DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-O" or any of the characters from the show.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

YAY! A new chapter! I wanted to give you guys some info on what exactly a portable MRI machine is. An MRI is a machine that scans different parts of your body. It shows more than an X-ray (which really just shows bones). This shows nerves, tissues, etc. An MRI is kind of like a tube. In this case, Maddie needs a scan of her brain so she lays down on the bed part of the machine and it slides her slowly inside a tube which is where the pictures of her brain would be , normally you go to a hospital for an MRI scan, but now they have portable MRI's. They are inside a big truck...think a size similar to a tour bus or a big motorhome. Anyway, one room has the machine in it and then there's another room where someone sits and sees the pictures being taken come up on a screen. I hope this makes sense. If you want to see a picture of what the portable MRI units look like google it and you'll see a bunch of pictures!

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

Let me know if you're ever confused by anything. I try and really make sure to be clear in my writing, but I think sometimes then I over think things and maybe end up making it confusing. In general, feedback always helps me become a better writer, so please review.

Thanks so much!

xo,

DivaLola

CHAPTER 7

Pulling up to Maddie's house Pete jumped out of the passenger seat of the black SUV and pulled the back door open. "Here, Steve, I'll take her," he offered so he'd be able to get out of the car.

Reluctant to hand her over, Steve looked down at Maddie's face, or at least what he could see of it since she had it buried in his chest and neck. "It's alright. I got her."

"Alright, bro," Pete smiled knowingly before he carefully helped his friend out. As long as he had known him, Steve had always been really overprotective of her.

As Steve walked up the few steps to her already open front door (thanks to Kono) he heard Maddie groan and tuck herself tighter against him. "Sorry for the movement, Mads. We're almost there," he assured her before softly kissing her forehead.

Making his way into the living room right off the kitchen he noticed Kono had already placed a blanket on the couch and was cutting open a trash bag. "You read my mind." He didn't want to take Maddie to her room until after she'd had the MRI. "But," he stopped, watching her place what used to be the trash bag, but was now a big sheet of plastic, on the carpet next to the couch. "What's with the… whatever that is?"

"She still has some glass on her. Her hand for sure and a few small pieces here and there. I mean, you got the big pieces, but she's still covered in teeny ones. Thought while we wait I'd try and get the rest out. I don't want any falling on the carpet only for someone to step on them later, so," she gestured to the plastic.

"Good thinking." He bent over to lay Maddie on the couch, however she still clung to him, his shirt balled in her fists. It seemed there was no way she was letting go so Steve bent close and whispered something in her ear. No one heard what he said, but whatever it was worked. Maddie let go of his shirt. Reaching a hand out he placed it on Kono's forearm before making eye contact with her. "I know how close you and Maddie are. She's gonna be okay. Luckily the pieces of glass were all pretty small. Every cut on her is superficial."

"But, boss, her head. I mean she really hit her head. What if…" Kono couldn't finish.

Knowing what she was worried about because it was exactly what was worrying him, Steve replied, "She's responding to me. She's gonna be fine. Leave it to Maddie to pass out on marble and broken glass as opposed to carpet or grass. She is, and always has been, the biggest klutz I've ever met." Steve smiled, hoping he was helping to ease Kono's fears. His voice and body language oozed calm, but his eyes told a different story. One Kono, thankfully, didn't pick up on. However, Pete did. He could see Steve was not only worried about her head, but also over whatever she was hiding. Given her reaction to seeing him, both Steve and Pete knew whatever she was hiding was worse than they had originally thought. Maddie wasn't a drama queen or a diva. She despised causing people to worry and didn't do very well when people fussed over her. It made her uncomfortable. What she hated most of all was worrying Steve. So he knew if she was falling apart like this and causing everyone to worry, it had to be something serious. I should've called Steve months ago, he thought.

Steve bent over and closely inspected Maddie's left hand, the hand she'd crushed the glass in. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted some almost microscopic shards all over her clothes. How were there any left. "It's like she's covered in glass confetti."

"Let's not worry about what's on her clothes. I'll get the rest out of her hand and you look at her legs. I think I got almost all of it out in your office, but better to be sure," Kono stated.

