I am absolutely feral for Simon, and Steve is 100% the kinda guy to have friends (well he doesn't think of them as friends because Steve doesn't have friends, but Danny is working on that with him) all over the world, and if they need help? He's got your back :)
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They all drive on the wrong side of the road here.
It's the first thing Simon thinks when he steps out of the airport, duffel bag readjusted as he scans the cars coming in and out of the pick up zone. The heat isn't as suffocating as it was back home, the Australian almost wondering if he was going to need some sort of sweater when a silver camaro pulls up just in front of him.
"Always on time eh?" The taller man who piles out of the car just chuckles, moving to help scoop up the other bags piled behind where Simon had been standing up and into the luggage rack attached on top.
"Pretty sure my commanding officer would appear from thin air if I wasn't."
"Probably not, but thanks all the same, McGarrett."
"Don't mention it. Come on, my place isn't far and you look like you need a day to just blackout."
"Tell me about it mate." Simon climbed into the passenger seat, sinking back with a relieved groan. "Forgot how much I hate flying."
"Well, you're not going anywhere anytime soon, so no more worries for now." The SEAL slipped back into the driver's seat after making sure everything was secured, and soon the duo were driving out and into the island after some minor traffic.
"Mate, the pictures you've sent don't do this place justice." Simon whistled, taking in the area while digging out his phone to take a short video. Steve just smiled to himself while turning on the radio, the occasional crow from the Aussie beside him breaking the amicable silence between them.
"Do you mind if I swing by work to grab something real quick?" Finally distracted with taking videos and pictures, Simon glanced over with a shrug.
“I’m not bitin’ to go anywhere, s’long as we can get some brekkie afterwards.”
“It’s 14:00, but I know a few people who can hook you up, my treat.”
“That’ll work.” Simon’s back popped a little bit as he stretched, eyeing some of the older buildings with an interested hum. The police department they pull up to is no different, Steve pausing for a moment when Simon got out alongside him. “Need to stretch is all.”
“C’mon, you can meet the gang.”
“Is your Danno bloke there?” Simon grinned, catching the way Steve’s head jerked in surprise. “What?”
“He’s not my Danno…” The SEAL grumbled as they headed up and into the building, the Aussie eyeing the station up and amused to find it wasn’t too different from his own once you stepped inside. Desks from 1975, coffee machines that barely ran as such, and desk chairs that probably needed to have been thrown out ages ago, Simon shakes his head in amusement as Steve takes him into an area that was finally part of modern times. He can see a small group huddled around some sort of central monitor station, a shorter blonde man waving his arms around while he explains something Simon can’t quite catch until they’re within range.
“Did I miss something?” Steve interrupted the blonde, who shot him an annoyed look before catching sight of Simon.
“Yes you did, and who is this?” The accent made Simon smile a bit, and he stepped forward with a wave.
“You’re Danno right?” The look Danno shot Steve would have sent just about anyone running, but the other just smiles a bit before heading for his office while pulling out his phone.
“Detective Danny Williams. So, c’mon, name.” Danny waved for Simon to speak, clearly sizing the Aussie up. Simon doesn’t get a chance to open his mouth before the woman beside Danny nudged his side hard enough to make the Jersey detective grunt.
"Before he hogs all the attention, I'm Officer Kono Kalakaua." Kono grinned, offering a hand to give Simon a firm handshake. "And that's my cuz Chin."
"Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly." The men across the table gave a small wave, and Simon clocked him as probably one of the calmer team members. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, I've heard only good things about you lot." Simon waved back, aware that Danny was still staring at him. "Detective Senior Constable Simon Joyner, nice to meet ya.” Simon flashes his biggest smile, and the grumpy blonde softens just a fraction.
For a moment blonde hair turns black, pale skin sunkissed, and Simon can let himself be selfish for a moment before the familiar image fades in the blink of an eye.
