Shauni looked tired. Steve knew from experience that recovering from wounds like this took a toll on someone physically, emotionally, and mentally. Not to mention the chaos that had surrounded her getting wounded to begin with. The room had a recliner in it, so after assuring Shauni that he would be staying until she woke up, he pulled it closer so he could sleep right beside her. Truth be known, he really wanted to crawl up into the bed to hold her, but he figured that would be inappropriate. What if someone came in during the night and saw them that way? So instead, he took her hand in his and it wasn't long before they both gave in to their exhaustion and fell asleep.

*********h50*************h50*************h50

The next morning, Shauni was awakened by familiar voice coming into the room. A young woman who was taller than Shauni with straight blond hair quickly walked over to her bedside. She noticed with interest that Shauni was holding the hand of the handsome man sleeping in the recliner at her bedside. Then, she leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. Shauni's eyes opened.

"What are you trying to do? Give your baby sister a heart attack?" the young woman scolded.

Steve began to stir and sat up straighter in his chair. It had been a restless night, but totally worth any stiffness he was feeling since he had spent it at Shauni's side….in a recliner. Man, he might regret this later.

The young woman walked over to his side and extended her hand, "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you. I am Shauni's sister, Sasha."

They exchanged greetings before Sasha turned her attention back towards her sister.

"So? What do you have to say for yourself, missy? You scared the hell out of me….Not to mention Mom and Dad. I mean, what were you thinking?! Especially going in there against the advice of your security!" she asked Shauni even though Steve heard no contempt in her voice, only worry.

"I'm sorry, sis. I've already gotten the third degree from Momma and Daddy. AND Steve. Please don't you start in on me too." Shaunit said sadly.

Sasha leaned down to hug her sister again. "My God. I'm just so happy you're okay. Where is this Carl Matthews? Let me at him so I can kick his sorry ass into tomorrow!" she spouted.

Steve had to smile. He liked her spunk.

"I've already done that." He grinned.

Sasha turned her attention to him and studied him. A little too long for Shauni's comfort, in fact.

"So…..You're the Steve McGarrett I've heard so much about? Daddy said you were taking good care of Ms. Independent here. Sounds like she gave you a hard time though."

Steve let out a chuckle. "Yeah, but we've got in under control. Right, Shauni?" He shot her a look that sent a fire to her belly. And maybe to her girly parts, too, although she would never admit to that. Sasha noticed the exchange with interest.

"Yes, well, I'm glad SOMEONE is looking out for my big sister." She smiled at him coyly.

Steve sat up a little straighter. He was a little uncomfortable being in the glare of both Steele sisters. It was bad enough having Shauni look at him this way, but with Sasha and Shauni tag teaming, it was damn near impossible to keep his composure.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Ummmmm…..Anyone want coffee? I'd love some coffee right now."

Shauni smiled to herself. Super SEAL is no match for the Steele Sisters, she thought.

Sasha and Shauni both agreed on coffee, so Steve made quick work of getting out of the room and procuring three cups for them. Cream and sugar optional. Today, his would definitely be black. The stronger the better. He had a feeling he would be in for a run for his money with both of them there. God help him, he thought to himself.

************h50***********h50

After Steve left to go get coffee, Sasha turned to her sister with a gleam in her eyes.

"Holy sheeeee, Shay. Why didn't you tell me he was drop dead friggin' gorgeous?"

"I did tell you." Shauni replied nonchalantly.

Sasha held up a finger in protest. "Uh…Noooo, you did not. You said he was 'good looking'." She pointed towards the door where Steve had walked out seconds before, "That…knocks 'good looking' out of the flipping stratosphere, big sister. Seriously. That man should be illegal."

Shauni couldn't help but giggle. "Well, don't get any ideas, dear sister. He's mine."

Sasha's eyebrows shot up in interest. "Oh yeah? Do tell. I want all the details…..Don't leave anything out!"

Sasha was Shauni's closest confidant. There wasn't anything the sisters didn't share. The good, the bad, the ugly…..They were sisters through and through and they knew everything about each other. For that reason, Shauni couldn't resist. Her heart had been about to burst with what she felt for Steve so she knew Sasha was the one person she could trust with her heart. She told Sasha everything that had happened over the last few days including the time they had spent at Steve's house…..and the way he had made her feel completely safe after finding the note from Matthews in her dressing room before the concert.

"He's amazing, Sash. I mean, he's strong…..and opinionated…..and protective…but he also has this incredibly sweet side that I don't think he shows very often."

Sasha looked at her knowingly. "Just like Daddy."

Shauni looked at her skeptically. "What are you talking about?"

"You're falling for him." Sasha said matter-of-factly. "You look at him the same way Momma looks at Daddy. It's like…fate."

"What?" Shauni rolled her eyes and scoffed. "No way! I mean….We've only known each other for a few days."

