CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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 10, 2012

(Danny is stunned! When Caroline called him to remind him they were supposed to take Grace to dinner, she had, in no uncertain terms, told him that, although they were going to put up a good "front" for Grace's sake, she was still highly upset with him and that wasn't going to change any time soon. Now, here she is less than two hours later taking the blame for the whole situation and making him out to be the poor, innocent victim! He's grateful for the change in his wife's attitude, but he's also apprehensive. Caroline's behavior for the past few months has been progressively getting more and more erratic, but tonight. . Tonight, she's behaving like a female version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; like someone's flipped a switch to turn her from one person into another. Did she mean what she just said or is this sudden change of heart solely for Grace's benefit? Are they going to go home after dropping Grace off and make love the way the did when they were first married or is Caroline going to slam the bedroom door in his face? The conflict within Danny is raging and it only worsens when Caroline shyly reaches across the table and takes his hand in both of hers, a sweet smile on her beautiful face and love shining from her eyes. He realizes that both his wife and his daughter are looking at him expectantly, but he honestly doesn't have the slightest idea what to do at this particular moment in time. And, that is, perhaps, what scares him the most. His heart wins out over his head, however, and Danny places his free hand on top of Caroline's as he leans forward in his chair and kisses her softly much to Grace's delight.)

"There, all better!"

"I agree, Grace. Your Daddy's kisses always make everything all better."

(Mike stands out on his back deck and sips on a glass of Scotch while he ponders the day's events. Both of his daughters are stressed out and upset with each other, his sons-in law are suffering a similar fate, although Danny seems to be worse off than Steve, and he and Libby got into a major spat and did so in front of Sam and Steve. After the children and Rosa left, Libby went about cooking dinner without saying a word to him and glaring at him the entire time they were eating. She left the table, picked up a book, and settled herself on one end of their sofa in the den pointedly sending him a silent message that he could take care of cleaning up, and now, hours later, she still hasn't spoken to him. After cleaning up from dinner, Mike sat in his recliner less than three feet from his wife and channel-surfed until he finally settled on a World War II documentary, although he couldn't say what specifically the program was about if his life depended on it. Libby finally put down her book and headed upstairs, and shortly afterward he heard the distinct sound of their jetted tub. In all the years they've been married, he and Libby have never gone to be angry with one another, and he'll be damned if it's going to happen tonight. Striding back into the house, locking the door, and sitting his tumbler on the kitchen counter, Mike heads upstairs with a determined expression on his handsome face and walks straight into the master bath, stripping off his clothes as he goes. By the time he reaches the large tub where Libby is relaxing with her eyes closed, he has become a man on a mission and his wife is his objective. Libby's eyes pop open just as Mike steps into the tub and she doesn't have a chance to say a word because Mike pulls her into his arms and his mouth meets hers in a kiss that leaves no doubt as to his intentions. . . .

Caroline's sweet disposition did not change after they dropped Grace off at Rachel's and Stan's, and Danny is figuratively holding his breath as he parks in their garage and they head into the house. He has just stepped across the threshold of their bedroom behind Caroline when she suddenly stops and whirls around to face him; one slender hand coming up to gently rest on his mouth.)

"I need to say something to you, Danny, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't interrupt me until I'm through . . . I'm sorry. I know that that's a pretty lame apology, but it is a sincere one. I honestly don't know what's been wrong with me lately, but I do know that I've been a total and complete bitch to you and everyone else I love. I realized just how horrible I've been tonight at the restaurant when Grace started interrogating us. . . I love you with every fiber of my being, Danny, and I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me, Gorgeous. I love you, too, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make our marriage work. . We're going to look back on this one day and kick ourselves six ways for Sunday, but we will get through this, Caroline; together."

"Promise me something, Danny. Promise me that, if I ever again start acting like a total jerk, that you'll stop me before I hurt you any more than I already have."