A/N: Again, I just want to say thank you all for reading this story. The drama starts now... Feel free to leave reviews or suggestions! Thanks!

(continuation of the previous chapter)

Catherine's Apartment – 08:30 AM

"So... I guess, I'll see you around". It's the only thing Steve can say right now. "Yeah". Her answer comes out like a whisper.

They stare at each other.

Again.

And he thinks... Whatever. Steve leaves a peck on her lips. But she is quick and grabs his head, giving him a deep kiss. They part and he just smiles at her while going to the door.

Steve leaves her house and thinks that maybe she didn't want to break this thing they have after all.

7 months later

Kamekona's Shrimp Truck - 01:00 PM

Steve and Catherine had worked together in some cases without incidents. But the last four months, they didn't see each other, at least at the HPD, because they have been together in other places. Of course that everything that is happening between them is without compromise. When they feel like it, they meet. And not just for sex, which is surprising for both of them. In fact, even though their stubbornness of not making any of this official, the truth is: they are building a good friendship.

Today she thought that she wouldn't see him. Chin decided that it was good for the team going out and have a lunch on a different place. So here they are. What they don't know is that Catherine already knows the place: she's been here with Steve before.

Catherine is beside Kono, across from Danny. Chin is on table's edge saying that someone is missing. And that person is Steve, because she could see him now, approaching their table.

"So, am I late?"

Steve greets everyone and sits beside Catherine. She gives him a knowing smile. At this hour and he is wearing casual clothes, which only means one thing: he has the day off. She knows that Steve is aware of her gaze. Catherine seems to love every time he is so casual and more relaxed, so she asks, already knowing his answer:

"No work today?"

"No. No one called, so I'm off duty"

He grins at her while Danny starts teasing him.

"I think you should be on this team! Just to know how it is to have a real job..."

They all laugh. Giving his friend a nod, Steve speaks before take a sip of his beer.

"You think? Maybe I'll try to become your partner"

"That would be great... another with no fear of death"

"What?" Steve asks, confusion all over his face.

"Rollins... She didn't go to the army, but she could..."

"It's navy, Daniel... We know each other since we're kids and you keep making the same mistake…"

Catherine knows what her teammate is about to do, so she tries to underestimate the situation.

"I don't even know what you are talking about, Danny..."

"What? Seriously, Catherine? I thought you were going to get shot, or something..."

Steve puts his beer down and looks at Catherine, making a quick examination to know if she is ok. And he notices the bruises on her right arm that go underneath her shirt. The calmness of his tone is gone, replaced by worry.

"What happened? Are you ok?"

She can see that he is worried. He is her friend, of course he is worried. In fact, it was because of that case she hadn't been able to meet him in the last couple of days.

"It's nothing. Just some bruises... Danny is exaggerating..."

"I don't think it's nothing. I can see the bruises right over there"

Steve looks intently at Catherine's. Without turning his head he listens to Chin's words.

"Danny is right, Catherine. She literally gave herself up as an hostage in an exchange, but we were able to neutralize the gang in time"

"What?!" Steve's voice rose slightly. But he couldn't contain himself.

She can see something else in his eyes. It is fear? She can't tell. But she tries to minimize the situation.

"Hey, it was my job. I had to do it. Besides, I knew the team was there so..."

Steve feels an urge to hug her. To feel that she is ok. But he remains still, just looking at her. He knows he can't do it there, they are not alone.

"Yeah, but the rookie here made an amazing job, shooting the guys down"

Kono smiles at Danny.

"I did what I had to do to keep everyone safe"

They keep talking about the case and Steve try to focus his attention on that and not in the fear that arose within him, wondering what could've happened to her.

Kamekona's Shrimp Truck - 03:00 PM

Chin leaves with Kono, they have to be at court. Danny is saying his goodbyes to Catherine and Steve.

"Behave yourselves"

Danny grins at them while he is getting into the camaro. He knows that something is going on between them for months, but his friends were too stubborn to admit that. Danny had tried that Steve talked about it, but his friend always said "it was just a thing". But the truth is, unlike other occasions, Steve never tried to hook up with another woman since he and Catherine had become close.

Steve and Catherine are now alone, near their cars.

"I can't believe you've been through all of that" he says bluntly.

"What?"

"The hostage situation..."

"Oh that... I didn't ask for it, but the people needed my help so, y..."

"I know" He cuts her off "What do you say about going to my place? I have a pretty good beach to relax"

She smiles.

"Really? Well, I know a lot of beaches here... what makes you think that I would be at yours?"

The grin is back on his face.

"C'mon. You can drive there or what?"

McGarrett's House - 07:00 PM

It always amazes him how she fits well in his place. She had been there five or six times, but he doesn't know what makes his gaze fall over her, admiring the way she is over the sink in the kitchen. He sighs and goes to her, holding her by the waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I hope I have not hurt you"

She cleans her hands on a cloth and puts them on his arms around her waist.

"You haven't" And she dares to smile, leaning over him.

The sex was good, as always, but she felt something different this time. His touch was different... More careful, every move he made it was like an assurance that she was there, in his arms. It was like... Like he was memorizing every part of her body. And she never had felt this way before. When she woke up and thought about all of that, she wanted to go away from this house. She didn't know how to deal with what she was feeling, but suddenly she looked at him... He was sleeping so peacefully that her heart burst in contentment. So she stayed, because the happiness she was feeling was so much bigger than the fear. Yep... Happiness. She was happy and, for the first time, she admitted it to herself, not pushing that feeling aside like she had done before, when she was in his arms.

