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AvalonReeseFanFics

A/N: This is dedicated to the Guest who reviewed over and over. Here's the bonus chapter :D I hope you enjoy it because this is for you! This chapter takes place after the events of Chapter 6 – so read that if you need a recap. Next week we're back to our regular scheduled program. But feel free to tell me about any other bonus chapter's you'd like to read. Also: Bonus points if anyone can guess who said which comment in the second section. Double bonus points if you know what song Alex is singing. Show me some love and I'll see you guys next week.

Chapter 9: Bonus

The doorbell rang and Steve scowled. He ignored the ring and furiously went about stirring his chilli as if the soft sloshing had muffled his hearing.

"Steve can you get that?" Rowan called from upstairs and the frown in his face deepened.

"No!" he shouted mostly out of spite. "I'm cooking."

Which was not particularly true, as he had finished dinner a while ago he just didn't want to answer the door.

"And I'm getting ready!" Rowan shouted down to him. Steve shook his head, well that wasn't his fault, now was it? He had told her to get ready earlier as, like a typical girl, she took absolutely ages to get ready.

"Not my problem!" he practically screamed.

The doorbell rang again and Steve ignored Rowan's cry of his name. He glared furiously down into his pot of chilli and refused to budge. He had thought a lot about since Rowan had gone upstairs for a quick nap before Alex came around for dinner and he decided that after the stunt that she and his mother had pulled they didn't deserve to have a nice dinner with the guy Rowan was dating. Both Rowan and Doris knew that Steve didn't like the guy.

"Oh My God, you two," Doris said appearing from Steve didn't even know where. "I'll get it."

Great. Yes. The Great Intimidating Doris McGarrett, Super Spy, was gonna answer the door to Nurse Alex. This should be good. He almost wanted to stop pretending he was still cooking this chilli to watch how it went. She'd rip him to pieces. She'd take one look at him and see him for what he really was.

No fucking good for their precious Rowan.

"Hello, you must be Alex," he heard his mother say. "Come on in."

"Thank you."

Ugh, even the sound of his voice annoyed Steve.

"Are those flowers for Rowan?" Doris asked. He brought flowers? What a fucking brown-noser.

"No, no, these are for you," he said.

"Oh, how sweet of you," came from Doris and Steve frowned. "You just wait here, Rowan will be down in just a second. I'll go put these in some water."

Steve watched her come into the kitchen, her nose planted into the bouquet of yellow roses and pink orchids. She was smiling. Fuck. She was actually smiling.

"That chili's done, Steven," she said to him as she went into his cabinet for a vase. "Go out and entertain your guest."

"He's not my guest. You guys invited him. He's Rowan's…." Steve dithered because he couldn't bring himself to spit out the word: boyfriend. "Thing. She should be down here."

"Steven James McGarrett, you stop being rude this instant and get out there," Doris snapped and Steve gawked at her.

She wasn't on his side? Really? Her own son? This interloper came in with a bouquet of flowers and she wasn't on his side anymore? What the hell Doris?!

Steve threw the wooden spoon he had been using to stir the chilli into the kitchen and stormed out into the living room trying his very best to smile. But by the way Alex was eyeing him like a rabbit about to bolt he must have been smiling quite aggressively.

Steve shook his hand with a bit more force than he meant to as he asked how Alex was doing. As the two men exchanged pleasantries Alex and Steve looked one another over.

Alex was in back skinny jeans, a tight white tee-shirt with a pair of suspenders holding… fucking nothing up basically, so they must have been for decoration. Steve had chosen not to change. He was still in his white camo pants which were probably still covered in rubble and blood splatters, and his dark blue button down with the grey tee-shirt underneath. He had thought he looked fine enough for a dinner at his own house, but judging by Alex's outfit he was probably under dressed.

"Thank you for having me over," Alex said to him and Steve tried not to grimace because he hadn't wanted the man to come over.

"We're happy to have you," Steve lied looking away from Alex's shaky smile. He glanced up to the second floor where Rowan was seemed to be taking her time getting ready. "Girls, am I right?"

"Well her injury is probably hindering her," Alex said. "You didn't really push her out a window did you?"

Steve glared at Alex. No he most certainly had not pushed her and everyone knew that. Alex was grinning, smirking like he had meant that comment in a teasing way but Steve sure as hell didn't take it that way. He tried to stare down at Alex in an intimidating way, but he wasn't Danny, he was just as tall as Steve. And like Danny, the glare on Steve's face did nothing to make that new smile falter on Alex's face.

"No," he growled through clenched teeth. "I did not push her. I was trying to stop her and she fell."

