Lyrics from Lonestar's 'SMILE'

'I still remember the night we met
You said you loved my smile
But your love was like a summer breeze
Oh it lasted for a while

I could hold on a little tighter I know,
But when you love someone you gotta let 'em go, so

I'm gonna smile 'cause I want to make you happy
Laugh, so you can't see me cry
I'm gonna let you go in style
And even if it kills me
I'm gonna smile'

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Steve was sitting in a chair on the balcony when the knock came.
Danny stood and said, "Are you ready for this?"
Steve grinned, "Yeah buddy...I'm ready. Send Cath out first okay?"
"You got it and you holler if you need me"
"Thanks Danno"
As Danny re-entered the room Steve closed his eyes, sighing deeply as he waited.

Moments later, Catherine was sitting next to him and he turned to face her.
He smiled, and she smiled nervously back at him.
"Thank you for coming Cath"
"Oh course...thank you for seeing me. Steve..."
He interrupted her, "Catherine please just listen to me"
She nodded and reaching a hand to her face, she brushed a tear from her cheek.

He reached out and took hold of her hand, "Twelve years ago I laid my eyes on you for the first time and you very quickly became one of the best friends and confidants I've ever had. I knew then that you loved Billy and now I know that you never stopped loving him"

Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she choked out the words, "I'm so sorry Steve"
"No, no Catherine don't be sorry" He reached his other hand to her face and he brushed away her tears away with his fingers. He then placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face upward saying, "Look at me sweetheart"

She opened her eyes to see him smiling at her, that beautiful smile that always warmed her heart.
The lump in her throat was huge and before she could speak Steve said, "After Billy's injuries and the trauma he went through we all did what we thought was right. It's clear that he needed time away from you to heal physically and mentally, but it's also clear that he still loves you too"

Her voice shook as she said, "Steve, you're the most amazing man I've ever known and I never meant to hurt you"
"I know that Cath"
"When Billy and I separated and we started to date it felt so right, so natural. I don't want you to ever think that my love for you wasn't real Steve, because it was..."

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Inside the room Billy and Danny sat across from each other.
Danny spoke first, "We've never been introduced. I'm Danny Williams, Steve's partner"
Billy extended his hand and Danny shook it firmly, "It's nice to finally meet you Danny. Steve and Catherine have both told me a lot about you"

Danny chuckled, "All good I hope"
The young man smiled, "Absolutely"
"Well I can tell you that Steve's told me a lot about you too Billy and he loves you very much"
"Danny, there is no one in this world I admire more than Steve McGarrett. I owe him my life, he's my brother and never meant to hurt him"

Danny shook his head and replied softly, "Steve is my family and I love him...he's saved my life too. I don't know how much you know about his childhood and of the losses he's suffered, but I need you to listen to me carefully...whatever you do today...don't lie to him. He needs to hear the truth Billy. No matter how much it hurts him, he needs to hear the truth"

Billy took a deep breath, "I won't lie to him, I promise"

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Steve then asked, "Can you tell me when you knew? How long have you been back with him?"
"It's not what you think Steve. You know we've been serving on The Enterprise together now for almost a year and I've told you everything. You know that we rekindled our friendship and that's all it was"

She hesitated slightly and Steve inquired, "Are you sure about that Cath? Please...I need to know everything, I need the whole truth. It's okay...I promise"

She squeezed his hand, "I'm going to tell you the whole truth...but you need to know Steve, I have NOT slept with Billy since we separated. Neither one of us would do that to you"

Steve nodded, "That's good...I believe you Cath"
She then continued, "The feelings I had for Billy started rekindling just weeks after he arrived here but I fought them Steve. Neither one of us talked about it and we found ourselves starting to avoid each other. Whenever I was with you Steve I was so happy and whenever we were apart I missed you terribly"

"So when did thing's change?"
"Three months ago. A large group of us were in a club together in Tokyo. Both Billy and I had too much to drink and he asked me to dance. We didn't mean for it to happen Steve...but he kissed me and I just knew"

Steve then asked, "Tokyo? You called me that night didn't you?"
"Yes...I felt horrible and I was so confused"
"You came home a few days later..."
"Yes"
"I remember that weekend so clearly. I knew something was wrong...I knew something was wrong, you were distant, but I didn't want to push you. Is that when I lost you Cath?"

"That weekend I missed Billy the way I had always missed you. That was when I knew"
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
"Steve, I couldn't...I didn't want to hurt you...I couldn't hurt you"
"The next time we saw each other, everything seemed fine though"
"I know...I can only tell you that I was horribly confused"
Steve sighed and running a hand across his face he said softly, "But you're sure now?"
Without hesitating, Catherine nodded, "Yes...I love Billy"

Squeezing her hand tightly Steve said softly, "Catherine you are my friend and I want you to be happy and that means being with Billy. I treasure your friendship and Billy's and I love both of you...I ALWAYS will. I'm leaving tomorrow and I want you to promise me that you will love Billy and that you will be happy...that's all I want Cath"

As the tears again fell down her cheeks she whispered "I love you too Steve"
He stood, and pulling her up they embraced. She sobbed into his chest for several seconds and then as they parted they kissed gently and Steve said, "It's okay Cath...I want you to be happy"

They were quiet for several minutes before Steve said quietly, "I need to talk to Billy now, okay"
Wiping her eyes Catherine said "Okay, I'll sent him out. Thank you Steve"

He struggled to maintain his composure as the woman he loved turned from him and re-entered the room.

'Kiss me once for the good times baby
Kiss me twice for goodbye
You can't help what you don't feel
And it doesn't matter why

Give me a chance to bow out gracefully
'Cause that's how I want you to remember me'

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Billy moved out onto the balcony to find Steve leaning up against the railing.
As he moved towards him, Steve turned and holding out his arms the two brothers-in-arms embraced warmly.
"You look good Billy"
"It's good to see you Steve. How do you feel?"
"I'm going to be okay brother" Steve wasted no time adding, "Billy...it's okay. I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Catherine, I love both of you and I always will. I want you to be happy Billy. Love her and take care of her because if you don't, you'll be answering to me do you understand?"

Billy smiled, "I understand Steve. I love you man"
The men embraced again and then they moved to the chairs and sat down.
They didn't talk about Catherine...they talked about their friends, their brothers...

Back in the room Catherine was shaking as Danny fetched her a bottle of water.
As they sat, Danny asked "Are you okay?"
"Yes...oh God Danny, he's such an amazing man"
"Yes he is. What did he say?"
She smiled, "He said that he wants me to be happy..."

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About an hour later, they said their goodbyes and after the door closed Steve dropped down onto the bed and he sobbed.

'I'm gonna smile
So you can find the courage
Laugh, so you won't see me hurtin'
I'm gonna let you go in style
And even if it kills me
I'm gonna smile'

********* So, are you still enjoying? I'd love to hear your thoughts! *********