Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii Five-O or any of its characters. I do own Maddie, Tina, Pete, Doc, etc.

Author's Note: Hey guys! Here is the much anticipated new chapter. I really appreciate you guys sticking with the story. It's a story I've never been able to get out of my head, and I plan to finish it.

I mentioned this in the author's note I posted right before this, but I have done a huge edit of the entire story. I cut out a lot of things and added others. Because of that, anyone that's been reading this before today, I highly highly suggest you go back to chapter 1 and read it over.

Also, sometimes there's a glitch when I upload a chapter to Doc Manager (which is how we post on this site). When this happens, words are cut off the end of a sentence and then it's merged with the following sentence. I try and catch them, but I've missed a couple. Please, if you see one, let me know where and I'll go in and fix it.

For this chapter, thoughts are in italics. Flashbacks and texts are in bold.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it, and any reviews or messages would be much appreciated. I'm always looking to improve my writing, so any feedback is welcome.

XO

DivaLola

Chapter 41

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Maddie yelled at him as he quickly drove away. She wanted to throw something at him, but she had nothing with her, not even a purse.

Steve smiled happily as he glanced at her. "Finally! No more complete obedience. Welcome back!" She punched him in his right bicep. "Ow! I'm driving!" he chuckled. He was so happy to see this side of her that he felt giddy.

"Why did you do that?!" she asked, her frustration evident.

He chuckled again. "Several reasons," he answered vaguely.

"Name one," Maddie ground out, her arms crossed and her back ramrod straight.

Steve glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as she seethed in the passenger seat. He couldn't keep the happy smirk from his face. "We'll talk about it when we get home." They were going to talk alright. And then maybe they'd not talk... clothes optional. His pants tightened at the thought, and he had to keep himself from groaning out loud. Needing a distraction, he said, "I hate the guy, by the way."

"No! I would have never guessed," she bit out before turning her head to look out the window. She couldn't believe he had done that. But although she was mad, more like furious, her body was also tingling and craving him. The kiss and his hands on her, no matter how innocently, had sparked a deep need in her. Damn Tina for all that vodka, she silently fumed.

Steve's smile only grew, pleased with her reaction, and himself.

After a silent fifteen minutes, where he hadn't stopped smiling, he stopped outside her house. He hadn't even turned off the car before she began opening her door to get out. "FREEZE! No walking without crutches." More than anything Maddie wanted to hop out and storm inside just to piss him off, but her knee was killing her. She didn't think she'd be able to put weight on it, especially in her heels. Begrudgingly, she waited for him to come around.

Surprised she had listened, Steve jumped out, grabbed her crutches, and handed them to her. "Or, I can just carry you," he offered mischievously.

"Don't touch me," Maddie spat. Once she was stable on her crutches, she glared at him, which only made his grin grow. She punched his arm again.

Steve laughed out loud, so happy to see her feisty side. It was true that Maddie knew what buttons to push to drive him crazy, but he knew hers as well.

Annoyed, she crutched towards the house, Steve falling in step beside her. He was still chuckling as he unlocked her front door and ushered her inside. While he locked the door behind them and pulled his phone out to give Pete an update, Maddie crutched into the kitchen. A minute later he followed, finding her at the open fridge as she fumbled around inside. He watched her struggle as she tried using only her armpits to balance on her crutches while her hands searched for food. He came up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and began to lightly massage them. She tensed faintly for a split second before relaxing. His heart quickened slightly when she made no move to push him away. "I'll make you a grilled cheese... just the way you like it," he said to her as an olive branch while he touched the side of his head to hers. Maddie wanted nothing more than to lean into him even though she was still mad, and for a lot more than just kissing and carrying her out of the party. However, the vodka was getting to her, easily destroying all the walls she'd constructed to keep him out. When she didn't immediately respond he coaxed, "I know how much you love them as a late-night snack."

He was right, she did, and it sounded delicious. She cursed the vodka again as she fought the intense urge to nuzzle her head into his. Goosebumps dotted her skin where his breath grazed her ear. "Okay," she finally mumbled before adding, "But I also want my leftover omelet."

He chuckled, not surprised by her request. "Deal." His left hand slid down to her waist where he held her tightly while his right hand carefully took both crutches and leaned them against the counter to the right of the refrigerator. Once he was sure they wouldn't fall, he quickly lifted Maddie into his arms. Their eyes met and held as he carried her to the counter across from the kitchen island where he gently set her. Even after he'd released her, they didn't break eye contact until she bit her lip nervously, pulling his attention to it. God, he wanted to kiss her, devour her... but he wanted to feed her first, so he forced himself to step away and return to the open fridge where he retrieved her omelet.

In no time at all, it was warmed up, on a plate, and in Maddie's hands, a full glass of water next to her. She ate it as she watched him make her a grilled cheese, admiring his backside. Man, he had a nice ass. One she'd be more than happy to have her hands on. An image of him stripping out of his dress pants, leaving him in his boxer briefs, and giving her a great view of his hard-as-a-rock ass came to mind. God, she wanted him. She knew she should be careful. He'd stomped on her heart, devastating her. But, she'd had too much vodka causing her hormones to take over the driver's seat.

"Mads?" Steve asked, trying to get her attention.

"Huh?" she answered as the image faded only to find him standing in front of her, holding a finished grilled cheese on a plate.

"You okay?" He tried not to smirk satisfactorily at the look on her face. She was flushed, her eyes slightly dilated. What he wouldn't give to know what she'd been thinking.

"Oh, yeah," Maddie replied, trying to keep her face from heating more. As he handed her the plate she couldn't take her eyes off the way his biceps contracted. She wondered if they'd look similar holding himself above her. She nearly visibly shook her head, trying to shake the image from her mind. God, she was so horny. Vodka, she inwardly cursed. She tried to focus on the fact he'd hurt her, but it wasn't working.

