DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-0" or any of the characters from the show. However, I do own Maddie! :o)


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

YAY! A new chapter! I wanted to give you guys some info on what exactly a portable MRI machine is. An MRI is a machine that scans different parts of your body. It shows more than an X-ray (which really just shows bones). This shows nerves, tissues, etc. An MRI is kind of like a tube. In this case, Maddie needs a scan of her brain so she lays down on the bed part of the machine and it slides her slowly inside a tube which is where the pictures of her brain would be , normally you go to a hospital for an MRI scan, but now they have portable MRI's. They are inside a big truck...think a size similar to a tour bus or a big motorhome. Anyway, one room has the machine in it and then there's another room where someone sits and sees the pictures being taken come up on a screen. I hope this makes sense. If you want to see a picture of what the portable MRI units look like google it and you'll see a bunch of pictures!

Anyway, as always, the characters thoughts are in italics.

I'm so excited for the next few chapters because the story really picks up. I'd really like to know what you guys think of it. Also let me know if you're ever confused by anything. I try and really make sure to be clear in my writing, but I think sometimes then I over think things and maybe end up making it confusing. HA! Sooo, please let me know if that ever happens!

PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! The more reviews the faster I update. I didn't receive many reviews last time, so it took me awhile to update. A TON of people have read the story and put it on alert, just not reviewed!

SOOOO PLEASE REVIEW!

Thanks so much!

xo,

Laura


CHAPTER 7

Pulling up to Maddie's house Pete jumped out the passenger seat of the black SUV and pulled the back seat door open. "Here Steve, I'll take her," he offered so Steve would be able to get out of the car. Not the easiest thing to do while holding a person.

Reluctant to hand her over, Steve looked down at Maddie's face or at least what he could see of it since she had it buried in his chest and neck. Man, I really missed her, he thought. Just wish I'd actually been able to talk to her. I miss her cute, silly personality. Her outlook on life. How even when she's sad or having a bad day, she's always cheerful and making jokes. Loving the feeling of having her in his arms where she was safe he said, "It's alright Pete. I think passing her off will jiggle her head around more and that seems to cause her the most pain. I got her."

"Alright bro," Pete smiled knowing Steve just didn't want to let go of her. He carefully helped his friend out of the car.

As Steve walked up the few steps to her already open front door (thanks to Kono) he heard Maddie groan and pull herself tighter against Steve. "Sorry for the movement Mads. We are almost there," he assured before softly kissing her forehead.

Making his way into the living room right off the kitchen he noticed Kono had already placed a blanket on the couch and was cutting open a trash bag. "You read my mind Kono. I don't want to take her to her room until after Malia comes with the MRI truck. But…," he stopped watching her place what used to be the trash bag but was now a big sheet of plastic on the carpet next to the couch. "What's with the…whatever that is?"

"She still has some glass on her. Her hand for sure and a few small pieces here and there. I mean, you got the big pieces, but she's still covered in teeny ones. Thought while we wait for Malia and Chin I'd try and get the rest off. I don't want any falling on the carpet only for someone to step on them later, so…thought we'd set this beneath her on the floor. The blanket on the couch will collect those pieces," Kono rambled showing Steve she too was worried and a bit anxious.

"Good thinking Kono." He bent over to lay Maddie on the couch, however she still clung to him, his shirt balled in her fists, and it seemed there was no way she was letting go. Steve bent closer to her and whispered something in her ear. No one heard what he said, but whatever it did worked. Maddie let go of his shirt. Reaching a hand out and placing it on Kono's forearm Steve made eye contact with her. "I know how close you and Maddie are. That you've become friends through Chin. She's going to be okay. Luckily the pieces of glass were all pretty small. Every cut on her is superficial."

"But boss, her head. I mean she really hit her head. What if…" Kono couldn't finish.

