6

Steve and Chrissy spent their night tossing and turning in their respective beds. Steve's dreams, or nightmares in his definition, were doused with images of Danny and Chrissy together. Several times, he bolted up in bed, utterly frightened by the thought of Danny kissing her touching her, and worst of all, making love to her. Despite the fact that he was angry with them, the thought of losing Chrissy overruled all of it. The loss of contact he'd endured over the past few days had been hellish enough. Living the rest of his life without her simply seemed unbearable. Chrissy's night was not filled with dreams or nightmares, but instead she was overcome by sleeplessness and the guilt over what she'd done. Sure, the idea had seemed great at first because she knew it would get Steve's attention, but in retrospect, she realized it had been a bad idea. He always jumped to conclusions and acted before he thought because he felt so passionately. Most of the time, Chrissy loved that about him. However, in these situations, it was her least favorite quality. Because of it, she wasn't quite sure where she stood with him. From the sounds of it, they were taking a break, but she wasn't sure how long it would last.

Around five that morning, Steve decided he couldn't take staring at the four walls of his bedroom anymore. Sliding on a sleeveless dark blue workout shirt and black shorts, he was out of the house in five minutes, the cool ocean breeze licking his body. He began to jog briskly, hoping to clear his head. Dawn hadn't made its appearance yet over the horizon, but Steve felt as though he'd been awake forever. Thoughts of Chrissy had kept him awake all night long, and he still wasn't sure exactly how he felt about her. Of course, he couldn't deny that he loved her, despite whatever had transpired between her and Danny. However, he wasn't sure what he should do about what he'd seen. He couldn't very well just let it go and pretend as though nothing had happened because it obviously had. However, living without her just wasn't going to happen after all they'd been through together.

As Steve continued his run, he jogged past Chrissy's house. For a few seconds, he stood outside on the sidewalk, contemplating whether or not to knock on her door. He eventually decided against it. Too early for a discussion like that. Besides, she has to be up in a little while to get Sarah ready for school. I'll talk to her later.

Steve kept his pace on his way back to his house, trying to think about how in the world he was going to face Chrissy.

Later that morning, as Steve was looking over some case files, he heard a knock on his office door. He glanced up and saw that it was Chrissy standing behind the glass. He answered, "Come in."

Chrissy cautiously opened and closed the door. Steve couldn't take her eyes off of her. She wore tight dark blue jeans and a pink T-shirt. Her outfit might have been simple, but to him, she wouldn't have looked better if she was wearing a short skirt and a tube top. However, he knew he couldn't let how she looked distract him. They had some important matters to discuss, and looking at her only made it more difficult.

Chrissy hugged her waist as she stood in front of Steve's desk, "Hey."

Steve didn't look her in the eyes, "Hey."

Chrissy stated, "I want to talk to you about last night."

Steve nodded, his jaw locked in place, "Okay. Shoot."

Chrissy stated, "Look, Steve, I was really upset when you told Lori I was your friend. I mean, after all we've gone through in the past few weeks, I think we are definitely more than that. So, I let my anger overrun my common sense and I decided that I would show you what 'friends' actually means. I called Danny and told him my idea. He was very reluctant at first, but I eventually convinced him to help me out. We planned every part of last night, including that kiss. I'm not attracted to Danny. I don't have any feelings for him beyond that of a friend. I just wanted you to understand how I felt when you called me your friend."

Steve shook his head, "I hear you, Chrissy, but I hate to tell you I'm having a hard time comprehending it all. I mean, from my perspective, last night looked pretty damn real. You say you were acting. It was a good performance because you certainly had me fooled."

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"I wish I could, but no, I don't."

"I promise you I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't lie to you. I never have and I wouldn't want to start now."

"Look, I know I screwed up when I called you my friend, but I didn't mean anything by it. I sure as hell didn't think it would warrant revenge, either, and especially not with my best friend."

"It wasn't revenge. It was a way to get your attention. I'm not attracted to Danny in the least. I don't want him. I want you, and I hoped that this would prove it to you."

"Well, if this was your way to get my attention, it worked, but I don't think it worked the way you wanted it to."

"I know that, and I was having second thoughts almost instantly after I got off the phone with Danny. I should have stopped it, but I didn't, and now I'm not even sure how you feel about me because of it."

"Chrissy, what happened doesn't change the fact that I love you. Nothing could change that. However, I just don't like the possibility that you could be cheating on me."

"Steve, I wouldn't cheat on you! Don't you trust me? I trust you more than anyone in the world. I've never questioned whether or not you've been faithful to me, even though there have been more than a few nights when I couldn't get a hold of you. I could have easily assumed there was someone else, but I didn't because I know you. Don't you know me?"

"I think I do, but I'm not sure now."

"If that's the way it is, then I'm not sure you're the Steve McGarrett I fell in love with."

At that moment, Lori breezed through the door, not bothering to knock. Chrissy bit her lip, not wanting to cause a stir. She didn't like Lori. The woman just gave her a completely weird feeling, especially when Chrissy saw the way Lori looked at Steve. It seemed as though Lori had feelings for him, but it was nothing like what Chrissy felt for Steve. Whereas Chrissy loved Steve and cared about him, Lori seemed to crave his attention and affection. Chrissy had to admit she loved having Steve's full attention, but she didn't need it constantly. Lori seemed to.

