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

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you guys so much for being patient with me! I know lately there's been some time in between my posts.

Anyway, I appreciate all your wonderful reviews! I love that you love this story so much!

As always, thoughts are in italics. Texts are in bold in this chapter.

I'm excited to see what you guys have to say about this chapter. I have a feeling I know what some of you will say and I'm prepared for that. I felt it was important to portray the awkwardness between them in their shift in relationship. They've been one thing to one another for decades that if it wasn't weird, awkward, and uncomfortable at times I would worry. Also, I hope you enjoy a glimpse of Tina and Pete interacting. I had fun writing their banter.

Well, I know you are all anxious to read the chapter, so I'll shut up! Please let me know what you think! ENJOY!

xoxo,

DivaLola

CHAPTER 24

Tina walked down the hall on her way to the kitchen for a desperately needed cup of coffee. Standing on the balcony she looked down checking to see if anyone was awake. Her heart sped up as she saw Pete dressed in jeans and a t-shirt sitting on a barstool at the counter reading the paper. She smiled to herself as she descended the stairs.

"Hey, T," Pete greeted, never once taking his eyes from the paper.

"How'd you know it was me?" she asked as she entered the kitchen. She looked over at him just as he glanced up.

"Just did," he smiled.

"Must be a Navy SEAL thing." She grabbed a mug and turned to the coffee maker.

"Must be," he smirked as he once again focused on the paper.

Holding her now full mug Tina walked towards Pete. Leaning forward, her elbows on the counter, she breathed in the steaming liquid. "Ahhhhhh," she practically purred.

Although pretending to read the paper, Pete was watching her. He stifled a chuckle as she closed her eyes enjoying the smell of her coffee. "You know, a lot of people would say that's the behavior of an addict."

"Hey, I've always been extremely upfront about my coffee addiction. Can't start my day without at least one cup." She took a sip of the delicious blend, sighing as she swallowed.

"At least," he smirked.

"You're one to talk!" She laughed. "What's that? Cup 4?"

Pete pretended to be offended as he met her eyes. "For your information it's cup 2. I was being a gentleman and made sure to leave you some. That way you wouldn't have to start a new pot and wait for it."

"Aww... are you trying to tell me something, Pete?" Tina smirked, batting her eyes at him playfully.

"Yeah, you're that unpleasant to be around before you have your coffee that I sacrificed my own needs so I wouldn't have to deal with you," Pete told her, his face stony and serious. Tina stared at him unable to tell if he was joking. After a minute of silence, he erupted in laughter, unable to hold it in any longer. "You should have seen your face! Oh my God! I wish I had that on video."

"Ha ha! You're soooo funny!" Tina mocked as she laughed, her face turning a light shade of pink. A bit embarrassed he'd fooled her, as well as flustered by the sound of his laughter she'd missed so much, she changed the subject. "Are we the only ones up?"

"You mean are the lovebirds up yet?" Pete corrected.

"Yes... are they?"

"No. Don't think so." He returned to his paper.

Silence filled the room as she drank, enjoying every single sip. Finally, she set it down while looking at the clock. "Do you think we should make sure she's awake?"

Pete glanced at the clock across the kitchen. Sighing he said, "Yeah, probably... Go for it."

"No! What if they're naked or... who knows?" Tina cried. "You go!"

"I don't want to see that!" Pete scoffed. "How about this... I'll text Steve. If he doesn't respond by 8:15 we'll go up there together." He met Tina's eyes. "Deal?"

She stared at him as she thought it over. "Deal," she finally replied.

Pete picked his cell up, quickly sending his buddy a text. "Alright," he began, setting the phone down beside him, "we'll see if Romeo responds."

Standing across the counter from him, Tina asked, "You done with any part of the paper?"

"Mmm hmm," he responded making no move to hand her anything.

She stared at him waiting for any kind of movement from him. Finally, she laughed. "Can I have it?" she asked slowly.

Pete smirked as he pulled out the sections he'd read and held them out to her. As she reached for them he quickly pulled them away. "What's the magic phrase?"

Tina tried to appear angry and irritated, but couldn't hide the smirk slowly forming on her face. Sighing, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Pete is the greatest human being to ever walk the earth."

"I know, right?" He handed them to her while chuckling.

"You're ridiculous."

"And yet you still hang out with me." He smiled at her, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

"Only because we work for the same person. Trust me, it's not because I want to," Tina claimed.

"Ouch. Fine... Don't talk to me then," Pete said, feigning insult as he returned his attention to the paper.