Knowing what she was worried about because it was exactly what had him freaked out Steve replied, "She's responding to me. She's going to be just fine. Leave it to Maddie to not pass out on some carpet or grass, but marble and broken glass. She is and always has been the biggest klutz I've ever met." Steve smiled hoping he was helping Kono calm down. His voice and body language in these moments oozed calm and collected, but his eyes told a different story. One Kono didn't pick up on, but Pete did. He could see Steve was worried about her head, but more than that he was completely freaked out as to what could be going on with her. Given her reaction to seeing him, both Steve and Pete knew whatever she was hiding was worse than they had thought. Maddie wasn't a drama queen or a diva. She despised making people worry and didn't do very well when people fussed over her like this. It made her uncomfortable. What she hated most of all was worrying Steve. So he knew if she was falling apart like this and causing everyone worry, it had to be something…he didn't even know what it could be, only that it had to be something serious.

Steve bent over his best friend and closely inspected her left hand. The hand she'd crushed the glass in. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted some almost microscopic shards all over her clothes. "Seriously? I thought I got most of the pieces off her. But it looks like she's covered in glass confetti. Great!"

"Let's not worry about what's on her clothes. I'll get the rest out of her hand and you look on her legs. I think I got almost all of it out in your office, but…let's double check," Kono stated.

"Alright," Steve agreed as he knelt next to Maddie eliciting a groan from him.

Kono glanced over. "You okay boss?"

"Yeah," he laughed a bit shaking his head. "Think I have a few shards in my knees from kneeling next to her back at HQ. No big deal. I'll deal with it later."

With that both went back to the task at hand. Five minutes later Steve stood looking at his watch. Walking to Kono's other side where he could be next to Maddie's face he leaned over, "Maddie?" Getting no response he gently shook her shoulder. "Mads, come on. Let me see those blue eyes." Kono noticed how he was so sweet with her. The soothing tone his voice took on. This was a side of him she'd never seen, but she liked it. It was obvious he cared deeply for her. She found herself wondering if they'd ever been more than friends. They'd make an amazing couple, Kono thought. And the most beautiful children. I mean Maddie is drop dead gorgeous and then there's Steve. Probably the most good-looking guy she'd ever met. She smiled at the thought of little baby Maddie and Steve's running around. McGarrett's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Maddie? Come on…" He was starting to get a bit worried. He wasn't a doctor, but he knew what it would mean if she didn't wake up. Just as he was about to call her name again, she groaned. As Maddie barely opened her eyes she found Steve looking down on her smiling brightly, but the worry evident in his eyes.

"Hey you…" he softly said as he tucked a piece of her soft hair behind her ear.

"Mmmm," Maddie groaned as her eyes closed once more.

He didn't her to stay awake long, he just needed to make sure she would wake up, so he let her fall back asleep. Running a hand down the side of her head, he sighed before returning to his spot on Kono's other side.

"It looks like I got everything out of her hand boss. I just…it's probably going to be a little sore. Some of these are pretty bad."

Steve glanced over at Maddie's left hand. "Yeah…" he bit his lip before joking, "well, luckily she's right handed." The two coworkers smiled briefly before he continued on. "I'd wrap it up, but let's have Malia give it a once over when she gets here."

"Cool," Kono answered. "How you doing boss?"

Steve used a tweezers to pull out a shard on the back of Maddie's calf and then lightly brushed the area in case there were any lose pieces. "I think it looks good. What do you think? There's this one here, but it's really in there. My hands and fingers are too big."

"Here let me try." Kono scooted closer to McGarrett lightly elbowing him to move over. She leaned closer to the area Steve pointed out. "I see it. Alright, watch a pro." After a few seconds she pulled the offending object from the bottom of her friends foot. Holding it up triumphantly, she performed a sort of victory dance with her head and shoulders.

Steve chuckled. He knew what she was doing; trying to make him laugh and lighten the mood. "Thanks Kono."

"You're welcome Boss," Kono paused turning towards him. "You know you're right, she really is going to be fine. Whatever's bothering her…you'll get to the bottom of it."

"Have you talked to her lately?" he asked. Sure Kono was younger than Maddie, but they shared a unique bond. Chin had introduced the two right after Kono busted her knee. She had been in a bad place and Maddie had helped pull her out of her dark funk.

Kono became quiet. "Yeah…we speak."

"She tell you anything?"

Kono was a bit unsure as to whether she should be talking to Steve about anything Maddie ever said to her. Their friendship meant a lot to her and she didn't want to do anything mess that up. "Um…" Kono looked down at Maddie and back at Steve and then towards the kitchen across the room. Steve nodded understanding what she was saying.