Alex chuckled. "I know, brah," he said lightly punching Steve's arm. He cleared his throat when Steve merely darkened his glare at him. He turned back to the staircase adding: "Rowan was very clear that it was all her fault."

Steve tried to stifle his smile but couldn't. Rowan had been giving him guff about window incident, but he was happy to know that she took the blame. Even if, he had to admit, he was half at fault for the incident. He could have just let her go down and then catch when she was on the ground. Hell he could have jumped out the window after her and landed just fine. Panic had been the main reason why he held on and didn't let go. Panic left Rowan in the hospital for four days

"Whoa," Alex suddenly breathed out, going rigid beside him. Steve's first instinct was to look for the threat, his hand went to his side even though his gun wasn't there and he tried not to flinch when he found his hip bare. But there wasn't a threat for Steve to nullify. Alex was looking to the top of the stairs where, like some modern-day-Cinderella, Rowan was descending down to them.

She had this coquettish smile on her face but her sparkling sea-blue eyes were on Alex and Alex alone. Which was terrible because Steve was breathless just staring at her. She was wearing a tight light pink tank-top, the neckline plunging with pink straps crossing the tanned expanse that was exposed. Her matching light pink tulle skirt was knee length, thank god, decorated with gold flowers and stuck out slightly giving her some volume. Her red-blonde hair was curled, creating waves of fire cascading over her shoulders.

"What the hell are you wearing?" came out of Steve's lips before he could stop himself. Catherine had bought her that? Why the fuck would Catherine had bought her that? What the hell could she have been thinking?

Rowan's eyes turned to Steve's and he was breathless once more. Whatever make up she had done had highlighted all the spots that blinded him. Her eyes were bigger, bright, shiner, her lips a rosebud pink and so plump he swore she had been kissed before this. He tried to keep his eyes on her face but they kept falling down trying to drink her in without her noticing.

"What's wrong with it?" she asked looking down to her outfit. When she looked back up at him she looked upset, like it mattered what he thought about her outfit.

"I think you look beautiful," Alex breathed out and that breathtaking smile was back on Rowan's lips and directed at Alex again.

Steve meant to say: "It's a bit too much for a dinner at home, don't you think?" but what came out was: "You look ridiculous."

Steve heard it and even he was shocked that it came out of his face. He saw the surprise and hurt dawn over Rowan's features and he was immediately shamed. It wasn't until he caught Alex's scowl that he found himself staring down at her feet which were clad in pink flats with matching gold flower decals. What the hell was wrong with him?

"I'm… uh… gonna check on the chili," he said quickly before he could say anything else that was stupid and walked away.

This dinner was going to be harder than he thought.

H5O-H5O-H5O- H5O

Rowan tried to not be phased by Steve's comment. She looked Hawt AF. She knew she did, because she sent a picture to Kono, Chin, Danny, Max and even Kamekona to see what they thought and she got rave reviews. Alex seemed to really like it, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. But Steve. Stupid Steve. He couldn't look at her. His eyes went everywhere but her. AND he had said that he thought she looked ridiculous which had made her feel stupid and self-conscious.

She tried to focus on what everyone else had said.

Looking good, sista.

Your outfit has inspired a positive reaction for me. Your date is sure to enjoy it.

I told you that dress would look amazing on you.

Any hotter and Alex is gonna combust!

I'd pay to see both Alex and Steve's faces when you come down in that. Send me pictures, or better yet a video!

But the one comment that played on loop was Steve's.

You look ridiculous.

At least he was somewhat being nice to Alex, though she was more worried about Doris.

"So is nursing a stepping stone or is it what you want to do?" Doris asked him.

"It pays the bills," Alex replied with a laugh. "I enjoy helping people, of course, but I really want to be a musician."

Doris' eyebrow raised up and Steve suddenly stopped eating his chilli and stared at Alex. His elbows propped up on the table, his chin resting on his hands. He was watching avidly and Rowan scowled. He was waiting for Doris' appraisal, like he was watching a football game. If he wasn't sitting so far away from her she'd have kicked him under the table.

"And what instrument do you play?" Doris asked him.

"Guitar," he answered quickly. "I'm a lead singer in a bad, we're called the Doctors."

"Are any of you doctors?" Doris asked.

Rowan winced internally she had asked this question when she started seeing him. "Uh… no, I'm the only one in the health care profession," he admitted.

Oh, here we go.

"Oh. Interesting. So why did you pick that name?" Doris asked.

"We cure people's sadness with our sick tunes," Alex replied with a grin on her face. Steve's smile was just as wide, loving this interaction way too much.

