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

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you all so much for the reviews!

As always, thoughts are in italics.

ENJOY!

xoxo

DivaLola

CHAPTER 16

Steve didn't realize exactly how exhausted he was until he closed his eyes. Although concerned with how distant Maddie seemed, he fell asleep quickly. He was in such a deep sleep that an hour later when Maddie started tossing and turning he didn't wake up. Even when she started to cry in her sleep he didn't stir.

Maddie found herself, yet again, in a world she'd rather not be a part of. Steve was being tortured in front of her as she sobbed, begging the faceless man to leave him alone. Thank God she woke up right before he was killed. She hated when she had to watch him die. It took her a second to realize it had been a nightmare as her eyes adjusted to the dark. Remembering where she was and how she got there, she turned her head to the left, tears running down her face. Seeing Steve sound asleep next to her, safe and unharmed, should have made her feel better, but it only made her cry harder. Although she was brokenhearted, she needed his comfort. He had to be exhausted because he was usually a light sleeper and would have woken to her cries. Not wanting to wake him, she figured she'd just snuggle into him. She slid over, closing the gap between them. However, the closer she got to him the harder she cried. Desperate for his comfort, she didn't realize that she'd slammed into him balling her fists in his shirt and burying her face in his chest.

Steve's eyes flew open at the contact, and quickly realized what was happening. Immediately he wrapped his strong arms around her as she clung to him. "Hey… hey… what's goin' on?" he cooed. Her only response were tears and sniffles. Knowing she must have had another nightmare he said, "Hey, look at me…" It took Maddie a second to pull her head away and meet his eyes. Her damp face and the terror in her eyes broke his heart. "I'm right here with you. I'm safe. I'm alive. I'm not hurt. Everything's okay," he whispered as he wiped some tears away. Steve could tell how upset and scared she was by the heat radiating off her body. He could feel the sweat coming through her shirt and pulled the blanket away, hoping it would help cool her down. Those nightmares have to be so horrible for her to react like this, he thought.

Maddie buried her head back in his chest as he rubbed her back and whispered comforting words. Ten minutes passed before he felt her begin to slowly calm down. Soon after, her crying ceased and she fell asleep. He could tell she was no longer boiling hot, so he reached down and pulled the blanket over them. Once they were both comfortable she nestled further into him making her little "I'm snuggly" noises in her sleep. Steve chuckled quietly as he kissed her head before closing his eyes and falling back asleep.

Hours later Maddie's eye slowly opened. She smiled when she realized she was safely tucked against Steve. I love the way he smells, she thought as she breathed deeply. Feeling the intense pressure in her bladder she recognized what exactly had woken her up. Her eyebrows furrowed as she debated how to get up without waking him. She'd already woken him once and she knew he needed the sleep.

It took a bit of maneuvering but Maddie was finally able to extricate herself from Steve's tight grasp. As soon as she was free he began reaching for her in his sleep. Not wanting to wake him she quickly grabbed her pillow and placed it in his arms. Stifling a laugh, she watched him settle, pulling the pillow close. He's pretty cute, she thought. Since he was asleep and he'd never know, Maddie caressed the side of his face before leaning down and kissing him softly on the lips. "I love you, Stevie," she barely whispered as she ran her fingers through his short hair. The pain in her bladder pulled her from her thoughts and she stood, cautiously moving slow to keep from getting too dizzy. I'll never admit it to Steve, but getting some sleep did help me feel a bit better, she thought as she walked to the bathroom.

As soon as the door shut behind her Steve's eyes flew open, his heart pounding. Sure, they'd said "I love you" to each other plenty of times before, but there was something about the way she'd said it. It was different. Thoughts and possibilities ran through his mind at an overwhelmingly fast pace. Not wanting her to come out and see he'd been awake, he closed his eyes. The questions and turmoil in his mind only made him more tired and he fell back asleep before she ever exited the bathroom.

