Steve crouched down behind the four-foot cement wall as another string of shots rang out just over his head.

"Shit!" he groaned, keeping his face down as debris from the wall rained down on him.

"Will you stay down?!" Danny yelled at him angrily through his earpiece. "What the hell are you doing? This guy is out for blood! Do you want to satisfy that need or keep your head on?!"

"Alright!" Steve replied over the scolding but still knew something had to be done soon because this guy wasn't going to quit until he did kill someone, and having two hostages inside the store with him were easy targets if negotiations didn't go his way.

"You know as well as I do Danny that he's not going to surrender." He looked up toward a window across the way. "Kono, you got anything in view yet?"

She peered through the scope of her rifle, scanning the windows. The two hostages were bound and gagged, sitting on the floor in front of a reception desk as the gunman used them as shields; the empty casings from his gun after a rampage pelting them in the head and body.

"I can't get him without 100% assurance I'm not going to hit a hostage too. So no, I don't have a shot."

Steve sat back against the wall as another spray of gunfire erupted. He looked out in front of him and saw Sawyer coming at him, dodging from car to car and then falling to his belly and making his way over using his elbows to pull himself along the ground, weapon still in hand.

Steve scooted over as he took a position next to him with his back against the wall.

"Commander," he said, looking over at him unaffected by the gunfire he just dodged, "I thought you could use some back up."

Steve shook his head at him, but had more than a slight grin on his face. John Sawyer was a rookie that seemed to have come from the same mold as he had. An ex-Navy Seal who had returned to the islands and joined the HPD; it was Danny's worse nightmare. He fought like a soldier but had the patients of a leader. Steve new he'd move up quickly in the ranks of the force. He'd even gone as far as considering him for Five-0.
"I appreciate the back up, Sawyer, but you know Danny's going to have a heart attack." No sooner did the words come out did both of their earpieces light up.

"Are you kidding me?" Danny yelled. "If either of you gets shot don't think the ole' Navy saying 'never leave a man behind' will come into play, because I'll let you bleed over that stupid move!"

Steve and Sawyer both laughed, knowing he was pissed, but also knowing it was a load of crap. Danny would be the first one in.

"Yes Sir," Steve replied. "And what do you presume we do, Danny? Wait until he runs out of patients and then offs himself with two hostages?"

"The SWAT team will be here in about two seconds. I PRESUME," he said sarcastically, "that we wait for them since they've got the armor."

Steve looked over as John spoke with his hands, using SEAL signals so Danny wouldn't hear the plan he was hatching to Steve.

"I've got all the armor I need in my hands to take out this guy," Sawyer chimed in.

It was Danny's turn to roll his eyes. "Please talk some sense into that rookie, Steve."

Steve motioned with his hand for Sawyer to stand down. "Don't worry partner I'll hold him back. Only because you asked so…" His sentence was interrupted as another rain of gunfire came from the office.

They both turned their body as a spray of bullets ricocheted off the cars in front of them. Steve looked up hearing a helicopter above, but it wasn't the SWAT chopper he was expecting to see, it was Hawaii Ten news. They kept a distance but he knew more than likely that they had a live feed on them. This type of scenario is what they lived for.

"Goddamn it," Steve yelled into his radio to Danny, not knowing if there was a TV inside the store or if the gunmen had someone via cell phone. "Should I just wave up at the camera so the gunman inside can see our position if we move in?"

"I've got it covered," Chin jumped in. He radioed dispatch to inform the Honolulu Airport to tell the helicopter to move away from the scene.

"I've about had it with this position," Steve growled. "I'm going in the back, Danny."

Sawyer put a fresh clip in his gun. "You go left, I'll go right, and we'll meet in the back?"

"Stay low, don't fire unless you've got a clean shot."

"Yes Sir," Sawyer replied, turning away in the direction he was going to go.

Steve reached back and grabbed his arm, holding him in place as a single shot rang out from inside the office, and then he heard what he feared the most, the woman screaming hysterically. He knew then the gunman had shot the other hostage.

"It's going down now!" he yelled to Danny. He rose up above the wall, with his gun pointed at the office where the glass doors used to be. The gunman had the woman around the neck with his gun pointed at her head, making his way slowly out. The other hostage lay on the floor slumped over, clearly dead by a gunshot to the head. The woman could barely stand as the fear on her face began to overtake her. Steve heard the SWAT team behind him pull up but kept his position.

Sawyer rose up next to him.

"Put down your weapon!" Sawyer shouted out to him.

