FIC (Sorta) Secret Admirer
Title: (Sorta) Secret Admirer
Characters: Kono Kalakaua, Charlie Fong, appearances by the other Five-0 members
Fandom: Hawaii Five-0
Series:
Written For: swing_set13
Prompt: wooing
Summary: Presents start appearing in Kono’s life and she’d like to know who they’re from, but the guys aren’t telling.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: none
Warnings: sappiness
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me and I’m not making any money off it. Neither of the poems belong to me either.
Author's Note: This is a birthday present (just a wee bit late) for swing_set13. And I’m sure I had a long involved author’s note to go with it…but I can’t remember what it was…so happy belated birthday sweetie. The other one(s) will be worked on soonish. I hope you’re feeling better! I remember what I was gonna say now...Thanks of course to illfindmyway/float_on_alright for her help with this! And the reason there's gonna be another one after this? Because I totally expected swing_set to pick a different fandom (after I told her I couldn't write Teen Wolf as well as she does!) and she picked Hawaii Five-0 NOT the fandom I expected her to pick...so I'd already started plotting that one and now I want to write it. So I'm gonna. And well there's a story that needs to be written first to lead up to that one...and yeah. Too complicated for tonight.
“Fong,” Chin greeted the trace tech with a touch of surprise as the younger man entered the main room of Five-Oh HQ. “Since when do you deliver results personally? Wait.” He tried to recall where things were with their current case. “Are we waiting on trace results?”
“Ah, no. I actually.” Charlie looked awkward for a minute. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” When Chin just stared at him, Charlie added, “Privately?”
“Sure.” Chin motioned towards his office, gesturing the other man inside and at his insistence, closing the door behind them. “Everything okay? No one’s bothering you, are they?”
“No. No one’s bothering me. Exactly.” Charlie glanced around, looking out into the main room and across at Kono who was laughing at something Danny had just said to her. “I need your help.”
Chin grinned in response. “What can I do for ya, brah?”
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Kono stared at the pyramid of blocks on her desk, the flower sitting innocuously on top of it, as if the wax was going to leap off her desk and attack her. Sang Min entering their HQ had put everyone on edge about strange occurrences. And if this wasn’t one…she didn’t know what qualified. Moving closer, she poked it tentatively; surprised when it didn’t topple over.
“Hey, Kono, Chin’s ready to go over the infor…what’s that?” Danny asked. He considered her pyramid for a minute, then picked up one of the blocks, causing Kono to grab for the orchid. “Kono’s Tropical Wax? What’s this, rookie?”
“If I had any idea,” Kono said dryly. “It was on my desk when I got here.”
Danny turned the block over in his hand. “So what is it?”
“Looks like sex wax of some type,” Kono answered. “A whole lotta sex wax.”
“Whooooa. It’s what?!”
Kono laughed, catching the block as Danny dropped it as if it had suddenly become scaldingly hot. “It’s for surfing, Danny. You put it on the surfboard. Do you pay any attention when I’m talking during your lessons?”
“I think I’d remember if you’d called something sex wax!” he protested.
Kono laughed at his shock. “Well, that’s one type. I don’t think we’ve actually used it. What did you come in here for anyway?”
“Oh. Yeah.” Danny jerked his thumb back towards the computer table. “Chin’s got everything set up and wants to go over it with us.”
“Let’s go then.” Kono dropped the bar of wax on her desk before motioning Danny towards the door. Anyone else she would just shove on their way, but not Danny. Mostly because she didn’t want to listen to his loud protestations as she pushed him. Right before she exited her office, she tucked the flower into the small vase on her table; hoping that none of her male co-workers noticed it.
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Kono groaned as she shifted through the papers on her desk once again. She could have sworn she left her holster on top of her desk, but now that she needed it, the leather was nowhere to be found. “Guys?” she called. “Has anyone seen my holster?”
“You know you don’t actually need it for the Kal Tech,” Steve said as he poked his head into her office. “We’re leaving in five,” he added.
“It’s not the Kal Tech one I’m missing,” she replied. “It’s my regular holster.”
Steve nodded towards her top drawer. “Check the desk.”
