Malama
Chapter One
Disclaimer: I don't own the show, or it's characters. Only Maddie, Kaia and Scott are mine.
Summary: After a few weeks of marriage everything is going great, until a familiar face returns and Maddie faces the consequences. Will she survive or will Steve lose part of his Ohana? Again.
Steve watched as Kaia tried and failed to get closer to the tree that stood in the corner of the living room.
He had been surprised when Maddie had called him into the nursery a few days ago, and pointed at Kaia, who had been trying to crawl across to her toys.
The doctor who checked her out a couple weeks ago, had mentioned that she would start trying to do that more often, but it could take her a while to actually move.
Steve had never been so proud. Maddie had almost cried, but had later denied it.
Kaia bumped back on to the floor, and looked at him, he could see the frustration on her small face, he smiled and distracted her by picking her favourite seal toy up and wriggling at her.
The approaching tears vanished, replaced by a smile so innocent, Steve couldn't help but smile back.
She shouted something unintelligible, and grabbed for the toy.
Both he and Maddie couldn't wait for Christmas day, and they were both excited to see Kaia's reaction to the holiday. Sure she wouldn't understand the concept yet, but she would enjoy the new stuffed animals and all the attention.
He had even bought a video recorder so they could document her first Christmas.
Steve looked up as Maddie came dowstairs, ''Bath's ready,'' She said, squatting down next to him, and waving slightly at Kaia.
Kaia waved her arm back, it was unsteady but the intention was clear.
The both grinned and clapped, Steve picked her up and hugged her close.
After a very messy bathtime, and Kaia was dressed again, they went into the nusery and sat on the pile of cushions in the corner.
Maddie pulled a picture book towards them.
''Goodnight Moon,'' Steve quirked an eyebrow.
Maddie shrugged, ''Rachel said it was a good book,'' She flipped it open to the first page. ''It put me to sleep last night...''
Steve chuckled, and listened to the soothing tone Maddie used as she read. They usually took it in turns to read to her, so that Kaia got used to both of them.
She soon fell alseep, in Steve's arms. He put her in the crib, and whispered ''Goodnight ku`uipo.''
He made sure the monitor was switched on, then made his way to his and Maddie's room.
''You look tired,'' Maddie commented, softly.
He wiped a hand down his face, ''Didn't get much sleep last night,''
Maddie had been called out in the middle of the night on a mission, so Steve had had to handle the painfilled screams on his own.
''I know,'' She stood up, and kissed him. ''You get some sleep, if she wakes up tonight, I'll go.''
They had discovered a few days ago that Kaia was starting to get her baby teeth through, and hadn't slept through the night for about a week.
Steve kissed her back, ''You are a life saver,''
Maddie smirked at him, ''You are a genius,''
H50H50H50H50H50
Maddie opened a bleary eye and glanced at the alarm clock, 01:43am.
She climbed out of bed and padded to the nursery, Kaia was kicking her legs in distress.
Maddie lifted her out of the crib and rocked her gently.
She grabbed a soft toy from the box, and handed it to Kaia, who put it straight to her mouth.
Maddie sat them both in the rocking chair, and started singing softly to the upset child.
'Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high , like a diamond in the sky...'
The cries died down slightly, as Kaia calmed down. Maddie kissed the crown of her head, and contiuned singing.
'When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light, twinkle, twinkle all the night.
Then the traveller in the dark, thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go, if you did not twinkle so.'
Kaia almost dropped the stuffed toy as her eyes slipped closed, but Maddie caught it before it could fall. She put it back into the box, and gently laid Kaia down. She leaned against the wooden side and stroked a finger over Kaia's red cheek.
'In the dark blue sky you keep, and often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye, 'till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark lights the traveller in the dark,
Though I know not what you are - twinkle, twinkle little star.'
A small smile graced Maddie's lips as she watched her now step-daughter sleep.
''Sweet dreams, keiki...''
H50H50H50H50H50
''You look about as tired as I feel,'' Danny said, as Steve entered the bull-pen.
Steve smirked, ''And yet you look worse than I ever could.''
Kono laughed, ''That's cold, Brah...''
''Good thing I'm the boss then, isn't it?'' Steve shot back, grinning. This is exactly what he needed to wake up properly.
''Not that you like to pull ranks though...'' Chin said, amused.
Steve rolled his eyes, then got down to business, ''We have anything?''
The three team-mates glanced at each other, after hearing the same every morning for the last few months, they hated having to give the same answer over and over again.
''Nothing yet,'' Danny said, quietly.
Steve nodded and headed into his office; he didn't really expect to hear anything after so long, but he couldn't help but ask anyway.
About half an hour later, they got a call from HPD about a murder in Waipahu.
They headed out to the crime scene; a young woman, shot and killed by her boyfriend, who had fled the scene as soon the sirens got within hearing range.
Five-0 tracked him down inside of two hours, but not without Danny almost getting shot again.
''I'm just saying, I deserve a higher rate of pay, if I have to be your partner!'' Danny ranted on, while riding back to HQ.
Steve shook his head, ''Fine,''
Danny stared at him, ''What?''
''I'll transfer you back to HPD,'' Steve said, straight faced.
Danny started spluttering, forcing a laugh out of Steve.
