DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own "Hawaii Five-O" or any of its characters. I do, however, own Maddie, Tina, Pete, Doc, Frank, Mo, her stalker, etc.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi everyone! I hope you all are safe and healthy!

Here's the next chapter. It went into more detail than I originally planned, but since after the next two chapters it skips days and weeks forward for awhile I decided to just do it.

A reminder...

1. Thoughts are in italics.

2. Flashbacks are in bold.

3. Remember Maddie has only been in Hawaii for a week. I know it seems like more time.

As always, reviews are much appreciated. It helps me as a writer and it's really nice to know what you guys are thinking.

Anyways, I'll let you get to it!

xx

DivaLola

Chapter 39

He sat in his house laughing maniacally. Steve hated not being in control, which was one of the reasons he had come up with this specific plan. To say he was ecstatic over the rift Steve had just caused was an understatement. He did not, however, take great pleasure in seeing her hurt, but he knew it was necessary. He had to sever their bond. It had to be broken if she was ever going to come to him willingly.

At 2 am Maddie's eyes shot open. She took a deep breath as she tried to shake the image of Steve being tortured. Disoriented from exhaustion and meds, she had the nagging feeling there was something she needed to do. "Think," she whispered. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to hold onto her thoughts. Suddenly, they opened again. "Get up... hide the evidence."

Slowly she sat up and slid to the edge of the bed, something that was made more difficult by her large knee brace. She stood and hobbled to her door, peeking her head into the hall to listen for any sounds. Good, they must all be asleep, she thought as silence reverberated through the house.

Slowly she limped and bobbed back into her room, the medication making everything feel like it was moving. She walked into her closet and made her way to the stairs, nearly having to crawl up them. Tottering, she went to a drawer and pulled out a key from below a fake bottom. She fumbled with another drawer in another section on the same floor. It had a hidden lock that was hard to find when sober let alone on a bunch of disorienting medication. "Come on," she told herself as she struggled with the lock. Finally it clicked and the drawer opened. She dug through the clothing to the back and pulled out a large clear bag filled with smaller ones as well as a couple journals. Inside was the evidence and threats "Unknown Sender" had sent her over the last few months. Most of his communication was sent through the burner phone he gave her, but sometimes he mixed it up and left her actual items just to make sure she knew he could get to her whenever he wanted. She knew he did it to keep her scared. However, just because she knew it didn't make her less afraid, which only pissed her off more. Inside the journals was her very detailed account of every moment the stalker reached out to her.

Grasping the bag, she hobbled down the stairs and back into her bedroom. As quickly as her foggy mind would work, she walked to her couch. She unzipped the duffle she'd been using at the arena and felt around for the secret pouch she'd made inside. There are benefits to having a Navy SEAL as a best friend and a cop as a second dad, she thought. It had taught her how to be sneaky when she needed to.

Finding the little box with the handwritten note and screws, she placed it in the bag of evidence, coughing more and more with every step. I'm so achy, she thought. Achier than she'd been when she went to bed. But, she knew she had to deal with this first while everyone was asleep.

Maddie started stumbling down the hall as quietly as possible with the bag in her hands. Somehow she made it downstairs and through the main living area to the hallway her office was off of. This medicine is a trip, she thought as she accidentally bumped into her large desk. "Ow," she whispered as she rubbed her hip. After looking behind her to make sure she was alone, she set the bag on a shelf in her bookcase. Simultaneously, she pulled on The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and slightly shifted a framed picture of her and John. The section of bookcase immediately moved, revealing a landing and staircase that led under the house. She grabbed the bag and flipped a light switch on before closing the bookcase behind her. She didn't want to risk someone waking up and finding the door open. No one knew about this except John, the contractor, and the few men he used to build it.

After hobbling down the spiral staircase Maddie looked to her right at the giant safe. She didn't want to put the bag in the safe in case someone found this area. It would be the first place they'd look. John had instructed her to put this section in, which also included a large panic room and guns, when she built the house. She figured it was because of her public life and the possibility that someone would break in. While it was part of the reason, he also didn't want someone coming after her in relation to Wo Fat or Shelburne. She was like a second daughter to him and it was easily obtained knowledge they were close. He didn't want her used and hurt because of something he was involved in.

Maddie's eyes flitted from the large safe to a bookcase on the adjacent wall filled with journals and notebooks of songs and ideas. She set the bag down on the floor before pulling the bookcase out slightly. In the wall behind it was a compartment completely blended into the wall. She opened it and put the bag inside. Because she was too tired and out of it she knew she'd have to write down the events of the last few days later. She closed the compartment and slid the bookcase back into place. Her knee and foot were killing her from walking, so she carefully sat on the area rug. I just need a minute, she thought as her eyes closed. She quickly passed out.

Hours later Pete woke and glanced at his phone. 5 am, he thought. Since he hadn't heard any screams from Maddie, he wanted to make sure she was still asleep. On his way down to her room he passed Tina's and figured he might as well check on her. Quietly, he opened her bedroom door and smiled at the fact she was sleeping nearly sideways. He wondered if she started the night that way or if it happened in her sleep.