“I already…” Kono pulled the drawer open anyway, looking down as she continued to protest. “How did that…? Wait, boss, this isn’t my…” She pulled it out, the leather fitting easily in her hand. “This isn’t my holster,” she finished as she flipped it over and saw the KK branded into the other side of the leather.
“Looks to me like it’ll fit yours. And we need to move. Danny’s got the warrant and since I actually waited this time…” Steve trailed off, then knocked on the door jam. “Let’s move.”
Shrugging off the weirdness and deciding she’d figure it out later, Kono buckled the holster into place and shoved her S&W Ladysmith into place before following Steve out of the office. He was right, her gun fit perfectly.
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Kono's cut off yelp brought all three of her male coworkers running towards her, hands on their guns. Chin grabbed her by the shoulders as Danny peered inside her car, Steve using his height advantage to look over to top of the blonde's head. "I'm fine, Chin Ho," Kono assured him. "I was just startled."
Steve fished the black cylinder out of the front seat, holding it out to her. "It's a flashlight."
"It's not mine," she explained. "And I don't know how it got there."
"Did you leave the car unlocked?" Danny asked practically. "Is anything missing?"
Kono ducked her head inside, quickly scanning the interior. “No. No to both. It just…appeared.”
“It’s a flashlight,” Steve repeated. He flipped it, checking it out from all angles. “A really nice flashlight.”
Her hand darted out, grabbing the light as he flipped it around again. “Okay. Stop playing with it.” She handed it over to Danny. “What do you think?”
“It’s a flashlight,” Danny said slowly. “Why am I looking at it?”
“Because I trust you to check it and not play with it. You think it’s safe?” Kono replied.
“I think it’s fine, Kono,” he assured her. “And you did break yours at the warehouse…” he trailed off as she took it back. “We can have it tested if you think it’s dangerous.”
“No. I think I’m good. Good night, guys.” She stared at them until they drifted away. Once they were gone, she turned her attention to the flashlight. It fit nicely in her hand and was nicer than the one she’d broken. Tucking it away, she got into her car and headed away from headquarters, making plans for the night.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
Kono stretched her arms above her head, letting the waves buffet her a bit as she tried to decide if she had time to catch another wave before heading shoreward to get ready for work. Out of habit, she scanned the shore as she rested and was startled to see a dark haired man bending over her towel. From this distance she couldn’t really make out much…just dark hair and a lean body. She couldn’t see his facial features at all, but something about the turn of his body was familiar.
“Crap,” she spat and bent over her board, strong arms pulling her towards shore. There wasn’t really anything important by her towel; it was the principal of the thing. If he grabbed her towel, the worst that would happen was she’d have to walk to her car dripping. Not really a big problem in the Hawaii heat.
By the time she made it to shore, the man was long gone. It was too early in the morning for the tourists to be out and the really hardcore surfers were still out on the waves; not worried about a towel left lying on the sand. She tucked her board under her arm, making a run as best she could for the towel, wondering what surprise the man had left for her.
Slowing her pace as she got close, she approached it warily, figuring if she got near and it looked dangerous, she could run to her car to call it in. Instead she discovered an innocuous book. Reaching down, she carefully flipped it over, sitting back on her heels, reading the title Soul Surfer. A single finger allowed her to crack the cover and read the inscription, To the bravest woman I know. From someone who has always admired your grace and beauty.
“Now this is just getting weird,” Kono decided as she got to her feet.
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Charlie waved at Danny and Steve as he made his way through the command center of Five-O. The two men paused in their conversation, watching with interest as the younger man entered their rookie’s office, going around her desk and carefully set two parchments in the center of the desk. He stepped back, then reached forward and straightened them out before leaving the room.
Danny raised an eyebrow as the two men folded their arms almost in unison. “Do we need to run you in for stalking?” he asked.
“Well at least we know for sure where all Kono’s new stuff is coming from,” Steve added.
“Chin knows what I’m doing,” Charlie started.
Danny chuckled. “Relax, Charlie. We know. Is that the newest gift?”
“Yeah. Um, two poems. I didn’t write them. I just…” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “It was stupid. I’ll just…I’m going to go get them. I’ll come back with something else later.”
