The Long Road T Rated Version

by DivaLola

Steve thought his life was crazy before. Now that his childhood best friend Maddie is back in his life, will all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place? Will he finally find the answers he's been searching for? And who will he choose to be with?

36. Chapter 36, Part 1

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the TV show "Hawaii Five-0" or any of its characters. I do, however, own Maddie, Pete, Tina, Doc, Ryan, Kendall, Mo, Josh, etc.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, so. It took longer than I thought to put it up. It's been an insane few months for me. My cousin got married a couple weekends ago and I was one of the maids of honor. She sort of had two. It's a long story. lol. A month ago I rescued a puppy who had a really hard start to her little life. She wants me to hold her and play with her every moment, so it's been difficult to get a lot done on my story unless she's asleep.

I shot the music video for my next single in Connecticut. It was a really elaborate video and I ended up having to go home to LA and fly back to Connecticut to finish the shoot a week later because they didn't make the green screen set big enough. Plus, during the first trip to Connecticut, it was soooo hot and humid there. We filmed in an old lace factory and the air wasn't really working. It was unbelievably hot! OMG! I was so focused on the video and making sure it came out how I wanted that I wasn't really drinking enough water or eating enough food. Plus, they were 16-18 hour days with an hour long drive to and from the set. By the time I'd get back to where I was staying, get into my pajamas and get in bed, I was only going to get MAYBE 4 hours of sleep. Because of all this, I ended up getting really sick the day after we finished shooting during the first trip. I ended up being taken to the hospital for exhaustion and dehydration. It was awful! I share this story because it's sooo easy to get into a state that Maddie is in in this story. When you're so passionate about something you just lose yourself in it. The life she leads is a very hard and grueling one. She is never in the same place for very long. She is always traveling, which I know you guys would agree can be exhausting in its own. I know when I have a travel day it can wipe me out. Imagine traveling and the second you land you go right to work for 14 hours only to get on another plane at the end of the 14 hours and fly somewhere else to do it all again. Hard life!

ANYWAY, like I mentioned in the update note I posted a couple weeks ago (which I am posting this chapter in its spot), Chapter 36 is LONG! I really really had wanted to post it in just 1 update, but it's just too long to be one post. It's more than 200 pages and not quite done, but almost! So, I am going to post it in numerous parts and label it as "Chapter 36 Part 1", "Chapter 36 Part 2", and so on and so on. A lot happens in Chapter 36! It is what happens up until show time. Also, Maddie's stalker appears a lot in Ch. 36. There are some serious creepy moments! I think you guys will like! Chapter 37 will be the show. Chapter 38 will be when Steve takes Maddie home after the show and what happens when he finds out what's been going on. Once Tina, Ryan, Pete, and the rest of the security team leave Maddie in Hawaii with Steve, time will start to move faster. I won't write what happens every moment of every day. Time will skip forward a bit, which will be good and fitting for what will be happening!

Chapter 36 Part 1, which is this post, is the first 38 pages of Chapter 36. I gave you a couple fun, teasing moments between Steve and Maddie. I know you are all DYING to see them get together and that you're tired of them fighting, but I promise, it will come soon enough. They just need to get through the show. I also know you're all anxious to see the real Maddie, which I promise you will start to see once she is alone with Steve. She starts to let her guard down and feel safe without even realizing it.

Anyway, enough rambling! As always, thoughts are in italics.

Also, the next few Parts of Chapter 36 are done and ready to go up. The more reviews I get on this post, the faster I'll put the next Part up. I won't post two in one day, but I'll put it up tomorrow if I get enough reviews. Now that I am home for a while and I no longer have a roommate, I will be able to actually write more often and will be going back to posting frequently. Right now, I am ahead, so that should also help the frequency of posts. You guys have been sooo patient and I really appreciate it! You are all the best! Thank you so much for all the reviews! I hope you enjoy this!

xoxo

Laura

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CHAPTER 36

"You know, there's a good chance she'll freak when she wakes up like that," Pete told Steve. Although he was trying to keep his anger in check, it slipped a little into his voice.

Steve looked at his fellow Navy Seal, irritation in his eyes, and said nothing. He knew, he didn't need Pete to point it out.

The two stared at one another, both sets of eyes fiery. Pete was mad at Steve for hurting Maddie, which caused her to run herself ragged while rehearsing for the show. And Steve was angry that he hadn't kept him informed. He shouldn't have agreed to not tell him she was sick. Who knows what else happened that he didn't know about? Plus, he was pissed he kept bringing up the fact she was upset with him in front of everyone. It wasn't really anyone's business what was going on between he and Maddie. Hell, he didn't even know what was going on between them!

The rest of the room began growing uncomfortable as the two just continued to stare one another down. They were all thankful a sleeping Maddie was tucked against Steve or else they were sure there would've been a repeat of Saturday's fight at the barbeque.

"How's it bleeding again? What'd you do Mads?" Doc asked as he entered the dressing room. The entire room exhaled a sigh of relief, thankful Tina had texted him once Maddie fell asleep, knowing that her foot should probably be cleaned again after her little walk around the room. The two Navy Seals reluctantly looked away from one another.

Doc smiled, relief appearing on his face as he saw her sound asleep against Steve. "Oh thank God." He met Steve's eyes. "Nice job."

Steve nodded in acknowledgement as he smiled lightly. Seeing Doc reminded him of how high Maddie's fever had been. Curious as to whether it had gone down, he reached his left hand up and gently laid the back of his hand on right side of her forehead, the side that was accessible and wasn't against his chest. Feels like it's gone down, he thought. However, wanting to be sure he placed the palm of the same hand against her right cheek. Definitely has gone down. He exhaled a sigh of relief. He'd been really worried about how high her fever was. Thank God for Advil.

Noticing Steve feeling Maddie for a fever, Doc asks, "Any better?"

"Yeah, it actually is," Steve answered, his eyes still on Maddie's face as well as his palm on her cheek. "Thank God." As he brought his hand off her face, he gently and very lovingly caressed her soft, pale cheek, his fingertips lingering.

Doc fought a smile. God, he's so in love with her! How does he not realize?! "How'd you get her to agree to sleep?" he asked, walking around the coffee table to the other side. He slipped by Tina so Steve wouldn't need to put his legs down causing him to unintentionally move Maddie around. He sat on the edge of the coffee table next to Maddie's feet.

"Judging by her behavior before she fell asleep, I'd say Rambo drugged her," Danny quipped, smirking at how gentle his partner was with Maddie. It was a side of him he and the rest of Five-0 had never seen. She really does bring out a completely different side of him, he thought happily. It was nice to know Steve was human after all.

"You make it sound devious," Steve said, unconsciously rubbing Maddie's back lightly under the blanket as he glared at Danny across the coffee table. "She was in pain, so I gave her some pain pills."

"Some pain pills? As in plural?" Danny asked. He took Steve's silence as confirmation. "Have you seen her? Look how little she is! You knocked her on her ass!"

Chin laughed from his spot in one of the arm chairs. "She was pretty loopy, brah."

"Hey! I just gave her two! Plus, you're all happy she's asleep, so why should it matter how she got that way?" Steve retorted, annoyed at the insinuation that he would do anything that could possibly hurt or be harmful to Maddie. "Plus, you didn't see her. She was in a lot of pain."

"He was right to give her two," Doc chimed in, sticking up for him. He looked to Steve before picking up her foot. "How long has she been asleep? I don't want to wake her up…"

"About five minutes." Seeing Doc's hesitation, worried that he'd wake her if he started messing with her foot, he added, "She's out. Trust me. She's dead to the world."

"Okay." Doc gently picked up her right foot. He didn't worry or think to question Steve. He knew that if there was the slightest chance his actions would wake Maddie, Steve wouldn't let him proceed. Before he set her foot down, he realized he needed to put something on his lap. He barely had a chance to register this fact when a white towel was being handed to him. He looked up to see Tina waiting for him to take the object. "Thanks, T." She smiled as she leaned back in her spot on the overstuffed couch.

"Yeah, she definitely aggravated it," he mumbled, shaking his head as he inspected her foot. "Damn, it's bleeding again." He sighed as he carefully cleaned it.

While Doc tended to Maddie, Pete kept his eyes on Tina. The second he'd entered the room he'd searched for her. He'd felt a sense of relief seeing her safe. Seeing her waver on her feet, obviously feeling dizzy, had freaked him out far more than he felt it should have. He refused to think about why. Instead, he decided to focus on the moment and figure out what was going on.

With Steve there, Pete didn't feel like he was skirting his duties if he focused on Tina a bit more than usual. Plus, Maddie was fine. She was asleep, completely safe in Steve's arms. Tina, on the other hand, he wasn't so sure. She was acting weird, very unlike herself.

As everyone chatted, making small talk and laughing, Pete continued to eye Tina. He'd been trying to catch her eye since he, Kono, and Lori had walked in, but she either hadn't picked up on it or she was ignoring him, not wanting to acknowledge his presence. He really hoped it wasn't the latter. That the reason she hadn't felt his eyes on her was because she was so tired. That's probably what it is, he told himself. I mean, she looks beat.

However, that wasn't the reason. Tina had felt his eyes boring into her for the last ten minutes, but she just couldn't bring herself to look at him. She was hurt, even though she knew she had no right to be. They were friends. Nothing more, nothing less. However, she couldn't help the way she felt. She just needed time to digest what she'd learned. And she knew that once she had, she'd be fine. However, him staring at her not stop was not helping. Why's he being like this? she wondered, feeling unnerved by his constant staring.

Tina didn't acknowledge Pete because she was worried he would pick up on the fact that she'd cried a bit. She'd made sure that she didn't look in his general direction so he wouldn't be able to get a good glimpse of her entire face. In all honesty, she'd tried to keep anyone from really noticing her face. She wouldn't look in any of their directions long enough for them to take her in. And it wasn't coming across as odd to anyone, well except Pete, and Steve of course since he'd already noticed she'd been crying before anyone came in the room. No one, again, except Pete and Steve, seemed to even pick up on the fact she wasn't taking part in their conversations because she'd made sure to laugh or not at the appropriate times. For all they knew, she was listening and just didn't have anything to add for the time being. However, she wasn't listening. She just couldn't stop thinking about Pete having a girlfriend. If she doesn't have that title yet, it's only a matter of time, Tina thought, recalling Pete's side of his phone conversation. It was as if she had a one-track mind.

Finally, Pete had had enough. He hadn't even been able to get a good look at her face. Wanting, and needing, to engage Tina to see how she'd react, Pete said, "Hey T?"

