's lying. Shelburne is a codename for a spy. And he knows it. He's just lying to you."

Steve hated to admit it but he was getting that feeling from Joe. He hadn't been very forth coming about any of this, after all. And all this time, he and his dad had been telling him that Shelburne was a spy. Why was he changing the story now?

He glanced to Rowan who was glaring at Joe who was glaring right back at her.

"You can't trust her son," he said right away. "She's connected to Wo Fat, and he's not as mad at her as the two of them are claiming."

"Uh… he beat the ever living shit outta me. It's safe to say I'm pissed off."

"Then you wouldn't mind turning over that phone of yours. See what private number you've been calling."

See, Rowan didn't have a cell phone, or… she shouldn't have a cellphone anyway. Her eyes went wide at that accusation.

"Steve, don't let him turn this onto me. Come on…"

Steve getting lost in the argument.

"Okay… fine… follow up question. If it was an investigation into the yakuza, then why does Wo Fat care so much about Shelburne? Man is rabid about finding this person. She can attest to that."

Rowan nodding eagerly.

"Because Shelburne killed his father."

"Mm… no it was his mother. But he doesn't believe me when I say that either."

Now that he knew too, because Wo Fat had told him that much. The fact that Joe and Wo Fat had the same story was a step in the right direction. What he didn't like was the fact that Joe went sheet white after Rowan announced the mistake.

Like he hadn't expected her to know that.

"And… by Shelburne, you mean my father?"

"No. It was me. I killed him."

"No…. it was yo mama. She a spy. She pulled the trigger," Rowan said and Steve groaned.

"Ro!"

"But it's true!" she cried but he knew it wasn't.

God it was so hard trying to find the needle of truth in this haystack of lies. Why couldn't the people he loved just tell him the truth?! Why?

"Steve… I promised your dad I'd protect you… but I didn't. Wo Fat came after you because of me… and now you have his little pet spy in your house telling you lies…"

"It is NOT lies!" Ro thundered. "I swear. I'm not lying. I know I lie a lot but I've been… I've been good… I have… really…"

Steve stared at her. "You haven't been lying to me?" Steve asked. "Then what are you hiding from me?"

Rowan paused as she took that in. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you've been acting weird since the consulate. What are you hiding? Are you talking to your brothers?"

Rowan blustered, clearly not wanting to answer that question and he turned to Joe.

"And you. Start telling me something other than your lies? Cause honestly… I'm not sure I believe any of the things you just told me either."

"Steve… I'm not lying…"

Except he was. They both were. And he was just so fucking sick of it.

"Then get out!" he shouted. "Both of you. Out."

"Both?" Rowan echoed. "He's the liar!"

"And you're not?!" Steve cried. "You know who Shelburne, I know Wo Fat told you. But you refuse to tell me who he is…"

"But I did tell you…"

"MY MOTHER IS DEAD!" he thundered and both Rowan and Joe took a step back. "Just get out. Do you hear me? Get out, I don't want to see either of you."

"But…" Rowan started, no doubt to remind him that Wo Fat was possibly on the island, possibly after her before she could give away any information to Steven, but he didn't care. At that point he was so fucking frustrated with all of them, that he didn't care if Wo Fat grabbed her or not.

"I don't care!" Steve thundered. "I don't care if Wo Fat or your brothers grab you. I just want you gone! GONE!"

It wasn't true.

He did care.

He'd care a lot, but he was so mad he was ready to pretend that he didn't.

He saw those words land on Rowan. He saw the way they hurt her. She whirled away from him, picked up her purse and then stormed right out of the house.

Joe watched her go and then turned back to Steve. "You think that's wise boy?" he asked. "You don't think that maybe… you should…"

"Oh like you care!" Steve cried. "Both you and my dad have been trying to talk me out of dating her since I brought her back! Just get out Joe. Just leave."

Joe didn't say anything else. He simply walked away, leaving Steve in his

H5O-H5O-H5O-H5O

When the door opened up behind her, she turned, hoping that it was Steve coming out, except it wasn't.

Rowan scowled at Joe who was walking towards her and not his own car. She had a feeling he'd want to talk to her, she had a feeling she knew what he wanted and she did not want to have that conversation with yet another person.

"You actually leaving?" Joe asked when he got close to her.

Rowan shot that scowl at him again. She wasn't sure if she was going to leave. She wanted to leave, but in order to do that she'd have to go back into the house to get the phone she wasn't supposed to have. If she could just call one of the cabbies that owed her brother she'd be set. They'd come pick her up and she wouldn't have to pay.

But again she'd have to get that phone and she did not want to go back inside.

"What do you care?" she shot back.

It was no secret that Steve's friends and family didn't like her. And while Joe had a good poker face, she knew that he wasn't too impressed with her either. She could see it in his eyes whenever he saw her in the McGarrett house, or whenever she was with Steve.

"How about I give you a ride to wherever you want to go hmm?"

Rowan blinked her eyes. She didn't trust that at all. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why don't you go back to whatever shady thing you've been doing?"

It was a low bow. Men like Joe White, if they were being shady it was for the greater good, or because they were trying to help.

"Do you know why I was so worried that you two had started dating?" he asked.

"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me."

"It's because I know who you really are. I know why you're really here…"

"You could have just told him Doris is Shelburne," she snapped. "Don't know why you're still covering for her. He's going to find out eventually…"

"And when are you going to tell him that you're Wo Fat's sister? Hmm?"

"At some point," she answered primly. "Why didn't you tell him? You don't like me, don't know why you'd cover for me too."

"Because he loves you. And finding out the truth would kill him."

Rowan flinched, she couldn't help it. Because she had hoped it wouldn't matter. That their feelings could survive her familial connections.

Apparently not.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that, now do you?" she hissed.