Once she took the plate from him, Steve took several steps back. The way she was looking at him had nearly made him chuck the plate in the sink before grabbing her and carrying her upstairs... if he could even make it upstairs. Tina was definitely spot on, he thought. How had he not known vodka made her so horny. If he had, he would have given it to her days ago. He tried to force the thoughts from his head as he leaned against the kitchen island behind him, Maddie directly in front of him on the counter. He had things he needed to talk to her about before they could go there.

Maddie glanced up in between bites of her grilled cheese to see the way he was leaning against the counter. His legs were outstretched in front of him, his feet were crossed as were his arms. She couldn't help but smile at the Steve-ness of the pose. God she had missed him the last two years. She paused, remembering the very real threat to him. She didn't know what she'd do without him.

Steve watched her closely, noticing the sudden shift of her thoughts. Her body was suddenly tense, her eyes uncertain, and her movements frozen. Although she was staring at him, she didn't seem to be very present. He wanted to interrupt her thoughts, bring her back to the moment, but at the same time, he hoped that maybe she'd reveal something to him. However, when fear began to show in her blue eyes, and she set the barely eaten grilled cheese next to her, he knew it was time to intervene. "You done?"

It took a few seconds before Maddie answered. "Huh?" she asked as she tried to blink away her worries and fear.

He nodded towards the grilled cheese. "You done?"

She glanced at it wondering when she'd set it down. "Oh, um..." She wasn't as hungry as she'd been. Thinking about the mess she was in always seemed to have a way of making her feel sick to her stomach.

Feeling it was as perfect a moment as any, Steve quietly cleared his throat. "Mads... about what the press is talking about..."

Shit, Maddie silently cursed. She knew it was only a matter of time before he'd ask, but it didn't make it any easier to talk about. Pushing the nausea to the back of her mind, she picked up the grilled cheese and took a bite. "Yeah?" She forced herself to keep her composure, to not let anything slip and show itself, something made difficult by all the alcohol she'd consumed. But it was Steve after all. She knew he was watching and studying her for the tiniest sign, the smallest slip up. She knew it was all about how she phrased her responses. "What about it?"

He swallowed nervously, afraid of her answer. "Are they telling the truth?"

She took another bite and chewed before finally answering. She chose her words carefully. "No, just rumors. All made up." She wasn't exactly lying. It was true that she wasn't currently suffering from an eating disorder or that her team was hoping to get her treatment. Did she suffer from one? Yes, but it hadn't been a problem for years. Sure, sometimes the thoughts were there, some days more than others, especially with the stress over the last few months, but she hadn't listened or acted on them in a long time.

Steve watched her every move, her every facial expression. Relief filled him when he recognized she was being truthful. "Okay, good. I was worried."

Maddie took an exaggerated bite of her sandwich, making a show of how much she was enjoying it. "No need to be."

He smiled at her, watching as she finished the midnight snack. He was ecstatic that she'd wanted to eat. Regardless of what she said, he still worried about her lack of appetite the last week and was happy to see it returning.

Maddie wiped her hands on the paper towel next to her before placing her hands behind her and leaning back slightly. Her eyes took in the raw masculinity of Steve's body and relaxed stance. His eyes immediately slid to her exposed thighs. The hem of her dress, if you could call it that, inched higher. The white jacket she was wearing as a dress already barely covered her butt when she was standing. With the need to feed her and talk about the rumors, he'd tried to ignore her exposed legs, tried to keep his eyes from lingering below her shoulders, but that was out the window now. He tried to only allow his eyes to linger on her thighs, and not between them, knowing that with her "dress" raised so high, he'd most likely see exactly what she was wearing underneath.

Slowly, Steve stood. Gone was his lazy and relaxed stance, replaced by an intense male energy barely contained below the surface. Maddie watched him closely. He reminded her of a jungle cat stalking it's prey. She licked her lips as he took a step towards her. "Speaking of rumors..." he began as a slow boyish grin spread across his face, leaving a slight mischievousness in its wake. Maddie felt an anxious tingling sensation start in her core. "I heard something interesting earlier." He took another step towards her.

Her tongue darted to her lips as she watched him hungrily. "Oh yeah?" she replied, her voice huskier than normal. Her heart and head were telling her to be careful, to protect herself and not go there, but her body was screaming for him, an after effect of the numerous shots of vodka. She wondered if she slept with him once, if maybe she would get it out of her system. She had never been one to just sleep with someone, but God, she wanted Steve. She wanted his hands all over her. His mouth. His bare skin touching hers.

Not only had her breathing quickened slightly, but her eyes were more dilated than before. His eyes watched her swallow hard before taking in her delicate collar bone and trailing down to the displayed skin between her breasts. Two buttons, he thought. That's all it would take to bare her to him. He could do that quickly. Undo the two buttons of her "dress" and she'd be naked to him. His already tight pants got snugger. "It had to do with you and vodka," Steve smiled knowingly.

A light blush washed over her face. "Tina's dead to me," Maddie quickly responded before meeting his eyes.

Steve chuckled. "Are you drunk?" God, how he hoped she wasn't. Obviously he knew she was feeling the effects of the vodka, but how much had she had? If she was drunk, he wouldn't proceed.

"No," she whispered as he took another step forward. It wasn't a lie. She was definitely inebriated, but not drunk. Well, not drunk drunk.

"Tipsy?" he asked, his voice huskier. He licked his lips.

Her heart was screaming at her not to do it, but her body refused to listen. Instead, she was going to let the vodka take over. She'd probably never get another chance to be with him. If she could have him just once, she could hold onto those memories forever. Sure, it would probably make the next three weeks even more unbearable. To be around him after having had him while being hopelessly in love with him and knowing he didn't feel the same? Awful. But, she'd always have this moment, this night. "Buzzed", she finally answered. It was a stretch, but she was fine with it. She was aware of her actions and in control of her decisions, and that's all that mattered.

