Disclaimer: I do not own anyone/anything you recognize.
A/N: Apologies in advance for the angst! The next chapter will make up for it. Or, I hope it will, at least.
My usual thanks goes to Tiana-P. You seriously rock so much.
Steve combed his wet hair with his fingers as he climbed out of the water and walked back onto shore, spitting the salty water out of his mouth. He arose from his bed shortly after sunrise and spent the first hour of his day in the ocean, swimming laps back and forth to clear his mind.
He had spent the previous day, as well as every day that week, thinking about what had almost happened between him and Kono on the evening they had gotten drunk together. It had been burned into his memory and he couldn't rid of it.
He recalled those days when it had been easy to brush the idea of them together aside. Their six-year age difference was a major factor, but now that they were both adults, he didn't seem to mind anymore, and that bothered him.
It didn't help that she was also his subordinate now. Despite not having a rule about fraternization, he really wanted to be professional with her. She knew this, yet it didn't seem to stop her. He was fairly certain that she wasn't going to stop until she got him where she wanted him, and that only made him want her more. The fact that she was so confident was so sexy.
He then thought about Chin, and how he probably wouldn't approve of them being together. That alone should be giving him an incentive to not act on it. He found it disturbing that if they had to sneak around to see each other, it would be okay with him.
As Steve walked into his house, he couldn't help but start thinking of her again. He immediately shook his head, convincing himself to stop. Pull yourself together, McGarrett. She's just another woman. Even while he was thinking that, he knew he was lying to himself.
…
"Chin, Kono, stay on the SUV. Danny and I are on the van," Steve ordered before walking away and toward the van.
"Hey, McGarrett! Hold up," Kono called as she walked toward him.
Steve turned around to face her, a look of discomfort etched on his tired face. She studied his facial features before giving him a sly smirk. "Looks like you haven't been getting much sleep lately."
"I'm fine," he assured flatly.
"Are you sure?" she asked sarcastically as she wagged her index finger at him. "Because your undershirt can beg to differ."
Steve looked down at his undershirt and noticed that it was on backwards. He rolled his eyes as he took off his overshirt then held it between his legs. As he took off his undershirt, he noticed her eyebrow rise and her lips form a smile. "What are you smiling at?"
"Your sexy, washboard abs," she said seductively as she looked him down and up, biting her lower lip. "Maybe you should start going into work shirtless."
He sighed as he put his undershirt back on and the right way, followed by his overshirt. "Is there an actual reason why you pulled me aside?"
"Oh, right, sorry. You were distracting me. I think you know what that feels like," she said with a voice that sent pleasure throughout his whole body. He scoffed and sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. He could have sworn he was blushing at this point. "Kono…"
"My graduation dinner is at Haleiwa Joe's at 7:30. I'd love it if you can make it." He wanted so badly to say "no", but what came out of his mouth was different. "Yeah, I'm free," he said, almost sincerely.
She knew he was hesitant, which made her smile all the more. "Great. I'll see you tonight," she said before walking away.
He walked the opposite direction, scrunching his face up in disappointment. What the fuck is wrong with me?
…
As Kono looked out the small window on the entrance door, she saw Steve peeking through. She flashed a subtle smile at him as he locked eyes with her and nodded his chin up.
Moments later, she looked up to find him on the upper floor. He stopped in his tracks as he looked down at her and nodded again, gesturing hand signals in the air. She nodded subtly to let him know that she understood him, earning her a wink from him. It was difficult for her not to smile.
As Kono jumped Natalie and punched her continuously, Steve jumped down to the main floor (in the most ninja-like way possible) and noticed a gas cylinder on fire, ready to explode. He yelled for everyone to run outside as he ran to Kono, grabbing onto her arm and yanking her out of the building.
As the building exploded into flames, they were all thrown several feet into the air. Steve dove on top of Kono as they landed on the ground, protecting her from any debris that showered over them. She was taken by surprise when she realized that he was hovering over her, his breath panting. They just remained stationary as they stared at each other in a trance.
Just as he was about to lean in to kiss her, Danny called for his attention. "Steve!"
"Uh…" he shuddered, his face turning red as the awkwardness kicked in. "Get up, would you!" Danny yelled to Steve as he pointed a gun at the only suspect who escaped before the building set fire.
Steve avoided Kono's eyes as he stood up and walked toward Danny. She propped herself up on her elbows and watched him walk away, scoffing in shock.
Damn you, Danny. Damn you.
…
As Kono walked out of the bathroom at headquarters, she found the three men on her team standing before her in their respective law enforcement and military uniforms. She almost gasped when she caught sight of Steve in his black Naval officer's uniform. Holy fucking shit. She was amazed at herself that she didn't just drag him into a storage closet right then to fuck the shit out of him.
She approached them slowly, smiling at them as she looked back and forth between them.
Steve was the first one to approach her, handing her a small box. She looked up at him questioningly as she took the box from him. "Go ahead," he said in a sultry voice.
She opened the box to find a Kel-Tec 9mm pistol. She ran her hand on top of the gun and smiled up at him. "Very nice. Thanks, Steve."
He nodded before speaking. "I'm sorry you were put in danger today," he mumbled sincerely. "Please know that I'll do everything that I can to protect you."
Momentarily speechless, she could only stare at him as his words sunk in. Before she could say anything, however, he stepped back into formation as it was Danny's turn to step forward.
…
Just as Steve was getting up out of his chair, Kono tapped lightly on his office door frame. "Hey," she greeted as she leaned against the door frame, her head lolled to the side.
"Hey," he greeted back in a surprised tone as he walked around his desk to approach her. "You're still here. I was just leaving to go change."
Instead of responding, she just smiled and walked over to him, leaving only little space between them.
He squinted his eyes in curiosity. "What?" he asked softly.
"Nothing," she began in a lustful tone. "I just wanted to thank you."
Steve furrowed his eyebrows. "For what?"
"For protecting me earlier, for being willing to do whatever you can to protect me."
He stood silently for a moment as he looked at her longingly. He then said the words he never thought would come out of his mouth. "Of course I'd protect you."
She smiled sweetly at his response. "I think you're starting to warm up to me, sailor." He just scoffed and smiled, looking away to hide his blushing.
Her smile turned into a grin, her teeth beautiful and straight. She tiptoed as she kissed his cheek passionately, holding onto his shoulders for stability. His mind turned foggy as he took in the feel of her lips pressed against his cheek.
She then sank back down from her tiptoes, pulling back to look him deep in the eyes. "I'll see you at dinner," she said as she turned around and walked toward the door.
"Kono!" he called out almost immediately. Smirking, she turned around slowly. "Yeah?"
He wanted to kiss her so badly right then. "Never mind."
"You sure?" she challenged.
"Yeah, I'll see you in a bit."
"Okay," she chuckled, turning back and walking toward the office exit.
I'm such a fucking idiot, he mumbled to himself as he turned the light switch off.
