Taken

Chapter Five

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. Perhaps if I click my ruby slippers...

Author Notes: Attention fluffers everywhere. This is the final chapter…the fluff chapter. You have been warned. There will be fluff. It will include the epilogue as well. I wanted to finish this story off as I have a four-day retreat coming up and I absolutely won't be able to post anything. When I get back I have an SVU story in the works, but I'll try to get in a one shot of these two. Thank you forever for your reviews! After I read them, my head is in the clouds and I start wracking my brain for more story ideas, just to get your lovely reviews again.

Kono turned to look at Steve. Steve returned her stare and what she saw made her insides turn to jelly.

"You know, that two hours of sleep in the jungle with you snuggled up to me was some of the best sleep I've ever had."

"Me too. I know I need to rest, but I don't think I can go to sleep over here."

"Are you sure you should move?"

"Trust me. When I say I need to move closer to you."

Steve raised the blanket on his bed.

"Then get over here you."

Steve loved the sight before him as Kono slowly slipped her long and very bare legs over the side of the bed. The pain meds made her a little woozy and she had to take it slow, but she made it to his bed and slipped in next to him. She sighed as his arm came down around her pulling her close. She lay down on her good side to protect the ribs, then snuggled her head into his shoulder and reached her arm across his chest to trace the bandage covering the stab wound. Thank God Liko had not been able to stab very deeply or to slice with the knife. It had only been a puncture wound. She slid her arm down to his waist and curled her fingers into his hip. Her hand and arm felt so warm and comforting. Steve sighed too. He ran his hand up and down her arm as he talked.

"You know, you have never looked prettier than you do right now."

"Liar."

Kono lifted her face to look at him. Steve gently traced his fingers over her stitches and then her forehead, brushing the hair aside. He stroked his thumb ever so lightly across her swollen cheeks and finally traced her split lip. He bent his head and lightly brushed his lips across hers. It didn't hurt. Instead it felt amazing.

"Beauty is a funny thing. Only the person inside enhances it. You are a beautiful person inside and out Kono. That beauty is what draws me to you. When you were looking at the kids today and the reunion with their parents, I could see that beauty. I wish you could have seen your smile and your eyes. Looking at it through your eyes made it all the more special."

Kono was quiet for a moment trying to decide if she should say what she was feeling. She didn't want to run him off before they even got started. It did seem right and she decided to chance it.

"You know, if you keep saying things like that, I am totally going to fall in love with you."

"I hope so. I really hope so, Kono, because I'm already starting to fall in love with you."

"At the end when we were sitting there facing each other in that room, I thought for sure that was it for us. All I could think about the whole time was losing you…losing the opportunity to be with you…to…love you."

"I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking I'd never get to see you with a wedding dress on walking towards me."

Kono blinked up at him in disbelief. This man that had up until now been a bit of a mystery to her spoke was speaking openly and with such beautiful visions.

"I was thinking I'd never know what you would look like pregnant with my baby. I'd never get to stand behind you and stroke my hands over your belly while our baby kicked inside of you. I'd never know what making love to you would be like. I'd never get to see those dimples again. Kono, I know this is new, but I've known you for a year and I know in my gut that I want those things with you. Do you think you'd want them with me?"

"Steve, I haven't been totally honest with you. I've been thinking about you for a while now. I mean thinking about what it would be like to be with you in a relationship. I've watched you with victims both young and old and I've seen what you would be like as a husband and a dad. I've felt your protectiveness for me and how safe it makes me feel…how cared for. You've made me feel treasured for the first time by a man."

Ribs and knife wounds were forgotten as their lips met in a slow sweet kiss. Steve continued to kiss her until she was breathless. He was being careful of her lip, but still making her feel his desire for her. They finally pulled back when the pain hit them both full force. Kono laid her head back on Steve's shoulder.

"Maybe we should table this until we're both feeling better."

"I know. Let's give it a few minutes until the pain meds they gave us kick in more and we'll try again."

Steve's eyebrows waggled up and down.

Kono held her ribs.

"Ouch! Don't make me laugh."

Steve sighed and looked into her sweet face.

"You know, you don't look like a cop at all right now, but when you're in the field it's a different story. Danny always says I get aneurysm face but you have a look and a presence about you too. I just never noticed the difference until I got to know you like this."

"Thanks…I think. Was that a compliment?"

"Yes and I intend to send so many more your way. I think my future wife deserves to be complimented every day."

"Okay, slow down Slim. Let's just adjust to being a couple first, okay?"

"Okay, but you know me Kono. When I want something I don't like to wait and I so want you…all of you."

Kono turned her face back up to look in his eyes. She saw it all there. She saw love, affection and desire."

"Oh, forget the pain."

Kono raised her hand to pull his face back down to hers and she kissed him with everything she had. When she pulled back his eyes were wide.

"Wow! That was…wow!"

"I don't think I've ever seen you speechless before."

"Actually, I don't think I need to talk right now."

Steve ran his hand over her hair down her neck and along her side until he had her hand in his. He brought their joined hands up between them and kissed her fingers.

"I am certifiably crazy about you. I'm going to put a ring on one of those soon."

They sunk down further on the bed and continued to kiss and whisper to each other as they got sleepier and sleepier.

Two nurses made their way down the hall and peaked in to check on Steve and Kono. They sported big smiles as they backed out of the room.

"Told you we really only needed one bed in there."

Epilogue:

It had been four months since the kidnapping and Steve and Kono's "Great Adventure " as Danny liked to call it. Kono looked at herself in the mirror as she adjusted her full dress uniform. She had only worn it that day when the guys had honored her graduation from the academy. She was nervous. This was a big deal and she wanted to look her best today. As she adjusted her badge for the third time an incredibly sexy man in uniform slipped in behind her and looked at her in the mirror.