Steve was okay with that. He knew they had a lot to talk about and clear up between them, but Tina had given him this opening. He would show Maddie with his body that he felt more for her. That he wanted to be with her. He would take advantage of this chance because if he didn't, who knew when he'd get another one.

As he took the final step between them, he rested his hands on the tops of her thighs. Maddie's legs unconsciously parted for him to stand between. "We have a lot to talk about," he murmured, his mouth a mere inch from hers.

She licked her lips in anticipation. "Okay," she whispered. The feel of his hands resting on her bare thighs increased the tingling and throbbing between her legs. Refusing to think and only feel, she straightened, no longer leaning back on her hands. She wanted to put them on him, to find bare skin, but she waited, wanting to see what he did first.

Steve's hands began slowly sliding up her thighs towards her hips. Her breathing quickened. Knowing her guard was down and she couldn't hide from him he added, "You have it wrong... I do want you." Fighting the urge to devour her mouth, he tenderly kissed the tip of her nose. "We are gonna figure this out." He swallowed. He couldn't hold back much longer.

There was a large part of her that wanted to push him away, to run from him. She didn't want to talk about this, to think about all he'd said to hurt her. Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer. His words whispered to her, taunting her. Go away, she ordered them. She didn't want to worry or be scared for once. She just wanted to feel him, to be with him.

She wanted him to kiss her already, but he seemed to be waiting for her to say something. So, without even really knowing what she was agreeing to, she nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

As soon as the word was out of her mouth, his lips were on hers. Needing her even closer, Steve pulled her forward, causing her legs to widen. While his left hand tightened on her waist, his right hand slowly traveled up to the back of her head where he held her in place as their kiss intensified.

Maddie had never wanted a man more. Everywhere his hands trailed left a path of fire. Her heart was pounding, her breathing shallow, her body thrumming. Feeling an intense desire to touch him, she placed her hands on his chest, wishing it was bare skin beneath her fingertips instead of his dress shirt. When Steve's tongue darted out and touched her lips, she immediately opened her mouth. With the first touch of their tongues, the throbbing in her core increased. Needing to be closer to him, she slid her hands up his chest and to his shoulders before wrapping her arms around his neck.

Steve was shocked by the intense reaction he was having to simply kissing Maddie. He wasn't a monk by any means, so it surprised him that he felt fifteen again, untamable hormones and all. As soon as her arms circled his neck, he quickly moved his hands down past her waist and to her toned butt. Placing his hands on each cheek, he deftly pulled her forward so her butt was now at the edge of the counter. As their tongues dueled, his hands began to roam.

Instinctively Maddie's legs parted even more before she wrapped them around his waist. The move drove Steve crazy. Images of Maddie naked beneath him, her bare legs wrapped around him taunted him. His need for her skyrocketed. As his movements became more rushed, their kisses and wandering hands became more frantic. Desperate to feel his skin, she dove her fingers into his thick, brown hair. The sensation immediately caused goosebumps to break out over his body. He wanted her. No, needed her. It was a need like nothing he'd ever felt before. If given the choice of having food and water or having Maddie, he would choose her every time.

Suddenly his mouth was kissing her cheek followed by her jaw. He licked and carefully nipped her left earlobe before kissing his way down her neck. Unconsciously she leaned her head back slightly, allowing him better access. At the same time, his right hand was making its way to her upper thigh, his fingertips teasing, his touch light as a feather. She was in heaven, something she let him know by the moan that escaped her. He groaned as he tore his mouth from her neck and found her lips again. He kissed her deeply before murmuring against her mouth, "God, I want you."

The words sent a desperation tearing through her as they began kissing again, their tongues once again locked together. She tightened her legs around him, trying to bring him even closer. It was a primitive need, a need for their most private regions to be touching. At the same time, her fingers left his hair and quickly slid along his upper arms and to his chest. Once there, they immediately began working on the buttons of his shirt, her core throbbing. He nipped her bottom lip, earning him another moan. He smiled against her mouth, triumphantly. He loved knowing he had such an effect on her.

With great difficulty and discipline, Steve had been holding back when it came to undressing her, wanting to let her initiate that step. Once he felt her fingers unbuttoning his shirt, his hands headed towards the two buttons holding her dress closed. Suddenly the silence was filled by his ringing cell phone. "Ignore it," he panted between kisses. Her only response was a nod as she made her way to the third button of his shirt. Just as he was about to undo the first of her two buttons, the phone grew silent only for the ringing to begin again. "Fuck," he cursed. He'd have to pick it up. It could be work.

Steve's left hand moved back to the top of her butt, while his right hand went to his pants. Knowing he needed to answer, Maddie's mouth left his and began trailing along his jaw. "What?!" Steve growled as he answered, not bothering to hide his irritation over the interruption. God, he thought trying to focus. Her mouth against his skin was making it hard for him to concentrate.

"I can't find Tina," came Pete's voice through the phone. He could hear the panic in his friend's words.

Steve's eyes nearly rolled back in his head as Maddie kissed and sucked on his neck while her fingers undid the 4th button on his shirt. With each button she was getting closer and closer to his waistband. Focus, he admonished himself. He took a deep breath. "What do you mean you can't find T?" he asked.

Maddie tensed, her fingers and mouth stilling. Had she not been in a state of complete arousal and intoxicated she would have automatically hidden any sort of response. Steve immediately noticed. He leaned his head back slightly to look at her face and she averted her gaze. Shit, she inwardly cursed. How could she have been so obvious? She was better than that.

"Hold on," Steve said into the phone. "Where is she?" he asked Maddie, his voice slightly clipped.

"She's fine," she murmured. What was the big deal? Tina had been out before. Why was Steve suddenly on edge?

Steve put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter beside her. "Where is she?" he repeated.

Maddie met Steve's eyes. "She met someone for drinks."

"Who?" Pete growled through the phone.