"I'm walking out of here!" he yelled back, pressing the gun harder against her temple.

"There's nowhere to go," Steve said adamantly.

"Then you better find me a place or I'm going to shoot her too."

The woman screamed and Steve saw her eyes flutter close as she passed out. Her body went limp and he knew this was his chance. Sawyer sensed the same as they both came up and over the wall as the woman fainted in his arms.

The gunman went to his knees, still trying to hold onto the only shield he had when suddenly from across the way a single shot rang out, pelting him in the right shoulder and then another one as Kono hit him in the chest. He fell back with the woman lying on top of him as Steve and Sawyer both ran toward him.

Steve grabbed the woman by the arm and dragged her limp body off of him as Sawyer covered the gunman. He stepped on his wounded arm that still held the gun and bent over taking it from his hand.

Steve laid her out, checking her pulse, assured she had just fainted. As he rose back up he looked across the way and saw Sawyer bend over to take the weapon. With his free hand the still conscious gunman came from around his back and stuck a four-inch blade in the side of Sawyer's neck.

Steve watched the horror scene play out as Sawyer stumbled back and raised his gun, shooting the man twice in the face and body before he fell back to the ground.

Steve rushed over to him as the others did as well. He slid in next to him, seeing the fear and pain in his friend's eyes as he gasped for a breath, blood spitting out his mouth as he did so.

"John!" Steve shouted, putting his hand over top of his, as he tried to remove the knife. "Let it be!" he said to him, knowing if he took it out he would bleed out for sure. He looked over his shoulder to anyone that was listening. "I need a medic! Now!"

"Hold on, John!" Danny said, taking the position across from Steve. "Help is coming."

His eyes darted back and forth between the two of them as if begging for help, still gasping and trembling not able to speak even though his mouth was moving.

Steve put a hand on his head, trying to comfort him knowing he was dying. He'd seen that look before too many times. "It's alright John," he said soothingly. He felt a grip on his hand as he reached up and grabbed Steve's, clutching it tightly. He looked back over toward the ambulance that pulled up. "Get 'em over here!"

He felt the grip loosen and look backed down seeing his eyes close and the breathing come to a halt.

"No! No! No!" Steve shouted as Danny leaned over him and began CPR on his chest.

They both backed away as Paramedics took their positions and began to work on him.

Danny stood his ground, staring down at the grotesque scene as Steve paced back and forth, watching helplessly as they tried to revive him.

"Come on, John," he encouraged the lifeless body as they charged the paddles for a third time and shocked him, getting no reaction. "Come on. Fight it!"

He stopped pacing as both of the Paramedics looked at each other, somberly shaking their head, knowing he never had a chance.

It was over.

The crowded scene around them drew to a frozen silence; the only sound was the hovering helicopter above.

Steve stood staring down at John's body, thinking of his wife and the baby they had just had two months earlier.

"Anna!" Eric and Jenny both shouted from the living room as she loaded the dishwasher.

"Come here! Hurry!" Eric yelled.

She came around the corner of the family room as Jenny pointed at the TV.

"Steve's on TV!" she said excitedly, jumping up and down. "He's right there!"

Anna came around and stood in front of it, watching the breaking news footage from a helicopter as it replayed a scene in front of an office building in downtown Honolulu.

She picked he and Danny both out of the crowd immediately, grinning over Jenny's excitement and then all at once her smile slowly faded as the newscaster explained the reason behind the broadcast.

"Jenny," she said, hushing her, "be quiet." She sat down on the coffee table and picked up the remote, rewinding the DVR to hear again what had happened. She listened and watched as the scene being played out was described. She couldn't take her eyes off of Steve as he turned away from the blurred body lying on the ground that was the officer pronounced dead at the scene. He took a couple of steps and then stopped, putting his hands on his hips and then his head and shoulders dropped. She watched then as his hand came up to his face, before the camera moved to another position, but his body language was self-explanatory. She looked over at Eric who was old enough to understand. He looked back at her with the same grim expression. They both knew the signs of death and what he was feeling; their hearts going out to him.

"What's wrong?" Jenny asked, seeing it in their expressions. "Is he ok?" she looked at the TV again, fearing the worst.

Eric said nothing, thinking only at that second of his friend and how bad he must feel, tears stinging his eyes.

"It's ok Jenny," Anna reached over and pulled the child in next her. "Steve just had a bad at work day is all. He's alright."

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Anna came off the couch, finally hearing his truck pull in. It was almost midnight but she had waited up, not sure why but she just felt the need too. They'd only known each other barely six weeks but he'd been there for her when she least expected it but when she needed it the most, wanting to do the same for him.

