A/N: I'm glad there is still some interest in this story - there's much more to tell, and I hope you'll stick around until the end. I really appreciate you guys!

0-0-0-0-0

Dear Kono,

I decided to keep this journal as a way to avoid going crazy. I worry about you when you are on the job. I know that I shouldn't…you can certainly take care of yourself. I absolutely know that. But sometimes, I don't sleep when I know you're working. I trust your team implicitly. It's just that I don't trust the criminals who would love nothing more than to take Five-0 out…particularly the Yakuza. I hear rumblings, but they've never outwardly made a move towards me. Kono, please be careful. I couldn't take it if anything happened to you.

Sometimes, when you come back battered and bruised, I want to put my fist through a wall. I hate that anyone touches you like that, even though I'm pretty sure that you made them look much worse. I can't help but worry, though. I just know that I don't think that I can do much of anything without you anymore. I've never told anyone this, but you are the best thing that's happened to me. Ever.

Adam

Kono wiped the tears away that were now trickling down her cheeks. Hugging the book to her chest, she lay back on her bed. She didn't think that she could read any more right now. It just hurt too much.

0-0-0-0-0

One night, after dinner was over, Danny had helped Steve carry some files out to his truck before he left. Once he got back inside, he checked on Kono. She was asleep on her side, clutching the spare pillow to her chest like a lifeline. She was wearing one of the shirts that Chin and Steve had brought from Adam's house. He hated feeling so helpless. He knew that he couldn't do anything specific to help her through this. She had to work her way out of the darkness when she was ready.

Tucking the sheet back around her, he headed out to the couch to try to get some sleep. He heard the faint rumblings of thunder and secretly hoped for a good storm. To him, there had never been anything more soothing, yet secretly thrilling, as a rip-roaring thunderstorm, and Hawaii often had great ones, although he would never admit that to Steve.

He had always loved them, even as a young boy. He remembered sitting in front of his bedroom window watching the lightning dance across the sky. He would literally hold his breath and count…one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand…until the thunder boomed. He used to squeal out loud, thrilled that the storm was approaching. He didn't know how far a mile was, but he knew that the less thousands that he counted, the closer the storm was.

Just before he fell asleep, Danny saw the lightning flash through the window. One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three…BOOM… He fell asleep soothed with the knowledge that a storm was raging outside. He had no way of knowing about the storm that was raging inside the house as well.

0-0-0-0-0

Danny woke to the sounds of rain pelting the roof. He moved to the window to see outside, pressing his face against the glass. The rainstorm seemed to have settled in, showing no sign of stopping any time soon. Had it not been storming, the sun would have just risen. Instead, the sky was covered with angry churning clouds, unleashing their fury upon the earth below.

He nearly jumped out of his skin at the feel of a cold hand on his arm. Whirling around, his heart nearly stopped at the look of fear in Kono's eyes. "Kono? What's wr…?"

Before he could even finish the word, she was in his arms. He could barely discern what she was saying. She was shaking like a leaf and looked like she was about to collapse. Moving quickly, he led her to the couch, wrapping his blanket around her. "Babe, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

Kono wiped at her tears, clearly frustrated with herself. "Danny, I'm sorry. It's just that…I had a nightmare. I like storms, but sometimes they freak me out. I always felt so safe whenever Adam was with me during a storm. We used to curl up together, and I knew that if he was there, I was safe. I guess I woke up, heard the thunder and freaked out. I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…"

Danny placed his hand over her mouth. "Kono Kalakaua, don't you dare finish that sentence. Of course you should have. Is there anything I can do?"

Kono looked embarrassed. "Can we…can we just watch TV? Maybe if I focus on something else…"

Danny handed her the remote and settled in next to her, tucking one part of the blanket around her, and the end of the blanket around his own lap. They channel surfed for a while, finally agreeing on an old black and white comedy that neither one paid that much attention to.

After the movie ended, Danny made his way into the kitchen to make some coffee. Kono headed to her room to get dressed. Her eyes drifted to Adam's journal, which she had placed on the table next to her bed. She picked it up and fingered the worn leather, finally deciding to settle in and read a little more. She opened to a page further along in the book.