What the hell was going on? Furrowing her brow in confusion, she silently asked Steve, but his stare remained the same. Deep down she knew he wasn't telling her something. Maybe Pete does have feelings for Tina... maybe Steve knows, she hoped.

"Who, Maddie?" Steve asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"I don't know. Someone she met the other day while running errands."

Both Steve and Pete felt their blood run cold. However, both tapped in on their extensive training and made no outwardly signs of their silent fears. Especially Steve, as he was standing in front of her, making full eye contact, his left hand still on her butt. He could tell she was getting nervous, so he began lightly rubbing her lower back. "Where'd they go, Mads?" he asked, trying to gentle his voice, betraying none of his panic.

"I don't know," Maddie answered. He could hear her uncertainty.

"Think," Pete barked through the phone. Maddie immediately tensed and her eyes started nervously darting around. Pete never spoke to her like that. Well, unless she had just pulled some stunt or took off. She'd come to realize it was a tone he used when he was afraid. What was he afraid of right now? Was Tina in trouble?

Damn it, Pete, Steve silently cursed. His brief outburst had rattled Maddie. The last thing he wanted was for her to find out that her stalker had threatened Tina. If she did, she would never let him in. She would push him away. She would push everyone away. He knew she would do it to try and protect everyone, which would effectively put her in more danger. With Pete on speaker and his phone resting on the counter, his right hand was free. Seductively he slowly slid it up her thigh, past her waist, and up her side and back. Finally, he buried his fingers in her hair, playing with her auburn locks. Slowly his hand moved to her face and he caressed her cheek and jaw. He saw her eyes begin to dilate as she took a deep breath. Relief filled him as he felt the tension begin to leave her. Finally, he calmly asked, "Do you know where she went, Mads?"

She blinked slowly, before gently shaking her head. "No, she didn't tell me." She paused before adding, "But I got the impression it was somewhere near the party."

"When did you guys lose her?" Steve asked Pete, staring into her eyes as his thumb lightly stroked her cheek.

"I don't know," his friend answered. There was a pause while Pete mentally brought up the events of the evening. Finally, he said, "Tina was there, and then Maddie almost fell."

"Madeline Lily," Steve growled. His hand fell from her face while his other hand stilled on her back. She had pulled another stunt. A dangerous one. "Damn it," he and Pete cursed in near unison.

As Steve took a step away from her, he tried to remind himself that she didn't know there'd been a threat to Tina, but it didn't alleviate all of his anger.

Maddie's stomach sunk as his hands left her body and he distanced himself. His actions and angry tone were an effective slap in the face. Gone were the effects of the alcohol, and her throw caution to the wind actions and desires. Back were the walls she'd erected to keep him out. God, she was a fool. He had hurt her more times than she could count, the last being utterly devastating. His words came back to haunt her, and this time they weren't quieted by hormones. Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer. Would she ever not hear those words? Not see his mocking face?

Before Steve's eyes, and in mere seconds, Maddie had changed. His heart ached as he watched hurt in her eyes turn to absolutely nothing. She shut down, her eyes no longer meeting his. Fuck, he thought, a sense of panic setting in. He stepped towards her and gently touched her knee. He at least hoped she'd look at him, but she didn't.

"Steve, I need you to track Tina's phone," Pete said, interrupting his thoughts.

Shit, Steve thought. He was afraid the longer he left Maddie, the more withdrawn she'd be. But, he had to help locate Tina. He couldn't let anything happen to her. "Yeah, give me a minute." Hating the entire situation, his hand slowly slid down her leg to her high heel. With deft hands, he unbuckled her shoe, pulled it off, and dropped it to the floor before doing the same thing with the other one. He then walked the few steps to where he'd placed her crutches, grabbed them, and returned to her. Standing in front of her, he glanced at her face. She still refused to meet his eyes. His jaw clenched in frustration knowing he'd lost the progress he'd made. Sighing audibly, he said, "Go upstairs. It's been a long day and you're still sick." Carefully, he grabbed her around the waist and gently set her on her feet before handing her her crutches. As soon as she was steady she began crutching to the stairs. Not once did she meet his eyes or argue in any way. Damn it, he inwardly cursed.

"Steve? Do you have a location?" Pete finally asked, breaking into his friends thoughts.

"One sec," he replied as he walked to his Five-O laptop sitting on the kitchen table. Quickly, he opened it and began typing. He watched as Tina's cell began triangulating. Finally, it "dinged" and a location popped up on the screen. "The Social Honolulu. I'll text you the address."

"Perfect, thanks," his friend replied. They stayed on the phone while Pete rushed the short distance to the bar. "I see her," he said as he walked inside.

Steve could hear both relief and irritation in his voice. He had a feeling his drive with Tina would be similar to the drive he'd had earlier with an irate Maddie. He didn't even bother to fight the chuckle. "See you soon."

Pete told himself that it was the level of danger Tina had put herself in that had him so pissed and not the sun streaked brown haired man sitting close and smiling at her. He tried to remind himself that she had no idea she was in danger, but it wasn't making any difference. "Tina," he ground out as he took the last few steps to her.

Her head shot up, shocked to see him there. "Pete?" she questioned. Why would he be here, she wondered. Then her heart clenched as only one reason would make sense. Maddie. "What happened?"

He could see the fear in her eyes, and knew where her mind had gone. "We gotta go," was his only reply.

Tina immediately nodded, her chest feeling tight at her concern for Maddie. She turned to Arthur. "I'm so sorry, but I have to go. I had a great time though!"

He immediately stood. "Of course. I did as well!" He paused, purposely glancing at Pete. He took great joy in the level of anger he saw in his eyes. "I hope everything's okay," he whispered to Tina.

Before she could respond, Tina looked back at Pete, a silent question in her green eyes.

"We have to go," Pete repeated.

She looked back to Arthur. "Again, I'm so sorry."

"No problem... I'll call you. Maybe we can get together again before you leave," he responded.

