Thanks to all those who have been following the story and leaving reviews, really appreciate it and please keep doing so. This is my first fan fiction so please be kind if I get too carried away!

Chapter Six

Two weeks after the shooting…

Sarah woke up to sounds that were familiar and old, the constant sirens and traffic noises so typical of New York City. For a minute she thought she was dreaming. It was funny how accustomed one got to ocean sounds, especially when one had grown up in the city. She opened her eyes and took in the familiar surroundings of her old room at her parents apartment.

When she had been released from the hospital a week and half ago, her parents had already been in Hawaii and the same day as they had reached they had whisked her back home. She hadn't been happy about it but she knew she would not win any arguments, specially faced with her parents and brother. It wasn't that they bullied her, but she knew when she was outnumbered. So here she was back home, albeit temporarily, strangely missing her new home.

It was strange how she had started to think of Hawaii as home. She loved her life, more than anything she loved the fact that she was completely independent, though at times she wished she was less lonely. But loneliness had been her company in New York as well. She was brought out of her musings with the "Big Bang Theory" ringtone on her cell phone. The number was unfamiliar, but she still answered it, it might be her school.

"Hello?" she tried not to sound too sleepy.

"Sarah? It's Steve" came the voice of the man who had not been too far away from her thoughts. He sounded all business like which sort of pissed her off.

"Hi, Steve. I informed Danny that I would be returning to New York, and he gave me the all clear as long as I was easily reachable" Sarah informed him before he could ask her.

She heard a grunt from the other end, "He told me that. I was just wondering why you didn't call me?" if she didn't want to lose her mind she had to believe that his slightly hurt tone was her own imagination. "How are you feeling?" His voice had turned from business to gentle and friendly, she could believe he had a small smile on his sexy mouth.

"I didn't call you because I knew you would be busy. And I am fine, just some pain in the arm" she told him as she got up from the bed.

"Listen to me, when it comes to you I will always be there to take a call. I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me" Sarah could just imagine him feeling awkward saying it.

"Steve you don't have to be so nice. You already did so much, visiting me in the hospital, bringing my iPod when Alisha wasn't able to" Sarah had been surprised to see him all the days that she had been in hospital, he came before work and met her before he headed home. It had made her feel special although he always talked about the case or something totally objective like his work.

She heard him sigh, "Look I might as well tell you now, 'coz I'm not sure I'll be able to tell you face to face" again he sighed, "I like you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since the night I met you. And when you get back maybe we should go out sometime".

Sarah couldn't speak for a bit and she heard him asking her if she was still there, "Yes I'm still here. And I can't stop thinking about you either. You're so not the kind of guy I would usually go for but there is something about you" she paused for courage, "I am sorry if I was blunt but I believe in total honesty. And I can't believe you would ever be interested in me".

"Well I am" he didn't sound too happy about it, Sarah thought. "So what do you think about doing something when you get back?"

"Uhh, yeah I would like to do something, maybe dinner or something", she suggested. "I get back the coming Monday".

"Fine, just text me the time your flight arrives and I'll pick you up" Steve informed her like he was giving out orders.

"I can take a cab, you don't have to pick me up" just the way he demanded her flight information like he had a right to, made her want to do the opposite.

"Don't even think about it. You're still not up to it, and you'll have luggage. I'll pick you up. Okay I have to go now so I'll see you Monday?" Even though he framed it like a question, Sarah knew it was a statement.

"Yes I'll see you Monday" they both hung up at the same time. Sarah walked out into the kitchen and smelled the waffles she loved so much.

Her mother was at the cook top, making eggs, "Good morning darling! How are you feeling this morning?"

"Hi Ma. I'm feeling better, the pain is a little less, but I can do with another hit of pain pills" she smiled at her mother as she was served a plate of waffles and a glass of OJ. "Where is dad?"

