Sorry to keep you all waiting for this chapter! Thanks to Wenwalke for jumping in to help beta. Sending lots of love to julieb tonight - wishing you the best, my friend.

Doris could hear them upstairs. Soft sounds carried down the steps to where she stood listening, waiting. Things got loud for a minute, and she could hear them scuffling in the hall. She wasn't surprised.

She knew too much about frayed nerves and too little sleep. You dealt with it. Until you didn't.

Then you were dead.

She'd promised herself she would not cry. But hearing her boy so torn apart, broke her even more.

Yet none of it mattered. His feelings. Her feelings.

Life was not perfect. You grabbed what you could. Taking trash when that's all you had. Stealing the good – sometimes right from the hands of babes. You did what you had to do.

That was her mantra. Ingrained in her psyche by a less than wonderful childhood and then – well, she always believed growing up had prepared her for what she'd done as an adult. For the CIA. What came later when she'd met John McGarrett was just a dream. A dream tinted by nightmares she created.

She blamed no one. Didn't believe in guilt. You set that bucket of rocks down or it could kill you.

The present moment was the most important thing. It pointed to the future. The past was simply gone. You learned from it and moved on.

She didn't even care that Steve had killed Wo Fat. It was bound to happen. Like some tragic play with a fuse she'd set years ago.

Right now, she had to decide how much to tell her son and his friends about the situation. What she revealed would affect her mission. There was no denying things had gone off the rails.

And she couldn't help but think it was all because of Detective Danny Williams.

Movement at the top of the steps caught her attention. Someone was headed her direction. She flew into the kitchen, turning on the water and rinsing what ever she found in the sink.

/././

Steve crept downstairs, listening for signs of Doris. Chin had reminded him not to let Doris get inside his head. Unfortunately, it was too late for that. She'd planted the seeds long ago. But no matter how difficult it proved to be, he had to confront the monster in the kitchen.

Right then, he really needed his back up. He needed to hear his best friend's voice. Grilling his mother, ranting about something. Anything. Not letting her get away with what she'd done. His partner had seen through her from the beginning.

He glanced up the steps. Danny.

Bracing himself with a hand against the wall, Steve struggled to hold back tears. It took all of his strength to think about this logically. To push aside his anger and frustration, his grief and worry. There were questions he needed to ask. Immediate ones.

Were they in danger?

What the fuck did Doris do to Danny?

How was she connected?

Where had she been all these months?

She owed him answers now more than ever.

/././

Doris stood in the kitchen, her back to him. Humming and washing the dishes. There couldn't be many. His mother had always been a bit of a neat freak. Particular about where things were kept, how they looked. Precise. Organized.

He'd never thought about her quirks in terms of her secret life. Had she always been watching and waiting for someone to come for her? Why did she even try to have a family? Surely she knew her past would catch up with her.

For a flash, he felt a pang of guilt at how his decisions as a mixed up teenager haunted him now. What if he'd never joined the Navy, become a SEAL? What then?

His chest tightened, and for a few seconds, the past almost crushed him.

Steve wanted to hate Doris. But she was his mother, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her. A tiny part of him still longed for her affection and approval. He could never escape that fact. Just as now, he couldn't escape what she'd done to his best friend.

He must have made a sound because she turned slowly. "Steven?"

He saw worry and concern in her eyes. All genuine. Which twisted his guts even more. She dried her hands and moved toward him.

He held up his hand. "No."

"I'm your mother. Come here and give me a hug." He didn't budge and she frowned.

Steve had to set some ground rules and his thoughts came out in a rush. "No more games. No more cornering my friends. You want something from me, you ask me. Straight out. And when I ask you something, you tell me everything I want to know."

"I saved Danny's life. There's nothing else to tell."

"Mom!" The word came out loud and quick, the ghost of a shout. After a breath he added. "Answers. Now."

She licked her lips and nodded. "Okay. I can do that. I'll tell you everything you want to know."

God she was so good at lying.

/././

"What did you do?" Steve stood there, fists at his side, jaw tense.

Doris barely moved. Thin lips unfurled into a sliver of a smile. "So, this is you chatting? I feel special. Is there a rulebook I should read? I hear you're big on procedure now, thanks to a certain Jersey boy."