"Alright," Steve agreed as he knelt next to Maddie eliciting a groan from him.

Kono glanced over. "You okay, boss?"

"Yeah," he chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "Think I have a few shards in my knees from kneeling next to her back at HQ. No big deal. I'll deal with it later."

Five minutes later Steve stood looking at his watch. Walking to Kono's other side he leaned over Maddie's face. "Maddie?" Getting no response, he gently shook her shoulder. "Mads, come on. Let's see those blue eyes." Kono noticed how sweet he was with her with the soothing tone his voice took on. This was a side of him she'd never seen, but she liked it. It was obvious he cared deeply for her. She found herself wondering if they'd ever been more than friends. They'd make an amazing couple, and they'd have the most beautiful kids. I mean Maddie is drop dead gorgeous and then there's Steve... Probably the most good-looking guy I've ever met, she thought. She smiled at the thought of little baby Maddie and Steve's running around. They'd for sure be little daredevils. Steve's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Maddie? Come on…" He was starting to get nervous. He wasn't a doctor, but he knew what it would mean if she didn't wake up. Just as he was about to call her name again, she groaned. As Maddie barely opened her eyes she found Steve looking down on her worry evident in his eyes.

"Hey, you…" he softly said as he tucked a piece of her soft hair behind her ear.

"Mmmm," Maddie groaned as her eyes closed once more.

He didn't want her to stay awake long, he just needed to make sure she would wake up. Running a hand down the side of her head, he sighed before returning to his spot on Kono's other side.

"It looks like I got everything out of her hand, boss. I just… it's probably gonna be pretty sore. There's a couple bad ones."

Steve glanced over at Maddie's hand. "Yeah…" he bit his lip before joking, "well, luckily she's right-handed." The two coworkers smiled briefly before he continued, "I'd wrap it up, but let's have Malia give it a once over when she gets here."

"Cool," Kono answered. "How you doing?"

Steve used tweezers to remove a shard from the back of Maddie's calf before lightly brushing the area in case there were any lose pieces. "I think it looks good. What do you think? There's this one here, but my hands and fingers are too big. I can't seem to get it."

"Here, let me try." Kono scooted closer to him, lightly elbowing him to scooch over. She leaned closer to the area Steve pointed out. "I see it. Alright, watch a pro." After a few seconds she pulled the offending object from the bottom of her friend's foot. Holding it up triumphantly, she performed a victory dance with her head and shoulders.

Steve chuckled. He knew she was trying to make him laugh and lighten the mood. "Thanks, Kono."

"You're welcome," Kono paused, turning towards him. "You know, you're right. She really is gonna be fine. Whatever's bothering her… you'll get to the bottom of it."

"Have you talked to her lately?" he asked. Sure, Kono was younger than Maddie, but they shared a unique bond. Chin had introduced the two right after Kono blew out her knee. She'd been in a bad place and Maddie had helped pull her out of her dark funk.

Kono grew quiet. "Yeah… we speak."

"She tell you anything?"

Kono was a bit unsure as to whether she should be talking to Steve about anything Maddie ever said to her. Their friendship meant a lot to her and she didn't want to do anything to mess that up. "Um…" Kono looked down at Maddie, back at Steve, and then towards the kitchen across the room. Steve nodded, understanding.

Rising, Kono headed towards the kitchen. Before following her, Steve walked to a chest near the couch and pulled out a teal plush blanket. Unfolding it he walked back to Maddie and carefully covered her. He chuckled as she reacted to the soft fabric. Even though the couch he'd laid her on was huge, so big that his 6 foot 2 inch frame could lie down on it comfortably and there'd still be room, she curled into the fetal position and pulled her knees nearly up to her chin. From under the blanket her hands grabbed the fabric pulling it tightly to her body. Steve shook his head and smiled as Maddie made an almost purring sound. She'd always done that and he'd always jokingly made fun of her for her childlike snuggling ways. He snapped himself back to the present. He'd really missed her. It was the only explanation for his sentimental thoughts.

Reaching into the refrigerator he grabbed two bottles of water and spoke quietly, "Sorry, Kono. I shouldn't have asked. I don't want you to break her confidence. I'm just," Steve paused as he handed one of the waters to her. "I'm just really worried about her. You know Maddie. She doesn't fall apart. She's so strong, and tough. Always has been. Something isn't right. Plus, she's never shut me out like this."