Hearing him call her name, she froze. Damn, she thought. As much as she wished she could pretend she hadn't heard him, she knew she couldn't. Everyone had heard him and they'd know something was wrong if she refused to respond. Just do what Maddie said. Act normal. It's not like it's just the two of you, so he's not going to bring anything up about what happened earlier. At least not in front of everyone. She paused, hoping to refocus her mind. Just breathe…

Following her own advice, Tina took a deep breath before glancing over to Pete. Reluctantly she met his eyes. Although he was trying to hide it, the Navy Seal in him trained to bury his feelings, she could see the concern peaking through. "Hm?" she asked.

Finally able to get a good look at Tina's face, Pete had to force himself to keep from squinting in disbelief at what he saw. She was crying, he realized. She never cries. Why was she crying? What the hell is going on?

"Yeah, Pete?" Tina asked when he said nothing.

He was so lost in thought as he tried to think of anything she could be upset about when he heard her say his name. He forced his thoughts and concerns from his head and focused on the moment. "Has anything else been moved around in the schedule today? Soundcheck and the meet and greet are both still at the usual time, right?"

"Yes," Tina nodded before instantly looking away. Although it was quick, she made it sure it appeared natural. No one noticed except Pete and Steve. The two men exchanged a fleeting, knowing look. The first look they'd shared that was anger free on Pete's part. A look that subconsciously reminded both of their long, deep seeded friendship.

It really seems like whatever she's upset about has to do with me, Pete thought. Did I say something? He was filled with guilt at the mere idea that he could have upset Tina enough to make her cry. I gotta figure this out.

Before Pete could ask her anything more, a noise caused all their heads to whirl in the direction of Steve and Maddie.

"Was that?" Danny asked, laughing.

Steve couldn't keep the large smirk from his face. He nodded, afraid that if he spoke he'd start laughing. An action he knew would jiggle Maddie's head around and possibly disturb her much needed rest.

They all laughed, including Tina. "Is she actually snoring?" Kono asked in between giggles. In fact, they had a difficult time understanding her because she was laughing so hard.

Steve only nodded, still afraid to speak in case he'd crack up. He ignored the fact his shirt was beginning to feel slightly damp. He assumed she was starting to drool and knew if he looked to verify, he'd start laughing.

Tina wanted nothing more than to get up and remove herself from the situation, but she couldn't. Although, with the distraction of Maddie snoring, it would have been a perfect time to excuse herself. However, Doc was still sitting on the coffee table in front of her as he took care of Maddie's foot. She knew she'd feel a bit dizzy when she stood up and she didn't want to risk Doc noticing. There'd be a big to-do if he did and she would be forced to rest. In fact, she'd most likely be sent back to Maddie's house with Kendall to watch her. And there was no way she was going to let that happen. She couldn't. Maddie needed her to help her get through this show. Plus, she refused to be alone with Kendall, let alone allow her "take care" of her.

"All done," Doc stated as he carefully set Maddie's clean foot on the coffee table. "Don't let her stand on this again barefoot. In fact…you know what?" Doc glanced at his watch. "Let it get a little more air and then I'll come back and wrap it up in about an hour or so."

"Okay," Steve said. "Thank you." He glanced out of the corner of his eyes at her as she sniffled and coughed. She was definitely having a difficult time breathing through her nose he noted. He knew it was the reason she was sleeping with her mouth open, something she normally never did. He fought back a smile seeing the small bit where his cornflower blue crew neck t-shirt, the one he was wearing under his pale cornflower blue, long-sleeved button up shirt, was now a midnight blue thanks to Maddie's drool.

"Not a problem." Doc smiled at Maddie sleeping peacefully against Steve. "I'm just so glad you got her to get some sleep." Just then Maddie let out a slightly loud snore, causing everyone to roar with laughter.

Steve couldn't help it. Not after that one. He laughed. Although it was a mild version of his laugh, it must have jiggled her head around enough that she began to stir. He froze, his laughing ceased the second he felt her begin to snuggle and move against him as she tried to get comfortable again. After all, her "pillow" had just unintentionally jerked her around.

"Poor thing can barely breath she's so congested," Doc snickered.

As Maddie shifted against Steve, trying to get comfortable again, her right hand, the one that had been placed on his stomach, moved. In her sleep it slid down. Now, it laid flat against his lower abdomen, an inch away from the top of his khaki cargos. She rubbed her head against his chest once more, coughing a few times as she tucked herself closer against his body, sliding her legs next to his.

Once she seemed to have them in a comfortable spot, Doc took the towel from his lap and placed it on a puffy, full pillow. Carefully he lifted both Maddie's feet with his right hand while his left placed the towel-covered pillow on the coffee table. Satisfied at its placement, he gently lowered her feet onto the puffy object. This elevated her legs, which he hoped would help reduce the swelling in both her right foot and knee, or at least keep it from worsening. Finished, he straightened out the blanket, making sure she was warm enough, but, at the same time, not allowing it to cover her injured foot. He really wanted it to get some air, to let it breath. Especially because she'd be on it for at least three hours during the show, where it'd be confined in shoes, getting hot and sweaty.

Steve nodded and smiled at Doc, silently thanking him. The doctor returned the smile, his eyes and face filled with understanding, before packing up the items he pulled from his bag. As he did so, he glanced at Tina. He wanted to ask her how she was feeling, but he knew that she didn't want it known she'd fallen and hit her head. Unable to get her attention with just a look, he used his foot to gently tap against hers.

Feeling his foot lightly touch hers, Tina glanced over at him, meeting his eyes with a forced smile. She knew what he wanted without even having to look. She could see the question in his eyes, wanting to know how she was feeling. Knowing she couldn't tell the truth, that her headache was getting worse, she nodded subtly as she continued to smile at him.

Just because Tina wasn't looking at him didn't mean Pete wasn't still watching her. He was. And he picked up on the quick, but strange, silent interaction between her and Doc. What is going on? he wondered, for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour.

Satisfied that Tina was okay, Doc grinned as he stood. "I'll be back in an hour to wrap Maddie's foot up," he announced as he grabbed his bag and headed towards the exit.

"Thanks," Steve said, trying to calm himself. While Doc had packed his bag up, Maddie had begun rubbing his lower abdomen in her sleep. Similar to how she'd rubbed his stomach when she'd first dozed off. However, her hand was now only an inch from the top of his pants, which meant that it wasn't too far from a specific body part that seemed to be reacting over the littlest things Maddie did. And this time was no different.

As soon as she'd begun lightly rubbing his skin through his shirt, Steve had felt his body begin to react. God! It takes the slightest thing from her, he thought, frustrated. This was completely out of character for him. He felt like a damn teenager. He was trying to think of anything he could to divert his attention and hopefully keep his hardening penis from getting harder. Thankfully Doc leaving was just the distraction he needed. He tried to focus on the man and ignore Maddie's hand. He silently sent a prayer up when he felt her delicate hand still and her movements stop. Of course her hand was still in the same place, but he could deal with that. It was the rubbing that was sending him over the edge.

"No problem," Doc replied. "If you need me for anything, just text or call," he added. However, instead of looking at Steve, he was looking at Tina, something Pete found incredibly odd.

Maybe Tina went and told Doc about feeling dizzy, he thought. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that was exactly what had happened. He suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders at the idea that she had been checked out by a doctor. He knew that she wouldn't be there with them if Doc hadn't deemed her healthy. Sure, the weight lifted was a small one, but it was better than nothing,

Tina was doing her best to keep it together in front of everyone, especially Pete. She just needed some time alone to digest everything and deal with it. Pete constantly staring at her was only making things a thousand times harder for her. Needing to get away, she racked her brain for a natural way she could excuse herself. A way that wouldn't look weird. Feeling exhausted, more so in the last ten minutes, she yawned. Suddenly a solution to her current predicament popped into her head. One she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of before. She waited another minute before yawning again. As she did so she positioned her elbow on the arm of the couch and leaned her head slightly into her hand. She waited yet another minute before yawning again, being sure to exaggerate so everyone would notice.

Pete watched her. She looked exhausted. Not to mention a bit pale. He wanted more than anything to speak up and suggest she get some rest, but he was unsure if he should. He wasn't sure what was going on with Tina, but as much as he tried to ignore it, his gut was telling him it had to do with him.

Tina glanced over at a passed out Maddie and then at her watch, pretending to check the time. "Since Maddie's asleep, I've got some time. I'm gonna take a quick power nap," she stated as she prepared to stand. Please don't get dizzy. Please don't get dizzy, she repeated over and over in her head, hoping it would help as she slowly began to stand. Damn, she thought, feeling the strange sensation in her head. Just ignore it. It's not that far of a walk to the bed.

She paused a beat, trying to give the sensation a second to dissipate, before turning to her right and walking the six or seven feet to the adjoining room they'd been using as a bedroom. Sure, she was still dizzy, but it was so slight that she knew it wouldn't be a problem. She knew she wasn't going to faint or waver like she had earlier.

Pete tensed as she stood, the memory of her dizzy spell still fresh in his mind. However, he was relieved when she seemed to have no problem this time. Maybe she was telling the truth. Maybe she did just stand up too fast, he thought. Especially since she's really tired. That could definitely do it. He suddenly felt another weight lifted from his shoulders. She just needed some sleep, simple as that.

Although he now wasn't as concerned about her health, Pete knew she was still upset. Deciding it was as good an opportunity as he was going to get, at least over the next several hours, until Maddie's show was over, he waited a few minutes before standing and following her to the door. "I just need to double check something about the schedule with her," he lied before knocking quietly on the door. Hearing a soft "come in" he turned the knob and entered the room, disappearing behind the closed door.

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As the door closed behind her, Tina's eyes drifted closed, relief washing over her at the fact she was now alone and could take some time to process things. She sighed, her shoulders drooping forward as she began to relax. As she slowly opened her eyes, they were no longer clear, but filled with the tears she'd been holding back for the last hour.

She sighed heavily as she walked the five feet to the bed, a couple tears spilling over and making their way down her slightly tanned face. She rubbed at her aching head as she sat on the edge of the bed and toed off her shoes. She couldn't help it, a couple more tears escaped her green eyes. "Damn it," she whispered to herself. "Why am I getting so upset about this? It's not like there was any hope for us? What is wrong with me?" However, Tina knew the answer. She was exhausted. She didn't feel good. And then learning Pete was dating someone. It was just too much all at once.