"Now, Tina," Pete snapped. He glared daggers at her date. Before she had a chance to answer, he took her by the arm, pulled her closer, and then turned her around, gently propelling her towards the exit. As he joined her, he took one last look at her date. He'd been studying him, taking in everything. He and Steve would definitely be doing a background check on this guy.

"What happened?" Tina immediately asked as they entered the parking lot. When Pete said nothing, she continued. "Why won't you tell me? Is she hurt? How bad is it?"

"Get in the car," he clipped, throwing the driver's side door open and jumping inside. Tina did as he ordered, tears pricking her eyes. Oh God, it must be bad, she mused.

Once they were both buckled, Pete threw the car in drive and took off towards Maddie's.

"Pete? Wha-..."

"What the hell were you thinking taking off and not bothering to tell anyone where you were or taking any security with you?" Pete interrupted, his tone angry and harsh.

"What?" she asked, shocked by his question, and his anger.

"Answer me!" Pete demanded.

"I went on a date. Maddie knew," she answered hesitantly, her green eyes sweeping over Pete's profile in confusion.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel as he tried to force his heartrate to slow. Tina was safe. Nothing had happened to her. Breathe, he tried to tell himself. "She didn't know where."

"What happened? Is she hurt?" Tina pushed once again.

"She's fine. She's at home."

"She's fine?... She's fine?! Then what the hell?" Her voice rose, her earlier fear and panic turning to anger.

"You had zero security with you," Pete responded, as if that explained everything.

"Who cares?! When has that mattered?" she cried, exasperated, and confused. She paused, her mind running a million miles an hour. "How did you even find me?"

"Steve. He tracked your phone. Which," he enunciated, glaring pointedly at her, "you weren't answering."

"I was on a date! It was on silent!" Tina nearly screamed. What was his problem? Why was he doing this to her? "He tracked my phone?! I'm not Maddie! What is wrong with you guys?!"

They'd all decided not to tell her or Maddie about the threat made against her, so Pete didn't bother answering.

After waiting a minute for an answer, Tina scoffed realizing that according to Pete, the conversation was over. She turned her head, glaring out the window. He and Steve had a lot to answer for, that was for sure.

Steve was pulling out the six bottles of water he'd frozen earlier when the front door opened and then immediately slammed, followed by Tina's near stomping. As she entered the room, she shot fire from her eyes. "After I helped you?"

"I ha-," he began.

"Don't even," she spat before turning around and ascending the stairs.

Pete stalked in, reached into the fridge for a beer, popped it off, and took a long tug from it.

"I see that went well," Steve quipped setting the frozen water on the counter.

His friend sighed deeply before saying, "There was a camera that got a good shot of her date. I need you to pull it and run him."

"Okay, I'll take care of it tomorrow," he responded easily.

"Thanks." Pete once again sighed. "I'm sorry I interrupted you guys."

Steve hadn't told him anything, but his buddy wasn't an idiot. He'd heard his irritated response when he'd answered the phone. "It's fine. It was probably for the best." He wasn't lying. In the long run it was. He didn't want Maddie regretting any of their actions and he was worried she would have. "She's still upset with me, rightfully so." They were quiet before he finally added, "I don't know how I'm gonna get through to her, on the stalker or romantic front."

"You will... it'll take time, but you will." Pete took another drag from his beer. "Regular Maddie would have kicked your ass for that comment instead of completely shutting down. But she hasn't been 'regular Maddie' for months."

"Yeah, I've never seen her like this," Steve admitted. The differences in Maddie scared the hell out of him. "I mean, she has night terrors. I still can't wrap my mind around that."

"God, the first time I heard her scream, I nearly had a heart attack." Pete recalled that night three months before.

FLASHBACK

After Maddie's 3rd show in Birmingham, Alabama they'd all boarded the numerous tour buses and headed for Mississippi. She'd been exhausted, something Pete had been noticing more and more the last couple weeks. He, Maddie, Frank, Mo, Billy, and Tina were having a late dinner while Ron drove. The rest of her, now doubled, security team were on two other buses. They'd rotate out depending on the day, all except for Pete, and, usually, Mo.

"You want something different?" Tina asked as Maddie picked at her food.

"No, I'm just tired." As if on cue, she let out a big yawn.

"Go back, Shorty," Frank said between bites.

"Yeah, you earned it," Tina told her friend.

"Okay," Maddie whispered as she stood and put her food in the fridge to eat later. "Night, guys."

"She seem a bit off lately?" Frank asked once the door shut behind her.

Pete took another bite of chicken before answering. "Yeah, a bit."

"She's probably just tired. This tour schedule is crazier than normal. King George is a royal pain in the ass, pun intended, as is the new head of the label," Tina supplied.

Tina's probably right, Pete thought. They were all exhausted and they didn't have to get on stage every night and dance and sing their asses off after long days of appearances and press. She had the next two nights off, so hopefully she'd get some much needed rest. They all would.

Ten minutes later they crawled in their respective bunks ecstatic to get some shuteye. Often times they'd watch a movie, Maddie included, to wind down, but they all needed the sleep.

Even though it'd been an hour, it felt like they'd just fallen asleep when Maddie's screams filled the bus. Pete and Frank jumped out of their individual bunks and ran towards the door to her room so fast it was shocking they didn't crash into one another, while Mo and Billy headed towards the front of the bus.

"Stay," Frank barked as Tina made a move to groggily scramble from her bunk.

With guns drawn, Pete and Frank reached her door. They nodded to one another, silently communicating like they'd always done on missions. Pete quickly pushed the door open while Frank had his gun trained on anyone that might be revealed in the now open door. The two took in Maddie's sleeping form restlessly kicking the covers in between cries. They quickly cleared the room of possible intruders before Pete rushed to Maddie's side.

