Sorry this one has taken so long. Life has been CRAZY for me.

I've had some writer's block…..but after recently beginning a Five-0 "marathon" to watch favorite episodes again, the storyline for this one is coming.

I hope it was worth the wait. Please leave me reviews!
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Eddie chose that moment to come out from behind Steve's desk, tail wagging and looking at Madison as if wanting some attention.

"Ah…..I almost forgot…." Steve began which elicited a bark from Eddie. "Sorry, buddy…..I got a little distracted. Eddie, this is Madison. Madison…Eddie."

Eddie's tail wagging got stronger as he walked up to Madison as she giggled and began to rub his ears and under his jaw.

"He'll be your friend forever now. That's one of his sweet spots."

"Is he yours?" she asked.

"Well, we sorta adopted one another…..but yes, I guess you could say we are now 'roommates'."

"I always wanted a dog."

After a couple of minutes of Eddie & Madison time, Steve decided to get them back on track.

"Madison, we need to talk about what happened today," he began but she interrupted him. He couldn't mistake the tremor in her voice.

"I don't want to talk about what happened today. Not yet. Is that okay?"

"Alright." Steve answered even though he knew the clock was ticking. "So how about if you tell me how you got HERE…..since I know the hospital said they were keeping you for observation until tomorrow."

Her expression quickly turned guilty and she looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "I don't like hospitals. Ever since Mom died…I hate them."

Steve couldn't escape the loneliness he heard in her voice and felt his heart twist. "I can understand that. But how did you leave without being seen by anyone? Because I'm pretty sure we had an armed guard outside your door."

"He…uh…..….he stepped away….. to get a cup of coffee when one of the nurses came in to check on me. But then she got an emergency call and had to leave. I snuck out before either one of them came back."

Steve admired her resourcefulness even though it was an incredibly dangerous thing to do. "So you took a cab and decided to come here."

She shook her head. ""Yes. Since I'd told Officer Kalakaua that I knew who you were, it was only a matter of time before you came looking for me." She squared her shoulders and tried to put on a brave face, "I decided I wanted to do it on my terms, so I came here first."

Steve smiled. Definitely something a McGarrett would do., he mused. He started to ask her another question but noticed a change in her as Eddie began to whine.

Madison started to feel shaky and knew she was going to be in trouble quickly if she didn't get something to eat or drink. Undoubtedly, the stress and emotions of the morning and meeting her father for the first time had caused fluctuations in her insulin level that was uncommon for her. A lifelong Type 1 Diabetic, watching her insulin levels and taking several shots every day was the norm for her. She was generally very careful and watched herself having lived with it so long….but today was unlike most days and the unusual circumstances were undoubtedly having an effect on her.

Eddie jumped up on the couch beside her and began to lick her face as Steve noticed her face pale and her expression grow blank.

"Hey….. Are you okay?" he asked trying not to feel alarmed even as the signals he was getting from Eddie put him on high alert.

"I…..my purse….I need…Ummmmmm." Steve watched as Madison pointed towards her bag before she seemed to "check out". Her eyes glazed over and she became unresponsive. Her eyes were open, but unfocused. Danny was walking by Steve's office and noticed something was wrong.

"What's going on?" he asked as his own alarm and fatherly instincts began to surface as he entered.

Eddie looked at Steve and barked twice as if to say, "Something is wrong. DO something!"

"I don't know!" Steve answered Danny as an unfamiliar feeling of panic began to stir. He knelt in front of her. "Madison…talk to me sweetheart. What's wrong?" He began to look her over to see if there was anything to give an indication of what was transpiring. He noticed a bracelet on her left wrist. Turning it over, he saw something that made his fear kick up a notch.

"Danny, She's diabetic…..Quick…..Get me an orange juice outta the fridge!"

Danny started to leave the office before Steve called him back. "No! In here," he pointed his finger to the left. "My fridge….by the desk."

Danny retrieved a bottle of OJ from Steve's small refrigerator. Steve quickly opened the bottle and held it up to Madison's mouth. "Take a drink, Madison. Come on….Take a drink for me." Eddie leaned in to lick her cheek again and Steve didn't stop him…It was as if his buddy knew exactly what was going on and was doing his best to help revive her.

Steve managed to get a little juice into her mouth, but given that she was only half coherent, it didn't happen without some of it spilling out of her mouth and onto her top. That was the least of their worries, however. Stopping her insulin levels from bottoming out was the priority.

"Do we need to call an ambulance?" Danny asked.

Remembering that she had mentioned her purse, Steve hoped she might have candy or something in there for situations like this. "Not yet. Look in her purse. See if she has any candy or anything."

