This one was also inspired by a review of Sammy's. I hope you enjoy.
Sammy & Ilna, happy dance girls! Thanks to both of you for your input on this one.
REAL McRollers & Guest reviewers, you're the best! Thanks for the love & support!
Hugs, Mari
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Oblivious:Switch
"… if you need … anything at all Commander McGarrett …" The too-thin, fortyish woman purred to Steve.
"We appreciate your help, Ma'am, but that'll be all. Thank you, Ma'am." His voice was tight and cold as Steve removed the witnesses' hand from where it rested on his forearm as he took a step back. He shuddered inwardly as he walked away.
"If you change your mind about it ... and there's something I can … do … don't hesitate to contact me." She called after him. Her predatory smile hadn't dimmed since she'd laid eyes on Steve. It grew when she sat down to give him her account of the day's events.
The witness had been very, what Danny would call, 'touchy feely'. Putting her hand on his arm, brushing her knees against Steve's as he sat across from her at the makeshift interview table they'd set up in the courtyard of the posh executive building. Eventually realizing Steve was completely oblivious of her attempts to get his attention, she blatantly propositioned him. Complete with details, until he'd firmly told her he wasn't interested.
When he'd tried to assign the interview to Catherine or Kono the woman was so derogatory Steve had immediately shut her down and took the interview himself. Not that they couldn't handle a bitchy executive, far from it. But it had been a long day. Neither Cath nor Kono needed a self-entitled nasty piece of work giving them grief. After the two women had been first on the scene of a possible domestic terror threat, they had taken the helm and evacuated 1,325 people.
Steve walked up to where Danny was finishing an interview with a young mom and her son. He smiled at his partner's natural affinity for kids as Danny thanked the woman, ruffled the boy's hair and offered his hand for a high five. The three year old delightedly slapped Danny's hand and laughed with glee. "Bye bye, Dee-teck-ive Danny!" He waved.
"Bye, bye, Daniel. You keep reminding your mom she has great taste in names." Danny smiled at the woman. "Thanks again, Ms. Fujimori. Take my name-buddy home and get him a nap. You've both had a long day."
"I will. Thank you, Detective Williams, for being so kind." The woman lifted her boy into his stroller and made her way out of the courtyard. Little Daniel looked over his shoulder and waved at Danny, who waved back until they turned a corner and were out of sight.
"Hey." Danny said as he focused on Steve. "All done with Boney Maroney over there?" Danny indicated the woman who bore a striking resemblance to the cartoon version of Cruella DeVil. "Do I need to say oblivious to you, Partner or was that one so obvious even you realized she was looking at you like today's plate lunch special?" Danny laughed at Steve's look. "Good thing she didn't offer you a sip of her water, I'd be afraid she'd roofie you."
"Don't even …" Steve held up a hand and glanced around. "Did Catherine notice?"
"Why?" Danny snorted. "If she's never been jealous of the other ones that beast won't even blip her radar."
"Jeal … hell no, of course not, it's just that this time Cath can't call me oblivious.
"Yes, she can. You didn't notice."
"I noticed after … awhile. She kept brushing her knees against my legs. I stood up to finish the interview, but then she grabbed my arm. I noticed … eventually. That counts." Steve argued. Partly because he really didn't notice until the woman out-and-out propositioned him but he wasn't planning to give his partner more ammo to rib him with.
Danny snorted in disbelief. "Catherine can still bust your chops." He grinned. "I'm getting a coffee, want anything?"
Steve shook his head. "I'm good. I'm gonna see if Catherine is getting anywhere with Hoover. This has something to do with him. I can feel it."
"Good. You do that."
"What's that tone?"
"This tone? This tone is that Catherine was reaching her bullshit limit last I looked. She's had a long day. Go … offer an assist, not that she needs one, but, go."
"What the hell are you talking about? She's interviewing Hoover."
"Yes. Yes, she is." Danny slapped Steve's shoulder and walked toward where HPD had set up a station with coffee and water.
/
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"I'd be very happy to finish this interview later, Catherine. We could conduct it in my home, where it's so much more comfortable. I can give you all the personnel files there. I'm right in Diamond Head. I could send my driver for you. Maybe after the interview, I could offer you a bite of dinner; you must be famished after today …"
Catherine interrupted billionaire real estate developer Leslie P. Hoover's third not-so-thinly-veiled proposition and said with a tight smile, "It's Lieutenant Rollins, Mister Hoover, and we need to get the information as soon as possible. We can download the files directly from your phone, Sir. If you give me the permissions, I won't need to request a warrant and it would make it that much easier."