"Shorty," he gently called as he began lightly shaking her. Suddenly her eyes shot open and fear stared up at him. It was obvious she wasn't completely awake as she began to push at him and fight him. "Hey... it's me. It's Pete. You had a nightmare," he softly said as he tried to smooth her hair away from her wet face. He saw the realization slowly dawn on her as her eyes began to clear. "You're okay."

After a few minutes of clinging to him, her breathing began to return to normal, her sporadic silent tears ceased, and her body began to relax. "Sorry," she mumbled.

END OF FLASHBACK

Not trusting his voice yet, Steve was quiet for a moment after Pete finished the detailed account. He silently vowed, for the millionth time, that he would kill whoever had been terrorizing Maddie. Finally, he cleared his voice. "Do you have any idea when she became aware of a stalker?"

"I've asked myself that a million times. It's been a tough tour from the get-go, so it could have been any time. She'd been exhausted since rehearsals started. The two were running her ragged. And, who knows how long she'd had nightmares before they became night terrors and she started screaming." He took the final sip, before opening a cabinet in the kitchen and dropping the empty bottle in the recycling bin. "Plus, she's abnormally good at hiding things and keeping them to herself. Drives me nuts."

"Yeah, me, too," Steve sighed before picking the frozen water bottles back up. "I gotta go get her hooked in the brace. Night."

"Night, McG," he responded as he grabbed another beer.

Steve was pretty sure Maddie would already be asleep, not only because she was still exhausted and sick, but also because he'd sent her upstairs forty-five minutes earlier and he hadn't heard any noise for at least thirty. As he approached her door, he immediately noted that not only was it closed, but there was no light coming from under it. He went into the room he was sleeping in across the hall, set the waters on his bed, and then quickly changed out of his suit pants and long-sleeve collared shirt. Clad in a pair of charcoal sweats and white t-shirt he quietly turned the doorknob, or at least tried. He shook his head slightly at the locked door. Definitely lost any progress, he thought to himself as he jogged downstairs. Pete glanced up at him as he entered the kitchen, his eyebrows arched in question. "She locked me out," he mumbled as he headed towards her office for a paperclip. As he rummaged through her desk drawers he heard Pete laughing. Finding one quickly he headed back upstairs while Pete still laughed. Using the paperclip, he quickly popped the lock and opened the door. The light from the hall spilled into her dark bedroom, and sure enough, she was sound asleep beneath the layers of blankets. He shook his head and smirked as he retrieved the frozen water bottles from his room and began setting the tank up. She wasn't dumb. She knew that he'd be able to unlock her door with little effort. But, she was sending him a message by doing it. Message received, he thought.

Carefully he pulled the covers off her and gently guided the brace on her knee. He glanced at her face several times to see if she woke, but she hadn't moved. She's out, he thought happily. He placed the covers back on her and flipped the tank on. As cold water made its way to the brace she groaned in her sleep and pulled the duvet closer to her body. Steve sighed in relief when she made the clicking noises signaling she was settled and out. Every part of him wanted to crawl in the other side of the bed with her, but he knew it was better to go back to not pushing her. It was obvious by her behavior in the kitchen that she was shut down again. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Night, Mads."

Groaning, Maddie's eyes opened. I should've had a little more water last night, she thought as she took in her slight hangover headache. However, it had nothing on the concussion headaches she'd had.

She rubbed at her sleepy eyes and suddenly noticed she was in a knee brace. Instinctively she knew Steve had come in and put it on while she was asleep. At the thought of him, their brief make out session came to mind. "What was I thinking," she whispered. How could she have thrown caution to the wind after he'd said what he had. His words immediately came back to haunt her. Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer. I'm so stupid, she thought as she got up and crutched to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later she was dressed in black leggings, an oversized Beatles crewneck sweatshirt, and black low top Converse as she crutched down the stairs, coughing the whole way.

Steve turned his head away from his laptop and watched her. "Morning," he greeted.

"Morning," she whispered. As she crutched to the refrigerator she felt his eyes on her.

"Hungry?" he asked. "I'll make you something."

"I got it," she replied as she began removing ingredients.

He hated that she wouldn't even look at him. "Can I help?"

Her instinct was to immediately say no, but she knew chopping the vegetables would be harder for her on her crutches. "You can chop," she mumbled.

He immediately stood from the kitchen table and made his way to her. "What are we making?"

"Frittata," she answered as he took out a cutting board. She crutched to the oven and set it to 350 degrees before clumsily grabbing a pan and setting it on the stove.

As they cooked in silence Steve tried to think of a way that would engage her, but still wouldn't push her. He hated how things were between them. As he watched her pour the whisked eggs into the vegetables he'd chopped he asked, "Do you cook often?'

"Depends," she replied, her tone distant. "Sometimes I cook on the bus, but usually Gladys made dinner earlier and it's waiting for us. When I'm home I usually cook." She adjusted her crutches as she prepared to lift the skillet.

Steve placed his right hand on the arm reaching for the skillet and his left on her lower back. "No, I got it, Mads."

Images of his hands on her last night flashed through her mind the second he touched her. God, it felt amazing, she thought. While she knew it had been a mistake, she had loved every minute of it. Never had a man made her feel the way he did.

Needing to put distance between them she crutched to the bar and took a seat while he put the frittata in the oven.

"Morning," Tina grumbled sleepily as she trudged into the kitchen and beelined it to the espresso machine.

Maddie smirked. Tina and her coffee, she thought.

"Morning, T," Steve greeted cheerily. "Sleep well?"

Tina said nothing, only shot him a glare as she made coffee.

"Still mad, I take it."

"Hello, sleepyheads," Pete said as he walked in from the patio shirtless and sweaty.

Tina refused to look at him not only because she was mad, but also because she didn't want to drool over his perfectly toned chest.

"Morning, Pete," Maddie quietly greeted.

"Feel any better today?" he asked as he headed to the espresso machine to grab some of the coffee Tina had just made. Before he could, she took the leftover coffee, walked to the sink, and dumped it down the drain.