Lori walked around Chrissy and came back around behind Steve's desk. As she handed him a manila file, she gently brushed Steve's forearm with her fingertips. Chrissy's stomach curled. Despite the fact that she and him were on the outs, she still felt protective when a woman tried to touch the man she thought of as her boyfriend.

Lori leaned down close to Steve's ear, and not-too-quietly whispered, "By the way, I can't stop thinking about last night."

Chrissy felt a wave of nausea wash over her. No, no, this wasn't possible. Steve wouldn't do that to her. He loved her. He'd just said so. Not only that, but he wasn't that kind of guy. He'd been angry because he thought she was cheating on him. There was no way he could force that kind of pain on someone else.

Steve glared at Lori, his eyes filled with questions, "Lori, what are you talking about?"

Lori smiled sweetly at him, "You know, last night, at your place. Oh, and let's not forget the few nights before that."

Without another word or even a glance at Chrissy, Lori walked out the door.

Steve reassured, "Chrissy, I know what this sounds like-"

Chrissy didn't even look at Steve. She simply opened the door and walked out of Steve's office, making it slammed on her way out. Quickening her pace, she strutted toward where Lori stood beside the table/computer. She stopped in front of Lori, and planted her hands on her hips."

Chrissy seethed, "Look, I know your little game, Lori. You want Steve. Well, guess what? I'm with him now. There's nothing you can do to change that, and if you think lying about spending last night with him is going to make him yours, you can dream on."

Lori laughed, "Believe me, Ms. Raines, I wish I was lying. Wait, no I don't. Especially not after I spent the last few nights with the man I've been waiting a year and a half for."

Chrissy retorted, "In your dreams, maybe."

Lori shook her head, "Oh, no. I can prove it to you. How else would I know that Steve has navy blue sheets on his bed that smell like soap and Steve's cologne, or that on his cell phone and his gun are always under his pillow when he sleeps?"

Chrissy's emotions were in overdrive. Tears were forming behind her eyelids, and her stomach turned queasily. Only someone who'd been in Steve's bedroom would know things like that, which could only mean one thing. Lori had been in Steve's bedroom, and most likely slept with him.

Chrissy turned on her heel and bolted back to Steve's office. Not even bothering to knock on the door, she burst in, slammed the door shut, and began grilling him.

Chrissy shouted, "How could you do that, and with her?"

Steve questioned, "What did I do, exactly?"

Tears began spilling down Chrissy's cheeks, "You stood here and preached to me about having a relationship with Danny when you've been sleeping with her for the last few nights! I trusted you! You told me you loved me. Was that a big lie, too? Or was it just that you got bored with the single mother and wanted someone with a little less baggage?"

Steve answered, "Chrissy, I don't know what Lori told you besides what you heard in here, but I can assure you that I did not sleep with her."

"I'm sure you weren't sleeping."

"I didn't do anything with her. I love you. You're the only woman I want to sleep with."

"Steve, how else would she know what your sheets smell like or that you sleep with your cell phone and your gun underneath your pillow unless she was in the bed with you?"

"Personally, I don't have an answer for you. All I can give you is my word that I didn't sleep with her last night or any night before that."

"I wish I could believe you, but I can't. If you can't trust me, then I can't give you trust in return."

"Chrissy, listen, I'm sorry about accusing you—"

"Steve, 'sorry' doesn't cut it anymore. It's over. I'm flying back to L.A. as soon as I can wrap up everything in Hawaii."

"Please, Chrissy, don't do this. I love you. Don't walk away from me."

"I can't stay in a relationship where I can't trust the guy I'm with and vice versa. I'm no good for you, and you know that. Nothing good can come out of this."

"What about the last six weeks? Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"I can't lie to you and say that it doesn't. Of course the last six weeks have meant something. However, I just don't think our relationship is going to work."

"Don't leave the island. Not like this."

Chrissy glanced up at him, biting her lip, "I can't stay here. This is your home, not mine."

Steve got out of his chair and moved toward her, touching her shoulder. She pulled away instantly. She shook her head, "Please, don't touch me, Steve."

Steve swallowed hard and pulled his hands away, "Don't leave. Please."

"Don't make this harder than it is."

"Is there anything I can do to make you stay?"

"No."

Steve moved further back, and focused his gaze on the floor, "I guess it's over then."

Chrissy nodded, "I guess so."

Steve asked, "Will you need a ride to the airport or anything?"

Chrissy shook her head, "I'll get a cab, thanks."

"What are you going to tell Sarah?"

"I'll just tell her we can move back home."

"I meant about me."

"Look, I'm not going to stop you from saying good-bye to my daughter if that's what you want to do. The only thing I want to warn you of is that you're going to break her heart whatever you decide to do."

"I hate that."

"I know you do. One thing I'll never doubt is your love of my daughter. She loves you, too."

"I know. Let me know when your flight leaves and I'll come and see Sarah before then. I have to say good-bye to her no matter what."

"I understand. I will."

As Chrissy opened the door, Steve added, "Two things. One, I love you, Chrissy, despite what you might think. Two, I never slept with Lori."

Chrissy shrugged, "What does it matter now?"

After Chrissy closed the door, Steve put his head in his hands and tried to make sense of what had just happened. Chrissy had accused him of cheating and he'd denied it. Now, she was walking away because of some lies Lori had fed her. His life was in shambles, and he had to find a way to win Chrissy back before she walked out of his life forever.