Before long, dinner was ready and everyone gathered at the outside tables to eat. They enjoyed the meal together, but it was soon time for Derek, Olivia, and Sasha to start getting ready to head towards the airport. Everyone pitched in to clean up. Then, they said their goodbyes as a car showed up to take them to the airport.

After they were gone, Shauni talked Mary into spending the night at the house with her and Steve insisting there was more than enough room. Besides, she hated to get in the way of Mary's visit with her brother even though it had been spontaneous and unexpected. Something told her Mary must have something to discuss with Steve, so she wanted to give her a chance to do so.

It took some convincing, but Mary finally agreed since Joanie had already fallen asleep on the couch in front of a Disney Jr. cartoon she apparently loved but couldn't keep her sleepy eyes open long enough to watch. Since they didn't have a baby bed for Joanie to sleep in, they made a place for her on a bed she would share with Mary for the night. Mary and Shauni stacked pillows around to effectively "box" her in before Steve carried the sleeping toddler in to put her down. Once they were certain she would be okay, the three adults made their way back to the living room where they would be within earshot should she wake up and need something.

Shauni she excused herself to make some business calls and hopefully give Steve and Mary some time together. Hearing that she was on her way to make business calls, Mary assumed she was making it up. "Isn't it a little late for that?" she asked Shauni skeptically.

"Not in my business. Usually the best time for me to talk to John is later at night because everyone else has gone home for the day. I'll be going to the Kapi'olani Children's Hospital day after tomorrow and we need to work some things out before then. I also have one more concert that night so we need to change some things there, too."

Steve looked up at her, the shock evident on his face, "I thought we decided you weren't going to do that last concert after what happened."

"Well, I've changed my mind. If we can change the set and make it more acoustical, I won't have to do the dancing and other things I normally do. Hopefully everyone will be happy even if I tone things down a bit."

Steve looked doubtful, "The doctors told you not to push yourself to get back too quickly. A few days after the attack is too soon," he said matter-of-factly.

"No, the doctors advised that I not do so…..but I'm feeling fine, so I want to do it. I mean, I'm still sore, but I think I can do it."

"Didn't he also advise against singing? Did you forget you had a collapsed lung?"

"No, I didn't forget, smart ass." Shauni scoffed before she walked over to where Steve was sitting on the couch and sat down on his lap. She put her arms around his neck, "Please try to understand, I don't want to let everyone down. I have to at least try to do this concert. Besides, I sang at your house with the guitar last night and it felt great."

"That was totally different and you know it."

"Yeah, it was….BUT, if we can just do an acoustical set like that with a few of my songs, it'll be a nice change. I think everyone will understand. I really want to do this, Steve."

Steve had become familiar with the stubborn set of her jaw when she set her mind to do something, so he decided to let it go. He figured she would regret it later, and if so, he would try to refrain from saying "I told you so". Steve knew firsthand that recovering from an injury zapped your energy more than anticipated. As frustrating as it was during the healing period, you could lose energy and be completely wiped out very quickly. But again, he decided this was one battle he would let her win, so he let it go. If she insisted on doing the last concert, he wouldn't try to stop her anymore.

"Okay, but I'll need to pick up some extra security. After what happened with Matthews, the attention around you has been crazy and I don't want any copycats or overzealous reports coming after you. I'll talk with my team and we'll figure something out."

Shaunie kissed him soundly and excused herself to call John. After she left the room, Mary cast a wide grin in Steve's direction as she raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Steve asked her.

Mary shook her head in disbelief, "You're falling for her."

"What makes you say that?"

Mary noted with interest that he hadn't denied it. "Because I have rarely known you to give up an argument so easily, big brother. You basically just gave in to her even though I can tell by the look on your face that you aren't convinced she should do it."

"That's because I know she shouldn't do it. It's going to wear her out physically because recovering from an injury like hers takes more than a few days. Believe me….I know. But as far as falling for her….Come on. We've only known each other a few days, Mar."

"Doesn't matter. When it's right, it's right. I think she's good for you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, for starters, she doesn't take your crap and she's not intimidated by the famous 'McGarrett Glare'….and let me just say I find that very refreshing," she said sarcastically even though she laughed good-naturedly. Then she grew more serious, "And ….because she makes you happy. You are more relaxed than I've seen you in a really long time. Like in forever actually."

Steve looked pensive, "I care about her, Mary. A lot. I just don't know how it could work with us. I mean, we come from two different worlds."

"So? Doesn't mean you couldn't figure out a way to make it work. When you love someone, that's what you do. Besides, the Steele's don't seem all that different than us. I would've never believed that until today….but after meeting them and spending time with them, they're really pretty normal. Sure, Shauni has a career that is unbelievable, but that's not who she is when she's home.

Steve looked at his sister with obvious affection, "Since when did you get so wise?"

Mary chuckled, "Are you kidding me? With all of the mistakes I've made in my life, I could write a friggin' book."

Steve shook his head in agreement causing Mary to punch him in the arm, "You didn't have to agree with me on that part." She teased. "Man, this is a switch. I'm the one giving you advice for a change. Are we in an alternate universe right now or something?"

They laughed together and then sat quietly for a few minutes. Steve finally broke the silence, "I want to see where this goes with Shauni, sis. I feel a connection with her that I've never felt with anyone before. To be honest with you, it scares me a little."