Catherine pushed a stray lock of hair that had worked itself free from her ponytail behind her ear. She and Kono had climbed the twenty five flights of stairs more than once as she'd led the evac. She was grateful no one had been hurt, but she was tired and Mister Schmoozey Perv was on her last nerve.
Hoover continued with his quest. "… so impressive. The work you do with Five-0. I was just saying to my VP of Finance before you walked over just how impressed I was with your level of training and expertise." He dropped his voice a notch "Not to mention that you're stunningly beautiful." When Catherine's eyes hardened, Hoover adjusted his approach. "Then I learned you were a navy lieutenant with a high security level as well."
As Catherine bit back a snarky comment, she turned slightly, sensing Steve's presence. He was a few yards away and she audibly blew out a breath before making another attempt to convince Hoover that they needed his files now, and she wasn't willing to go to his home to get them, or anything else.
"I often hire freelance security specialists. If you ever decide you'd like to take on some … additional work, say, when I need to add to my detail for an upcoming trip to Paris, for instance, just say the word. I could come discuss the offer any evening. I'm assuming you live in town?" Hoover stepped a hairsbreadth closer and Catherine's professional smile dimmed.
"I'm very happy where I am, Sir. I don't freelance. Now, about the files …"
"Very well, the files." Hoover huffed as his eyes ran over Catherine. "But, you keep my offer in mind. I pay a lot better than the state does. And your boss seems … difficult to get along with. I bet I'd be a lot … nicer to work for than McGarrett is."
"Doubt that." Catherine said under her breath. But she didn't respond out loud.
/
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When Steve approached where Catherine was standing in the makeshift interview area, he tensed. She was, at that moment, detaching Leslie P. Hoover's hand from her forearm. No sooner was his hand removed, did it land on her shoulder.
"That's about the fourth time she's removed his hand since he started talking to her. I was watching as I wrapped up the evidence for Lieutenant Kelly," said the officer who fell in step beside Steve.
"He keeps that up, he's a dead man." Steve's jaw tightened.
"You can't kill him, Commander." The HPD veteran who'd come up to get Steve's signature for evidence transfer to the lab joked quietly. "Too many witnesses." Although they never acted anything other than professional, it was common knowledge that the commander and the beautiful former intelligence officer were a long-time couple.
"Kill … what?" Steve turned to face the officer, scrawled 'Steven J. McGarrett' and handed him back the clipboard. "I wasn't talking about me killing anyone, Meyers. Catherine Rollins has a high bullshit tolerance level, but if Hoover crosses it, she's the one he's gotta worry about, not me."
"Good for her." Meyers said sincerely. He'd worked a case or two with Five-0 and Rollins had been especially nice to the officers. She'd even remembered his daughter was applying to colleges and asked him if she'd gotten accepted to her top choice the next time they'd met.
/
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Catherine turned as Steve strode up between her and Leslie Hoover. "Mr. Hoover, this is Commander McGarrett. Mr. Hoover was just saying he …"
"Leslie, please. It's Leslie." The wealthy entrepreneur said to Steve.
Catherine's expression remained impassive until she turned fully toward Steve and her eyes lost their hard edge. "MISTER Hoover has personnel files that we can access via his phone."
Steve nodded. "I'll have Lieutenant Kelly pull the data from the phone."
Hoover removed his mirrored sunglasses. The look he cast at Steve held a challenge. "I was actually telling Catherine that I'd feel much more comfortable giving the data to her … personally. With her Navy Intelligence background and high clearance, I'd feel more secure." His smile was hyena-like.
Steve took a step closer to Catherine, forcing the shorter man to involuntarily step back to look up at him. "It's Lieutenant Rollins, Sir, and we need the data immediately." Steve's voice was low and menacing.
"And I was explaining how every member of Five-0 has a high security clearance and we can guarantee the confidentiality of anyone not involved in the threat." Catherine said like it wasn't the first, or even the second time.
"Well, we'll work all that out." Hoover's grin looked painted on. "Here's my card. I'll expect you to drop by."
His hand was about to land on Catherine's shoulder but she snatched it quickly and shook it. "We'll be executing a warrant, then, Mr. Hoover." She turned to Steve. "Commander? May I speak to you?"
"Oh, now that won't be necessary. Tell Lieutenant Kelly he can access my phone." He leveled a glare at Steve, but when his eyes were met, he couldn't hold it. Hoover looked away first and Catherine saw Steve's lips twitch in a smirk as he turned to follow her when she began to walk away.
