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

AUTHOR'S NOTE: You guys rock! Thank you soooo much for the kind words! You are the BEST! I had some new reviewers this time and it was sooo awesome to hear from you guys! Please, please keep it up!

As always, thoughts are in italics.

This is a big chapter for Steve... you'll see why. I am DYING to know what you guys think of it, so please let me know! Whether it's good or bad! I gotta know!

Chapter 20 is done, but I want to give everyone a chance to reach this chapter before I post it. I want this one to sink in. But I'm really anxious to post ch.20... sooo I might put it up later tonight. I could be persuaded. lol.

Anyway, again...THANKS SO MUCH for your awesome reviews! And please let me know what you think of this chapter!

I'll stop rambling and let you get to it!

xoxo

DivaLola

CHAPTER 19

"Why thank you for joining the party!" Danny joked as he spotted Joe and Maddie.

Steve's head shot up and he looked in the direction of the house. He smiled seeing them arm in arm. "Here's the bread, guys. Sorry for the delay!" Maddie said, trying to sound cheerful as she set the basket on the table.

"And don't forget the salad dressing," Joe added.

Maddie glanced at the table noticing only two chairs open. One was at the further end of the table, while the other was right across from Steve. She wanted nothing more than to take the first one, but Gracie stopped her. "I saved you a seat!"

"Thank you, sweetie!" Maddie answered, walking towards the spot. Joe pulled out the chair for her and once she was seated pushed it in. Before he walked away he bent down and whispered, "Don't give up on him, and don't push him away."

Looking down in front of her she noticed her plate already had food on it. It had everything she liked. She was confused as she watched people reaching for food and filling their plates. Maddie was just about to ask if this was someone's plate when a hand dropped a piece of bread on it. She didn't need to look up to see who it belonged to, but she did anyway. Steve sat across from her, bread basket in his hand as he stared at her. She knew making her plate was his way of trying to say sorry. He obviously felt bad for upsetting her, but did he even know why she was hurt?

The two stared into one another's eyes for what felt like minutes. She was so sad that she didn't really know what to do. Did she say something? Did she ignore him? She wanted to listen to Joe and not push him away, but she didn't want to hurt like this anymore. Plus, she had a stalker after her, who, in turn, was also after him. It was just too much; she couldn't think clearly.

Steve stared into her gorgeous blue eyes and could tell she'd been crying. Noticing her face was a little red and puffy, he knew she hadn't just been crying, but sobbing. Plus, she was still softly hiccupping and sniffling. I'm such an asshole, he thought. He wanted to fix everything, but wasn't sure how. He didn't want to admit to himself why she was upset, but seeing her so sad physically hurt. They continued staring at one another, neither one knowing what to say or do to break the ice or mend the fence.

Finally, the moment was interrupted by Danny. "So, Pete, I've been wanting to ask... what's with all the keys?"

Maddie's eyes widened slightly and her face flushed. What's that about? Steve wondered, noting her reaction.

"Well, interesting story. You wanna tell it, Maddie?" Pete said from his spot towards the other end of the table.

Maddie looked at her food. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, okay," He grinned mischievously. "I'll refresh your memory." By the look on his face and the smartass, silly tone to his voice, everyone couldn't wait to hear what he had to say.

"I was afraid Maddie was going to run," he directly said.

Steve stared at Maddie, his eyes narrowing slightly. She pretended she didn't understand. "When? Tonight?" she asked, playing dumb.

"Yes, tonight," Pete grinned at her, his eyebrows arched.

"I'm offended. I would never do that," she claimed.

Ryan and Pete cracked up. Hearing him laugh beside her, Maddie elbowed Ryan. "Sorry," he mumbled, covering his mouth as he tried to stifle his laughter.

"Okay, what are we missing?" Chin asked.

"Let's just say when Maddie gets overwhelmed or upset, she tends to take off," Ryan told them.

"That is absolutely not true!" Maddie defended, her eyes wide in mock innocence.

"Oh, you're right, sometimes you do it just to drive Pete crazy," Ryan added, chuckling.

Maddie couldn't help it, she started giggling as she pictured the look on Pete's face the last time she "ran off".

"Madeline Lily Stewart," Steve growled.

"Well, his face is priceless! I'm just trying to keep him on his toes!" Maddie exclaimed, laughing. While he hated the idea she was taking off without security, he also reveled in the sound of her laughter. She used to laugh all the time, and, God, he missed it.

"Son, you're a Navy Seal, and I trained you. How does she get away from you?" Joe asked.

"She is sneaky! And fast! I mean what do you expect? She grew up with that one!" Pete pointed to Steve refusing to make eye contact with him.

"Okay, I'll give you that one. The two were always up to something when they were kids," Joe said.

"Hey!" Maddie and Steve exclaimed in unison. Hearing each other yell at the same time they turned, looking at one another. Steve smiled a little at her, testing the waters. I'll listen to Joe. I'll throw Steve a teeny, tiny, little bone, she thought and gave him the faintest of smiles. Jealous of Steve's constant attention on Maddie, Lori put her arm through Steve's and leaned into him. "Shocker! You were a handful as a kid," she laughed, smiling at him. Maddie's stomach churned at the sight. He watched the tiny smile he'd finally gotten out of her fall from her face as she looked down at her plate. Damn. Why did she stop smiling, Steve wondered, oblivious to the entire situation. Feeling Lori snuggling into his side as she ate, he felt uncomfortable. He wished he could tell her to let go of his arm, but he didn't want to do it in front of everyone. He was forced to lean slightly into her so that it didn't feel so much like she was pulling on his arm.