Tina pretended to read her sections, but was really watching him, thinking how much she'd missed him while she was gone.

Steve woke to the chime of his phone. Foggy with sleep he reached his hand to the left and grabbed the noisy object. Holding it in front of him he saw the new text message alert. "Pete," he mumbled. Quickly opening it he read the message. McG, wake up. She's gotta be at the venue at 10. Let me know you got this.

Sighing Steve shook his head wishing she didn't have to do any of this. Quickly he answered, letting him know he'd wake her before setting his phone back on the nightstand. He turned towards Maddie, who still laid snuggled in his arms, and stared at her sleeping peacefully. He let himself watch her for a couple minutes before he reached forward with his left hand and caressed her cheek, pushing some hair behind her ear. "Mads," he whispered.

Nothing. No sound. No movement.

"Mads," he said a bit louder this time.

Again, nothing.

"Maddie." He shook her shoulder slightly and furrowed his brows at the lack of response. She didn't even make her little sleep noises. "Maddie," he called a bit louder, shaking her a bit harder. He felt his chest tighten with anxiety. Maybe I should've woken her up every 30 minutes last night since she hit her head, he thought, worst-case scenarios running through his mind. Steve subconsciously leaned forward kissing the tip of her nose and then her forehead. "Come on, Mads, wake up!"

Steve felt his body begin to relax as her eyes started to flutter. After kissing her nose one more time he pulled away and came face to face with a bleary-eyed Maddie. "Hey, you... you scared me," he softly admitted, his heart beginning to calm. Her forehead wrinkled in confusion at his statement. "I've been trying to wake you up, and nothing," he explained.

"Sorry," she croaked out, her voice barely there. Both their eyes widened at the sound. "Uh oh."

"Shhh... try not to talk as much as possible. You'll be okay. It'll come back." Steve flashed her a reassuring smile although he wasn't so sure he believed what he was saying. "We gotta get up."

"Uh uh." Maddie shook her head, burrowing in to Steve. He smiled as she cuddled into him. He wished they could stay like that all day, but he knew it wasn't an option.

"Come on... Gotta get ready, then breakfast before you leave."

She shook her head in his chest before leaning her head back to stare into his eyes. She smiled right before she pushed her bottom lip out and gave him the sad, puppy dog look.

"No! Mads... don't give me that look! If we could I'd say let's stay like this all day, but we both have to work. Come on... put the look away and let's get ready," Steve told her as he fought the effect the look had on him. She'd discovered the power it held over him in 3rd grade and it seemed to only get more potent as the years went by.

Slowly the sad, puppy dog look fell from her face. "Fine," she mumbled, reluctantly pulling out of his arms. Rolling on to her back she threw her arms above her head and stretched, making a silly, sighing squeal as she did.

Steve immediately laughed. "What was that?" She giggled turning to look at him, dimples present. God, she's too cute, he thought staring at her. It was as if there was a magnet pulling them towards one another as they got lost in each other's eyes. Knowing he wouldn't want to stop if they started, he quickly closed his eyes, breaking the moment with her. He opened them as he sat up and got out of bed. "You have one minute," he informed her as he walked into the bathroom.

Now alone Maddie smiled as she touched her lips remembering how he had kissed her, twice, before they fell asleep. What the hell are we doing? she wondered. She started thinking about all the reasons they shouldn't go down this path, but quickly stopped herself. Just don't worry about it right now, she told herself. At least let yourself enjoy it for a little bit.

"How'd you sleep?" Steve asked, interrupting her thoughts as he sat on the edge of her side of the bed.

She smiled shyly, her cheeks turning pink. "Good," she answered, her voice no more than a raspy whisper.

"Only good?" he smirked.

Her face pinked even more. "Best I've slept in four months. That better?"

"Much," he smiled. Finding her right arm, he slowly unhooked the now empty bag of saline from the IV. Carefully he untaped the IV and slowly pulled out the needle. He eyed Maddie out of the corner of his eye as he grabbed a cotton ball off the nightstand and used his right hand to apply pressure where he'd removed the needle. With his other hand he dropped the used needle into the small red biohazard container Malia had left. "Does it hurt?" Steve asked as he continued pressure.

Maddie had been staring at him the entire time he'd been removing her IV. He takes really good care of me, she thought. He always had, even when they were kids. Of course, he'd gotten more overprotective as they'd grown up.

Steve narrowed his eyes at her as he watched her staring at him lost in thought. He wished for what felt like the millionth time that he could read her mind. "Mads?" He watched her eyes lose some of their intensity as she was pulled back into the moment.

"Hm?"

