Authors notes:

Struggled with this chapter... talk about aprehensive! Do I do seperate Pov' s or combine to conversations... still undecided now! Hoping the music will guide me as the other tracks did. Come on Steve, you can do it, Kono just wants to hear the right words is all. No pressure then ;)

Tiger

Steve's POV

Hey there honey, you came along and stopped me running

I'm feeling like me, back on my feet, I'm a tiger...yeah!

The short drive to Kono's seemed like a lifetime. Excuses for my behaviour replaying in my head, none of which seemed reasonable, none of which were excusable for what I had done, for who I had become. And yet your message gave me hope for forgiveness, a second/third/forth chance. I'm ready, I'm willing to to take whatever you have to give. No more running.

Your lights are out, I shouldn't be surprised it is still really early and your message had been a while ago. I should of noticed your message earlier, I should of called back immediately. Why didn't a call before I left? I couldn't think straight, all I could think about at that moment was seeing you, being with you, a hope to have you in my arms before the sunrises. A man can dream!

My heart drops, I guess the hope of you sitting on your front porch with a smile, was too much, too easy, and lets be honest not deserved. I walk around to the back. Ofcourse I should of known that's where you would be. On the hammock listening to the waves crash. The only way you could get a good nights sleep, when you had had a rough day, even when it was a cold night you'd plead to have the window open to sooth you. I didn't complain, gave me an excuse to bring you closer to me, to keep me warm.. Your asleep, I see my note in your hand and your phone in the other. I can't help but smile. My Kono, always My Kono, you look so small, wrapped up a blanket, it looks like you've being crying, tissues scattered around you. Damn it, I should of come sooner. I hesitate to know what to do, you never liked being woken, this is not the time to contend with Grouchy Kono, I smile. I decide to watch you sleep, giving myself a little time to formulate what I want to say, what I need to say, what I haven't said in so very long. It's easy to get distracted by your beauty, did you know how perfect you are when you sleep? So innocent, So unbelievably stunning, your hair cascading over your face. I love the way your nose twitches when your hair gets in the way, I chuckle quietly. You loved it when I said you reminded me of Samantha from Bewitched, after all she had been my first crush as a young man. For months when you were losing at a game or disagreement you would twitch you nose as a sign to get your way. It was a definate turn on, and you definately knew how to work it to your advantage!

You start to stir, my thoat turns dry and I feel my heart in my throat. It's time.

"Kono honey, it's me, I'm here." I say in a whisper.

Kono's Pov

They say we're dreaming, but I swear we're awake

Are you sticking around?

Are you sticking around?

I had the weirdest dream, memories of Steve flooding my mind, so vivid so wonderful, so perfect. We were so good together in those moments, he was so playful, so attentive, so kind, so gentle. Of course I'm only seeing the good stuff, but for the last few months, thats the only thing I had to keep my hopes alive, me alive. My eyes feel sore, must of cried myself to sleep again. I can smell him, it can't be from the top, and I recall I'm no longer in my room. I hear the wave's crashing, I stir slightly and here his voice. I'm scared to open my eyes for fear of it being a dream. For fear that he had disregarded my message and thought better of that kiss. I pray that it's not, that he is here, wanting to talk, wanting to make another go of things, wanting me, Oh please God, that he wants me, needs me, like I've always wanted him, needed him...please!

I feel a warm hand glide over my hair and rest on my cheek. I still refuse to believe it, keeping my eyes closed. "Steve is that really you?" my hand reaches to cover his. My eyes flutter open and focus on him leaning over me with a concerned look on his face.

"Yeah it's me, I got your message."

I smile, it's a good start. I sit up and make my way to the porch, he looks at me worried he's done something, I turn and look back "I sense we are going to need some coffee, we have a lot to discuss." He smiles and follows me to the door and watches as I put the coffee on, he doesn't come in, just waits quietly. Part of me feels like he's waiting for an invite. I choose to ignore it, part of me is still uncomfortable at the thought of him being in here just yet, and maybe that is what he is picking up on so chooses just to wait.

I bring out the coffee and sit on the steps, waiting for him to join me. Waiting for him to start, it should be him right? He finally came round and made a move to re-connect don't the rules say that he should then continue to do so? I sip my coffee and look ahead. I feel prompted to grab for his hand, a sign of support, of a willingness to listen and a promise of forgiveness?

Steve's Pov

It's not everyday you get the feeling so brave,

not everyone has the chance to be saved.

