DISCLAIMER: I do not own the show "Hawaii Five-0" or any of it's characters.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is Chapter 4! YAY! I have written almost all of chapter 5 (just have a tiny bit more to write), which is where Steve and Maddie see one another. It was originally part of Chapter 4, but I thought I'd make it two chapters. I assume you guys would rather have more updates with shorter chapters instead of longer chapters and infrequent updates.

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

PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I'm getting a ton of hits and readers asking to be alerted when a new chapters up, but not many reviews. It really motivates me to get the chapters out sooner. It takes me a while to write each chapter because I'm such a perfectionist, so it's nice to know what you guys think. Good or bad!

Anyway, thanks for reading!

xo,

DivaLola

CHAPTER 4

Her show had gone better than she expected given how tired, distracted, and upset she was. Maddie had been kicking herself for calling Steve. A moment of weakness, she thought to herself as she headed out of the arena to board her tour bus. Normally after shows she was wired and energetic from the adrenaline rush being on stage gave her, but the last few months she was so exhausted she could barely take a shower before climbing into bed. Maddie used to hang out with her band and dancers on their bus after the show, but now she always just went straight to hers. The stress of the last few months had caused her to become a bit antisocial. A bit of a loner. Whatever. It is what it is, she thought as she walked up the steps to her home on wheels and headed towards her room in the back. Slowly peeling off her soaked stage costume Maddie stepped into the shower. How could she have called Steve? She'd been doing so well, which hadn't been easy. Each and every one of his voicemails ripped her heart out, yet she continued to listen to them, as well as save them. Well, if he was worried before, he's... probably terrified now. Hopefully he'll keep his wits about him on whatever Seal mission he's on, she bit her lip at the thought, rinsing her hair of any remaining shampoo or conditioner before getting out.

Flipping off the water she reached for the towels she'd laid out. Wrapping her long, wet, reddish brown hair in one she stepped out of the shower and onto her rose pink bath rug, careful not to drop water on the soft cream carpeting. Using the second towel she dried her dripping wet body before wrapping herself up in it. Maddie walked towards her sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror. "God, I look awful," she said to herself. Thank God she wouldn't be seeing Steve anytime soon. He freaked out hearing her sob on the phone, but he'd completely lose it if he saw her looking like this. Her normally beautiful glowing skin, which was more on the fair side, but still able to tan slightly, looked dull with a grayish tint to it. Her usual gorgeous, sparkling bright blue eyes looked to be almost gray blue and lack luster. Underneath were huge dark circles, direct evidence of her lack of sleep. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gotten a complete night's rest.

Giving herself a sad, pathetic smile, she turned away from the mirror grabbing for her favorite pajamas. With the black leggings and white socks on she picked up the oversized shirt lying next to her. Burying her face in it Maddie breathed in, wishing that it still smelled of him. Sighing she threw Steve's Navy t-shirt over her head, the one she'd stolen from him a couple years ago. Just as she was ready to climb into bed someone knocked on her bedroom door. Shoulders slumping, Maddie sighed and said, "Come in." Pete walked in, a folder in his hand.

"Hey Mads! Don't you look comfy," he told her, noticing she was wearing Steve's shirt again. He knew she missed him like crazy. She'd worn that shirt almost every night the last couple months.

"Yep. You know me. All about being comfy!" Maddie managed a small genuine smile through her fatigue.

"Well, I can tell you're pooped, so I'll be quick. I just wanted to give you your revised schedule."

Maddie groaned. "Revised? Seriously? They added more to my already overly busy, impossible schedule?" She reached for the folder and opened it. Pete was unsure of how she was going to react to going home in a little over a day.

"Nothing was added, Maddie."

"I can see that…" Maddie bit her lip before saying, "I'm going home… in… basically a day. How'd that happen? I wasn't supposed to be in Hawaii for another 3 weeks." She looked up, staring directly at Pete. "You did this, didn't you?" She didn't seem mad, but she'd been harder to read lately.

"Yeah, I did. I just think it'll be good for you to go home for a while. Relax. Get some sleep. Hang out with some friends."

Maddie sat on the end of her bed and was quiet for a moment before looking up at him. "Thanks, Pete. You're right, I need to go home," she managed a small smile as she jokingly said, "how'd you know?" She laughed lightly.