Maddie washed her hands, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Wow, you look like crap, she thought. Glancing around her spacious bathroom for her makeup bag, it dawned on her that, given the drama of the last few days, she hadn't unpacked anything. "I have so much laundry to do," she mumbled, slumping her shoulders at the thought. She didn't mind washing the clothes as much as putting them away. And she had a lot to put away. She hadn't been in Hawaii in at least six months, and had been on tour the last five. Before that she'd been flying around the world promoting the release of her new record. Maddie would occasionally be home in Los Angeles or New York, but never longer than five days, and she really didn't consider either of those home. This was home to her. It was where she would always call home. Where she would one day live with her husband, have children, and raise them. Steve's face immediately came to mind. "Madeline... Don't even go there," she warned herself, freaked out that it was him she thought of when thinking of marriage. A bit unnerved by her thoughts, she banished them from her mind. She had so much to do, and since Steve was sleeping, she'd make use of the time.

Quietly opening the bathroom door, Maddie peered out. Seeing him passed out she smiled. He looked so peaceful when he slept. It reminded her of when he was young, before his mom had died. She limped out of the bedroom, shutting the door ever so quietly behind her. Blowing out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, Maddie whispered, "Nicely done."

Walking through the living room and kitchen area Maddie found Pete putting groceries away. "Hi, Petey," she smiled at him.

"Feel better?" he smirked.

She shook her head, feigning annoyance. "I can't believe you didn't help me," she cried coming into the kitchen to help with the groceries.

"Hey, if Steve hadn't done it, I would have. Feel any better since you got some sleep?"

Putting sodas away in a refrigerator drawer, she nodded to him. "Yeah, but keep it a secret. I have a reputation to uphold."

He laughed as he grabbed the empty cloth bags he'd used for groceries and walked towards the hall. However, when he saw her about to pick up a couple cases of beer he turned back. "Hey, you put these away, and I'll take care of those." He handed her the cloth bags. Nodding, Maddie walked out of the kitchen and down the hall, passing the movie theater. Immediately images of Steve on top of her came to mind as she approached the door leading to the garage. Walking inside, she put the bags in her black Mercedes G-Class SUV so they'd already be in the car the next time she went to the store.

Once back inside, Maddie looked for Pete. She spotted him in the living room sitting on one of the grey, deep, plush couches. His bare feet were propped on the large, intricately carved, dark wood coffee table, a book in his hand. Laughing, she stood behind the couch. "Well, just look at you!"

Pete grinned back at her, white teeth gleaming. "I can't remember the last time I got to chill like this. So great! Don't misunderstand, I love action and everything, but I also love me some chill time."

Maddie smiled back, glad Pete was getting some relaxation time. He certainly worked hard, especially since Tina had been gone the last couple months, and he deserved more time like this. "Thank you for running to the store."

"No prob, Shorty. I think it's a little crazy to have a barbeque tonight when you should be resting, but I get it. I do." He reached out his right hand and Maddie slapped him five.

"Thanks, Pete. If you can only get Steve to understand why," Maddie quietly said as she sighed.

"You better get used to Steve in severe protective mode," Pete began. Setting his book down he turned towards her, a serious look on his face. "Maddie, you scared the crap out of him. I mean, he is so freaked out right now. Let him be overprotective. Don't give him shit for it. Just go with it. He'll back off a little when he feels everything's okay. Trust me."

"I know. I didn't mean to faint that day. It's just, he was the last thing I was expecting to see. And I was so tired," Maddie confessed. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot," Pete said, already knowing what she was going to ask.

Maddie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "You knew I didn't want to see him... Why did you guys set me up like that?"

Pete sighed. "Because Maddie… you haven't been yourself for months. I was getting worried. And Steve was getting worried because you wouldn't call him back. Steve knows something's wrong. I know something's wrong. When you got so upset the other day, I knew I needed to get you to him. Then after you called him that same day…"

Maddie's face turned red as she remembered how foolish she'd been. She should have kept it together. If she had, Steve would be safer right now.

He continued, "he called asking me to bring you home."

"So instead of just being honest, you tricked me. All of you," she said.

"You wouldn't have come if I'd told you I was taking you to Steve," Pete told her.

"Exactly, and you know why? Because, although you disagree, there is a reason I was avoiding him. You guys have only made things worse."

He could tell by her voice that she was hurt by what they did. "So, then tell me why, Maddie."

It's time to do damage control, she thought. Convincing Steve everything was fine was going to be difficult and would involve convincing everyone else first, starting with Pete. "I would, but I can't trust you not to say anything to him. You told him about me not sleeping, my nightmares, the new bodyguards, and who knows what else?"

