The Long Road (T-Rated Version) Chapter 37 - The Show, a hawaii five-0 fanfic

DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-O" or any of its characters. I do, however, own Maddie, Pete, Tina, Carl, Mo, Johnny, Karen, the stalker, etc.

I do not own the songs Maddie sings in this chapter. They belong to Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi everyone! I give you Chapter 37 - Maddie's show. I didn't obviously write out her whole show. I did part of it in order to show more sides of her. I based several of the performances off Britney Spears "Dream Within A Dream" tour because she is a great performer. I'm not saying Maddie sounds like any of the artists that I borrowed songs from for this chapter. I'm putting links to the videos in my bio. You should really check them out.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapters since Maddie's show is done and you will experience more Steve and Maddie as well as flashbacks to how things used to be. How she used to be.

As always, thoughts are in italics. Anytime she's singing it's in bold. Parentheses in bold are her background vocalists singing.

Oh, also, maybe 45 degrees Fahrenheit was too cold, but it's a story. I just wanted to depict that the water's freezing. And the degrees are in Fahrenheit.

Here is a list of the songs I've used in this chapter. I didn't put the whole songs, but they're good ones and I recommend checking them out!

1. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

2. I Love Rock and Roll - Britney Spears

3. What It's Like to Be Me - Britney Spears

4. Lonely - Britney Spears

5. S&M - Rihanna

6. Love The Way You Lie (Part 2) - Rihanna

7. If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5 ft. Rihanna

8. My Heart Is Open - Maroon 5 ft Gwen Stefani

9. Peacock - Katy Perry

10. Slumber Party - Britney Spears ft. Tinashe

11. Inside Out - Britney Spears

12. Wide Awake - Katy Perry

13. The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga

14. ...Baby, One More Time - Britney Spears

Also, please remember that I'm not a dancer, so I don't know the proper terminology for things. I did my best. I hope I painted a picture of what I see in my head when she's performing.

I'll let you get to it. Please leave a review. The feedback helps me be a better writer.

Thanks so much guys,
DivaLola

Chapter 37

Steve, Five-O, Joe, Max, Rachael, Gracie, Johnny, Karen, among others, were seated in the VIP section in front of Stage 2. The smaller, tall stage (Stage 3) was directly behind them. To their right and left was a small walkway that branched off Stage 2 and hooked to Stage 3. This made it so they were seated within a larger square surrounded by stage on all sides.

Steve unconsciously took in his environment, locating the exits and the best places to bunker down in case of an assault as well as the best ways to get to Maddie on stage.

Once he felt comfortable with his emergency plans, he took in the stage and crowd. It still awed him every time he saw her perform or went to any kind of public event with her. The world loved her. For fifteen years she had maintained her position as the "Queen of Pop". With every album she'd released since she was 15 she'd won countless awards. Grammy's, Moon Men, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, the list went on and on. She'd even won an Oscar for Best Song in a movie. It blew his mind whenever he thought about it. She was just Maddie to him. His childhood best friend. And now... something more?

Suddenly the crowd started chanting her name. He glanced at his watch. She was starting a bit late. He still wasn't 100% sure what had delayed her and caused Ryan and Pete to go running to her dressing room, but seeing how nervous she'd been he had a feeling it was a bad case of the nerves. The last time he'd seen her have full-fledged stage fright she was seven years old and her mom had just died.

"It's so crazy and surreal to hear them chanting her name!" Kono yelled over the roaring crowd.

"It really is," Chin added as Steve nodded in agreement.

As Maddie stood on the mini stage on its way to the rafters she did all she could to erase everything from her mind besides her show. That included her stalker. Something so much easier said than done. Don't think about it… just perform. You love this… do what you love, she thought. For the past several hours not only had her stalker's most recent threat been going through her mind, but every threat he'd made against Steve. She knew she had to force herself to not think about it, to not think about Steve, or she would be too distracted and worried. "You can do this, Maddie," she whispered. "This should be a walk in the park for you." She knew in her current state it was nowhere close to a "walk in the park". The choreography had been made more difficult in a lot of the show and brand new choreography in other parts. That didn't include the ten new songs. Luckily, she'd thought ahead and put some in that required no or little choreography, giving her a much needed break. That, and she'd arranged for a few friends to help her out. Sure, that made the show longer, but it gave her time to breathe, literally and figuratively.

Maddie focused on her breathing as the disc reached the top of the rafters. From down below Joey and Hunter moved the flying mini stage into place while Cooper made sure everything was physically okay with all the cables. Billy reached forward checking and rechecking her harness. "You got this, Shorty," he mouthed to her, knowing she wouldn't be able to hear with her in-ear monitors in. She took a deep breath, nodded, and then closed her eyes. She forced everything from her mind except the show and giving it everything she had. When she reopened them she was focused, a confident small smirk on her face. Billy smiled, realizing he hadn't seen that look from her in months. It was the look that told him she was 100% Madeline Lily, the legend entertainer, and no longer "Maddie", the clumsy girl-next-door.

Maddie's security was positioned between the concert barricades and the three stages, making sure no one could jump the barricades and get to her onstage. Steve watched Pete make his way to the front of Stage 2, directly in front of them. He caught Pete's eyes and raised his eyebrows in question, silently asking if Maddie was okay. He smiled and nodded before looking away as Billy came through with the ready signal. Within seconds an intro video of Maddie came up on the video screens. This tour was called "Dream Within A Dream" and the video acted as an intro to the concept. At the end of the video she said, "Last night I dreamed of this very moment when I was right here with all of you... And now my dream's come true." As the video ended the band began playing and all three stages and the catwalks were suddenly covered in flames. Pyro flew up from the edges of the stage in a wave.

I'll never get used to this, Steve thought, excited to see her perform. Sure, he wished she wasn't in the state she was in, but she was and she had to perform, so he might as well enjoy it.

"Wow," Lori mumbled as she watched in awe. Steve glanced at her, a small smile on his lips. Then his eyes went to Gracie and his smile grew. She was in a trance as she watched the stage waiting for Maddie to come out.

The crowd screamed louder as all sixteen dancers appeared seconds before Maddie's vocals began. However, she was nowhere to be seen.

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-roma-mamaa!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

"She never disappoints!" Kono shouted over the screaming crowd as her friend appeared high above Stage 1.

"No, she doesn't," Steve yelled back. He was partly filled with pride, but partly filled with irritation and worry seeing her so high above. Well, it wouldn't be a show of hers if I wasn't worried about her and her antics, he thought to himself resignedly. He didn't want to think about how he was worried in a different way.

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-roma-mamaa!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it's free
I want your love
(Love-love-love I want your love)

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
(Love-love-love I want your love)

They watched in awe as Maddie performed while the circular flying stage began moving forward to Stage 2, giving it everything she had and more.

Pete watched nervously as images of her cable breaking ran on repeat in his head. His whole body tensed as she finished the first chorus. Unconsciously he held his breath as she jumped off the mini stage. He watched as she effortlessly descended. However, when she was still about eight feet in the air they stopped and he immediately knew she was stuck. Just as he was radioing up to find out what the problem was he watched Maddie reach her hands to her sides. To his horror he watched her detach her wires from her harness and knew there was no time to get to her. It was like watching the moment a car loses control, right before it crashes.

When Maddie felt herself lock she refused to let herself wonder why. She focused only on the show. With a silent prayer and not a second thought, she freed herself from the cables and forced herself not to flail as she careened towards the stage. Instinctively she knew that Ryan and Tyler were in place ready to unhook her when she made it to the stage, so she knew they were close enough to catch her. And she knew they were paying attention and would know to catch her. Thank God she wasn't disappointed. However, she could tell how scared they'd been by their tight grip and the shake in their hands as they unclipped her harness and pulled it off her.