Feeling sleepy, Tina laid down on the surprisingly comfortable pull out bed. She sunk into the soft mattress as she flipped over so she was lying on her left side. She closed her eyes as the tears began to fall faster and more freely, only frustrating her further. "Just take a breath and go to sleep, T," she whispered to herself, hoping it would help her calm down. "You just need some sleep. This will all seem like no big deal when you wake up. It'll just be a distant memory." Plus, she hoped if she got some rest it would help her growing headache.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on the door. "Come in." Preoccupied, she wasn't thinking about who it could be until it was too late. As the door began to open she inwardly cursed herself. She knew who it was. At least she had an inkling. She quickly, and as subtly as she could, wiped at her tear-streaked face as she silently willed her body not to create or release any more. While she waited for the person to say something, she bent her knees slightly and with her left hand, hugged the pillow her head was laying on tighter.

Her visitor said nothing as they entered. The door shut and she heard them sigh quietly, a very familiar sigh. Yep, Pete, she thought as she squeezed her eyes shut. Too late to pretend you're asleep since you already told him he could come in. Stupid…why didn't you think before answering. Of course it was him! The way he was staring the entire time…Crap.

Pete took her in as he closed the door behind him, giving them privacy. She laid on her left side, but he couldn't see her face because her back was to him. Her shoes were discarded on the floor next to the bed and her cell phone laid on the mattress behind her. "T?" he quietly said, taking a step closer to the bed.

A few more tears escaped her closed eyes at the concern and uncertainty she heard in his deep voice. Calm down. He absolutely cannot know you're crying, she thought to herself. "Yeah?" she answered, her voice quiet as she tried to swallow the cry forming her tightened throat.

Although she was doing her best to try and sound like her normal self, she didn't. He squinted at her voice. He could hear the emotion she was trying to suppress. Is she crying? he wondered, praying to God she wasn't. He took a few more steps towards the bed, her back still to him. He watched it closely, hoping her breathing would clue him in as to whether she was crying or not.

"You okay?" Pete asked. He noticed her back move with her irregular breathing as she tried to stifle her tears. He shook his head slightly as he inaudibly sighed, confused.

"Yeah, just tired," Tina managed, but not without sniffling once. Crap, she cursed herself.

His eyes fluttered closed as he heard the quiet sniffle escape her. Damn, she is crying.

"You can talk to me you know," he said. "I mean, we're friends after all." As he waited for her to respond, he sat at the edge of the bed.

Knowing if she thought about what he'd just said, the reminder that they were friend, just friends, she'd lose it, she forced herself to ignore his comment by distancing her mind and heart from the situation. She wiped her face as she felt herself begin to calm down. "I know, everything's fine. I'm just tired. But thanks."

Pete sighed. He knew she was lying. It was obvious. He debated getting up and walking around to the other side of the bed forcing her to look at him, but he didn't think she'd react well to that. "You feel okay?"

Tina casually wiped the last remnants of tears from her damp face. She knew he wasn't going to leave unless she looked at him. That thought alone helped keep her from crying anymore. "Yeah."

He paused. "What happened earlier, T?"

She swallowed hard as she reminded herself what Maddie had suggested she say. "I told you…"

"There a reason you won't look at me?" he asked, his voice gentle as he interrupted her.

Tina sighed as she made sure her face was dry. I wasn't crying too long, so hopefully my eyes aren't red and puffy...or my face splotchy, she thought. Slowly she turned over so she was now lying on her right side. She was immediately surprised at how close he was. "I just stood up too fast," she answered, refusing to meet his eyes. She ignored his other question.

"You tell Doc about what happened?" Pete asked, the silent interaction between the doctor and her still fresh in his mind. He had hoped she'd gone to him after her little dizzy spell, but he wanted to be sure.

Tina looked at him, meeting his eyes for the first time. Even though he knew she'd been crying, seeing her slightly red eyes made it more real. He became even more concerned. He could count on one hand how many times he'd seen her cry. It was the same with Maddie, well until last week. "I'm fine P. Don't worry. I really just stood up too fast. And, I'm so tired. The two combined apparently don't mix well." She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

"So, is that a no, you didn't go see Doc?" Pete pushed.

Of course he didn't let it go, she thought, irritated. "It's a 'it's none of your business if I went to see Doc or not'," she replied. She tried to keep her voice as light as possible, but it was true. It was none of his business.

He was quiet as he let her words sink in. Ever since he'd run into her in the hall an hour earlier, she seemed to suddenly be pushing him away. She'd never been like this with him before. He didn't understand the sudden change in her. They'd always been close friends. "Is that the same as 'I'm not yours to worry about?'" he asked, repeating her words from earlier with a nod of his head. His eyebrows arched as he waited for a response.

Tina had no idea what to say to him. She didn't want to talk to him about this. However, she knew he'd ask her about it. Maddie had even warned her he would. She stared at him as she wracked her brain for some kind of answer she could give him. One that would end the conversation. Forever.

After a minute of the two staring at one another, Tina couldn't handle anymore and looked away under the guise of trying to get comfortable. She lifted her head and plumped up her pillow before lying back down. She slipped her right hand underneath it while she tucked her left hand in the crook of her neck.

When it became apparent that she wasn't going to respond, Pete briefly looked down at the comforter while he tried to think of another approach he could take with her. One that would hopefully get her to talk to him. "Speaking of which, what was with your little freak out on me in the hall?" Pete asked, his tone calm as he fixed his gaze back to her.

She forced a slight laugh as she met his eyes once again. "I did not freak out on you."

"Uh, yeah. You did," he replied, a slight smile tugging at his lips before quickly disappearing. A more serious look took its place. "What was that about? You upset with me about something?" In the lighting of the room his hazel eyes appeared green. She loved it when they did that. Plus, he had this sweet, hesitant look that reminded her how much she loved him. Thinking about it made her eyes begin to moisten. Crap! Don't go there T! At least not until he's left, she told herself.

Pete slightly squinted as he noticed her suddenly shiny eyes. Well, there's my answer. She is upset with me, he thought. The problem was he had no idea what he'd done.

"No, not at all." Tina paused. "I don't know what got into me. I'm just exhausted," she lied, saying exactly what Maddie had advised her to. "I'm really sorry, Pete."

Pete paused, knowing she was lying. He wasn't sure what to do. Did he try and push her on the subject or just wait and see what happened after the show? Maybe it would blow over. Hopefully, he thought.

After a minute, he decided he should probably just wait and see what happened. "Okay," he replied, not knowing what else to say to her.

"No worries, Pete. We're all good. Sorry I freaked out on you," Tina said.

"It's fine. Just please get some rest okay?" He paused, debating whether or not he should continue. "You scared me earlier." At her furrowed brow he elaborated. "You nearly fainted on me, T. Out of nowhere." Both his face and voice were serious and somber.

Although her heart was aching at his concern for her, making her wonder even more what it would be like to be with him, she forced herself to roll her eyes and smile. "I'm completely fine. I promise. I'm just tired and stood up too quickly." She met his questioning eyes. "I promise, Pete. I'm okay. We're okay… Really" Although she tried to stifle it, she yawned as her blinking slowed down. Suddenly she was finding it incredibly hard to keep her eyes open.

"Get some rest, Tina," Pete said. He wanted to reach out and lightly rub her arm or leg in some way, but he didn't. For some reason he refused let himself go there. Instead, he stood and grabbed the thin, eggplant purple colored micro fleece blanket folded at the bottom of the bed, opened it, and placed it on her.

"Thanks, Pete," Tina mumbled as she yawned again, her eyes closing.

He smiled down at her sadly before heading to the door and opening it. Before leaving he turned around and glanced at her once more, wishing she'd tell him what she was upset about. Maddie… and now her, he thought. Both of them hiding things… Not what I need right now. He watched her snuggle into the blanket before turning and walking through the door, gently closing it behind him.

With Maddie still sound asleep against him, Steve glanced at his long time friend. "Everything okay?"

Pete pursed his lips as he debated the question. Finally, he sighed. "I have no idea."

"She wouldn't tell you?"

"Nope," he answered.

"Something wrong with Tina?" Kono asked, concern in her voice as her eyes darted between the two Navy Seals.

Pete shook his head, frustrated. He looked at Kono as he walked to the chair he'd been sitting in minutes before. "Don't drink the water here. There must be something in it that's making woman act weird."

Steve, Pete, Chin, and Danny snickered a bit. However, they stopped the second they saw the annoyed looks Kono and Lori shot them.

"Sorry," Pete mumbled, a sheepish look on his face as he sat down.

---

Tina had been asleep maybe fifteen to twenty minutes when her phone rang. Without opening her eyes she reached her left hand in front of her and grabbed the ringing object from the bed, groaning in annoyance. "Hello," she mumbled, her voice laced with sleep.

"Tina, where are you?" asked a very annoyed and not to mention loud George.

It took her a second to understand what he was asking as she tried to shake the hazy remnants of sleep from her head. "Huh?" She rubbed at her pounding head. It seemed to have gotten worse in the short time she'd been asleep. Plus, George's loud and abrasive voice wasn't helping matters.

"Where. Are. You?" he questioned, his voice a bit louder as he enunciated each word in a condescending manner.

Tina squinted her eyes at the spike of pain his voice caused in her head. After a second she opened them, although the rest of her face was still scrunched in pain. She shook her head slightly, careful not to cause herself any more discomfort, hoping it would help shake the last bits of sleep that seemed to be lingering. "Uh….I'm…"

"Tina!" George cried, irritated. "It isn't a hard question. Where are you?"

Thankfully, she finally realized what he was asking. "I'm in… Maddie's dressing room. Why?" she answered. Although she was a bit more awake, at least enough to answer his question, her voice was still gruff from sleep.

"I need your help," George stated. Normally he would have gone to the dressing room to get her instead of calling, but he was hesitant to. Steve had made himself very clear. He was to go nowhere near Maddie. Although he was afraid of him, he was furious. The Navy Seal had embarrassed and belittled him in front of his staff and, more importantly, Maddie.

"What for?" Tina asked.

"Does it matter?" George snapped. "If I tell you to jump, your response should be, 'how high?'"

She was too tired to deal with this, not to mention she felt like crap. However, for the time being, she knew it was better to just go along with it. She wanted to try and keep him away from Maddie. If that meant putting up with him, then she would. Her job was to help make Maddie's life easier and currently, this was a way to do that. Plus, after the show she wouldn't be seeing him for a few months. She clenched her jaw before responding. "Okay."

"Meet me in the main room," he ground out. "And hurry!" He didn't give her a chance to respond before he hung up.

"Awesome…" Tina mumbled as she shook her head, placing the phone back on the mattress. Using the fingers from her right hand, she rubbed the back of her head at the spot that had hit the table. "How is it getting worse?" she whispered to herself.

