Chapter 1: The request

It was early that morning. Junior was sitting at his desk trying to finish his reports but there was nothing to do he was distracted. The young man was miles away since the phone call from his uncle the night before. Yet it was not the first time he received such calls. After all, he and his aunt organized the family reunion every year and he always refused to participate. The Hawaiian did not know why but this time he had hesitated. It was not that they did not see. Instead, the brown had always been close to his godfather and his wife. Since the death of his sister, he even stayed closer to them than his parents. Both men were all military and the elder was ready to share his experience to facilitate their return to civilian life, unlike his father. Despite that, Reigns could never bring himself to come to these meetings. Seeing his parents, find his whole family and make up his childhood memories were very hard.

The day before, his lack of response greatly surprised by his uncle. Feeling the discomfort of his godson, the former military had told him to take his time to decide because they were always delighted to welcome him. Since yesterday, Junior kept thinking about it. Lately the brown felt the need to reconnect with his family. This feeling had not lived since his departure from Navy Seal. On the contrary, he did not immediately warn them of his return. Now the police had found professional and personal stability. He had not only a fulfilling work but also a second family. Steve was an outstanding mentor, Lou and Danny excellent friends as Adam. He also felt that Quinn could become one over time. As for Tani, the Hawaiian did not know how to describe her, but one thing was sure he did not imagine his life without her. She had been a constant since he had met her. It was the most loyal, caring and passionate person that he had the opportunity to meet. The young woman attached great importance to the family, and he knew it annoyed her to no longer have anyone outside of his brother. Mostly they were not extremely close. Junior always did his best to give her back her unconditional support.

When he started to consider the idea of going to this meeting, he had thought of asking his teammate to accompany him, but again he hesitated. The young man was certain that her company would give him the strength to face his past. Besides, her family would love her. His aunt had been tanning him for weeks to meet the wonderful young girl whom he kept talking to them about. Only Tani had already done so much for him that he did not dare. Making such a request involved a lot of things and he was not certain to be ready.

Unable to get the thought out of his mind, however, he had spent the day giving her discreet looks or pacing around her desk. The former lifeguard had noticed his ride and couldn't help but wonder. She and Junior have grown very close in recent months, especially after the wedding and the parole hearing. Why the hell is he agonized at the thought of coming to talk to her? Rather than overthinking she decided to act.
"Hey, Reigns why do not you go in instead of damaging the tiled hallway?"
"Am I that obvious?" He questioned entering then sitting in the seat in front of her.
"I prefer to think that we begin to know each other well. More seriously, are you okay? You seem distracted this morning," the pretty brunette could not help but ask. She suspected that the problem was not too serious, or the team would already know. Only it was enough to disturb him. The young man holds back not even smile at the correctness of her first remark.
"I'm fine don't worry. It's just ... Do I already tell you about my godfather? He is a former Marine who was converted to private security. Finally, there is not a problem. Every year they organize with my aunt a large family meeting. I still decline but when they called last night I do not know why I did not answer."
"I see. Usually, why do you refuse? I think you get along well with the rest of your family."
"Yes very well even only I have been absent for a long time. After my return, I had a little trouble to rehabilitate me. Finally, I have not participated in one of these meetings since the death of my sister and it is weird to imagine going back there without her. We were having such a good time," he explained, half immersed in his memories. Noticing this trip to the past, Tani came to sit by his side, taking his hand in hers.
"I imagine it must be difficult especially considering your relationship with your father. Do you have any idea what made you hesitate? After all, something had to change for you to feel the need to reconnect with these old traditions."
"I do not know. I imagine that now that I have found stability with 5-0 and that I grieved Maya, I am finally anchored in the present. Like I said we always had a great time and they are great people only I know that it will not be so simple. Also, my parents will be there and even if my mother understood what I did at the hearing it is far from being the case with my father."
"I understand your reluctance but honestly we wouldn't even be talking about it if you didn't want to go. I would be you I would go for it. The family is far too important."
"You're the best," Junior smiled gratefully to have her in his life. He said it jokingly, but he thought every word and much more. The policeman was still hesitant to ask her to come with him.

"Yeah, I know, I am often told," the young woman teased to lighten the atmosphere. She knew that Junior had complicated family relationships since his sister's death, and it was clear that the military had not helped. Only it hurt her to see that. It was very hard for the brunette to have only her brother. When her father died and Koa overdosed, she felt very alone. So, by recruiting her for 5-0 Steve and Danny had saved her.
"I thought. You are not obliged to accept because it will take the whole weekend and it would not be anything ambiguous. Finally, even if I know that it will be a good time I would not be against a little company, especially if it is yours," the old marine stammered uncertainly. Her presence always made him happy and the more time passed the more he noticed the place Tani had taken in his life. He wasn't sure what that meant, but things had changed since the wedding. He knew she had noticed it too. Officer Reigns couldn't help but notice the expression of pure amazement that adorned her face immediately after his request.
"Of course, you know very well that I am there when needed. Besides, if I can manage to learn some embarrassing childhood stories that are only a bonus," the pretty policewoman replied pleasantly surprised. She was about to add something when the other party's phone rang.
"It's McGarrett he needs me, but I send you all the details by the message as soon as I called my uncle. Sincerely, thank you, I don't know what I would do without you," Junior finished, hurriedly rising. Without thinking he placed a light kiss on her cheek then left to join his boss.

The brunette sat for a while without moving. She was more than aware that their relationship was evolving into the slippery ground. Only the more it was the more she realized that she liked it. Finally, it was not the purpose. Her friend needed help and the ex-lifeguard would do anything to help him. Also, the way her teammate had told her about his godfather, she was convinced that this weekend could be fun. Despite these certainties, she was also disturbed by this multitude of more contradictory feelings and signals than the others. Junior revived feelings that she hadn't allowed herself to feel for a long time and it was terrifying. They were friends. About a thousand things could go wrong and ruin everything. In summary, it was now her turn to get lost in thought. She sat there for a moment without realizing that their interaction had taken place under the watchful eye of the rest of the team who had been watching the evolution of their relationship for months.