CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

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: June 6, 2011

(When Sam steps back from Chin's hug, Steve takes her hand in his and pulls her out of the room and into the hallway. At this early hour of the day, there aren't many people in the hall and Steve pulls her into his strong arms and holds her tightly for a few moments. Stroking her golden blonde hair gently, he kisses the top of her head and wishes he could take away her pain. Pulling back, he looks down into her beautiful eyes and places a soft kiss on her forehead.)

"What you just did in there for Chin. . . That took a lot of courage, Sam."

"There was nothing courageous about it, Steve. That really is the first time I've every talked about what happened that horrible day. I guess it's always been there, inside of me, and. . . It was just time to get it out. If anything I said helped Chin, then I'm glad."

"I love you, Sam, and I swear to you that I will do everything within my power to make sure you never have to go through anything like that again."

"I know you will, Steve, and I love you so much, too. . . Hey, I have to go. With Adm. Henderson still TDY, I have to be at the base. I need to run home and take a shower, so call me and let me know how Lana's doing, and remind Chin he can call me anytime he needs to, okay?"

"Okay, and, Sam? . . . I'm always here for you, Sweetheart, never forget that."

(After kissing his wife very sweetly, Steve watches her as, back straight and head held high, Sam walks down the hallway and gets on the elevator. When he steps back into the waiting room, he finds Chin looking better than he has since this whole nightmare began.)

"Is Sam okay?"

"She's fine, but with Adm. Henderson in San Diego, she has to be at the base this morning. She went home to take a shower, but she said to remind you that you can call you anytime."

"Steve, what Sam did, . . That was, . . "

"She's fine, Chin, really. Listen, Danny and I called H.P.D. and talked to the booking officer. The guy who hit Lana is Edward Powell the Third, son of Edward Powell, Jr. who is the owner and CEO of Powell Industries."

"That's how he managed to get out on bail so fast."

"Yeah, and his father's already hired a high-dollar lawyer from one of the most exclusive firms on the island to defend him. Steve's got a call in to the Governor to see if she knows his attorney."

"It doesn't matter; with the kind of money the Powells have, he'll probably never even see the inside of a courtroom."

"Hey, you don't know that, Chin."

"Yeah, Danny, I do, and so do you."

"Just who are these people?"

"Powell Industries is one of the largest suppliers of small aircraft parts in the country, Tony, and they have money on top of money on top of money. Edward Powell the Third is only twenty-seven and is worth millions all on his own."

"Okay, Danny, but you don't honestly believe, not for one second, that they're going to be able to buy their way out of this, do you?"

"You'd be surprised what they can buy their way out of, Tony."

"Hey! Nobody's buying their way out of anything. What we need to do right now is concentrate on Lana, okay? In addition to the Governor, I've also got a call in to the D.A.'s office. Powell is not going to get away with this!"

"Calm down, Steven, we're all good."

(A nurse steps in at that moment to let Chin know that he can see Lana and he is out the door before she is finished speaking. Once he is clear of the room, Steve's famous dark frown finds its way to his face.)

"I didn't want to say anything in front of Chin, but you could be right, Danny. The booking officer said Powell was laughing and bragging about how he'd just pay a fine and be done with it while he was waiting for his attorney to bail him out."

"What'd I tell you?"

"Fine, but don't say anything like that in front of Chin!"

"Like he doesn't know."

"Listen, Danny, Chin needs to concentrate on Lana right now. He does not need to be thinking about anyone or anything else, especially Edward Powell. You and I and Kono will take care of Powell but we need to keep Chin out of it."

"Yeah, okay, Steve, so, let's go talk with the D.A."

"Yeah. Kono, you stay here and keep an eye on Chin."

"No problem. Tony and Caroline and the guys have to head to the base, too, so I've got this."

"We've got this, dear. Mike and I aren't going anywhere."

(Chin's knees threaten to buckle as he steps into the cubicle where Lana, pale and unconscious, her face bruised and her left arm in a cast from fingertips to just below her elbow resting on top of a pillow at her side, lies deathly still in the bed. Blood and I.V. fluids run into both arms, an oxygen mask covers her pale face, and her heartbeat registers with a steady beat on the monitor. She looks so pale, so small, so fragile, and Chin's heart twists in his chest. Sitting in the chair beside her bed, he gently takes her uninjured hand in both of his, kisses the top of her hand, and starts talking to her softly; telling her he's there and that she's going to be fine.)