Sighing, she pushed the blanket Pete had so gently placed over her and scooted to the edge of the bed. She slipped her boots on. Before she stood she sat there, her eyes drifting closed. She was even more tired than she had been when she'd laid down. Maybe a nap was a bad idea, she thought.

Tina sat there, willing herself to stand, but she was finding it incredibly difficult. She was just so tired. Suddenly her phone dinged, signaling a new text message. She grabbed it off the mattress next to her and quickly glanced at it. Where are you?

"Ugh, George…." she groaned, reading his text. She quickly typed back that she was on her way before forcing herself to stand up. "Woah," she whispered, slightly bending and placing a hand on the bed to steady herself. The dizzy feeling she was experiencing was a bit worse than it had been earlier. It still wasn't terrible; it had just taken her by surprise. She took a deep breath, exhaling loudly, as she waited for the feeling to pass, which, thankfully, didn't take long. She was grateful that the dizzy spells she was having seemed to be very short and quite mild, at least in comparison to the ones she'd seen Maddie experience after her head injury.

Tina slid her iPhone into her back pocket and walked to the door and opened it. As she stepped through, closing the door behind her, all faces turned and stared at her, including Pete's. She rubbed her face, hoping to wake up a bit more, as she began walking across the room, ignoring the staring faces. As she did so she bumped into the side of the couch. She did her best to play it off, pretend it hadn't happened as she continued walking.

Pete stared at her, concerned she'd just walked into furniture. "T?" he said, wanting to catch her before she walked out. "Where are you going?"

"Duty calls," she answered back. Just as she finished, her phone dinged again. She stopped, rolled her eyes, and pulled it from her back pocket.

Since she was stopped right behind the couch Kono, Danny, and Lori were sitting on, Pete was able to get a good look at her. She looked even more tired than she had when he'd left her in the other room. And a bit paler too, he noticed. His concern immediately grew.

Tina began cursing and mumbling quietly under her breath as she read the new message from George. "Stupid…son of a…I'm gonna kick his…"

Pete began standing. "T, whatever you have to do, let me take care of it." He held out his hand, his palm facing up. "Give me your phone and go back in the other room."

She looked up from her phone, a confused look on her face as she just stared at him. Why is he being so weird with me? she wondered. Almost overprotective…. Maybe I was right…there is something different in our interactions lately.

The fact that she was just staring at him and not saying a word was worrying him. "T?" he asked. "You okay?"

Realizing she'd gotten caught up in her thoughts and was just staring at him, Tina shook her head slightly as she came back to reality. "I'm fine."

"Here, let me go take care of whatever it is," Pete said again, taking a step towards her, his hand still outstretched for her phone.

She shook her head. "No, I got it. This is my job. I'm back now, you don't need to do it."

Her response confused him. It was so unlike her. But then again, she'd made similar comments to him the last hour. "But you're tired. I don't mind." He paused. "What do you have to do anyway?"

Her phone dinged again. She didn't have to look at it to know it was another message from George wondering where the hell she was. And she was almost a hundred percent sure that his language was a lot more colorful than that. She shook her head at the thought of the weasel of a man. "I gotta go. I'll be back in a bit." With that she turned and rushed to the door. She was so tired she sort of ran into it.

"T! The door!" Pete called.

"Right," Tina forced a laugh, embarrassed she'd walked into it. "I meant to do that." She turned and flashed them a cute smile, her cheeks slightly flushed. She pulled the door open and smiled at Josh standing on the other side. Before she let the door shut behind her she called back over her shoulder. "Let me know when Mads wakes up!" And with that she was gone.

Pete stood near the spot she'd been standing in behind the couch, completely and utterly confused. Not to mention worried. She was acting so weird. It wasn't her strange behavior towards him that had him the most concerned. It was the fact she was exhausted and had just walked into the couch and door. And of course, he hadn't forgotten how wobbly she'd been on her feet earlier.

Shaking his head, he pulled the walkie-talkie from his belt and brought it to his mouth. "Continue to keep an eye on Tina." He waited a beat before he heard his team come back with 'yes sir's'. Satisfied, he returned the device to his belt and sat back down in the big armchair.

Seeing the look on his face, Chin smiled. "Anxious for the day to be over?"

"You have absolutely no idea," Pete mumbled as he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with the fingers from his left hand. It had been a long four days.

---

Pete and the Five-0 team had been hanging out and talking in Maddie's dressing room. Only a few people had come in to ask Maddie something, but as soon as they saw she was fast asleep on Steve they'd leave, a knowing smile on their faces.

Pete was only contacted a few times since Tina left. His team was doing everything he'd instructed, constantly checking, double-checking, and even triple-checking the premises, especially the stage. He had four security members on the stage alone. He didn't want to risk something being tampered with. Of course everyone rotated around, so there would always be a pair of fresh eyes at each post.

It had been almost a half hour since Tina had left in a sleep-hazed rush when there was a soft knock on the door before it opened.

Pete, Steve, and the rest of the Five-0 team turned to see who was there. Both Josh and Mo smiled as they met all six pairs of eyes.

"We're switching now," Mo said, meeting Pete's eyes.

"Great," Pete nodded. "Thanks for the heads up."

"See you guys later," Josh said, waving to them.

There was a mixture of "bye's" and "later's", before he disappeared down the hall.

When Mo continued to lean against the door, holding it open, Pete glanced at him, a questioning look in his eyes. "What's up?"

"Just wanted to give you a heads up on Tina," Mo responded.

"Okay," Pete said. His attention had definitely been grabbed.

"King George has Tina running around taking care of stuff. She's keeping busy."

Although Pete shook his head angrily at the information, he couldn't help but smirk at Mo's nickname for the awful man. "So that's where she was headed off to in a hurry," he mumbled. He wanted more than anything to ask how she seemed, but again, he refused to let himself go there. "Thanks Mo."

"No problem," he replied before stepping away from the door and disappearing behind it as it closed.

Maddie moved her right hand in her sleep. Oh crap, Steve thought as her hand dropped further down his body. Don't think about it. Don't think about it…. Think about anything else, he told himself as her hand grabbed the waistband of his cargos. All her fingers, except for her thumb, were now slightly tucked around the top of his pants, making it so her fingertips were in his pants. Barely, but they were. The base of her palm was lower than his waistband. It was sitting towards the bottom of his zipper. In other words, the bottom of her hand was basically on his penis.

No matter how many times he told himself not to think about it, it didn't work. He immediately began to get hard. Come on, he inwardly yelled at his body. He was annoyed that Maddie had such an affect on him. He was trained to be able to conquer anything with his mind. Mind over matter. He should have no problem ignoring where her hand was, but for some reason he couldn't. Something very apparent as he felt himself harden even more.

Desperate for something to distract him, he tried focusing on what Pete and Mo had been saying. George. George. Think about George, he told himself. "Who is George?" Steve asked, his obvious disdain for the man evident by not only the anger and disgust in his voice, but the look on his face. "I've never met him or heard of him." The distraction was helping a bit, not a lot, but at least it was some. Beggars can't be choosers, he thought.

"He is her current tour manager," Pete answered, his dislike for the man obvious.

"What happened to Barry?" Steve asked as he listened to Maddie's quiet little snore, hoping it would be another distraction to where her hand was. Because she was so stuffed up she couldn't breath through her nose causing her to not only snore, but drool on him. Not a ton, just a little bit. Most guys would have found it disgusting, but it didn't bother him. Maybe he was weird, but he found it kind of cute. "And Johnny? Usually Johnny's on tour quite a bit with her."

It wasn't helping. Steve needed to do something; he was beginning to panic. What if she wakes up and she can feel me hard underneath her hand? he asked himself. That won't be weird at all, he thought sarcastically.

Carefully he moved the littlest bit, leaning to his right. He was hoping her hand would slide off that general area. He was disappointed when it didn't budge. If she wasn't holding onto my pants it would've worked, he thought, partly disappointed, but also partly happy. Even though they were awkward circumstances, he loved the feel of her hand grabbing the top of his pants. He couldn't help it, but it made his mind wander. Wander to images of her moving that hand further inside. Of course she was awake in these fantasies. Oh crap! Stop! he ordered himself as he felt his "problem" worsen.

What Steve didn't realize was that by moving, his body was now putting pressure on Maddie's filled bladder.

"Yeah, he is," Pete sighed, his face dropping a bit. "But his wife has cancer and it's not looking good, so he wasn't able to be on this tour at all."

Steve's eyes closed as he heard the news. "Damn. That's awful." He unconsciously pulled Maddie closer as he began rubbing her back with his right arm, the one that was behind her back and holding her to him. "How's Mads handling that? Karen's been like a mom to her."

Johnny had become Maddie's manager when she was fifteen, right before she signed her record deal. Since she was emancipated as a young teenager, she actually lived with Johnny and his wife, Karen, for a few years, once she moved to the mainland to record her record and start touring. When she was off the road, that was her home. That is until she bought her first place, the one in Los Angeles. However, she still stayed with them quite often. They were close to parents, though not as much as Steve's mom and dad had been, since she was already basically an adult when she met Johnny and Karen.

"It's been hard," Pete answered honestly. "It's actually been kind of a rollercoaster of a year for her."

This made Steve feel even worse for not reaching out to her until four months before. He'd been so consumed with finding the Hess brothers. However, she always knew that she could call me, he thought. Even when he was out on missions, he always kept a special, untraceable phone on him. One that was a secure line. He kept it off and would turn it on whenever he could to check messages or have the time to make a call. She had the number. It was a way she knew she could always get in contact with him no matter where he was. Over the last year and a half he'd checked it like he usually did, but she'd never called, so he figured everything was fine. Of course she wouldn't call. She doesn't like to worry me…. I should've called her and checked in. Hearing all this only made him feel guiltier. Like he'd let her down even more.

When Steve said nothing more Pete continued. "Barry had a sudden conflict and wasn't able to do the first leg of the tour. George was a last minute, desperate hire. However, hopefully Barry will be back for the second leg of the tour."

Steve nodded, still digesting all the new information, as he continued to gently rub Maddie's back. However, little did he know she was awake.

Maddie had begun waking a couple minutes before when the pressure against her bladder finally became too much. She wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, but she knew she could've continued on for hours. She was so tired. Plus, she was so comfortable tucked safely against Steve, a fact that irritated the hell out of her.

Although she was awake, she pretended to still be asleep. She wasn't ready to pull away from him; something she knew she'd have to do the second she woke up. She loved being in his arms and she knew this would be the last time she'd sleep curled into him. Although she loved it, she couldn't let it happen again. It was too painful for her.