It was nice to hear her laugh, even if it sounded exhausted and forced. This was considered good spirits for her over the last few months. Nothing how she used to be, but he'd take what he could get. He was ecstatic she was okay with the schedule change. However, he knew she wouldn't be if she had any idea Steve was waiting for her. "Hmm… I don't know, Maddie!" he said playing dumb as he chuckled. Sitting down on the edge of her desk he continued, "So, as you can see after tomorrow's show in Chicago we'll board the jet and head to Honolulu."

"It sounds good to even hear the word 'Honolulu'," she sighed while closing her eyes, a peaceful look on her face.

Pete chuckled. "Yeah, I can't wait to go to the beach! … Anyway, we should arrive in Hawaii Thursday morning around 7am, give or take. Your publicist, Carol, scheduled a press conference where you'll say you'll be taking a month off to recuperate. After that you have 3 interviews and then you're done for the day. That should be around noon. How does that sound?"

"Honestly, Pete? It sounds…" she hesitated and he got the sense that she might be just a little bit sad about going home. He guessed that it was because home reminded her of Steve. "good." Maddie bit her lip as she slightly grinned. "I'm sorry you've been stuck with all the scheduling stuff the last couple months while Tina went home. It was so important that she be there to help her sister. She'll be back soon and then you won't have to worry about it. I know this assistant stuff doesn't fall under your job description. Just know I appreciate it!"

"No problem, Shorty! I do have to say that I never realized how much work Tina's job entailed. I have a whole new respect for her. She makes it look so easy!" Pete said shaking his head.

"Yeah, she's badass!" Maddie responded.

Standing up Pete placed the folder on her desk. "I'm gonna leave this right here."

"Okay, that's great," she yawned.

"Why don't you get some rest. You look beat, Maddie," he said, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm alright, I'm just a little tired," she lied. Pretty sure I feel like I'm gonna die if I don't get into bed right now, she thought.

Like anyone would buy that line, he mused. She was so stubborn. "Goodnight, Mads. Sleep well. Like always, I'm just down the hall," Pete smiled standing at her door.

"I know. Goodnight, Petey. Don't let the bed bugs bite!" Maddie replied. Like always, he imagined her saying that as a little girl.

Turning off the light for her, he began to shut the door, but before it was completely closed he said, "Hey Maddie? I'm sorry about earlier… about pushing you. I'm sure you have your reasons… just know I'm here if you want to talk."

Maddie paused. She'd been hoping the incident earlier that day could just be forgotten. As if it had never happened. Her voice took on a monotone distant quality, one she'd been using more and more the last few months. "Goodnight, Pete."

Once he'd shut the door, she closed her eyes hoping and praying she'd be able to get an entire night's worth of rest.

Just as she was beginning slip into unconsciousness Maddie heard a very distinct chime, one she dreaded. Her eyes flew open in fear. "No… please no," she whispered. Very slowly, her movements filled with trepidation, she emerged from her bed and dug around in her black leather Balenciaga purse. Taking out her black iPhone she set it on the bed before continuing to search the contents of her favorite bag. As she felt her long slender fingers find the chiming object she briefly hesitated. Pulling the prepaid cell phone out she looked at the screen. Maddie froze as she read the text message from "unknown sender". "I told you, no contact with him. You don't want to find out what I'm capable of."

Maddie felt her chest tighten as she reread the message over and over. Dammit! How'd he know I called Steve? she wondered as goosebumps dotted her skin. You idiot, Maddie, she thought. She knew if something happened to Steve it would be all her fault. She'd never be able to live with herself. Just the idea of him getting hurt caused a sudden nausea to take over. She barely made it to the toilet before emptying what little contents were left in her stomach. Quickly flushing the toilet, Maddie sat with her back against her bedroom door while tears streamed down her face. She sat there a good hour before finally climbing back into bed. There was no way she'd be getting any sleep tonight. And she was right, she laid there all night worrying about Steve and how she was going to get out of this predicament.

Steve had spent the afternoon completing some of the list Pete had emailed over, but he still had so much to do. He contemplated calling Lori and asking if he could get a raincheck for dinner, but eventually decided against it. He was hungry and whether or not he met Lori he'd have to eat. After all, Danny had offered to help him finish everything tomorrow.