I want your horror, I want your design

Although there'd been a mishap, by some miracle she was barely behind in her choreography, something they all easily remedied by the next beat. It was in moments like these that she and her dancers showed the professional level at which they performed.

Pete felt his heart start beating again, rapidly. He was relieved, but also wanted to throttle her for pulling such a stunt. By the effortless way she had just done that, he had an idea of the headspace she was in. Nothing mattered except the show. He was glad she was focused, but knew he had to stay on his toes. She could very well pull a number of stunts. Great, he thought, filled with dread. "What the hell was that?" he yelled into the mic at his wrist as he looked upward to where he knew Billy was. He had checked everything over and hadn't seen anything. Damn it. Did that mean he had missed something else?

After Maddie's second song she stood on Stage 1 and addressed the audience for the first time. "What's up Honolulu?" The crowd screamed louder in response. "It's been too long since I've performed for my hometown. It feels so good!" She was out of breath, but wasn't letting it show. "In fact, I have some surprises for you all tonight." Her smile was filled with mischief.

Great, Pete and Steve both thought while everyone else laughed. She was going to unintentionally torture Steve, and they were all looking forward to it.

"Welcome to the 'Dream Within A Dream' tour... where reality and dreams are blurred." The stage lights went out as a new video played. In this time she was lowered underneath Stage 1 and into a dressing area where her team started pulling her clothes off and getting her into her next costume.

"Nice job! How ya doin?" Tina asked as she fastened her mic pack into her costume. "What happened up there?"

"I don't know," Maddie coughed. "It locked."

"So you thought you'd just unhook yourself and fall?" Tina asked.

"The show must go on," Maddie whispered before blowing her nose and taking some more water. She had ten seconds to get into place for the next number.

A little over twenty minutes in Maddie was in extremely low-cut, green, pinstripe pants with a black studded belt. On top she wore a tight magenta and teal crop top with sporadically placed sparkles. As part of her wardrobe team clipped her into her green harness two others tugged black, fingerless, motorcycle gloves on her hands. Mo quickly double checked her harness and nodded before she was quickly helped into a denim jacket sporadically covered in Swarovski crystals in various sizes. It was zipped up so her top and harness were no longer visible.

She met her female dancers on stage and climbed onto "the barge". It was a flying rectangular stage with metal bars along the edges for safety and an opening at the front and back. The lights were out on the stage as a video interlude played on the screens. Once it was finished, the stage lights flew on as the music began and Maddie started singing.

Hey, is this thing on?

I saw him dancing there by the record machine

I knew he must have been about seventeen

The beat was goin' strong

Play my favorite song

I could tell it wouldn't be long

Till he was with me, yeah, with me

"The barge" began slowly lifting in the air.

I could tell it wouldn't be long

Till he was with me, yeah, with me

Lyle had been telling the truth when he said "the barge" was bouncier with the adjustments the crew had made to it. As Maddie and her dancers started dancing and jumping it swayed. As it got higher off the ground pyro came out of the bottom of it.

Singin' I love rock and roll

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby

I love rock and roll

So come and take the time and dance with me, ow

Tense, Steve watched as the small stage rose. He could see she was in a harness, but he could also see she was not hooked to anything at the moment. He could appreciate the fact she was killing her show, but it didn't keep him from worrying when she was in the air. He had never loved that she did that, but it was worse now that things were changing between them.

His jaw clenched as he watched Maddie get down on her knees at the front opening and lean slightly forward while holding on to the metal poles on each side of her. "Why the fuck is she not strapped in?" Steve yelled over the crowd to no one in particular.

Kono laughed. "You're going to break your jaw if you keep clenching it that hard, boss."

She laughed harder as he sent her a quick glare before returning his attention to Maddie. He's got it bad, she happily thought to herself.

As Maddie now stood at the opening singing and dancing he watched Harper reach over and quickly hook a wire to her harness. "Fucking finally," Steve grumbled making Kono laugh harder.

Before relief could settle in, "the barge" tilted forward.

"She shares your sense of danger and adventure," Kono teased while Steve scowled.

He watched as "the barge" began to straighten and neared a spot where two black bungy-like cables were being lowered from the rafters. Harper unhooked the wire on her harness while grabbing one of the black bungies. Claire was on Maddie's other side grabbing the other one. Simultaneously they attached the bungies to her harness.

I love rock and roll

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby

I love rock and roll

So come and take the time and dance with me

Immediately after singing the last word Maddie jumped off "the barge" and began bouncing in the air while slowly being lowered to the stage where her male dancers were waiting. A video of her running in a dream was playing on the stage screens.

The stage was black while the short video interlude played. Justin unzipped her jacket and quickly pulled it off. Ryan and Tyler then unhooked her harness. Her jacket and harness were dropped under the stage through a small opening that immediately closed. She tried taking a deep breath as she coughed. She needed her inhaler, but had to wait two more songs. These three songs were back to back and tiring in a healthy state, which she was not in.

The lights flew on.

Baby, tell me

Do I look like the kinda girl that you wanna take home?

Wanna make me your own?

Do you even know what I like?

Just what I'm living for, what I adore?

Maddie felt horrible, but she pushed it from her mind and continued to power through. Her focus was impenetrable. Most of this song was performed on Stage 2, so she was basically dancing directly in front of Steve. She knew she shouldn't, but she stole a glance at him to make sure he was okay.

Don't you get it twisted, boy, I want you too

But you got my heart to win before I let you in

And this deceives you, baby

I'm not the average lady

I need someone to love

Pete watched in awe as she nailed every step of choreography. On a good night these three songs were more challenging. At least to his knowledge, she hadn't messed anything up so far and she wasn't coming across as tired or sick or injured. It had been months since he'd seen this side of her.

She finished the song on Stage 1. Out of breath she walked up to a massive video screen. On it was her in a similar, but different, outfit, wearing a hat. "Who is this chick? I think she wants to battle me," Maddie said.

Immediately the band started playing and she began dancing with video screen Maddie.

To think I'm so naïve

How dare you play with me

I gave you heart and soul, yeah

Tell me baby, please

Why you screwing with my head?

I don't think you understand

I won't take your, huh, no more

Don't knock on my door

When she reached the bridge of the song she began pushing her video version away and by the end of it four of her male dancers dressed in sweats and large hoodies joined her.

Think of times you made me cry

You had me so confused

I'm tired of trying, I'll leave behind this

What's a girl to do?

As Maddie danced her ass off she interacted with her dancers. At the end of the song pyro was coming out of each dancer in perfect unison with drum hits. She disappeared under the stage, immediately grabbing for her inhaler.

"You're killing it, Mads," Tina encouraged as she helped wardrobe get her changed. "You're about halfway through now."

Maddie looked at her blankly. "Not quite."

"You got this. How do you feel?" Tina was almost afraid to ask. Maddie only groaned. "That good, huh?" she joked. "You're almost to your short break. Want me to get Doc?"

"No, I'm okay. I can make it." Maddie hoped that was true. Her knee and foot were killing her. Plus her body ached so badly. "Do you have more Advil?"

"Is it time yet?"

"I don't care, just give me two." In that brief moment of desperation Tina saw a glimpse of how bad she felt.

"Here," she quickly handed her the pills and water, which she immediately took.

"Thanks," she whispered as she continued to try and catch her breath.

"No problem," Tina began. Finally she asked what she'd been wanting to ask. "What the hell are you wearing? What kind of song is this?"

Maddie chuckled and smiled at her friend. "A new one."

She was wearing boots up past her knees and what looked like a black bodysuit with cutouts. It had Swarovski crystals sporadically over it as well as leather straps and buckles. She had a big, jeweled cuff on each wrist with a chain attaching them.

