This one's for you, Ilna! For the idea and for your generosity in sharing it with me and trusting I could build a story around it. I don't know if this is what you had in mind, but this is where it took me. I hope you enjoy. Thanks

Sammy, I'm CONVINCED that every day we discuss H50 makes it that much more fun. BOOM, Best writing partner, ever!

Kimmer, xoxo, because I owe you an extra shout out for my 1st and all subsequent FTWs

Mari

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Operation: Oblivious

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Restaurant, Saturday 6:45 a.m.
Way outside of town

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"Excuse me, can I get another …" Catherine rolled her eyes as the waitress passed their booth without a glance. "Guess not." She commented.

"Maybe she didn't hear you. I'll go get …" Steve motioned to get up, but stopped at Catherine's hand on his arm.

"Don't worry about it; I'll share your coffee." She took a sip from his cup. "You said we were going to be hiking 'and stuff' so tell me more about this weekend …"

Catherine had barely returned Steve's cup to the saucer before a waitress in a too tight, too short uniform with 'Barbi' on her nametag was at Steve's elbow. "More coffee?"

Steve had been focused on Catherine, but glanced up to say, "No thanks, I'm good. We need another cup of tea, please." He indicated Catherine's empty cup.

"I'll top that off for you anyway," The waitress bubbled, leaning closer to Steve than necessary, causing him to shift back in his seat to avoid contact. When she turned to Catherine, her bright expression dimmed "Regular or herbal?"

"Regular, please." She took another sip from Steve's cup. A grin formed on her lips as Barbi sashayed off.

"What?" Steve looked at her questioningly.

Catherine shook her head. "Nothing. How far are we from the cabin? You said it was I spot I've never seen."

"Yeah." Steve nodded. "It's not too much further. We used to camp there when I was a kid. It's a great spot. Totally secluded, it's right on the water, so we can swim, too." His love of water was evident in the tone of his voice. "Dad liked it for family trips because it was easier than pitching tents when Mary was a baby." His eyes shone at the memory. "You'll love it."

"I'm sure I will. I'm really happy to get away." Catherine tilted her head. "We're actually in a cabin with running water?"

"We are." Steve confirmed. "And wait till you see the lake, Cath. I told you to bring a suit, right?"

"Didn't you just say it was totally secluded?" Catherine lowered her voice and leaned forward.

Steve's smile broadened. "That I did."

"Don't really need suits, then, do we?" She purred.

"Nope." His grin grew mischievous.

"… and we're staying all weekend? Promise?" Catherine shifted and brushed her legs against Steve's.

"All weekend, promise. Last month when we tried to get two days off, the Aaronson murders blew that up, so …" Steve reached across the table for her hand. "I wanted to make it up to you. This place isn't a rental anymore, but I got the keys because Chin's uncle owns the cabin now and …" He stopped and looked up.

"More coffee?" Barbi stood with the pot poised over his cup, again. Her newly freshened makeup was totally lost on Steve, but not on Catherine.

"No. Still waiting for that cup of tea, though." Steve nodded toward Catherine, missing Barbi's brows knit as her eyes skimmed over their entwined hands on the tabletop.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Tea." She poured a dollop of coffee into Steve's nearly full cup. "I'll just warm that up while I'm here." The look she gave him before walking away was a barely disguised leer.

"Not a very good waitress, is she?" Steve frowned, and then looked a bit confused at Catherine's sudden laughter. "What's funny?"

"You are." Catherine rubbed her thumb across the back of his hand.

Steve looked puzzled.

Catherine giggled. "Watch and learn."

"Watch what?"

"A little experiment. Let's call it operation oblivious."

"Caaath." He drew out her name. "You're telling me that waitress, Bambi…"

"Barbi." Catherine corrected with smirk. "With an 'i'"

"Whatever …" He scoffed, "C'mon. I know you say I'm oblivious but she sucks at her job. She forgot your tea twice. Don't you think she'd be a better waitress if she was trying to get my … attention?" Steve said.

"Oh, I think she wants more than your attention, Commander." Catherine teased.

With what Danny would call his 'I'm sure I'm right' face firmly in place, Steve shook his head. "She's just a bad waitress. Hey, she's finally bringing the tea."

"I don't actually want it anymore, but I'm still initiating my op." Catherine smiled sweetly and watched as the waitress, tea pot in hand, headed toward them. When Barbi was about ten feet away, she looked in their direction. Catherine tugged Steve forward by their joined hands, leaned across the table and kissed him.

"What was …" Steve stared to say, but before he could finish, Catherine kissed him again, then sat back with a grin.

"Definitely not complaining, but what was that for?" He asked.

Catherine's nearly imperceptible intonation with her head made Steve swivel in his seat. "Hypothesis proven." The waitress had turned on her heel and was taking the order of a man who'd just sat in the booth a few feet away.

Steve's look went from one of understanding to one of annoyance. "That's it." He shook his head in disgust. "Let's go." He raised a hand to call for the check.

Before he'd finished signaling, Barbi was headed over. "Can I get you anything else?"

"You know what? No. Don't bother with the tea. Just the check." Steve told her, curtly. Catherine could tell that while she was mildly annoyed at the service and found the Barbi situation kind of amusing, Steve clearly did not.