"Maddie, I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing, and I still stand by my decision... but if you tell me not to say anything I won't. I promise," he declared.

You're going to have to reveal one secret to keep another one safe, she told herself. Swallowing, Maddie prepared herself for the confession she was going to make. "Pete, I already told you. You just didn't believe me."

He was quiet as he thought back to their conversation in her dressing room at the beginning of the week. It hit him suddenly and he smiled. "It took you long enough to realize you have feelings for him."

Maddie shook her head. "Ha! Feelings? If that's what you want to call them. I'd describe it more as being completely head over heels in love with him." Maddie's stomach tightened. It was the first time she'd actually said she was in love with him out loud. She'd only confirmed her feelings with a simple "yeah" when Malia asked her, but she'd never verbalized them.

Pete was shocked by her candor and honesty. "You know he feels the same way, right?"

"Yeah, right," she sarcastically replied. "He is not in love with me, Pete."

"You couldn't be more wrong."

"What about Lori? He left me last night to go meet her. And then," she hesitated, her next words already tasting bitter before she'd even said them. "I'm sure he slept with her."

Pete immediately turned his entire body to her. "I don't think it went that far."

"Well, if it didn't, it's only a matter of time. Plus, even if there was some absolute miniscule chance he does have some sort of feelings for me, nothing can ever come of them," Maddie claimed.

"What do you mean?" Pete asked.

"Nothing, just we grew up together. We can't go there."

"Maddie, what are you afraid of?" Pete asked, his voice gentle.

She was afraid of a lot, but she'd never say that. "Nothing," she lied.

Although it wasn't information he'd been looking for, Pete was happy she'd at least let him in a little. He'd been hoping she'd divulge something about what she was hiding. However, he could tell she was closing up, so he stopped his questions. "Well, I'm gonna go outside and finish these new songs. I should be done with them soon."

"Where's Steve?" Pete wondered.

"Sleeping. He's really tired," she smiled, the image of Steve's handsome face coming to mind.

"Don't you think you should be up there asleep, too? I'm pretty sure that's where Steve wants you." Pete wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

"Ha! I wish," she joked. "But seriously, he said if I slept for a while I could come work." She rolled her eyes. "Not that I need his permission."

"You and I both know he wanted you to sleep later than 2pm."

"Oh well, I'll be outside," Maddie announced. "I have my cell."

He shook his head at her stubbornness. "Okay."

Maddie wasted no time heading to the glass door leading outside. Slipping out of the house, she turned right and walked along the pathway. She couldn't believe what she'd admitted to Pete. She just hopped he'd start to believe that was the reason she hadn't wanted to see Steve. The sooner he believed it, the better chance she had of leaving Hawaii, which would mean Steve would be safer. With her new plan in motion, she entered her studio feeling a bit more in control than she had in a while.

As he started to wake, Steve stretched slightly before pulling Maddie close. His eyes flew open at the soft and squishy object in his arms. "Damn," he whispered. He'd fallen asleep before she finished in the bathroom, and she'd never come back to bed. He couldn't help but smile at her little stunt. She'd been a little feistier today, a little more like the old Maddie. He hoped it was a good sign. He stood, deciding he better figure out what she was up to.

Walking downstairs he found Pete passed out on the couch, snoring loudly, a book on his chest. He didn't stir even slightly as he poked him repeatedly with a pen. Steve walked away rolling his eyes and laughing.

He quickly checked the TV monitor in the kitchen to see if she was in the studio, but she wasn't. Suddenly he heard an odd noise coming from the hallway. Standing at the start of the hallway, his eyes widened. Huge trunks littered the hall, all of which were open. Two were knocked on their sides, while two were not. Lying nearby were two rolling suitcases and two duffle bags. "What the?" he whispered as he approached the mess. "Mads?" he called out as he stopped in front of an open door. He laughed as she sat on the floor of the large laundry room in the biggest pile of clothes he'd ever seen. She looked up at him, clothes on her shoulders and head.

"What were you doing? Napping in the laundry?" he asked, grinning. He was rewarded with one of her dimpled smiles. God, I love her dimples, he thought. "Hold on... don't move," he laughed as he pulled his phone from his pocket. Quickly he took a picture of her, dimply smile and all. Satisfied, he slipped the phone back in his pants. "What are you doing?"

