DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-O" or any of the characters!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi everyone! Here is a new story I've started. Those of you who have read my other fics I will be finishing them. I PROMISE! I have some chapters that are going up next week. Count on it!

Things you need to know. 1. Thoughts are in italics. 2. Don't be confused by anything. The relationships and who everyone is WILL BE explained soon. I promise! You won't be disappointed!

Anyways, Please read and review! I really want to know what you think! Good or bad!

Thanks a bunch,
Laura

CHAPTER 1

Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett sat in his office looking out into the main area of the 5-0 headquarters as his team joked around with one another. It was good to have Kono back. He could've killed Fryer for what he'd done. How dare he mess with his team like that? Blackmail Kono into helping him! Putting her in danger without them knowing about it! Just thinking about it made his blood boil.

As angry as he still was about the situation, it was all in the past now. They were all back together, and with a new member. Lori Weston seemed to be a nice addition to the team. She brought her own set of skills to their task force. He had to admit he'd been wrong about her. Of course, he'd never admit that to anyone else. Steve laughed to himself as he imagined how much shit Danny would give him if he found out.

McGarrett thought having Lori there was going to be a nightmare, but the more time he spent with her the more he realized she was someone he could count on. He could tell she had developed some feelings for him, but he hadn't decided how he felt about her or if she was even someone he could be with in that way. Plus, they did work together and with the last few months being as hectic as they were he didn't want to "rock the boat" when everything was beginning to look up. It would be nice to have someone in my life like that though, he thought. He was getting tired of being alone all the time. This thought caused his mind to wander to the person who had always been there for him. Maddie. Having to head out for a bit, he shook his head, knowing he just couldn't go there just then. But Steve knew he'd think about her later, just like he had every day since he'd met her.

Walking out of his office, he approached his laughing colleagues. "Hey guys, I'm gonna go grab a quick bite with Joe. I'll see you in a bit!"

"Sure thing boss!" Kono smiled.

This caused him to smile. It's so good to hear her call me boss. I didn't realize how much her absence was affecting us, he thought as he turned towards her. "It's really great to have you back Kono."

"Thanks Boss!"

The rest of the team cheered. Even Lori joined in, more to feel a part of the team he imagined. With that he turned around and headed towards his car.

Steve met Joe for a quick bite to eat at Kamekona's to see what he had on the video they'd recovered from the governor's office. The one of his dad, Wo Fat, and the governor.

"I have nothing for you yet Steve. You gotta be patient," Joe told him.

He got the feeling Joe wasn't being straight with him. He just couldn't figure out what he wasn't telling him or why.

"You did give it to your friend, right?" Steve questioned.

"Yes! They have a lot to do besides this Steve." Joe paused. "Are you sure you want to know the answers kid?"

"Why? I need to know what my father was up to! I need to know who my father was." Steve exclaimed. Why is he asking me this? Steve wondered.

"I just promised your father I'd look out for you. I don't want you making things worse with Wo Fat by uncovering this. We have no idea what this could lead to! I understand your feelings on this Steve. I really do," Joe assured him.

"I HAVE to find out Joe. I'll figure it out with or without your help," he irritatedly replied.

Sighing, Joe stood up, "Well then, I'll let you know when I get something."

"Ok."

"Bye kid," Joe said.

"Yeah, bye." Steve watched as Joe walked away, a funny feeling burning in the pit of his stomach. There is something off here, Steve thought. But, I guess there's nothing I can do about it right now. Standing, he waved to Kamekona and started towards the water. He walked along the beach, mind wandering as he took in his surroundings. Just like every other time he was at the beach, Steve's mind wandered to Maddie. The way they'd sneak down to the beach at night as kids. Just talking and laughing for hours. She always had her guitar with her "just in case inspiration hit" she would tell him. Steve smiled, which was all the time! he thought quietly, chuckling to himself as he reminisced.