As he neared Maddie's room he noticed her door open. "Crap," he whispered when he saw her bed empty. "Damn... she needs sleep." Seeing that her cell and crutches were still beside the bed he knew she couldn't have gone far. He quickly checked her bathroom, but it was empty. So was her closet. Quickly he jogged downstairs and checked the rest of the house. She was nowhere. "She's probably in her studio." He walked out to the patio and followed the pathway to her studio. She wasn't there either. "Shit, I hope she didn't try to drive anywhere," he cursed. Doc had warned him people often did weird things on Ambien. He hurriedly jogged back to the house and to the mudroom. He checked and counted the keys. They were all there.

"Fuck," Pete swore, getting worried. He stopped as he thought over any place he could have overlooked. "Maybe by some miracle Steve has her?" Man, he really hoped he did.

Steve had met Chin and the rest of Five-O at headquarters after he'd left Maddie's. He'd given his side of the story, letting him know how it was accidental he found out about the roller-skate incident.

Steve grilled him, and because he knew how upset he was he didn't argue even when it felt like he was being interrogated. The third time he had Chin start over and tell him it all again Danny stepped in.

Danny told him what they'd just found at the arena while he slipped on a pair of black gloves before pulling the evidence from the bags and looking it over. The team wished he'd just yell and get it over with. Instead, he was eerily quiet.

"Hi, Commander McGarrett!" Charlie greeted as he rushed in.

"Hi, Charlie," Steve replied. "Thank you for coming in.

"He didn't thank us," Danny said under his breath which earned him a SEAL glare.

"Here's more evidence," Steve said as he handed him the bags from tonight's incidents, the roller-skates, and Maddie's "Firework" costume. "Please keep me posted." Charlie quickly left with his arms full.

The team stood there awkwardly before Steve finally sighed. There wasn't much anyone could do until they heard from Charlie. "Just go home and get some sleep," he finally ordered before he walked down the hall and out of the building.

"I wish he'd just yell," Chin said.

"Seriously," Danny announced. "Quiet Steve is terrifying. I think I prefer when he's throwing grenades... God, I never thought I'd say that."

"I can't believe you guys hid this from him," Lori told them. "I hope you told him I had nothing to do with it."

"Yeah, me neither," Kono added. "Of all the things to keep from him? I mean, it's Maddie! Even I told him what she said to me on the phone."

"Like you aren't keeping any secrets for Maddie," Chin told her. He knew there was something she was keeping in regard to an ex-boyfriend, but didn't know exactly what. Kono kept quiet knowing Chin was right.

"Let's go home and sleep while we can. Who knows when we'll get the opportunity once Charlie gets the results back," Danny declared.

Steve was home asleep, something that hadn't come quickly to him, when his cell phone woke him. "McGarrett," he answered groggily.

"Do you have Maddie?" Pete rushed out.

It took Steve a second to clear the sleep from his brain. He quickly sat up in bed as he suddenly realized what Pete was asking. "What do you mean do I have Maddie? You have Maddie! I left her with you," he answered.

"I can't find her," Pete responded.

"I'm on my way," Steve said before hanging up. He had more words for Pete, but he was going to save them for when he saw him in person. He quickly brushed his teeth and splashed water on his face. He threw on shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers before rushing to Maddie's.

Steve jogged in and hurriedly searched her entire house before sprinting to her studio. "Fuck," he cursed when she was nowhere to be found. He rushed back to the house and into the kitchen. "How could you have lost her again, Pete? Are you not up for this job?"

"You were supposed to be up there with her!" Pete yelled.

Steve knew he was mad about being kept in the dark. He wasn't really mad at Pete for this. His friend was right, he was supposed to be up there with Maddie, holding her while they slept. Keeping her safe. He'd been waiting for tonight since Sunday. However, even though he knew that he still continued yelling. "This is the third time you've lost her in a matter of days!"

"Her crutches are still here," Pete said trying to think clearly through his anger. "She couldn't have gone far. She has to be here. She's probably passed out somewhere completely out of it."

"What do you mean out of it?" Steve asked.

"Doc gave her Ambien in hopes she would sleep through the night."

Steve wasn't mad about that. In all honesty, it was a good decision. She desperately needed sleep. He was just worried that she could've wandered off disoriented and hurt herself. Knowing she had a private beach on her property he asked, "Could she have gone to the beach?"

"I don't know. Maybe," Pete answered.

"I'll check the beach, you head into the forest."

"Fuck... she's like a little Houdini or something," Pete murmured.

Maddie jolted awake, confused. She had no idea how long she'd been asleep or what time it was. She glanced around trying to remember how she'd even ended up under the house. She forced herself to concentrate and it slowly came back to her.

With great difficulty she got to her feet. She glanced at the bookcase making sure it was back in place before hobbling up the stairs. Carefully she opened the bookcase door and quietly closed it behind her. She stumbled down the hall towards the kitchen still disoriented from the medication.

Just as they were opening the back door, Steve and Pete heard something. They walked back towards the kitchen and looked in the direction of the sound. Using the wall to hold herself up was Maddie. "She looks asleep," Steve whispered as his eyes quickly roamed over her. She appeared unhurt, however she was walking without her crutches so he hoped she hadn't caused more damage to her foot and knee.

"Where did she come from?" Pete mumbled.

"I have no idea," Steve snapped.

Both were puzzled as they watched her. Confused, Maddie suddenly opened the door to the closet filled with racks of electronics. She walked inside and closed the door behind her. With her eyes closed she sunk to the floor, her legs outstretched in front of her.

"Did she...?" Pete asked.

At the same time Steve asked, "Isn't that a closet?"

