A/N: Apologies if any of the Spanish is wrong. Blame the internet and my limited knowledge. 

Steven J McGarrett was back on the island. You'd known he would return when his father John was murdered, what you hadn't expected was for him to stay. He was in charge of a task force the governor had started to clean up the islands. It was something her and John had talked about often but had never done. You were supposed to have been in the middle of it. You had prepared to lead it. For years, under the direction of the governor, you accumulated a stockpile of items that could be used without having to involve the local departments.

There was dirt in those departments and it was buried deep. John McGarrett had been painfully aware of it and therefore had trusted very few. Chin Ho Kelly, the governor, a few select others. And you. Steve and you had been inseparable your whole lives. When you reached high school, the two of you started dating. When he left the islands you maintained a long-distance relationship, flying to see each other when you could.

That was until you were busted for conspiring to steal evidence. As soon as he found out about your arrest, Steve was finished with you. You tried to explain, but he never gave you the chance. That case had helped you discover two of the dirtiest cops on the force. They'd gone to jail and you'd been let go as they didn't have enough evidence to convict you. That was the story anyway. In truth, you were actually deep undercover. After he retired, John offered to call Steve and tell him the truth, but after the things the love of your life had said to you, you just wanted to let it go. Now, the only ones that could tell him the truth were you or Chin and Steve wasn't likely to believe a word you said if he even gave you the chance to talk.

You sighed. You were going to have to try whether you liked it or not. The governor all but ordered it since you had the goods for her new team. But you were going to need another day at least to build up your courage. Along with a hearty dose of liquor.

***

"We need cars. Fast ones," Steve said.

"We can requisition some from impound," Detective Danny Williams suggested.

"Oh, that's smart. Let's use cars taken from the same guys we're trying to set up. They won't recognize them surely." Officer Kono Kalakaua rolled her eyes. She was Chin's cousin and had recently graduated from the police academy. Chin had suggested recruiting her to the task force and Steve had agreed. The four of them made up the 5-0 taskforce.

"Okay, okay. This isn't helping. Any other ideas?" Steve glanced over at Chin. "What about you? You're being unusually quiet."

Chin leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I know how to get us what we need, but you aren't going to like it."

"If it will get us this bust, I'm fine with it. Do what you need to do," he instructed then went back to his desk. He'd been busy working on a list of things they needed for field work and operations. He kept adding to the list and taking things off. He wanted to make sure he got what he asked for so he was trying not to be greedy.

A few minutes later, Chin stood from his chair while looking at his phone. "All right. We need to meet my contact."

Steve looked at the others and they looked as surprised as he was at the speed of the response. "Let's go," he said as he led the way out of the office.

Danny and he followed behind Chin and Kono as they drove to a large warehouse in the middle of a rundown industrial district. They climbed out and Steve stood next to Chin as he looked up at the building. "Pretty run down, Chin. You sure this is the right place?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I've been here before with your dad." He glanced over at Steve. "Just be nice. All right?"

Steve frowned. "Since when am I not nice? I'm always nice."

Danny snorted beside him. "So, do we knock or what?"

"We beat her here I think." Chin glanced around the area. "There she is," he said a few minutes later, indicating a truck that was driving in their direction. The windows were too tinted for Steve to see inside which made him nervous, but if Chin trusted you, so would he.

***

You parked your truck and sighed as you looked over the group waiting for you. Anxiety swirled in your belly as you gave yourself a moment to study Steve. He'd only gotten more gorgeous since you'd last seen him. Not fair.

You took a breath, steeled your nerves and stepped out. "Aloha," you greeted.

Steve's face fell and your chest immediately went tight. You were fairly certain your heart was lodged somewhere in your throat. You swallowed past the lump and locked your eyes on your ex.

Anger contorted his features as he turned to Chin. "What is this?"

Chin lifted his brows as he glanced between you and his boss. "I told you that you weren't going to like it."

Your face heated and you turned from the two of them to head over to the door. You undid all three locks and let yourself in, flipping on the row of switches beside you as you stepped inside.

"I take it you two know each other," a blond male said as he followed you in.

You glanced past him to see Steve and Chin quietly arguing out front. You shifted your attention back to the blond and held out a hand as you introduced yourself.

"Detective Danny Williams," he said as he shook your hand. He tilted his head to gesture at the other two. "What's that about?"

"A misunderstanding." You moved away from him to walk through the rows of shipping containers that filled the warehouse. "Chin said cars, right? How many?"

"Two should do it," came the answer though he didn't sound entirely sure.

"Come on, Danny. Let's go," you heard Steve's voice bark. "There's nothing for us here."