There had been neighborly waves and smiles as they crossed paths but they'd yet to have another real conversation since the day he'd taken the kids kayaking. Jenny and Eric however spoke to him almost daily, especially Jenny.

She came out the door and across the lawn up to his fence that separated their yards just as he was walking to his door. "Steve," she called out just loud enough for him to hear.

He stopped but didn't turn back, "Not now Anna," his voice mirroring all the weariness from the long day. He didn't have it in him for a conversation or any other kind of negative confrontation that she wanted to throw at him. It was almost midnight and he couldn't think of any other reason for her to be out there chasing after him unless it was negative.

"I saw the news."

The tone of her voice was sincere, catching him off guard. He felt bad for thinking the worst about her when she was just trying to be nice. For the first time since losing Becky, he missed that part of a relationship of having someone there.

"I'm so sorry, Steve." She put her hands over her heart not having to see his face to know that he was hurting. "If there's anything I can do, or if there's anything that you need. Is there…anything you need?" She didn't know why she added that, not knowing what it was that she could possibly give him; a meal perhaps or just company, even though she had no idea what she would say to him.

He turned his head just slightly, "No, but thank you, Anna." He continued on into the house.

She stood there watching as he went inside and the lights came on. She saw him through the window sit down on the couch and run his hands over his face and then lay back out of her line of sight. She turned and started back to her own house as a tear fell down her face, reliving her brother and sister-in-laws death.

She knew Steve had lost people in his life that were close to him, both friends and family but she couldn't get over the feeling of wanting to be there for him now, even if he didn't want her to be. Over the past few weeks they had become not only neighbors but also something else. At times he infuriated her, but it was times like this that she felt sorry for him that he was all alone.

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Jenny sat on the door stoop of her house watching patiently for Steve to come out of his house and get his paper like he did almost every morning. It had become a ritual between the two of them over the past couple of weeks to meet at his fence and have a morning chat. She was going to be starting school again soon and was going to miss this time with him.

She sat up when she thought she heard his door, but to her dismay it wasn't. She took another bite of her bagel and cream cheese focusing back on her duty.

"Are you waiting for Steve?" Anna asked, standing behind her.

"Yes," she sighed. "He hasn't got his paper yet."

She put a hand on her head, stroking her hair. "He got home really late last night so I don't want you bothering him today, ok?"

She looked up over her shoulder at her. "But we talk to each other every day."

Anna squatted down and used her thumb to wipe off a smudge of cream cheese on her cheek. "I know you do, but today is different. If he doesn't come out, I don't want you to go over and knock on his door, ok?"

"Is he mad at me?"

"No Jenny of course not. He just had a really bad day at work yesterday."

"What happened? Why was he on TV?"

Anna wasn't sure what to tell her but decided that keeping it from her wasn't right either. Unfortunately the five year old understood loss all too well. "One of his friends, another police officer, was hurt really bad yesterday."

She shifted her body so she could see her, the child's eyes full of fear and sadness. "Did he die?"

Anna paused and then nodded, feeling for him once again.

Her heart then went out to Jenny as her eyes began to get watery and then her bottom lip curled.

The first tear fell and splashed on her bagel as Anna sat down on the floor with her.

"Why does everyone die," she whimpered.

Anna put her arms around her wanting to explain and give her an explanation but didn't have one. She could give her the whole, 'it's a part of life speech' or 'everyone is born and everyone goes to heaven' theory, but neither of them made sense to her either at the time. They had dealt with so much of it over the last few months that trying to justify it seemed like a lie. It hurt to lose someone. It hurt badly. She felt there was nothing wrong with letting Jenny grieve for her parents, or for Steve.

They both looked up as they heard his front door close. He walked toward his truck wearing his gun and badge on his hip, leaving for work earlier than usual.

Jenny wiped her face off and stood up as he backed his truck up. She watched him turn it around and start down the street but not before he looked in her direction.

She forced a smile for him and waved with just her fingers.

He slowed down and returned the gesture, feeling bad for leaving her hanging that morning but he had too much to do at the office with the death of John. He looked from Jenny to Anna, recalling her kindness from the night before. She could be the most infuriating woman at times, and then there were times like last night that made her seem the complete opposite. He waved to her as well.

She smiled, acknowledging it. She knew his day was going to be just as tough as the previous, having to deal with the aftermath. Dating Daryl had given her an insight into the life of a Police Officer, even though Daryl was no cop in comparison to Steve, she thought.

