CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Elusive Dreams – PART II"
Author: Michelle Heath
Rating: MA for adult situations and language
Summary: Story #9 in the Salvation series. The bonds of family bring the Five-0 ohana even closer.
Disclaimer: I so do not own Hawaii Five-0; unfortunately! All original characters are the property of the author!
Date Written: October 9, 2012
(Lt. Cmdr. Denning looks like he would rather take a beating than tell Caroline's family, especially her father, what he must tell them, but he has no choice. He is, in fact, hoping that their presence may be helpful to him in treating Caroline. Looking directly at Mike, the doctor proceeds to explain Caroline's condition.)
"When Caroline awoke earlier this morning, she was responsive to Danny and interacted with him albeit for only a few minutes. When she awoke again a little while ago, . . . Caroline is suffering from what I believe to be catatonia associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I've asked for Cmdr. Shelton, one of our Psychiatrists, to examine Caroline as soon as possible. Right now, it would be extremely helpful if you would all go in and try to talk with Caroline; try to get a response from her."
"I don't understand. What do you mean by 'try to get a response from her'?"
"Mrs. Thrasher, Caroline is awake but in a non-responsive state. She is not speaking, not making any independent movement, nor following verbal cues. She showed absolutely no signs of recognizing her husband whatsoever. I believe that the physical trauma of the accident and subsequent surgery, combined with the knowledge that she lost the baby she was carrying, have caused this condition. If Caroline shows any indication that she recognizes any of you or attempts to interact with you in any way, it will be a strong indicator that her condition is temporary."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Then, Admiral, I'm afraid that Caroline's condition could be of indefinite duration. However, I am not a psychiatrist and have little experience with this type of condition. That's why I've asked Cmdr. Shelton to examine Caroline. The Commander assured me she would be down to see Caroline within the next hour, but I wanted you to see Caroline as soon as possible. The more information we can give Cmdr. Shelton, the better position she will be in to give us her opinion as to a definitive diagnosis, course of treatment, and prognosis."
"But Caroline will recover from this?"
"Again, Mrs. Thrasher, this type of condition is outside my area of expertise. I truly wish I could give you more definitive information, but I cannot do so. In this, Cmdr. Shelton will have to be the final authority. Let me assure you that I will be here with Caroline and with all of you while Cmdr. Shelton conducts her evaluation, and I will be glad to answer any questions you have for me at anytime, day or night."
"All right, then. Let's go see if Caroline will talk to us."
(To say that Caroline's family members are upset is to state the matter mildly but they all know that they need to be as upbeat and positive as they possibly can in the hopes of triggering a response from Caroline. It is decided that Sam and Steve should go in first while Libby, Mike, Danny, and Lt. Cmdr. Denning wait just outside Caroline's room. If Sam and Steve have no luck, Libby and Mike will go in next. Libby, Mike, Danny and Lt. Cmdr. Denning immediately move to the other side of the S.I.C.U. and position themselves outside Caroline's room. Steve, realizing that Sam is trembling and is scared to death, takes a moment to pull her into his arms and hold her for a moment.)
"You can do this, Sam."
"I know. I just. . . What if she doesn't know us, Steve?"
"Then your folks will give it a try."
"What if she doesn't know them, either? God, Steve, what if Caroline never comes out of this?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Sam. Caroline's had a massive shock, Sweetheart, to both her body and her mind; this isn't something she's going to recover from over night. It's going to take time and the support of the people who love her to help her get through this. Come on, Baby, your sister needs you like she's never needed you before."
"Please don't let go of me, Steve. I can't do this without you."
"I'm right here, Beautiful, and I'm not going anywhere."
(Squaring her shoulders and taking the hand that Steve holds out to her, Sam takes a deep breath and forces the concern from her face. Moments later, she and Steve walk into Caroline's room and Sam nearly stumbles at the sight of her sister. The head of Caroline's bed has been elevated so that she is semi-reclining and the nurses have made sure she has on a fresh gown and brushed her beautiful red-gold hair until it gleams. However, Caroline is very pale and her eyes stare straight ahead, dull and lifeless; her hands lie uselessly in her lap. Steve slips a strong arm around his wife's slender waist and offers her a small smile of encouragement.)
"Hey, Caroline, how are you feeling this morning?"
(Nothing.)
"I'm so glad you're going to be all right."
(Still nothing.)
"Come on, Boo, talk to me. Please!"
(And still nothing so Steve tries.)
"We're all glad you're going to be all right, Caroline."
(Not so much as a blink.)
"Caroline, it's Sam. I love you, Sweetie, please talk to me."
(But Caroline does not respond and Lt. Cmdr. Denning raps softly on the glass wall and motions for them to step outside. The full impact of her sister's condition hits Sam at about the Sam time and Steve has to move quickly to get Sam out of the room before she collapses. When he does get her outside, she falls apart and he pulls her into his strong arms as quiet sobs wrack her slender body. Libby is fighting tears herself but knows that she and Mike need to go in to see Caroline so she forces herself to remain calm and precedes her husband into the room stopping to give her other daughter a quick hug on the way.)
"Good morning, Sweetheart! My but you look beautiful this morning. How are you feeling, dear?"
(Again, nothing.)
"Caroline, it's Daddy, Baby. Your mother and I are here for you and we aren't going anywhere until you're feeling better. Is there anything we can get for you? A book? Anything?"
(Still nothing. After a few more minutes in which Mike just about promises his daughter the moon if she will only speak to them, Lt. Cmdr. Denning decides that they need to wait for the psychiatrist before attempting further communication with Caroline. The group moves to the private waiting room just outside of the unit and the doctor waits until they are all seated before his tells them what's on his mind.)
"I was hoping that one of you would trigger a response of some sort, but, as that didn't happen, I'm afraid Caroline's condition is more serious that I first thought. Please wait here until Cmdr. Shelton has finished her examination. We'll both be in to talk with you as soon as possible. If there's anything you need, the nurses will be glad to get it for you. Excuse me."
(The man quietly leaves the room and no one moves or says a word for a few minutes, but, finally, Sam can stand it no more and launches herself out of her chair and straight into her mother's arms. In mere seconds, Mike has enfolded his wife and his daughter in his embrace and then motions for Danny to join them. Steve, not quite sure what to do, leans his head back against the wall, closes his eyes, and starts to pray.)