"I don't know if I even wanna know," Tina giggled. Maddie wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as she ran to her starting position. It was dark so she couldn't see her dancers in their entrances on other parts of the stage.

She began singing when the video interlude ended and the lights turned back on.

Na-na-na, c'mon

Na-na-na-na, c'mon

Na-na-na, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon

Na-na-na-na, c'mon

Na-na-na, c'mon

Na-na-na-na, c'mon

Na-na-na, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon

Na-na-na-na

Feels so good being bad (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

There's no way I'm turning back (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Now the pain is my pleasure, 'cause nothing could measure

(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Love is great, love is fine (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Out the box, outta line (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

The affliction of the feeling leaves me wantin' more

(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

Maddie had been in front of her dancers as she sang the first verse, so she hadn't seen them yet. As she began singing the chorus she went to interact with them. She fought the laughter as she took them all in. They weren't wearing similar outfits to hers like they should have been. No, they had pranked her by all wearing bikinis and hula skirts. She struggled not to laugh as she put her arms around Ryan's neck, her hands still attached by a chain.

'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it

Sex in the air

I don't care, I love the smell of it

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But chains and whips excite me

'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it

Sex in the air

I don't care, I love the smell of it

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But chains and whips excite me

She laughed between the lines and realized she hadn't had this much fun on stage in a long time. At the end, she hugged them and laughed out loud. "It's tradition at the last show of a tour to play pranks. Obviously they decided to continue that tradition," she said to the audience.

"Man, it's good to see her smile," Chin said.

"Yeah, it is," Malia added while threading her arm through his.

"So does this mean Maddie is going to be playing pranks?" Danny asked.

"Yep," Kono smiled. She couldn't wait to see what she did. She'd always appreciated her friend's sense of humor.

"She better not," Steve glared at Kono.

"Oh come on, boss. Stop worrying. She's fine. Just enjoy the show," Kono said, smiling innocently at him.

"I'm enjoying the show. So what if I don't like when she's flying in the air or pulling dangerous stunts?" Steve said, slightly defensive.

Kono only chuckled and rolled her eyes as Tina suddenly appeared next to them.

"I wanted to see this last song. It's a new one, so we hadn't heard it yet. And this next one. From what I've heard from a few crew members that have heard it, it's pretty vulnerable."

"I wanna know how she is still going?" Joe suddenly said.

"Oh, she's hurtin', but she's focused. We haven't seen this side of her in months. I honestly don't know how she's still going," Tina answered.

Suddenly a new video appeared on the screens. They all watched as behind the scenes footage began playing. Maddie was onscreen. Exhausted.

"Shit, I think this footage is all from the last few months," Tina announced.

She looked sad. Every clip showed the side of her that was scared and exhausted. Clip by clip she began looking more and more haunted. "Turn it off," Maddie said to the camera on the last clip.

Maddie sang as she appeared in the middle of Stage 1.

On the first page of our story

The future seemed so bright

Then this thing turned out so evil

I don't know why I'm still surprised

She was wearing chunky heeled black boots, medium wash jeans, and a black t-shirt. What they didn't know was that her shoes and clothes were made of fire retardant material. Instead of the head mic she wore for the faster songs, she was using a hand mic covered in black Swarovski crystals.

Even angels have their wicked schemes

And you take that to new extremes

But you'll always be my hero

Even though you've lost your mind

Here goes nothing, Maddie thought as she stopped in the middle of Stage 2. Suddenly the entire stage was covered in fire. Instead of it burning out immediately, it stayed, so she looked like she was in the middle of a fire.

Fuck! This was what they were rehearsing for the first time earlier today, Pete thought angrily. It was all clicking into place. All the "hush hush" conversations she wouldn't let him overhear. "Derek! Lyle! How could you agree to this?!" Pete yelled through the mic at his wrist. He got only, "she insisted," back. He was furious. It was not the time to be doing things like this after her stalker had already tampered with things during rehearsals.

"She's so badass!" Kono cried.

Steve's heartbeat sped up as he watched flames surround Maddie. Focus on the song. Listen to the words, he reminded himself, something that was increasingly difficult the longer she looked like she was going to be engulfed by fire.

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

But that's all right because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's all right because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

Oh, I love the way you lie

Maddie was sweating. While she wasn't really on fire, the flames were incredibly close to her, so she was really feeling the heat.

The flames died down as she began the second verse.

Now there's gravel in our voices

Glass is shattered from the fight

In this tug of war you'll always win

Even when I'm right

'Cause you feed me fables from your hand

With violent words and empty threats

And it's sick that all these battles

Are what keeps me satisfied

Steve knew she was singing about the different sides of herself. Risky pyro aside, it was an amazing song that also scared the hell out of him. She was in a dark place.

The flames got taller as she sang the chorus again.

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

But that's all right because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's all right because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

Oh, I love the way you lie

Ohhhh

So maybe I'm a masochist

I try to run, but I don't wanna ever leave

'Til the walls are goin' up

In smoke with all our memories

"Is Aunt Maddie burning?" Gracie asked worriedly.

"No, monkey. It's all just a trick. She's okay," Danny answered as he ran his hand through her hair soothingly.

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

But that's all right because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's all right because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

When she finished she seemed a bit unsure and embarrassed, like she was afraid she'd shown too much of herself. She looked in Steve's direction and met his eyes. Even though she couldn't verbalize it outside of a song, she was drowning. He gave her a small smile and mouthed "I got you".

Maddie covered the mic with her hand and coughed several times as the crowd cheered and screamed. "Thank you so much! Wow, what a fun night! Hawaii shows are always my favorite... but, shhhh, don't tell." She laughed when her fans screamed louder. "In fact, since Hawaii is always so fun, a few of my friends wanted to experience it themselves."

Suddenly a band began playing a familiar song. "Everyone, give it up for my friends Maroon 5!" she yelled.

The lights went up to show that Maroon 5 was now at the instruments her band had vacated. Adam Levine walked down the catwalk towards her on Stage 2 while singing.

Now as the summer fades I let you slip away

You say I'm not your type, but I can make you sway

It makes you burn to learn, you're not the only one

I'd let you be if you put down your blazing gun

She smiled at Adam as he stood next to her before beginning her part.

Now you've gone somewhere else, far away

I don't know if I will find you (find you, find you)

But you feel my breath, on your neck

Can't believe I'm right behind you (right behind you)

He took her free hand with his and spun her around.

'Cause you keep me comin' back for more (comin' back for more)

And I feel a little better than I did before

If I never see your face again, I don't mind

'Cause we've gone much further than I thought we'd get tonight

"That's Maroon 5!" Danny said in disbelief.

Chin laughed. "Yeah, brah, it is. She's good friends with them."

"Well, since you guys seem to be such a big hit, why don't I hand the stage over to you for a bit," Maddie said to Adam when they finished the song.

"What? You're not afraid they'll like us better?" Adam retorted.

She shot him a look of pure pity. "Oh, brah, you don't stand a chance. This is my hometown." Her fans cheered louder. "See!" She shrugged innocently.

"Fine, fine. I concede. Get outta here already!" Adam laughed.

A spot in Stage 2 opened up and she quickly disappeared. She was immediately strapped into the stretcher like device and shot over to the area under Stage 1. She was quickly unstrapped and taken to her dressing area nearby where she collapsed in the chair coughing heavily.

"Smart move," Doc said. "Calling for reinforcements."

She nodded. "I knew I'd need a small break if I was gonna make it." She coughed more as she tried to catch her breath. "Everyone should really have a little more faith in me." Her wardrobe team helped her out of her clothes and into her robe.