"He looked so sad," Jenny declared looking up at her. "Can I make a card for him?"

She smiled down at the little girl, rubbing her hand gently over the smooth cheek, seeing her father in her. "I think that would be very nice."

She went up the stairs as Anna closed the door, wishing again there was something she could do for him too. Some gesture that he couldn't turn down, knowing he was the type of man that didn't take help from others easily. It amused her that they had that in common as well. It would have to be something that didn't take his permission, or a yes or no answer, yet she wanted it to say thank you for all that he'd done for them over the past few weeks without actually saying it, knowing actions spoke louder than words.

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It was a cloudy day and the threat of rain hovered all around, but a drop had yet to fall on the crowd. A tent was set up around the gravesite just incase, but only a handful of people were under it, the others stood just outside not caring if it rained on them or not, they weren't going to budge or show their annoyance even if a hurricane erupted. They were there for John, for his wife and baby daughter who would never know her father; most considered that the biggest tragedy of all, including Steve.

He stood next to Danny, Chin and then Kono; the three of them in their dress uniforms that were recently pressed for the occasion. Steve however out of respect for John's Navy life wore his dress blues. He looked as the others did, capable and resilient, but he felt none of that inside.

He hated death. He hated the way it crippled a person and made them feel helpless and afraid. He stared at the coffin seeing John lying on the ground looking up at him, begging him for help. He couldn't do anything for him except grip his hand and tell him it was going to be ok; a lie.

He looked at John's wife who held their baby in her arms. Tears streamed down her face as the minister spoke of the courageous efforts that her husband had exemplified throughout his life. Leaving behind a legacy for his daughter to be proud of.

He and John had been similar in so many ways it became almost comical to most, some even calling John 'Little Commander' as a running joke, but as Steve stared at his family it dawned on him that John had more to live up to than he ever had. The night before he was struggling with being alone, even going as far as missing Becky, but now as he stood there looking at the devastation in the widow's heartbroken expression, he didn't feel that loneliness so much anymore. He knew the risks of his job and didn't want to ever leave anyone behind to suffer like that. His legacy would probably die with him, and he was ok with that.

He looked away from her, focusing back on the casket as the eulogy went on. He felt at a low point in his life with so much sadness around him. The event taking place was unjust. It shouldn't have come down to this. He should have been watching John's back more closely, beginning to question his actions that day, but deep down he knew it all came down to that second of who was positioned where. He couldn't honestly say that he would have done anything differently if it were he that went to the gunman rather than John. It could be him lying in that casket.

He looked at his wife again as the baby began to get fussy and cry, wishing in that moment of despair that it would have been him. He turned just slightly focusing on Danny. A wave of panic swept over him. Just the thought of seeing Gracie in that same spot as the widow was a devastating blow to his emotions that he never wanted to see. That fear began to creep its way into his head again, not fear for himself but others around him that he loved. If he lost any of them, especially Danny, that thought alone was crippling. They were all he had.

He turned away just then and scanned the crowd, seeing the wives and children of fellow officers who stood with him. He couldn't help but obtain a sense of pride that his colleagues must have felt by having them attend. Even Gracie was there.

He knew the only family he had was standing next to him, but before that thought even had a chance to settle he saw them.

Anna gripped tightly onto Jenny's hand not sure how this reception was going to come across as she watched him scan the crowd, and then his attention focused on her, seeing the three of them for the first time. She held her breath, studying his reaction, considering for that moment that maybe she had made a mistake until his eyes moved from to her to Eric and then down to Jenny, knowing in that second that she had done the right thing. He was pleased.

She didn't see anger in his expression but only wonderment over their appearance and when he looked back at her she held her breath again but for a different reason. His penetrating gaze from across the way expressed his gratitude in so many unspoken words that she felt the warmth from it, acknowledging him and his appreciation with a gentle smile.

He had no words to describe what it felt like to have them there and more than anything else he knew without a shadow of a doubt the only reason they were there was for him. They didn't know John. They only knew him. This greatly appreciated gesture was ranked up there among a few other choice memories that he cherished. It was also one of the most unexpected gifts he'd ever received, lifting his spirits when he needed it most.

They had even dressed the part. Eric had on a pair of black pants and a light blue shirt with a dark blue tie, his thick blond hair neatly combed, while Jenny wore a white sundress with dark blue flowers printed on it. Her bleach blond hair in a neatly organized mass on top of her head, but it was Anna's attire that impressed him the most. He'd never seen her in anything except shorts and T-shirts. The mid-thigh black dress she wore hung just tightly enough around her body to show off her exquisite figure but not enough to be revealing. Even the pink cast she wore looked somehow fitting. Her sun kissed blond hair hung straight, a portion of it draped over her shoulder, lying elegantly over her breasts. She looked beautiful.

