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

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is chapter 9. I left it hanging because I wanted to post what I had so far. I hope to have the talk between Maddie and Steve up later tonight as Ch. 10.

I went into such detail between them for a number of reasons. The main one is to show that she brings out a side of Steve no one ever sees. His behavior shows how much he cares about her. I also wanted to include a glimpse of Maddie's stubbornness.

As always, thoughts are in italics.

PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think! I wanted to give a shout out to all the reviews I've received lately. You guys are awesome! You've said some really amazing things, so seriously, THANK YOU!

KEEP IT UP!

xo

DivaLola

CHAPTER 9

Maddie knew by the sound of his voice, and the fact he'd used her full first and middle name, that Steve was mad. Furious would be a better description. She assumed his eyes would tell the same story had she been able to meet them.

Assuming everyone would be asleep, Danny let himself in using the key Steve had given him. He figured he'd check on things before he picked Grace up from Rachael's and took her to school. He was surprised when he heard voices. As he entered the kitchen he was about to greet his partner when he took in the scene before him. Pete sat at the counter and Steve stood near the stove both looking in the direction of Maddie who was standing at the opposite side of the room. It looked as if she'd come from another hallway, one he hadn't been down yet. Although Danny couldn't completely see Steve's face he could tell he had "aneurism face" by the tension in his body. He was mad. Really mad.

"That wasn't a rhetorical question, Madeline Lily," Steve seethed.

Danny's eyes drifted to Maddie. For the first time since arriving he looked her over. She didn't look good. Her skin was grey and she had bags under her eyes so large and dark it looked as if her eyes were sinking into her head. It made her seem thinner than she was. Maddie said nothing as she refused to look at Steve. Wanting to help break some of the tension Danny joked, "Wow, a first and a middle name! This can't be good!"

Maddie glanced in Danny's direction, grateful for his attempt at humor. However, Steve ignored him and continued to glare at his best friend. Fighting the urge to run to her, pick her up and carry her back to bed, he loudly cleared his throat to get her attention, and hopefully some sort of answer.

Taking a deep breath, she looked towards Steve and played dumb, "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Steve scoffed. "Why are you up and around?"

"I had a conference call. I have a job, you know," she replied. Her answers only angered him more, which was her hope. She figured maybe if he got mad enough he'd leave and then he'd be safer.

"Seriously, Maddie?! Don't play dumb. You're dressed. My guess is you ripped your bandages off and I'm pretty sure I don't see you holding an IV bag," he clipped, his voice rising.

The yelling was making her head hurt more. Maddie wished she could sit down, but that wouldn't show him she was fine. However, she didn't know how much longer she could hold herself up. She was weak, exhausted, and in a tremendous amount of pain. Knowing she needed to get this argument over with she attempted to shout back, but due to the fact she was losing her voice it came out raspy. "Steven, I'm fine! I feel a lot better. I'm dressed because it's a new day! I'm home... in Hawaii! It's beautiful outside," she pointed behind her and to the right to large sliding glass doors that lead to her backyard. "I'm going to enjoy my day! You don't need to worry anymore. I'm 100%!" she lied. More like 20%, she thought.

"The only place you're going is back to bed!" he shouted, pointing to the stairs. "And you are definitely not fine! You look awful! You look close to death." As soon as the words were out of his mouth Steve knew he'd gone too far. He was just so worried about her and he was too tired himself to deal with her stubbornness.

Danny and Pete flinched at Steve's words.

Not only had he said she looked like death, but he knew she hated getting ordered about. It made her feel trapped. If Maddie hadn't felt like her legs were going to give out on her at any moment she would have stormed out, gotten in the car, and left, but there was no way that was going to happen. Even if she tried she knew she'd be too slow and he'd catch her. She needed him to leave, and the only way she could think to do that was make him madder. After all, she knew the right buttons to push, as he did with her. "Your pancakes are burning," Maddie stubbornly said, her voice laced with venom.

"Seriously, Madeline?" Steve yelled as he yanked the pan from the stove and dropped it into the nearby sink. The loud clattering was her undoing. She immediately grabbed her head. Hoping to get some sort of explanation Steve looked back to her to see her slightly bent over, her hands, still tucked safely inside her baggy sweatshirt, cradling her head. "Crap," he mumbled immediately feeling guilty. He'd let his irritation and frustration get the better of him. Plus, she knew exactly what buttons to push, and she'd gotten to him.

The increase in pain caused a huge wave of dizziness to overtake her and she could feel her body begin to sink to the floor. No matter how much she told her legs to hold her up, they wouldn't.

Seeing the start of her collapse, Steve sighed heavily and rushed to Maddie, scooping her into his arms. Looking down at her he took in her grey pallor. Shockingly, she'd paled considerably in the last couple minutes.

