June 1st, Saturday

O'ahu

McGarrett home

2045 Hours

(64 days' radio silence since last text message; 109 days since first text message)

After a long day at work, chasing a group of drug dealers who beheaded two hookers and left their bodies in a dumpster, Steve's just sat down on the couch, to watch some TV and chill out. Danny left not 10 minutes ago, after once again giving him a piece of his mind regarding his covert anti-social behaviour these days. At Steve's surprise, he told him, flat out, that he knew what he was "doing", but became cryptic after that. Steve once again dismissed his rants with a provocative smile, sensing that even Danny's heart wasn't in it. He had long decided not to engage his best friend when he told him he needed to start dating again, especially since he'd opened up to Danny about Catherine and his response had been shock and a prompt avoidance of such a subject from that moment on. He knows Danny's concern comes from a good place, but all he wants to do, right now, is rest his weary body and try to clear his mind of unwelcome thoughts. Dating has never felt more of a foreign concept, something that would amount to a forceful obligation, at this point. And he won't self-harm, not even for Danny's peace of mind.

Steve puts his feet up on the coffee table and leans back, closing his eyes and exhaling loudly. He really doesn't care what's on TV, but after a few minutes his mind goes back to the day's events and he welcomes the background noise to help distract him. Eddie comes into the living room and sits beside him, on the floor, looking up when Steve doesn't pat him on the head, as usual. After a few minutes, he gives up trying to get his owner's attention and slumps down on the spot, huffing noisily and resting his nozzle on his front legs, and closes his eyes.

An hour later, Steve has dozed off, a light and restless slumber, made more uncomfortable by the slanting position he's sat in. Suddenly, something catches Eddie's attention so he lifts his head and gets up, walking towards the front door, and starts sniffling at the corner. Steve opens his eyes, frowning, wondering what exactly got Eddie's attention and waits patiently, eyes searching for his gun, force of habit. Sure enough, a few seconds later, there's a knock. He sighs, annoyed at the interruption of his well-earned rest and gets up, wondering what else he may have to deal with in a single day. Suddenly, a thought strikes him, leaving his insides on fire: could it be…? What a romantic movie-worthy scene this would be, if it were Catherine on the other side of his door, just returned from her last, dangerous mission with the CIA, coming to tell him she read his text and also loves him? Coming to stay, for good? Finally allowing him the peace that's been cruelly evading him for so long, since D.C.? He closes his eyes, feeling how nervous he is, right now, and proceeds at a slower pace, hoping for that possibility, when a second, impatient knock sounds again.

Bellowing a "coming!" at the caller, he takes a peek through the small window and an odd sensation washes over him. It is one of disappointment and apprehension mixed with dread, with a little bit of confusion thrown in. He flings the door open to reveal his mother, Doris, clad in black leggings and a leather jacket, all business. Steve is so surprised by the visitor that he freezes in place, holding onto the door. Eddie comes to the fore, carefully sniffing Doris' legs.

"Mom?" is all he can muster, stupefying surprise etched on his face.

However, much unlike her usual business-like self, Doris stands patiently at the door, waiting for Steve to overcome his surprise and natural resistance to her presence. She smiles tentatively at him while patting Eddie behind the ears, but does not make a move to enter the house, which makes Steve's senses go on high alert. Suddenly, he gets the feeling that he's not going to like this, more so than usual. Perhaps his mother has gotten herself embroiled in another spy mess and needs his help? Has something happened to Mary or Joan? Has the CIA finally caught up with her and Yao Fat? He daren't believe that she's finally coming clean about what she's been doing since she's been gone, and he's also sure that this isn't a social call. He sighs, uneasy, as he closes his eyes momentarily, trying to ward off whatever trouble may be coming his way and steps to the side, allowing her entry into her own home.

Doris walks in, followed by Eddie and stops just inside, turning back to look at her son with a smile that can only be classified as compassionate. Steve looks away from her, closing the door and his eyes in the process, bracing himself for what's coming and praying inwardly that his mother isn't in any more trouble than she can handle. He really is not in the mood for Doris antics, right now, so he decides to preempt any strike she may throw his way, by opening up the hostilities.

"Nice to see you, mom. Why are you here?" Impatience laces his every word, he realises, in no mood for small talk. She's clearly here for a reason other than to just visit him. She wants something from him. As usual.

"Hi, son, it's lovely to see you," Doris says, looking him straight in the eye, with sincerity. She makes an awkward move to hug him, but gives up mid-arm rising, as he gives her a 'don't even think about it' look.

"Well, mom, so good of you to finally surface. Can't imagine what caused this, as I am sure it's not because of me," he says, moving towards the couch and sitting down. Suddenly, he feels dead tired and really wishes he could make Doris disappear in a puff of smoke, with a flick of the hand.

"Steve, please, let me explain…" Doris pleads, moving in after him. She sees Eddie walk past her and reach the coffee table, sitting down at attention, not sure if this new human is a friend, or foe.

"What's the point, mom? Given the choice between me and Mary, or the job, you'll always choose the job…" Steve says, looking accusingly at her.

"Steve, things are not so cut and dry, and you know that. I was in danger, last time I was on the island… I had to request Agency protection. Then I broke Yao Fat out of jail, so I had to go into hiding, where I've been ever since…," Doris says, sitting down across from him and internally berating herself for letting him detract her from her purpose. But she figures he deserves to be able to vent his anger at her, after all she hasn't exactly been 'mother of the year' ever since she came back from the dead. She knows that, despite his tough persona act, her son still resents her for her "death" and his and Mary's abandonment. And his dad's.

"And just like that, you decided to surface? What, to come pay me a visit? Wow, I feel so special!" he replies, now angry. A fleeting thought crosses his mind and he wonders if he'll ever make peace with this woman and manage to have a normal 'mother-son' relationship with her. Quickly, he realises that will probably never happen.

"Please, don't be sarcastic. I promise I will not leave again until I have explained to you exactly what happened, and why I had to go into hiding again. Please, Steve, listen…" Doris pleads, trying to get to the point of her visit.

"Fine, mom. I really don't care, anymore. Do whatever you want. I'm tired, I had a very long day, let's get this over with. Can we talk tomorrow?"

"Sorry, son, but I am here for a reason. A serious one, at that, and the clock's ticking," Doris finally explains, looking him dead in the eye.

"Shock! I can't believe it!" Steve replies, trying to hide the nagging feeling, in the pit of his stomach, that something's not quite right. Then again, when has he not had this feeling, with regards to his mother?

"Steven John McGarrett, I am serious. Stop it with the irony," Doris says, angry, looking straight into his eyes. She's had enough of sarcasm and he needs to listen to her. NOW. "I am here to return a favour someone did for me a long time ago. Unfortunately, the tables have turned."

Upon hearing her words, Steve can't help an immediate feeling of panic coupled with a discharge of adrenaline that hits the pit of his stomach a second later. The look on Doris' face, right now, is different from what he's accustomed to, when dealing with her – she's dead serious and he can immediately tell something's very wrong, and worse, that it will affect him directly. He's sure he's not going to like what she has to say. She looks... guilty? Sad? Repentant? Or is this his mother feeling sorry for him in empathy? But why? Eddie fidgets next to him, sensing his nervousness and looks from mother to son, uneasy and alert, whining.

"What's going on, mom?" Steve finally asks, trying to get a grip on his emotions. He's secretly praying for a situation he can deal with.

"It's Catherine."