They worked through a condensed version of the dress rehearsal so everyone could go home and enjoy their last day in Hawaii before the tour. As soon as rehearsal wrapped, Steve was at Shauni's side.
He took her hand and started leading her out to his truck, "Let's go. Max is waiting for us."
"Max? I hardly think I need a coroner, Steve. It's just a bruise." Shauni quipped sarcastically.
Steve took her sarcasm in stride and offered her a smirk, "Smart ass," he grinned. "You were worried about the press following us to a doctor, so I asked Max to look at it."
"Please don't make a big deal out of this," she pleaded "I'm fine. Really."
Steve leaned down to kiss her forehead, "Maybe…..but I'll feel better after he looks at it. Do this for me, okay?"
It was a short drive to Max's office and Steve was able to get her inside without anyone noticing. After a quick examination, Max offered his diagnosis, "Well, as you know, Commander, I'm not use to having patients who are still alive." He glanced at Shauni apologetically.
Shauni giggled, "No worries, Max. As long as you can tell Steve there is nothing to worry about, I'll be happy."
Max looked skeptical as his eyes drifted between Shauni and Steve before he spoke again. "I wish I could concur with that diagnosis, but I'm afraid Commander McGarrett does have reason to be concerned."
Steve looked smug, although worried.
Shauni scoffed as she rolled her eyes, "Are you kidding me? Max, come on! It's a bruise. A bad one maybe…..but still just a bruise." She was lying on a table normally reserved for autopsies as she propped herself up and looked at Max indignantly.
Max took a step forward, "I'm sorry, but I would have to agree with Commander McGarrett's assumption. This is more than just a mere bruise. The contusion is pretty severe. It needs to be elevated and iced at regular intervals."
"Are you kidding me?"
Max looked at Shauni with his trademark emotionless stare, "I wouldn't kid about such a thing, Miss Steele. You need to care for this in order to avoid further complications."
Shauni jumped off the table and put her hands on her hips, "Look, Max….I appreciate your help. I really do. But, I have a TOUR to do. Giving me this kind of information two days before I have a show is not good. I can't cancel my tour….You understand that, right?" She offered him her sweetest most charming smile and saw him soften.
Steve could have groaned in frustration even as he knew what was coming. She would wear Max down with that damn potent smile just like she did everyone else…..including him.
"Of course I understand." Max began…..just as Steve had feared. Then, he concluded, "Which is why my recommendation would be that you keep it elevated as much as possible for the next 3-4 days and ICE it every 4 hours or so. As long as you do that, there should be no need to cancel anything."
"Don't worry, Max. I'll make sure she follows doctor's orders." Steve said as he leveled a gaze in her direction. Although Shauni could see the seriousness in his resolve, she also saw something else there.
She had seen that same look several times in the last few weeks.
Love.
She knew Steve loved her, but in her insistence that the injury wouldn't slow her down, she'd missed how much she had worried him. Shauni suddenly felt guilty and wished she had noticed it before and offered him an apologetic smile. She reached over to take Steve's hand in hers as she spoke to Max, "I'll take care of it, Max. I promise."
Then she stepped forward to pull Max into a hug before kissing him soundly on the cheek. "Thank you."
As she let go, Steve saw the blush creeping up Max's cheek and couldn't help but grin. His Shauni did have a way of making people feel special.
"Why thank you." Max commented. "Now, before you go, may I ask you for a picture?"
Shauni smiled warmly at him, "Of course."
Steve held the camera as Max and Shauni posed for a picture. As Shauni promised to visit again soon, Steve shook his hand, "Thanks, buddy. I owe you one."
*************h50***********h50*********h50
Shauni had one more day with Steve before leaving for her tour. For the first time in her life, the thought of going on tour was bittersweet. She normally loved the rush and excitement of being on the road and performing each night. This time, however, she knew she was going to miss Steve terribly. Between her tour schedule and his work schedule, there would be little chance for them to see each other for six weeks. Considering they hadn't spent more than a week apart since meeting each other, she didn't know how she was going to do it. Thank goodness for FaceTime and text messages; She had a feeling they would be working their phones to their maximum capacity in the coming weeks.
Steve wasn't looking forward to the separation either. He had already started planning when he could meet her on the road, although she didn't know that yet. He intended to surprise her at a couple of the locations in the coming weeks. Including her very first concert in LA in two days. He wasn't ready to give her up yet, so had decided to fly with her to the concert and return home when she left for the next city on the schedule. Hopefully, he'd be able to do it again soon after as long as no big cases came up demanding his time.
As for the night ahead, he had planned a little "going away" party to include all of the ohana and Shauni's band. The two groups had grown close over the last few weeks and it seemed a fitting send off. Shauni wasn't aware of any of it, so he was also looking forward to seeing her face when everyone showed up. Even Max was going to be there and Steve was happy he'd kept the secret and not breathed a word about the surprise while they'd been at his office.
They pulled up to Steve's house and he got out to walk around and open the door for Shauni. She had learned early on not to argue with him on this point since he insisted on doing so for her. She may consider herself a "modern girl", but she loved that he treated her like a lady by opening doors for her and such. It made her feel special…..treasured…..and loved. It was also one of the many things she felt endeared her mom to Steve. Olivia was 'Southern born and bred' and had always hoped her girls would find men who would treat them that way.