So, as she laid there against him, her head on his chest, Maddie tried to memorize everything about him. The way he smelled. A mixture of the fresh Hawaiian air mixed with his soap and his natural manly smell, which, unlike most men, smelled amazing. The way his perfectly sculpted chest felt underneath her head. She would have thought that it would be make for an uncomfortable pillow because he was so "ripped", but it was the complete opposite. It was the most comfortable "pillow" she'd ever used. The way his arm was wrapped protectively around her body, as if protecting her from not only the entire world, but from all her worries and fears. And somehow it felt as if he managed to achieve it. She felt so safe tucked against him. Even with everything going on. She memorized the way his hand felt against her back as he gently rubbed it, something he'd started doing when Pete told him about Karen's cancer. She'd been listening. Well, sort of. In all honesty, she'd been checking in and out of their conversation, as her mind wandered.

As she continued to make mental notes of everything about him, she noticed that her right hand was no longer resting on the middle of his stomach. Even though she'd been asleep before she even fell into him, she knew that that's where she would have rested her hand. Instead, it was much lower. It was gripping the waistband of his cargos. How the hell did that happen? she asked herself, embarrassed she'd grabbed his pants in her sleep. Great! If I wasn't already a joke to him, I definitely am now. He's probably thinking, "wow, she's so pathetic she's trying to get in my pants while she's asleep".

As she began to wake up a bit more, she realized something she couldn't believe she hadn't immediately noticed. Is he…Maddie wondered, feeling something against the bottom of her hand. No…he wouldn't be. No way! He made his feelings for me on a romantic level completely clear. She remembered his comment to Carl Sunday morning.

Just like in her home movie theatre, she couldn't help the curiosity. She wanted, no needed, to figure out if he was turned on even though she knew it was a bad idea. Since he thought she was still asleep she had to be careful. Carefully she moved the bottom of her hand the tiniest bit while supplying the littlest bit of pressure. She froze as she felt him.

Oh no, Steve thought, feeling her hand slightly move. The small amount his penis had relaxed during the conversation about Maddie's management staff no longer mattered. He unintentionally held his breath as he waited to see if her hand was going to move again. To his relief, it didn't. Just take a breath. Calm down. Distract yourself. Think of something else besides her.

She was shocked that he'd reacted that way to her hand on him. Shocked and confused. As she felt herself feel a trace of not only happiness, but hope, at his reaction, she began to panic. She absolutely count not let herself go there. Happiness was bad enough. But hope? That was incredibly dangerous! Dangerous to her heart. So, refusing to think about why he'd gotten turned on by the placement of her hand, Maddie knew she needed to move it, and fast. The problem was, she wasn't sure how she should go about it. Just do it. Just move it, she told herself. Quickly she held her breath and pretended to move in her sleep. Not just her hand, but her entire body. She wiggled her head against his chest getting comfortable as she slid her hand back up to his stomach. Because she was pretending to still be asleep she slid it slowly. Maybe a little too slowly because Steve made a tiny moan like sound as he pulled her closer while rubbing his hand up and down her back. However, it wasn't like before, but with more pressure, almost a need to touch her. The moan was nearly inaudible, but she heard it. In fact, she nearly froze at the noise, but thankfully reminded herself she was supposed to be asleep. She reminded herself that if she were asleep she wouldn't have heard it or reacted to it.

The way her hand had slid up his body had turned him on far more than he thought it could. Plus, it had taken him by surprise. It was that reason that Steve wasn't able to keep from softly moaning. Thank God she's asleep, he thought. His eyes flitted between his coworkers and friends as he tried to discern whether they had heard the soft noise she'd unintentionally elicited from him. From the looks of it they hadn't. He exhaled a breath of relief, silently offering a "thanks" up to God.

"You okay, babe?" Danny asked at the strange look Steve had suddenly gotten.

"Mm hmm. Yeah," Steve answered, his voice sounding tight and slightly uncomfortable. Danny eyed him suspiciously. Steve offered his partner a small, quick smile hoping it would ease his suspicious mind and he'd drop the subject.

Knowing it was time to "wake up", Maddie moved her head again. Instead of the side of her head against Steve's chest, her face was. She made sure to make some of her "little noises", as Steve called them, as she hid in his chest. Her actions pulled everyone's attention on her, something Steve was grateful for. His right hand automatically moved up and down her back gently as she moved around, hoping it would soothe her and she'd settle and continue to sleep.

"She waking up?" Lori asked, hoping to God she was. She'd had a very difficult time watching the two friends cuddled together over the last hour. How she managed to act normal, like everything was fine, was beyond her. She'd just discovered a talent she'd never known she had. Acting. If law enforcement doesn't work out, she thought sarcastically.

"Yep," Steve mumbled regretfully as he looked down, eyeing his best friend. He didn't want her waking up yet. Not only did he want her to get more than an hour of sleep, because he knew how desperately her body needed it, but he wasn't ready to let her go. He knew when she woke she'd pull away from him and he wasn't sure if she'd ever let him hold her again. The thought of her never being in his arms again, of never getting to hold her, upset him more than he could analyze or think about at the moment. In fact, he didn't want to.

Knowing she had to make it look real, Maddie snuggled even further into Steve. As she did so, he wrapped his arm tighter around her, which only proved to confuse her. Don't think about it, she ordered herself. Don't even go there. It means nothing. For her own sanity and emotional wellbeing, she knew she had to wake up and fast. She absolutely had to get out of his arms.

Slowly she opened her eyes. As the light hit them she closed them again. Just because she'd been pretending to be asleep for the last five minutes, didn't mean she was completely awake. Plus, she was still exhausted, not to mention still a bit loopy from the pain pills. Her head felt slightly cloudy and slow. If it hadn't been for having to use the restroom she would have continued sleeping. Probably for the better, she thought, as she forced her eyes open again.

"Hey Mads," Kono greeted as their eyes met.

Maddie smiled at her before yawning loudly. Sighing she began to sit up, trying to be casual about pulling out of Steve's arms.

Damn, he thought as she began to pull away.

"Sleep well?" Danny asked as she leaned back into the couch. She readjusted the blanket that had been over her, and a lot of Steve, pulling it to her shoulders as she cuddled into it.

Maddie shrugged, yawning again. She sighed heavily before asking, "How long was I asleep?"

"About an hour," Steve answered from his spot next to her.

She briefly made eye contact with him, having a difficult time after having her hand nearly in his pants while she was asleep. She couldn't help it, she blushed slightly, embarrassed by what she'd done. That and he'd been turned on. She wished she hadn't ever realized. It only confused her.

Steve eyed her as he took in her flushing cheeks. Why's she blushing? he wondered. Wait…does she know what happened? Suddenly he started wondering if maybe she hadn't just woken up. Well, if that's the case, maybe it's a good sign that she rubbed against me and applied more pressure. Maybe that means I have a chance of fixing this. Deciding to go with the thought that she'd been awake, his eyes dropped to her mouth as he licked his lips. Bringing his eyes back up to hers, he flashed her a quick, flirty smirk. He was subtle, so no one noticed except Maddie.

What the hell? Maddie wondered. She couldn't help blushing more.

Look away! Don't get sucked in! her conscience yelled at her. She coughed as she looked away, bringing her right hand up to cover her mouth. She looked straight ahead as she cleared her throat.

"Uh, Maddie?" Danny said, doing everything he could to keep from hysterically laughing.

Hearing the suppressed laughter in his voice, not to mention a bit of mischief, she hesitantly looked to him, still incredibly sleepy and exhausted. "Yeah?"

"You must've been having some amazing dreams." His lips twitched as he fought to keep from smiling.

She looked at him confused, her brow furrowed.

Knowing what his partner was getting at, Steve licked his bottom lip as a small smile appeared on his handsome, beat-up face.

"Were they some steamy ones about yours truly over there?" Danny asked, the smirk finally breaking through as he pointed to Steve. The laughter that they had all been trying to hold back erupted, making her nervous. She didn't know what was so funny and she hated being the only person who didn't get a joke.

Maddie tensed. As she hesitantly turned to look at the man she loved, a dark spot on his blue t-shirt caught her eyes. As everyone roared with laughter, she nervously squinted trying to figure out what it was. "Oh my God!" she whispered, her cheeks flushing as it suddenly dawned on her. "Oh my God!" she repeated. She placed her left hand over her eyes in embarrassment while everyone continued to laugh hysterically. Well, everyone except Steve. He only smiled sexily at her and chuckled. She peered through the slits between her fingers and nibbled her bottom lip, something Steve found incredibly cute. In fact, he felt the intense urge to pull her to him and kiss her.

She slid her hand to her head and threaded her fingers in her hair. "I am so gross!" Maddie exclaimed, an embarrassed smile on her face as she looked from the drool on his shirt to Steve's eyes and back again. "I'm so sorry Steve!"

"Mads, it's fine!" Steve laughed.

"Oh my God! How gross!" Her hand returned to her eyes, hiding her face. "I am such a spazz!"

Remembering how he didn't say anything when Kendall had called her that earlier, Steve decided to make it up to her. Plus, he didn't like her putting herself down. She'd never been one to do it before. He knew that with him hurting her and whoever was stalking and scaring the crap out of her, she wasn't feeling like her usual confident self. "Hey!" he began as he leaned towards her. He reached his hand out and tugged at the hand she had covering her face. He pulled it down, lacing his fingers with hers. "I don't care about the drool. In fact-" His smile turned flirty as well as the look in his eyes. "I find it pretty cute!"

Shocked, Maddie's face dropped as her eyebrows arched. However, once she had a second to process what he'd said, she gently began to pull her hand from his. "Make fun of me! I actually drooled. I should most definitely be laughed at and made fun of for it. Who drools on someone else while they sleep?! What a spazzy thing to do."

Although the smile was still on his face, his eyes turned serious. "You're not a spazz." Seeing her about to open her mouth to argue, he said, "Don't say it again." His voice was quiet so only Maddie heard. However, it wouldn't have mattered because everyone was cracking jokes and laughing so hard and loud that they couldn't hear them anyway.

Maddie stared at him, eyes wide, surprised by what he said. She wasn't sure what to say to him. He'd never said something like this to her before. What do you say back to that? she wondered, nervous. All she could think of to do was to apologize again. "I'm so sorry, Steve! I really am!" She forced herself to laugh. "How gross!"

"Maddie…it's fine! It's no big deal!" He smiled at her as he watched her cheeks pink even more. "And I do really think it's cute that you drooled all over me," he told her again, giving her that half smile, half smirk he was so good at. The one that caused butterflies to flit around inside her stomach.