Steve’s head turned as if something had caught his attention. “Better not. And if you don’t want Kono to catch you here, you’d better go out the back. Looks like she and Chin are back.”
Charlie glanced in the same direction, then almost ran out the way Steve indicated. When the cousins walked in a moment later, the other two members of Five-O were leaning against the computer table. Kono stopped at the sight and eyed them. “What did you break?” she asked. “No. Wait. What did Steve blow up before you could stop him?”
Steve straightened up from his slouch. “Hey!” he protested. “Who says I did it?”
“Who says?” Danny turned, fully prepared to start ranting at him. “Everyone says, babe. If something blows up and you’re in the vicinity, we’ve gotta check you first. For grenades if nothing else.”
“It was one time, Danny! Once! Are you ever going to let me forget that?”
“No!” the other three members responded as Kono headed towards her office. Chin watched in amusement as Danny and Steve jockeyed for position so they could both see.
“Did we have a visitor?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yeah,” Steve answered absently. He jerked a thumb in the direction of the back of the offices. “He went out the back way. Said it was two…” he trailed off as Kono obviously found the parchment on her desk. “Poems,” he finished.
Inside the office, Kono traced gentle fingers over the note that lay atop the parchment. I couldn’t decide which poem I wanted to share with you so I decided to give them both to you. And even if you don’t share my feelings of aloha right now. I’d like to think that you understand this is also the feeling of the islands and home and ohana. And I hope someday I’ll feel confident enough to tell you how I feel face to face. Once again, from someone who has always admired your strength and courage.
Setting down the note, she picked up the first poem and began to read; only pausing long enough to pick up the second as she realized that whoever this was knew her and knew her beloved islands.
What Is Aloha?
Aloha is a promise that the sun will shine again.
Bringing fresh hopes and dreams with
each new day that begins.
Aloha is the sunlight shining through the darkness.
Giving strength, to all we do.
Aloha is his grace walking in the sunlight.
Feeling the beauty of life. Aloha is his helping hand,
his warm and comforting voice. It is peace.
May it be with you forever and always.
Aloha is the mind, the heart, in perfect harmony.
It's tenderness and love, deep in the heart of Hawai'i.
Aloha is Hawai'i, Hawai'i is aloha.
Hawai'i is aloha ia 'oe, I love you -
Aloha ia 'oe hawai'i, I love you.
If You But Knew
If you but knew
How all my days seemed filled with dreams of you,
How sometimes in the silent night
Your eyes thrill through me with their tender light,
How oft I hear your voice when others speak
How you 'mid other forms I seek ~
Oh, love more real than through such dreams were true
If you but knew.
Could you but guess
How you alone make all my happiness,
How I am more than willing for your sake
To stand alone, give all and nothing take,
Nor chafe to think you bound while I am free,
Quite free, till death, to love you silently,
Could you but guess.
Could you but learn
How when you doubt my truth I sadly yearn
To tell you all, to stand for one brief space
Unfettered, soul to soul, as face to face,
To crown you queen, my queen, till life shall end,
My lover and likewise my truest friend,
Would you love me, dearest, as fondly in return,
Could you but learn?
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
“That’s. It!” Kono just stopped herself from slamming her bag down on her desk. "This has really gone on long enough. I don’t know who this guy is, but the anonymous gifts are just getting a little creepy.” Jerking her drawer open, she pulled a pair of gloves out and put them on.
She was searching for a print kit when Chin knocked on her door frame. “What’s all the noise, cuz?” he asked.
“You got a print kit?” she demanded.
He rolled his shoulders, not quite a shrug. “Probably in the car. Why do you need one?”
Kono pointed at the travel mug on her desk. “I’m printing that. And finding out who this…this…this…stalker is! Once and for all!”
Chin winced as she looked down to search through her desk again, but covered it up before she raised her head. “Did you ever think it might be someone who’s a little shy about approaching you?” he ventured.
“I think whoever it is needs to man up and approach me the right way because I might have been interested if he’d actually asked me out instead of sneaking around and leaving me gifts like a creepy stalker,” Kono snapped.
Chin blinked. “Okay. You’ve been spending too much time with Danny. What are you going to do about it?”