He missed her. That was an understatement. They'd been through so much since they first met as kids, both good and bad. But they had always stuck by one another. He hadn't seen her in 2 years. Hadn't spoken to her in over a year. A far cry from the days when they spoke every night and that was when he was on the mainland and she was touring the world. But then he joined the Navy and it became increasingly more difficult to see and speak to her. It wasn't just his job that caused them to drift apart, it was hers too. She was never in one place for very long, but they had still figured out a way to stay in touch. That is, until he began chasing the Hess brothers all over the world. Man, they caused me so many problems! Not only did Victor murder my father, but I lost the one person in the world I can't live without, Steve thought. He'd called her when his father had died (the first time in a year), but there was no answer. Steve had left her a message saying hi and that he wanted to catch up. He didn't mention that his father had been murdered. Maddie had been so close to his family and it wasn't something he wanted to tell her in a message. She never returned his call or the ones he'd left her every week since then. "There's no harm in calling again. Although I'm sure she won't answer or call me back," he mumbled to himself as he reached for his phone. "Mads" popped up on the screen as he hit speed dial 1. His thumb hovered over "Call" for what seemed like minutes before he pressed it. Holding the phone to his ear it rang and rang and rang. Great she's not gonna answer, he was disappointed. Even though he knew she wasn't going to answer when he called he always felt a huge loss afterwards. he had wished and hoped she'd answer this time. He really needed to hear her voice right then.

"Hi! You've reached Maddie! I OBVIOUSLY can't come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name, number, and a BREIF message I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Thank you and have a wonderful day!" Steve smiled at her sense of humor and her quirky inflections on the words "obviously" and "brief". Not many people can get away with a message like that and not be considered rude, but she does it and it's funny! So her! Go figure! he smiled sadly and sighed. I miss that sense of humor.

McGarrett waited for the beep. Should I even bother leaving a message? What am I going to say that I haven't already said on the million other messages I've left her? I mean she obviously wants nothing to do with me. I just wish I knew why! But...I guess it can't hurt at this point. "Hi Maddie...I don't know what's going on...I hope you're okay. You know how I worry about you...Anyway, I just...I just need to hear your voice." There was a long pause before his voice became softer (if that was even possible) and with his eyes closed he said, "I just need you." With that, Steve hung up.

He plopped down on the hot sand feeling sorry for himself. I need to get to the bottom of this. What if she's not okay? I mean she hates letting me know something isn't right. She's stubborn like that. Maybe that's the problem. But wouldn't Pete have called me? That's his job. That's why I got him the job. Because I trust him with her life. The more he pondered Maddie's wellbeing the more freaked out and worried he became. "I'm just gonna give him a call. Make sure she's okay at least or I'm gonna go crazy worrying about her!" he immediately decided.

Steve quickly hit the number 2 and "send" as the name "Pete" came up on the screen. It rang a few times before he heard a slight husky whispered voice on the other end of the line, "Been too long bro!"

"Pete! How you been? How's everything?" Steve questioned, immediately putting on a macho male front.

"Hold on," he whispered. It was loud wherever Pete was. He could hear a ton of voices and wondered if she was there with him. Of course she is! That's his job! Unless she's fired him. Oh my God! What if she fired him? Then who's making sure she's safe? Steve began to panic until he heard Pete's voice. "Mo! I gotta take this call. I need you to take over for a few. I'll be back shortly. Thanks man!" Calm down Steve. See, he's still with her. He's not even leaving her alone while he takes a phone call. He's bringing in his backup while he talks to you. Chill out! he attempted to talk himself down as he took long deep breaths, exhaling each one slowly. The voices began to fade away before Pete came back on. "Sorry for that bro. I just...uh...well...uh..." he stumbled unsure of what to say.

"You didn't want her to know it was me," Steve guessed.

Silence. The only answer he needed. "Sorry Steve," Pete quietly said. "I assume you wanna know how she is?"

It stung. The fact that she obviously didn't want to hear about him or know someone around her was talking to him hurt. Deep. She really didn't want anything to do with him. Of course he had assumed she didn't because she was ignoring him, but it became real with what Pete said. It just wasn't like her to "disappear" this way. The Maddie he'd known practically his entire life told you if you pissed her off. At least in situations like this. Sure, he figured she'd be mad she hadn't heard from him in so long, but she would not have "written him off" for something like that. "She mad I didn't call for so long? I couldn't. I called as soon as I could."