Ryan watched what happened and things suddenly began to make sense. Wanting to help them realize what everyone else had known for years, he decided he'd try to make Steve jealous. Maybe if he got jealous he'd realize how he really felt about her. This'll be fun, he mischievously thought.

"Paris, France... 7 months ago. So... September? Yeah... September," Ryan began.

Maddie's eyes immediately widened in panic as she turned to him, shaking her head, "Ry... No."

"It's funny, Mads! Come on!" he told her, smiling conspiratorially. I'm trying to help you, he thought, wishing she could read his mind.

Realizing there was no stopping him, she placed her elbow on the table and set her head in her hand as she picked at her food with her fork. Steve watched the two interact, curious at her reaction.

"We had just finished a big TV appearance. It was late by the time we got back to the hotel. About midnight, I think. Anyway, Pete locked down Maddie's room for the night and then headed to his next door. Little did he know that Maddie had been seeing someone new for a month or so. She'd met him in the states before we left for the overseas press tour. She was keeping it hush hush, so no one knew, not even me," Ryan turned to Maddie. "Which, I am still mad about, by the way."

"Really, Ry? You wanna talk about that now? And do you really have to tell this story?" Maddie asked, gritting her teeth.

"Yeah, he's not stopping now," Steve said, his jaw clenched. He didn't like where this was going. He didn't understand why he was so annoyed at the idea of her with some guy. She'd dated guys in the past. Plus, he hadn't even heard the story yet.

Maddie rested her head back in her hand as she sighed. Seriously? I don't need this right now, she thought. Setting her fork down she reached for her beer and took a few long swigs of the golden liquid.

"Anyway, since the two had been away from one another for two weeks, her new boyfriend flew to Paris for a couple days to see her. Maddie had to be quick and quiet if she wanted to leave her room and get to his on another floor without getting caught. She did it, of course, and no one had any idea! So, morning comes…"

Everyone laughed as they heard Pete grumble and groan just thinking about the incident.

Ryan smiled, "Tina goes to wake Maddie up and what do ya know? No Maddie! She runs next door to Pete's room, frantic, hoping, for some reason, she was with him. Of course, she wasn't, and chaos erupts." He paused for effect. "I mean chaos! Pete is upset, and really scared."

"Can I just add something?" Pete interrupted.

Maddie groaned burying her face in her arms. "I really wish you wouldn't," she mumbled, her face smashed in her arms. Steve's going to freak, she thought.

"We'd had some threats that week," Pete revealed.

"What kind of threats?" Rachel asked.

"A couple death threats, a couple kidnapping threats," Pete answered.

"Legit?" Chin asked, concerned.

Pete's face grew extremely serious as he nodded. "Oh yeah, they panned out. Big time."

Steve was livid. He was staring at Maddie, but she was hiding in her hands. To get her to look up at him he stretched his legs out under the table and wiggled them against hers. Reluctantly, she lifted her head, meeting his eyes. Steve glared at her, "Really, Maddie?"

"What? I thought he was exaggerating or lying after what happened in London the week before. I thought he was just trying to scare me into staying with him every moment of every day. Never having a single moment to myself." She stopped, sighing deeply. "There's always some kind of threat."

"That's why you have security," Steve responded. She pouted. Her safety had always been the one thing they argued about, until now. Now they seemed to fight about everything.

Kono whistled, shaking her head as she smirked. "I remember the London story. You screwed with Pete two weeks in a row? Oh, Pete!" She reached across the table patting his arm in sympathy.

"What'd you do in London?" Steve asked even angrier now.

Maddie was frustrated. Why was Steve acting like a worried boyfriend when there was a woman literally hanging on him, and after he'd told her she was like his sister? "It doesn't matter. It was months ago. You don't get to be like this with me... brother!" she snapped icily.

He inwardly cringed. Although she was trying to hide behind attitude, he saw a glimpse of hurt in her crystal blue eyes. Why did I have to tell her she's like a sister to me? he thought. He knew trying to convince her otherwise was going to be tough with the headspace she was in. "Fine," Steve growled, leaning back in his chair, frustrated at the situation and jealous of a man he knew nothing about.

Wanting to break the tension Danny said, "Don't be surprised if in the VERY near future we lock you two in a room together. You guys just need to…"

"Danny," Rachel hissed, motioning to Gracie who was trying to keep up with the conversation.

"Do what Daddy?" Grace asked. "What do Uncle Steve and Aunt Maddie need to do?"

Maddie smiled hearing Grace refer to her as "Aunt Maddie". I've never been "aunt" to anyone before, she thought happily, subconsciously running her left hand down Gracie's hair as she gulped down the rest of her beer.

"Nothing monkey... adult things. Uncle Steve and Aunt Maddie need to do adult things. Desperately," Danny smirked.

"In a locked room?" Grace asked confused.

