Hey guys I hope people still like this story...I feel there hasn't been many reviews sometimes so I don't know if it's getting boring or something? If that's the case let me know Id rather have some constructive criticism so I can wrap it up or fix it. I do feel a little like I'm writing fluffy chapters as fillers to avoid rushing Kono's recovery process but there not that substantial do you guys agree? should I wrap this up soon or do you want more...please let me know...also more prompts is always good...try something maybe outside the box a bit.

Chapter ten

The boys sat in the waiting area of the doctor's office staring absently into space as they waited for Kono. She was having her first meeting today to discuss what happened after weeks of putting it off. After her chat with Steve she had started to open up to Adam little by little but she found herself predominantly talking to Steve. He was an easy comfort, someone who although close wasn't as close and certainly didn't do the emotional stuff easily. Kono new it hurt Adam and Chin that she couldn't always speak to them but they were glad she was talking to someone and after weeks of therapist Steve she was now seeing a specialist. Kono didn't know that the guys were outside having told Adam she would prefer to go alone for the time being but the men had decided she needed the support whether or not she cared to admit it or not.

Kono thanked the therapist and used the tissue to wipe her wet eyes. As she exited the office she was greeted by the dopey 'deer in head lights shit how will she react' look from her fiancé and friends. Kono wanted to hit them all for turning up expectedly but her therapist had told her that her boy's attention and concern was out of love…something which everyone seemed to like reiterating.

"Babe we didn't want to ambush you but…"

"You were concerned?" Kono answered as she smiled at Adam.

"Yeah"

"I'm going to talk to you all about what happened I've had enough of that for now"

"That's okay we thought we could have a barbeque at mine?" Steve asked

"That sounds pretty perfect" Kono grinned.

Kono shook her head and giggled as all the men relaxed at her reaction. She walked over to Adam and placed her hand in his letting him lead her out. She had come to realise how important her men were to her and that she needed to learn to rely on them.

The team sat around Steve's garden table, the beers flowing and the burgers grilling. The heat was beating down that afternoon and the guys had removed their shirts to keep themselves cool. Kono wasn't complaining at the sight not at all but she wished she could take her top off to…to her bikini top of course. She knew she could but it was a confidence thing. Only Adam had seen her body properly since the incident and he was someone who she had been intimate with but even with him it scared her.

Adam could see Kono fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Ordinarily she would be down to her bikini and in and out of the water all day but since the incident she was careful not to reveal anything even in such heats.

Adam leaned over and whispered in Kono's ear discreetly. "It's okay to take your top of babe no one will stare"

Kono appreciated Adam's words and deep down she knew the guys would never judge or make her feel bad they were her best friends after all.

"I still have scratch marks" Kono whispered.

Although all of the bruising had gone down the scratches were still evident faintly across her chest and stomach. She feared they would scar but her doctor had told her it was unlikely.

"There not visible unless you look closely…it's up to you but don't over think it"

Kono knew Adam was right and the heat was sweltering. She was glad her habit of throwing on a bikini was still within her. She decided she couldn't let herself worry and quickly removed her top and placing it on the back of her chair. Worry did cross her face when Danny looked over at what she was doing but it soon disappeared as conversation continued.

"So I spoke to Rachel yesterday and apparently Grace went out for lunch with a boy!" Danny exclaimed as though the world was going to end.

"Ooh Danno seriously she's a teenager what do you expect" Steve complained.

"Steven she's thirteen she doesn't need a boyfriend until she's thirty"

"Danny I'm sure he's not even her boyfriend" Kono piped up.

"You would say that" Chin laughed making Danny's face pale.

"Cuz!"

"W..what do you mean Chin?" Danny asked worriedly.

"When Kono was Grace's age she would go to surf lessons and tell me and her mum that she would be getting ice cream with friends after or would be staying at the beach longer but one day when I finished work early and went to surprise her I found her near a shave ice stand with a boy holding hands" Chin informed loving the look on both Danny and Kono's face.

"Oh my god my baby's got a boyfriend oh god!"

"Cuz really you're so dramatic that lasted like a week"

"So he was your boyfriend?" Steve asked with a questioning look.

"We said we were boyfriend and girlfriends but at that age we couldn't go on actual dates we just hung out after lesson normally with other friends to it's nothing serious" Kono explained.

"First boyfriend at thirteen wow" Adam chuckled.

"Actually she was eleven and she kissed Charlie Fong" Chin offered.

"It was spin the bottle Chin we didn't date"

"Kono I'm sorry but you can't be left alone with Grace" Danny said dramatically.

"What Danny don't be so silly"

"Silly? If I leave her with you she will be dating the head of a school gang…that's a point Adam you can't be alone with Grace either not with your bad boy reputation" Danny stated his hands waving about all over the place.