Resolved not to take her bait, he repeated his question. "What did you do?"

"I saved your friend's life." Her voice flat, no emotion.

He stared at her, fierce eyes demanding an answer. "I want you to tell me what you did. Now."

"Why don't you ask Danny?" The flippant edge to her voice shoved the knife further into his chest, severing perhaps his last thread of restraint. "Don't you two tell each other everything? I heard you were surf buddies."

He pushed her, jamming her against the kitchen counter. "I can't ask Danny right now because he's unconscious. Because of you."

"I saved his life. If not for me, he'd be dead." She paused and then added. "Danny could have gotten us both killed. He only has himself to blame for what I had to do. Stubborn ass. And – well - I just couldn't help but rub that smug little smile off his face."

His hands were on her throat in a flash, fingers digging into fragile flesh. He squeezed just a little, from instinct, stopping only when he could feel her pulse. If anything, her grin grew wider, teasing him. Daring him. Arrogant enough to assume he couldn't hurt her, would never. Rightly enough, he released her, hands up and stumbling backwards.

She reacted instantly, surging forward to slap him.

"Don't you ever touch me like that again, Steven." Words and spit in his face. "I am your mother, and I will be treated with respect."

Steve snorted, and she smacked him again, this time drawing blood.

/././

Squaring his shoulders, he glared at her.

He was done.

She was just a woman standing in his kitchen.

Sure, she'd saved his best friend's life. But. She'd also tortured him.

The only thing saving her was the whisper of childhood memories and a debt of gratitude he owed her for bringing Danny home.

Other than that – Doris McGarrett could go to hell.

But first he had to get some answers.

"Why were you even there, Doris?"

"What does it matter?"

"It matters."

"I saved his life."

Steve shook his head. "Stop saying that. Now."

"He could have ended up like his brother."

"Wait. What did you just say?"

"His brother Matt."

Steve couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Doris kept talking.

"Murdered. Chopped into pieces and stuffed into a barrel."

"I know. God. How do you know about?" He stopped, almost gagging on his next thought. "You didn't. It wasn't-"

"No Steven. I didn't kill Matthew Williams. He did that to himself."

He believed her for once. But he needed more information. Danny would need more. God…Danny. Steve kept pushing. "Why? How?"

"He took money from the wrong person."

"Reyes?"

"Yes and no."

"I told you. No more games."

Her face softened and she smiled. The look in her eyes made him stumble just a bit. Doris was his mom again for half a nanosecond. Then the skilled professional was back, stalling and avoiding his questions.

"You need your rest. Why don't you go upstairs and get some sleep? I'll be here."

"Don't play this off, Doris."

"I assure you, my son. I'm not playing at anything."

Another lie. This was most surely a game. Steve wasn't sure what to reveal. His scattered thoughts weren't helping either. Everything came out in fragments.

"Reyes threatened Danny."

Doris nodded. "Yes, I'm sure he did."

"What's 18 and a half million to someone like Reyes?"

"It was the principle."

He understood the logic. "Matt stole from his boss."

"Yes."

"What does this have to do with you?"

"I helped him."

"What? Who did you help? Matt or Reyes?"

"Both of them."

"Doris, I swear."

"Why don't we sit down, Steven?" She pulled out a chair. "Before you fall down, huh? I imagine this is tough to hear. Everyone needs a moment to rest, right?"

He could feel her working her magic on him. His crazy, selfish mother would steer the conversation any way she could.

But she was right. His legs were barely holding him. He was exhausted, emotionally and physically, and no matter how strong he was, there was a point where everything broke down. Even him.

"Let me fix you some tea then." She busied herself at the stove, ignoring any answer he gave her.

After a few minutes, she sat down, placing a mug of something in front of him. He pushed it away, and she sighed. "Suit yourself, honey."

"I'm not here for tea, Doris."

She leaned across the table, voice low but confident. "Your best friend ruined my plans, Steve. Sabotaged my mission."

"You blame Danny? What the fuck?" He scooted away from the table, movement rattling his mug, spilling tea.

