Sarah flipped the pot of boiling water full of spaghetti into the colander. She poured some olive oil over the top while it was still steaming, stirring it around until it was mixed in. She moved over to the pan of meatballs and picked it up by the handle, shaking the pan as the small round balls rolled around. She set it back down and took the lid off the pot of sauce next, using a wooden spoon to mix it and then took a small taste, grinning. "Yum, nice job Sarah."

She looked over her shoulder at her ringing cell phone.

"Hi," she answered, "dinners almost ready."

Steve sighed, "I'm sorry Sarah. I'm going to be late." He stared at the pile of papers on his desk as well as a partially completed report that was displayed on his laptop.

She looked at the feast she had prepared but hid her disappointment. "That's ok. Work?"

"Yes. I don't know when I'm going to get out of here." Wishing he could run out. He needed one of those days when the two of them could just sit and be.

"Just come over when you're done, if you're still hungry and up to it, otherwise don't worry about it. We'll try again."

Steve glanced at his watch, trying to get an estimate. He'd been up since four in the morning and it was already pushing seven in the evening, but he didn't want to stand her up, especially since she'd cooked. He also felt this constant need to reassure her that he was still in the game, even though she had never really challenged him on it, it was there. He felt another headache coming on not needing another issue to deal with after the day he had, but he'd already taken six aspirin. He could have taken the whole bottle and knew it wouldn't cure the throbbing. "How late is too late?"

"Nine o'clock, I guess. I don't know. Why don't we just play it by ear?" She sensed something, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." He saw Danny coming across the way to his office. "I have to go. I'll call you." He hung up and set his phone down before Danny caught him, not wanting to get into another cross-examination. Three in one day was enough. He looked down at the paperwork on his desk, seeing the name Akoni Leese all over it. He cringed as the earlier incident flashed through his mind.

"IAD is here," Danny said standing at his office door. He could see the pained expression on Steve's face, not from the news of Internal Affairs but from the reason they were there to begin with.

Sarah looked at her phone after he had hung up so abruptly, but figured he must have been busy. She reached over turning the sauce off and pulled the meatballs off the burner. She scooped up a small plate of food just to hold her over for a while incase he showed up later. She knew his work and also knew she had better get used to those calls because they were a reality.

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Sarah heard the knock and switched the TV off. She leapt off of the couch, smiling as she went to the door glad that he had come over, regardless of the time.

She opened it to see Steve with a tired grin, a day old beard and eyes that looked like he needed sticks to keep open.

"Hi," she stepped out of the way, letting him in. "You look exhausted. You must really be hungry to still make it over here instead of bed," she chuckled.

He was tired, but not hungry. The hunger portion of his brain had shut down, all he really wanted was sleep, but on his way home he once again felt that guilt of needing to let her know that he appreciated her efforts. It was out of the way but he figured he owed her. "I got here as soon as I could."

"You didn't have to come at all." She closed the door as he went for the couch, falling down into it.

"Yes I did."

"It's just spaghetti, it's not like I cooked filet mignon or anything spectacular."

He looked up at her, getting a little perturbed that she didn't even appreciate that he'd gone out of his way to come over. He started to get the idea that maybe she was a little irritated that he showed up late to begin with. "Do you want me to leave?"

She stopped and looked down at him, surprised by his tone. "What?"

"I got here as soon as I could. I didn't even want to come over but I felt like I had too."

She crossed her arms, staring down at him wondering where the hostility was coming from. "I told you, you didn't have to come over. If you were so tired then why did you?"

"Because you cooked."

"So what?"

"I didn't want you to think I was standing you up. I'm here for you not the food."

"Why would I think that? You were at work." She narrowed her eyes at him, questioning his whereabouts. "You were at work, right?"

"So now you think I'm lying?" he snapped.

She shook her head, confused over his temper. "I don't know what to think. As a matter of fact, I don't even know who you are!"

He pushed himself up off the couch. "I'm the guy that constantly feels like I have to assure you that I'm still in this."

"Why would you have to do that? Do you not want to be, because I don't recall ever questioning your presence?"

"I don't even know why I came over."

"I don't either. Go home!" She opened the door for him. "And just so you know, Steve," she said bitterly. "I survived the last twenty-seven years without your," she used her fingers as quotes, "'reassuring' me that you are around and I can certainly survive another twenty-seven."

"You're making this too hard!"

"No Steve, you are! Look at you. You're always so wound up and closed off on the inside you don't even know what you're supposed to feel! Like right now. I don't know what the hell is the matter with you, but I don't want that kind of man."