"He left early this morning to go to Jersey. Had a business meeting with a building contractor for the new hotel" Her mother came and sat opposite her at the table. Anita Morrissey was a beautiful woman in her mid fifties, with graying short hair that was always cut in the latest style. She was already dressed in a pair of smart looking beige linen trousers and an aqua top with matching silver jewelry that was her staple. Sarah had always considered her mother to be one of the most stylish women she had ever known, and having grown up in New York that was saying something.

"When is the building scheduled to start?" Sarah bit into a waffle.

"He's just waiting on the approvals from council and then they should start. Another month or so, you know how long these things take" her mother fussed about the kitchen, "So, who was on the phone just now?"

Sarah swallowed her waffle, "Uhh, just a friend from Hawaii. He just wanted to know how I was doing, and then he offered to give me a lift when I get back".

"Sounds nice. So is he handsome? And what is his name?"

She had to have a drink first, "His name is Steve and yes he is handsome" very handsome.

"Well I'm glad you have someone to take care of you".

"He's not taking care of me, Ma. He just offered to pick me up".

"Loraine told me he came everyday to visit you in the hospital" Her sister – in – law was a blabbermouth.

"Loraine and Jay should mind their own business. But yes he came to visit me everyday". Her mother just smiled and didn't mention him further.

-X-

Steve waited at the airport for Sarah's flight to land. At the last minute he had picked up some flowers, he didn't even know what they were called they just looked nice. He felt a little silly holding a bunch of flowers in the middle of the airport. But people didn't really notice him, they were too busy greeting their loved ones.

After about twenty minutes it was announced that the passengers from her flight had disembarked, so he went and stood in a position that would give him the best view of the passage they would come from.

It had been more than two weeks since he had last seen her and he didn't like this anticipation he was feeling. It made him feel week and he had never felt like this. Last week he had met up with Catherine and whether it was out of habit or not, he wasn't sure, they had ended up in bed together. Usually he enjoyed himself, but this time he felt a strange sense of wrong about the whole evening. Catherine had sensed this and had managed to dig out the info from him. He wasn't sure how she would react, but she was good about the whole thing.

Steve had seen the hurt in her eyes, and had hated himself for being in this situation. He considered himself an honorable man and he hated deceiving people, which was one of the reasons he had told Catherine about Sarah. She had smiled sadly and told him that even though she was not looking to settle down anytime soon, she would be happy for him if he found someone else. He had protested that he wasn't looking for anything serious either, but she had given one of those mysterious smiles that only women could, had gotten dressed and left after kissing him one last time.

Steve was pulled out of his reverie when he spotted a small figure dressed in a pair of baggy jeans that were fashionably ripped and a plain white t – shirt and black vest. It was Sarah and her arm was in a sling, her leather handbag slung across her body, dragging her luggage behind her. She was looking around and Steve noticed for the first time she was wearing a pair of wayfarer glasses that gave her a boyish air with her hair tied in a messy knot on her head. She looked tired but good. Steve decided to walk up to her and meet her.

"Hi" she said when she saw him. He could see the color rise in her cheeks when she saw the flowers, "Oh Steve! You shouldn't have" but she looked happy to see them.

"I just wanted to give you a Hawaiian welcome" without thinking he bent down and brushed his mouth on hers softly. It was soft, but he felt an electric friction pass between them. He didn't deepen it, but straightened once again. "Here let me get your bag".

She let him drag her bag and he saw her touching her mouth with slightly trembling fingers. Good. He was not the only one who was a bit out of his depth here.

Steve dropped her home and helped her take her luggage in. Neither Alisha not Jack were in for the evening so he invited her to have dinner with him, but she refused saying she as tired. She did look exhausted, so he decided to let it go. Again he brushed his mouth on hers, this time lingering a little. Her mouth was soft and her breath was warm on his cheek. He cupped her cheek as he straightened. "Good night. Tomorrow I'm taking Danny for a hike, but when I return I'll call and we'll decide when to go for that dinner you promised me".

She was quite breathless when she gave her Okay. He left her after he watched her lock the door.