Title: Forgiveness Earned, But Trust Broken
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Catherine, pre-Steve/Danny (possibly)
Warning: None
Word Count: 669
Notes: Canon divergences on episode 3x18.
Forgiveness Earned, But Trust Broken
Steve sat with a Longboard on the lanai, staring out at the ocean. He heard footsteps coming outside from the house, and there was only one person that would enter his house without permission that would even think about approaching him right now.
"Danno, you still haven't learned how to knock, huh?"
"What, like you ever knock?" Danny returned with a sarcastic snort.
Steve shrugged. "True."
"So, I have a question for you. Is there a reason Catherine called me, asking me to talk to you? Telling me that you wouldn't talk to her, and maybe I could get you to see her side of it."
"Wow, I can't believe Cath would actually ask you to go to bat for her. Usually, she's way more independent than that. Did she tell you why I wasn't speaking to her?"
"No, so I am a little curious. What happened?"
"Catherine kept a big secret from me about Doris. All because Doris asked her to not tell me. And I only found out when Catherine had no other choice. And I'm not sure what to do with it now."
"Okay, I get that you're angry. I know how you feel about lies. Especially lies where Doris is concerned. And you have a good reason to be fed up with lies surrounding her. But did Catherine do it out of malicious intent?"
"It's never out of malicious intent. I don't even think when Doris lies, it is out of malicious intent. That doesn't change the fact it was still a lie. Catherine's loyalty should be to me. Not to Doris. Catherine knew how I'd feel about the lie, and she still chose to do what Doris asked."
Danny took a seat in the second chair. "Okay, so Catherine has already lied. She can't go back in time and change that. I think the question you need to ask yourself is if you can forgive her for it."
"There's that," Steve agreed. "I also have to ask myself if I'll be able to trust her in the future. How do I know she won't lie again just because Doris asks her to?"
They sit in silence, both of them lost in their thoughts.
"Danny, let me ask you. If you had been in Catherine's place, what would you have done?"
Danny didn't answer right away. "I know what you want me to say. You want me to say I'd have done the same thing so you can find it in yourself to forgive Catherine."
Steve shook his head. "No, I don't want false platitudes. I want the truth. I really want to know what you would have done in your situation."
"Okay, the truth is, I might have been tempted to keep Doris's secret if I thought it would needlessly worry you. But I don't trust Doris myself, so after thinking about it, I'd have told you the truth. Because first and foremost, I'm loyal to Grace. And my second loyalty is to you."
Steve took a deep breath, finally looking at Danny. Their eyes met. "Thanks, Danno. I knew deep down, you wouldn't do the same thing that Catherine did. And maybe that's why I'm having so much trouble dealing with her subterfuge. I just needed it to be confirmed."
Danny nodded. "So, I guess I'm failing in making you see Catherine's side of things?"
"The thing is, I already saw it from her point of view. Doesn't mean I have to accept it and forgive her for it, though."
Danny reached out and patted Steve on the shoulder. "Just know, I'm here for you. For whatever you need."
Steve quirked a half-smile. "I've never doubted that, Danny. Thank you."
They go back to staring out at the water. Steve took a gulp from his Longboard. He still isn't sure what he's going to do about Catherine. He wants to forgive her, but even if he does, he's not sure he'll be able to trust her again. And what's a relationship without trust?