"Yep," they said in unison, each answering the other's question. Together they walked to the closet. As Steve opened the door they saw her asleep and scrunched into what little space there was.

"Well, apparently I need to come up with something at night to make sure she doesn't wander on Ambien," Pete stated as he stared at her..

"Ya think?" Steve retorted in irritation. "She could have hurt herself!"

"You were supposed to be in that bed with her, but instead you freaked out!" Pete exclaimed.

"You lied to me," Steve argued. "You ALL did!"

Pete scoffed, annoyed with his "brother". "You're gonna need to get over this. The sooner the better."

Steve said nothing as he squatted down and reached forward to pick her up. As he made contact with her, her eyes flew open. Had she not been medicated she would have schooled her reaction, but she was still disoriented. She pushed at his hands and yelled, "No!"

"Fine," Steve muttered as he lifted his hands away from her and stood. Her reaction made him madder than he still was.

Pete stepped forward when Steve moved away. Maddie didn't fight him when he picked her up. Instead, she immediately laid her head against his shoulder.

Steve didn't bother following them as his friend put her to bed. "Leave her door open," he ordered as he went into the room across the hall from hers and got in bed.

"Wake up, Mads," Pete whispered as he sat on the edge of her bed. When she didn't respond he started gently shaking her. She groaned and pulled the covers over her head. "Gotta get up. We gotta go."

"Where," Maddie sniffled.

"Appointment." He tugged the covers off her and began pulling her up.

"I hate the way you wake me up sometimes. Normal people don't just jump out of bed," she complained.

"Maybe you're not the normal one," he responded as he helped her to her crutches. "Brush your teeth and get dressed."

Maddie grumbled as she crutched into her bathroom. She peed and brushed her teeth before going back into her room, planning to crawl back in bed. Unfortunately, Pete was sitting on her bed waiting for her. "I hate you," she mumbled.

"I know your tricks," he replied knowing she was not a morning person and loved to get back in bed. She rolled her eyes as she crutched into her closet and got dressed. Moments later she returned in denim shorts, a white t-shirt, a grey zip-up hooded sweatshirt, and black Nikes.

As the two walked into the main living area Maddie forced herself not to react when she saw Steve sitting at her kitchen table. She'd thought seeing him in the middle of the night had been a dream.

Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop hearing his words and seeing the look on his face. She wasn't sure why he'd come back. He hadn't bothered to look at her or say anything. He's not worth it, she tried to convince herself as she took a seat at the counter.

"I made pancakes," Pete announced, pulling her from her thoughts.

"I'm not hungry," she responded before yawning.

"They're really yummy," he said with conviction.

"Not hungry," she murmured as she placed her elbow on the counter and her head in her hand.

"Look, here's a small one." Pete set a plate in front of her with a pancake on it.

"Pete, I'm not hungry."

Steve worried as he listened to them go back and forth. The eating disorder rumors were just another thing he needed to talk to her about. He'd planned on bringing it up the night before, but the incidents had taken precedent. When she continued to refuse food he cleared his throat, wordlessly telling her she needed to eat. He knew he wasn't exactly being mature by remaining silent, but he was still mad.

Even though she wasn't hungry, Maddie didn't want to fight Steve. Fighting him would mean they'd have to interact. She glanced down at the "small" pancake before looking at Pete. "I don't know what small means to you, but this is not even close to small."

Pete eyed her amusedly. "Yes, it is. You're the one that has the wrong definition." She glared at him. "I'll put a face on it if it means you'll eat it." She smiled at him for the first time that day. He grabbed a bag of chocolate chips and put a smiley face on her pancake. "You're a child, ya know that?" he smiled as she began eating. He grabbed a few for himself and took a seat to her left. Knowing it had to be hard for Steve to be sitting at the kitchen table saying nothing, he squeezed her arm in silent support. "By the way, where'd you go in the middle of the night?"

"What do you mean?" Maddie responded.

"I went to check on you and you were gone. We looked everywhere and couldn't find you. Then you just appeared out of nowhere like David Copperfield."

Steve had been wondering the same thing all night.

Knowing she couldn't tell him, she played dumb. "I don't know. I don't remember waking up."

"Must have been the Ambien... Too bad you don't remember because you just showed up after we'd checked the whole house," Pete replied.

She couldn't afford for him to ask more questions so she changed the subject. "Where exactly are we going?"

"Doctor," Pete answered as Steve eavesdropped.

"Doc can come here," she stated, wanting nothing more than to be back in bed, still asleep.

"Not that doctor. Knee doctor. But, Doc's meeting us," Pete answered as he ate.

"I'm fine. It just needs rest."

"You're going," he said.

"I hate you," she mumbled and popped some chocolate chips in her mouth.

"Two times in fifteen minutes. A new record, I think," Pete smirked. "You know, last night you loved me. You even told me twice."

"Don't get too excited. I was delirious from lack of sleep," Maddie retorted.

"Ah ha!" he cried triumphantly. "You just admitted you were exhausted!"

"I hate you," she grumbled as she tried to fight the smile tugging at her lips. Pete laughed.

Steve's chest ached as he listened to their banter. Things used to be that easy between them and he missed it.

"Hey, guys," Mo greeted as he and Frank walked in.

"Make sure you leave some for Tina," Pete told them as they each grabbed a plate of pancakes.

As Frank drove down the driveway he asked, "What's up with McG?"

