A/N: I don't usually write police procedural stories, so I don't exactly the right away to go by warrants and things, so please forgive me if I happen to be wrong. If anyone does know, please let me know, and I can change it.

Chapter 12 -

To Elisabeth's surprise, it was not Steve, or anyone else that they'd known. It was kinda of a relief though, she didn't know how she would have been able to explain to them what she'd done.

"Hello, my dear..." The woman said sweetly.

Elisabeth couldn't place this woman, but she definitely seen her from somewhere. "Can I help you?"

"You know who I am."

"I uh..." It hit Elisabeth right between the eyes. Oh my god, what the hell is Steve's mom doing here? "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you, may I come in?"

"Of course!" Elisabeth stepped aside, allowing Doris to enter, though she watched her curious. "What are you doing here?" She asked again.

Looking around the kitchen fondly, Doris said, "This was my home for a few days before Joe helped me escaped."

"Oh!" Elisabeth shut the door and sat down; she hadn't realized this was the last place that Doris had been. "I didn't know."

"May I?" Doris gestured to a seat.

"Of course, please sit down." Elisabeth sure didn't understand the visit. "Does Steve know you're here?"

Steve's mom pulled the chair out to sit down. "No he doesn't. I wanted to talk to you about that."

It was quiet for a moment between the two woman. Doris was carefully thinking about how she would broach the subject without hurting Elisabeth, though she suspected that the girl was strong, otherwise, her son would not have chosen to be with her. Elisabeth on the other hand, realized why Doris was here.

I know I'm hurting everyone, I just wish that things could be different.

"I know what you're going to say..." Elisabeth glanced down at her food. "It's everything that I've said to myself since I decided to do this." She looked up at Doris with tears in her eyes. "God, I hate this!" She picked up her napkin and dabbed at her eye.

"I understand." Doris gave a small smile. "When I made that same choice, I did it to protect my family, but not a day goes by that I don't regret that decision. I needed to be with my family and I let them down. I was a mess for days."

Oh great, thanks for that. I really needed even more doubt dumped on me! Elisabeth glared.

Taking a deep breath, Doris continued. "I want you to really think about this - think about what you're leaving behind! He loves you, you know, even though he hasn't said it yet! You have the choice to change all of this, to end the pain for both of you."

He really loves me? Elisabeth smiled at the thought, but then it turned gray when she realized that she won't be with him and that made her heart ache. More tears threatening to spill over. Why was life so cruel? But I can end all of this. I could go to Steve and explain everything, hopefully he wouldn't push me away. I know I've blown my career but if I could be with Steve...No! I can't. Wofat will always be there if I don't do something. We've tried before and evidence was "lost". He's gonna win every time if I don't put a stop to this! I can make sure he goes to jail!

"I want more than anything to go to Steve and explain things, but I can't. I have to do this. I have to make sure that Wofat goes to jail for my "murder". If I don't, you won't ever be able to come out of hiding permanently and Steve won't be able to stop going after his brother!"

That surprised Doris. She hadn't realized that Elisabeth knew so much and suddenly understood where she was coming from, but she didn't agree with it at all, believing that there was another way. As she glanced at the brunette, saying, "Wrong things done for the right reasons, is still the wrong thing, Elisabeth. I believe that there is a better way to handle this, but if you feel this strongly, I understand." Doris stood up, and moved over to the counter, reminiscing about the past, when she spotted the tape that Elisabeth had made for Steve. "I will leave you be..." She snatched up the video and put it in her pocket carefully without Elisabeth knowing. If this is what I think it is, at least Steve will know. "If you need anything at all..." She let the thought linger in the air. Joe, you purposely left that tape for me to see. You know that Steve deserves to know the truth!

"Thank you for the offer." Elisabeth stood up. "I'm sorry that we didn't get to meet under better circumstances."

"Me too! Perhaps it would have been at a wedding." Doris' raised her eyebrow.

A wedding? Does she mean me and Steve? Nah! "Thank you for stopping by." Elisabeth gave a smile and opened the door and watched as Doris slipped out the back door, disappearing into the night.

***
As Steve was on his way to meet Joe at the bar, the phone rang. He pulled the phone from his back pocket and placed it up to his ear, "Yeah, Chin!"

"Finally found a judge that wasn't in Wofat's pocket."

"Great! What about the hardware? Any prospects?"

"Plenty! It's watch got us the warrants!"