She coughed and sniffled, trying to buy herself time to figure out what to say. She was completely out of her element at the moment. Something she partially blamed on Steve, but also on the fact she'd just woken up and was still under the influence of pain medication. However, she lucked out and was saved.

"Hey!" Doc greeted the many people chuckling and joking around. Seeing Maddie was awake, he said, "Hey there, sleepyhead!"

Maddie leaned back into the couch and smiled at him as he walked in, thankful for the save. However, the smile immediately fell from her face as Kendall appeared behind him. Great. Stupid bitch, she thought, anger bubbling up inside her as she remembered what she'd done, "anonymously" going to press and shamelessly flirting with Steve knowing how she felt about him. She knew Kendall was just trying to rub her face in it.

Doc took his place on the coffee table in front of Maddie. "Let's wrap this up," he smiled at her as he gently placed the towel-covered pillow, with her legs on top of it, onto his lap. Wanting to give him space to do his job, she placed her uninjured left leg down on the floor.

"How long have you been awake?" Doc asked as he began wrapping her infected foot.

Before Maddie could answer, Steve said, "A few minutes. Maybe five to seven." He wanted to see her reaction. It was his way of checking to see if she'd been pretending to be asleep the last little bit and had not just woken up a minute or two before.

Before she had time to process that he was testing her, Maddie's head jerked to her left and met his eyes. He smirked at her, having his answer. Her face grew beet red as she looked away. She couldn't look at him now that he knew she'd been awake. That she had felt him turned on. That he knew she had tested to be sure he really was. Great. That's not weird at all, she thought sarcastically. If she'd taken a second to think before she'd reacted, she would have realized that he was now testing her. If she hadn't reacted, he never would have known she'd been awake. Stupid Vicodin, she inwardly cursed, blaming her screw up on the pain medicine that was still in her system, making her feel a bit out of it and fuzzy-minded.

Noticing that Maddie's face was now bright red, Danny glanced at his partner's smirking face. What am I missing? he asked himself. Something definitely happened between them in the last five minutes. Probably why he had gotten that funny look on his face all of a sudden.

Danny hated not knowing something. He knew it was going to bug him. However, he'd try and get it out of Steve later, once they were alone. HE knew it's be nearly impossible, but he hoped if he badgered and annoyed his partner long enough he might have a chance. If not, he figured he'd try Maddie. He'd already planned on building a strong friendship with her. After all, she was the future wife of his grumpy and insane ninja of a partner and best friend. Danny smiled at the thought of Steve settling down with Maddie. He loved the idea and was anxious for it to happen. He hoped that having a wife, and hopefully children, to go home to would chill Steve out a bit. That he wouldn't take as many crazy chances, which would mean Danny wouldn't get shot at as often. Oh yes, he loved the idea of Steve and Maddie figuring things out and getting together!

"Alright, there you go," Doc said, pulling everyone from their thoughts as he finished wrapping her foot. "Do you want your sock on?"

Maddie nodded. Her foot was freezing; her toes felt like ice. It was so cold that it was making her foot hurt worse. Her feet had always gotten cold easily. Ever since she was a child.

"Okay, don't move. Let me do the work," he instructed. She nodded and he carefully began guiding her sock over the heavily wrapped foot. She thought it was going to be incredibly painful, but to her surprise it wasn't. Something she was beyond thankful for.

Once he was finished he set the pillow, with her foot still on it, back on the coffee table. "I put major antibiotic ointment all over the wounds under the first layer of gauze. Then I put a layer of gauze wrap, followed by two layers of thick bandage wrap. So, it's fairly protected, but if you bump it it's still going to be quite painful. It's at least protected from germs and keeps you from getting it dirty, both of which would cause the infection to worsen. I'll change the wrap before you go on stage tonight," he informed her as he took a seat next to her on the couch. "However, if for some reason you get it wet before then, let me know immediately because I'll need to change it."

"Thanks Doc," Maddie whispered, the state of her voice not any better than it had been before she fell asleep. She let go of the blanket, letting it pool around her waist, and scooted forward. She really had to use the restroom.

"Where you going, Mads?" Steve asked, leaning forward a bit in preparation to help her.

"I need to use-," she answered, scooting forward. However, she was interrupted by Tina bursting through the door, her cell phone against her ear as she spoke to someone. Maddie stopped, immediately picking up on Tina's rush movements.

"Yeah, I'm in her dressing room," Tina said to the person on the phone as she met Maddie's eyes. "Yes, she's up." There was a pause as she listened to whomever she was speaking with. "Okay, what channel? ….Okay. We'll watch it and call you back." With that said, she hung up and slipped her phone into her back pocket. Tina walked to the coffee table, picked up the remote, and turned the TV on.

As her assistant, and best friend, flipped through the stations, Maddie straightened. "What's up?" She had a bad feeling given Tina's tense movements and behavior, not to mention the look she'd had on her face as she met Maddie's eyes during the phone call.

Tina glanced quickly at Maddie, wordlessly telling her by the way the muscles were tight in her face as she clenched her jaw that something had happened. Something bad.

Great, now what? she wondered. Part of her wished that it was just Tina and her in the room instead of Pete, Doc, Kendall, Steve, and the rest of the Five-0 team.

"That was Stephenie," Tina began, still searching for the correct station.

"Do I even want to know?" Maddie asked, trying to keep from getting upset. It had already been a bad day in terms of press. What more could possibly go wrong?

"Who's Stephenie?" Lori asked, curious.

"Publicist," Pete answered also taking in Tina's rigid and rushed, bordering on panicked, behavior.

Finally Tina stopped flipping through the stations and settled on one. Not wanting to stand and block anyone's view, she walked around the couch, stopping right behind Maddie. If it was as bad as it sounded from Stephenie's call, she wanted to be able to give her some kind of moral support.

They all quieted as they watched the TV. A Hilton commercial was ending. Suddenly a woman appeared behind a news desk. "Footage of multiple Grammy winner and Queen of Pop Madeline Lily came in to our station just a little while ago. Footage that only adds to the evidence that all is not right in the superstar's world."

Maddie immediately stiffened as the footage came on the screen. Crap, she thought. It was of her little adventure to the beach the other morning, when she'd climbed out the bathroom window of her dressing room and slipped through the outer fence. She felt Steve briefly glance at her out of the corner of his eye before returning his attention to the screen. His back straightened as he crossed his arms firmly.

They all watched the TV, the footage showing Maddie limping down to the beach. Once she found a spot, she plopped down and immediately removed her shoes and socks as she basked in the beautiful Hawaiian sunrise before her. Although the screen stayed on Maddie at the beach, the newswoman once again began speaking as the cameraman zoomed in from his hidden location, getting a shot of her face as the tears began streaming down her face. "Although the Hawaii native seemed to be enjoying the beautiful sunrise, being home couldn't keep her spirits up."

Maddie tried her best to keep from acting unfazed and unbothered by the footage, but as she watched herself cry onscreen, she just couldn't watch anymore. She closed her eyes. She'd already lived through the moment once; she didn't need to watch it after the fact. Now not only was the entire world seeing it, but so was Steve. I can't have a fucking minute to myself, she thought, trying to keep her anger and irritation from showing. Not to mention her embarrassment. Not one single moment.

While he watched tears roll down her face as she sat on the beach, Steve's stomach sunk, the guilt he was feeling suffocating. Did I do that? he asked himself, his eyes glued to the screen even though it was painful to watch. Is she crying because of me? Because of what I said?

Although all day she'd been trying, and succeeding a lot of the time, to act like her old self, like everything was fine between them, he knew better. She couldn't fool him. He knew her too well. Others? Sure, most were fooled by her façade. But not him.

Knowing what was coming next, Maddie looked down at her lap.

Everyone remained quiet as they watched her head fall against her knees as what started off as simple tears turned into sobs. The sobs wracked her body in the gorgeous early morning light.

Maddie didn't have to look up to know that every so often everyone was glancing in her direction, curious as to her reaction to the footage. To the huge invasion of her privacy.

Steve thought seeing tears rolling down her face upset him. However, when she began sobbing hysterically he found it extremely difficult to continue to keep his mask in place and internalize his emotions. He struggled to keep his emotions from his face. He clenched his jaw tightly hoping it trapped them inside. It wasn't just the fact she'd been so upset that was getting to him. It was that she had been alone. The two combined made his stomach churn. He felt awful. And guilty. Why do you feel guilty? he asked himself. She might not be crying because of you. Although he tried to tell himself that he wasn't the reason she'd been so upset, deep down he knew he was. Or at least was a big part of it. His eyes shut; watching the footage was just too painful. However, he knew it was now ingrained in his mind. He'd never forget the way her tiny body nearly convulsed as sobs wracked her body. As the sadness she feeling oozed from her body. He'd never forget the image of her alone. Broken and alone, sitting on the beach.

Maddie wished they would cut back to the newswoman and stop showing her falling apart, but it just seemed to go on and on. Of course, I'm rarely an emotional mess and the one time I am, it gets caught on camera and shown to the entire world, she thought. However, it wasn't the whole world seeing it that was making her so angry and embarrassed. It was that Steve was seeing it. Feeling insanely uncomfortable, her hands began to fidget underneath the blanket.

Steve needed to do something. He felt awful that not only had he not been there for her, but he also worried he was the reason she'd been crying. He wanted more than anything to pull her against him, kiss her repeatedly, and tell her everything was going to be okay. That he was so sorry and that they'd figure things out between them. That he and his team would find whomever was stalking her. But, they weren't alone, so he didn't do any of that. However, he had to do something. Out of the corner of his eyes, he glanced over at her. Noticing the way the blanket was positioned on her lap, and a bit on his, he decided to take a chance.

Slowly, as not to be obvious about it, Steve slid his right hand under the blanket and over to her left hand. As he took her hand in his, linking his fingers with hers, he felt her tense. He clenched his jaw as he felt a twinge in his chest. He'd really hurt her, and he hated himself for it.

As his fingers intertwined with hers, Maddie couldn't help but tense. It was painful for her. A reminder that he'd broken her heart. That he considered the idea of them together a joke. As much as she wished she wasn't, she'd picked up on the fact that nearly every time he'd touched her since he'd gotten to the arena she'd tensed or stiffened. A few times she'd almost flinched, but luckily she'd caught herself just in time. However, she knew her reactions to his touch were almost imperceptible, so she hoped he hadn't picked up on them. But, if she was being honest with herself, she knew he had. He was Steve. He was a Navy Seal. And, he knew her. Knew her better than anyone.