"How's the knee," he asked taking in the swelling that was starting to come back.

"A knee transplant would be great," she retorted.

"Okay, I'll give you another small shot to get you through the rest of the show." He took in her body language and face. "Want some pain medicine?"

Maddie sighed. "No. After the show." She closed her eyes as she coughed, wincing at the pain.

Doc grabbed the nebulizer and handed it to her. "You have time to do a breathing treatment right now."

"How ya doin', Shorty?" Pete asked as he walked into her little dressing room as Doc finished giving her the shot in her knee. He took in the scene in front of him. "That good, huh?" She just looked at him in response as she inhaled the medication. "I don't know how you're doin' what you're doin', but you're nailin' it. I'm in awe of you." She nodded in acknowledgement. "You're almost done. A little less than halfway left." He looked to Tina. "How long is Maroon 5 on?"

Tina looked at the master set list. "About twenty minutes before she goes back out and performs a new song with them."

"That was smart, Mads," Pete said, crouching in front of her. "What can I do? Anything?" Still using the nebulizer she shook her head. She grabbed his hand and squeezed lightly in thanks.

When Pete returned to his spot at the front of Stage 2 Steve walked to the concert barricade and leaned over. "How is she?" he yelled.

"She's hangin' in there," Pete yelled back. "Doc's with her. She's got about a fifteen minute break."

"That's good!" Steve replied. "But she's okay? She's going hard out there. I don't know how she's doin' it."

"She's actually still goin' pretty strong. You know adrenaline... it's a powerful drug." They all knew that firsthand from all their missions.

"You guys have been so amazing! We're stoked to be here tonight with all of you. And of course we always love performing with Maddie!" Adam took a sip of water. "Speaking of which... to make a long story short... Maddie and I wrote this amazing new song recently. We plan on recording it, however we haven't had a chance to yet... but, we still wanted to share it with all of you. This is "My Heart Is Open!"

The piano started and Adam began singing in the middle of Stage 1.

I know you're scared, ooh, I can feel it

It's in the air, I know you feel that too

But take a chance on me, you won't regret it, no

One more 'no' and I'll believe you

I'll walk away and I will leave you be

And that's the last time you'll say no, say no to me

Her fans screamed as Maddie appeared behind Adam wearing frayed denim shorts, a white t-shirt, and black vans.

Adam looked to his left as she joined him singing the next line.

It won't take me long to find another lover, but I want you

Adam sang the next one to her.

I can't spend another minute getting' over lovin' you

He grabbed her right hand with his left, lacing their fingers together as they sang the chorus while slowly making their way down the catwalk.

You don't ever say yeah

Let me hear you say yeah

Wanna hear you say yeah

Cause my heart is open

Now you gotta say yeah

Let me hear you say yeah

Wanna hear you say yeah

Wanna hear you say

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

Steve couldn't keep his eyes from their linked hands. It's not that he was jealous. He just missed an easier time with her. When every move he made wasn't questioned by himself, others, and Maddie. He couldn't wait to get back to that. Or a new version of it since their relationship was changing.

Adam unlinked their hands and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side as he sang.

I can't spend another minute getting over loving you

They hugged when they finished the song. "Well, I think it's time you take over again," Adam said. "I think they're getting tired of us." The fans cheered. "Hey! Not cool!" he joked.

Maddie laughed. "Yeah, they definitely like me better!"

"Yeah, yeah... you'll have to come perform with us and we'll see how receptive Maroon 5 fans are."

She thought about it for a second before boasting, "They'll still like me better!"

Adam laughed and pulled her into his side. "Yeah, that's true. Traitors, I tell you."

"Alright, thank you for coming. Now get off my stage." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Okay, okay... we're leaving!" he said as he waved at the fans on his walk back to Stage 1.

"What's up Honolulu! How did you like Maroon 5?" she yelled to the crowd. They screamed and she smiled. "Alright, let's get back to it!"

The next song was a new one. And also a prank they were playing. Maddie had placed it in the show a few songs before the one Gracie would be with her for so that Tina could get her from the audience. This song had a very adult theme and Maddie didn't want Gracie watching it.

Maddie stood on Stage 1 in a shiny purplish-blue, one piece body suit (cut like a swimsuit) that had Swarovski crystals throughout it with black ankle strap heels. Her female dancers were with her and were in similar versions of the outfit. For the second leg of her tour, whenever that was going to be, the costumes for this song would be more elaborate. However, because it was new and they were pranking for it, they didn't need the final costumes.

I want to see your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock-cock

Your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock

I want to see your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock-cock

Your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock

Knowing what was coming, Maddie and her female dancers were doing everything they could to not laugh. As she began the first verse her ten male dancers appeared in slightly loose and baggy boxer shorts meets shorts.

Word on the street you got somethin' to show me, me

Magical, colorful, Mr. Mystery

I'm intrigued for a peek, heard it's fascinating

The females were all dancing and touching the guys as they acted sort of shy.

C'mon, baby, let me see what you hiding underneath

Maddie started following Ryan and Tyler to Stage 2 with her other dancers close behind.

What's up your sleeve?

Such a tease

Wanna see the show in 3D, a movie

Heard it's beautiful

Be the judge and my girls gonna take a vote

C'mon, baby, let me see what you hiding underneath

The guys all started dancing sexily for the girls.

I want the jaw dropping, eye popping, head turning, body shocking (oh oh, oh oh oh)

I want my heart throbbing, ground shaking, show stopping, amazing (oh oh, oh oh oh)

They all did their absolute best to keep from bursting into laughter at what was next. They hadn't had a chance to rehearse it with the guys full costumes since part of them were in the box Tina had picked up earlier that day. It was then taken to the wardrobe department and they had gotten busy sewing the delivered pieces to the pieces that had been made the day before. Maddie really hoped this went off without a hitch. Performing a number that hadn't been fully rehearsed in costumes was risky, especially since it was being filmed.

As Maddie started the chorus all the guys ripped a piece off their black baggy shorts revealing a peacock head at their crotches. It was funnier than she ever could have imagined and she burst into laughter, missing a few lyrics. The entire crowd cracked up and cheered.

Steve shook his head while fighting laughter.

"Sistah is back!" Kono screamed, so happy to see her friend's crazy and silly, and sometimes inappropriate, sense of humor.

"Yes, she is!" Chin agreed.

Are you brave enough to let me see your peacock?

Don't be a chicken, boy, stop acting like a Bi-otch

I'm a peace out if you don't give me the pay off

C'mon, baby, let me see what you hiding underneath

The guys were thrusting with their "peacocks" and Maddie was doing everything she could to not laugh. Her dancers were giggling, unable to contain themselves. However, they didn't miss a step of the choreography.

Are you brave enough to let me see your peacock?

Whatcha waiting for, it's time for you to show it off

Don't be a shy kind of guy

I bet it's beautiful

C'mon, baby, let me see what you hiding underneath

I want to see your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock-cock

Your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock

I want to see your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock-cock

Your peacock-cock-cock

Your peacock

I wanna see your…

So that's the reason for the whispering, Pete thought as he chuckled, recalling the times he'd seen Maddie and Ryan whispering as well as with the crew. It was so good to see her genuinely laugh.

"I see why Gracie is backstage with Tina," Danny yelled to Steve. "Remind me to thank her later. I can't imagine how I'd explain this to her."

Steve chuckled, imagining Danny trying to explain this to Gracie. He would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation.

When Maddie got to the bridge she feigned shock and awe at Ryan and Tyler's "peacocks". Her female dancers reacted similarly to the other male dancers.