"He knows everything," Pete answered, his voice tight with barely controlled anger and irritation.

"That explains it," Mo mumbled feeling guilty.

"Hey," Joe greeted as he walked into Maddie's kitchen using the key Steve had given him when they'd met for lunch.

"Hey, Joe," Steve said as he briefly looked up from the current fan letter he was reading.

"Where is everyone? Maddie asleep?" Joe asked.

"No, they took her to the doctor. Orthopedic doctor for her knee," he answered.

"You didn't go with her?" Joe asked in surprise.

"No, they have her."

"What's going on?" Joe asked, never being one to beat around the bush.

Steve set the fan letter down. "Several attempts were made on Maddie."

"Wait, what?... What happened? Like he tried to take her?"

"No, he messed with her stage and parts of her costumes."

"Did she get hurt?" Joe questioned.

"Yeah," Steve answered angrily as he filled him in. When he finished he added, "And they didn't tell me because she didn't want them too. Including Chin and Danny."

"Steve, I'm sorry." Joe now understood why something had seemed off. "You did tell me she was upset when you parted ways Sunday." He paused. "As awful as it feels to know they kept this from you, it does make sense why she didn't want them to tell you."

Steve knew he was right, but it didn't make him feel any less upset. Or maybe it did. It seemed like getting to talk to Joe had lessened his anger a little. Logically he knew why Maddie had made the decision she had. But, she had been physically hurt and scared and he hadn't been there with her. He didn't know if that was something he could get over quickly.

"Well, I guess it's good timing then. I have the jewelry you asked for," Joe said and handed him two little pouches. "I can't imagine she'll be too happy knowing there are trackers inside."

"No, probably not. But she owes me and I plan to collect," Steve replied as he looked the pieces over. "This is great. Thank you, Joe." This was going to give him some peace of mind. And hopefully Maddie as well.

"If either of you decide you want another piece made then they said no problem. Whatever they can do to help," Joe relayed.

"Great, thank you."

"Can I help you go through whatever you're going through?" Joe asked.

"Sure." Steve handed him a pair of gloves. "We're looking for anything that could be alarming." He pointed to the center of the table. "Put anything that fits in that category here."

Maddie crutched in the house, so angry she didn't even notice Steve, Joe, and Danny at her kitchen table.

"Freeze," Pete said as he walked in and saw her at the back door to head out to her studio. "Rest means no working."

Annoyed, she crutched to her piano and sat down.

Pete knew this was coming, but it hadn't meant he was looking forward to it. He shook his head and started making a sandwich. He'd let her have a few minutes of music to calm down.

Steve looked over to Pete, his brow furrowed questioningly. Pete only shook his head in exasperation.

Maddie stopped playing and started unhooking her knee brace. It was impossible to play the piano comfortably with her entire right leg sticking straight out in front of her.

Hearing the lull in music Pete glanced at her. "Stop."

Her plan hadn't been to stand up without the offending object, but when Pete told her what to do, that was it. She was upset about too many different things.

"Madeline," Pete nearly growled when she dropped her brace to the floor and stood.

"I'm completely fine! See! It's fine!" Maddie nearly yelled as she took a step forward. She froze at the pain, but quickly forced herself to breathe through it.

"No, you're not! You need surgery. You can't walk without crutches," Pete tried to reason with her. He didn't bother to go to her because he knew Steve would.

"No, I don't. I'm not having the surgery," she stubbornly responded. To prove she was "fine" she started walking forward.

Steve had stood and turned around just when her knee gave out on her. He rushed forward and grabbed her before quickly carrying her to the couch. "What's going on?" he asked, irritation lacing his voice.

"She needs surgery. Her knee's completely fucked and it's her only option," Pete answered.

While Steve listened he quickly grabbed Maddie's discarded knee brace and crutches.

"I'm not having surgery, Pete," she shot back.

Steve knelt in front of her and started putting her brace back on. Her heart ached as she tried to ignore the feel of his hands on her bare skin. Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer.She closed her eyes at the pain she felt remembering his words.

"Maddie," Steve said hoping she'd open her eyes. She did, but she refused to meet his. "If that's what the doctors say you need, then you're having surgery."

She said nothing. To Steve or to Pete. She might not have fought him, but she was absolutely not having surgery.

"Go get in bed. You need rest," he ordered, noticing how pale she was.

Again, she said nothing. She hated being told what to do, but she couldn't handle prolonging their interaction in any way. Without a word, she got up and crutched upstairs.

"Woah... did she not put up a fight at all?" Frank asked. He'd never seen her do that in a situation like this.

"I wouldn't take that as a great sign," Pete said. He glared at Steve as he cut the sandwich he'd made in half. He put half on one plate and the other on another plate before heading upstairs with them.

As Steve sat back at the table he thought over her resigned and quiet behavior. They were right, something was wrong.

"What did you do?" Danny asked Steve, assuming he'd messed up again.

"Tell me you did not hurt that girl of yours again," Joe nearly growled. He'd never seen Maddie completely give up like that and it scared him.

Steve's first instinct was to immediately defend himself, but the more he thought about it he realized her behavior was specific to him. She'd fought Pete that morning about being hungry, but not him. And she'd fought Pete about her knee being fine, but not him. He started thinking, trying to remember last night's conversation. The specifics were a blur. Suddenly it all came back to him. Like watching a horrific car accident. "Oh shit," he whispered as he stood and headed upstairs to Maddie's room.