''Stupid neanderthal...'' He grumbled.
H50H50H50H50H50
Maddie stood in the kitchen, with Kaia in the high-chair.
''C'mon Kaia, open your mouth,'' Maddie coaxed. Kaia kept her mouth closed firmly.
''It's really good,'' Maddie tried some of the baby food, hoping to trick the child into eating her dinner.
Steve walked into the kitchen, just in time to see the look of complete disgust on Maddie's face.
''Oh my God, that's vile!'' She said, wiped her mouth.
''I made the same mistake the other day...'' Steve said, sympathetically.
She straightened and sighed, ''She won't eat anything.''
Steve took the spoon from her hand and tried himself, finally after a few minutes Kaia took the offered food.
He kept going until she had finished the entire bowl.
H50H50H50H50H50
The next morning, Rachel called and asked Maddie if she could watch a sick Grace. Maddie said it wasn't a problem, and got a few covers and pillows set up on the couch.
An hour later Rachel dropped Grace off, ''Scott has a doctors appointment, and Danny has a case...'' She explained.
''It's no problem, really. I have some time off anyway. Grace will be fine,'' Maddie replied.
They spoke for a few minutes more, then Rachel left for the doctors surgery.
''How are you feeling Gracie?'' Maddie asked, the tired looking eight year old.
''I feel a little sick,'' Grace said, unhappily.
Maddie guided her over to the couch, and covered her with the sheets.
''Try and get some sleep, if I'm not here when you wake up, I'll be upstairs checking on Kaia. Okay?''
Grace nodded, and closed her eyes, her breathing evening out a couple of minutes later.
Maddie got on with the cleaning, and washing, checking on both the children every half an hour.
Gracie woke around lunchtime, feeling ferverish, so Maddie gave her some Tylenol made specially for kids, and she went back to sleep.
She went upstairs to check on Kaia, but just as she was placing her back in the crib, a loud scream came from downstairs.
Maddie ran downstairs, as fast as she could.
''Grace are you-'' She stopped as she saw who was standing in the middle of the living room.
Catherine.
Maddie glared at her, ''What the hell are you doing here?''
The woman standing in front of her, had none of the arrogance of their last meeting. She looked haggard, and miserable.
''I made a mistake in leaving them both. I want her back. I want my baby,'' Catherine said, quietly.
Maddie scoffed, ''That's convenient.''
''It's true! At least tell me if she's okay?'' She cried.
Grace suddenly started coughing, tears making tracks down her cheeks. Maddie hurried over to her, handing her the glass of water from the coffee table. She placed a hand on the little girls forehead, glad that she didn't feel any warmer.
''Maddie!'' Grace said, loudly.
Maddie glanced up and saw Catherine running up the stairs.
She took her phone from her jeans pocket and passed it to Grace.
''Call Danno!'' She ordered, before taking off after Catherine.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she heard Kaia crying loudly.
''Catherine put her down,'' Maddie said, angrily.
She looked at Maddie, ''Why is she crying?''
''Because she doesn't know you! You're scaring her! Now put her down.'' Maddie repeated.
Catherine shook her head, ''She's mine. Mine and Steve's. Not yours.''
Maddie felt the panic rise in her chest; she had to get Kaia away from Catherine safely.
''I know that. I was just looking out for her until you came back,'' Maddie said, softly. ''She's all yours, but if she doesn't have her afternoon nap, she gets cranky. Put her back in the crib, and come downstairs...'' She made her voice as soothing as possible, hoping Catherine would see sense.
But it looked like she was having none of it.
''No!'' She shouted.
Kaia cried louder, her distress clear. She wanted Steve or Maddie, and nothing would calm her down until she got them.
''Okay, give her to me, so I can calm her down-'' Maddie started.
Catherine stepped forward and pushed Maddie to the side. Maddie let her; if she had tried to stop her, Kaia would have gotten hurt.
Catherine hurried for the stairs, but stopped when she saw Grace standing at the bottom.
''Catherine think this through,'' Maddie raised her hands in a placating gesture. ''Where are you going to go? Huh? Kaia is safe here. Your a mother, you have to think about what's best for her!''
She frowned, but didn't sound to sure of herself ''She's safe with me...''
''Then why is she still crying?'' Maddie asked, urgently.
Catherine looked at Maddie, and made as if to give Kaia to her.
Maddie stepped forward slowly, by now they were standing right at the top of the stairs, with Grace craning her neck to see around the corner.
Just as Maddie's fingers brushed Kaia's back, Catherine seemed to change her mind and took a huge step back.
Maddie lost her balance, and felt the world tip as her foot slipped off the top step. Open air was all that was behind her as she fell.
Distantly, she could hear Grace screaming, and Kaia crying and saw Catherine watching in a vague kind of horror.
She was sure she hit every step on the way down, but strangely enough she couldn't feel any pain. All that mattered in that second was the fact that Kaia was still in the arms of a lunatic.
A/N: Thank you for reading! Chapter Two will be up shortly. I hope you enjoyed this chapter? Let me know, please. And to any Catherine fans reading this, don't worry, I don't dislike the character enough to make her completely insane! Everything will be explained soon.
*Malama - To Care For
*Ku`uipo - Sweetheart
*Keiki - Baby/Child