"Hey." Steve said trying to match her casual tone.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Steve asked quickly still afraid to turn and look at her, afraid that any sudden move on his part might scare her away.

"For ignoring your calls and texts instead of just telling you I needed time."

"I would have given you time." Steve told her turning to face her.

"I know. I guess I wasn't even up for that conversation which is so lame because you were the one who went through something, something major and instead of being there for you I cut and ran."

"That's not important." Steve said dismissing her concern about him with a wave of his hand. "What I want to know is how that conversation would have gone."

"Well I guess I would have said something like - I meant everything I said ten days ago and that kiss was the best one I've ever had, but I'm not sure what this looks like in the light of day. What it looks like for me to be dating my boss."

Steve released the breath neither of them knew he had been holding.

"That is something we can figure out Kalkaua." He said, his usual cocky smirk making its first appearance since before Korea.

"You're not mad?" She asked taking a step toward him essentially eliminating any space between them.

"No. Honestly I was too worried to be mad. And now that I know for sure what the problem is I feel like between the two of us we can find a solution."

"I didn't mean to worry you." She said sympathetically.

"Well you did, but that doesn't matter now. Now we need to figure out a way to do this, to be us without you feeling like your career is being compromised."

"One of the many benefits of being in a relationship with the pragmatic Steve McGarrett. No unnecessary analysis." Kono smiled reaching out to take his hand.

"I just don't see the point in talking something to death when we know what the real problem is. Now we can spend what limited amount of time I have allocated to talking this evening to solving that problem." Steve informed her taking her other hand and pulling her against him.

"And exactly how much time have you allocated to talking?" Kono asked with a knowing smile.

"I'm sorry I can't answer that because the talking portion of our program has come to an end." With that Steve closed the last millimeter of space he had left between their lips. The kiss was as passionate and tender as the one they had shared in his office not so long ago. But just when Steve felt like they were getting warmed up Kono stepped back and restored some distance between them once again.

"I apologize for going off program but we still haven't addressed my concern." She told him when her breathing had evened out enough to allow for speech because seriously he was a phenomenal kisser.

"Right, sorry." Steve said sounding a little unsteady himself. "I just missed you this past week."

"I missed you too."

"Good to know. Now about the issue at hand - it's your call. When it comes to outing this relationship you decide when, how, who, if. I will follow your lead.

"So I'm the boss?" She asked with a grin.

"Yes, in this and only this you are the boss."

"I like that."

"Yes I can see that. Now do you feel comfortable with that? Do you need any further information or assurances from me on this matter?" Steve asked in his best Commander McGarrett voice.

"No, Commander I am completely satisfied with the assurances and information provided."

"Good because I have to tell you that as we have borrowed, "Steve paused and checked his watch, "approximately forty-five seconds of talking time from tomorrow's allotment and we should probably not take any more as that may preclude us from talking at all tomorrow." With that he wrapped Kono in a very secure embrace putting his hands behind her back and leaning his forehead against hers.

"Exactly how much time have you allotted each day for talking?" She asked with a sigh. "If you don't mind me asking."

"No, I think I'll keep you guessing on that one." Steve told her before taking her mind completely off of talking for an extended period of time.

"Something you'd like to tell us?" Chin's voice vaguely registered in the back of Kono's mind, but judging by his continued attentions to her Kono was fairly certain Steve had not heard him at all. Kono pulled back enough to whisper in Steve's ear. "Chin."

That one word seemed to have the desired effect as Steve was suddenly standing at attention his hands studiously at his sides. If she wasn't completely uncertain as to what her beloved cousin's reaction might be to what he had just witnessed Kono would have found the whole thing very comical.

"Chin, hey." Steve said noting that not only was Malia with Chin but Danny was standing behind them with an obnoxious smirk on his smug little face. "This isn't what it . . I mean it is what it is, but I didn't mean to . . . well obviously I meant to, but wouldn't have . . ."

Steve had no idea what he was saying or what he planned to say next, but that was irrelevant as any other words would have been completely drown out by the loud and hearty laughter of all four people around him. Yes four. Kono was actually doubled over laughing as was Malia. Chin, as always, was a bit more retrained, but still clearly laughing and Danny was giggling like a school girl.

"What is so funny?" He demanded.

"I have just never heard you sounding so uncertain, Boss." Chin explained. Everyone else seemed to be nodding in agreement as they wiped the tears from their eyes.

"So I guess this means I'm no longer in charge of our PR." Kono said taking Steve's hand. He looked down at their intertwined fingers.

"Well, our ohana knows now, but that doesn't mean anyone else has to . . . until you're ready, Boss." Steve told her. "You're not mad?" he asked Chin.

"No. I mean if you hurt her I will end you, but you are like a brother to me and Kono has always been my little sister so . . ."

"So it's somewhat incestuous." Danny put in.

"Don't make me take you down Danno." Kono threatened.

"Why don't we give these two their privacy back." Malia suggested and the three of them moved back toward the house before Chin turned around.

"Not too much privacy, Kono. Your parents and about fifty of our aunts and uncles are within shouting distance." He advised them solemnly before putting his arm around Malia and walking back to the party. When they were alone again Kono slipped her arms around Steve's neck.

"So I have decided the next step in our relationship roll out." She told him with a smile.

"Really and who exactly are we rolling out to next?"

"Well after observing how beautifully tongue-tied and uncertain you become when revealing our relationship to my family I have decided we're going to go and talk to my parents."

"Now?" Steve asked, hoping that wasn't actual fear he heard in his own voice.

"Now." Kono confirmed slipping out of his arms and pulling him by the hand in the direction of the party.

THE END . . .For now at least