Standing Kono headed towards the kitchen. Before following her, Steve walked to a chest near the couch and pulled out a dark purple plush blanket. Unfolding it he walked back to a sleeping Maddie and carefully covered her. He chuckled as she reacted to the soft fabric. Even though the couch he'd laid her on was huge, so big that his 6 foot 3 inch frame could lie down on it comfortably and there'd still be more room, she curled into the fetal position, her knees up to her chin. From under the blanket her hands grabbed the fabric pulling it to her body tightly. Steve rolled his eyes while shaking his head smiling as Maddie made an almost purring noise. I love it when she does that, he thought, recalling all the times he'd jokingly made fun of her for her childlike snuggling ways. Remembering Kono was in the kitchen waiting, he snapped out of it and made his way across the room.

Reaching into the refrigerator and grabbing two bottles of water he spoke quietly, picking up where they'd left off. "Sorry, Kono. I shouldn't have asked. I don't want you to break her confidence. I'm just," Steve paused as he handed one of the waters to Kono. "I'm just really worried about her. You know Maddie. She doesn't fall apart. She's so strong. Something just isn't right, Kono. Plus, she's never shut me out like this."

"No, it's okay. I understand. And…no, she never said anything to me. But I noticed a change in her. Of course we only spoke over the phone. I haven't seen her in a while." Kono took a sip of her water.

"What do you mean? What kind of change?" Steve wondered.

"Just…I don't know how to explain it….Like….I guess she became distant. You know how she always has so much to say on the phone? And she wants to hear all about what's going on with you?"

Steve smiled, "Yeah. I know exactly what you're talking about." Man, I miss those phone calls with her, he thought.

"Well, she'd still tell me stories and fill me in, but it was nothing how it normally was. Not only did she not talk as much, but it was like while she was speaking her mind was off somewhere else. I mentioned it a couple times, but she just denied it claiming she was tired and had a long day. And…she just wasn't as silly. Didn't crack as many jokes. Just….different. Like she was carrying the weight of the world."

Steve was silent as he took everything in. "Kono?"

"Yeah, boss?"

"Did she ever bring me up to you? Did she ever tell you why she wouldn't talk to me?"

Kono could tell by the sound of his voice that sure he was worried, but he was hurt. Maddie had hurt him, something she assumed wasn't easy to do. She guessed that he'd really needed her since his father had been murdered. "Sometimes, she'd bring you up. She'd laugh and tell me stories about you two. But I didn't know she was ignoring you until Chin told me yesterday. When he filled me in on everything. And plus, I hadn't met you until 4 months ago."

"Obviously you never told her we worked together."

"I realized about 3 months ago that she had NO IDEA you were back in Hawaii. It was late one night and we were talking about…I don't even remember, and she said that…" Kono's expression changed. Crap! I wasn't thinking! Now I remember when she brought this up…I can't tell him the circumstances. That will NOT go over well. What should I say? Come on…think Kono…think, she told herself.

"What?" Steve picked up on it.

"Um…nothing. I just…I remember the circumstances," she somewhat told the truth.

"What? What were they?" Steve had a weird feeling and not a good one at that.

"I shouldn't be telling you this….but given the circumstances..."

Steve straightened a bit as he waited for Kono to continue.

Her voice became even quieter than before, he assumed because she didn't want Maddie to hear on the off chance she was awake. "We were catching up. She'd been dating some…well asshole. And that's putting it mildly. Anyway, they weren't seriously dating. Maybe a few months? I mean, she was on tour and beyond busy. And…well anyway, we were talking and she was telling me…" Kono couldn't look at Steve. She knew she couldn't tell him the whole story. Not only would Steve freak out, but Maddie would kill her. So she had to think of a way to sugarcoat and leave out the dirty details.

Steve stood, waiting for her to continue, his heart pounding.

"She was telling me about how he came to visit her. He started giving her a hard time for her schedule and for never getting to see her, something he'd been doing a lot of lately. Well, anyway Maddie was tired of it and…well the night ended badly. She dumped him. She was sooo pissed at him for everything. After telling me the story she said, 'I kind of wish Steve were here to kick his ass.' Maddie got quiet for a second before going on to say, 'But good thing he's off chasing those brothers around the world. He's safer there than here with me.' I thought it was a really weird statement, but I thought she was referring to what had just happened with the guy."