He wasn't sure what was happening between them. His mind was so cluttered with the events of the day he couldn't rationally decipher this argument that he was still trying to blame on her. He stared at her wanting to tell her but it was still so raw. He felt the weight of the day on his shoulders, needing to lash out and finding her to be a suitable target, but not realizing until it was too late that he needed her for support. A lesson he would learn the hard way.

"I'm so sorry, Sarah that I turned out to be such a fuck up in your eyes, what a disappointment that must be for you. The outside isn't always as pretty as the inside, is it!" he yelled. "You knew who I was going in to this and you waited until you had me just where you wanted me and then you tear apart the very person that you said you wanted, pointing out my weakness, proving that I'm a failure!"

She stared at him, not ever seeing this side of him before. "What is wrong with you?" She was becoming more worried than angry.

"I'm not good enough for you, isn't that what you just said. Well," he started down the stairs, "good riddance for you then."

He disappeared around the corner of her building and she didn't even have the will to go after him, not knowing how to argue with the words that were coming out of his mouth. She had no idea what had just happened.

She closed the door, leaning back against it. "Go to hell," she said bitterly, guessing this was his way of getting out. She heard a cell phone ringing, not recognizing the tone as hers. She followed the sound to the couch, seeing Steve's sticking out halfway from between the two cushions.

She saw a picture of Danny as the caller. His face as red as could be, sunburned from the chest up, remembering the day Steve had taken it. "Hi Danny," she answered.

"Sarah?" He pulled his phone away from his ear, checking the number he called.

"Yes."

"Is Steve there with you?"

"He was, but he just left. Which I can't say I'm not glad. He was being a total ass. He must have dropped his phone in the couch. "

Danny sighed, leaning against the counter in his kitchen, not taking into consideration of why Steve would be at her house. He had more important things on his mind at the moment. "Did he tell you what happened?"

Sarah began to get a bad feeling over his delivery of that question. "No," she said apprehensively, sitting down on the couch waiting for the news.

"We were checking out a lead today and the guy took off running. All we wanted to do was question him. He ran down an alley. I had the jump on him and was ahead of Steve when I heard a couple of shots come from behind me. I turned around and the guy's son had come out the back way with a 45 automatic and was aiming at me. Steve shot him and killed him."

"Oh God" Sarah groaned.

"That's not the worst of it," Danny continued. "He was only fourteen."

"Oh my God," Sarah cried, feeling sick to her stomach, completely understanding now.

Steve slammed the door to his truck closed, pounding the palm of his hand on the steering wheel. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" he yelled out. He kicked his left leg out, bracing it against the back of the floor board, pushing his body into the seat and punched the ceiling of the car with his fist over and over until the pain was too much.

He fell forward on the steering wheel, gripping it tightly trying to calm himself and trying to come to terms with what he had done to that poor kid and to Sarah. He wanted to go back up so badly, needing her but it was too late. The damage was done and he'd said too much, not even remembering half of what he did say, but knowing it was harsh and maybe unforgivable. He missed her already, cursing himself for letting that side of him get control. His fear over living with the shooting had caused him to lose control; he was never going to learn. Sarah was right; she didn't deserve someone like him.

The driver's side door next to him opened as the lights in the cab came on. He looked up and saw her standing there. She didn't have to say anything for him to know that somehow she knew. There was no anger showing from what had just happened between them, only a deep concern for his well-being as she leaned in putting her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"Danny called," she whispered.

He dropped his head on her shoulder, feeling weak as the day came crashing down on him. How could he have said those things to her? He needed her. "Sarah," he spoke with so much regret in his voice that she pulled away from him.

"Don't." She put her hands on his face that looked as if he might crumble right there before her. "You don't have to say anything. We don't even have to talk about it," she leaned in and kissed him. "Just come back inside with me." She took his hand guiding him out of the truck. "Come on."

He went with her as if she were some divine apparition that was leading him to nirvana.

She walked him through the front door, turning off the lights as they made their way back to her room.

The sight of her bed drew him in, feeling the fatigue and stress of the day hit him hard as he laid down, comforted by the soft blankets that smelled like Sarah. She laid down next to him as they faced each other. She kept her promise of not talking about it, letting him decided to sleep or talk, which ever he needed the most. He couldn't be pushed she knew that well enough.

This place was nirvana, or maybe she was, but whichever of the two he finally felt a peace that he didn't know would come so soon.

"They suspended me for a week," he finally said. "I've never been disciplined before."

"I find that hard to believe," she joked, smiling from that statement and pleased that he was opening up to her.

He smiled back, feeling relaxed, but just when he thought he was safe the image of the boy in the alley turned on him. The smile faded just as quick. "He was only fourteen years old Sarah," his voice shuddering over that.

"He was also carrying a gun and pointing it at the only brother you have. Would you rather it be Danny in the morgue?"

He stared at her, not expecting to hear that. "No."