"Does it hurt?" Steve asked once more, slightly shaking her arm as he continued to apply pressure to the spot.

"Oh, no," Maddie responded.

"Good," he smiled. "Where'd you go?"

"Just thinking."

"About what?" His eyes, currently blue, pierced into hers as he waited for her response.

"Just that... you're really good to me. You always have been," Maddie answered. She knew him well enough to know he was unsure of what to say as he fidgeted slightly with her arm where he still held the cotton ball. "You're overprotective of me. Worried I'll break, Steve?"

Steve sighed not really knowing where the conversation was going. "No... I don't know Maddie. I... just," he paused as he tried to figure out how to answer without unintentionally putting his foot in his mouth like he had when he'd told her she was like a sister to him. "I just worry about you."

"Why?" she questioned hoping to understand why he was so different with her. What was it about her that made him that way? She saw a side to him no one else ever did. Why was he like that with only her? She hoped if she could figure it out maybe it would help her figure out who was targeting them and why. Sure, she understood why she'd be stalked. She was in the public eye, but Steve? Why did they choose Steve? It's not like she was photographed with him. She'd always been careful about that since he was a Navy SEAL and had such high security clearance. She never wanted the paparazzi to dig into his life, and put him or his career in danger. Even so, when the threats started coming in she hadn't even seen him in almost two years. It was out of the blue, and she wanted to know why. Maybe if she could figure that out it would help her determine "Unknown Sender's" identity.

Steve shrugged his shoulders, feeling uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. "I don't know. I just do. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Why?" she asked.

"What is that? The word of the day?" he snapped, his discomfort getting to him. "Why don't I want anything to happen to you? What kind of question is that?"

"Steve…"

"Fine." He shook his head. "I care about you. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you." He glared at her. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Steve, I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just trying to figure it all out," Maddie assured him as she rubbed the top of his right hand.

Steve immediately calmed as his eyes narrowed at her response. "Figure what out, Maddie?"

She realized her slip. Crap! she thought. I must be more tired than I realized. "Oh... uh... just that," she stumbled, feeling flustered.

"Just that what?" he asked hoping she would finally talk to him.

"Nothing... I have no idea what I'm talking about," Maddie lied. She knew it wasn't a good one, but she was nervous and it was all she could come up with.

"Mads... you can talk to me, ya know?" Steve gently said as he laced his fingers with hers.

"I know." She paused, looking away from him as she tried to compose herself. She had to hide the fear and uncertainty so he couldn't read her. After a minute she turned back to him, her internal walls once again firmly in place. "Must just be the concussion. I'm talking crazy," Maddie laughed.

His heart sunk as he noticed the mask she'd just put in place. He shook his head slightly at the way she laughed the conversation off. Knowing she was done opening up for the time being he had no choice but to let it go. He'd made progress with her and it wasn't worth risking, something that would happen if he pushed the topic right now. He had to be patient, something that wasn't his strong suit.

Turning his attention to her right arm Steve pulled the cotton ball from the inside of her forearm. Seeing there wasn't much blood on it, he said, "Shouldn't bruise too much."

"Too bad it won't match the other ones," Maddie joked, trying to lighten the mood she'd unintentionally created.

Steve looked at the other bruises around the same area, all places she'd had an IV over the last couple days. "Well, if you would have just left them alone..." He looked at her pointedly.

"Now we both know that isn't my style. And as long as we're talking about it, it isn't yours either."

He couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his face as he shook his head. "Okay, up you go." Steve reached forward taking her uninjured right hand and helping her sit up. He studied her face to see if she seemed dizzy. "How is it? Any better?"

Maddie nodded, clearing her throat in hopes it would help the quality of her voice. However, it made no difference. "Yeah, much better. Still there a bit, but not like last night." In reality, she was still dizzy. Yes, it was better than the night before, but it was still pretty bad. She just knew she couldn't tell him the truth. He'd only continue to worry about her while he was at work, something she couldn't let happen. Maddie was scared that "Unknown Sender" would make his move in the next few days and go after him. She needed him to be focused. If he was focused she knew he'd have a better chance of surviving.

Steve sighed from relief. "Good." Maddie watched him briefly close his eyes as he repeated himself, figuring he was really talking to himself rather than to her. "That's good." When he opened his eyes again he met hers and smirked. "I knew you just needed to start getting some sleep." He watched her shake her head as she fought to keep from smiling. "Let's see how the knee and foot are."

Maddie already knew how the knee was, she could feel it. It was worse. Not only was the pain worse, but she could tell it was more swollen. "Sure."