Maddie and Steve's faces were turning red and they were unable to look at one another, as everyone laughed. Still furious and a bit tipsy from drinking four beers on a nearly empty stomach, Maddie set down her empty bottle and said, "But, you don't do that stuff with your sister... sooo…"

Her comment surprised Steve. Does that mean she wants to sleep with me? he wondered, the thought making him happy, which confused the shit out of him. But if she wanted to go there, why'd she push me to try things with Lori? Steve eyed her empty beer bottle. How many had she had? Three? Four? She must not have realized what her comment insinuated, he surmised. As he drank from his own beer, he couldn't believe she'd said what she had. She was pretty private about things like that. In fact, she didn't ever talk to him about any liaisons she had.

While everyone was shocked at what Maddie said, they were also glad she'd said it, hoping it would help Steve get his head out of his ass. Well, everyone except Lori. She was jealous as she tried to think of how to get his attention off Maddie. Unconsciously, her grip tightened on Steve's arm.

No one noticed that Gracie was sitting at the table deep in thought. "Like have babies?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "That kind of adult thing?"

After Gracie's first question Maddie thought she couldn't have been more embarrassed, but she was wrong. Her face was now so red and hot she had to keep from holding the second beer she'd brought out against it. Thank God I'm not completely sober, she thought, unsure of what to do or say.

Steve had just taken a huge sip of beer when Gracie asked her question. Not expecting it he began choking as some beer spewed from his mouth.

"Are you okay?" Lori asked. He nodded while coughing, his eyes watering.

After a minute, the coughing subsided and he regained his composure. "Are you sure you're okay?" Lori asked, rubbing his bicep.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled. Desperately wanting to see Maddie's reaction he stole a quick glance. She was bright red as she picked up the second beer she'd brought out. Staring at her, the image he'd already seen twice that day popped into his head. The one where he was holding Maddie who was pregnant with his child. This time the image only scared him a little. Mainly it made him smile at the thought of them eventually having children together. I don't even want to know what that means, he sighed. Feeling Lori lace her arm through his again, he tensed, feeling unbelievably uncomfortable. He knew he'd have to have talk to her soon and let her down easy.

"I wanna hear the rest of the story," Malia spoke up, deciding it was time for a topic change.

Ryan squeezed Maddie's right forearm in silent support before continuing the story. "We had a lot of the rooms on that floor, so Pete started going up and down banging on all the doors and searching the rooms. Even rooms with people we didn't know. Best part? Maddie and Pete had made a silly wager that Pete lost." Maddie giggled as Pete groaned. "Because he lost he had to wear a cartoon covered onesie that Maddie had bought him." Ryan couldn't stop his laughter as he recalled the image of Pete that morning. "So, wearing the onesie and with his gun in one hand he searched for her. Look, I have a video!"

"Dude! I told you to delete that," Pete cried in humiliation.

Ryan shrugged unabashedly as he pulled out his phone and passed the video around. Everyone laughed as they saw it. While Steve smirked, he was also mad. He stared at Maddie as he sipped his beer, his eyes filled with anger that she'd risked her safety. He hated when she did that.

"So, what happened?" Malia asked after passing the video down the table.

"Pete went down, still in his onesie, to the hotel's security office. He started going through footage trying to figure out where she'd gone. If she was even still in the hotel. He eventually figured out what floor she'd gotten off on." Ryan chuckled at the memory. "He was so confident as he strolled down the hall thinking he found her. Again, he pounded on all the doors. But, Maddie was no dummy."

Maddie couldn't help but smirk at the next part. However, when she did Steve narrowed his eyes at her.

"So, Maddie had tricked Pete. Yes, she got off on that floor, but she knew the cameras were only in the elevators. So, she took the stairs, where she knew there weren't any cameras. She went to the real floor her new boyfriend was staying on, dodging every camera along the way."

Finally, Steve's glare became too much, making her uncomfortable. "Pete had met him right when we first started seeing one another. I introduced him as my friend because we were just getting to know each other. But Pete hated him, so I kept the relationship a secret for the time being. Steve, I wanted to see my boyfriend. I didn't have a choice!"

Steve met her eyes and snapped, "Why are you telling me this? I don't care." He was filled with guilt as he watched the look on her face. She felt like he'd punched her in the stomach. Damn, he cursed. He'd let his anger get the best of him and he'd hurt her, again. Ashamed and embarrassed he looked down at his hands.

"Are they always like this," Danny whispered to Pete.

"No, actually they're never like this. They usually only fight about security. I think it's everything that's going on with Maddie and then the fact they're starting to realize they aren't just friends," he whispered back.

"Pete was right to hate him, Mads. He almost killed you months later!" Ryan said, not thinking through exactly what he was saying, and who he was saying it in front of.

Steve's head shot up, his eyes wild. "Excuse me?"

Maddie looked panicked. She had never wanted Steve to find out about this. Quick, think of something to say, she thought. Still unable to look at him, and hurt by what he'd said a minute before she responded, "I thought you didn't care?"

Steve wanted to know what the hell this guy had done and her response only infuriated him. Every vein in his forehead was popping out as he glared at her. "Madeline... tell me... NOW!" he roared through clenched teeth.

Kono and Pete knew if Steve found out anything more about the situation he'd hunt down the guy and kill him. No exaggeration. There was a reason they hadn't told him about it the other day. Knowing the subject absolutely had to change, Kono said, "How'd you find her, Pete?"