When Catherine saw aggravation cross his handsome features and tension change the set on his shoulders as he looked at the check, she cocked an eyebrow. Steve's nearly imperceptible head shake told her they'd discuss it later so she dropped it and said, "I'm going to use the restroom. Excuse me." as he pulled out his wallet.

When Catherine returned, Steve was at the counter and the manager looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry Ma'am." He turned back to Steve. "Please accept breakfast on the house. I don't want you to think I tolerate such ... tacky behavior in my place."

"Not necessary. Just have a talk with your … employee." Steve handed over a few bills and walked with Catherine toward the door, his hand on the small of her back.

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"What did you say to him?" Catherine asked once they were in the truck.

"That his waitress was rude; that I didn't appreciate it and maybe he should discuss manners with her." He glanced sideways at Catherine as he drove.

Catherine looked skeptical. "Steve?" She knew there was more.

"…and that she refilled my coffee six times, even after I said I was done, but she ignored your order …"

"And?" Catherine prompted.

Steve shrugged, not the least bit contrite. "… and I may have showed him my badge."

"Steve! It wasn't about … I was kidding …" Catherine sighed "Now I feel bad for the manager." After a second, she turned to face him. "Why'd this bother you? It's not like it's the first time and until I said something you didn't even notice…"

"Because even though I made it very clear I wasn't interested in her number, which she'd written on the check by the way," Catherine could see the vein in Steve's neck pulse as he clenched his jaw, "the check she handed me while you were right there – she tried to slip it to me again while you were in the restroom."

"Wow, ballsy." Catherine commented. She was used to women hitting on Steve. It had gotten worse a few months back after that Oahu's Most Eligible Bachelors article had profiled him, but had begun to calm down. Some women really took the cake, though. She ran a hand over his shoulder, playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt.

"Yeah, well, that time she said I should keep it just in case I wanted a tumble with a woman who had more to hold on to. In case I changed my mind about my date. As if …" He shook his head. "That's what pissed me off. Aside from her thinking I'd ... what ... leave you at a freaking diner and go off with her? She insulted you. Like she could hold a candle…"

The sudden tears prickling the corners of her eyes surprised Catherine, as did the warmth that spread like hot caramel in her chest. "Steve, that's so … but … you didn't have to …"

"Yes, I did." The set of his jaw was determined and Catherine's heart warmed further at his need to stick up for her.

Her hand slid from where it rested on his shoulder to the nape of his neck. "That was incredibly sweet, necessary or not. I'm sorry you felt the need to, but thanks for defending me."

Steve's look when he glanced her way was incredulous. "What would make her think I'd want anyone else, when …" He stopped when she dropped her hand to his jean-clad thigh as he drove.

"That wasn't about, me. Not really. That was her taking her best shot." Her fingers tightened briefly and went slack. "You know I trust you. Implicitly. I wouldn't tease you if I didn't. And if you'd rather I…"

"Cath, don't." Steve's hand found hers, flipping it over and lacing their fingers. "I love that you can bust me and I know you were joking. You know I never mind that, but this was different. There's just no way I was letting her insulting you slide. Telling the manager was better than me embarrassing her on the spot. Besides, the manager was cool." Steve squeezed her fingers. "And I paid for breakfast, even if he offered it on the house; her behavior wasn't his fault."

They'd reached the cabin and Steve turned off the ignition. "Well, it really wasn't necessary, but I do appreciate it." Catherine leaned over and kissed him, thrilled when she felt his immediate smile.

"You're welcome." He pulled her closer and kissed her back until she was breathless. "Always."

Steve got out of the truck, and before Catherine could turn to her right, he was around to her side, opening the door and standing to face her. "Cath, just because I know you can take care of yourself doesn't mean I'm going to stand by and watch someone disrespect you … us … ever." His gaze was serious as he played with the hem of her T-shirt. "You know that's what this was, right? Not me being a … Neanderthal." His hazel eyes searched her brown ones.

Catherine slid to the ground, reached up to palm his cheek and nodded. "I always know." She was happy when he visibly relaxed at her words.

Steve gave her such a beautiful, content smile, the butterflies he could still set off after all their years together took flight in her stomach. "So, what do you think?" He asked, wrapping her in his arms as he changed gears to focus on their weekend getaway.

She glanced around. "Secluded is right, wow. This is an amazing spot, I love it."

Steve looked truly happy, his eyes following hers out to the horizon. He placed a kiss on her temple and said, "I'm glad." When he faced her, his expression turned playful as he took off his Tshirt. "I think you should grab your bathing suit, 'cause that lake is calling."

Catherine tiptoed up to kiss him. "What bathing suit?" She pulled back and chuckled at his leering expression. Pulling her shirt over her head, she tossed it at Steve and took off toward the lake, laughing.

Steve followed, his laugher blending on the breeze with hers.

By the time they hit the water, leaving a trail of clothes from the truck to the shoreline, the sound on the breeze wasn't laughter.

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End thanks for reading.

Bravo for renewal for Season 5, I'm looking forward to another season of Five-0!