Doris nodded. "Interesting. And is your band popular?"

Alex shrugged slightly. "We have a weekly gig at a local club," he admitted.

Doris smirked at him. "Hmm… maybe you should stay in the health care profession then," she said. Steve snorted into a bowl and Rowan scowled at the two of them. She thought she convinced Doris to be nice to him and not be swayed by Steve's already set his prejudices.

"Well as I said before, I do like helping people, but music is my passion," Alex said, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. "What did you say you did, Mrs. McGarrett?"

"I was a teacher," she said carefully eyeing Rowan to see if she had said anything to Alex about her real job. Which she wouldn't have done because she wasn't a fucking idiot.

"And Rowan mentioned that your late husband was a cop here in Hawaii. I guess that's where Steve got his love for law enforcement?" he asked.

Steve nodded. "I got into the Navy because I wanted to help to people and my country. I got into Hawaii Five-O mostly by accident," Steve said.

"And how did that happen?" Alex asked. Rowan could tell that this was a dangerous topic. Steve wasn't very good at talking about his feelings, let alone what happened to his father.

"How about dessert? Does anyone want dessert?" Rowan asked hoping to change the topic.

Steve ignored her. "I got the Five-O team because terrorists I was chasing came to Hawaii and killed my father. The governor, at the time, wanted a task force with the means and immunity to do what we had to in order to keep this island safe."

"Ah," Alex said, putting his own spoon down and smiling dangerously at Steve. "And you used that power to arrest Rowan to keep her from going to a party with me."

Silence hit the table and Rowan just sat there with her mouth open. Great. Steve was going to kill him. Right here that this table. She was gonna witness a goddamn murder.

"Okay, enough of the power plays boys," Doris said, causing both Steve and Alex to look down to their bowls. "We're here for a nice dinner to get to know Rowan's beau, you said you'd be nice, now be nice."

"I'm sorry," Alex said to Steve. "I went too far."

"It's okay, I shouldn't have sicked HPD after Rowan just because I didn't like her outfit," Steve admitted.

"Or her date," Doris added. Steve rolled his eyes but said nothing else. Rowan let the tension out with a soft sigh smiling at the two men. Maybe they'd calm themselves down now that they had gotten out all of their jabs.

"I think we'd like that dessert now," Steve said to her and Rowan got up. She'd have to trust Doris to mediate the conversation now.

She got up quickly rushing into the kitchen to get the bowls. She hadn't been feeling up to making anything too special, what with a sore back and a nervous day. But they had ice cream. Doris' favourite, Steve's favourite and hers. She put two scoops in each bowl, being sure to give Alex to give her one scoop of her favourite and one of Steve's.

When she returned to the table the topic had turned to a completely different one, and not one that she approved of.

"We're actually putting together an EP. We're hoping that will get us traction," he said. He then shot a smile at Rowan. "Especially with our new song."

The bowl clattered out of her hand as she stared down at Alex. Why did he tell them that? She hadn't told anyone else that. All eyes turned to her as she went back to serving the ice cream. Doris stared at her almost surprised.

"Rowan wrote you a song? Our Rowan?" she asked.

Rowan avoided their stares, especially Steve who was now staring at her with appreciative—if not surprised—eyes.

Alex was beaming. He was so proud of this song. So surprised when she gave it to him to sing. His voice did it more justice then hers, she had told him. He didn't believe her, of course, but she had talked him into it.

"Oh yeah, she wrote us a good one," he told them. And then he mortified her further by breaking out into song.

Call me a thief, there's been a robbery, I left with her heart tore it apart made no apologies.

He sang her lyrics, lyrics she wrote about someone else, and she avoided their eyes. Avoided Steve's lest he figured out she wrote a song about him, as if he were singing. Not about her heart, of course, because she hadn't fallen for him or anything foolish like that, but about some other girl's heart. And she was sure there were plenty of girls running around with a broke heart because of him.

Steve and Doris were staring at her as if their eyes had been opened for the first time. She bashfully waved away their surprise.

"Well, we better get a lawyer looking at the royalty contract she will obviously need," Doris said pinning Alex with a knowing glare as he stammered through the answer.

"That actually sounds pretty good," Steve said with a chuckle. "I'd love to hear the whole thing some time."

He said it, his eyes linking with hers. And though Alex said he'd be glad to play the song for them, Rowan knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Steve meant that he wanted her to sing the song for him.

Steve tucked back into his ice cream and Rowan did the same. This wasn't really all that bad. It could have been much worse.