"Then you did the right thing. You had no choice. You didn't put him in that alley. You didn't put that gun in his hand. You only prevented him from murdering your Partner."

"I should have shot him in the leg."

"Then why didn't you?"

"It happened so fast and he was running towards Danny with the gun pointed at his head."

"So then you couldn't have shot him in the leg. Stop second guessing yourself."

"I think I would have missed if I aimed for his leg."

"That's why you didn't." She moved closer to him. "I know it's hard because he was only fourteen, and that's a terrible thing. But you're a good man Steve and if you let this eat at you, it will eventually change who you are, and you don't deserve that because none of this was your fault. You did what you had to do, what you were trained to do and when all is said and done, that's what everyone else is going to see too. This wasn't your fault."

His guilt moved to her now. How could he have said those things to her and risked losing this? "You were right, all those things you said earlier. I don't deserve you."

"I'm not completely blameless. I do question you're devotion. I try not to show it because I know you like strong, independent women, but you saw through me."

Steve smiled at her, "We know each other too well."

"I don't know if that's good or bad."

"Tonight it was good," he slid an arm under her shoulder and rolled over on his back, taking her with him. "Very, very good."

She rested her head on his shoulder and her arm over his chest. They both kicked their shoes off the end of the bed. Steve gently massaged her arm that lay across him. "Play hooky with me tomorrow. Let's go someplace."

She smiled, "Where?"

"I don't care, wherever you want."

"You might live to regret those words."

"Never." He pulled her closer, kissing the top of her forehead and closed his eyes, feeling completely at peace now that the end of one of the worst days of his life was finally over.

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Sarah reached out, taking his hand as he helped her balance while she jumped from one large boulder to another.

"I love this spot," she said, walking out to the edge where the ocean began. They were halfway through the hike to Kaena Point that led out to the Northeastern edge of the island. It was the perfect place to escape for the day. The Hawaiian's called it Jump Off Point, believing that when their people died their souls would go to that spot and jump off into the next life. They were two miles from where they parked the truck and stood looking out at some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Oahu.

He stood next to her, staring at the same serene vision. "We could build a house, right here." He motioned with his hands to the area around them. "Put in a nice lanai and then sit out here every night and watch the sunset."

Sarah looked over at him, never hearing him say the word 'we' when speaking of the future. "That would be nice."

He slid his backpack off his shoulders and unzipped one of the pockets, handing her a bottled water.

She took a drink and handed it back to him as he did the same.

"Do you want to stop at Hidden Beach, or go all the way?" he asked her.

"I don't care." She looked over her shoulder at a family of three that passed them on the trail. She waved as they gestured to her.

The Father called out to them. "Do you know how much further it is to the end?"

Steve answered as he slipped the backpack back on. "About a mile and half. You'll come to a fence with a gate, it's only a couple hundred yards after that."

The wife looked at her husband as if she were surprised at the distance and made it all too clear that she didn't want to go that distance either.

"It's really worth the hike," Sarah added.

"Thank you," he yelled out as they kept walking. The young boy on the other hand acted as if it was just a walk in the park running ahead and then stopping to wait and then running again.

"Think they'll make it," Sarah asked as they continued on, jumping from boulder to boulder.

No," Steve laughed. "The wife obviously doesn't want too. And you know the saying," he glanced over his shoulder at her, "a happy wife makes a happy life."

"I've never heard that before," she joked.

"Really? Then I should have kept my mouth shut. Would have saved me a world of trouble. I could have played dumb." He jumped down off a rock, standing over a tide pool.

She stared at the back of him, surprised again that he had made the subtle suggestion of her in the future. She didn't know what was up, but she liked it. She smiled down at him as he played like a little kid with some tiny black crabs that were scurrying about in the tide pool. God she loved him. He looked over his shoulder just then and smiled up at her, turning back to his game and then quickly looked back at her, seeing something in her expression. He stood up recognizing that same look she had the night they slept together. It was incredible how just a look could make him feel the way it did. She had chosen him. He couldn't believe how lucky he was for that.

"What?" she asked, giggling over his sudden attention aimed solely at her.

"I like you," he said out of the blue and with every bit of sincerity in the tone.

She bent her head, feeling her face flush, but when she looked back up at him he hadn't faltered, locking eyes with her again. She felt it all the way down to her toes. She responded in the same way. "I like you too."

He held her gaze for a couple more seconds before looking back out over the water, smiling. "Remember when we brought Jacob here?"

She jumped down to where he was, using his shoulder as a brace. "Yes. You had to carry him on your shoulders most of the way."

He sighed, "I miss him."

"So do I."

"He was such a great kid."

She turned to him, "What was his Mom talking about the day of the funeral? What pact did you make between the two of you?"