She rolled her eyes. "Doing laundry, of course," she replied as if he'd asked the most ridiculous question.

"I gotta tell you, Mads, I've never seen laundry done quite this way before."

"That's because you're no fun. You're too serious."

He walked further into the room, surveying his surroundings. It was huge, with three washers and three dryers and a large sink. There was also a lot of counter space to use for sorting and folding, and a couple rods for hang drying items. His eyes returned to Maddie. Now that he was closer he could see that she looked a little less tired than earlier. "Mads, what are all these clothes from?"

She rolled her eyes. "These are from the last five months. Been on tour a while. This doesn't include my stage clothes."

"My God... Do you really need all these? I mean stores don't even have this much." He paused, shocked at the amount of clothes. "I thought you could do laundry on tour."

"You're so used to having one small duffle bag and packing light from the Navy that you forget how things really are. Plus, I'm a girl," Maddie responded throwing some clothes at him.

"I resent that!" Steve laughed as the clothes hit him. Most of the garments fell right off, but something stuck to his shoulder. Reaching up he grabbed the offending object and held it up. He felt his face heat slightly. "Uh, here you go... I think... yeah," he stuttered as he held the black lacey object out to her. She didn't take it at first because she was enjoying watching him squirm. "Just... here," Steve shook his hand, the item swinging slightly at the movement. Finally, Maddie took pity on him and grabbed it.

"Steve, it's just a bra," she smiled. "I imagine, actually, I hope, you've seen one before."

Steve mock glared at her, shaking his head. "Of course, I've-"

Maddie was enjoying this too much to let him off the hook yet. "Was this your first time holding a bra, Steven?"

"Maddie," Steve sighed. He wasn't a prude, but the second he saw it he pictured her wearing it. At the image, he felt his sweats grow tighter. What is wrong with me? Am I a pubescent teenager that can't control my body? he wondered.

"Steve?" Maddie called, trying to get his attention. It was like he'd suddenly checked out, something he very rarely did. Mischievously, she threw the bra at him, laughing when it landed on his head.

Feeling flustered and confused by his intense reaction to the object, he said, "Maddie, knock it off." He tossed the bra back to her.

Maddie's chest tightened as she dropped it in the lingerie pile she'd started. "It's just a bra."

"Yeah, but it's your bra," he replied.

She felt as if someone had punched her square in the stomach. Wow, she thought. I knew Pete was wrong, but man was he wrong! Not knowing what to say she said, "Okay. I'm sure you have stuff to do." She paused before adding, "I'll just be here sorting, so you don't need to watch my every move. I'm not going anywhere."

Even without her words, Steve felt her shut down, her silly side now gone. He watched her pick up and throw clothes into their respective piles as if her life depended on it. What happened, he wondered. As much as he wanted to ask her what caused the change, he would give her time to try and work it out herself. Especially after what she'd said to him that morning about their emotions running on high and it not being a good time.

"Okay," he said. "But, after this-"

"Yeah, yeah, " Maddie sighed, rolling her eyes. "I have to rest."

"Look at you, you little mind reader," he joked before leaving her to her laundry.

"Here ya go, Mads," Steve said as he placed a bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of her.

"I told you, I'm not hungry."

"I don't care. You only had a little breakfast. Come on, eat," he ordered as he placed the spoon in her hand.

Sitting at the kitchen counter, Maddie glared at him. He's gonna need to relax if I'm staying here with him, she thought. He'd always been overprotective, but this was bad. Leaning against the kitchen island, Steve watched her intently. "You're freaking me out a little."

His eyebrows arched. "Why? What am I doing? Besides taking really good care of you."

"You're just staring at me," she answered. "Yes, you are taking good care of me, even though I don't need you to. I'm fine," she argued, eating a spoonful of soup.

"You're not fooling me, Mads." Steve watched her eat as his mind wandered. She was acting more like herself, but with her feisty side came a distance. He noticed she hadn't touched him in passing or when telling him something. In fact, she'd pulled away a couple times when he'd tried to be that way with her. None of that was normal for her, or for them. To others it might seem like she was getting better, but he worried she was getting worse.

