CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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 12, 2012
(Learning that Casey Landry was pregnant did, indeed, send Caroline back into the exceedingly "dark" place she had so recently left. For the remainder of the time at her parents' cookout, she had smiled and politely chatted with others, even going so far as to talk with Casey and her husband, Nick, and tell them how happy she was for both of them, but her smile never quite made it to her eyes. Those closest to her noticed her change in attitude, but didn't say anything so as not to spoil the outing. When Caroline and Danny got home that night, she took a shower and got into bed, telling Danny that she was really tired and turning her back to him when he made an attempt to make love to her. Deciding that he shouldn't press the point, Danny had lain awake long after his wife had fallen asleep. . . .
It's been about a week and a half since the Thrasher's cookout and Caroline's attitude has progressively gotten worse. She is scheduled to make a presentation to a brand new group of RIOs who have recently arrived at the base and Adm. Henderson, who has quietly been observing her behavior for a while, has decided to sit in on the session. Sam, who is addressing a new group of pilots at the same time, is in another lecture hall on a different floor and has no idea that Adm. Henderson is watching Caroline. She decides to head down to catch the end of her sister's briefing, quietly slips into the auditorium and takes a seat next to Adm. Henderson but doesn't like the expression on the man's face. Adm. Henderson is one of the best C.O.s Sam has ever served under and it takes a great deal to make him angry, but the expression on his face does not bode well for someone. Sam is praying that her sister is not the cause of the Admiral's displeasure. Unfortunately, Sam's prayers go unanswered as Adm. Henderson waits until the majority of the people attending the presentation have left the room and then strides to the front of the room where Caroline is putting her notes into her briefcase. Sam, following the Admiral's tersely issued order to accompany him, stands slightly behind and to the side him as he addresses Caroline with a worried expression on her face.)
"Lt. Williams, a word, please."
"Yes, Sir?"
"Lieutenant, I would appreciate it if you could explain to me why you felt it necessary to demean some of the officers who asked questions at the end of your presentation."
"Sir?"
"Please do not insult my intelligence by pretending you don't know what I'm talking about, Lieutenant. I was sitting in the back of the room, as was Cmdr. McGarrett, and heard everything that was said. You responded to the last two individuals who asked questions in an extremely condescending manner and, in effect, proceeded to embarrass them in front of the entire assembly. I want you to tell me why you felt that was necessary."
"Sir, the two individuals you are referring to, Ensigns Moore and Durden, are fresh out of flight school and have never actually flown as RIOs before. However, both of them should have known the answers to their questions as it was information they should have learned in flight school, and I wanted them to understand that they're going to have to be better prepared or they won't fly at all."
"That, Lieutenant, is not your call. Cmdr. McGarrett is in charge of Flight Ops and all personnel assigned there. Humiliating those two officers in front of their peers was beneath you, and, quite frankly, I am surprised at your behavior. I have also noticed that your attitude has become quite negative recently. Would you care to explain why?"
"Those two officers deserved to be taken down a notch or two because, unless they get their heads on straight, no one is going to want to fly with them. As for my attitude, Admiral, I see nothing wrong in trying to protect everyone involved, including Ensigns Moore and Durden!"
(Sam is visibly cringing and desperately praying that her sister will shut up before she says something that will get her court-martialed. What Caroline has already said, and the manner in which she said it, is more than enough to get her into some seriously hot water with the base commander. Caroline, however either doesn't realize that she's on thin ice or she doesn't care. Adm. Henderson is not amused and his voice is deadly quiet.)
"You are being insubordinate, Lieutenant, and you are very close to finding yourself on report."
"For what, Admiral? I'm only trying to ensure the safety of the personnel assigned to this base."
(Behind Adm. Henderson, Sam is frantically shaking her head but Caroline completely ignores her.)
"You have absolutely no regard whatsoever for my opinion! Then, again, you apparently believe you know what's best in this situation although you aren't a pilot or RIO and never have been!"
"Consider yourself on report, Lt. Williams. Cmdr. McGarrett and I will discuss this incident further and the Commander will inform you of my decision regarding your punishment!"
(Without another word, Adm. Henderson turns on his heel and walks rapidly from the room. Sam, stunned disbelief written all over her face, turns toward her sister and is even more shocked to see Caroline calmly placing folders in her briefcase and looking perfectly calm.)
"Are you out of your mind? You have just been a complete and total smart ass to the base commander!"
"Who, as I said, is neither a pilot nor a RIO and hasn't the slightest idea of what needs to be done here!"
"What needs to be done is that you need to get yourself under control! Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be for me to convince Adm. Henderson not to bring you up on charges?"
"Let him."
"Let him? Let him? My God, Caroline, this is your career we're talking about here!"
"What do you care about my career? You've got everything you've ever wanted in life!"
"Know what? I'm leaving before you stupidly say something else you shouldn't! I don't know what the Hell's wrong with you, Caroline, but you'd better stop and think long and hard about what you're doing before you totally ruin you life!"
"Yeah, a lot you care!"
"I do care! You're my sister and I love you very much! I do not want to see you destroy yourself, but I can only do so much to protect you!"