Kono finally gave up on her search and grabbed an evidence bag, dropping the cup inside. “I’m gonna take the cup over to Fong and have him print it. And attempt to not spill it on the way over there so I don’t ruin any prints.”
“Spill it?” he asked.
“It’s got a smoothie in it. Smells like mango pineapple.”
“Ah, Kono?” he called after her. “Isn’t that your favorite?”
“Yes. And it’s killing me that I can’t drink it for fear it’s poisoned,” she said with annoyance.
As soon as she was out of hearing, Chin grabbed his phone to warn Kono’s “stalker”. “Hey, it’s me. Kono’s on her way over with your latest gift. She still doesn’t know it’s you, but she’s on the warpath.”
For a minute there was nothing but stuttering on the other end, then Charlie finally said, “I can’t tell her! I-I-I can’t. I mean I will but. Just. Not yet.”
“Just talk to her, Charlie,” Chin told him before hanging up.
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Charlie winced at the dial tone that echoed in his ear and then quickly hung up the phone as Kono walked into the lab. “Hey,” he said. “Do you?” He coughed, clearly his throat. “Hi. Did you guys catch a case?”
“No.” Kono set the bag on the counter next to him. “Can you do me a favor? Print this? And run them? And don’t spill it, there’s liquid inside.”
“I don’t know if I can, Kono,” Charlie protested.
Kono edged a little closer, lowering her voice. “I know it’s asking a lot, Charlie. But whoever this guy is, he’s kinda been stalking me. I’m getting worried. I know I can take care of myself, but not if I can’t see him coming.”
“Do you really think he’s trying to hurt you? Maybe he’s just too shy to tell you how he feels,” Charlie suggested.
She considered the idea for a few minutes. “That might be it, but well, I’m not sure how I’d feel about someone like that. If he can’t face me and tell me how he feels, how’s he gonna feel if he has to deal with what I do?”
“Maybe he already knows and it intimidates him,” Charlie pointed out.
Kono sighed, fiddling with something on his desk. “Then I don’t see how it would ever work. If…” She broke off as her phone sounded. “Look just as soon as you can, okay?” Without saying good-bye, she headed out of the lab, answering her phone, “Kono.”
Charlie looked after her, trying not to break and call her name. “It’s not that simple,” he whispered.
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“Charlie.” Kono stopped as she reached her car and found the lab tech leaning against it. He straightened up as she arrived, fidgeting with something behind his back. “What are you doing here?” Her face lit up. “Did you get a chance to run those prints? Did you find out who’s been leaving me things?”
"In a way?" He shifted uncomfortably. "Could I talk to you for a minute?" Looking down at the ground, he took a deep breath. "Just. Give me a minute?"
Kono frowned but nodded. "Yeah of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Promise you'll hear me out? And won't run away? Or punch me?"
"Charlie, now you're starting to worry me. No I won't punch you though. I'd never."
"You asked me to print the travel mug left on your desk. I don't need to because I know who left it and the rest of the presents."
Kono crossed her arms. "I never told you where I found the mug."
"I know."
Her look turned to one of suspicion. "So how do you know where it was?"
"I know because I'm the one who put it there," he admitted.
Kono stared at him for a minute, her expression blank. “Charlie. I think it would be a good idea if you stepped away right now.”
“Kono, wait. Please listen to me.” He eyed her hands. “I didn’t know how to tell you. And it seemed like a good idea. And then it just sorta…spiraled. Then you came into the lab and you said the things you did. I wanted to tell you then, but you were so adamant about how you couldn’t like someone who couldn’t be upfront with you,” he trailed off. “I guess I just wanted you to know how special I thought you are. Think you are.”
“You know you could have just asked. Me. Out.” She shook her head. “Honestly men make things so complicated.”
A small smile peeked at the corners of Charlie’s lips at her comment. “I don’t have an answer to that. But.” From behind his back, he presented a lei; draping it around her neck when she bowed her head to him. “Kono Kalakaua, would you accompany me on a date on our next mutual evening off?”
He held his breath as she seemed to consider it. Just when he thought she was going to say no, she leaned towards him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’d be honored, Charlie Fong,” she told him.
Custom Surf Wax-Yes it really exists
And I got the poems from here:
What is Aloha?