"Hello? Steve?" a voice said, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked at Maddie confused since it wasn't her voice. Using her spoon, she pointed to his left. Steve turned to find none other than Tina Monroe, Maddie's longtime personal assistant.

"Tina!" Steve exclaimed reaching down to envelope her in a hug.

"Finally, I get your attention! I can't hold it against you. Your soulmate should always be able to hypnotize you like that!" Tina said as she hugged him.

"Tina!" Maddie cried, her face turning red. "She's just joking, Steve." She shook her head and glared at Tina.

They pulled out of the hug, and both faced Maddie. "No, I wasn't," Tina announced.

"We are just friends. Always have been, and always will be," Steve told her.

Maddie's heart ached, but she didn't miss a beat. "Exactly!"

"You guys are so stupid." Tina shook her head.

"Anyways," Maddie began, shooting Tina another glare. "How's your sister? The baby?"

"Mads," Steve whispered, pretending to hold a spoon and feed himself.

Rolling her eyes, she picked the utensil back up and took a bite. "Happy?"

"Yes, very!" he retorted.

She shook her head before turning her attention back to Tina. "So…" she smiled.

"My sister's wonderful! So happy!" Tina began. "The baby," she paused, sighing as she grinned. "Oh, Mads... she's beautiful!"

"Do you have any pictures?"

"Of course! What kind of aunt and godmother would I be if I didn't have a million pictures?" Tina joked, pulling out her phone. After locating the picture folder, she handed it to her friend and boss.

Setting her spoon down, Maddie took the phone. A huge smile appeared on her face as her eyes fell on a chunky baby girl asleep in a diaper. "Oh my God!" Maddie squealed. "She's gorgeous!" Looking up she caught Steve's eye. He was smirking and staring at her, enjoying seeing her dimpled smile. "What?" she asked, beginning to blush.

Smirking he shook his head. "Nothing."

Trying to ignore the way her stomach was doing backflips, she leaned forward. "Stevie, look how cute!" Steve leaned forward, meeting her in the middle of the counter. The sides of their heads touched as she showed him the picture.

"She's adorable," Steve said as he smiled at the screen.

"Keep flipping. There's more," Tina revealed, watching the two interact. There's something different here, she thought. They'd always had chemistry, but now it felt electric. She knew it was only a matter of time before something happened between them. Finally!

"I like that one," Steve whispered, finding the current photo especially cute.

"Aw," Maddie cooed. "Wait, this one's my favorite!" Maddie turned to look at Steve, sticking out her bottom lip and arching her brows. Damn, he thought. That face always works on me. Lost in their own world, Steve leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.

Tina's eyes bulged. She had seen him kiss her forehead and nose before, but there was something very intimate about the way he did it now. Here they're looking at baby photos and he turns and kisses her forehead? she thought. This is happening fast. Steve's dad had been right.

An imagine of Maddie pregnant popped into Steve's head. What the hell was that? he thought, inwardly freaking out. Looking at Tina, he leaned away from Maddie and folded his arms across his chest. "She's really cute. Congratulations!"

Maddie handed her the phone and leaned back into the barstool. She tried to catch Steve's eye, but it seemed like he was purposely avoiding her. Deciding to test her theory she pushed away her bowl, still ¾ of the way full, and began to stand.

Steve continued to look at Tina. "I'm gonna see where Pete ran off to. Can you make sure she eats at least half of that?"

Tina nodded. "Sure thing. Good to see you, Steve!"

"You, too," he replied rubbing her shoulder as he walked by.

"Sooo…" Tina began once she was sure Steve was out of earshot. "When are you and Steve gonna have your own gorgeous babies?"

She scoffed. "We're just friends, T."

"Yeah, right! Something's different with you guys... Anything happen?"

Maddie sighed, dropping her spoon in the bowl. "It's possible we kissed," she whispered.

"Oh my God!" Tina squealed in excitement. "And? How was it? He a good kisser? I always thought he would be."

Maddie smiled slowly. "It was… amazing." Her smile grew, her dimples showing. "Yeah, he's a good kisser."

"Oh my God! I can't believe it! You are finally going to get together!" Tina sighed in happiness.