Steve smiled recalling the moment in his backyard, it just made him miss him all the more. "He asked if we could pretend that I was his Dad. That's why he started calling me Stevo. It was our code name." He looked over at her as his smile slowly faded. "That kid yesterday, he was just trying to protect his Dad when I shot him."

"Steve," Sarah said, reminding him again of his duty and actions.

He held his hand up to her, "I know, I know. I did the right thing, I get that." He touched her on the arm, mainly for leading him down that path and for convincing him it was the right one, but he still held the guilt that it was he that pulled the trigger. "It's just hard thinking about Jacob and then knowing that that kid was just like him once."

She let him have this moment, allowing him to grieve for the boy he shot. He needed that, but she also felt confident that he wouldn't let it consume him like it had the night before.

"I was pretty messed up last night," he confessed, sliding his hand down her arm until it slipped into hers. "I don't know if I apologized yet for the things I said or the way I treated you."

"Its okay, Steve…" she began when he cut her off.

"No it's not. You didn't deserve it," he looked down ashamed, "and then after all that you still had the will to come out and find me." He squeezed her hand, knowing those adoring looks she gave him and the loyalty she displayed were all because she loved him, both as a friend and more. "I woke up last night with you lying next to me and it made me realize how important this relationship is. How important you are. I think I took it for granted that you would always be there, buts that not always the case. It hit me then that I could lose you and what that would do to me if I did." That fear rose up in him and revealed itself in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you Sarah. I won't hurt you like that again. I'll change for you."

"I don't want you to change for me," she scolded him. "I like you the way you are. Relationships aren't about changing yourself to suit the other person; they're about knowing that other person and accepting who they are. I understand you, even last night when we were arguing I knew there was something more to what was going on. I like that you're a puzzle," she grinned, "sometimes it takes a while to get all the pieces put together but I eventually figure it out," she held tight to his hand but stepped back, showing him off, "and look what I get to end up with once it's all put together."

He shook his head in amazement at her. "I've never met a woman quite like you Sarah. You're one of a kind."

She shrugged like it was no big deal. "You've probably never met one that had as much patience as I do."

He pulled her close up against him. "I want this to work. I don't want you to think even for a second that I'm not here for you too. You do know me and you also know that my family and my friends take priority over everything else. " He paused, smiling at her. "And you'll take priority over them all."

"Wow!" She took him by the arms and pretended like she was looking him over. "Who are you and what did you do with Steve?"

He playfully grabbed her around the body so her arms were pinned at her side. "You created a monster with your rules. Flowers, phone calls, dinners." He kissed her cheek as she giggled. "If you don't like me now you have only yourself to blame."

"I like it! I like it!" she shouted.

"Whoa!" Steve yelled as a large wave came up and almost soaked the two of them, washing over the tide pool filling it up to the their knees.

He jumped up on the rocks, pulling her up the rest of the way out of the water as another one came close to doing the same.

"Tides coming in," Sarah announced.

"So is the rain." He pointed over her shoulder toward the mountains that ran parallel along the trail. The sky over the ocean was a blue as could be, but behind them dark clouds began to filter over the top of the peaks, it was a beautiful sight but also meant they were going to get wet. "We better get moving."

They started walking as Sarah took the lead and he followed her footsteps, jumping from rock to rock. They got about a hundred yards when they heard someone scream. They both stopped, looking ahead about a hundred yards, seeing the Mother of the family that had passed them earlier standing on the edge of a boulder by the water, screaming frantically.

They both took off running toward her, Steve passing Sarah as they came upon a patch of flat ground. They were almost to her when the woman turned and saw them and started running toward them, the panic on her face was heart stopping.

"Help me! she screamed. "Help me!"

Steve caught her by the arms as she practically barreled into him. She tried to drag him back to where she had been.

"My son!" she screamed. "He fell in the water!"

He let go of her and dropped the backpack off his shoulders as he ran toward the boulder she had been standing on with Sarah on his heels. He stopped on the end and looked out over the water seeing the small boy being tossed about in the waves and his father trying desperately to get to him but the waves and current were pulling him in the other direction.

"Call 911," he said to Sarah as he took off running, following the edge of the water, jumping from boulder to boulder but keeping the boy in his sight. He got about twenty yards down and Sarah watched as he slipped his shoes off and stood on the edge of a boulder and waited for the next wave and then dove off into the surf.

Her heart dropped to her stomach.

She dialed for help as she ran to the edge, trying to see him. "Oh God please!" she whispered, "please."

"Where is he going?" the Mother yelled.