Oh my God, no exaggeration

Boy, all this time was worth the waiting

I just shed a tear

I am so unprepared

You got the finest architecture

End of the rainbow-looking treasure

Such a sight to see

And it's all for me

Ryan got pretty into the character and started shaking his "peacock" against Maddie's side. She pushed him away laughing hysterically causing her to briefly stop singing.

At the end of the song they all ran backstage behind Stage 1.

"What was she doing when she wrote that?" Kono laughed.

Steve wasn't going to lie, he wanted to know the same thing. He'd have to remember to ask her at some point. Little did he know she'd written it quickly the night of the BBQ when she'd gone to her studio to grab charts for the band before bed. She was drunk and horny and really wanting Steve. It had started from there and "Peacock" had been written.

Maddie had four songs and the encore left. Then she could shower, crawl into bed, and take some medicine. She was particularly looking forward to taking some pain medicine. "You're almost there," she whispered to herself as Nicole touched up her makeup, giving her a little more blush and bronzer to make up for her increasing paleness.

"You're right, Mads, you're almost there. You can do this!" Tina championed.

Maddie took a deep breath. "I can do this," she repeated.

She was grateful she was in bunny slippers for this next number and didn't have to wear heels. White bunny slippers, bright pink, short silk pajama shorts with lace trim and a loose gray cotton cropped t-shirt. Her female dancers were wearing similar versions. Her costume for the following number was underneath.

"Let's do this," Maddie said as she exited her dressing area. She was immediately strapped on the device that transported her to the area under Stage 2.

The lights were out in the arena. The only light was coming from the end of the video interlude playing. Maddie and her female dancers got into place on Stage 2. She knew her head mic wasn't on yet, but just to be safe she covered it with her hand as she coughed several times. It was getting harder and harder to fight the coughing. Five songs left, she reminded herself. You're almost there.

The video finished and the band began playing. The stage lit as Maddie started singing.

I think I see confetti from this potion

Pillow fights and feathers, overdosin'

Smells like a cologne and candy lotion

Like a slumber party

Lyle had choreographed this number perfectly. The women's moves weren't overly sexual, which would have been the route a lot of choreographers would have gone. It was still sexy, and they looked beautiful, but it was also classy.

Sheets all on the floor just like an ocean

Building up your fortress like mountain

Neighbors say we're causing a commotion

Like a slumber party

No one but, no one but you and I, I, I

We ain't gonna sleep tonigh-igh-ight

Oh baby, no one but, no one but you and I, I, I

We ain't gonna sleep tonight

As Maddie started in on the chorus the dance got sexier.

'Cause we got them candles hangin'

Hangin' from the ceiling low

We use our bodies to make our own videos

Put on our music that makes us go fuckin' crazy, go

Go crazy, go

Like a slumber party

The crowd screamed as Tinashe, who Maddie recorded the song with, suddenly appeared from below Stage 2.

Let's fill up this clawfoot bath with bubbles

Loving me so hard it's causing trouble

If there's seven minutes in heaven make it double, triple

Like a slumber party

Since the tour's concept was "Dream Within A Dream" every number was designed to fit that. This was no different. The women suddenly had feather pillows and got into a pillow fight. It was always designed to be light hits, but since it was the last show of the first leg, that wasn't how it went. Harper whacked the back of Maddie's head causing her to laugh. Maddie retaliated. Hardcore. By the end of the number all their hair was sticking up in every which way as feathers flitted through the air. At the end of the song Maddie pulled one from her lip gloss, which distracted her briefly. Suddenly she was hit hard by everyone's pillows at the same time. She jumped and then burst into laughter.

"Hey guys," Tina greeted. "Gracie, Maddie wants to know if you want to come see her dressing room under the stage."

"Yeah!" Gracie exclaimed. She looked to her dad. "Can I Danno?"

"Of course, monkey! Have fun!"

Gracie walked to Tina and took her hand.

"If Maddie just had Tina come get Gracie I don't know if I want to see what the next song is," Kono smirked. "Actually, that's a lie. I can't wait."

"Well given what she did the last time she had Tina get Gracie, I'm a bit afraid," Chin yelled over the screaming fans.

"As you can see, we have NO fun at all!" Maddie laughed as she spoke to her fans. "Let's give it up for Tinashe who made a special trip to Hawaii to be here with us tonight!" She hugged her friend tightly. It was always good to see her.

"Anytime! Thanks for having me!" Tinashe replied.

The stage lights went out and they all ran backstage. She hugged Tinashe once more. "Thanks again! I'll see you Friday at the after party?"

"Wouldn't miss it!" she replied. "Now go kill the rest of the show."

Maddie hurriedly made her way to her dressing area. She slipped off the bunny slippers then her shorts and top. Lorali and Nicole quickly began picking feathers out of her hair while she drank some water.

"Four left," Tina told her with Gracie at her side.

Maddie nodded. "Hey Gracie! Are you having fun?"

"It's so good, Aunt Maddie!" Gracie exclaimed.

Maddie was standing barefoot, her injured foot wrapped inconspicuously, just as Doc had promised. She wore lingerie. Black lingerie with sporadically placed Swarovski crystals. The bra showed off just the right amount of cleavage and the underwear wasn't a thong, but it wasn't boy cut underwear either. It showed just enough of her toned butt. She wore a black garter belt with a bit of lace although she wore no stockings. She needed to be barefoot for the kind of choreography this song had.

"Your pillow fight was really funny," Gracie said.

Maddie chuckled. "Yeah, it was pretty funny!"

"They need you, Maddie," Mo said, peeking his head around one of the curtains that acted as walls to the dressing area.

Quickly her team double checked her mic pack was secure at the back of her bra as she slipped her head mic on. "See you in a few minutes, Gracie," Maddie said as she and Mo walked away. He strapped her to the stretcher and she was transported to Stage 2. She came up while the stage lights were off and a video interlude played. Laying on the chair in front of a vanity was a short, black silk robe. She quickly slipped it on and tied it closed before sitting at the vanity. The music began playing and only enough light came on on the side of Stage 2 she was on. The rest was still shrouded in darkness.

Said you're gonna be here in a minute

Sittin' in the mirror gettin' pretty

Gotta look my best if we're gonna break up

Maddie stood from the vanity and walked to the edge of the lighted area near the catwalk.

I can hear you knockin' at the front door

And I know exactly what you came for

She took a couple steps back and Ryan came into view. He was in tight, black boxer-briefs. He pulled her to him as he ran a hand possessively from her upper back to her butt.

Kono glanced at her boss from the corner of her eyes. He was looking a little tense, which she probably shouldn't have taken such delight in, but she did.

Try to say goodbye, but it's hot and heavy

Maddie ran her hands down Ryan's chest, her face nearly touching his.

You touch me, and it's breakin' me down

And me down, and me down, and me down

I'm tellin' you, let's just give it up and get down

And get down, and get down

In one quick movement Ryan had undone the front of Maddie's robe and pulled it off her. He discarded it to the left as he grabbed her. As she started singing the chorus she jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist. His right hand found her lower back and supported her as she leaned completely back and arched her back.

Steve's jaw clenched harder. She was in sexy lingerie in front of everyone. It's not that he didn't like what she looked like because he really did. It was that she was in lingerie in front of thousands of people, but more than that it was Ryan touching her so intimately. He knew they were just friends, but he wanted to be the one touching her. He wanted their relationship to change, but it was still terrifying. They'd been one thing to each other for more than two decades.

So, c'mon

Won't you give me somethin' to remember?

Baby, shut your mouth, and turn me inside out

Even though we couldn't last forever, baby

You know what I want right now

In one fluid movement he flipped her in the air and grabbed her hips with both hands. She arched her back again as he held her in the air. She positioned her legs in a beautiful, graceful position. Lyle had changed this number for tonight. It had much more acrobatics than it did before. It's why both Maddie and Ryan were barefoot.