If You But Knew
Characters: Kono Kalakaua, Charlie Fong, appearances by the other Five-0 members
Fandom: Hawaii Five-0
Series:
Written For: swing_set13
Prompt: wooing
Summary: Presents start appearing in Kono’s life and she’d like to know who they’re from, but the guys aren’t telling.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: none
Warnings: sappiness
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me and I’m not making any money off it. Neither of the poems belong to me either.
Author's Note: This is a birthday present (just a wee bit late) for swing_set13. And I’m sure I had a long involved author’s note to go with it…but I can’t remember what it was…so happy belated birthday sweetie. The other one(s) will be worked on soonish. I hope you’re feeling better! I remember what I was gonna say now...Thanks of course to illfindmyway/float_on_alright for her help with this! And the reason there's gonna be another one after this? Because I totally expected swing_set to pick a different fandom (after I told her I couldn't write Teen Wolf as well as she does!) and she picked Hawaii Five-0 NOT the fandom I expected her to pick...so I'd already started plotting that one and now I want to write it. So I'm gonna. And well there's a story that needs to be written first to lead up to that one...and yeah. Too complicated for tonight.
“Fong,” Chin greeted the trace tech with a touch of surprise as the younger man entered the main room of Five-Oh HQ. “Since when do you deliver results personally? Wait.” He tried to recall where things were with their current case. “Are we waiting on trace results?”
“Ah, no. I actually.” Charlie looked awkward for a minute. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” When Chin just stared at him, Charlie added, “Privately?”
“Sure.” Chin motioned towards his office, gesturing the other man inside and at his insistence, closing the door behind them. “Everything okay? No one’s bothering you, are they?”
“No. No one’s bothering me. Exactly.” Charlie glanced around, looking out into the main room and across at Kono who was laughing at something Danny had just said to her. “I need your help.”
Chin grinned in response. “What can I do for ya, brah?”
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Kono stared at the pyramid of blocks on her desk, the flower sitting innocuously on top of it, as if the wax was going to leap off her desk and attack her. Sang Min entering their HQ had put everyone on edge about strange occurrences. And if this wasn’t one…she didn’t know what qualified. Moving closer, she poked it tentatively; surprised when it didn’t topple over.
“Hey, Kono, Chin’s ready to go over the infor…what’s that?” Danny asked. He considered her pyramid for a minute, then picked up one of the blocks, causing Kono to grab for the orchid. “Kono’s Tropical Wax? What’s this, rookie?”
“If I had any idea,” Kono said dryly. “It was on my desk when I got here.”
Danny turned the block over in his hand. “So what is it?”
“Looks like sex wax of some type,” Kono answered. “A whole lotta sex wax.”
“Whooooa. It’s what?!”
Kono laughed, catching the block as Danny dropped it as if it had suddenly become scaldingly hot. “It’s for surfing, Danny. You put it on the surfboard. Do you pay any attention when I’m talking during your lessons?”
“I think I’d remember if you’d called something sex wax!” he protested.
Kono laughed at his shock. “Well, that’s one type. I don’t think we’ve actually used it. What did you come in here for anyway?”
“Oh. Yeah.” Danny jerked his thumb back towards the computer table. “Chin’s got everything set up and wants to go over it with us.”
“Let’s go then.” Kono dropped the bar of wax on her desk before motioning Danny towards the door. Anyone else she would just shove on their way, but not Danny. Mostly because she didn’t want to listen to his loud protestations as she pushed him. Right before she exited her office, she tucked the flower into the small vase on her table; hoping that none of her male co-workers noticed it.
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Kono groaned as she shifted through the papers on her desk once again. She could have sworn she left her holster on top of her desk, but now that she needed it, the leather was nowhere to be found. “Guys?” she called. “Has anyone seen my holster?”
“You know you don’t actually need it for the Kal Tech,” Steve said as he poked his head into her office. “We’re leaving in five,” he added.
“It’s not the Kal Tech one I’m missing,” she replied. “It’s my regular holster.”
Steve nodded towards her top drawer. “Check the desk.”
