“You never know who I ran into yesterday,” Danny said as he sipped his coffee and looked at his partner.
“Oh, please, you did not go and make things worse, did you?” Steve replied with an eye roll. “Seriously?”
“Me? Making things worse? Buddy, you’re lucky that I like you, but I’d never make things worse. In fact, she and I had a good talk.”
Steve’s good mood seemed almost to disappear immediately. “About?”
“Stuff. And you. She was surprised you’d given up and not accepted the challenge.”
He stared back at his partner, unsure of whether he should believe him or not. However far-fetched the thought may seem, so far, Danny had been fairly accurate in calling her responses. “So what are you saying? Because I’m about a hundred levels of confused. I’m told to back off, and I do, and now it sounds like it was wrong to do that? What kind of game is she playing?”
Danny shrugged as he took another sip of his coffee. “She’s actually very nice.”
“Nice? Yes, I thought so too until she had HPD pay me a visit for harassment,” Steve blinked. “She had to have said something to you to get you to change your mind about her. I mean one minute you were on the crazy train, and now you’re ready to be best buddies with her. What is it?”
“Nothing,” he laughed. “It’s just that you two are a lot more alike than I originally thought. But seriously, she was quite disappointed that you hadn’t accepted a challenge. Believe me, if she thinks you’re harassing her, she will have her ways to dispose of your body, and we’d only learn of your death maybe 50 years from now.”
Steve let out a laugh and shook his head. “Somehow I doubt that, but it does make me interested to find out just who she knows. NCIS is strictly a civilian service, but I know it does have its reach,” he admitted as he eyed his partner. “I know I haven’t seen her around the area in awhile, so she had to have been holed up on the base. You think her case stalled?”
Danny nodded. “She told me that they’d picked up more cases because the bad guys don’t quit but yeah, it’s not going anywhere, and she doesn’t like it much.”
“That’s strange because that day outside the mother’s house, didn’t she look spooked herself about something? She came running out of there on that phone like she saw a ghost,” he reminded him.
“Well then, why won’t you go over there with some coffee and food and ask her how she’s doing on the case, seeing as we told her we’d be investigating as well, which we didn’t, but you want to help where you can.”
Steve stopped and considered the suggestion, debating on the risks of such a move. “You believe she won’t actually do anything after last time? That was low of her if it was a prank.”
Danny sighed. “I don’t know, go over there and wave a big white flag, be there in an official capacity and willing to help her out.”
He stood from his desk, putting his things away and tucking tools into his pockets. Flashing an annoyed look over at the man, he pointed at him. “If this goes south, I’m blaming you. I was here ready to let this go because I was under the impression that’s what she wanted. You got that?”
“She needs help with her case. Maybe her suspect is in the wind? You’re an excellent tracker, and you know the island better than anyone. Offer your services.”
“Let’s just see how her seeing my face goes first, okay? Not getting kicked off the base would be a good first or second start,” Steve snapped as he stormed out of the office, grumbling under his breath about difficult women and partners.
On his way to the naval base, he stopped at the Rainbow Drive-In to get a couple of loco mocos as a peace offering, as Danny suggested. He only hoped that the man was right and she didn’t mind his company as he had thought that morning he showed up for that run.
As he drove up to the gate and gave his name and area to visit, it took a little longer than usual for clearance. Even after showing his 5-0 badge. When the guard returned, he directed him over to another area of the yard that was certainly not NCIS.
“What is this about?” He asked the officer, growing more annoyed at the NCIS Agent by the moment.
“My apologies. Agent Mikaelson asked that we arrange for an ID and vehicle pass for you as she anticipated your representation of your agency visitation regularly so that you would not have to go through the visitor checks. Is there a problem sir?”
He blinked in surprise. “No, no, there’s no problem,” he scratched himself on the head, feeling like an idiot right now.
The process was quick, and before long, he had his badge for the base and on his way into the NCIS office. He was eying it as he made his way to her area, still confused as he looked for the familiar face. “Knock, knock?” He called out. She hadn’t been kidding when she had said she was going to redecorate. To be fair, it looked a lot cleaner and welcomed for some reason.
“Can I help you, sir?”
Steve looked at the blonde male and realized that she had gotten a team together as well. Good for her. “Uh yeah, I’m Commander Steve McGarrett, I’m here to see your boss.”