Hit me one more time, it's so amazin'

How you shook my world and flipped it upside down

You're the only one who ever drove me crazy

'Cause you know me inside out, inside out

"They look beautiful," Lori said as she watched the two dance together.

"Yeah, they do," Kono added. She looked at Steve. "Don't you agree, Steve."

He would have glared at Kono if he'd been able to take his eyes off Maddie. "Yep," he replied in a clipped tone.

Kono stifled her giggles. Maddie was torturing Steve. She knew that hadn't been her plan, but regardless, it was very obvious he was not happy.

"Well, I get why Gracie is backstage. I appreciate Maddie saving me from yet another uncomfortable conversation with my daughter," Danny stated as he watched the performance.

As Maddie began singing the second verse she sauntered to the other side of Stage 2. As Ryan trailed after her, watching her hips sway, the lights were turned on. What was being hidden was a bed. The headboard was made of metal and was shaped in romantic loops with flowers. Maddie stepped onto the mattress, standing in the middle of the bed seductively. Ryan followed her, grabbing and pulling her to him. They did acrobatics while Ryan stayed standing on the bed.

I know that we probably shouldn't do this

Wake up in the morning feeling stupid

Said that we were done, but you're all up on me

Tell me how we got in this position

Guess I gotta get you out my system

Try to let you go, but it's not that easy

Maddie's left leg shot straight up against Ryan, her foot extending up past his shoulder. Her lower body was at her right ankle rooted on the bed. She was in the full splits completely against the front of his body. Her right hand was holding Ryan's left ankle. He could tell the amount of pain she was in by her grip. All her weight was on her injured foot and knee. Plus, he knew with the kinds of movements they were doing her bruised tailbone had to be really hurting.

You touch me, and it's breakin' me down

And me down, and me down, and me down

I'm tellin' you, let's just give it up and get down

And get down, and get down

He effortlessly grabbed her left hand and pulled. Now both legs were on his shoulders with her crotch basically in his face.

Joe glanced at Steve, a smug smile tugging at his lips when he saw steam coming from his ears.

Seriously?! Steve fumed. How long is this fucking song? It felt like it had lasted ten minutes.

So, c'mon

Won't you give me somethin' to remember?

Baby, shut your mouth, and turn me inside out

Even though we couldn't last forever, baby

You know what I want right now

Ryan grabbed her other hand with his and holding onto both he helped lift her into the air. Their hands were linked as she balanced upside down in the splits above his head. They held that as she continued the chorus.

Hit me one more time, it's so amazin'

How you shook my world and flipped it upside down

"She is so strong," Malia stated. Although they were making each move look effortless, she knew the amount of strength it took from each of them.

"Seriously," Lori stated. She was in good shape herself, but nothing like Maddie. She knew her core was rock solid for her to do the moves she was doing.

You're the only one who ever drove me crazy

'Cause you know me inside out, inside out

Ryan lowered her slowly, her body sliding down the front of his. She stepped off the bed, walking towards the other side of Stage 2. He followed and grabbed her before she reached the vanity, spinning her around towards him.

Out, out, out, out, out

Inside out, out, out, out, out, out

Inside out

Ryan picked her up and as she sang he used his strength to throw her through the air back to the other side of Stage 2.

So, c'mon

She landed on her back on the bed right before Ryan flipped through the air towards her. He landed on top of her, but with none of his weight on her. His arms and legs had taken the landing in such a way that he wasn't actually on top of her, it just looked like it.

Won't you give me somethin' to remember?

Baby, shut your mouth, and turn me inside out

Even though we couldn't last forever, baby

You know what I want right now

Ryan rolled them over so Maddie was on top of him. He lifted her again, her back arching in the air above him, her toned and strong body holding her in a beautiful, but difficult position. The audience couldn't see it, but she was shaking while holding the pose.

Hit me one more time, it's so amazin'

How you shook my world and flipped it upside down

You're the only one who ever drove me crazy

'Cause you know me inside out, inside out

He rolled them so they were flipped around on the bed, Maddie back beneath him, her head slightly hanging off the foot of the bed. Ryan buried his face below her neck and partially in her chest, which was how they ended the song.

Out, out, out, out, out, out

The lights went out.

The crowd cheered. Steve did not. He had been cheering along the entire show, but even though she and Ryan had nailed the choreography he couldn't get behind it. The idea of Maddie touching any man that wasn't him in any sort of intimate way upset him, let alone watching her do it. He knew Ryan and Maddie were just friends, but it still bothered him.

"Steve has aneurysm face," Danny whispered to Kono.

"I do not," Steve said forcefully, his voice dripping in irritation.

"And apparently has supersonic hearing," Danny added. Steve glared at him.

Joe chuckled, having heard everything. That boy has it bad, he thought to himself. He wished his old friend John could finally see their relationship changing, but he figured that John was watching in spirit.

Malia giggled quietly as she leaned against Chin's right side. He wrapped his arm around her. "And he's this bad when he hasn't realized he loves her. Imagine him once they're together," he whispered to his once fiancé.

Maddie reached the dressing area under Stage 1 with Mo by her side.

"Aunt Maddie! Look!" Gracie exclaimed. She smiled at her. Lorali and Nicole had been playing glam with her. They'd given her some curls in her hair and some blush and lip gloss.

"You look gorgeous!" Maddie replied, beaming at the little girl. She started coughing and Tina handed her the inhaler.

"Come on, Gracie. Let's go back to VIP so you can see the last few songs."

Maddie pulled her into a hug on her way out. "I'll see you soon!"

"Bye Aunt Maddie!"

Once Gracie was gone, Maddie dropped into the chair. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily, her head dropping forward and her back and shoulders hunched. "Inside Out" had taken a lot out of her. It had been excruciatingly painful for her to perform. However, no one besides Ryan would have known. They had nailed it, which made her really happy. They had struggled with it in her rehearsals. Well, she had struggled with it.

Maddie unhooked the garter belt and handed it to a member of her team. She was able to stay in the underwear and bra for her next two songs. She stood as they helped her into her tight, black, Skinny jeans. However, they were custom and made out of a material that had a lot of stretch, making it easier for her to dance in them. This was her last costume before the encore. Almost there, she told herself as she slipped the white, crop top t-shirt over her head. She took several sips of water as she sat back down in the chair. They put socks on her feet and then slipped them into custom Christian Louboutin black boots. They had short silver spikes on the toes and with their chunky heel they weren't too tall, no more than two inches.

"Ready?" Mo came and asked. She needed to get to the stage.

"Yeah," she said, and stood.

"Almost done, Shorty. I don't know how you're pulling this off. I'm in awe."

"Thanks, Mo." Maddie sighed. "See you in a few." With that she walked on stage, her mic in her hand, ready to sing a new song.

I'm wide awake

Maddie's backing vocalists joined her on Stage 1, two on each side of her.

Yeah, I was in the dark

I was falling hard

With an open heart (I'm wide awake)

How did I read the stars so wrong? (I'm wide awake)

And now it's clear to me

That everything you see

Ain't always what it seems (I'm wide awake)

Yeah, I was dreaming for so long

The women walked forward, stopping at the start of the catwalk. Maddie walked slowly as she looked to each side, smiling and waving to her fans. She did one of the things Pete hated, she reached down and touched their outstretched hands.

"Damn it," Pete cursed. When she did things like that it riled her fans and made them want to get to her even more. They'd start rushing each other so they could all touch Maddie's hands. It led to fans getting injured, and a few times it had led to fans jumping, or trying to, on stage with her. "Stand in front of her," he said into the mic at his wrist.

