"Forever and Always – For Eternity"

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Title: "Forever and Always: For Eternity"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult situations and language

Summary: Story #6 in the Salvation, Forever and Always Series. The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of Lana Palea and Chin Ho Kelly.

Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the sole property of the author!

Date Written: May 30, 2011

(Steve has just made love to Sam, yet again, and their heartbeats are almost back to a normal rate when the shrill ringing of their alarm clock fills the room startling them both. Steve's masculine laughter mingles with Sam's as they both react to the jarring sound. They've been awake practically the whole night yet they both feel fully rested. Steve drops one, last kiss on Sam's mouth before rolling out of bed, pulling on a pair of shorts, and telling her he's going downstairs to make breakfast. Sam reluctantly hauls her six out of their bed and heads straight for the shower with a smile on her face. The entire time she's in the shower, then drying her hair and getting dressed, the smile remains in place. Being away from Steve for an entire week nearly killed her, but, oh my God, what a homecoming! Walking into the kitchen, Sam has to take a couple of deep breaths when she sees her husband's broad back, the muscles in his arms rippling as he goes about cooking omelets. Walking up behind him, Sam slips her arms around his waist and plants soft kisses all over his back.)

"Sam, if you keep doing that, I can guarantee you that you will not be reporting for duty this morning."

"Really, Steve?"

"Yes, really, Sam, because I will take you back to bed and keep you there until at least noon."

"You know, Sailor, if it weren't for the fact that I'd be guilty of doing exactly what Joel Thorne accused me of awhile back, I'd be tempted."

"Did Caroline talk to you?"

"About what Thorne did while I was gone? Yeah, she told me. She also thinks he's up to something."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"What can I do, Steve? He hasn't actually done anything wrong? I am going to talk to Lt. Cmdr. Radner, though. He and Caroline seem to think Thorne's up to something."

"Be careful, Sam. Thorne may be an idiot, but he's not a total moron."

"I'm aware of that, Steve. To be honest, I'm about ready to ask Adm. Henderson to go ahead and put Thorne's transfer orders through."

"Maybe you should, Sam. Let him be someone else's headache for awhile."

"Steve, . . Thank you."

"For?"

"For the remodeling, for always being there for me, for not letting me run away from you. I love you, Sailor."

"You're welcome, Beautiful, and I love you, too."

(And as Sam grabs her briefcase and heads out the door, she can't resist tossing one more comment over her shoulder with a sassy, little smile.)

"And thank you for the INCREDIBLY HOT SEX!"

(Chin, who didn't sleep a wink the night before is at the office long before anyone else arrives. He's in his office signing off on reports when Steve, Danny, and Kono all walk in at about the same time and he looks like Hell. Kono starts to head for his office, but Steve puts a hand on her arm to stop her telling her to let him talk to Chin. Nodding, she and Danny head into their own offices while Steve makes a detour into Chin's. Stopping in front of his desk with his arms crossed, Steve gives the other man "the look".)

"Don't go there, Brah, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and I'm not in the mood."

"Why?"

"Why?"

"Yeah, why didn't you get a lot of sleep last night?"

"Like I said . . ."

"You can talk to me or you can talk to Kono."

"I need to take these reports to H.P.D."

"I'll drive."

(Seeing that he's not going to avoid this conversation, Chin opts to have it with Steve knowing that his cousin will be relentless and both he and Kono will end up really pissed. Steve tells Danny and Kono where they're going and they are soon in the Camaro and headed to H.P.D. Steve doesn't say a word; just keeps casting expectant glances in Chin's direction. Chin realizes that Steve will be perfectly happy to drive around the island all day if that's what it takes, and finally gives in.)

"Lana and I have decided to postpone the wedding for awhile."

"Why?"

"I really don't know."

"Chin, this isn't a dental appointment. This is the rest of your life."

"I'm aware of that, Steve."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"It's not just me. Lana wants to postpone the wedding, too."

"Why?"

"She doesn't want to live her life in constant fear for my safety or hers."

"And she thinks a wedding ring is going to change the way she feels?"

"I don't know what she thinks anymore."

"Do you love her?"

"Yes."

"Then fix this."

"It's not that simple, Steve. I'm not sure I'd want to go through with the wedding even if Lana did."

"Chin, you just told me you love this woman. Why would you not want to marry her?"

"That's the thing, Steve, I can't tell you because I don't know myself."

"You need to figure this out, Chin, and you need to do it quickly. You're supposed to be getting married in less than two weeks."

"Yeah, don't think that's going to happen."

"Then you need to tell Kono. Now."

"She and Tony are coming over to Lana's for dinner tonight. We're telling them then."

"You do realize this is going to upset her, right?"

"Believe me, Steve, I'd do anything to avoid hurting Kono, but, this time, I just can't help it."

(Realizing that he's not getting anywhere and that Chin isn't going to volunteer any more information, Steve drops the conversation, they deliver the reports to H.P.D., and head back to the office.