Special Chapter: The Date

By: Dragonfire100

Summary: Andrea realizes dating Steve will probably never be boring

A/N Whats this another chapter?! In light of 5-0's last season and with recent events going on in the US and around the world I've felt compelled to add a little entertainment to take our minds off such things, for a little while at least, enjoy, stay safe, be kind.

There was blood everywhere...tears streamed down her face as she preformed CPR…

'S'gonna be ok...'

'Come on, please don't do this...STEVE!'

Andrea woke with a gasp, bolting upright, chest heaving. For a moment all she could see was a jungle, heart racing body trembling...it quickly faded however to a familiar sunlit room. She sat for a moment running a shaking hand through her hair. The nightmares were lessening thank god, but when she had them going back to sleep was nearly impossible. Thankfully it wasn't still dark out and she took a few steadying breaths before getting up. She usually got up early to go for a run or a swim, today she would forgo either and settle with a shower and cup of coffee on the lanai to calm her nerves. She'd slept in anyway.

She hadn't told Steve about the dreams, but she suspected he knew. There had been times, when she was helping him during his recovery, that he had asked how'd she'd slept and she knew she'd had dark circles under her eyes. Nights had been rough, and she hated causing him worry even though he didn't admit it, you could see it in his eyes.

It had been charming the way he'd tried to cheer her up. They'd talked about quite a bit, and it helped keep her mind off the traumatic event.

She smiled as she sat there watching the waves, because despite her rude awakening, today was the day her and Steve were going on their first actual date.

"Can we just go surf, maybe grab a bite somewhere local?"

He'd given her that grin that made her heart flutter when she'd replied to his question of what she'd like to do.

She'd never really been one for fancy dinners or expensive things, and apparently neither was Steve. That suited her just fine, it was however nice to know that he would've taken her to wherever she requested.

Sighing softly she looked at the time on her phone. There was still a couple hours before she had to get ready. Still she knew, despite being annoyed by it, that like every other woman she'd take a while to figure out what to wear. Might as well start now. Standing she swallowed the last bit of coffee and headed inside.

*5-0*

"You could've had that wave!" Andrea chastised approaching Steve her grin betraying any irritation. They'd been surfing for most of the afternoon but to be honest he hadn't really been paying much attention to the waves.

She had a grace about her in the water, like someone who'd spent nearly every childhood summer on the islands. Not to mention this was the first time he'd seen her in a swimsuit.

"Yeah well, maybe I was a little distracted." He said and she shook her head a light blush gracing her cheeks, smirking. Steve liked making her do that, and it was surprisingly easy to.

"Hungry?" He asked, retrieving his board.

"Starving." She said with a laugh grabbing her own, and a towel to dry. Her hair hung in strands around her face, green eyes bright and bare of makeup. If she'd been wearing it before the ocean had long since washed it away, she was just as beautiful without it though.

"You like shrimp? Friend of mine owns a place around here." Silence met his words and he looked over at her. Her gaze was on the sand, a faraway look in her eyes. The change was sudden, enough to concern him.

"Andrea?" He asked, stopping and facing her.

"Yeah." She said a little too quickly, glancing back at the water before meeting his gaze. "It sounds fine." She continued obviously trying to get past whatever had caused her sudden disquiet. Who knew how she was handling past events, and it frustrated him that he didn't know what could trigger things for her. He promised to have that conversation later, this day was long overdue and he was determined to make sure she would enjoy it. So, he didn't push.

He gave her a smile. "Ok, Kamekona's good people, but stay away from the shrimp flavored desserts."

That garnered a confused look and amused smile, enough to wash away whatever had bothered her. Mission accomplished.

"Sounds like a nice place." She said, still amused, and they continued to walk.

Steve shrugged. "It's not bad." He silently hoped that Kamekona wasn't in one of his 'try my new concoction' modes, but then again when was he not.

To be honest he was quite glad that Andrea hadn't picked anything more formal. After spending all that time recovering with her, he'd learned enough about her to know it would've been out of character for her to choose otherwise.

They reached Kamekona's shrimp truck in record time. Andrea had dried her hair a little more and slipped back on the dress she'd worn to the beach. He'd stayed in his swim trunks opting to just put a shirt back on.