Steve stood and pulled the covers from her body. She eased herself towards the edge of the bed doing her best to try and keep the pain from her face as he watched her intently. If just this small movement was painful, she couldn't imagine how bad it would be when she actually put pressure on it. Just try and hide it, she told herself. She knew anything she could do to make him worry less when he wouldn't be with her was worth it.

Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for the excruciating pain she knew she was about to endure. He took her hands as she stood, and she had no idea how she kept from crying out.

When she didn't stumble or groan, Steve slowly released Maddie's hands and took a step back as he studied her. "How does it feel?" he asked, concerned he was unable to read her.

She forced a smile. "Not bad. Not great. But not terrible. Of course, it's sore, but it's better," she outright lied.

He narrowed his eyes, studying her, unable to tell if she was telling the truth or lying. She didn't look like she was being honest, but she also didn't appear to be lying either. He glanced down at her knees. "Mads, your knee is definitely more swollen than last night. You sure it's not worse?"

Maddie swallowed the groan that wanted to escape, and inwardly winced at the soreness she felt in her throat. Crap, I'm getting sick, she thought. "Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay, well, we'll put ice on it while you eat." Steve still wasn't sure she was telling the truth, but figured he'd watch her closely over the next hour. "You gonna shower?"

"Yeah," she responded. She met his eyes as she bit her lip. "You?"

"Yeah," he answered staring at her. Immediately an image of the two naked in the shower together popped into his mind. No! Don't go there. Just make sure she's okay and then go to the guest room, he told himself. "Let me walk with you. Make sure you're alright."

"Okay." Maddie nervously began walking to the bathroom. Although she was moving slowly, she was somehow able to downplay the limp, making sure to not have it appear worse than the night before. She noticed Steve staying close and wondered if he suspected she was lying. Wouldn't surprise me, she thought. Stupid Navy SEALs.

Standing in front of the shower, they awkwardly looked at one another. After last night's talk and kiss things had definitely changed between them. Something that scared them both. Steve wanted her, but also didn't want to lose her if it didn't work out between them. He couldn't lose her from his life. The awkwardness made him feel like the walls were closing in around him. Just take a breath. You just kissed her last night. She's got a lot on her mind, you have a lot on your mind. This will get better. We'll get comfortable with one another again. It'll all be fine. Just listen to Joe, he told himself, hoping the pep talk would help ease the tightness in his chest.

Finally, the silence became too much for Maddie and she began studying the floor. Steve reached out and grabbed some towels. "Here," he said, handing them to her. "If you're good here, I'll go shower in the guest room. Just yell if you need me, okay?"

"Okay," she responded, her voice still barely there. With one last look at her, he turned to walk out. "Before you go, can you flip the middle switch there by the door?"

"Sure." Steve did what she asked. "What's it do?" he asked when he didn't see any lights turn on or off.

"Heated floor. You have one in your bathroom, too."

He smiled. "You and your cold feet." She simply shrugged as it was true. "Call if you need help," he added before turning and leaving.

Once Steve was gone, Maddie flipped the water on and undressed, her pajamas falling to the floor. She pulled the wrap off her left hand and entered the shower, plopping down on the tiled seat as the warm water slid down her naked body. Tears of pain immediately made their way down her face, mixing with the water. Sighing, she leaned forward, carefully unwrapping the now wet bandage from her right foot. In complete agony she leaned her head back against the shower wall, letting the warm water run down her body. Her tears mixed with the water before disappearing down the drain as if they'd never been shed.

Fresh out of the shower and dressed in khaki colored cargos and a greenish-teal polo shirt Steve walked to Maddie's bedroom and knocked on the door. With no answer he hesitantly opened the door. "Maddie?" he called, peeking his head in the door.

No answer.

Hmm, he thought. Steve walked across the bedroom and knocked on the closed bathroom door. He felt his body relax when he heard her extremely soft, raspy "yeah".

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Steve entered her bathroom to see her quickly throw a handful of pills in her mouth. She took a big swig of water, swallowing them.

"What are you taking?" he questioned.

"Vitamins," Maddie lied, her heart pounding. She couldn't handle a lecture from him right now. Just play it off, Mads. Act like everything's fine, she told herself.

"That seemed like a lot of vitamins," he stated, sounding suspicious.

Turning to him, she smiled. "Were you always this suspicious and nosey?" When her attempt at humor didn't faze him she asked, "You ready?"