"Seriously, T?" Pete nearly growled.

She said nothing as she took a seat beside Maddie who was fighting a smile.

Thirty minutes later they were all finishing breakfast in near silence when Tina's phone chimed. She quickly glanced at it. "Shit..."

Tina didn't need to say anything for Maddie to know the press was saying something about her, and given her reaction, she wasn't going to be happy about it. "What is it?" Her friend and assistant handed her her cell.

Fuck, Maddie thought as she stared at photos of Steve kissing her at the party and carrying her out. What will "Unknown Sender" do when he sees these? She felt the now familiar feeling of fear.

Steve's brow furrowed as he watched Maddie's face drain of color. "What's wrong?"

She said nothing as she gave Tina her phone back and stood. Without thinking, she crutched to the stairs and up to her room. Suddenly she found herself locking her bathroom door behind her as she approached the toilet. She stared at it while she fought an internal battle. Just once, she told herself. You'll feel better. But Maddie knew she wouldn't. She'd feel worse if she did it. But knowing that didn't make her want to do it any less.

She reached in the pocket of her leggings for her cell and sent Doc a text. Code Orange.

It took less than thirty seconds for her phone to chime. I'm on my way.

Fight it, she told herself as she continued to stare at the toilet.

"Mads?" Steve said as he knocked on the door.

Fear blanketed her once again. Oh God, what if he kills him? she worried. Images of all the times she'd seen him die in her nightmares ran through her mind. She took a step closer to the toilet.

When there was no response, Steve tried the door knob. When he was met with resistance he tried again. "Maddie, let me in."

Knowing he would break the door down if she didn't open it, she crutched to the door and unlocked it. Before she could open it, he pushed it open. "You okay?" he asked, unconsciously taking her in from head to toe.

She crutched past him and sat on the edge of her bed. "You shouldn't have done it," she whispered.

He hated how broken she sounded. He immediately sat beside her. "He's not gonna get to me, Maddie. That's what you're afraid of isn't it?"

She knew she should deny it, but for once she wanted to be able to be honest with him. The secrets were suffocating her and she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold them in. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

Steve was pleasantly surprised she'd admitted it. "I promise. He's not gonna hurt me."

More than anything she wanted to believe him, but she knew he couldn't promise her that. "Unknown Sender" had gotten to her while she slept with Steve and Five-O fifty feet away. They'd had no idea. And, he'd gotten a photo of Steve and Lori making out and he hadn't had a clue.

"Talk to me, baby," Steve gently said. "Tell me what you know."

Her heart ached at the term of endearment, and his words immediately came back to taunt her. Why don't you take a picture. It'll last longer.

He felt her tense beside him, and wished he knew what she was thinking. "Mads, what do you know?" he asked again.

She tried to lock her emotions away as she finally answered, "I don't know anything more than I've told you."

Steve knew she was lying. "Mads-"

"Doc's here," Pete interrupted, poking his head in the open door.

Thank God, she thought as she stood.

When she was gone, Pete walked towards him. "She tell you anything?"

"No," he mumbled.

"Damn," Pete cursed as he threaded his fingers through his hair.

"We have to figure out how he's contacting her," Steve said. "I looked through her phone before I gave it to Charlie. That was the only text from him. Unless she's been erasing them as they come in. But I don't think she'd do that."

"How else would he contact her? Anything given to her is checked beforehand by me and the guys."

"I don't know, but we have to figure it out."

"What happened?" Doc asked as he and Maddie sat by the pool.

Shame settled on her like an old familiar sweater. "I don't know. Without even thinking I was suddenly in the bathroom staring at the toilet."

"What happened before that?" he gently asked.

"The press has photos of Steve kissing me at the party."

"Maddie, you know I can't tell anyone anything you tell me. Doctor-patient confidentiality. Tell me what's weighing on you. You know that's why you found yourself there."

Maddie hesitated. She knew he was right. This was weighing on her and it would only be a matter of time before she relapsed if she didn't get it off her chest.

"It started four months ago," she whispered several minutes later. Her voice was so soft that he had to strain to hear her.

When she said nothing more, he asked, "How does he contact you?"

"I won't tell you that."

"What does he want?"

"I don't know. All I know is he claims to love me and that I have to stay away from Steve or he'll kill him," Maddie responded. An onslaught of images of Steve being murdered played on a loop.

"Does he want to hurt you?" Doc asked. He knew that if she said yes, then he could legally break doctor-patient confidentiality and tell Steve what she'd just told him.

"I don't think so. He's never outwardly threatened to hurt me. But, Steve? He'll kill him." Maddie wiped at a couple tears that escaped.

"Steve's a Navy SEAL. He can protect himself."

At Maddie's silence Doc knew there was more she wasn't telling him. After several minutes he finally asked, "What were you feeling in the bathroom?"

"That everything's a mess and out of control." A sob suddenly slipped out. "I don't know how this happened. How is this my life?"

He immediately reached out and took her hand. "You need to take some control back, Mads."

"I don't know how to do that," she whispered as she wiped at her face with her free hand.

"It's the little things. If you want to do something, do it." When she didn't say anything, he added, "For example, if you want to stay in your pajamas all day, do it." She laughed, which was exactly the reaction he was hoping to get. "You have more control than you realize. You had control in the bathroom. You chose to reach out to me. You controlled that situation."

Maddie hadn't thought about it like that. "You're right. I did have control." Just saying it out loud caused some of the fear and panic to lessen.

"You got this," Doc smiled. "And I'm only ever a phone call or text away."

She turned and gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Doc."

"You're welcome." He squeezed her hand again. "I know you didn't ask me, but I think you should tell Steve everything. Or start with one thing. I know I just met him, but my instinct is that he can more than protect himself."

She immediately shook her head. "I can't. I won't risk it."

"Just think about it." As he watched her worry her bottom lip between her teeth he said, "Want to give me a tour? I love this house. It suits you."