"He has to get ahead of the current." She turned her attention to the phone as dispatch answered. "Code 6123," she said, giving the official code for an officer in need, saving time. "Commander Steven McGarrett, Five 0 unit. This is Sarah Hickey. We are approximately two miles east of Highway 930 on the Kaena Point Trail. A boy fell in the water and he's attempting a rescue. The father of the child is in the water as well; he seems distressed and is caught in the current taking him west along the shore. High tide and the surf is strong. Requesting Coast Guard assistance."

"Roger that request," dispatch answered, "notifying Coast Guard and Fire Emergency units to your location. Please stay on the line until units arrive. Has Commander McGarrett located the child?"

"Yes," Sarah replied feeling the adrenaline soaring through her. "He's almost to him, but the father is about a hundred feet away still moving west."

The mother grabbed Sarah by the arm as if needing a steady hand, all the while frantically calling out to her son. "He's going to go past him!" she shouted in distress as Steve neared the boy.

"No he won't. He's a Police Officer and an ex-Navy Seal. He knows exactly what he's doing." She watched with relief as he grabbed the boy around the chest and they both laid back, letting the water take them closer to the father who was struggling to swim over to them against the current.

Steve used his free arm and swam backwards toward the father, hoping to get there before the man wore himself out. "What's your name Buddy?" he asked the boy who seemed to be about ten years old and was crying. "It's ok, I got you. What's your name?"

"C…Chris," he shuddered, holding on to to Steve's forearm with both his hands.

"I'm Steve, Chris. We're going to swim over to your Dad and then we're going to wait until help gets here to get us out. You're going to be ok Buddy. I promise."

"Okay," he cried, looking over to shore and seeing his Mother.

"Chris!" his father yelled as they got closer, reaching for his son.

"I got him," Steve said, putting a hand out so the man wouldn't latch on to him in his state of panic and take them both under. "Stay right there!"

"Give him to me!" he said, trying to get past him, not understanding why he was preventing him from getting to his boy.

"You're tired, if you take him you'll both go under. I'm a police officer. Help is on the way. Calm down!" his voice stern and commanding.

The man responded to the authority in his voice and stopped fighting and began to tread water. "Are you okay son?"

"Yes," he nodded, still crying.

Steve started swimming away from shore as the tide began to bring them in. "We have to swim away from shore. It's too rocky over there if we get caught in the tide."

"Shouldn't we try to swim parallel and find a safer place?" the father asked, already sounding winded.

"Too risky. The Coast Guard will be here in a couple of minutes." He knew Sarah well enough to know that she would say all the right things to get them help as quickly as possible.

"Steve," she yelled out, wanting to warn him as another big wave washed over them. "Oh God." She held her breath as all three of them went under; she then let it out as all three popped back up in the water. "See," she said to the mother, almost breathless "I told you they'd be okay. He knows what he's doing."

"Look," Chris pointed over the horizon.

Steve and the father both looked to where he was pointing, seeing a Coast Guard helicopter approaching from the east.

"I told you," Steve said, "almost home."

Sarah stood off to the side as the helicopter lowered Steve on to the shore from the cable after hoisting him out of the water last. The Fireman had arrived a few minutes earlier on ATV's and in a four-wheel drive vehicle that was able to maneuver the trail. They assisted him in removing the device around his chest and legs and then pushed it away and waved up to the guy leaning out the door, letting him know they were all good.

She had heard stories of him on the job and some of the Seal missions that he'd talked about, but she had never seen him in action first hand. It was surreal to watch. He didn't even hesitate to jump in the water and go after that boy and his father. She was sure he didn't even consider the danger to himself; he just saw them in trouble and went in, risking his own life for two complete strangers. She watched him now as he talked and even laughed with a couple of the EMT's as they gave him the once over.

The family huddled together after getting the ok from the Paramedics, but was still advised to watch for trouble symptoms.

She smiled at him as they walked toward each other, but her smile turned to relief that he was all right.

"Sarah," he halfheartedly laughed, hugging her as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. He was surprised that she was this upset. "I'm fine. It was nothing. I was more worried about the father drowning us than the surf."

She pulled away from him and laughed. "Be quiet and just let me have this second of relief." She put her hands on his bare chest after the Paramedics had removed his shirt. "I knew you were going to be okay, but it still scared me."

He liked it, not that she was scared, but that she was afraid for him. He gently rubbed his hands up and down her arms calming her. "It's all good." He pulled her in then and kissed her, thanking her for that.

"Excuse me," the father of the boy said, standing behind them.

Steve turned around to a hand that was held out. "Thank you for what you did. I don't know how to repay you. I'm not sure either one of us would have made it out of there if it wasn't for you."

"You seemed pretty determined to get to your boy. I think you would have made it."

Sarah stared at him, amazed that he refused to take the credit for saving both of their lives.

