**** OK – TWO CHAPTERS TODAY, as the 'plan' plays out…I hope you enjoy! ****

Danny and Tracy enjoyed a great day off.
Danny helped her polish up on her 'phony' job resume and as they worked on it, he asked her more questions about what prompted her to move to Hawaii.
She told him the story she had spun in her head, in case he would ask.
She told him she had been a manager at a retail department store until the business had gone under due to the stagnant economy. Thankfully, she had saved wisely and decided that it was time for her to follow her dreams. She sold her home in Pennsylvania and moved to this Island paradise to start over.

Tracy had previously told Danny of her love for the Ocean, and despite his own distain of the water he surprised her by renting a Sea Ray Party Yacht just for the two of them for the day. She was giddy with excitement as they boarded the boat and set sail.

Danny had planned everything to a tee and they both had a wonderfully relaxing day on the water.
Late in the afternoon as they lay on the deck of the yacht sipping wine, Tracy said softly "This has been the most enjoyable day of my life Danny. I wish it didn't have to end"

He kissed her lips lightly and said, "Who says it has to…."
"What?"
"SURPRISE!"
"What are you saying Danny?"
"We're spending the night out here…that is if you want to"
"If I want to? Oh my God, yes! This is amazing"
As tears welled in her eyes Danny asked softly, "Why are you crying?"
"Because I've never been so happy"
They were lying on their sides facing each other, and placing his hand under her chin he kissed her.
He then told her, "I talked to Steve when you were in the shower this morning. I took the next two days off to spend some time with you"

She kissed him and said, "You were a busy boy this morning…getting time off, setting this all up"
"I multi-task well sweetheart"
"I'll say you do! Thank you Danny"
Kissing her again, he said softly, "I love you Tracy"
She responded by kissing him and tears slid down her cheeks. She couldn't talk, her throat constricted in pain. She wanted to tell Danny everything…she loved him. But she couldn't tell him, she was in too deep now. She also knew that if she didn't pay off Curtis Robarge soon, he would find her and he would kill her. She could not bring her troubles to this wonderful man, she wouldn't do it…

Later that evening as the sun was beginning to set Tracy stood near the stern of the vessel looking out over the beautiful, vast body of water. As the salty mist from the Ocean sprayed her face she tipped her head back. Closing her eyes the mist mixed with tears that she again shed. She wished to God she had never gone onto the internet that night, that she had never called him…..but now they were in this together, two desperate souls working together to solve their problems.

Danny had gone below the deck to use the bathroom and as he came up the stairs he saw Tracy and stopping, he watched her. As wonderful as the day had been there had been moments that made him question this relationship. He felt love for her, he really did, but several times during the day he had caught her deep in thought, seemingly miles away. Looking at her now, he again saw that. She had shared with him details of the horrible abuse she had suffered as a child but in his gut he felt there was much more she hadn't yet told him. He knew very well how these events can traumatize people and he hoped that someday soon she would feel comfortable enough to share more with him.

He moved across the deck and standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her.
She leaned back against his chest and no words were spoken as they both simply took in the beautiful scenic sunset.

They stayed up late above deck talking and dancing to the romantic music of Barry White, Al Green, Enrique Iglesias and The King, Elvis Presley that was piped in through speakers. When they retreated below deck for the night she kissed him tenderly and said, "Will you hold me Danny?"
He smiled at her softly and said, "Absolutely"
Lying in their undergarments they cuddled on the bed, falling asleep to the sounds of the waves hitting the side of the boat.

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Over the next two days they grew even closer. Danny took her sight-seeing around Oahu and they simply enjoyed each other's company.

Late Friday afternoon Danny dropped her off at her apartment and then he left to head home to get ready for their night out. Once he left, Tracy sat on the couch and with her hands shaking, she called her ex-lover.

"Tracy"
"Yes, it's me"
"Are you ready for tonight?"
She hesitated slightly before saying, "Yes….I'm ready" Her voice shook as she added, 'Please tell me, what are you going to do to Danny?"

He asked firmly, "Are you falling in love with him?"
She was now crying as she responded, "He's a wonderful man…..please, please don't hurt him"
The man screamed in anger, "HE'S NOT A WONDERFUL MAN! HE'S DESTROYING MY LIFE AND I WANT HIM GONE!"
Tracy gasped at the words, "No, no please no…please don't kill him….oh God please don't"

There was silence on the other end of the phone for several moments before he said coldly, "I'm not going to kill him Tracy, I promise you….I'm not going to kill him. Killing him would be too easy for him. I'm going to DESTROY him. He will spend the rest of his life alone, knowing that I WON, that I WON!" Tracy was sobbing softly on the other end of the phone, and composing himself he said, "Tracy, I need you to do this. Don't you forget, YOUR life depends on it. Now tell me, how are you going to do this?"

Tracy told him of how she planned on pulling it off and he replied, "This isn't going to be easy, those two men are damn close"
Through her sobs she said, "I know that. I'll do the best I can"
"I tell you sweetheart, you had better MAKE it work. McGarrett needs to be out of the picture….. tonight!"

Hanging up the phone, Tracy put her hands over her face and she sobbed uncontrollably. 'He promised he wouldn't kill Danny…he promised' After composing herself she went to the bathroom to shower and prepare herself for tonight's 'job'

An hour later as Danny held the door open for her, they entered the restaurant.

Tracy had been unusually quiet during dinner and Steve noticed Danny talking to her quietly several times.
After a wonderful dinner and dessert the group headed off to a nearby nightclub to dance and play pool. Tracy remained quiet, and the others were all beginning to notice.

At one point while Steve and Kono were out on the dance floor and Chin had gone to the restroom Danny turned to her and asked, "Hey, what's wrong with you honey?"
As Danny reached for her hand she noticed that Steve was looking at them and she pulled her hand away.
Shocked at her reaction, Danny asked "What's going on here? Why are you acting so distant?"
"I'm sorry Danny…..I'm just feeling a little bit off"
"What do you mean? Are you sick? Do you want to go home?"
Her eyes filled with tears and again seeing Steve watching, she lifted her hand to her face, brushing the tears away.

On the dance floor, Kono saw Steve's expression change and she asked, "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure but it looks like there may be trouble with Danny and Tracy"
"I'm not surprised?"
"What do you mean by that? Don't you like her?"
"No, I like her, I just think they're moving way too fast"
"Danny's smart"
"It's not that Steve. I just think he's on the rebound from Rachel and I don't want to see him get hurt"
"I agree, but it's good to see him getting back into the dating game again. It's good that he's noticing someone other than Rachel"
"Yeah, he has been pretty happy these last few days"
The song ended and Steve and Kono hugged and moved back to the table where Chin also joined the group.

They continued to visit and while Danny joined in the conversation with his team, Tracy spoke very little. A couple of hours and several beers later Steve suggested they play a game of pool.
Danny said, "I need to give Gracie a quick call to tell her goodnight"
Steve responded, "Tell my girl goodnight and I'll see her tomorrow" Reaching out his hand he said, "Come on Tracy will you be my partner?"

She smiled and took his hand, "Sure" Holding Steve's hand Tracy sighed deeply...it was time…..

******** I hope you're all enjoying. There's much, much more to come! ********