CHAPTER FIVE

Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Elusive Dreams"

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: July 7, 2012

(Having gotten to the restaurant before Sam, Steve glances up from reviewing the menu to see his wife walking toward him with a beautiful smile on his face. His breath catches as he watches her because the sight of the woman he loves more than life never fails stun him and he is exceedingly thankful that she is his. Sam is taking full advantage of not being on duty today and is wearing beige linen, sleeveless dress with a square-cut neckline and hem that ends mid-thigh thusly showing off her long, tanned legs. Beige pumps and a matching purse complete her outfit, her silky, golden-blonde hair falls loose about her shoulders and down her back, and, in addition to her wedding and engagement rings, she is wearing her gold and diamond cross necklace, wide, gold hoop earrings, and a gold serpentine bracelet along with a matching anklet. Quite simply, she takes his breath away. Standing, he makes sure he gives her a proper kiss before holding her chair for her. Once they've given the server their orders and have glasses of ice water sitting in front of them, Steve reaches across the table and takes one of Sam's hands in his idly rubbing his thumb along the underside of her wrist and sending jolts of heat through her.)

"Have you figured out what Danny's up to, Steve?"

"Not exactly, but I've got a pretty good idea. I do know that he sent Caroline flowers this morning which is a good place to start."

"So, you think the fight was Danny's fault?"

"Not necessarily, but he's making the first overture toward making up."

"I tried to call Caroline before I left the house but she wasn't in her office and wasn't on the flight line."

"Maybe she went to lunch with someone."

"Maybe. . . I've been thinking about this all morning, Steve. I think I know why they were fighting, or, at lease, part of it. They've been trying to get pregnant; for quite some time."

"Yeah, Sam, I'm aware of that. What does that have to do with them fighting over sex? Aw, Hell."

"Exactly."

"Do you really think Caroline would . . That she. . ."

"Would set-up a schedule for them to have sex at the times it would most likely for her to conceive? You're damned right, I do! She's my sister, Steve. I know her!"

"Do you realize what you're saying here, Sam?"

"Yeah. I'm saying my sister is so desperate to have a baby that she's treating her husband like a . . a sperm donor instead of the man she loves. Poor Danny."

"So, why is he sending her flowers?"

"Because, in spite of how much you like to give him a hard time, Steve; Danny's one of the nicest, sweetest guys on the planet and he's so in love with my sister that he would take the blame for anything if it meant she wouldn't be mad with him."

"Except, this time, he can't because he doesn't like being used."

"Would you?"

"No, but you'd never do that to me."

"No, I wouldn't, and I'm more than a little pissed at Caroline right now. I'd very much like to have a little talk with her but, unfortunately, she's going to be 'wheels up' in about twenty-seven minutes."

"Which is probably a good thing for both of you. You may know your sister, Sweetheart, but I know you, and, right now, you're mad enough to say something you might both regret later."

"What she's doing to Danny is wrong, Steve!"

"She wants a baby, Sam."

"Don't you think I know that? I've watched her with Emily and my heart has nearly broken at the sadness I've seen in her eyes. Caroline has somehow convinced herself that, because of Mom's four miscarriages, she will never be able to have a baby of her own."

"I thought Lt. Cmdr. Denning told her there was no reason she couldn't have a baby?"

"He did, but Caroline's got some snake in her head that she can't, or won't, get rid of, and it's hurting both her and Danny!"

(After leaving court, Danny made a couple of stops before heading back to the Palace and is quite pleased with himself when he finally does get back to the office. Kono and Chin, completely unaware of what's going on but knowing something's up, exchange puzzled glances as Danny actually whistles while finishing up some reports so he can leave early. Telling them he'll see them in the morning, Danny heads out and just misses Steve. The minute Steve steps off the elevator, both Kono and Chin pounce.)

"Okay, what's up with Danny?"

"And don't say you don't know because you most certainly do!"

"Well, hey, Kono, don't hold back, all right?"

"Steve."

"He and Caroline had a little misunderstanding and Danny's taking off early so he can suck up."

"Ah. . . Okay, then."

"That was easy."

"Kono might have been easy, but I want details. Give."

"That's really all I know, Chin. They had a fight last night and now he's ready to kiss and make up."

(Caroline is a little surprised to find the Camaro in the garage when she gets home from the base, but doesn't think too much of it as Danny sometimes manages to beat her home. Dropping her ready bag just inside the kitchen door, she looks for Danny but doesn't immediately see him in the kitchen or den. On the coffee table in the den, there's an envelope with her name on it in Danny's handwriting. Curious, Caroline picks it up and slides the note out. "Change into what's lying across our bed and be patient. Love you.", are the only words on the note. Now Caroline is more than a little curious and heads straight for their bedroom. Lying across their bed is one of Caroline's more formal dresses. This particular one is made of black lace over a satin sheath cut with a halter top and ending mid-thigh and happens to be one of Danny's favorites. A smile breaking out on her face, Caroline proceeds to strip out of her flight suit, take a quick shower, dry her hair and put on some makeup. She has just gotten into the dress, slipped on some black, strappy heels, and finished putting on her diamond earrings when she hears the bedroom door open and turns to find her husband, looking extremely good in a dark suit with a white shirt and grey tie standing in the doorway holding a single, long-stemmed red rose.)

"What are you up to, Danny?"

"It's a surprise, Caroline. You ready?"

"Yeah. Is that for me?"

"It is, but may I say that, as beautiful as this rose is, it doesn't come close to being as beautiful as are you."

"Wow."

"Shall we?"

(Danny escorts Caroline to the Camaro, opens the door and assists her into her seat, and they are soon on their way. The sun is setting as they drive toward the beach near Diamondhead and Caroline's curiosity is growing. When Danny pulls up in front of The Royal Hawaiian, Caroline looks at him questioningly; he just grins at her in return and helps her out of the car. Upon entering the main lobby, Danny steers her toward the restaurant and gives the hostess his name. They are quickly taken through the indoor dining area and shown to a solitary table outside on the beautiful, stone patio. The table is set with fine china and crystal and sterling flatware as well as linen napkins and tablecloth and a beautiful arrangement of yellow roses, baby's breath, and greenery surround a hurricane lamp with a long, slender, white candle already lit. It appears that they have their own private group of servers and, once they are seated and have ordered drinks, the staff members fade away and they are finally alone. On the plate in front of Caroline is another mysterious envelope and she looks first at the envelope and then at Danny with a somewhat dazed expression on her face.)

"What is all this, Danny?"

"Am I not allowed to take my gorgeous wife out to dinner?"

"This is just a teensy bit more than dinner, Danny. This is the Royal Hawaiian!"

"It is. Look in the envelope, Caroline."

(She does and finds a room key. Looking up, she finds her husband grinning broadly.)

"That key opens the door to a suite upstairs and it's all ours for the night."

"Wh. . .What?"

"You heard me. I told you yesterday that I had a full-blown seduction followed by some seriously mind-blowing lovemaking in mind. Welcome to the Royal Hawaiian, Mrs. Williams."