Still furious, Steve was about to interrupt and ask Ryan what he was talking about, when he felt Chin's hand on his arm. Trying to get Steve to relax, Chin exaggerated taking a deep breath. Reluctantly, Steve followed his advice, slowly breathing in and out while he tried to calm down. While he recognized this wasn't the time, he'd find out what the hell they were all hiding from him later.

Pete looked at Kono gratefully. "I'm not proud to say that it took me almost two hours. But I eventually pieced it all together and found out what room the guy was staying in."

"And he knocked down the door!" Maddie said, finally finding her voice as she avoided Steve's eyes. "Literally, he knocked the door down!"

"Sounds like something Steve would do," Danny quipped.

"Well, no one was answering and I freaked out! I thought something happened to you! That guy gave me the creeps! Plus, I was mad at you!" Pete responded.

"It was in the morning. We were asleep!"

"Wait! Let me finish my story! It gets funnier!" Ryan interjected. "Anyway, so he breaks down the door and grabs Maddie. He throws her over his shoulder and brings her back to our floor. The sight of them was so funny that I had to snap a picture."

Once again Ryan passed his phone around the table. Finally, it got to Steve who was still fuming. He looked down to see a very angry and disheveled Pete in his cartoon character onesie with his arm firmly holding Maddie, her hair a mess and wearing some sort of silk looking nightie. She was mad in the photo, but also trying not to laugh because of the absurdity of this Navy Seal running around like a crazy man with a gun while wearing silly pajamas. Steve immediately thrust the phone at Ryan who tried to hide his smirk at the jealousy he saw in his eyes. Steve was trying not to think of why she was wearing lingerie.

"You could have been killed," Chin told her, shaking his head. "I can't believe you did that."

"It's not like I went off with some random guy I'd just met. We were dating."

Danny looked at Steve who was still glowering at Maddie. "Uh oh, Steve has aneurysm face. Out of control aneurysm face. Maddie, you seem to be really good at giving him that."

"Shut up, Danno!" Steve snapped, his eyes still narrowed at her.

"Alright, change of subject!" Tina announced.

"I second that!" Maddie replied taking a sip of beer.

They were almost through with dinner when Maddie's band arrived. "Hi guys!" she greeted, standing and giving them each a hug. "Please, help yourself! There's enough food!"

Returning to her seat she picked some more at the plate of food Steve made her when she felt a tug at her t-shirt. Looking to her left she found Gracie's earnest little face looking at her. "I was wondering if you'd sing something?"

To be honest Maddie felt awful. She hadn't been feeling great all night, but the last 30 minutes she began to feel much worse rather quickly. Her head was killing her and her body was aching. This was the longest she'd gone without lying down and resting in the last couple days. She was hoping if she continued to drink beer it would help her not notice the pain. She was on her second one with dinner, her fifth one of the night, and she was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol. Steve kept glancing at her, having settled down quite a bit, while Lori continued to vie for his attention. Maddie watched as Lori whispered something in his ear, pulling his attention from quickly looked away, bringing her focus back to Gracie.

Not feeling well enough to really sing, but not wanting to disappoint her, Maddie said, "Of course! We can do a couple songs!"

"New ones?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ryan said you have a lot of new ones. Can I hear those?" Gracie asked.

Most of those are about Steve or the stalker currently ruining my life, Maddie thought nervously. "But the band doesn't know them. They haven't heard them," she explained trying to get out of singing anything new in front of anyone, especially Steve.

"Yeah, but I know you. You have the songs already arranged and charted out for each instrument. It's the perfectionist in you. All you have to do is give them to the band and they can play 'em no problem," Ryan said. She squinted her eyes at him. What is he up to? First that story and now this? she thought.

Ryan was hoping that by singing the songs in front of Steve it would help things between them. Or maybe she'd reveal something about whatever she'd been hiding the last few months. He wanted the old, happy Maddie back.

Sighing, Maddie couldn't refuse her. Turning to the band she asked, "What do you think? You up for a couple songs?"

They all smiled. "Depends. Are you gonna jam with us? Or just sing?" a brown-haired man dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt and a grey zip up hoodie asked her in between bites of a hamburger.

"Sure, Ben! I'll jam with you!" Maddie grinned at her lead guitarist and musical director.

"Awesome! Then we're in!"

Maddie turned to Gracie. "Well, there you have it!" she said, running her fingers through the young girl's hair. "I'll go set things up while they eat." She got up slowly, her body aching and her head throbbing, and took her barely eaten food inside.

Steve waited a minute before excusing himself from the table hoping it didn't look like he was following her. He wanted to try and make some sort of peace with her.

Setting her plate on the counter Maddie leaned against it, feeling terrible. She was so off in her own little world she didn't hear Steve come in.

Maddie had done an amazing job designing the patio, including the ivy growing in the wooded structure above it. Woven in the ivy were strands of small, white twinkle lights. Although it set an amazing mood, it wasn't as bright as it was inside the house. Now that Steve could see her in the brightly lit kitchen he saw how pale she was. Although he was still upset over the stories he'd heard at dinner and frustrated and confused over her behavior and what was going on between them, his concern over her took precedence. He could tell she didn't feel well. He needed to convince her to get in bed so she could rest before tomorrow's rehearsal. Quietly, he approached her.

"Feeling okay?" Steve asked leaning on the counter next to her.

She jumped a bit, not realizing he was there. "Yeah, I'm good." She straightened and began to walk towards the stairs, obvious that she was trying to keep her distance from him.