Recognition set in, and the guy grinned. “Yeah. She just stepped out to see what’s going on down at the lab. Supposedly a new lab tech came in that she hadn’t known about and she wasn’t too happy to hear about it without knowing one was coming. I mean, another one, we already had two.”
He couldn’t hold back his light laugh as he knew he wouldn’t be happy himself if he found out he had new staff that he hadn’t previously approved. Hell, he already had been and done that chapter.
Not long after, Myriam came back into the office, on the phone to someone. “Seriously, we already had two; we didn’t need another. Damn straight they’re up to the job! I don’t know what we’re gonna do with the spare one, but we already have two!” She then sighed. “Sir, I know you mean well, but I’m sending him back,” she then saw Steve and disconnected the call. “It’s about time you showed up.”
“I didn’t know I was late,” he replied, glancing at her team, finding the one familiar one in the back with a smirk as he turned back to his computer. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Sure,” she shrugged as she pointed to an empty chair. “Sit. Talk.”
He chuckled and rubbed his jaw as he set the bag he had down, eyeing her in the process. She still largely baffled him, intriguing him so much which bothered him at the same time. “You don’t make things like this easy for anyone; you know that, right? You doing okay here?”
Myriam crossed her arms, glaring at him for a moment and nodded. “Sure. Yeah, we’re doing fine. I don’t know what you mean by that though.”
“I asked about you, not your team.”
“I’m doing fine, just like my team,” she replied. “What can I do for you?”
“Danny paid me a visit this morning, and told me some things…” he started, carefully watching her in case he had been lead on. “I don’t know if what he said was true or not. If it was, I brought some lunch from a popular place. If not, then I’m sorry, and I’ll leave…”
Myriam blinked at the behavior of the Commander. “Who got your balls all twisted? No, wait, ripped off?”
“You kinda did when you sent HPD to my office for harassment,” he pointed out with a raised brow. “While I appreciate making it off the books and unofficial, that shit was a dirty play.”
“No means no and what you did was harassment. It’s not like I show up at your doorstep to go for a run, do I?”
Steve stared back at her for a moment before nodding, understanding her checkmate. “Okay, I got it. Truce? I brought loco moco.”
Myriam nodded. “Thank you. But for some reason I don’t think you’re here for lunch,” she said before looking around and noticed that her team and found someplace else to be. Chickens.
Steve smirked as he took notice of what had her attention. “Subtle group you got yourself. Mine is about the same. Waking a butterfly with a sledgehammer. And I suppose not. I guess I hoped the food might be a decent icebreaker for who seems to be the island’s new ice princess.”
“Funny,” she smiled as she held out her hand to receive the container. “What’s loco moco then?”
He passed hers over and watched. “It’s a combination of this and that. Eggs, rice, burger. As I said, it’s really popular but good.”
Myriam opened it and looked at the messy concoction for a second. “What if I told you that I was a vegetarian?”
“I’d probably say you’re full of shit because I know you’re from New Orleans and that place is full of food that while I’m sure you’d find vegetarian options, the authentic and classic dishes of the city will have some meat or fish in it,” he winked. “It’s messy but edible, trust me.”
She huffed and poked around with it with her fork for a moment and decided to dare to take a bite. It wasn’t bad; she had to admit that. Some local cuisines made her stomach churn, but this wasn’t one of them.
“So, how are things going for you here? You settling in okay on the island?” He tried for small talk.
Myriam stopped chewing, swallowed as she narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re wondering how I’m doing with the first case that fell into my lap after I got here. No, I didn’t find the person responsible for Tesla’s death. All the other cases are easily solved, this one has a tie to something else.”
Steve played with his fork as he stared at her, nodding. “I hear that, but it was a genuine question. Whether you like us at my office or not, you’re welcome to call us for help anytime. We don’t want to hold grudges or anything. And just because the NCIS on this Island wasn’t up to snuff, we don’t want to get in your way. I’m happy you’re getting the cases done. It’s cut out load down from our others, but if you hit a snag, maybe another set of eyes can help. We know the island better than anyone. And it doesn’t hurt to ask for help when you need it. I know this because that’s been beaten into me by my team. Literally. Danny can tell you stories, and he would gladly spill dirty details if you ask.”