Tears of anger flooded your eyes. You were tired of paying for a mistake you'd never made all because Steve was a stubborn asshole. "McGarrett." You stepped out so he could see you from the door. "You're going to listen to me for a minute whether you like it or not. I'm finished playing this game with you."

He stepped fully into the building and you saw Chin grin and give you a thumbs up as he stepped out and shut the door. Steve glanced back when he heard the door shut then turned to you, hands on his hips. "I don't need to listen to anything you have to tell me. You used me once. I won't let you do it again."

"I used you how? You think I dated you so your dad would trust me? Is that it?"

When he looked at the ground you knew you had guessed his feelings correctly. You narrowed your eyes as you looked him over. "And tell me, Steve, when you went home what did you find? A picture of me and your dad on the fridge? Feminine belongings in one of the guest rooms?"

His head jerked up in surprise.

You crossed your arms over your chest. "I had lunch with your father the day before he died. We talked nearly every day. Occasionally I crashed at the house." A tear ran down your cheek as you thought of the man who had meant so much to you. You laughed, but it was a bitter, angry sound. "He was the most important person in my life and I didn't go to his funeral because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Because he was your dad, not mine. And now you're here still acting like an ass when I'm just trying to do what he wanted."

The two of you stared at each other for a long stretch of silence. "Chin was kicked off the force because he was suspected of taking bribes. Did you know that?"

He nodded once, a tight movement. "I know. He didn't do it."

You knew he didn't, but you were trying to prove a point. "What makes you so sure?"

"My father trusted him. And he says he didn't do it. I believe him."

A new rush of anger went through you at his words. "Because you know him so well? John trusted me. But when I told you it wasn't what you thought you said the worst things to me. Do you remember what you said, Steve? Because I remember every word."

"What do you want me to say? That you're forgiven? That I'm over it? I'm sorry but I can't do that."

You dropped your head as more tears ran down your cheeks. Your heart ached but you didn't have it in you to make him see the truth. You didn't think you should have to try so hard. You walked over to him and held out the keys for the shipping containers. "There's a dot of color on the locks and the keys so you can match them up. It's all yours. The task force was supposed to be mine, but you took that, too. It's fine, though. Good luck."

You didn't look up the entire time you spoke and when he took the keys from you, you stepped past him to leave. He grasped your arm to stop you. You turned your head but did your best not to let him see you were crying. You didn't want him to know he still held that much power over you.

"What do you mean it was yours? You haven't been a cop for years."

You huffed a laugh and pulled out your badge, flipping it open so he could see. "Lieutenant, actually. Don't go spreading that around though. I have a reputation to uphold." You shook his hand off and walked outside.

Chin tried to stop you and you brushed him aside as you climbed in your truck. Once you were safely inside where no one could see you, you let yourself cry. You pressed a hand against your chest as if that would ease the ache though you knew better. You angrily wiped your tears away and pulled out your phone to call the governor.

***

Two days later you responded to a call for help from Chin. Danny and Steve apparently did not blend in as well with the local street scene as they thought they would. Idiots. You met Chin and Kono outside the warehouse where the other two officers were being held. "You call for backup yet?" you asked.

Chin just looked at you as he handed you an ear piece.

"I meant besides me, idiot." You secured the communications device in your ear.

Kono chuckled and smirked. "HPD is further back, waiting to move on our call. We didn't want to spook them."

You sighed. "Yeah. Stay here. I'll get them out."

"Are you sure about this?" Chin asked.

You adjusted your gun in the holster, making sure the strap was off so you could draw the weapon quickly. "If you would have just told me this is who you were after I could have walked you in the front door," you answered without looking at him. "Don't come in unless I shoot something." You held up a hand to tell them to stay while you moved around to the front of the building. You pounded on the metal door.

The thug that answered looked you over. "What do you want?"

Arching a brow, you frowned at the man. "I'm here to see Sam."

"Mr. Rivera is busy at the moment."

You made a small noise of agreement before drawing your gun and pointing it at his head. "Back up, dickless." He stepped back, hands up in a placating gesture. You followed him into the dimly lit building, shutting the door behind you.

"Must you always threaten my men, mi querida?"

The familiar voice brought a smirk to your face and you put your gun away before turning to face Samson Rivera—smuggler and street racer. Recently upgraded to kidnapper if Danny and Steve tied to the chairs on the other side of the room were any indication.

"Must they always be so rude?"

He crossed the room to take your face in his hands and kiss each of your cheeks. You had done your best to keep the man at a reasonable distance, but he made it clear that he wanted more from you than you had thus far been willing to give. You used it to your advantage every opportunity you could.

"It has been too long, mi reina. Why are you here?" You walked with him as he crossed back over to where the two members of the 5-0 were watching with careful eyes. "Gentlemen, you'll have to excuse me a moment. A more pressing matter has come up."