Dear Kono,

Today had to be the best birthday I've ever had. I can't believe that you went to so much trouble. I love the espresso machine, although I can't help but think you'll get just as much use out of it as I will. More important than the gifts was the fact that you went through so much to spend my birthday with me. Dinner was fantastic, and dessert…well, dessert was pretty fantastic as well. I could have spent hours just kissing you and dancing to our own music. Like I told you tonight, I don't want some meaningless hotel to be where we share our first time together, as girly as that might sound. Anyway, I can't wait to make our first time together something special. And Kono…it most certainly will be worth the wait. Whatever you want, I will give to you.

Sweetheart, you make me feel like the luckiest man on the planet. Do you want to know why? It's simple. You chose me. Despite my lineage and my past, you gave me a chance to prove to you that I'm not who people say I am. You are the most amazing woman that I've ever known, and you chose me. It's hard to put into written words the way that I feel about you. I hope you know that I will always be there for you…nothing will ever change that.

Adam.

Wiping the tears away, she turned the page to another entry.

Dear Kono,

I just wanted to tell you how much I loved spending tonight with you. I could tell that you had such a hard day…I'm so glad that I could do something to make you smile. I knew when I saw that necklace that it was meant for you. You call me your guardian angel, but you have to know that you are that and so much more for me. I meant what I said. It never hurts to have a backup. Kono, when you wear the necklace, know that a piece of me is always with you. I liked how the necklace fit when I put it on…the angel charm rests just above your heart, which is the way it should be. You have the other half of my heart, sweetheart. I no longer feel whole without you, if that makes any sense. I have never loved anyone like I love you. Know that you are always in my heart, forever and always.

Love, Adam

She turned to one of the last pages, desperate to feel him near her.

Dear Kono,

Not that you would know this, but you just called. You sound so tired…I know this case is killing you. It's not fair when kids are involved. I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you.

I was thinking the other day. Once this case is over for you, I just want to walk on the beach with you in any direction you want to go; feel the sun and the sea spray on our faces. We could just walk as far as we wanted, and when we were tired, we'd find the perfect spot to sit and watch the sunset. Just so you know? Any spot that I was with you would be perfect. When I kissed you in our spot, it would be the perfect combination of salt and sweet…the salt from the ocean combined with that strawberry lip gloss you wear…you have no idea what just thinking about that does to me.

I just…I can't explain why I need to tell you this, but thank you. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. I know it might not be manly to admit, but even now, thinking about you becoming my wife has me tearing up. I can't help it…I just love you so much. We're so close to having everything that we want, Kono. I can feel it. The future is ours, love. Marriage…maybe one day, we will be lucky enough to be parents. How amazing would that be? Teaching our son or daughter to surf? Hearing laughter as he or she plays in our house? I can't even believe that is a possibility sometimes.

Every day, I love you more and more.

All my love,

Adam

Kono sighed, a deep and painful sigh. It was full of promises lost and heartache gained. It only lasted a moment before she stuffed it back down where it could not torment for now.

She got dressed in light workout clothes and made her way back to the kitchen. She noticed that Danny had made breakfast…toast, fruit and tea. She heard him getting ready, so she sat down to wait, staring out the window at the rain still pouring down. When he came out, she stood up to pour the tea, greeting him with a small smile. She was still a little self-conscious about earlier, but he made no mention of it. He plated the food, and they sat down to eat, passing the time with small talk.

After breakfast, Kono started to move some of the furniture out of the way in the living room so that she could work out. She had some kicking targets and some padded hand targets that she used for her martial arts training. She also had a freestanding heavy bag that she used when she needed to work out her aggression. She knew she needed to go easy, but it was time to start getting some strength back.

Danny helped her set things up, and then put on the pads to be her sparring target. She started off with some easy punches, mindful of her ribs. Danny reminded her to be careful, knowing that he couldn't stop her…that she needed this. After a few minutes, her punches and kicks became accented by words…words of frustration, words of anger, and words of sheer and utter anguish. Danny found that he had to brace himself more and more as her onslaught of punches and kicks grew stronger and more furious.

"Why? Why did you have to leave? You weren't supposed to leave me alone. You never even got to know about the baby! Why did you have to go away, damn it? You weren't supposed to die, Adam. You lied to me! You said that you would always be there for me, but you're not, are you? What a bunch of crap! You…Lied…To…Me."