Steve slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him as he rubbed her cheek with his own.

"You look fantastic, now will you stop worrying? It's going to be great seeing all the kids again and the governor will make it very relaxed. Besides, I will be right next to you. If you get the jitters, just lean into me."

Their eyes met in the mirror. When Steve looked at her that way it never ceased to turn her insides to mush. He pulled her even closer and slid his hand into hers, bringing it up to kiss the engagement ring shining on her left ring finger.

"You really like the ring?"

Kono turned in his arms and slid her arms around his neck.

"I love the ring. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Come on. Let's get this over with and we can go get a beer with the guys."

"That's my girl."

They walked hand in hand to the car and drove to the ceremony. Kono was kind of excited about seeing all the kids. As soon as they walked onto the grass where the seating was laid out, seven squealing kids mobbed them. Sarah wrapped herself around Kono and Cassie leaped into Steve's arms. Kevin looked up at Steve in awe of him in his uniform. He reached out his hand and they exchanged a very grown up handshake. Kono smiled at him and then smiled at Steve. They heard all about what was going on with each and every one of the kids. Sarah was learning to ride a bike. Cassie was showing off her silly Bandz. Steve pretended to be fascinated with the different shapes as she took them off and showed him and put them back on again. Kevin had decided he wanted to be a cop just like Steve. Steve smiled at him and had him wait while he went back to the car. When he returned, he placed an HPD cap on his head.

"Can I keep it?"

"Of course you can."

The governor walked over to them.

"Are you kids ready to start?"

All the kids yelled at once.

"Yeah!"

They all took their seats and Steve and Kono followed the governor up onto the platform. They sat together and held hands while the governor retold the story of that fateful night and what happened afterwards. She finally had Steve and Kono stand and she presented them both with the highest award a Hawaiian Police Officer could receive: the Warrior Gold Medal of Valor. As she placed Kono's ribbon around her neck she smiled.

"Is that an engagement ring I see on your finger Officer Kalakaua?"

"Yes, ma'am, it is."

"Congratulations Commander. When did this happen?"

Steve grinned from ear to ear.

"Last night, on the beach, at sunset."

"Very romantic Commander. Well done."

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Danny whistled that sharp loud whistle you used to call your dog. Then the governor turned the microphone over to Steve.

"There's one more award to be given here today. It's a civilian award. Kevin, will you come up here?"

Kevin couldn't believe it. He looked at his parents who smiled at him and motioned for him to go forward. When he reached the top of the stairs, Kono hugged him.

"This brave young man has earned this award for partnering with Officer Kalakaua and I during the ordeal. He risked his life to release the children, Kono and myself from captivity. He led the children through the jungle and encouraged them. When I was captured he attempted to protect me by turning himself in to the kidnappers. Kevin has expressed a desire to become a police officer one day. I think if he does, he will be a remarkable one. I would be honored to have someone like him on my team. Kevin I will never forget you. He placed the medal around Kevin's neck and shook his hand again. This time there were tears in his eyes and in Kevin's too. Kono was sniffling off to the side. He turned Kevin to face the crowd and they went wild. The three of them descended the stairs into the waiting arms of their family and friends.

Chin and Danny converged on them at the same time. Chin gave Kono a huge hug and Danny grabbed her hand and examined the ring. He let out a long low whistle.

"Wow, that must have set you back."

"It was totally worth it."

Steve wrapped his arms around Kono's waist and her arms fell on top of his. She leaned back into him and smiled.

"You guys look really happy. Really, really happy."

Kono looked up at Steve as he looked down at her.

"We are Danno. We really are."

Cassie came running over to them as her mother tried to catch her. She tugged on Kono's jacket.

"Kono! Kono! Am I still your Fwower girl?"

Kono slipped out of Steve's arms and scooped her up.

"Definitely Cassie. You most definitely are."

'Okay, den I'm going to need a weally pwetty dwess, otay?"

Kono's eyes twinkled.

"The prettiest."

After more than an hour of visiting and parents thanking them over and over again, the crowd dispersed and Kono and Steve headed to his house. They changed into their swimsuits and took one surfboard out into the waves. Kono laid down on the front and Steve lay down behind her and between her legs. Their arms moved in perfect sync as they paddled out into the ocean. They turned the surfboard around and sat up. Steve wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned back into his chest. She sighed.

"Did you ever think this could happen?"

"What?"

"I don't know, working together, what we went through, falling in love…all of it."

"No, actually. I never dreamed I'd meet someone like you."

"I never thought I'd end up at Five-0, much less falling in love."

"Think we're gonna make it?"

"Are you kidding? We survived seven kids in the jungle, being chased by criminals no food. Everything else will be a piece of cake."

Steve chuckled and ran his hand along her side causing her to shiver. His fingers danced across her stomach. He whispered in her ear.

"I've been thinking."

"Uh oh, that's never a good sign."

"After we get married can we start on a baby?"

"How soon after?"

"Our honeymoon night?"

Kono started laughing so hard she almost dumped them in the ocean.

"You are unbelievable."

"Well?"

Kono's eyes softened.

"I would love to make a baby with you."

The sun was starting to set and they knew they'd only have time for one wave. Kono leaned back and turned her face to meet Steve's. They kissed like they had that first time in the jungle. They paddled into the wave and Kono giggled to herself. She could not help making the comparison. It felt like they were riding off into the sunset.

Author Notes: And that's what I have to do, ride off into the sunset in the mountains on retreat. See you all soon in another story about my favorite Hawaiian detectives. Don't forget to review. I hope I come home to a boatload of them.