"Good work, Chin. Meet me at Wofat's. Let's get this SOB!" Steve ended the call and called Joe, but the voice mail came on. "Hey Joe! Can't meet you for dinner. Rain check!" He ended the call and turned the truck around, heading east towards Wofat's place.

Steve couldn't think about anything else but getting Wofat, though he had a nagging feeling that all of it was just way to easy, but he pushed that aside as he pulled into Wofat's driveway. They stopped at the gates, Steve pushed the call button, waiting for someone to answer.

"Hello!" A man's voice boomed across the little speaker. "How can I help you!"

"Steve McGarrett – Five-0! Open the gates! We have a warrant!" Steve held up the warrant in front of the camera on the little box.

"Certainly Lt. Commander."

Suddenly the wrought iron gates opened and Steve and the team drove through the gates and around the wavy drive way. A few moments later, they stopped in front of a white mansion that looked eerily similar to the grand Spelling Mansion in California. It was sprawled out before them. Steve put the car in park, shut the engine off, and got out of the truck. He glanced at his team and several of HPD that had come along.

"Chin and Gonzales I want you to take a team to the east side of the house. Search it thoroughly" Steve gestured towards the house as he walked up to the front door.

"On it!" Chin nodded and headed into the house with his team.

"Kono and Danny take a team and check the west side of the house!" Steve said as Wofat opened the door.

For only a second, Kono and Wofat's eye met before she took off into the house, running past him. She still cared for him, but she wasn't in love with him, though he still had feelings for her. He would never act on them unless she wanted him too.

"Grant and Smith you take the garage and pool house, whatever! Leave nothing unturned."

Grant and Smith nodded and headed for the garage. Steve turned towards his enemy, his brother!

"I hear you have a warrant for my arrest." Wofat leaned against the doorjamb, smiling smugly. His bruises and cuts fresh from the beating he'd taken several days before. "I assure you that I have not done anything wrong...lately that is."

Steve wanted more than anything to smack that smug smile off of his damn face! "Elisabeth's been murdered" The look of pain washed over Steve's handsome face which took his brother by surprise.

"What?" Wofat's smile faded away as he stood away from the doorjamb, serious now. "What?" It suddenly dawned on him that Steve blamed him."You think I had something to do with this, don't you?" He was at a loss for words. "I did care about her once, I would never..."

But Steve didn't believe his brother. "Damn right I do! You can't get out of this Wofat! You're going to jail!" He didn't understand why Wofat looked surprised by the news of Elisabeth's death. It was as if he hadn't known anything about it. Why didn't he? Was he even responsible? No, I can't start second guessing myself as a cop. All the evidence that we've gathered has pointed to Wofat, though it did seem easy. Wofat killed Elisabeth!

"Sir..." Grant had called out.

The Lt. Commander turned towards the short stocky police officer who had brought out bomb making materials. It was the final nail in Wofat's coffin. They had everything that they needed now to make sure there is no wiggle room for him to get out of jail.

"But that's not mine...I never saw that before..." Wofat was totally shocked.

"Found a hoodie and hat..." Kono and Chin said as they'd come out the front door and around Steve and Wofat.

"The hoodie was shoved in the back of the closet," Kono looked up at Wofat, her expression was sad, though it obviously said 'how could you do this?'

How do you answer a question like that when you were totally innocent of the charges?

"The hat was in the trash." Chin said. "It looks brand new. The tags are still on it!"

Steve looked at each of the items, saying, "I don't want these things out of your site." He glanced at each member of his team. "I trust you to keep these safe." He then turned to Wofat, roughly turned him around and pushed him up against the doorway. "I warned you this would happen." He whispered into his brothers ear as he cuffed him.

Choosing not to say anymore, Wofat remained silent. He was still so stunned by the news of Elisabeth's death. Despite what happened between them, he still care about her and even Kono. Torturing Elisabeth was not his finest hour and regretted every moment of it. Even more so now that she's dead.

It was going to take a miracle to get Wofat cleared of the charges, especially now that he didn't have an alibi.

"You have the right to remain silent..." Steve pulled him away from the door and pushed him towards a cop car. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford one, one will be provided for you." Steve slammed Wofat up against the car hard and Wofat groaned in protest. "Do you understand these rights I've given you!" Steve opened the door.

"Of course," Wofat said sadly. "I'm innocent, despite the mountain of evidence."

Steve snorted at that and shoved Wofat into the car. "Yeah, something tells me it will be a long while before you get out of jail."

"We'll see about that!" Wofat faced forward, his mouth set in a hard line.

