Carly awoke several hours later just as the sun was starting to rise for another day. She quickly realized she was not alone as she felt protective arms around her and breathed in the familiar scent of soap, sand, and man: Steve. Had he really been there all night? Her brain still felt fuzzy, but she vaguely remembered what had happened the night before:

She and Mary had been having a fabulous time catching up with old schoolmates until she'd made the fateful decision to go to the ladies room by herself. Carly had seen the look of concern on Mary's face even as Carly had insisted that she was a "big girl" and was perfectly capable of navigating her way to the ladies room by herself. Now she was left to wonder, "What if..?" What if Mary had gone along? Her conscience seemed to scold her, "Really, Carly. What woman goes to the ladies room by herself anyway? Isn't it a known fact that they must at least go in pairs?" But no, she had chosen to go alone and now she was living with the horrible consequences of that seemingly simple decision. As soon as she had walked back out of the bathroom, she had seem him standing there. What had followed in those next horrible moments were too painful to think about right now, so she let her mind fast forward through it all. Until that moment. The moment when she heard Steve's voice and she new he had come to save her. "Touch her again and I will kill you." she had heard him growl. Was it any wonder he was a master at interrogation or striking the fear of God into even the most hardened criminals? Steve McGarrett was not someone to tangle with and you certainly didn't want to get on his bad side. If she hadn't known he was there to save her, she would've been cowering in fear herself at the amount of venom in his voice. Strangely at this moment, his voice calmed her because she knew he was here to save her from her own monster. She had lost consciousness momentarily so she didn't remember anything else that happened after that until she heard Steve's voice soften and felt him trying to lift her up, "Carly,sweetheart. Can you hear me?" Not long after that, the paramedics arrived. Steve stayed by her side on the ride to the hospital and had been there every time she'd opened her eyes during the long night that followed.

As she awakened this morning, every bone in her body seemed to cry out in pain, but knowing Steve was there somehow made it more bearable. Feeling his arms around her, she realized he must've gotten into the hospital bed with her sometime during the night. She stirred a little and pain seared through her from head to toe. A small groan escaped her lips causing Steve to wake up. She felt his body tense as his arms around her tightened just a bit.

"Carly….you okay?" She heard the concern in his voice.

"I'm okay. Just forgot where I was for a moment. I feel like I've been run over by a bulldozer."

Steve kissed the top of her head. "Do you want me to get a nurse? You need some pain medicine?"

"No, I'm okay." Steve started to move away and she said, "Please don't get up. You're pretty good pain medicine as long as you stay right here." She sensed his smile and he gently pulled her a little closer.

Just then, a nurse came in to check on her and Steve realized there must have been a shift change since this was a different nurse from the one who had checked on Carly during the night. This nurse was a bit older and had the no nonsense attitude of someone who was in charge. Head nurse maybe, Steve wondered? She gave a disapproving glance towards the bed and said, "I'm sorry Commander McGarrett, but getting into bed with patients really isn't allowed."

Steve looked at her for a moment before saying quite matter of factly, "Well…..who's gonna tell?" Then he smiled at her. Yes, smiled. He gave her his best Steve McGarrett smile that was always so disarming.

Nurse No-Nonsense blinked, looked from Carly to Steve for a moment, and then smiled herself. Without saying another word, she began looking at Carly's chart and checking her vitals once again.

Carly could only stare at her in utter disbelief. Are you kidding me? thought Carly. Poor woman didn't stand a chance. There must not be a woman on the planet he couldn't charm if he set his mind to it, Carly smiled to herself.

"The doctor may let you go home today, but we'll have to see what he thinks when he does his rounds in a little while." She smiled at them both. "I see you're from out of town….Do you have somewhere to stay?" she asked.

"She's staying with me." Steve said pointedly. The nurse noticed how he looked at Carly with such obvious affection in his eyes. Funny, she thought. She'd heard stories about the big, bad leader of the Five-0, and although she was sure he was a force to be reckoned with at times, she only saw love in his eyes for Carly. The chemistry between them was unmistakable and it had a calming effect on her patient which didn't go unnoticed. "Trust me, she won't be alone for a second." Steve added very protectively.