Steve squeezed her hand, gently rubbing his thumb against her soft skin, as the woman came back on screen, replacing the footage of Maddie sobbing on the beach. "Although Madeline Lily has claimed everything is fine and that she is ending the first leg of her World tour early to take an impromptu break so she can get some rest and get an old knee injury under control, this footage suggests that maybe the recent reports that something is not right are in fact true. To top it off, this morning a source close to the star, wishing to remain anonymous, came forward claiming she is suffering from an untreated eating disorder and that her team is hoping they can get her the help she needs during this time off. Although she has been busy over the last four days rehearsing in Honolulu for the last minute concert tonight, which will air live on HBO, reviews of her last few shows have been dismal. After more than fifteen years of being in the public eye and touring the world, it looks like it's finally getting to her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her during what appears to be a challenging time in her life."

An uncomfortable silence descended over the room as the broadcast ended. No one knew what to say. Some glanced around at each other nervously while others looked at their hands.

Lori was hoping she could use this moment to her advantage, she just wasn't sure how to go about it. As she racked her brain, thinking back to everything she knew about Maddie, it suddenly dawned on her. She forced herself to keep from smiling as she broke the silence, something everyone was grateful for. They just wanted it to be over, they didn't care who said what.

"That was at the beach a couple miles down the road, right?" Lori asked. "I recognized the life guard tower in the distance."

Maddie was doing her best to act unfazed by Lori's question. She knew she was up to no good, she just didn't know exactly what her angle was. "Yeah," she answered, her voice even and light, despite the poor state it was in. How she managed to get it to sound like nothing was wrong, to keep the anger and embarrassment out of it, she had no idea.

"D-." Lori began to say something, but then shook her head. "Nevermind."

Maddie knew she shouldn't say anything, that it was probably a trap, but she just couldn't help herself. "What?"

"No, at first I was going to ask how you walked there with your knee the way it is, but then I realized you didn't walk. Pete drove you," she responded.

Maddie tensed, something Steve felt even in her hand as he continued to hold it under the blanket. Up until that moment she hadn't been exactly sure what Lori was up to, but now she knew. Crap, she thought.

Steve's jaw clenched as anger filled him, realization dawning on him. "Maddie…"

"I really need to use the restroom," she said, ignoring Steve's comment as she pulled her hand from his and scooted forward on the couch.

"Freeze," he stated, his voice hard as he tried to control the anger bubbling inside begging for release.

She pushed his buttons on purpose at times, not listening to him and doing things she knew would drive him crazy. However, this was not one of those times. Hearing his tone she did as he wanted.

"Look at me," he ordered, seeing she'd listened.

Maddie's eyes fluttered closed as she tried to prepare herself for what was to come. She opened them and slowly and hesitantly turned her head to the left to look at him. She began biting her bottom lip as she met his angry, fiery stare.

"Where was Pete?" Steve asked, hoping she was going to tell him that he'd been there and that the camera just hadn't gotten him. That his instinct was wrong and she hadn't taken off alone.

She thought about giving him some sort of smartass response, but she knew him well enough to know that it would only make him significantly angrier. And he was already pretty angry. Desperate for some help she glanced over at Pete. However, it was clear by the look on his face that he wasn't going to come to her aid this time. She'd scared the hell out of him that morning. He'd really been worried that she hadn't left voluntarily. Before she'd shown up he'd been preparing himself for Steve's reaction when he called him. His reaction to the fact that he'd let someone get to her. The person he cared about the most in this world. The person he'd trusted him to take care of and keep safe. The love of his life and soul mate, even if he hadn't figured it out yet. He'd been so upset thinking that he'd let him down and failed him. So, no, he wasn't going to help her. She should never have taken off by herself, especially when she knew she had a stalker out there.

"Tell me Pete was with you," Steve said, his voice eerily level given how upset he was.

Maddie said nothing as she glanced down at her hands clasped in her lap. He was mad. Really mad. Even though he wasn't yelling, she knew it. She knew him. The only thing was, she didn't understand why this pissed him off more than when she'd taken off a few hours earlier that morning.

"What were you thinking?" he questioned, his voice slightly raised.

This wasn't fair. Sure, she shouldn't have taken off, but she needed some space. She needed some time to herself. She was never alone and with everything that had been going on and with what he'd said to her, she just had to have some time to herself. Some time to grieve and be upset about what he'd said to her; what he'd led her to believe only to take it back. To grieve for the friendship she knew was gone the second she realized she was in love with him. To grieve for him since she knew as soon as the three weeks were up she'd have to stay away from him to keep him safe. And she needed to do it when people weren't around watching her every move. However, if I'd just stayed and gotten it out of my system here in the dressing room, then only a few people would have seen it instead of the entire world. And Steve definitely wouldn't have seen or found out about it, she told herself. She still couldn't believe that she hadn't seen the paparazzi follow her. She was so good at recognizing when she was being followed, no matter how sneaky they were. It was almost as if she had a sixth sense about it. Probably from having a best friend who was a Navy Seal that also spent time in Naval Intelligence.

The two best friends stared at one another while Steve waited for an answer. Finally she cleared her voice. "I just needed some time to myself."

She looked lost and confused, something he'd never seen before. Although her face didn't show it, her eyes did. The sound of her voice and the look in her eyes broke his heart, effectively calming him down. It wasn't just that he was mad she took off when someone was obviously after her, but that he was most likely the reason she was sobbing on that beach. He was mad at her, but he was madder at himself. She felt alone, like she couldn't go to him and that was what was making him the most upset, making him react the way he was.

From her spot at the kitchen chair she'd pulled up and placed between the armchair Chin was sitting in and the side of the couch Doc was seated at, Kendall smiled. "Of course, she couldn't just leave her shoes on."

Fucking Kendall, Maddie cursed. Just as he was starting to calm down. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Maddie was going to kick that southern woman's ass. For so many reasons.

As Steve processed what Doc's nurse had said, Maddie stared at him. He could tell that whatever Kendall was hinting at was something Maddie didn't want to talk about by the way her eyes almost imperceptibly widened, even though she tried to keep from reacting so as not to tip him off. Suddenly it dawned on him as he put the pieces together. Her infected foot…the glass and debris deep inside, he thought. "Damn it Madeline!" Steve cursed, shaking his head as he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with the fingers from his left hand. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?" he told her as he continued to shake his head, although his eyes were open again.

It was too late by the time he realized what he'd said. It was already out of his mouth. Maddie's eyes quickly grew wide at his comment. The threats she was receiving against his life and the vivid nightmares she'd been having for months immediately came to mind. She could feel the tears beginning to form, pushing against the backs of her eyes as her heart pounded. However, she refused to cry. She was done crying. Especially in front of him. Or anyone for that matter. Her whole life she had never been a crybaby and she wasn't about to start now (excluding the last week).

Maddie immediately put up the invisible walls she'd built to protect herself and her face went blank. All the emotion and fear Steve had seen there only a second before was now completely gone. Damn it, he cursed. He'd put his foot in his mouth yet again when it came to her. Why does this keep happening to me? It isn't like me. I've never been this way, especially when it comes to her.

Maddie looked down and reached for the plug on her knee brace and quickly detached it from the ice machine. "I need to use the restroom," she said, her voice, though non-existent, had no sadness or anger as she used her hands to push herself up into a standing position. She stood still, not wanting to start walking since she was having a difficult time with her balance. It was hard whenever she first stood without the crutches when wearing a knee brace. Plus, the Vicodin was definitely still in her system making her head feel a bit loopy and fuzzy. She couldn't tell if the slight dizzy sensation she was experiencing was from her concussion and being exhausted or a side effect of the pain medicine. She hoped it was the latter even though her gut told her it was the first.

"Be careful, Mads," Steve said as he quickly stood and reached for her hand to help steady her.

Her instinct was to pull it away from him, but she reminded herself she was supposed to be acting like everything was fine between them, so she accepted his help without any kind of hesitation. "Thanks," she said.

Once Steve helped her get away from the couch Tina handed her her crutches, which she gratefully took. "Thanks T," she mumbled, placing them under her arms and leaning on them.

"You good?" Steve asked, hesitant to let go of her. He wanted to tell her he didn't mean it the way it came out, but they had a large audience. An audience that had kept him from doing and saying so many things to her that would've helped her realize he hadn't meant what he'd said. That he didn't think of her as a pathetic joke.

"Definitely," she smiled at him. Although she did her best to make it look genuine, he could tell it was forced. He could slightly see the fear and pain behind it. The fear and pain she was trying to hide from him, that she was pretending didn't exist.

Steve walked next to Maddie as she began crutching towards the restroom, wanting to be sure she was steady and wasn't going to fall. She hadn't said anything, but given that she'd only slept for an hour, she still had to be feeling some of the effects of the pain medicine. As she was behind the couch with only another twenty feet before the restroom, she paused and turned to her childhood best friend. "I'm good Steve. Thanks!" She smiled at him, but he could still see through it.

"Alright," he responded. However, before he stepped back he leaned forward bringing his face next to hers. She struggled and fought her instinct, which was to lean away, and waited to see what he was going to do. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. They're just nightmares. That's all. Nothing's going to happen to me, okay?" He took a step back and met her eyes, hoping to see her understanding and forgiveness in them. Unfortunately, he didn't; they hadn't changed.

Maddie said nothing, only smiled before looking straight ahead and crutching the rest of the way to the bathroom.

Since the two were right behind him, Doc overheard Steve. Nightmares, he thought. So that's why she hasn't been sleeping. I wonder how long that's been going on? If it's the reason she's had difficulty sleeping the last four months or if it's more of a recent development. Pieces to the puzzle were beginning to fall into place. Before he flew back home to Los Angeles, Doc wanted to grab a drink with Steve and talk. He made a mental note to bring up what he'd just heard, among other things. However, he knew he'd have to be careful, knowing Steve would ask him questions about Maddie's health he wouldn't be able to answer because of doctor-patient confidentiality.

Thinking of that, his mind ventured back to the news report they'd just watched. He hadn't been aware that an anonymous source, supposedly close to Maddie, had come forward claiming she had an eating disorder that she needed to receive treatment for. He was upset about that, not to mention confused. It was true, she'd a problem in the past, but it wasn't a problem now. And it was something he kept a close eye one, especially over the last four months with how unlike herself she'd been acting.

