The Truth about Ohana
Chapter Six
Zebraboymom
Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. I would love to write for them though.
Author Notes: The time on the island drags out for months and Kono and Steve have to make a new life for themselves always wary that they will be discovered. Their relationship deepens, as they become the very best of friends, relying only on each other for protection and relationship. Getting rings makes things a bit too real.
The next morning Kono awoke to the smell of her favorite breakfast dish. Steve must be making Loco moco. If she wasn't so stiff she would leap out of bed, but instead she rolled out and walked softly into the kitchen wearing Steve's SEAL t-shirt, having stolen it out of his go bag when he wasn't looking.
The man looked so good stirring the mixture in the pan. He was wearing cargo pants and a muscle shirt and Kono loved the fact that he hadn't detected her yet. She was able to take him in for several seconds before he spoke, never raising his eyes to look at her.
"You're staring Officer Kalakaua. See something you like?"
Kono was instantly embarrassed. He knew she was there all along.
"No I wasn't. I was just in awe of your culinary talents. That looks so good."
It was so different living with someone day after day. She was starting to know things about Steve that she never had before and she liked it. She also liked the flirting they did with each other all the time now. It made her feel like herself again.
Steve looked up at her now and he deliberately let his eyes graze over her entire body from her feet up her long legs and then up to her very red face.
"Is that my shirt?"
"Like I was ever in the Navy."
"Just checking. That makes two of my shirts woman. What am I going to do with you?"
Kono sidled up to the breakfast bar.
"Feed me?"
Steve laughed.
"Hand me your plate you mooch."
"I can't believe you made this Steve. I am so excited."
"Boy are you easy to please."
"The way to this woman's heart is definitely thorough her stomach."
As soon as the words were out of Kono's mouth she regretted them.
"I…uh didn't mean…"
Steve's reply only made her blush redder.
"I'll keep that in mind. For the…uh…future."
He smiled at her as he slid into the seat next to her.
Kono started shoving food in her mouth before she put her foot in it again.
Steve acted like it was no big deal, but he was secretly smiling inside. The man was developing a huge crush on his once little sister, friend and colleague and frankly he didn't know what he was going to do about it.
"Hey, want to go into town after we eat and get our "cover" rings, have some lunch and then come back for your first walk on the beach before dinner?"
"You've got it all planned out. I like it. You always know how to lead."
Steve thought maybe she was being sarcastic and he was being too controlling.
"I'm sorry Kono. I should have asked you first. What do you want to do?"
"Exactly what you just said. Relax, Steve. Remember we think alike. That's why we always work so well together. I think you just described a perfect day, although I have to say I feel a little weird ring shopping with you."
Steve shoved her with his shoulder.
"You think I'll be any more comfortable?"
Kono grinned.
"You're right. Big Navy SEAL in a jewelry store. This should be fun after all."
"All right you. Go and get dressed so we can get out of here. I'm getting a shower first though. You know me. I'll be out in five minutes."
"Oh, slowing down old man? I thought you took three minute showers."
"Ha. Ha. Now get out of here and get ready."
Steve took her plate and swatted her on the butt as she started towards her bedroom.
"Hey!"
"And that's for swiping my t-shirt. I ought to make you give it back right now, but I like you in my clothes."
Steve stopped dead in his tracks and almost dropped the plate he was carrying when he realized what he just said.
"I…uh…"
Kono started laughing really hard for the first time since they had arrived.
"Relax Commander. Just remember this. I don't want to see you in any of mine."
Steve lunged for a couch pillow and sailed it at her as she disappeared into the master suite. He could still hear her even after she shut the door.
Thirty minutes later they both emerged and Steve once again found himself a little breathless as his eyes passed over Kono in a pair of short denim shorts rolled up along with a bikini top and a camp shirt tied under her midriff. She once again looked stunning. He knew now why Adam had fallen for her. He slowed down as she passed him and headed for the garage. He couldn't seem to make his feet move as he watched her walk away.
Kono, sensing he had stopped, turned back and smiled at him.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just…Adam was a lucky guy."
Kono didn't know how to respond. She could feel herself blushing under his gaze and she could barely speak.
"Uh…thanks."
Steve shook his head to clear his mind and followed her out. They were soon speeding along the shore again and when Steve found a shopping center with a jewelry store they pulled in and parked.
After he put the bike stand down he slipped his hand around Kono's, smiled at her and held the shop door open for them.
The shopkeeper looked up and smiled.
"Can I help you?"
"Um, yeah. We are ring shopping."
"Oh, getting married?"
"Um, no, we already got married in Vegas, but we didn't have time to buy rings and now we'd like to."
"Well, then, congratulations. Now what did you have in mind?"
Kono spoke up then.
"Just a pair of matching bands. I'm not big on diamonds."
She squeezed Steve's hand and grinned.
"Well, then, have a seat. I know some lovely bands that might be just right for you."
Steve and Kono had no idea there were so many different choices. Kono thought they would just go for simple gold or silver bands, but then they both laid eyes on a pair in particular. The simple silver bands were etched all the way around with waves. It looked like the ocean and they both locked eyes on them speaking at the same time.
"Those."
They stopped and grinned at each other. The shopkeeper smiled at them.