“I already…” Kono pulled the drawer open anyway, looking down as she continued to protest. “How did that…? Wait, boss, this isn’t my…” She pulled it out, the leather fitting easily in her hand. “This isn’t my holster,” she finished as she flipped it over and saw the KK branded into the other side of the leather.
“Looks to me like it’ll fit yours. And we need to move. Danny’s got the warrant and since I actually waited this time…” Steve trailed off, then knocked on the door jam. “Let’s move.”
Shrugging off the weirdness and deciding she’d figure it out later, Kono buckled the holster into place and shoved her S&W Ladysmith into place before following Steve out of the office. He was right, her gun fit perfectly.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
Kono's cut off yelp brought all three of her male coworkers running towards her, hands on their guns. Chin grabbed her by the shoulders as Danny peered inside her car, Steve using his height advantage to look over to top of the blonde's head. "I'm fine, Chin Ho," Kono assured him. "I was just startled."
Steve fished the black cylinder out of the front seat, holding it out to her. "It's a flashlight."
"It's not mine," she explained. "And I don't know how it got there."
"Did you leave the car unlocked?" Danny asked practically. "Is anything missing?"
Kono ducked her head inside, quickly scanning the interior. “No. No to both. It just…appeared.”
“It’s a flashlight,” Steve repeated. He flipped it, checking it out from all angles. “A really nice flashlight.”
Her hand darted out, grabbing the light as he flipped it around again. “Okay. Stop playing with it.” She handed it over to Danny. “What do you think?”
“It’s a flashlight,” Danny said slowly. “Why am I looking at it?”
“Because I trust you to check it and not play with it. You think it’s safe?” Kono replied.
“I think it’s fine, Kono,” he assured her. “And you did break yours at the warehouse…” he trailed off as she took it back. “We can have it tested if you think it’s dangerous.”
“No. I think I’m good. Good night, guys.” She stared at them until they drifted away. Once they were gone, she turned her attention to the flashlight. It fit nicely in her hand and was nicer than the one she’d broken. Tucking it away, she got into her car and headed away from headquarters, making plans for the night.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
Kono stretched her arms above her head, letting the waves buffet her a bit as she tried to decide if she had time to catch another wave before heading shoreward to get ready for work. Out of habit, she scanned the shore as she rested and was startled to see a dark haired man bending over her towel. From this distance she couldn’t really make out much…just dark hair and a lean body. She couldn’t see his facial features at all, but something about the turn of his body was familiar.
“Crap,” she spat and bent over her board, strong arms pulling her towards shore. There wasn’t really anything important by her towel; it was the principal of the thing. If he grabbed her towel, the worst that would happen was she’d have to walk to her car dripping. Not really a big problem in the Hawaii heat.
By the time she made it to shore, the man was long gone. It was too early in the morning for the tourists to be out and the really hardcore surfers were still out on the waves; not worried about a towel left lying on the sand. She tucked her board under her arm, making a run as best she could for the towel, wondering what surprise the man had left for her.
Slowing her pace as she got close, she approached it warily, figuring if she got near and it looked dangerous, she could run to her car to call it in. Instead she discovered an innocuous book. Reaching down, she carefully flipped it over, sitting back on her heels, reading the title Soul Surfer. A single finger allowed her to crack the cover and read the inscription, To the bravest woman I know. From someone who has always admired your grace and beauty.
“Now this is just getting weird,” Kono decided as she got to her feet.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
Charlie waved at Danny and Steve as he made his way through the command center of Five-O. The two men paused in their conversation, watching with interest as the younger man entered their rookie’s office, going around her desk and carefully set two parchments in the center of the desk. He stepped back, then reached forward and straightened them out before leaving the room.
Danny raised an eyebrow as the two men folded their arms almost in unison. “Do we need to run you in for stalking?” he asked.
“Well at least we know for sure where all Kono’s new stuff is coming from,” Steve added.
“Chin knows what I’m doing,” Charlie started.
Danny chuckled. “Relax, Charlie. We know. Is that the newest gift?”
“Yeah. Um, two poems. I didn’t write them. I just…” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “It was stupid. I’ll just…I’m going to go get them. I’ll come back with something else later.”
Steve’s head turned as if something had caught his attention. “Better not. And if you don’t want Kono to catch you here, you’d better go out the back. Looks like she and Chin are back.”
