Steve spent a few more days with his father and Catherine stayed with her parents for a few days and then they both went home.

Catherine's flight was delayed and when she got home Steve was waiting for her. She smiled widely when she saw him.

"Hey, sailor."

Steve opened his arms to her and she hugged him after placing the suitcase in the corner of the room. "Hey," he replied.

"My flight was delayed. I should have arrived three hours ago," she told him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Steve was still holding her, and he could smell her hair softly. "No problem. The important thing is that you are here now."

She smiled and tightened her embrace, enjoying the warmth of his arms. Steve kissed her a few times and hugged her even tighter.

"It's good to be back," she said.

"How are your parents?" Steve asked.

"They're fine. They've been enjoying life well," Catherine replied and asked for John.

"My dad is fine. He's now your number two fan."

"Really? And who is my biggest fan?"

"Me. Always me. Because if there is another one I will break his face," Steve replied.

"There is no other for me. Only you make me happy," Catherine looked at him fondly.

Steve smiled. "I'm hungry. Shall we order something or do you want to go out?"

"Let's order something," she replied.

"Okay, I'll do that."

Life continued its normal course and for years Steve and Catherine were divided between work and time together. Steve had returned from a six-month long mission and surprised her at home.

"Steve! I wasn't expecting you for another two months."

"The return was anticipated, and I have news," Steve said excitedly.

"Really? I love news," she replied.

"I'm now a Lieutenant Commander of the SEALs."

"Oh, that's great, Steve. I'm very happy for you. You deserve it."

"That's great, Cath. I'll be attending new SEAL training and that starts next week."

Catherine's countenance changed a little, and Steve noticed. "What?"

"I also have some not-so-good news for both of us. I'm going on a mission to Kabul."

"Kabul again, Cath? When are you going?"

"Next week. Well, look on the bright side: you won't have to think about me while you train because I won't be here," she told him.

"I'll always think about you. No matter where we are."

"I know, sailor. What about Freddie? He'll be upset, after all you guys are always together on missions."

"Freddie is going his way. And he's getting better every day," Steve replied.

Catherine smiled. "I'm happy for him."

"Yeah, me too. Now come here, if we only have a week to be together, I want to enjoy every minute of it."

"We will, for sure," Catherine kissed him several times.

Time went by and with the promotion Steve accumulated not only responsibilities, but stress. When Catherine returned from the mission in Kabul she found a tougher and tstressed Steve. Sometimes he didn't come home and slept on the base, and this was bothering her. When he went home at the end of the week she questioned him, but she picked a bad day to do so. He had been bored at work and was not expecting her complaints.

"You hardly ever come home anymore, Steve. You don't seem to feel like you want to be here. You've been taking your things little by little to the base quarters."

"I didn't say that, Catherine. You want to put words in my mouth. And as for my stuff, I never had much, just enough. And what little I have I use, so I took some things to the base."

"When we met we couldn't live away from each other, there was so much passion. And yesterday I realized that it was the first time I had slept so early. You didn't even call me. You know when you get to that moment when you like the memories more than the actual life? I'm feeling that way."

Steve closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He really didn't want to continue this discussion. "Catherine, you talk as if we were married."

Those words hurt her deeply. "You're right, Steve. We're not married, and we never will be. Do you know why? Because you can't imagine your life with me."

"Catherine, I had a bad day..."

"You know what I think? That on your part, passion has passed and love never came."

"You think so? Then maybe it's better you stay alone since you think my efforts are in vain."

"Efforts? So for you to be with me is an effort?" She asked.

Steve thought that maybe she was right. Marriage was an idea that had never crossed his mind. And maybe she had been waiting for it. He went into the bedroom and picked up the rest of his things. Catherine went to the bedroom door and saw him putting his things in his suitcase.

"What are you doing, Steve?"

"You're right, Catherine. Pick someone who can satisfy your cravings."

"But Steve...I was just asking for more time together...'

Steve picked up his suitcase and stopped in front of her. "I'm sorry if I wasn't the person you wanted me to be." He looked at her one last time and walked away.

He left and Catherine leaned back against the door. She felt misunderstood and unappreciated by him. "I just wanted to talk, to talk about how I was feeling..." she thought.

The solid and lasting relationship they had seemed to have faded.

PS: Thank you for reading! Sorry for the delay in the update.