"Hey brah, how's it?" Kamekona greeted as they approached, the entrepreneurs gaze immediately landing on Andrea.

"Kamekona, this is Andrea Ross, Andrea, Kamekona." Steve introduced.

"Hi." She gave him a small wave.

"Ahh so this is Dr. Ross," He nodded with a smile. "Heard a lot about you from Danny."

Steve sighed. "Seriously?"

"Relax brah, it was all good things." He said wiggling his eyebrows at Andrea who looked more amused by the interaction than anything.

"So what brings you to my humble establishment?" It was obvious that Kamekona was used to giving Steve things other than food, like information and honestly a gun not too long ago.

"Just the food this time." He took a seat at the picnic table Andrea taking a seat across from him.

"Good, I've got something new for you to try." The bigger man said, a mischievous glint in his eye as he turned disappearing into his mini restaurant.

"Why do I suddenly feel like a guinea pig?" Andrea's voice was laced with amusement, eyes twinkling with it.

Steve was glad the shadow had gone from her features. He shrugged. "Kamekona always has something 'new.' "

A companionable silence fell between them as they waited for whatever concoction Kamekona would bring them.

"I think you sort of mentioned this place before."

Steve frowned at her words. She had her eyes down cast, studying the wood of the table as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

"When?" He found himself asking, trying to recall if he had during his recovery. It wasn't an easy task, they'd talked a lot although Andrea had done most of it, he'd been all too willing to listen.

She seemed to swallow thickly, finally looking up to meet his gaze and he felt his heart clench at the look in her eyes. He knew what she meant.

"Oh." Was all he could manage for a moment. He didn't remember much of 'that time' Danny had filled him in a little about what they'd come across upon finding them. Her giving him CPR, blood everywhere….

"You said, that you knew a place." Her gaze shifted away then back. She was obviously trying to not appear as uncomfortable as she felt.

"I'm sorry." He'd said it so many times before, and he would always be. To be honest he worried that the whole event would at some point put a damper on any sort of relationship between them. That and maybe a few other things that he had yet to really get into, like why he'd come back to the islands, why he was still here...

She shook her head, a ghost of a smile gracing soft lips. "Don't apologize." Her usual response and while he'd been recovering he'd let it go because the feelings were obviously still so raw, but now...he reached over and settled one of his hands over hers.

"Look I-" Damn, he'd never been very good at this. "What happened was awful and I-"

"Steve," She suddenly clasped both hands over his, eyes earnest and almost pleading. "don't, none of it was your fault and I sure as hell don't blame you."

He stared at her feeling all at once undeserving of her, because although she'd said it, he couldn't help but blame himself. That wasn't to say that knowing she didn't blame him wasn't a reassurance, because to be honest a small irrational part of him had worried that she did.

"I shouldn't have brought it up, can we just have a good time?" She pleaded and he smiled.

"Yeah." But they would talk about it, later.

They spent the rest of the meal laughing and joking and pondering over Kamekona's choice of cuisine.

"A dumpster? Really?" At this point her cheeks were red from laughter, as he'd described a rather smelly end to the pursuit of a suspect.

"The camaro smelled like rotten fish for a week, Danny nearly had my head." Steve chuckled, enjoying making her laugh.

They'd been sitting there for quite some time, the sky slowly starting to darken as the sun drifted towards the horizon.

Companionable silence settled between them.

"I gotta use the restroom then we can go grab drinks?" He said and she nodded he smiled back as he stood.

Andrea watched him walk away before looking out towards the water.

She was content, happy and thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Pretty lady like you shouldn't be sitting all alone."

The sudden words had her turning and she frowned a little at the unfamiliar man.

He wasn't native that she could tell. Blond broad shoulders but barely tan. Something about him had her on edge.

"I'm not my boyfriend's just in the restroom." She said hoping her voice conveyed how not interested she was.

He leaned on the table smiling coyly.

"Shame I'd never leave your side if I was him." His eyes roved over her and she nearly rolled her eyes. Glancing around, she noted Kamekona's absence and hoped Steve would return soon.

"You know I've never been with a redhead." He reached out going for her hair and she immediately jerked away.

"Whoa ok, that's-no." She snapped quickly standing and baking away.