"I better referee," Joe mumbled angrily as he stood to follow Steve.

"Good idea," Danny said. What did he say to her? he wondered. The four days Steve hadn't seen Maddie had been miserable for them. And judging by Maddie's silent obedience to Steve whatever he'd said this time was worse than his dumb mistake Sunday.

Maddie was laying barefoot on her bed when Pete walked in. "Here," he said, handing her half the sandwich as her TV started lifting out of the foot of the bed frame.

"I'm not hungry," she muttered.

"Just a few bites," he reasoned. As she took the first tiny nibble he continued. "Maddie, you need the surgery. You heard what they said. This is really serious."

"I'll have the surgery in Los Angeles."

"The surgeon's top notch here. Better than the one Doc spoke to in LA."

She was quiet before finally responding. "If I have the surgery here I won't be able to fly for several weeks, maybe longer."

It all made sense to him now. She was afraid to be stuck in Hawaii with Steve after what he said. "Tina and I are gonna stay here for a while. The whole time if you want." Maddie said nothing as she nervously picked at her sandwich. "I know you're sad-," Pete began only for her to interrupt.

"I'm not sad," she lied.

"Hurt," he tried.

"No," she denied.

"Mad -"

"No." She would never admit to being upset and hurt by Steve's words. She'd just do her best to try and have as little interaction with him as possible.

Pete sighed. "Maddie, I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but it's all gonna work out," he said, trying to break through her walls even if he only cracked them.

"There's nothing to work out," she responded. "I'm flying to the mainland after the party tomorrow night."

"I don't think that's gonna stop him," he told her honestly. Before she could argue he continued, "If you leave Hawaii he's just gonna follow you. Now that he knows what happened there is no way he'll let you out of his sight."

Maddie wanted to cry in frustration, but she refused to shed another tear over Steve. Being with him for a minute downstairs had been devastating. She couldn't imagine having him with her all the time. "He has a job. Even in Hawaii he can't be with me all the time."

"He'll figure something out. You know that," Pete responded. "He would quit his job if it meant he couldn't protect you." After finishing his half of the sandwich, he reached forward and felt her forehead. "You're burnin' up again. How do you feel?"

"Awful," she said honestly.

Pete handed her the thermometer from her nightstand. When it beeped, he took the object and read her temperature. "103." He sighed. "Take some Advil, but finish your sandwich first." He walked to the open door. "Get some rest... and surgery is happening here."

"I hate you," she mumbled.

He laughed. "I know." As he left her room he came face to face with Steve and Joe.

"Thanks," Steve mumbled. He was grateful for the way he cared for Maddie and had his back. Pete had been right. If Maddie left for the mainland, he would follow. He wasn't leaving her alone right now. It was too dangerous. Plus, he wanted to see where their relationship would go. That is if she ever speaks to me again, he thought. He knew how messed up what he'd said had been. He hadn't meant it. Nor had he realized what he was even saying. Not that that mattered at this point. He didn't think she'd believe him.

"Don't thank me," Pete said. "If I need to, I'll protect her from you." When Steve didn't bother fighting him, he added, "Just leave her be for right now. She doesn't feel good and she's sad."

Every part of Steve wanted to fight what he was asking him to do. The fact she was sick was even more reason why he wanted to be in there with her. But, he knew his friend was right. He needed her to rest and get better. Right now, going in that room and trying to talk to her was not going to help. However, he didn't want her to be alone.

"I'll go be with her," Joe said understanding his hesitancy.

"Hey princess," Joe greeted as he entered Maddie's room. She looked over at him and smiled slightly as she took another bite of her sandwich.

"Hey, Uncle Joe," she greeted.

Joe slipped his shoes off and laid on the other side of her bed. "What are we watching?"

Maddie was scrolling through her Apple TV trying to find something to watch. "I was thinkin' a movie." She looked at him. "You're gonna watch with me?"

"Yeah! I'll leave your fan mail to Steve and Danny," he answered. "Some are really sweet and others are infuriating and creepy." He took in her colorless face. "How are you feeling?"

"Eh, I've been better, but I've also been worse," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"I doubt you've been worse," he chuckled.

Maddie gave him an "I don't know what you're talking about" look. She finished her sandwich and placed the paper plate on her nightstand before turning and trying to curl up as best she could in the massive knee brace. "I hate this thing so much," she pouted when she couldn't get comfortable.

"You won't have it forever." Finally, she settled, having gotten as comfortable as she was going to get.

She smiled at Joe as she selected My Best Friend's Wedding. "You still sure you wanna stay? Not exactly an action movie."

"You forget I've been married four times," he smirked. "I can handle a romantic comedy." He quieted as the movie began. Finally he voiced his thoughts. "Interesting choice, princess. My Best Friend's Wedding. Wanna talk about it?"

"No," Maddie mumbled.

"He told me what he said," Joe quietly told her.

Maddie felt another wave of humiliation settle in. He'd probably had a good laugh when he told Joe. If she'd been in a better head space she would have realized he'd never do that and Joe would never have put up with it if he had. But, she wasn't in a good head space. She'd been living in fear for months, something that was taking an incredible toll on her.

"Maddie, he feels horrible. He didn't mean it," Joe tried to tell her.

"According to him, he never means it," she retorted. She had him there. Steve had messed up too many times in the last week always claiming he hadn't meant it. "I don't want to talk about him."