Her hand is warm on my own, almost burns me. Her eyes searching my own, clarifying to herself that it was indeed me, that I had come to try and salvage our relationship that I had ruined. She goes to get the coffee, I notice she's still wearing the top from the night before, she descretly places my note back in her pocket, a slight smile approaches my lips as I watch her unconsciously pat it. It also doesn't go unnoticed on me that she is wearing an old pair of my boxers. Which makes me falter as I follow her up to the back door. I stop at the door, like a barrier is stopping me from entering. I don't feel I can go in, not yet, she picks up on my insecurity and chooses to ignore it. Wise choice, I would'nt want me in there either. Afterall the last memory of me being in there wasn't paticularly great for either of us.

We are sitting on the steps, she is looking out to the ocean, waiting. Her warm hand descends on to my own, I know its my cue, I just need to think how to phrase all my feelings. This is my moment, she is willing to hear me out, willing to give me the 'olive branch'.

"Kono, I am sorry, sorry for leaving you the first time, sorry for coming back, taking advantage of you and then leaving you again. I'm sorry for not talking to you, telling you what was going on in my head, not mentioning my fears of losing you, not saying that I loved you every day, even when we fought. Sorry that I choose to distance myself from you rather than use the opportunity to become closer to you to let you inside to share my inner most thoughts. Sorry that I wasn't there to comfort you, console you, listen about your day, about your worries and insecurites. Sorry that I was so selfish, believing that I had the right to make the decisions in our relationship, and that I knew better."

I could feel myself getting lighter and lighter and as I mentioned all the things that I was aware of doing to her, at somepoint I had began to cry, and hadn't noticed until I felt a tickle down my cheeks. I couldn't stop though, I was too afraid that when I stopped she would tell me it was too late and that I was right and that it was unforgiveable so I continued.

"Kono, please believe me I wasn't thinking straight, I could only think of what had happened to my Mum and to Mary, I couldn't bare the thought of something happening to you, and as the days, weeks, passed, I saw how hard it was on you, I heard you cry in the bathroom, your eagerness to leave work and run away from me. I was relieved that you hated me that you couldn't be around me. I was so sure it was the best thing.

Seeing you at the Police Station, was a set back though, I didn't see it coming. The guilt of bringing you into all this after trying so hard to push you away and still you had been taken in, had your badge taken. All because of me. If you didn't already hate me then you would now, I thought. And yet when you looked at me that night all I saw was worry and I dared to believe something more, something that I didn't deserve.

When I heard that Wo Fat had caught you, but you had escaped and were able to tell us where to go, I realized how different that could of gone. Seeing you at the Harbour, wanting to yell at you to go home, but also being so overjoyed to see you, never thinking I'd see you again."

I am still looking ahead, trying to keep focus, trying to remember everything I have to apologise for to be honest about. My head hangs low, feeling so heavy resting on my shoulders, the weight of it all leaving and yet the guilt still weighing me down. What I have done to you? I feel you hand move to squeeze gently on my leg, encouraging me to continue, to let me know you are willing to hear me out without interrupting. I daren't look at you for fear of seeing you cry.

"I am so sorry for taking you in, for man handling you, for yelling at you and making you feel like a common criminal, I was so scared that again I hadn't been there for you, that we could of shot you. I wanted you to be scared, scared of me, I wanted you to know what you do to me. I was so glad Chin was around to take over, the fear of losing it on you for the first time in an interrogation and it being at the women I loved was appalling. I go over it in my mind, wondering if Chin hadn't of stopped me what I would of happened. That terrifies me. The things that I said there, still makes me feel sick, especially after everything came out just a few moments later. Fryer was right, ofcourse that's what you would do, family has always been you priority, it figures that would include us. I promise never to Underestimate you again. I promise to never take you for granted. I promise to never push you into anything."

I breath, I dare to look in your direction, and see your eyes welled up, a look of only compassion on your face, a relief of all of this out finally in the open, where it belonged. You take my hand and rest it against your cheek, as the your tears spill over it. I catch them and search your eyes for anger, contempt, frustration, disappointment. I see nothing but love..

Kono's POV

Whenever you leave, all the colours fade,

So I'm here holding on, cause I'm tired of grey,

Are you sticking around?

Are you sticking around?

My head is spinning, like a whirlwind is rushing through my mind, my memories, his memories of the past few months collide. He turns to look at me, his eyes glazed with fallen tears, so wide, so hopeful, so filled with love. I squeeze your hand and bring it to my cheek, an action to show my forgiveness. I kiss your palm and hold you hand, while reaching for your face with my other wiping your tears away.