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The funeral came to a close as the crowd quietly dispersed, leaving the widow and her family at the gravesite alone before they would all meet up at a second location so the attendees could express their condolences and talk stories of John.

Steve turned to Danny as they began to make their way across the damp grass. "Hey, hold up for a second." He motioned toward Anna and the kids.

Danny looked over and saw them, getting the same shocked and then appreciative expression that Steve had. "Wow," he looked over at him. "That was decent of her."

Steve nodded, "Unexpected too."

Danny reached in his coat pocket, "Here," he said, handing him the keys to the Camaro. "I'll catch a ride over with Chin and Kono. I'll see you over there."

"Thanks," he said taking the keys. He looked back over as Anna and the kids began making their way toward the parked cars.

She heard her name and stopped, still holding Jenny's hand as all three of them turned, seeing him make his way over to where they were standing.

His appearance was beyond inspiring; making the uniform seem even more impressive than it did hanging in his closet. Her wore it well and he wore it with confidence. It made her feel safe in a turbulent world that men like him were protecting them. As he neared she saw the man she knew outside of the uniform as he smiled graciously at them, making her knees feel weak. That had only happened to her once before as she stood next to her sister on the red carpet of a Hollywood event and was introduced to Brad Pitt. Steve held those same striking qualities but unlike Pitt, he had no idea he possessed them, that's what impressed her the most. He was quite possibly the best looking man she had ever met.

"Ouch, Anna," Jenny said of her hand holding, "that's too tight."

She looked down at the grip that had the child's fingers turning white. She quickly let go. "I'm sorry honey." She looked back up as he stood before them.

"Hi," he said, greeting her first and then put a hand on Eric's shoulder. "Hey buddy. Thanks for coming."

He smiled up at him, seeing the same impressiveness that Anna had. It made him feel privileged that they were friends. "Hey." His expression showed his sorrow. "I'm sorry about your friend." It made him think of his father just then and the funeral they had attended only a few months prior, tears stinging his eyes without warning.

Steve sensed what he was feeling and put an arm around his shoulder, giving him a small hug. "Thank you."

Eric nodded and pulled away not wanting to seem wimpy to the man standing there in the uniform. He looked up at Anna, giving her an encouraging smile letting her know he was ok. It had been her only concern about coming when she had mentioned it to them the night before, wanting to make sure they would be alright with being at a gravesite so soon after their parent's death, but after thinking it over he and Jenny both agreed they could, and should, wanting to do it mainly for Steve.

He looked down at Jenny next, a smile instantly erupting on his face over the sweet one on hers. "Sorry I've missed our morning chats."

"That's ok," she declared wholeheartedly. She held up a blue piece of folded cardboard paper to him. "I made this for you."

He took the paper, knowing it was some sort of drawing, having seen several around Danny's house from when Grace was younger, but never having the privilege of receiving one himself. "Thank you, Jenny." He opened it to a picture of what he presumed was his house considering it was white with a red roof and the ocean was in the back. There were two people in the water. He read the words below that were written in the child's handwriting. 'Don't be sad my Mommy will cook dinner for your friend and my Daddy will play golf with him. We can go swimming.'

He looked up at Anna over the choice of words, knowing Jenny never could have written it.

She shrugged, "Her exact words, I just told her how to spell it."

Jenny stared up at him waiting eagerly for his response. She had worked diligently on the card; the final was her fifth draft.

He focused back on her, putting a hand under her chin and stroking her cheek with his thumb. "This makes me feel so much better," he said sincerely. "Thank you."

She radiated from it, even going so far as blushing over the attention, giving a small leap over her triumph.

He looked back up at Anna as they both grinned over her happiness.

He continued to gaze at Anna, having no words for her thoughtful act. She had left him speechless showing up there with the kids.

She felt a flutter in her stomach feeling she might blush more than Jenny had over his attention, looking away. "We should get going. I'm sure you have someplace you need to be."

"You can come if want," he said. "I mean," he quickly explained, seeing the uncomfortable expression cross her face, "it's going to be more of a get together to celebrate who John was, not a gathering to mourn him. It's not going to be a subdue affair I can promise you that. That's not how we do things here."

