For those of you who have read my two chapter short-story called "Chicago Makes Everything Better", you may see some similarities in this one since I used some of the same dialogue. When I wrote "Chicago", it was earlier in the Season and we didn't know if or when they would bring Catherine back. I wrote that to resolve some of the missing pieces in my mind of why Catherine would have left Steve for so long. Now, that we've seen her come back, I've written this version of their reunion, but am using some of the same dialogue from the other. I hope you enjoy. Reviews are always welcome. I love hearing from all of you!

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Hey, Sailor.

Steve could have sworn he was dreaming. He hadn't talked to her over two months. Hadn't seen her in over a year. Was she really here?

Catherine.

She was a sight for sore eyes. And an aching heart. God, how he had missed her. Seeing her there in front of him, Steve didn't know whether to be angry or ecstatic that she had returned. She had broken his heart, and although the Navy SEAL in him understood the logic behind her reasons for staying away, his heart had still been broken.

But here she was again. In front of him. Looking beautiful as ever. Her hair was much longer than when he'd last seen her, and she was wearing the faded cutoff shorts that had always been her favorite. He loved them on her too: They showed off her gorgeous legs and perfect ass. How many times had he taken them off of her as they fought for control and undressed each other in a frenzy?

Yes, she was a sight for sore eyes. It took him a moment to find his voice.

He pulled her to him and held her. Then, asked her to breakfast before being called away for work. Seems it was always work. He had a duty to fulfill, though, and she understood that. As a result, the reunion was postponed.

When he saw her awhile later ready for Kono and Adam's wedding, she looked like a vision in her blue dress and long, straight hair. Steve had fought the urge to take her dress right back off, carry her into the house, and get reacquainted. BUT…..it was Kono's wedding day. Not to mention the fact that his heart wouldn't let him give in so easily. He needed to guard himself even though he wanted her more than anything he'd wanted before. He needed to know why….Why had she stayed away? Why had she told him to move on? And why had she come back? Was it only for Kono's wedding or did she come back for him too?

Rather than asking all of those questions, he had asked the only one he could at the moment…..How long did she plan to stay?

She answered his question with a question of her own, "How long do you want me to stay?"

Before he could answer, another phone call had come in. Damn the job, sometimes…

Her words had echoed in his mind all day. Never mind the fact that they were trying to 'save the world', or at least Hawaii, by defusing and disposing of a nuclear weapon. Yes, he knew his duty and knew what he had to do. But his mind was never off of Catherine or the fact that she was back.

He was ready to fight for her.

He was ready to fight for them.

If the past year had taught him anything it was that he needed Catherine, he was miserable without her, and he loved her more than he had realized. The regrets he carried over not saying 'I love you' more often weighed heavy on his mind.

Now, she was back and he wasn't about to lose the opportunity to make it permanent.

Steve pulled Catherine to the dance floor for a slow dance as an excuse to hold her close.

"We've had quite an eventful day, Commander." Catherine began, "What with car chases, you flying a helicopter over the ocean… with a nuclear bomb on it, and then ending it with Kono's wedding."

She felt the deep rumble of Steve's chuckle against her as he held her close, "Yes, well, we like to keep it interesting around here, ya know. Look at all the fun you've been missing out on."

She smiled up at him but pain hid behind her eyes.

"I've missed you, Cath."

"I've missed you too."

Steve was looking at her as if he were trying to figure out whether or not she was telling him the truth. The hurt she saw in his eyes broke her heart. She knew she had hurt him when she told him to move on several months earlier, but she didn't realize the extent of how deeply it had cut him until she saw it manifested in his eyes. She reached a hand up to stroke his cheek before leaning up to kiss him.

"What do you say we get out of here and go home?" Steve quirked an eyebrow and showed his 'sideways smile' that he knew melted her resolve. Every time. "We have a lot to catch up on, Lieutenant Rollins," he finished.

Home. It sounded so good to her, and if Steve would let her back in, she wanted her home to be with him from now on. But first….they had to talk. And if she knew Steve, he wasn't going to give up until she came completely clean on everything. The man was tenacious, almost to a fault, when he felt something wasn't right. She would have no choice but to spill her soul if she wanted back in his good graces. Without him, she felt empty, though, so she was willing to do whatever it took to get him back.

They made their way through the guests to say goodbye to everyone before making it to Adam and Kono. They all shared hugs and "congratulations" again before Kono looked at Steve, "I'm going to steal her away for just a sec, Boss."

Before Steve could answer one way or another, Kono grabbed Catherine's hand and led her a few steps away from the men so they could talk without being overheard.

"Remember what we talked about." Kono stated as she looked at Catherine encouragingly.