"Tina, it was just a fluke. Our emotions were running on high. I scared and worried the crap out of him, plus we hadn't seen each other in two years."

"Yeah, I noticed he's worried about you. Everything okay? Is he just worried because you haven't been yourself the last few months?"

"I don't know what you guys are talking about. I have been myself. I've just been tired," she lied. "No, he's worried because I fainted when I saw him. I was so tired and he surprised me. Anyway, I hit my head on a marble floor, so he's been smothering me ever since. He's freaked out."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a concussion."

"Just a concussion? How the hell are you going to do this show with a concussion?"

"I'm just gonna do it," Maddie replied. "It'll be fine. Piece of cake!"

Tina looked at her friend and boss noticing she seemed to not feel well. "Okay. Well, if you're sure..."

"I am." Maddie picked the spoon up and took a few more bites. Suddenly she looked at her friend and said, "I'm really glad to have you back. I missed you!"

"Me too, Mads. Me too!"

Thirty minutes later Steve walked in the kitchen to see a nearly empty soup bowl sitting in front of Maddie. He smiled, a small sense of relief washing over him. Reaching across the counter he grabbed the bowl and set it in the sink. He watched her as she listened to Tina. "So, that's what Mr. Kern is requesting with this show."

"Okay. I got it."

"Where do you stand with the new songs?"

"They're done."

"Okay, great! Well, here's the schedule for the next few days," Tina said. "You may want to grab a beer for this," she joked.

Maddie glanced at Steve from the corner of her eye. She knew the schedule was going to be awful, probably giving her barely any time to sleep, which he wasn't gonna be happy about. However, she knew there was no way he was going to leave now that he knew what they were talking about.

"Hey, Tina! Give me a hug!" Pete said as he walked into the room. "You have no idea how much I missed you!" he told her as he held her in a dramatic hug. Maddie and Tina both chuckled.

"What'd I miss?" Steve asked.

Meeting his eyes, Maddie answered, "Tina's sister was pregnant with her first child and was put on bed rest. The two have always been so close, so I sent her back home to help her sister. That was about two months ago. Anyway, since then Pete has acted as my assistant."

"Brother, it is hard. There are so many things to have to worry about and consider." No longer hugging her, Pete looked at Tina. "I don't know how you make it look so easy. You're amazing!"

Maddie reached out and squeezed her hand. "You really are."

"How'd you do, Pete? Screw anything up big time?" Steve asked, chuckling.

Maddie smirked. "We had a few snafus, but nothing major. Pete did an awesome job!"

"Damn straight!" Pete cried.

As they laughed, Steve noticed Maddie lean forward on her elbow, placing her head in her hand. He could see how tired she was. He noticed her complexion was a lot paler than it had been an hour earlier. He looked at his watch and realized she didn't have much time to rest before the barbeque.

Picking up on Steve's concerned look, Tina said, "Anyway, let's go over the schedule."

"Okay, hit me," Maddie mumbled feeling sleepy.

"Alright, tomorrow, Sunday. 6am call time at the Blaisdell Arena. The stage will be finished being built around 10pm tonight. So, all your rehearsals will be there. I figured it would save you time to just do everything there. Is that okay? Or would you rather start out back in the studio and rehearsal rooms?"

"No, you're right. This is an unconventional situation, which calls for an unconventional plan. We do everything right on the stage. All rehearsals," Maddie answered. Steve had always loved watching her in situations like this. She was confident and took charge, and it was no different here. She knew what needed to be done and the fastest and most efficient way to do it.

"Okay, great! So, 6am is the first rehearsal with the band. You'll go over the new songs. Teach them to the guys," Tina said.

"Yeah. However, it will be a closed rehearsal. Any rehearsals where new songs will be played will be closed," Maddie announced.

Tina made a note of the change. "No problem. Now when you say closed…"

"I mean the only people in that room are the ones that will be on stage. I don't want anyone."

Steve's eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. Why doesn't she want anyone in there? he wondered.

"Well, except security," Pete said.

"No. No, Pete. No security in the room. You guys can be on the premises, but I want the room cleared of everyone besides, the band, the dancers, the choreographer, and me."

"No, Maddie. Not with what's going on," Steve chimed in.