"Whatever you think you're up to…"

"I know exactly what I'm up to. Since you seem to like Doris so much, why don't you tell her that I found her little stash of secrets, and that if she'd like them back, she can call the first son she abandoned. I'm sure she knows how to reach him."

Then she whirled around and stormed away, down the dark street, certain she would just walk until she either got to the safe house, or she bumped into someone who knew her brother. Too angry to realize that her heart was breaking.

H5O-H5O-H5O-H5O

Hours later, Steven had calmed down, slightly. Or at the very least he had had more time to think about what was happening around him.

And he realized right away that sending Rowan away when he was worried her brothers might turn on her or Wo Fat might swoop in and take her away again, or finish of the job he started in North Korea, was stupid.

He had found a phone in her things as well, just like Joe said he would. That was not good either. It had one number on it. Local. She called it at least once a day.

That was worrying.

He had thought about asking HPD to put out a BOLO on her, but he also didn't want to do that. He was also pretty sure that it wouldn't be allowed. The Governor was clear that Steve couldn't sink anymore Hawaiian resources into Rowan.

Her going missing wasn't a Five-0 emergency. It was a normal missing person's case and he was to treat it as such.

So he decided to call the number. It was most likely a direct line to her brothers. If he was lucky, they'd think she was calling and they'd answer. Then he could try to convince them to let her come back. He'd treat her better this time, he'd promise. He just wanted open communication, that's all. They could visit, he wouldn't try to arrest anyone, he just wanted Rowan back.

So he sat there, listening to the line ring until it went to voicemail. At first he left the brief messages. Explaining who he was and that he just wanted to make a deal and if they could please call him, kind. But then she was gone all night and Steve couldn't sleep out of worry.

So he started leaving longer messages, ones that included please come home.

By the next day, a full twelve hours later, he left the long message.

A message that included a sincere apology, that he was worried about her, that he wanted her to come home. He reminded her that he promised to keep her safe, and that he couldn't do that if he didn't know where she was. He was sorry, he was, he just… he wanted her to come home.

But she didn't respond to that message either, and she didn't come back to him.

But after that her phone was switched off and Steve couldn't help but be worried.

What if something had happened?

What if Wo Fat had come to take her back?

God! Why had he yelled at her? Why had he told her to leave? He'd never forgive himself if something actually happened to her because of him. He just wouldn't.

But he couldn't report her missing yet. Not officially.

He did mention to Duke, and then Danny and then the rest of the Five-0s that he and Rowan had had an argument and she was gone again.

Duke put out an unofficial BOLO on her, Danny came over right away to try and calm him down, bringing malasadas to cheer him up.

China and Kono went out to her favourite places to see if she had gone there, and had started looking into hotels and motels near-by that might have check in someone with Rowan's description in. And when that didn't work they called Max to see if any morgues or hospitals might have her.

There were no I told you sos, no mention of them knowing that this might be coming, because this wasn't how they thought it would happen.

This was Steve's fault. He yelled at her, he told her to leave, so she had. Honestly what had he expected? That's she'd sit out on the patio and wait for him to come to his senses? Kind of cause that was the first place he went to look for her.

Now Rowan had done one of her runners again, and Steve was once again a mess. He just had to hope that sooner or later Rowan would check her messages and come back, or she'd call him to let him know she was okay.

And no. Steve was not okay with that. He just had no choice in the matter.

H5O-H5O-H5O-H5O

Ro had showed up at the safe house late at night in nothing but her PJs and tears.

Not weepy tears but angry tears.

Apparently there were different kinds of anger, sometimes it was the dry kind where her face would be stone and her voice was sharp and her cheeks would be red as she would get hot from it. This time it was the wet anger, because she was crying and her voice was shaking, in fact all of her was shaking.

Wo Fat had remarked once that he never got any kind of angry except the cold and calculated one. Sometimes he shook, sometimes he got hot, but most of the time he just stayed calm and collected and got his revenge. She had called him cold-blooded and that had kind of hurt even if she was right.

Ro showing up at all when she had been staying away because she was exploring the relationship option with McGarrett was surprising. The fact that she showed up in tears meant that that relationship must have ended.

Turned out they were just in a fight, but still.

McGarrett had kicked her out. Had told her to leave, all because he didn't want to believe that his mother was Shelburne.

That wasn't Ro's fault, but he made it her fault.

So she had decided to go through with the original plan. She had to break back into the McGarrett house to get the microfiche from where she had stashed it but she had gotten it for him. Like she had promised those few months ago when this all started.

She slammed that microfiche into his hand and told him to put it out in the dark web that he had it and Doris could just come and get it from them.

Then she locked herself in the room that he had put aside for her.

He would have to go in and cuddle her later.

But while he was putting his message for Shelburne out on the dark web and call had come in on one of his lines from the number that used to be hers. Steve had been calling non stop for her since she had left, Wo Fat hadn't planned on telling her that he had been calling though. He had just got her back, if he let her know Steve was looking for her, she'd leave again.

So he let that phone ring, refusing to pick it up on principle. But he did listen to all the messages that he left. Deleting each one afterwards.

Make a deal with him, please. He was only saying that because he didn't know that Wo Fat was her brother.

It was the last message he left that was the problem. The worrying one.

It was this long heartfelt emotional message about how he was sorry for yelling at her and he wanted her to come back. He wanted her home and safe, especially since he was sure Wo Fat was there to hurt her.

Wo Fat had scowled at that message. He wasn't there to hurt his sister, but Steve didn't know that, and Wo Fat was about to correct him either.

He did, however, delete that message and deactivate his phone. He didn't need it anymore anyway. He'd have to move them now, to a different safe house in case Steve tried to trace her here.

Ro was where she belonged now and he was not giving her back.