"Don't deny it, sis. I can see it in your eyes. It may have only been a few days, but I can see it. Tell me the truth: Steve McGarrett doesn't give a crap about your celebrity status and he makes you feel alive. You feel like you can be yourself with him and he makes you feel safe. He might infuriate you at times….but you also like the challenge. AND you like being with someone who will call you on your crap and not let you get away with anything. When you're with him you feel safe, loved….and cherished. Sound about right?"

Shauni huffed a little before looking at her sister with a small smile on her face. "He is pretty incredible." Then she frowned and sighed dramatically. "What am I going to do, Sasha?"

Sasha's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Sash. He's a former Navy SEAL who is now in charge of a major task force in Hawaii. I am a pop star who travels the world and is barely home for more than 15 days in a row. We're in completely different worlds! We could never make this work, so why am I fantasizing about a man I can never have?" Shauni looked so sad it broke her baby sister's heart.

Sasha reached out to take Shauni's hand.

"Who says it can't work, sweetie? Just because you have two different careers doesn't mean it can't work. Have you talked to him about this?"

Shauni let go a sarcastic laugh. "Are you serious? No…I haven't talked to him about this. It's hard enough to admit it to myself, let alone talk to him about it. He would think I just got out of the looney bin."

Sasha laughed at her sister's description. "Well, I wouldn't go that far. Besides, I saw the way he looked at you…..and from what Mom and Daddy both tell me, I think it's safe to say Commander McGarrett has a thing for you too."

"What do you mean? What did they say?"

"I can't tell you verbatim, but let's just say that they both agree there is a spark between the two of you." She stopped for a second to let Shauni take it in before continuing, "And let me also say….the fact that Daddy likes this guy should be a HUGE indicator to you that he's a good guy."

"Why? What did he say?"

"All he said to me was that he was happy Steve McGarrett was taking 'such good care of his little girl' and that he hoped he would stay around."

Shauni couldn't believe it. "Are you serious?! Daddy said he hopes he'll stay around?"

Sasha shook her head, "Yep. I couldn't believe it myself…..but that's what he said." Then her gaze softened a little. "Trust your heart. It's been a long time since you let yourself love someone. Maybe he's worth it?"

Shauni didn't answer, but it did give her something to think about.

***********h50**********h50*****************h50

Steve returned a few minutes later with coffees in hand. The sisters looked at him and shared a "knowing" glance between each other which made him uncomfortable. It was like they were sharing a secret that he wasn't privy to. He didn't like being in the dark.

It wasn't long before Sasha said she needed to leave in order to check into the hotel herself. She kissed her sister again and gave Steve a hug followed by a "Take care of my big sister, Commander."

The look he gave her left no doubt Shauni was in good hands.

"I'm not letting her out of my sight" Steve assured her.

After Sasha left, Steve made his way back to Shauni's side. Against his better judgment, he needed to be as close to her as possible. SO, rather than sitting in the recliner beside her, he crawled up into the bed where he could hold her. He had wanted to do that for the last two days and he wasn't denying himself any longer. She snuggled into him and he could practically hear his heart sigh in contentment. Taking one of her hands in his own, he said, "So…what were these 'looks' I saw going between you and your sister?" Steve asked.

Shauni looked up at him and tried to look innocent although she knew she was pulling it off terribly. "What do you mean?"

Steve smiled down at her. "You both looked like 'the cat who swallowed the canary', so to speak."

His eyes were piercing right through her resolve. God help her, if he ever learned that 'look' could un-do her, she would never be ever to keep a secret from him. Ever.

She swallowed hard. "My sister and I have secrets. Can't you leave it at that?" Shauni turned her big eyes up to him. He still didn't buy it. And she couldn't take the stare. God help anyone he ever interrogates, she thought to herself. I would be toast. Totally toast.

Shauni took a deep breath, "Okay…..I'm just going to come out with it. And you can blame it on the heavy duty pain meds if I say anything stupid, okay?"

Steve raised his eyebrows and smiled down at her. "I'm waiting."

Shauni let out a deep sigh and looked away from him. She wanted to look anywhere but into his eyes. Because looking into his eyes meant she might lose her nerve.

"Okay…Here's the thing….." she stuttered. "I sorta have a thing for you…and I don't know what to do about that…..Except to say that I really like you. And when this week is over, I don't want it to end." She looked up at him shyly, almost afraid to see what she would see written on his face. She was surprised to see nothing but understanding and pleasure there.

Steve leaned down to kiss her sweet mouth, "I would love that."

She couldn't believe her ears. "You would?" she squeaked out.

Steve grinned at her. "I would. Look….I don't know how this will work…but I'd like to try. I'm not ready to let you go."

"I really like you too, Steve." She whispered to him. "But you need to know….being with me…."

He could see the uncertainty in her face. "What?" he asked her softly.

"Being with me could me crazy. My life…..is a little crazy." She offered with fear and uncertainty showing on her face.

Steve leaned down to kiss her again. Longer this time…..as if to assure her that he was with her in this.

"I'm not afraid of 'crazy'. I work with Danny every day, so I'm a little use to crazy.