Justified – Story 1 in the Unbreakable series
Disclaimer: Characters belong to the writers & producers of Hawaii Five-0. My own characters belong to me :-)
Rating: T (for romance)
Pairing: Steve/OC, Steve/Danny (friendship - no slash)
Author's Note: Second to last chapter in this story... but you'll be happy to note that I've written several chapters of the next story in the Unbreakable series. However, due to (more) romance, that will be likely rated M. Not smutty M, just fun romantic flirty M. Please keep the comments and feedback coming - and let me know what you'd like to see in Steve & Julia's next saga...
Chapter 28
The team had gathered the next night for Thursday cocktails and dinner at the Hilton. They were celebrating several things – Grace, who was joining them much to everyone's delight, Kono's quick recovery, and the end of a difficult and tiring case. The Chases had been extradited earlier that day and Danny and Steve had the pleasure of watching them return home in cuffs and shackles with a bevy of Federal and local law enforcement ready to take them into custody. The Warrens had been on the tarmac as well, pausing to see the evil and greed that had murdered Jennifer before they took their daughter home one last time.
The lights were low as the local Hawaiian bands played. Danny seemed a little edgy, looking over his shoulder as though he was waiting for something. The rest of the group was relaxed and getting a little silly as they let loose.
"Hey, Steve, where's Julia?' Kono asked. "She should be here to celebrate!"
"I called her earlier today, but she had plans. She said she'd join us another time." The team laughed as Steve began to blush a bit. He was so taken - hook, line, and sinker. They all enjoyed seeing the big bad SEAL at the mercy of the petite professor. It was about time, they thought.
"So, Danny, did Steve really say 'please'?" Chin asked. "I think that must be a McGarrett first!"
"He really did. I should have recorded it. Sorry all, I hope I'm not too late?" Julia stepped forward to join the group. She was wearing a blue Hawaiian sundress with a halter top, her hair flowing softly down around her bare shoulders, and bearing a relaxed grin. She looked entirely different than she had just the night before.
Steve stood up quickly, surprised, and held out the empty chair for her that Danny had insisted on having. Grinning at her, he said, "I thought you said you had plans?"
She smiled gently, "I did, with a very special guy, but then Danny called me to suggest that I bring him along." She turned, and reached her hand out to someone who was right behind her but reluctant to come out. Turning further, she took his hand and brought him forward. A little blond boy, nearly four years old with bright blue eyes and Julia's long lashes peeked his head out from behind her dress.
"Everyone, this is my son Andy. Andy, this is Detective Williams, Officer Kalakaua, Detective Kelly, and Commander McGarrett. And you must be Grace!" Julia said, smiling. Chin introduced Malia, and Julia happily met Chin's beautiful wife. Julia caught Steve's surprised eye, and tilted her head to the side at him in a silent question. He grinned back. All was okay. She had been worried how Steve would respond to this latest surprise, but was relieved to see that he didn't seem to mind in the least.
"We need another chair – let's get this big guy a chair!" Danny called out, grabbing a nearby seat for Andy as Julia sat down in the empty seat next to Steve. Steve handed her a menu.
"Kono, how are you feeling?" Julia asked, concerned about her new friend.
"No worries, sistah, I was a little lolo afterward from the meds but I'm fine now. Ho, that was quite a move you made yesterday!"
Julia blushed, and said quietly, "I was lucky." Changing the subject, she asked, "What's everyone having?"
"Surf & turf," they all replied for Steve, laughing. Steve signaled to the waitress to stop by.
"Just a Longboard for me, and a plain milk for my little friend. He'd like a mac & cheese with a side of overcooked broccoli. Could I please have a petite sirloin, extremely rare, with grilled shrimp and mashed potatoes? Thank you!" Turning to the team, she said "I didn't realize how starved I am. I must have slept twelve hours last night and still I was a bit of a zombie through my classes today." She and Steve smiled at each other again, wordlessly sharing that they had thought of each other quite a bit since yesterday.
"Danno, I want to make a sandcastle. Can Andy come with me?" Grace pleaded.
Andy tugged on his mom's hand as he said, "Mama, I wanna make a castle-castle-castle!"
Although the beach was right near the table, Julia felt more than a bit overprotective of Andy. "Why don't I come and watch too? Andy's pretty little and I'd like to keep an eye on him." Turning to the group, she said, "He keeps me on my toes. We'll be back in a bit." Julia smiled as she stood up to follow Andy and Grace over to the beach just as the waitress dropped off their drinks. Steve grabbed their beers to join her, while the rest of the team shot knowing glances at each other.