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


AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is chapter 9. I left it hanging because I wanted to post what I had so far. I hope to have the talk between Maddie and Steve up later tonight as Ch. 10.

As always, thoughts are in italics.

PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think! I wanted to give a shout out to all the reviews I've received lately. You guys are awesome! You've said some really amazing things, so seriously, THANK YOU!

KEEP IT UP!

xo

Laura


CHAPTER 9

Maddie knew by the sound of his voice that he was pissed. Pissed being an understatement. More furious. Extremely furious. She assumed his eyes would tell the same story had she been able to meet them. CRAP! First and middle name! I should have known I wouldn't get away with it. But why's he soooo mad? I can't look that bad... I mean, I'm up and around. I feel like complete shit, but…maybe if I just keep pretending like I'm fine he'll let it go, she hoped, however deep down she knew Steve was not going to buy it.

Danny had let himself in the beautiful estate figuring everyone would be asleep. He'd used the key Steve had given him a couple days before. He just wanted to check on things before he picked Grace up from Rachael's and took her to school. However, hearing voices down the hall he realized people were awake. As he entered the kitchen he was just about to greet his partner when he took in the scene before him. Pete sat at the counter with Steve near the stove both looking in the direction of a frozen Maddie standing on the opposite side of the room as him. It looked as if she'd come from another hallway, one he hadn't been down. Although Danny couldn't completely see Steve's face he could tell he had aneurism face. He was mad. Really mad. So mad that Danny was afraid to say anything. Just keep quiet Danny. Just see what happens, he told himself as he stood in place and watched

"That wasn't a rhetorical question Madeline Lily," Steve seethed.

Danny's eyes drifted to Maddie standing just at the entrance to the kitchen. For the first time since arriving he looked her over. She didn't look good at all. Her skin was grey, bags under her eyes so large and dark it looked as if her eyes were sinking in her head. It made her seem thinner than she was. Then again she was wearing a big, baggy, black sweatshirt, so for all he knew she could've been that skinny. However, he'd seen her in shorts and a tank top the day before and sure she was a petite, thin girl, but not unhealthily so. Maddie said nothing as she refused to look anywhere but Steve. Wanting to help break some of the tension Danny joked, "Wow, a first and middle name! This can't be good!"

Maddie glanced in Danny's direction grateful at his attempt to ease the uncomfortable silence in the room. However, Steve only ignored him as he continued to glare at his best friend. Fighting the urge to run to her, pick her up and carry her back to bed, he loudly cleared his throat to get Maddie's attention back on him and hopefully some sort of answer.

Taking a deep breath and looking towards Steve, but still refusing to meet his eyes Maddie played dumb, "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Steve scoffed. "Why are you up and around?"

"I had a conference call. I had to take care of some things," she replied. Her answers only pissed him off more.

"Seriously Maddie! Don't play dumb. You're dressed. My guess is you ripped your bandages off and I'm pretty sure I don't see you holding an IV bag," he cried.

The yelling was making her feel worse. Maddie wished she could sit down, but that wouldn't show him she was fine. However, she didn't know how much longer she could hold herself up. She was weak, exhausted, and in tremendous amounts of pain. Knowing she needed to get this argument over with she attempted to shout back, but due to the fact she barely had a voice left it came out as a squeaky whisper. "Steven, I'm fine! I feel so much better! I'm dressed because it's a new day! I'm home…IN HAWAII! It's beautiful outside," she pointed a bit behind her and to the right to big sliding glass doors leading to her backyard. "So I'm going to enjoy my day! Stop worrying. I'm 100%!" she lied. More like 20%, she told herself.

"You are NOT going anywhere except back upstairs!" he shouted pointing towards the stairs on the other side of the room. "And you are definitely not fine! You look awful! You look close to death Madeline." As soon as the words were out of his mouth Steve knew he'd gone too far. He was just so worried about her and he was too tired himself to deal with her stubbornness right now especially about her health and wellbeing.

Danny and Pete flinched as Steve told her she looked like death. Oh Steven! You have so much to learn. You just don't say that to a woman. Especially like that, Danny told himself.

If Maddie hadn't felt like her legs were going to give out on her at any moment she would have stormed out, gotten in her car, and taken off, but there was no way that was going to happen. She didn't even have it in her to yell at him. She just wanted him to leave. Hoping to piss him off bad enough he'd storm out himself she chose to say something she knew would irritate him. "Your pancakes are burning," Maddie stubbornly said, her voice laced with venom as she pointed behind at him. He hated it when she avoided the topic in a fight and when she was a smartass.