“Fancy title, but nice to see another cop ‘round here. Four of us might finally outrank the super SEAL, which I’m curious to know exactly how you know him?” Danny crossed his arms as he leaned back against the monitor, the movement more relaxed rather than cautionary.
“Uh, well I nearly ran over ‘im when he and some of his buddies were celebratin’ something.” Simon let out a slightly embarrassed laugh, noting quite a few eyes looking over at Steve in his office, the man looking slightly confused at all the looks as he spoke on the phone. “Stevie remembered me, tracked me down somehow, and treated me to drinks as thanks for making sure he and his lot got back to their hotel.”
“Stevie? Since when can anyone call him Stevie, because I sure as hell can’t call him Stevie.” Danny complained, earning a few chuckles from the other two who had been watching most of this in amusement.
"Didn't know he was one of them fancy American soldiers, and we just kept in touch after that." Simon hummed, stretching a little bit with a slight wince.
"So are you visiting then?"
“Uh, sorta?” Simon shrugged, “Always been meanin’ to catch up with Stevie, and nows a time as any.”
“In the middle of the holiday season?” Chin asked, and luckily Steve exited his office before Simon could squirm in discomfort.
“Simon, I’m ready to head out if you are.” The Aussie nodded, noting some files tucked under Steve’s arm. “Call if you guys need me.”
“Will do, now off with you.” Danny made a shooing motion. “Poor kid looks like he’s about to drop.”
“‘M not a kid…” Simon groused, but gave a cheerful wave as he and Steve headed back to the car, fighting back a few yawns. The island state was beautiful enough to keep the Australian alert enough as they eventually pulled to the stop outside a modest little home, Simon pilling out and glancing around with a low whistle.
“You’re set up here mate.”
“It’s nothing special.” Steve shrugged, grabbing the carry-on luggage. “I’ve got the guest bed set up, room has an attached shower.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Simon grabbed whatever was left before following Steve inside, figuring he’d get the rest of his stuff later. “You lot need to worry about spiders here?”
“Uh a little bit, not as bad as what you’re used to.” Steve watched as Simon set his shoes upside down by the door before scanning the floor, quietly glad they didn’t have as much deadly wildlife here at home. The guest room was a decent size, the queen bed dressed with fresh sheets and a newly assembled set of dressers tucked in the corner. “If we need more let me know, and I’ll go pick up an extra set.”
“Nah I can make it work, this is too much already mate.” Simon dumped his backpack on the bed, clearly blown away by the generosity.
“Hey, I get it.” The meaning hung heavy in the air as Simon kept his eyes on the floor, and was glad that Steve was not one to press. “Need a drink or anything?”
“No, I’m fine.” He manages to scrounge up a strangled thing of a smile, and Steve places the two suitcases he’d carried in by the door before vanishing without a sound, the door closing with a soft click. Simon wastes no time pulling out a fresh set out lounge clothes and his travel bag before retreating to the bathroom.
The warm water did it’s job washing away the weariness of travel, and for a good minute Simon looks out the window that slowly fogs up, the crashing waves a small comfort. It’s not like back home, not the same sounds of Bondi that had filled many a happy afternoon, not what he heard with a certain kis-
Simon curses and flicks the water so it’s cold, and the sea vanishes behind the condensation as he finishes his shower and shuts the water off. He’s trembling a little when he dries off and slips on his comfort clothes, throwing his phone to charge on the bedside table before crawling under the sheets.
The waves are the last thing he hears before exhaustion finally takes hold, a blinding smile flashing in his mind's eye before Simon drifts into a dreamless sleep.
The whole money exchange scene was very eerie feeling and then the moment with the guy and the gun actually HAPPENED and Duncan got shot and Jen SCREAMED the way I wanted to scream and anyway Duncan is fine but the whole time I was thinking THEY CAN'T HURT DUNCAN AGAIN THIS IS ONE OF ARIEL'S FAVORITE EPISODES