The just-this-side-of-creepy billionaire's leering eyes trailed Catherine and he ran a hand through his black, gelled hair as she reached the make-shift command center with Steve at her heels.
"Vomit." She said as they walked inside the trailer. "Thanks."
"I didn't do anything." Steve grinned. "Excellent restraint. I was half expecting you to punch him in the mouth."
"Please. Amateur. He's nothing compared to some of the guys I've dealt with over the years." She returned his grin. "He offered me a freelance gig."
"Did he now?" Steve chuckled.
"Yep." She winked. "On a trip to Paris." She rolled her eyes and shuddered. "As if. Mr. Leslie P. Hoover doesn't get told 'no' a lot. He also seems to think that Commander McGarrett is hard to get along with and maybe I'd like … working for … him better." She laughed out loud at that. If felt good after the tension of the day.
"That so?" Steve raised an eyebrow and moved to help her remove her TAC vest. Not that she needed his assistance; he just wanted a reason to be closer to her for a few seconds, which she picked up on immediately, squeezing his fingers as he unfastened the clips.
"You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell the little creep exactly how well I get along with Commander McGarrett. And precisely how much I enjoy working with him." She winked and Steve laughed delightedly at the mischievous glint in her eyes.
They were still chuckling when Kono approached. "Hey, Boss." Kono said. "We're good to go. Area's been officially cleared of any threats. We can wrap up the investigation off site."
"Thanks, Kono." Steve smiled. "Great work today." He turned to include Catherine. "Both of you. The building was cleared in record time. Faster than their emergency preparedness drills, from what the security head told me.
Kono and Catherine exchanged a smile. "Thanks."
"Go home, Kono. HPD and the FBI can wrap up here."
"You don't have to tell me twice. Long day." Kono fist bumped Catherine. "See you tomorrow."
"You got it." Catherine grinned at the younger woman. She'd done an exemplary job with the evac, as good as anyone she'd ever trained with. "Like Steve said, good job."
As Kono left to head home, Danny appeared from around the corner. "Hey. We're clockin' out?" At Steve's nod he said "Nice lead today, Cath. All the evacuees said you kept them calm and moving."
"Part of the training, but thanks, Danny."
"And how was Mr. Leslie P. Hoover?" Danny barked a laugh. The smarmy billionaire was a well known player, but Danny absolutely knew Catherine and what she could handle. I think you may have a … fan." He teased, referring to the 'McGarrett fan club' as they'd designated the women who often swooned over Steve.
"He's a jerk, but about equal to that … woman Steve was interviewing. Hey, maybe we fix them up?' She laughed.
"There's two people we definitely don't want to breed." Danny laughed along with her. "Unless you need me, I'm going home." He said to Steve.
"No. Go." Steve shook his head. "We're done. Cath, get your stuff, we'll wrap up."
As Catherine went to grab her gear Danny looked at Steve.
"Clearly you have something to say, Danny. Out with it." Steve sighed.
"At least about Catherine getting hit on, you're not completely oblivious." Danny snorted. "Chin just said he dumped Hoover's phone. After Cath had to threaten him with a warrant because he wanted her to come get the info … personally. I'm just making sure …" He raised an eyebrow and pointed at Steve. "You learned from the Harrington situation, right, Steven?" Danny smirked. "Or are you gonna ask Mr. Rich Asshole if he's got any job openings your amazingly brilliant, beautiful girlfriend could moonlight at?"
"Just because I don't get jealous doesn't mean I don't notice. Besides, that guy's a perv. He's got be … what? Twenty years older than her? I could have put my fist through his face, but that would look like I didn't trust Catherine. I trust her, Danny, implicitly and her ability to handle herself. You know if I thought for a second she couldn't, or she was in danger, all bets are off. Besides, he already offered her a freelance job. On a trip to Paris."
A guffaw exploded from Danny.
"Shut up." Steve grumbled. He attempted a surly glance at his partner, but he knew Danny had his best interest at heart and was his and Catherine's biggest cheerleader.
"Just checking. Because even though you're the luckiest bastard, ever, my work is never done with you, is it?" He walked away and grinned as he crossed paths with Catherine. She was on her way back toward Steve as Danny was heading to the Camaro. He patted her shoulder with a smile as he called over his shoulder. "Lucky bastard."
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End. Thanks for Reading! Mari
The name Leslie P. Hoover was the brainchild of Sammy, so thanks, Partner! It's … perfect!
Oblivious will return