"Yeah," Steve answered slowly, wary at her hedging the topic of the pills. But it was forgotten when he took her in. Wow, she looks beautiful, he thought. She stood wearing skinny dark wash jeans and a simple white, racer back, ribbed tank with her black motorcycle boots. Her damp hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She had light, natural makeup on that made her skin glow. She still looked tired and pale, but better than the night before, something that filled him with relief.

In unbelievable discomfort Maddie slowly exited the bathroom, following him out of the bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen. True to his earlier vow to himself, he kept a close eye on her.

"Well, there they are," Tina exclaimed as Steve and Maddie entered the kitchen.

Maddie forced a smile and waved as she concentrated on hiding how much pain she was in. She immediately sat in the first seat she came to. One that just so happened to be next to Pete at the bar counter. He turned to her, taking in her appearance and behavior.

Steve didn't sit down, but instead walked to the refrigerator. "What sounds good to you, Mads?" he asked glancing at her over his shoulder.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she squeaked. At the awful state of her voice Pete and Tina immediately looked at one another, their eyes wide. Shit, they both thought.

"You don't have to make breakfast, Steve. I can do it." Maddie began to stand.

"No," Steve ordered. "I got it. Just sit there and relax." He continued to stare at her as he stood across the kitchen. "So... nothing sounds good?"

"I'm up for anything. Surprise me I guess," she whispered.

"Okay." Steve turned around, his back now to her as he perused the contents of the refrigerator. Knowing he couldn't see her Maddie closed her eyes and tried to breathe through the pain. Something that did not go unnoticed by Pete.

'Pain?' he mouthed once he was able to catch her eye.

Maddie looked at him, unsure whether she should admit the truth. She didn't want him tattling on her and worrying Steve when he'd be working. He said he wouldn't do that anymore. Trust him, she thought. Finally, she nodded at him.

Pete reached out and rubbed her shoulder in silent support. She flashed him a small, sad smile. She could feel the tears behind her eyes begging to be released, but her inner resolve was stronger and she kept them from falling. No easy feat.

Steve had just turned around, his hands full with the ingredients for breakfast, when he saw Pete rub her shoulder. His eyes studied the interaction and her sad expression.

Maddie looked up and noticed Steve watching her intently. Her face immediately pinked and she flashed him a smile. "Whatcha making?" she asked, hoping to distract him from what he'd just witnessed.

It took Steve a moment to answer as he continued to study Maddie. He lightly licked his bottom lip, an unconscious habit of his, before he answered. "Omelets. Sound good?" She smiled sweetly at him as she nodded. "Okay then." Steve immediately turned to his left towards the stove and set the items on the counter, the interaction between Pete and Maddie still forefront in his mind.

"This should be good," Pete sarcastically commented.

Steve turned and briefly glared at him before bringing his attention back to breakfast. "Watch it or you won't get any."

"Are those the kinds of threats you use on suspects? If so, I'm surprised you solve any crimes," Pete quipped.

Maddie and Tina couldn't help themselves, they laughed lightly. It was always funny to watch Steve and Pete banter.

"Oops," Steve mumbled. Although his back was to them they could hear the smile on his face. "That will be yours. A little shell never hurt anyone."

"McG!" Pete cried. "I prefer that my omelet isn't crunchy."

Steve said nothing as he continued to cook.

"McG?" Pete asked.

Steve continued to ignore him, knowing he was worried about his food. Pete had always been particularly picky about what he ate. He and their fellow SEALs had always given him a hard time about it.

"McGarrett?" Pete's voice had a trace of anxiety in it. "Did you really drop egg shell in there?"

Steve had the biggest smirk on his face as he continued to cook breakfast.

Pete turned to Maddie, his forehead wrinkled in concern. "Maddie? Is he serious?"

"Wow, you are the biggest baby when it comes to food!" Tina commented as she refilled her cup of steaming coffee. "Are you sure you're a Navy SEAL?"

Pete only glared at Tina before returning his attention to Maddie. "Mads?"

Maddie couldn't help but giggle at her head of security. Reaching out her left arm, she rubbed his upper back. "He's kidding, Pete. Don't worry, no crunchy parts. In fact... Steve makes the best omelets."

Steve turned around and met Maddie's eyes, a smile growing on his face. The look in his eyes was intense and filled with so much meaning that she couldn't help the blush that crept over her face as she smiled back, slightly biting her bottom lip.

"I'm holding you to that!" Pete cried, pulling the two best friends from their moment. "If I taste anything crunchy..."

Maddie raised her eyebrows at Pete. "What? What will you do?"

"I'll stay on you like glue over the next few days. Never letting you out of my sight," Pete smiled evilly.