She let out a breath as she opened a drawer and retrieved a case file before plopping it on her desk. “Tesla had a girlfriend who got him into trouble. Said, girlfriend, cause a lot of trouble over in New Orleans and I’ve found no trace of her after his death. Drugs may be involved or bad investments.”
Steve set his to-go tray aside and wiped his hands before picking up the file and looking through it. His eyes flashed up at the familiar name he recognized from his background check on the agent in front of him before continuing to read what she had. “I can say she’s likely still on the island. Probably trying to find herself some connections with smugglers to get off but there aren’t many left as we put away the biggest one years ago.”
Myriam nodded. “That’s what I thought, so I had Shep interview anyone that’s left, or at least that we know of is a smuggler or was one, to see if he could find answers or at least spook them enough not to deal with Parsons. He came up empty.”
“Did you try Kamekona?”
“Who?”
He couldn’t help but give her a big, warm smile. “You up for a field trip? I just wouldn’t eat anymore if that’s the case.”
She set down her food and opened another drawer to get her gun and badge. If Steve thought this Kamekona could be useful in this case, she was going to grab the idea with both hands. “Sure, take me for a ride.”
Steve tried not to choke on his bottle of water but kept his mouth shut as he followed her out. He couldn’t help but shake his head as he stared at her, wondering even more about her now and if her choice of words was accidental or intentional.
~o.O.o~
“You took me to a Shrimp Truck?”
“Yes,” Steve said as he sat down with her at a table. “Don’t worry, just enjoy the view until he’s got time for us.”
Myriam was still extremely confused as she looked around, but a little familiar with the area as she was there that one morning not long ago. Just further down the beach where she sat with Danny and caught her brother with the surfing instructors. She was still annoyed with Cole and made a mental note to sabotage some of his personal products. “So what do you know about this guy that is supposed to have information that might help?”
“He’s been a good friend of mine for many years, and his information is usually reliable. My former colleague roped him in as a CI to help investigate my father’s death. Kamekona has eyes and ears everywhere. There’s no doubt that he picked something up about Parsons if she’s truly one of the worst that’s walked the grounds on Hawaii in a while,” Steve replied as he nodded to the truck. “Best shrimp truck on the Island. He even serves Jambalaya shrimp and Danny’s favorite are the garlic shrimp.”
She turned to look at the menu, a little more intrigued but cautious. “I’d be more skeptical about his information if he is so friendly with LEOs out in the open like this if his past was that connected. Surely people know he’d be a snitch by now.”
“He’s been beaten the crap out of, yes, so he has hired his own security. They’re so good; you don’t see them,” Steve replied. “Trust me; he’s still got the information.”
“Right,” she nodded, still amused and entertained by the story. “Well, if anything, I’ll have an interesting day to come back from.”
“Steve! My brother!” Kamekona greeted him with a big friendly smile on his face. “And a friend! Welcome to Hawaii! What can I get you, two fine people? A t-shirt? Food? Shave ice?”
“Hey Kamekona,” Steve greeted him back with an equally big smile. “We’re here for some food, and a bit of information,” he said as he nodded towards Myriam. “That’s Special Agent Myriam Mikaelson, NCIS.”
Kamekona’s smile faltered as he looked around and scratched the back of his head. “Shoot, man. I dunno. I know NCIS been sniffing around and asking shit but I dunno if I wanna get involved in that mess, you know?”
“Just tell her what you know or may not know about Tesla and his girlfriend.”
“That’s just it; I don’t know much of anything. Only that the new face you all are looking for is haole and no joke. Lots of peoples are going dark not to have to deal with her,” he shrugged. “Two guys that I used to run with were shot by her when they refused to get what she wanted.”
Myriam sighed and looked out towards the water. “Sounds about right. You wouldn’t have any idea of where she might be hiding? That’s all I need.”
“If you buy some food, I’ll have some time to ask for a direction,” Kamekona replied. “I know that Steve likely wants his regular, what would you like?”
She looked back at the menu board on the truck and shrugged. “I guess I’ll risk it and try the jambalaya shrimp. God forgive me.”
Kamekona smiled widely and nodded. “Good choice, good choice. I’ll be back shortly.”
Myriam leaned into the table and hissed at Steve. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I? I’m going to hold you personally responsible if I get sick after this trip.”
Steve barked out a laugh as he saw his friend walk back into the truck. “Nah, his food is good, I promise,” he replied. “You know, you still haven’t answered my question. Are you settling in well?”