"No, that's not it. Honestly Steve, she won't tell me what it is. I don't know man..." Pete cryptically said sounding as if he was holding something back.

Steve picked up on it. He didn't like the way Pete had said that. He could feel something wasn't right. "What is it? What's wrong? Is she okay?" His heart was pounding as he questioned his old buddy.

"Woah Steve! She's safe! Calm down! ...Enough about Maddie. Where are you? Overseas still? How's Stilts? Buddha? Everyone?"

McGarrett laughed at the use of the crazy nicknames they'd given to everyone in their unit. "Man we had some great times! They're awesome! But I'm not with them. I'm actually in Hawaii. I'm on leave. Heading up a task force here."

"What? You're not running all over the world playing ninja with the others anymore? I can't believe it!" Pete teased, but still conveyed his shock.

"No, I'm not. But I'm taking care of some really terrible people. Gotta get them off the streets and off this island." "As long as you're happy McG, that's all that matters."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks."

"So, if you're in Hawaii that must mean you've seen your dad after what? 10 years? Longer? How is he? You staying with him?"

Do I tell him? What if he tells Maddie? I don't want her finding out that way, Steve paused while he decided how to answer. Never having lied to his friend before, he went with the truth. "He's actually dead. That's what brought me back to Hawaii."

"What? Oh man! Steve, I am so sorry! When this go down?"

"4 months ago."

Pete felt terrible. Why hadn't Steve told him? "What? Why are you just telling me now? I would've come out for the services!"

"I know, but you have a much more important job to do. Keeping her safe. Anyway, I didn't have anyone at the service. It was just me."

"Speaking of Maddie...does she know?" Pete could already guess the answer. He figured if she knew she wouldn't have frozen him out regardless of the reason, but then she hadn't really been acting like herself the last few months or so. Steve didn't need to know that right now. He hadn't lied when he told her she was safe because she most definitely was.

Steve sighed. "No. I called her when I got to Hawaii. I wanted her to know, but she never called back. It wasn't something I wanted to leave in a message. She was so close to my parents. She saw my dad more than I did the last 10 years. Every time she came home she'd stop by and see him. I know she'll be upset when she finds out, so please don't tell her. I don't want her finding out from anyone except me. As far as I know she doesn't even know I'm back here."

"Hmm... well, I won't tell her. But I can guarantee if I did, she'd at least call you. She,"

Steve interrupted him, "But I don't want her to contact me because of that. Because she feels she has to. I want her to do it because she wants to."

"I get it bro. I do. Well, I'll try and figure out what the problem is."

"Thanks P. I appreciate that."

"She's scheduled to go home soon. I can set it up where you just happen to run into her."

"Nah. No tricks. We'll just see what happens. Play it by ear," McGarrett sadly said.

"Alright, if you're sure. But if you change your mind, just let me know. Hey McG, I gotta go back to her. It's been..." Pete stopped mid sentence not wanting to let on that something was off with her. Steve didn't need to hear that right now. He had enough on his mind.

"What? I thought you said everything was fine! What aren't you telling me?" Steve felt his earlier panic over her wellbeing and safety return. He always did worry like crazy about her.

"Calm down bro! She's fine! It's just been a long couple days. I want to make sure she gets some time to just relax before the show," Pete tried to recover. He wasn't lying to him after all, that was the truth. He just wasn't telling Steve everything.

"Ok. As long as that's all it is."

"It is."

"Ok, go back. I'll talk to you soon!"

"You too McG! Sorry again to hear about your loss!"

"Thanks! Later,"

"Later."

With that Steve hung up. Well at least she was safe. And she'd be home soon. He'd get to the bottom of things then. Feeling better after speaking to Pete, he stood, brushed the sand off his cargos and headed towards his car. Although they didn't have a big case right now, there were still things that needed to get done.

That's it! Please please please READ and REVIEW! THANK YOU!