"Hey come on." He said and made another quicker grab for her, hand locking around her wrist.

"Let go!" She yelled, suddenly scared and angry, smelling the alcohol on him. How cliche was it that the guy was drunk? She tried to pull away but he held fast.

"Just-" She was getting ready to aim a kick to a sensitive area when Steve reappeared.

"Hey!" He grabbed the man pulling him away from her. The blond stumbled, falling into the sand.

"She said let go." He snapped placing himself between them.

"Relax dude, we were just talking." The man said, sounding offended as he struggled to his feet.

Steve glared at him. "Didn't look that way to me." His shoulders were tense, gaze hard.

There was a moment's silence as the two glared at each other before the blond seemed to give in.

"Whatever man." He said with a wave of his hand, turning and stumbling away.

Steve watched him for a moment, before turning towards her.

"You ok?" He asked and she could see the worry in his eyes.

To be honest she was a little shaky, but that was just the adrenaline wearing off.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She breathed, now more annoyed than scared.

He seemed reluctant to believe her and she began to really see that perhaps recent events had affected him, just as much as her. Honestly it was silly to believe otherwise, Steve just put out this aura of, well, invincibility that had a part of her not seeing it. She made a note to make sure that that didn't happen again.

She put a reassuring hand on his arm. "Really I'm ok."

His brow uncreased easing his features into one of relief and he leaned in a little. She felt her heart stutter sure that he was going to lean in for a kiss.

"Did I miss something?"

She nearly jumped at the words and they both looked over at Kamekona. The man had the worst timing.

"Not really, just a touchy feely jerk." Andrea answered, smirking at the slightly annoyed look Steve gave the man. He had interrupted after all.

Kamekona eyed Steve weirdly.

"He left." Steve rolled his eyes, amused now.

Andrea found herself stifling a laugh at the exchange. "Why don't we go get those drinks." She suggested.

"I've got just the thing." Kamekona said with enthusiasm, straightening.

"Uh, actually I have somewhere else in mind." Steve said, rather quickly in An's opinion, though she had an idea as to why, and it wasn't just because Kamekona might have some weird shrimp flavored drink in mind for them to try.

Seeming to understand the bigger man nodded. "Alright brah, see ya later."

Steve nodded, giving a brief wave.

"It was nice to meet you Kamekona." Andrea gave him a short wave also. He winked at her and An found herself rolling her eyes in amusement, a smile tugging at her lips.

They started back towards Steve's truck sure that recent odd events would quickly disappear from memory. He went around and opened the door for her, like he'd done all day, and every time Andrea felt charmed by the act. He gave her that smile she'd grown to love and started to say something as she got in, when something behind him had her eyes widening in surprise.

"Steve-!" Seeing her alarm he turned quickly only to be tackled by the 'creepy drunk'-as she'd so eloquently dubbed him-causing him to hit the open door. She barely managed to avoid being caught in it as it slammed closed falling back onto the pavement. Andrea watched in stunned amazement as the two grappled. Within moments though, Steve had the upper hand and it was all over in a manner of what seemed like seconds.

Shoulders heaving, knee firmly planted on the man's back, he turned his head towards her. The fear from earlier was back.

"OK?" He asked and this time all she could do was nod. She could see his jaw spasm as he clenched it looking back down at the stranger.

"Steve." Her voice trembled and he looked back at her again.

"Andrea, I need you to do something for me ok?" He said slowly and she could tell he was loath to ask anything of her right now, knowing she'd been rattled. She took a deep breath willing her nerves to settle.

"In my truck there's some cuffs in the glove compartment, can you get those for me?" His gaze was intense and still filled with apprehension but she found herself not wanting to let him down.

She nodded getting shakily to her feet. Since they were in front of the passenger door she had to go around. She quickly retrieved the cuffs, practically running back around the vehicle.

"McGarrett!?" She looked over to see Kamekona watching, a few curious bystanders also having stopped.

"Call HPD!" Steve replied giving her a grateful look as he accepted the cuffs.

"Congratulations, you just managed to assault the head of the Five-0 task force." He said, cuffing the guys hands.

"The hell does that mean man?" The guy demanded.

"It means you assaulted a police officer." Andrea found herself saying, anger suddenly replacing fear, mainly because Steve now had complete control. Her boyfriend was a badass.