"Seriously Madeline?" Steve yelled as he yanked the pan from the stove before throwing it into the nearby sink causing the other three to flinch. When it hit the metal sink it created a loud noise causing Maddie to immediately grab her head. Hoping to get some sort of explanation Steve looked back to her to see her slightly bent over, her hands, still tucked safely inside her baggy sweatshirt, cradling her head. "Crap," he mumbled immediately feeling guilty for making such a loud noise. He had let his anger get the best of him. He should've realized the loud noise was going to kill her head.

That was all Maddie needed to do her in. Her head feeling as if it was exploding she immediately buried it in her hands. The increase in pain caused a huge wave of dizziness to overtake her and she could feel her legs getting ready to drop her to the floor. All of which didn't go unnoticed by Steve.

Steve's anger lessened at the sight before him. "That's it," he stated sighing heavily as he walked briskly to Maddie and scooped her up. Looking down at her in his arms he noticed she'd paled considerably in the last few minutes. How is that even possible? I thought that was as pale as she could get. She went from grey to stark white, he worried.

"No, Steve. I'm fine. Put me down," Maddie ordered. However, her words were telling him to put her down while her actions were giving him a different story. She wasn't really fighting him physically except the little thump of her fist against his chest. But she quickly realized that wasn't a good idea when she hit the gash in her left hand against his chest. Groaning in pain she gave up and leaned into him.

Shaking his head as he headed towards the stairs, Steve said, "Stop being so stubborn Maddie. You're just making everything worse on yourself."

"I'm not stubborn!" she countered as her eyelids drifted shut. Way to convince him you're fine Maddie! she chastised herself. However, she felt so bad she just didn't have it in her to fight him. However, she knew they'd go head to head as soon as she was feeling better.

"Whatever you say," Steve retorted as he carried her up the stairs. Upon entering her bedroom he carefully sat her on her bed. "Alright, let's see the damage…" he told her as he stood back staring at her and shaking his head. He was still mad at her, but definitely not as much. He always found it hard to stay upset with her.

"Damage? There's no damage. What are you talking about?" Maddie lied, her head still feeling as if it was going to explode. "Did you really have to yell and throw things?" she asked him scrunching her face in pain and holding her head.

"I'm so sorry baby. I wasn't thinking…You just…" he stopped and let out a frustrated growl rubbing his hands in his hair. Looking at Maddie and seeing how terrible she looked and felt he sighed. "We'll talk about it later. First I want to see how bad things are. Arms up!"

Maddie's eyes flew open. "Excuse me? No!"

"Maddie, either cooperate or don't. Either way I'm going to see how bad things are. It will make things A LOT easier if you help me, but you know me well enough to know I don't need help to figure out what you did." Steve waited and watched as she thought it over. Seeing the defeat in her face he continued, "So…sweatshirt first. Arms up!"

"Fine! But only because I don't have it in me to fight you," Maddie squeaked her voice becoming worse and worse every time she spoke.

"HA! See I knew you were lying!" Steve cried in victory. She hadn't even realized what she'd admitted by saying that until it was too late. Way to go you idiot! she berated herself blushing in embarrassment.

"I hate you right now…"

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Steve smiled. "Arms up baby!"

Her face blushed even more at this new pet name he'd given her. Why does he keep calling me that? ….and why don't I care? Better yet…why do I seem to like it? she wondered as her face became even redder. Finding it too hard to analyze her emotions in her current state she let it go. At least for the time being. "Mads…come on," Steve coaxed bringing her back to the moment.

The fact that Maddie's face became even more flushed when he called her "baby" didn't go unnoticed by Steve. Does that mean she likes it when I call her that? he wondered. He found himself wondering if maybe Danny and Pete had been right the night before when they told him why girls steal guys clothes. The possibility made his heart pound. He found that he liked the idea, but that it also scared the crap out of him. Steve, you can't think about this stuff now. Focus on the moment.

Coming back to reality Steve noticed she'd lifted her arms and was staring at him eyes squinted from the pain in her head as she waited for him to come back to Earth. As he carefully pulled the sweatshirt over her head he asked, "Maddie….tell me the truth. How do you feel?"

She debated whether or not to answer honestly, but there was something in his eyes and the sound of his voice. Looking directly at him her eyes began to fill with tears however none fell. She wouldn't let them. "Stevie…" Maddie started, using the childhood nickname she'd given him. "I feel terrible. Really awful."