She hesitated not quite sure how to respond when she looked down at the kids who stared up at her eagerly. She knew those faces. They both desperately wanted to go, knowing mainly they just wanted to follow him. She glanced back up at him. "Are you sure its ok?"

"Come on," he said motioning toward the parking lot as he started walking. "It's more than ok."

"Where is it?" she asked following behind him.

"You can follow me."

"Can I ride with you?" Eric asked him.

He glanced back at Anna for her permission.

"I don't care," she replied.

"Me too," Jenny joined in. "I want to go with you too, in your car. Can I?"

He smiled back at Anna once again.

She shook her head, waving her arms for them to go. "Go ahead, just don't lose me."

"Lose you?" Steve chuckled. "Are you kidding me? A beautiful blond tailing me, no way I'm going to lose you." He didn't look back to see the smile on her face, but looked over at Eric instead. "You driving?" He dangled the keys in front of him and just as he was about to swipe them out of his and he held them out of his reach. "Dream on."

Eric laughed, reaching up and playfully shoving him on the arm, using his own words against him. "Smart aleck."

Jenny jumped up and down as she walked next to him, wanting to join in the fun. "Can I drive, Steve?"

"Sure." He gave her the keys.

"Now we're in for it," Eric laughed.

Anna walked behind them, watching the fun between the three of them. They loved being with him so much and it seemed he really enjoyed having them around. It made her appreciate him all the more, not just for his military duty, or his civil duty as a police officer, but for being a good neighbor. He went above and beyond it seemed in everything he did.

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The gathering took place at a home of another rookie that John had graduated the Police Academy with. His widow stayed just long enough to greet most of the guests that arrived immediately after the funeral, some exiting right away after the toasts in John's name while others hung around and talked more casually about some of the adventures they'd had with him, including a couple of his Seal buddies that had flown in for the funeral. The mood changed as the toasts became more frequent, laughter was heard from time to time and the kids were finally allowed to be kids.

Steve walked up and handed Anna another glass of white wine after they had made the rounds and spoke to the people that he needed too.

"Have you seen Eric and Jenny?" she asked scanning the crowd.

"Yea," he pointed over his shoulder. "They met up with some of the other kids and are playing in the back yard."

"This isn't like any kind of after funeral gathering I have ever been too. I know you said we don't do things that way here, but my brother and sister-in-laws funerals were not like this."

"Are you offended," he asked, wondering if maybe she thought it too much like a party.

"No," she quickly responded. "Not at all. I just wasn't expecting this I guess." She commented on the keg of beer and bottles of wine on ice in buckets.

"It's all about the Aloha. John would be standing right along with us with a bottle of Longboard." He felt that familiar pain of sadness associated with death, missing his friend.

He also thought the opportunity was there to find out more about Jenny and Eric's parents that had passed away. "Do you mind if I ask about your brother?"

She tilted her head, intrigued over that. "Sure. What do you want to know?"

"What was he like, and your sister-in-law?"

Anna sighed. "Mark was always a worker, work, work, work; even when he was younger. He didn't just want the job at McDonalds he wanted to run McDonalds. It carried over to his adult life as well. He had a successful business here with shipping contracts. Lisa was a stay at home mom. She had a marketing degree but after Eric was born she quit her job. I wish I could say that I knew her well, but I didn't." She took a drink of her wine, and continued to stare into the glass. "I hadn't seen or spoken to Mark in almost a year before the accident. I feel so bad about that now. We were both just so busy and time goes by so fast." She looked up at him. "You never know how much you miss someone until they are gone forever." She glanced around the gathering then and realized her words might have come across as insensitive. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Not here. It's not like you don't know what that feels like."

"If you can't talk death at funeral, where can you?" he smiled, letting her know he wasn't offended.

She let out a small chuckle over that, taking another drink of her wine. "I guess your right."

He got a whiff of her perfume as a gentle breeze blew in from the open patio door, alerting his senses of the pleasant aroma. "You really surprised me today," he confessed.

She knew he was speaking of she and the kids showing up. "I wasn't sure if you'd be happy or not, but we wanted to come."

"I'm glad you did."

She gave him a shy smile before turning and pretending to scan the gathering for the kids again. It was his presence that was causing her to feel flustered. She'd never felt this way around him before, but standing this close to him now and having a real conversation was causing her hands to sweat. Her insides felt that same exhilaration as when he approached them at the funeral. Two young girls interrupted the moment as they approached them.

"Aren't you Alyssa Jordan?" one asked, her eyes already showing that star-struck look that Anna had seen on fans so many time before. "Can we have your autograph?"

