In light of what is about to happen in the finale episode, the next few chapters are supposed to be before all that. I will be incorporating the finale episode in my story and hopefully it will be good. If you guys don't think it's the right thing to do then please let me know.

Chapter Nine

It had been three weeks since Steve and Sarah had been dating and it was great. It was a short amount of time but they had gotten into a routine. They would try and meet everyday and then usually had dinner together either at Steve's house or at Sarah's place. It was perhaps one of the first times that Steve felt he was in a relationship. Before this he was constantly on the move, and except for Catherine, he had never been seriously involved with anyone. Even with Catherine, they only met when they were in the same place, which wasn't much to say about a relationship.

They still hadn't slept together, even though they made out like they were teenagers. Once they had gone to Danny's place for a barbeque and they had been caught necking in the backyard corner away from everyone. Even more embarrassing, the one who had caught them had been Grace who had found them and ran away giggling. Countless times they had made out in his truck, before he dropped her off home at nights, and more often than not they had made out like crazy in his lounge room while 'watching' TV reruns.

It was getting to a point where it was more and more difficult to stop, and if he said so himself, he was quite proud of the fact that he was the one who had the will power to stop each time. Sarah would try her best to pull him back, but he resisted. In the heat of the moment she would forget the conditions she had set on their relationship, but once she sobered up, she would turn red as a cherry, looking embarrassed.

Steve recognized that he had reached a stage in his life where he wanted to settle down. When he had first met Sarah and had started having feelings for her, he didn't like it. Now even though he was still wary, he welcomed the opportunity that he may have met a woman who could become a part of his life. He always believed in family life, but had never really thought seriously about it before. Now he could imagine a life with Sarah. He wasn't sure if he loved her, but he definitely had strong feelings for her, feelings that were different to what he previously had felt for others. It was perhaps too soon to think about things like this, they had known each other only a little more than a month. But it was more of an instinctive knowledge that she was meant for him and he for her, rather than a logical one. He could only hope that she felt the same way.

Just as he was thinking, his phone rang. He looked at the phone, speak of the devil, "Hey babe. What's happening?" he asked while sitting back in his office chair.

"Hey there sailor. I was just wondering whether you would like to come for a party tonight? Its for one of the teachers and I don't want to go alone" she sounded tired and considering the time it would be the end of her teaching day. It was a Wednesday so she had classes all day.

"Sure, what time should I pick you up?" he hated going to parties specially when they were for people he did not know, but he would because he know Sarah wasn't a big fan either.

"If you're busy don't worry about it, I'll drive myself and you can meet me there" He could hear a smile in her voice. That was another thing about her. She was not at all demanding of his time, she understood that his job had certain demands on him, which he had no control over.

"Ok if nothing turns up by five I'll pick you up around five thirty. Do you want me to dress up or should I just come straight from work?"

"Just come straight from work. I don't want to stay too long, then we can just get something to eat" She sighed.

"What's wrong? You don't sound so good" he asked.

Again she sighed, "I'm just tired. I had a nightmare grade nine today. On top of that I have my period. I just feel like ripping my hair out".

Steve was used to PMS because of his sister, so he knew if he laughed he was in trouble. He smiled though, he had never seen her in a bad mood but he imagined she would look cute all riled up. They said goodbye and hung up. Just then Danny walked in.

"Hey partner. Got a heads up on the Koloi kid who shot your girl" he came sat on the edge of the big desk, "The Feds picked him up in Florida in a carnival of all places. He was busy with some chick, they literally caught him with his pants down" Danny had a little giggle.

"So are they bringing him here?"

"Yeah he's coming and the DA is going to be charging him. In fact I just got a call from her. She said Sarah would most probably have to testify, since she is a victim".

Steve thought about it, she had taken the entire incident in her stride, considering what she had gone through. She went to counseling twice and week, even though according to her she didn't need it. "I'll talk to her tonight. I think she should be fine".

"Dude she is brave that one. How is she doing? Haven't seen her in a while. Maybe we can do a barbeque at your place this time" Danny snickered again, "Maybe this time you'll get caught with your pants down".