Maddie groaned loudly. "I hate you." She looked straight ahead. "Steve, there better not be any eggshells in his omelet."

Pete smirked, reveling in his victory.

"You better not be letting her out of your sight to begin with!" Steve exclaimed walking towards the kitchen table, carrying the plate of finished omelets. Steve met Maddie's eyes, giving her a serious look. She started to pout, but he shook his head and walked back into the kitchen to the refrigerator. "Food's ready."

"Thanks, Steve! I'm starving!" Tina announced, abandoning the newspaper she'd been skimming and walked towards the table, her cup of coffee securely in her hand.

"No problem, T," Steve said as he grabbed the glass jar of orange juice from the fridge.

As Pete stood he noticed Maddie hadn't moved, but instead seemed to look nervously around. Steve and Tina were too busy to notice.

Would it be too obvious if I just sat here and ate while they sat at the table? Maddie wondered as she tried to figure out what she was going to do without drawing attention to herself. Suddenly she was pulled from her thoughts by a hand extended in front of her. As she looked up her eyes met Pete's hazel eyes. Hesitantly she took his outstretched hand, closed her eyes and began to slide from the tall bar stool. Maddie squeezed her eyes shut as she prepared for the searing pain she knew she'd feel when her foot touched the ground. However, she was pleasantly surprised when it didn't come. Yes, it was painful, but not like it should've been. Her eyes slowly opened and realized that Pete was holding a lot of her weight up with his one hand, helping her keep as much weight off her right leg as possible. She glanced up and quickly flashed him a grateful smile.

'Piggyback ride?' Pete mouthed to her.

Maddie hesitated as she thought it over. However, she ultimately decided Steve would figure out how much pain she was in if Pete threw her on his back just to walk the few feet to the table. She shook her head and slowly took a step forward, subconsciously holding her breath. At the intense pain, she felt a stinging behind her eyes and a tightness in her chest. Pete continued to hold her one hand, trying to help her as much as he could without making it obvious.

Just as Pete was walking away from Maddie to take his own seat, Steve turned around, missing the interaction between the two.

Steve grabbed another chair and set it next to Maddie. She noticed how the heavy, well-made, wooden chair seemed to weigh nothing as he carried it, his well-toned biceps visible in his polo. Images of him pushing her against the wall, kissing her as he easily picked her up, her legs wrapped around his waist, popped into her mind. Woah, don't go there, she told herself.

"Mads?" Steve said trying to get her attention.

Her eyes widened as she was pulled away from her fantasy and back to the moment. Seeing the questioning look on his face, she immediately blushed. "Hmm?" she whispered.

"Put your leg on the chair," Steve directed. She hesitated, still embarrassed she'd been caught fantasizing about him. Chill, Maddie. He doesn't know what you were thinking about, she reminded herself.

Steve squatted and gently lifted and placed her right leg on the chair. As he carefully surrounded her knee with the bags of ice he'd put together, his brows arched as he smirked. "Where'd you just go?"

"Nowhere," Maddie rushed out, her face bright red. She immediately looked away, unable to meet his dancing eyes.

He stood wearing a wide grin. He had a feeling whatever she was thinking about had something to do with him.

Everyone was still eating when Steve watched Maddie set her fork down and slightly push her barely eaten plate of food away from her. He shook his head. "More, Mads." He pointed at her plate with his fork.

"I'm finished."

"You still nauseated?" he asked.

Maddie shook her head. "I'm just full."

"Come on, Mads... you have a long day. You need the food," Steve tried to reason with her.

Although she had zero appetite she didn't want him to worry, so she picked her fork back up and forced herself to eat more.

As they all listened to Tina tell a story about her new niece and goddaughter, Pete's phone chimed. He glanced down at it, reading the text message that had just come in.

"Time?" Maddie asked.

Pete shook his head. "Almost. They're ten minutes out."

At the realization that he wouldn't be with her during the day over the next several days, Steve's stomach clenched. She might have looked better, but he knew she wasn't okay. Something was wrong and she wouldn't tell him. He didn't like the thought of being away from her when she was obviously in trouble.

Seeing the anxiety and worry written on his face Maddie said, "Tina, can you grab what I need for rehearsal? I can't rehearse choreography in this… Pete, there's a road case and guitar packed up in the studio. Can you grab it? It needs to go with us."

"Of course. The usual? For..." Tina began, hesitantly glancing at Steve. She stood, gathering everyone's plates and taking them to the sink.

Maddie knew exactly what she was asking. She wanted to know if she should grab four days worth of clothes. "Yes." Tina knew that if Steve realized there was a chance Maddie would be working straight through and not coming back to the house each night he would lose it.

