I would like to apologize for the delay in updating this story. I lost my muse and life has gotten in the way of me writing. I am going to try to write more and hopefully it will not take so long to update.

This chapter was started a while ago in response to a review about the team forgiving Cath and Steve to easily, I agree I knew that there would some underlining issues but I am not great at writing conflict or drama. However, this chapter took a life of it's on and is actually going to be two parts.

I am setting it 3 months after my last chapter, I hope you enjoy it.

/

She knew something was wrong as soon as he texted her that the case was solved but he had something to do before he came home. She was upset at first because he would have been home early enough to spend time with Sawyer then put her to bed. However, when she received Danny's text saying he was sorry and didn't mean what he said, she knew Steve was fighting something in his head. She knew that the case involved kids and that it was intense for the two men. When she asked Danny, what had happened, he replied that he was sure that Steve would tell her and that he was extremely sorry.

After another half, an hour, she decided to call Kono to see that happened, it was getting darker she was starting to worry. She hated putting Kono in the middle of anything but she didn't know who else to call. She was extremely grateful that Kono picked up her phone.

"Hey Cath."

"Kono sorry to call so late."

"It's okay. What's up?"

"Steve hasn't come home and Danny texted me that he was sorry but won't tell me why. I was hoping that you could tell me what is going on?"

She heard Kono sigh before she answered.

"The case was bad it involved a bunch of little girls being sold for trafficking."

"So, it was bad for everyone."

She knew one of the traffickers had kids, Steve had run the background and find out about who the kids had been left with.

"Yeah, but Steve and Danny took it to heart. At one point, they had a huge fight. I didn't hear everything but I do know that the kids' names were brought into it. Chin ended up getting in the middle of it. I really thought they were going to come to blows."

"I hope it's something they can resolve quickly."

"Cath, it was bad. They didn't talk to each other unless they absolutely had too. I heard Danny tell the Boss he was sorry and that he didn't mean what he said."

"What did Steve say?"

"Nothing, he nodded his head and then left. Chin said he thought that Steve needed time to cool down. I have to say a silent Boss is scary."

"Chin's right, he will probably be home soon."

"Doesn't mean that you're not worried."

"If he doesn't come home soon or at least call, I call Chin and have him track his phone."

"Let me know if there is anything I can do."

Before she could answer, the lights of the truck came through the living room window.

"He just pulled up." She told Kono.

"Okay, Good luck."

"Thanks for everything,"

"No problem, Sista." She replied before hanging up.

/

Catherine sat on the couch, waiting for him to come in, it was another ten minutes before she heard the keys in the door, she knew by the look on his face he was battling some old demons.

"Hey." Was all she said.

"Hey, sorry I'm so late."

"It's fine, go up and see Sawyer. I'll lock up and meet you in our room."

He nodded before heading upstairs.

/

After locking up, she headed up the stairs before going to their bedroom, she looked in Sawyer's room. She could see Steve sitting next to her and whispering something to their sleeping daughter, although she could not hear what he was saying. She went to their room, sitting on the bed trying to decide how to approach what happened with Steve. She didn't hear him come in the room.

"You okay?" he asked as she looked up.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm fine."

"Steve, please talk to me. I know something happened today, Danny texted me an apology."

"He what?" rising his voice.

"He told me he was sorry and he didn't mean what he said. Why are you so mad?"

"I told him to leave you out of it and not to ever repeat what he said to you." As he started to pace around the room.

"Steve, he didn't tell me anything?" she replied more confused.

When he didn't say anything for a minute, she continued.

"What happened? You've had arguments with Danny before."

"This wasn't a small argument."

"Talk to me, tell me what happened."

Steve sat on the bed, pulling her close to him. She could feel him sigh and getting himself together.

"We had a fight after we found out one of the traffickers was a dad." He started

"Okay?"

"When we asked were the kids were, he said he left them with his sister. You already ran her, so you know that she had been arrested several times on drug charges including running a meth lab.' He stopped.

Catherine could tell he didn't want to finish.

"Hey, it's okay." She encouraged.

"When I got upset about him leaving the kids, Danny told me he didn't know why since I did the same thing with Sawyer." He started before getting up and pacing again.

"When I looked at him like he was crazy. He said I didn't leave her with a drug addict but I left her and then didn't get her when I moved here so I still left her." Pausing for just a moment.

"When I asked him what he would have done if it was Gracie that was in danger. He told me that he wouldn't let her out of his sight." He stopped.

"He said that we left her, not you. Didn't he?"

"Cath."

"Steve, we knew that the team would be mad when they found about Sawyer."

"I realize that but I never though Danny, Danny of all people, would think that I abandoned my child."

"We didn't abandon her." She whispered.

"You never did. Cath, you are an amazing mother. Any leave that was more than 3 days you flew to her or had your parents fly her to you." She could tell he meant every word but he was also getting madder.

"You did the same thing. She adores you."

"After Freddie and my dad died, I stopped going to see her and I called her less."

"She was a toddler and once things calmed down, you went back to calling all the time and going to see her. I know how much you love that little girl and so does she."

He nodded his head.

"Danny was hurt and with the case and everything going on with Charlie, he let his emotions get the better of him."

"If he would've shut up when I told him too, I was mad but I would've let it go but then he brought you into. I was ready to go after his throat."

"You have to work this out with him. I think the two of you just need some time away from each other."

She was hurt that Danny would think that they had abandoned their child, especially since she had talked with him several times about their decision.

"I don't think that is going to happen."

"Steve, right now you hurt by his words but I know that Danny will always have your back."

After a couple of moments of silence, she came up with a suggestion.

"The case is over, so tomorrow should be nothing but paperwork. Why don't I come in the office and let the team say everything that is on their minds?"

"What good is that going to do?"

"It will make sure this doesn't happen again and we can all move forward."

Steve thought about it for a minute.

"I don't want Sawyer there."

"Susie from next door is coming over to keep her, I was going to go shopping for a couple of hours but it can wait."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, afterwards we can take Sawyer camping or something with just the three of us."

"That sounds like a plan, but I don't know if talking to everyone is going to help."

"We won't know until we try."

To be continued...

/

Please let me know what you think. More to come soon.