Danny picked up her purse and started to look inside. Hearing the alarm in Steve's voice, Kono and Chin walked in to see what was going on just as Steve lightly tapped her cheeks again trying to illicit a response.

"MADISON…..listen to me…come back to us, honey."

Danny retrieved what looked like a piece of candy that would quickly melt on her tongue, unwrapped it, and handed it to Steve.

Steve put it into her mouth and watched as she closed her lips. Relief filled his face, "Good girl…." He encouraged as he hoped it would melt quickly and start bringing her back. After a couple of long excruciating minutes, Madison began to show signs of coming back around.

Madison's eyes began to focus but confusion creased her brow as she tried to remember where she was and who all these people were who were surrounding her.

"It's okay. You're safe. " Steve tried to sound calm even though his heart was nearly pounding out of his chest.

She started to focus a little more and shifted uncomfortably on the couch.

"Tell me what you need," Steve asked her.

"Do you have any juice?" she said quietly.

Steve held up the bottle Danny had given him earlier.

She took a couple more sips and looked towards everyone standing around her….suddenly feeling shy.

"I think I'm okay now. I'm sorry."

Steve reached out to grab one of her hands which was noticeably still shaking. He gave it a little squeeze. "It's okay...You're doing good."

Noticing that she seemed to be doing better, everyone left the office to give Steve and Madison time alone again. She grew calmer but looked at Steve as if she was embarrassed. Eddie layed down beside her and put his head onto her lap as she continued to rub his back.

"I'm diabetic," she stated and gave a nervous laugh.

Steve gave her a soft smile, "Yeah, I sorta figured that out. How are you feeling now?"

She shrugged, "I'm just really tired. I don't usually do this…..Honestly, I watch myself very carefully….Momma always insisted on it," she sniffed, and seeing her wipe tears from her eyes, Steve felt a lump form in his throat.

Morgan was gone, he had to remind himself.

"But this has all been really stressful," she continued. "And I guess I…."

Steve squeezed her hand again, "Shhhhh…..I get it. This whole thing has been stressful and scary. And I'm sure coming in here to meet me added to that. By the way, I'm very proud of you…I know it must not have been easy."

"Thank you," she whispered as she wiped away tears again. Steve went to his desk to grab a box of tissues and handed them to her.

"I have an idea," he said. "How 'bout if I take you back to your dorm and let you get some rest. We can talk tomorrow when you're feeling better. I'll even let Eddie spend the night….We can pick this up sometime tomorrow. Sound okay?"

Madison's eyes grew wide….briefly…. and Steve couldn't mistake the look of panic on her face.

"Everyone's gone this weekend." She answered quietly.

"What do you mean? What about your roommates?"

"There's a basketball tournament, " she answered sadly. "I'm missing it because of…Well, because of all this stuff. So Liza and Megan are gone…..and Cassie went home to see her family because we were all supposed to be away for the tournament and she didn't want to be alone on campus."

Steve saw it; After everything that had happened, she didn't want to be alone either. He had to remind himself she was only 17, and after what had happened to her earlier, it was no wonder she was feeling apprehensive about being alone.

"I understand," he said softly. "So here's another idea. How about if Eddie and I take you to our house? You can stay there…..with us….and I promise you'll be completely safe."

Her expression softened and he felt his heart melt. "Are you sure? I don't want to put you out."

Steve couldn't help but chuckle. "Sweetie, I think we're past that now. We're family…..remember?"

Eddie lifted his head and barked at her. Her smile grew wider and Steve gave her a wink, "See? Eddie agrees. Let's go home...and we'll go from there. Sound okay?"

She was so beyond grateful, all she could do was nod in agreement.

Moments later, Steve, Madison, and a very happy Eddie were walking out of HQ after Steve updated the team and asked him to call immediately if anything happened with the case.

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After stopping by the university to allow Madison to pack an overnight bag, they started towards the McGarrett home. Madison was quite the entire drive home and Steve decided to leave her alone in her thoughts. Time was crucial for their case because the team was desperate to find the person who was targeting the girls, but he had to be sensitive to the fact that she'd been through a hell of a frightening couple of days.

Steve pulled into his driveway, parked his truck, turned off the ignition, and turned towards her.

"Ready?"

Madison nodded but he could see the apprehension written all over her face.

"Hey….." he said softly. "It's okay. No pressure, right? Let's just go in…..I'll make us some dinner…..and we'll play it by ear."

She smirked at him and Steve couldn't mistake the familiar expression as it mirrored his own. "You can cook?"

Steve's smile grew wider. "I will have you know, young lady, that I can make one of the best steaks you will ever put into your mouth. Come on. Let's get you settled."

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Short chapter but I have to stop here…..because I'm already working on the next one.

Please let me know your thoughts!