"Alright, that it, Shorty? Anything else?" Pete asked before Steve could ask about Tina's unfinished question.

"Don't think so, but maybe just glance around? You know what I need."

"Okay, be back in a few." As Pete walked out of the room Tina headed upstairs, leaving Maddie and Steve alone. Exactly what Maddie was trying to do.

The two sat in silence as they stared at one another, an intensity in their eyes.

It was this that Pete and Tina came down to minutes later. They caught each other's eye and went outside to wait for Frank and Carl who were coming to pick them up.

Five minutes later Pete hesitantly walked back inside. "Mads, they're here. We gotta go." The two were still sitting at the table, neither one saying anything.

"Okay, we'll be right out," Maddie told Pete, never looking away from Steve.

"Okay," Pete quietly responded and walked back outside.

The two best friends remained silent for another minute before Maddie finally said, "Steve, I'll be fine."

He hesitated as he continued to stare across the table at her. "Promise me something?"

"What?"

"Keep me up to speed on what's going on."

She smiled slightly at him. "Okay, but don't worry, I could do this in my sleep. It's what I do. It'll be a piece of cake," she lied hoping to make him worry less.

"If I call, you have to answer or at least call me back. No disappearing."

Maddie's heart sunk as she was reminded just how badly she'd hurt him by ignoring him the last four months. "I promise." She looked away for a second as she fought to get her emotions in check. Turning to him she said, "Promise me something?"

"Okay," Steve mumbled.

"Don't worry about me. Focus on your job."

Steve could see the fear in her eyes even though she was trying to hide it. "Maddie, nothing is going to happen to me. They're just nightmares. That's it."

Maddie's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Steve..."

"Okay, I promise." Steve slowly stood and walked to her. "Better get you outside." Carefully he pulled the bags of ice from her knee and held them in his left hand as he extended his right out to her. Without hesitating she took it and he helped her slowly stand.

Maddie effectively hid the pain she was feeling as she stood in front of him. "You okay?" he asked.

She nodded, taking a careful step forward.

"How's it feel?" He walked next to her, their shoulders brushing every couple steps. More than anything she wanted to hold his hand, but he wasn't offering it.

Maddie swallowed deeply, preparing to deceive him. As she did so she was reminded of her slightly sore throat. Hopefully the meds start to kick in soon, she thought. "Sore, but okay," she lied, as they stepped foot outside. She looked to the black SUV where Pete stood waiting for her at the rear passenger door.

Just as he was about to question her further the passenger window rolled down. "Hey Smooth Dog!"

Steve inwardly winced at the nickname, remembering when Nick Taylor had called him that. Right before I discovered he was betraying our country. Right before I killed him, he thought. His eyes left Maddie's and found his old SEAL buddy in the front seat. "Hey, Carl! How ya been?"

"Good! Good! So... you two together yet? Have you realized you've never really been just friends?"

Maddie's heart raced. Man, I could kill Carl right now, she thought as she tried to keep from blushing.

Steve laughed uncomfortably, fear taking over. "Come on, Carl. You know we're just friends." He laughed, as if the idea of the two of them together was funny. "I mean, seriously?" he scoffed.

Maddie's stomach dropped. Then what was last night? … I guess this is just a joke to him, she thought, feeling like a complete fool. She felt the immediate stinging behind her eyes and knew there was no way she'd be able to hold the tears in this time. She needed to get out of there. She wouldn't let him see her cry. She'd just make a bigger fool of herself if he did.

Pete's head whipped toward Steve at his response. He knew he needed to get Maddie out of there, and fast. Unfortunately, the damage was done. He knew exactly how she'd deal with this. For that, he almost went another round with Steve. How I'd love to bust open his nicely sewn stitches, he fumed.

Steve's eyes shut as he realized what he'd just said, and implied. He couldn't even look at her. He didn't want to see the look on her face. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle the hurt he'd see there. The hurt he had put there. That's not how I feel at all. Why the hell did I just say that? He wondered, his heart racing. In reality, he knew why he'd said it. He'd felt cornered by Carl's question and panicked. He'd let his fear of change get to him. Damn it!

"Come on, Mads. We gotta go. Long day ahead," Pete reached out for her.

Say something. Fix this! Steve told himself. Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at Maddie. His chest ached at what he saw. She was doing a pretty good job of hiding her feelings, but her eyes gave her away. Raw hurt, and something else he couldn't quite identify, stared back at him.