"Where are you going?" he called after her.

"Just to the restroom quickly," she told him stopping in the middle of the stairs.

"Maddie, you barely ate anything." Steve held up her plate. "I'm gonna wrap this up and stick it in the fridge. You can have some later."

"I thought you were done worrying about me... brother. That you didn't care," Maddie snapped, however it was obvious she didn't have a lot of energy left to fight him.

"Come on, seriously? Stop fighting me so much and let's just talk about what's going on between us."

Does that mean he feels something between us? the thought made her happy. Nervous, but happy. But she knew she shouldn't risk his safety. "There's nothing going on between us," she lied.

"You're trying to tell me that we've always fought like this? No, Mads, we haven't," Steve responded still standing in the kitchen. I wish she'd come back down instead of standing in the middle of the stairs, he thought.

Maddie's face dropped when she realized she'd misunderstood. You're so stupid, she berated herself. Of course, he'd meant they should talk about why they were fighting so much.

Catching her reaction Steve asked, "Wait, what just happened?"

Feeling broken, she softly said, "Nothing," before walking the rest of the way upstairs and to her bedroom.

Steve groaned in frustration. Pete had not been kidding when he said she was not herself and that something was really off. He had to figure out a way to get through to her, to get her to talk to him. He could see she was carrying the weight of the world, and she was drowning. He sighed audibly as he covered her plate and put it in the fridge, slamming the door in frustration and anger.

He ran into Pete as he exited the back door. Pete purposely smacked into his shoulder as he passed by. Steve turned around, "What the hell?"

Pete glared at him briefly and then started to turn and walk away, ignoring him.

"What? What's your problem?" Steve asked, irritated.

Pete turned back around and approached him. "You're a fucking idiot!" Pete whispered angrily.

"You can't call me an idiot without telling me why," Steve countered.

"I told you to open your eyes! You're not even trying! And then you say that to her? That she's like a sister to you! And what was all that at dinner?" Pete cried in frustration, his voice louder than he intended. Realizing he was nearly yelling he looked around, hoping no one had heard him.

"What do you mean I'm not even trying? I don't know what else to do. She won't let me in."

Pete scraped his top teeth against his lip in anger. "I told you something was wrong. She's scared of something. She's never gonna tell you what it is if you keep fucking shit up."

Steve nearly snarled at him. "I can't seem to do anything right with her." He growled in frustration, shoving his fingers through his hair.

"Maybe it's not what you aren't doing, but what you are doing that's the problem!" Pete seethed getting in Steve's face.

Pete knew one of the things Steve couldn't stand and would set him off was when his personal space was invaded. "Why don't you stop talking in riddles and just tell me what's going on! And while you're at it get out of my face!"

"Oh crap," Danny mumbled. "I know what happens next from personal experience." He began to stand hoping to put an end to things before it got physical, but Joe stopped him.

"Let them get it out of their systems. Trust me," Joe said, shaking his head at the two men acting like children.

"What are you going to do about it?" Pete said poking him in the chest, his face now only inches from Steve's. The second the question was out of his mouth and his finger on his chest, Steve grabbed Pete's hand and twisted his entire arm to the right forcing Pete's back to him. It was exactly what he'd done to Danny when they'd first met. However, unlike Danny, Pete was a Navy Seal and fought back. Pete took his right leg and kicked Steve in the stomach from behind.

"Ugh," Steve groaned bending over in pain, automatically releasing Pete's arm. However, he wasn't down long. Just as Pete turned to face him, Steve landed a powerful right hook to his face. "I told you to get out of my face!"

Not even phased by the hit or the blood dripping from his nose, Pete caught Steve's left arm as he went to land another punch. He pulled Steve towards him by his arm kneeing him in the gut and landing a punch to his face. "You're going to lose her if you keep this up!" he hissed to a bent over Steve.

Ignoring the blood dripping from his nose, Steve came right back at him, lunging at his stomach and pushing him back into one of the porch columns. "Ugh," Pete groaned as his back collided with the hard column.

"I don't know what else to do! Tell me!" Steve growled.

The men paused, making everyone believe they were done. "Stop fighting it! Stop being an ass! She's a mess already. She's lost. She doesn't need this from you. You're killing her," Pete whispered. He didn't want anyone to overhear what they were fighting about, even though everyone assumed.

Steve held him against the column, distracted by what he'd just said, which gave Pete the advantage. He smirked right before he smashed his head into Steve's. "Son of a bitch!" Steve mumbled as he stumbled back holding his bleeding forehead. His vision blurred for a split second.

Standing in front of him Pete glared at Steve. "I think after the show I should just take her to Los Angeles... or anywhere away from you."

Steve lost it. He ran at Pete, fury in his eyes, and landed a couple of really hard punches to his face. "You're not taking her anywhere. You can't do that! Something's not right. She isn't safe!"

Steve would not stop punching Pete, in the stomach and in the face. Apparently by saying that Pete had hit a nerve, and Steve's "ninja side" came out, which meant he needed to get Steve off him as soon as possible. Realizing he had a set of keys in his pocket, he used one on Steve the next time he came at him, digging it deep into his arm. Pete managed to make a three-inch cut on his left arm. Steve stepped back grabbing his arm in shock. No weapons when you fight your friends, he thought as he watched the blood ooze from his wound.

"Why do you even care where I take her?" Pete asked before punching him in the face again.