"No, Steve. I'm fine. Put me down," Maddie ordered, her raspy voice a near whisper. Although her words were saying one thing, her actions were saying another. She wasn't really fighting him physically except the little thump of her fist against his chest. But she quickly realized that wasn't a good idea when she hit the gash on her hand. Groaning in pain she gave up and leaned into him.

Shaking his head as he ascended the stairs, Steve said, "God, you're so stubborn, Maddie. You're just making everything harder on yourself."

"I'm not stubborn!" she countered as her eyelids drifted shut. Way to convince him you're fine, she chastised herself. However, she felt so bad she just didn't have it in her to fight him. But she knew they'd go head to head as soon as she was feeling better.

"Whatever you say," Steve retorted as he carried her down the hall. Upon entering her bedroom, he carefully sat her on the edge of her bed. "Alright, let's see the damage," he said as he stepped back and stared down at her. While he was still irritated with her, it had lessened. He'd always found it hard to stay mad at her.

"Damage? There's no damage," Maddie lied, her head throbbing. "Did you really have to yell and throw things?" she asked him, scrunching her face in pain and holding her head.

"I'm sorry, Mads. I wasn't thinking. You just," he stopped and let out a frustrated growl as he thread his fingers through his hair. Looking at her and seeing how terrible she looked and felt he sighed. "We'll talk about it later. First, I want to see how bad things are. Arms up!"

Maddie's eyes flew open. "Excuse me? No!"

"Maddie, either cooperate or don't. Either way I'm going to see what you did. It will make things a lot easier if you help me, but you know me well enough to know I'll just take matters into my own hands if you don't." Steve waited and watched as she thought it over. Her eyes flickered with defiance before he saw the defeat. "So... sweatshirt first. Arms up!"

"Fine! But only because I don't have it in me to fight you," Maddie squeaked her voice weaker every time she spoke.

"See! I knew you were lying!" Steve cried in victory. She hadn't even realized what she'd admitted until it was too late.

"I hate you right now…"

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Steve smiled. "Arms up!"

Reluctantly, she lifted her arms and stared at him with squinted eyes, more from pain than annoyance he imagined. As he carefully pulled the sweatshirt over her head he asked, "Maddie... tell me the truth. How do you feel?"

She debated whether or not to answer honestly, but there was something in his voice that compelled her to tell him the truth. Looking directly at him her eyes grew wet with unshed tears. "Stevie," Maddie began, using his childhood nickname. "I feel awful."

"Oh, Mads… I'm so sorry. Malia should be here soon and I'm hoping she can give you something for the pain now that you're more alert," Steve tried to soothe before softly kissing her forehead. "Arms up," he said again as he took in her long sleeved shirt.

"I'm just gonna keep this on. It's comfy," Maddie stuttered. She knew Steve was gonna be upset when he saw her bleeding hand.

"Arms… up."

"Fine," she conceded as she slowly lifted her arms. Steve grabbed the hem of her black shirt and pulled it up over her head. Maddie hissed as the tight fabric rubbed along the cuts on her arms.

Steve searched her face. "You okay?"

"Yeah... but, don't be mad, okay?"

He immediately looked to her bleeding hand. "Jesus, Madeline." Grabbing his cell, he quickly called Pete. "Can you grab all the stuff Malia left for Maddie's injuries? I think I either left them on the coffee table or the kitchen table?" he asked, his eyes never leaving Maddie. While she'd been sitting at the edge, she'd laid back on the mattress. He knew he had to get her back in bed as soon as possible. She was exhausted.

"Sure thing. Anything else?"

"No, not right now. But, the sooner the better on the first aid stuff." Knowing Pete would be up quickly with everything Steve needed, he hurried to her bathroom, returning with two towels, one damp and one dry. He knelt in front of her taking her hand in his.

"How long has it been bleeding like this?" he asked as he used the wet towel to wipe the blood from her hand.

"I dunno… maybe an hour," she murmured sleepily.

"Jesus, Maddie," he scoffed.

Steve was disappointed in her. She could hear it in his voice and it was more than she could handle at the moment. Although closed, Maddie's eyes were welling up and she was doing her best to keep the tears from falling, but it was getting hard. She always hated when he was disappointed in her. It didn't happen often, but when it did, it affected her deeply. Come on Maddie… don't start crying, she told herself.

Although Steve was concentrating on cleaning her hand and wrist he noticed Maddie sporadically shaking her right arm. "You okay?" he asked continuing his ministrations. "What's wrong with your other arm?"

"I dunno… it's hurts," she answered.

"Okay, I'll take a look once I wrap this up."

"Here you go, McG!" Pete said as he came in the room with the first aid items. Steve took them and immediately applied the antibiotic ointment before beginning to wrap her hand. "How are things?"