"Oh baby…I'm so sorry. Malia should be here shortly and I'm hoping she can give you something for the pain." Steve assured her before softly kissing her forehead. Dropping her sweatshirt he'd been holding on the carpet he looked at her. Noticing the long sleeved shirt he shook his head having an idea why'd she'd worn it on a hot day, especially since she was sort of hiding her left hand behind her back. "Arms up."

"I'm just gonna keep this top on. It's comfy," Maddie stuttered. She knew Steve was gonna be upset when he saw her bleeding hand.

"Maddie…no arguing. Arms…up."

"Fine," she conceded as she slowly lifted her arms. Steve grabbed the hem of her black shirt and pulled it up over her head. Maddie hissed as the tight fabric rubbed over the cuts on her arms.

The garment finally off Steve searched Maddie's face. "You okay? Sorry!"

"It's okay. I'm fine…But don't be mad, okay?"

He didn't like her last sentence and immediately looked to her hand. "Oh my God! Madeline Lily! What did you do?" Steve's eyes were wide. Jumping up he walked to intercom system near her bedroom door and hit a couple buttons. "Pete, can you grab all the stuff Malia left for Maddie's injuries? I think I either left it on the coffee table or maybe the kitchen table? It's some where in there," he asked, his eyes never leaving Maddie as she stayed sitting on the edge of the bed but laid back closing her eyes.

A few seconds went by before he heard Pete's voice. "Sure thing. Anything else?"

"No, not right now. But, the sooner the better on the first aid stuff." Knowing Pete would be up with everything he needed to clean up Maddie's hand he rushed to her bathroom coming back with a few hand towels. Some wet, some dry. Walking back to the bed Steve kneeled in front of her taking her hand in his.

"How long has it been bleeding like this?" he asked as he used the wet towel to clean up all the blood from her hand.

"I dunno…maybe an hour," she answered honestly, her eyes still closed as she laid on the bed.

"Maddiiieee….Why…nevermind. Let's get everything cleaned up first."

Steve was disappointed with her. He didn't have to tell her. She could hear it in his voice and it was more than she could handle in that moment. Although closed, Maddie's eyes were welling up and she was doing her best to keep the tears from falling, but it was getting hard. Come on Maddie…don't start crying. Everything's fine. Of course he's disappointed in you, but it isn't the end of the world. It'll go away. Just don't start crying, she told herself.

Although Steve was concentrating on cleaning the deep cuts on her hand and wrist and making sure nothing had gotten in them he noticed Maddie slightly bending her right arm in a funny way and then sort of shake it. "Your right arm okay?" he asked continuing to clean up her left hand.

No reason to lie Maddie, she told herself. "I dunno…it's actually really hurting. Sort of like a throb, but not in the same way as these," she answered moving her left hand to refer to the cuts on it.

"Okay, I'll take a look once I wrap this up. That is whenever Pete decides to grace us with his presence." No sooner had Steve said this than his buddy hurried in the room, supplied in hand.

"Here you go, McG!" Steve took the items from Pete, immediately beginning to use the antibiotic ointment Malia had left him before wrapping her wrist and hand. "How are things?"

"Fine," Maddie quickly answered her eyes from her position on the bed. "Petey?"

"Yeah shorty?" he answered, sitting at the bottom of the bed he leaned towards her rubbing his hand down her hair in a caring gesture.

"Do you know where my purse is?"

Pete's brows furrowed trying to recall. "Uhh…I think we grabbed it when we left Five-0 headquarters yesterday. But it was so hectic. I'll look for it for you."

"Okay, thanks. I really appreciate it," Maddie gave him a small sad smile.

"Is Danny still here?" Steve questioned as he grabbed the white gauge to begin wrapping her hand and wrist.

"Nah, he took off. Had to pick up….Grace, I think he said. Take her to school. That sound right?"

"Yeah, Gracie is his daughter."

"Ah ok. Makes sense. Anyway, he said he'd be back when he was done."

"Ok…Maddie, did I wrap this too tight?" Steve asked.

Moving her left hand a bit she tested it out. "No, it's fine."

"Alright," Steve replied as he taped the wrap to keep it in place and from unwrapping.

"I'm gonna go hunt down your bag Shorty. That is unless you need something else McG?" Pete asked.

"No, we are good. Thanks for bringing this up."

"No problemo," Pete replied as he walked out of the room.

"Alright, let's see your right arm. Where does it hurt?" Steve asked his best friend.