He ran his hand down her hair in a loving, fatherly gesture. "Okay, fair enough."

Ten minutes into the movie Maddie fell asleep.

Joe carefully covered her with the throw blanket from the bottom of her bed. She immediately snuggled into the soft material. Worried she'd wake if he turned the TV off, he left it on and headed downstairs.

"She asleep?" Pete asked when he walked in.

"Yeah," Joe answered as he took a seat at the table.

"How is she?" Steve whispered.

"Withdrawn," he answered. "I honestly don't know if you're gonna be able to fix this one, Steve."

Steve's stomach sunk at the thought.

"If you can, it's not gonna happen overnight. You're gonna have to work for it and not push her. You're gonna have to wait this one out," Joe advised.

"That's great because, in case you didn't know, patience is Steve's best quality," Danny quipped.

Steve glared at him quickly before looking at Joe. "Okay. I won't push her. But, I'm not gonna avoid talking to her either." He knew he had to be done being mad. He looked at Pete. That included him.

"You ready to let it go?" Pete asked.

"Yeah," Steve reluctantly admitted. "I don't really have a choice."

"For the record, I am sorry we kept you in the dark. I hated... we all hated," he corrected, "keeping it from you." He paused before continuing on. "I just had to keep Maddie going and at the time I hoped listening to her and trusting she knew what she needed was the right move."

"I know," Steve said. He didn't want to tell him why it had hurt so much. It was something Maddie should hear alone. She was the only one that really mattered right now.

"Hey," Tina yawned as she walked into the kitchen, unintentionally interrupting the moment.

"Hey, sleepy head," Pete grinned. "How do you feel?"

"Tired," she answered, trying to ignore the butterflies his smile gave her. "How is it 1 pm?"

He shrugged. "You missed the first part of the day. But, that's good. I'm glad you got some rest."

Tina looked around as she sat at the counter. "Where's Maddie? Is she still asleep?"

"She is now. We took her to the ortho doc earlier," Pete said.

"Oh, how'd that go?"

"Surgery."

"Great... I bet she was really happy about that," Tina said.

"Oh yeah, thrilled," Pete chuckled. "Hungry?"

"Yeah," she answered. "Is there any coffee?"

"Yeah, Steve made some earlier." Pete got her a cup and warmed the leftover pancakes. He placed both in front of her.

At the mention of Steve Tina scowled. Their eyes met as she looked over at him at the table. She said nothing, only shot angry daggers at him.

"Morning, T," he smiled.

She glared at him once more before turning to her pancakes. If she hadn't been in such desperate need of coffee she would have poured it down the sink for the sole reason he'd made it.

"You sure are a ladies man," Danny whispered to his partner.

For the next few hours Steve excused himself once an hour to check on Maddie to make sure she wasn't having nightmares. He hated how one psychopath had been haunting her to the point she was having nightmares regularly. He hated she was this scared. He wished he knew what he could do to help ease her fear. He knew last night's comment hadn't just affected their personal relationship and friendship, but also wasn't going to help her trust him with what she knew.

Crap, he inwardly cursed as he walked into her room around 4pm. She was tossing and turning as she repeatedly mumbled "no" and "please don't". He rushed to the bed and carefully placed his hands on her upper arms and began to soothingly rub them. "Everything's okay. I'm okay. You're safe. And I'm safe," he whispered. He hoped she'd be able to sense him and that it'd be enough to pull her from the nightmare and keep her asleep. Eventually she settled and seemed to leave her nightmare behind. In her sleep, she turned on her right side and practically curled her head into his hand. He caressed her cheek as she made little noises letting him know she was back to being comfortably asleep.

Forty-five minutes later, Maddie jolted awake as she gasped for air. Breathe, she told herself as she tried to shake the nightmare. It had been the same. She couldn't reach Steve until the last seconds of his life. However, this time he kept apologizing as blood pooled out of his mouth. She asked him why he was sorry, but he had died before he could answer.

Maddie wiped at the tears, frustrated that the nightmares wouldn't stop. Sitting up and coughing, she checked her phone. She couldn't believe she'd slept till almost 5pm.

"She needs cough medicine," Pete said as they heard Maddie coughing down the hall.

"Hey, Mads," Tina greeted as she crutched into the kitchen. "Sit down and I'll get you some cough syrup."

"You hungry?" Pete asked. He was pretty sure he already knew the answer, but he asked anyway. Maddie shook her head as she coughed. "Well, we are. So, I'm gonna grill something." He went to the refrigerator and grabbed what he needed.

"How are you feeling?" Danny asked.

She turned to look at him. "Fine," she mumbled. She was doing everything she could not to look at Steve. Just seeing him hurt. Needing to do something she stood and crutched to her office.

"You need help with anything?" Tina asked.

"No, thank you," Maddie replied disappearing into her office. She grabbed a new notebook and a pen and stuffed them in her back pocket before crutching back down the hall and to the back door. Using her armpits she balanced on her crutches so she could use her hands to open the door, something that was difficult. She stumbled and immediately felt his hands on her.

"Be careful," Steve whispered from behind her.

The feel of his hands on her was too much. Especially with his words still so fresh in her mind. Without realizing, her body tensed at the contact. She could feel his breath on her neck when he spoke and she hated the fact her body responded to his touch after he'd hurt her. When he finally let go and opened the door she took a small, shaky breath. "Thank you," she whispered as she stared at the ground.