"You have to be careful of those sneaker waves," Steve reminded him. "It happens all the time. I'm just glad I was able to help."

"Thank you again Officer. I'm deeply indebted."

"Enjoy the rest of your vacation," he smiled, "but stick to Waikiki Beach."

"Good advice," the father laughed, "I'll take it." His wife came up next and didn't offer her hand but a hug.

"Thank you so much," she said. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Steve put an arm around her, hugging her back but looked at Sarah for help, feeling the gratitude was too much. "Anyone would have done the same thing."

She let go of him. "Not true, but thank you."

He looked down at Chris. "Be careful around the ocean Buddy. She has no mercy and she's quick to catch you off guard."

He nodded, "I will. Thank you for saving me."

"You're welcome, but I think you should thank your Dad. He jumped in first."

Chris looked up at his Father, backing up into him, feeling that security.

Sarah followed Steve inside his house, watching him as he went for the kitchen. He reached in the fridge and pulled out a gallon jug of water. She admired him as he took a long drink from it. His body was lean and strong, showing earlier just what it was capable of. After what she had experienced on that trail, both with his sweet talk and then diving in that water, her want for him was off the charts.

He held the jug out to her, slightly breathless. "Do you want some?"

She walked toward him, holding his gaze. "Yes," she replied, ignoring the water and putting her hands on his chest and moving them slowly up around his neck and then kissed him.

He let the jug fall to his side, slightly caught off guard by the kiss, but quickly joined in using his free arm to pull her closer, following her lead. He loved the way she kissed.

She tilted her head and they only broke for a second as they shifted and tore into each other again with even more zest. He managed to get the water back on the shelf and move her out of the way, letting the fridge close on its own. This gave him two free hands, which he used to his advantage.

She stood up on her toes, cupping the back of his neck and deepened the kiss, which only encouraged him to lift her up on the counter. She wrapped her legs around his waist as they shifted their heads again, diving into one another. She wanted him right here, right now.

Steve pulled back, "Wait!" he said panting, "Just wait!"

She stared at him, wondering if she had forced herself on him too quickly like the last time, turning him off, but before she could get that troubling thought out he reassured her that wasn't the case.

He lifted her off the counter, carrying her toward the stairs. "I want you in my bed and naked this time."

"Yes," she agreed wholeheartedly, tearing into his neck as he began to ascend the stairs.

He stopped at the top, pushing her up against the wall as his knee spread her leg and his hand moved up under her shirt, all the while devouring her lips and tasting the sweetness as she played mercilessly with him.

She wrapped a leg around his as he pulled her away from the wall, partly carrying her and at the same time feeling his way down the hall to his room.

She was literally delirious, anticipating the next few minutes, already aching so badly for him.

They stood next to the bed and he looked down, concentrating on undoing the buttons on her shirt while she worked the belt and button on his shorts. He glanced up at her for just a second and they locked eyes. The intensity of the moment took over and they both relinquished their duties as he buried his hand in her hair and kissed her again. He'd never in his life wanted anyone so badly before as he did Sarah at that second.

He began to fumble with her shirt again and she moved his hands, ripping it open as two of the buttons hit him in the chest. They both laughed.

The moment calmed as she looked at him with that stellar expression, elevating him to a new high. He kissed her again, only this time it was tender and he took his time, showing her he felt the same way. He moved to her neck as he slipped her shirt off of her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor at their feet.

She reached behind her back and undid her bra as he helped her slip it off. He moved down and untied the bow on her athletic shorts and slipped his thumbs in the waistband, sliding them and her panties down her legs as she stepped out of them. She swallowed, suddenly feeling self-conscious never seeing her body as something a man would necessarily admire. She looked down at him to see his expression as he made his way back up her body, kissing her belly. His hands followed the curve of her waist but his eyes stayed on hers until they were facing, already knowing it was perfection.

"You're so beautiful Sarah."

She blushed looking to her side. "No I'm not."

"Yes you are," he whispered, moving his hands over her back. "You're skin is so soft. You feel so good," he professed, searching out her lips.

She'd never had a man say those things to her before or speak to her in such a way that she would honestly believe him. The shyness vanished as she moved up against him, feeling the hair on his chest brush over her nipples. He slipped out of his shorts and laid her back on the bed, running his hand down between her breasts just before he took one in his mouth, savoring the beauty of it.

Sarah laid her head back as he held her around the waist, pushing down on her hips as she rocked back forth straddling his lap. He knew she was close. He just had to hold back for a couple more seconds, but it was getting more and more difficult. She was so amazingly sexy and the way she moved her body on him was mesmerizing. The previous two orgasms he'd had that night already were unbelievable in the way that they left his body crippled, needing to rest and recover, but here they were again.