"Oi!" Kono laughed as she kicked Danny under the table.

"Hey seriously Kono would be great at talking to Grace…apart from a few instances she was very responsible with guys growing up and she always kept me informed so if Grace had my cousin to talk to about stuff she will make better decisions too" Chin said seriously standing up for Kono.

"Yeah Danno" Kono chuckled.

"What were these instances?" Adam asked curiously as he tried to contain his laughter.

"They don't matter" Kono quickly said as she glared at Chin daring him to answer.

The group enjoyed further mocking each other whilst enjoying their lunch. Kono actually felt like her normal self for the first time in a long time. She knew she still had a long way to go but she suddenly felt like she needed to move forward and work towards something.

"Hey Steve…" Kono began nervously.

"Yeah?"

"When do you think I can return to work?" Kono asked timidly as all eyes suddenly focused on her.

"Ermm Kono…"

"I know I'm not ready yet…I've got a long way to go but today I actually feel better about a lot of things and I just need something to work towards." Kono explained.

"The therapist has to clear you for duty but even when she does I won't let you straight back in the field. Not because I don't think you're capable but because I love you and I don't want you just throwing yourself back into things. Having said that maybe some tech work wouldn't hurt if you want to feel involved again?" Steve said with a smile.

"I have a lot of work to do then to get back into it" Kono said sadly.

"Babe at least tech work will get you out and about and give you something to do for now?" Adam said trying to make Kono feel better.

"Yeah you're right"

"How about if you promise to go to your sessions consistently twice a week then at the end of the month I will get in contact with your therapist and see what she says about your improvement then I can give you a rough idea of when you can return?" Steve suggested knowing Kono needed something.

"That sounds great Steve thank you" Kono smiled happily.

"You know cuz you have got a wedding to plan" Chin pointed out.

"Oh my god I forgot!" Kono exclaimed before covering her mouth and looking to Adam with an apologetic smile.

"You're lucky I love you" Adam mocked.

"And I love you to" Kono smiled.

"I know you probably don't want to talk about it but was the session okay today cuz?" Chin asked turning the conversation serious.

Kono smiled at her cousin loving how much he worried about her. She knew he always had her best interests at heart.

"Yeah it was tough but I guess it did help"

"Good"

"Look guys I know I've been difficult lately and I've tried to keep things bottled up and I also know that I might have hurt you two when I talked to Steve rather than you but I never meant to hurt you. I'm just so used to being stubborn and independent that it was hard for me to show how vulnerable I am. Steve just gets some of what I'm going through I'm just too close to you both but I do appreciate your concern and my therapist has encouraged me to tell you all at least one thing that I'm thinking or feeling each day so be prepared." Kono explained with a giggle at the end.

"Cuz I'm always here for you for whatever and I'm sorry if I was over protective and too much. I'll let you come to me of you need me…you better make sure you tell me at least one thing that will keep me sane and stop me from worrying" Chin said as he kissed Kono's temple.

Adam smiled from where he sat and simply kissed Kono. He didn't need to tell her he would be there for her she knew it she just had to lean on him.

"Why don't I tell you four things that I felt or happened today in the session?" Kono suggested as she fidgeted nervously.

"Were listening if you want to" Danny grinned.

"Okay erm…we discussed how it wasn't my fault"

"That's good babe" Adam said as he wrapped an arm round her loosely smiling as she pulled his arm tighter.

"Ahhmmm we talked about the nightmares and how I can deal with them…she suggested things like bubble baths before bed and if I have a nightmare I need to tell you everything that happened straight away so that I get used to talking about it which will then make them happen less and less."

"We can do that"

"Hmmm I told her that I feel vulnerable which scares me because that's not me and that I'm scared you all will see me differently" Kono admitted very quietly almost not realising she was admitting it.

"Babe" Adam said softly as the others looked at her with sad eyes.

"You're fighting this Kono you're not weak you're the strong and courageous young woman that we know and love" Danny said softly.

"Thank you"

"Okay last one…erm I told her that I didn't feel…erm…attractive anymore and I'm scared you won't want me" Kono said directing the last part to Adam.

Adam smiled and leaned into Kono pulling her hair aside and whispering in her ear.

"You are the most beautiful, sexy, gorgeous woman ever in my eyes and nothing will change that. I promise you I want you so badly all the time because you drive me crazy like that but I don't want to rush anything…when you're ready I will show you how much I love you baby" Adam whispered almost huskily.

"What did he say?" Danny joked cheekily.

"I do not want to no!" Chin said as everyone else laughed.

"Hey cheers" Steve said as he clinked his bottle against Kono's. "You just made a very big step"

"Thanks I love you guys"