Steve stood on the beach near Kamekona's joint taking in the site of the waves rolling in. He was lost in thought when he heard a noise.
"Long time no see, Commander," a voice said from behind him. Steve swung around to see Catherine standing there with a smile on her face.
"Hey," Steve replied as she stepped forward to give him a hug. Steve reciprocated the hug before pulling back and motioning for her to have a seat on the bench behind them. Once they were seated, he started to speak.
"I heard you met Emma today," he said quietly.
"Yeah, I did. She's just like Riley described her, except a lot more grown up than I expected," Catherine said with a chuckle. Steve smiled slightly at her words. "I take it that she's more than just Riley's baby sister."
"What makes you think that?" Steve asked.
"Come on, Steve, I've known you for years now. I can tell when you have feelings for someone. Your eyes lit up when you said her name," Catherine said quietly.
"I didn't mean for this to happen," Steve said.
"I get it, Steve. Besides, it's not like we were ever exclusive. Let's face it, I'm not willing to leave the Navy and you obviously aren't willing to leave Hawaii. It was never really going to work with us," Catherine said as she laid her hand over his.
"Thanks for being so understanding. I just wish I'd had a chance to talk to you before this afternoon. I think I've taken about five steps back with Emma since then," Steve said solemnly.
"Well, she'll come around. Just use that infamous McGarrett charm on her. She won't be able to resist it, trust me," Catherine said before standing. Steve joined her and they embraced one last time. "See you around."
"Yeah," Steve replied as he watched her walk away.
"Wow, you let that go?" Kamekona asked as he watched Catherine disappear around the side of his building.
"You wouldn't understand," Steve said with a smile. "I'll take two fried shrimp plates to go."
"Oh, I see. You have a new lady?" Kamekona asked with a grin. Steve just smiled in reply before handing him the money to pay for the food.
Thirty minutes later, Steve walked through the front door of his house. After closing the door, he turned around to head towards the kitchen only to stop in his tracks. There on the floor was his Emma doing what appeared to be a yoga pose. All Steve could focus on was the skin tight black pants and sports bra that barely concealed her body. He honestly had no clue how long he stood there watching her.
"Steve?" Emma asked as she rose from the floor once she caught sight of him.
"I did not realize you were that flexible," Steve said as he continued to stare at her.
"Well I was a dancer for most of my life, and yoga helps me relax," Emma said as she started walking towards the kitchen. Steve followed blindly behind her as he watched her backside. "What do you have there?"
"Huh?" he asked as his eyes rose to meet hers.
"What's in the bag? It smells good," Emma said with a smile.
"Oh, I stopped by Kamekona's and picked up some fried shrimp. I thought we could have dinner together and talk," Steve replied before he began pulling the food from the bags. Emma watched him quietly as he set the food on the kitchen table.
"I thought we agreed that we didn't need to talk about it anymore," Emma said quietly.
"No, you said that. I never agreed to leave it alone, Emma. I can't leave it alone," Steve said as he pulled out a chair for her. Emma watched him for a moment before taking the seat he offered her. Steve walked around to the other side of the table and sat across from her.
"This is really good," Emma said after taking a bit.
"I'll tell Kamekona you like it," Steve replied with a smile. He watched her eat for a few minutes before he started to speak again. "I talked to Catherine today."
"Really?" Emma asked after a few seconds.
"Yeah. She and I agreed that our relationship, if you even really want to call it that, has been over for quite some time now. It was never going to work out for us and I think we both knew it," Steve said watching Emma's face for any sign of response.
"Well, I'm glad you were able to get that worked out," Emma said while looking at him before taking another bite.
"Emma, I want to be with you and only you," Steve said as he reached across the table to take her right hand in with his left.
"Oh, Steve," Emma whispered as she looked at him. "How could this ever work? Once I get the clear from Riley, then I'm going back to Virginia."
"I could get a job in Virginia," Steve said quietly.
"But you love Hawaii!" Emma said in shock.
"Emma, Hawaii is just a place. I can be happy anywhere as long as I'm with the right person," Steve said honestly.
"I could never ask you to do that," Emma said as she tightened her grip on his hand.
"I know you wouldn't, but I would never ask you to give up your home or family either," Steve said.
"I honestly don't know if I even want to go back to Virginia. After everything that has happened there, I just don't know if I want to be there anymore," Emma said quietly.
"Baby, you can't let this guy take everything away from you," Steve said as he stroked her hand.
"Have you heard anything else from Riley?" Emma asked.
"Well, he said they keep hitting brick walls. It's like the guy knows all the moves the police are going to make it before they make them," Steve said. "I'm beginning to think he's one of them."
"One of them?" Emma asked in confusion.
"A cop," Steve replied. He watched Emma's eyes widen before she jerked her hand out of his grasp. "Don't the cops know where I am?"
"Just the lead detective," Steve said. "They've managed to keep your location under wraps."
Emma sat there staring at her plate for the longest time before she raised her head and locked eyes with Steve.
"Maybe someone should let the cat out of the bag."
"What?" Steve asked in shock.
"If this guy finds out where I am, he would more than likely come here, right?"
"Emma, I'm not taking that chance!" Steve shouted as he stood.
"But, Steve, don't you see? This is unfamiliar territory for him. You guys would have the advantage here," Emma tried to reason with him.
"No way," Steve said as he paced the length of the kitchen. "I'm not taking any chances with you."
"Steve, just consider it," Emma said as she stood up and crossed over to him. "Please."
Steve stared at her for a few moments before pulling her into his arms and placing his lips on hers. This time, Emma didn't pull away.