There were only two people that knew about it. Obviously, he was one of them, and Ryan was the other one. Pete and Tina didn't even know. I know Ryan didn't come forward, he thought. He would never do that. And it sure as hell wasn't me. He was worried that someone might have gotten into her chart. It was the only thing he could think of. However, he kept it safely with him at all times. He wouldn't even let Kendall see it or write in it. It was always him. I've been meaning to make it a digital file; I think it's time to do that. Less chance of someone getting their hands on it and reading through her private medical history.

Doc eyed Maddie, wishing they were alone so he could talk to her about how she was handling the incident. She'd always been adamant that Steve never find out about it, so, knowing her, he knew she was worried about it. Before he could think further on the subject, Kono's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Nice job boss," Kono said once Maddie disappeared into the restroom, her voice dripping with sarcasm and irritation. She was getting tired of him hurting Maddie. The two women were incredibly close, like sisters, and Kono was overprotective of her, wanting to kick the ass of anyone who hurt her, just as Maddie would get if the roles were reversed.

"Thanks Kono," Steve replied, his tone short and just as sarcastic.

"You must have a big mouth to constantly be fitting your foot in it," Danny quipped, frustrated with his partner's knack for consistently screwing up and hurting Maddie. If Steve continued like this for much longer, Danny knew he could kiss his dream of a chilled out partner goodbye. Maddie was bound to give up on him soon if this continued.

"Ha ha, Danno," Steve responded as he glared at his partner.

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Danny snapped.

Doc couldn't help but smirk at the co-workers. "Well, as much as I want to join in and give Steve a hard time, I don't know him well enough. Plus, we gotta head back to our room. Looks like a couple people on the crew might be coming down with what Maddie has. I'll be back in a couple hours to check on her. Let me know if she needs anything before then."

"Thank you, John," Steve said, his tone letting him know he really meant it, as well as his usage of Doc's first name. Steve wanted him to know how serious and heartfelt his gratitude was.

"Any time," the doctor smiled as he and Kendall stood and exited the room.

As Steve walked around the back of the couch to sit, his phone started to ring. Pulling it from his pocket, he glanced at the Caller ID. Seeing it was Joe, he said, "Excuse me, I gotta take this call. I'll be right outside." Everyone nodded as he placed the phone to his ear and walked towards the door. "Hello?" he answered just as he pulled the heavy door open and exited the dressing room.

Chin had noticed Pete had been eyeing Tina since she walked in. Wonder what's going on there, he thought. It was obvious that he was concerned about her, so he decided to help him out. "Tina, take a load off," he smiled at her as he pointed to the spot on the couch Doc had just vacated.

She glanced at her watch. She really needed to run out and take care of a few things for Maddie, including Pete's request that she have her cell number changed. However, she was so tired and her headache had gotten even worse while she'd been helping George. I can sit for a few minutes, she told herself. Then I'll run the errands.

Before she sat, Tina returned the chair Kendall had pulled up to the kitchen. Stupid Kendall, she thought as she walked back to the couch, plopping down into the overstuffed plush. She leaned her head back against the couch and closed her eyes as she sighed happily, grateful to be off her feet.

"Happy?" Kono asked, smiling at Tina.

"Uh huh," she answered, not moving from her position. "Been a loooooonnngggg four days." She held out the word "long", hoping to get her point across.

"I can't even imagine," Danny answered, his eyebrows raised as he shook his head.

"Going pee with this thing on is not exactly the easiest thing to do. Then throw in the crutches," Maddie announced as she crutched out of the bathroom. "It's a miracle I didn't fall in." She immediately noticed that Steve was gone. She wouldn't admit it, even to herself, but when she walked into a room he was always the first person she looked for.

"I gotta be honest, I do not envy you right now, Mads," Danny told her, flashing her a sympathetic look.

Maddie couldn't help the warm feeling she got hearing him call her by her nickname. She was right; they were going to be fast, and good, friends. "I don't envy myself right now either," she laughed as she made her way back to the couch, casually glancing around for Steve. She'd ask after his whereabouts, but the old, "normal" Maddie wouldn't have done that, she wouldn't have cared, so she kept quiet on the subject.

"I have to say, I'd forgotten how awful and awkward it was to be in that brace," Kono said.

"That is until you saw clumsy 'ole me?" Maddie joked.

"Yes," Kono laughed. "Brings back horrible memories!"

"I gotta tell you guys, this is not a club I wish I was or had been a part of," Lori said to Kono and Maddie, referring to never having been in a knee brace. "Nor do I hope to be a future member!"

"It's a club I wish no one was a member of," Maddie stated.

"Except for maybe Kendall," Ryan said having just walked in and heard their conversation. He plopped down on the sofa next to Maddie, the spot Steve had been in.

"Ryan! That's so mean!" Maddie tried to chastise him, although she wasn't able to pull it off and began laughing. Tina and Ryan joined her, Tina's head still leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed.

"I think we're missing something," Chin stated, meeting Danny's eyes.

"Kendall's a bitch!" Ryan stated matter of factly, causing Maddie and Tina to continue to laugh. In fact, it was too much for Maddie and she began coughing. "Sorry Mads," Ryan said, as he began patting her on the back.

"I have to say, I just barely met her and I am not a fan," Lori said. She was trying to become closer to not only her team, but also Maddie. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, she thought to herself as she met Maddie's eyes. Plus, she knew making an effort with Maddie would win her points with Steve. It was beneficial to her on so many levels.

I bet you weren't, Ryan thought, remembering how Kendall had flirted shamelessly with Steve in front of them all.

"I think we're gonna be great friends," Maddie lied.

"I don't get why you guys dislike her so much," Pete said, finally joining the conversation.

"If you only knew," Ryan mumbled, effectively earning him a quick glare and a sharp elbow in the side from Maddie.

"That's because you're a guy," Tina stated, her tone unintentionally a bit harsh. "Put a hot girl in front of a guy and it doesn't matter whether she's a nice person or not, they're alllllllllll about her." She held the word 'all' in a slightly sing-song manner, emphasizing it. She raised her head from the back of the couch when she felt Maddie inconspicuously nudge her leg. Crap, she thought. There you go letting your emotions get the better of you again.

Trying to cover up her slip, she met Pete's confused look. "I mean, you've seen her with the crew. The way they are with her."

Pete eyed her curiously. Her comment about hot girls and guys seemed a little off.

Knowing she needed to save Tina from digging herself an even bigger hole, she asked, "Did Stephenie want me to call her back or anything?"

Thankful for the change of subject, Tina turned to her friend and boss. "At first, yes. But she changed her mind. She just wanted you to see the broadcast so you know what to expect from the press on the red carpet tonight."

"Okay, thanks, T," Maddie said, giving her a sad smile as she arched her eyebrows. Her hand went to her mouth as she coughed several times, wincing at the pain it caused in her throat and in her sore back and chest muscles. When she was finished, she sniffled roughly, having an incredibly difficult time breathing through her nose.

"Stephenie has Heather and the rest of the PR team working on damage control. Before you do anymore press today, she'll brief you on how they think you should handle the questions."

"Sounds super fun," Maddie joked, sniffling in between sentences. "I can hardly wait."

"Happy to be getting a vacation?" Lori asked.

"That's a tough question," Maddie answered. "Yes and no. I'm excited, but also worried I won't know what to do with my self. I can't tell you the last time I had more than two weeks off."

"Have you ever had more than two weeks off?" Kono questioned.

Maddie thought back over the years. "You know, I don't think I have. Not since I signed my record deal at 16," she chuckled. "Is that sad?"

"Yes, it really is," Danny bluntly stated.

Maddie smiled at him. "You know, I like you. You're a good time." She paused. "And, I bet you drive Steve crazy at times!" She giggled at the thought, easily picturing it.

Chin, Kono, and Lori joined her laughter.

"At times?" Chin asked incredulously. "More like all the time." He rolled his eyes.

"I drive him crazy?" Danny cried. "He drives me crazy! Plus, I'm the one that gets shot at almost daily because of him."

Maddie tried, and succeeded, to pretend that his last statement didn't worry or bother her. Well, that's not gonna help the nightmares, she thought sarcastically. "It can be kind of fun to push his buttons and fluster him though, right?"

"I like you more and more, Madeline!" Danny smiled widely. "You and I are going to be great friends!"

"Why thank you, Daniel!" she grinned back.

Danny sighed, glancing at his watch. "Well, I hate to break up our conversation just as I feel we could begin to plot against Super Seal, but I have to get Rachel at the house and take her to her Dr.'s appointment. Then we'll pick Gracie up from school. Our plotting and bonding over driving Steve crazy will just have to wait a until later."

"Okay," Maddie smiled. She really did like Danny. She could tell they'd be great friends.

He stood. "I'll be back later with both. And let me just tell you, they could not be more excited. In fact, I think Rachel is more excited to see your show tonight than she was to marry me," he joked.

"I highly doubt that!" Maddie said. She didn't know what was going on between Danny and his ex-wife or what had happened, but given the brief, strange looks that both Kono and Chin got, she had a feeling there was something she was missing. She'd have to ask Steve about it later.

As Danny walked towards the door, she called out to him, "Please tell them I'm looking forward to seeing them!"

"Will do," he said as he stopped at the exit. "Be sure to keep Rambo on his toes while I'm gone, will ya?"

Maddie giggled, a genuine, gorgeous, dimply smile gracing her pale and tired face. "Now that I can do!"

"Good girl," he responded as he walked out of the dressing room.

"Well, on that note…I need to make a round of the arena, make sure everything's okay. Plus, I gotta make sure everyone's doing their jobs," Pete said, smiling, as he rose. "That no one's crashed out of exhaustion." He looked to Tina. "T, when you leave the arena, take someone from the security team with you."

Tina met his eyes and nodded. That's weird, she thought. He's never insisted I do that before when I'm just running errands.

"Good," he smiled at her before turning to look at Maddie, a serious expression on his face. "Stay put in this room. No shenanigans." He paused, his eyebrows arched as he continued giving her a stern look. "I mean it."

"Yes daddy," she mocked, a smirk present on her face.

He tried to keep from smiling as he shook his head slightly. "Call me if you need me. Mo's outside and you have three members of Hawaii's elite law enforcement team."

"I know the routine, P," Maddie said, sniffling ass she tried to breath though her congested nose. "Relax, I'll be fine." She chose not to give him too much grief since she knew he was really freaked out and worried her stalker would try something again.

"Okay. I'll be back in a little bit." With that he turned and left the dressing room, leaving behind Ryan, Tina, Chin, Lori, and Kono with Maddie.

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I hope you guys enjoyed the first part of Chapter 36! Please, please, PLEASE don't forget to leave a review! The more I get the sooner I'll post Part 2, which is ready to go! :o)

xoxo