"You're making a mess." Doris reached over with a napkin, dabbing the spot. "He shouldn't have been there."

"Like he had a choice."

"He did. You both did."

She stirred her tea and looked away before continuing. He watched her shift gears, finding himself unnerved at what she might say next.

"He fought me. Every step. He lied to me, held back even when I filled him full of drugs."

Of course he screwed with her. Her admission made Steve more than proud of his partner. "Danny's tough."

Her next words surprised him.

"He impressed me."

Steve had to close his eyes. The light was suddenly too bright. The hum of the refrigerator too loud. "He impressed you?"

"He took everything I dished out. Even taunted me to end it." She studied his reaction. "I believed him, Steve. I really thought he wanted me to kill him."

Steve shook his head, not sure how to process what she'd just said.

"I didn't connect Matt Williams to Danny. Not at first." Doris sipped her tea. She'd switched gears once again.

Somehow, he marshaled the wherewithal to keep up with her. "So you really knew him?"

"Only in a broad sense. He was a means to an end. A stupid gringo. Everyone left him alone. Until he got greedy. You never steal from the cartel, Steve." She stopped for a second, and then continued. "I knew Matt Williams was dead. And I knew why."

"But you didn't know Danny killed Marco Reyes?"

"No. That's why I was there. To ascertain that information."

"Bullshit."

"I didn't know, Steven. I was just as surprised as Danny." She reached across the table to touch his hand. He pulled away. "Trust me."

Steve grit his teeth. He didn't like to think of his mother and best friend in the same sentence.

"Don't you dare tell me to trust you."

"Then, I'll ask nicely."

"You just don't get it. Do you?"

"What is it exactly that I'm supposed to get?" She narrowed her eyes and pushed her chair back just a bit. "I saved your friend, Steven. End of story."

He exhaled loudly, shaking his head, mouth open in disgust. He had to take a moment to gain control before he tackled her.

"You tortured my best friend, Doris."

She crossed her arms over her chest, holding her ground. "Didn't have a choice."

"Yea, right. You had to save your cover, right? Extraordinary measures? Whatever it took to save yourself."

She stood up, her chair flying backwards. In one quick motion, she reached across the table and slapped him again. "Don't mock me. I don't like your tone, young man."

He was on his feet, stunned and fighting the urge to knock his mother on her ass.

He wanted to rip her face off. Pound her into the ground.

Did he ever really have a mother? Was it all an act?

Steve knew he had to get a handle on his emotions before he did something he'd regret.

"Tone? You don't like my tone?" He laughed as he turned away, hand on his tingling skin. "You sound like Danny."

Doris wasn't finished with him. "So maybe I did enjoy myself. I'm good at what I do, Steve. I take pride in my work."

Steve grabbed the chair to steady himself. He didn't know if he was going to puke or pass out as a wave of whiteness coursed through him. There was his mother, revealed. Ruthless, cruel. Good at her job. At least she didn't lie about it.

"And Danny has always rubbed me the wrong way. You know that."

How she could be so casual, he would never understand. And she kept talking, pleading her case.

"Seriously, I did what I had to do to get us both out of there in one piece. What will it take for you to believe me?" She tilted her head and the evil smile was back. She knew her son was a lost cause. "And maybe I had a little fun with him."

If Doris had been a few feet closer – and if she wasn't his fucking mother, god damn her – he would have punched her for that last comment.

Then, she seemed to realize her mistake.

"It's what I do, Steve." She held his gaze and didn't back down when the shadow flit across his face. "I would never compromise my job. Not for anything."

He said the first thing that came to mind. "Your family has always been your second priority."

"Wait one minute, mister. That's not true, and you know it. I gave you a very good life when you were a boy. You're a grown man now, and I expect some effort on your part."

"Effort?"

"I expect you to understand why I made my choices."

"Boy Doris, you have a lot of expectations for someone who basically destroyed my life. Must be difficult to carry all that weight around after abandoning your family."

"No Steven, it really isn't that tough. I did what I had to do. Then and now."

"Like I said. Family second. Only looking out for yourself."

"You will not speak to me like that."

"Like what, Doris?"