"Fine," Maddie quickly answered. She opened her eyes to look up at him. "Petey?"

"Yeah, Shorty?" he answered as he sat at the bottom of the bed. He leaned towards her and rubbed a hand down her hair in a caring gesture.

Even though Steve was focused on her hand, he caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. While there was a part of him, a large part, that was grateful to see Pete care about her so much, he also felt a wave of possessiveness, which confused him. She was his best friend, nothing more. Right?

"Do you know where my purse is?" Maddie asked, pulling Steve from his thoughts.

Pete's brows furrowed. "Uhh… I think we grabbed it when we left Five-O yesterday. But it was so hectic. I'll look for it."

"Okay, thanks. I really appreciate it," Maddie gave him a small, sad smile.

"Is Danny still here?" Steve questioned as he taped the white gauge in place.

"Nah, he took off. Had to pick up... Grace, I think he said. Take her to school. That sound right?"

"Yeah, Gracie is his daughter."

"Ah, ok. Makes sense. Anyway, he said he could come back when he was done."

"Ok… Maddie, did I wrap this too tight?" Steve asked.

She tested it out by moving her fingers slightly. "No, it's fine."

"Alright," Steve replied.

"I'm gonna go hunt down your bag, Shorty. That is unless you need anything else, McG?" Pete asked.

"No, we're good. Thanks for bringing this up."

"No problemo," Pete replied before walking out of the room.

"Alright, let's see your right arm. Where does it hurt?" Steve asked.

"Right here," she pointed to the inside of her forearm, exactly where her IV had been.

"There's a big bubble under your skin. It's from your IV. My guess from taking it out yourself. And I'm betting you weren't very gentle about it." He looked at her pointedly, frown on his face. "We'll show Malia when she comes."

Steve watched her nod and could tell she was fading fast. "Maddie, where are your pajamas? Do you want the same ones you had on?"

Her head hurt so much it was hard to think. After a minute, she processed what he was asking and nodded, pointing to the bathroom. Steve understood and went and grabbed the leggings and big t-shirt from the bathroom floor. He noticed spots of blood on the bathmat and discarded towels and shook his head. She was so damn stubborn. She was worse than some of the guys on his team. Returning to the spot on the floor in front of her, Steve asked, "Do you want to change out of these leggings you have on or just leave them?"

"Leave them," she yawned.

"Can you change out of the tank top by yourself? Or do you need help?"

Although he'd seen her in a bathing suit, which was like a bra, the thought of him actually seeing her in her bra made her nervous. It's not like he hasn't seen you in very little, she thought, thinking of some of the stage costumes he'd seen her in. But there was something intimate about being with him in her bedroom while wearing only her bra even though he was currently taking care of her and there was nothing romantic about the situation. She was probably being silly, but the idea gave her butterflies. "I can do it," she finally answered.

Steve stood and reached his hands down and lifted her into a sitting position. Before turning his back to give her some privacy he lovingly rubbed his right hand down her hair and side of her face.

Maddie's heart was pounding. She stared at his back for a minute, confused by her body's reaction to the gesture.

"You good?" Steve asked realizing he hadn't heard any rustling of clothes behind him.

"Uh, uh," Maddie began, stuttering. Her cheeks heated slightly in embarrassment, as if he'd caught her doing something she shouldn't have been doing. "Yeah, I'm good." What the hell is going on, she wondered as she slid her tank off. I'm just tired, she told herself, explaining away her out of character reaction to him. Reaching behind her, she struggled to unclip her bra thanks to the wrap on her left hand. "Don't turn around," she told him unnecessarily as she continued to grapple with the clasp.

"I won't until you tell me to," Steve responded. He had a feeling she was struggling to unclasp her bra. He debated making a joke that he was adept at taking women's bras off and he'd be happy to help her, but it felt weird. In the past he wouldn't have hesitated saying that to her, but now it was as if those words were loaded with unspoken meaning. He was confused. Was it just that he hadn't seen her in two years? Was that why things felt different?

Knowing she wasn't going to be able to remove her bra normally, Maddie slipped the straps down her shoulders and tugged her arms free. Clumsily she began twisting the bra around to bring the clasp to her front. After fumbling for a minute, she finally manage to unhook the black, lacey garment. Feeling flustered, the need to cover herself mounting, she dropped it to her right before quickly grabbing Steve's Navy shirt and slipping it on. Before telling him he could turn around, she folded her tank and long sleeve shirt, tucking her bra inside. She wasn't sure why she did except, for some reason, the idea that Steve would see her discarded bra made her nervous. What the hell is going on? she wondered once again, but her head hurt too much to debate this right now. She just wanted to crawl in bed. She turned his gaze to his back and mumbled, "You can turn around."