"What happened with him?" Steve questioned.

Kono became a bit nervous. "Oh um…" she stuttered, "just that they broke up." Kono lied.

"Why would you assume her comment about me not being safe with her was about a breakup? That doesn't make sense Kono! Come on, tell me the truth!" Steve's voice was becoming louder as different scenarios ran through his mind.

Kono only closed her eyes, berating herself.

"Spit it out Kono," Steve said forcefully.

"Ah, so this is the overprotective Steve Maddie has told me about," Kono joked attempting to change the topic.

"Didn't work. Tell me," Steve demanded staring her down as if she were suspect.

"I…" Kono began was interrupted by Pete walking in.

"Hey, they're here. They brought the portable MRI truck. Let me tell you, that thing is huge! It's as big as Maddie's tour bus! Wasn't expecting that!" Pete noticed the look on Steve's face and glanced between the coworkers. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No!" Kono immediately answered as Steve coldly said, "Yes!"

"Umm…that's confusing."

"Kono, spit it out."

"What's going on? Steve? Kono? Someone fill me in here," Pete insisted.

"Did something happen between Maddie and some guy she was seeing. What was it?" Steve glanced over at Kono. "Three months ago?"

Great! That's all Steve needs to hear now. How the hell did this come up? This is not the time for Steve to hear this. He's already tense and worried about Maddie, Pete thought. Knowing he was going to have to lie to Steve, something he didn't want to do, an incredible wave of guilt hit him. I mean Steve was his "brother" and here he was lying to him about the person that meant the most to him in the world. The only thing that made him be able to go ahead with the lie was that he'd fill him in another time…well, maybe…if the topic came up again."Ah…so that's what has you all in a huff McG!...He came to visit her and was just an ass the second he arrived. One night Maddie dumped him and he was pretty upset about it. She had me escort him out and told me she never wanted him near her again. But that's it."

Kono knew for a fact he was lying to Steve. Maddie had told her Pete knew everything. I guess he must agree it's a bad time for Steve to hear about this, Kono thought.

Steve knew they were both lying. Just as he was about to say something, Malia and Chin walked in.

"Hey guys!" Chin greeted as Malia walked over to Maddie. Feeling the tension Chin looked between his three friends, "Everything okay?"

"No," Steve answered. "And we'll continue this conversation later and you'll tell me the truth. You're lucky that Maddie needs me right now. And seriously, Pete…lying to me? Really? About all things? Maddie?" With that Steve walked to the living room leaving a guilty looking Kono and Pete and a very confused Chin behind him.

"How is she?" Steve immediately questioned Malia.

Chuckling, she knelt next to Maddie pulling the blanket off her. "Funny, I was just about to ask you that."

"Oh," Steve smiled standing behind the couch looking down on Maddie. "Kono and I removed the rest of the glass…"

"Have you been waking her up?" she asked as she straightened pulled Maddie out of the fetal position causing for her to frown and sigh as she moved in her sleep.

"Yes," Steve stood there awkwardly as Malia looked at the cuts along her arms and legs.

"When was the last time?" Reaching into her bag she grabbed some gauge wrap and ointment.

Looking at his watch he answered, "25 minutes ago."

Smiling she said, "well then perfect timing. We'll need to wake her up exactly when we'll take her outside for the MRI."

He watched as she put ointment on the cuts on Maddie's left hand. "Yeah, I wanted you to see those. They seemed deep. Will she need any stitches?"

"No, but they will be painful. It'll be sore for a few days. Hard for her to use this hand. She needs to keep them clean because they could easily get infected. Especially since she's so exhausted and run down. Her immune system is compromised from being so tired, so it'll be harder for her body to fight off infection."

"Don't worry. They'll stay clean. Plus, she's not going anywhere. She's staying in bed and resting."

Malia laughed at his overprotectiveness. Chin was right. He is head over heels for Maddie and doesn't even realize, She thought to herself as she finished wrapping Maddie's left hand. Carefully checking the cuts on her legs and feet she notices a few really deep cuts on her right foot causing her to put the antibiotic ointment on them and wrap her foot. Looking up at Steve she said, "She's lucky to have you…"

His only response was a small nervous smile unable to take his eyes off his childhood friend.