He slid his hand down between her legs, helping her along and the moment he did he smiled, feeling her body shudder and his name being served up in a way that helped him along as well. Her hand gripped his shoulder, digging her fingers into it as he watched her face, loving the expression that he could only describe as complete euphoria that shown when she came.

Sarah leaned into him, tightening her pelvic muscles as her body stroked him, hearing his release, which only encouraged her movement to be more aggressive. She was already weak from her own closure but it still felt amazing. He pleaded with a higher power and she felt a gentle tug on her hair as he clasped a handful of it. It lasted longer than the others, which pleased her to no end. He laid her back on the bed pushing into her a couple more times before he finally came to rest and his body relaxed along with hers.

She felt a bead of sweat run down her temple into her hair as he laid on her shoulder, both of them breathing heavier than normal as their bodies calmed.

He lifted himself up, moaning over the effort, searching out her lips and kissed her.

"Thank you," he mumbled and lay back down again.

They both giggled over it.

"You're welcome." She stroked his back feeling confident that she had pleased him, never feeling so uninhibited in bed before with a man. With the other two the most adventurous she had gone was getting on top once, but the man had commented that he didn't like her hair in his face. She never did it again, until Steve rolled her over and put her there. She tried to hold her hair back not wanting to experience that uncomfortable moment again but he pulled her hand away, liking the feel of it on his chest and the way she looked with it hanging down over her shoulders.

He lay still, enjoying the soft touch on his back as she caressed him. It was relaxing. "That feels good," he moaned.

"Repaying you for the good job you just finished."

He smiled, running his hand up and down her body. "Anything I can do for you? Either now or earlier?" he asked.

"Nope," she sighed happily, "I'm quite content in both departments." She looked down barely able to see his face that was sill on her shoulder. "What about you? Anything I can do that I'm not to make it better?" She was wondering if he was opening the subject, hoping for her to ask.

He wasn't expecting anything from her that she wasn't already giving him, knowing she wasn't very experienced, but even so, the sex was amazing. He lifted up looking at her sheepishly, "Do you mean that? You would try anything?"

She nodded, a little taken back by his question but she didn't want to seem prudish. "Yes."

He grinned, "I'm glad you said that because there is something you could do that I like. I usually wait until I'm with a woman for a while before I suggest it, but you and I know each other pretty well."

She looked at him peculiarly, "Okay, what it is?"

He sat up on his elbow, acting shy. "Well," he started and then paused, biting his bottom lip. "I like to be spanked."

Sarah felt her heart sink to her stomach. "What?" she barely got the word out.

"You heard me," he said with a straight face.

"I just…" she stumbled, "I don't know if I can…"

"Come on," he begged. "All I'm asking is that you go out to the yard, pull a stick off the tree and come back in here and punish me. Really punish me. You can even slap me a couple of times too if you want, but mostly spank me hard. I love it!" he growled.

Her mouth fell open, stunned over what he was saying. She had heard of stuff like this but the idea of doing it was appalling to her.

The look on her face was priceless. He couldn't hold it back anymore and started laughing.

It took her about three seconds to realize he was teasing her. "Oh my God! You are such an ass!"

He rolled over away from her, laughing out loud and grabbing the pillow to protect himself as she came at him.

"You should have seen the look on your face!" he roared. She climbed on top of him, hitting the pillow that protected his body and face. "Yes" he yelled out, "just like that baby! Slap me again!" he laughed.

Sarah growled at him, "You totally freaked me out!" she laughed, but was beyond relived that he was only joking. "That's not funny." She rolled off of him on her back with her hands over her heart, "God, I thought you were serious."

He leaned over her, "I couldn't help myself." He kissed her, thanking her for being such a good sport. "But in all seriousness," he smiled. "There's nothing I would change about you, in bed or out. I think you're amazing." He kissed her again.

"Thank you," she replied, always feeling a little shy whenever he complimented her.

He rolled back over on his back, chuckling. "I'm just glad you didn't jump out of bed and run out back to the tree. That would have freaked me out."

They both cracked up over that.

Steve stood behind Sarah with his hands caressing up and down her bare thighs, his chin resting on her shoulder as he watched her cook grilled cheese sandwiches on the stove. She raised her arm to flip one and he slipped his hand inside his shirt that she was wearing, cupping one of her breasts.

She leaned back against him and went about her duty without so much as a flinch. She tilted her head to the side as if inviting him to partake of her neck, which he did without hesitation.

They both froze hearing the front door open and a familiar voice call out.

"Hello?" Danny yelled out. "Steve, you up?" He closed it behind him, heading for the kitchen, smelling the food.

Steve turned around while Sarah stood directly behind him, using his body as a shield, which hid her well.

"Hey," Steve said as he entered the kitchen.