He wakes her up from her reverie.

"You want to order something to eat? We could see the sunset in the balcony upstairs, it's a pretty good show"

"It's a really good offer, Steve... I don't think I can say no"

He is silent for a moment and Catherine doesn't know if she said something weird or if she did something she shouldn't. She waits for his words, never leaving his embrace.

"I… I'm just thankful that you are here, you know…."

She sighs.

"Me too... I didn't say anything because I'm used to deal with things on my own…"

"I worry, Cath"

The words come out like a whisper and she turns herself to see his eyes.

"I know, Steve." She puts her hands on his arms, sensing that he wants to say something else. And she is right.

"It's just… I don't know how to explain it but… I'm not used to feel this kind of…"

She quirked her eyebrow and doesn't miss a beat.

"What do you mean?"

Steve is not used to show what he's feeling. Maybe too many years as a SEAL made him learn how to shut himself to the others. He doesn't know why, but with Catherine everything is different. God... Is he in love? He tries to push it aside and focus his attention on his worries about her.

"I... I felt worried. I know it's normal to feel worried about someone we care about, but, it hit me like a rock..."

She is not ready to let him know how she feels happy being in his arms. Maybe she's in love, but she couldn't let him know that. Steve is too practical... Besides, for the whole time they have been together this is the first time he shows her a different side and the last thing she wants is scare him, so she tries to talk only about the job.

"You were aware that my job is dangerous..."

"Yeah, I mean... I know that your job is dangerous but... I don't know. I was afraid that something really bad could've happened to you"

"Steve, both of our jobs are dangerous. I know how dangerous your job can be too. There are many times where we go to a crime scene to collect bodies from people who do private security... So, I... I understand what you're trying to say, I..."

"Have you ever felt worried about me and my job?"

His question comes out with a hint of surprise and hope, which makes her heart warm. And she can't deny him the answer he is looking for.

"Of course. I care about you too, you know?"

She doesn't know why but she could see his eyes watering. She knows he doesn't have too many close people and seeing him vulnerable like that, makes her want to hug him. She reaches for his neck and tightens her embrace. Steve leans into her, feeling her arms around him and smiles at her tenderness. This time she is the one lightening the mood.

"C'mon sailor, we're going to miss the sunset" they broke apart and Cath calls for some food, heading after Steve to the balcony, where they sit together.

Five Months Later

McGarrett's House - 01:00 AM

She doesn't know why she likes to stay here. Alright. Maybe she knows. Of course she wants to be with him, but, besides that, she likes the house. And the garden... And the beach. So it's not strange that she has slept here more often than she admits. But it's ok. Catherine Rollins and Steve McGarrett established this kind of relationship and they do not care about that: they act as a couple, they are exclusive, and they know that they love each other, but do not tell each other, and continue to tell everybody that they are just friends. But it's ok.

After some pretty awesome love making, Catherine managed to sleep, leaning her head on his shoulder like she is used to do. After a while she feels something tremble next to her and she wakes up startled. She looks at him and watches how he squirms and the drops of sweat that drains off his face. He is having a nightmare and if she didn't have quick reflexes, she wouldn't be able to dodge herself from him avoiding a punch in her arm. She never witnessed Steve having nightmares. Catherine sits down on the bed and puts her hands on his arms and calls for him.

"Steve... Wake up, Steve!"

He opens up his eyes and just stares at the ceiling. It seems that he doesn't even recognize her. He blinks one. Two. Three times and gulps hard. His eyes are red and he shuts them again. She reaches for him again, putting her soothing hand on his chest.

"I'm here, Steve. It was only a bad dream... I'm here" She says in a soothing voice. But he doesn't quite get the reality and only sees the image of Freddie dying before his eyes… His bloody hands and his best friend closing his eyes screaming his name begging for not dying. And he cries.

"No. No. No... I killed him"

Catherine keeps her hands on him.

"No, you didn't. It was just a dre..."

"NO! I KILLED HIM!" He shouts into the room. The anger she hears from him, she had never heard before. Never losing the physical contact, she just looks at him. Finally he opens his eyes again and looks at her. Hoping he is finally back to the reality she says.

"Take it easy, Steve... I just..."

He saw Freddie dying again, like so many times before, and he shouted to Catherine. He grabs her hands, taking them off of him and stands up reach for his boxers discarded on the floor. Catherine doesn't know what to do and, for the first time, she feels him shutting her out. He is now looking for some sweat pants and a shirt while in a low tone he says.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you"

"It's ok, Steve. But... are you ok?"

Catherine never saw Steve like that and she starts to freaking out. What the hell happen? He lets out a sarcastic laugh that catches her attention.

"Am I ok? Are you really asking that?"

His tone is harsh and she can't keep her mouth shut.

"What do you want me to ask? What was your dream about?"

"Stop right there!" He demands, as if he was barking an order.

"Steve, I'm just worried about you. What the hell..."

"Stop! Stop making questions!" He shouts again.

Steve doesn't know why he is yelling at her, but suddenly he directs to her the helplessness and the angry he feels. And he feels a coward for doing this, bringing up all his defenses, building a wall between them. He knows he shouldn't do that. But he can't stop himself. It's been too many years like that.