"Because…" Steve replied stepping forward to hit Pete, but he'd let his emotions get to him at this point, something they were trained not to let happen. Because when they did, they had a bigger chance of getting killed or in this case get their ass kicked. Pete landed another punch to his face.

"Like I said, you're an idiot!" Pete yelled hitting him one more time, this time even harder.

"Peter Joshua Lambert and Steven Jack McGarrett!" Maddie yelled from the doorway to the patio. "Stop it now!"

At the sound of her angry voice Steve turned to her, blood everywhere. Pete couldn't help himself and punched him one more time in the face.

"Pete! Knock it off! What the hell?" she cried.

"He deserves it!" Pete defended his actions.

Maddie looked at Steve. Even with the pain in his face, arm, and head, Steve recognized she looked like she didn't feel well. "Mads? You okay?" he mumbled, blood coming out of his mouth as he spoke. He wobbled slightly in her direction.

"Steve, go upstairs. Wait for me in the bathroom."

"You're gonna help him first?" Steve argued, sounding just like he did as a kid.

"Just go! And don't get blood on the carpet!" Maddie snapped.

Lori jumped up from her seat at the patio table and hurried to him. "Oh my God, Steve! Here, let me help you!" She put her arm around him.

Steve wiggled out of her grasp and began walking towards the door. "No, I'll just wait for Mads upstairs. But thanks, Lori."

"Now that was the best move you've made all night," Pete smirked. As Steve passed Pete he punched him in the groin. As Pete went down he was able to hit Steve there, too. Both men fell to the ground, groaning in pain as they grabbed themselves.

"You are both children!" Maddie seethed. "When you can stand up, Pete meet me in the kitchen and Steve go upstairs," she said before walking inside to grab the first aid kit.

Maddie hadn't wanted to freak Steve out, but her stomach had begun to churn as they spoke in the kitchen. When she realized what he meant when he told her he wanted to talk about what was going on between them, the nausea increased. As soon as she was out of his eyesight she started running down the hall to her room. She flew through her bedroom door and into her bathroom. She made it just in time to drop to her knees and empty her stomach's contents in the toilet.

A few tears slid down her face as she thought about how much she wished Steve was there with her. It had been so nice to have him behind her holding her hair and rubbing her back the other times she'd thrown up. "When am I going to start feeling better? I feel terrible. Worse than I have all day," she told herself. However, she knew the nausea and vomiting had nothing to do with her concussion or even that she'd been drinking. It was emotional, just like it had been the night before after she'd gotten the text message.

Maddie sat there for a few minutes waiting to see if she'd vomit again. She knew she needed to get moving. Steve would come looking for her if she was gone too long. He was such a worrier lately. If he found her bent over the toilet he'd force her to go to bed and she'd disappoint Gracie. Groaning, she stood on shaky legs. Actually, all of her felt shaky. Ugh I feel awful, she thought.

Walking over to the sink she quickly brushed her teeth. Maddie stared at her reflection. No wonder Steve had asked her how she was feeling. She looked horrible. Grabbing her foundation, she applied some and then added a bit of blush. Her hands were shaking, making it hard to apply makeup so she added mascara and then gave up. As she exited her room, she took a deep breath. She was about to give herself a pep talk when she heard a loud bang downstairs. "What the hell?" she whispered, hurrying down the hall. She was halfway down the stairs when she was able to see out of the living room and kitchen windows. What on earth? Maddie wondered as she saw Steve and Pete fighting like a bunch of high school kids. Rushing to the door she yelled at the two of them, using their full names to get their attention. "Peter Joshua Lambert and Steven Jack McGarrett! Stop it now!"

Steve immediately turned to her and she cringed at how beat up he was. That's not like him. He normally kicks the other guys' ass! she thought. Pete used the moment to his advantage and punched him one more time in the face. Maddie winced. "Pete! Knock it off! What the hell?"

"He deserves it!" Pete claimed.

Yes, he does, Maddie thought. However, she immediately felt bad for the thought when he stumbled slightly towards her and asked if she was okay. He's worried about me right now? Blood just flew out of his mouth when he spoke. "Steve, go upstairs. Wait for me in my bathroom."

"You're gonna help him first?" Steve argued like a petulant child.

"Just go! And don't get blood on the carpet!"

Lori rushed to his side. "Oh my God, Steve! Here, let me help you!"

Maddie's stomach sunk, disappointed. Even though she was upset and mad at Steve, she was still worried about him. She wanted to be the one to take care of him, but she knew he was going to go with Lori.

"No, I'll just wait for Mads upstairs. But thanks, Lori," Steve said, completely disregarding her. Maddie smiled inwardly, while a grin appeared on Pete's face.

"Now that was the best move you've made all night," Pete smirked at Steve as he walked by. Her eyes rounded as Steve turned and punched him in the groin. However, Pete was quick and hit him there, too. Both men ended up on the ground writhing in pain.

Ugh, Maddie thought. She felt too awful to deal with their bullshit. "You are both children! When you can stand up, Pete meet me in the kitchen and Steve, go upstairs!" She demanded angrily and then walked inside to grab the first aid kit.

Maddie walked into the kitchen with the first aid kit to see Pete sitting at the bar waiting for her. "Really, Pete? What the hell happened?" she asked him.