"Security will still be there. They can clear the room before I go in if you want. But I want a closed rehearsal," Maddie asserted. Steve shook his head, lips pursed. Maddie knew he'd argue more with her when they were alone, but it wasn't going to matter. Her mind was made up.

Feeling a bit awkward, Tina looked to Maddie. Receiving a small smile and nod from her, she continued. "Okay, you'll rehearse with the band until 12, where you'll break for an hour for lunch. Lyle will come in at 1pm. He'll start choreographing the new songs with you and the dancers until 11pm. Of course, you'll learn the new choreography with the band playing and not to tracks. At some point during the day wardrobe will watch the new numbers and meet with you so they can design the costumes for the new numbers and have them done by, hopefully, Tuesday night. That way you'll be able to run the new numbers in costume, make sure everything is good to go on them. And then you are set to be back home no later than midnight." Remembering something, she added, "Once you and Lyle meet on the new songs, you'll have a better idea what intro videos need to be recorded. Filming those will be added into the schedule accordingly."

"Alright, Monday?" Maddie asked.

"Monday is pretty much the same. Tuesday is just running the show over and over and whatever else needs to be done. Wednesday… is different. You have a press conference at 9am. Then you head over to Noelani Elementary School from 10-11am. Then to your alma mater, Kukui High School, from 1-2. You'll visit the children's wing at Honolulu Hospital at 2:45. Back to the arena by 4pm. Into hair and makeup by 5:15pm, Meet and Greet at 6:45pm. Hair and Makeup touch ups before the show's 8:45pm start time. For this particular show the set time has gone from 120 minutes to 165 minutes. So, you should be done by 11:30pm. Now because this is a live show that will be aired on HBO you will have to do some small press things in between other scheduled things. Sorry, I know you don't like show days being that booked. Especially after 3 days of insane rehearsals."

Maddie was panicking a little inside. How the hell am I going to pull this off? She wondered. This would be exhausting if I was fully rested, but I haven't been that for months. "Okay, no problem," Maddie convincingly lied.

Pete and Steve remained silent as the schedule was read and said nothing once Tina finished. They both knew this was going to be nearly impossible for Maddie to do. Now wasn't the time to get into it with her. Steve wanted to get her to lie down before the barbeque, which both he and Pete agreed was a terrible idea. Now that she'd heard the schedule Steve noticed she looked even more exhausted.

"Maddie," Steve said. "You're tired. Come on…" He walked around the counter and stood next to her. She slid out of the chair, slightly losing her balance as her feet hit the ground. He immediately reached his arm out to steady her. However, once she was steady she pulled away from him. She was confused and hurt over his weird behavior earlier in the kitchen. She didn't understand why he'd spoken to her through Tina. Now more than ever she felt the need to protect herself.

Maddie began walking towards the stairs, Steve following behind. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned to him, "I'll be fine."

He furrowed his eyebrows, confused. "You don't want me to come?" he whispered. He'd noticed that if he held her the nightmares seemed to be less frequent.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm fine. You don't need to watch me every moment."

Why is she pushing me away again? he wondered, confused. "Okay… but I have my phone on me if you need me."

"Okay, but I'll be fine," Maddie replied.

"Mads, if you have a nightmare I want you to call me. I don't want you up there upset and alone. Okay?" he asked looking into her eyes.

"Of course, but like I said, I'll,"

"Be fine," he finished, interrupting her.

"Yes."

He watched her as she turned and walked upstairs. Disappointed and confused, Steve walked back into the kitchen. Tina and Pete were pretending they hadn't been watching the entire interaction. Not wanting to deal with the questions, he decided he'd call Charlie to see if he had any update.

Overwhelmed and sad, Maddie climbed in bed, burrowing into the duvet. She fought the tears that stung her eyes, deciding there would be no more crying over Steve. She'd only be home for a month or two then she'd be back on the road and wouldn't have to see him. She wouldn't constantly be reminded of what she couldn't have and she knew he'd be safe then. Until that time, she'd just have to live moment by moment, one day at a time. The upside to the craziness of the next few days was that she'd be away from him and have time to build her walls up. If she didn't, she didn't know how she'd survive her time in Hawaii, especially if he pursued Lori. She was so tired that, even with everything weighing on her, she fell asleep quickly.