"No, I'm not Alyssa Jordan" Anna replied dryly, "and don't you think it's highly inappropriate to ask that right now. Look around you girls at where you're at."

They both turned red over the mistake. "You just look so much like her," the other one said.

Anna held up her cast. "Another clue. If Alyssa Jordan broke her arm it would probably be on the national news," she said sarcastically, "at least the front page of MSN."

The two girls looked at each other sheepishly, believing now that she couldn't possibly be Alyssa Jordan and walked away.

Steve watched her mumble something incoherently and take another drink of her wine, clearly irritated by the encounter. He recalled the time he had made the same mistake, getting the same angry reaction.

"That drives you crazy, doesn't it?" he asked, knowing it must happen more than he thought, considering two people had already approached him at the gathering, asking how he knew Alyssa Jordan.

She rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I think about dying my hair black, but Alyssa would probably do the same thing just to spite me."

He was getting the clear picture that these two identical twins didn't have the standard loving relationship that twins generally displayed. "I sense some animosity there."

Anna looked at him as if that was the statement of the year. "Just a bit." She shook her head and sighed, feeling that same tension she usually had when discussing Alyssa, wishing now she hadn't come across so bitchy about it. "I'm sorry. My sister and I are the same from head to toe on the outside, but on the inside we couldn't be more different." She looked in the direction the two young girls had gone, regretting her harsh tone now. "I shouldn't have been so mean to those girls."

Steve shrugged, "I think you said the right thing. It wasn't appropriate for them to approach you here. I think they knew it too."

"They probably did, but people do the oddest things when they are star struck. You'd be amazed," she said with wide eyes as if she'd seen things that couldn't be explained.

"I bet," he chuckled.

"Have you ever met anyone famous?" she asked, knowing her sister would be coming to the island soon, wondering what his reaction would be. Most tried to act nonchalant when they first met her, but she had a charisma that sucked most men in. They couldn't help but feel enamored of her.

"I met a couple of Presidents but I don't think I've ever met anyone you could call a movie star."

"Hmm. You'll meet my sister. She's coming in a few weeks to see the kids and spread her joy around." Anna rolled her eyes again.

"I don't know," he shrugged, "I just don't get the whole star struck thing. They're just people who…"

"Who put their pants on one leg at a time?" she grinned, assuming she was finishing his cliché sentence about famous people.

"No," he said with a raised eyebrow, finishing his thought, "who don't impress me whatsoever. I'm more impressed by the woman who leaves her life behind to take care of two kids." He gently nudged her. "You're the real star of the family."

She looked down, flattered over his compliment, feeling her face flush. "Oh yea," she lifted her hand showing the cast, "some star. This is an imperfection compared to Alyssa's perfect skin."

Steve took her broken hand and raised it to his mouth, kissing the back of her fingers, "Its not a flaw but a warrior wound. Wear it proudly."

"I fell out of a tree because I was drunk and bawling," she reminded him.

"There's nothing wrong with letting off a little steam. You're there every morning and every night for Jenny and Eric. How many times do I have to remind you of that? You don't give yourself enough credit."

Anna rose her glass to him, "Ok. Thank you," she smiled, finally accepting his compliment.

He tapped his glass of beer against her wine glass. "You're welcome."

The evening was another rare moment between the two of them where they actually got along. Her showing up at the funeral meant more to him than anything had in a long time. He looked at her hand, recalling the night it happened and how upset she was sitting up in that tree. He was right in saying that she was there every night and every morning with those kids. Since they'd moved in he'd yet to see or hear of her leaving the house for a night out or time for herself. He couldn't imagine being cooped up like that, especially when you lived so close to one of the most vibrant cities in the world like Waikiki.

"A friend of mine was telling me about this new place in Waikiki that serves great sushi," he said casually. "I've been wanting to go and check it out. Do you want to come with me?"

She looked at him startled. "Me?" she asked surprised over the invitation.

He shrugged, "Well yea. You could probably use a night out away from the kids and I bet I could get Gracie, Danny's daughter to babysit."

She was still turning the offer over in her head while he went on, making plans for a babysitter as if he'd thought this out, but it didn't sound like a date, yet she couldn't tell for sure. The idea of starting a new relationship was not something she had even considered, especially with someone who lived right next door, but the idea of getting out of the house was so intriguing she couldn't pass it up. She decided to treat it as a friendly invitation and accept. She'd pay her own way she thought cleverly, that way she would be free of the humiliation if she assumed it was a date and it didn't actually turn out to be that at all.