As Steve closed the door car do, he thought it was finally over now that Wofat would be behind bars, but it was far from over, though Steve had no idea what was heading his way.

Twenty minutes later, after the arraignment, the team delivered Wofat to his new home, jail. As the door closed shut and locked, Steve smiled, though it didn't meet his eyes. It wasn't the way that he'd envisioned the arrest, but it was done and over with, and he wouldn't have to deal with Wofat for a good long while. If ever!

With a wary sigh, Steve turned on his heels, and walked away, the team trailing behind him. The sadness was radiating off of him.

Danny hurried up to meet Steve's speed, saying, "Let's go have a drink."

Giving his friend a sideways glance, "Thanks man, but I don't feel like a drink right now. I need to be alone." He stopped at his truck to glance at his friends. "I've been thinking about having a service for Elisabeth in a few days at my place. We'll can release her ashes on the beach."

"That would be beautiful, Steve!" Kono said sadly. "I think she'd like that very much." She couldn't help but tear up at the loss of her friend.

Chin wrapped his arm around his cousin, hugging her to him. "Wouldn't miss it!"

"Do you want us to bring anything?" Kono wondered.

"Nope," Steve said quietly. "Got it covered!"

A few days later, they were all down at the beach. Steve had worn a black suit with a open white shirt, no tie, and no shoes, while Kono had worn a simple white slip dress and Danny and Chin worn simple black slacks and unbuttoned white dress shirts.

It was such a perfect day, the sky was a lovely shade of blue, not a cloud in the sky. The water lapped at their feet while there was a soft wind.

Holding the small white urn close to his heart, Steve was unable to speak first, so Danny stepped forward, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, letting him know that he was there for his friend.

"I'll go first." Danny said, looking out the vast ocean. He stood there quietly before he spoke again. "When you first arrived at 5-0, I thought you were hot, but I could tell you only had eyes Steve. Hell, everyone notice." He laughed as did the others, as they fondly remember the first time Elisabeth had come into their lives. "You quickly became one of the team and one our best friends. I will never forget the time that we had. I will never forget you, my friend!"

The tears prickled at Kono's eyes and she smiled at Danny. "That was beautiful."

Suddenly Danny felt shy and kicked the say at this feet. "Thanks!"

"I know we hadn't known each other for very long but you've become one of my dearest friends. When I got way over my head with the undercover stuff, you helped me. There was no questions asked. You really came through me before and after that and I will never forget it. I hope you find peach where ever you may go! Aloha my friend!" The tears flowed more freely now.
"Aloha my friend. You will be missed!" Chin said simply as he hugged Kono to him.

Now it was Steve's turn and he wasn't so sure what he was going to say. He sighed, missing her even more. "The last night we were together was wonderful; I only wish we had more like that."

He paced to and fro trying to think of something special for her. He sighed, missing her even more. "The last night we were together was wonderful; I only wish we had more like that."

Removing the lid, Steve released the ashes from the urn, and watched them disappear into the wind. When it was finished, Steve replaced the lid.

They stood there quietly, reflecting on the moments they had had with their good.

Steve took a deep breath and let it out; the quiet had become to much to bear. "I need a drink!"

"Good idea!" Danny nodded.

As the four of them headed back up to the house, Steve suddenly asked, "What's going on with the baby? You going to file for custody?" It was something to keep his mind of of things.

Danny regarded Steve for a moment before answering. "I've given it a lot of thought. On one hand, I want nothing more than to have my kids with me, but I can't break up our little family. It wouldn't be right to hurt my kids like that. But on the other hand, if Rachel and Stan decide to leave the island, I won't hesitate to fight for my kids. I don't want to have to pick up and move again."

"You like living on the island now, don't you?" Kono asked; she had a smile on her face.

Glancing over his shoulder at Kono, Danny said, "It's growing on me, but that's beside the point. I just want us all to be together and happy. It's not like I'm not going to be able to see him. I could see him anytime I want."

"It's not going to be the same..." Chin placed his hand on his friends shoulder as they stopped. "But whatever you decide, I support you!"

"I appreciate that!" Danny glanced at each one of his friends and gave a small sad smile. "Now let's go get that drink!"

***
Elisabeth made her way into the kitchen of the abandon house and saw that Joe was sitting at the table reading a newspaper. He didn't even hear her make her way over to the table and sit down.

"I didn't know you were going to be here today."

Her voice startled him and he looked up, sadness evident on his face. "We're going to be leaving tonight."

