CHAPTER FIVE

Title: "Salvation: Forever and Always: Elusive Dreams – PART III"

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: October 27, 2012

(The silence in the room is deafening and the expressions on the faces of Caroline's family range from horrified to angry. Mike has turned an unhealthy shade of red, Libby has gone white, and Sam and Danny are glaring at the doctor with narrowed eyes. Steve decides to stay put for the moment, but he's seriously worried that he's going to have to physically pull one or both of them off the psychiatrist who is sitting there looking very matter-of-fact. The woman obviously hasn't realized that she might be in danger because she hasn't looked up from the notes resting on her lap, and, when she does, she makes the mistake of continuing to pursue her line of reasoning.)

"I realize that this has been a bit of a shock for all of you, and I am so terribly sorry, but I don't believe there is anything further we can do for Caroline. The trauma of losing the baby was simply too much for her mind to bear. I've already spoken with a colleague at the V.A. and they have a bed ready and waiting for Caroline in the Psychiatric Unit. I will, of course, make sure that Cmdr. Lewis is available when Caroline is transferred so he can go over the maintenance treatment plan with you. We just need your signature on a few forms, Danny, and we can have Caroline moved first thing this morning."

(But Sam holds up a hand to her brother-in-law before he can respond and slowly stands up to her full height and her commanding officer persona is fully in force; her voice deadly calm.)

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, 'no', Cmdr. Shelton. You are not going to transfer my sister to the V.A. Hospital or anywhere else, for that matter. You are not going to simply dismiss her because your method of treatment has not worked. You are not going to write her off and move on to the next poor soul."

"With all due respect, Cmdr. McGarrett, this is not your call; it's Danny's."

"Oh, my sister-in-law is doing just fine, Cmdr. Shelton."

"All right. Again, Cmdr. McGarrett, with all due respect, while you are the second in command of this base, your area of expertise is not psychiatry. Further, I believe you are reacting emotionally instead of rationally as this is your sister we're talking about. There is nothing further we can do for Lt. Williams and we are not equipped to care for her on a long-term basis. You need to defer to my judgment in this matter, Ma'am."

(Sam takes the three steps necessary to bring her face to face with the psychiatrist, and, since the doctor is all of five feet, two inches, Sam, at five feet, nine inches, towers over her. So concerned is Steve that he might need to intervene that he also stands.)

"You are correct, Cmdr. Shelton; psychiatry is not my area of expertise, and, yes, I do have an emotional investment in my sister; I love her. But neither I nor her husband, nor our parents believe that you have exhausted every possible method of treatment, and we expect all treatment methods to be attempted before you send Caroline to oblivion. To that end, we held a family meeting this morning and wanted to extend to you the courtesy of asking you to work with us. However, you have made it more than clear that you have washed your hands of Lt. Williams so we won't press the issue. Stand down, Commander, you are relieved."

"You . . You can't do that!"

"Watch me."

(And Sam turns around and immediately walks out of the room in search of the officer who is the head of the Psychiatric Unit. Cmdr. Shelton is disconcerted but quickly recovers herself and appeals to Mike.)

"Adm. Thrasher, surely you understand that I cannot allow Cmdr. McGarrett to discharge me as Lt. Williams' doctor of record."

"Cmdr. McGarrett is the second in command of this base, Cmdr. Shelton, and since this hospital is part of this base, I don't believe you have much of a say so in the matter."

"But, Sir. . . "

"Commander, I don't know where or when you received your commission, but the last time I checked, officers in the United States Navy were required to follow orders issued by superior officers."

"Very well, Sir, but I want to be on record that I will not be held accountable for any harm which may come to Lt. Williams as a result of Cmdr. McGarrett's rash and ill-advised actions."

"Noted, Commander. You're dismissed."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

(As soon as the woman has left the room, Mike turns to Steve with a questioning look on his face.)

"You didn't really believe Sam was going to physically assault the woman, did you, Son?"

"Actually, Mike, yeah, I did. I mean, we came in here this morning with an idea that gave us all some hope and Cmdr. Shelton shot us down before we had a chance to read her in. I could feel the anger rolling off of Sam in waves so, yeah, I was a little concerned for Cmdr. Shelton's physical well-being. I was just hoping I wasn't going to have to pull Sam and Danny off the woman."

(Any further speculation on the subject is halted as Sam walks back into the room with a hopeful expression on her face.)

"I've spoken with Capt. Benjamin Stewart, the head of this unit. I've explained what we want to do and asked him to review Caroline's records and he's agreed to do so immediately and meet with us at 1300 hours."

"Thanks, Sam, and thank you for relieving Cmdr. Shelton. I don't think I could have stood being in the same room with her another minute."

"You're welcome, Danny, and I think you're going to like Capt. Stewart."

"Yeah? How come?"

" 'Cause he's from Jersey."