"Right here," she pointed to the inside of her elbow, exactly where her IV had been.

"Oooo! That looks painful! There's a big bubble under your skin! It's from your IV. My guess from taking it out yourself. And I'm betting you weren't very gentle about it." he looked at her pointedly, frown on his face. "We'll show Malia when she comes, see if there isn't anything she can do."

Steve watched her nod and could tell she was fading. She needed to get some sleep. "Maddie, where are your jammies? Do you want the same ones you had on?"

Her head hurt so bad it was hard to think. After a short time she processed what he was asking and nodded, pointing to the bathroom. Steve understood and went and grabbed the leggings and big t-shirt from the bathroom floor. Returning to the spot on the floor in front of Maddie, Steve asked, "Can you change out of your jeans, tank top, and everything by yourself? Or do you need some help? I still have to look at your foot, but it'll be easier when you're in these." He held up her jammies.

Maddie thought about it. Sure it would be awkward for Steve to help her, but she didn't think she could do it by herself. She was feeling worse by the second. Plus there'd been a couple times when they'd gone out drinking together and he'd had to help her change because she was too drunk. And Steve had seen her in her bra and panties before. It was just like a bathing suit. "Will you help me?" she asked.

"Of course!" Steve smiled, relieved she had stopped fighting him. At least for the time being. Although happy, he was also nervous. Not a normal nervousness either. Not the kind where you're nervous to make a speech or something like that. The kind of anxious nervousness you get with a girl you like. Chill out Steve. Why are you nervous? You've helped her change before, he assured himself. Taking a deep breath Steve said, "Okay, let's get the shirt on first." He helped her sit back up. "Arms up again." She did as he asked and he slid the tank top up over her head leaving her sitting there in her bra and jeans. The thought of having to take her bra off made him even more nervous. Steve…take a deep breath. This is no big deal. Not the first time you've helped her change. I mean, the other couple times she's been completely drunk, but still. This shouldn't be a big deal. Plus the quicker you help her the quicker you can get her back in bed and have her finally get some actual rest, he assured himself. Grabbing his Navy Seal t-shirt she'd stolen he put it over her head and pulled it down to her waist. However he didn't have her put her arms through the holes. Reaching behind her and up the back of her shirt he unclasped her bra and pulled the straps down her arms. The item fell into Maddie's lap and he grabbed the black lacy bra and set it beside her on the bed. "Ok, arms in the holes," he softly told her helping her slip her thin, but toned arms through the arm holes of his t-shirt. "There we go! One down…almost there." See, that wasn't so bad, he told himself.

Steve's hands went down to her feet as he took hold of her left motorcycle boot and pulled it off. Setting it on the ground beside him he reached for her other one pulling it off as carefully as he could. He wanted to avoid causing her as much pain as possible. Maddie's eyes flew closed as she winced and groaned as the boot left her foot. "Sorry Mads…" Steve apologized. Lightly touching her black sock clad foot he could feel it was damp. Taking his hand away from her foot he looked at it seeing some blood on his palm. Oh Maddie…why did you do this? He thought to himself as he sighed. "Alright…jeans."

Knowing it was going to be incredibly painful when her jeans came off she thought it was better if she did it herself. There was a good chance it was going to make her cry and she didn't want Steve to see that. Afraid that he was going to get even more upset and worried she said, "I got it. I'm just gonna go in the bathroom and…" Maddie started as she quickly stood up. Apparently too quickly. A huge wave of dizziness and nausea hit her. She stumbled and wavered. "Wo…" she mumbled, but immediately clasped her hand over her mouth not wanting to throw up on the carpet or Steve. As her knees began to buckle Steve used his right hand to pull her down to his lap while he grabbed the trashcan he'd set by her side of the bed during the night with his left. Thank God he did because as soon as he pulled it to them she hunched over it and vomited. However there was nothing left in her stomach, so nothing really came out. Tears rolling down her face she dry heaved for a couple minutes while Steve held her hair and rubbed her back. Finally finished she collapsed against him and he wrapped both arms around her. Once he felt she was settled he got her back on the edge of the bed. "Let me help you Maddie."

Mad at herself for being such a mess Maddie ignored him and reached down and began trying to unbutton and unzip her pants while tears still rolled down her face. He let her try because he understood what was going on. She felt helpless, something she didn't cope well with. Throwing up just then had pushed her over the edge a bit. So Steve sat in front of her and watched as she tried and tried, but the big bandage on her hand made it impossible. Steve could tell she was getting frustrated and decided it was time to step in. "Maddie. Baby, stop. Let me help you. You're gonna hurt yourself."