"No, it's okay. I understand. And… no, she never said anything to me. But I noticed a change in her. Of course, we only spoke over the phone. We hadn't facetimed, and I haven't seen her in a while." Kono took a sip of her water.

"What do you mean? What kind of change?" Steve wondered.

"Just… I don't know how to explain it… Like," She paused, trying to find the right words. "I guess she became distant. You know how she always has so much to say on the phone? And she wants to hear all about what's going on with you?"

Steve smiled, "Yeah. I know exactly what you're talking about." He missed those phone calls. They'd been much less frequent the last five years since he couldn't often talk via the phone when he was chasing Victor and Anton. They'd emailed, but it wasn't the same, and it wasn't on a consistent basis since he didn't always have access to internet.

"Well, she'd still tell me stories and fill me in, but it was nothing like it used to be. Not only did she not talk as much, but she seemed distracted. Like her mind was somewhere else. I mentioned it a couple times, but she always denied it claiming she was tired and that it'd been a long day. And… she just wasn't as silly. Didn't crack as many jokes. Just… different. Like she was carrying the weight of the world."

Steve was silent as he took everything in. "Kono?"

"Yeah, boss?"

"Did she ever bring me up to you? Did she ever tell you why she wouldn't talk to me?"

Kono could tell by the sound of his voice that sure he was worried, but he was hurt. Maddie had hurt him, something she knew wasn't easy to do. She guessed that he'd really needed her since his father had been murdered. "Sometimes she'd bring you up. She'd laugh and tell me stories about you two. But I didn't know she was ignoring you until Chin told me yesterday. And plus, I hadn't met you until 4 months ago." She'd known of him from the crazy stories Maddie would tell her. She used to crack her up with recollections of their childhood shenanigans when Kono had lost her surfing career and was rehabbing her knee.

"Obviously you never told her we worked together," Steve stated.

"I realized about three months ago that she had no idea you were back in Hawaii. It was late one night and we were talking about… I don't even remember, and she said that…" Kono's expression changed. Crap! she inwardly cursed. She'd just remembered when it had come up. Oh crap... She couldn't tell him the circumstances, Steve would lose his mind, and in a big way. He'd kill someone. Sure, that person should probably be killed, but he'd go to jail, again. Think of something, Kono, she told herself, her heard pounding. She knew she'd frozen, and in an obvious way.

"What?" Steve asked, his body tensing as he watched the panicked look cross Kono's face. Shit, what else is Maddie hiding? he wondered. She'd always been good at keeping big things from him if she felt she needed to, a talent of hers he hated. Their childhood and the hell she'd silently, and secretly, endured came back to him. That would haunt him forever. It was one of the reasons he was so overprotective of her. He couldn't let anything happen to her again.

"Um… nothing. I just… I remember the circumstances," she said truthfully, her voice tight.

"What?" he clipped. "What were they?" His voice came out harsher than he intended, but judging by Kono's panic, it was not a good secret.

To cover her blunder Kono knew she'd have to tell him enough of the truth to appease him, without telling him everything. "I shouldn't be telling you this… but given the circumstances..."

Steve tensed while he waited for her to continue.

Her voice grew softer than before, he assumed because she didn't want Maddie to hear on the off chance she was awake. "We were catching up. A couple months before she'd been dating some… well, asshole. They weren't seriously dating or for that long. Maybe a few months at most? Anyway, we were talking and she told me…" Kono couldn't look at Steve. She'd really put her foot in her mouth this time.

Steve stood, waiting for her to continue, his heart pounding. He didn't know where this was going, but he was sure he wouldn't like it.

"She was telling me about how when he'd come to visit her that last time he'd started giving her a hard time for her schedule and for never getting to see her. He'd been complaining a lot for several weeks and Maddie was tired of it... and… well, she dumped him. After telling me the story, which was months after it had actually happened, she said, 'I kind of wish Steve had been there to kick his ass.' She was quiet for a minute and when she spoke again, she sounded sad. She said, 'But good thing he's off chasing those brothers around the world. He's safer there than here with me.' I thought it was a really weird statement, but I thought she was referring to what had happened with the guy."