Steve's eyes narrowed and Danny shrugged. "I don't know about him, but I'm fine with waiting." You bit your cheek to keep from laughing at his tone.

You sighed and tilted your head to look Rivera over. Your relationship with this man had led you to some of the biggest busts of your career. It was a shame it was going to have to end. "I have it on good authority you are in possession of something I want Sam. I'm here to get it."

He laughed and spread his arms to the sides. "But of course. That is why you always return to me, is it not?"

Some of his men joined in his laughter. His laughter faded quickly as you sauntered over to him, hips swinging with each step. Heat flared in his eyes and he smiled. You ran one hand down his chest while the other reached for your gun, unobserved. Leaning forward, you let your eyes drift to Rivera's lips, convincing him you were about to kiss him. Instead, you spun him around, holding him to you with an arm across his chest while you pointed your gun at his head.

"Oh, Sam. Don't you know by now not to trust me? Guns down," you yelled to the room in general.

"Just calm down. Whatever it is that you want, I'm certain we can work something out," Rivera tried to defuse the situation.

"You better tell them to put their guns down, Sam. I'm kind of cranky today. I'm here for your guests."

"I'm afraid that is the one thing I cannot give you. They attempted to interfere in my affairs and I can't have that." Rivera's voice was cold now, all business.

You took your gun from his head and shot dickless in the shoulder before returning it to its original position. "Guns down, Sam. I'm not inclined to ask again."

"All right. All right. Put your guns down," Rivera instructed. "Put them down!" he repeated when his men didn't immediately move to comply. The last weapon had just hit the floor when Chin and Kono burst in, HPD trailing behind.

You arched a brow and Chin shrugged. "You shot something." He moved to release Danny and Steve and you shook your head.

"I'll get them. You take Sammy here." You shoved the criminal in his direction. "Sorry to be a disappointment, Rivera but you wouldn't have wanted a cop in the family anyway."

The choked sound he made had you smirking as you pulled out your pocket knife and cut Danny free. "Detective," you greeted as you worked.

He rubbed his wrists and nodded at you once he was loose. "I think you can call me Danny now. Thank you."

You nodded and jerked your thumb in Steve's direction. "Give me a minute, would you, Danny?"

He nodded and moved over to talk to Chin and Kono. You turned the empty chair so it was face to face with Steve's and sat in it.

"Are you serious right now?" Steve asked when you didn't move to release him.

"Did you have something you wanted to say to me? Chin said you might when he called to ask for my help."

"Why don't you cut me loose and we can talk about it?" he said with a sour expression.

You pointed the tip of your knife at him. "Why don't we talk about it and then I'll cut you loose?"

"Come on," he shouted as he tugged on his restraints. "Someone let me go."

"Sorry, boss. Busy," Chin responded from where he stood watching with Kono and Danny. HPD glanced over but left 5-0 to take care of themselves.

Steve turned back to you with a disgruntled expression. "You're loving this, aren't you?"

"A little bit."

"A little bit. Yeah," he mocked. He looked down as he sighed then looked back up to meet your gaze. "Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome, Steve. Was that all?"

"No. I should have believed in you from the beginning. I have no excuse other than I was an idiot. I'm sorry."

Relief and happiness flooded through you but you weren't letting him off that easily. You turned your head and cupped a hand behind your ear. "What was that?"

"I'm sorry." His voice was soft and you turned to meet his gaze.

His hazel eyes drew you in as they always had, the sincerity in them your undoing this time. "You suck, McGarrett," you said as you went behind him to cut his bindings.

"Why do I suck?" He sounded offended. "I apologized."

"I have no idea why you suck. Maybe you should do some deep soul searching for the answer to that question. As for why I think you suck, I had every right to be pissed at you for the rest of my life, McGarrett. I was prepared to visit you in the old folk's home and beat you with my cane. Then you went and said you were sorry. And you meant it, too. What kind of shit is that?"

He rubbed his wrists as he stood and turned to look at you with a smirk. "Sorry to ruin your plans, sweetheart."

"Whatever." You gave him a little wave. "I'll see you around, McGarrett."

His hand grasped your wrist and pulled you to a stop. "Hold on. I was kind of hoping you would join 5-0. I need people I can trust."

You shrugged and pulled away from him. "Maybe." Of course, you wanted on 5-0 but you were never one to make it easy on anyone. Especially Steve McGarrett.

"Maybe?" he shouted after you. "What kind of answer is that?"

The others fell into step with you as you passed them. You glanced over at Danny. "I have a question."

"Sure," he said with a smile.

"What's with the tie?"