With that last kick, Kono took off out of the house before Danny could stop her. Ripping off the pads, he took off into the rain after her. He didn't have to go very far. He found her on her knees in the front yard, sobbing at the sky. The sky railed back with its barrage of thunder and lightning.

"God, I'm sorry! I didn't mean any of the things I said. I'll be a better person, I promise. I'll do whatever it takes…just please…please, bring him back. Bring him back…please? Please? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Danny couldn't take it any longer. He knelt beside her and scooped her up into his arms. She had absolutely no fight left in her. He could hear her tormented whispers as he carried her into the house. "Please bring him back. I didn't mean it."

Once inside, he hurried to the bathroom and started a hot bath. He didn't think that she would be able to stand up in the shower on her own. He knew that he needed to get her out of her wet clothes, quickly. He stripped off her t-shirt and yoga pants before sitting her in the tub. He wanted to give her as much modesty as he could, deciding to worry about her wet undergarments later. He'd seen her in a bathing suit before…this was no worse. He knelt alongside the tub and waited. She was starting to shake, but he couldn't tell whether it was from being cold, or from the emotional beating that she had just taken.

He glanced at her, alarmed at the look on her face. He could tell by her eyes that she was reliving what she had said to Adam during her outburst, and was starting to feel guilty. He didn't want her to beat herself up for saying what she said. If she hadn't gotten that anger out, it would have eaten her alive eventually.

He pulled the stopper, draining the water from the tub. He scooped her out and stood her in front of him, wrapping her in a large towel. He took another towel and tried to dry as much water from her hair as he could. He briskly rubbed her arms, trying to coax the blood back into her system. Once he was sure she was dried, he led her into her bedroom. She offered no protest, which worried him. She hadn't said a word since he put her in the tub. It was like she had shut down.

He searched around, finally finding some sweats and dry underwear in a drawer. He sat her on the edge of the bed and knelt in front of her, putting the underwear into her hands. "Kono, you've got to get some dry clothes on. I'm going to turn around, and I need you to put these on, okay?" He made sure she nodded before he turned around, giving her some privacy.

After a few moments, he heard her try to say his name. He turned around to see that she had put on the tank top and panties he had given her, but her hands were shaking too much to get the rest of the clothes on. He hurriedly helped her put the sweatshirt and sweatpants on before tucking her into her bed. Once she was settled, he ran into the guest room to put on some dry clothes.

He came back to find her sobbing in the bed. Wordlessly, he lay down next to her, keeping her wrapped in the blankets, and held her as she cried. "Danny, I didn't mean the things I said. I don't want Adam to hate me for that. Does he hate me?"

With that, Kono completely broke down. All of her fear and frustration came pouring out of her in waves. He could not stop his own tears as layer after layer of grief started peeling away. At one point, she struggled to sit up, her hand over her mouth. Danny could tell by the wild look in her eyes that she was going to be sick. He picked her up, blankets and all and rushed her into the bathroom, where she emptied the contents of her stomach over and over, until there was nothing left.

When she was finished, he helped her stand at the sink so that she could rinse her mouth out. He wrapped one arm around her waist and guided her back to her bed; tucking her in, and taking his spot at her side once again. She immediately curled into him, seeking comfort. Her sobs had slowed considerably, and he knew that she was exhausted.

He pulled her into a hug, alarmed at her wince. He looked into her eyes, concerned. "Kono, what's the matter? Is it the ribs again?"

She nodded weakly. "I guess it was just too much…the workout, the crying, the throwing up…"

Making a mental note to call her doctor, he reached towards the nightstand and grabbed some Tylenol. He didn't think she had hurt herself or the baby, but he didn't want to take any chances. He helped her sit up and handed her the pills and the bottle of water. Once she had taken them, they laid back down. The storm had calmed noticeably outside…Danny was hoping that the storm inside had subsided inside as well. After a while, he glanced down and noticed that she was finally sleeping.

He quietly moved out of her grip and closed the blinds in her bedroom. He quickly moved to call Dr. Lau, leaving her a brief message as to what had happened, asking her to call back when she could. He was glad that the OB had agreed to keep seeing Kono during her office hours. He really thought she would be a good, stable presence. Once he was satisfied that all was in order, he returned to lie down beside her. He was exhausted as well. It didn't take him very long to fall asleep, the gentle sounds of the rain soothing his soul.