Mary couldn't believe he was being vulnerable with her. It had been a long time since they had shared this kind of conversation. Especially since she was normally the one venting and he was the one fixing. Hearing the vulnerability and uncertainty in her brother's voice melted her heart, so she decided not to tease him as was their normal mode of operation. She reached out to rub his arm, "I know. But if you want my advice…and you may not…..but I'm going to tell you anyway…I think you just need to go for it."

Then, decided she couldn't totally resist a little teasing, "I mean, if she's been able to change you this much in a few days, imagine what she could do long term."

Steve chuckled, "You make it sound like I've been miserable."

Mary softened, "Not miserable. Just focused…and a little bit obsessed with dad's murder, and finding Wo Fat, and all of that crap. And I totally understand that, but now that Wo Fat is dead, maybe Shauni can be the part of your life that has been missing. Maybe she can bring you some peace."

When Steve didn't say anything in return, Mary continued, "Speaking of which, I wanted to talk to you about something else too. I think Joanie and I are going to move back to Hawaii."

And with that, they began the discussion Mary had flown all the way from L.A. to have with her brother. Now that Wo Fat was no longer a threat, she was ready to move back. Steve was the only family she had left besides Aunt Deb. Having Joanie had changed her perspective on a lot of things and she wanted her to be around family growing up. Having Steve along with their extended ohana of Danny and Grace, Chin, Kono and Adam, Kamekona, and Jerry in Hawaii was just what she wanted.

Surprisingly, Steve agreed with her. He had missed so much already in Joanie's young life. He had missed a lot in Mary's life, too, and he wanted to get closer to his sister. He was tired of being alone.

Shauni made her way back into the living room to find Steve and Mary laughing on the couch at some story they had shared together. She loved seeing Steve smile. For all the intensity he normally possessed, his smile could light up his face when he let his guard down. She loved the way his eyes twinkled and the corners crinkled when he laughed. She vowed to do whatever she could to see more of that.

"Sooooooo, what did I miss?" she asked.

"Not much," Mary said, "Except….."

"Except what?" Shauni asked.

Steve glared at Mary, so she clamped her mouth shut. "Nothing. Just brother sister stuff."

Shauni smiled at the pair and disguised the fact she'd overheard the last part of the conversation. She knew that Mary felt as if Steve was falling for her. She knew that Steve didn't disagree with that assessment even though he was nervous to act on it. She also knew that he'd had to kill the man he thought responsible for killing his dad, and she ached for him. Some women might be frightened by such news on the man they were falling in love with, but not Shauni. With each layer that was peeled away, she found out she only wanted to know more.

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

Two days later…..

Shauni and her band visited the children's hospital as planned and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip. Watching her with the children, Steve was amazed at her ability to give each of them her undivided attention and make them feel as if they were the most important person in the world. She sat for endless picture and signed autographs on everything from casts to blankets, stuffed animals and dolls. After spending a few hours there, she reluctantly told them she had to leave and get ready for the concert that night.

Shauni got very quiet once they were in the SUV's headed towards the concert venue. Chin was driving, Danny riding shotgun, and she and Steve sat in the seats behind. John, Stacy, and Kono followed in an SUV behind them and Shauni's band in another. Exiting the hospital without being noticed was impossible, so there were also undoubtedly numerous paparazzi and other media following them as well. The whole situation made Steve nervous but he knew it came with the territory. He had called Jerry and Kamekona in for extra security that night. If nothing else, their sheer size would be intimidating to anyone who might try anything. They were like a figurative brick wall.

"Everything okay?" Steve asked Shauni as she sat quietly beside him.

Shauni shook her head affirmatively even though her eyes suddenly welled with tears. "Sorry. I just….Well, you know….seeing those kids today….."

Steve moved to put his arm around her not caring that Danny and Chin were both in the car with them. "What?"

She sniffed, "It makes our problems seem small in comparison, don't you think? I mean, the injury I got is nothing compared to what some of those sweet babies and their families are going through. Just makes me appreciate the fact that I'm healthy. Know what I mean?"

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

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing a sound-check, several interviews, and getting ready for the evenings concert. When it was show time, Shauni came out of her dressing room and headed towards the stage. Although she didn't have on her normal concert wear and said she was going to be "dressed down", Steve still found himself breathless when he saw her in leather pants and a shimmery silver halter top that scooped low in the front and showed off her gorgeous back. This was low-key? He thought and then fought to keep his mind from wandering to things that had nothing to do with the concert and everything to do with wanting to get her into bed again.

Shauni fixed her eyes on Steve as she walked towards him adding a little more sway to her walk. She knew exactly what she was doing to him, and she loved it. He was adorable when he was flustered.

"Everything okay, Commander?" she asked innocently.

Keeping his voice low, he answered her, "You know exactly what you're doing. I may make you pay for that later," he smiled at her seductively.

"I look forward to it."

Steve held his arm out to her and walked her towards the stage where Jerry and Kamekona were stationed to insure no one got onto the stage without proper access. As they approached, Steve noticed the two men looking at her appreciatively and couldn't help but feel a little stab of jealousy.

"Woah!" Jerry exclaimed.

"Lookin' good, sistah." Kamekona chimed in as he wiggled his eyebrows at her humorously.

Shauni couldn't help but laugh, "Thanks guys."

Then, feeling Steve tense beside her, she grabbed his hand and he turned to look down at her. "Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. Kiss me for good luck?" she asked. Steve couldn't have denied her if he tried even though he knew everyone was watching. He gave her a quick kiss and wished her good luck before she grabbed the guitar waiting for her at the side of the stage and walked out to a happy crowd.

And the show was on.