Title: Barging in on Date Night
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Danny, past Steve/Catherine
Warning: None
Word Count: 1,154

Notes: Canon divergences on episode 7x07.

Barging in on Date Night

Steve stood up as his cell phone disconnected and his date walked back into the room. "Everything okay?" Danny asked, two Longboards in his hand.

Steve took a deep breath. "No. Well, I'm not sure. Catherine just called me."

Danny arched an eyebrow. "It has been a while. What did she have to say or herself?"

"Just that something has come up, and she needed to talk to me but couldn't do it over an open line."

Headlights flashed through the window.

"Well, I guess we're about to find out what's going on."

Steve nodded. "No matter what Catherine says, we're good, right?" Steve asked.

"You think Catherine showing up suddenly is going to scare me away? I waited too long for you to be ready for us to let this get in the middle. We're good. The only way we're not good is if you decide you don't want this any longer."

Steve smiled, despite the worry he felt. "That won't happen."

"Good. Then there's nothing to worry about," Danny answered just as there was a knock on the door.

Steve nodded and moved to answer the door. He opened it after a fortifying breath. "Hey."

"Hi," Catherine answered.

"Come in." Steve moved aside so Catherine could walk in.

Catherine did so and stopped short when she saw Danny. "Oh, Danny, it's so nice to see you."

Danny's smile looked a little brittle. "Likewise. So, what are you doing here?"

Catherine looked around and took in the candlelit dinner and the romantic atmosphere. "Did you guys have plans? Maybe a double date that I'm intruding on?" Catherine asked with an uncomfortable chuckle.

Danny looked to Steve, willing to follow his lead.

"Cath, there are only two place settings. Why would it be a double date?"

"Oh," Catherine said. "So, I guess I'm not the only one barging in on a date. You and me Danny, we're the same, huh? Both of us have lousy timing."

Danny winced. "Not exactly."

"Catherine," Steve sighed. "Danny is my date."

"Oh. Oh!" Catherine said, looking between the two of them. "Wow, I hadn't expected that, but maybe I should have."

"I know this is awkward," Danny began.

Catherine shook her head. "No, Danny, you have no reason to feel awkward. I'm the one barging in and ruining your date. And Steve told me that he couldn't wait for me any longer. I just didn't expect him to begin dating someone he already knew. And a man at that."

Steve shrugged. "I couldn't exactly be opened about my sexuality while I was active in the Navy with Don't Ask, Don't Tell in effect."

"Of course. It's just a surprise. How long have you've been together?"

"Not that long. We got our act together when Steve was kidnapped by a female serial killer we were hunting. It put things in perspective for us, and we decided to stop wasting time."

Catherine nodded. "I guess that makes sense." She swallowed.

"Cath, why are you here? You said it was important."

Catherine nodded. "Of course. It's about your mother. She's in trouble."

Steve sighed and cut a glance at Danny who had straightened his spine at the word 'mother.'

"What about my mother?"

Catherine went on to tell them about Doris trying to break Wo Fat's father out of the CIA site but then getting captured.

Steve looked at Danny. "She must have followed me when I met Yao Fat. I wouldn't be surprised if she orchestrated it herself. She used me. Once again."

"Babe, you don't know that. I could just be a coincidence."

Steve scoffed. "I don't believe in coincidences. Not where Doris is concerned."

Catherine cleared her throat. "We have got to do something. We have to figure out a way to get her out."

"Do we?" Steve crossed his arms over his chest.

Catherine reached out to put a hand on his arm, but he backed away so her arm uselessly dropped to her side. "Steve, I know she hurt you. But whatever she has done, she is still your mother. Are you really going to let her spend the rest of her life in a box? Because that's what she's looking at right now. Steve, I know you. If you don't help her now, you'll regret it."

Steve looked at Danny. His opinion was the one that mattered to him. "What do you think?"

"I think that there is no love lost between your mother and me. I think she screwed you over way too often, and I don't trust her. I'll never trust her, especially with you and your heart."

Steve nodded.

Catherine opened her mouth to argue, but Danny held up his hand, silencing her before anything came out of her mouth.

"But, I know you, Steve. I know that if you don't go and help her, you'll always feel guilty about it. Even if she doesn't deserve your guilt. I know you'll never forgive yourself for turning your back on her. That's just the way you're built, Captain America. And for that reason alone, I think we need to go and save Doris."

"We?" Catherine asked.

Danny looked at her. "You don't think I'm going to let Steve go on this rescue mission without me, do you?"

Steve shook his head. "It's going to be dangerous."

"That's more of a reason for me to come. I don't trust anyone to have your back as much as I trust myself."

"You have to think about Grace and Charlie and what losing you would do to them."

"Then you better have my back in the same way that I plan to have yours." Danny walked closer and grabbed Steve's shoulder, pulling so they stood toe-to-toe. "Because you're not going anywhere without me, Steven. Do I make myself clear?"

"I never want to go anywhere without you, Danno," Steve murmured.

"Good answer. And if you think we're getting away without the rest of the team tagging along, you got another thing coming."

Steve nodded. "Call them," he ordered.

Danny took out his cell phone while Steve faced Catherine. "Well, you're getting me and the whole Five-0. Congratulations."

"Great." Catherine's smile was forced.

Steve didn't care. He wasn't sure if Catherine was hoping that by showing up, she might be able to rekindle their relationship, but even if she was, it wouldn't happen. Steve told her he wouldn't wait for her. And he didn't. He got on with his life. He realized what had been in front of him the whole time.

He looked over at Danny, who was talking with his hands, as he told Chim about what was going on.

He had Danny, and nothing and no one would be able to come between them. Certainly not an ex-girlfriend who walked away from him time and time again.

With Danny, Steve finally had the family he always wanted, and he'd never take that for granted.