"What happened with him?" Steve questioned. He knew Kono wasn't telling him something.

"Just that they broke up," Kono lied.

"Why would you assume her comment was about a breakup? That doesn't make sense. Come on, spill." Steve was irritated. With everything going on with Maddie, why would Kono not tell him something that, for all he knew, had to do with whatever was scaring her. When she didn't respond, he growled, "Spit it out, Kono."

"Ah, so this is the overprotective Steve Maddie has told me about," Kono joked, attempting to change the topic.

"Didn't work. Tell me," Steve demanded, staring her down as if she were a suspect. It reminded her of when he'd had her in the interrogation room a couple weeks ago and was yelling at her.

"I…" Kono began, but was interrupted by Pete walking in.

"Hey, the truck is here, and Malia. Let me tell you, that thing is huge! It's as big as Maddie's tour bus!" Pete noticed the tension between the coworkers. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No," Kono immediately answered at the same time Steve said, "Yes!"

"Well, that's confusing."

"Kono, spit it out."

"What's going on? Someone fill me in," Pete insisted.

"Did something happen between Maddie and some guy she was seeing. What was it?" Steve glanced over at Kono. "About six months ago?"

Oh, great, Pete thought. This was the absolute last thing Steve needed to find out about right now. How the hell did this even come up? Pete wondered. He was overcome with guilt knowing he was going to have to lie to him, something he hated doing. Steve was his "brother" and here he was going to keep something huge about the person that meant the most to him. Plus, lying to him about her right now when she was keeping enough secrets made him feel even worse. However, he knew what he'd do if he found out, and right now Maddie needed him. She didn't need him going off half-cocked. "Oh, he came to visit her and was just an ass the second he arrived. One night Maddie dumped him and he was pretty upset about it. She had me escort him out and told me she never wanted to see him again."

Kono knew for a fact he was lying. Maddie had told her what Pete had actually done. Apparently he also agreed this wasn't a good time for Steve to hear this.

Steve knew they were both lying, but just as he was about to say something, Malia and Chin walked in.

"Hey guys!" Chin greeted as Malia walked over to the couch where Maddie still slept. Feeling the tension, Chin looked between the three, "Everything okay?"

"No," Steve answered. "But Maddie needs me right now. We're not done with this." Steve walked to the living room leaving behind a guilty looking Kono and Pete and a very confused Chin.

"How is she?" Steve immediately asked Malia.

Chuckling, she knelt next to Maddie. "Funny, I was just about to ask you that."

"Oh," Steve smiled as he stood behind the couch looking down on Maddie. "Kono and I removed the rest of the glass…"

"Have you been waking her up?"

"Yes," Steve answered as Malia looked at the cuts on her left hand.

"When was the last time?" Reaching into her bag she grabbed some ointment and gauge wrap.

He looked at his watch. "Twenty-five minutes ago."

Smiling as she put ointment on the cuts, she said, "well then, perfect timing. We'll wake her up before the MRI."

Once she'd finished wrapping Maddie's left hand she removed the blanket and gently straightened her legs. Steve watched as, in her sleep, Maddie reached out at the loss of warmth. Carefully Malia checked the cuts on her legs and feet. Noticing a few really deep ones on the bottom of her right foot she applied antibiotic ointment and wrapped her foot. Once she was finished she moved her attention to her friend's face. "Maddie? Wake up," Malia gently shook her.

When she didn't respond, Steve tried. "Mads…"

Hearing her name, Maddie stirred. They watched as her eyes fluttered before finally opening. She slowly blinked as she fought to stay awake. "Malia?" She sounded confused.

"Hey!" Malia greeted, her smile reaching her eyes.

"What are you…?" Maddie wrinkled her nose as she reached up to her head. "What the…?" she said, looking at her wrapped hand.

Steve went to answer, but Malia gave him a quick shake of her head.

Maddie's eyes drifted closed again, but this time they didn't open. "Woah, woah. Stay awake. Just for a couple minutes. Come on now…" Malia urged rubbing her friend's shoulder. Partially opening her eyes, she groaned. "Do you remember what happened?"