"You both love the ocean?"
"Yes, sir we do. My…uh…wife's quite the surfer and I was in the navy once."
"Well, it's a perfect choice. I'm pretty sure I have them in your ring sizes and you can take them with you now. I designed them myself so they are only sold here. They're one of a kind, so you probably won't see anyone else wearing anything like them."
The price was very reasonable and given how much money Danny had sent from Steve's mom, roughly $15,000, Steve thought they could spring for them.
Once they were outside Steve reached for Kono's hand and walked her down to the beach. He opened the box with her ring and took it out. He leaned down and lowered his voice.
"So, Kono Kalakaua, will you marry me…for the time we're on this island together?"
"Yes. Yes, I will."
He grinned down at her as she held out her hand and he placed the ring on her finger. It was really a beautiful ring and she smiled up at him. The whole moment felt a little bit too real.
She reached for the box with his ring. Once again she leaned in and lowered her voice.
"So, Steve McGarrett, will you marry me…for the time we're on this island together?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
Kono slipped the ring on his finger.
It was then that they noticed a small group of people had started walking towards them all smiling. Uh, oh, people thought it was for real.
"Kiss her."
"Kiss her man."
Steve looked at her hopelessly. They couldn't raise suspicion by acting weird about it, so with her slight nod giving him permission, he slipped his arm around her tiny waist and pulled her to him. He cupped her cheek and then ran his fingers into her soft hair as he pressed his lips softly to hers.
Kono could feel her toes wanting to curl in the sand and she pressed back gently against his. It was such a sweet and loving kiss that Kono thought she was going to cry.
Steve finally pulled back and looked at her. They were both trembling and Kono's lashes batted softly as she looked back up into his eyes. He felt a lump forming in his throat as he realized he wished it were real.
"Um…shall we go home?"
"Yes. Please. People are starting to gawk."
He took her hand and waved at the small crowd. They were still clapping and cheering as they escaped back to the bike and quickly made an exit.
Kono wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his back. She could still feel his lips on hers, but she didn't know what to make of it. Was Steve just a really good actor?
What just happened? How much was an act and how much was real? Kono was very confused right now. It had only been a month since Adam's death and yet here she was having thoughts about Steve. She realized she wished it had been real.
How disloyal was she in this moment? She was mad at herself and instead of leaning into Steve she raised her self away from him and sat back on the bike.
Steve could feel her tense up and he knew he had crossed a line. He hated himself. It had only been a month since he broke up with Catherine and here he was fantasizing about actually asking Kono to marry him. He didn't blame her for pulling away. He felt just as guilty as she must.
When they arrived home, Kono climbed off the back before Steve even had a chance to turn off the bike and throw down the kickstand. When he got inside she was nowhere to be seen, so he looked out on the lanai only to see her disappearing down the beach on a walk.
He wanted so badly to follow her, but they both needed some space.
Kono didn't come back for over an hour and he sat on the steps of the lanai worrying about her. Should he go and try to find her? How was it he always made a mess of things?
Just then he saw her figure coming from way down the beach. She was still far away, but he would know her familiar form anywhere. He waited patiently for her to reach the steps. She finally walked up and stood in front of him with her eyes down.
The silence stretched on for over a minute and then they both spoke at once.
"Kono…"
"Steve…"
"You go first."
"No you."
"Kono, I'm sorry. I know I crossed a line. I didn't know what else to do, but I took it too far and I'm sorry. I would never want to presume anything or take advantage of you when you've been so hurt and you just lost someone who meant so much to you."
"Steve, it's okay, you didn't. I totally understood and it wasn't like I was an unwilling participant. I'm just a little confused right now."
"Me too."
He reached out his hand and she took it as he pulled her down on the steps next to him.
"I'm really not good with words, but you already know that. I'm better with action and I just want you to know that I care deeply for you. I don't know what that looks like yet, but I know I like being with you, I like sharing a house with you and I really like your company. I guess I'm just happy having you alive and in my life, so I hope this won't make things weird between us. I need you Kono."
"I feel the same way. I took off because I thought I had crossed some kind of line by encouraging you to kiss me and then kissing you back, but I didn't hate it. It was very sweet and we did have to protect our cover. Everything you said about being in my life…I feel the same way. So, for now, let's just put it aside and enjoy our friendship. Deal?"
Kono turned to him and offered her hand.
"Deal."
Steve took it and shook it and then brought it up to his mouth for a tender kiss.
"Wanna go for a swim?"
Kono looked at him and he suddenly realized how tired she looked.
"An hour walk was a bit much for a first time out, huh?"
"I think so."
Steve stood and pulled her up with him. He led her over to a chaise lounge and sat her down. As she sprawled out on the lounger he went inside and made her a glass of lemonade and returned with it.
"I'm going for a run. You just rest here and when I get back I'll grill some chicken up for tonight, okay?"
"Now that's a plan."
Kono slipped her sunglasses over her eyes and laid down, but not before she got an eyeful of Steve slipping his shirt over his head and taking off down the beach.
She closed her eyes and sighed. It was going to be a long several months if he was going to keep doing that. She drifted off with a head full of the wrong kinds of thoughts.