Danny barely gave them a glance, heading straight for the fridge.

"What's up?" He put his hands behind him, holding Sarah in place, but could feel her body tremble from trying to hold back the laughter.

Danny took out a piece of pizza, examining it first before tossing it in the microwave. "I've been calling you like you owe me money. I heard what happened yesterday. Jesus man, trouble just follows you wherever you go, doesn't it?"

"I guess," he replied, tickling her side trying to make her laugh. He felt a gentle punch on his back.

Danny took out the pizza after only a few seconds, too impatient to wait. "I heard you were with some girl, didn't catch the name but must be the mysterious one you've been hiding." He finally looked over at him and clearly saw someone behind his back. "Oh shit! Sorry." He moved his body trying to see around him for the person hiding. "Hi. I'm Danny."

Sarah didn't answer but just laid her head against Steve's back as he laughed out loud.

"She's a shy one," Danny said, looking a little perturbed.

Sarah moved around just far enough so he could see her, but not all the way since all she was wearing was Steve's T-shirt and her panties. "Hi Danny."

He was about to take a bite of the pizza and froze. He looked back and forth between the two of them and then down at Sarah's attire. In his mind he tried to think of some scenario that would have her here, wearing only his T-shirt and hiding behind him, but knew there was only one. They were sleeping together.

They both stared at him, waiting for something when Sarah finally took the initiative. "I'm going to run upstairs and put some pants on."

"Turn around," Steve said to Danny, who didn't move. "Hey!" he twirled his hand, "Turn around."

Danny slowly turned, bracing both hands on the counter.

Sarah went to scramble away when Steve grabbed her by the hand. "Hey." Danny turned his head. "Not you." He motioned with his finger for him to turn back around. He then looked down at Sarah. "Cat's out of the bag now."

She looked over at Danny and then back at him, returning the smile, "Guess so."

He watched her scoot away and up the stairs, holding down the bottom of the shirt to cover her underwear. 'God she's hot,' he thought to himself. He was still looking when Danny threw a towel at his chest. He looked over at his partners glare. "What?" he laughed.

Danny threw his hands up, "What do you mean, what?" He motioned back and forth from Steve to the stairs, whispering loudly, "How long has this been going on?"

Steve crossed his arms as if defending his ground. "Since the night Jacob died."

Danny shook his head at him, still harboring that look of distaste. "Do you know what you're doing? That's not just some girl up there." He pointed to the ceiling. "That's Sarah! That's our Sarah!" he said, still trying to keep his voice down.

"Yes, I know," Steve replied more calmly.

Danny pointed at him this time. "I swear to God Steve, and I'm speaking not as your friend but as one of Sarah's absent older brothers that if you hurt her. I'll kick your ass!" he paused, shrugging. "Ok, I'll get Chin and Kono and the three of us will kick your ass!"

Steve laughed over that. "I'm not going to do anything to hurt her Daniel. I would never hurt her. I love her." He went from one shocked look to another as Sarah stood on the bottom step of the stairs, staring at him over that remark. He didn't say anything but just smiled. What was there to say? It was the truth. He had come to the realization of what being in love meant, and it's what he felt when he was with Sarah. He had to be in love, there was no other explanation.

She came off the bottom step and over to him. "I love you too."

Steve draped his arm over her shoulder and smiled proudly over at Danny, motioning to Sarah with his head. "This is my girlfriend."

"Oh God," Danny moaned. "You guys aren't going to become one of those couples I hate are you?"

They both seized the moment to torment him as Sarah turned and put arms around his neck as well as a leg up by his waist and kissed him. He played along by leaning her back moaning loudly over it.

"I'm leaving." He put his hands up, blocking the view as he walked toward the front door.

"Danny!" Sarah called out as Steve stood her back up straight, laughing. "Come on, we're only kidding. Come back."

"I can't look at you two like this."

Sarah ran over to him, grabbing his arm. "Come on."

She stood in front of him, blocking his way and it was then that he saw it. There was something different about her. She looked like Sarah but it was as if she had this glow to her. Her face was slightly flushed, which he attributed to being out in the sun the day before, coming to the conclusion she was the woman who was with him, but her eyes, her eyes spoke of what she was feeling inside and with that he swore he'd never seen her look prettier or happier. He put a hand on her cheek, "I suppose I'm not your favorite anymore."

She smiled and hugged him. "You'll always be my favorite."

"Hey," Steve whined, "I've been working my ass off to take over that spot and you're saying he's still your favorite?"

Danny put his arm over her shoulder, imitating Steve's earlier move. "Keep working Buddy, maybe someday."

Sarah smiled over at him, glad that the sneaking around was over and also glad that it really seemed like nothing was going to change between the three of them.