She still won't even look at me, Steve thought, his heart , at least she said something to him. Sure, it was only a couple words, but it was the first she'd spoken to him all day. Not that he'd said much to her.

Crutching out to the patio, Maddie went to the sitting area and dropped the notebook and pen on the couch before sitting down. Then she brought her legs up on it. Once she was finally as comfortable as she was going to get she opened the notebook and began documenting what had happened over the last several days with her stalker.

"Let's take a break, Danno," Steve said to his partner.

"What have I told you about calling me that?" Danny glared at him.

Steve only smiled as he grabbed a couple beers, handing one to Danny. The two walked outside and joined Maddie, each sitting in one of the arm chairs.

"Whatcha doing?" Danny asked.

"Writing," she answered as she continued to concentrate.

"Songs?" Danny asked.

She could feel Steve's eyes on her, which was making her nervous. She didn't think she could pull off a lie if she tried. She knew he'd know something was off. Before she could think of what to say, Steve answered for her.

"She's pretty much always writing something. It's always been that way."

"Maddie, do you know the story of my first meeting with this buffoon?" Danny asked.

As much as she knew she shouldn't, she smiled slightly at the insult. Knowing when she needed to recount the incidents it required her full attention she closed the notebook and set it next to her. The way she was sitting she sort of had her back to Danny so she slid her legs off the couch and propped them on the coffee table with theirs. "No," she quietly answered.

"Now, if you're gonna tell this story, don't exaggerate," Steve said. He knew what Danny was doing and he was grateful for it.

"I never exaggerate when it comes to you, Steven," Danny argued. "In fact, I wish I was exaggerating all your unhinged ninja behavior."

"I'm not a ninja," Steve countered. "I'm a Navy SEAL. There's a very big difference."

"Yeah, ninjas are better. They're more badass," Maddie said, their banter pulling her into the moment.

Steve couldn't have been happier when she cracked the joke. He smiled at her. "Oh, I see how it is." She might have made fun of him, but she still couldn't meet his eyes. Baby steps, he reminded himself. Don't push her.

"Oh Maddie, I love you," Danny professed. She smiled slightly at him. "Okay, anyway. He pulled a gun on me!"

"You pulled a gun on me, too!" Steve cried. "I told you that if you're gonna tell the story you can't exaggerate and you definitely can't leave important information out."

They sound like an old married couple, she thought. "So, did you shoot him?" she asked Danny.

"You're a funny one tonight," Steve teased her playfully. She glanced over at him nervously. He smiled at her even though it felt like he had cement in his stomach at the guarded look in her eyes.

"No, I didn't shoot him, but I should have," Danny answered. "Later that day he came to my place and told me he was my new partner. Didn't ask if I'd join his task force. No, he told me he'd had me reassigned." He took a sip of beer before continuing. "I mean, who does that?"

Maddie smiled. "Sounds about right. He's very bossy."

"I'm right here!" Steve said. "You know, I'm not sure I want you two to be friends anymore."

"Oh the ship has sailed on that, babe," Danny said to his partner. "I might even marry this woman."

"Don't push your luck," Steve warned. "You will not be marrying her, so get it out of your head."

Maddie started getting nervous and uncomfortable, something both men picked up on. Because of that, Danny didn't make any comment about how he was just saying that because he really wanted to marry Maddie. "So anyway," Danny continued. "Do you know what happened right after that?" She shook her head in response. "We went to a suspect's house and instead of waiting for back-up like a normal cop he decides to storm in. Trust me he was unharmed. He's NEVER the one that gets hurt. No! It was me! He got me shot!"

Maddie laughed quietly. "That wasn't very nice of him."

"No, it really wasn't," Danny agreed. "I did punch him." He had purposely left out the part of the story where he had saved Steve by shooting their suspect. Yes, he was trying to help Steve and coax Maddie into interacting with them, but he was also hoping to help her understand that Steve didn't need her protection, that he could protect himself.

"I feel like you should have shot him to make it even," Maddie quipped.

"See, I like you. I really like you." He finished his beer and said, "I'm gonna grab another. You want one you buffoon?"

"Yes, I do, Danno," Steve answered using the nickname in retaliation. After Danny got up and walked away, Steve got up and sat on the couch with Maddie. "I have something for you," he said, trying to ignore the way she'd tensed.

She turned to look at him, caution in her blue eyes. "You do?"

"Yeah," Steve said. "But first... I'm so sorry, Maddie. I was mad and really hurt. I just... I didn't know what I was saying and I definitely didn't mean it." Her back straightened as she fortified her invisible walls.

Maddie wished the couch would open and swallow her. She didn't want to talk about this. She didn't want to acknowledge it.

As she remained silent Steve could tell she was getting upset by her body language. Don't push her, he reminded himself. "I'm sorry I left last night, too. I just... well, I was upset."

"I'm sorry I didn't let them call you," Maddie genuinely told him while avoiding his eyes from embarrassment.

"I understand why you didn't," Steve said. He hoped she'd say something, anything, but the awkward silence that hung between them said more than any words. "I had these made for you while you were rehearsing." He pulled the two, small, jewelry bags from his pocket and set them on the couch between them.

Maddie became even more unsure when she recognized they were jewelry bags. Hesitantly, she reached her hand out and picked one up.

Steve flashed her an encouraging smile as she nervously glanced at him. "Go ahead. Yes, it's jewelry, but it's also about your safety."

