I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or its characters, it belongs to CBS and its creators.

Chapter Sixteen

Danny opened the back door to the restaurant, stepping in and closing it and locking it behind him, throwing the keys up in the air as he turned around. He turned around, jumping and dropping his keys as he spotted Alyx sitting at a table quietly, the lights dim and casting a weird shadow over her. She waved at him, a pencil in hand. He mumbled to himself and bent down, picking up his keys and walking over.

"How did you get in here?" She gestured to the door he came through.

"The locks are old, so they're very easy to pick. I ordered some new ones yesterday." Danny was about to protest, then decided it wasn't worth it and looked down at the table. There were notebooks with neat writing on them, lists on some that looked like recipes. Receipts peaked out from a folder. She currently was over a sketch book, the pencil sharpener in front of it as well as a box of pencils. Danny pulled out a chair and picked up a notebook.

"What is all this?" He asked.

"Um... Menu ideas. I know you want to be in charge of the kitchen and menu items, so I was writing down some ideas that I thought you'd like. And I figured coming from an Italian line you have plenty of homemade recipes." She doodled on the bottom of a miscellaneous notebook bashfully, and he eyed her carefully.

"Interesting... What are you working on there?" Alyx looked down at the sketchbook and picked it up, handing it over.

"Menu design." He looked it over. On the top were some of the logos they had talked about for the sign idea. They wanted to keep it simple and to the point, so they had Alyx sketch out some ideas of what they had in mind. They were labeled from 1 to 4. Underneath were sharables and salads, but there wasn't anything listed. Underneath those were the entrees, and like the other section, nothing was listed, and then underneath entrees were desserts. The format was simple and neat, and Danny scratched the side of his head.

"Have you showed this to Steve?" Alyx shook her head.

"Wanted you to be the first to see it. It's just a rough sketch, too." Then in a really quiet, shy voice: "Do you like it...?" He looked up at her to see her shyly fidgeting with her pencil, her eyes down as she waited for his reply, occasionally glancing up at him.

"I like it."

"You do?" Danny nodded and set the book down.

"It's beautiful. Simple, neat, but attractive enough to catch a person's eye. I really like it." A light blush tinted her tan cheeks and she bashfully looked down.

"C-Cool." Danny smiled.

"We'll show Steve, decide on a font and the logo, and go from there. I'm also in contact with my family trying to get the recipes, and it's taking a while." Alyx nodded.

"I also was looking at your idea of the waiting room, and, uh... Watch, come here." She got up and he followed her to the front, where she fidgeted with her hands.

"I really liked your waiting room idea."

"You did?"

"I did. I really liked the idea of you guys having a reservation restaurant, and so when people come in and their table isn't ready, they need somewhere to sit while they wait. The host booth will be right here," she pointed to the corner to her right, "and then this area could be a nice comfy couch with a table to put their drinks on." She waved at the area about three feet from the door. Danny covered his heart at the idea.

"I love it..." He replied.

"It's away from the kitchen, and they could mingle without the chatter of the main part of the restaurant." Danny watched as she went over to the wall nearby, touching the wall and then feeling her fingers.

"Steve thinks the waiting room isn't a good idea." Danny commented and Alyx rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, well, Steve thinks a lot of things." She replied, making him smirk. "Come on." They went back to the table and she pulled out some papers.

"I know you guys have finished a lot of stuff, and there's just a few more things to do." Danny nodded. "So, I've been kind of looking here and there, and I know a few great chefs that would make it excellent here."

"I do have someone in mind for the head chef, if that's okay." Alyx chuckled.

"It's your restaurant, dude. I'm suggesting it." Danny smiled and watched her finger through a few resumes. "Then of course we need waiters, a couple of hosts and figure out what days and hours the restaurant is open." She handed over the resumes.

"You are so organized." He mumbled. "I guess that's the McGarrett gene." Alyx blushed.

"Where is your father, by the way?"

"Had to run a few errands." Danny nodded.

"Okay, let's get to work."

Steve stepped into the lobby, readjusting his weapon and badge and walking up to the desk. The receptionist looked up, giving him a quick smile.

"What can I do for you, Commander?" She asked.

"Is Agent Pearce here?" The receptionist nodded and reached for the phone.

"Let me let him know you're here." He waved his hand.

"I already told him I was coming." The receptionist nodded.

"He's down the right hall, fifth door to your right." He thanked her and followed her directions, peaking into the office and seeing him writing on a piece of paper, another piece in his right hand. Steve frowned. Huh, he didn't realize he was left handed. It looked like he was writing his signature on something. Steve stepped in and knocked on the door. Hank glanced up, then back down, and then back up when he registered who it was and being so startled he stood up and closed the paper fast, loud and hard.

"C-C-Commander McGarrett!" He yelped. "I-I didn't get a message that you were coming." Steve cleared his throat.

"May we speak?" He asked and Hank nodded rapidly.

"Of course, h-have a... A... Uh..."

"Seat?"

"Um, yes." Hank walked over to the blinds while Steve walked and sat down in a chair, watching him close all the blinds and shut the door. Then he walked back over to the desk, gathering up the papers he was working on with shaky hands. Steve couldn't help but feel amused by his nervousness. Hank finished clearing the desk and then sat down.

"What can I... Uh... Do for you, Commander?" He asked, stumbling over his words. Steve stared at him before adjusting his position in his seat.

"I know you and Alyx have been... Together, in the past few months since you met while undercover." Hank's dark chocolate skin paled.

"O-Oh?"

"She told me a few months ago." Hank nodded slowly.

"I see..." Steve leaned forward, putting his hands together.

"Now, what are your intentions with my da-" Steve cleared his throat. "With Alyx?" Hank stared at him before nervously glancing around.

"I'm sorry? What do you mean...?"

"Are you two dating? Or is just... Physical?" Hank's eyes widened, his ears tipping bright red.

"C-Commander, I honestly don't what we are." He answered. "Right now, we just... See each other when we need to... Vent, and nothing else. I mean, we haven't even been on a real date, so..."

"So, you just meet up at random times?"

"Pretty much... We have a spot to go to..." Hank looked down shamefully, and Steve frowned.

"I see... Have you met up recently?" Hank immediately shook his head.

"We haven't met up since she started the police academy."

"But you text?"

"Yes." Steve leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and staring at Hank for a long time before he finally fidgeted enough for Steve to ask another question.

"Why do you like her?" Hank look stunned.

"Um... I'm sorry?"

"Why do you like her?" Hank stared at him for a moment.

"I was attracted to her when I saw her in the bar. She had a charmisa that I'd never seen before, and I was curious, so I sent over a drink. We really hit it off, and I just... I really liked her then, and I really like her now. She's beautiful, intelligent, very skilled, and I know she can kick my ass any time."

"That's true." Steve agreed and they sat in silence.

"Listen, Commander, I have no intention of hurting Alyx. If I did, I know she could kick my ass and put me in the hospital. I really, really like her, and I want our relationship to be... Healthy." Steve stared at him for a moment, his face stoic and unmoving, before he finally rubbed his face and pinched his nose.

"Fine. But if you hurt her, I have a gun, and I'm not afraid to use it on you."

"Y-Yes, sir!"