One of my favorite moments between Steve and Catherine was when he gave her the Chicago album he'd bought as a gift when she left the Navy. He remembered her telling him once that her mother always played "Chicago" when she was scared. As she opened the gift and saw the album, Catherine's eyes had filled with tears as she said, "Chicago always made everything better." Then, Steve affirms that she has nothing to be afraid of in taking on a new life adventure. He will be there for her and she won't be alone. It was a very poignant moment and one where we saw the vulnerability Steve normally hides so well…..except from Catherine. With that in mind, this is a little scene I dreamed up recently and had to write.

I also seriously miss McRoll which is why I am having to get my "fix" by reading or writing about them. I want them to bring Catherine back. This is one version of how I think that could happen.

Hope you enjoy. (I own nothing related to Hawaii Five-0 or Chicago although song lyrics have been included.)

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Steve was relieved to have this hellish week over. After an unusually difficult case, he felt weary to his bones. What he wanted more than anything was to go home and sleep, but he was finding it harder lately to do so. He couldn't get her off of his mind. Images of her were even filling his dreams. So, rather than going home for what he knew would be another restless night, he had gone along with everyone to one of their favorite hangouts to unwind. Being with his ohana made the emptiness he felt a little more bearable, if only for a little while.

He looked around the table and breathed a sigh of relief that everyone was safe. Chin, Kono, Danny, and Lou were there along with Max, Kamekona and even Flipper. It seemed as if everyone was having a good time as they laughed and shared funny stories. The stress of the week was fading and everyone was starting to relax. The tension in his shoulders began to ease as he took another drink of his beer.

Then something in the background caught his attention. He normally didn't pay much attention to the music being played, but this one was hauntingly familiar. The song seemed an odd choice mixed in with the beach music and rock and roll that normally played in the background of this bar. Steve couldn't help but listen to the lyrics even though they made the ache in his heart grow worse.

Everybody needs a little time away
I heard her say, from each other
Even lovers need a holiday
Far away from each other.

His eyes began to involuntarily scan the crowd as if hoping for a glimpse of her. He knew it was crazy. She had been gone for months. They shared a few phone calls and a few text messages before communication faded away several weeks ago. She told him "not to wait for her"…..She had "found her place"…..She wasn't coming home anytime soon. Of all the hurts in his past, this one was quite possibly the hardest. He had finally admitted to himself that he was in love with her, only to lose her. And for what? He knew what she was doing was noble. It was just like her to give of herself to help others. But this was one time in his life he had wanted to be selfish, dammit! Losing her was not an option he had considered. Until it was too late.

Hold me now.
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry.
I just want you to stay.
After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you.
I promise to.
And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go.

Something caught his eye and for a moment he lost his breath. Could it be?

"Catherine?" her name was on his lips before he could catch himself.

"What's that, buddy?" Danny turned to look at him and saw him staring in the direction of the bar. Danny followed his gaze until his eyes also fell on her.

Catherine.

She was here and she was making her way to their table. As if he was afraid she would fade away before reaching them, like a mirage that disappears in the desert before a thirsty man, Steve quickly shot up from his seat to go to her.

The song continued in the background.

Couldn't stand to be kept away just for a day
From your body.
Wouldn't wanna be swept away, far away
From the one that I love.

He met her halfway and pulled her into his arms as if he would never let her go.

"Catherine." Steve's voice was so full of turmoil that Catherine instantly felt the guilt already weighing her down grow even heavier.

Not caring that his entire team and probably most of the bar would be watching them, Steve held her face in his hands as he leaned down to taste her. God, it had been so long and he had missed the feel of her, the taste of her, the smell of her. His lips fell on hers and he kissed her as if his life…..or the very breath he was breathing…..depended upon him doing so. Catherine put her arms around his neck to pull him closer and fought the urge to wrap her legs around him and love on him until the pain she saw in his eyes went away. After a few moments, Steve pulled away long enough to look at her again trying to convince himself she was really there. Keeping his hands on her face, he saw regret in her tear rimmed eyes.

"What are you doing here?" his voice was husky as he made a valiant effort to keep his emotions under control.

A tear made its way down Catherine's cheek. "I missed you." She said softly.

Steve swallowed the lump in his throat. "I missed you, too. I missed you so damn much, Cath."

By now, the entire table was watching them but no one dared interrupt. Everyone was in shock to see Catherine there after so many months away.

Steve motioned his eyes in the direction of the bar. "You asked them to play this song?"

She nodded as another tear escaped to fall down her face. "Chicago always made everything better."

Steve wiped the tear from her cheek before pulling her closer so that his arms were completely enveloping her, "Aw, Catherine."

Catherine clung to him. "I'm so sorry, Steve. I never should have stayed away."

Steve loosened his grip on her and brushed a strand of hair from her face before offering her a small smile. As she looked up into his eyes, she saw a tenderness that took her breath away. Steve rarely let his guard down. It went against everything he believed in to let go of his control. But for Catherine…for Catherine, he always opened himself up. Even now after her decision to stay away had left his heart raw, he found he couldn't deny that part of himself to her. He was defenseless against the pain and regret he saw in her eyes.

"Can we go somewhere and talk?" she asked.

Talking wasn't really what Steve wanted to do right now. He wanted to be his alpha male self, pick up his woman, carry her home, and then work on getting "reacquainted" again. But he knew they had things to work out, so he agreed.

He never let go of her hand as he led her over to the table to see their extended family. Hugs were shared all around as they all told her how much they'd missed her. Everyone was just happy to have her back.

Eventually, Catherine looked back to Steve. He reached his hand out to her and led her down to the beach where they could talk. No matter what happened, he wasn't letting her go this time. If her absence had taught him anything it was that he wouldn't live without her again. No matter what.

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So what do you think? Should I continue this so we can see how Steve and Catherine resolve things between them? Please give me your thoughts.