Steve helped Shauni out of the truck and unlocked the front door of the house. As they stepped inside, Shauni immediately smelled the scent of steak on the grill. She glanced towards the backyard and noticed several familiar faces. She looked curiously towards Steve, "What's going on?"
"Well, this is the last chance we have to get everyone together before your tour, so I thought we'd have a little 'going away party'".
Shauni felt her heart swell inside her chest. She put her arms around his neck and leaned up for a kiss, "Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Not today." He said.
"To infinity and beyond," she replied happily.
Steve kissed her once more, "Still not as much as I love you." Knowing she was going to argue, he grabbed her hand to lead her back to their guests, "Come on, everyone else should be here soon."
***************h50*********h50****************h50
Her last day in Hawaii flew by much too quickly. After a wonderful send-off party with all the people she'd grown to love in Hawaii, Steve and Shauni had said goodbye to their guests and cleaned everything up before going back out to the lanai once again. The sound of the tide rolling in in Steve's backyard was one of her favorite places on earth. It had become her "happy place"; One where she felt at peace…..normal….and totally loved.
They eventually made their way back into the house and upstairs where Steve made love to her to the point where she wondered how she could ever leave him.
She wanted to stay. Here. With Steve.
For the first time in her life, she didn't want to leave.
But she had a job to do.
So like it or not, she would be boarding a plane in the morning with her band and heading to Los Angeles for the first concert of the tour. She woke up early as the thoughts swirled in her mind and regret coiled in her stomach.
It was going to be difficult to go.
Sensing her tension, Steve woke up and pulled her to him. Her back was against his front and she reveled in the feeling of having him next to her. Was there any better feeling than "spooning" with the one you loved?
His voice broke into her thoughts, "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" His voice was husky with that 'just woke up' sound that gave her goosebumps.
She hesitated for just a moment before answering, "I don't want to leave you. I mean….I know I have a job to do, but I'm not ready to leave you yet."
Steve made her turn so she was facing him before offering her a mischievous smirk, "That's good…..because you don't have to. Yet."
She looked up at him quizzically, "What do you mean?"
Steve's eyes twinkled as he looked at her, "What would you say if I told you I had arranged to fly with you to L.A. for your first show?"
Shauni was so shocked she sat up in bed and looked down at him in surprise. Steve wasn't complaining; It gave him a great view of her naked torso. His eyes roamed over her hungrily before finally making their way back up to her face.
"What are you saying?" she asked.
He grinned, "I'm flying with you to L.A."
She couldn't help it…..She actually shrieked in surprise, "Are you serious?"
Steve pulled her down for a kiss before shrugging one shoulder and glancing happily at her, "Yep. I want to see you one more time. Besides…..it'll give me a chance to visit with Mary and Joanie while I'm there."
"They're coming too?"
"Yes…..They'll be there to visit too."
Shauni leaned down to kiss him soundly, "This is the best surprise EVER. Thank you!"
******************h50***********H50**************H50
Steve and Shauni showered together….with one little detour…before reluctantly exiting, grabbing a quick breakfast and heading towards the airport where Derek's private jet was waiting to take everyone to L.A.
The day flew by in a whirlwind. Upon landing at LAX, reporters met them on the tarmac. Steve tried to stay inconspicuous but it was difficult given the fact some of the paparazzi seemed hell bent on getting pictures of him and Shauni together. Apparently, word was out that she had a new love interest and everyone wanted the scoop. When they finally made it to a waiting vehicle to leave the airport, Shauni looked at him apologetically. "I'm so sorry."
Surprisingly, he seemed to be taking it in stride. He'd expected some of it, but something told him it might only get worse from there on. However, he wasn't going to let it get to him. He wanted to be with Shauni, so if this is what it took for that to happen, he was resolved to deal with it.
After they made their way out of the airport, they arrived at Derek and Olivia's house where they could relax for a couple of hours before making their way to the venue for the sound check, press events, and the concert that night.
Shauni and Steve made their way out to the family pool to relax a while before heading to the venue. Sasha received a call while they were there. At first, neither Shauni nor Steve paid any attention to the conversation. However, the way Sasha ended the call made Steve go on to high alert.
"Listen to me, asshole…If you know what's good for you, you will stay away. Don't show your sorry face there tonight. I mean it." With that, she hung up the phone.
The investigator in Steve couldn't help but wonder, "Who was that?"
Sasha shot a look towards Shauni before looking back to Steve again. "No one. Don't worry about it."
"Didn't sound like 'no one'. It was someone you don't want to see there, so I need to alert security if there will be problems. Now who was it?" Steve asked again.
Sasha looked at her sister, "Is he always this bossy?"
Shauni couldn't help but smirk. And truth be known, she was curious too. "Yeah, pretty much." Shauni admitted good naturedly. "Might as well tell him who you were talking to because he won't give up until he knows. "
Sasha sighed, "It was Connor." She admitted reluctantly.
Hearing Shauni's intake of breath, Steve turned towards her. "Who is Connor?"
The color had left her face as her eyes met his, "Connor Michaelson. My ex boyfriend."
Steve felt his blood run cold, "The ex-boyfriend who put his hands on you?"
When Shauni didn't answer right away, Steve turned towards Sasha. "Is that who it is?"
Sasha only shook her head.
"Well, I for one hope the son of a bitch shows up tonight. Then we can have a little chat."