Maddie saw security move forward and smirked. Pete is such a buzzkill, she thought to herself as she waved to more fans.

I wish I knew then, what I know now

When to dive in, when to bow down

Gravity hurts, you made it so sweet

'Til I woke up on, on the concrete

She continued walking along the catwalk slowly, smiling and waving to her fans.

Falling from cloud nine

Crashing from the high

I'm letting go tonight

Yeah, I'm falling from cloud nine

Her friends were listening closely to the words. This song made Kono sad. She knew Maddie was singing about a lot of different things that had happened in her life, excluding the current stalker. Maddie had been through a lot starting at a young age, but had kept going and fighting for what she wanted. It made her realize even more how scared she was of this stalker since that wasn't how she was responding to the situation.

I'm wide awake

Not losing any sleep

I picked up every piece

And landed on my feet (I'm wide awake)

Need nothing to complete myself, no (I'm wide awake)

Yeah, I am born again

Out of the lion's den

I don't have to pretend (And it's too late)

The story's over now, the end

"You okay, Kono?" Lori asked. She didn't know Maddie very well, so she didn't understand what Kono did.

"Yeah," she whispered.

Chin wrapped his arm around his cousin's shoulders. "We're going to find him," he whispered.

"We have to," Kono mumbled. "She doesn't deserve to live in fear." Kono loved Maddie like a sister. She truly believed that Maddie had saved her life after she'd blown out her knee. She had been in a very dark place. She'd been with her every step of the way, taking time off work and staying in Hawaii. There were times she knew Kono needed to escape the island, so they'd fly somewhere new and have adventures.

"You will," Karen said from her spot behind them. She'd been pretty quiet during the show. It had felt like forever since she'd seen Maddie perform and she was enjoying every second of it. Plus, she'd been watching Steve intently, who was just to the left and slightly in front of her. So, she had a good view. She didn't know how his reactions to Maddie on stage didn't open his eyes to the fact he didn't just have feelings for her, but was actually in love with her. She was anxious for all the stalker business to settle down so they could just be together. She felt it was time Maddie took a year or so off, something she planned to talk to her about. It was perfect timing since Steve was back in Hawaii. Karen wanted to see the two marry and start a family. Johnny always told her she was too much of a romantic, especially when it came to Maddie and Steve. He also told her not to interfere, but that was something she didn't plan on listening to. She was in remission now, but who knew how long that was going to last. Cancer had taught her to take advantage of every moment. She thought of Maddie as a daughter, and like any mother, she wanted her child to be happy. She wanted her to have everything she'd ever dreamed of, not just her successful career. They had talked about it a lot over the years, so she knew Maddie really wanted a family of her own. Her childhood had been rough and she wanted to finally have a stable family to love and be loved by. She wanted to be the kind of mom she'd had for a short time, and wanted her kids to have the kind of dad she always wished she'd had. Karen was going to make sure Maddie got everything she'd ever wanted. However, for the time being she forced her thoughts back to her "daughter" on stage. She'd work on the two best friends later.

Maddie had made her way to Stage 2 by the start of the second chorus. She didn't stop there though. Instead, her backing vocalists stayed there while she walked along the short catwalk next to Steve and up the stairs to Stage 3 where she finished the song.

"Thank you for being amazing! Are you ready for one last song?" Maddie yelled. A familiar song began to play and the fans screamed in recognition.

There ain't no reason you and me should be alone

Tonight, yeah, baby

But I got a reason that you-hoo should take me home tonight

I need a man that thinks it's right when it's so wrong

Tonight, yeah, baby

Right on the limit's where we know we both belong, tonight

As Maddie started singing the pre-chorus she headed back down the stairs of Stage 3 and along the small catwalk next to Steve.

It's hot to feel the rush

To brush the dangerous

I'm gonna run right to, to the edge with you

Where we can both fall far in love

Maddie reached the front and middle of Stage 2 and started dancing. Although the high energy choreography was difficult for her after performing injured all night, she knew she was almost done.

I'm on the edge of glory

And I'm hangin' on a moment of truth

Out on the edge of glory

And I'm hangin' on a moment with you

I'm on the edge

The edge, the edge, the edge

And I'm hangin' on a moment with you

I'm on the edge

"She is pushing through the pain like nothing I've ever seen," Malia said. She was proud of her, but also worried. She knew what kind of beating her body was taking. She was particularly worried about the damage she was doing to her knee. She'd seen the MRI scans of her knee and spoken with the radiologist directly. It was in bad shape and that was a couple days ago.

As Maddie returned to Stage 2 Ryan met her eyes too quickly for anyone to notice, particularly Pete. She knew she'd not only get an earful from Pete later, but Steve, too. Steve was going to lose it. But, it was the last show of the first leg of the tour. While they'd been pranking the entire show, she'd always known she'd go out in a big way.

The edge, the edge, the edge

I'm on the edge of glory

And I'm hangin' on a moment with you

I'm on the edge

Just as Chester started the saxophone solo Maddie ran towards the left of Stage 2. In order for her to get the jump just right, she did a handspring and landed just on the edge of the stage. She used her momentum and jumped off the stage, turning on her back right before her fans caught her.

"Fuck!" Pete cursed as he jumped the barricade to chase her down. Three other members of her security team did the same while the others spread out and covered the spaces that were now open for fans to try and jump on stage.

Pete had seen it coming too late. She was already in the handspring when he realized what she was going to do. He had figured since she was injured and feeling so poorly that she wouldn't try it, but he'd underestimated her. He had done that a lot today. He'd also figured she would never dare to do this in front of Steve.

"What the fuck is she thinking?" Steve yelled. Pete was right. Seeing her carried away by thousands of fans was terrifying.

"Woah! Look at Aunt Maddie!" Gracie yelled. She thought it was the coolest thing she'd ever seen. "That looks so fun!"

"No, it is not fun. You are never to try it when you get older and go to a concert," Danny told her.

Joe laughed. It wasn't funny what she'd just done, but the fact she'd gotten away from multiple trained Navy SEALS and now had four of them chasing her down. She was going to keep Steve on his toes when they eventually got together. He wouldn't be surprised if he tried locking her at home at times.

Pete, Frank, Carl, and Billy finally reached Maddie. She was now sitting on Pete and Frank's shoulders while Carl and Billy kept fans from getting to her. They rushed to the stage, getting her back just in time to start the chorus again.

"Pete's head might explode," Chin said at the furious expression on her head of security's face.

"Steve's head is definitely going to explode!" Danny laughed.

"Shut up, Danno!" Steve barked.

Maddie and her dancers finished the song. As the band continued playing, the performers lined up shoulder to shoulder with Maddie in the center.

"Thank you so much, Honolulu! You've been amazing! We love you!" They held hands and bowed before waving to the fans as they ran to Stage 1 and disappeared backstage.

"Is that the end?" Gracie asked sadly, never wanting the night to end.

"No, kiddo. She'll come back for an extra song. They call it an encore," Chin answered.

Maddie jogged to her dressing area with Mo at her side. "That was really fucking stupid," he told her.

"It's the last show, Mo," she smiled at him as if that was a good enough reason. "Look, I'm fine!" Her left hand waved at her body.

"You're lucky!" he said, shaking his head. "Steve's gonna kill you. You shouldn't have done that when you already have to tell him all the fucked up things that happened the last few days. Don't forget, you promised to do that tonight." Mo was mad. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him this upset.

"I know, and I will." To say she wasn't looking forward to filling Steve in was an understatement. But, she wasn't going to worry about it now. Crowd surfing had been fun, and worth security being mad at her. They'll get over it, she told herself as she coughed.

The fans began chanting her name hoping to get her to return to the stage. Because the lights were still off in the arena they knew the show wasn't quite over.