"What?" It took Elisabeth by surprise.

Joe didn't say anything more to her, just tossed the newspaper at her, and Elisabeth looked down at it. 'Five-O Task Member Murdered In Case Explosion. Suspect In Custody.' She gaped down at it, surprised.

"I knew that they would catch Wofat, but not this soon!"

"I was pretty thorough."

So it would seem, Elisabeth thought to herself. "So what time do you want to leave?"

"Once it gets dark."

"Where are we going?"

"We're headed to Maine!"

"Flying or driving?"

"Driving, then I'm flying back."

"Who will I be?:"

"You're going to be Maria Patterson and you'll be working in an office answering phones. I'm pretty sure that you can answer phones."

Sure, Elisabeth could answer phones, but it wasn't exactly what she wanted to be doing with her day. What she really wanted to do was still be a cop, but that was out of the question. One, it would be difficult; a reminder of what she had, and two, the police would figure out who she was. Maybe it was best that she just answer phones. If it doesn't work out, she could always find something else.

Joe pulled a manilla envelope out of his back pocket and tossed it on the table. "Your new identity is in this package. Get to know it, you're gonna need to know all about who Maria Patterson is."

Elisabeth grabbed the packet and opened it up, dumping the contents out. A license, a social security card, birth certificate, college degree, and a list of personal information. It was all complete and to over whelming, but Elisabeth was about to let Joe know how she was feeling. She glanced up at him and smiled. "I'll do my best to learn all this!"

"Good!" Joe stood up. "I'll come back before it gets dark, so be ready."

"I will!"

Joe left out the back door. Elisabeth looked down at her new identity and cried. It was all happening so very fast, but it was what she wanted. It was time that she shed her last tear for this life, for Steve, for her friends. Maybe one day she will be able to come back. Some how she didn't think that it would be. She was going to make this new life work.

With a sigh, Elisabeth stuffed her new life back into the envelop and left the kitchen.

Later that day, Steve was called into headquarters because of a fire alarm that had gone off, but when her arrived, there was no fire. He thought it was some kind of computer glitch, but headed into his office anyway. He stood in front of desk going through some of the files that he'd been working on, when someone knocked on the door.

Slowly, Steve looked up, and smiled. "Can I help you?" The smile disappeared as soon as he realized who it was standing in the door way. It was his mother. "Mom!" He just started at her as she entered the office.

"Hello son!"

"Mom!" Steve was still so shocked. He didn't know what else to say.

"It's so good to see you!" Doris checked him over and smile, very proud of her son. "How is Mary?"

"Um..." Steve swollen and forcing himself to speak. "She's good."

"Oh I'm so glad." There was a tear pricking in the corner of her eye; she missed her children. "I am so sorry to hear about your father. It's my fault. I shouldn't have..."

"It's the past."

"It's not for me. I left you and your sister when you needed me."

"We turned out fine." It came out in a short clipped town and he shifted his stance and gestured towards the sofa. "Why don't you sit down." He pulled his chair out and they both sat down, watching each other. "Why have you come?"

"Your girlfriend." Doris slid the tape across the desk. "I thought that you should know what really happened."

Steve looked at the tape, it was similar to the will that she'd left. Slowly, he reached out with a shaky hand and took it.

"What's going on mom."

"Watch the tape and go to this address." Doris slid a piece of paper across the desk. "You don't have much time." She stood up. "It's so good to see you."

"Mom, you don't have to leave! Wofat is in jail."

What would it be like if Steve's mom had stuck around? Would it make it better or would it make it worse. He didn't have any of the answers to that question but deep down, he wanted her to stay. No matter what, he was going to have to deal with a lot of emotions by himself, but today, he was going to push that aside, and deal with it later.

"I have to leave."

"But, I don't understand."

"Just because my other son is in jail now, doesn't mean I'm safe. He still has connections on the outside. They could come at me or you and Mary at anytime, I can't bring danger to either of you."

That didn't sit well with Steve. The danger came at him from all different sides and it didn't always have anything to do with his brother.

"I can't say anymore." Doris walked around the desk and Steve stood up, looking down at his mother. "I'm sorry for what I did to you and your sister." She gave him a quick hug. "I love you!" She disappeared and Steve gaped at the door.

After a moment, Steve shook his head and put the table in his VCR, turned the TV on, and pushed play. It was a shock to see Elisabeth and he sat down in his chair and watched the video. When it was finished, numbly, he shot the TV and VCR off. He ran his hand through his hair and sat back in his chair.

