CHAPTER SIX
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
(By mutual agreement, they decide to wait until they have spoken with Capt. Stewart before implementing their plan to try and reach Caroline. Danny, Libby, and Mike head to her room to sit with her until they can meet with Capt. Stewart leaving Sam and Steve alone in the therapy room. As soon as the three are out the door and it has closed behind them, Sam immediately turns and slips her arms around her husband's neck. Steve, knowing perfectly well that what just transpired cost Sam a great deal, pulls her close and holds her tightly.)
"It's okay, Baby."
"No, Steve, it's not. All I've managed to do is prevent Caroline from being transferred to the V.A. as a permanent in-patient, and that may still happen if we can't trigger a reaction and do it soon. Capt. Stewart was none too happy that I went over his head and relieved Cmdr. Shelton of responsibility for Caroline's care, and he didn't fail to let me know it. He's probably on the phone with Adm. Henderson right now. I don't care, though. If getting a written reprimand in my file means my sister has a chance to come back to us, they can put a hundred of the damned things in there!"
"That's my girl, and you know that Adm. Henderson isn't going to put a written reprimand in your file. He might call you on the carpet and chew you out, but he knows things on this base wouldn't run as smoothly as they do without you."
"And I can't do this without you, Sailor. If Capt. Stewart approves what we want to do, I'm going to need you like I've never needed you before."
"I'm right here, Sam, and I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
(Caroline, dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, is sitting in a comfortable chair in her room near the window when her husband and parents arrive. Libby puts a smile on her face, walks straight to her daughter, and gives her a hug and kiss before sitting in another chair beside her and holding her hand.)
"Good morning, Sweetheart, how are you feeling today? Danny and your father are here, too, and Sam and Steve will be in a little later. Did you have a nice breakfast? I've always loved that shade of pink on you, Caroline, you're absolutely glowing!"
"Hello, Sweetheart, you'll have to forgive your mother's non-stop chattering, I believe she's had a little too much coffee this morning."
"Too much coffee, indeed, Mike Thrasher! I only had two cups, thank you very much! I believe you had three."
"Well, excuse me, Libby, I didn't realize you were counting."
"Are you listening to these two, Gorgeous? No? Me, neither. I'd much rather talk about an idea I've got. I was thinking that, you know, when you're feeling better we could take your parents' boat out for the weekend; just the two of us. Think you might be up for that?"
(But as has been the case since the accident, Caroline neither speaks nor moves in any way to indicate that she has heard anything her husband or parents have said. Exchanging helpless glances with his in-laws, Danny keeps trying. . .
Sam, deciding to go ahead and "face the music" asks Steve to let everyone know that she's heading over to her office to try and get some work done before they meet with Capt. Stewart at 1300 hours. Giving her a kiss that makes her heart simply melt, Steve lets her go. She hasn't been in her office five minutes when Adm. Henderson knocks on the doorframe and steps inside. Sam is immediately on her feet, but the man says, "as you were", and takes a seat in one of the two chairs in front of her desk.)
"How's Lt. Williams this morning, Commander?"
"The same, Sir."
"I am sorry, Sam. I know this has been very difficult for all of you."
"Thank you, Sir. It has been hard, but we haven't given up hope that she's going to make a complete recovery."
"Cmdr. Shelton called me, Sam. She wanted me to know that you had relieved her as your sister's psychiatrist, and that you refused to allow Caroline to be transported to the V. A. Hospital."
"Yes, Sir, that's true."
"What I'm about to say to you, Sam, is as your friend and not your commanding officer. . . Are you sure that you're not too emotionally involved to make the right choice in this situation?"
"Yes, Sir, I am. Did Cmdr. Shelton also tell you that I've spoken with Capt. Stewart and he's agreed to review Caroline's records and discuss the possibility of a new approach to her therapy?"
"As a matter of fact, no. I know Ben Stewart, and, if he thinks there's a chance of Lt. Williams' making a full recovery, it just might happen. Keep me informed, Commander."
"Aye, aye, Sir."
(Sam starts in on the files in her "In" basket as soon as the Admiral leaves her office but she can't help but wonder why he didn't, at the very least, chew her out. Then, again, Sam was perfectly within her rights as 2IC and it isn't as if her decision is going to put anyone in danger of losing their life; quite the opposite. If what the family has decided to try works, they will be giving a life back. A sudden thought occurs to Sam and she picks up her desk phone and calls the office of Senior Chief Charlie Evans over at the main hangar. When the man answers and Sam explains what's on her mind, she can almost hear the smile in his voice as he readily agrees to take care of Sam's request ASAP. Satisfied that she's actually doing something to help her sister, Sam quickly finishes her paperwork so that she can be back at the base hospital at 1300 hours to meet with Capt. Stewart.)