However, she didn't listen and kept trying with no success. "Maddie, it's ok!" Steve tried again, but nothing. As she became more frustrated she got rougher with the button and zipper. Before she knew it Maddie must've bumped one of her cuts just right causing her to cry out in pain. "Madeline! Stop!" He immediately grabbed both hands in his. Turning her left palm over he looked at it to make sure it hadn't bled through the bandage. It was definitely bleeding again, but didn't look like it'd go through the wrap.

"Maddie, let me help you. I don't want you making your hand worse. Lay back on the bed. It'll make it easier." Maddie hesitated, but knew she needed his help.

She laid her back on the bed. Once she was completely flat, with her legs dangling off the side of the bed Steve stood and bent over Maddie. His face inches from hers. Why is my heart pounding? She wondered. She felt Steve's hands on the waistband of her jeans causing a tingling in her lower belly. He quickly freed the button and unzipped her tight jeans. Standing straight up he grabbed the bottom of her jeans around each ankle. "This is probably gonna hurt. You just had to wear skinny jeans, didn't you? I'm gonna pull them fast, so just…be prepared."

"Okay," Maddie sniffled she had stopped crying, but her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. He could tell she was holding the rest of her tears in.

"Okay, here we go," he said and then yanked the jeans off her.

"Holy shit!" she cried as the jeans scraped down the cuts on her legs causing them to bleed a bit.

"Sorry! You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just…" she took a deep breath as a few tears escaped from the outside corners of her eyes. "Just help me get my leggings on?"

Steve did as she asked. Once she was clothed he pulled her black socks off and saw her foot was bleeding profusely. "Oh Mads…this has to hurt!"

"Not really."

"Liar…" Steve countered. Shaking his head he cleaned her foot, put the antibiotic ointment on the cut and wrapped it. "Too tight?" he asked her.

"No," Maddie answered as she wiped away a few stray tears.

Steve finished wrapping it and then helped her into bed. "How's that? Comfy?" he smiled down at her as he pulled the big, squishy down comforter up and tucked it around her.

"Very!" Maddie purred snuggling her face into the bedding. Staring up at him she noticed how tired he looked. From the stubbly hair all over his face she could tell he obviously hadn't shaved in a few days. Maddie couldn't remember the last she'd seen him with so much facial hair. Actually she'd never seen his beard this long. He looks handsome, she thought to herself.

"What?" he asked noticing her staring.

Embarrassed he'd caught her, her cheeks pinked a bit. "Nothing…it's just…you look so tired. You didn't get any sleep at all last night did you?"

Not wanting to make her feel worse about him worrying about her, Steve smiled at her and tucked at strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm just glad you're more alert than you were yesterday. You really scared the hell out of me Maddie."

She averted her eyes feeling bad. Steve walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in. Once he was settled Maddie slowly rolled off her back and on to her left side to look at him. Feeling her eyes on him Steve turned to her now laying on his right side. The two friends stared at one another for a couple minutes before Steve spoke up. "Maddie, get some sleep." With that said he closed his eyes, hoping she'd follow suit.

A few minutes went by and Steve could still feel her eyes on him. "Maddie…sleep. You need rest," he whispered without opening his eyes.

Maddie wasn't really listening and she didn't completely realize she was staring at him. Now that her mind was clearer than it had been the day before she thought over what had happened at Five-0 headquarters. She remembered finding out that Steve's dad had died. What happened? That's why he called me four months ago…I can't believe I didn't call him back. I thought I was protecting him, were some of the thoughts running through her head. She had so many questions for him. And yes she was exhausted and felt awful, but she wasn't sure she'd be able to sleep without getting some of the answers. The main one she wanted answered…was he okay?

Maddie's thoughts were interrupted by Steve. He'd finally opened his eyes still feeling her looking at him. He found her staring at him but off in her own world. He watched her for a minute before taking his hand and putting them over her eyes. "Sleep Maddie…Close your eyes," he smiled.

"Okay," she smiled at him. Satisfied when he saw her eyes flutter closed he too shut his. However, not even 30 seconds later Steve felt her eyes back on him. He knew her well enough to know something was on her mind. "Okay Maddie, what is it? Spit it out. You're starting to creep me out," he joked grinning at her.

She smiled back for a second before it fell from her face and she opened her mouth to speak.

TO BE CONTINUED…..


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xo