By now, six months had passed without any major incidents. A few days ago, Helen had turned seventeen, and she was now happily dating a nice guy named Leon. She had overcome her fears and even talked to Leon about them. He was very understanding, and Helen felt like she could trust him. Steve had also come to terms with Leon, although he initially struggled, likely due to Helen's history with her first boyfriend. But Leon was really nice, so it wasn't his fault. Steve was just glad that his daughter had overcome her fears and opened herself up to a new relationship, which had greatly improved her overall well-being.

Today was Saturday, it was the afternoon, and Steve's phone hadn't rung yet, so he was sitting on the couch with Catherine in his arms. They were watching a movie, but Steve wasn't really focused on it. He was simply enjoying the peace and the closeness to Catherine. But as always, the calm didn't last long. This time, it wasn't his phone, but the doorbell. Steve got up to answer it, and when he saw who was standing there, he was both surprised and concerned.

"Leon, what are you doing here?"

"Sorry to just show up like this, but I was supposed to meet Helen about half an hour ago, and she didn't show up. So I thought she might still be here."

"No, she left about 40 minutes ago. She told me you two were meeting. Listen, you should head home in case she turns up there. I'll go look for her, and I'll let you know if I hear anything."

"Okay, thanks."

With that, Leon left. Steve had tried to stay as calm as possible in front of him, but now, alone with Catherine, his real feelings surfaced.

"Cath, we need to get to HQ right away. We can't waste any time."

Even as Steve spoke, he was already strapping on his gun and badge and putting on proper shoes. Catherine did the same, and soon they were out the door, hopping into the Silverado and speeding off.

Steve drove with lights and sirens on, his mind racing with all the possible scenarios of what could've happened to his daughter. After a few minutes—which felt like hours—they arrived at HQ and rushed into the office. Steve immediately tried to trace Helen's phone, but it wasn't sending a signal. Now Steve knew for sure that something was wrong. Helen would never turn off her phone; they had discussed it before. He wanted her to always be reachable for her safety. But now, Steve had no idea where his daughter was or how she was doing. It was tearing him apart. He leaned over the desk, bracing himself with his hands, and let his head hang low.

Catherine stood beside him, wrapping him in her arms. The situation was just as hard on her, and she knew exactly how Steve felt. That's why she understood how important it was for them to support each other and stay level-headed.

In Catherine's embrace, Steve felt a little better and began to calm down, but he couldn't stop the tears that welled up, slowly making their way to the surface.

"Cath, I... I can't lose her."

"We'll find her. I promise."

Steve could only manage a nod as he tried to push away the negative thoughts and focus fully on finding his daughter…

50 minutes earlier*

Helen had just left the house and was on her way to meet Leon. She was walking along the sidewalk when a car pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down. A woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes was in the driver's seat.

"Helen."

"How do you know my name?"

"I knew your mother, and I'd like to talk to you. Do you see that café up ahead? I'll be sitting there, hoping you'll join me."

With that, the woman drove off. Helen stood there, unsure of what to do. Normally, she didn't trust strangers so easily, but this woman didn't seem threatening, and there were plenty of people in the café, so it didn't seem like anything could go wrong.

So, Helen decided to meet the woman. She walked the short distance to the café and went inside. It took a moment, but she spotted the woman at one of the tables. Helen walked over and sat down across from her.

"I'm glad you came."

"What do you want from me?"

"You get straight to the point, just like your father."

"Wait, a minute ago you said you knew my mother, and now I'm supposed to believe you know my father too?"

"Yes, you should, because it's the truth. I knew Liana, and I know Steve. And I know things about them that you don't."

"Anyone could say that. I think I'll leave now."

Helen was already getting up when the woman spoke again.

"He's not your father."

That made Helen freeze mid-motion, and she turned back to face the woman. The woman had hit exactly the weak spot, the one thing that had always been sensitive for Helen—her family.

"You're lying."

"No, I'm not. Steve McGarrett is not your father. And I have proof. If you want to know the truth, come with me, and I'll show you."

"Do you really think I would just go with someone I've only known for two minutes?"

"I'm not forcing you, Helen. It's your choice. But if I were you, I'd take the chance. You have the right to know the truth. I'm going to my car now, and I'll wait there for two minutes before I leave. If you don't get in, that's an answer too. I'll leave you alone, but you'll never know the truth. Because Steve certainly won't tell you."

The woman stood up and left the café. Helen sat there for a moment, thinking over her words. Was she right? Could Steve really not be her father? But if that was true, why had he taken such good care of her? And what about the letter from Liana, where it clearly said that Steve was her father? It didn't make sense. But this woman must know something about her and her parents—after all, she knew their names and had somehow found her here on Oahu.

In the end, Helen's curiosity won. She stood up, left the café, and got into the passenger seat of the woman's car. The woman immediately drove off.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"To where the truth is."

"Great, it's nice that you can speak in riddles, but I was actually supposed to meet someone, and I'd like to let them know where I'm going instead."

At that moment, the woman pulled a gun from her jacket and aimed it at Helen.

"Turn off your phone."

Helen did as she was told, cursing herself for getting into this situation…