My safety? she wondered. Timidly she opened the bag and reached her fingers inside. It was a delicate silver necklace with the word 'ohana' engraved on a small circle. She nervously chewed on her bottom lip. Before she could say anything Steve began explaining. "Inside that pendant is a small tracker." He didn't give her the opportunity to argue. "Before you tell me you don't want to wear a tracker, let me just explain. If you're ever in trouble or your scared, or whatever, you push that circle and I'll get an alert that gives me your location."

"Just you?" Maddie asked. "What if I'm on tour?"

"Your security will get one, too. So will Five-O," Steve answered. He was shocked at how well she was taking this. However, he knew it told him how terrified she was if she wasn't fighting it. He pulled his phone from his pocket and set it on the couch between them. "Go ahead, push it."

Continuing to nibble on her lip she did as he instructed. As soon as she pushed the necklace an obnoxious alarm started sounding on his phone. She looked down and saw her address on the screen.

"Open the other one," Steve said.

Maddie carefully pulled out a small silver bangle from the other bag. Engraved on the top was a delicate single rose. She looked at him, knowing what it meant. "You designed this?"

"Yeah, I thought you needed something that reminded you of my dad," he quietly answered.

She traced the rose with her finger. "It's beautiful." She stared at him in confusion. His constant mixed messages were mind boggling. Don't fall for it, Maddie, she warned. These are just for your safety, they don't mean anything else.

Steve could practically see her inner battle. "You ever gonna tell me what the rose means?"

Maddie remembered the rose and the origin behind it. She knew she'd never tell him. If they weren't ever going to be more than friends she couldn't. It would be too embarrassing. "No."

Where did her mind just go, he wondered. She'd thrown those walls back up. That was the reason he didn't push her or joke about it. "You need to wear them all the time. Or, at least one of them all the time."

"Even when I shower?"

"Yeah, they can get wet." Steve took the necklace, stood, and walked around to the back of the couch. "Move your hair."

Maddie froze for a second knowing what Steve was about to do. Act like this doesn't kill you, she told herself. Slowly, she pulled her hair up and held it. His fingers trailed over her skin as he put the necklace on her. He fastened the clasp and fought the urge to kiss the top of her head or rub her shoulders. Don't push her, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time. He walked back around and took a seat next to her as Danny reappeared with his beer.

"You know, I left out the best part of that day," Danny said to Maddie as he sat down. "He drove down a dock, and onto a Chinese cargo ship that was about to leave, while we were being shot at!"

"It all worked out," Steve smirked.

"He's a Neanderthal," Danny told her. "How have you been friends with him for so long?"

"It's been touch and go," Maddie responded, smiling softly.

Pete had been watching and listening from his spot at the grill. He liked Danny. He was a good guy. And he was grateful Steve wasn't pushing Maddie.

Danny continued telling Maddie stories of things Steve had done to torture him. "You cold?" Steve asked as he caught her try to hide a shiver.

"A little," she whispered.

"You're sick. I don't want you to be cold. Zip up your hoodie," he instructed as he hopped up and disappeared inside. He was gone less than a minute when he returned with a blanket. Standing in front of the couch he gently covered her bare legs and lap. "Better?"

"Yeah... thanks," Maddie answered quietly.

"Hey," Doc greeted as he walked out onto the patio.

"Just in time for dinner," Pete said as he walked over. "Where are we gonna eat?"

"Inside," Steve said as he felt the wind.

"Out here," she said at the same time. "I've been cooped up inside all week."

"Ok, but let's eat here and not at the table," Steve agreed. That way she could stay with her leg elevated and covered in the blanket.

From behind her Doc reached down and felt her forehead. "Still running a fever, I see."

"I'll get the rest of the food set up," Pete said.

"I'll help you," Danny offered, wanting to give Maddie privacy. Steve stayed so he'd be informed of everything.

Tina had joined for dinner, but quickly excused herself when it was over, using the excuse of needing to get Maddie unpacked. However, she was really just trying to distance herself from Pete, especially since he was heading out on his date shortly. Understanding, Maddie helped by asking her to do a couple specific things so no one could argue with Tina and try to convince her to take the night off.

While everyone joked and laughed, Maddie was mostly quiet as she stared off into space. Steve watched her constantly, worried at how withdrawn she was. When he saw her yawn, he looked at his watch. "Time for bed, Mads."

Once again, she didn't fight him. Instead, she stood and took her crutches from him.

"Night, Maddie," Danny said.

"Night."

When Maddie walked out of her bathroom dressed and ready for bed, Steve was hooking up the larger knee brace. When she laid down he immediately fastened her into it. "Take these," he said as he handed her a bunch of medicine. "Let's see if that new one helps with the nightmares and night terrors." He couldn't believe she was having night terrors. Soldiers had night terrors. It just showed how terrified she was.

Once she took everything he pulled the covers over her. As much as he wanted to get into the other side of the bed, he didn't. He was determined not to push her. "I'll be across the hall if you need me. I'm leaving your door open as well as mine in case you wander off again tonight. And call out if you need to get up for any reason and I'll come help you."

"Okay," Maddie yawned.

"Sleep tight, Mads." He wanted to kiss her head, but forced himself not to. However, needing to touch her in some way, he tucked a few rogue strands of hair behind her ear as her eyes started to close.

Maddie wasn't completely aware of the gesture as she dozed.