"Well let's wake her up…Maddie? Wake up," Malia gently shook her.

"Mads…" Steve tried.

Hearing her name, Maddie stirred. They watched as her eyes fluttered. After a few seconds her eyes opened, however it was obvious she was fighting to keep them that way as she continued to slowly blink. "Malia?" she sounded confused.

"Hey girly!" Malia greeted, her smile reaching her eyes. It was a good sign she was talking.

"What are you…?" Maddie's face scrunched in pain and she reached up to her head with her bandaged left hand. Noticing the bandage she continued, "What the…?"

Steve went to answer her, but Malia gave him a look as if saying, "Just give her a second."

Maddie's eyes drifted closed again and didn't open. "Woah woah. Keep those eyes open. Just for a couple minutes. Come on now…" Malia urged rubbing her friend's shoulder. Partially opening her eyes she groaned. "Do you remember what happened?"

Maddie nodded, the movement causing intense pain in her head. Crying out she scrunched her face. Steve was fighting the urge to reach for her, but he didn't want to get in Malia's way. It was killing him seeing her in pain and not being able to fix it.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Malia wanted to be sure she really did remember.

Her eyes still only slightly open Maddie answered. "Chin. We had lunch. Met everyone and…Steve. Wasn't expecting that. Must've passed out." Her sentences were incomplete. Really not even sentences, but Malia knew it was normal for a head trauma like this.

Finally dawning on Maddie that she had passed out in front of Steve she groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Uhhh…..Steeeevvee," she drew out his name.

"Hey…," Steve quietly spoke from his position next to her, but behind the couch.

Her eyes flew open at the sound of his voice. Not partially open either. Turning her head slightly to the right Maddie's eyes met his. She said nothing and neither did he. It was as if they were in a trance as they stared at one another. I missed him… Maddie thought as she looked into his blue eyes. All she knew was that she shouldn't be near him, but her thoughts were fuzzy and hard to hold on to. Making a slight move her body was flooded with intense pain. The longer her eyes were open the more nauseous she felt. Not to mention she just felt very out of it…like the world was in slow motion. She knew there was no way she was going anywhere and she knew Steve would not be leaving her. She'd figure out what to do later when she could actually think. Until then she'd just give in to it. What choice did she have?

As the friends continued to stare at one another Malia let them have their moment busying herself with the contents of her bag.

Finally breaking the silence Steve reached down brushing some curls from her face. "You scared the hell out of me Maddie," Steve quietly admitted.

Maddie's eyes closed at the feel of Steve's hand against her skin and in her hair. She struggled to open them again. It was taking everything she had to stay awake. But, she had missed him and didn't want to take her eyes off him. "I'm sorry...dunno what happened…" she lied.

"Yes you do. And so do I. But we'll talk about it later. When you're feeling better. We'll talk about EVERYTHING," Steve spoke enunciating the word 'everything'.

She thought she saw disappointment in his eyes when he told her he knew what happened. That was something Maddie just couldn't handle so she stopped fighting the impending darkness. "Tired." Her eyes fluttered close.

"I know Maddie, but I need you to stay awake for just a little bit longer.," Malia replied.

Groaning she opened her eyes.

"What hurts?" Malia asked.

Maddie didn't want to do this in front of Steve. She knew she had to answer the questions, but she didn't know if she'd ask her how things had been before today. Steve was already beyond worried about her, he didn't need to hear how she hadn't been taking care of herself. Maddie looked at Steve and then back to Malia. "Uh.."

Malia understood what the problem was. Catching McGarrett's eye she motioned her head to the kitchen. He was about to argue, but saw the look in the doctor's eye. Sighing he said, "Baby, I'll be right back. I'm gonna go talk to Pete. But, I'll be close. I'll just be in the kitchen."

"Mm hmm," Maddie muttered. Her stomach flip-flopped at the term of endearment he'd used. He'd never called her that before the phone the other day. She liked it, but didn't have it in her at the current time to think about why. Must just be the nausea or maybe I'm hungry, she told herself. However, the thought of food made her even more nauseous. She was really fighting the urge to vomit, knowing it would worry Steve even more.

Malia noticed the look on Maddie's face and called to Steve's retreating figure. "You might want to get a trashcan or bowl or something over here."