"Oh, I have no doubt of that." answered the nurse giving them both a knowing glance that actually made Carly blush even as she felt Steve smirking behind her.

"I'll be back in a moment with some pain medicine for you. You will probably feel pretty rough for the next few days, but it will help if you can try to walk around every now and then so you won't feel so stiff." She patted Carly on the arm and said, "You're one lucky lady and it's obvious you're in good hands." As she left the room, she called out behind her, "And no hanky panky in the room, Commander McGarrett. We DO draw the line somewhere."

Steve laughed out loud as the door closed behind her and Carly couldn't help but laugh as well. Then she instantly regretted it and grimaced in pain. She inhaled and exhaled slowly waiting for the piercing pain to stop.

"Okay, here's the deal. If I'm going to be under house arrest until I have recovered, please wait awhile before you make me laugh."

Steve sat up gently so he could face her with a mock look of hurt on his face. "House arrest? Is that what you think I'll do….Keep you cooped up inside with no means of escape?"

"Weeelll, handcuffs might be fun." She teased and then saw his eyes grow dark as if trying to imagine that little scenario. "But seriously, " she continued, "As much as I love to be with you, we're going to have to tone down the hilarity until I can laugh without it feeling like knives are piercing through my ribs."

Steve kissed her quickly on her sweet kissable mouth. "Mmmm, been wanting to do that for hours." he said. "Okay, I promise. No fun and game….or handcuffs… until the pain eases up a bit." He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Then as an after thought, he added, "And did you say I was hilarious? I can't wait to tell Danny. He insists that I have no sense of humor and never have any fun."

"Yes, well, I doubt Danny ever sees that side of you….What with you being the 'man in charge' and everything."

Steve looked at her thoughtfully, "Actually, not many people DO see that side of me. You seem to bring it out in me somehow. It's a little unnerving actually."

A little chuckle escaped her again followed by another grimace.

"Sorry", Steve smiled apologetically. "Didn't mean to do that again. Okay, from now on we're serious….No more joking."

Just then the nurse came in with Carly's medication. "This should help you quite a bit and the doctor will be in soon. He's doing his rounds and is on our floor now."

"There are a few others wanting to come in and visit.", Steve said. "Is it okay if they come back now that she's awake?"

"Who's here?" Carly asked.

"Mary and Kono are both in the waiting area. Danny and Chin were both here most of the night but went home this morning."

Carly felt a little embarrassed that they'd stayed all night, but also felt warm inside knowing that they'd all cared enough to be there.

"I suppose it's okay if they come back now." said the nurse. "I'll go get them for you." And with that, she left the room.

"I don't want anyone to see me like this, Steve."

"Babe, don't worry about it. Everyone was actually in last night because everyone wanted to see for themselves that you were okay."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Now don't worry about it."

Mary and Kono came into the room a couple of minutes later and Mary rushed over to her bed.

"Carly, oh my God, I was so worried about you!"

Carly sat up a little with Steve's help. "I'm okay, Mar. A little sore, but I'm okay."

"I am SO sorry I let you leave by yourself. I should have NEVER let you do that even when you told me you'd be okay."

"It's not your fault, Mary. Don't worry about it. Please. Let's just forget about it and think about the fun we'll have when I get out of here."

"Not too much fun, young lady. You're still going to have to take it easy for a while." Steve piped in.

Mary rolled her eyes at him, "Oh please. You can be such a kill joy!"

A couple of hours later, Carly had been released to Steve's care and they returned to the McGarrett house. Steve pulled his truck into the driveway and got out to help Carly out. She let out a little protest when Steve lifted her into his arms to carry her inside. " Steve, seriously. This is not necessary."

"I know." But I've promised the doctor, head nurse, Mary, your Mom and Dad, your sister, and nearly the entire female population of your graduating class that I would take care of you, so I'm carrying you in the damn house. No arguments". he said good naturedly. Then without missing a step, he kissed her as he carried her and opened the door to walk inside.

"Welcome home" he said. She felt an unfamiliar longing in her heart as he said the words and almost wished this WAS "home" for her. He seemed to realize what he had insinuated with that comment, so he said, "Well….'home' for the moment anyway."

He got her settled on the couch with pillows, pain pills, a drink, and the tv remote.