Charlie glanced in the same direction, then almost ran out the way Steve indicated. When the cousins walked in a moment later, the other two members of Five-O were leaning against the computer table. Kono stopped at the sight and eyed them. “What did you break?” she asked. “No. Wait. What did Steve blow up before you could stop him?”
Steve straightened up from his slouch. “Hey!” he protested. “Who says I did it?”
“Who says?” Danny turned, fully prepared to start ranting at him. “Everyone says, babe. If something blows up and you’re in the vicinity, we’ve gotta check you first. For grenades if nothing else.”
“It was one time, Danny! Once! Are you ever going to let me forget that?”
“No!” the other three members responded as Kono headed towards her office. Chin watched in amusement as Danny and Steve jockeyed for position so they could both see.
“Did we have a visitor?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yeah,” Steve answered absently. He jerked a thumb in the direction of the back of the offices. “He went out the back way. Said it was two…” he trailed off as Kono obviously found the parchment on her desk. “Poems,” he finished.
Inside the office, Kono traced gentle fingers over the note that lay atop the parchment. I couldn’t decide which poem I wanted to share with you so I decided to give them both to you. And even if you don’t share my feelings of aloha right now. I’d like to think that you understand this is also the feeling of the islands and home and ohana. And I hope someday I’ll feel confident enough to tell you how I feel face to face. Once again, from someone who has always admired your strength and courage.
Setting down the note, she picked up the first poem and began to read; only pausing long enough to pick up the second as she realized that whoever this was knew her and knew her beloved islands.
What Is Aloha?
Aloha is a promise that the sun will shine again.
Bringing fresh hopes and dreams with
each new day that begins.
Aloha is the sunlight shining through the darkness.
Giving strength, to all we do.
Aloha is his grace walking in the sunlight.
Feeling the beauty of life. Aloha is his helping hand,
his warm and comforting voice. It is peace.
May it be with you forever and always.
Aloha is the mind, the heart, in perfect harmony.
It's tenderness and love, deep in the heart of Hawai'i.
Aloha is Hawai'i, Hawai'i is aloha.
Hawai'i is aloha ia 'oe, I love you -
Aloha ia 'oe hawai'i, I love you.
If You But Knew
If you but knew
How all my days seemed filled with dreams of you,
How sometimes in the silent night
Your eyes thrill through me with their tender light,
How oft I hear your voice when others speak
How you 'mid other forms I seek ~
Oh, love more real than through such dreams were true
If you but knew.
Could you but guess
How you alone make all my happiness,
How I am more than willing for your sake
To stand alone, give all and nothing take,
Nor chafe to think you bound while I am free,
Quite free, till death, to love you silently,
Could you but guess.
Could you but learn
How when you doubt my truth I sadly yearn
To tell you all, to stand for one brief space
Unfettered, soul to soul, as face to face,
To crown you queen, my queen, till life shall end,
My lover and likewise my truest friend,
Would you love me, dearest, as fondly in return,
Could you but learn?
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
“That’s. It!” Kono just stopped herself from slamming her bag down on her desk. "This has really gone on long enough. I don’t know who this guy is, but the anonymous gifts are just getting a little creepy.” Jerking her drawer open, she pulled a pair of gloves out and put them on.
She was searching for a print kit when Chin knocked on her door frame. “What’s all the noise, cuz?” he asked.
“You got a print kit?” she demanded.
He rolled his shoulders, not quite a shrug. “Probably in the car. Why do you need one?”
Kono pointed at the travel mug on her desk. “I’m printing that. And finding out who this…this…this…stalker is! Once and for all!”
Chin winced as she looked down to search through her desk again, but covered it up before she raised her head. “Did you ever think it might be someone who’s a little shy about approaching you?” he ventured.
“I think whoever it is needs to man up and approach me the right way because I might have been interested if he’d actually asked me out instead of sneaking around and leaving me gifts like a creepy stalker,” Kono snapped.
Chin blinked. “Okay. You’ve been spending too much time with Danny. What are you going to do about it?”