He turned around confused. The reason dawning on him his eyes grew large. Before she knew it Malia had a trashcan in her hand. He really is a ninja, the doctor thought to herself.

Now that they had privacy, Malia turned to Maddie. "This is here if you need it. Anyway, so…where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere."


After a few minutes Malia appeared in the kitchen where Steve, Chin, and Kono waited. "I don't know how, but her concussion doesn't appear to be as bad as it should have been. My guess is there's no bleeding on her brain, but we need to do the MRI to know for sure. I checked her pupils. They are definitely sluggish and severely sensitive to light, but she'll be fine. Let's get her outside to the portable MRI truck. Then I'll get an IV started and get some fluids in her."

Steve relaxed slightly at the news. "Thanks, Malia. I really appreciate all this," he genuinely told her.

She smiled as Chin and Kono also thanked her.

"So…do you want…" Steve began only to be interrupted by Pete coming back from outside.

"Son of a bitch!" He cursed under his breath as he closed his cell phone and slammed it back into its holder on his belt.

"What?" Chin looked to him. "Is everything alright brah?"

"Is something wrong with the truck? Is it not working?" Malia questioned.

"Oh. Um, sorry. No, that's all fine. How's Maddie? Is she awake by any chance?" Pete asked.

"She's going to be fine. She's doing pretty well considering," Malia answered. "She's sort of awake. In and out. She responded pretty well to my questions. No complete sentences. A little like a caveman."

"I need to talk to her," Pete said shaking his head. He was obviously upset and irritated about something.

"What is it? Is everything alright?" Steve asked. "We were just about to take her outside to run the test."

"Yeah, I just need to talk to her. It only take a second McG. Excuse me." And with that said, Pete walked into the living room.

The three coworkers and Malia stood in the kitchen watching as Pete whispered something. They heard her groan and respond, but couldn't hear what she said. She struggled to sit up, but the change in position caused her to throw up. Luckily she made it in the trashcan. Steve ran to Maddie a towel in his hand, Malia close behind.

"Let's get her outside. Can you walk Maddie?"

"No, I got her," Steve blurted as Maddie wiped her face on the towel he'd given her.

"P…just what I said. Be fine. Tmrw. Set it for," Maddie muttered as she laid back down closing her eyes once again.

"Ok, shorty. I'll tell take care of it," Pete responded. He must've understood what she'd been trying to say. Steve looked to him, brows furrowed in a questioning manner. Pete shook his head and mouthed, "later".

"Alright let's do this," Malia said.

With that Steve scooped her up and carried her outside.


As Maddie lay asleep in the MRI machine while it scanned her brain, Danny drove up. Exiting his vehicle he pulled a big duffle from the back seat. "Here you go," he said as he entered the huge truck handing the bag to his partner. "How's she doing? She alright?"

Taking the bag from him Steve answered. "Thanks so much for grabbing this Danno. With everything that happened I left it behind. Anyway, uh…she's okay. Looks like a pretty bad concussion."

"Well, sucks about the concussion, but it could've been worse. So good news!"

Steve smiled slightly at his partner trying to cheer him up. "How's Gracie?"

"She's good! Picked her up from school. Stopped for a snack and took her home to Rachel's," Danny answered. The mention of his ex wife's name brought a sadness over him. One Steve noticed. I'll have to talk to him about that later. When there's not so many people around. I wonder how he's holding up. Can't imagine how he must feel. He thought that baby was his! Steve thought.

"Alright, test's done. We can get her out," Malia announced. "And while you're at it. It's been 30 minutes. Wake her up."

Steve walked into the other room of the mobile MRI truck. The room where the actual machine was. "Mads, wake up," he murmured as he bent over her. Her eyes fluttered open and a small smile appeared on her face when she realized it was Steve. "Ah, so you are happy to see me. Now here this whole time I thought you wanted nothing to do with me," he teased.

Her smile faded and he watched as her eyes began to tear up. "Hey! Hey! I was just kidding around."

"Sorry. Never like that," she croaked as she lightly rubbed her palms against his chest.

You idiot! Did you have to say that to her? She already feels terrible physically, don't make her feel worse! She needs you right now, even if she claims she doesn't, he chastised himself. As he scooped her into his arms he laid a small kiss on her forehead and walked past the watching eyes of everyone and into the house.