Steve could hear the fatigue in her voice. Turning around he took in the sight of her in his shirt and was overcome with the feeling of possessiveness again.

When he only stared at her, she finally asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he smiled. "Absolutely nothing." He realized he loved seeing her in his clothes.

Feeling self-conscious Maddie averted her gaze. There was something in his eyes she didn't recognize, and it was making her nervous.

Snapping out of it, Steve took in her white face. He didn't know how it was possible, but she'd lost even more coloring. Quickly, he closed the gap between them and knelt in front of her. He reached down and took hold of her left UGG boot, swiftly pulling it off. Setting it on the ground beside him he reached for her other one, removing it as carefully as he could. He wanted to avoid causing her as much pain as possible. Maddie's eyes flew closed as she winced and groaned as the boot left her foot. "Sorry, Mads," Steve apologized. He felt the dampness when he lightly touched her black sock-clad foot. Taking his hand away he looked at the blood on his palm. "Jesus, Maddie," he murmured.

She was so tired. I just need to lay down, she thought, laying back on the bed, her legs hanging over the side. "I'll hurry," he told her and pulled her black socks off. Her foot was bleeding profusely. "How bad does this hurt?" It looked painful, and he knew she'd been walking on it.

"Not bad," she whispered.

"Liar," Steve countered. Shaking his head, he began cleaning her foot. She tried to keep from hissing in pain, but it was becoming too much. She felt her eyes fill and a few tears trailed down the sides of her face towards her ears.

Steve's eyes darted up when he heard her sniffle and saw her silent tears. "I'm sorry, Mads. I have to clean it. I'm trying to be gentle, and hurry."

"I know. I'm okay," she lied again while trying to breathe through the pain.

Satisfied it was clean, Steve applied the antibiotic ointment on the cut and wrapped it. "Too tight?" he asked.

"No," Maddie answered as she wiped away a few more tears. She didn't feel so good. The nausea was getting worse.

He stood and gently pulled her back into a sitting position. "Bed, now."

She had no plan to fight him. She'd save it for later. Craving the softness of her bed, she rose to stand while his hands hovered. "I'm go-," she froze and clapped her hand over her mouth not wanting to throw up on the carpet, or Steve.

He immediately picked her up and rushed her to the bathroom, placing her in front of the toilet. As her knees began to buckle he eased her down to the floor. She hunched over the toilet and began dry heaving since nothing was left in her stomach while tears rolled down her face. Steve held her hair and rubbed her back soothingly. When she was finished she collapsed against him. He simply held her for a couple minutes while she settled. Once she had, he carefully stood, his right arm behind her back, his left under her knees, and walked to the bed. "How's that? Comfy?" He smiled down at her as he pulled the big, squishy, down comforter up, and tucked it around her.

"Yeah," Maddie sniffled, snuggling her face into the bedding. Staring up at him she noticed how tired he looked. From the stubbly hair along his jaw she could tell he obviously hadn't shaved in a couple days. He looks hot, she thought to herself.

"What?" he asked, noticing her stare.

Embarrassed he'd caught her, her cheeks pinked slightly. "Nothing… it's just… you look tired. You didn't get any sleep at all last night did you?"

Not wanting to make her feel worse about making him worry, Steve smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Just focus on feeling better."

She averted her eyes, feeling guilty. Steve walked to the other side of the bed, set a recurring one hour timer in his phone before placing it on the nightstand, and climbed in. Once he was settled, Maddie slowly rolled from her back to her left side so she could look at him. Steve turned on his right side. They simply stared at one another for a couple minutes before he finally spoke up. "Maddie, get some sleep." He closed his eyes, hoping she'd follow suit. A few minutes went by and he could still feel her eyes on him. "Maddie, sleep. You need rest," he whispered, his eyes remaining closed.

She wasn't really listening and she didn't realize she was staring at him. Now that her mind was clearer than it had been the day before, she thought over what had happened at Five-O headquarters. She remembered finding out that Steve's dad had died. What happened? she wondered. She knew now why he'd called her.She had so many questions for him. And yes she was exhausted and felt awful, but she wasn't sure she'd be able to sleep without getting at least some of the answers.

He'd finally opened his eyes and found her staring at him, off in her own world. He watched her for a minute wishing he knew what she was thinking before finally taking his left hand and covering her eyes. "Sleep, Maddie. Close your eyes."

"Okay," she whispered. Once her eyes fluttered closed he shut his again. However, not thirty seconds later he felt her eyes again. He knew her well enough to know something was on her mind. "Okay, Maddie, what is it? You're creepin' me out," he joked, grinning at her.

She smiled back for a second before it fell from her face and she opened her mouth to speak.

TO BE CONTINUED...