Maddie nodded, the movement sending a wave of pain through her head causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. Steve was fighting the urge to reach for her, but he didn't want to get in Malia's way.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Malia asked.

Staring at Malia through half-lidded eyes, Maddie answered, "Chin. We had lunch. Met everyone and… Steve. Wasn't expecting that." Her sentences were incomplete, but Malia knew it was normal for a head trauma.

Realization dawned on Maddie that she'd passed out in front of Steve. She groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Uhhh… Steeeevvee," she drew out his name.

"Hey…" Steve quietly spoke from his position behind the couch.

Her eyes flew fully open at the sound of his voice. Turning her head slightly to the right Maddie's eyes met his. I missed him… she thought as she looked into his blue eyes. She knew she shouldn't be near him, but her thoughts were fuzzy and hard to hold on to. The longer her eyes were open the more nauseous she got. Given how badly she felt, she knew there was no way she was going anywhere, and she knew Steve wouldn't be letting her out of his sight for the time being. She'd figure out what to do later when she could actually think. Until then she'd just give in to it. What choice did she have?

Busying herself with the contents of her bag, Malia let them have their moment.

Finally breaking the silence, Steve reached down, brushing some hair from her face. "You scared me," he quietly admitted.

Maddie's eyes closed at the feel of Steve's hand in her hair. It was taking everything she had to stay awake, but she had missed him and wasn't ready to pull her eyes away. "Sorry... dunno what happened…" she lied.

"We'll talk about it later, when you're feeling better. We'll talk about everything," Steve replied.

Maddie knew what that meant. She'd have to figure out an excuse as to why she hadn't returned any of his calls. She definitely knew she couldn't tell him the truth. Thinking about it was pointless with how awful she felt. Staying awake was too hard, and she began to succumb to the impending darkness. "Tired," she mumbled as her eyes closed.

"I know, Maddie, but I need you to stay awake for just a little bit longer," Malia replied.

Groaning she opened her eyes.

"What hurts?" Malia asked.

Maddie didn't want to do this in front of Steve. She knew she had to answer the questions, but she didn't know if she'd ask her how things had been before today.

Understanding her friend's hesitancy, Malia caught Steve's eye and motioned towards the kitchen. He was about to argue, but seeing the look in her eyes he sighed and grumbled, "I'll be in the kitchen."

"Mm hmm," Maddie muttered, trying to swallow her increasing nausea.

Malia noticed the look on Maddie's face and called to Steve's retreating figure, "You might wanna get a trashcan or bowl or something over here." He turned around confused, but suddenly his eyes widened as realization dawned on him. Before she knew it Malia had a trashcan in her hand. Chin apparently hadn't been exaggerating about Steve's reflexes, Malia thought. Now that they had privacy, Malia turned to Maddie. "This is here if you need it. Anyway, where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere."

A few minutes later Malia appeared in the kitchen where Steve, Chin, and Kono waited. "I don't know how, but her concussion doesn't appear to be as bad as it should have been. My guess is there's no bleeding on her brain, but the MRI will tell us for sure. I checked her pupils. They are definitely sluggish and severely sensitive to light. After the MRI I'll get an IV started and get some fluids in her."

Steve relaxed at the news. "Thanks, Malia. I really appreciate all this," he genuinely told her. "So… do you want…" Steve began only to be interrupted by Pete coming in from outside.

"Son of a bitch," he cursed under his breath as he slammed his cell back into its holder on his belt.

"What?" Chin looked to him. "Is everything alright brah?"

"Oh. Um, sorry... How's Maddie? Is she awake by any chance?" Pete asked.

"She's doing pretty well considering," Malia answered. "She's sort of awake. In and out. She responded to my questions. No complete sentences. Kind of like a caveman."

"I need to talk to her," Pete said shaking his head, obviously upset.

"Everything good?" Steve asked. "We were just about to take her outside for the test."

"Yeah, I just need to talk to her. It'll only take a sec, McG. Excuse me," he said before walking to the couch.

