Sense of Discovery

"I know it's none of my business, but there's only so many romantic activities two people can engage in before they need to have a conversation about their relationship," T.C. teases, giving his friend a knowing look.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Magnum questions, trying (and failing) to mask his irritation with nonchalance as he picks up an empty takeout container. They're at Robin's Nest, cleaning up after a spontaneous movie night.

"I get it, you're just having fun. But between the frolicking in the surf this morning and the cuddling on the couch just now…" T.C. shrugs. "You're not fooling anyone."

"That's because we're not trying to fool anyone," Magnum rolls his eyes. "Frolicking," he huffs. "We were just cooling off after a run and maybe Rick should have picked a better movie, it's no wonder she fell asleep on me."

"And you let her use you as a pillow because…."

The P.I. responds with what could only be described as a death glare.

"Come on," T.C. laughs, "No need to get so defensive, it's just an observation."

"I'll take the trash out."

"You do that," T.C. shakes his head, wondering what else it'll take for them to see the light.

xoxo

"You look nice, is that a new outfit?" Kumu asks, noting that the younger woman is uncharacteristically dolled up for her morning run.

"This? I wear this all the time," Juliet lies, surprising herself with her choice to deceive Kumu about something so trivial. Sure, the pink sports bra and matching floral leggings are a little nicer (and maybe more revealing) than her usual workout attire — but there's absolutely no reason to be embarrassed about the purchase...

"Then it must be the makeup. What's the occasion?"

"I'm… I always wear makeup. And I'm just meeting Thomas for a run," she shrugs.

"Thomas, huh?" Kumu gives her a knowing look.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Juliet furrows her brows, slightly irritated by what she thinks her friend is implying.

"Nothing, I'm just saying you look nice," Kumu replies, deciding not to push the matter any further.

"Thank you, but it looks like it's actually a little chilly out. I'll grab a cover-up."

Kumu rolls her eyes as she watches Juliet retreat to her bedroom — only to emerge in a thin sweatshirt and a more subtle shade of lipstick two minutes later.

"Enjoy your run," Kumu calls after her, hoping that at least one of them will eventually aim for a less subtle approach.

xoxo

He's on his way to HPD with Katsumoto when he hears the words over the radio: Accident, black Range Rover, female driver, fatality…

"There are a lot of black Range Rovers on the Island," the detective says, noticing the color drain from his friend's face. But the words don't really register as Magnum is focussed on his phone, trying to call his partner with shaky hands.

"She's not answering…" he's trying his best to be rational, but then that useless find my friends app comes up empty and he can't stop himself from imagining Juliet's lifeless body being dragged out of the totaled SUV. Isn't that damn car supposed to be save?

"Magnum…" Katsumoto tries to get his attention after speaking to an on officer at the scene. "Magnum, did you hear that?"

"Sorry, I…"

"The victim's in her 60s…" the detective can barely finish the sentence before Magnum's phone pings with a text from Juliet.

"She was in the shower," Magnum sighs a breath of relief, as adrenalin is replaced with embarrassment.

"I just thought, the car…" he attempts to explain it away.

"You got something you wanna get off your chest?"

„No, it's…I'm good…"

Katsumoto nods and gives the shaken P.I. an understanding look. "I know what it's like. Remember when Beth and Dennis were in the car-jacking last year? I couldn't even drive myself to the hospital…"

"That's your ex wife and your kid, Higgins is my…it's different…" Magnum replies, and that's the end of that conversation.

xoxo

"Squeeze that glass any tighter and you'll break it," Rick comments, watching Juliet watch Magnum talk to a very eager brunette at the other end of the bar.

"How about you mind your own business?" Juliet responds, faking a smile to get Rick off her back.

"Well it's my glass, so…" he gives her a knowing look.

"I'm just looking out for him…" she justifies and it's not an excuse. She doesn't want him to get hurt, and that's all there's to it.

Rick nods. "Right, I knew I'd seen that look before, on Magnum every time he saw you with Ethan."

"He was just being a good friend," Juliet reasons.

"Sure," he looks back and forth between the two 'friends' and scoffs at their self inflicted misery before he goes back to tending to his other customers while Juliet finishes her drink and gets up.

It's nothing that Rick said, but it's late and it just so happens that Magnum is her ride. At least that's what she's telling herself when she walks over to him and puts her hand on his arm.

"Hey, you ready to go home?"

The look he gives her in return is, quite frankly, priceless.

"Higgy, what…"

"Guess that's a no to the drink then…" the brunette observes.

"Sorry," Magnum apologizes.

"Don't worry, I should have known a guy like you is taken. Nice to meet you," she nods at Juliet and retreats before Magnum has a chance to correct her…

xoxo

The car ride home is on the quiet side. Maybe she really is tired, Magnum wonders as he looks over to his partner. But still, it's not like her to interfere with his love life – at least not on purpose.

"Sorry about earlier, I didn't realize you were in the middle of something…"

And now she's reading his mind. Great.

"It's ok, you probably did me a favor. But I have to admit, I was a little surprised that you let her think we're, you know…" he laughs.

"Well she's not the only one these days," Juliet replies, catching him off guard for the second time that night as it dawns on him that she also had to deal with the annoying comments and knowing looks from their friends.

"So they got to you too, huh?"

"Even Maleah brought it up. But they're being crazy right? I mean you said it yourself, we spend a lot of time together it's only natural that…"

"It's only natural that we'd develop feelings for each other?" He cuts her off, meeting her gaze as they come to a stop at a red light.

"Oh, Is that what's happening here?" She asks, tilting her head to the side.

"You tell me…" their eyes are locked on each other's, the air between them electric.

"Well…" Juliet opens her mouth, but then the driver of the car behind them honks to bring it to their attention that the light is now green and it's enough of an interruption to derail the conversation for the time being…

"So…" Magnum is the first to break the silence when they arrive at Robin's Nest.

"So…" Juliet repeats. They're standing next to the Ferrari, waiting for the other to put into words what they are both thinking.

"We should probably say good night…" it's not what he wants to say and judging by the disappointment in her eyes it's not what she wants to hear either.

"We probably should…" she lifts her head, giving him another chance.

But the ball's technically still in her court, so he puts his hand on her waist and waits — almost expecting her to step back.

But she doesn't. And then it happens all at once.

She reaches up to cup his check, aligning their lips to perfection before she closes the distance between them.

She's kissing him and he's kissing her back.

He pulls her closer as his mouth moves over hers, not wanting the moment to end. But her hand eventually drops down to his shoulder and they draw away from each other.

"You were saying?" Magnum breathes, smiling from ear to ear.

"Nothing," she shakes her head before bringing her lips back to his as they proceed to make out in the driveway, finding their way to the guesthouse in due curse.

The Ohana is going to have a field day with this.


I started this one a few months ago and finally finished it after the opening scene of 4x16 provided the perfect inspiration (I love when that happens).

Comments are very welcome!

Love,
Laura