"He pissed me off! I hate that he's hurting you!" he told her as she started dabbing at the cuts on his face.

"I should have never told you how I feel." She didn't want to come in between their friendship.

"No, I'm glad you did. It felt good to have you trust me with something. Like how it used to be."

"But you told him, didn't you?" she asked as she stopped what she was doing. She didn't realize she was holding her breath as she waited for his answer.

"No, Maddie. I promised I wouldn't."

Wiping some blood off his cheek, Maddie asked, "What started the fight?"

Pete sighed. "The fact he's hurting you. It just pisses me off that he's in denial over his feelings for you. I mean it was so obvious at dinner. That's why he was so upset. He was completely jealous! Like out of control jealous!"

"Pete, he doesn't think of me that way," she sighed.

"Maddie, he's been head over heels in love with you at least since I've known him. He's just too scared to admit it. He's a guy and he's Steve, what do you expect?"

Maddie ignored what he'd just said. She couldn't get her hopes up that Steve felt the same way because either way they couldn't be together. That fact didn't make it any easier to watch him with someone else though. She stopped what she was doing and leaned against the counter across from him. "Continue," she prompted.

While she cleaned him up, he relayed what had happened.

At the end, Maddie sighed and said, "Pete, I appreciate it. I do, but this is between Steve and me."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I just hate seeing you upset," Pete told her standing up and pulling her into a hug.

"I don't want our problems affecting your friendship," Maddie said against his shoulder.

"I know, and we are still friends. It's just, I'm gonna call him out when he's an ass, whether you're part of it or not. That's what friends do," Pete told her still holding her against him as he squeezed her.

Maddie laughed, pulling away from him. "And friends kick each other's asses?"

"Hell yes!" Pete chuckled.

"Hey, Mads, let me finish cleaning him up. I checked on Steve. Wanted to make sure he didn't need any stitches. Thought I could start getting him cleaned up, but he won't let me near him. He wants you," Malia relayed as she suddenly appeared next to them.

Sighing loudly, she quickly grabbed two cold beers, one for him and one for her, and walked slowly towards the stairs. She knew she'd need the liquid courage to be alone with him right now. She trudged upstairs, wanting nothing more than to just lie down.

Steve walked in Maddie's room, his head killing him from not only being head butted, but from all the punches he took. What did Pete mean by 'that was the best move you made all night?', he wondered.

Not wanting to get blood on the carpet, he walked towards her bathroom, but stopped when he noticed her laptop open on the bed. "Is that what you were doing up here, Mads?" He inched closer to it. "For what I wonder?" Steve knew he shouldn't invade her privacy, but he was desperate for some answers at this point. He returned to her bedroom door and closed it before going back to her bed. Reaching forward he rubbed his finger on the mouse pad and the computer immediately came to life. At the password prompt, he typed in the first word that came to mind. It dinged, rejecting it. He paused, thinking for a minute. Sydney Bristow, he thought, smirking. "I really have to have a talk with her about picking harder passwords," he mumbled as it accepted the password.

Steve's heart stopped as he read her travel itinerary. "She's leaving?" he whispered, swallowing hard. Is Pete right? I'm hurting her that bad that she'd run? From me? he worried. She couldn't go. He'd just gotten her back in his life, and someone was after her. Hearing the door open behind him he froze. Crap! She's gonna be mad!

"Steve, stop snooping on her computer," Joe said. "Get in the bathroom. You're about to get blood on the carpet."

He couldn't have been more relieved to hear Joe's voice instead of Maddie's. Looking down Steve realized he was right, so he darted across the room to her bathroom. Once inside he plopped down on the stool in front of her vanity.

"What's going on, son?" Joe asked him, leaning against the bathroom counter. He hadn't planned on talking to him until they had lunch, but things were getting out of control. Emotions were obviously running on high.

"I don't know," Steve confessed putting his head in his hands.

"Well, let me help you figure it out. Because things are getting messy."

"I know... and I don't even know how," he admitted, looking defeated.

"I'm just gonna get right to the point," Joe began. "I see the way you look at her, the way you watch her, the way you fuss over her. Do you have feelings for her?" Steve was quiet as he wiped away some blood that was about to drip in his eye. "It's okay if you tell me you do. It doesn't mean you have to act on them. I know how you feel about change." Joe gave him a minute to think before he asked him again. "Steve, do you have feelings for Maddie?" He decided he would avoid using the word 'love' and instead just say 'feelings'. Baby steps, he thought as he waited for Steve to answer.

Steve closed his eyes, looking away. Finding out she was planning on leaving, that he was going to lose her, scared the hell out of him. Worse than anything he was feeling. So, he decided it was time to be honest with himself, he couldn't ignore how he felt anymore. Thinking everything through he opened his eyes and looked at Joe. "Yes," he mumbled.

"Well, that's a start," Joe smiled, happy with Steve's admission. "Ok, well, why are you fighting them?"

"I'm just confused, Joe," Steve sighed running his right hand through his hair.

"What do you mean?"

"There are times where I look at her and I just want to pull her to me and kiss her. Never let her go. And then there's these moments where I have a feeling or a thought and I freak out and walk away or say or do something wrong."

"Like when you told her she was like a sister to you?" Joe chuckled.

Steve groaned, embarrassed he knew about that. "Yeah, exactly like that. Did she tell you? How upset was she?"

