The next morning, Steve walks past Catherine's room and is surprised to find her standing in the middle of the room, in quiet contemplation. He leans against the door jamb and quietly calls out to her.
"Good morning."
"Hey, good morning," Catherine smiles at him, happy. "How did you sleep?"
"Pretty well, all things considered. I got a solid 7 hours. May I come in?" Steve puts in, pointing to her bed.
"Of course! Have a seat," Catherine replies, sitting down as well, still looking around at all her childhood memories.
"Thanks. You know, I was very hesitant about coming, but after seeing how happy you and your parents are, I'm glad we came. I know you wouldn't have left me in Montana, by myself, so…"
"I really missed them all," Catherine acknowledges Steve's confession, smiling. "I spend so much time in the field, I sometimes forget how it feels to be in the fold, you know? I have a feeling this is a coping mechanism."
"How so?"
"You know, you don't think about the things you miss, so they don't unbalance you to the point of making you lose your focus."
"Do I detect a Dr. Rollins psych 101 theory, there?" Steve suggests, smiling at her.
"Well, you do know who I have for a mother, right? Something must've rubbed off…"
"Right…," Steve says, easy laughter coming out of his mouth. "Well, she's nothing if not sharp."
"And meddlesome, but I love her," she says, getting up. "Come on, let's go have breakfast. I have a few Christmas traditions to get reacquainted with."
"Do tell."
"You'll just have to wait and see."