"She's alive?" Steve said after a moment. "She's alive?" He glanced at the piece of paper, realizing that was where she was. He reached it and took off like a bat out of hell.

On top of seeing his mother, Steve was hurt and pissed that she'd do this to herself and to him, but at the same time, he was glad that she was really alive.

***
Several minutes later, Steve pulled up in front of the abandon house, and put the car in park. He started at the house for awhile, before shutting the car off. Slowly, he got out of the car, and shut the door as he stalked to the back door. He didn't want it to see like he was causing a scene from the front.

Once he reached the door, Steve stood in front of it, debating whether he should knock or leave. He did this for awhile, until he got the nerve to knock on the door.

***

Elisabeth heard the knocking from the bedroom while she was reading from her copy of Fifty Shades of Gray. She froze for only a moment and thought maybe it was Joe, but why would he come this early? It was still light out.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Elisabeth stood from the bed, and headed into kitchen; her copy of the book still in her hands. As she opened the door, she was saying "Joe, why are you so..." She stopped her book at her feet. Her heart was racing; she stepped back away from Steve.

The moment Steve saw Elisabeth, the anger drained away and hurt was evident on his face. It was hard for her to watch him, to see him in pain, it broke her heart, knowing she did that to him. It was her fault.

"I'm so sorry..." Elisabeth started crying.

"Why?" Steve asked softly. "I thought you died. Do you know what that feels like to see someone you love die in front of you?"

No! Elisabeth swallowed. It reminded her of when he thought his mother died. She hurt him too. It seemed like the women in his life hurt him in some way. Why did Elisabeth have been the one to hurt him in this way?

Kicking the book out of his way, Steve entered the kitchen, asking, "Why?"

"I'm sorry I hurt you." Elisabeth said through her tears. "I hate this. I hate what it's to me. I hate what it's doing to you. I love you Steve, but I wanted to get Wofat out of the way. I wanted you safe. This was the only thing I could think of. I knew if I didn't do this, Wofat was never going to leave you alone. He would not stop looking for your mom."

"You did that at the expense of my feelings. You could have come to me. We would have done this the right away." Steve calmed down a bit, understand now why she did what she did. "But I do understand."

Wow! Elisabeth was stunned. She was all set for an onslaught. "But you're not mad at me?"

"I am beyond pissed at you, but I under your reasoning. I know I can't change your mind about this. You're just as stubborn as I am." He gave her a small, sad smile. "Where are you going?" His heart was breaking into a million pieces. He wanted so much for her to stay, knowing she could not.

Elisabeth knew she could tell him the truth. It would some how get back to Wofat and she knew down the line, Steve would eventually come find her.

"Don't ask anymore questions, please." Elisabeth closed the space around them and wrapped her arms around his neck; their bodies flush together. He looked down at her, his breathing sped up as he put his arms around her. He wanted her. "Just make love to me and forget everything else."

Suddenly, Steve scooped Elisabeth up in his arms and kissed passionately. As they came up for air, he carried her into the bedroom and tossed her on the bed playfully. She giggled, feeling like Ana. In a lot of ways, Steve was like Christian. Sweet, sensitive, romantic, smart, hot as hell!

Grinning, Steve removed his shirt and tossed it aside. He stared at her, passing igniting within him. Elisabeth laid back as he crawled over her, kissing her once again. They were finally giving into their feelings for one another, knowing it was possible the last time they'd ever see each other.

A few hours later, Joe came in through the back door, realizing how quiet it really was. He was beginning to wonder if she'd changed her mind and went to Steve. He shook his head, knowing that she was just as stubborn as Steve was. "She's not changing mind...Elisabeth!""

Elisabeth heard Joe calling her from the front room and she quickly grabbed Steve's tee shirt and put it on. "I'm coming!" She hurried out into into the closing the door behind her.

As she came into the living room, Joe noticed that she had a disheveled appearance. Steve must have found out, he realized. "He's here, isn't here?"

"Yes! I'm not sure how he figured it out, but he came by earlier. We were just saying good bye."

Joe purposely left the tape out for Doris to find, but he hadn't expected for her to give him the address too. He shook his head because now, they were going to have to move up the time table just a little bit. "Go get a shower and get ready. We're leaving in about 20 minutes."

What? So soon?

"All right!" Elisabeth hurried into the bedroom as quietly as she could and gathered her clothes from earlier. Then she hurried into the bathroom, starting the shower up, she stepped in, reminiscing about their time together. She was definitely never going to forget it.