"I'm not gonna lie, she was upset. That's gonna take a while to undo," Joe honestly told him. Pausing for a moment he looked at him and then continued. "Steve, what are you afraid of?"

Steve closed his eyes, just thinking about it made his chest tighten as he felt the emotions build. "Losing her," he said, his voice filled with tightly controlled emotion.

"You're losing her by fighting it. So, why not take a chance?" Joe asked.

"She doesn't want to go there with me."

"Why would you think that?"

"She told me to try things with Lori."

"Did you sleep with Lori?" Joe blurted.

Steve's eyes widened, and his brows furrowed as he frowned at the man who'd been like a father to him. "No! Where did that come from?" he asked, shocked.

"You might want to tell Mads that," Joe hinted.

Steve was confused. "But why would she care? She told me to go for it with Lori."

"You really are an idiot when it comes to her." Joe shook his head, resisting the urge to smack Steve on the back of the head. "She was trying to save face. I imagine she felt stupid for having feelings for you when she found out you were interested in someone else. Or thought you were. I'm guessing she didn't want you to realize how she felt, so she tried to play it off. Wanting to avoid an awkward and uncomfortable moment because she thinks you don't feel that way about her."

"Wow, I guess you guys really talked before dinner," he thought, shocked by what he was hearing. Remembering what happened between them earlier, he argued, "But when I tried to kiss her this morning she told me she didn't want to go there with me."

"She's scared, too, but it's not the same reason you're scared. Hers is something else... she knows how she feels about you. Something else has her terrified."

Steve's eyes widened and his eyebrows rose. "So, she actually told you how she feels about me?"

Joe nodded. "She did, but she didn't have to. It was already obvious. I think you picked up on it too, but you refused to acknowledge it because of what it would mean for you two. That things would change. And that scares you because if it doesn't work you don't want to lose her."

He replayed the night and realization dawned on him. "So that's why she's been upset all night." He wouldn't admit it, but once he really thought about it, he realized Joe was right. Now thinking back to everything she had said throughout the evening, he picked up on the fact she had feelings for him. "So, she feels this, too," Steve said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Not so scary now is it?" Joe asked.

"Are you kidding? I'm even more terrified," he admitted.

"Just, try not to overthink everything. Just start going with your gut on things. If you want to reach out and put an arm around her, do it. Get comfortable with the idea and let her get comfortable. Then go from there. Don't just jump into it."

"Okay, I'll try," Steve told him.

"If this is meant to be it will happen, you don't need to rush into it. And I would take it slow for so many reasons. One, you guys have had one kind of relationship for over 25 years. The other... you were right to have Pete bring her to you. Something's not right. And whatever it is, it's bad. I'll tell you that much. Who the hell sent that picture to her?"

"I don't know, Joe, but I'm working on it. While she's rehearsing the next few days, I'll be at Five-O trying to figure it out. I'll find whoever's responsible."

"You talk to her about it?"

"Yeah."

"She tell you anything?"

"She claims that's the first she's heard from this person."

"She's lying, Steve. Big time! She's scared, and that's putting it mildly."

"I know. I think whatever's going on has something to do with me. I think whoever it is is threatening her. Saying they'll hurt me." He wiped at some blood on his face. "It would explain the nightmares she's been having about me dying. And it would explain why she wouldn't call me back."

"You're definitely part of it or they wouldn't have sent that picture of you. Be careful. I don't have a good feeling about this. And if you need any help, with anything, I'm here."

Suddenly Malia peaked her head around the half open door, knocking. "Am I interrupting? I just wanted to check on Steve."

"I was just leaving. Go ahead," Joe told her. Turning back to Steve, he said, "Don't overthink things, and I'm always here if you need me."

"Okay. Thanks Joe," Steve responded as Joe walked out. Maddie was in the kitchen talking with Pete when he passed by. They didn't even notice him. She does not look very good at all, he thought noticing her pale complexion. But he wasn't too worried because he knew Steve would take care of her, whether they were fighting or not. Smiling he walked outside, joining everyone.

"Everything okay?" Tina asked.

"I think everything's about to get a lot better!" Joe smiled.

"Let me see your arm. It looks pretty deep."

Steve held out his arm, but when she tried to clean him up he jerked away. "No, Maddie's coming to help me."

"Steve, I'm a doctor," Malia told him.

"I know, but I need to talk to Maddie and it's a perfect opportunity. If I need stitches you can sew me up later."

Malia shook her head. He was being stubborn. Sweet, but stubborn. "If you need stitches, which just from the small peek I got I'd say you do, then you need to go to the emergency room. That way they can numb you."

Steve shook his head. "No, I don't need that. I'll be fine. You can do it later. After Gracie leaves. I'm sure I've scarred her enough for one night."

"Okay." Malia reluctantly agreed as she set the first aid kit she'd brought up with her on the counter in front of him. "I'll go down and finish with Pete, so Maddie can come up."

"Thank you, Malia," Steve said.

"No problem," she said as she walked out.

Okay, you can do this Steve. If you don't, you're going to lose her, he told himself as he sat on the comfortable padded stool waiting for Maddie. Hearing her enter the bedroom he suddenly felt nervous. Just go with the flow. Don't hide how you're feeling. Don't overthink anything. If you want to call her baby, call her baby. If you want to touch her, do it. Start doing damage control. As the bathroom door began to open Steve's heart quickened.