CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

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

(Half an hour after Caroline, Rachel, and Danny arrive in Grace's room, Dr. Moody joins them to give them the results of the CAT scan and MRI. All three of them are holding their breath and praying that the news is good.)

"The radiologist and I have both reviewed the results of the scans and, while there is some slight bruising, there doesn't appear to be any bleeding in the cranial cavity."

"Thank God!"

"So, Grace should be all right?"

"Indeed, she should, Mr. Williams. We've been monitoring her very closely since she was admitted, and were keeping her in a light, medically-induced coma until we were able to review the test results, but we're going to slowly wean her off the medication and allow her to wake up on her own. Now, as good as this news is, I must warn you that there may be some concerns when Grace does awaken."

"What kind of concerns, Doctor?"

"As I said, Mrs. Edwards, the scans indicate that there is some slight bruising of the brain, and any brain injury, no matter how slight, is cause for concern. Possible issues include memory loss, motor skill, vision, or speech impairment, seizures. . "

"Oh my God!"

"But it's also possible that Grace won't suffer from any of these issues, or, if she does, they will be temporary. We really won't know exactly how Grace will be affected until she wakes up. I'm sorry that I can't be more specific, but each patient is different. I know this is hard on you, but we're just going to have to be patient. Let me stress to you, again, that we have every, possible reason to believe that Grace will make a full recovery. Now, although Grace will probably sleep through the night due to the medication, I know that you're going to want to stay with her so I've asked the nurses to have a couple of cots brought up to the room, and the loveseat folds out into a bed. I've also asked that your family down in the waiting room be asked to come up so they can see Grace for a few minutes. I think they will all feel much better if they can see her for themselves. The nurses will be monitoring her closely throughout the night and they will call me immediately if they feel it necessary, and I'll be in to see Grace first thing in the morning. Do you have any more questions for me?"

(But neither Rachel nor Danny nor Caroline can think of anything that the doctor hasn't already covered. Rachel and Danny effusively thank Dr. Moody for taking care of their child and for her kindness, and Caroline smiles warmly at the woman as she leaves the room. Turning back toward the Grace, Caroline discovers Rachel and Danny standing on opposite sides of the bed discussing the sleeping arrangements.)

"You and Caroline take the cots, Rachel. I'm too keyed up to sleep, and, if I do get sleepy, I'll just fold out the loveseat."

"Are you sure, Danny? I'm worn out; drained, and I know you must be, as well."

"I'm still running on adrenaline so it'll probably be a while before I can even think about sleeping."

"All right, I'm just going to step out into the hall and try calling Stan again. His flight should have landed in Morocco by now. I'll just be a moment."

(Danny reaches across the bed and, taking Rachel's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, smiles at her.)

"She's going to be all right, Rachel. Our baby is going to be all right."

(Rachel returns Danny's smile for a moment before walking out the door; smiling at Caroline as she does. Caroline returns the smile Danny sends her way but she is seething on the inside. How dare her husband flirt with his ex-wife in front of her? The only thing stopping Caroline from giving Danny a piece of her mind is the fact that Grace might wake up and overhear her and she does not want to upset the little girl. When Danny walks to her and tries to pull her into his arms, she jerks away, but the door opening to admit the rest of the family prevents him from saying anything for the moment. The others don't stay long at all because they all know that Rachel, Danny, and Caroline are just as exhausted as they are, if not more so, and they need to get some rest. Steve does take the time to tell them that H.P.D. has arrested the driver, and then he, and everyone else with the exception of Libby and Mike, are gone. The Thrashers make sure to spend a few minutes reassuring Rachel before speaking with Danny and then Mike asks Caroline to step out into the hall with him and Libby for a few minutes. Puzzled, she follows them into a waiting area at the end of the hallway where they can speak without disturbing anyone.)

"Are you all right, Sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, Mom."

"Are you sure? I know all this has been terribly upsetting, and I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm a little tired, Mom, but we all are. In fact, you and Dad should go home and get some rest yourselves."

"We will, dear, but you know that I can't rest until I'm sure all my children are all right."

"I promise you, Mom; I'm fine. Now that we know Grace is going to be all right, we're all fine, even Rachel. She, Danny, and I are going to stay with Grace tonight, so we'll all be with her if she wakes up before morning."

"All right, Caroline, but please don't hesitate to call us if you need anything."

"I will. . . I love you both very much, you know."

"Your mother and I love you, too, Sweetheart. . Remember what your mother said; call us if you need us at any time."

(Caroline watches her parents as they walk to the elevator and smiles and waves at them as they get into the elevator. As soon as they are out of sight, however, her smile disappears and she quickly walks back to Grace's room. Rachel and Danny have been alone entirely too long.)