**** I want to give a special thanks to Shirik40 for providing me with the idea for this story – I hope you like it ! ****

'The question is, why did she let him go….'

Danny's words echoed in Steve's head as he downed his seventh beer in less than two hours.
"Danno, you're not keepin' up with me?"
"No partner I'm not. One of us needs to be able to drive home"
"I'm fine"
"Sure you are. Are you ready to talk yet?"
"What do you want me to say Danny?"
"Do you have any idea as to what your Mother was thinking?"
"Doris…..her name is Doris"
"So she's back to being Doris now, not Mom?"

That comment hurt, and Danny knew it, "Hey, I'm sorry buddy"
"No…no you're right. I don't even know her anymore Danny. I can't imagine why she would let him go, I've got no fucking idea. Wo-Fat told me that I may not like the answers I got if I found Shelburne…..oh God Danno…..what is she keeping from me?"

Danny shook his head, "I don't know Steve. All I know is she shows up after twenty years and she expects you just to open your arms and welcome her back no questions asked?"

Steve slammed the empty bottle down onto the table and struggling to maintain his composure he said, "Let's get the hell out of here Danny"
Steve stumbled exiting the booth and with Danny directly behind him they left the bar. As they moved towards the Camero Steve dug the keys from his pockets and handed them to Danny.

As he drove towards Steve's house Danny's anger grew. He hated Doris McGarrett. Well, maybe 'hate' was a little strong, but he certainly hated what she was doing to Steve. Twenty years ago her actions had brought devastation to a fifteen year old boy and now she just shows up and acts like all should be forgiven? He hadn't trusted her from the beginning but Steve was happy and because Steve was happy he kept his feelings to himself. But he absolutely refused to let Doris stroll back into Steve's life simply to destroy him again, no fucking way. HOW DARE SHE? Who in the hell did she think she was to do this to him? He glanced over at his drunken partner and he hurt. He hated seeing those he loved hurt and Doris was hurting Steve again and he didn't even know if she realized it. The men didn't talk at all during the ride home and as soon as they entered the house Steve headed directly to the fridge grabbing two beers and heading outside. Danny followed him down to the water's edge and as he sat in a wooden deck chair Steve handed him a beer.

"Nah, I'm good brother"
Steve's speech slurred as he spoke, "Come on Danno. You don't have to drive anymore tonight. Have a few"
Without speaking Danny took the beer and cracked it open.

They sat silently for several minutes before Steve spoke, "Something's not right Danno. I can't put my finger on it, but something's not right" Danny heard his friends' voice catch in his throat as his emotions welled up, "I love her, and I want to believe her, to trust her….but I can't. Oh shit what's wrong with me? I'm so happy that she's alive but there are so many unanswered questions….." His voice tailed off and the sky was darkening, but Danny knew Steve was crying. He wanted nothing more than to bring peace and comfort to the man, but he was at a loss as to how he could help him. The only person who could help him was Doris and now she was gone again.

Danny responded softly, "Nothing is wrong with you buddy, not a damn thing. What has she told you?"
"Just what I've already told you. That she had worked with the CIA prior to marrying Dad and that her last assignment was the assassination of Wo-Fat's Father. She was able to start a new life with us and her cover stayed intact for several years. Once Wo-Fat became old enough and started looking into his Father's death her safety became compromised and she made the choice to disappear, to keep us safe….. Danny, I just feel so betrayed…..not only because of Mom but Joe…"

Danny sat listening quietly. Joe….John McGarrett's best friend. They still didn't have answers as to when Joe was told about Doris being alive. He and John were like brothers and yet he had kept this info hidden. He had let John send his children away, fearing for their lives. He had let John and the children mourn for their spouse and Mother. He had watched John spend twenty years searching for his wife's killer…..a killer who never existed. That search had led to John's death and the deception had led to Steve choosing a life of extreme danger and solitude. Tears slipped down Danny's cheeks as he thought of everything that Steve was going through. Nobody should be betrayed like with by the ones you love, especially a man of such honor and distinction. Steve just didn't deserve this.

"Joe's still not returning your calls?"
"No… Danny, in some ways I feel more betrayed by him than Doris"
"Yeah, I can understand that"

Steve's voice became very soft as he continued, "The last words my Dad said to me were that 'he was sorry'…..when Joe left me standing before the closed door in Japan he said 'he was sorry'…..Doris has told me a hundred fucking times that 'she is sorry'…." Steve could no longer talk and he could no longer hold back the tears. He sobbed, tortured, painful sobs.

Danny set his beer down into the sand and moved over to his friend. He took the empty beer bottle from Steve and the Seal whimpered, "I'm sorry….I'm sorry Danno" He leaned forward in the chair and as Danny knelt in front of him, Steve fell from the chair into his arms.

"It's going to okay partner" They sat kneeling in the sand with Danny holding Steve in his arms for a long time as all the built up pain, anger and frustration poured from the usually stoic SEAL. Once Steve pulled away he again said, "I'm sorry Danny"
"Hey buddy….you're the only one in this whole mess who has nothing to be sorry about"
"I need answers Danny, it's killing me"
"We'll get answers babe…we'll get answers"
Wiping his eyes, Steve said "Let's go inside okay, I need another beer"
Danny chuckled, "Are you sure about that?"
"Oh yeah, I'm sure"
Danny stood and pulled the drunken man to his feet, and grabbing the bottles he helped Steve back into the house.

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As they entered the kitchen, Steve made his way to the bathroom as Danny grabbed a couple more beers and then rummaging through the cupboards he pulled out a bag of potato chips and made his way into the living room.

He found Steve standing at a shelf holding a picture in his hands and grinning.
Moving to him he asked, "What's that?"

Steve showed him the picture. It had to have been taken just a short time before Steve left the Island.
"My Dad…..he took me fishing the weekend before Mom 'died'…..I caught my first Tuna" The picture showed a beaming teenage Steve holding the fish with his Dad smiling broadly, his arm wrapped around his young son's shoulder. "It's the last picture of us together"

"I would love to catch a fish like that"
Steve excitedly stated, "Let's do it Danno! Tomorrow, let's get you a Tuna tomorrow"
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah! I'll call Chin in the morning. We've used his Uncle's boat before, and I'll see if he can join us too"
Danny was so happy to see a smile on Steve's face, he couldn't say no. Spending a day on the Ocean in ninety five degree weather was NOT his idea of fun but he would do anything to help his crazy ass partner, so fishing it would be!

Danny grinned, "You think we can catch one?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Alright partner, it's a date"
Danny turned on a baseball game on the television and the men sat side by side on the couch munching on chips. Within the hour Steve's head drooped as he fell asleep. Danny took the beer from his hand and then he laid him back onto the couch.

The SEAL mumbled incoherently as Danny pulled off his socks and pants and then he covered him with a quilt.
Danny then sat on a chair next to the couch and turning his attention back to the ballgame he too was soon sleeping.

***** I hope you enjoyed the beginning, let me know what you think ! Next up, a day on the open sea for Tuna turns into a life or death struggle *****