After he'd brought her upstairs Steve left the room while Malia and Kono helped her change into something more comfortable. He couldn't fight the huge smile that graced his face when he saw what she was wearing. Black leggings, big bunchy socks, and his Navy Seal t-shirt. Now forty-five minutes after carrying her upstairs Steve stood in Maddie's bedroom as Malia put an IV in her arm thinking about her choice in attire. I wondered where that shirt of mine went, he thought. She looks cute in it. Even all banged up and asleep. His thoughts were interrupted by his fellow Seal.

"You know, she's worn that shirt almost every night for months now," Pete smiled, glancing at his friend's reaction from the corner of his eye.

"Really?" McGarrett couldn't help but grin like a school boy.

"Really…"

"Well then, I guess she doesn't hate me," Steve surmised.

"Definitely not!" Pete turned to look directly at his buddy. "I think that's the problem."

"Hey, G.I. Joe? Is that your shirt she has on?" Danny interrupted having just entered the room.

"I guess so. I hadn't noticed," Steve lied causing Pete to shake his head.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Danny replied sarcastically while rolling his eyes. "Well, you know what it means when a girl steals and wears your clothes, right?"

Steve's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "No, what?"

Danny turned to his partner and wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

"It's true McG," Pete chimed in.

"It's not like that with us," Steve assured them. But he couldn't explain it and didn't want to even think about why he kind of hoped Danny was right. Shaking the thoughts from his head he turned to Pete. "Hey, what was all that weird stuff with you earlier? When you went to talk to Maddie?"

Pete immediately became tense and irritated. "Nothing…just her manager called and said the label scheduled a show for Saturday here in Oahu."

Steve's eyes grew. "What? That's two days from now. She can't do that! Look at her! There's no way I'm letting her do that." Steve was upset, to put it mildly.

"I know, I know. Maddie told me what to do and I took care of it," Pete assured his friend hoping to calm him.

"So, she doesn't have to do anything then?" Danny asked.

"It doesn't look like it. She has a way to get out of it. The specifics haven't been hammered out, but she has a conference call with them tomorrow to talk everything out."

Steve stood shaking his head, arms crossed and eyes on Maddie. "A conference call? Tomorrow? LOOK AT HER!"

"Well, it's better than a show isn't it?" Pete argued.

Steve sighed, "Yeah, it is…..She needs a break. She needs to get some rest."

"I know, and she will. But you know what a workaholic she is. You guys are very similar that way," Pete smiled.

"Well, I'll make sure she rests."

Pete chuckled and patted Steve's shoulder. "Good luck with that! Anyway, you sure it's okay if I go out?"

Steve smiled knowing Maddie would be fighting him tooth and nail the second she was feeling better. "Yeah! I'll be here with her. Go see that girl you were telling me about!"

"Alright! See you later bro!" Pete said as he walked out.

"Ok, this fluid should help her in the long run," Malia spoke as she gathered her medical supplies. "There was no bleeding on her MRI scans. I'll be back in the morning to check on her. Just be sure to wake her up every 30 minutes. If, God forbid, she doesn't wake up call 911 immediately and then me. If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to call and I'll come over."

"Okay," Steve answered. "Thanks for everything Malia! And thank Chin!"

"Where is Chin?" Danny wondered.

"No problem! I'm happy she's home and will be for a while. I missed her!" She turned to Danny, answering his question. "Chin and Kono returned the portable MRI unit. I'm going to go pick them up now. Oh and Steve, you know that Mo went to see his family, which I guess live close by. He said to call him if you needed him."

"Perfect! Thank you!" McGarrett hugged her goodbye.

"Bye! See you in the morning," Malia called as she left the room.

"So…," Danny said.

"So," Steve responded.

"You going to be okay here by yourself?"

Steve turned to his partner and then back to a sleeping Maddie. "Yeah, we'll be fine here. I actually prefer to have no one here. Less going on, more chance for her to rest."

"Surrreeee…. That's why you want to be alone with her," Danny joked.

"Shut up Danno," Steve countered.

Laughing as he walked towards the bedroom door he said, "I'll lock the door on my way out. I'll check in with you tomorrow."