"Stop calling me that." She snarled. "You will not call me that."

"It's your name, isn't it?" He paused, giving her the most disingenuous smile. "Or did you lie to me about that too? Maybe your name really isn't even Doris."

"Steven."

He pulled back a little at the caustic edge in her voice. He couldn't push her so much that she picked up her toys and went home. No, he had to calm down.

But he just couldn't do it. "What the hell happened out there?"

Steve was a fire ball of worry, anger and frustration. Blood pressure through the roof. Eyes bloodshot from tears. Hands in his hair.

He cut her off before she could begin. "And I don't want some bullshit answer."

"Danny was kidnapped and I brought him home to you." She stared him down, chin up in defiance. Ready for a fight. "That's all you need to know."

Steve closed his eyes and breathed loudly through his nose. "No, no that's not acceptable. You owe me more. I take that back. You owe me everything."

"Steve, you know it's not that simple."

"Are you kidding me? You drop information about Danny's brother and Reyes, and what? That's it? I get crumbs?"

This time, she didn't look him in the eyes. Instead, she dumped their mugs into the sink, running the tap.

"Look at me!" This time he didn't care that he raised his voice. "Was Danny your target? Was he the op? Or was it all about the money?"

She whirled around, and for the first time, she deflated. "No, you don't understand."

"Well, mom, help me understand. What the hell happened?"

"Okay, okay." Doris drew in a long, deep breath. She walked the length of the room, arms crossed in front of her. "I had an assignment. Long term. I was surprised to see Danny."

"So you honestly didn't know he'd be there?"

"No."

"And your assignment was to torture and kill someone for the cartel?"

"Extract information. Yes. Kill? No."

Steve chuckled. "You enjoy it, don't you? Inflicting pain."

"Like I said, I'm good at what I do, Steve."

"So that excuses everything?"

"My skills are in demand. That's why I was there. And it's a good thing I was."

"Seriously? You expect me to believe it's that simple, Doris? Have you ever told me the truth?"

She raised her hand to hit him again, but this time he saw it coming and deflected her like he was swatting a bug. Doris was not amused.

Steve wasn't finished. "One more thing. How the hell is Kipton involved in all of this?"

"Kipton? I don't know any Kipton."

Steve closed his eyes, a low growl escaped when he breathed out. He made it a point to count to five before responding to her obvious lie.

"Doris, I warned you."

"Warned me? What are you gonna do, huh Steve? I'm your mother." She inched closer to him. "Did you like the feel of your hands on my neck? Would hurting me make you feel better? I bet it would. I can see it in your eyes. You're so much like me."

"Stop. Stop it now."

"Do you want revenge for Danny? An eye for an eye? I know he's special to you." She ran her finger down his chest. "Caring for Danny – for anyone really – is your weakness. How were you ever a SEAL?"

He would not go down this road with her. He grabbed her wrist and twisted.

"Kipton. Who is he to you?"

Doris laughed and pulled away from her son, shaking her hair, like this was all some fantastic joke.

"Kipton is FBI. But he's dirty. I'm not completely sure how he fits with Reyes, except that he knew about Matty and he knows about the money."

Steve ran a hand through his hair, digesting what she just said. Had Kipton been in on this from the beginning? "So he's a player?"

She nodded. "I heard his name when I first arrived at the compound for my gig. Before I saw Danny."

"Compound?" He ignored how casual she was about the situation. "How big a place are we talking?"

"On Kauai. Very secluded. A few rundown shacks from an old movie set and a handful of tents. About two dozen men."

Steve leaned in, soaking up every detail, working to get every bit of information he could. "And Kipton was there?"

"No. I'm thinking he turned the cartel onto Danny. Maybe even delivered him personally. Those boys were out for blood more than the money. Payback for killing Reyes."

"So Kipton wants the money?"

"Everyone wants the money."

Hands on his hips, he locked eyes with his mother. "Including you?"

She turned her back to him and opened the fridge. "Want something to eat? You look hungry, can I get you something?"

He pounded the counter with his fist. "God dammit, mom. Answer my question."

"The money was mine to begin with, Steven. I want it back."

Thanks as always for reading.