Steve gave him one of his looks, "You wait your turn man. I'll get you good".

-X-

As Sarah pulled up to Jackie's house she saw a truck pull up behind her. She smiled as she saw Steve waiving. He had called earlier that he would be late, so she decided to drive there herself and let him meet her. She loved to drive everywhere, especially since she got her new Jeep Wrangler last week. It had really surprised Steve when she had told him she was buying that and she had teased him that he expected her to get a girlier car. It was bright red and the best part was the top could come down, which it was at the moment. She jumped out of the vehicle just as he came toward her. As always he looked amazing, even in his work clothes, khaki cargo pants with a white t – shirt.

"Hey there handsome" she let out a whistle and winked at him.

"You like what you see, beautiful?" he came up to her and pulled her into his strong arms.

"Oh very much" she went on tiptoe and kissed his mouth. She had intended it to be a short kiss, but as usual they couldn't control themselves. He pulled her closer, ran his hands down her jean clad bottom as she put her arms around his neck and clenched her hands in his hair at the nape. Since she was considerably shorter, he had to really bend and sometimes she worried he would give himself a bad back. She wasn't even wearing her heels today.

She pulled away reluctantly when a passing car honked at them, a group of teenagers whistling, "Woman, you will ruin my reputation" Steve said as he smoothed his hands into the back pocket of her jeans, nicely coping a feel.

"I think we can safely say that both yours and my reputation has been given a nice roll in the mud. And we haven't even had sex yet!" she laughed with him. They had been caught making out so many times now that it was getting embarrassing. It was even more frustrating because she was trying her best to prolong not sleeping with him even though she was dying to. The only reason why she wanted to wait was because she wanted to build a solid relationship with him so that it would mean something to both of them. And she loved him for understanding. More often than her, Steve was the one who pulled back and reminded her of her request.

Hold on. She loved him? She had never been in love before, so she hoped that what she was feeling was love and not just a massive case of lust.

"Okay, let's get this party thing over with, then go get some dinner" Steve pulled her toward the house where the music was coming from.

They actually enjoyed the evening. The party was to celebrate Jackie's thirtieth birthday and the music was mostly the 90's dance music. Sarah made Steve dance; at first he was reluctant and blushed like a little girl. But once he got started, the man had some moves. They danced and chatted most of the time they were there, but left and went for dinner to a Chinese restaurant.

They had just settled down, ordered their meals and beer. Then Steve got serious, "They got Matthew Koloi in Florida and he is being brought back to Hawaii. I spoke with the DA and she is charging him with murder and attempted murder" She watched Steve as he took a sip of his beer.

"Shouldn't he be charged with manslaughter? I mean I don't know anything about the law, but I don't think it was premeditated" she felt nervous all of a sudden. Even with therapy she tried not to think about the shooting.

"Well, we had to give up the investigation once the FBI took over so I'm not sure of the details. But since it involves gangs, I suspect the DA is taking a hard stand" he reached for her hands across the table, " And I am pretty sure I can get any information I need from the investigation. The other thing is that you will most likely have to identify him and testify".

Sarah felt her mouth dry up. She didn't want to relive it and she didn't want to see him. She tried not to let Steve know how she felt because she didn't want to look weak. There was nothing worse than looking like a damsel in distress all the time, "Do you know when this will happen?" she asked.

"Tomorrow Anna Martin will call you. She is the ADA handling the case and you will need to come in to ID him" again he squeezed her hand, "Danny and I will be there with you, so don't stress too much about it".

Just then their dinner came and talked about other things. But throughout she kept thinking. The first few days she had been fine, then she had started having nightmares, she would wake up sweating but wouldn't remember much from the dream except having a gun pointed in her face. She had told her therapist and he told her it was normal to experience nightmares after such a traumatic event, and they would slowly stop.

Well they hadn't stopped; even now she woke up in the middle of the night. At those times she would think of calling Steve, but then again something would stop her. It was too soon in their relationship to burden him with such personal things. Besides they were having fun right now, it would be better to not let reality intrude for a little while longer.