"Great! Thanks!"


Steve stood next to Maddie's bed looking down on her sleeping form. "What did you do Maddie? Huh? What's going on with you?" he whispered out loud. Shaking his head and sighing he pulled the covers up over her body before walking to the other side of the bed. Pulling his shoes off he climbed in still clad in his khaki cargo pants and blue polo shirt. He scooted a little closer to her, but not too close. Glancing at his watch he realized it'd been 30 minutes.

"Maddie? Wake up," Steve said. Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey," he greeted. She slowly turned on her left side to look at Steve. A movement that caused a lot of pain, something very evident to him. "Be careful."

Noticing they were safe in her room, her curtains closed she figured she didn't have to worry about anything or anyone. "Where's everyone?" she asked.

"They're gone. Malia's giving you fluid," he pointed to the IV in her right arm. "She took some blood earlier, but doesn't have the results yet. However she could tell you were exhausted and severely dehydrated. Said you really need this."

"Oh." Maddie stared at him, her expression unreadable as she scooted a bit closer to him. Although it was obvious she was still incredibly sleepy she was the most alert she'd been.

The two friends stared at each other as they laid there on their sides facing one another. Well she's awake, seems like as good a time as any to bring something up. I'll start easy, he thought. "It's not easy to become that exhausted and dehydrated. You taking care of yourself on tour?" Steve asked as he tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

"Uh huh," she answered quietly.

"Really?" Steve responded, his eyebrows arched and eyes wide.

"Yeah."

"What about your sleeping? You been sleeping?" he tried another approach.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I dunno. I do a little."

He smiled, "You lie."

Maddie's eyes fluttered closed for a second before opening up again. She was really trying to fight the sleepiness. Change the subject Maddie, she told herself. Thinking about the last few months, she felt the emotion building and no longer could meet Steve's eyes.

"Maddie? You okay? What's wrong?" Steve gently asked.

Looking back to him he could see her eyes were filled with unshed tears. "I missed you," she whispered.

Steve smiled. He couldn't have been happier to hear those words from her even though he could hear the sadness in them as well. Using his left arm he reached it forward and rubbed her upper arm as he said, "I missed you too…like crazy!"

That's all it took for the tears to fall down her face. "Hey! Me missing you is supposed to make you smile, not cry. What is it?" he asked as he wiped a few from her face.

Maddie's eyes closed as the tears continued down her face. Looking back to him she sobbed, "I'm so sorry." With that now said she was sobbing. Not as bad as she had on the phone a couple days before, but harder than he'd ever seen her cry in a long time. Her face contorted in pain, the crying obviously making her head hurt more.

He pulled her to him and she buried her face in his chest. "Maddie, crying is going to make your head hurt even more." Her sobs continued. "What are you sorry for? You said that the other day? Not calling me back? It's okay. I'm fine. You're going to be fine. Everything's okay." He rubbed her back as he kissed the top of her head and continued to tell her everything would be okay. Maddie's snuggled in closer to him their bodies completely pressed against one another, their legs tangled together. She never said another word, and eventually his soothing calmed her and she passed out.

Steve woke her up every 30 minutes like Malia told him to. A few times Maddie woke by herself to throw up from the nausea thanks to the concussion. He held her hair and rubbed her back as she did so and then tucked her back into bed. She always snuggled right back into him, something he didn't mind at all. They didn't talk about what happened earlier and why she'd been crying. Steve figured it was better to wait until she was feeling better.


"Dammit!" the man yelled as he stared at the many screens in the dark room. Every screen showed another room in the beautiful woman's home. His dog tags rattled as he stood up from his spot in front of a screen showing her snuggled against him in bed. "Maddie? Did you not think I was serious?"

Pacing the room he came up with a plan. "Yeah, I know he surprised her. She had no intention of seeing him. Hell, she didn't even know he was back in Hawaii. But here she is all cozy with him! I won't go after him right away. No, I'll let her think she's safe. That he's safe! That I'm no where to be found." He smiled and chuckled at what was to come.


Please, please, PLEASE REVIEW! Soooo many of you are reading it and asking to be alerted when a new chapter is posted, but I'm not getting many reviews. Seriously, the more reviews I get the faster I update!

Thanks! xoxo