He stared down at her, waiting for her reply. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head over the suggestion. It dawned on him then, retracing his words, wondering if he'd made it sound like an invitation or a date? He wasn't sure how he felt if she considered it the later of the two. She was beautiful and when the stars were aligned just right, they seemed to get along just fine, but he wasn't sure if he was ready for that again, especially with someone that lived right next door. The kids he didn't mind, hating the term 'baggage' when it came to describing dating a woman with kids. It was the baggage that he carried from the break up with Becky that caused him the most concern.

"I'd like that," she finally replied. "I could use a night out."

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Steve got out of Anna's SUV, catching a ride home with her and the kids instead of having Danny drop him.

"Thanks for the lift."

"You're welcome." She looked in the backseat at two exhausted kids; Jenny was passed out while Eric was on the verge of it. "Oh great," she sighed. "Jenny can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Gotta love that about her, but getting her inside is the real challenge."

"Need some help?" Steve opened up the back door of the car and reached over Jenny, gently shaking Eric. "Hey, you up? We're home."

He made a curled up face and moaned.

"Too much partying, " Anna grinned at him from the other side while undoing Eric's seat belt.

He did the same to Jenny's as she fell against him, still sound asleep. He lifted her out of the car and followed Anna and Eric inside and up the steps.

She pointed to the first door on the right. "That's Jenny's room," she whispered as she guided a sleepy Eric to his room.

Steve went in forgoing the light, having enough from the hallway to see her bed. He laid her down, slipping her sandals off her feet and then covering her up. He turned to leave when he heard the small voice.

"Kiss Daddy," she said with her eyes still closed.

He paused, not sure what to do and then decided in the spare of the moment that it couldn't hurt, so he bent over and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight sweetie."

She never made a sound or even an acknowledgment that he'd done it. She didn't even feel it.

He on the other hand got a rare glimpse inside the life of what it would be like to have a family. It shocked him how that simple gesture made him feel. The thought of living alone had never bothered him in the past, but now suddenly the idea of going home to an empty house just seemed depressing.

"Is she all tucked in?" Anna asked, coming up behind him.

"Yea," he said clearing his throat, trying to shake off the loneliness, but it was relentless, until he stepped out into the hallway and got a glimpse of Anna's room.

His first thought was of Becky. She had been in that room almost everyday having sex behind his back with the man she had left him for. He had loved her, even though it never came out vocally, he had. He'd changed his life for her, and how did life reward him? By stopping on his chest.

Flashes of her in bed with Jeff played out in his head, kissing him, touching him in ways she used to touch him. It shouldn't have ended like that. He didn't deserve to be betrayed that way.

He'd been blaming himself the whole time for not being more emotionally available to her, when in fact it was she who had been the selfish one. He couldn't let that anger go. It was like a stab in the back. He turned toward the stairs to leave otherwise he felt he might go in that room and tear it apart.

Anna couldn't help but notice him staring into her bedroom, wondering if he were picturing the two of them in there together. Her heart began to race over the notion of that as he stood there looking as he did in his Navy uniform with that smoldering look in his eyes. She began to think that maybe she had been wrong about the invitation he proposed earlier; maybe it was a date. She was flattered that he would see her in that way, especially after the rocky way in which their friendship began. Looking back now she had disliked him solely for the reason that he was similar to Daryl and she had been so angry with he and Alyssa over their deception. But as she stood there now looking at Steve she felt bad for all her outbursts, he was nothing like the man that had cheated on her and left her broken hearted. She felt she could trust him when for so long she had feared she would never be able to trust another man, ever.

She secretly hoped his invitation was a date as she followed him down the stairs.

"Thanks for helping me get the kids to bed."

He didn't respond but reached for the door handle to get out.

"How about Saturday night," Anna blurted out.

Steve turned to her, "What?"

"Sushi," she grinned.

"Oh yea," he nodded, forgetting about his offer in the heat of the moment, not having the same enthusiasm as before in light of his mood. She stood on the bottom step smiling at him, patiently waiting for an answer. She looked as innocently sweet and beautiful as if Jenny were standing there, waiting to see if he would take she and Eric swimming. The anger took a backseat as he thought back to the reason he had asked her in the first place. She obviously wanted to get out, seeing it in her expression and the fact that she had reminded him.

"Saturday works for me. I'll talk to Gracie about watching the kids and let you know."

"Ok!"

She came off the bottom step and he swore he saw a 'Jenny leap' in her step. It made him smile.

He was glad he had invited her.