The three coworkers and Malia stood in the kitchen watching as Pete whispered something to Maddie. They heard her groan and respond, but couldn't hear what she said. She struggled to sit up, but the change in position caused her to throw up. Luckily, she made it in the trashcan. With Malia close behind, Steve took a towel to Maddie.

"Let's get her outside." Malia said. When Maddie made a move to stand, she added, "Your feet are a mess, so you shouldn't walk."

"I'll get her," Steve said while she wiped her mouth with the towel he'd given her. When she was done, he scooped her up bridal style.

"P… just what I said. Be fine. Tomorrow," Maddie muttered as she laid her head against Steve's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Ok, Shorty. I'll take care of it," Pete responded, understanding. Steve looked to him, brows furrowed questioningly. Pete only shook his head and mouthed, "later".

While Maddie slept through the MRI, Danny drove up. After exiting his Camaro, he pulled a big duffle from the back. "Here you go," he said as he entered the huge truck and handed the bag to his partner. "How's she doing? She alright?"

Taking the bag from him Steve answered. "Thanks so much, Danno. With everything that happened I left it behind. Anyway, uh… she's okay. Looks like a pretty bad concussion. Could've been worse."

"Sucks about the concussion, but other than that it's good news."

Steve smiled slightly at his partner. "How's Gracie?"

"She's good! Picked her up from school. Stopped for a snack and took her home to Rachel's," Danny answered. The mention of his ex-wife's name brought a sadness to his eyes, one Steve noticed. He made a mental note to check in and see how he was holding up. He'd thought the baby was his. He couldn't imagine how he must feel.

"She's done. You can get her," Malia said to Steve, interrupting his thoughts. "And while you're at it, wake her up. It's been 30 minutes."

Steve walked into the other room of the mobile MRI truck. "Mads, wake up," he murmured as he bent over her. Her eyes fluttered open and a small smile appeared on her face. He grinned back at her before lifting her into his arms.

"Missed you," she murmured as she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"You, too," he responded, exiting the truck. Walking back into the house, he placed a light kiss to her forehead.

Twenty minutes after carrying her upstairs Steve stood in Maddie's bedroom while Malia inserted an IV in her arm. He smiled, thinking about her choice of attire: black leggings, big bunchy socks, and his Navy t-shirt. After he'd taken her upstairs he'd left the room so Malia and Kono could help her change into something more comfortable. He'd wondered where that shirt had disappeared to. Now he knew. She'd stolen it.

"You know, she's worn that shirt almost every night for months now," Pete said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Really?" He was surprised.

"Really…"

"Hey, G.I. Joe? Is she wearing your shirt?" Danny asked as he entered the room.

"Yeah, she must've stolen it a few years ago," Steve replied.

"You know what it means when a girl steals and wears your clothes, right?"

"It's not like that with us," Steve insisted. Wanting to change the topic, he turned to Pete. "What were you and Maddie talking about earlier? Before she got sick."

Pete immediately tensed. "Oh, the new head of her label-"

"Steve?" Malia called, interrupting them. He quickly walked over to where she stood next to Maddie. "This fluid should help," Malia spoke as she gathered her medical supplies. "I've left another bag for you to hook up later tonight as I wouldn't be surprised if she throws up some more. If you can convince her to eat something later, that would be good. Toast maybe. Something light," she rattled off instructions. "Her MRI showed no bleeding, so that's good. I'll be back in the morning to check on her. Just be sure to wake her up every 30 minutes. If, God forbid, she doesn't wake up, call 911 and then me. If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to call and I'll come over."

"Okay," Steve answered before pulling her into a hug. "Thanks for everything."

"You're welcome. I'm happy she's home and will be for a while. I missed her!" She picked up her bag. "I'm gonna head out. I'm having dinner with Chin, Kono, and their family, and I want to change beforehand. But, don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions whatsoever." She walked towards Maddie's bedroom door. "Oh and, Steve, Mo wanted me to tell you that he went to see his family, which I guess live close by. He said to call if you need him."

"Perfect! Thank you!"

"Bye! See you in the morning," Malia called as she left the room.

"If you're still cool with it, I'm gonna go out," Pete said to Steve.

"Yeah, I'll be here with her. Go on that date," Steve replied. Pete had more than earned a night off after he'd been able to get Maddie's schedule rearranged and bring her to him.