Steve looked at her with a smirk, though she could still see that spark of worry. She gave him a small smile and it eased once again.

Thirty minutes later found her leaning against his truck as he talked to an HPD officer, the 'creepy drunk' tucked away in a squad car.

Funnily enough Danny had stopped by too, apparently when McGarrett was involved they immediately contacted his partner. Andrea assumed there was a story behind that but decided to ask about it at a later date.

She watched as the Jersey native approached Steve, a look of consternation on his face. Amusement swelled inside her once more as he started talking, and though she couldn't quite hear what was being said, there were lots of hand gestures.

After a few moments she finally took some pity on Steve as he grew increasingly more defensive.

"-happens every time, I swear Steven you are a trouble magnet." Danny's mid rant words reached her as she stopped next to them.

"Well, it must not just be him because he wasn't even there when the guy first came up to me." She said, catching both their attentions. Steve's stance eased slightly at the sight of her, both arms falling from where they'd been crossed over his chest

Danny also seemed to deflate a little, giving her a somewhat sympathetic look. "You ok?" He asked and she smiled reassuringly at the two men.

"That has to be the hundredth time someone has asked me that tonight, yes I'm fine, and Steve didn't do anything wrong Danny, I was lucky he was there." She gave said man a grateful look.

"Well, you've got me there, no telling what that idiot would've done." He sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Is there anything else that needs to be done?" Andrea asked after a moment wanting to put this little event behind them.

"Uh, no HPD will take him from here, they already got your statement so..." Danny said looking over at the flashing police car.

"Good, then we can get back to our date." She said smiling at Steve who smirked back.

Danny blinked then smiled knowingly. "Right, yeah go, go I'll finish up here."

"Book 'em Danno." Steve called over his shoulder as they headed back to his truck.

"Really Steven!"

*5-0*

This time getting into Steve's car held less dramatics. A smile tugged at her lips as he pulled up to his place a little while later. Figures they'd be having drinks there.

"You want a beer or?" He gestured towards the kitchen upon entering.

"Beer sounds good." She said with a smile before heading out to the linai.

The sky was a beautiful array of colors as the sun continued to set. It was a sight that brought back memories of her childhood, times spent with her grandparents, and now….she looked back towards the house smiling when Steve appeared, drinks in hand.

He smiled back handing her one.

"Why do I get the feeling that dating you is never not going to be interesting?" She joked and he smirked, but there was a shadow in his eyes.

"What?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Nothing." He said taking a seat and she frowned putting one hand on a hip, eyebrow cocked.

"What?" He asked after a moment and she smiled.

"Danny's right, you do make faces." She teased and he frowned looking up at her.

"I do not." He protested and she laughed again taking a sip of her beer. Steve looked away, though she could see he was hiding a smile.

"Seriously though Steve, what's wrong?" She asked gently after a pause, the waves a soft lapping in the background.

He seemed to hesitate watching the ocean. "It's just, you're not wrong, I can't guarantee that there won't be bad days, today was a perfect example." He muttered.

"Today wasn't a bad day," She disagreed, giving him a look. "sure some things were a little, unexpected, but it wasn't bad."

"That's not exactly what I mean," He met her gaze looking serious. "look, what I do it-"

"Steve," She interrupted. "If what happened in the jungle hasn't detoured me, do you honestly think much else will?"

He seemed to hesitate and she moved closer kneeling in front of him earnestly meeting his gaze.

"I mean it McGarrett, you're stuck with me, for the long haul." She put a hand on his shoulder close to his neck.

Finally he smiled, and she felt her heart flutter and soar all at once.

"Yeah?" He muttered leaning in little.

"Yeah." She smiled into his kiss.

"Definitely don't deserve you." He muttered after pulling away, but he sounded happy and she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"You deserve a lot more, you're a good man Steve." She'd never let him doubt that, and she'd do her damndest to be deserving of him too.

He kissed her again pulling her closer.

Yeah definitely not a bad day.

A/N Well there you have it folks, I hope it didn't disappoint, I'm thinking of writing even more with these two forgot how fun it was lol put me on your author alert list, any other Andrea Steve fics will be under a different title, thanks, stay healthy stay safe.