Catherine stole a quick glance at Steve and found him watching her intently. She turned back to Kono, "I don't know, Kono. I don't know if he will ever forgive me. I hurt him. I didn't realize how badly until I saw him today. Seeing the pain I've caused him….." She took a deep breath as her voice trailed off. She couldn't even complete what she was about to say.

Kono gave her a reassuring smile before pulling her in for a hug. She held the embrace so she could whisper to Catherine without Steve reading her lips, "He'll forgive you, Cath. Steve loves you. Believe me, we have all seen that in the last year. You'll be able to work this out….I know it."

She pulled away and smiled at Catherine again, "Now, go make up." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, "You know 'make up' sex is the best, right? And come on…..It's been a year. You two are due for some making up!"

Catherine couldn't help but laugh even though her face was still a little hesitant. She dared to hope that Kono was right and Steve would let her back in.

Watching them laugh over something Kono said, Steve's heart swelled at the way Cath's smile lit up her beautiful face.

The women returned and Steve and Catherine said a final "goodbye" before leaving to go back to the McGarrett house.

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Steve and Catherine were both quiet on the drive home. It had been a very eventful and emotional day. They had experienced every emotion from elation at seeing one another again…to fear and anger over a terrorist attack in their homestate….to joy over seeing two of their dear friends getting married. Both were lost in their thoughts. At one point, Steve reached over to take Catherine's hand. She smiled over at him and released a contented sigh knowing that he did still care. For the first time since she had decided to come back home, she had some hope that they would work things out.

Steve pulled the truck to a stop and got out to walk around and help Catherine out. Always the gentleman, she mused. It was one of the many things she loved about Steve. He could be focused, determined, demanding, and unyielding at times, but he also had a big heart. He cared deeply for those he loved. Anyone lucky enough to get into his heart had his devotion and loyalty forever. And he knew how to treat a woman…or at least "his woman". Her heart skipped a beat as he opened the door to help her out of the truck. She put her hand into his as they walked up the sidewalk together towards the front door. Steve unlocked the door before stepping aside to let her enter first.

"Welcome home, Cath." He said behind her. Catherine turned to put her arms around his neck before standing on tiptoes to kiss him.

"My feet are killing me in these shoes. Give me a minute to change?"

Steve knew she was stalling, but decided to concede. "Sure." Steve answered, "I'll pour us a drink and then we need to talk."

Catherine shook her head but her expression was pensive….nervous. Steve reached up to stroke her cheek, "We're okay, Cath. Everything's gonna be fine….Don't worry."

Relief flooded through her as she turned to go upstairs and change. When she returned, she found Steve standing outside. He had removed his tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt and was working on uncorking a bottle of wine. His favorite beer was sitting on the table beside her wine glass. More than once over the years, she had heard fellow female officers describing Steve McGarrett as a "long, cool drink of water", so she allowed herself a moment to drink in the sight of him. It was all she could do not to sigh.

He glanced up to catch her watching him. The smile that crossed his face caused her heart to flutter inside her chest. He finished pouring her wine and held it out to her as she walked outside. She took it gratefully and swallowed a sip before noticing the bottle. Her heart flipped again as she realized it was the same wine they had shared for the first time in Coronado after a particularly long separation. Ever since then, Steve had made it a point to find a bottle whenever they got back together.

But how had he found time to do that today? Unless….

"How long have you had this?" her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, as she lifted her glass.

Steve shrugged, "Old habits die hard, I guess. I bought it a few months ago hoping you'd come home to me." His eyes were intense as he watched her as if they were seeing into her soul. In a way, they were, and Catherine tried to fight against the tears that welled in her eyes.

Steve reached a hand out to her, "Come on. Let's go for a walk." She put her hand into his and delighted in the feel of his large hand holding onto hers again as they walked towards the sand.

After a few minutes, she heard him take a deep breath, "So tell me why you stayed away, Cath?"

She knew better than to lie to Steve. He would see right through it….He always did. She started to pull her hand away from his in an attempt to give herself some space, but he gripped it tighter obviously not willing to let her go. "Don't shut me out, Catherine. Tell me what's going on."

Damn him and his sixth sense, Catherine thought. Physically touching Steve, even in just holding hands, made her feel vulnerable. But of course, he knew that…Which was why he wasn't letting her pull away. She took another sip of her wine and tried to decide where to begin.

"Look," Steve continued, "I know you said you wanted to stay there and work with the village…..and I totally get that. I do. But you aren't telling me everything." His voice was resolute. Firm. But also compassionate.

Steve could see tears starting to fall down her cheeks, so he stopped walking to step in front of her. "Dammit, Catherine. Look at me." When she looked up to him again, he voice softened, "You were running away….from us? I want to know why."

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Update COMING SOON! We'll find out Catherine's answer...