"Maddie is so good at giving you aneurysm face," Danny chuckled.

"I don't get aneurysm face. I mean, what exactly does that even mean?" Steve growled. When Danny opened his mouth to answer he held up his hand. "You know what? Don't even. I don't want to know."

Suddenly water started raining down on Stages 1 and 2. Even though water wasn't hitting the catwalk directly, the spray from Stages 1 and 2 got the catwalk wet.

"Holy shit!" Kono yelled.

"Holy cow!" Gracie exclaimed.

The crowd screamed louder knowing Maddie was on her way out.

"I can't believe you just did that!" Tina exclaimed as Maddie's wardrobe team pulled her out of her clothes. They helped her into her low rise denim jeans. At the base of each leg, where it flared, were a ton of crystals, some of which dangled. Next, they helped her into her jeweled bra top. It was covered in crystals and had nude material underneath. In the center of each bra cup was a star made from jewels. Once she was no longer naked, Mo came in and helped her into the harness that strapped around her thighs and then at her waist. The part at her waist had jewels on it to blend into her outfit. While he got her into the harness, wardrobe fastened the crystaled band around her left bicep. She sat down as Nicole started quickly touching up her makeup while Tina zipped her black boots onto her. They had a special bottom to help keep her from slipping on the wet stage.

"Last song," Tina smiled. "How does it feel?"

"Fucking great!" Maddie grinned back, coughing afterwards.

"I bet!" Tina handed her the clear plastic cowboy hat.

They could hear the fans scream louder signaling the water was on. "Alright, now go get soaked!" Tina laughed. "I'm sure it's just what the doctor ordered."

"The water's warm, so it'll be fine," Maddie replied as she and Mo walked to the spot that would lift her directly into the middle of the water on Stage 1.

Tina suddenly appeared in the VIP section. "I love this part," she gushed.

Suddenly, lights made the shape of an incredibly tall Maddie wearing a hat in the water on Stage 1. It went all the way to the rafters. The drums were beating almost like a heartbeat. The tempo slowly started picking up as the lit up Maddie started getting shorter. As the top of her head got close to the bottom of the stage Maddie was lifted onto Stage 1, replacing the lasered outline of herself.

The fans screamed and went wild.

Holy fuck, Maddie thought as icy water pelted her skin. She knew there was nothing that could be done. Just like a swimming pool, it took a while for the water to heat. You can do this. It's only a little more than five minutes. She fought to keep from shivering.

Maddie tipped her head back in a circle, her hat no longer shielding her face from the water.

Under the stage some of the water splashed onto Mo as Maddie was lifted to the stage. Feeling the temperature, he ran back to the tank. "45 degrees?!" He cried. "Shit!" He brought the mic at his wrist to his mouth. "Pete, there's a problem with the water. It's freezing."

Pete listened intently. He knew they'd been lucky to not have anything go wrong except Maddie's wires locking at the beginning of the show. "What it is?" he asked into his mic.

"45 degrees!" Mo answered.

"Fuck!" Pete looked up at Maddie standing in the cold water. She showed no signs that it was cold. "Let the dancers know so they aren't shocked." Pete looked into the VIP area and caught Doc's eyes and motioned him forward.

Steve watched the whole thing, knowing something was off. Pete opened a piece of the barricade for Doc to walk through and he headed backstage.

She was singing the first part of "…Baby, One More Time", her first single she'd ever released, but it was slowed down. She started walking forward on the catwalk.

Oh baby, baby

How was I supposed to know

That something wasn't right here

Oh baby, baby

I shouldn't have let you go

But now you're out of sight

Show me how you want it to be

She reached Stage 2 and sang directly under the water.

Tell me baby, 'cause I need to know

Because

Tyler had appeared from below Stage 2. He took her hand mic and passed it to someone below the stage as she slipped her head mic on. Suddenly pyro came shooting out of the edges of Stage 1, traveled along the catwalk, and then to the edges of Stage 2.

The song sped up and she danced and ran around Stage 2 while her dancers were on Stage 1 wearing clear plastic raincoats over their costumes.

My loneliness is killing me (And I )

I must confess I still believe (Still believe)

When I'm not with you I lose my mind

Give me a sign

Hit me baby one more time

Maddie was freezing. The cold water was exacerbating all the pain in her body and her joints felt like they were locking up. However, she didn't let it stop her, but instead kept pushing through.

Oh baby, baby, the reason I breathe is you

Boy, you got me blinded

Oh pretty baby, there's nothing that I wouldn't do

It's not the way I planned it

Show me how you want it to be

Tell me, baby, 'cause I need to know

Maddie and her dancers started skipping down the catwalk back to Stage 1.

My loneliness is killing me (And I )

I must confess I still believe (Still believe)

When I'm not with you I lose my mind

Give me a sign

Hit me baby one more time

"The barge" was lit up and ready for them. Maddie and eight of her dancers stepped onto it while the other eight remained on Stage 1. Maddie knelt at the front opening as the music slowed. "The barge" started rising as they danced seductively in the rain. Maddie took her hat off and threw it.

The music sped up again as she returned to the chorus while they danced in the freezing water, never missing a beat.

My loneliness is killing me (And I )

I must confess I still believe (Still believe)

When I'm not with you I lose my mind

Give me a sign

Hit me baby one more time

As they began jumping on "the barge", her dancers threw their raincoats over the side.

My loneliness is killing me (And I )

I must confess I still believe (Still believe)

When I'm not with you I lose my mind

Give me a sign

Hit me baby one more time

Two wires appeared from the rafters. As "the barge" got closer to them, Ryan and Tyler each grabbed one and attached it to Maddie's harness.

My loneliness is killing me (And I )

I must confess I still believe (Still believe)

When I'm not with you I lose my mind

Give me a sign

Hit me baby one more time

Carefully, Ryan and Tyler eased Maddie away from "the barge" by each holding one of her cables. The music slowed and she leaned all the way back, arching her back as she was pelted with freezing cold water. She didn't think she could make it much longer without outwardly shivering. Just a bit longer, she told herself.

Pete grabbed Steve's attention and motioned him to the barricade. "Go get your truck and pull it right up to the entrance outside the main room. Make sure you have the heat on."

"What's wrong?" Steve asked.

"Long story short that water was supposed to be 75 degrees. It's 45."

"What?" Steve exclaimed.

"She's freezing. I'm gonna grab her quickly and run her to your truck." He opened the barricade and the two walked quickly alongside the stage.

On the stage, Maddie stood with her back to the audience, turned her head to the right and looked behind her, her hand in her soaked hair. She gave them one last smile before she was lowered and disappeared from view.

Now that she was out of sight, she tensed up and her teeth started chattering. Pete was right there waiting for her. He quickly pulled her in-ear monitors out and took her head mic off while Mo was unhooking her mic pack from its designated spot at the back of her jeweled bra.

"Co-o-o-lllld," Maddie chattered.

"I know, Shorty," Pete mumbled. Free from all the wires, he took each of her arms and got them into her robe since she seemed to be frozen in place. Her skin was like ice, her face pale. He pulled the robe closed and tied it tight before quickly picking her up. Her body shivered violently as he took off in the direction of the main room. When he exited the venue, Steve was waiting for him, the heat blasting in the car. He quickly set Maddie on the seat and buckled her in. "Doc said to start warming her up slowly. Don't just put her in a hot shower. Start the temperature off cool and then to lukewarm and so on."

"No problem," Steve replied.

"We'll see you soon... oh, and Doc said to keep her awake," Pete added before shutting the door.

"Hey, Mads," Steve greeted. With his right hand he caressed the side of her face and was surprised at the coldness of her skin. He flipped the siren on and took off in the direction of her house.