In record time, Elisabeth was done with her shower, dried off and already dressed. It didn't take her long at all. She quickly blew dried her hair and brushed her teeth, then she headed back into the bedroom. Steve was still sleeping soundly on his right side.

Carefully and quietly, Elisabeth gathered all her things into the duffel bag, including anything new that Joe had gotten her since her arrival. She realized that she'd left Steve's shirt on the floor and hurried into the bathroom to pick it up.

Elisabeth held the shirt to her, inhaling Steve's scene. It made her sad she was leaving but it had to be this way. With a sigh, she went back into her bedroom and stuffed the shirt into the bag. She then picked up Steve's pants and folded them neatly on the bed next to him, but as she did so, the cellphone feel out onto the floor. She set it on the pants and smiled, an idea coming to mind.

"Elisabeth..." Joe called. "It's about time for us to go!"

"All right!" Elisabeth kissed Steve on the lips. "See you!" It didn't feel right to say good bye.

Grabbing her bag, Elisabeth headed out of the bedroom, but not glancing back at Steve one last time. Something about the deep sleep made her realize Joe must have gave him something to keep him asleep longer. She shook her head and headed for the kitchen.

"Here." Joe handed the book to Elisabeth.

The brunette smiled at Joe and stuff the book in her bad. He also reached for the envelop and handed that to her.

"Don't want to forget that!" Elisabeth half joked. For the first time in awhile, she was feeling good about her decision, though she definitely missed Steve. Already. Not to mention their friends.

"Ok, let's go!" Joe said, taking her bag, and heading out the door.

The former cop took one last look around the kitchen and headed out of the back door and into Joe's waiting Lexus. She got into the car and put her safety belt on.

"Here!" Joe shoved his cellphone into her hand. "You can send a text to Steve."

How did Joe know that was exactly what she wanted to do?

"I figured you didn't want to leave things the way they were."

"Thank you Joe!"

Joe grabbed his Ipod and put the ear buds in his ears. "I'll give you a little bit of privacy." He turned on, the music was really loud, though Elisabeth had no idea what the song was. Joe then started the car, and drove off.

Elisabeth fooled around with the phone until she figured out how to bring up the video. When she figured it out, she held the phone up so that she could see her face in the right hand corner. She smiled and pushed record. "Hi Steve. Joe has given me his cell phone to leave you a message. He's even given me some privacy, if you could call it that." She held out the phone to record Joe, then she turned the hone back on her self. "What can I say? I mean, I know what we shared was special, and it was perfect in every way and I will never forget it or you! I love you! Thank you." She blew him a kiss and sent the video and handed it back to Joe, who put it in his front pocket.

This was the was beginning of Elisabeth's knew life. There was so much she was leaving behind, but this was what was needed to ensure Wofat's capture. It was the only way. No matter what Steve had said, it wouldn't have been that easy. Wofat would have gotten away with it every time.

The next day, Steve's phone was ringing and it woke up. He reached around, realizing that Elisabeth was not there. She was gone. As he sat up, he saw the phone sitting next to him on his pants. He saw a call from Danny and a text from Joe. Steve picked the text first and he opened it up, realizing it was a Elisabeth.

It was the first time that Steve had noticed her hair. He smiled surprised, thinking that she even more beautiful that she had been with the blonde hair. He wished more than anything that she would have stayed, but understood why she was doing what she was doing.

Images from the night before came flooding back to his mind once he finished watching the video. In his heart, it wasn't the end, it was only the beginning. One day, they'd be together. He knew that much!

The phone rang again. It was Danny! Steve answered it.

"Hey! Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to call you!"

Should Steve tell Danny where he was? No. This was between he and Elisabeth and no one else. "Do I have to tell you every where go?"

"Yes!" Danny said exasperated.

Steve rolled his eyes and shakes his head. "Ok, Dad," he said sarcastically. "What's going on?"

"There was a body found near Kamekona's truck."

"Ok, be there shortly." Steve ended the call and set the phone down next to him. He quickly put his pants on and then realized there was no shirt. He looked around the room, still nothing. He put his boots on, grabbed his phone, and headed out to the truck. "Elisabeth!" He smiled realizing she must have his shirt as he opened up the door to the backseat, grabbed a shirt, and put it on.

Steve eased into the front seat, sliding the key into the ignition, and turning the engine on. He glanced back at the house and then put the car in drive. He drove off a moment later.

The End