Kono finally gave up on her search and grabbed an evidence bag, dropping the cup inside. “I’m gonna take the cup over to Fong and have him print it. And attempt to not spill it on the way over there so I don’t ruin any prints.”
“Spill it?” he asked.
“It’s got a smoothie in it. Smells like mango pineapple.”
“Ah, Kono?” he called after her. “Isn’t that your favorite?”
“Yes. And it’s killing me that I can’t drink it for fear it’s poisoned,” she said with annoyance.
As soon as she was out of hearing, Chin grabbed his phone to warn Kono’s “stalker”. “Hey, it’s me. Kono’s on her way over with your latest gift. She still doesn’t know it’s you, but she’s on the warpath.”
For a minute there was nothing but stuttering on the other end, then Charlie finally said, “I can’t tell her! I-I-I can’t. I mean I will but. Just. Not yet.”
“Just talk to her, Charlie,” Chin told him before hanging up.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
Charlie winced at the dial tone that echoed in his ear and then quickly hung up the phone as Kono walked into the lab. “Hey,” he said. “Do you?” He coughed, clearly his throat. “Hi. Did you guys catch a case?”
“No.” Kono set the bag on the counter next to him. “Can you do me a favor? Print this? And run them? And don’t spill it, there’s liquid inside.”
“I don’t know if I can, Kono,” Charlie protested.
Kono edged a little closer, lowering her voice. “I know it’s asking a lot, Charlie. But whoever this guy is, he’s kinda been stalking me. I’m getting worried. I know I can take care of myself, but not if I can’t see him coming.”
“Do you really think he’s trying to hurt you? Maybe he’s just too shy to tell you how he feels,” Charlie suggested.
She considered the idea for a few minutes. “That might be it, but well, I’m not sure how I’d feel about someone like that. If he can’t face me and tell me how he feels, how’s he gonna feel if he has to deal with what I do?”
“Maybe he already knows and it intimidates him,” Charlie pointed out.
Kono sighed, fiddling with something on his desk. “Then I don’t see how it would ever work. If…” She broke off as her phone sounded. “Look just as soon as you can, okay?” Without saying good-bye, she headed out of the lab, answering her phone, “Kono.”
Charlie looked after her, trying not to break and call her name. “It’s not that simple,” he whispered.
H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50 H50
“Charlie.” Kono stopped as she reached her car and found the lab tech leaning against it. He straightened up as she arrived, fidgeting with something behind his back. “What are you doing here?” Her face lit up. “Did you get a chance to run those prints? Did you find out who’s been leaving me things?”
"In a way?" He shifted uncomfortably. "Could I talk to you for a minute?" Looking down at the ground, he took a deep breath. "Just. Give me a minute?"
Kono frowned but nodded. "Yeah of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Promise you'll hear me out? And won't run away? Or punch me?"
"Charlie, now you're starting to worry me. No I won't punch you though. I'd never."
"You asked me to print the travel mug left on your desk. I don't need to because I know who left it and the rest of the presents."
Kono crossed her arms. "I never told you where I found the mug."
"I know."
Her look turned to one of suspicion. "So how do you know where it was?"
"I know because I'm the one who put it there," he admitted.
Kono stared at him for a minute, her expression blank. “Charlie. I think it would be a good idea if you stepped away right now.”
“Kono, wait. Please listen to me.” He eyed her hands. “I didn’t know how to tell you. And it seemed like a good idea. And then it just sorta…spiraled. Then you came into the lab and you said the things you did. I wanted to tell you then, but you were so adamant about how you couldn’t like someone who couldn’t be upfront with you,” he trailed off. “I guess I just wanted you to know how special I thought you are. Think you are.”
“You know you could have just asked. Me. Out.” She shook her head. “Honestly men make things so complicated.”
A small smile peeked at the corners of Charlie’s lips at her comment. “I don’t have an answer to that. But.” From behind his back, he presented a lei; draping it around her neck when she bowed her head to him. “Kono Kalakaua, would you accompany me on a date on our next mutual evening off?”
He held his breath as she seemed to consider it. Just when he thought she was going to say no, she leaned towards him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’d be honored, Charlie Fong,” she told him.
Custom Surf Wax-Yes it really exists
And I got the poems from here:
What is Aloha?
If You But Knew