Pulling up to the address Lori had texted him, Steve felt weird. It felt wrong to hang out with her when he knew something was seriously wrong with Maddie. That wasn't the only reason he was feeling off, but he couldn't pinpoint what else was bothering him.

As he approached the hostess he spotted Lori sitting at a nearby table. He quickly glanced at his watch, but saw he was a few minutes early. One of his mantras had always been if you weren't early, you were late.

Lori stood as Steve reached their table, leaning in to give him a hug. She nearly melted as his arms wrapped around her in a warm embrace. I could get used to his arms around me, she thought.

"Hi, Lori! Have you been here long?" Steve politely asked as he wondered why he suddenly felt like he was on a first date. It was supposed to just be a casual dinner with a coworker.

"No, not at all. I got here right before you!" she answered enthusiastically.

"Great! Perfect timing then," he smiled. "I've never been here before," he stated while taking in his surroundings. "Cool place!"

"Yeah, I discovered it a few months ago with some friends. The food was so good, so I've been wanting to come back. Thought tonight was as good a time as any!"

"Great! Well, let's see what they have. I'm starving. It's been a…" Steve paused thinking about Maddie, "…long day."

Lori wanted nothing more than to ask him again who'd been on the phone earlier, but Steve seemed unwilling to talk about it. Maybe once they got a couple drinks in them he'd fill her in. There was something about that call, the concern and love in his voice that made her feel jealous. "I know those kinds of days all too well," she replied, effectively hiding her insecurity.

While they waited for their food, they found themselves laughing and enjoying one another's company. As they chuckled over a story Lori had just told, Steve refilled both their wine glasses. He wasn't usually a wine guy, but she'd asked if he wanted to share a bottle with her, so he went with it.

"I can't believe you did that!" He continued to laugh.

"Yeah, I was a spitfire as a child!" Lori grinned.

"Only as a child?" he mocked.

"Hey!" she playfully cried.

"What? I mean it in a good way," he countered.

"You better!" Wow, we are actually flirting! she thought to herself, overjoyed.

The two coworkers continued to chat and get to know one another as they ate dinner and drank more wine.

"Wow! That was great!" Steve referred to the pasta he'd just inhaled as he leaned back in his chair. "How was yours?"

"Amazing!" Lori answered as she dabbed her mouth with her napkin. "You up for dessert?

"Um, I don't know. The tiramisu sounded amazing, but the helpings here seem pretty big. I'd hate to waste anything," he replied.

"I love tiramisu! What if we split it?" she questioned, taking a risk.

Steve didn't hesitate. He hadn't worried or thought about Maddie since their dinner had arrived, something he was grateful for. "Alright. That sounds like a plan!" he flashed her his infectious smile.

Before they knew it a big helping of the Italian dessert was placed in front of them with two spoons. "Oh… my… God..." Steve mumbled, practically drooling.

"I second that," she added before they both grabbed a spoon and dug in. They'd occasionally reach for the same piece causing them to smile and meet each other's eyes.

As the two Five-O members finished, Lori said, "I have to say… it's nice to see you loosen up a bit, Steve."

He smirked, "Yeah, I'm capable of it." He laughed.

"That's not what I meant," she began.

"I know, Lori. Don't worry," Steve assured her. "I must say it feels good." He gave her a big, goofy smile. Lori was drowning in his beautiful blue eyes, so completely content and happy that she didn't notice their waiter drop the bill on the table. Steve was quick to hand it back to him, his credit card tucked inside.

"Oh, Steve! You don't have to do that!" she flirted.

"I know. I want to. Thank you for inviting me, Lori. I really needed this," he remarked, grinning as he lightly bit his bottom lip, a gesture she found incredibly sexy. "Just don't let Danny know... I like for him to think I don't own a wallet," he joked.

She giggled. "Your secret's safe with me." Placing her elbow on the table, she set her chin in her hand and gazed at him. "I'm so glad you agreed to join me. It was nice having someone to eat with."

It had been nice. Maybe testing the waters with her wouldn't be a terrible idea. We could just see what happens, see if there's anything here, Steve thought.