H5O-H5O-H5O- H5O

Steve had reluctantly agreed to let Rowan and Alex take a moonlit stroll down the beach. He regretted it as soon as their shadowy figures were no longer visible. He didn't like it when Rowan was out of his sight, it meant that he couldn't keep track of her, couldn't keep her out of trouble. He found he liked it even less when she was off with Alex.

Steve furiously scrubbed the chili pot. A lot of the chili had gotten stuck to the bottom. All because he kept it on the heat too long stirring. Guess that's what he deserved for not just agreeing to open the door. It helped with the aggravation. He had had a lot of aggravation that day.

And yet… he had learned something knew today. Rowan wrote songs. He knew she liked to sing. He knew she liked music. He knew she was always writing things on scraps of paper, but she had never shown him those before. Clearly those scraps of paper had future golden hits. Why hadn't she ever told him?

"I like him."

Well that broke him out of his revelry. Steve turned to his mother with nothing short of horrified shock on his face.

"What did you just say?" he asked, almost breathless.

"You heard me. I like him. He's a nice boy," she said.

The pot clattered out of Steve's hands. "Are you kidding me? He's using her to write his songs!"

"Well it hardly goes that far," Doris said which merely caused Steve to roll his eyes. Why was he the only one who saw it. How bad Rowan and Alex were together. "He seems to be a sweet boy, his aspirations are a little far fetched but it's good that he's passionate but still smart enough to work to pay the bills, and he seems absolutely devoted to Rowan. Couldn't take his eyes off her at dinner."

"Yeah, couldn't take his eyes off her chest," Steve growled. Not that he was any better. Why the hell did she have to come down the stairs looking so goddamn sexy? Huh? Why was she tormenting him?

Doris pinned him with a knowing stare that had him squirming. "Is there a particular reason why you didn't want me to like him?"

"I wanted someone on my side," Steve snarled and then under his breath he added: "For once."

"Oh, stop it Steven, this isn't something anyone needs to pick sides. So, you don't like her beau? I'm sorry but you can't really do much about it. You tried Steve, she ended up taking a dive out her bedroom window," Doris told him.

Steve frowned. That wasn't fair. That dig was low and he didn't need it right now. He stared up at the ceiling trying to calm himself down, trying to think of a way that he could explain this without sounding out of his mind, but he came up with nothing.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but I think if you don't like him you'll just have to wait for her to see that they don't belong together. Any other attempts to tear them apart will just drive them closer together," Doris said with a shrug.

Steve sighed. He knew she was right, of course, but he didn't want to wait. That would take too long. Maybe he could just arrest him… not him personally, of course. Maybe he could get one of his friends in the Navy to forcibly conscript him… Rowan wouldn't notice that right?

"Or you could just ask her out yourself."

Steve's gaze whipped back to his mother. "What the hell? Why would I do that?"

"Well, I just assumed that your dislike of the man came from a place of jealousy," Doris said acting all innocent. "Is that not it?"

"Of course not!" Steve thundered. "Come on mom, you know I'm dating Catherine."

"A man can be with one woman and still want another," Doris reminded him. "It was only natural to assume that your problem with Alex is that you want Rowan to yourself. And if that's the case, you should let go of Catherine and ask Rowan out."

Steve turned away from his mother so she couldn't see his scowl. "I have no interest in Rowan in that way," he muttered as he picked the pot back up to resume scrubbing. "I just don't want that Nurse/Musician/Model to hurt her. I'd have to kill him and it'd be hard to cover up the murder."

"I doubt that. I'm sure between you and Danny the two of you would find a way to get rid of the evidence of the murder and the body," Doris told him then disappeared off to her room.

Steve sighed and went back to cleaning. How nice of both Rowan and Doris to have him cook the meal and clean up after them too. His eyes wandered back to the beach, he wasn't sure but he thought he saw the silhouette of a couple in a lover's embrace under a tree a few paces away. He tried not to let that get under his skin, he was certain he was only seeing things.

He tried not to let his mind wander to what his mother said. He didn't want to tell her but he was starting to think he was slightly jealous of Nurse Alex too. That maybe… just maybe… he was starting to grow an interest in Rowan. I real, legitimate, romantic interest in her. Maybe. He wasn't saying she was right, but she might be. He just didn't want her to be right. He loved Catherine. Catherine Rollins was perfect for him. His dream girl. The girl he'd settle down with one day… when their careers allowed it. This passing interest in Rowan wouldn't change that and was probably happening only because of how much time they were spending together, that's all.

But his mother was absolutely right about one thing. Danny would probably bitch but he'd help Steve get rid of a body in a pinch. And no one would ever be able to prove they did it too.