Maddie swallowed, so distracted by what he'd just said that she forgot to keep from wincing at the pain in her throat.

Steve eyebrows furrowed at the physical pain that crossed her face. What was that? Is that her knee? he wondered. But he forced himself to disregard it for the moment. The more pressing issue was fixing what he'd just done.

"I gotta go... I'll," Maddie began, but he interrupted her.

"Wait, Mads... Come inside for a minute," Steve whispered.

"I gotta go." She turned her back to him.

Steve reached out and gently grabbed her arm, turning her back around to face him before she could even take a step. "No, come inside for a second and talk to me."

Maddie's heart felt like it was being strangled. She knew it was only a matter of seconds before she started crying. "Sorry, McGarrett. We have to go. Come on, Maddie," Pete said, knowing she needed to get away from him. She turned her back on Steve again and took a step towards the car with Pete at her side.

"No hug goodbye?" Steve asked, desperate to try and get to her any way he could. He had to let her know what he said wasn't the truth. That he'd stuck his foot in his mouth again.

Maddie hesitated. Not wanting to make a scene, she reluctantly turned back around to face him. His arms immediately pulled her tightly to his body. Steve waited for her to reciprocate, but her arms just hung at her sides, causing his chest to ache even more, something he didn't think was possible. "Maddie..."

She didn't want to talk about it, so she reached her hands up and uncomfortably and awkwardly placed them on his waist. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," Steve whispered in her ear.

Maddie immediately pulled out of the hug, something that was difficult since he wouldn't let her go. "What are you talking about," she asked, throwing her walls up.

"Don't do this. Come inside for a second. I don't want you going into the kind of schedule you have like this. Let me explain," Steve quietly pleaded with her. He tried to catch her eye, but she wouldn't meet his.

"I…" Maddie cleared her throat, hoping to get rid of the emotion clogging it. "I gotta go. I'll see you," Maddie stopped, not knowing what to say. To be honest she didn't want to see him again. Pretending with her last night had been cruel. "I'll just see you." She turned her back on him.

Her noncommittal statement sent fear coursing through him. "You'll see me tonight... when you come home," Steve adamantly told her.

She knew she wouldn't be going home, not until after the show Wednesday. There was already a chance that would happen, now it was definitive. She couldn't face him so soon. She needed time to figure out her next move and what she planned to do.

She said nothing as she took a couple steps towards Pete. Her breaking heart was too much on top of the excruciating physical pain she was in and she forgot to hide her pain. She stumbled as she put weight on her right leg, crying out in pain. Steve was immediately at her right side, Pete on her left. "Maddie? You okay?" His stomach dropped at the look on her face as she met his eyes. The truth hit him hard. She'd been lying to him all morning. Before he could find anything else out Pete scooped her up and set her inside the back seat. "Wait! Pete, she's in pain. She lied," Steve told his friend.

"I know, Steve. It'll be taken care of," Pete responded, trying to keep his anger from his voice. "We gotta go." Pete took his seat in the back next to Maddie, Tina on her other side. Steve put his hand on the door, keeping Pete from closing it.

"Can you at least make sure she eats and drinks water? Hopefully she can get a little rest today?" Steve asked, his tone resigned. He handed Pete the two bags of ice he'd been holding. "Keep this on her knee. It's swollen and apparently it's killing her." He stared at Maddie as he spoke hoping she'd meet his eyes, but she simply sat in the middle staring straight ahead.

"I got her. We gotta go," Pete growled. However, as he met his long time pal's eyes he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Steve was panicked. He knew he'd screwed up, that he hadn't meant what he'd said. However, it didn't diminish his anger, which was obvious by the way he slammed the door. The black SUV immediately lurched forward and headed down the hill towards the gate to her estate. As it exited the gate, two more black SUV's filled with more of her security team pulled out. They'd been waiting just outside the gates trying to keep the paparazzi as far back as possible, hoping to discourage them from following Maddie. That was always when things got dangerous. One SUV pulled in front while the other pulled behind, effectively sandwiching the car carrying Maddie safely between them.

"Damn it!" Steve yelled, running his hands through his hair. He stood rooted in place for a few minutes wondering how he could have screwed up so badly. Things were better between them. Well, minus the fact she lied about being in pain, he seethed. What little relief he'd been feeling about her physical state no more than fifteen minutes before, was now gone. Except now he was even more worried than he'd been last night. Even though she'd promised not to disappear and to stay in contact, he was sure she wouldn't answer or call him back. Hell, he didn't even think Pete wasn't going to answer if he called him. "Way to fuck everything up," he grumbled.