She gave him a smile. "Yeah, it does... and I'd love to."

Steve had been watching Doc and Maddie from inside the house. He'd been doing a deep dive into Walter Seasius, wanting to be sure that it wasn't a deep cover alias.

"What do you think they're talking about?" he finally asked Pete.

Pete glanced up from the fan letter he was reading. "I don't know. They do this sometimes."

"They do?"

"Yeah," he replied. "She trusts him. I think they just talk."

Interesting, Steve thought.

"She give you the tour?" Pete asked when Maddie and Doc walked into the kitchen an hour later.

"Yeah," Doc answered. "It's amazing!"

Maddie smiled. She loved showing people the house and surrounding property. She'd designed it with everything she'd ever dreamed of and wanted. And Steve's dreams, too, she thought. How didn't I realize I've been in love with him this whole time? At the thought of Steve, she looked to his closed laptop. "Where's Steve?"

"He ran home to grab some more clothes," Pete replied.

Fear immediately coursed through her body. "He left?"

At her tone, Pete looked up. "He's coming back." Seeing the fear in her eyes he added, "He's okay, Mads. Nothing's gonna happen to him."

After their conversation earlier, Doc knew what Maddie was thinking. He had to show her she had control. "What do you feel like doing?" he asked.

"What?" Maddie responded, confused by his question. All she could think was that Steve had left the house and her stalker was somewhere in Hawaii.

"Right now. Is there something you feel like doing?" Doc clarified.

"Um..." Maddie tried to focus on Doc's question as opposed to her fear. She glanced at the fan mail Pete was going through. "I'd like to respond to some letters."

"Okay, that sounds like a good plan."

"I've cleared this pile here," Pete said as he pointed to a stack on the other side of the table. "Start there."

"I'm just gonna grab," Maddie began.

"Tell me what it is, and I'll grab it," Pete interrupted.

"I'll get it," Tina said as she entered the kitchen and headed towards the espresso machine. She set the machine to percolate before walking down the hall towards the garage. Knowing he needed to try and make up with her, Pete stood and followed.

He leaned against the doorway to the storage room off the garage and watched Tina eye the boxes. "How long ya gonna stay mad at me?"

She didn't spare him a glance as she continued searching.

"T..." Pete sighed. "I would apologize if I had anything to be sorry for."

Tina's head shot to his. "Anything to be sorry for?" She clenched her teeth and shook her head in disbelief. "What about interrupting my date? Or letting me believe Maddie was hurt and that's why you were there? I thought something horrible had happened to her." When he opened his mouth to speak, Tina put her hand up to stop him. "No. You knew that's what I was thinking and you didn't correct it. It wasn't until we were in the car and I asked you yet again! Plus, you had Steve track my phone! And then you yelled at me like I'd done something wrong by not telling anyone where I was going or having security with me."

Suddenly one of the garage doors opened and Steve pulled in. As he got out of his truck he approached Pete.

"After what happened the day before, you knew I didn't want you going anywhere alone," Pete countered.

"That's your only response to everything I just said?" Tina asked, disappointment filling her.

"Everything okay?" Steve asked.

Tina turned her icy stare on Steve. "And you! Even after you were a grade A asshole, I still helped you with Maddie and you repaid me by tracking my phone so Pete could interrupt my date?"

"I," he began. He glanced at Pete. They both knew she was not going to let this go. "Sit down, T," he finally said, his tone serious. While a part of her wanted to say no, she could see there was something off. Steve sat on a box next to her while Pete shut the door and then leaned against it. "I need you to promise not to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Maddie included. Especially Maddie."

Tina's heart sped up at his words. She looked between them, and suddenly felt a little nauseated. Something's wrong, she thought as she nodded warily in agreement.

"When you ran those errands the other day, you were followed," Steve stated.

"What?" Tina asked, her voice a bit breathless. "How do you know?"

"I got a text," Pete admitted. "With a photo of you."

Tina's brow furrowed in both concern and confusion. "Can I see it?" Pete nodded as he pulled his phone from his pocket. He pulled the text up and handed it to her. All the air whooshed out of her as she stared at the screen. However, she refused to fall apart. It wasn't her style. She looked up at the two. "That's why you went looking for me."

Although it was more of a statement than a question, Pete still answered. "After they told me you hit your head, I would have gone looking for you when you didn't answer your phone."

She refused to fantasize about why he would have gone himself. She wouldn't get her hopes up. Regardless of how she felt, they were just friends. "That's why you interrupted my date."

"Yeah," Pete answered. "You can't go off by yourself right now, T." His tone became clipped. "Especially with guys you don't know."

Taking offense to his chastising tone, her eyes narrowed on him. He makes me sound like I sleep around, he thought. Even though she knew she didn't, she felt embarrassed and guilty.

"I'll run a background check on him, T. Then you can go out with him again if you want to," Steve stated.

"This stalker's different than Graves and the others she's had, isn't he?" Tina asked.

"Yeah, T, he is," Steve answered.

Her nausea increased as her worry for her friend multiplied. She had so many questions, but needed time to process what they'd told her. "I better get this to her."

"You can't say anything to her," Steve reminded.

"I know. I won't. She'd fire everyone and go it alone."

"Yeah, she would," he agreed.

As Tina squatted to pick up one of the boxes of 8x10 photographs of Maddie, Steve stopped her. "I got it."

She nodded and started towards the door before Pete's voice stopped her. "Are we good?"

She stopped and looked at him. "Steve and I are good. You and I aren't." She turned around and walked out, shocked that he'd even thought they would be.

"Enjoy the dog house buddy," Steve quipped as he started towards the door to the garage.

"Thanks a lot," Pete groaned. Suddenly he remembered something. "Steve..."

"Yeah," he replied and looked over his shoulder.

"She got freaked out that you left. She was scared you'd get hurt."

"I'm gonna kill this guy when I find him," he vowed.

"Get in line."