"Steve, I've missed you so much, I knew the reasons for your distance. And loved you dispite myself for it. It was hard and crushing to do for so so long, but I understood. I knew I had to give you time and space to come to your own realisation. I hated it so much, seeing you trying to act normal, and it hurt me seeing you smile, no matter how many times I reassured myself that the light in your eyes was no longer there. I know that we can get through this, I want us to get through this. I know without a shadow of doubt we are supposed to be together, that we are better one rather 2 broken halves. I also know that we can't go back to the way it was. I can not, will not go through this again. You have to be sure you know what you want, what you are willing to sacrifice for this relationship. I want all of you, not just the brave, courages Navy Seal I want the unsure, uncertain, worried out of his mind, scared stiff one too. You have to understand and believe that some things are going to be out of control, and accept them. I love you Steve, that has never, will never change, but I need to know you are fully prepared to be in this relationship, that your not going to bolt if Wo Fat returns, which we both know he will. I need to know you are going to stick around and deal with whatever comes together, equally, side by side."

We're facing one another, my eyes searching his for understanding, that he's taking it all in and accepting things have to change, his hand stroking my own, his head nodding desperatly to appease my worries. Could this be happening, am I still asleep, I'd hoped for this outcome, if I just had a little more patience he would come round and realize the mistake he had made, but had this time arrived?

His head starts to come closer, he leans in to place his forehead against my own with a grateful smile, his hands come to the juncture of my neck, his eyes looking deep into my own. Searching for a sign to come in closer...

"I want this, truely I do, I've missed your kisses and more, our connection. That was never the issue though, our chemistry has never been an issue, and that kiss last night was just what the docotor ordered, believe me, I realize this sounds crazy, even now when I am saying it... but I want to wait, I want us to be sure that there is no going back. I need us to take the time to reacquaint ourselves with the relationship, to really date, spend time with one another.. we never really did that the first time around. We feel into it, and yes, it was easy, and yes, it was amazing, but within weeks we were full on living together, and it didn't work, maybe time spent just being with one another on a cerable level without the physicality may make us stronger. Can you do that for me? I'm not saying forever, trust me I can't wait that long! I just need to be sure this is what you really want, that this can truely be a healthy relationship for us both, that your willing to stop running and stick around."

I breath deep, my eyes close and breath him in, his forehead still against my own, his hands still warm against my skin, my own arms make there way to his neck, I open my eyes once more, and raise my head, looking at his soft adoring features.

"Steve McGarrett, I forgive you, I love you, I want you, this desperately, but those are my conditions, I can't do it any other way. Do you think that we have a slight hope in this working? I need to know. No more time wasting, we have wasted too much already. What's it to be?"

Steve's POV

You build a plane, and I'll build a boat

If we drop all the silver, I swear we can float

I've missed this, this closeness, this openess, this sincerity. For the first time in soo long I can breath, I can hope that I have'nt managed to lose everything I hold so dear. Your arms around my neck, your breath mingling with my own. Your strong desires to want us to be together, to allow me to woo you back, to be better, to show you what I can be capable of. I look at you in utter awe, how have I deserved someone like you, someone so willing to accept my flaws and call me on it and not want to run away.

"Yes, yes, oh Kono yes, whatever it takes. I love you so very much, and know that your forgiveness did'nt come easy, and I'm so grateful that you did. I understand the need to take it slow, ofcourse you need to, I need to prove myself, not only to you, but to myself. I get that you need to feel that I love you in other ways, I guess many times it seemed to be my answer to everything, if you were in doubt or needed reassurance the answer to me would always be found in the bedroom. And that is not altogether right, well it shouldn't be. I want to find other ways to be close to you, to find deeper connections, to let you know that I love you and that I want us forever, I see my future for the first time, and it's not terrifying anymore."

Both

Wash out the glass and pop the Champagne, whenever I can I celebrate

Cause it's not everyday you gett he feeling so brave, not everyone has the chance to be saved

Steve embrassed her, held her tight, to scared to let her go just yet, feeling his own heart trying to escape through his chest, while also hearing her sighs of relief. She pulled back from the embrasse, smiling, tears still falling freely.

"I'm so glad you came to find me last night, I'm sorry I ran, and scared you, you caught me off guard. But, I will be forever grateful for it, for you doing that, for claiming me back, for triggering my thoughts. I am so happy right now, I mean I know it's going to be weird and no doubt awkward, but for now, right now, were on the same page, which hasn't been the case for a long time." Her hand reached for his cheek once more and her lips kissed his other, lingered for a second and retreated. "I'm not saying we can't kiss, just thinking we should keep 'PG'!"

He lowered his own lips to hers and gave her a chaste kiss in return "Perhaps 'PG12' ?" he smiled.

Kono laughed and grabbed his hand as she stood "Perhaps!, We have a couple of hours till work, do you fancy a walk on the beach?"

"Can it be classed as our first official date? Not that I'm in a hurry, you understand?" He stood up and followed her towards the sunrise, a new day was dawning, a new start for them both.

...

A/N: Sorry it took so long, writers block, busy couple of weeks at work, dog ate my homework - you know the usual excuses! Slightly different than the others but hopefully still ok.

More to come shortly-ish!