"Alright! See you later bro!" Pete said as he walked out.

"You going to be okay here by yourself?" Danny asked.

Steve turned to his partner before glancing at Maddie's sleeping face. "Yeah, we'll be fine here. I actually prefer to have no one here. Less going on, more chance for her to rest."

"Surrreeee… That's why you want to be alone with her," Danny joked.

"Shut up, Danno," Steve countered.

"I'll check in with you tomorrow," Danny said as he walked out. "Call me if you need anything."

"Great! Thanks!"

Steve stood next to the bed looking down on Maddie's sleeping form. "What did you do Maddie? Huh? What's going on with you?" he whispered out loud. Shaking his head and sighing, he pulled the covers up over her body before walking towards his bag and quickly changing into grey sweats and a white t-shirt. He sat on the left side of the bed and slid his watch off. After setting it on the nightstand, he set an alarm in his phone to alert him every 30 minutes in case he fell asleep. Knowing it was time to wake her up, his slid under the covers and scooted towards her.

"Maddie? Wake up," Steve said. Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey," he greeted. She slowly turned to her left side to face Steve, a movement that caused a lot of pain, something very evident by the look on her face. "Be careful."

"Where's everyone?" she asked.

"They're gone. Malia's giving you fluid," he pointed to the IV in her right arm. "She took some blood earlier, but doesn't have the results yet. However, she could tell you were exhausted and dehydrated."

"Oh." Maddie stared at him, her expression unreadable, as she scooted closer to him. Although it was obvious she was still sleepy she was the most alert she'd been.

The two friends stared at one another as they laid on their sides. "It's not easy to so exhausted. You taking care of yourself on tour?" Steve asked while tucking some stray hair behind her ear.

"Uh huh," she answered quietly.

"Really?" Steve responded arching his eyebrows.

"Yeah."

"You been sleeping?" he tried another approach.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I dunno. A little."

"A little? Not a lot?"

Maddie's eyes fluttered closed for a second before opening again. She was trying so hard to fight the sleepiness. Noticing they were safe in her room, her curtains closed, she figured she didn't have to worry about anything or anyone. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she looked away. She was afraid if she kept looking at him, she'd start crying.

"What's wrong, Mads?" Steve quietly asked, noticing the change. When she didn't respond he said, "Look at me."

Forcing her eyes back to him, he could see they were filled with unshed tears, and sadness. "I missed you," she whispered.

She'd already told him, but he didn't mind hearing it again. "I missed you too… a lot."

That's all it took for the first tears to slip from her eyes. "Hey... me missing you isn't supposed to make you cry. What is it?" he asked, using his left thumb to gently wipe tears from her cheeks.

At his tender touch, Maddie's eyes closed and more tears fell. Finally, she opened her eyes again and sobbed, "I'm so sorry." He hadn't seen her cry this hard in a long time, discounting her phone call a few days before. Her face contorted, the crying obviously sending pain slicing through her head.

He pulled her to him and she buried her face in his chest. "Maddie, crying is going to make your head hurt more." Her sobs continued. "What are you sorry for? You said that the other day. Not calling me back? It's okay. I'm fine. Everything's okay." He rubbed her back as he kissed the top of her head. Maddie snuggled in closer to him, their bodies completely pressed against one another, their legs entangled. She never said another word, and eventually his soothing calmed her and she passed out.

Steve woke her every thirty minutes. A few times she'd woken herself to be sick. Each time, he held her hair and rubbed her back before tucking her back in bed. She always snuggled right back into him, something he secretly loved. They didn't talk about what happened earlier or why she'd been crying. Steve figured it was better to wait until she was feeling better.

"Dammit!" the man yelled as he stared at the multiple screens in the dark room. Every screen showed another room in her home. His dog tags rattled as he stood, watching as she snuggled against Steve in bed. "Maddie, did you not think I was serious?" he said aloud.

Pacing the room, he forced himself to come up with a plan. He knew he'd surprised her, that she hadn't even known he was back in Hawaii. But now here she was all cozy with him?! He wouldn't go after Steve right away. He'd let her think he was safe. That she was safe. He smiled and chuckled at what was to come.