Finishing the op and finally realising it was over Steve looked out onto the Montana scenery and looked at the love of his life sat on a log with her back to him. He was tired, wounded and grieving so couldn't even lie to himself that she wasn't. He had loved having her back in his crew the last few days and didn't want to say goodbye just yet. Picking up a blanket from beside the door he walked towards her as the sun was starting to set and draped it around her shoulders, dropping onto the log beside her.
"Thanks Sailor" Catherine said giving her an easy smile "not quite Hawaii here, it's beautiful but starting to get chilly... you sure you won't be the one needing the blanket" slipping back into their easy banter had never been the problem, with them it was always those words that were left unsaid that left room for doubt. Keeping up with her quips Steve draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her under his arm and closer to his chest "I'll just have to use you to keep warm then!" His smile showing he was joking but neither pulled away and as Catherine rested her head on his heart and he put his chin on the top of her head, they both relaxed into the half hug and neither seemed to want to pull away, content in the innocence of the gesture but also in the comfort that they both needed after the revenge mission Steve had been on for the last week.
Harry Langford and Danny walked back into the main room of Joes house with Junior discussing the events of the last few days. Nodding outside the window where Steve and Catherine sat Harry commented "That's Steve's girl then, I wasn't sure at first but she turned me down flat... she sure is a force to be reckoned with, the way she handled herself she's impressive" Danny's grunt and shoulder shrug made Harry raise his eyebrows and question "you don't like her?" Danny, ever the protector quickly said "Catherine's Ohana but it would just be better if she stopped playing spy games and came home" Harry still not really understanding Danny's reasoning said "well I for one am glad that someone that badass is out there saving the world rather playing house with McGarrett, will make me sleep easier at night, what is their story anyway?"
Junior gave up all pretence of not listening at that as he had met Catherine once before this week but had never really asked Steve what the story was and Lou had just said to him and Tani that they use to date but he didn't really know anything more, her being his first call after Joes death indicated there must be more to it than something casual.
With the three of them looking out the window at Steve and Catherine watching the sunset with him arm around her Danny began.
"As far as I can establish they've known each other for about 20 years. Both of them were in the navy so they weren't always together but never saw other people, then Steve settled on the island and eventually Catherine retired from the navy and moved to the island. They were happy for like a second. Then things went wrong from there really, she set up a business with a friend and he got killed on one of their first ops, they then went to Afghanistan to rescue a boy Cath knew and Steve got captured by the Taliban, she ended up staying for a while, she came home and Steve was going to propose but instead she joined up with the CIA and here we are now both of them still in love but she's off doing her thing and he's left behind, can't actually move on but won't ask her to stay". Both Harry and Junior are surprised by the magnitude of the relationship but not that they are both still in love, whilst they were both professionals the last few days it was clear that there was more to their relationship than the "old friend" she had been introduced as.
"It's just he's his best self around her, he's more human, just a message from her can have him smiling all day, I've never seen anyone else make him smile like she does. That's where the resentment comes from, it would just be better for them both if she came home but she has the same damn saviour complex as he does" Danny had run out of steam and Harry and Junior nodded in understanding, appreciating that everyone needs someone.
After sitting and watching the sunset in silence, Catherine still comfortably tucked into Steve's chest Catherine broke the silence "when are you going to head back?" "I'm not sure, was thinking of staying a few days, sorting out some bits here, I guess I'm the closest thing Joe had to family, what about you, when are you due back?"
Mustering the courage Catherine asked tentatively "I could stay and help if you want, if it won't cause too many problems with Lynn?" Quickly Steve responded simply as if she should know "Lynn and I arnt seeing each other any more" "oh Steve I'm sorry what happened, are you ok?" Steve reflecting on Joes talk of love not passing him by realised this was his opening, he needed to put something out there before she slipped away again "she wasn't you Cath, no one is ever you, I'm still in love with you and always will be"
Steve's confession took her breath away, after everything that had happened over the last few years she never expected to hear him tell her he loved her. Tucking her head back into his chest she felt centred and knew she was finally in exactly the right place "I'll stay and help then." Taking a beat she confirmed "and just incase there is any confusion I'm still in love with you too" For anyone watching after twenty year this was the first time they had both declared their love other than on the phone in Afghanistan or when she said it when she was leaving but for Steve and Catherine they just stayed still, the power of the words soaking in but not yet ready to go further and talk about what that would mean for the future.