"Salvation"

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Title: "Salvation"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult language and situations

Summary: He was her salvation.

Date Written: November 11, 2010

(Steve heads off to work on Monday morning, and Sam and Caroline tackle the job of getting her bedroom furniture and the rest of her clothes out of storage. They take the majority of Sam's clothes and other personal things to Steve's and then move her bedroom furniture into the extra bedroom at Caroline's. . . Steve calls the office and tells Kono he's going to make a couple of stops before coming in and arrives at the office shortly after ten. After bidding everyone a cheerful good morning with a perpetual smile on his handsome face, he heads straight into his office and stays there until lunchtime. When he comes out of his office, he delivers a small envelope to each of his three team members. . . Sam and Caroline throw together a salad and iced tea for lunch at Caroline's and sit at the bar in her kitchen to eat.)

"I'm glad that's done! I didn't realize how long it was going to take us to move one room of furniture and some clothes."

"Some clothes? Good Lord, Sam, you've got enough clothes to dress half the women stationed at Pearl!"

"I do not. Okay, maybe a third of the women stationed at Pearl. Thank you, Caroline, for helping me move everything and for letting me have your extra bedroom."

"Just doing my part for Cupid."

"Yeah, about that. I am one seriously messed up human being."

"Yes, you are. What are you going to do, Sam? From everything you've told me, it's not going to be long before Steve asks you to marry him."

"What is wrong with me, Caroline? Why do I panic every time I think Steve's going to ask for a commitment?"

"Sam, Honey, you've already made a commitment to Steve whether you want to admit it or not. You're living with the man, for God's sake. That's pretty committed."

"I am committed to Steve. At least, as committed as I can be right now. Okay. I need to reason this out logically. Give me your list of reasons I need to stop acting like an idiot."

"Steve McGarrett is honest, brave, smart, damned good-looking and sexy as Hell, not to mention the fact that he loves you. He's been extremely patient where you're concerned, Sam, and, frankly, I can't think of another man who would have been as patient for as long as he has. Think about this, Sam, really think about it; why would you not want to marry this man?"

(When Sam responds, her voice is very soft and she has an expression on her face that makes Caroline's heart wrench for her friend.)

"I don't know."

"Sam, . ."

"I'm scared, Caroline. I do not want to hurt Steve, but I'm scared."

"Sam, you're the best friend I've ever had. You're more than a friend; you're like the sister I never had so I'm going to tell you exactly what I think about this situation. If what I have to say makes you angry or upsets you, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't say it. If you cannot overcome this fear you have about marrying Steve, you need to end the relationship. Now, before you hurt him any more than you already have."

(The look on Sam's face is so stricken that Caroline almost wishes she could take the words back, but bites her tongue because she knows Sam needs to hear them.)

"End the relationship? That would kill me, Caroline! I can't imagine never seeing Steve, or touching him, or . . . I cannot end this, I can't!"

"Then you'd better say 'yes' if he asks you to marry him because to do anything else will hurt both of you very badly."

(When Danny, Kono, and Chin get back to their offices from lunch, they each find the envelope Steve left for them. After they open them and read the contents, they each go looking for Steve but meet in the conference room before reaching his office with envelopes in hand. Chin speaks up first.)

"So you guys got one, too."

"Yeah. What's this about?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Danny. I don't know anything about it. Do you, Chin?"

"No, Kono, I don't have a clue."

"Why would Steve ask us to join him and Sam for dinner at La Mer this Saturday night?"

(Steve, having just walked in the door, answers.)

"I thought we could all get together and have dinner in a nice restaurant for a change."

"Well, I, for one, would love to, Steve. It'll give me a chance to wear a new dress I bought a couple of weeks ago."

"Great, Kono, I knew I could count on you."

"Count me in, too."

"Thanks, Chin. Danny?"

"Well, yeah, Caroline and I will be there."

"And Gracie?"

"You want me to bring Grace too?"

"Absolutely."

"O-kay. You going to tell us what this is all about?"

"We're having dinner, okay? A group of friends getting together to have dinner in a nice restaurant. Is that a problem?"

"No. Just . .No, it's not a problem. I'm gonna' go call Caroline."

"Um, Danny, Sam doesn't know about this yet and I'd rather she didn't. I thought it would be nice to surprise her. You know, after what she went through with the whole terrorist thing? So please ask Caroline to keep it to herself, okay?"

(Steve disappears back into his office leaving Danny, Kono, and Chin looking at each other in complete confusion. Deciding to take Steve at his word, they each go back to what they were working on in their own offices. Danny calls Caroline a little later to tell her about the invitation.)

"You and Sam get everything taken care of?"

"Yep. Everything's all squared away."

"Sam still there?"

"No, she left about twenty minutes ago. Something wrong?"

"No, but something's up. Steve gave Kono, Chin, and me written invitations asking us to join him and Sam for dinner at La Mer this Saturday night, and he wants us to bring Grace, too. Said to ask you not to say anything to Sam because he wants to surprise her; do something special for her after what she went through with the terrorists."

"What a sweet idea! I like it."

"You don't think it's kind of weird that he wants us to bring Grace?"

"Not at all. Sam and Grace hit it off really well. I'm sure Steve just wants as many of Sam's friends there as possible. Will Rachel let Grace go?"

"I don't think it'll be a problem."

"Well, okay then. It'll be fun, and Sam will be thrilled. Coming over after work? I've got a roast in the oven."

"Hey, you have to ask?"

(While Danny is talking with Caroline, Steve is on the phone with Grace. A smile spreads across his face as Grace fills him in on her progress, and he realizes he is growing more and more fond of Danny's little girl with every word she speaks. When he hangs up, he feels better than he has in a long time.)