Catching a glimpse of the clock across the restaurant, he said, "Well, I hate to end such a lovely evening, but I gotta head home. I have a ton of stuff I have to get done tomorrow."

Lori was disappointed, but didn't let on. She had hoped the evening might end with a nightcap at one of their homes. Oh well, she thought. There will be other opportunities for that. At least she hoped. "I completely understand." Steve rose from the table, walked around and pulled out her chair before helping her into her jacket. "Look at you! What a gentleman!" Lori teased, her stomach doing somersaults.

Steve's only response was a light chuckle as they headed towards the parking lot. Escorting her to her car he said, "I really had a great time tonight… Would you like to do this again sometime?"

"I would love to," she smiled.

Once standing at her car, Steve leaned in and gently kissed her. It wasn't too long, but not too short. It wasn't a passionate, stick-your-tongue-down-her-throat kind of kiss, but not simply a kiss of friendship either. It was very appropriate for the evening they'd had.

"Goodnight, Steve," Lori whispered as she pulled away and got in her car.

"Night. Drive safe," he responded before walking away. She watched to see if he'd look back at her, but he didn't. Instead, he got right in his car and drove away.

Just as Steve entered his house his cell rang. "Hello?" he answered.

A whispered voice greeted him on the other end of the line. "Hey, McG."

Surprised to hear his friend's voice, he froze, his thoughts going to the worst case scenario. "Pete? Is everything good? She okay? You guys are 5 hours ahead. It's gotta be what? Close to 3am there?"

"Yeah, close to that. We're fine here, I just wanted to give you an update."

Steve calmed as he jogged upstairs to his bedroom. "Ok. Thanks! What's going on? How'd the show go?"

"Um… it was alright… not her best, but she pulled it off."

Steve's forehead wrinkled in curiosity. "How so? What happened?"

"It was obvious she was distracted. Not to mention tired. She stumbled a couple times during songs that had a lot of dancing and moving around."

"Stumbled? Like tripped?" He asked.

"No, like almost fainted. So, she ended up cutting a bunch of choreography for the rest of the show."

"Fainted?" His heart clenched. "Man…" He sighed wishing he was with her. "Where is she now? And by the way, why are you whispering?" Steve questioned.

"She's in bed, hopefully, at the back of the bus. I'm getting ready to head to my bunk, but wanted to call you first. I'm sitting in the front with Ron. I didn't want her to hear me talking to you," Pete explained.

Steve's heart sunk a bit. He missed the days when he'd be on the phone with her right now. "I get it. So, does she know she's coming to Hawaii?"

"Yeah, I gave her the news a little while ago."

"How'd she take it?"

"Surprisingly well. Maddie seems to want to go home for a while."

"That's good. So, no battle or anything," Steve said quietly as he sat at the edge of his bed, his elbows on his thighs, while holding the phone to his ear.

"Yeah. I really hope you can get to the bottom of things. I miss…" Stopping midsentence Pete whispered, "hold on a sec," while he tiptoed towards Maddie's door.

McGarrett quickly straightened. "What? What is it?"

"I think I hear her."

"What's she doing? Put me on speakerphone. I'll be quiet," Steve requested.

They could make out Maddie shuffling around and then it sounded as if she ran to one side of her room. It was then they heard her throw up followed by the toilet flushing. Pete thought about knocking on her door to make sure she was okay, but figured she'd only shut down on him more. Maddie knew that if she needed him he was there. Right before taking Steve off speakerphone they heard her sniffling. Steve closed his eyes as his heart ached. She was crying again.

Quietly making his way towards the front of the bus, Pete brought the phone back to his ear. "You hear that?"

Clearing his throat of emotion, he answered, "Yeah… Thank God you're bringing her here. Thank you."

"No problem, McG. It's where she needs to be. Anyway, I better go. I'll see you soon."

"Alright. Later. Thanks for the update."

"Later," Pete responded before ending the call. He quickly changed and crawled in his bunk. As he laid there he prayed that Maddie could make it through one more day of this.

Lori Weston was the furthest thing from Steve's mind as he stripped down to his boxer briefs and climbed into bed. He laid there hoping the calming sound of the waves crashing outside would distract him from worrying about Maddie and lull him to sleep.