She gave him a withering glance and shrugged. Not sure about going into as much as she had with Danny. “I suppose as well I could give the circumstances. The local food hasn’t been easy to adjust to, clearly,” she admitted as she looked back towards the truck. “My brother hired a cook so that we had more meals like at home which has been a godsend otherwise we probably wouldn’t eat.”
“What? You don’t cook?”
“When would I have time to cook? My job keeps me very busy, and we’ve grown up with cooks so,” Myriam shrugged. “I prefer to stay at home anyway.”
“Is it that you are just in the habit of not cooking or you really don’t know how?”
“I really don’t know how. I can burn water,” she replied with a shrug. “I don’t mind.”
He wasn’t sure how to respond to that considering he and Danny were planning on opening a restaurant of their own soon. “Huh. Do you want to learn?”
“Maybe, I don’t know. My brother has ideas of bringing New Orleans to Hawaii so I don’t see why I should.”
“Cooking could be therapeutic, fun,” Steve suggested. “But you know, you can’t always depend on your brothers. What if they find someone and choose to leave?”
“I never depended on them until they got back into my life. And cooking is tedious.”
Steve nodded and smirked, sitting back. “Did you have a three-inch binder full of take-out menus?”
Myriam shook her head and smiled. “No. It’s called a cellphone with delivery apps at the touch of a finger. Modern technology.”
“Ah, of course. But seriously, cooking isn’t tedious; it’s fun. You should come by one night; we’ll do some cooking. Have a beer.”
She canted her head and smiled. “See that wouldn’t work. I’m a wine drinker so I’d have to pass on the beer.”
“Then I’ll get you some wine instead, no big deal.”
“You are determined, aren’t you?” she questioned, both confused and a little unnerved as most of her previous attempts at dating had been her pursuits that ultimately failed.
“It’s not a date. It’s hanging out. I’ll even invite Danny, and you can bring your brothers.”
The idea and suggestion of her brothers soured her as she stared back at him, unsure even more. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it,” she replied as she still hadn’t heard back from his partner if he’d come up with anything on her own brother’s activities.
He noticed the slight sour look on her face when he mentioned her brothers. “Everything okay between you and your brothers?” He asked carefully.
“It’s fine,” she let out a breath and shook her head. “It’s me. Not them.”
Steve hummed. “You need to find yourself a Danny.”
She shook her head and sighed. “I am not a big fan of getting close to coworkers and all. Tends to find trouble in the long run and that was what you sort of walked into today when you arrived at the office.”
“The higher-ups sent you someone you didn’t request or vet?”
She nodded. “My ex-boyfriend, he’s CIA. He offered himself up to help out in our lab after I had to fire the tech weeks ago.”
“Ouch.”
“So yeah, I have my brothers, an ex, who, while it wasn’t ended on bad terms, still makes things awkward, and this bitch I need to find because, yes it’s personal,” she rambled. “She tried killing the guy that got my brothers and me away from my family. I want her -”
“Then I’m offering my services to help you get what you want,” Steve said seriously as he looked at her. “Two agencies know better than one, and we’re all a family on this Island, whether you’re a haole or not.”
“Shrimp!” Kamekona announced as he set down the food in front of McGarrett and Myriam, accompanied with some drinks. “I hope you enjoy. Do read the note on the napkin,” he winked at Myriam with a smug look on his face. “But eat, first.”
“Thanks,” Myriam said as she grabbed her wallet to pay for the food, but Kamekona refused.
“Your first meal with my brotha? It’s free,” he winked again before tending to his other customers.
She then looked at Steve and nodded. “I’m sorry… I’m just used to do everything by myself; it’s difficult to-”
“Trust?”
“Pretty much,” she sighed. “Doesn’t come easy in my family.”
“Want me to call Sam Hanna to vouch for me?” He lightly asked as he tucked into his shrimp.
Myriam let out a chuckle. “He’d tell you that I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him.”
“He’s huge! How can a tiny person like you throw him far?” Steve laughed.
“I don’t,” she smiled and was about to add something else when the sound of an explosion was heard only miles away, but they could still see the mushroom top of the smoke cloud from where they sat. “That’s coming from the base…”
Steve grabbed their things, not forgetting Kamekona’s note and tugged on her hand. “Don’t think about it. Come on. Let’s go to work.”